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diff --git a/36179-h/36179-h.htm b/36179-h/36179-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5a6d36f --- /dev/null +++ b/36179-h/36179-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12068 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Rover Boys on a Tour, by Arthur + M. Winfield. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: x-small; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +/* DACSoft custom styles */ +.hrsmallsp { /* small spacing around hr */ + width: 33%; + margin-top: .5em; + margin-bottom: .5em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +td.pr{ + padding-right:10px; +} + + +.booklistseries{ + padding-left: .5em; + padding-right: .5em; + text-align: center; +} + +.booklistsm{ + padding-left: .5em; + padding-right: .5em; + text-align: left; + font-size: 85%; +} + +.unindent { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Rover Boys on a Tour, by Arthur M. Winfield + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Rover Boys on a Tour + or Last Days at Brill College + +Author: Arthur M. Winfield + +Release Date: May 22, 2011 [EBook #36179] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR *** + + + + +Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 382px;"> +<img src="images/image01.jpg" width="382" height="600" alt="THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR" title="THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 380px;"> +<a name="image02" id="image02"><img src="images/image02.jpg" width="380" height="600" alt="THE ARRIVAL AT THE BARLOW FARMHOUSE" title="THE ARRIVAL AT THE BARLOW FARMHOUSE" /></a> +<span class="caption">THE ARRIVAL AT THE BARLOW FARMHOUSE.</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + +<h1>THE ROVER BOYS +ON A TOUR</h1> + +<h3>OR</h3> + +<h2><i>LAST DAYS AT BRILL COLLEGE</i></h2> + +<div class="center"> </div> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>ARTHUR M. WINFIELD<br /> +(Edward Stratemeyer)</h2> + +<h4>AUTHOR OF THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL, THE +ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN, THE PUTNAM + HALL SERIES, <span class="smcap">Etc.</span></h4> + +<div class="center"> </div> + +<h3><i>ILLUSTRATED</i></h3> + +<div class="center"> </div> + +<div class="center"><div class="figcenter" style="width: 53px;"> +<img src="images/logo.jpg" width="53" height="52" alt="logo" title="logo" /> +</div></div> + +<div class="center"> </div> + +<h4>NEW YORK<br /> +GROSSET & DUNLAP<br /> +PUBLISHERS</h4> +<h5>Made in the United States of America</h5> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="1" summary="roverseries"> +<tr><td> +<div class="center" style="font-size: 115%"><span class="smcap">Books by Arthur M. Winfield</span> +<br />(Edward Stratemeyer)</div> + +<hr class="hrsmallsp" /> + +<div class="booklistseries">THE FIRST ROVER BOYS SERIES</div> + +<div class="booklistsm">THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS IN BUSINESS<br /> +THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR</div> + +<hr class="hrsmallsp" /> + +<div class="booklistseries">THE SECOND ROVER BOYS SERIES</div> + +<div class="booklistsm">THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL</div> + +<hr class="hrsmallsp" /> + +<div class="booklistseries">THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES</div> + +<div class="booklistsm">THE PUTNAM HALL CADETS<br /> +THE PUTNAM HALL RIVALS<br /> +THE PUTNAM HALL CHAMPIONS<br /> +THE PUTNAM HALL REBELLION<br /> +THE PUTNAM HALL ENCAMPMENT<br /> +THE PUTNAM HALL MYSTERY</div> + +<hr class="hrsmallsp" style="width: 10%;" /> + +<div class="center">12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.</div> + +<hr class="hrsmallsp" style="width: 10%;" /> + +<span class="booklistseries"><span class="smcap">Grosset & Dunlap</span>, Publishers, New York</span> +</td></tr></table></div> + +<div class="center"><br />COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY<br /> + EDWARD STRATEMEYER,</div> + +<hr class="hrsmallsp" style="width: 10%;" /> + +<div class="center"><i>The Rover Boys on a Tour</i></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Boys:</span> This book is a complete +story in itself, but forms the twentieth volume +in a line issued under the general title, "The +Rover Boys Series for Young Americans."</p> + +<p>As I have mentioned in other volumes, this +line was started a number of years ago with +the publication of "The Rover Boys at School," +"On the Ocean," and "In the Jungle." These +stories were so well received that there was an +immediate cry for more, and so, year by year, +they were followed by the publication of "The +Rover Boys Out West," "On the Great Lakes," +"In the Mountains," "In Camp," "On Land and +Sea," "On the River," "On the Plains," "In +Southern Waters," "On the Farm," "On Treasure +Isle," "At College," "Down East," "In the +Air," "In New York," "In Alaska," and finally, +"In Business," where we last left our heroes.</p> + +<p>The Rover boys have, of course, gradually +been growing older. Dick and Tom are both +married and doing what they can to carry on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span> +their father's business in New York City. Sam, +the youngest of the boys, is still at Brill College. +The particulars are given of some winter sports +around that institution of learning, and then of +a great baseball game in which the youngest +Rover distinguishes himself. Then Sam graduates +from college, and all the boys, with some +others, go on a long automobile tour, during +which a number of exciting adventures occur. +The party is caught in a storm on the mountains, +and later on are caught in a great flood. +What the Rover boys did under such trying +circumstances I leave for the pages which follow +to disclose.</p> + +<p>Once more I wish to thank all my young +friends for the many gratifying things they have +said about my books. I trust that the present +volume will fulfil all their expectations, and that +the reading of the same will do them good.</p> + +<p>Affectionately and sincerely yours,</p> + +<div style="text-align: right;"> +<span class="smcap">Edward Stratemeyer</span></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + +<table border="0" width="500" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<col style="width:20%;" /> +<col style="width:70%;" /> +<col style="width:10%;" /> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">CHAPTER</td> + <td align="left"></td> + <td align="right">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right"></td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#INTRODUCTION">Introduction</a></td> + <td align="right">iii</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">I</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">The Snowball Fight</a></td> + <td align="right">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">II</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">Something About the Rover Boys</a></td> + <td align="right">14</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">III</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">What Happened to Songbird</a></td> + <td align="right">25</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">IV</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">The Chase</a></td> + <td align="right">35</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">V</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">At the Railroad Station</a></td> + <td align="right">46</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">VI</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">At the Sanderson Home</a></td> + <td align="right">57</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">VII</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">Sam and Grace</a></td> + <td align="right">67</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">VIII</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">Something About Blackie Crowden</a></td> + <td align="right">78</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">IX</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">In Which Tom Arrives</a></td> + <td align="right">90</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">X</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">The Feast</a></td> + <td align="right">100</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XI</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">Tom Frees His Mind</a></td> + <td align="right">111</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XII</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">Old Grisley Comes to Terms</a></td> + <td align="right">121</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XIII</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">Sam on the Road</a></td> + <td align="right">133</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XIV</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">Days of Waiting</a></td> + <td align="right">143</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XV</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">Baseball Talk</a></td> + <td align="right">154</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XVI</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">The Opening of the Ball Game</a></td> + <td align="right">166</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XVII</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">How the Game Ended</a></td> + <td align="right">176</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XVIII</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">Good-Bye to Brill</a></td> + <td align="right">187</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XIX</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">Getting Ready for the Tour</a></td> + <td align="right">201</td> +</tr> +</table> +<div><span class="pagenum" style="text-indent: 1.25em;"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span></div> +<table border="0" width="500" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<col style="width:20%;" /> +<col style="width:70%;" /> +<col style="width:10%;" /> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XX</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">A Moment of Peril</a></td> + <td align="right">211</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXI</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">News of Blackie Crowden</a></td> + <td align="right">221</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXII</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">On the Trail</a></td> + <td align="right">232</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXIII</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">Back at Ashton</a></td> + <td align="right">242</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXIV</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">At the Festival</a></td> + <td align="right">252</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXV</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">A Call for Assistance</a></td> + <td align="right">262</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXVI</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">Sam Frees His Mind</a></td> + <td align="right">272</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXVII</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">A Telegram from New York</a></td> + <td align="right">282</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXVIII</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">Cloudburst and Flood</a></td> + <td align="right">292</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXIX</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">The Rescue on the River</a></td> + <td align="right">304</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXX</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">Mrs. Sam Rover—Conclusion</a></td> + <td align="right">314</td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<div class="center"><table summary="illustrations"> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#image02">THE ARRIVAL AT THE BARLOW FARMHOUSE.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#image03">A BLUE-COATED POLICEMAN SHOOK HIS CLUB AT THE BOYS.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#image04">THE BOARD SUDDENLY TIPPED AND DOWN WENT WILLIAM PHILANDER.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#image05">SAM MADE A WILD LEAP INTO THE AIR AND PULLED DOWN THE BALL.</a></td></tr></table> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h1>THE ROVER BOYS +ON A TOUR</h1> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>THE SNOWBALL FIGHT</h3> + + +<p>"Now then, boys, are you ready?"</p> + +<p>"I am!"</p> + +<p>"Been ready for the last five minutes!"</p> + +<p>"Sure you've got all the snowballs you can +carry?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't carry any more if I tried," came +from Sam Rover, with a grin. "Just see how I +am loaded up," and he glanced down at both +hands, which were filled with snowballs, and +at the snowballs held under either arm.</p> + +<p>"I've got some dandy hard ones," put in Spud +Jackson.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you can't use soakers, Spud!" cried Stanley +Browne, who was the leader of the snowballing +contingent. "That's against the rules."</p> + +<p>"They are not soakers, Stanley," was the reply.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +"They are only good and hard, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Hi, you fellows! When are you going to +start things?" came a cry from behind a snow +wall up the slope of a hill. "We can't waste the +whole afternoon waiting for you."</p> + +<p>"We're coming, don't fear," answered Stanley +Browne.</p> + +<p>"And when we arrive you won't know what's +struck you," announced Sam Rover gaily.</p> + +<p>"It's all vell enough to brag, but you'd chust +better start dot fight," came in German-American +accents from behind the snow wall, and a +merry face appeared in sight for an instant and +a fist was shaken playfully at those beyond.</p> + +<p>"Sound that bugle, Paul!" yelled the leader of +the attacking party, and an instant later the mellow +notes of a bugle floated out on the crisp, +wintry air.</p> + +<p>It was the signal for the attack, and with merry +shouts the students at the foot of the hill charged +upward through the snow toward the wall above.</p> + +<p>The occasion was the annual snowball fight +at Brill College. Snow fights there were, of +course, without number, but each year there was +one big contest in which the freshmen and +sophomores attempted to hold a snow fort located +on the hill back of the institution against +the attacks of the juniors and seniors. According<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +to the rules, three charges were allowable, +all of which must be made inside of two hours, +and if all of these failed to take the fort, then +the victory went to the defenders, and they +were permitted to crow over their success until +the following winter.</p> + +<p>A little over an hour and a half had been spent +in the sport and two attacks had been made and +repulsed, much to the chagrin of Stanley Browne, +the senior in charge of the attacking army. Juniors +and seniors had fought nobly, but the freshmen +and sophomores outnumbered them, and, +being strongly intrenched behind the snow wall +of the so-called fort, had succeeded in forcing +a first, and then a second, retreat.</p> + +<p>"Say, fellows, we've got to do it this time, +sure!" cried Sam Rover, as, side by side with +Stanley, he led the attack. "If we don't oust +them they'll never get done talking about it."</p> + +<p>"Right you are, Sam!" answered Bob Grimes, +who also had hands and arms full of well-made +snowballs.</p> + +<p>"Remember what I told you," came from Stanley, +as he turned slightly to address his followers. +"Don't throw any snowballs yet. Do as +the soldiers did in Revolutionary days—wait until +you can see the whites of their eyes."</p> + +<p>"And then make those whites blacks!" burst<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +out Spud Jackson, gaily. "Come ahead, and no +turning back."</p> + +<p>Up the snowy hillside sped the crowd of students, +while a number of professors and visitors +watched the advance from a distance.</p> + +<p>"Get ready for 'em! Don't let them come too +near!" came in a rallying cry from behind the +snow wall. And then, as the attacking party +came closer, a volley of white spheres came flying +through the air into the faces of the juniors +and seniors.</p> + +<p>It was a sharp and heavy volley, and for the +instant the air seemed to be filled with flying +snowballs. Many of them, of course, went wild, +but others landed on the heads and bodies of the +attacking party, and for the moment the advance +was checked.</p> + +<p>"Wow!" came from one of the juniors who +had been hit in the ear. "Why can't we do some +throwing ourselves?"</p> + +<p>"That's the talk! Give it to 'em!" came from +another student who had had his cap knocked +off by a snowball.</p> + +<p>"No, no," answered Stanley. "Save your +snowballs until we get closer."</p> + +<p>"Come on, we'll soon be up there," put in Sam +Rover. "Only a hundred feet more, fellows!"</p> + +<p>There was a yell of assent, and forward the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +charging party went again in the face of another +volley of snowballs. By bending low the +juniors and seniors protected themselves as +much as possible from the onslaught, but many +were hit, two so stingingly that they had to retire +to the rear.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! We've got 'em on the run!" came +from the leader of the fort contingent, who +had mounted a tree stump located behind the wall. +"Give it to 'em, fellows! Give it too 'em hot!"</p> + +<p>"Now, then, boys, all together!" yelled Stanley +at the top of his voice, and then the eager +juniors and seniors launched their snowballs +with all the swiftness and accuracy of aim at +their command.</p> + +<p>The two previous attacks which had been repulsed +had taught the advancing students a lesson, +and now in this third attack scarcely a snowball +was wasted. Those in the front ran directly +up to the wall of the fort, while those farther +back spread out, as directed by their leader, to +the right and to the left, sending in cross fires +at points where the fort was supposed to be +weakest.</p> + +<p>It was a thrilling and spirited fight, but, although +the students were greatly excited, there +was little more actual roughness than there would +have been at a football or other athletic contest.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Over the wall, boys! Over the wall!" burst +out Sam Rover, and the next instant he was up +on the wall of the fort, quickly followed by Stanley, +Bob, Spud, and several others.</p> + +<p>"Back there, you rebels! Back!" came in a yell +from the interior of the fort, and then a wild +fusillade of snowballs struck Sam and his chums +in various parts of their bodies.</p> + +<p>"Jumping hambones!" spluttered Spud, as a +snowball took him directly in the chin. "What +do you think I'm built of, iron?"</p> + +<p>"Get back or you'll get worse!" was the cry +from the fort, and then another snowball took +Spud in the ear.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Sam Rover had dodged a +ball which was coming directly for his face, and +now he returned the fire with a hard one that +took the sophomore below him in the ear. Then +Sam jumped down into the fort, quickly followed +by eight or ten others.</p> + +<p>"Clear them out! Don't let them stay here!" +was the wild cry.</p> + +<p>"Everybody around the flagpole!" was the +command of the fort leader.</p> + +<p>The flagpole was a small one located in the +center of the enclosure, and from it fluttered the +banners of the freshmen and the sophomore +classes. Those making the attack would have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +to haul those banners down before they could +claim a victory.</p> + +<p>Snowballs were now flying in all directions, +and it was quite probable that in the excitement +many of the students let fly at their friends instead +of at the enemy; but it was all good, clean +sport, and everybody enjoyed it greatly.</p> + +<p>"Now, then, fellows, for a center rush!" came +from Stanley, when he and Sam and about +twenty others had forced their way to within +ten yards of the flagpole.</p> + +<p>"Avalanche them, boys! Avalanche them!" +came suddenly from one of the sophomores, and +then without warning huge chunks of loose snow +were sent flying through the air on the heads +of those who were battling to get to the flagpole.</p> + +<p>"Great Cæsar's ghost!" spluttered Bob, as +some of the snow went down inside his collar. +"What is this; a snowslide?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you mustn't mind a little thing like that," +answered Sam Rover. "Come ahead, everybody! +Push!"</p> + +<p>There was a wild scramble, with many yells +and shouts. Student after student went down +in the mêlée, a few to be trampled upon, but +fortunately nobody was seriously hurt. There +was such a congestion that to make or throw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +more snowballs was out of the question, and +the most a fighter could do was to snatch up a +handful of loose snow and thrust it down the +neck of the student opposing him. Sam and +Stanley, with four others close by them, had +now managed to get within a few feet of the +flagpole. Here, however, the freshmen and +sophomores had planted themselves in a solid +mass, and it looked for the moment as if nothing +could budge them.</p> + +<p>"Only six minutes more, boys! Only six minutes +more!" came from one of the sophomores +who had been detailed as a timekeeper. "Save +those banners for six minutes and we'll win."</p> + +<p>"Hit 'em, fellows, hit 'em!" roared Stanley. +"We've got to get those banners this year."</p> + +<p>"And we're going to do it," added Sam. He +turned to Bob and Spud. "Boost me up, fellows, +and I'll walk right over their heads to the +pole."</p> + +<p>"All right, if you want to take the chance," +answered Spud, and in a twinkling Sam was +shoved up into the air onto the shoulders of +the boy in front of him.</p> + +<p>This student let out a cry of alarm, but before +he could do anything Sam made a leap +forward, landing on the shoulders of two students +close to the pole.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Fire him back! Don't let him reach the +pole!" came in a yell from several throats.</p> + +<p>"Hold him by the ankles! Don't let him +jump!" cried out the leader of the fort defenders.</p> + +<p>Several students turned to clutch at the ankles +of Sam Rover, but he was too nimble for them, +and with another leap he reached the flagpole +and clutched it tightly.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! Rover has reached the pole!"</p> + +<p>"Get those banners, Sam! There is no time to +spare!"</p> + +<p>"Hold him!" "Pull him down!" "Maul him!" +cried the fort defenders. "Don't let him climb +up the pole!"</p> + +<p>Several turned to clutch at Sam's legs and +feet, but he thrashed out wildly and all but one +fell back, fearing injury. The undaunted student +caught Sam by a heel and held on very much +as might a bulldog.</p> + +<p>"Let go there," came from Spud, and the next +instant he raised a chunk of snow and shoved it +directly into the open mouth of the boy who +had the grip. This was too much for the student, +and he fell back among his fellows.</p> + +<p>"Only two minutes more!" yelled the timekeeper. +"Two minutes more!"</p> + +<p>"We won't need more than fifteen seconds,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +came triumphantly from Sam, and as he spoke +he commenced to climb the pole.</p> + +<p>A sophomore followed, clutching again at one +of his feet, but now the Rover boy had his hand +on the first of the banners, and down it came +in a twinkling, and the second quickly followed.</p> + +<p>"Here you are, boys; catch them!" Sam cried +and, wadding the banners into something of a +ball, he hurled them out into the midst of a group +of seniors.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! we've got 'em!" was the triumphant +cry. "We've got 'em!"</p> + +<p>"Time's up!" yelled the timekeeper.</p> + +<p>A cheer arose from the juniors and seniors, +who quickly held the captured banners aloft. +The freshmen and sophomores were, of course, +keenly disappointed, and a number of them +showed it.</p> + +<p>"Let's drive them out of the fort, anyway!" +was the sudden cry. "Give it to 'em! Send 'em +flying!"</p> + +<p>"Wait, wait, this contest is at an end," said +a professor who was one of the umpires.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, let's have some fun anyway." +This cry was taken up on every side, and while +some of the seniors retired with the two captured +banners, the other students continued the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +contest, those who had held the fort doing all +they possibly could to overcome and expel their +enemies.</p> + +<p>As soon as he had thrown the banners Sam +slid down the pole, and was now trying his best +to make his way out of the crowd of freshmen +and sophomores. These students were very +bitter against the Rover boy, and several did all +they could to trip him up and cover him with +snow.</p> + +<p>"Say, Sam, that was great!" cried Spud. "Best +I ever saw!"</p> + +<p>"Out with 'em! Out with 'em!" was the yell. +"Don't let 'em stay in the fort even if they did +get the banners."</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried Sam quickly. "Now we +have the banners let us drive them clean down +the other side of the hill."</p> + +<p>This suggestion received instant approval +and, in spite of all that some of the professors +could do to stop it, the fight went on as furiously +as ever. Some of the students who had +retreated to a safe distance came back with a +fresh supply of snowballs, and the air was once +more filled with the flying missiles.</p> + +<p>"Come on, let us teach them a lesson," cried +Bob Grimes. "They should have stopped fighting +as soon as the banners were captured. Let<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +us give the sophomores and freshmen all they +want."</p> + +<p>This cry was taken up on all sides, and around +and around the enclosure which had been designated +the fort went the various crowds of students. +The blood of the juniors and seniors +was now up, and slowly but surely they forced +the younger students to retreat. Then came a +break and something of a panic, and a few minutes +later the fort defenders were retreating +down the other side of the hill, which led through +some brushwood to a road that ran to Ashton.</p> + +<p>"After 'em! After 'em! Don't let 'em get +away!" cried Sam, and was one of the first to +go down the hill after the retreating students. +On the way he paused only long enough to make +several snowballs.</p> + +<p>Having reached the road which led to the +town, the freshmen and sophomores divided, +some going behind a barn and others taking to +the woods beyond. Not knowing exactly what +to do next, Sam and several with him halted to +consider the matter.</p> + +<p>"There they go!" was the cry a moment later, +and a number of students were seen speeding +around a corner of the road.</p> + +<p>"That's Bissel, the fellow who hit me in the +ear," cried Sam. "I'm going after him."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And, yes, there is Dutz, who filled my mouth +with snow," cried Spud. "Come on!"</p> + +<p>Sam was already on the run, and, coming to +the turn in the road, he let fly several snowballs.</p> + +<p>"Here! Here! What do you mean by such +actions?" came suddenly from behind some +brushwood which lined the roadway and then, +as the students advanced still further, they were +surprised to find themselves confronted by a tall +man wearing a heavy, fur-lined overcoat. He +had likewise been wearing a beaver hat, but +the tile now lay in the snow.</p> + +<p>"Belright Fogg!" exclaimed Sam in dismay. +"That lawyer who tried to get the best of us! +And I thought he was one of the students!"</p> + +<p>"Ha! so it is you," snarled the man in the fur +overcoat harshly. "What do you mean, Rover, +by attacking me in this fashion?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROVER BOYS</h3> + + +<p>"Say! that isn't one of the students."</p> + +<p>"Not much! Why, that's the lawyer who used +to do business for the railroad company—the +man the Rovers had so much trouble with!"</p> + +<p>"Who knocked his hat off?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know—Sam Rover, I guess."</p> + +<p>Such were some of the remarks made as a +number of the juniors and seniors began to congregate +around Sam and Mr. Belright Fogg. All +of the students could readily see that the lawyer +was very much put out over what had occurred.</p> + +<p>"I say, Rover, what do you mean by attacking +me in this fashion?" repeated Belright Fogg, +with a savage look at the youth before him.</p> + +<p>"If I knocked your hat off, Mr. Fogg, I am +sorry for it," answered Sam, as soon as he could +recover from his surprise.</p> + +<p>"Knocked my hat off?" roared the lawyer. +"You hit me a hard one on the head; that is what +you did!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let me see if you are hurt," put in Stanley, +stepping forward. "Where did the snowball hit +you?"</p> + +<p>"You keep your hands off me," returned Belright +Fogg. "I've a good mind to have the law +on such loafers as you."</p> + +<p>"We are not loafers, Mr. Fogg," answered +Sam, the color coming quickly to his face. "We +were having our annual snowballing contest, and +we did not know that any outsider was on this +back road. If I hit you and hurt you I am very +sorry for it."</p> + +<p>"Humph! I think you will be sorry for it if I +bring a suit for damages," muttered the lawyer. +"I don't know why Dr. Wallington permits such +rowdyism."</p> + +<p>"This isn't rowdyism, nor are we loafers," put +in Stanley, somewhat sharply. "You seem to +forget, Mr. Fogg, that this road runs through +the property belonging to Brill College, and we +have a perfect right to hold our snowballing +contest here. If you want to report the matter +to Dr. Wall——"</p> + +<p>"Bah! I know you students, and I wouldn't +expect any sympathy from your teacher. He's +too afraid of losing any of his students." Belright +Fogg snatched his beaver hat from the +hands of Spud, who had picked it up. "I'll settle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +with you for this later, Rover," he added, +and then turned on his heel and hurried down +the road.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what brought him on this back +road on foot?" observed Bob.</p> + +<p>"He isn't on foot. He has his horse and cutter +beside the barn," answered another student. +"There he is now, picking up a robe out of the +snow. It must have fallen out of the cutter and +he walked back to get it." Which surmise was +correct.</p> + +<p>"This looks like more trouble for me," said +Sam, soberly. "I'm mighty sorry it was Mr. Belright +Fogg I hit with that snowball."</p> + +<p>"You can wager he'll make out a case against +you if he possibly can," remarked Spud. "Lawyers +of his calibre always do."</p> + +<p>"Well, this settles the snowball fight for us," +put in Stanley, as he looked up and down the +road. "The freshies and sophs are clear out of +sight. Let us go back to the campus and celebrate +our victory;" and then, as Belright Fogg +drove away in his cutter, the students walked +over the hill in the direction of Brill.</p> + +<p>To my old readers the youths already mentioned +in these pages will need no special introduction. +For the benefit of others, however, let +me state that Sam Rover was the youngest of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +three brothers, Dick being the eldest and fun-loving +Tom coming next. They were the sons +of one Anderson Rover, a rich widower, and +had for years made their home with their Uncle +Randolph and their Aunt Martha at a beautiful +farm called Valley Brook.</p> + +<p>From the farm, and while their father was +in Africa, the three Rover boys had been sent +by their uncle to school, as related in the first +volume of this series, entitled "The Rover Boys +at School." This place was called Putnam Hall +Military Academy, and there the lads made many +friends, and likewise several enemies, and had +"the time of their lives," as Tom Rover often +expressed it.<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">*</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">*</span></a> For particulars regarding how Putnam Hall Military +Academy was organized, and what fine times the cadets +there enjoyed even before the Rover boys came on the +scene, read "The Putnam Hall Series," six volumes, starting +with "The Putnam Hall Cadets."—<span class="smcap">Publishers.</span></p></div> + +<p>The first term at school was followed by an +exciting trip on the ocean, and then another +trip into the jungles of Africa, where the boys +went looking for their parent. Then came a trip +to the West, followed by some grand times on +the Great Lakes and in the Mountains. Then +the boys returned to Putnam Hall, to go into an +encampment with their fellow-cadets.</p> + +<p>This term at Putnam Hall was followed by a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +never-to-be-forgotten journey on Land and Sea +to a far-away island in the Pacific. Then they +returned to this country, sailing down the Ohio +and Mississippi rivers. After leaving the +Father of Waters, they took an outing on the +Plains, and then went down into Southern Waters, +where they solved the mystery of a deserted +steam yacht.</p> + +<p>After so many exciting adventures the three +brothers had been glad to journey to the home +farm for a rest, after which they returned to +Putnam Hall, settled down to their studies, and +graduated with considerable honor.</p> + +<p>"Now for college!" Dick Rover had said. But +before setting out for Brill, a fine institution of +learning located in the Middle West, the boys +had become involved in a search for a fortune +left on Treasure Isle.</p> + +<p>During their days at Putnam Hall the Rover +boys had become well acquainted with Dora +Stanhope, who lived near the school with her +widowed mother, and also with Nellie and Grace +Laning, Dora's two cousins, who resided a short +distance farther away. It had not been long before +Dick and Dora showed a great liking for +each other, and at the same time Tom often +paired off with Nellie and Sam was frequently +seen in the company of Grace.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> + +<p>A few miles away from Brill College was located +Hope Seminary, an institution for girls, +and when the Rover boys went to Brill, Dora, +Nellie and Grace went to Hope; so that the +young folks met almost as often as before.</p> + +<p>A term at Brill College was followed by an +unexpected trip Down East, where the Rovers +brought to terms a rascally ex-schoolteacher, +named Josiah Crabtree, who had given them +much trouble while at Putnam Hall.</p> + +<p>In those days the art of flying was attracting +considerable attention and, through the indulgence +of their father, the Rover boys became +the possessors of a biplane and took several +thrilling trips through the air, their experiences +in that line coming to an abrupt finish when +the flying machine was one day wrecked on the +railroad tracks. This had brought on a sharp +contest between the Rover boys and the railroad +lawyer, Mr. Belright Fogg. The Rovers had +claimed all that was coming to them, and the +railroad had been made to pay up, much to Belright +Fogg's disgust. Later, the lawyer had been +discharged by the railroad from its services.</p> + +<p>About this time Mr. Anderson Rover, who +was not in the best of health, was having much +trouble with brokers in New York City who were +trying to swindle him out of some property. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +brokers were Pelter, Jackson & Company, and +it was not long before the Rover boys discovered +that Pelter was in league with Josiah Crabtree. +In a struggle poor Tom Rover was hit +on the head by a wooden footstool thrown by +Pelter and knocked unconscious. This had so +affected his mind that he wandered off to Alaska, +and Sam and Dick had many adventures +trying to locate him. When he was found he +was brought home and placed under the care of +a specialist, and soon was as well as ever.</p> + +<p>Dick Rover was now growing older, and, with +his father in such poor health, it was decided +that the youth should leave Brill, become married +to Dora, and settle down in charge of the +office in Wall Street, New York. This plan was +carried out, as related in detail in the volume +preceding this, entitled "The Rover Boys in +Business." At that time, Sam and Tom still +remained at Brill, but an urgent message from +Dick brought them quickly to the metropolis. +A large number of unregistered bonds belonging +to the Rovers had mysteriously disappeared, and +all the boys went on a hunt to recover the securities. +In the end it was learned that their +old enemy, Jesse Pelter, was the guilty party, +and he was brought to justice. Then it was +felt that Dick needed assistance in the office,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +and it was decided, much to Tom's satisfaction, +that he might get married to Nellie Laning and +move to the city.</p> + +<p>"That will leave me all alone at Brill," said +Sam Rover at that time.</p> + +<p>"Well, you shouldn't mind that so much," Tom +Rover had replied. "Remember, Grace will still +be at Hope," at which words the youngest +Rover had blushed deeply.</p> + +<p>When the Rovers had gone to Brill College +they had been accompanied by their old-time +school chum, John Powell, always called "Songbird" +on account of his propensity for writing +doggerel which he insisted on calling poetry. +At the same time there came to Brill from Putnam +Hall one William Philander Tubbs, a very +dudish student with whom the boys often had +great fun.</p> + +<p>It did not take the three Rover boys long +to make a number of friends at Brill. These +included Stanley Browne, a tall, gentlemanly +youth; Bob Grimes, who was greatly interested +in baseball; Will Jackson, always called Spud, +because of his unusual fondness for potatoes; +and Max Spangler, a German-American youth, +who was still struggling with the language, and +who had failed to advance in his studies, so that +at the present time he was only in the sophomore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +class. They had also made several enemies, but +these had for the time being left Brill.</p> + +<p>"You'll be the hero of this occasion, Sam," +remarked Stanley, as the students tramped in +the direction of the college campus.</p> + +<p>"Hero of the occasion, I suppose, for hitting +Mr. Fogg in the head," returned Sam, with a +slight grin.</p> + +<p>"Oh, forget that!" burst out Spud. "I don't +think he'll do a thing. Remember the affair occurred +on the college grounds, just as Stanley +said."</p> + +<p>"Say! where is Songbird to-day?" asked Paul +Orben. "He ought to have been in this fight."</p> + +<p>"He wanted to come very much," answered +Sam, "but he had a special errand to do for Mr. +Sanderson, who is laid up with a broken ankle."</p> + +<p>"Was he doing the errand for Mr. Sanderson +or for Minnie?" questioned Stanley; and then +a short laugh went up, for it was well known +among the young collegians that Songbird Powell +and the daughter of Mr. Sanderson, a prosperous +farmer of that vicinity, were much attached +to each other.</p> + +<p>As Sam Rover and his friends reached the +college campus, a great cheer arose.</p> + +<p>"There he is!"</p> + +<p>"Here the conquering hero comes!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let us put him up on our shoulders, fellows!" +and a rush was made towards the youngest Rover +boy.</p> + +<p>"Not much! Not to-day!" returned Sam, and +slid back behind some of his friends.</p> + +<p>"Aw! come on, Sam!" cried one of the students. +"You are the hero of the occasion, and +you know it."</p> + +<p>"Forget it, Snips," answered Sam. "What +did the fellows do with those banners?"</p> + +<p>"Lentwell has them. He is keeping them for +you. I suppose you'll nail them up in your den?"</p> + +<p>"Surest thing you know!