Part 38 (1/2)
”I-I guess not. But he gave me an awful crack!” And pulling himself up, Tom staggered to a wood-chopping block and sat down.
d.i.c.k waited to hear no more, but made for the gate and ran into an alleyway beyond. This made a turn and came out on a street behind that upon which the house was located. d.i.c.k looked up and down the crooked thoroughfare, but could see no signs of Tad Sobber or the woman.
”Did you see a young man and a woman come out of here?” asked d.i.c.k, of a boy who was playing with a ball.
”Sure I did,” answered the lad.
”Where did they go?”
”Took the auto and went that way.”
”An auto?”
”Yes.”
”Was it waiting here?”
”Sure.”
”Somebody in it?”
”A man was running it. He was here yesterday, too.”
”Did you see who he took out yesterday?” went on d.i.c.k, growing interested.
”He came twice. Once he had a lady and a gent for pa.s.sengers. They came out of that alleyway, just as you did.”
”When was this?”
”Just about supper time.”
d.i.c.k ran down the street in the direction the automobile had taken. He could see no signs of the machine, and presently returned to the back yard where he had left Tom. There the pair were joined by Sam.
”We were too late-they got away!” said d.i.c.k, with something like a groan in his voice.
”But not too late for Tad Sobber to leave me his card!” muttered Tom, putting his hand to the cut on his forehead.
”We'll have to have that tended to, Tom,” said d.i.c.k, kindly.
”Oh, it isn't so bad. I'll put some court-plaster on it, after I've washed it.”
”I'm sorry, but I couldn't locate a policeman anywhere,” said Sam.
”Never mind, I guess a policeman would only be in the way,” returned his oldest brother. ”He'd ask a lot of questions, and let it go at that. I'm going into the house, and see if I can find out anything.”
”Maybe Mrs. Stanhope is in there,” cried Sam.
”No-they have taken her off in an auto, I am almost sure of it, Sam.”
The three Rover boys entered the old house, to find Mr. Mason walking nervously up and down in the parlor.