Part 22 (1/2)

”We're not responsible any,” retorted Buckhart. ”Whatever made you get in my way and keep me from salting that ornery Spaniard good and plenty?”

”Out and after him!” cried d.i.c.k. ”Don't let him get away!”

”He'll have to pay for that window!” yelled the landlord.

Then d.i.c.k led the rush from the inn. The door was thrown open, and they ran out beneath the stars.

They were just in time to see the closed carriage, with both horses at a dead run and the driver mercilessly plying the whip, whirl out of the yard, turn to the right and go clattering and rattling away on the frozen road.

A moment later a horseman shot past the opposite corner of the building and turned to the left.

As he pa.s.sed the windows from which the light was s.h.i.+ning the Texan caught a glimpse of him.

”There goes the galoot hot foot!” he roared, and flung up his hand to shoot.

It was d.i.c.k who now grasped his arm and prevented him from firing.

”Steady, Brad!” cried Merriwell. ”You don't want the blood of that dog on your hands!”

”I certain would like to know why!” retorted the excited Texan. ”It would give me a heap of pleasure to bore him for keeps!”

”Let him go and--”

d.i.c.k stopped, for from the rattling carriage which had already vanished beneath the great tress that lined the road came wild cries for help, which were suddenly broken and checked.

”Great horn spoon!” palpitated the Texan. ”Did hear that, pard?”

”I did, and it certainly sounded like the voice of Professor Gunn!”

”Just what I thought. You don't opine--”

But already d.i.c.k was rus.h.i.+ng back into the inn, and Brad quickly followed him. Up the stairs they leaped, a.s.sailed by a new feeling of fear.

The broken door of the professor's room hung on a single hinge, just as the Texan had left it. The light of the glowing fire and of a single candle showed them the comfortable interior of that room, but they saw nothing of Zenas Gunn.

”Professor--Professor Gunn!” called d.i.c.k.

”Where are you? Answer me-answer at once!”

But there was no answer.

”Search, Brad!” urged d.i.c.k. ”He may have been alarmed by the uproar and concealed himself. Look on the bed behind those curtains! Look under the bed! Look everywhere!”

Even as he was urging his friend to do this d.i.c.k flung open the door of a wardrobe and looked within. Then he caught up the candle and hastened into the adjoining room, looking in every nook and corner, meanwhile continuing to call to Gunn.

A few moments later the two boys met in the first room and stood face to face, staring into each other's eyes.

”Where is he, partner?”

”Gone!” said d.i.c.k. ”Brad, that was the game!”