items together, end on end, and bring them to me. That is what
reporters call a 'space string.' Bring your 'string' to me every
Saturday afternoon. We'll measure it up with you and settle."

Dick hurried away, content. He even found that evening that he
could study with more interest, now that he found he had a financial
place in life.

In the morning Gridley read and laughed over Dick's item about
the High School hoax. But there was one man who saw it at his
breakfast table, and who went into a white heat of rage at once.
That man was Abner Cantwell, the principal.

He was still at white heat when he started for the High School;
though, warned by prudence, he tried to keep his temper down.
Nevertheless, there was fire in Mr. Cantwell's eyes when he
rang the bell to bring the student body to attention to begin
the morning's work.




CHAPTER III

MR. CANTWELL THINKS TWICE---OR OFTENER


"Young ladies and young gentlemen," began the principal, "a very
silly hoax was perpetrated on me yesterday. I do not believe
you will have any difficulty in understanding what I mean. But