While I am speaking of it, I wish to assure you, sir, that I had no hand in the outrage." "I am very glad to hear you say that, Mr.Ripley.

Some day I hope I shall have a notion who _did_ originate the practical joke." "I don't believe you would have to guess very long, sir," Ripley hinted.
"What do you mean ?" "Why, sir, whenever anything of that sort is hatched up in this school, it's generally a pretty safe guess that Dick & Co.

are at the bottom of it all." "Dick & Co. ?" repeated Mr.Cantwell.
"Dick Prescott and his chums, sir," replied Ripley, rapidly naming the five partners.

Then, having accomplished what he wanted, Fred sauntered out.
"I'll look into this further," thought Mr.Cantwell, angrily.
"If I can satisfy myself that Prescott was at the bottom of this wicked hoax then I---I may find it possible to make him want to cut his High School course short!" Mrs.Cantwell was waiting at the gate.
"What on earth, Abner, did you mean by sending me this great cartload of pennies ?" demanded the principal's spouse.

"Here I've taken it up to the bank, and find they won't accept it---not in this form, anyway.