Ritter was giving him some instructions, and as I came up unnoticed I heard Ritter say, 'Now, don't make a mess of it.

Tell the story just as I told it, and be sure to stick to it that Ruddy hit me first, and tell Nick to stick to that, too.' Those were his very words." "Is it possible! And what did Coulter say ?" "He promised to tell the story as Ritter wanted it, and said he would tell Paxton also to say that Ruddy struck the first blow." "Then he virtually admitted that he struck the first blow himself." "I should judge so, from his talk." "Major Ruddy said he did." "But Ruddy insulted him by talking of Mr.Ritter's losses----" began Josiah Crabtree.
"We'll look into that, Mr.Crabtree.Is that all, Mr.Strong ?" "No, I waited until Coulter joined Paxton.

The two walked out on the campus, so I didn't catch what they said.

I told them to follow me, and they are now out in the hall." "I will listen to what each of them has to say--and then I will examine Century and Ditmore again." Coulter was called into the main office and asked a great number of questions.

Captain Putnam was very stern, and soon had the cadet badly twisted in his statements.