"I don't like it, that's all."
"Humph! I don't care whether you like it or not," grunted Sobber.
"See here, Tad Sobber, let us have an understanding," said Dick, calmly. "I understand that you are trying to bully everybody in this school. Now, this cannot be. We have had several bullies here and we have gotten rid of them all. We want no more."
"Humph! Trying to be the bully yourself, eh?" sneered Sobber.
"No, I am only giving you warning. The other boys have told me about you."
"Tad has a right to act as he pleases," put in Nick Pell.
"No, he has not. Captain Putnam expects, every student here to be a gentleman."
"Oh, don't preach. Rover," cried Tad Sobber. "I can take care of myself without your advice."
"Well, I warn you to keep your distance so far as I am concerned and keep a civil tongue in your head," said Dick.
What this war of words might have led to there is no telling. Just at that moment the school bell rang, and all of the students had to hurry to their respective classes.
It may be mentioned here that Sam, Tom and Dick were now in the same grade. This may be wondered at, but the fact of the matter was that
