Q: CHAPTER VII

PEPPER MAKES A DISCOVERY

"You do not--er--wish me present?" came rather awkwardly from Josiah Crabtree.

"Oh, that won't matter, Mr. Crabtree," answered George Strong. "I did not desire any of the cadets present, that was all."

"I do not care to intrude----" commenced the dictatorial teacher.

"As you please," answered Mr. Strong, with a shrug of his shoulders.

At first Josiah Crabtree was inclined to stand on his dignity and walk off, but his curiosity got the better of him and he followed Captain Putnam and George Strong into another office.

"I went after Coulter and Paxton, as you directed me," said the second assistant teacher, when they were alone, and the door had been closed. "At first I could not find them, but at last I located Paxton and then Coulter. Where do you suppose they were?"

"I have no idea," answered Captain Putnam.

"Paxton was under the window of the office, listening to all that was going on. He was partly hidden behind a bush, so that nobody might see him."

"Indeed! That is not to his credit. And Coulter?"

"Coulter was at another window, talking to Ritter. 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?"

1. Coulter and Paxton
2. yes
3. no
4. Paxton
5. under the window of the office
6. a bush
7. at another window
8. talking to Ritter
9. yes
10. Ritter
11. Ruddy
12. NIck
13. Ritter
14. teacher
15. no
16. yes
17. his curiosity got the better of him
18. Captain Putnam and George Strong
19. the cadets
20. listening

Numbered questions:
1. Who was the second teacher looking for?
2. Did he find them?
3. Right away?
4. Who was found first?
5. Where was he?
6. What was he using for cover?
7. Where was Coulter?
8. What was he doing?
9. Were they planning out a lie?
10. Who was doing the talking?
11. Who does he say threw the first punch?
12. Who else should tell this story?
13. Who came up with the story?
14. What is Crabtree's job?
15. Does he was to go to the meeting/
16. Did he go?
17. Why?
18. Who else is in the meeting?
19. Who did George want to exclude from the meeting?
20. What was Paxton doing when he was found?

Q: Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador (, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; ), is a representative democratic republic in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Ecuador also includes the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific, about west of the mainland.

What is now Ecuador was home to a variety of Amerindian groups that were gradually incorporated into the Inca Empire during the 15th century. The territory was colonized by Spain during the 16th century, achieving independence in 1820 as part of Gran Colombia, from which it emerged as its own sovereign state in 1830. The legacy of both empires is reflected in Ecuador's ethnically diverse population, with most of its /1e6 round 1 million people being mestizos, followed by large minorities of European, Amerindian, and African descendants.

Spanish is the official language and is spoken by a majority of the population, though 13 Amerindian languages are also recognized, including Quichua and Shuar. The capital city is Quito, while the largest city is Guayaquil. In reflection of the country's rich cultural heritage, the historical center of Quito was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Cuenca, the third-largest city, was also declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 as an outstanding example of a planned, inland Spanish-style colonial city in the Americas.

1. Spanish
2. 13
3. Quito
4. No
5. Guayaquil
6. declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
7. the 16th century
8. Spain
9. 1820
10. emerged as its own sovereign state
11. Yes
12. mestizos
13. Republic of Ecuador
14. Republic of the Equator
15. Yes
16. Galapagos Islands
17. Cuenca
18. a World Heritage Site
19. 1999
20. a planned, inland Spanish-style colonial city

Numbered questions:
1. What is the official language of Ecuador?
2. How many different languages are recognized?
3. What is the capital?
4. Is it the largest city?
5. What is?
6. What declaration was made about it?
7. When was Ecuador colonized?
8. By who?
9. When was independence achieved?
10. What happened in 1830?
11. Is it diversely populated?
12. What ethnicity is the majority population?
13. What is its official name?
14. What does it mean?
15. Are any islands a part of it?
16. Which ones?
17. What is the third largest city?
18. What was it declared?
19. When?
20. What is it an example of?

Q: CHAPTER VI

WAITING FOR NEWS

It took Randolph Rover several minutes to comprehend the various statements made by the boys. That he had really been swindled by such nicely-spoken men as he had met at the Carwell hotel seemed extraordinary to him.

"I understand the bonds were not registered," said Dick.

"That is true," groaned his uncle.

"Then anybody could use them."

"Yes, although I have the numbers,--on a sheet in my desk at home."

"Well, that will make it more difficult for the rascals to dispose of them," said Sam.

"I'd like to catch that Merrick and that Pike, and punch their heads for them," commented Tom. It angered him exceedingly to see how readily his open-minded relative had fallen into the swindlers' trap.

"But there may be some mistake," said Randolph Rover, in a forlorn tone. "Would that Merrick dare to impersonate Mr. Jardell?"

"Swindlers will do anything," answered Sam.

"We can make sure of that point by sending word to the traction company offices," answered Dick. "You are sure Mr. Jardell is the treasurer?"

"Yes--Mr. Andrew D. Jardell."

"Let us go back to town and see if we can catch him by long distance 'phone or by telegraph."

Shaking his head sadly, Randolph Rover turned his buggy around and followed the boys to the central office of the telephone company. Here all was activity on account of the broken-down wires, but communications were being gradually resumed. They looked into the telephone book, and at last got a connection which, a few minutes later, put them into communication with Andrew D. Jardell's private residence in the city.

1. treasurer
2. Dick
3. To be sure that Merrick impersonated Mr. Jardell
4. No
5. Pike
6. Randolph Rover's relative
7. unknown
8. punch their heads
9. For the bonds
10. the boys
11. to the central office of the telephone company
12. No
13. They looked into the telephone book
14. Yes
15. four
16. on Randolph Rover's desk

Numbered questions:
1. What was Andrews job?
2. Who was trying to contact him?
3. Why
4. Did Merrick work alone?
5. Who was his partner in crime?
6. Who was Tom?
7. Was something stolen?
8. what did Tom want to do to the men?
9. what were the numbers for?
10. who was Randolph behind?
11. where did they go?
12. was he happy?
13. how did they find the phone number?
14. were they ever able to connect with Jardell?
15. how many men were present
16. Where were the bonds numbers kept?