Part 36 (1/2)
”I hardly know. I wish we could round up the wild man.”
”Plenty of folks wish that.”
”I think he hangs out somewhere along the river, or on one of the islands.”
”Maybe Nat Poole knows.”
”I hardly think so--although I am sure Nat wants to find the fellow--why, I can't imagine.”
During those trying days, Job Haskers was as harsh and dictatorial to Dave and Roger as ever, and several times he pa.s.sed sneering remarks about those who were missing.
”You may think as you please, Doctor Clay,” said he to the master of the Hall. ”I feel sure in my mind that Lawrence and those other boys are guilty. I do not think Mr. Sparr would accuse them if he was not pretty sure of his ground.”
”Well, he has not dared to have those warrants served,” replied the doctor, dryly.
”Because he is afraid there will be a great deal of money used in the case to fight him.”
”Mr. Haskers, do you stand up for Mr. Sparr? I thought you had had some difficulty yourself with him once?”
”That was but a small affair. I think he is perfectly honest and that he wants to do what is right.”
”Possibly. But he did not treat Lawrence very fairly in the matter of that dinner that was ordered.”
”That was a mistake, and Mr. Sparr lost as much as he got. Yes, I think those boys guilty, and in the end you will find out that I am right,” added Job Haskers as he went off, smiling grimly to himself, as if it was a pleasure to him to have the boys thus accused.
The next morning came another surprise. On getting up Dave noticed that something was missing from the dormitory. Phil's suit-case was gone, likewise a portion of his clothing, and also the valises of Ben and Buster, and part of their outfits.
”Well, this beats the Dutch!” exclaimed Roger, on learning the news.
”Who took them, do you suppose?”
”Don't ask me, Roger.”
”Maybe they came themselves and got them,” suggested Sam.
”If they did, wouldn't we hear them?” asked Gus.
”Talk about a mysterious disappearance,” cried Shadow. ”Say, this puts me in mind of a story. Once some fellows----”
”Oh, stow it, Shadow!” cried the senator's son. ”Let's get busy and try to find out what this means. Maybe they are back at the school.”
All of the boys dressed hastily and took a look around. But they could find no trace of the runaways. Yet the traveling-bags and the clothing were certainly gone.
”If I didn't know better, I'd say the place was haunted!” cried Luke.
”Oh, don't say that!” exclaimed Polly Vane, looking scared. ”I don't wish to see any ghosts.”
Doctor Clay was informed of what had occurred, and he had another search conducted. But it was all to no purpose--the things were missing, and that was all there was to it.
It may well be imagined that with so much going on it was next to impossible for Dave and Roger to study. Yet they did their best, not wis.h.i.+ng to drop behind again as they had during the trip to Cave Island. Job Haskers did not let up on them, and many a time they wished he would leave Oak Hall and that they might never see him again.