As he came close to Tom he paused.
"Excuse me, Mr.Grinder, but won't you let Sam out of the stone cell ?" asked Tom, to avoid being questioned.
"You be silent Rover," muttered the teacher, and passed on without saying more.
After the supper hour it was usual for the students to have half an hour to themselves, during which they might read, play games, or do as they pleased.

But now Mr.Grinder called them together in the main classroom.
"I wish to talk to you young gentlemen," said the teacher, when all were seated.
"We're going to catch it now," whispered Tom to Dick.

"Don't you give the secret away." "Indeed I won't," answered the eldest Rover.

"I intend to lay the whole case before Captain Putnam as soon as he returns." "Silence!" thundered Jasper Grinder.

"I want you boys to stop talking instantly." "I didn't say anything," murmured several in an undertone.
"Silence, I say!" repeated the master, and then all became so quiet that the ticking of the clock could be heard distinctly.
The teacher gazed around at the scores of faces and looked more stem than ever.
"I am going to question all of you separately, and I trust each of you will tell the truth.