"There may be nothing in it at all." "In what?
Come, out with it." "Why, you see, sir, some of the cadets in this school are not good friends with me and Major Ruddy, and maybe they thought they would play a trick on us by taking his watch and chain and my scarfpin." "Humph! a mighty poor trick! Who are those cadets ?" "I don't want to accuse them, Captain Putnam." "I understand.

But who are the cadets ?" "Reff Ritter and Gus Coulter." "Oh, yes, I remember now.

You and Major Ruddy have had quite some trouble with them in the past." "Yes, sir.

But I'd hate to think they did such a mean thing as this," added Pepper, hastily.
"Well, take a look around and report again to-morrow," returned Captain Putnam; and then closed his desk slowly and thoughtfully.
Pepper did take a look around, but it was of no use.

Not a trace of the missing scarfpin could be found.
"This certainly beats the nation!" remarked Dale, when the cadets were talking the affair over.