Part 33 (1/2)

”Yes, just as I told you. Oh, Mr. Rover, is anything wrong?”

”I don't know--I hope not. But I think we had better go after them at once. Good day.” And d.i.c.k fairly ran back to where Tom and Sam rested near the biplane.

”Start her up, quick!” he said to his brothers, in a low voice.

”Something is wrong! We've got to get after the girls right away!”

”What is it?” demanded Tom, leaping to his feet, while Sam did the same.

”I'll tell you when we are on the way. Quick, start the propellers! I'll take the wheel,” and d.i.c.k sprang into the seat.

In another moment the engine had been started, and with a rush and a whizz the _Dartaway_ left the campus. d.i.c.k made a turn, then headed in the direction of the road through the woods. He flew low and rather slowly.

”Keep your eyes open,” he cautioned, ”for any sight of the girls--or any sight of our enemies.” And then he related as much as he knew of what had occurred.

”Do you think somebody sent that message to decoy Dora away from the seminary, d.i.c.k?” asked Sam.

”Doesn't it look that way? Why should anybody send word that I was hurt, when I wasn't?”

”I think you are right!” declared Tom. ”I think I can see through it,”

he went on quickly. ”They found out they couldn't dynamite dad or Uncle Randolph into giving up that money, and they couldn't get at Mrs.

Stanhope or Mrs. Laning to get it, so now they are going to see what they can do through Dora--and maybe Nellie and Grace.”

”That's exactly the way I figure it!” exclaimed d.i.c.k. ”And the sooner we reach the girls the better! For all we know, it may even now be too late!”

”Oh, let us hope not!” cried Sam.

”Did they go on foot?” asked Tom.

”Yes.”

”Were they to meet anybody?”

”I don't know. Miss Haven said they went off in a great hurry--which was natural, if they thought I had tumbled out of the biplane and been hurt.

I suppose poor Dora was scared half to death,” and d.i.c.k heaved a long sigh.

As the flying machine swept along over the woods and the roadway the three youths kept their eyes on the alert for a sight of the girls. For a long time they saw nothing out of the ordinary. Then Sam uttered a cry:

”See! see! There is Grace! She is waving her handkerchief at us!”

All looked in the direction indicated, and at a spot along the road where there was quite a cleared s.p.a.ce they saw Grace Laning standing on a flat rock, waving frantically at them. They had to make a circle, and then, with care, d.i.c.k brought the biplane down into the roadway.

”What is it, Grace?” yelled Sam, as he leaped from his seat. ”Where are the others?”

”Oh, Sam!” moaned the girl, and then they saw that her hair was awry and her shoes were covered with dust. ”Oh, save them! Go after them at once!” And then she staggered forward and fainted in Sam's arms.

The three Rovers were greatly alarmed and for the moment did not know what to do. Then d.i.c.k rushed to the side of the roadway, where some water trickled along in a hollow, and brought some, using a collapsible cup they carried when on a trip. With this they bathed Grace's face and they forced a little water into her mouth, and soon she opened her eyes and stared around her.