"To see Captain Putnam?" queried Tom.
"Yes."
"I don't want to go," blustered the bully. "Let Rover tell his yarn—I don't care. It will be only another of his lies."
"Then you shall go to the guardroom," said the teacher. "Rover, you may go to see the captain alone."
"I will, sir—at once," and Tom made away. He had no sooner departed than George Strong marched Baxter off to the guardroom previously described. As the pair passed down the stairs they encountered Mumps coming up.
"Hullo, Dan, what does this mean?" asked Mumps in wonder.
"I'm under arrest," laughed Baxter bitterly. "And for nothing, too."
"Silence!" commanded George Strong. "If you have done nothing wrong, you will soon be released."
"You bet I will," rejoined Baxter insolently, and then, watching his chance, he made a sign which Mumps well understood. The sign meant "Come and help me if you can."
Mumps nodded to show that he understood. Then he pretended to go up to the dormitory, while the head teacher conducted Baxter to the guardroom, locked the impudent one in, and walked away with the key.
