Part 5 (1/2)
”Gone?” came from Snuggers.
”Yes, gone. Snuggers did you leave the door unlocked?”
”No, sir, I couldn't get the key in the lock. Here it is.” And the general utility man produced it.
”Ah! here is a key on the inside. What can this mean?”
”I don't know, sir. I left him a-groanin' only a few minutes ago.”
”It is very strange.” Jasper Grinder gazed around the empty storeroom.
”Did you hear anything from Master Tubbs?”
”No, sir.”
The teacher stepped out of the storeroom and made his way to the stone cell.
”He is gone too!” he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed.
”Really, sir, did you say 'gone'?” cried Peleg Snuggers, in dismay.
”Yes. This is--ah--outrageous, Snuggers. Where can they be?”
”I'm sure I don't know, sir. Master Rover got out mighty quick.”
”Look for them among the students, and if you find them bring them to me at once.”
”I will, sir.”
As soon as Peleg Snuggers had departed Jasper Grinder looked around the storeroom and the stone cell to learn if he could find any trace of the boys.
This gave Tom the chance to slip through the captain's private rooms and into the students' quarters.
”Well, how did you make out?” was d.i.c.k's impatient question. ”You've been gone an age.”
”Come with me and I'll tell you,” said Tom, and taking his brother and several chums aside he related what had occurred.
”Keep them there all night, and on bread and water!” cried d.i.c.k. ”It is awful. I'm sure the captain won't stand for it.”
”To be sure he won't,” came from Fred Garrison. ”But what are you going to do next?”
”Let them in the dormitory window.”
Tom led the way upstairs and into Dormitory No. 2. There were four windows in a row, and six beds, three occupied by the Rovers and the others by Fred, Larry, and George Granbury.
Going to the corner window Tom threw it wide open. It was growing dark outside, for it was now half-past six. As he stuck his head out of the window there was the rattle of a drum down in the mess hall.
”Supper time!” cried Fred.