CHAPTER X.
THE BROKEN BELL ROPE.
Joel arrived at chapel the following morning just as the doors were being closed.

Duffy, the wooden-legged doorkeeper, was not on duty, and the youth upon whom his duties had devolved allowed Joel to pass without giving his name for report as tardy.

During prayers there was an evident atmosphere of suppressed excitement among the pupils, but not until chapel was over did Joel discover the cause.
"Were you here when it happened ?" asked West.
"When what happened ?" responded Joel.
"Haven't you heard?
Why, some one cut the bell rope, and when 'Peg-leg' went to ring chapel bell the rope broke up in the tower and came down on his head and laid him out there on the floor, and some of the fellows found him knocked senseless.

And they've taken him to the infirmary.

You know the rope's as big as your wrist, and it hit him on top of the head.
I guess he isn't much hurt, but 'Wheels' is as mad as never was, and whoever did it will have a hard time, I'll bet!" "Poor old Duffy!" said Joel.