"I think you will find it to your advantage to let this whole matter
rest for the present," went on Captain Putnam. "If you make a charge
against the boys it will hurt both them and my school. I feel sure they
will not run away, and I will give you my personal word that they shall
appear in court whenever wanted."

"That sounds reasonable," came from the constable, who was beginning
to fear the influence which Captain Putnam and the Rovers might bring
to bear on the case. "It ain't no nice thing to ruin a boy's
repertation, if he ain't guilty," he added.

"That is a sensible speech which does you credit, sir," said the
captain.

"I'd like to find this feller Flapp," went on Aaron Fairchild. "How
does he look?"

"I have his photograph at the academy. I will let the constable have
that, if he wishes it."

"That suits me," returned Josiah Cotton. "Hang me if I don't kinder
think he must be guilty. But it puzzles me how them things got in the
boys' uniforms."

The matter was discussed for fully an hour, and the whole party visited
Aaron Fairchild's shop. But no clews were brought to light. Then a
wagon was hired to take the captain and the boys to Putnam Hall. The
constable went along, to get the photograph which had been promised.