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe the freshies and sophs will want them +back," put in another youth in the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Not much! They can have them back after +I graduate next June," answered Sam. "They +have got to understand—— Stop it, fellows, +stop it! I don't want to—— Well, if you've +got to, I suppose I'll have to submit." And an +instant later Sam found himself hoisted up on +the shoulders of several stalwart seniors, who +tramped around and around the college campus +with him while all the other seniors, and also +the juniors, cheered wildly and waved their caps.</p> + +<p>"Doesn't that make you feel proud, Sam?" +asked Spud, during a lull in the proceedings.</p> + +<p>"It sure does, Spud," was the quick reply.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +"I've only got one regret—that Dick and Tom +aren't here to share this victory with us."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's a shame. And just to think of it, +after next June, when we graduate, we'll all be +scattered here, there, and everywhere, and the +good old times at Brill will be a thing of the +past."</p> + +<p>"Don't mention such things," put in Stanley. +"It makes me sick clean to the heels every time +I think of it. But I suppose college days can't +last forever. We've got to go out into the +world, just as our fathers did before us."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I've got to get into business," answered +Sam. "I want to help father, as well as +Dick and Tom, all I can."</p> + +<p>"Hi, fellows!" was the unexpected cry from +the lower end of the campus. "Here come the +freshies and the sophs back! Line up and be +ready to receive them!"</p> + +<p>"That's it! Line up, line up, everybody!" +ordered Stanley. "Give them our old song of +victory!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>WHAT HAPPENED TO SONGBIRD</h3> + + +<p>It was fully half an hour later before Sam +Rover could break away from his college chums +and run up to room Number 25, which he had +formerly occupied with his brother Tom and +which he now shared with Songbird Powell.</p> + +<p>Nearly a week before, the youngest Rover +had made a date with Grace Laning, inviting +her, if the snow remained on the ground, to a +sleighride that afternoon and evening. At that +time Sam had forgotten completely that this +day was the date set for the annual snowballing +contest.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll go anyway," he had remarked to +Songbird, the day before. But then had come +word to his roommate that Mr. Sanderson wanted +him on a matter of importance, and Stanley, +as the leader of the seniors, had insisted upon +it that he could not spare both of his chums.</p> + +<p>"All right, then," Sam had answered finally; +"you can go, Songbird, and do what Mr. Sanderson<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +wants you to, and I'll put off my sleighride +with Grace until after the contest;" and so +it had been settled.</p> + +<p>There were no public turnouts at the college, +but Sam had arranged with Abner Filbury, who +worked around the place with his father, to +obtain for him a first-class horse and cutter from +the Ashton livery stable.</p> + +<p>"That horse is some goer, believe me!" remarked +Abner, when he came to the door of +Sam's room, to tell him that the turnout was in +readiness. "You'll have to keep your eye on +him, Mr. Rover."</p> + +<p>"All right, Ab. Trust me to take care of +him," returned Sam lightly. "Don't forget that +I was brought up on a farm, and my Uncle Randolph +had some pretty spirited animals."</p> + +<p>"Have a good time, Sam!" cried Spud, who +was present to see his chum depart. "Wish I +was going to see such a nice girl."</p> + +<p>"Oh, your time will come some day," answered +Sam.</p> + +<p>"Are you going directly to Hope?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Alone?"</p> + +<p>"I expect to unless you want to ride along that +far."</p> + +<p>"Say! I'd like that first-rate," returned Spud,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +eagerly. "I know some of the girls up there, +and I'd like to call on them. I wouldn't mind +walking back later on."</p> + +<p>"Then come on if you are ready. I haven't +any time to wait."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm always ready," came from Spud; +and he lost no time in bestowing himself beside +Sam.</p> + +<p>The latter gathered up the reins, gave a +slight chirp to the horse, and away they sped +out of the college grounds and on to the highway +leading past Hope Seminary, which was +about two miles distant.</p> + +<p>The air was cool and bracing, and the snow +on the highway well packed down, so that the +cutter slid over it with ease. As Abner Filbury +had said, the steed was a mettlesome one, +and soon Sam found he had all he could do to +hold the horse in.</p> + +<p>"Some goer, that!" remarked Spud, as he +pulled his cap down tighter to keep it from flying +off. "Puts me in mind of a race horse."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I shouldn't wonder but what he could +make a mile in almost record time," responded +Sam, as they flew along past the trees, bushes +and occasional farm buildings which lined the +roadway near Brill.</p> + +<p>"You want to watch yourself with a horse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +that goes as fast as that," returned Spud, with +a chuckle. "If you don't, you'll get a mile or +two past Hope before you know it;" and at this +little joke Sam grinned.</p> + +<p>Early in the ride they passed one or two cutters +and several farm wagons. Then they +reached a turn in the road, and to their surprise +saw ahead of them a sign resting on a +large wooden horse:</p> + +<p> +ROAD CLOSED<br /> +</p> + +<p>"Hello! What does this mean?" queried Sam, +as he brought his horse to a standstill. "I didn't +know this road was shut off."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I heard something about this, come +to think of it," returned Spud. "They are going +to move that old Jackson barn from one +side of the road to the other, and they must +have closed the road for that purpose. You'll +have to take the old road on the left, Sam."</p> + +<p>"I suppose so," grumbled the other. "Too +bad, too, for this road was just about perfect +for sleighing. But never mind, I suppose I can +get through on the other road well enough."</p> + +<p>They turned back a distance of less than two +hundred feet, and then took to the side road +which Spud had mentioned. This was more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +hilly than the other, and ran through a long patch +of timberland on which no houses were located.</p> + +<p>"Hark! Don't I hear another sleigh coming?" +questioned Spud, a minute later.</p> + +<p>"Something is coming, that's sure," answered +Sam. "Gracious me! Look at that!"</p> + +<p>Coming to another bend of the woodland road, +the youngest Rover had barely time to pull his +steed well toward the right hand and almost +into some bushes when another cutter hove into +sight, coming along at a furious rate. The horse +was on a gallop, and the man driving him, a +fellow wrapped up in a heavy overcoat and with +a fur cap pulled far down over his forehead, +was using his whip freely.</p> + +<p>"Wow! That fellow must be in some hurry," +observed Spud, as the other turnout flashed past. +"He isn't sparing his horse any."</p> + +<p>"It's a lucky thing for me that I pulled in here +as I did," returned Sam, and his tone of voice +showed his anger. "If I hadn't done it he would +have run into us, sure pop."</p> + +<p>"You're right, Sam. That fellow had no +right to come along in that fashion. He ought +to be arrested for reckless driving. But maybe +he wants to catch a train at Ashton or something +like that."</p> + +<p>"No train he could catch for an hour and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +half, Spud. And he could walk to the station +in that time;" and thus speaking, Sam chirruped +to the horse, and they resumed their ride.</p> + +<p>A little farther on the woodland road made +another turn, and here the way was uphill. The +numerous rains of the summer previous had +washed the rocks bare of dirt, and often the cutter +bumped and scraped so badly that Sam was +compelled to bring his steed down to a walk.</p> + +<p>"Well, one satisfaction, we'll be back to the +main road before long," observed Spud, as they +finally reached the top of the hill and could get +a view of the surroundings. "There is the other +road just below us."</p> + +<p>"Hello! What's that ahead?" cried Sam, +pointing with his left hand. "Looks to me like +somebody lying in the snow."</p> + +<p>"It is somebody!" exclaimed his chum. "Say! +do you suppose that other horse was running +away, and this fellow fell out?"</p> + +<p>"Not much, with that other fellow using the +whip as he was!" returned Sam. "This fellow +ahead probably had nothing to do with that +other cutter. Excepting he may have been +knocked down by the horse," he added suddenly.</p> + +<p>"That's what the trouble is! That rascal +knocked this fellow down and then hurried on,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +Sam! Poor fellow! I wonder if he is much +hurt?"</p> + +<p>By this time the cutter had reached a point +opposite to where the person in the snow rested. +All the boys could see was some person, wrapped +in an overcoat, lying face downward. A cap +that looked strangely familiar to Sam lay close +at hand. Stopping the horse, Sam leaped from +the cutter, and Spud did the same.</p> + +<p>"Say, Sam!" burst out the latter, "it looks +like——"</p> + +<p>"Songbird!" burst out the Rover boy. "It's +Songbird, Spud, and he's badly hurt."</p> + +<p>It was indeed poor Songbird Powell who +rested there in the snow by the roadside. He +had on his overcoat and his fur-lined gloves, +but his head was bare, and from a cut on his +left temple the blood was flowing. The boys +turned their college chum over, and at this Songbird +uttered a low moan.</p> + +<p>"He has either had an accident or been attacked," +was Spud's comment. "I wonder how +badly he's hurt?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it's pretty bad," answered Sam, +soberly. "That's a nasty cut. And say! his +chin is all swelled up as if he had been hit there +with a club!"</p> + +<p>The two boys knelt beside their unconscious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +chum and did what they could to revive him. +But Songbird did not open his eyes, nor did he +make any other sound than a low moan.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to get him somewhere out of this +biting, cold air," observed Sam. "There is a +farmhouse just below here on the main road. +Let us put him in the cutter and carry him there."</p> + +<p>When they picked Songbird up he uttered another +moan and for an instant his eyes opened; +but then he collapsed as before. They deposited +him on the seat of the turnout, and Sam picked +up his cap and several books that lay scattered +around. With sober faces the boys led the mettlesome +horse down the slope to the main road. +Both kept their eyes on their chum, but he still +remained insensible.</p> + +<p>"Maybe he won't get over it," suggested Spud.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't say that!" cried Sam in horror. +"It can't be as bad as that." And then he added: +"Spud, did you notice the looks of that horse +when he dashed past us?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't have time to notice much," was the +reply.</p> + +<p>"Did he wear white stockings?"</p> + +<p>"What? Oh! I know what you mean—white +feet. Yes, he had white feet. I know that +much."</p> + +<p>"And did he have any white under his neck?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, I think he did. Do you think you know +the horse, Sam?"</p> + +<p>"I know Mr. Sanderson has a horse with +white feet and a white chest—a dark horse, +just like that one was."</p> + +<p>"Then it must have been Mr. Sanderson's +horse and cutter!" cried Spud. "If it was, do +you think that man was running away with the +outfit?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know what to think, Spud. To my +mind it's a mighty serious piece of business. +But our first duty is to do all we can for poor +Songbird."</p> + +<p>Arriving at the nearest farmhouse, Spud ran +ahead and knocked on the door. A woman answered +the summons, and as she happened to +know the youth, she readily consented to have +Songbird brought in and laid on a couch in the +dining-room. Hardly had this been done when +the sufferer slowly opened his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Don—don't hit m-m-me again!" he murmured. +"Ple-please don't!"</p> + +<p>"It's all right, Songbird. Don't you know +me?" said Sam, quietly.</p> + +<p>The injured collegian opened his eyes again +and stared at the youth before him.</p> + +<p>"Sam! Wh-where did you co-come from?"</p> + +<p>"Spud and I found you on the road, face down<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +in the snow," answered Sam. "What happened? +Did you fall out of the cutter, or were you attacked?"</p> + +<p>"I—I—— Oh! how my head spins!" muttered +Songbird. He closed his eyes again and +was silent for a moment. Then he looked once +more at Sam.</p> + +<p>"I was attacked," he mumbled. "The man—he +hit me—with a club—and hauled me out of +the cutter."</p> + +<p>"It must have been the fellow we saw on +the road!" exclaimed Spud. "Songbird, why did +he do it?"</p> + +<p>"I—I—do-don't know," mumbled the sufferer. +"But maybe I do!" he suddenly shouted, in a +strangely unnatural voice. Then with a sudden +strength born of fear, he raised his left hand +and dived down into the inner pocket of his coat. +"The package! It's gone!"</p> + +<p>"The package! What package?" queried Sam.</p> + +<p>"The package belonging to Mr. Sanderson!" +gasped poor Songbird. "The package with the +four thousand dollars in it! It's gone!" and +with another groan Songbird lapsed once more +into unconsciousness.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE CHASE</h3> + + +<p>It must be confessed that Sam and Spud, as +well as the woman of the house, were very much +surprised over the statement made by Songbird.</p> + +<p>"Attacked and robbed!" murmured Sam. +"What an awful thing to do!"</p> + +<p>"He said he had been robbed of four thousand +dollars!" broke in Spud. "Where in the world +would he get that much money? He must be +dreaming, Sam."</p> + +<p>"I hardly think so, Spud. I know he was to +go on a very important errand for Mr. Sanderson, +who is laid up at home with a sprained +ankle."</p> + +<p>"Well, if Songbird was robbed, it's more than +likely the fellow we saw in the cutter did it."</p> + +<p>"Exactly! And the chances are he will get +away just as fast as he possibly can," added Sam, +bitterly.</p> + +<p>"What do you think we ought to do?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I think we ought to notify the authorities, +Spud."</p> + +<p>"Hadn't we better wait until we get some +particulars from Songbird?"</p> + +<p>"Not much! The quicker we get after that +fellow the better. Remember he is running away +not only with the money but also with Mr. Sanderson's +horse and cutter. Many people living +in this vicinity know Mr. Sanderson's animal, and +that may help us to locate that rascal." Sam +turned to the woman of the house. "Have you +a telephone?"</p> + +<p>"No, we haven't any; but the folks in the next +house up the road have one."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll go there and telephone," said Sam. +"You do what you can for Songbird, Spud. I'll +try to get a doctor, too, while I'm at it."</p> + +<p>In a few seconds more Sam was on the way, +using his horse and cutter for that purpose. Arriving +at the next farmhouse, he readily received +permission to use the telephone, and at once +got into communication with the authorities in +Ashton, and asked the official in charge to send +word around to the various towns and villages +within the next ten or fifteen miles, and he also +sent word to a physician at Ashton. Then he +managed to get Grace on the wire.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I'll be late," he told the girl. "And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +maybe I won't be able to get there at all," he +added. "Songbird has been knocked down on +the road and robbed, and he is in pretty bad +shape."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam! isn't that too bad!" was Grace's +reply. "Do you mean that he is seriously injured?"</p> + +<p>"We can't tell yet, Grace. I have just telephoned +for the doctor, and now I am going back +to the Bray farmhouse, where Songbird is, to +wait for him." And after that Sam gave the +girl as many details of the affair as he deemed +necessary.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I hope he gets over it, Sam," said Grace. +"And to think he was robbed of all that money! +If they can't get it back, what ever will Songbird +and the Sandersons do?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," he returned. "It certainly is +a bad piece of business. But now I've got to go +back, so I'll say good-bye."</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, Sam, and you stay with Songbird +just as long as you please. We can have our +sleighride some other time."</p> + +<p>When Sam returned to the Bray farmhouse +he found that Spud and the lady of the house +had washed Songbird's wound and bound it up. +The lady had also brought forth some simple +home remedies, and these had been so efficacious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +that Songbird was sitting on the couch, propped +up by numerous pillows.</p> + +<p>"Did you catch him?" asked the sufferer eagerly, +as Sam entered.</p> + +<p>"I've sent word to the police, Songbird, and +sent word for a doctor too. Now you had better +take it easy until the doctor comes."</p> + +<p>"But how can I take it easy with that four +thousand dollars missing?" groaned the youth +on the couch. "Why, I can't make that amount +up, and Mr. Sanderson can't afford to lose it."</p> + +<p>"How does your head feel?"</p> + +<p>"It feels sore all over, and sometimes spins +like a top. But I wouldn't care about that if only +I could get that money back. Can't you and +Spud go after that rascal?"</p> + +<p>"I'm willing if you want us to, Songbird; but +you'll have to promise to stay here until the +doctor comes. We don't want you to attempt to +do anything while you are in your present condition."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll stay here, don't fear," answered +Songbird, grimly. "I just tried to stand up, and +I went in a heap, and Spud and the lady had +to put me back on this couch."</p> + +<p>"Let's take that horse of yours and go after +that fellow, Sam," burst out Spud, eagerly. +"That horse is a goer, as we know, and we ought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +to be able to catch that man sooner or later."</p> + +<p>"Providing we can follow his trail, Spud," answered +Sam. "You must remember there are a +good many side roads around here, and he can +take to any one he pleases."</p> + +<p>"But we might be able to find the footprints +of the horse in the snow."</p> + +<p>"Possibly, although I doubt it, with so many +other horses using the highway. However, come +on, we'll do the best we can." Sam turned again +to the sufferer. "Now, Songbird, you keep quiet +until the doctor comes, and then you do exactly +as he orders."</p> + +<p>"Maybe Mrs. Bray will see to that," ventured +Spud.</p> + +<p>"I will if you want me to," responded the +woman of the house. "That cut on his head is +a nasty one, and if he doesn't take care of himself +it may make him real sick."</p> + +<p>In a moment more Sam and Spud were out +of the house and into the cutter, which was then +headed up the side road where they had found +Songbird. Here they stopped for an instant to +take another look around, and picked up two +more books which had escaped their notice +before.</p> + +<p>"Books of poetry, both of 'em," remarked +Spud. "Songbird thinks more of a poem than he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +does of a square meal," and he smiled a bit +grimly.</p> + +<p>It did not take long to reach the spot where the +other cutter had passed them. They went straight +on, soon reaching the point where the woodland +road joined the main highway.</p> + +<p>"Now, you see, here is where we are going to +get mixed up," announced Sam, as they moved +in the direction of Brill. "Did the fellow go +straight to Ashton, or did he turn off to one of +the other places?"</p> + +<p>"The folks traveling along the road must have +seen him," returned Spud. "Let us make some +inquiries as we go along."</p> + +<p>This was a good suggestion, and was carried +out. They found a farmer who had seen the +strange man in the cutter drive toward Ashton, +and a little later they met two ladies in a sleigh +who declared that the fellow had turned into a +side road leading to a hamlet known as Lester's +Corners.</p> + +<p>"If he went there, we ought to have a chance +to catch him," cried Spud. "This road I know +doesn't go beyond the Corners."</p> + +<p>"Yes. But he could take a road from there +to Dentonville," answered Sam, "and you know +that is quite a railroad station."</p> + +<p>"But if he went to Dentonville and to the railroad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +station, couldn't you telephone to the operator +there to have him held?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe, Spud, providing there is any telephone +at the Corners."</p> + +<p>Onward they went once more, through some +heavy woodland and then over several small hills, +finally coming in sight of the Corners, where +were located a general store, a blacksmith's shop, +a chapel, and about a dozen houses.</p> + +<p>"Did I see a feller in a cutter goin' as fast as +he could?" repeated the storekeeper, when questioned +by Sam. "You just bet I did. Gee whiz! +but he was goin' to beat the band!"</p> + +<p>"And which way did he head?" questioned the +Rover boy, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Headed right straight for Dentonville."</p> + +<p>"And how long ago was this?" put in Spud.</p> + +<p>"Oh, about quarter of an hour, I should say. +Say! he nearly skeered old Mrs. Rasley to deth. +She was a-crossin' the road comin' to my store +when he swung aroun' that corner yonder, and +he come within a foot of runnin' over her. She +wanted to git Joe Mason, the constable, to arrest +him, but, gee whiz! there wasn't no arrestin' +to it—he was out o' sight before you could say +Jack Robinson."</p> + +<p>"Have you any telephone connection with +Dentonville?" questioned Sam.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ain't got no telephone here at all. The telephone +fellers promised to put a line through here +three years ago, but somehow they hain't got +around to doin' it. You see, Squire Buzby owns +some of their stock, and he don't think that we +ought to——"</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Captain," broke in Sam, hastily. +"Then if we want to catch that fellow, all +we can do is to go after him, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Thet's about the size on it," returned the +storekeeper. "Now you see if we had thet telephone +here, we might be able to——"</p> + +<p>"That's so, we might. But as the telephone is +missing, we'll go after him in our cutter," broke +in Sam; and a few seconds later he and Spud +were once more on their way.</p> + +<p>The road to Dentonville was not much traveled, +and for a mile and a half they met no one. +Then, just as they reached a crossing, they came +in sight of an old farmer driving a box-sled filled +with milk cans.</p> + +<p>"Did you meet a man driving a horse and cutter +very rapidly?" questioned Sam, after he drew +up. "A dark horse with a white breast and white +feet?"</p> + +<p>"I jest guess I did!" replied the farmer. "He +come pretty close to runnin' into me."</p> + +<p>"Which way was he headed?"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> +<p>"Headed straight for Dentonville."</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me when the next train stops +there?"</p> + +<p>"The train is due there in about fifteen minutes, +and she won't stop more'n long enough to +put my milk cans on board. I jest left 'em there, +and got these empty ones," explained the farmer, +pointing to the cans behind him.</p> + +<p>"Fifteen minutes!" cried Spud. "And how far +is it from here?"</p> + +<p>"Nigh on to three miles."</p> + +<p>"Is it a good road?" queried Sam.</p> + +<p>"Pretty fair. It's some washed out on the +hills, but the snow has covered the wo'st of the +holes. Want to ketch that feller?"</p> + +<p>"We certainly do. That horse and cutter belongs +to Mr. Sanderson."</p> + +<p>"By gum! You don't say! Did he steal the +turnout?"</p> + +<p>"He certainly did," answered Spud, "and nearly +killed a young fellow in the bargain."</p> + +<p>"Then I hope you ketch 'im," answered the +farmer, and stood up in his sled to watch Sam +and Spud as they sped once more along the highway +leading to Dentonville.</p> + +<p>The boys had a long hill ahead, and before the +top was gained the horse attached to the cutter +was glad enough to settle down to a walk. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +once the ridge was passed, he did not need much +urging, and flew along almost as rapidly as ever.</p> + +<p>"This horse must have been in the stable for +quite some time," remarked Spud. "He evidently +enjoys the outing thoroughly."</p> + +<p>"Listen!" cried Sam, a little later. "Isn't that +the whistle of a locomotive?"</p> + +<p>"It sure is, Sam! That must be the train coming +into Dentonville!"</p> + +<p>They were passing through a small patch of +timber, and directly beyond were the cleared +fields and the buildings of a tidy farm. As the +boys came out of the woods they looked over +the fields in the direction of Dentonville and saw +a mixed train, composed of several passenger +coaches and a string of freights, entering the +station.</p> + +<p>"There she is!" cried Sam. "Oh, if only we +can get there before she leaves!"</p> + +<p>He spoke to the horse and did what he could +to urge the steed forward at a greater rate of +speed than ever. Much to the astonishment of +several onlookers, they dashed into the outskirts +of Dentonville and then along the main street +leading down to the railroad station.</p> + +<p>"Hi! Stop!" roared a voice at them, just as +they were crossing one of the side streets, directly +in front of a sleigh and two wagons. "Hi!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +Stop, I tell you! You ain't got no right to drive +that fast here in town," and a blue-coated policeman, +one of the four of which the place boasted, +shook his club at the boys and ran out in front +of their cutter.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 380px;"> +<a name="image03" id="image03"><img src="images/image03.jpg" width="380" height="600" alt="A BLUE-COATED POLICEMAN SHOOK HIS CLUB AT THE BOYS." title="A BLUE-COATED POLICEMAN SHOOK HIS CLUB AT THE BOYS." /></a> +<span class="caption">A BLUE-COATED POLICEMAN SHOOK HIS CLUB AT THE BOYS.</span> +</div> + +<p>"Say! officer, you are just the man we want," +cried Sam, hurriedly. "Come on with us. We +want to have a man arrested down at the depot +before he has a chance to get away on the train."</p> + +<p>"What's that? Want a man arrested?" queried +the bluecoat. "What has he done?"</p> + +<p>"A whole lot of things," broke in Spud. +"Jump in; we haven't any time to explain now—that +train may pull out at any moment."</p> + +<p>"That's so; so it might," replied the officer; +and then, as Spud made room for him, he sprang +into the cutter, sitting on the boy's lap. "But +you look out that you don't kill somebody," he +added to Sam, who was now using the whip lightly +to urge the horse to greater efforts.</p> + +<p>They were still two blocks away from the +railroad station when there came a whistle, followed +by the clanging of a bell, and then they +saw the train moving away.</p> + +<p>"There she goes!" groaned Spud. "But she +isn't moving very fast."</p> + +<p>"Maybe we can catch her yet," returned Sam; +and then the race continued as before.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>AT THE RAILROAD STATION</h3> + + +<p>"See anybody, Sam?"</p> + +<p>"Nobody that looks like that man, Spud, but +there is Mr. Sanderson's horse with the cutter."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I spotted those right away. Look how +the poor nag is heaving. He must have been +driven almost to death."</p> + +<p>"That may be. Although we got here almost +as quickly as he did. But he may have been used +quite some before this trip," returned Sam; and +this surmise was correct.</p> + +<p>The two boys, with the policeman, had done +their best to catch the departing train and have +it stop, but without avail. When they had reached +the depot the last of the cars was well down +the line, and soon the train had disappeared +around a curve of the roadbed.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Ike? What are you +after?" queried the freight agent, as he came up +to the policeman.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We are after the man who was driving that +cutter yonder," explained Sam. "Did you see +him—a big fellow with a heavy overcoat and +with a fur cap pulled down over his forehead?"</p> + +<p>"Why yes, I saw that fellow get aboard," answered +the freight agent. "I was wondering +what he was going to do with his horse. He +didn't even stop to put a blanket over the animal."</p> + +<p>"That fellow was a thief," explained Sam. "I +wonder if we can't have him captured in some +way? What is the next station the train will +stop at?"</p> + +<p>"Penton."</p> + +<p>"How far is that from here?"</p> + +<p>"About six miles."</p> + +<p>"And after that?"</p> + +<p>"She'll stop at Leadenfield, which is about six +miles farther."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll send a telegram to Penton and another +to Leadenfield to have the train searched +and the man arrested if he can be spotted," said +Sam; and a few minutes later he was in the +telegraph office writing out the messages. He described +the man as well as he could, but realized +that his efforts were rather hopeless.</p> + +<p>"Maybe Songbird could give us a better description," +he said to his chum; "but as Songbird<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +isn't here, and as we can't get him on the telephone, +we'll have to do the best we can."</p> + +<p>The policeman was, of course, anxious to +know some of the details of what had occurred, +and when the boys told him that their college +chum had been knocked senseless and robbed of +four thousand dollars he was greatly surprised.</p> + +<p>"It's too bad you didn't get here before the +train started," he observed. "If you had we +might have nabbed that rascal and maybe got +a reward," and he smiled grimly.</p> + +<p>"We don't want any reward. We simply +want to get that four thousand dollars back," +returned Sam. "And we would like to put that +fellow in prison for the way he treated our college +chum."</p> + +<p>"What will you do with the horse and cutter?"</p> + +<p>"If there is a livery stable handy, I think I'll +put the horse up there," answered Sam. "He +is evidently in no condition to be driven farther +at present. I'll notify Mr. Sanderson about it." +And so it was arranged.</p> + +<p>A little while later, after the two boys had +walked around to the police station with the +officer and given such particulars as they were +able concerning the assault and robbery, Sam +and Spud started on the return to the Bray farmhouse. +When they arrived there, they found that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +Dr. Havens and Dr. Wallington had come in +some time before. By the directions of the head +of Brill the physician from Ashton had given +Songbird a thorough examination and had treated +him with some medicine from his case.</p> + +<p>"The cut on his head is rather a deep one," +said the doctor to the boys, "but fortunately it +is not serious, nor will there be any bad effects +from the blow on his chin. He can thank his +stars though that the crack on his head did not +fracture his skull."</p> + +<p>"We are going to take him back to Brill in a +large sleigh," said Dr. Wallington, "and then +I think the best he can do will be to go to +bed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can't do that!" broke in Songbird, who +was still on the couch, propped up by pillows. +"I've got to get to Mr. Sanderson's and explain +how the thing happened."</p> + +<p>"You had better let me do that, Songbird," +answered Sam, kindly. "I can drive over there +and Spud can go with me. You just let us know +exactly how it occurred." This, of course, was +after the boys had related the particulars of their +failure to catch the fleeing criminal at Dentonville.</p> + +<p>"It happened so quickly that I hardly realized +what was taking place," answered the would-be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +poet of Brill. "I was driving along from Knoxbury, +where I had been to the bank for Mr. Sanderson, +when I came to the spot where I suppose +you found me. Just as I reached there a man in +a heavy overcoat, and with a thick fur cap pulled +over his face so that I could hardly see him, +stepped in front of the cutter.</p> + +<p>"'Say! can you tell me where these people +live?' he asked me, and thrust a sheet of paper +towards me. 'I've lost my eye-glasses, and I +can't see to read without them.'</p> + +<p>"I took the paper he handed out and started +to look at some writing on it which was very +indistinct. As I bent over the paper the man +swung a club or something in the air and struck +me on the head. Then, as I tried to leap up and +defend myself, he hit me another blow on the +chin. That seemed to knock me clean out of +the cutter; and that is all I know about it."</p> + +<p>"Then you don't know where that fellow came +from?" queried Spud.</p> + +<p>"No more than that he came from the bushes +beside the road." Songbird seemed to meditate +for a moment. "Now I come to think of it +though, maybe that's the same fellow that +watched me go into the bank at Knoxbury and +get the money for Mr. Sanderson!" he cried, suddenly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It was a very unwise move on Mr. Sanderson's +part to have you get that money for him +in cash," observed Dr. Wallington. "I do not +understand why he could not have transacted his +business with a check, especially if it was certified."</p> + +<p>"I don't know much about that part of it," +answered Songbird, "excepting he told me that +the old man with whom he was doing business +was something of a crank and didn't believe in +banks or checks, and said he wanted nothing +but solid cash. It's a pity now that Mr. Sanderson +didn't use a check," and Songbird heaved a +deep sigh.</p> + +<p>"But what did you just say about a man watching +you when you went into the bank?" questioned +Sam.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I noticed that fellow hanging around the +building just as I went in," returned Songbird. +"He was asking the janitor about the trains out +of town, and the reason I noticed him was because +he had a peculiar stutter and whistle when +he talked. He went like this," and Songbird imitated +a man who was stuttering badly, ending in +a faint whistle.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! A fellow ought to know a man +who talked like that anywhere," was Spud's comment. +"Should be able to pick him out in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +dark," and at this sally even Dr. Wallington +smiled faintly.</p> + +<p>"Of course I'm not sure that that man had +anything to do with it," went on Songbird. "But +he was the only fellow around who seemed to +notice me when I got the money. When the +bills were passed over to me, there were forty +one-hundred-dollar bills. I took them to a little +side stand, to place them in a wallet Mr. Sanderson +had lent me, and then I wrapped the wallet +in a piece of paper with a stout string around +it. As I did this I noticed the man who stuttered +and whistled peering at me hungrily +through a side window of the bank."</p> + +<p>"And the fellow wore a heavy overcoat and +a fur cap?" questioned Sam.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am sure of that."</p> + +<p>"Then it is more than likely he was the guilty +party," remarked Spud.</p> + +<p>"But hold on a minute!" broke in Sam. "You +got the money at Knoxbury, and this attack took +place on the road above here, which is at least +seven miles from that place. Now, if the man +who did the deed was at the bank when you +drew the money, how did he get here in time to +hold you up?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that, Sam; but I didn't +leave Knoxbury immediately after getting the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +money. I had an errand to do for Minnie. She +wanted me to pick out a—er—a necktie for my +birthday, and I—well, I looked around two or +three stores, trying to find something nice to +take back to her. I bought two books of poetry, +but I don't know where they are now."</p> + +<p>"We found them on the road, and they are +out in the cutter," answered Sam. "Spud, you +might bring them in and give them to Songbird."</p> + +<p>"The errands kept me in town for about half +an hour after I was at the bank," continued the +youth who had been attacked.</p> + +<p>"And where had you left Mr. Sanderson's +cutter in the meantime?"</p> + +<p>"Right in front of the bank building, the horse +tied to a post."</p> + +<p>"That would give the man time to get another +turnout in which to follow you," said Sam.</p> + +<p>"But if he did that, I don't see how he got +ahead of you."</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe he didn't, and maybe it was +some one else who did the deed," returned Sam.</p> + +<p>"You had better not worry your head too much +about this affair, Mr. Powell," said Dr. Havens. +"That crack on the head might have been more +serious, but at the same time you ought to take +care of yourself for a day or two at least."</p> + +<p>"Then you don't think I ought to go to Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +Sanderson's?" queried the would-be poet of the +college.</p> + +<p>"Not just yet. If you feel stronger you +might go there to-morrow, or the day after."</p> + +<p>"Then will you go, Sam, and try to explain +matters?" questioned Songbird, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Of course I'll go, Songbird."</p> + +<p>"And I'll go with him," added Spud.</p> + +<p>A large sleigh had been brought to the farmhouse +by Dr. Wallington, and Songbird was +placed in this and made as comfortable as possible +among the robes and blankets which it +contained. Mr. Bray, the owner of the farm, +had been up in the timber bringing down some +firewood, and now, when he approached, the +others saw that he had tied behind his sled an +extra horse.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Where did that horse come from?" +cried Sam. "Is it yours?"</p> + +<p>"No, 'tain't mine," said Timothy Bray. "I +found it up in the woods right near the road +yonder," and he pointed with his hand as he +spoke.</p> + +<p>"Found that horse in the woods!" cried Spud. +"Then that explains it."</p> + +<p>"It sure does," returned Sam.</p> + +<p>"Explains what?" demanded Timothy Bray. +"What's goin' on down here anyway?" he continued,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +looking at his wife and then at the others.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Timothy! an awful thing has happened!" +cried Mrs. Bray, and then she and the others +gave the farmer a few of the particulars. He +listened with mouth wide open, and then looked +at the horse which he had found.</p> + +<p>"I guess you are right!" he exclaimed. "That +feller got this horse in Knoxbury. It's one that +belongs to Hoover, the livery stable man. I +know him on account of this brand on his left +flank. It's a horse Cy Tamen used to own and +swapped for a bay mare."</p> + +<p>"Then I think that explains it," declared Sam. +"That rascal saw Songbird get the money, and +he at once went to the livery stable and hired +the horse and followed Songbird to the spot +where the attack was made. More than likely +he passed Songbird on the road."</p> + +<p>"That's just what he did!" cried the youth +who had been struck down. "I remember now! +I was busy composing some poetry when I noticed +a fellow on horseback go past me and disappear +around a turn in the road, and that was +just a few minutes before that fellow came up +with a sheet of paper, and knocked me senseless."</p> + +<p>"I believe you have made out a pretty clear +case," was Dr. Wallington's comment. "Now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +if we can only reach that man who stuttered +and whistled, I think we shall have the culprit."