Part 14 (1/2)
answered Tom ”More than half of the boys at the Hall have put hih we can't exactly tell why”
”See here,” said dick ”I think it would be best if Mr dickerson would drive back to the Hall with us and tell Captain Putnam of what he knows”
”And see if he can identify Caven,” finished Sa to do that, Mr dickerson?”
”Well, to tell the truth, I've got some business to attend to noas the slow reply
”I am sure Captain Putnam will pay you for your trouble,” went on Sahty 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 theat the school, a colored waiter, e all liked, has been suspected of this crime and had to run away to avoid arrest”
”I see Well--” The faro 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 Putna 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 the into the road leading to Putna, bound for the lake shore
”Here come Caven, Willets, and several others!” he cried ”Mr
dickerson, do you recognize any of those boys?”
The farlance, 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-pawning thet watch an'
theer uniform on, but I know him jest the same”
Jim Caven looked at the farmer in astonishment Then when he heard Seth dickerson'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 pawnshop,” repeated dickerson
”It--It isn't true!” gasped Caven ”I was never over to Auburn in uess you knoell enough, Caven,” said Tom ”You bad better come back to the Hall with us and have a talk with Captain Putnaainst o back!” cried dick, 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 dick pursued him on their bicycles, while so this, Jim Caven took to the woods just as Dan Baxter had done, and the boys found it impossible to track hiht?” said dick, as the party returned to where they had left Seth dickerson and Tom
”I don't think he will,” answered Sam ”I declare, he on soon reached the Hall, and dick ushered Seth dickerson 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