“Where was Powell?”

“He had dropped the others off at the old house and gone on to visit some folks named Sanderson.  He came back later.”

“Had he been drinking, too?”

“I do not think so,” answered Professor Blackie.

During this talk Dick and his brothers and Stanley stared somewhat vacantly at the president and the professors.  The students wanted to speak several times, but Doctor Wallington waved them to be silent.

“I will hear what you have to say after Professor Sharp and Professor Blackie have finished,” said the head of the college.

He asked the instructors a great number of questions, and then turned to Dick, as the oldest of the boys.

“Now, then, what have you to say about your disgraceful conduct?” he demanded severely.  “Or perhaps it would be as well to postpone further conversation until you are in a fit condition to tell a straight story.”  The doctor was sarcastic as well as severe.

“I—­I am not well, sir,” said Dick in a low voice.  “None of us are.  But it was not liquor that did it.  It was the vapor.”

“Vapor?” queried Doctor Wallington in perplexity.

“Yes, sir.”

“What do you suppose he means?” and now the master of the college turned to Abner Sharp.

“When we found them in such a sad state they tried to excuse themselves by stating that a strange vapor had made them sick,” was the instructor’s reply.  “But we could not trace any such vapor.  I feel sure it is merely an excuse.”

“You ought to have your head punched!” growled Tom.  He was still sick, and the sickness made him reckless.

“Rover!  How dare you?” exclaimed Doctor Wallington severely.

“I don’t care!  He is down on us, me especially, and he wants to put us in disgrace.  He’s a miserable sneak, that’s what he is!”

“You are evidently in no condition to tell your story, and your companions are little better off,” went on the head of the college.  He turned to the two professors.  “You may take them up to rooms 77 and 78, Mr. Blackie.  I will confer with you further, Mr. Sharp.”

There was no help for it, and with their heads still in a whirl, the Rovers and Stanley were taken to two rooms not used by any of the other students.  The rooms were in an angle of the building, away from all others.  They had a small hallway of their own, with a door shutting it off from the main hall.

Professor Blackie marched the boys into the rooms, and saw to it that they had a pitcher of fresh drinking water.

“You will have to remain here until Doctor Wallington sends for you,” said the instructor, and walked out of the room.  The boys heard him pass through the little hall and close and lock the door to the main hall.

“Prisoners!  What do you think of that?” cried Sam.

“It is carrying matters with a high hand,” answered Dick.  He placed a hand on his forehead.  “How my head aches!”