</p> + +<p>"We telephoned ahead from Dentonville. If +they can only locate him on the train it will be +all right," answered Sam. "But you must remember +we didn't have very much of a description +to go by."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and that fellow may be fixed to change +his appearance a good deal," added Spud. "A +man isn't going to get his hands on four thousand +dollars without doing all he possibly can to +get away with it, especially when he knows that +if he is caught he will be sent to prison."</p> + +<p>"What am I going to do with this horse?" +questioned Timothy Bray.</p> + +<p>"You had better keep that animal in your stable +until the livery man from Knoxbury calls +for him," answered Dr. Wallington.</p> + +<p>"He'll have to pay me for doing it," was Mr. +Bray's reply. "Every time I go to Knoxbury, +Hoover charges me an outrageous price for putting +up at his stable, and now I can get even +with him," and he chuckled over the thought.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>AT THE SANDERSON HOME</h3> + + +<p>It was just about supper time when Sam, accompanied +by Spud, drove into the lane beside +the Sanderson farmhouse, which was lit up from +end to end.</p> + +<p>Evidently Minnie Sanderson, the pretty daughter +of the farmer, had been on the watch, for +as they approached the house she came out on +a side piazza to meet them.</p> + +<p>"Why, Songbird! what kept you so long?" she +cried, and then added: "Who's that with you?"</p> + +<p>"It isn't Songbird, Minnie," answered Sam, +after he sprang out of the cutter, followed by +Spud. "We've got some news for you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam Rover!" exclaimed the girl. "And +Will Jackson! Whatever brought you here? +Where is Songbird—do you know anything +about him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we do; and that is what brought us +here," answered Sam.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam! you don't mean that—that something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +has happened to John?" faltered the girl, +turning pale.</p> + +<p>"Yes, something did happen, Minnie, but don't +be alarmed—he isn't hurt very much. Come into +the house and we'll tell you and your father all +about it."</p> + +<p>"Hurt! Oh, are you sure it isn't serious? +Now please don't hold anything back."</p> + +<p>"I'll give you my word, Minnie, it isn't serious. +The doctor said he would be as well as +ever in a few days, but he is rather knocked +out, and the doctor said he had better not try +to come here. So then he asked Spud and me +to come."</p> + +<p>While Sam was speaking he and Spud had led +the girl back into the house. She was very much +agitated and her manner showed it.</p> + +<p>"But what was it, Sam? Do tell me. Did +that horse run away with him? I know John +isn't much of a driver, and when he gets to composing +poetry he doesn't notice things and becomes +so careless——"</p> + +<p>"No, Minnie, it was not that. Where is your +father? We'll go to him and then we'll tell you +the whole story."</p> + +<p>"What's this I hear?" came from the dining-room, +where Mr. Sanderson rested in a Morris +chair, with his sprained ankle perched on a footstool.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +"Where is John? And what about that +money he was to get for me?"</p> + +<p>"Good evening, Mr. Sanderson," said Sam, +coming in and shaking hands, followed by Spud. +"We've got some bad news for you, but please +don't blame Songbird—I mean John—for I am +sure he was not to blame."</p> + +<p>"That's right!" broke in Spud. "What happened +might have occurred to any of us. I think +we ought to be thankful that Songbird—that's +the name we all call John, you know—wasn't +killed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but do tell me what did happen!" pleaded +Minnie.</p> + +<p>"And what about my money—is that safe?" +demanded Mr. Sanderson.</p> + +<p>"No, Mr. Sanderson. I am sorry to say the +fellow who attacked Songbird got away with it."</p> + +<p>"Gone! My four thousand dollars gone!" +ejaculated the farmer. "Don't tell me that. I +can't afford to lose any such amount. Why! +it's the savings of years!" and his face showed +his intense anxiety.</p> + +<p>"Oh, so John was attacked! Who did it? I +suppose they must have half killed the poor boy +in order to get the money away from him," +wailed Minnie.</p> + +<p>"We might as well tell you the whole story<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +from beginning to end," answered Sam, and then, +after he and Spud had taken off their overcoats +and gloves, both plunged into all the details of +the occurrence as they knew them.</p> + +<p>"And he was hit on the head and on the chin! +Oh, how dreadful!" burst out Minnie. "And +are you positive, Sam, it was not serious?"</p> + +<p>"That is what Dr. Havens said, and he made +a close examination in the presence of Dr. Wallington."</p> + +<p>"He ought to have been more careful," said +Mr. Sanderson, bitterly.</p> + +<p>"But, Pa! how could he have been?" interposed +the daughter.</p> + +<p>"Oh, in lots of ways. He might have placed +that money inside of his shirt," answered the +father. "It don't do to carry four thousand dollars +around just as if it was—a—a—book of +poetry or something like that," he added, with a +touch of sarcasm.</p> + +<p>"Pa, I think it's real mean of you to talk that +way!" flared up Minnie. "John told me that +he didn't much like the idea of bringing that +four thousand dollars in cash from the bank, +but he undertook the errand just to please +you."</p> + +<p>"Humph! Well, I was foolish to send him on +the errand. I should have got some man who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +knew how to take care of such an amount of +cash."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Sanderson, I don't think it's fair for you +to blame Songbird," broke in Spud. "He did the +best he could, and, of course, he had no idea that +he was going to be attacked."</p> + +<p>"It's all well enough for you to talk, young +man," broke out the farmer, angrily; "it wasn't +your four thousand dollars that was stolen. I +wanted that money to pay off the mortgage on +this farm. It's due to-morrow, and the reason +I wanted cash was because old Grisley insisted +on cash and nothing else. He lost a lot of money +in the bank years ago, and that soured him, so +he wouldn't take a check nohow. Now what I'm +going to do if I can't pay that mortgage, I don't +know. And me down here with a sprained ankle, +too!" he added with increasing bitterness.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to tell Mr. Grisley to wait for +his money," said Sam. "When he learns the particulars +of this affair he ought to be willing to +wait."</p> + +<p>"If I could only walk I'd get on the trail of +that thief somehow," muttered Mr. Sanderson. +"It's a shame I've got to sit here and do nothin' +when four thousand dollars of mine is floatin' +away, nobody knows where."</p> + +<p>"We have notified the police and sent telegrams<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +ahead, just as I told you," answered Sam. +"I don't see what more we can do at present. +Songbird was attacked so suddenly that he isn't +sure that the fellow who did it is the same fellow +he saw around the Knoxbury bank or not. +But if he is the same fellow, we have a pretty +fair description of him, and sooner or later the +authorities may be able to run him down."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know the police!" snorted the farmer. +"They ain't worth a hill of beans."</p> + +<p>"Well, Songbird told me to tell you that if +the money is not recovered, he will do all he can +to make good the loss," continued Sam.</p> + +<p>"Make good the loss? Has he got four thousand +dollars?" questioned the farmer, curiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! Songbird isn't as wealthy as all +that. He has only his regular allowance. But +he said he'd work and earn the money, if he +had to."</p> + +<p>"Humph! How is he going to earn it—writing +poetry? They don't pay much for that kind +of writing, to my way of thinking."</p> + +<p>"Now, Pa, please don't get so excited," soothed +the daughter. "Let us be thankful that John +wasn't killed. If he had been, I never would +have forgiven you for having sent him on that +errand."</p> + +<p>"Oh, now, don't you pitch into me. Minnie!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +cried the father. "I've lost my four thousand +dollars and that's bad enough. If I can't pay +that mortgage, Grisley may foreclose and then +you and me will be out of a home."</p> + +<p>"Nothing like that will happen, Mr. Sanderson," +said Sam.</p> + +<p>"I don't know why."</p> + +<p>"The mortgage is on this farm, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Is it the only mortgage you have, if I may +ask?"</p> + +<p>"It is."</p> + +<p>"And what do you consider the farm worth?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I was offered eight thousand dollars for +it last year, and I refused to sell."</p> + +<p>"Then I think it will be an easy matter to +arrange to have the mortgage taken up by somebody +else. Possibly my father or my uncle will +do it."</p> + +<p>"Will they?" demanded Mr. Sanderson, +eagerly. "Well, of course, that would be some +help, but, at the same time, it wouldn't bring my +four thousand dollars back," he added glumly.</p> + +<p>After that Minnie demanded to know more +concerning Songbird's condition, and the two +youths gave her every possible detail.</p> + +<p>"If I had a telephone here I might send word +to Ashton to find out if they had tracked that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +rascal yet," said Mr. Sanderson. "But they asked +so much money to put a telephone in over here +I didn't have 'em do it."</p> + +<p>"Where is the nearest telephone?" questioned +Spud.</p> + +<p>"Nothin' closer nor the railroad station at +Busby's Crossing."</p> + +<p>"That's only half a mile away," put in Sam. +"We might drive over there now and see if there +is anything new."</p> + +<p>"You wait until you have had your supper," +interposed Minnie. "It's all ready. I was expecting +John, you know," and she blushed +slightly.</p> + +<p>"But if your father is anxious to get +word——" began the Rover boy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I suppose you might as well wait and +have somethin' to eat first," said the farmer. +"That will give the authorities time to do somethin', +if they are goin' to."</p> + +<p>In the expectation of having Songbird to supper, +Minnie, with the aid of a young hired girl, +had provided quite an elaborate meal, to which +it is perhaps needless to state the young collegians +did full justice. Then the youths lost no +time in driving off in the cutter to Busby's Crossing, +where they were lucky enough to find the +station agent still in charge, although on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +point of locking up, for no more trains would +stop at the Crossing that night.</p> + +<p>The boys first telephoned to the college and to +Ashton, and then to Dentonville and the railroad +stations up the line. To get the various +connections took considerable time, and to get +"information that was no information at all," as +Spud expressed it, took much longer still. The +sum total of it was that no one had been able +to trace the man in the heavy overcoat and with +the heavy fur cap, and no one had the slightest +idea about what had become of that much-wanted +individual.</p> + +<p>"It's going to be like looking for the proverbial +pin in the haystack," remarked Spud.</p> + +<p>"It's too bad," returned Sam, gloomily. "I +did think we'd have some sort of encouraging +word to take back to Mr. Sanderson."</p> + +<p>"Say! he's pretty bitter over the loss of that +money, isn't he, Sam?"</p> + +<p>"You can't blame him for that. I'd be bitter +too."</p> + +<p>"It looks to me as if he might make Minnie +break with Songbird if that money wasn't recovered."</p> + +<p>"Possibly, Spud. Although he ought to know +as well as we do that it was not Songbird's +fault."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm glad to see Minnie sticks up for our +chum, aren't you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Minnie's all right and always has been. +She thinks just as much of Songbird as he does +of her. Once in a while she pokes a little fun +at his so-called poetry, but Songbird doesn't +mind, so it doesn't matter."</p> + +<p>When the boys returned to the farmhouse +Minnie ran out to meet them, and from their +manner saw at once that they had no news worth +mentioning. They could see that the girl had +been crying, and now it was all she could do to +keep from bursting into tears again.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Minnie, you ought not to take it so hard," +said Sam, kindly. "Of course, to lose four thousand +dollars is a terrible blow, but maybe they'll +get the money back some way, or at least a part +of it."</p> + +<p>"It isn't the money, Sam," cried the girl, with +something like a catch in her voice. "It's the +way papa acts. He seems to think it was all +John's fault. Oh! I can't bear it! I know I +can't!" she suddenly sobbed, and then ran away +and up the stairs to her bedroom, closing the door +behind her.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>SAM AND GRACE</h3> + + +<p>"This whole affair is certainly a tough proposition," +remarked Sam, when, about half an hour +later, he and Spud were on their way back to +Brill.</p> + +<p>The time had been spent in telling Mr. Sanderson +how they had failed to obtain any satisfaction +over the telephone, and in listening to the +farmer's tirade against poor Songbird.</p> + +<p>"Old Sanderson certainly pitched into Songbird," +returned Spud. "I declare if anybody +called me down that way, I think I'd be apt to +get into a regular fight with him."</p> + +<p>"He is very much excited, Spud. I think when +he cools down he will see matters in a different +light. Just at present the loss of the four thousand +dollars has completely upset him."</p> + +<p>"I suppose he pitched into Minnie even more +than he pitched into us."</p> + +<p>"Maybe he did. I must say I am mighty sorry +for that poor girl."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What are you going to tell Songbird?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose we'll have to tell him the truth, +Spud, although we'll have to smooth over Mr. +Sanderson's manner as much as we can. There's +no use in hurting Songbird's feelings, especially +now when he's broken up physically as well as +mentally."</p> + +<p>When they reached the college they found +that Songbird had insisted upon it that he be +taken to the room he occupied with Sam instead +of to the sick ward. He was in bed, but wide +awake and anxious to hear all they might have +to say.</p> + +<p>"Of course I knew Mr. Sanderson would +blame me," he said, after asking a great number +of questions. "Four thousand dollars is a heap +of money." He knitted his brows for a moment, +and then cast an anxious glance at Sam. "How +did Minnie really seem to take it?" he continued.</p> + +<p>"She sided with you, Songbird, when her +father talked against you," answered Sam.</p> + +<p>"She did, did she? Good for her!" and Songbird's +face lit up for an instant. "She's true +blue, that girl is!"</p> + +<p>"Now, the best thing I think you can do is to +try to go to sleep and get a good night's rest," +went on Sam. "This worrying about what can't +be helped won't do you any good."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, but, Sam, what am I going to do if that +money isn't gotten back? The Sandersons can't +afford to lose it, and even if I went to work right +away, it would take me a long, long time to earn +four thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking that over, Songbird, and +as the money was to be used in paying off a mortgage, +I think I can arrange the matter, providing +the holder of the present mortgage won't extend +the time for it. I think I can get my father or +my uncle to take the mortgage."</p> + +<p>"Very good, Sam, so far as it goes. But that +wouldn't be getting the money back. If it isn't +recovered, I'll feel that I am under a moral obligation +to earn it somehow and give it to Mr. +Sanderson."</p> + +<p>"We'll talk about it later. Now you've got +to go to sleep," were Sam's concluding words, +and after that he refused to say any more. He +undressed and threw himself on his bed, and +was soon asleep. But poor Songbird turned and +twisted, and it is doubtful if his eyes closed until +well along in the early morning hours.</p> + +<p>On the following day Sam had several classes +to attend, as well as to work on a theme; but as +soon as these tasks were over he obtained permission +to leave the college to find out, if possible, +if anything had been done in the matter of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +the robbery. He visited Ashton and had an interview +with the police, and then used the telephone +in several directions. But it was all of +no avail; nothing whatever had been seen or +heard of the rascal who had made the attack +upon Songbird.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it will be one of those mysteries +which will never be explained," mused the youngest +Rover boy, as he jumped into the cutter +which he was using and drove away from Ashton. +"It's too bad! Oh! how I'd like to get +my hands on that rascal, whoever he may be!"</p> + +<p>It was not until two days later, when Songbird +was once more able to be about and had insisted +on being driven over to the Sanderson place, +that Sam had a chance to go on the sleighride +with Grace Laning. He drove over to Hope +Seminary about four o'clock in the afternoon, +having sent word ahead that he was coming. +Grace was waiting for him, and the pair speedily +drove away, wistfully watched by a number of +the girl students.</p> + +<p>"It's so nice of you to think of me, Sam, when +you've got so much to think about on poor Songbird's +account," said Grace, as they were speeding +out of the seminary grounds. "How is he?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's doing better than we expected, Grace. +He insisted on being driven over to the Sandersons<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +this afternoon. Stanley took him over, +because none of us thought Songbird was strong +enough to drive himself."</p> + +<p>"I want you to give me all the particulars of +the attack," said the girl, and this the youth did +readily.</p> + +<p>"It must have been the man who stuttered and +whistled—the fellow Songbird saw at the +Knoxbury bank," declared the girl, positively. +"Wouldn't it pay to get a detective on his track?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so, Grace. I think Songbird is going +to mention that to Mr. Sanderson."</p> + +<p>Sam did not want the girl to worry too much +over what had occurred and so soon changed the +subject. They talked about college and seminary +matters, and then about affairs at home, and +about matters in New York City.</p> + +<p>"I just got another letter from Nellie to-day," +said Grace. "She says that the apartment she +and Tom have rented is perfectly lovely—every +bit as nice as the one occupied by Dick and +Dora."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad they like it, Grace. But, believe me, +it will be some job for Tom to settle down and +be a staid married man! He was always so full +of fun."</p> + +<p>"Why, the idea, Sam Rover! Don't you think +a man can be married and still keep full of fun?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, maybe, if he got such a nice girl as +Nellie. Just the same, I'll wager Tom sometimes +wishes he was back in good old Brill."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! And do you think you'll wish you +were back at Brill if ever you get married?" she +asked slyly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I didn't say anything about that, Grace. +I—I——"</p> + +<p>"Well, it's just about the same thing," and +Grace tossed her pretty face a trifle.</p> + +<p>"Oh, now look here, Grace! You haven't any +call to talk that way. I suppose when I get +married I'll be just as happy as Dick or Tom. +That is, providing I get the right girl," and he +gazed at the face beside him very ardently.</p> + +<p>"Sam Rover, you had better watch where you +are driving, unless you want to run us into the +rocks and bushes," cried the girl, suddenly. For, +forgetting the steed for a moment, Sam had allowed +the horse to turn to one side of the somewhat +rough highway.</p> + +<p>"I'll attend to the horse, never fear," he answered. +"I never yet saw the horse that I +couldn't manage. But speaking of letters, Grace, +I had one from Dick day before yesterday and +he made a suggestion that pleased me very +much."</p> + +<p>"What was that?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He suggested that if I graduate from Brill +this coming June, as I expect to do, that we make +up a party to occupy two or three automobiles +and go off on a regular tour this summer, taking +in the Middle West and maybe some other +points."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam, how grand! Of course he was going +to take Dora along?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. His idea was that if matters could be +arranged at the offices in New York, that he and +Dora, as well as Tom and Nellie, would go along +and that we would go too, along with some others—say +enough to make at least two automobile +loads."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'd love an auto tour like that! Couldn't +we have just the best times ever?" and Grace's +pretty eyes sparkled in anticipation.</p> + +<p>"When I got the letter I thought the same, and +I also thought we might ask Songbird and Minnie—Dora +and Nellie could chaperon her, you +know. But now I don't know what we'll do +about them. Most likely Songbird wouldn't feel +like going if that money wasn't recovered, and +more than likely Mr. Sanderson wouldn't let +Minnie go."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! I suppose the loss of that money +will hang over Songbird like a big cloud forever," +pouted the girl. "It's too bad! I don't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +see why Mr. Sanderson couldn't have paid that +mortgage with a check."</p> + +<p>"Just exactly what we all say now, Grace. But +that doesn't do any good."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure you are going to graduate, +Sam?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly hope so. I am going to try my +best not only to graduate, Grace, but to get as +close to the top of the class as possible. Dick +and Tom had to leave before they had a chance +to graduate, so I want to make a good showing +for the Rover family."</p> + +<p>"It's the same with me, Sam. Nellie left to +get married, and so did Cousin Dora, so I've got +to do the best I can for our family next June."</p> + +<p>"Then you hope to get through too?"</p> + +<p>"Of course."</p> + +<p>"How are the teachers treating you these days? +Have you had any more trouble with Miss Harrow, +or the others?"</p> + +<p>"Not the least bit. They are all perfectly lovely, +and Miss Harrow is so sorry that she ever +thought Nellie had taken that diamond ring."</p> + +<p>"Well, she ought to feel sorry," responded +Sam. "It certainly put Nellie to a lot of trouble. +Did that gardener who put the diamond ring in +the inkwell ever come back to work at the seminary?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Andy Royce? Yes, he is working there. I +have seen him several times. He is quite a +changed man, and I don't think he drinks at all."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's one good job done, Grace. That +man's worst enemy was liquor."</p> + +<p>Sam had arranged that they might remain out +until nine o'clock that evening, and so drove +Grace over to Knoxbury, where they went to +quite a fashionable restaurant for dinner. Here +they met several young men and girls they knew, +and all had a most delightful time during the +repast.</p> + +<p>When Sam went outside to get his horse and +cutter, which had been placed in a livery stable +near by, he was surprised to encounter the very +man he had mentioned but a short while before, +Andy Royce, the gardener who had once been +discharged from Hope Seminary for not attending +properly to his duties and who, through the +intercession of the Rovers and the Lanings, had +been reinstated in his position.</p> + +<p>"Good evening, Mr. Rover," said Andy Royce, +respectfully, as he touched the cap he wore.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Royce! What are you doing here?" +asked the youth.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I just drove over to Knoxbury to get +some things for the seminary," replied Royce; +and then stepping closer he added in a lower tone:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +"I saw you going into Meeker's restaurant a +while ago and I stayed here to see you when +you came out. I'd like to talk to you a bit."</p> + +<p>"All right. What have you to say?" returned +Sam, briskly. "I haven't got much time to +waste."</p> + +<p>"I wanted to ask you about the young fellow +who was knocked down and robbed the other +afternoon," went on Andy Royce, as the two +walked away, out of the hearing of the others +in the livery stable. "Somebody told me that the +fellow who was robbed said a man did it who +stuttered and whistled."</p> + +<p>"Well, we rather think that man did it, but +we are not certain," answered Sam. He glanced +sharply at the gardener. "Do you know anything +of that fellow?"</p> + +<p>"I think I do, Mr. Rover. You see it's this +way: Several years ago I used to live out West, +in Denver and Colorado Springs, and I used to +know a man out there who went by the name of +Blackie Crowden. He used to stutter fearfully +and had a funny little whistle with it."</p> + +<p>"Out in Denver, you say? That's a long way +from here."</p> + +<p>"I know it is, sir, but after I left I heard that +this Blackie Crowden had come to Center Haven, +and that's only twenty miles from here. And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +that ain't all," continued Andy Royce, earnestly. +"I was in this town about a week ago and I +am almost certain I saw this same Blackie Crowden +on the street. I tried to reach him so as to +speak to him, but he got away from me in a +crowd that had come up to see a runaway."</p> + +<p>"This is interesting," returned Sam. "Tell me +how this Blackie Crowden looks," he went on. +And then as Andy Royce described the individual +he added slowly: "That seems to tally with +the description Songbird gave of the fellow who +looked at him through the bank window when +he was placing the money away. More than +likely that fellow was that same Blackie Crowden."</p> + +<p>"Well, if it was Blackie Crowden, why don't +you have him locked up?" queried the gardener.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I will, providing he is still in Center +Haven," answered Sam.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>SOMETHING ABOUT BLACKIE CROWDEN</h3> + + +<p>When Sam returned to Brill late that evening, +after having spent a most delightful time with +Grace, he found that Songbird had returned from +the Sandersons' homestead some time before. +The would-be poet of the college was working +hard over some of his lessons, and it was plainly +to be seen that he was in anything but a good +humor.</p> + +<p>"Sanderson treated me like a dog—like a regular +dog!" he burst out, in reply to Sam's question. +"Why! to hear him talk you would almost +think I was in league with the fellow who attacked +me!"</p> + +<p>"It's too bad, Songbird; but you shouldn't take +it so much to heart. Remember, Mr. Sanderson +is a very hard-working man and one who has +probably never allowed another fellow to get the +best of him in any kind of a deal. The amount +that was lost represents probably the savings of +a good many years, and to lose it so suddenly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +and in such an underhanded way has completely +upset him. When he has had time to think it +over calmly he'll probably see that you were not +to blame."</p> + +<p>"I don't think so—he's not that kind of man, +Sam. He was very bitter and he told Minnie +that she wasn't to see me any more. Minnie +was dreadfully upset, of course, and she rushed +off to her room, so I didn't have any chance to +say good-bye to her."</p> + +<p>"As bad as that, eh? Well, you can write her +a letter anyway."</p> + +<p>"So I can; but maybe her father will see to +it that she never gets it," responded the smitten +youth, gloomily.</p> + +<p>"I've got a little news that may prove encouraging," +pursued Sam after a slight pause; and +then he related the particulars of his meeting +with Andy Royce, and what the Hope gardener +had said regarding Blackie Crowden.</p> + +<p>"Say! that's great!" burst out the would-be +poet. "If I could see this Crowden I'd know at +once if he was the man who watched me when +I was at the Knoxbury bank, and if it was it +would certainly pay to put the authorities on his +trail."</p> + +<p>"I was thinking the same, Songbird. I wonder +if we couldn't get permission from Dr. Wallington<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +to drive over to Center Haven to-morrow +and find out what we can about this Blackie +Crowden?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he'll have to give us permission—at least +he'll have to let me go," returned Songbird. "I +can't settle down to any lessons until something +is done, one way or another. Here I am, trying +to study, and I hardly know a word of what +I'm reading."</p> + +<p>"Let us go to the doctor at once if he is still +up and ask him," said Sam.</p> + +<p>Permission to leave the college was readily +granted by Dr. Wallington, who, however, cautioned +Songbird about overexerting himself +while he was still suffering from the attack that +had been made upon him.</p> + +<p>"I'll depend upon you, Rover, to look after +him," said the head of Brill, kindly. "And let +me add, I wish you every success in your search +for the offender. I certainly would like to see +you get Mr. Sanderson's money back."</p> + +<p>The two young collegians had breakfast as +early as possible, and by eight o'clock were on +their way to Center Haven in the automobile +belonging to the Rovers, and which had now +been left in Sam's care. Heavy chains had been +put on the wheels so that the automobile made +its way over the snowy roads without much trouble.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +Of course in some spots where the frozen +highway was uneven, the boys got some pretty +hard bumps, but this they did not mind, their +one thought being to get to Center Haven as +soon as possible and learn all they could concerning +Blackie Crowden and his doings.</p> + +<p>Center Haven was a town about the size of +Knoxbury, and among other things boasted of a +large hotel which was generally well patronized +during the summer months. Andy Royce had +said that Crowden had been seen at this hotel +and probably had some sort of position there. +When the boys arrived there they found that the +main building of the hotel was completely closed. +The only portion that was open was a small +wing with an equally small dining room used +for the accommodations of the few transients +who came to Center Haven during the winter +months.</p> + +<p>"We came here to find a man named Blackie +Crowden," said Sam to the proprietor of the +hotel, who came forward to meet them when +they entered. "Can you tell me anything about +him?"</p> + +<p>"You won't find him here," returned the hotel +man, brusquely. "I discharged him two weeks +ago."</p> + +<p>"Discharged him?" queried Songbird, and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +tone showed his disappointment. "Any trouble +with him?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, lots of trouble. Are you friends of +his?"</p> + +<p>"We certainly are not," answered Sam. "But +we'd like to find out something about him."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you are not friends of his," continued +the hotelkeeper. "I feel very sore over that +man. I took him in and gave him a good job, +and paid him a good deal more than he was +worth. But he wouldn't work—in fact he was +the laziest man I ever saw—and so I had to discharge +him. I paid him all that was coming to +him, and when he got out he was mean enough +to sneak off with some of my clothing, and also +a pair of my gloves and my rubbers. If I could +lay my hands on him, I'd be strongly tempted +to hand him over to the police."</p> + +<p>"Did he take an overcoat of yours and a fur +cap?" demanded Songbird, quickly.</p> + +<p>"He certainly did. A heavy, dark-gray overcoat +and one of these fur caps that you can pull +down over your ears and over the back of the +head."</p> + +<p>"He must have been the same fellow," remarked +Sam. "And the fact that he robbed this +man here goes to prove what sort of rascal he +really is."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Did he steal anything from you people?" +asked the hotelkeeper, curiously.</p> + +<p>"I think he did," answered Songbird. "Did +you hear anything of the attack that took place +a few days ago on the road near Ashton, in +which a young fellow was robbed of four thousand +dollars in cash?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I heard about that from the police +captain here."</p> + +<p>"Well, I am the fellow who was robbed," continued +Songbird. "And I'm strongly inclined to +think now that it was this Blackie Crowden who +was guilty—in fact I am almost certain of it. +When I was at the Knoxbury bank getting the +money and putting it away in my pocket I saw +a man watching through a window of the bank. +He had on a dark-gray overcoat and a fur cap +pulled far down over his face. Then, later on, +just after I was attacked, my friend here with +a chum of ours came driving along and saw this +same man with the heavy overcoat and the fur +cap drive off with the horse and cutter that I +had had—and he was the same fellow who had +knocked me senseless."</p> + +<p>"Is that so! Well, I think you've hit the nail +on the head, and if you catch this Blackie Crowden +you'll have the right fellow. Anybody who +would run off with my things as he did after he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +had been treated as well as I treated him wouldn't +be above committing such a crime. But the +question is, where did he go? Have you any +idea?"</p> + +<p>"We know he got on the train at Dentonville," +said Sam. "That's as far as we've been able +to trace him so far. But now that we know that +this criminal is Blackie Crowden, maybe the authorities +will be able to run him down sooner or +later."</p> + +<p>"This Crowden was very friendly with one or +two of the men around the stables," went on the +hotelkeeper. "Maybe you can find out something +about him from them."</p> + +<p>"A good idea!" answered Songbird. "We'll see +what they have to say."</p> + +<p>The hotel man took the two youths to the +stables, and there they talked with several men +present who had known Crowden. From these +they learned that the man had been very much +dissatisfied with the work assigned to him, and +had frequently spoken about the good times to +be had in such large cities as New York, Chicago +and Denver.</p> + +<p>"He said he thought he would go back to New +York first," said one of the stable men, "and then +he thought he would go on to Chicago and after +that visit some of his old places and cronies in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +Denver. But, of course, where he really did go +to I haven't the least idea."</p> + +<p>"What you say is something of a clue anyway," +returned Sam. "Now if we only had a +photograph of this Crowden, it might help the +police a great deal."</p> + +<p>"We've got a picture of him," said one of the +men present. "It was taken by one of the visitors +at the hotel this fall. He came out here to +take a picture of some of the horses and we +helped him, so all of us got into the picture, +Crowden with the rest. I'll get it," he added, +and disappeared in the direction of his sleeping +quarters.</p> + +<p>The photograph was a fairly large one, showing +three men and as many horses. The man in +the center was Blackie Crowden, and the stable +man and the hotelkeeper declared that it was an +excellent photograph of that individual.</p> + +<p>"Will you let us have this photograph?" asked +Songbird. "I would like to have that picture of +Crowden enlarged, and then you can have it +back."</p> + +<p>"Sure you can have it," answered the stable +man. "As that fellow is a thief, you might as +well tear that picture up afterward, because I +don't want to be in no photograph with a criminal," +and he grinned sheepishly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right then, I won't take the trouble to +return it," answered Songbird. "Suppose you +accept this dollar for it," and he passed over a +banknote, which the stable man took with thanks. +A little later the two youths started on the return +to Ashton.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's one step nearer the solution of +this mystery," announced Sam. "Now I think +we had better stop at Knoxbury and find out +about that horse which belonged to Hoover, the +livery stable man."</p> + +<p>They reached the banking town about noon, +and went directly to the livery stable. As they +did so a man in a cutter drove in, leading a horse +behind him.</p> + +<p>"There is the horse now!" cried Sam. "He +must have just gotten the animal back from +Mr. Bray."</p> + +<p>"Are you Mr. Hoover?" questioned Songbird +of the man in the cutter, as he came to a halt +near them.</p> + +<p>"That's my handle, young man. What can +I do for you?"</p> + +<p>"I would like to know something about that +horse, and who hired him from you;" and then +he introduced himself and Sam.</p> + +<p>"I don't know who got the animal," answered +Mr. Hoover. "I was away at the time, and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +stable boy let him out. He declares the fellow +said he was a friend of mine, and that it would +be all right."</p> + +<p>"And was the fellow dressed in a heavy, gray +overcoat and a heavy fur cap?" asked Sam.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that was the description the stable boy +gave. When he found I didn't know anything +about the man he was scared to death, because +I told him that if the horse didn't come back +I'd make him pay for the animal."</p> + +<p>"Then that's all we want to know, Mr. +Hoover," answered Songbird. "I'm pretty sure +now I know who it was that knocked me down +and robbed me."</p> + +<p>"He was a rascal, all right," answered the livery +stable man. "I had to pay old Bray four +dollars to get my own horse back," he added, +sulkily.</p> + +<p>As the long ride in the open air had made +them hungry, the two youths went to the restaurant +in Knoxbury for dinner. Then the automobile +was turned once more in the direction +of Ashton.</p> + +<p>"I'll have that photograph enlarged by Clinger," +said Songbird, referring to a photographer +in the town who did a great deal of work for the +Brill and Hope students. "Then I'll have copies +sent to the various police stations, even to New<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +York, Chicago and Denver, along with a description +of Blackie Crowden."</p> + +<p>"That's the talk, Songbird. Oh, I am sure +we'll get on his trail sooner or later," said Sam. +But though he spoke light-heartedly for his +chum's benefit, he knew that to trace the criminal +would be by no means easy. With the four +thousand dollars in his possession, Blackie Crowden +would probably make every effort to keep +from being discovered.</p> + +<p>As they sped along the road, Songbird could +not help becoming poetical, and despite his blueness +he managed to concoct the following doggerel:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The engine hums—advance the spark,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Turn on the throttle—what a lark!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Away we go like a flash of light<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Over the hill and out of sight."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Not so bad, Songbird," was Sam's comment. +"That's right—keep it up and maybe you'll feel +better." But that was the only verse to be gotten +out of the would-be poet for the present.