“I think I can fix Ruddy and Ditmore,” said the bully to Coulter, during the time when the young major and his chums were having their meeting in the woods with Bert Field. “I’ve got a plan for getting them into no end of trouble.” “All right, let me hear what it is,” answered Coulter, quickly. “Will you promise to keep it a secret, Gus? This is no ordinary affair, and we can’t afford to be found out.” “You can depend on me.” “We might take in Paxton, but I won’t trust Sabine. He is too weak-kneed.” “Right you are. Take in Nick and that’s all.” A little later Paxton was called into the tent where Ritter and Coulter sat and then the leader of the ne’er-do-wells unfolded his plan to get Jack and Pepper into trouble. “We might involve the others,” said Ritter. “But Ruddy and Ditmore are the leaders. I’m hoping we can have them both dismissed from the school.” “Say, that would be great!” murmured Coulter. “It would suit me down to the ground,” added Paxton. “I’ve hated them ever since I came to Putnam Hall.” “But it must be kept a secret, remember that,” continued Ritter, in a hoarse whisper. “Not a word to anybody, on your life!” Both Coulter and Paxton were at first startled when Ritter broached his plan and each shook his head. But gradually the bully won them over, and they agreed to aid him in the undertaking. Ritter had learned during the morning that George Strong had been to Ithaca on business and had brought back with him a box containing a collection of rare United States paper money. In the collection were old five, ten, fifteen, twenty-five and fifty-cent bills worth many times their real value, as curiosities. The teacher was writing a magazine article on the art of paper money engraving and was studying the collection for that purpose. Ritter’s scheme was to confiscate the entire collection of paper money and hide the various bills in the clothing and other things belonging to Jack and Pepper. The trick, taken as a whole, was not a particularly new one, but Ritter was not a particularly brilliant youth when it came to thinking out new things. “When do you want to work this game?” asked Paxton. “The sooner the better,” was the answer. “Strong may not keep the collection longer than to-morrow.” “Then we’ll have to do it to-night,” said Coulter. “What do you want us to do?” “Come with me and keep watch while I get the stuff. Then both of you can help me stow the bills away in Ruddy and Ditmore’s clothing.” The plotters waited until all was quiet and then stole through the camp to where was located the tent occupied by George Strong. Here they came to a halt at the rear of the tent and listened intently. “He’s asleep,” whispered Ritter. “Well, you look out that you don’t wake him up,” answered Coulter in a voice that shook from nervousness. “I’ll be careful. If you see anybody coming give a low whistle,” continued the bully. “Remember to look in every direction.”