principal, again at a white heat. "If I don't I'll soon have
some real trouble on hand with these young jackanapes! The idea
of their making me---the principal---ridiculous in the town!
No school principal can submit to hoaxes like that one without
suffering in public esteem. I'll sift this matter down and nip
the whole spirit in the bud."

In this Mr. Cantwell was quite possibly at error in judgment.
Probably the High School boys wouldn't have played such a prank
on good old Dr. Thornton, had he still been their school chief.
But, if they had, Dr. Thornton would have admitted the joke good-humoredly
and would have taken outside chaffing with a good nature that
would have disarmed all wit aimed at him. Mr. Cantwell, as will
be seen, lacked the saving grace of a sense of humor. He also
lacked ability in handling full-blooded, fun-loving boys.

Wednesday, just before one o'clock, the principal electrified
the assembled students by saying, in a voice that was ominously
quiet and cool:

"When school is dismissed I shall be glad to have Mr. Prescott
remain for a few words with me."

"Now it's coming," thought Dick, though without any particular
thrill of dismay.

He waited while the others filed out. Somehow the big building
didn't empty as fast as usual. Had Mr. Cantwell known more about
boy nature he would have suspected that several of Dick's friends
had remained behind in hiding places of their own choosing.