</p> + +<p>Arriving at Ashton, they went immediately to +the photographer's shop and told him what was +wanted, and he agreed to re-photograph the picture +of Crowden and then enlarge the same and +make as many copies as Songbird desired.</p> + +<p>"I'll do it this afternoon," said Mr. Clinger,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +"and you can have a dozen or more copies by +to-morrow morning. I'll make the head of the +fellow about as large as a half dollar, and that +ought to make a picture for any policeman or +detective to go by;" and so it was arranged.</p> + +<p>While the youths were at the photographer's +an express train had come into Ashton and now +quite a few people were coming away from the +railroad station. As the boys walked towards the +automobile, Songbird suddenly uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>"Look, Sam! Look who's here!"</p> + +<p>"Why, it's Tom! My brother, Tom!" exclaimed +Sam, as he rushed forward. "What in +the world brought him here to-day?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>IN WHICH TOM ARRIVES</h3> + + +<p>Tom Rover, tall and broad-shouldered, looked +the picture of health as he came toward his +younger brother and Songbird. He smiled broadly +as he shook hands with them.</p> + +<p>"Why, Tom! What brings you here?" remarked +Sam. "You didn't write about coming +on."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I thought I'd just drop in and surprise +you," returned Tom. "You know I can't quite +get used to being away from Brill," he continued, +with a grin.</p> + +<p>"Want to get back to your studies, I suppose," +was his brother's dry comment. "Well, come +ahead; you can help me on a theme I am writing +on 'Civilization in Ancient Central America.'"</p> + +<p>"Wow! that sounds as interesting as a Greek +dictionary!" cried Tom. "Thank goodness! I +don't have to worry my head about themes any +more. But just the same, Sam, don't make any +mistake. I am as busy these days as I ever was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +in my life, trying to help Dick and dad to put +our new organization on its feet."</p> + +<p>"And how is that getting along?"</p> + +<p>"Fine. We incorporated this week and have +our papers, and now I am the secretary of The +Rover Company," and Tom strutted around with +his thumbs under his arms. "Some class to me, +eh?"</p> + +<p>"And what is Dick?" questioned Songbird, curiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dick is treasurer," answered Tom. "Dad, +of course, is president, but he expects to hold +that position only until Sam comes in. Then +Dick is to become president; myself, treasurer; +and Sam, secretary."</p> + +<p>"Say! that's all right," responded the youngest +Rover, his face showing his satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"That is, provided you want to come in, Sam. +Dad doesn't want you to give up your idea of +becoming a lawyer unless you want to."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I might become a lawyer and remain +secretary of the company too," was the answer. +"One thing is sure, if you and Dick are going +to remain in that company you'll have to take +me in."</p> + +<p>"Well, what's the news?" went on Tom. "Had +any fun lately? How is Grace?" and he looked +rather sharply at his brother.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, Grace is all right," answered Sam. He +hesitated a moment. "I suppose you didn't +get the letter I sent to you and Dick yesterday—the +letter about Songbird here?"</p> + +<p>"Why no. I left the office night before last."</p> + +<p>"Songbird is in trouble, Tom," returned the +brother. "Are you going up to the college? If +you are you can go with us in the automobile +and we'll tell you all about it on the way."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll go up, and I might as well take my +grip with me, for maybe I'll stay over until to-morrow +if they have room for me," and thus +speaking Tom turned back to the railroad station +to get his dress-suit case. The three youths +were soon on their way to Brill, and as Sam +manipulated the car he and Songbird gave the +new arrival the details concerning the attack. +Tom, of course, listened with deep interest.</p> + +<p>"That's a rank shame, Songbird!" he cried, at +the conclusion of the narrative. "I know just +how you feel. If I could get my hands on that +Blackie Crowden, I think I'd put him in the hospital +first and in prison afterward."</p> + +<p>"I told Songbird not to worry as far as the +money was concerned," went on Sam. "If that +old fellow who holds the mortgage won't wait +for his money, I told Songbird that I thought we +could get our folks to advance the cash."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Sure thing!" responded Tom, promptly. +"You give me the details and I'll see about the +money when I go back."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Sanderson said he would know about +it early next week," answered Songbird. "He expects +a visit from old Grisley and Belright Fogg."</p> + +<p>"My gracious! You didn't tell me anything +about Fogg being connected with this," burst out +Sam.</p> + +<p>"I forgot all about it," answered Songbird. +"It seems that as soon as old Grisley heard +the money was stolen and that it wasn't likely +the mortgage would be paid, he hired Belright +Fogg to take the matter up for him. He is an +old man and very excitable, and he somehow +got the notion that Mr. Sanderson would try to +swindle him in some way. So he got Belright +Fogg in the case, though as a general thing he +has no more use for lawyers than he has for +banks."</p> + +<p>"Well, he's very foolish to put his case in the +hands of such a fellow as Belright Fogg. Tom, +I guess you'll remember the trouble we had with +that fellow."</p> + +<p>"I sure do, Sam!"</p> + +<p>"And Sam had more trouble with him," cried +Songbird. "Don't forget how you hit him in +the head with a snowball."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's right. In the excitement of the attack +on you, Songbird, I forgot all about that," +answered the youngest Rover. "I suppose he is +laying back to bring that up against me."</p> + +<p>They soon reached the grounds surrounding +Brill, and Tom looked at the college buildings +with interest.</p> + +<p>"Looks almost like home to me," he said somewhat +wistfully. "My, but I had some good times +here! I wish I had been on deck for that snowballing +contest."</p> + +<p>"Sam was the hero of that occasion, according +to all accounts," answered Songbird. "He +captured the banners of the freshies and sophs, +you know."</p> + +<p>As the automobile rolled into the grounds a +number of students recognized Tom and waved +friendly greetings to him. Leaping out, he was +soon surrounded by a number of his old chums, +all of whom wanted to know where he had been +keeping himself and how long he was going to +stay with them.</p> + +<p>"Can't stay longer than to-morrow noon," he +announced. "You know I'm a business man +now," and he puffed up and grinned in a manner +that made all of the others smile.</p> + +<p>"You just came in time, Tom," cried Spud. +"Your old friend, William Philander Tubbs, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +has been away on business to Boston, got back +here this morning."</p> + +<p>"What! My old friend Tubby here? I'll be +glad to shake his flipper," announced Tom, and +grinned more than ever as he recalled the practical +jokes that had been played at different times +on the dudish student who had been mentioned.</p> + +<p>Of course the students present wanted to know +what had been learned by Sam and Songbird on +the trip to Center Haven, and many were the +speculations regarding Blackie Crowden.</p> + +<p>"The authorities ought to be able to catch that +fellow now that you have his photograph and a +good description of him," remarked Stanley. "It +would be a good idea to send that description +and photograph broadcast."</p> + +<p>The boys reported to Dr. Wallington, and Tom +went with them. The head of Brill was glad to +see his former student, and readily consented to +allow Tom to remain with the others that night, +an extra cot being put into room No. 25 for that +purpose.</p> + +<p>"Are those the banners you captured, Sam?" +questioned Tom, when the boys entered the room, +and as he spoke he pointed to two banners which +were nailed up on the wall.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Tom, those are the ones we captured," +was the reply of the youngest Rover, with considerable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +pride. "The freshies and sophs wanted +them back the worst way, but I told them there +was nothing doing, that I intended to keep them +at least until I graduated. They sent a committee +to me to get the banners, and I can tell you +that committee was pretty sore when they went +away without getting them."</p> + +<p>"You watch out that they don't take those banners +on the sly, Sam."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Songbird and I are looking out for them. +Didn't you notice we had the door locked? We +always lock up now, and no one has a key but +the janitor, and we have cautioned him not to +let any one in here without our permission."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what I'd like to do to-night," said +Tom. "I'd like to smuggle something to eat into +this room and give some of our crowd a spread, +just for the fun of it."</p> + +<p>"All right, I'm willing, Tom," answered his +brother. "Of course you'll have to keep rather +quiet about it, because I don't want to get into +the bad graces of any of the monitors or of Dr. +Wallington. I want to graduate next June with +the highest possible honors."</p> + +<p>It was arranged that while Songbird and Sam +studied some necessary lessons, Tom was to return +to Ashton in the automobile and bring back +a number of things which would be needed for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +the proposed spread. Tom took Spud and Stanley +with him. Out on the campus the three came +face to face with William Philander Tubbs.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Tubblets, old boy!" cried Tom cordially, +as he caught William Philander by the +hand. "How are you making it these days?"</p> + +<p>"I—er—er—— How do you do, Rover?" +stammered the dudish student. "Why, I am—er—am +quite well, thank you. I thought you +had left college?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I couldn't leave it for good, you know, +Tubby, my dear. They wouldn't be able to get +along without me."</p> + +<p>"Why—ah—why—ah—somebody told me you +were going into business in New York."</p> + +<p>"That's right, Tubbette."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Rover! please don't call me by those +horrid nicknames any longer," pleaded William +Philander. "You promised me long ago you +wouldn't do it."</p> + +<p>"Only a slip of my memory, my dear Philander +Williams. I really——"</p> + +<p>"No, no! Not Philander Williams. My name +is William Philander."</p> + +<p>"That's right! so it is. It's always been +Philander William—No, I mean Willander Philiams—no, +that isn't it either. My gracious, +Tubblets, old boy! what have you done with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +front handles of your cognomen, anyway? You +twist me all sideways trying to remember it."</p> + +<p>"Really, how odd! My name is William Philander +Tubbs. That's easy enough."</p> + +<p>"If I had it engraved in script type on a visiting +card and looked at it daily, maybe I would +be able to remember it," answered Tom, mournfully. +"You know my head was never very good +for history or anything like that. However, +now that I know that your name is Philander +Tubblets Williams, don't you think you'd like +to ride down to Ashton with us? We are going +to have a little spread to-night, and I want you +to help me pick out the spaghetti, sauerkraut, +sweet potato pie, Limburger cheese, and other +delicacies."</p> + +<p>"Oh, by Jove! do you really mean you are +going to have those things for a spread?" gasped +William Philander.</p> + +<p>"That is, if they are just the things you like," +returned Tom, innocently. "Of course, Stanley +here suggested that we have some fried eel sandwiches +and some worm pudding. But I don't +know about such rich living as that."</p> + +<p>"Eel sandwiches! Worm pudding!" groaned +William Philander, aghast. "I never heard of +such things! Why don't you get—er—er—some +cream puffs and chocolate éclares and er—and—er—and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +mint kisses and things like that, you +know?"</p> + +<p>"Not solid enough, my dear Willie boy. The +boys love substantials. You know that as well +as I do. Of course we might add a few little +delicacies like turnips and onions, just for side +dishes, you know."</p> + +<p>"I—I—really think you had better excuse me, +Rover!" exclaimed William Philander, backing +away. "I am not feeling extra good, and I don't +think I want to go to any spread to-night," and +William Philander bowed and backed still farther.</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right, Philly Willy," responded Tom, +dolefully. "Of course if you don't want to participate +you don't have to, but you'll break our +hearts if you stay away. Now you just come to +room twenty-five to-night and we'll give you the +finest red herring and mush ice cream you ever +chewed in your life," and then he and his chums +hurried away in the automobile, leaving William +Philander Tubbs gazing after him in deep perplexity.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>THE FEAST</h3> + + +<p>When Tom came back accompanied by Stanley +and Spud, all had their arms full of the things +purchased in Ashton.</p> + +<p>"And this is only the half of it," announced +the fun-loving Rover to his brother, in answer to +a query. "We've got to go back and get the rest +out of the automobile."</p> + +<p>"We'll bring that stuff up," said Stanley. "You +stay here with your brother. Come on, Songbird, +I see you are doing nothing, so you might +as well give us a lift," and off the three boys +trooped to bring up the rest of the things purchased +for the feast.</p> + +<p>"I'm mighty glad you are going to give this, +Tom, on Songbird's account," announced Sam, +when he and his brother were left to themselves. +"Songbird is about as blue as indigo. You see, +it isn't only the money—it's Minnie. Her father +won't let him call on her any more."</p> + +<p>"Tough luck, sure enough," responded Tom.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +"Well, let us do all we can to-night to make +Songbird forget his troubles." Tom took a walk +up and down the room, halting in front of a picture +of Grace which was in a silver frame on a +chiffonier. "Pretty good picture, Sam," he observed.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is."</p> + +<p>"Did you say that you had been out with +Grace lately?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. We had a fine sleighride only the +other day."</p> + +<p>"She's made quite a friend of a Miss Ada Waltham +at the seminary, a rich girl, hasn't she?"</p> + +<p>"She has mentioned Miss Waltham to me. I +didn't know that they were particularly friendly," +answered Sam. "You know this Miss Waltham +is very rich."</p> + +<p>"So I heard, Sam. She is worth about a quarter +of a million dollars, so somebody said. But +she has a brother, Chester, who is worth even +more. An uncle died and left nearly his entire +estate to the brother."</p> + +<p>"Is that so? Lucky young fellow! But I +don't see how that interests me, Tom," and Sam +looked at his brother inquiringly. "You act as +if you had something on your mind."</p> + +<p>"So I have, Sam; and that is one of the reasons +I came here to-day," announced Tom. "I'll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +tell you about it in the morning," he added hastily, +as a tramping was heard in the hallway; +and the next moment the door burst open and +in came Stanley, Songbird, Spud and one or two +others, all loaded down with bundles and packages.</p> + +<p>"Make way for the parcels post and the express +company!" proclaimed Spud, as he dropped +several packages on one of the cots. "Say, Tom, +you must have bought out half of Ashton."</p> + +<p>"Only three-eighths, Spud," answered the fun-loving +Rover, gaily. "You see I knew what an +awful appetite you had, and as I had an extra +twenty-five cent piece in my jeans I thought I'd +try to satisfy that appetite just once."</p> + +<p>"Twenty-five cents! Wow!" commented Stanley. +"I'll wager this spread costs you a good +many dollars."</p> + +<p>Word had been passed around to a number of +Tom's old friends, and they were all requested +to be on hand by ten o'clock.</p> + +<p>"Tubbs says he begs to be excused," announced +Paul Orben when he came in. "He says +he has got some studying he must do."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! He's afraid we'll treat him to +some sauerkraut pie and some pickled pastry," +returned Tom. "I don't want him to stay away +and miss a good time. What room is he in?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Number eighteen."</p> + +<p>"Then come along, some of you, and we'll +bring him here," announced the fun-loving Rover, +and marched off, followed by Spud and Bob. +In the meanwhile, Sam, Songbird and Stanley +brought the things from the closet and began to +prepare for the feast.</p> + +<p>Tom and his friends found William Philander +busy folding and putting away half a dozen gorgeous +neckties. He was rather startled at their +sudden entrance, and did his best to hide the articles.</p> + +<p>"Hello! I thought you were boning away +on trigonometry or mental science," was Tom's +comment. "Say, old boy, that's a gorgeous necktie," +he added as he picked up a creation in +lavender and yellow. "Did you buy this to wear +at the horse show, or at a meeting of mothers' +helpers?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear Rover, please don't muss that +up!" pleaded William Philander, snatching the +necktie from Tom's hands. "That is one that +was—er—made—er—a—a present to me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see. That's the one that blind young +lady gave to you. I admire her taste in picking +it out."</p> + +<p>"Blind lady? I—er—have no blind lady +friend," returned William Philander.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I remember now, Tubby, she was +deaf—not blind. It's a wonder she didn't pick +out something a little louder."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Rover, I really believe you are poking +fun at that necktie," returned the dudish student.</p> + +<p>"We came to get you to come to the feast, +Willie," announced Spud. "We don't want you +to miss it."</p> + +<p>"We wouldn't have you miss it for a peck of +shelled popcorn," put in Bob.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but really, I've got some studying to do, +and——"</p> + +<p>"You can study after the feast is over, my dear +boy," broke in Tom, as he caught William Philander +by the arm. "You'll be surprised how +much quicker you can learn on a full stomach +than on one that is half vacant. Come on!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I——"</p> + +<p>"We haven't any time to spare, Tubblets. You +are going to the feast, so you might as well make +the best of it. Come on, fellows, help him along. +He's so bashful he can't walk," and thus urged, +Spud took William Philander's other arm while +Bob caught him by the collar and in the back, +and thus the three of them forced the dudish +collegian out of his room and along the hallway +to Number 25.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>By this time something like fifteen students +had gathered in the room, and the advent of Tom +and his chums with the somewhat frightened +William Philander was greeted with a roar of +approval. The dudish student was marched in +and made to take a seat on a board which had +been placed on two chairs. On the board sat +several students, and William Philander was +placed on one end.</p> + +<p>"Now, then, everybody make himself at home," +announced Tom, as soon as a look around had +convinced him that his brother and the others +had everything in readiness for the feast. "I believe +you'll find everything here except toothpicks, +and for those we'll have to chop up one +of Sam's baseball bats later on."</p> + +<p>"Not much! You're not going to touch any +of my bats," announced the younger brother, +firmly.</p> + +<p>"Sam wants to keep them to help bat another +victory for Brill this spring," put in Spud. "My! +but that was one great game we had last season."</p> + +<p>"So it was," put in another student. "And +don't forget that Tom helped to win that game +as well as Sam."</p> + +<p>While this chatter was going on various good +things in the way of salads and sandwiches had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +been passed around, and these were followed by +cake and glasses of root beer, ginger ale and +grape juice.</p> + +<p>"Why, this is perfectly lovely," lisped William +Philander Tubbs, as he sat on the end of +the board-seat, his lap covered with a paper napkin +on which rested a large plate of chicken salad +and some sandwiches. In one hand he held an +extra large glass of grape juice.</p> + +<p>"Everybody ready!" announced Stanley, with +a wink at several of the boys. "Here is where +we drink to the health of Tom Rover!"</p> + +<p>"Tom Rover!" was the exclamation, and at +a certain sign all the boys seated on the board +except William Philander leaped to their feet.</p> + +<p>The result was as might have been expected. +The dudish pupil had been resting on the end +of the board, which overlapped the chair, and +with the weight of the others removed, the board +suddenly tipped upward and down went William +Philander in a heap, the chicken salad jouncing +forward over his shirt front and the glass of +grape juice in his hand being dashed full into +his face.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 379px;"> +<a name="image04" id="image04"><img src="images/image04.jpg" width="379" height="600" alt="THE BOARD SUDDENLY TIPPED AND DOWN WENT WILLIAM +PHILANDER" title="THE BOARD SUDDENLY TIPPED AND DOWN WENT WILLIAM +PHILANDER." /></a> +<span class="caption">THE BOARD SUDDENLY TIPPED AND DOWN WENT WILLIAM +PHILANDER.</span> +</div> + +<p>"Hi! Hi! What—er—did—er—you do that +for?" he spluttered, as he sat on the floor, completely +dazed. "Say! why didn't you tell me +you were going to get up?" and then he started +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>to wipe the grape juice from his eyes and nose.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Salad's going down!" cried one student +gaily.</p> + +<p>"Say, Tubbs, there is no use of throwing such +nice food as that away even if you don't want +it," chimed in another.</p> + +<p>"Don't you know enough to stand up when a +toast is to be drunk?" queried a third.</p> + +<p>"I—I—didn't quite understand," stammered +William Philander, and then with an effort he +extracted himself from the mess on his lap and +slowly arose to his feet. "My gracious! I believe +I have utterly ruined this vest and trousers!" +he added mournfully, as he gazed down at the +light gray suit he wore.</p> + +<p>"Oh, a little gasoline will fix that up all right," +said Spud. "Don't let a little thing like that interfere +with your pleasure, Tubbs. Come on—here's +another glass of grape juice. No use of +crying over spilt milk—I mean juice," corrected +the youth.</p> + +<p>"Tom Rover! Everybody up!" came the call, +and then amid a subdued murmuring of good +luck the boys stood around Tom and drank his +health.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, fellows, very much," answered +Tom, and there was just a suspicion of huskiness +in his voice.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Speech! Speech! Give us a speech!" came +from several.</p> + +<p>"Speech? Great guns! I never made a speech +in my life," announced Tom, and now for the +first time he looked a bit confused.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you've got to say something, Tom," cried +Stanley.</p> + +<p>"What shall I talk about—earthquakes in India, +or the spots on Tubbs' pants?" queried Tom, +with a grin.</p> + +<p>"Never mind what you talk about so long as +you say something," came from Bob.</p> + +<p>"All right then—here goes!" announced Tom +after a little pause. "Catch this before it's too +late. I'm glad to be here, otherwise I wouldn't +be here. I'm glad you are here, otherwise you +wouldn't be here. I think Brill College is the +best college any fellow could ever go to, if that +hadn't been so I'd never have gone to Brill. +I'm sorry I couldn't stay here to graduate, but +I've left the honor to Sam here, and I trust he'll +get through and make a record for the whole +family. Boys, I thank you from the bottom of +my heart. And here's wishing you all success +at graduation and success through life," and thus +concluding his little speech, Tom took a generous +drink of ginger ale, while the others applauded +vigorously.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Very good!" cried Sam, but then added quickly: +"For gracious sake! don't make too much +noise or you'll have one of the monitors here and +we'll get some black marks."</p> + +<p>"That's right, fellows," announced Stanley. +"After this we'll have to be as noisy as a mouse +in a cheese factory."</p> + +<p>"Now that I have been called on to make a +speech," announced Tom, after quietness had been +restored, "I am going to call on Songbird for +one of his choice bits of poetry."</p> + +<p>"Oh, now, Tom! please don't do that," pleaded +the would-be poet of Brill. "You know I'm +in no humor for writing poetry now."</p> + +<p>"All the more reason why you should write +some," announced Sam. "Come on now. You +must have something tucked away in your system—I +mean something brand new."</p> + +<p>"Well—er—I've got something new, but I +hardly think it is appropriate for this occasion," +answered Songbird slowly.</p> + +<p>"Never mind; give it to us no matter what it +is," cried one of the students.</p> + +<p>"Let her flutter!"</p> + +<p>"Poetry for mine!"</p> + +<p>"Let her flow, Songbird!"</p> + +<p>"That's right. Turn on the poetry spigot,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +Songbird;" and thus urged the would-be poet of +Brill began:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The world is black and I feel blue,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I do not know what I'm to do,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That fellow hit me in the head<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And left me in the road for dead.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I go around from hour to hour<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And I am feeling mighty sour.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I am consumed with helpless woe——"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Because I lost that heard-earned dough,"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="unindent">completed Tom, rather suddenly, and this abrupt +ending caused a general laugh.</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>TOM FREES HIS MIND</h3> + + +<p>The party in Number 25 did not break up +until some time after midnight, and all present +declared that they had had the time of their +lives. Only one interruption had come, made +by a good-natured monitor who had begged them +to make less noise, and this fellow, well known +to Tom, had been bought off with several sandwiches +and a bottle of ginger ale.</p> + +<p>"And how do you fellows feel this morning?" +asked Tom, who was the first to get up after a +sound sleep.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm first rate," announced his younger +brother. "I thought I'd dream, with so much +chicken salad and sandwiches and cake in me, +but I slept like a log."</p> + +<p>"I didn't sleep extra well," came slowly from +Songbird. "But I don't think it was the feast +kept me awake."</p> + +<p>Tom walked over to where the would-be poet +of Brill sat on the edge of a cot and dropped +down beside him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Songbird, you take the loss of that money +too much to heart," he said kindly. "Of course +we all know it was a great loss. Yet it won't +do to grieve over it too much. And besides, there +is hope that some day the authorities will catch +that Blackie Crowden and get at least part of the +money back."</p> + +<p>"It isn't the money alone, Tom; it is the way +Mr. Sanderson has treated me. And besides that, +I'm worried over that mortgage. I'd like to +know just what old Grisley and his lawyer are +going to do."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what I'll do, Songbird. If you +wish me to, I'll call on Mr. Sanderson and tell +him what we are willing to do, so that he can +rest easy about paying the mortgage off if he +has to."</p> + +<p>"I wish you would go, Tom—and put in a +good word for me, too," cried Songbird, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll do that, never fear. I'll go this +morning before I start back to New York;" and +thus it was arranged.</p> + +<p>"You said that you had something to tell me, +Tom," remarked Sam, as the three were going +downstairs to breakfast. "What was it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it may not amount to much, Sam. I'll +tell you about it as soon as we can get by ourselves," +answered Tom.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> + +<p>The morning meal was quickly disposed of, +and then Tom and Sam returned to Number 25, +the former to repack his dress-suit case before +leaving for the Sandersons' place and for New +York.</p> + +<p>"I don't exactly know how to get at this, +Sam," began his brother, slowly, when the pair +were in the bedroom and the door had been +closed. "It is about Grace and the Walthams."</p> + +<p>"About Grace?" and Sam showed his increased +interest. "What about her?"</p> + +<p>"Well, as I mentioned last night, this Ada +Waltham is very rich, and she has a brother, +Chester, who is older than she is and much richer. +In fact, I've heard it said that he is a young +millionaire."</p> + +<p>"Well?" queried Sam, as his brother paused.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I really don't know how to get at this, +Sam," burst out Tom, and his face showed his +worry. "Maybe there is nothing in it at all; but +just the same I thought I had better bring it +to you at once. I knew you would rather have +it come from me than from some outsider."</p> + +<p>"But what in the world are you talking about, +Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I'm talking about the attentions this Chester +Waltham is bestowing upon Grace. It seems<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +that his sister, Ada, introduced him to Grace a +couple of months ago, and since that time I've +heard that he has been up to Hope several times, +ostensibly to call on his sister, but really to see +Grace. I understand he has taken both of them +out riding several times."</p> + +<p>"Taken Grace out riding!" cried Sam, and +his face flushed suddenly. "Are you sure of this? +Grace never mentioned it to me."</p> + +<p>"I think it's the truth, Sam. You see, ever +since Nellie left Hope she has kept corresponding +with several of the girls there, and one of +these girls knows Ada Waltham quite well, and +she mentioned the fact of the sister and Grace +going out with Chester. She said that she quite +envied Grace being invited to ride out with a +young millionaire. Then Nellie spoke to Dora +about it, and Dora said she had heard practically +the same thing from another one of the seminary +students. Now I don't like to butt in, Sam, +but at the same time I thought you ought to +know just how things were going."</p> + +<p>"I don't understand it at all," returned the +younger brother, and for the moment he looked +rather helpless. "If Grace received an invitation +to go out with this Chester Waltham, I am quite +sure she would mention it to me."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she merely went as a companion of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +Ada's," suggested Tom, "and she might have +thought it wasn't necessary to mention it."</p> + +<p>"Have you heard anything more than that, +Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Not much, except that in one of the letters +this girl said that she would envy Grace all the +nice flowers and boxes of candy she might expect +from such a wealthy young man as Waltham. +Now, as I said before, Sam, it's none of my +business, but I just couldn't help coming out here +to put a flea in your ear. We—Nellie and I—know +just how you feel about Grace, and both +of us would like nothing better than to have you +double up with her after you graduate."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Tom; it's fine for you to talk +that way, and it's fine to have Nellie on my side. +But I don't understand this at all. If Grace has +been going out with this Chester Waltham, why +hasn't she said something to me about it? She +has spoken to me about Ada a number of times, +but I never heard this Chester mentioned once."</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't tell you any more than I have +told you," returned Tom. "If I were you, I'd +see Grace and find out just what this fellow has +been doing. You know a fellow who is worth +a million dollars is some catch for any girl."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know. It's a good deal more than +I'll be able to offer Grace."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> + +<p>"True, but money isn't everything in this life, +Sam. I didn't look for money when I married +Nellie, and I don't think she cared a rap how +much I was worth."</p> + +<p>"That's the way it ought to be done——"</p> + +<p>"I always supposed that you and Grace had +some sort of an understanding between you," +went on Tom, after rather an awkward pause. +"Of course, Sam, you haven't got to say a word +about it if you don't want to," he added hastily.</p> + +<p>"We did have some sort of an understanding, +Tom. But you know how it was with you and +Nellie—Mrs. Laning wouldn't think of your becoming +publicly engaged until after you had left +college. She has told Grace that she will have +to wait. So she is free to do as she chooses."</p> + +<p>There was but little more that could be said on +the subject, and so Tom turned to pack his suit +case while Sam got ready to attend one of his +classes. The youngest Rover heaved a heavy +sigh, which showed that he was more disturbed +than he cared to admit.</p> + +<p>A little while later Tom had said good-bye to +his brother and to his numerous friends at Brill +and was on his way in a hired turnout to the +Sanderson homestead, which he had promised +to visit before leaving on the train at Ashton +for New York City. Tom went on his errand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +alone, none of the others being able to get away +from the college that morning.</p> + +<p>The Sandersons had heard nothing about his +arrival at Brill and, consequently, were much surprised +when he drove up. Minnie greeted him +with a warm smile, and even Mr. Sanderson, +considering his great loss, was quite cordial.</p> + +<p>"Ain't comin' back to complete your eddication, +are you, Mr. Rover?" questioned the farmer, +with a slight show of humor.</p> + +<p>"No, Mr. Sanderson. I'm through with Brill +so far as studying goes," answered the youth. "I +just took a run-out to see how Sam and the +others were getting along. They told me all +about your loss, and I'm mighty sorry that the +thing happened. Poor Songbird is all broke up +over it."</p> + +<p>"Humph! I reckon he ain't half as much broke +up as I am," retorted the farmer. "This has +placed me in a fine pickle."</p> + +<p>"Now, Pa, please don't get excited again," +pleaded Minnie, whose face showed that she had +suffered as much, or more, as had her parent.</p> + +<p>"Ain't no use to get excited now. The money +is gone, and I suppose that is the last of it. What +I'm worryin' about is how I'm goin' to settle +about that mortgage. Grisley at first said he +would put it off, but yesterday he sent word that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +he was comin' here to-day with his lawyer to +settle things."</p> + +<p>"And here they come now!" interrupted Minnie, +as she glanced out of a window. The others +looked and saw two men drive up the lane in a +cutter. They were old Henry Grisley, the man +who held the mortgage on the farm, and Belright +Fogg. The girl went to the door to let the visitors +in. Old Henry Grisley paid scant attention +to Tom when the two were introduced to each +other. The lawyer looked at the visitor in some +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Huh! I didn't expect to see you here, Mr. +Rover," said Belright Fogg, coolly. "Are you +mixed up in this unfortunate affair?"</p> + +<p>"I may be before we get through," answered +Tom.</p> + +<p>"You weren't the young man who lost the +money?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"I've got an account to settle with your +brother," went on Belright Fogg, rather maliciously. +"He took great pleasure the other day +in hitting me in the head with a snowball, almost +knocking me senseless. I've had to have my head +treated by a doctor, and more than likely I'll sue +him for damages."</p> + +<p>"I reckon you'll do what you can to make it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +hot for him," returned Tom. "It's your way, +Mr. Fogg. But just let me give you a word of +advice—you take care that you don't get your +fingers burnt."</p> + +<p>"Ha! Is that a threat?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no. It is only a word of advice. Please +to remember that we know all about you, and +we won't stand any nonsense from you. If my +brother really hurt you, he'll be willing to do +the fair thing; but if you think you can gouge +him in any way, you've got another guess coming."</p> + +<p>"Looky!" came in a shrill voice from old +Henry Grisley. "I thought we come here fer my +money on that er mortgage," and from under +a pair of heavy gray eyebrows he looked searchingly +into the faces of Mr. Sanderson and the +lawyer.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mr. Grisley, that's what we came for," +returned Belright Fogg, "and the sooner we +come to business perhaps the better."</p> + +<p>"As I've told you before, the money is gone—stolen," +said Mr. Sanderson. "I can't pay—at +least not now, and I'd like an extension of +time."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Grisley isn't inclined to grant any extension," +said Belright Fogg, somewhat pompously. +"The mortgage is too big for this place<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +anyway, and he feels that he ought to have his +money."</p> + +<p>"And if Mr. Sanderson can't pay, what then?" +questioned Tom, before the farmer could speak.</p> + +<p>"Why, we'll have to foreclose and sell the +place," answered the lawyer, quickly.</p> + +<p>"That's it! That's it!" came shrilly from old +Henry Grisley. "I want my money—every cent +of it. If I don't git it, I'm goin' to take the +farm," he added in tones which were almost triumphant.</p> + +<p>"But see here——" began Mr. Sanderson.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Pa, don't let them sell the farm!" burst +out Minnie, and as she spoke the tears started +to her eyes.</p> + +<p>"You won't sell the farm, Mr. Grisley," said +Tom, coolly.</p> + +<p>"Why not, if the money isn't paid?" cried +the old man.</p> + +<p>"The money will be paid—every cent of it," +answered Tom.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>OLD GRISLEY COMES TO TERMS</h3> + + +<p>All in the room looked at Tom in some surprise +because of the plain way in which he had +spoken.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Rover, you are sure of what you are +saying?" questioned Mr. Sanderson, quickly, in +a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mr. Sanderson, we'll take care of this +mortgage. Don't you worry a bit about it."</p> + +<p>"Did you say you would pay off this mortgage?" +demanded Belright Fogg, glaring at Tom.</p> + +<p>"I didn't say I'd pay it off personally. But my +folks will take care of it."</p> + +<p>"The money is due now—has been due for +several days."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, that's right!" came shrilly from +Henry Grisley. "And I want you to know that +I want the full amount with interest up to the +day when it is paid. I ain't goin' to lose nothin'—not +a cent."