to have sentence pronounced, or at least to be directed to remain
after school. But nothing of the sort happened. Dick filed out
at the week's end with the rest.

"What do you imagine Prin. can be up to?" Dave Darrin asked, as
Dick & Co. marched homeward that early Friday afternoon.

"I don't know," Dick confessed. "It may be that Mr. Cantwell
is just trying to keep me guessing."

"If that's his plan," inquired Reade, "what are you going to do,
old fellow?"

"Perhaps---just possibly---I shall fight back with the same weapon,"
smiled Dick.

Mr. Cantwell had, in truth, formed his plan, or as much of it
as he could form until he had found just how the land lay, and
what would be safe. His present berth, as principal of Gridley
H.S., was a much better one than he had ever occupied before.
Mr. Cantwell cherished a hope of being able to keep the position
for a good many years to come. Yet this would depend on the attitude
of the Board of Education. In order not to take any step that
would bring censure from the Board, Mr. Cantwell had decided to
attend the Board's next meeting on the following Monday evening,
and lay the matter before the members confidentially. If the
Board so advised, Mr. Cantwell was personally quite satisfied
with the idea of disciplining Dick by dropping him from the High
School rolls.