Mr. Dale had arrived. Then he heard Mr. Dale walk to the rear of the lower floor, and heard somebody else come out of the library.
"Mr. Haskers, what is it?" he heard Doctor Clay say.
"I must consult you about two of the students, sir," answered Job Haskers. "They have acted in a most disgraceful manner. They attacked me on the road with icy snowballs, nearly ruining my right ear, and when I called them to account in the office one of them began to fight and broke your statue of Mercury."
"Is it possible!" ejaculated the doctor, in pained surprise. "Who were the pupils?"
"David Porter and Philip Lawrence."
"Is this true, Mr. Haskers? Porter and Lawrence are usually well-behaved students."
"They acted like ruffians, sir—especially Porter, who attacked me and broke the statue."
"I will look into this without delay. Where are they now—in their room?"
"No, I locked them up in the book-room, to await your arrival. I did not deem it wise to give them their liberty."
"Ahem! prisoners in the book-room, eh? This is certainly serious. They cannot remain in the room all night."
"It would serve them right to keep them there," grumbled Job Haskers.