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Grisley, I have an offer to make to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +you," went on Tom addressing himself directly +to the old man and utterly ignoring Belright +Fogg. "You don't know me, but let me say +that my father and my uncle are worth a good +deal of money. I am in business in New York +with my father, and our concern has a great +deal of money to invest. Now, if you will agree +to hold this mortgage for thirty days, I will +guarantee to have it paid in full at that time +with every cent of interest. And in addition +to that I will pay you twenty-five dollars for +your trouble and for your lawyer's fees."</p> + +<p>"Ha! What do you think I am? What do +you think I work for?" demanded Belright +Fogg, with a scowl. "My fee will be more than +twenty-five dollars in this case."</p> + +<p>"What? What?" shrilled Henry Grisley, +turning his beadlike eyes on the lawyer. "Twenty-five +dollars? Not much! I'll give ye ten dollars +and not a cent more."</p> + +<p>"That's the way to talk, Mr. Grisley. You +give him ten dollars and you keep the fifteen +dollars for your own trouble," cried Tom. "So +far as I can see he hasn't done anything for you +excepting to come here to see Mr. Sanderson, +and certainly such a trip as this isn't worth more +than ten dollars."</p> + +<p>"My services are worth a good deal more!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +exclaimed Belright Fogg. And thereupon ensued +a war of words between him and Henry Grisley +which lasted the best part of a quarter of +an hour. The lawyer saw the case slipping away +from him, and at last in deep disgust he said he +would have no more to do with the affair.</p> + +<p>"Don't want ye to! Don't want ye to!" piped +out Henry Grisley. "Lawyers are a useless expense +anyway. I'll settle this case myself, and +for what you've done I won't pay more'n ten +dollars, jest remember it!" and he shook a long, +bony finger in Belright Fogg's face.</p> + +<p>"I won't be insulted in this manner!" cried +the lawyer, and then in a dudgeon he stormed +from the house, leaped into the cutter, and drove +away.</p> + +<p>"A good riddance to him," murmured Mr. +Sanderson. But then he added hastily: "Was +that your horse, Grisley?"</p> + +<p>"No, it wasn't," was the answer. "And how +I'm to git home now, I don't know," added the +old man, helplessly.</p> + +<p>"Where do you live?" questioned Tom.</p> + +<p>"The other side of Ashton, on the Millbury +road."</p> + +<p>"All right, then, I'll take you there when I +go down to the depot," answered Tom. "That +is, if you want to ride with me."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I want to know jest how we stand on this +mortgage question first," announced Henry +Grisley. "I want your offer down in black and +white."</p> + +<p>"You shall have it, and the others can be witnesses +to it," answered Tom, and in the course +of the next quarter of an hour a paper was +drawn up and duly signed by which Tom agreed +that the mortgage should be taken over by the +Rovers within the next thirty days, with all +back interest paid, and that Henry Grisley should +be paid a bonus of twenty-five dollars for his +trouble and for his lawyer's fees. To bind the +bargain Tom handed the old man a ten-dollar +bill on account, which Henry Grisley stowed +away in a leather wallet with great satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tom! it's just splendid of you to help +us out in this manner!" said Minnie, after the +transaction had been concluded and while old +Grisley and Mr. Sanderson were talking together.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to be of service to you," answered +the youth. "I only hope for your sake, and for +the sake of Songbird, that the money that was +stolen is recovered. Songbird is going to get +on the trail of that rascal if it is possible to +do so."</p> + +<p>"I hope they do locate that fellow, Tom. If<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +they don't I'm afraid pa will never forgive poor +John."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't say that, Minnie. 'Never' is such +a long word it should not have been put in the +dictionary," and Tom smiled grimly.</p> + +<p>Now that he felt fairly certain that he was to +get his money, Henry Grisley was in much better +humor.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I might as well have left that mortgage +as it was," he mumbled. "It was payin' +pretty good interest."</p> + +<p>"Well, that was for you to decide, Grisley," +returned Mr. Sanderson. "Personally I don't +see how you are going to make any better investment +in these times."</p> + +<p>"Well, I've got thirty days in which to make +up my mind, ain't I?" queried the old man. "If +I don't want to close out the mortgage I ain't +got to, have I?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly you've got to sell out, now that you +have bargained to do so," put in Tom. "You +can't expect us to pull our money out of another +investment to put it into this one and then not +get it."</p> + +<p>"Hum! I didn't think o' that," mused old +Grisley. He thought hard for a moment, pursing +up his lips and twisting his beadlike eyes +first one way and then another. "Supposin' I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +was to say right now that I'd keep the mortgage? +What would you do about it?"</p> + +<p>"Do you really mean it, Grisley?" asked Mr. +Sanderson, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Depends on what this young man says, Sanderson. +One thing is sure; I ain't goin' to give +up that ten dollars he give me—and Fogg is got +to be paid somehow."</p> + +<p>"Look here! if you want to keep the mortgage +just say so," declared Tom. "It's a good mortgage +and pays good interest. You can't invest +your money around here to any better advantage."</p> + +<p>"All right, then, I'll keep the mortgage," announced +Henry Grisley. "But understand, +young man, I'm to keep that ten dollars you give +me too," he added shrewdly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't see——" began Tom, when +Mr. Sanderson interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"All right, Grisley, you keep the ten dollars, +and you settle with Fogg," announced the farmer. +"And it's understood that you are to make +out the mortgage for at least one year longer."</p> + +<p>"Can't ye give me more'n the ten dollars?" +asked Henry Grisley. "Mebbe I might have to +pay Fogg more'n that."</p> + +<p>"Don't you pay him a cent more," said Tom. +"His services aren't worth it."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I won't pay him nothin' if I can git out of +it," responded the old man, shrewdly. "If I +keep the mortgage, then what has he done for +me? Nothin'. Mebbe I'll give him half of the +ten dollars. I've had jest as much trouble as +he has."</p> + +<p>Following this discussion the paper formerly +drawn up was destroyed and a note written out +and signed by Henry Grisley, in which the old +man agreed to renew the mortgage for one year +from the date on which it had been due.</p> + +<p>"To tell ye the truth, I wouldn't have bothered +about this," explained old Grisley, in a +burst of confidence; "but, you see, Fogg knew +the mortgage was due and he come to me and +asked me what I was goin' to do about it. And +then when word come that your money had +been stolen, he told me that I'd better foreclose +or otherwise I might git next to nothin'."</p> + +<p>"The underhanded rascal!" was Mr. Sanderson's +comment.</p> + +<p>"That's just what he is," answered Tom. +"You know we had a lot of trouble with him +last year—and evidently we are not done with +him yet," he added, as he thought of what Belright +Fogg had said concerning the snowball +thrown by Sam.</p> + +<p>Tom wanted to say a good word for Songbird,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +and the opportunity came when, a few minutes +later, and before their departure, Minnie +invited them to partake of some cake and hot +coffee. While Grisley sat down in the dining-room, +the youth talked to the farmer.</p> + +<p>"Now, Mr. Sanderson, I have done what I +could for you," he said, coming at once to the +point; "and now I want to say a word or two +about poor Songbird. He feels awfully bad +over this matter, and he thinks that you are +doing him an injustice. And let me say I think +so too," and Tom looked the farmer squarely +in the eyes as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know, Rover, but——"</p> + +<p>"Now, Mr. Sanderson, supposing you had +been in Songbird's place and had been knocked +down and nearly killed; what would you say if +you were treated as you are treating him? +Wouldn't you be apt to think that it was a pretty +mean piece of business?"</p> + +<p>At these plain words the farmer flushed and +for the instant some angry words came to his +lips. But then he checked himself and turned +his eyes away.</p> + +<p>"Maybe you are right, and maybe I was a +bit hasty with the lad," he said hesitatingly. +"But you see I was all worked up. It took me +a good many years to save that four thousand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +dollars, and now that I am getting old it won't +be no easy matter for me to save that amount +over again."</p> + +<p>"You won't have to save it over again, Mr. +Sanderson. Songbird insists upon it that just +as soon as he gets to work he's going to pay you +back dollar for dollar."</p> + +<p>"Did he tell you that?"</p> + +<p>"He did. And he told the others the same +thing. He'll make that loss up to you if it +takes him ten years to do it. I've known him +for a good many years now. We went to Putnam +Hall Military Academy together before we +came to Brill—and I know he is a fellow who +always keeps his word. He's one of the best +friends we Rover boys have. He's a little bit +off on the subject of poetry, but otherwise he's +just as smart and sensible and true-blue as they +make 'em," went on Tom, enthusiastically. "And +not only that, he comes from a very nice family. +They are not rich, but neither are they +poor, and they are good people to know and be +connected with," and Tom looked at the farmer +knowingly.</p> + +<p>"I see, Rover." Mr. Sanderson drew a deep +breath, and then looked through the doorway to +where Minnie was pouring out the coffee. "If +I was too hasty I—I—am sorry."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And you will let Songbird come here and +call on your daughter?"</p> + +<p>"I—I suppose so, if Minnie wants him to +come."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Sanderson. I am sure you +won't regret your kindness," said Tom, and insisted +upon grasping the farmer's hand and shaking +it warmly. Then he went in to have some +cake and coffee before taking his departure with +old Grisley.</p> + +<p>"So you are going back to New York, are +you, Tom?" said the girl while he was being +served.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am going to take the train this afternoon," +he answered, and then continued: "I've +got a loose button here on my coat, Minnie. Will +you fasten it before I go?"</p> + +<p>"Sure I will," she returned, and a few minutes +later led the way to a corner of the sitting-room, +where was located a sewing basket.</p> + +<p>"I wasn't worrying much about losing the button, +Minnie," he whispered. "I wanted to tell +you about Songbird. I have just spoken to your +father about him, and he says he can come to +see you the same as he used to."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tom! did he really say that?" and Minnie's +eyes brightened greatly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he did. And as soon as I get to Ashton<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +I am going to send Songbird a telephone message +to that effect," returned Tom.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tom! will you?" and she looked at him +pleadingly.</p> + +<p>"Surest thing you know, Minnie. And believe +me, Songbird, when he gets that news, will +be the happiest fellow in Brill."</p> + +<p>"I don't think he'll be any happier than I'll +be," answered the girl; and then of a sudden +blushed deeply and finished sewing on the button +without another word.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later Tom bade the Sandersons +good-bye, and, accompanied by Henry Grisley, +drove away in the direction of Ashton. Old +Grisley was left at his home, and then Tom +took himself to the depot, where, from a telephone +booth, he sent a message to Songbird +telling the would-be poet of Brill how it had +come about that Grisley had agreed to renew +the mortgage for one year, and how Mr. Sanderson +had said that Songbird could renew his +calls upon Minnie if he so desired.</p> + +<p>"Tom, you're a wonder!" said Songbird over +the telephone, "you're a wonder, that's all I can +say!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind what I am," returned the fun-loving +Rover, kindly; "you just see if you can +get on the trail of that fellow who stole the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +four thousand dollars, and at the same time you +get busy and make up for lost time with Minnie. +Good-bye!" and then he hung up the receiver, +and a few minutes later was on board +the train bound for the metropolis.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>SAM ON THE ROAD</h3> + + +<p>The next few days were very busy ones for +Sam because he had a number of important +classes to attend, and he was hard at work finishing +his theme on "Civilization in Ancient Central +America." It was impossible to call on +Grace, and so he did nothing to find out the +truth about Chester Waltham because he did +not wish to ask the girl about this over the telephone, +nor did he see his way clear to expressing +his thoughts on paper.</p> + +<p>Sunday came and went, and Monday morning +brought a letter to the youngest Rover which +he read with much interest. It was from Belright +Fogg, a long-winded and formal communication, +in which the lawyer stated that he had +been under medical treatment because of being +hit in the head by a snowball thrown by Sam, +and he demanded fifty dollars damages. If the +same was not paid immediately, he stated that +he would begin suit.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Anything wrong, Sam?" questioned Songbird, +who was present while Sam was reading +the letter. "You look pretty serious."</p> + +<p>"Read it for yourself, Songbird," was the +reply, and Sam passed the communication over.</p> + +<p>"Well, of all the gall!" burst out the would-be +poet of Brill. "Fifty dollars! Of course you +won't pay any such bill as this?"</p> + +<p>"Not so you can notice it," returned Sam, +sharply. "If he had sent me a bill for five dollars +or less I might have let him have the money +just to shut him up. But fifty dollars! Why, +it's preposterous!"</p> + +<p>"What do you propose to do?"</p> + +<p>"I won't do anything just yet. I want time +to think it over and to talk it over with some of +the others and, maybe, with Dr. Wallington."</p> + +<p>When they heard of this demand for money +from the rascally lawyer, Stanley and Spud were +as angry as the others.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he's entitled to a cent," came +from Stanley. "We were having that snowballing +contest on the college grounds, and while +the highway runs through that end of the +grounds, I believe Fogg passed through there at +his own peril, as a lawyer might put it. If I +were you, Sam, I'd put the whole case up to Dr. +Wallington, and I'd remind the doctor of your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +former trouble with Fogg, and let him know +just what sort of an underhanded rascal he is."</p> + +<p>"All right, Stanley, I'll do it," answered Sam. +"I'll go to the doctor immediately after classes +this afternoon. Will you go along?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, if you want me to."</p> + +<p>Four o'clock found them at the door of the +doctor's study. He looked at them rather curiously +as they entered.</p> + +<p>"Well, young men, what can I do for you?" +he questioned pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"I've got into some trouble over that snowballing +contest," answered Sam; and, sitting +down, he gave the head of Brill the particulars +of the occurrence, and then produced the letter +received from Belright Fogg.</p> + +<p>"Hum!" mused the worthy doctor, as he +knitted his eyebrows. "He must have been pretty +badly hurt."</p> + +<p>"I don't think he was hurt at all, Doctor," +interrupted Stanley. "I was present, and so +were a number of the other students. Mr. Fogg +had his hat knocked off, and that was about all. +He wasn't stunned or anything like that. He +talked to Sam just as rationally as I am talking +to you, and all those standing around heard him. +Of course, he was very angry, not only because +he had been hit but because the fellow who had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +thrown the snowball was Sam Rover. He, of +course, remembered how the Rovers foiled his +plot to do them out of what was coming to them +when their flying machine was wrecked on the +railroad, and also how they got the best of Fogg +and a company of brokers in New York City."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I remember about the wrecked flying +machine," returned Dr. Wallington. "I +know nothing about this affair in New York."</p> + +<p>"Well, it was a very serious matter, and Fogg +came pretty close to going to prison," answered +Sam, and gave a few details, as already related +in the volume entitled "The Rover Boys in New +York."</p> + +<p>"Very interesting, Rover, very interesting indeed," +murmured the head of Brill. "But even +that did not excuse your hitting this man in +the head with a snowball and hurting him."</p> + +<p>"There is another point I would like to mention," +said Stanley. "We were having the contest +on the college grounds, and Mr. Fogg was +struck on the roadway where it runs through our +grounds."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I see. That might make a difference. +The highway is more or less of a public one, it +is true, but it has never been turned over to the +county authorities, so it really forms a part +of our grounds still. But of one thing I wish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +to be sure, Rover—did you aim at Mr. Fogg, or +was the snowballing unintentional?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't see him at all," answered Sam. +"Some of the fellows rushed behind the bushes +and I simply let drive along with a number of +others. Then Fogg appeared and claimed that +I had hit him in the head. I rather think he +tells the truth, although I am not positive."</p> + +<p>"In that case he would have to prove that +you were guilty. Besides that, if it came to a +matter of law, he would have to prove actual +damages, and I do not see how he could claim +fifty dollars if he was not hurt more than you +say. If you wish, you can leave the whole matter +in my hands and I will have it investigated."</p> + +<p>"Thank you very much, Doctor Wallington," +returned Sam, warmly. "This lifts a load off +my mind. Of course I will pay whatever you +settle on;" and so the matter was allowed to +rest.</p> + +<p>A thaw had set in and the snow began to disappear +rapidly from the roads and fields around +Brill. There was a good deal of slush, which +rendered some of the highways almost impassable, +so that it was not until a week later that +Sam had an opportunity to visit Hope. In the +meantime, however, he had sent a nice little note +to Grace in which no mention was made of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +Walthams. He had looked for an answer but +none had come.</p> + +<p>"Where bound, Sam?" questioned Songbird, +when he saw his roommate getting ready to use +his automobile.</p> + +<p>"I'm going for a run to Hope. Do you want to +come along?" and Sam's eye had a twinkle in it.</p> + +<p>"You might run me around to the Sanderson +place. It won't take long in the auto," returned +the would-be poet. "If I can get there, I won't +mind walking back this evening. I've been wanting +to go for a long while, but the roads have +been so poor I couldn't make it."</p> + +<p>"All right, Songbird, come ahead," was Sam's +answer; and a little later found the pair on the +road.</p> + +<p>It did not take long to reach the Sanderson +farm, and as they entered the lane Sam tooted +his horn loudly.</p> + +<p>"I've brought you a visitor, Minnie!" cried the +Rover boy, as he brought the machine to a standstill. +"Here is somebody I know you won't +want to see, but I'm going to leave him here +nevertheless," and he grinned broadly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, John!" burst out the farmer's daughter, +and blushed deeply. She came forward and +shook hands with both youths. "I am more +than glad to see you."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I am on my way to Hope, so I won't come in," +went on Sam. "How is everything, Minnie?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, about as usual," answered the girl, and +then went on: "Of course you know all about +what Tom did for us? It was splendid!"</p> + +<p>"You haven't heard anything more regarding +the money?"</p> + +<p>"Not a thing, Sam. I thought maybe you had +something to tell," and the girl turned from Sam +to Songbird.</p> + +<p>"We have sent out the photographs and the +description of Blackie Crowden," answered the +latter. "They are going to the police in all the +large cities, so if Crowden turns up at all he'll +be arrested sooner or later."</p> + +<p>After a few more words Sam left the Sanderson +place and headed directly for Hope.</p> + +<p>Although he would not admit it even to himself, +the youngest Rover was a good deal worried. +What Tom had told him concerning Grace +and the Walthams had been continually in his +mind, and time and again he had wondered how +he should broach the subject to Grace and what +the answer of the girl would be.</p> + +<p>"Of course she's got a right to go out with +whom she pleases," he told himself. "But still +I thought—well I thought it was all fixed between +us, that's all."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sam was so occupied with his thoughts that +he paid scant attention to the running of the +automobile. As a consequence he went over a +number of sharp stones, and a minute later there +came a loud report from the rear of the machine.</p> + +<p>"A blowout! Confound the luck!" he exclaimed, +as he brought the automobile to a standstill. +"And just when I was in a hurry to get +to Hope!"</p> + +<p>There was nothing else to do, so, stripping +himself of his overcoat and donning a jumper, +Sam got out, taking with him some of the tools +from under the automobile seat. It was a tire +on one of the rear wheels which had blown +out, and this wheel he now jacked up for the +purpose of putting on a new shoe and inner tube. +As luck would have it, the tire that had been +cut fit very tightly, so that it was all the Rover +boy could do to get it off the rim. He tugged +and twisted, perspiring freely, but it was some +time before he could even get the injured shoe +started.</p> + +<p>"If I can't get it off, what ever am I to do?" +he mused. "I must be at least half a mile from +even a telephone, and the nearest garage is at +Ashton. At this rate I'll never get to Hope."</p> + +<p>He continued to work over the tire, at last +doing his best to pound it off with a bit of iron<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +and a hammer. Then he gave a final wrench, +which brought the tire off so suddenly that Sam +was sent flat on his back in the dirt and slush +of the road. It was an occurrence to try anybody's +patience, and Sam arose in anything but +a happy frame of mind. His back was covered +with mud, and a good deal of the slushy water +had penetrated to his skin.</p> + +<p>"Ugh! of all the rank luck!" he muttered, as +he shook himself. "If I ever get this wheel +mended I'll be a fine sight to present myself at +a fashionable ladies' seminary. Why in the +world didn't I look where I was driving, instead +of rushing right over such a prime collection +of rough stones?"</p> + +<p>But finding fault with himself did not mend +matters, and so, casting the cut tire aside, Sam +unstrapped one of the extra shoes he carried +and got out another inner tube.</p> + +<p>As if everything was to go wrong that afternoon, +the new shoe proved to be as small as +that which had been taken off, and as a consequence +Sam had to work like a Trojan for the +best part of half an hour before he finally got +it into place.</p> + +<p>"And now I've got to pump it up by hand," he +observed to himself, grimly, as he remembered +that the power pump which had been installed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +on the engine was out of order and could not +be used. Then he brought out the hand pump +and set to work to fill the new tire with air.</p> + +<p>Sam had the tire about three-quarters pumped +up and was working away as vigorously as his +somewhat exhausted condition would permit +when he heard a honking of an automobile horn, +and the next moment a machine came in sight +around a turn of the highway. The car was a +large and powerful one of foreign make, and +was driven by a young man stylishly dressed, +in a full suit of furs, and wearing automobile +goggles. Behind him were two young ladies, also +wearing furs, and with veils covering their faces.</p> + +<p>"Tough luck!" sang out the young man at +the wheel of the passing car, and he waved one +hand pleasantly towards Sam.</p> + +<p>The youth had been bending over the hand +pump, but now, as the other automobile swept +by, he straightened up suddenly and stared with +open eyes after the vanishing turnout. He had +not recognized the young man who was running +the machine, but he had recognized the two +young ladies in the tonneau of the car.</p> + +<p>"Ada Waltham! And that was Grace with +her!" he murmured. "And if that's so, it must +have been Chester Waltham who was running the +car!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>DAYS OF WAITING</h3> + + +<p>As Sam gazed after the vanishing automobile +a pang of bitterness swept through his heart. He +remembered all that his brother had told him +concerning Chester Waltham, and he also remembered +that Grace had never mentioned the +young millionaire.</p> + +<p>"And she knew I was coming over to Hope +just as soon as the roads made it safe and pleasant +for automobiling," he murmured to himself.</p> + +<p>Neither of the young ladies in the tonneau of +the car had looked back, so it was more than +likely they had not recognized him as he was +bending over the hand pump, inflating the new +tire.</p> + +<p>"But maybe she saw me after all and did not +want to let on," he thought dismally. "Maybe +she thought I wouldn't recognize her."</p> + +<p>What to do next was a problem for the young +collegian. If Grace was not at the seminary he +had no desire to call there. He continued to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +work over the tire, and soon it was properly +inflated, and he put away the tools he had used. +His face was a study, for he was doing some +hard thinking.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll go to Hope anyway, and if she +isn't there I'll leave my card, so she'll know +I called. Then I'll see what she has to say about +matters," he told himself; and setting his teeth +somewhat grimly he started up the automobile +and continued his trip.</p> + +<p>At the door of the seminary he was met by a +maid, who brought him the information that +Miss Laning was out. Then several girls who +knew Sam came up, and one of them explained +that Grace had gone automobiling.</p> + +<p>"She went with Ada Waltham and her brother, +Chester," explained the girl student. "You see, +Chester has a brand new foreign car—a beauty—and +he was very anxious to give his sister and +Grace a ride. We thought he might have asked +some of us to go along, but he didn't," and the +girl pouted slightly.</p> + +<p>"You don't suppose they were going to stop at +Brill?" questioned Sam, struck by a sudden +thought.</p> + +<p>"I don't think so, Mr. Rover. Ada said something +about riding to Columbia and having dinner +there this evening. That, you know, is quite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +a distance, and the road doesn't run past your +college."</p> + +<p>"Then I suppose they won't be back till late?"</p> + +<p>"They had permission to stay out until ten +o'clock," put in another of the girls who were +present.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I see." As the girls were looking at +him rather sharply, Sam felt his face begin to +burn. "Well, I hope they have a good time," +he added somewhat hastily. "Good-evening," +and then turned and walked quickly towards his +automobile; and in a minute more was on his +way back to Brill.</p> + +<p>"I'll wager Grace Laning has got herself into +hot water," was the comment of one of the girls, +as they watched Sam's departure. "I don't believe +he likes it one bit that she went off with +the Walthams."</p> + +<p>"Humph! You can't expect a girl to hang +back when she is asked to take a ride in a brand +new automobile, and with such millionaires as +Chester Waltham and his sister," broke in another +girl. "I just wish I had the chance," she +added rather enviously.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Sam was driving along the +country road in rather a reckless fashion. His +mind was in a turmoil, and to think clearly just +then seemed to be out of the question.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Of course she has a right to go out and dine +with the Walthams if she wants to," he told +himself. "But at the same time——" And +then there came up in his mind a hundred reasons +why Grace should have refused the invitation +and waited for him to call upon her.</p> + +<p>"Hello! you are back early," remarked Spud, +when Sam appeared at Brill. "I thought you +were going to make an evening of it."</p> + +<p>"I had some bad luck on the road," replied +Sam, rather sheepishly. "I had a blowout, and +in trying to get the tire off I slipped and went +flat on my back in the mud and slush," he continued.</p> + +<p>"Is that so? Well, that's too bad, Sam. So +you came home to get cleaned up, eh? I thought +your girl thought so much of you that she +wouldn't care if you called even when you were +mussed up," and at this little joke Spud passed +on, much to the Rover boy's relief.</p> + +<p>The only occupant of Number 25 who seemed +to be happy that night was Songbird, who came +in whistling gaily.</p> + +<p>"Had a fine time with Minnie," he declared—"best +time I ever had in my life. I tell you, Sam, +she's a wonderful girl."</p> + +<p>"So she is, Songbird."</p> + +<p>"Of course, you don't think she's half as wonderful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +as Grace," went on the would-be poet of +Brill; "but, then, that's to be expected."</p> + +<p>"How did Mr. Sanderson treat you?" broke +in Sam, hastily, to shift the subject.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he treated me better than he did before." +Songbird's face sobered for a minute. "To be +sure he feels dreadfully sore over the loss of +that four thousand dollars. But I assured him +that I and the authorities were doing all in our +power to get the money back, and I also assured +him that if it wasn't recovered I expected +to pay it back just as soon as I could earn it. +Of course he thinks I am talking through my +hat about earning such a big amount, but just +the same I am going to do it just as soon as I +graduate from Brill. I'd go to work to-morrow +instead of staying here if it wasn't that I had +promised my folks that I would graduate from +Brill, and as near the top of my class as I could +get. If I left now, my mother would be heartbroken."</p> + +<p>"Of course your folks know about the loss, +Songbird?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I wrote them the whole particulars +just as soon as I could, and I've let them know +what we are doing now."</p> + +<p>"Do they blame you for the loss?"</p> + +<p>"My father thinks I might have been a little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +more careful, but my mother says she thinks +it is Mr. Sanderson's fault that he let me get +such an amount of money in cash and carry it +on such a lonely road. But dad is all right, and +in his last letter he said he could let Mr. Sanderson +have a thousand dollars if that would +help matters out."</p> + +<p>"Had Mr. Sanderson heard any more from +old Grisley, or Belright Fogg?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He saw Grisley and the old man said +the lawyer was boiling mad because he had +agreed to let the mortgage run for another year. +Fogg wouldn't accept the five dollars that old +Grisley offered him for his trouble, so then Grisley +would give him nothing; and there the matter +stands."</p> + +<p>"He'll get something out of Grisley if he possibly +can. My opinion is, since Fogg lost his +job with the railroad company, and made such +a fizzle of his doings in New York City, he is +in bad shape financially and eager to get his +hands on some money in any old way possible."</p> + +<p>"Have you settled the snowball affair with +him yet?"</p> + +<p>"No. I'm going to see Dr. Wallington about +it to-morrow," answered Sam.</p> + +<p>The Rover boy had rather expected some sort +of a communication from Grace the next day,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +and he was keenly disappointed when no letter +came and when she failed to call him up on the +telephone. Several times he felt on the point +of calling her up, but each time set his teeth +hard and put it off.</p> + +<p>"It's up to her to say something—not me," +he told himself. "She must know how I feel +over the affair."</p> + +<p>When Sam called upon Dr. Wallington, the +head of Brill met him with rather an amused +smile.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you want to see me in regard to +that claim of Mr. Fogg's," he said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have had one of the professors call +on the lawyer and bind him down to just exactly +what happened and how badly he was hurt. +It seems that he did not go to any doctor at all, +although he did see a friend of his, a Doctor +Slamper, on the street."</p> + +<p>"Doctor Slamper!" cried Sam. "Oh, I remember +him. He's the fellow who came here +with Mr. Fogg at the time we put in our claim +for damages on account of the wrecked biplane."</p> + +<p>"Ah, indeed! I remember," and Dr. Wallington +nodded knowingly.</p> + +<p>"And what does Mr. Fogg want us to do?" +questioned Sam.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> + +<p>"At first, as you know, he wanted fifty dollars. +Then he came down to twenty-five, and at last +to fifteen. Then we brought to his attention +the fact that the snowballing contest had taken +place on the college grounds, and that it was his +own fault that he had become mixed up in the +affair. This brought on quite an argument, but +in the end Mr. Fogg agreed to accept six dollars, +which he said would pay for three consultations +with Dr. Slamper at two dollars per +consultation," and the good doctor smiled rather +grimly.</p> + +<p>"And did you pay the six dollars, Doctor?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet, Rover. I expected, however, to +send him a check for that amount to-morrow, +provided you are satisfied."</p> + +<p>"I think I'll have to be, Dr. Wallington. I +suppose it's rather a cheap way out of the difficulty, +although as a matter of fact I don't believe +he is entitled to a cent."</p> + +<p>"You may be right, Rover. But six dollars, +I take it, is not so very large a price to pay for +so much fun—I mean, of course, the fun of the +snowballing contest in which, so they tell me, +you were the one to capture the banners of the +opposition."</p> + +<p>"You're right, sir. And I'm satisfied, and +you can place the amount on my bill," answered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +Sam; and then he bowed himself out of the doctor's +office.</p> + +<p>Another day passed, and still there came no +word to Sam from Hope. He was very much +worried, but did his best not to show it.</p> + +<p>"Call for all baseball candidates at the gym +to-morrow afternoon!" announced Bob, during +the lunch hour.</p> + +<p>"I don't think I want to go in for baseball +this spring," returned Sam.</p> + +<p>"I heard something of that from some of +the other fellows, Sam," interrupted Bob. "It +won't do. We need you and we are bound to +have you."</p> + +<p>The roads were now drying up rapidly, and +that afternoon Spud asked Sam if he did not +want to walk to Ashton.</p> + +<p>"I've got a few things I want to get at the +stores," said Spud. "Come along, the hike on +the road will do you good."</p> + +<p>"All right, Spud, I'll go along, for I am tired +of writing themes and studying," answered Sam. +But it was not his theme and his lessons that +worried the boy. Thinking about Grace, and +waiting continually for some sort of word from +her, had given him not only a heart ache but +a headache as well.</p> + +<p>When the boys arrived at Ashton they separated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +for a short while, Spud to get fitted with +a new pair of shoes while Sam went to another +place in quest of a new cap. The Rover boy +had just made his purchase, and was leaving +the store to rejoin Spud when he heard some +one call his name, and looking around saw Andy +Royce approaching.</p> + +<p>"I just thought I'd ask you if you had heard +anything about that Blackie Crowden yet," remarked +the gardener from Hope, as he approached.</p> + +<p>"Not yet, Royce. But they have sent out a +good description of him, along with copies of +his photograph, so the authorities think they will +get him sooner or later."</p> + +<p>"I've heard something that maybe you would +like to know," went on Andy Royce. "I've heard +that Crowden was over at Leadenfield, to a small +roadhouse kept by a man named Bissette, a +Frenchman."</p> + +<p>"When was this?" demanded Sam, with interest.</p> + +<p>"Either the day of the assault or the day +after. Bissette didn't seem to know exactly. I +happened to be there buying some potatoes for +the seminary—you see Bissette is a kind of agent +for some farmers of that neighborhood. I mentioned +the robbery to him and spoke about the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +suspicion about Crowden, and he was very much +surprised. He said Crowden was there for a +couple of hours using the telephone, and then +he left the place when somebody drove up in +a cutter."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that Crowden went off with +the other person in the cutter?"</p> + +<p>"Bissette thinks so, although he ain't sure, +because as soon as Crowden went out, Bissette +turned to do some work inside and forgot all +about him."</p> + +<p>"Did Bissette have any idea who the man in +the cutter was?"</p> + +<p>"He wasn't sure about that either, but he kind +of thought it was a lawyer who used to work +for the railroad company—a man named Fogg."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>BASEBALL TALK</h3> + + +<p>"Fogg!" cried Sam, in astonishment. "Do +you mean Belright Fogg?"</p> + +<p>"That's the man—the fellow who used to do +the legal work for the railroad here."</p> + +<p>"Was this Bissette sure it was Fogg?"</p> + +<p>"No, he wasn't sure, because he didn't pay +very much attention. But he said if it wasn't +this Fogg, it was some one who looked very +much like him," answered Andy Royce.</p> + +<p>This was all he could tell Sam of importance, +and the Rover boy went off, to rejoin his chum +in a very thoughtful mood.</p> + +<p>"That's rather a queer state of affairs," was +Spud's comment, when told of the matter. "If +Fogg met this Blackie Crowden, what do you +suppose it was for?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't the least idea, Spud."</p> + +<p>"Do you think he was mixed up in this robbery?"</p> + +<p>"No, I can't say that. The assault was committed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +by one man, and so far they haven't +been able to find any accomplices."</p> + +<p>When Sam returned to Brill he at once sought +out Songbird and told him of what he had heard. +The would-be poet of Brill was even more surprised +than Spud had been.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't put it above Belright Fogg to +be in with a rascal like Blackie Crowden," was +Songbird's comment. "He did his best against +you in that flying machine affair and in that affair +in New York City."