Part 27 (2/2)
”There's the list,” said the watchman, pointing to a written sheet tacked on the wall ”They are No. 15 and No. 9.”
The boys looked at the sheet, and read the names of Walter D. Flood and Andrew W. Crossley, two juniors, whom they knew by sight only.
”They wouldn't play this trick on us,” whispered d.i.c.k to his brothers.
”They must have loaned their bicycles to others.”
”Right you are,” answered Tom. ”We'll have to question them.”
”Do you know where they room?”
”No; but we can find out from the register.”
They entered their dormitory and found out that Flood and Crossley were in the next building, occupying Room 14 together.
”That's luck,” said Sam ”We won't have to wake up anybody else”
It was against the rules to be prowling around the dormitories so late at night, so the Rovers had to be cautious in their movements. They mounted the stairs to the second floor and had to hide in a corner while a proctor marched past and out of hearing. Then, aided by the dim light that was burning, they located No. 14
d.i.c.k knocked lightly on the door, and receiving no answer, knocked again. Still there was silence.
”Must be pretty heavy sleepers,” murmured Tom. ”Try the doork.n.o.b.”
d.i.c.k did so, and found the door locked. Then he knocked again, this time louder than before.
”You'll knock a long time to wake them up,” said a voice behind them, and turning they saw Frank Holden grinning at them.
”h.e.l.lo,” said d.i.c.k softly. ”Why, what's wrong?”
”n.o.body in that room, that's all,” answered the soph.o.m.ore.
”Don't Flood and Crossley sleep here?” asked Sam.
”Yes, when they are at college, but they got permission to go home yesterday, and they went, and they won't be back until Monday.”
At this d.i.c.k whistled softly to himself.
”It's all up, so far as finding out who used the wheels is concerned,”
he said to his brothers. ”Whoever took them did so, most likely, without permission.”
”I guess you are right,” returned Tom.
”Anything I can do for you?” asked Frank Holden pleasantly.
”Nothing, thank you,” replied d.i.c.k; and then he and his brothers withdrew and made their way to their own rooms as silently as possible. On the way they stopped at the doors of the rooms occupied by Koswell and Larkspur and listened. The students within were snoring.
”No use,” said Tom softly. ”We'll have to catch them some other way--if they are guilty,” And his brothers agreed with him.
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