The Mystery at Putnam Hall | Page 6

other students of Pornell, they having made off with them while the drivers were in a roadhouse obtaining refreshments. For this trick, Pepper and some of the others got after the Pornellites and made them prisoners in a cave, from which they could escape only by going out a back way, through some water and mud, and thorny bushes.
While they were playing a certain trick in Cedarville, Jack and Pepper fell in with a youth named Bert Field. He was a queer lad, but did the chums a good turn, and in return they promised to help him. He was trying to locate a certain old man who was defrauding him out of some property. The old man was discovered during a visit to a mysterious mill said to be haunted, and by the chums' aid Bert Field got what was coming to him. It was thought best to send Bert to school, and he said he wanted to go to Putnam Hall.
"We'll be glad to have him with us," said Jack, and so it was settled.
Following the encampment had come the regular summer vacation, and the cadets had scattered far and wide, Jack and Pepper going for a cruise around the Great Lakes, and Andy and Dale going to Asbury Park and Atlantic City. Reff Ritter had started for a summer in the Adirondacks, but unexpected word from home, of which more will be said later, had caused him to give up the outing.
CHAPTER III
SOMETHING ABOUT A RUNAWAY
While Dale and Andy ran off to get the water, the other boys gathered around Jack. The young major still lay with his eyes closed, breathing faintly.
"He got a bad crack on the head," remarked Fred Century.
"He certainly did," whispered another cadet. "If he doesn't come around what shall we do?"
"How did the team happen to run away?" questioned Amos Darrison.
"Some fellows from Pornell Academy threw things at us," explained Pepper. "We'll have an account to settle with 'em for this," he added grimly.
"Wonder how poor Snuggers made out?"
"Here he comes now," was the answer, and looking back toward the highway, the cadets saw the driver of the carryall approaching on a swift limp.
"Did ye stop 'em?" he gasped. "Oh, dear, what a bust-up! But it wasn't my fault--you boys can prove that, can't ye?"
"We can, Peleg," answered Pepper. "Much hurt?"
"I got a nasty twist to my back when I tumbled. Say, what's the matter with Major Ruddy?" And the general utility man forgot his own pains as he gazed at the motionless form of Jack.
The cadets told him, and in the midst of the explanation Dale and Andy came back with a bucket of water and a tin dipper. The major's face was bathed, and a little water was put into his mouth, and with a gulp he opened his eyes and stared around him.
"Oh, my head!" he murmured. "Who hit me?"
"You were in the carryall smash-up, Jack," answered Pepper. "You got a bad one on the head."
"Oh, yes, I remember now." Jack sat up and placed his hand to his forehead. "Bloody, eh? Say, that was a crack, all right!"
"It's lucky you weren't killed," said Andy.
"Better take it easy for a while," advised Dale. "Maybe we had better get a doctor."
"Oh, I guess I'll be all right after a bit, Dale," answered the young major, who had a horror of being placed on the sick list. "The knocking around stunned me, that's all."
"Let me tie a handkerchief over that cut," said Pepper.
"Here, I've got some court-plaster," said Fred, producing a little package. "Let us bind it up with that."
This was done, and after he had had a drink of water, Jack said he felt much better. But when he got up on his feet he was rather shaky in the knees.
"I--I don't think I can walk to the Hall," he said, with a faint smile.
"We'll get a carriage," answered Pepper. "Maybe Mr. Darrison will let us have one. We'll pay for it, of course," he went on, knowing that the old farmer was a close person.
"I'll let you have my three-seated carriage and a team, if you want them," answered Amos Darrison. "But it will cost you two dollars. I can't afford to let you have 'em for nothing, because I'm a poor man, and taxes are heavy, and so many things wanted on the farm, and my wife wants----"
"Never mind, we'll pay the two dollars," interrupted Pepper. "Everybody who rides can chip in," he added to the surrounding cadets.
While the lads were waiting for the farmer to hook up his horses, some of them and Peleg Snuggers examined the carryall. A wheel had come off, and the glass had been broken, but otherwise the turnout had suffered but little.
"I am glad it is no worse," said Andy. "I'd hate