CHAPTER V 

ON THE WAY TO PUTNAM HALL 

"I don't think we'll want to send word to Aunt Martha to be taken back," observed Sam, who sat on the driver's seat with the hired man. 

"Neither do I," returned Tom. "To be sure, we have a nice enough home here, but it's dreadfully slow." 

"There is no telling what may be in store for us," joined in Dick. "Don't you remember how Fred Garrison fared at Holly School? That institution sent out a splendid circular, and when Fred got there they almost starved him to death." 

"That is true. Where is Fred now?" 

"I don't know." 

"Mr. Colby wouldn't recommend Putnam Hall if it wasn't all right," remarked Tom. "Jack, whip up the team, or we'll miss that train." 

"They are going putty well now, Master Tom," replied the driver. 

The trunks had gone on ahead, and when they reached the depot at Oak Run they found old Ricks grumbling because no one was there to check them. 

"Do you reckon I'm going to be responsible for everybody's baggage?" he snarled as Dick approached him. 

"I'll check them as soon as I can get tickets," answered Dick curtly. "What an old bear he is!" he whispered to Tom. "He didn't treat me half decently when I was over here about the watch." 

"If only we had a little time I would fix him," whispered Tom in return. He had sobered down for several days now and was dying to play a trick on somebody. 
Do they already have tickets?
"I'll check them as soon as I can get tickets," answered Dick curtly.