CHAPTER XX
THE BULLY LEAVES PUTNAM HALL
"So you wish to see me, Rover? Very well, come right in and sitdown," said Captain Putnam, who sat in front of his desk, makingup some of his accounts for the month just past.
Tom came in and sat down. It must be confessed he was a triflenervous, but this soon wore away.
"I came to tell you something and to ask your advice," he began."You remember what happened to me when I ran away into the woodsjust after arriving at the Hall?"
"Very well, Thomas," and the captain smiled.
"Well, when Sam and I went to Cedarville to buy our skates we sawDan Baxter in the tavern there, in company with the man with ascar on his chin. This man gave Baxter some bank bills."
"What! At the tavern?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Please tell your story in detail, Rover," and now Captain Putnamswung around so that he might get a full view of his pupil's face.
And Tom told his story from beginning to end just as I have set itdown in the foregoing pages.
"I am certain this man is some relative of Baxter," he concluded."And I am equally certain he is not an honest fellow."
"Humph!" Captain Putnam arose and began to pace the heavilycarpeted floor. "Rover, this is a serious charge."
"I understand that, Sir. But you can't blame us boys for tryingto get back Dick's watch and trying to--to--"
"Bring the guilty party to justice? Certainly not! But it wouldseem the man with a scar is not the thief."
"No, but he is the boon companion of the thief."
"That is true--unless there is some grave mistake. But you areright about one thing, the man is really Baxter's father, and hisname is Arnold Baxter."
"And why does he travel around under the name of Nolly?"
"That is the mystery. I met Mr. Baxter only once--when heplaced his son in my care. At that time I was certain he waswearing a wig and a false mustache. The scar was on his chin,although he tried to hide it. I have never seen him since. Whenany money is due from him he sends it to me by mail and does notask for any receipt. I once asked Baxter about his parents, andhe said his mother was dead and he didn't know exactly where hisfather was, as the latter was a great traveler and wenteverywhere."
"I see."
"If you are right, and the man is a rascal, it is to his creditthat he is trying to bring his son up as a gentleman. Perhaps hedoesn't want Daniel to know anything of the past. Do you followme?"
"I do, sir. But if this is so, would he take his son into thetavern?"
"Perhaps--everybody is not so opposed to drinking as I am."
"Well, if Mr. Baxter is a bad man, I rather think Dan is a chip ofthe old block," rejoined Tom bluntly. "But be that as it may, allI want to get hold of is that thief and Dick's timepiece."
"I will question Baxter closely," answered Captain Putnam. "But Ido not wish to hold him guilty of something of which most likelyhe knows nothing."
George Strong had by this time come in, and he was sent to bringBaxter. He was gone but a few minutes when he came back in highexcitement.
"Baxter has broken out of the guardroom!" he, exclaimed. "Icannot find him anywhere!"
"Did you look in the dormitory?"
"Yes, sir; and his valise is gone, and his trunk is empty of allof value."
"Humph!" Captain Putnam's brow contracted. "This looks verysuspicious."
At that moment one of the smaller cadets came in with a note inhis hand.
"I just met Baxter running down the road!" exclaimed the littlefellow. "He gave me this for you, Captain Putnam."
At once the proprietor of the Hall tore open the communication andread it half aloud:
"Good-by to Putnam Hall forever. It is full of fellows who are nogood and run by a man I never liked. No use of following me, forI am going to join my father, and I don't mean to come back.
"DAN BAXTER
"P. S.--Tell the Rover boys I shan't forget them, and some day Ishall take pains to square accounts.
"D. B."
"The foolish boy," was the captain's comment. "But perhaps he hasdone what is best, for it might have been necessary to dismisshim." For a long while those at the Hall wondered how Baxter hadescaped. Only Mumps knew and he kept the secret to himself. Aduplicate key to the door of the guardroom had done the trick.
As Baxter was not followed, nothing more was spoken of him for thetime being, and after several days the cadets settled down totheir regular work as though nothing out of the ordinary hadoccurred. A hunt was instituted by Dick for Arnold Baxter andBuddy the thief, but no trace of the pair came to light.
