CHAPTER XIV.
AT THE FORD MANSION "Don't you admire our very fashionable turnout ?" questioned Pepper, as he came forward and shook hands with the girls.
"It's the latest in carriages," came from Andy.
"Oh!" murmured Laura.

"Did you really come all the way from Putnam Hall in that ?" "It must have been hard riding," was Flossie's comment.
"No, we didn't come all the way," answered Pepper.

"We'll tell you about it later," he added.

Then Ezra Cole was paid.

The old farmer lost no time in driving away.
As the girls and boys walked slowly toward the mansion the cadets told the particulars of the breakdown on the road.
"And you really think some of your rivals did it ?" questioned Laura.
"How mean!" "I'd never speak to them again," added Flossie, with a flash of her eyes.
"Well, we'll talk a whole lot to 'em," answered Pepper, grimly.
"But you have got to prove them guilty first," said Laura.
Once at the mansion the situation was explained to Mr.and Mrs.Ford, and the boys were conducted by a servant to a bathroom, where they might wash and brush up and make themselves otherwise presentable.