Part 35 (1/2)

”Yes, sir, he was gone. I looked back and there he stood on the side of the road. As soon as he saw that I saw him, he waved his hand to me and disappeared.”

CHAPTER XXIII

BACK AT ASHTON

The three Rovers listened in astonishment to what the auto-stage driver had to say concerning the sudden disappearance of Blackie Crowden.

”Then he must have jumped from the stage while you were running,”

remarked d.i.c.k.

”That's just what he did do, mister. And he took some chances, too, believe me, for I wasn't runnin' at less than twenty miles an hour.”

”Did he have any baggage with him?” questioned Tom.

”He had a small handbag, that's all.”

”Would you remember the place where he jumped off?” came from Sam, eagerly.

”Yes, it was on the road back of here--just before you turn into this highway.”

”You mean the road that was so thick with dust?” remarked Tom.

”That's the place. He jumped off at a spot where the bushes are pretty thick, and there are three trees standin' close together just back of the bushes.”

”I think I know that place,” said d.i.c.k. ”There is a small white cottage on the hillside just behind it.”

”You've struck it,” answered the stage driver. ”I reckon as how he was goin' to call on somebody at the cottage. But why he didn't ask me to stop is a mystery. Why! he might have broken a leg gettin' off that way.”

”That man is a criminal, and he did it to throw you off his track,”

announced Sam. ”Do you know what I think?” he continued to his brothers.

”I think Blackie Crowden must have gotten on to the fact that we were at Fernwood, and made up his mind to clear out as soon as possible. Then he got afraid that we might question folks, including this stage driver, and so jumped from the auto-stage to throw us off his trail, provided we should follow the stage.”

”I guess you have struck the nail on the head, Sam,” answered his oldest brother. ”But come on, let us see if we can find some trace of him.” And in less than a minute more they had turned their machine around and were heading for the spot mentioned to them by the stage driver.

It was only a short run, and soon they halted beside the bushes hedging in three tall trees. Eagerly they looked around in all directions, but not a soul was in sight.

”I'm going up to the farmhouse,” announced Sam.

”And I'll go with you,” added d.i.c.k. ”Tom, you stay down here and take a look around. If you see anything of him blow the auto horn three times.”

At the farmhouse the two Rovers found themselves confronted by an elderly man and his wife, who looked at them rather curiously.

”No, there hasn't been anybody around here so far as I know,” announced the farmer. ”We haven't had a visitor for several days.”

”I was out to the well about five minutes ago,” put in his wife, ”and if anybody had come up to the house or the barn I'd have seen him.”

”The fellow we are after is a criminal,” explained d.i.c.k, ”so if you don't mind we'll take a look around for him.”