Principal Cantwell uttered the order sharply.

Fully half the student body had gathered in the big assembly room
at the High School. It was still five minutes before the opening
hour, and there had been a buzz of conversation through the room.

The principal's voice was so loud that it carried through the
room. Almost at once the buzz ceased as the students turned to
see what was happening. Bristow had been skylarking a bit.
Undoubtedly he had been more boisterous with one of the other
fellows in the assembly room than good taste sanctioned.

Just as naturally, however, Bristow resented the style of rebuke
from authority. The boy wheeled about, glaring at the principal.

"Go to your seat, sir!" thundered the principal, his face turning
ghastly white from his suppressed rage.

Bristow wheeled once more, in sullen silence, to go to his seat.
Certainly he did not move fast, but he was obeying.

"You mutinous young rascal, that won't do!" shot out from the
principal's lips. In another instant Mr. Cantwell was crossing
the floor rapidly toward the slow-moving offender.

"Get to your seat quickly, or go in pieces!" rasped out the angry
principal.

Seizing the boy from behind by both shoulders, Mr. Cantwell gave
him a violent push. Bristow tripped, falling across a desk and