Part 12 (1/2)

Some of the boys wished to speak to him, but this was not permitted. Soon the turnout was out of sight.

”You may think I am hard with him,” said Captain Putnam, later on, ”but to tell the truth he does not come from a very good family and he has a step-brother already in prison.”

”Aleck can't be held responsible for his stepbrother's doings,”

murmured Tom, but not loud enough for the master to hear him.

A diligent search had been made for the other stolen articles, but nothing more was brought to light. If Pop had taken the things he had either hidden them well or else disposed of them.

It was nearly nightfall when Peleg Snuggers drove back to the Hall. d.i.c.k and Tom met him just outside the gates and saw that the man-of-all-work looked much dejected.

”Well, Peleg, is he safe in jail?” called out Tom.

”No, he ain't,” was the snappy reply.

”Why, what did you do with him?” questioned d.i.c.k quickly.

”Do? I didn't do nuthin--not me. It was him as did it all--cut that blessed rope and shoved me over the dashboard on to the hosses!” growled Snuggers.

”Do you mean to say he got away from you?” asked Tom.

”Yes, he did--got away like a streak o' fightnin', thet's wot he did, consarn him!” And without another word Peleg drove to the rear of the Hall, put his team in the barn, and went in to report to Captain Putnam.

Another row resulted, and this nearly cost the utility Man his position. But it appeared that he was not so much to blame that Alexander Pop had taken him unawares and finally he was sent away to his work with the caution to be more careful in the future.

Before night and during the next day a hunt was made for the colored man, but he had left the vicinity entirely, gone to New York, and s.h.i.+pped on one of the outward-bound ocean vessels. The Rover boys fancied that they would never see him again, but in this they were mistaken.

CHAPTER IX

THE ROVER BOYS ON WHEELS

”Say, fellows, but this is the greatest sport yet!”

”I feel like flying, Tom,” said d.i.c.k Rover. ”I never thought wheeling was so grand.”

”Nor I,” came from Sam Rover. ”Where shall we go this afternoon?”

It was several weeks later, and the scholars were having a half-holiday. Just six days before, Randolph Rover had surprised his three nephews by sending each a handsome bicycle, and it had taken them hardly any time to learn how to handle the machines.

”Let us take a ride over to Chardale,” said d.i.c.k. ”I understand that the roads are very good in that direction.”

”All right, I'm willing,” answered Sam, and Tom said the same.

Soon the three brothers were on the way, d.i.c.k leading and Tom and Sam coming behind, side by side.

It was an ideal day for cycling, cool and clear, and the road they had elected to take was inviting to the last degree, with its broad curves, its beautiful trees, and the mountainous views far to the north and west.

”It's a wonder we didn't get wheels before,” observed d.i.c.k. ”This beats skating or riding a to bits.”

”Just you look out that you don't take a header!” warned Tom.