On the day following Dick's return to camp Captain Putnam summoned Lew Flapp, Pender, Rockley, and Jackson before him.
"I presume you know why I have sent for you," said the captain briefly. "Since the disappearance of Captain Rover I have been making an investigation. Rover himself would not talk, but others have spoken, and Rover has not denied the truth. All of you have been guilty of such serious misconduct that to overlook it would be almost criminal on my part."
"What have I done?" asked Lew Flapp brazenly.
"You have earned your dismissal from Putnam Hall, Flapp, and you leave this camp as soon as arrangements can be made."
"Going to fire me out, eh?"
"You are dismissed. I will not allow such a boy as you to mingle longer with the rest of my pupils."
"What are you going to do with the others? I wasn't to blame alone."
"Pender, Rockley, and Jackson shall go, too. The others, including Hurdy, shall have another chance, for I believe they were dragged into the affair unwillingly by you and your particular cronies."
"If we have got to go, don't let's listen to any
