“Why don’t they let a fellow sleep?” grumbled The Imp, and this almost set some of the others to laughing. “Shut up!” said Andy in a low voice. “I want to keep a straight face.” “Did we all get here?” asked another anxiously. “I guess so.” The calling of the roll commenced, and one after another the cadets answered their names. The roll was called by the quartermaster, but George Strong had another roll on which he did the checking, so that Bob might make no mistake or check off some friend who did not answer. “Eleven cadets missing,” announced George Strong after the roll call had come to an end. “Eight of those are on guard duty,” answered Major Jack, and had the corporal of the guard give the names. He was wondering who the three other cadets could be. “That leaves three to account for,” said Captain Putnam. “Who are they?” George Strong consulted his roll. “Nicholas Paxton, William Sabine and Frank Barringer.” “Barringer had permission to go away—his folks are at the Lake Hotel,” answered the master of the school. He raised his voice: “Does anybody know anything about Paxton and Sabine?” To this question there was no answer. “We will take a look around the camp and see if we can find them,” said Captain Putnam. This was done but the two cadets could not be found. “Paxton said after supper he didn’t feel very well,” said Coulter, lamely. “Maybe he left the camp to look for a doctor.” “Possibly, but I doubt it,” answered Captain Putnam, dryly. The cadets were dismissed and told to keep absolutely quiet for the remainder of the night. As they returned to their tents speculation was rife concerning the two missing cadets. “If they slipped off to one of the lake hotels they will be punished for it,” said Andy. “Paxton is getting quite sporty,” answered another cadet. “And poor Billy Sabine is just foolish enough to follow his example.” “I am sorry for Billy,” said Dale. “He is a pretty decent sort sometimes.” The cadets retired and for about an hour matters in camp were quiet. Then, from the woods, came several screams of terror. A rifle shot rang out, and once more the camp was in an uproar. CHAPTER XVI A GAME OF BASEBALL “What’s the trouble now?” “Did somebody get shot?” “Say, this night is the worst yet! Why can’t they let a fellow sleep?” “If it’s going to keep on like this we better go back to the Hall!” So the talk ran on, as the cadets rushed out on the parade ground to learn the cause of the new disturbance. Those to make first appearance beheld Nick Paxton and Billy Sabine running as if some demon was after them. Both were out of breath and shaking with terror. “Save me!” screamed Billy Sabine, and ran to Captain Putnam and clutched him by the arm frantically. “What is the trouble, Sabine?” asked the master of the school anxiously. “It’s a ghost—a madman, a monster!” gasped Sabine. “Oh, don’t let him touch me, please!”