The Christmas holidays were now at hand and the closing days atPutnam Hall were given over to several entertainments. One ofthese consisted of a stage performance of a play called "AChristmas in a Tenement," given by twelve of the boys. Three ofthe lads, including Tom, took female parts, and the audiencelaughed itself sore over the antics that were cut up.
Many living in the vicinity came to the entertainment; includingall of the Lanings and also Dora Stanhope and her mother; who wasnow almost as well as ever.
"It was fine!" said Nellie Laning to Tom. "But, oh, Tom, what agirl you did make!"
"Wouldn't you like me for a sister?" queried Tom.
"A sister! Oh, dear!" cried Nellie, and began to laugh again.
"You looked like a female giraffe!" put in Grace Laning. "Samacted a little boy splendidly. Sam, don't you want a stick ofcandy?"
"Yes, mammy, please," squeaked Sam, just as he had on the stage,and another laugh went around.
In the meantime Dick had drawn Dora to one side. "What is thenews?" he asked anxiously.
"Nothing new," sighed Dora. "Josiah Crabtree has gone to Bostonon business. I am afraid I cannot keep that marriage off muchlonger. He seems bound to marry mother, and even if she feelslike drawing back she hasn't the courage to tell him so."
"It's a shame," murmured Dick. "Well, remember what I said, Dora,if I can ever help you I will." And he squeezed her hand. Beforethey separated he gave her a silk handkerchief he had purchased atCedarville, one with her initial in the corner, and she blushinglyhanded over a scarf made by herself. Dick was very proud of thatscarf, although Tom and Sam teased him about it unmercifully.
Of course the boys had received letters from their uncle and auntregularly, yet they watched eagerly for the hour that should bringthem within sight of the farm with its well-known buildings. Thejourney to Oak Run proved uneventful, and here Jack, the hiredman, met them with the carriage.
"Glad to see you, lads," he said--with a grin.
"Seems quite natural like."
"So it does, Jack!" cried Tom. "Let 'em out, for we want to gethome!"
The snow was falling, and by the time the farmhouse was reached itwas several inches deep. "We're in for a sleigh ride before we goback," said Sam.
Their uncle and aunt stood at the door to receive them. "Welcomehome! Merry Christmas!" came from both, and each of the boys gavea warm handshake to Randolph Rover and hearty kiss to their AuntMartha. Past troubles were all forgotten.
This was Christmas Eve, and the boys stayed up late, cracking nutsby the blazing log fire and having a good time generally.
In the morning Dick was the first one awake.
"For gracious' sake!" he ejaculated, staring at the chimney piece."There hung his own stocking and also one each belonging to Tomand Sam. Each was filled with goodies such as he knew only hisAunt Martha could make.
"Sam and Dick, wake up, we've struck a bonanza!" he cried, andhauled both from under the covers. All laughed heartily, andmarched down to the dining room with the stockings over theirshoulders.
"A merry Christmas to Uncle Randolph from all of us," said Tom,handing over a much coveted volume on agriculture. "And a merryChristmas to Aunt Martha from three bad boys," added Sam, andturned over a fancy work-basket, both presents having beenpurchased at Ithaca on the journey home.
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"Ha! Just what I desired!" said Randolph Rover, adjusting hisspectacles. "I am very much obliged, boys--I am, indeed!"
"Such a pretty basket!" murmured Mrs. Rover. "It was very good ofyou!" and she, hugged each lad in his turn. Then came morepresents--neckties, collars, and gloves for the boys, besides abook for each written by a favorite juvenile writer.
"The snow is two feet deep!" said Dick, after an inspection, whenbreakfast had come to an end. "We're booked for the house today!"
"We'll wait until afternoon," said Mr. Rover.
It was a happy time, even if they were snowed in. Soon the warmsun came out and brought the snow down a little. "Best kind ofsleighing now," said the hired man, and drove around the biggestsleigh on the place. All tumbled in, and the party did not returnuntil after midnight.