Part 26 (1/2)
Whereupon the story of the unavailing search was told
”That is certainly ree ”Perhaps we had better put this matter off until we see if we can't find him
Have you any plans, Colonel?”
”No,” replied the colonel, forgetting his anger over the blundering arrest ”I around had opened and sed him he could not have disappeared more suddenly and more completely”
”We shall certainly have to start another search The question is where to begin,” an, his ave the chagrined ry judge ht have proceeded is not known, for just at this moment Pepper appeared in the doorway
”Pepper!” cried Jack ”Where in the world have you been?”
”Where in the world haven't I been?” he responded
”You evidently found yourself,” asserted the colonel
”Is it really you, Pepper?” asked Gerald; ”and where did you hide yourself?” and other questions came thick and fast
”Just returned frohpoint Scouts,”
finally answered the boy when he was afforded an opportunity to speak
”Highpoint! Why, ent to Highpoint!” cried Rand, ”and you had not been there Which way did you go?”
”Don't know,” replied the uess; but I cahpoints fortunately found et out of the tree?” asked the colonel ”We couldn't find any trail”
”Did you knoas up a tree? Well, I climbed into the next tree,”
was the reply
”Ah!” said the colonel, ”that accounts for it I never thought of that”
”Tell us about it,” requested the judge
”There isn't verythe details of his trip, froon with Monkey Rae and the man
”Of course,” muttered Jack, ”you could bet Monkey would be in it soht come out? I didn't have time to stop and see”
”I should think not,” observed the judge; ”it was your busy day”
”I think it must have been a draw,” answered the colonel, ”for each went his oay But to return to our business You said, Judge, there was some talk about these boys; what is it?”
”Well, you know,” began the judge, ”s taken”