</p> + +<p>"I've got an idea," said Sam, after a slight +pause. "I am to pay him six dollars' damages +for hitting him in the head with that snowball. +Doctor Wallington was going to send him a +check. I've got a good notion to ask the doctor +to let me pay the bill and get Fogg's receipt for +it. That will give me a chance to pump him +about this matter."</p> + +<p>"Do it, Sam! And I'll go along," burst out +his chum, quickly. "If this Belright Fogg knows +Blackie Crowden I want to know it."</p> + +<p>Permission was readily granted by the head +of Brill to Sam to pay the bill, and that evening +the Rover boy and Songbird took the former's +automobile and rode over to where Belright +Fogg boarded, on the outskirts of Ashton. They +found the lawyer just preparing to go out, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +he showed that he was very much surprised to +see them.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you are here to pay that bill you +owe me," he said stiffly to Sam.</p> + +<p>"I am, Mr. Fogg," was the answer. "I believe +you agreed to accept six dollars. If you will +make out a receipt for the amount I will give +you Doctor Wallington's check."</p> + +<p>"Humph! isn't the check receipt enough?" demanded +the lawyer.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps. But I would prefer to have a receipt +showing exactly what the money is being +paid for," answered Sam. "As a lawyer you +must know it is best to have these things +straight."</p> + +<p>"Oh, very well. Come in and I'll write out +your receipt for you," announced Belright Fogg, +coldly, and ushered the pair into a sitting-room.</p> + +<p>Sam had asked Songbird to say nothing about +Blackie Crowden until the matter of the snowball +injury was settled. A receipt for the money +was quickly penned by Belright Fogg.</p> + +<p>"There, I presume that will be satisfactory," +he said, as he showed it to Sam.</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Mr. Fogg," was the answer. +"And here is your check." Sam paused for a +moment while the lawyer looked the check over. +"By the way, Mr. Fogg, I understand you were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +in Leadenfield a few days ago at the tavern +kept by Bissette."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" shot out the lawyer, somewhat +startled.</p> + +<p>"I said that I understood that you were in +Leadenfield a few days ago at the tavern kept +by Bissette."</p> + +<p>"And that you met a man there named Blackie +Crowden," broke in Songbird, quickly.</p> + +<p>"I—I was in Leadenfield some days ago on +business," answered Belright Fogg, hesitatingly, +"but I wasn't at the Bissette place, or anywhere +near it."</p> + +<p>"But you met a man named Blackie Crowden?" +queried Sam.</p> + +<p>The lawyer glared at the Rover boy and also +at Songbird.</p> + +<p>"Blackie Crowden? I don't know such an +individual—at least, not by name."</p> + +<p>"He is a fellow who used to work in Hoover's +livery stable in Center Haven—a man who stutters +greatly."</p> + +<p>"Don't know the fellow," was the prompt response.</p> + +<p>"You mean to say you didn't meet Blackie +Crowden at Bissette's?" cried Songbird.</p> + +<p>"Look here, young man, what are you driving +at?" stormed Belright Fogg, in a sudden temper.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +"You've no right to question me in this manner. +What is it all about?"</p> + +<p>"We have it on good authority that you met +this man, Blackie Crowden, outside of Bissette's +place," answered Sam, stoutly.</p> + +<p>"Who is this man you mention?"</p> + +<p>"Being a lawyer and interested in public affairs, +you ought to know that, Mr. Fogg," answered +Songbird. "He is the man who, we +think, knocked me down and robbed me of Mr. +Sanderson's four thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I—I remember now. And so you are +trying to connect me up with that rascal, are +you? What do you mean by that?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind what we mean," declared the +would-be poet of Brill, stoutly. "I want to get +at the facts in this matter. If you say you didn't +meet Crowden, all right, we'll let it go at that. +But there are others who say you did meet +him."</p> + +<p>"It's false—absolutely false!" roared Fogg, but +as he spoke his face paled greatly. "I—I don't +know this fellow, Crowden—never met him in +my life. This is all a put-up job on your part +to make trouble for me," and he glared savagely +at both Songbird and Sam.</p> + +<p>"It's no put-up job, Mr. Fogg. We intend to +get at the bottom of this sooner or later," answered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +Sam, as calmly as he could. "Come on, +Songbird."</p> + +<p>"See here! you're not going to leave this house +until I know just what you are driving at," +roared the lawyer. "I won't have you besmirching +my fair name!"</p> + +<p>"Your fair name!" returned Sam, sarcastically. +"There is no necessity for you to talk that +way, Mr. Fogg. I know you thoroughly. If +you want to rake up the past you can do it, but +I advise you not to do so."</p> + +<p>"I—I——" began the lawyer, and then +stopped, not knowing how to proceed.</p> + +<p>"We might as well go," broke in Songbird. +"But perhaps, Mr. Fogg, you haven't heard the +end of this," added the would-be poet of Brill; +and though the lawyer continued to storm and +argue, the two chums left the house and were +soon on the return to Brill.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we didn't gain anything by that +move," was Sam's comment, as they rode along. +"He'll be on his guard now, and that will make +it harder than ever to connect him with this +affair—provided he really is mixed up in it."</p> + +<p>"He acted pretty startled when we put it up +to him," returned Songbird. He heaved a deep +sigh. "Well, maybe some day this matter will +be cleared up, but it doesn't look like it now."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> + +<p>Several days passed, and Sam stuck to his lessons +as hard as ever. Once or twice he thought +of calling up Grace at Hope or of writing her +a note, but each time he put it off, why, he could +not exactly explain even to himself. But then +came a rift in the clouds and the sun shone as +brightly as ever. A note came from Grace, which +he read with much satisfaction. A part of the +communication ran as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"I was thinking all manner of mean things +about you because you did not answer my note +of last week, when—what do you think? The +note came back to me, brought in by one of the +smaller girls here, Jessie Brown. Jessie was +going to town that day, and I gave her the note +to post and she put it in the pocket of her coat, +along with several other letters, so she says. Well, +the pocket had a hole in it, and, as you might +know, my own particular letter had to slip +through that hole into the lining of the coat. +The rest of the letters were mailed, but my letter +remained in the lining until this morning, +when Jessie came to me with tears in her eyes +to tell of what had happened. I felt pretty angry +over it, but glad to know that you were not +guilty of having received the note and then not +answering it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + +<p>"In the note I told you how sorry I was to +find that you had called here while I was away. +You see, Ada Waltham's brother, Chester, came +on in his new automobile—a big foreign affair, +very splendid. He wanted to give Ada a ride, +and invited me to go along, so I went, and we +had a very nice time. Chester is an expert +auto driver, and the way we flew along over the +roads was certainly marvelous. He insisted upon +it that we dine with him. And, oh, Sam! such +a spread as it was!</p> + +<p>"You know he is a millionaire in his own right +(Ada has a great lot of money too). We certainly +had one grand time, and I shall never +forget it. He got a beautiful bouquet for the +table, and also bouquets for Ada and me to take +home, along with boxes of the most beautiful +chocolates I ever ate. But just the same, I am +awfully sorry I wasn't at the seminary when +you called, and I don't understand why you +haven't been up since, or why you didn't telephone +to me.</p> + +<p>"One of the girls here says they are organizing +the Brill baseball nine for the coming season, +and that they want you to play as you did last +year. If you do join the nine, I hope you have +the same success or more. And you can rest +assured that I will be on the grandstand to offer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +you all the encouragement possible. I hope that +Dick and Tom come on to see the game and +bring Dora and Nellie along, and then we can +have the nicest kind of a jolly party. Ada Waltham, +as you may know, loves baseball games +too, and she says that she is going to have Chester +here at that time to take her over to Brill, +unless somebody else turns up to accompany +her."</p></blockquote> + +<p>"All right, as far as it goes," mused Sam, on +reading this note. "But I wish Chester Waltham +would stay away. Of course I can't blame Grace +for liking a ride in a big, foreign car and being +invited out to such a first-class spread as she +mentions, but, just the same, I wish she wouldn't +go with him."</p> + +<p>However, the communication brightened his +thoughts considerably, and it was only a little +while later when he talked to the girl over the +telephone and made an arrangement for a ride +in the automobile on the following Saturday +afternoon, Songbird and Minnie to accompany +them.</p> + +<p>The four went off to Center Haven, where +Sam spread himself on a dinner which was certainly +all that could be desired. Grace was in +one of her most winning moods, and when the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +young couple parted the cloud that had hovered +over them seemed to be completely dispelled.</p> + +<p>As winter waned and the grass on the campus +took on a greener hue, baseball matters came +once more to the fore at Brill. Bob Grimes, +who played at shortstop, was again the captain +of the team, and it was generally understood +that Spud Jackson would again occupy the position +of catcher.</p> + +<p>"We're going to miss Tom Rover a good deal +this year," said Bob to some of the others. During +the year past Tom had been the candidate +for head twirler against both Bill Harney and +Dare Phelps and had shown that he was the +superior of both of the others.</p> + +<p>"Well, you haven't got Tom Rover, so you've +got to make the best of it," answered Stanley. +"Phelps has been doing pretty well, I understand, +so you might as well give him a chance."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I thought I'd do that," answered the +team captain. "Harney isn't in it at all, and +doesn't want even to try. I'll give Phelps a +chance and also Jack Dudley." Dudley was a +sophomore whose swift pitching had become the +general talk of the college. He, however, was +rather erratic, and liable to go to pieces in a +crisis.</p> + +<p>As my old readers know, Sam had joined the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +team the year before only after considerable +coaxing, and then merely as a substitute. During +the middle of the great game he had been +assigned to left field in place of a player who +had twisted his foot. In that position he had +caught a fly in a thoroughly marvelous manner, +and he had also managed, when at the bat, to +bring in a home run.</p> + +<p>"We've simply got to have you on the team, +Sam," said the captain, a little later, when he +caught the Rover boy in one of the corridors. +"Your hanging back this year is rather hurting +our chances of winning."</p> + +<p>"But, Bob, I want to pay attention to my lessons," +pleaded Sam. "I can't afford to get behind."</p> + +<p>"You'll not get behind," was the answer. +"Aren't we all striving to graduate? You ought +to be willing to do as much as Spud and myself."</p> + +<p>"All right, then, Bob, if you are going to put +it that way," was the answer, and thereupon Sam +allowed his name to go on the list of prospective +players and at once began training.</p> + +<p>After that matters moved along swiftly. The +committee from Brill met with the committee +from Roxley and arrangements were perfected +for the coming game. As the contest had taken +place the year previous at Roxley, it was, of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +course, decided that the game this year should +be played at Brill. Then men were set at work +to place the diamond in the best possible shape +for the contest, and the grandstand was repaired, +and a new set of bleachers put up to accommodate +a larger crowd than ever.</p> + +<p>"This is a baseball year," announced Bob +Grimes, "so we can expect a big rush of visitors." +The nine had already won three games of +minor importance.</p> + +<p>"They tell me Roxley has got the best team +it ever put in the field," announced Stanley one +day, after he had been over to the other institution. +"They've got three dandy pitchers, and +two outfielders who are crackerjacks at batting. +One of their men told me that they expected +to walk all over us."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll see about that," returned Bob +Grimes. "We've got a good team of our own, +and I know every one of us will try to play his +head off to win."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>THE OPENING OF THE BALL GAME</h3> + + +<p>The day for the great baseball game between +Brill and Roxley dawned clear and bright. Sam +had received word that both of his brothers +with their wives would be on, reaching Ashton +early in the morning. He drove down to the +depot in his automobile to meet the newcomers.</p> + +<p>When the train rolled into the station Dick +Rover, as tall and handsome as ever, was the +first to alight, quickly followed by his wife, +Dora. Then came Tom and Nellie.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Sam, my boy!" exclaimed Dick, as he +strode up and shook hands, quickly followed by +his wife. "How are you these days? But it is +needless to ask, for you look the picture of +health."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm feeling fine," answered Sam, smiling +broadly.</p> + +<p>"Ready to play winning baseball, I presume," +came from Dora, as she gave him a warm smile.</p> + +<p>"Surest thing you know, Dora," he answered. +"Oh, we've got to win from Roxley to-day!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, but you haven't got me to pitch for +you to-day, Sam," broke in Tom, as he came up +and shook hands. "Who is going to do the +twirling for Brill?"</p> + +<p>"They are going to try Dare Phelps first, and +if he can't make it, they will try Jack Dudley, +one of the sophs."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I remember Dudley when he was +a freshman," answered Tom. "Pretty clever fellow, +too."</p> + +<p>"How is it you didn't bring Grace with you, +Sam?" questioned Nellie, as she took his hand.</p> + +<p>"I'm to take you two girls up to Hope after +I leave Tom and Dick at Brill," explained the +youngest Rover. "Then we are to get all of you +girls directly after lunch. Grace wanted it that +way."</p> + +<p>"My! but this is a touch of old times," remarked +Dick, as he climbed into the automobile. +"Let me take the wheel, Sam."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, if you want to," was the quick +reply, and a few minutes later, with the oldest +Rover running the machine, the whole party set +off for Brill.</p> + +<p>"How are matters going in New York, Dick?" +questioned Sam, while they rode along.</p> + +<p>"We are doing quite well, Sam. Of course, +we are having a little difficulty in certain directions,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +but that is to be expected. You must +remember in Wall Street the rivalries are very +keen. I suppose some of our competitors would +like to put us out of business."</p> + +<p>"What about that tour Tom mentioned?"</p> + +<p>"I think we can make it, Sam. I'll know more +about it a little later. There is no hurry, you +know, because you've got to graduate first," and +Dick smiled knowingly at his brother.</p> + +<p>Songbird and some of the other collegians +were waiting to welcome Dick and Tom, and as +soon as they had left the automobile Sam continued +on the way to Hope.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I'm so glad to see you!" cried Grace, as +she rushed out and kissed her sister and her +cousin. "Come right in. We are going to have +a special lunch in your honor. Sam, I'm sorry +I can't invite you, but you know what the rules +are."</p> + +<p>"Never mind. Tom will be on hand at one-thirty +promptly," answered the youth. "I hope +you'll all be ready, for we can't delay, you +know."</p> + +<p>"We'll be ready, don't fear," answered Grace.</p> + +<p>When Sam returned to Brill he found a crowd +of the seniors surrounding his brothers, telling +them of the many things that had happened in +and around the college since they had left.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's a jolly shame we can't have you in the +box to-day, Tom," said Bob Grimes. "I'm afraid +we'll need you sorely," he added rather anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you put William Philander Tubbs +in?" suggested Tom, with a grin. "Don't you +remember what a famous ball player he was?" +And then there was a general laugh, at the recollection +of a joke that had once been played on +the dudish college student.</p> + +<p>The air was filled with talk of the coming +game, and but scant attention was paid to the +lunch provided for the collegians and their +guests. As soon as the meal was over, Tom took +the Rover's automobile and started for Hope to +bring Grace and the others. When he arrived +there he found his wife, Dora and Grace talking +to Ada Waltham and her brother Chester, +to whom he was introduced.</p> + +<p>"We are going over to the game," announced +Chester Waltham. "Ada and I are going to take +half a dozen of the young ladies."</p> + +<p>"Fine!" returned Tom. "The more the merrier! +Don't forget to tell the girls to whoop +her up for Brill."</p> + +<p>"I think the most of them will do that," said +Ada Waltham; "although one or two of them are +Roxley sympathizers."</p> + +<p>"Well, Brill can't have everything its own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +way," answered Tom. A few minutes later he +was on the return with Grace, Nellie and Dora.</p> + +<p>When he arrived he found Sam awaiting +them, and all walked down to the grandstand, +where seats had been provided for the party. +Grace and the others had just been made comfortable +when Chester Waltham arrived with his +sister and a number of others. The young millionaire +came forward with a broad smile and +was quickly introduced, and he lost no time in +seating his sister next to Grace, while he sat directly +behind the pair, with all the other girls +he had brought close by. This arrangement +did not altogether suit Sam, and he hurried off +to the dressing-room to get into his baseball uniform +in rather a doubtful frame of mind.</p> + +<p>A little later there was a grand shouting at +the entrance to the field, and into sight came a +large automobile truck containing a drum and +fife corps and carrying a large Roxley banner. +The truck was followed by a dozen or more automobiles +containing the Roxley team and their +fellow-students. The students had tin horns and +wooden rattles.</p> + +<p>"Zip! Hurrah! Roxley!" was the cry, and +then followed a great noise from the horns and +rattles.</p> + +<p>"Brill! Brill! Brill!" was the counter cry, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +then the furious din was taken up by the other +side.</p> + +<p>After that the grandstand filled up rapidly +and so did the bleachers, until there was not an +available seat remaining. In the meanwhile, a +parking place for automobiles and carriages at +the far end of the field was also well patronized.</p> + +<p>"Some crowd, and no mistake!" was Stanley's +comment, as he looked at the masses of humanity +waving flags and banners and tooting +their horns and using various other devices for +making noise. "This is by far the biggest crowd +we have ever had."</p> + +<p>"Roxley has sent word all around that they +are going to bury us this year," returned another +student standing by. "They claim they have a +team that can't be beaten."</p> + +<p>Down in the dressing-room Bob was giving +some final instructions to his men.</p> + +<p>"I want you to play from the word 'go,'" he +said. "Sometimes a game is lost or won in the +first inning. Don't let them get any kind of a +lead if you can possibly help it."</p> + +<p>It had been decided almost at the last minute +that instead of covering left field Sam should +cover third base. There was a big cheer for +the Roxley team when it made its appearance +on the field, and another cheer when the Brill<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +nine showed itself. Then came the toss-up, and +it was decided that Brill should go to the bat +first.</p> + +<p>The first man to the bat was a tall fellow who +played center field, and as he came forward many +of the Brill sympathizers cheered him lustily.</p> + +<p>"Now show 'em what you can do!"</p> + +<p>"Knock it over the back fence!"</p> + +<p>The ball came in and the batter swung for it +and missed it.</p> + +<p>"Strike one!"</p> + +<p>"That's the way to do it, Muggs!"</p> + +<p>Again the ball came in, and this time there was +a foul tip.</p> + +<p>"Foul! Strike two!"</p> + +<p>Following this second strike came two balls, +over which the Brill contingent cheered. Then +came a swift inshoot, which the batter missed by +the fraction of an inch.</p> + +<p>"Strike three! Batter out!" sang out the umpire.</p> + +<p>"That's the way to do it, Muggs!" came the +yell from the Roxley cohorts, and there followed +a din of horns and rattles.</p> + +<p>The second man up for Brill managed to get +to first, but the next one went out on a pop fly, +and then the man on first was caught trying to +steal to second.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's the way to do it, Roxley! Keep it +up!" And as a goose egg was put up for Brill +on the score board the opponents cheered as wildly +as ever.</p> + +<p>But if Roxley had hoped to score in that first +inning, her expectations were doomed to disappointment. +The first man up went out on a pop +fly, the second on a foul, and although the third +managed to reach second base on what should +have really been a one-base hit, the fourth man +up knocked an easy one to first which ended their +hopes.</p> + +<p>It was not until the second inning that Sam +came to the bat. There were two men out when +he grasped the ashen stick and took his stand beside +the home plate. He had a strike and two +balls called on him, and then sent a clean hit +between first and second bases.</p> + +<p>"Run, Sam, run!" yelled Dick.</p> + +<p>"Leg it, old man, leg it!" added Tom, and the +youngest Rover certainly did speed for first, arriving +there just a second before the ball.</p> + +<p>"Oh, if only he can get in!" cried Grace, clapping +her hands.</p> + +<p>"It's a long way around to home plate," put +in Chester Waltham. "He's got to have help to +do it."</p> + +<p>A moment later the next man to the bat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +knocked an easy fly to second and that ended the +chances for Sam's scoring, and another goose +egg went up for Brill on the score board.</p> + +<p>In the end of the second inning Roxley was +fortunate enough to open the play with a neat +drive which brought the batter to second. Then +came another one-base hit, and amid a wild yelling +the runner from second slid in over the home +plate.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! Hurrah! A run for Roxley!"</p> + +<p>"That's the way to do it! Keep it up! Snow +Brill under!"</p> + +<p>Bob Grimes walked up to Dare Phelps, who +was occupying the pitcher's box.</p> + +<p>"Take it easy, Dare," he pleaded. "Don't let +'em rattle you."</p> + +<p>"They are not going to rattle me," responded +Dare Phelps, and pitched the next batter out in +one-two-three order. In the meantime, however, +the man on first managed to steal second. A +moment later he tried to reach third. The +pitcher threw the ball to Sam, who leaped up +into the air and caught it, coming down on +the runner while he was still a foot from the +bag.</p> + +<p>"Runner out!" cried the umpire, and Roxley's +player arose rather crestfallen and limped off to +the benches.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's the way to do it, Sam. Nab 'em every +time!" cried Tom.</p> + +<p>When the inning was ended Roxley had only +the one run to its credit.</p> + +<p>Brill came to the bat for the third time with +a sort of do-or-die look on the faces of the players. +It was plucky little Spud who started a batting +streak, getting safely to first and followed +by another player who managed to reach second, +landing Spud on third. Then came two outs. +Before the inning was ended, however, two runs +were placed on the board to the credit of Brill.</p> + +<p>"Two to one in favor of Brill!" cried one of +the students.</p> + +<p>"Just wait, this inning isn't over yet!" cried +one of the Roxley sympathizers. Then Roxley +went to the bat, and because of a bad fumble +on the part of the Brill second baseman, they +managed to secure another run.</p> + +<p>"Two to two!" was the cry, as the figures went +up on the big score board.</p> + +<p>"Anybody's game, so far," said Dick Rover, +soberly, "but I do hope Brill wins."</p> + +<p>"And so do I," answered his brother Tom.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>HOW THE GAME ENDED</h3> + + +<p>In the fourth inning Brill did its best to get +in another run. There were two one-base hits +made, but these were followed by a strike-out +and two pop flies, so the hits availed nothing.</p> + +<p>"Such playing as that isn't helping us any," +was Dick's remark in a low tone to Tom.</p> + +<p>"Well, those first two men up managed to find +the ball," returned Tom, hopefully.</p> + +<p>But if Brill had not fared well in that inning, +Roxley did no better, so far as bringing in runs +were concerned. But the Roxley batters found +Phelps quite easily, pounding out numerous fouls.</p> + +<p>"The score is two to two," remarked Chester +Waltham, when the Brill team came up to the +bat in the fifth inning. In this, with one man +out, Sam managed to send a neat drive directly +past the Roxley shortstop. He gained first with +ease, and then, taking a desperate chance, slid +safely to second.</p> + +<p>"Good work, Rover! Keep it up!" came from +one of his chums.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That won't do him any good. They can't +bring it in," called out a Roxley sympathizer, +and he proved to be a true prophet, for the inning +came to an end with no additional runs, +Sam getting no chance to advance beyond the +second bag.</p> + +<p>"Now, then, Phelps, keep cool," admonished +Bob, when in the second half of the fifth inning +the Brill pitcher passed the first batter on balls.</p> + +<p>"All right, I'll do my best," answered Dare +Phelps. "But I must confess my arm is beginning +to hurt me," he added.</p> + +<p>"Do you want to drop out?" questioned the +captain, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, not until they hit me more than they +have," responded the Brill pitcher, grimly.</p> + +<p>There followed one out, but after that came +some free hitting which brought in two runs.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! Hurrah!" shouted the Roxley students.</p> + +<p>"Two to four in favor of Roxley! That's the +way to do it! Snow 'em under!"</p> + +<p>"Steady, Phelps, steady," warned the Brill +captain. But it was of no avail, and the only +way Brill could bring that inning to a finish was +by the clever work of two of the fielders in capturing +two flies which looked as if they might be +home runs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> + +<p>When the board showed the score of 2 to 4 +Roxley went wild once more, while the followers +of Brill looked correspondingly glum.</p> + +<p>"Maybe you had better give Jack Dudley a +chance," suggested Bob to Dare Phelps, when +the two walked into the benches.</p> + +<p>"Oh, let me try it just once more!" pleaded the +pitcher. "Anybody might have let in those two +runs."</p> + +<p>"All right, Phelps, I'll give you one more +chance," answered Bob, somewhat sharply. "You +know we don't want this game to go to Roxley +if we can possibly help it."</p> + +<p>In the sixth inning Brill scored another goose +egg. Then Roxley came once more to the bat, +and on the first ball pitched by Phelps scored a +home run, amid a yelling and cheering that could +be heard for a great distance.</p> + +<p>"Whoop! That's the way to do it! Five to +two in favor of Roxley!"</p> + +<p>"Keep it up, boys! Snow 'em under! Snow +'em under!" And then the Roxley crowd began +a song, the refrain of which was: "We're here +to-day to bury them!"</p> + +<p>The cheering was still at its height when Bob +motioned to Jack Dudley, who had been warming +up in a corner of the field, to come forward +and take Dare Phelps' place. There was a cheer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +from Brill for the new pitcher, while Phelps retired +rather crestfallen.</p> + +<p>"Now, then, Dudley, put 'em out in one-two-three +order!" was the cry.</p> + +<p>"We've killed off one pitcher; now kill off the +next!" came the cry from the Roxleyites.</p> + +<p>"Take it easy, Dudley," warned Bob. "Give +'em your inshoot and that new fadeaway."</p> + +<p>"I'll give 'em all that is in me," returned Jack +Dudley, with a determined look on his lean, and +somewhat angular, face.</p> + +<p>The first man up got two balls and two strikes. +Then came a foul tip, followed by another strike.</p> + +<p>"Strike three! Batter out!" called the umpire.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! That's the way to do it, Dudley!"</p> + +<p>The next man managed to get to first, but then +came two more outs, and the sixth inning came +to a close with the score still standing, Brill 2—Roxley +5.</p> + +<p>"That's some lead," remarked Chester Waltham. +"Brill has got to get busy pretty quickly +if it expects to win this game."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll get there, don't you worry," answered +Tom, quickly, and then he shouted: "Go +to it, fellows; go to it! Lambast the life out of +that leather!" and at this cry there was a general +laugh.</p> + +<p>The seventh inning proved a blank for both<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +teams. Brill, however, managed to reach second, +while Roxley was pitched out in one-two-three +order by Dudley.</p> + +<p>"Well, Dudley held them down that time," remarked +Dick Rover. "I hope he manages to +keep the good work up."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but a pitcher can't win a ball game +alone," answered Chester Waltham. "You've got +to have some good batters."</p> + +<p>"Go to it, Brill! Go to it! This is your lucky +inning!" yelled Tom, enthusiastically. "Get busy, +everybody!"</p> + +<p>In the eighth inning the first man up for Brill +went out on a pop fly. But then came a fine +hit that took the next player safely to second. +Then Sam walked to the plate.</p> + +<p>"That's the way to do it, Brill!"</p> + +<p>"Now, Rover, hit it for all you are worth!"</p> + +<p>It must be confessed that Sam felt a trifle +nervous, so anxious was he to make some sort +of a showing. He swung his ashen stick at the +first ball pitched.</p> + +<p>"Strike one!" came from the umpire.</p> + +<p>"Take your time, Sam!" yelled Tom. "Make +him give it to you where you want it!"</p> + +<p>Whether Sam heard the cry or not it would be +hard to say, but he let the next ball go by, and +then repeated this action.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ball two!" called the umpire.</p> + +<p>"Oh, say! That was all right!" grumbled the +Roxley catcher. "What do you want?"</p> + +<p>"Too far out," returned the umpire sharply, +and then added: "Play ball!"</p> + +<p>The next one was a straight drive, and Sam +swung at it with all the strength and skill he +possessed.</p> + +<p>Crack! The ashen stick hit the leather, and the +sphere went sailing far down into center field.</p> + +<p>"Go it, Rover, go it!"</p> + +<p>"Come on in, Orben!"</p> + +<p>Paul Orben, who had been the player to reach +second, was already streaking up to third, and by +the time Sam reached first Paul was legging it +for the home plate.</p> + +<p>"Throw that ball up here! Throw that ball +up!" yelled the second baseman to the center +fielder, who was still chasing after the bouncing +leather.</p> + +<p>Then amid a cloud of dust Paul slid in over +the home plate while Sam, having reached second, +was legging it rapidly for third. Up came +the ball from the field to second, and then to +third, but before it got there the youngest Rover +was safely clutching the bag.</p> + +<p>"Whoop! Hurrah! That's the way to do it! +One run in and another on the way."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Keep it up, Brill! You've struck your winning +streak!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! I do hope Sam can bring that +run in!" came from Grace.</p> + +<p>"It might have been a home run if he had +only run a little faster," remarked Chester Waltham.</p> + +<p>"Faster!" retorted Tom, quickly. "Why, he +legged it like greased lightning! Most players +would have gotten only two bags out of that +hit."</p> + +<p>Following this batting came another out, but +then the next man up managed to reach first, +and amid a wild cheering on the part of the Brillites, +and a loud tooting of horns, Sam rushed +over the home plate.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! Hurrah! Another run!"</p> + +<p>"That makes the score four to five!"</p> + +<p>"Keep up the good work, Brill!"</p> + +<p>But that was the end of the run getting for +the time being. Then Roxley came to the bat, +and amid the most intense feeling Jack Dudley +managed to pitch out three men in succession +and the score went up on the board: Brill 4—Roxley +5.</p> + +<p>"Now, fellows, this is our last chance," said +Bob, as the team came in for the ninth inning. +"Remember, one run will tie the score and two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +runs may win the game. Now every man up +on the job."</p> + +<p>The first batter for Brill in the ninth inning +was plainly nervous. He let two good balls go +by and thereby had two strikes called on him. +Then he made a wild pass at the next ball, knocking +a short foul which the first baseman for Roxley +gathered in by a sensational running leap.</p> + +<p>"One man gone! One man gone!" chanted the +Roxley followers. "Now, then, get the other +two."</p> + +<p>"Take your time, boys, take your time," cried +Bob. "Make them give you just what you want."</p> + +<p>This advice was heeded, and as a result the +next man got to first and on another one-base +hit managed to reach third. Then came a one-bag +drive that brought in a run and took the +man on first to second.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! Hurrah! That ties the score!"</p> + +<p>"Keep it up, Brill! Bring in all the runs you +can!"</p> + +<p>Following the bringing in of the tying run, +there came some field play between the pitcher +and the basemen, and as a result the man who +had reached first was called out trying to steal +second. In the mean time the other runner tried +to steal home, but had to stay on third.</p> + +<p>"Be careful, boys, be careful," pleaded Bob,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +and then a few seconds later came another base +hit which brought in another run.</p> + +<p>"Good! Good! That's the way to do it, +Brill!"</p> + +<p>"That makes the score six to five in favor of +Brill!"</p> + +<p>"Bring in half a dozen more while you are +at it!"</p> + +<p>"Hold them down. Don't let them get another +run," pleaded the captain of Roxley's nine to his +men.</p> + +<p>"We're going to make a dozen more," announced +Tom Rover, gaily. But this was not to +be, and a few minutes later the inning came to +an end with the score standing: Brill 6—Roxley +5.</p> + +<p>"Now, then, Roxley, one run to tie the score +and two to win the game!" was the cry from +the visitors.</p> + +<p>"Lam out a couple of homers!"</p> + +<p>"Show 'em where the back fence is!"</p> + +<p>In that ninth inning Roxley came to the bat +with a "do-or-die" look.</p> + +<p>"Now watch yourself, Dudley," whispered Bob +to the pitcher. "Don't let them rattle you."</p> + +<p>"They are not going to rattle me," answered +Dudley. Yet it was plainly to be seen that the +sophomore was nervous, and that the strain of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +the situation was beginning to tell upon him. +Nevertheless, amid a wild cheering on the part of +Brill, he struck out the first man up.</p> + +<p>"That's the way to do it, Brill!"</p> + +<p>"It's all over but the shouting!" shrieked one +Brill sympathizer.</p> + +<p>"Not much! Here is where we make half a +dozen runs!" yelled a Roxleyite.</p> + +<p>The next batter up was a notoriously hard hitter. +Dudley was afraid to give him something +easy, and as a consequence the pitcher had four +balls called on him and the batter went to first. +Then came a drive to center field which took +the man on first to second, while the batter +reached first with ease.</p> + +<p>"That's the way to do it, Roxley! Now you've +got 'em going!"</p> + +<p>With only one man out and two men on bases, +Jack Dudley was more nervous than ever. Yet +Bob did not have the heart to take him out of +the box, and, besides, he had no pitcher on hand +who was any better.</p> + +<p>"Hold 'em down, Dudley! Hold 'em down!" +pleaded the captain. "Don't feed 'em any easy +ones." And the pitcher nodded grimly, being too +nervous to even answer.</p> + +<p>A ball was called and then a strike. Then +Dudley fed the batter a straight one. Crack!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +The ashen stick met the sphere and sent it along +just inside the third base line.</p> + +<p>"Run! Everybody run!" was the yell from +the Roxley contingent, and while the batter +dropped his stick and sped toward first, the man +on that bag legged it for second and the man +on second rushed madly toward third.</p> + +<p>For one brief instant it looked as if one, and +possibly two, runs would be scored. But then, +Sam, playing a little off third, made a wild leap +into the air and pulled down the ball. Next, like +a flash, he tagged the man sliding in toward the +third bag.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 380px;"> +<a name="image05" id="image05"><img src="images/image05.jpg" width="380" height="600" alt="SAM MADE A WILD LEAP INTO THE AIR AND PULLED DOWN +THE BALL." title="AP INTO THE AIR AND PULLED DOWN +THE BALL." /></a> +<span class="caption">SAM MADE A WILD LEAP INTO THE AIR AND PULLED DOWN +THE BALL.</span> +</div> + +<p>"Batter out! Runner out!" announced the umpire.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! Hurrah! Brill wins the game!"</p> + +<p>"Say! that was a dandy catch by Rover, +wasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. And how neatly he put that runner out, +too!"</p> + +<p>And then as the score, Brill 6—Roxley 5, was +placed on the big board a wild yelling, tooting of +horns, and sounding of rattles rent the air. Once +more Brill had vanquished its old opponent.</p> + +<p>And everybody said that Sam Rover was the +hero of the occasion.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>GOOD-BYE TO BRILL</h3> + + +<p>The celebration at Brill that evening was one +long to be remembered. Bonfires blazed along +the river front, and the students marched around +them, and around the campus and the college +buildings, singing songs and having a good time +generally.</p> + +<p>The others had insisted that the Rovers take +part in these festivities, and so the boys had taken +the girls to Hope, where Dora and Nellie were +to remain until the next day.</p> + +<p>"I must say I am mighty glad I came," said +Dick to his brothers, as he surveyed the shouting +and marching students. "This certainly takes me +back to the days when I was here."</p> + +<p>"I'm going in for some fun," announced Tom, +and was soon in the midst of the activities. The +students played jokes on William Philander +Tubbs, old Filbury, and on a number of others, +and the fun-loving Rover helped them all he +could. An attempt was also made to get the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +captured banners of the freshmen and sophomores +from Sam's room, but this failed.</p> + +<p>"The boys are rather noisy to-night," said one +of the professors to Dr. Wallington.