But that individual was as much in the dark as anybody.

He had seen nobody prowling around during the night.
"We must get at the bottom of this affair," said Captain Putnam to George Strong.

"If we do not, the school will surely be ruined." He was told about the affair of the teeth, but paid little attention, knowing that Josiah Crabtree could be left to manage his own differences with the students.
Pepper had dropped the matter so far as it concerned Josiah Crabtree, but he did not drop it so far as it concerned Mumps.

He watched the sneak that day and the next, and managed at last to catch Mumps at the boathouse.
"Now, I am going to give you the thrashing you deserve!" cried The Imp, and caught the sneak by the collar.
"Lemme go!" shrieked Mumps.

"Lemme go, or I'll tell Captain Putnam on you!" "No, you won't!" answered Pepper.