"The only thing I can see for us to do is to spend a lot of the Athletic Association's money in hiring a swell detective to come to town and find out who really did take the things at the old H.S.Then we'd have you with us again, Dick Prescott." Though under such long suspension Dick was not going backward much in his studies.

He had his books at home, and every forenoon he put in the time faithfully over them.
One of these November evenings Dick had the good fortune to have Dave Darrin and Greg Holmes up in his room with him.

The other partners were at home studying.
Dick and his friends were talking rather dispiritedly, for the long suspension, without action, was beginning to wear on them all.

Dick's case was now quietly before the Board of Education, but a result had not yet been reached by that slow-moving body.
Of course, the members of the Board had now more than a good idea that Dick & Co.

had been behind that "dead ones" hoax; but the members of the Board were trying to do their duty in the suspension case, and tried not to let any other considerations weigh with them.
"We've all heard that old chestnut about the silver lining to the cloud," observed Dave, dejectedly.