</p> + +<p>"I agree with you, sir," returned the head of +Brill, "but then they have something to be noisy +about. Their victory was certainly well earned," +and the doctor smiled indulgently.</p> + +<p>Many had come forward to congratulate Sam +on his fine work in putting through a double play +unassisted in the last inning.</p> + +<p>"It saved the day for Brill," announced Stanley, +and many agreed with him.</p> + +<p>The great game had taken place on Saturday +afternoon, so, as the next day was Sunday, Sam +could do as he pleased. The Rovers had an early +breakfast, and then lost no time in riding over +to the seminary, where they found the others +waiting for them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam, your playing was simply wonderful!" +declared Grace, as she beamed on him. +"How you ever caught that fly in the last inning +is beyond me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and what do you think?" put in Grace's +sister. "Mr. Waltham said he thought it was +quite an ordinary play—that any good, all-around +player could have done what Sam did!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe he was a bit jealous of Sam," was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +Dora's comment, and as she spoke she looked +rather keenly at Grace, who, of a sudden, blushed +deeply.</p> + +<p>"I suppose Waltham brought his sister and +those girls back here last evening," said Sam.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," answered Nellie, "and they insisted +that we join them in a little treat. Mr. Waltham +drove down to Ashton for some ice cream, fancy +crackers and candy, and we had quite a spread +under the trees. It certainly was very nice of +him to do it."</p> + +<p>"I suppose he's got so much money he doesn't +know what to do with it," was Dick's comment.</p> + +<p>"He was asking me about that tour that we +propose taking this summer," said Dora. "He +added that he and his sister and maybe others +were going to take a tour in his new car, but +he hadn't decided on where they were going, and +he thought it might be rather jolly if he joined +our touring party."</p> + +<p>"Humph! I don't see——" began Sam, and +then broke off suddenly.</p> + +<p>"It would be lovely to have Ada along," said +Grace. "She is a splendid girl, and we've become +quite chummy since Nellie and Dora went +away."</p> + +<p>"Well, we haven't any time to settle about +that tour just now," announced Dick. "Our train<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +leaves in a couple of hours and you girls have +got to pack up before we start for the Ashton +depot."</p> + +<p>The mention of Chester Waltham, along with +the fact that he might join them on their proposed +automobile tour, put rather a damper on +Sam's feelings. He acted very soberly, and his +remarks to Grace were not half as cordial as +they usually were. Evidently Sam's "nose was +out of joint," although he was not willing to +admit it, even to himself.</p> + +<p>All drove down to the Ashton depot, and there +Sam and Grace said good-bye to the others, who +were going on to the home farm at Valley Brook +and then to New York City. On the return to +the seminary Sam had hoped to have a long talk +and an understanding with Grace, but unfortunately +two girls turned up who wished to get +back to Hope, and there was nothing for the +Rover boy to do but to invite them to ride along, +so that the confidential talk between them had +to be abandoned.</p> + +<p>After the great ball game matters quieted +down at Brill. All of the seniors were hard at +work getting ready for the final examinations, +which would start on the week following.</p> + +<p>"If you make as good a showing in the examinations +as you made on the ball field, you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +sure will prove a winner," declared Bob to Sam +one day.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm going to do my level best, Bob," +was the reply. "You see, neither Dick nor Tom +had a chance to graduate, so I've got to make +a showing for the entire family."</p> + +<p>During those days nothing further had been +heard regarding Blackie Crowden or the missing +money. Sam and Songbird had met Belright +Fogg once on the streets of Ashton, but the lawyer +had marched past without deigning to speak +to them.</p> + +<p>"He's a foxy customer," was the comment of +the would-be poet of Brill. "If he had anything +to do with Blackie Crowden, he'll try his level +best to keep it to himself."</p> + +<p>At last the examinations began. They were to +continue for the best part of two weeks, and +during that time Sam cut out all sports and confined +himself to his studies with greater diligence +than ever. He had several important papers to +hand in, and he worked over these early and late, +rewriting and polishing until there seemed to be +absolutely nothing more that could be done. +Songbird also was busy, for in addition to his +studies and themes he had been asked by the +class to write a poem in honor of the coming +occasion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I only wish I could write something that +would bring in some cash," remarked the would-be +poet one afternoon.</p> + +<p>Although he had not apprised Sam of that +fact, Songbird had copied off several of his +best poems and sent them to various publishers, +hoping that they might prove acceptable and +bring in some money which he might turn over +to Mr. Sanderson as an evidence of what he +hoped to do in the future. So far, however, he +had not heard from any of the poems but one, +which had been promptly returned.</p> + +<p>At last came the day when the examinations +ended. All the themes written by the students +had been handed in, and Sam found himself free +to do as he pleased. He at once sought Grace +by means of the telephone, hoping to get her +to take an automobile ride with him.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry," she answered over the wire, +"but I have still another examination to take and +a theme to finish, so I don't dare to think of going +out."</p> + +<p>"How have you made out so far?" questioned +the youth.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Sam. Sometimes I think I +have done very well, and then again I am afraid +that I missed a great many things. How did you +make out?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, I think I'll pass, but how high up I don't +know. I am hoping for great things, but I may +be mistaken." And there the conversation had +to come to an abrupt end, for a professor came +in to use the Brill telephone.</p> + +<p>It must be confessed that Sam slept rather uneasily +on the night before the morning on which +the announcement concerning each student's +standing was to be made.</p> + +<p>"I'm scared to death," came from Spud. "I +missed a whole lot of questions."</p> + +<p>"So did I," put in Paul. "And I boned hard +too," he added dismally.</p> + +<p>Finally came the announcement. Out of a class +of sixty-five seniors, sixty-two had passed. +Sam's name was at the head of the list with a +percentage of ninety-seven; Songbird came +fourth with a percentage of ninety-three; Spud +had ninety-one, and Stanley the same; while +Paul, William Philander Tubbs and a number of +others were listed at from eighty to eighty-eight +per cent.</p> + +<p>"Sam, allow me to congratulate you!" cried +Songbird, as he came up to wring his friend's +hand. "You certainly made a splendid showing."</p> + +<p>"You made a pretty good showing yourself," +answered Sam, his face beaming.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Your folks will be mighty glad to hear of +this," went on the would-be poet of Brill. "Why +don't you telegraph to them?"</p> + +<p>"Just what I'm going to do," answered the +Rover boy. "And I'm going to telephone to +Hope, too," he added.</p> + +<p>"That's the talk. I wish I could telephone +over to the Sandersons."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Songbird, I'll drive you over +there when I drive to the seminary," replied Sam.</p> + +<p>The days to follow were delightful ones for +Sam. True to his promise, he took Songbird +over to the Sanderson homestead and then visited +Grace. The girl had passed third from +the top of her class and was correspondingly +delighted.</p> + +<p>"We had such dreadfully hard questions I +thought I should never get through," she confessed +to the youth when they were alone. "And +you came out on top, Sam. Oh, it's wonderful—simply +wonderful!" and she caught both his +hands.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad—glad for myself and glad +for you, Grace," he answered, and looked her +full in the eyes. She looked at him in return +and blushed prettily.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Rover, allow me to congratulate +you," came from somebody near by, and Ada<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +Waltham came tripping up. "Grace told me all +about your wonderful showing."</p> + +<p>"Ada made a splendid showing herself," answered +Grace, before Sam could speak.</p> + +<p>"I was one point behind Grace," answered +the rich girl, "and that certainly was wonderful +for me. I never was very keen about studying—in +fact, I didn't want to go to college, only I +had to do it if I wanted to inherit the money that +my uncle left me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam! and to think our days of studying +are over at last!" burst out Grace. "I can +scarcely believe it."</p> + +<p>"I can't believe it myself, Grace," he answered. +"It seems to me I've been going to school all +my life. Just think of the years and years I +put in at Putnam Hall Military Academy before +I came to Brill!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and to think of the years I put in at +the Cedarville school before I came to Hope," +returned Grace. "Now it is all over I feel quite +old," and she laughed merrily.</p> + +<p>As was the usual custom, it had been decided +that graduation exercises at Hope should take +place two days before those at Brill, which would +give ample opportunity for those desiring to do +so to attend both functions.</p> + +<p>"My folks are all coming to the graduations,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +announced Grace, a day or two after the conversation +just recorded.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and my folks will all be on hand," answered +Sam. "Even Uncle Randolph and Aunt +Martha are coming. Dear, old Aunt Martha!" +he said. "She has been a regular mother to us +boys ever since I can remember. I'm awfully +glad she will be present, and I'll be mighty glad +to have Uncle Randolph too, not to say anything +about dear, old dad."</p> + +<p>After that there seemed to be so much to do +and so many things to think about that time sped +with amazing swiftness. The Rovers and the +Lanings had engaged rooms at the leading hotel +in Ashton, and arrived on the day previous to +the graduation exercises at Hope.</p> + +<p>"Tell you what, education is a great thing!" +remarked Mr. John Laning when speaking of +the matter to Mr. Rover. "I didn't have much +of a chance at it when I was a boy—I had to go +out and scrap for a living—but I'm mighty glad +that I had the means to give the girls the learning +they've got."</p> + +<p>"You're right—it is a great thing," answered +Mr. Anderson Rover. "I am only sorry now +that Dick and Tom didn't have the chance to +graduate as well as Sam. But, you know, I was +very sick and somebody had to look after our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +business affairs. And what those boys have done +for me is simply wonderful!"</p> + +<p>"The greatest boys that ever lived," announced +Randolph Rover. "They used to bother the life +out of me with their fun and noise, but now +that they have settled down and made men of +themselves I forgive them for all the annoyances."</p> + +<p>Sam's father had brought for him as a graduation +present a very fine diamond scarf pin, while +his uncle and aunt presented him with a handsomely +engraved cardcase and Dick and the +others brought him a ring set with a ruby. +Grace's folks and the others had also brought +several gifts of value for the girl, and to these +Sam added a bracelet and the finest bouquet of +flowers he could obtain in Ashton.</p> + +<p>The graduation exercises at Hope were exceedingly +pretty. All the girls were dressed in white, +and they formed a beautiful picture as they stood +in a long line to receive their diplomas. The onlookers +clapped vigorously, but no one with more +fervor than did Sam when Grace received her +roll. The exercises were followed by a reception +that evening at which the fair girl graduates +shone as they never had before.</p> + +<p>"And now for the big event at Brill!" said +Dick, when on the way back to Ashton that evening.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +"Sam, aren't you a bit sorry to leave the +old college?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly am, Dick. At the same time, +now that you and Tom have buckled down to +business, I feel that I ought to be doing likewise."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but all of you young folks are going on +that tour first," announced the boys' father. "I +think you have earned it, and I want you to have +it. I'll supply all the funds necessary, and I'll +see to it that everything goes right at the office +while you are away."</p> + +<p>Never had Brill been so crowded as it was at +those graduation exercises. Every seat in the college +hall was occupied, and every doorway and +open window held its group of eager onlookers. +The Rover family had seats almost in the center +of the auditorium, and all of the Lanings were +with them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's grand! just grand!" murmured Aunt +Martha, as she saw Sam and the rest of the +senior class gathering. "Oh! how proud I am +of that boy!" and the tears coursed freely down +her cheeks.</p> + +<p>The valedictory address had been written by +Sam and was delivered by the class orator, Stanley. +This was followed by a class poem written +by Songbird and delivered by a student named<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +Wells. Sam's valedictory was received with loud +clapping of hands.</p> + +<p>"A well written paper—very well written, indeed," +was Dr. Wallington's comment, and a +great number of visitors agreed with him. Songbird +had worked hard over his class poem, which +contained many allusions to local matters, and +was received with many smiles and expressions +of good humor.</p> + +<p>"Songbird is certainly becoming something of +a poet," was Dick's comment. "If he keeps on, +some day he'll become the simon-pure article."</p> + +<p>At last it was over, and Sam, with his sheepskin +rolled up and tied with a ribbon, joined his +folks. His father was the first to congratulate +him, and then came old Aunt Martha, who wept +freely as she embraced him.</p> + +<p>"I'm proud of you, Sam, proud of you!" she +said, in a voice trembling with emotion. "What +a pity your own mother couldn't be here to see +you! But the good Lord willed it otherwise, +so we must be content."</p> + +<p>"Sam, you've certainly done the family proud +this day," announced his oldest brother. "To +graduate at the top of the class is going some."</p> + +<p>"Well, I've got to do something for the Rover +name," said the happy youth, modestly.</p> + +<p>There was another reception that night, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +again the bonfires blazed along the bank of the +river. The undergraduates "cut loose" as usual, +but those who were to leave Brill forever were a +trifle sober.</p> + +<p>"It's been a fine old college to go to," was +Dick's comment.</p> + +<p>"You're right there, Dick," came from Tom. +"A fine place, indeed!"</p> + +<p>"The best in the world!" answered Sam. He +drew a deep breath. "No matter where I go in +this old world of ours, I'll never forget my +days at Brill."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>GETTING READY FOR THE TOUR</h3> + + +<p>"And now for the grand tour!"</p> + +<p>"That's the talk, Sam! We ought to have the +best time ever," returned his brother Tom.</p> + +<p>"Just to think of such an outing makes me feel +five years younger," came from Dick Rover. "I +like work as well as any one, but a fellow has +got to break away once in a while."</p> + +<p>"And to think we are going away out to Colorado +Springs and Pike's Peak!" burst out Dora.</p> + +<p>"And all the way in our automobiles!" added +Nellie. "I hope we don't have any breakdowns."</p> + +<p>"So it's decided that we are to start Monday +morning, is it?" asked Dick's wife.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dora, provided it is clear," answered +Sam. "Of course there is no use of our starting +our trip in a storm. We'll probably get enough +rain while we are on the way."</p> + +<p>"Look here, Sam, don't be a wet blanket!" +cried Tom, catching his younger brother by the +shoulder and whirling him around. "This trip<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +is going to be perfectly clear from end to end. +I've ordered nothing but sunshine and moonlight," +and at this remark there was a general +laugh.</p> + +<p>The young folks were assembled on the lawn +in front of the old Rover homestead at Valley +Brook. About two weeks had passed since Grace +and Sam had graduated, and during that time +the various arrangements for taking the tour to +the West had been completed by the Rover boys. +In the meantime, Fourth of July had been spent +in Cedarville, at the Laning homestead, where +all had had a glorious time.</p> + +<p>"I'm awfully sorry that Songbird and Minnie +can't go with us on this trip," remarked Dick, +"but I know exactly how poor Songbird +feels."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he told me he felt he had to go to work," +returned Sam. "He wants to do his best to earn +that four thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"That's some job for a fellow just out of college +to undertake," was Tom's comment. "What +is he going to do for a living?"</p> + +<p>"He has had a place offered to him by his uncle. +He is to start at fifteen dollars a week, and he +says his uncle will advance him as soon as he +learns something about the business."</p> + +<p>"They haven't heard any more about that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +Blackie Crowden or the missing money?" questioned +Nellie.</p> + +<p>"Not a word. And it looks to me now as if +they never would hear anything."</p> + +<p>"More than likely that fellow has got out of +the country," was Dick's comment. "Especially +if he has learned that the police are after him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you can't tell about that," broke in Tom. +"He may be hiding within a mile or two of where +the crime was committed."</p> + +<p>It had been decided that the touring party +should take two automobiles—that belonging to +the Rovers and a new machine which was the +property of Mrs. Stanhope, Dora's widowed +mother. The party was to consist of Dick and +Tom and their wives, Sam and Grace and Mrs. +Stanhope and Mrs. Laning. Uncle Randolph +and Aunt Martha had also been invited to go +along, but both had declined, stating that they +preferred to remain on the farm.</p> + +<p>"I have some important scientific data on farming +to gather," had been Randolph Rover's explanation, +"and, besides that, I must oversee the +building of that new addition to the house;" for +since the marriage of Dick and Tom it had been decided +to build a large wing on the old homestead, +so that the young folks might be accommodated +there whenever they cared to make a visit.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> + +<p>Aleck Pop, the faithful old colored servant of +the Rovers, was still at the farm, as was Jack +Ness, the man of all work, and both did all they +could to aid the boys and girls to get ready for +the tour.</p> + +<p>"It's most won'erful how you young gen'lemen +has done growed up," was Aleck Pop's comment. +"It don't seem no time at all sence you all was +boys at Putnam Hall," and he grinned broadly, +showing a mouthful of ivories.</p> + +<p>"And to think two of 'em are married now +and settled down!" added Jack Ness. "I can't +hardly believe it. First thing you know we'll have +a lot of young Rovers runnin' around this farm."</p> + +<p>"Well, if they is any young Robers aroun' yere, +I's gwine to serve 'em jest like I served the +others," answered Aleck Pop, and then went off, +nodding his head vigorously to himself.</p> + +<p>The only drawback to the proposed tour, so +far as Sam was concerned, was the fact that +Chester Waltham and his sister Ada were going +to accompany them as far as Colorado Springs. +Then the Walthams proposed to continue to the +Pacific Coast, while the Rovers were to return to +the East.</p> + +<p>"Are those two people going in a big touring +car all by themselves?" questioned Sam, when +he heard of this arrangement.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They are not going to take the touring car, +Sam," answered Grace. "Ada wrote me that her +brother had purchased a new runabout—a very +speedy and comfortable car—and they are going +to use that instead."</p> + +<p>"Humph! I don't see why they had to stick +themselves in with our crowd," grumbled the +youngest Rover. "Why didn't they take the trip +by themselves?"</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe I am to blame for that," answered +Grace. "I told Ada all about our proposed +trip, and said I was sorry that she couldn't go +with us. You must remember she treated me +very nicely while we were at the seminary, especially +after Dora and Nellie left."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't object to Ada," answered Sam. +"Just the same, I think it would be nicer if we +could go off by ourselves. Chester Waltham +and his sister don't seem to fit in with us exactly."</p> + +<p>"Well, I think Chester Waltham is a very nice +young man, and certainly he has given me some +splendid rides," answered Grace, and then walked +off to join the others, leaving Sam to do some +thinking which was not altogether agreeable.</p> + +<p>The start was to be made from the farm, and +the Walthams had written that they would be on +hand early, stopping for the night at the hotel +in Cornville, some miles away.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the Friday before the Monday set for the +start, all three of the Rover boys went down to +New York City, to the offices of the newly +formed Rover Company in Wall Street. They +found their father in charge, and also several assistants, +and everything seemed to be in good running +order. Dick and Tom went over a number of +business matters with their parent, and Mr. Rover +declared that he could get along very well without +the boys for at least a month or six weeks.</p> + +<p>After the visit to the offices Dick and Tom +took Sam up to their apartments on Riverside +Drive, where they packed a number of things +wanted by themselves and Dora and Nellie.</p> + +<p>"Certainly a beautiful location," remarked +Sam, as he walked to one of the front windows, +to gaze out on the Hudson River.</p> + +<p>"It certainly is a fine place, Sam," answered +Tom, "and Nellie and I enjoy it just as much +as Dick and Dora do." Tom looked at his +younger brother questioningly. "I suppose now +that you have graduated, Sam, you and Grace +will be joining us here some day?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that, Tom." Sam's face +flushed painfully. "You see I—I——" and then +he broke off, unable to proceed.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean there is anything wrong between +you and Grace, do you?" demanded the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +brother, coming closer. Dick had gone to another +room and so was out of hearing.</p> + +<p>"I can't say that anything is wrong exactly, +Tom," returned Sam, hesitatingly. "You see, +I—I——"</p> + +<p>"Is it that Chester Waltham?" demanded the +other, quickly.</p> + +<p>Sam nodded. "Of course I can't blame him, +and I can't blame Grace, for the matter of that. +It isn't every girl who gets the chance to marry +a young millionaire."</p> + +<p>"What! Has he proposed to her?" cried Tom.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, I don't think that, Tom. But he has +been very friendly."</p> + +<p>"Well, I wouldn't stand for it, Sam. I think +Grace ought to marry you, and I would tell her +so and have it settled."</p> + +<p>"That's all well enough to say, Tom. But just +the same I haven't any right to stand in her light. +I haven't got any such money to offer her as this +millionaire——"</p> + +<p>"Rot! You've got enough money to make any +girl comfortable, and that is all that is necessary. +You go on in and win!" and Tom clapped his +younger brother on the shoulder encouragingly. +Then Dick entered, along with a maid left to +take care of the apartments, and the talk came +to an end.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> + +<p>While the boys were doing this, the girls had +gone to Cedarville, and there assisted Mrs. Stanhope +and Mrs. Laning in getting ready for the +tour. Dora's mother had a hired chauffeur to +run her car, and this man was to bring the party +to Valley Brook in the Stanhope machine.</p> + +<p>"I am very glad you are going, Mother," said +Dora to her parent. "I am sure this trip will +do you a world of good." For Mrs. Stanhope +was not in the best of health and sometimes grew +quite nervous when left too long to herself.</p> + +<p>"It will be a wonderful trip, no doubt," answered +the mother, "and I am sure I shall enjoy +it greatly, especially with all you young folks +along to brighten matters up."</p> + +<p>"It will certainly be a wonderful tour for me," +declared Mrs. Laning, who had always been more +or less of a home body. "Gracious! Why, I +can remember when I used to think a trip of ten +or twenty miles on the steam cars was wonderful. +Now just to think of our going hundreds +and hundreds of miles in an automobile!"</p> + +<p>"The most wonderful part of it to me is that +we can afford to have you take such a trip as +that, Mother," chuckled John Laning. "Sakes +alive! when I was a young man the height of +my ambition was to own about fifty acres free +and clear, along with a couple of horses and half<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +a dozen cows. And now look at us—here we +own over three hundred acres, got over fifty head +of cattle, over two thousand chickens, and the +finest orchards in this part of the state. I tell +you we've got a lot to be thankful for," he added +with great satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"But I'll miss you, John, while I'm away," +said his faithful wife.</p> + +<p>"Don't you worry about me, Mother. I'd just +as lief stay here and see all them big crops +a-comin' in," announced the farmer. "That's fun +enough for me. You go ahead with the young +people and enjoy yourself. You've been in harness +long enough and you deserve it."</p> + +<p>Mr. Laning had had his ears wide open during +the visit of his daughters and Dora, and before +his wife and the others left for Valley Brook he +called Mrs. Laning aside.</p> + +<p>"What's this I hear about Grace going out +with a young millionaire named Waltham?" he +asked, curiously.</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you much more than what you've +already heard, John," she answered.</p> + +<p>"I thought Grace had her eyes set on Sam +Rover," went on the husband, looking sharply at +his wife.</p> + +<p>"That is what I thought myself. But it seems +this young millionaire has been calling on his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +sister at Hope, and he's been taking his sister +and Grace out in his automobile and acting very +nicely about it. Grace seems to be quite taken +with him."</p> + +<p>"Huh! A young millionaire, eh? Maybe he's +only amusing himself with her. You had better +caution her about him."</p> + +<p>"No, John, I don't think that would do any +good. In fact, it might do a great deal of harm," +declared the wife. "Grace is old enough to know +what she is doing."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but if she has made some promises to +Sam Rover——"</p> + +<p>"I am not sure that she has made any promises. +Sam has been very attentive to her,—but +just because Tom married Nellie is no reason +why Grace should marry Sam."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know that. But, somehow, I thought +they had it all settled between 'em, and I certainly +like Sam. He's a nice, clean-cut boy."</p> + +<p>"Yes. I like Sam, too." Mrs. Laning heaved a +deep sigh. "But, just the same, we had better not +interfere. You know how it was when we got +married," and she looked fondly at her husband.</p> + +<p>"You bet I do!" he returned, and then put his +arm over her shoulder and kissed her gently. +"Well, let us hope it all comes out for the best," +he added, and walked off to go to work.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>A MOMENT OF PERIL</h3> + + +<p>"This is the life!"</p> + +<p>"That's right, Tom. This kind of touring suits +me to death," returned Sam Rover.</p> + +<p>"Tom, how many miles an hour are you making?" +broke in his wife. "Remember what you +promised me—that you would keep within the +limit of the law."</p> + +<p>"And that is just what I am doing, Nellie," +he answered. "But it's mighty hard to do it, +believe me, when you are at the wheel of such a +fine auto as this. Why, I could send her ahead +twice as fast if I wanted to!"</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare!" burst out Grace, who sat in +the tonneau beside her sister. "If you do I'll +make you let Sam drive."</p> + +<p>"He's got to let me drive anyway after dinner," +said the youngest Rover boy. "That's the +arrangement."</p> + +<p>It was the second day of the tour, and Valley +Brook Farm, and in fact the whole central portion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +of New York State, had been left far behind. +The weather had turned out perfect, and +so far they had encountered very little in the +way of bad roads. Once they had had to make +a detour of two miles on account of a new bridge +being built, but otherwise they had forged +straight ahead.</p> + +<p>Tom and his wife, with Grace and Sam, occupied +the first automobile, the remaining space +in the roomy tonneau being taken up by various +suitcases and other baggage. Behind this car +came the one driven by Dick Rover. Beside him +was his wife, with Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning +behind them. Some distance to the rear was +the third machine, a brand-new runabout, containing +Chester Waltham and his sister Ada. +Waltham had at first wished to take the lead, +but had then dropped behind, stating he did not +wish to get the others to follow him on any +wrong road.</p> + +<p>"You go ahead," he had said to the Rovers. +"Then if you go wrong you will have only yourselves +to blame."</p> + +<p>"Well, we don't know any more about these +roads than you do, Waltham," Dick had replied. +"We are simply going by the guide book and the +signs."</p> + +<p>"I hate to use up my brains studying an automobile<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +guide," Chester Waltham had returned +with a yawn. "When I am on an outing I like to +take it just as easy as I possibly can."</p> + +<p>"It's a wonder you didn't bring a paid chauffeur +along," had been Sam's comment.</p> + +<p>"I thought something of doing that, but my +sister objected. She said if she was to go along +I must run the car. You see, she wants me to +risk my neck as well as her own," and the young +millionaire had smiled grimly.</p> + +<p>They had been running for several miles over +a road that was comparatively straight. On either +side were tidy farms, with occasional farmhouses +and barns. Now, however, the road became +winding, and they soon passed into a patch +of timber.</p> + +<p>"Four miles to the next town," announced +Sam, as they rolled past a signboard. He looked +at his watch. "Quarter after eleven. Do you +think we had better stop there for dinner, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"No, we are going on to Fernwood, six miles +farther," was the reply. "They say the hotel +there is much better. And, believe me, when you +get away from the big cities the best hotel you +can find in a town is none too good."</p> + +<p>It had been rather warm on the open road, +and all those in the automobiles welcomed the +shade of the woods.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's a pity we didn't bring our lunch along," +said Dora to Dick, as they moved along at a +slower rate of speed. "We could have had a +good time picnicking along here."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll have to dine out in the woods +sometimes on this trip," put in Mrs. Laning. "I +like that sort of thing much better than taking +all our meals in hotels or restaurants."</p> + +<p>The first automobile had reached a spring by +the roadside, and here Tom came to a halt, presently +followed by the others. Collapsible cups +were handy, and all were ready for a drink +of the pure, cool water which the spring afforded.</p> + +<p>"Fine! isn't it?" exclaimed Dick, after the +ladies had been served and he had had a cupful +himself.</p> + +<p>"You're right," answered Tom. "A good deal +better than that bottled water we have down in +the New York offices."</p> + +<p>"But it can't beat the water on the farm," said +Sam. "I must say no matter where I go the +water doesn't taste quite as good as that at Valley +Brook."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's only sentiment, Sam!" cried Grace. +"Now, I think the water at Cedarville is just +lovely."</p> + +<p>"I think you are taking a little chance in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +drinking from a spring like this," was Chester +Waltham's comment. "It may be pure, and then +again it may be full of all sorts of germs."</p> + +<p>"Sure! it may be full of tadpoles and bullfrogs, +too," added Tom, gaily. "But you've got +to take some chances in this life, as the fly said +when he flew down into the molasses jug and +got stuck there," and at this little joke there was +a general smile.</p> + +<p>Beyond the spring the road went uphill for a +long distance, and then took a turn to the southward, +past more farms and over a bridge spanning +a tiny stream. Then they came to a small +town, looking dry, dusty and almost deserted in +the midday, summer sun.</p> + +<p>"I am glad we didn't arrange to stop here," +was Nellie's comment, as she glanced around.</p> + +<p>The sleepy little town was soon left behind, +and once again they found themselves passing +over a series of hills, dotted here and there with +farms and patches of woodland. Then they came +to a place which was very uneven and filled with +rocks.</p> + +<p>"Got to be careful here unless we want to get +a puncture," announced Tom, and at once reduced +speed.</p> + +<p>They were running on another winding road +which seemed to bear off to the northward. Here<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +there was something of a cliff, with great, rocky +boulders standing out in bold relief.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, as Tom reached a bend, he saw a +man coming towards them. He was an Italian, +and carried a small red flag in one hand.</p> + +<p>"Back! You-a git-a back!" cried the man, +waving his red flag at them. "Blas'! Blas'! +You git-a back!"</p> + +<p>The grade was downward and the man had +appeared so suddenly that before Tom could +bring the first automobile to a standstill he had +gotten at least a hundred feet beyond the Italian, +while the second car, run by Dick, was by the +man's side.</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble here?" demanded Dick.</p> + +<p>"You git-a back! You git-a back!" exclaimed +the Italian, frantically. "Blas' go off! You git-a +back!"</p> + +<p>"Hi, Tom, come back here!" yelled Dick. +"This fellow says there is a blast going off."</p> + +<p>Tom was already trying to heed the warning. +He had stopped so suddenly, however, that he +had stalled his engine and now he had to take +time in which to use the electric starter. In +the meanwhile, the Italian workman ran still +farther back, to warn Chester Waltham and anybody +else who might be coming along the +road.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, Tom! can you turn around?" questioned +his wife anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Maybe you had better run the car backward," +suggested Sam. He had noted the narrowness +of the roadway and knew it would be no easy +matter to turn around in such limited space. +Besides that, there was a deep gully on one +side, so that they would run the risk of overturning.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll back if Dick will only give me +room," muttered Tom, as he pressed the lever +of the self-starter. Then after the power was +once more generated he threw in the reverse gear +and allowed the car to back up.</p> + +<p>"That's the way to do it, Tom," yelled Dick. +"Come on, I'll get out of the way," and he, too, +began to back until he was close on to the Waltham +runabout.</p> + +<p>"Look out! Don't bump into me!" yelled +Chester Waltham, who for the moment seemed +to be completely bewildered by what was taking +place. "What's the matter anyway?" he demanded +of the Italian.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Chester, there must be some danger!" +shrieked his sister. "Say! they are both backing +up. Maybe you had better back up too."</p> + +<p>"All right, if that's what they want," answered +the young millionaire, and then in his hurry tried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +to reverse so quickly that he, too, stalled his +engine.</p> + +<p>"Back up! Back up!" called out Dick. "We've +got to get out of here! There is some sort of +blasting going on ahead!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dick, be careful!" cried Mrs. Stanhope, +and sprang up in the tonneau of the car in alarm, +quickly followed by Mrs. Laning.</p> + +<p>"You will run into Mr. Waltham, sure!" +wailed the latter.</p> + +<p>"Don't smash into me! Don't smash into me!" +yelled the young millionaire in sudden terror. +"If you bump into me you'll send me into the +ditch!"</p> + +<p>By this time Dick's car was less than three +feet away from the runabout, while Tom's machine +was still some distance farther up the +road.</p> + +<p>Boom! There was a distant explosion, not +very loud; and following this came a clatter as +of stones falling on the rocks. None of the +stones, however, fell anywhere near the three +machines.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried Grace.</p> + +<p>"Is that all there is to it?" queried Nellie, +anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," returned Tom. He had now +brought his automobile once more to a standstill.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> + +<p>All in the three machines waited for a moment. +Then they gazed enquiringly at the Italian who +stood behind them.</p> + +<p>"Say, is that all the blasting there is?" demanded +Chester Waltham.</p> + +<p>"Dat's heem," responded the foreigner. "He +go off all right, boss. You go," and he waved +the stick of his flag for them to proceed.</p> + +<p>"Some scare—and all for nothing," muttered +Tom. "The way he carried on you would think +they were going to shake down half of yonder +cliff."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tom, they don't dare to take chances," +returned Nellie. "Why, if we had gone on we +might have been showered with those stones we +heard falling."</p> + +<p>"You fellows want to be careful how you +back up," grumbled Chester Waltham. "You +came pretty close to smashing into me."</p> + +<p>"Well, you should have backed up yourself +when you heard us yell," retorted Dick, sharply. +"We didn't know how bad that blast was going +to be."</p> + +<p>Tom had already started forward, and in a +moment more Dick and Chester Waltham followed. +But hardly had they done this when the +Italian on the road suddenly let out another yell.</p> + +<p>"Boss! Boss! You-a stop!" he cried. "You-a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +stop queek! De two-a blas'! You-a stop!" and +he danced up and down in added alarm.</p> + +<p>Those who had gone on paid no attention to +him, and an instant later passed around a corner +of the cliff. As they did this they saw a man +on the open hillside waving his arm and shouting +something they could not understand.</p> + +<p>"Tom, something is wrong——" began Sam, +when, of a sudden, his words were swallowed up +in a fierce roar and rumble that seemed to shake +the very ground beneath them. They saw a flash +of fire in an opening of the cliff, and the next +instant a burst of flames and smoke was followed +by a rain of rocks all around them!