"In this cold weather it isn't fit for anybody to be in that stone cell.
Sam may catch his death of cold."

"I am the best judge of my own actions, Rover, and need no advice from
you. Your brother has broken the rules of this school, and must suffer
for so doing."

"It's inhuman to make a fellow freeze," burst out Tom. "I don't believe
Captain Putnam would do that."

"Not another word from either of you," came sharply from the teacher.
"Your brother will not freeze to death, but the cold may teach him a
useful lesson."

"If he gets sick, I'll get my father to hold you legally responsible,"
went on Tom.

At these words the teacher turned slightly pale, a vision of a lawsuit
with damages to pay floating across his miserly mind.

"To ease your mind Rover, let me say I'll see to it that he doesn't get
sick," he said, and before Tom or Dick could question him further he
passed out of the room.

"If he isn't the worst yet!" burst out Fred, who had listened with
interest to what was said.

"I shan't stand it," returned Tom. "Will you, Dick?"