"Say, who told you that?" he demanded fiercely and caught Tom by the arm.
"Let go of me, Dan Baxter."
"I say, who told you that?"
"I heard his name in the woods. He was with the man who robbed my brother Dick of his watch, when we were at home."
"Stuff and nonsense!" growled the bully, but he was very pale, and his voice shook with emotion. "That man's name is William Nolly.
He used to know my father. That is why I helped him along by giving him an order for the histories. I don't really want the books."
"If you was helping him, how is it that Sam and I saw you taking a roll of bills from him down at the tavern?"
Again Baxter started. "You didn't see no such thing!" he roared, regardless of his grammar. "I--that is--he gave me some change, that is all. Here are the books I bought," and he pointed to a package he had been carrying.
"It's a made-up story," retorted Tom. "He gave you money, and my opinion is that that man is your father, and that he is no better than the man with whom he associates."
The words had scarcely left Tom's lips than Baxter leaped upon him--like an enraged animal and hurled him to the floor. "I've a good mind to--to kill you for that, Rover!" he hissed. "Take it back, or I'll choke you to death!" and his strong hand sought Tom's throat.
"Will you!" came in a gasp, and now Tom turned over and threw the bully to one side. "I guess two can play at this game. Take that!" and he struck Baxter a heavy blow on the side of the face.
In a moment they had clinched and were trying their best to throw each other.
Suddenly came a rattle of the door knob. "Boys! Boys! What does this mean?" It was George Strong's voice. "Open the door instantly."
"Keep your mouth shut!" whispered Baxter, as he again shook his fist in Tom's face. "Not one word--on your life!"
Then he disengaged himself, adjusted his collar and tie, which had become rumpled, and unlocked the door. At once the head assistant strode into the dormitory.
"Have you two been fighting?" he demanded.
"We were only boxing a bit, sir," answered Baxter, before Tom could speak. "No harm intended, sir."
"You were making a good deal of noise," answered George Strong dryly. "What have you to say, Rover?"
"I have this to say, Mr. Strong," answered Tom boldly. "I would like to interview Captain Putnam without delay."
"Don't you dare--" began Baxter, when a wave of the teacher's hand cut him, short.
"About what, Rover?"
"About this affair, and about Baxter, sir. I am not a telltale, but certain things have happened which I think Captain Putnam should know for his own sake and for the reputation of his school."
"You--you imp!" hissed Baxter. He wanted to spring at Tom, but now George Strong caught him and held him fast.
"Baxter, you had best come with me--and you too, Rover."
"To see Captain Putnam?" queried Tom.
"Yes."
"I don't want to go," blustered the bully. "Let Rover tell his yarn--I don't care. It will be only another of his lies."
"Then you shall go to the guardroom," said the teacher. "Rover, you may go to see the captain alone."
"I will sir--at once," and Tom made away. He had no sooner departed than George Strong marched Baxter off to the guardroom previously described. As the pair passed down the stairs they encountered Mumps coming up.
"Hullo, Dan, what does this mean?" asked Mumps in wonder.
"I'm under arrest," laughed Baxter bitterly. "And for nothing, too."
"Silence!" commanded George Strong. "If you have done nothing wrong, you will soon be released."
"You bet I will," rejoined Baxter insolently, and then, watching his chance, he made a sign which Mumps well understood. The sign meant "Come and help me if you can."
Mumps nodded to show that he understood. Then he pretended to go up to the dormitory, while the head teacher conducted Baxter to the guardroom, locked the impudent one in, and walked away with the key.
CHAPTER XX
THE BULLY LEAVES PUTNAM HALL
"So you wish to see me, Rover? Very well, come right in and sit down," said Captain Putnam, who sat in front of his desk, making up some of his accounts for the month just past.
Tom came in and sat down. It must be confessed he was a trifle nervous, 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 woods just 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 saw Dan Baxter in the tavern there, in company with the man with a scar 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 Putnam swung 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 it down 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 heavily carpeted floor. "Rover, this is a serious charge."
"I understand that, Sir. But you can't blame us boys for trying to get back Dick's watch and trying to--to--"