Part 21 (1/2)
”So would I,” answered Dave. ”We can make a hunt after school.”
Half a dozen of the students joined in the search for the missing foot coverings, and the lads looked high and low, but without success.
”Only one place more that I know of,” said Dave. ”That is the old granary.”
”I don't think they can be there, but we can look,” said Shadow.
The old granary was a building located behind some of the carriage sheds. It had once held grain, but was now used for the storage of garden implements. The lads found the door unlocked, and pus.h.i.+ng it open they entered and gazed around in the semi-darkness.
”I don't see much that looks like shoes,” remarked Roger.
”I'll strike a light,” said Dave, and did so. The match flared up, and as it did so, several uttered cries.
”There they are, over in the corner!”
”We have found them at last!”
”Light a lantern and see,” said Phil, and a stable lantern was quickly procured and lit. Then the boys worked their way around a mower and a harrow and some other farming implements to where they had seen the shoes.
”Sold!”
”These are a lot of old stuff thrown away long ago!”
It was true--the shoes they had located were worn out and covered with mildew. Shadow kicked them savagely.
”What a sell--and just after I was sure we had found them,” he muttered.
Heavy at heart the students left the granary and put away the lantern.
They had exhausted their resources, and walked back to the school in a decidedly sober mood.
”Well, all I can offer is this:” said Shadow, at last. ”Each of you buy new shoes and slippers, and turn the bills over to me--and I'll pay them as quickly as I can.”
”Don't you bother about my shoes, Shadow,” said Dave, kindly. ”I can get others easily enough.”
”So can I,” added Roger and Phil.
”But I would like to really know whether you walked off with them in your sleep, or if this is some trick of our rivals,” continued Dave.
”You don't want to know any more than I do,” declared the sleep-walker.
There seemed no help for it, and the next day all the boys paid a visit to Oakdale and purchased new shoes. They did not bother with slippers or boots, thinking that sooner or later the missing foot coverings would turn up. The shoe dealer was all attention, for never before had he had such a rush of trade.
Dave, Phil, and Roger got fitted first, and with their purchases under their arms, they quitted the shoe shop and strolled up the main street of the town.
”There are some girls we know!” cried the senator's son, presently, and pointed across the way. Coming in their direction were Mary Feversham and Vera Rockwell, two girls who lived in that vicinity, and who had come to the lads' school entertainment the year before. Vera had a brother with whom the senator's son was well acquainted.
”Why, how do you do!” cried Mary, as the boys crossed the street and tipped their caps. ”So you are all back at school, eh?”
”I thought you must be back,” added Vera, giving all a warm smile.