Part 14 (1/2)

answered Tom. ”More than half of the boys at the Hall have put him down as a first-cla.s.s sneak, although we can't exactly tell why.”

”See here,” said d.i.c.k. ”I think it would be best if Mr. d.i.c.kerson would drive back to the Hall with us and tell Captain Putnam of what he knows.”

”And see if he can identify Caven,” finished Sam. ”Are you willing to do that, Mr. d.i.c.kerson?”

”Well, to tell the truth, I've got some business to attend to now,” was the slow reply.

”I am sure Captain Putnam will pay you for your trouble,” went on Sam. ”If he won't, we will.”

”You seem mighty anxious to bring this Caven to justice,” smiled the farmer.

”We are, for two reasons,” said Tom. ”The first is, because he isn't the nice sort to have around, and the second is, because one of the men working at the school, a colored waiter, whom we all liked, has been suspected of this crime and had to run away to avoid arrest.”

”I see. Well--” The farmer mused for a moment. ”All right, I'll go back with ye--and at once.”

The team was turned around as well as the narrow confines of the hilly road permitted, and soon the Rover boys were on their way back to Putnam Hall, a proceeding which pleased Tom in more ways than one, since he would not have now to put up at a strange resort to have his ankle and his wheel cared for. They bowled along at a rapid gait, the horses having more speed in them than their appearance indicated. They were just turning into the road leading to Putnam Hall grounds when d.i.c.k espied several cadets approaching, bound for the lake sh.o.r.e.

”Here come Caven, Willets, and several others!” he cried. ”Mr.

d.i.c.kerson, do you recognize any of those boys?”

The farmer gave a searching glance, which lasted until the approaching cadets were beside the wagon. Then he pointed his hand at Jim Caven.

”Thet's the boy I seed over to Auburn, a-p.a.w.ning thet watch an'

them studs,” he announced. ”He's got his sodger uniform on, but I know him jest the same.”

Jim Caven looked at the farmer in astonishment. Then when he heard Seth d.i.c.kerson's words he fell back and his face grew deathly white.

”I--I don't know you,” he stammered.

”I seed you over to Auburn, in a p.a.w.nshop,” repeated d.i.c.kerson.

”It--It isn't true!” gasped Caven. ”I was never over to Auburn in my life. Why should I go there to a p.a.w.nshop?”

”I guess you know well enough, Caven,” said Tom. ”You bad better come back to the Hall with us and have a talk with Captain Putnam.”

”I won't go with you. This is--is a--a plot against me,”

stammered the slim youth.

”You will go back!” cried d.i.c.k, and caught Caven by the arm. But with a jerk the seared boy freed himself and ran down the road at the top of his speed.

Sam and d.i.c.k pursued him on their bicycles, while some of the others came after on foot. Seeing this, Jim Caven took to the woods just as Dan Baxter had done, and the boys found it impossible to track him any further.

”I wonder if he'll come back tonight?” said d.i.c.k, as the party returned to where they had left Seth d.i.c.kerson and Tom.

”I don't think he will,” answered Sam. ”I declare, he must be almost as bad as the Baxters!”

The farm wagon soon reached the Hall, and d.i.c.k ushered Seth d.i.c.kerson into Captain Putnam's office. The captain looked surprised at the unexpected visitor, but listened with deep concern to all the farmer and the Rover boys had to say.

”This certainly looks black for Caven,” he said at last. ”I did not think I had such a bad boy here. And you say he got away from you?”