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>NEWS OF BLACKIE CROWDEN</h3> + + +<p>It was a moment of extreme peril, and what +made it seem worse was the fact that the Rovers +and the others could do nothing to save themselves. +Rocks, small stones and dirt flew all +around them, striking with loud noises the hoods +and other metal parts of the automobiles, and +even landing in the tonneaus of the larger cars.</p> + +<p>"Hold up the robes! Protect yourselves with +the robes!" yelled Dick, but before the ladies +could heed his words the rain of rocks, small +stones and dirt had come to an end.</p> + +<p>"Great Cæsar! that's a fine happening!" +groaned Tom, who had been hit on the shoulder +by a fair-sized stone. He looked quickly at those +in the car with him. "Any of you hurt?"</p> + +<p>"I got hit in the head with something," returned +Sam. "But it didn't hurt very much. +How about you?" and he looked at Grace and at +Tom's wife.</p> + +<p>"I—I don't think I am hurt any," faltered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +Grace, as she looked at some stones and dirt on +the robe over her lap.</p> + +<p>"I'm all right," answered Tom's wife. "But, +oh dear! something—I think it must have been a +big stone—flew directly past my face!"</p> + +<p>"I hope the others got off as well as we did," +remarked Tom. "Let us go and see," and, suiting +the action to the word, he left the machine, +followed by his brother.</p> + +<p>The second car had a dent in the hood made +by a stone as big as Tom's fist. All those in the +automobile had been hit by some smaller stones +and also covered with loose dirt, but no one had +been seriously injured, although Mrs. Laning declared +that some of the dirt had entered her left +ear and also her eye.</p> + +<p>"Let me look at that eye," cried Mrs. Stanhope, +as soon as she had recovered from the +shock of the second blast. And then she went +to work on the optic, and presently Mrs. Laning +declared that the eye was as well as ever.</p> + +<p>As Chester Waltham and his sister had been +farther back on the road, around the turn of +the cliff, they had not felt the effects of the second +explosion excepting a slight shower of dirt +which had covered the front of the runabout. +But the young millionaire and his sister were +greatly excited, and the former got out of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +machine to run up to the Italian with the red +flag and shake his fist in the man's face.</p> + +<p>"You—you rascal!" he spluttered. "What do +you mean by sending us into such peril as this? +You ought to be put into prison!"</p> + +<p>"I-a, I-a forget heem," faltered the foreigner +helplessly. "I tink only one blas'. I forget +two blas'," and he looked very downhearted.</p> + +<p>But this time the man who had been up on +the hillside came running to the scene of the +mishap, followed by several of the workmen.</p> + +<p>"Anybody hurt?" sang out the man, who was +an American in charge of the blasting gang.</p> + +<p>"Nothing very serious," answered Dick. "But +it might have been," he added sharply. "You +fellows ought to be more careful."</p> + +<p>"I told Tony to keep everybody back for two +blasts," answered the man. "Why didn't you +stay back until you heard the second blast?"</p> + +<p>"He told us to go on," answered Tom.</p> + +<p>"I make mistake," cried the Italian. "You +forgive, boss," and he looked pleadingly at Dick +and the others.</p> + +<p>"Well, you don't want to make any more mistakes +like that," returned Dick. "If we had gotten +a little closer somebody might have been +killed."</p> + +<p>"That's the second time you have failed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +obey orders, Tony," said the gang master, sternly. +"You go on up to the shanty and get your +time and clear out. I won't have such a careless +man as you around."</p> + +<p>At these words the Italian looked much crestfallen. +He began to jabber away in a mixture +of English and his own tongue, both to his boss +and to our friends. But the boss would not listen +to him, and ordered him away, and then he departed, +looking decidedly sullen.</p> + +<p>"I can't do anything with some of these fellows," +explained the man in charge of the blasting. +"I tell them just what to do, and sometimes +they mind me and sometimes they don't. +I'm very sorry this thing happened, but I'm +thankful at the same time that you got through +as well as you did," and he smiled a little.</p> + +<p>"You're not half as thankful as we are," put +in Sam, dryly.</p> + +<p>"I hope there is no damage done to your cars, +but if there is I'm willing to pay for it," went +on the man.</p> + +<p>"A few dents, but I guess that is all," answered +Dick, after a look at both the car he was +driving and the one run by his brother. "We'll +let those go, for we are on a tour and have no +time to waste here."</p> + +<p>"All right, sir, just as you say. But here is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +my card; I don't want to sneak out of anything +for which I'm responsible," continued the man. +"If you find anything wrong later on you let me +know and I'll fix it up with you."</p> + +<p>"We ought to sue this fellow for damages!" +cried Chester Waltham, wrathfully. "It's an +outrage to treat us like this."</p> + +<p>"Were you hurt in any way?" asked the man, +quietly.</p> + +<p>"We got a lot of dirt and stones on the runabout," +growled Waltham.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Chester! don't quarrel over the matter," +entreated his sister, in a low tone. "The man +didn't want to do it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, these follows are too fresh," grumbled +the young millionaire. "The authorities ought +to take them in hand," and then he reëntered his +runabout, looking in anything but a happy mood.</p> + +<p>"Do you think we can go ahead on this road +now?" asked Dick, after a few more words had +passed between the Rovers and the man who had +the blasting in charge.</p> + +<p>"I think so," was the reply. "Just wait a few +minutes and I'll have my gang of men clear a +way for you." He was evidently a fair and +square individual who wanted to do the right +thing in every particular, and the Rovers could +not help but like him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It was all that Italian's fault," remarked Sam +to Tom, while they were waiting for the road to +be cleared of the largest of the rocks. "If he +had kept us back as he was ordered to do there +would have been no trouble."</p> + +<p>"He looked mighty mad when he went off," +was Tom's answer. "If that fellow in charge +here doesn't look out, that chap may put up +some job on him."</p> + +<p>Inside of ten minutes the man in charge of +the blasting told them they could go ahead, and +so on they went as before, with Tom again in +the lead. As they passed by they saw numerous +places along the face of the cliff where other +blasting had taken place. The man had explained +that the work was being done by the contractors +in order to widen the road in that +vicinity.</p> + +<p>About a mile and a half beyond the cliff, nestling +in the midst of a number of pretty farms, +they came to the town of Fernwood, the place +at which they were to stop for their midday meal. +They had the name of the leading hotel on their +list, and found the hostelry a fairly large and +comfortable one.</p> + +<p>"I think we'll want a good washing up after +that experience," remarked Dick, when the automobiles +had been placed in the hotel garage.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +"My! but that was a narrow escape!" and he +shuddered at the recollection.</p> + +<p>"You fellows were mighty easy with that +man," observed Chester Waltham. "He ought +to have been made to suffer for his carelessness."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you want to sue him, Waltham, +you go ahead and do it," said Dick somewhat +sharply. He was beginning to like the young +millionaire less and less the more he came in +contact with him.</p> + +<p>A table had been reserved for the entire party, +and soon the well-cooked meal put even Chester +Waltham in better humor. Now that the danger +from the blast was a thing of the past, they +could afford to smile over the somewhat thrilling +experience.</p> + +<p>"Maybe after this it would be a good idea to +ride with the tops up," said Tom. "Only we'd +have to make them stone proof as well as rainproof," +and at this remark there was a general +smile.</p> + +<p>"Remember, Tom, I'm to be at the wheel this +afternoon," announced Sam, who thus far had +not had much chance to do any steering on the +trip.</p> + +<p>"All right, little boy, you for the pilot act!" +returned his fun-loving brother, gaily. "But remember +what the girls told you—no speeding.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +The law in this state is four and one-eighth miles +an hour, except on turning corners, where it +is two and one-sixteenth miles," and at this little +joke there was a titter from the girls.</p> + +<p>As it was so warm during the middle of the +day, it had been decided that they should not +proceed on their tour until about three o'clock. +This gave the ladies a chance to rest themselves, +something which was particularly satisfying to +Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll take a look around the town," +said Tom, after the ladies had gone to one of +the upper rooms. "Will you go along?" and +he looked enquiringly at his brothers and Chester +Waltham.</p> + +<p>"I am going to write a letter to dad," answered +Dick.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll write a letter myself and enjoy +a smoke," came from the young millionaire.</p> + +<p>"I'm with you, Tom," returned his younger +brother. "Let's go out and see if we can't capture +a nice box of chocolates for the girls."</p> + +<p>Tom and Sam were soon on the way. The +main street of Fernwood contained less than four +blocks of stores, and there was a cross street +with half a dozen other establishments. But the +place was a railroad center and, consequently, +was of quite some importance.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> + +<p>Having walked up and down the main street, +and procured a box of chocolates and a few +other things, the two Rovers wandered off in +the direction of the railroad station. A train had +just come in, and they watched the passengers +alight and then others get aboard. They were +particularly interested in the discomfiture of a +fat traveling salesman who came puffing up on +the platform, a suitcase in each hand, just in +time to see the train depart. The fat man was +very angry, but this availed him nothing.</p> + +<p>"It's a shame! a shame!" howled the traveling +salesman, as he threw his suitcases down in disgust. +"I know that train left at least two minutes +ahead of time," he stormed to the station +master.</p> + +<p>"You're wrong there, mister," was the ready +answer. "She was a minute late."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! Nonsense!" stormed the disappointed +individual. "I tell you she left ahead of +time. I ought to sue the railroad company for +this," and he shook his head savagely.</p> + +<p>"Gosh! we are up against people who want +to sue everybody," was Sam's remark. "That +fellow ought to join Chester Waltham, and then +they could hire one lawyer to do the whole business."</p> + +<p>"I might have been here five minutes ago if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +I hadn't been a fool," stormed the fat salesman, +as he looked for comfort at the two Rovers. +"That comes from trying to be accommodating. +I was headed for this place when down there +at the Ludding House I met a fellow who wanted +to know how to get to Stockbridge. He stuttered +so that it took me about five minutes to +find out what he wanted."</p> + +<p>"Stuttered, did he?" questioned Tom, curiously.</p> + +<p>"He sure did! He had an awful stutter with +a funny little whistle in between. I wish I hadn't +waited to listen to him. I might have had that +train, confound it!" went on the fat salesman, +pulling down his face.</p> + +<p>"Did you say that fellow stuttered and +whistled?" broke in Sam eagerly.</p> + +<p>"He certainly did."</p> + +<p>"Will you tell me what kind of a looking man +he was?"</p> + +<p>"Sure!" answered the salesman, and then started +to give as good a description of the individual +as his recollection would permit.</p> + +<p>"It must have been Blackie Crowden!" cried +the youngest Rover, before the man had finished.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what his name was," said the +salesman.</p> + +<p>"We want to catch that man the worst way,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +went on Sam. "Have you any idea where we +can find him?"</p> + +<p>"He asked me the way to Stockbridge, so I +suppose he was going there," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Where is Stockbridge?"</p> + +<p>"It's down on the road past the Ludding +House. It's about five miles from here."</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose the man was going to walk +it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that. You must remember +I was in a hurry to catch the train. Hang +the luck! I wish I hadn't stopped to talk to +that man," went on the fat salesman.</p> + +<p>"And I'm very glad that you did stop to talk +to him," returned Sam. He looked at his brother. +"Come on, Tom, let us see if we can find Blackie +Crowden."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>ON THE TRAIL</h3> + + +<p>The Ludding House was on the side street +of the town, about three blocks from the hotel +at which our friends were stopping. When the +two Rovers arrived there they found the dining-room +had just closed and only two men and +an elderly woman were in sight.</p> + +<p>"We are looking for a man who was around +here—I think his name was Blackie Crowden," +said Sam. "He is a man who stutters very +badly."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I remember that fellow," returned +one of the men who worked around the hotel, +"He was here for lunch."</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me where he is now?"</p> + +<p>"No, I cannot."</p> + +<p>"That man who stuttered so terribly said +something about going to Stockbridge," put in +the woman. "Perhaps he was going there."</p> + +<p>"On foot?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so. Most likely he took the +stage. That left about ten minutes ago."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Was the man alone?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"I think he was, although I am not sure. He +came in during the lunch hour and after that I +saw him talking to a salesman who had been +staying here—a man who just went off on the +train."</p> + +<p>"You mean a man who went off to catch the +train," grinned Tom. "He didn't get it, and he's +as mad as a hornet on that account."</p> + +<p>The two Rovers asked several more questions +and found out that the stage which left Fernwood +twice a day passed through Stockbridge +on its way to Riverview, six miles farther on.</p> + +<p>"They used to use horses," explained the hotel +man, "but last year Jerry Lagger got himself an +auto, so he makes the run pretty quick these +days."</p> + +<p>"Come on, Sam, let's get one of our autos and +follow that stage," cried Tom, and set off on a +run for the other hotel, quickly followed by his +brother. They burst in on Dick just as the latter +was posting the letter which he had written +to their father.</p> + +<p>"Say! that would be great if it was Blackie +Crowden and we could capture him," cried Dick, +on hearing what they had to say. "You get the +auto ready while I tell the others where we are +going."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's a pity Stockbridge and Riverview are +not on our regular tour," was Sam's comment.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's just as well," answered Tom. "We +may have lots of trouble with this fellow Crowden, +and it will be just as well if the girls and +the ladies are not in it."</p> + +<p>One of the touring cars was quickly run to +the front of the hotel, and a moment later Dick, +who had rushed upstairs to explain matters to +the others, came out and joined his brothers. +Tom was at the wheel, and he lost no time in +speeding up the car, and on they went along +the dusty road in the direction of Stockbridge.</p> + +<p>"I do hope they catch that fellow and get +back Mr. Sanderson's money," was Grace's comment, +as she watched the departure of the touring +car out of one of the upper windows of +the hotel.</p> + +<p>"What's it all about?" asked Ada Waltham, +who had not been present when Dick had burst +in on the others. She was quickly told and then +asked: "Why didn't they take my brother along +with them?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, I am sure, Ada," answered +Grace. "Perhaps he wasn't around."</p> + +<p>"He was down in the writing-room with +Dick."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I am sure I don't know why he isn't +with them," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"I don't think they are treating Chester just +right," retorted the rich girl, rather abruptly, +and then left the room with her nose tilted high +in the air.</p> + +<p>"What a way to act!" murmured Nellie.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid that sooner or later we will have +some sort of rupture with the Walthams," was +Dora's comment. She gave a little sigh. "Too +bad! I should hate to have anything happen to +spoil this tour."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't think the boys treat Chester +Waltham just right," returned Grace, somewhat +coldly. "They treat him as if he were a stranger—an +outsider," and then she, too, left the room, +leaving her sister and Dora to gaze at each other +questioningly.</p> + +<p>Along the dusty road sped the touring car, +Tom running as rapidly as safety would permit. +Soon Fernwood was left far behind and they +began to ascend a slight hill.</p> + +<p>Presently they came to a crossroad, and here +they had to stop to study a much-faded signboard, +so as to decide which was the proper road +to take. Even then, as they continued their way, +they were all a little doubtful.</p> + +<p>"That signboard was so twisted it didn't point<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +right down this road," was Sam's comment. "It +would be just like some boys to twist it out of +shape just for the fun of sending folks on the +wrong road."</p> + +<p>"Well, I played a joke like that myself, once," +confessed Tom.</p> + +<p>"Then if we are on the wrong road on account +of some boys' tricks, Tom, you'll simply be getting +paid back for what you did," returned his +older brother.</p> + +<p>Half a mile more was covered, and then the +road grew rapidly worse. Tom had slowed +down, and was just on the point of stopping +when a low hissing sound reached the ears of all.</p> + +<p>"Good-night!" was Tom's comment.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Tom, a puncture?" queried Sam.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, it's only a gas well trying to find its +way to the surface of the ground," was the dry +comment. "Everybody out and to work!"</p> + +<p>They leaped to the ground and soon saw that +Sam's conjecture was correct. A sharp stone +had cut into one of the front shoes, making a +hole about as large in diameter as a slate pencil.</p> + +<p>"Might know a thing like this would happen +just when we were in a hurry," grumbled Dick.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, now is our time to make a record," +came cheerfully from Sam. He glanced +at his watch. "Four minutes after two. Come<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +on, let us see how quickly we can get that new +tire on."</p> + +<p>All threw off their coats and caps and set to +work in the shade of some trees. While one +jacked up the car, another worked to get off the +damaged shoe and inner tube. In the meanwhile, +the third got ready another shoe with an +inner tube, and thus working hand in hand the +three got the new tire in place and pumped up +in less than ten minutes.</p> + +<p>While Dick and Sam were putting away the +tools, Tom walked a bit ahead on the road. He +looked around a turn, and then came back much +crestfallen.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm paid back for monkeying with +those road-signs years ago," he announced. "The +fellows who fixed that sign some distance behind +us have got one on me. This is nothing +but a woods road, and ends in the timber right +around the bend."</p> + +<p>"Which means that we have got to turn back +and take the other road," put in Sam, quickly.</p> + +<p>"That's it! Some fun turning around here," +was Dick's comment. "It's about as narrow as it +was on that road where they were doing the +blasting."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess I can make it," answered Tom; +and then all got in the car once again.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> + +<p>By going ahead and backing half a dozen +times, Tom at last managed to get the touring +car headed the other way. Then he put on +speed once more and they raced off to where +they had made the false turn.</p> + +<p>But all this had taken time and as a consequence, +although they ran along the other highway +at a speed of nearly forty miles an hour, +they saw nothing of the auto-stage which had +gone on ahead.</p> + +<p>"I guess this is Stockbridge," was Dick's +comment, a little later, as they came in sight of a +straggling village. Several buggies and farm +wagons were in sight and likewise a couple of +cheap automobiles, but nothing that looked like +a stage.</p> + +<p>"Has the auto-stage from Fernwood got in +yet?" questioned Sam of a storekeeper who sat +in a tilted chair under the wooden awning of his +establishment.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it got in some time ago," was the +drawled-out reply of the storekeeper.</p> + +<p>"Then has it gone on to Riverview?" queried +Dick.</p> + +<p>"Reckon it has, stranger."</p> + +<p>"Do you know if any passengers got off here?" +asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Old Mrs. Harrison got off."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Anybody else?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't see anybody else,—but then I wasn't +watchin' very closely," explained the storekeeper.</p> + +<p>The only other persons in sight besides the +storekeeper were two children, too small to be +questioned about the stage passengers. The +Rovers looked at each other questioningly.</p> + +<p>"Might as well go right through and follow +that stage," said Dick. "If he is on board, there +is no use of letting him get away. If he isn't, +we can come back here and look for him."</p> + +<p>The others deemed this good advice, and in +a moment more they left Stockbridge at a rate +of speed which made the storekeeper leap up +from his comfortable chair to gaze after them +in amazement.</p> + +<p>"Some of them speeders," he murmured to +himself. "If they don't look out they'll be took +in for breakin' the law."</p> + +<p>For a mile or more the road outside of Stockbridge +was fairly good. Beyond, it grew poorer +and poorer, and Tom had to reduce speed once +more for fear of another puncture, or a blowout. +As they sped along the highway all the +youths kept a sharp lookout for Blackie Crowden, +but no one came in sight who answered in +the least to the description of that individual.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I'd know him if I saw him," said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +Sam, who had studied a copy of the man's photograph.</p> + +<p>"So would I," answered Tom. "He's got a +face that is somewhat unusual;" and to this Dick +agreed.</p> + +<p>On and on they went, the road now being +little more than a country lane. Here the dust +was about six inches deep, and a big cloud floated +behind the machine.</p> + +<p>"Almost looks as if we were on the wrong +road again," observed Dick. But hardly had he +spoken when they came out to another crossroad. +Here a signboard pointed to the left, and +the highway was as good as any they had yet +traveled.</p> + +<p>"Only one mile more!" cried Sam.</p> + +<p>"It won't take long to cover that," answered +Tom, and then turned on the power, and in less +than two minutes more they were approaching +the center of Riverview, a fair-sized town located +on the stream which gave it its name.</p> + +<p>"There is the auto-stage, drawn up in front +of the hotel," announced Sam.</p> + +<p>"Yes. And it's empty," answered Dick.</p> + +<p>The driver of the auto-stage was at the town +pump getting a drink of water. He looked at +the three Rovers curiously as they confronted +him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Did I have a passenger that stuttered?" he +repeated in answer to their question. "I sure +did have such a fellow. Why, he stuttered wo'se +than any man I ever heard. And he whistled +too. Awful funny. Why, I had all I could do +to keep from laughin' in his face."</p> + +<p>"We want to find that man very much and +right away," announced Dick. "Will you let us +know where you let him off?"</p> + +<p>"That's a funny thing, mister," announced the +auto-stage driver. "You see, after we left Stockbridge +I didn't have nobody in but that man. He +paid me the fare to this place before I started. +Then when we was about half-way here I looked +around in the back of the stage and, by gum! +he was gone."</p> + +<p>"Gone!" came from the three Rovers.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>BACK AT ASHTON</h3> + + +<p>The three Rovers listened in astonishment to +what the auto-stage driver had to say concerning +the sudden disappearance of Blackie Crowden.</p> + +<p>"Then he must have jumped from the stage +while you were running," remarked Dick.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Did he have any baggage with him?" questioned +Tom.</p> + +<p>"He had a small handbag, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Would you remember the place where he +jumped off?" came from Sam, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it was on the road back of here—just +before you turn into this highway."</p> + +<p>"You mean the road that was so thick with +dust?" remarked Tom.</p> + +<p>"That's the place. He jumped off at a spot +where the bushes are pretty thick, and there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +are three trees standin' close together just back +of the bushes."</p> + +<p>"I think I know that place," said Dick. "There +is a small white cottage on the hillside just behind +it."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>It was only a short run, and soon they halted +beside the bushes hedging in three tall trees.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +Eagerly they looked around in all directions, but +not a soul was in sight.</p> + +<p>"I'm going up to the farmhouse," announced +Sam.</p> + +<p>"And I'll go with you," added Dick. "Tom, +you stay down here and take a look around. +If you see anything of him blow the auto horn +three times."</p> + +<p>At the farmhouse the two Rovers found themselves +confronted by an elderly man and his wife, +who looked at them rather curiously.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"The fellow we are after is a criminal," explained +Dick, "so if you don't mind we'll take a +look around for him."</p> + +<p>"A criminal!" cried the farmer. "Say, that's +bad! Certainly look around all you please, and +I hope if he is anywhere near you'll catch him. +I'd go around with you myself, only I can't +very well on account of this rheumatism of +mine."</p> + +<p>The two Rovers walked around the cottage +and the out-buildings but found not the least<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +trace of Blackie Crowden. Then, rather crestfallen, +they returned to the automobile.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps there's some mistake and it wasn't +Crowden at all," was Sam's comment.</p> + +<p>"Well, it was a man who stuttered, anyway, +and the general description fitted Crowden," answered +his brother.</p> + +<p>When they reached the automobile, they found +Tom gazing curiously at a piece of newspaper +which he had picked up from the ground. It +was rather crumpled, as if it had been used for +wrapping purposes.</p> + +<p>"See anything of him, Tom?" asked Dick.</p> + +<p>"No," was the answer. "But look here. Do +either of you recognize this print?" He held +out the paper, which was the lower half of a +newspaper page. Part of this was devoted to +reading matter and the rest to advertisements.</p> + +<p>"Why, sure! I know that paper," cried Dick. +"See that advertisement of The Russel Department +Store and that advertisement of Betts' Shoe +Store? That's a part of the <i>Knoxbury Weekly +Leader</i>."</p> + +<p>"That's just what it is!" ejaculated Sam. +"Where did you get that paper, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Found it right here beside the bushes. It +looks as if it had been used to wrap something +in."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then that proves two things," announced +Dick, flatly. "One is that the man who stutters +was really Blackie Crowden, for who else could +have been here with something wrapped in a +Knoxbury newspaper? And the other thing is +that he did as the stage driver said—left that +stage somewhere near here."</p> + +<p>"Right you are, Dick," returned his youngest +brother, "but that doesn't answer the question—where +is he now?"</p> + +<p>"I think he got on to the fact that we were +in Fernwood, and that it was his business to get +out just as quickly as he could," said Tom. "And +if that is true it is more than likely that he is +a good distance away from here by now and +keeping to side roads where he thinks he will +not be followed."</p> + +<p>"But what brought him to Fernwood in the +first place?" questioned Sam.</p> + +<p>"Give it up. Of course, he may have friends +or relatives here. But I don't know how we are +going to find out the truth about that, and what +good will it do us if we do?"</p> + +<p>A half hour was spent in that vicinity, the boys +tramping up and down the road and through the +fields and woods looking for some trace of the +missing man. Then they returned to Fernwood.</p> + +<p>"I'm going down to the post-office to post our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +letters," announced Dick. "I'll see if the postmaster +knows anything about Crowden."</p> + +<p>The postmaster of Fernwood was a young man +and glad enough to give what information he +could when he heard what Dick had to say.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that man was here several times," he +remarked. "He seemed very anxious to get some +letters, and he posted several letters himself, although +whom they were addressed to I don't +know."</p> + +<p>"You haven't any idea where he was stopping?"</p> + +<p>"Not the slightest." And this was all the postmaster +could tell them.</p> + +<p>"No use of our staying here any longer," announced +Tom, when the boys had rejoined the +others at the hotel. "I guess Crowden just came +to this out-of-the-way place to get and send mail."</p> + +<p>"Don't you think he'll come back, thinking +there'll be some letters for him?" questioned his +wife.</p> + +<p>"We'll take care of that," was the reply. +"We'll notify the local authorities and also the +postmaster, so if Crowden turns up again he'll +be arrested at once;" and this matter was attended +to before they left the town.</p> + +<p>Chester Waltham grumbled somewhat because +the Rovers had not taken him along on the trip<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +to Riverview, but the three brothers paid little +attention to this, although Sam showed that he +was rather anxious because of the way in which +Grace stood up for the brother of her seminary +chum.</p> + +<p>It had been planned that the tour from Valley +Brook to the west should be taken through Ashton, +so one morning a few days later found the +whole party in the old college town.</p> + +<p>"Too bad that Brill and Hope are both closed +for the season," remarked Dora. "We might +have met some of our old friends."</p> + +<p>"Well, it doesn't make much difference to +me," grinned back Sam. "It seems like only yesterday +since I graduated."</p> + +<p>"I am glad my school days are over," announced +Ada Waltham. "I never did care for +studying."</p> + +<p>Before proceeding farther, the Rovers had decided +to call on the Sandersons, so they went +away from the hotel at Ashton, leaving the Walthams +behind. A letter had been sent ahead to +Minnie, so she was not much surprised at their +arrival. Her appearance, however, shocked them +greatly. From looking round and ruddy her +face had taken on a pale and careworn look.</p> + +<p>"We are having all sorts of bad luck this year," +she said, in answer to an inquiry of Dora, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +while the boys had gone off to find Mr. Sanderson, +who was at the barn. "First came the loss +of that money. Then father was taken sick, +and now he tells me that the crops this year +are not going to be nearly as good as usual."</p> + +<p>"That is certainly too bad, Minnie," said Dora, +sympathetically. "I wish we could do something +to help you." She paused for a moment. "I +suppose you hear from Songbird occasionally?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, he writes to me regularly. He is +hard at work, and last week he sent father a +check for one hundred dollars. This, of course, +is a good deal of money for the poor fellow to +scrape together, but it isn't much towards four +thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"It certainly is too bad about the crops not +being good," said Nellie, who, being the daughter +of a farmer, knew exactly what such a calamity +means to the average man who depends on the +soil for his living.</p> + +<p>"Father wouldn't mind it so much if it was +not for this interest on the mortgage. You see +he had expected to pay the whole amount off +and that, of course, would stop the interest. Now +he has to pay the usual amount, two hundred +and forty dollars a year, which, you see, is twenty +dollars a month. It worries him a good deal."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Did you say Songbird sent him a hundred +dollars?" questioned Grace, curiously.</p> + +<p>"Yes. It was money he had earned and some +that his folks had given him. I am glad to say +father didn't think much of accepting it at first," +added Minnie, her face brightening a little. "But +poor John urged it, so that at last he took it and +sent it over to the bank."</p> + +<p>"Then I suppose Songbird and your father are +on fairly good terms now," remarked Dora.</p> + +<p>"No, I am sorry to say that is not true, Dora. +At first father seemed to get over it, but lately +he has been as bitter as ever. You see, his sickness, +and the bad crops, and the interest money +to be paid on the mortgage, worry him a great +deal, and he takes it all out on poor John. He +sticks to it that John should have been more careful +while he was carrying such a large amount." +Minnie turned her face away and two tears stole +down her cheeks. "It's a shame—an awful, +burning shame! But what in the world am I +to do?"</p> + +<p>"It surely is too bad, Minnie," said Dora, kindly, +placing her arm around the girl's waist, while +Nellie and Grace looked on sympathetically. "If +we could help you at all we would do it. We +have some news of Blackie Crowden, and the +others have gone out to tell your father about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +it," and then she related what had occurred during +the stop at Fernwood.</p> + +<p>"Oh! if only they could find that fellow and +get back the money!" sobbed Minnie. "But maybe +the most of it has been spent," she added, +dolefully.</p> + +<p>"Oh, let us hope not!" cried Nellie. "He +couldn't spend any such amount as that in so +short a time."</p> + +<p>"He might if he drank and gambled it away," +put in her sister. "Oh, wouldn't it be too bad +if they did catch this Blackie Crowden and then +found that he had squandered all that money!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>AT THE FESTIVAL</h3> + + +<p>While Dora and her cousins were talking to +Minnie the others had sought out Mr. Sanderson, +who was down in the barn superintending +the stowing away of some grain. The farmer +listened with interest to what they had to tell +him about Blackie Crowden, but shook his head +dolefully.</p> + +<p>"I'm pretty well satisfied that they'll never +get that money back for me now," he announced. +"A fellow of that character would use up cash +about as fast as he could lay hands on it."</p> + +<p>"Well, let us live in hopes," returned Dick, +not knowing what else to say.</p> + +<p>The farmer asked them about their tour, and +said he trusted that they would have a good +time. Then Sam ventured to mention Songbird.</p> + +<p>"Better not talk to me about that young man," +declared Mr. Sanderson, drawing down the corners +of his mouth. "He may mean well enough, +but he's not my kind, and I've told Minnie she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> +had better stop having him call and also stop +writing to him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Sanderson! I think you are doing +our chum an injustice," cried Sam. "It wasn't +his fault that he was robbed of that four thousand +dollars."</p> + +<p>"Humph! That's as how you look at it," +grumbled the farmer. "I've said what I think, +and I'll stick to it." And nothing that the Rovers +could say would alter his decision in this matter.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so sorry for Minnie I really don't +know how to express myself," were Dora's +words, when the party were once more on the +way to the Ashton hotel. "If her father compels +her to give up Songbird it will just about +break her heart."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe she's the one to give up Songbird," +answered Sam. "She isn't that kind of +girl," and he looked at Grace. But her eyes at +that moment were turned in another direction. +He followed the look and saw that she was gazing +at Chester Waltham, who, with his sister, +had driven their car to meet the others.</p> + +<p>"There is one thing about this whole matter +that worries me," said Dick, "and that is that +when they catch this Blackie Crowden—and I +think they'll land on the fellow sooner or later—most +of the money may be gone. There will be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +some satisfaction in placing such a rascal behind +the bars, but that won't give Mr. Sanderson his +cash back nor lift that mortgage."</p> + +<p>"We've just got news and we thought we +would let you know about it," cried Ada Waltham, +as the runabout came to a standstill close +to the other automobiles. "There is to be a grand +festival at Larkinburg this evening, and if it +is not necessary to stay in Ashton to-night we +might as well go to that place and attend the +festival. I received a letter at the Ashton post-office +from two girls who used to go to Hope, +and they are to be at the affair, and they write +that it will be well worth attending."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, let us go to Larkinburg by all +means!" cried Grace. "I know the two girls—Jennie +Cross and Mabel Stanford. The festival +will certainly be well worth while if they say so."</p> + +<p>"Let me see—how many miles is it to Larkinburg?" +questioned Tom.</p> + +<p>"Only sixty, so we can make the run with +ease if we start directly after lunch," answered +Chester Waltham.</p> + +<p>The matter was talked over for a few minutes, +and as a result it was decided to go ahead +and make the town mentioned in ample time to +attend the festival.</p> + +<p>"They are going to have a concert and some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +outdoor tableaux, with refreshments," said +Grace. "Ada was telling me all about it."</p> + +<p>"Well, that will be much better than staying +in Ashton doing nothing," returned Dora. "And, +besides, we must be getting along on our trip. +Dick says we are really a day behind in our +schedule."</p> + +<p>During the stop at the Ashton hotel for lunch, +Chester Waltham had been very attentive to +Grace and had asked her if she did not wish to +change places with his sister on the run to Larkinburg; +but she had declined, offering some +excuse which was far from satisfactory to the +young millionaire.</p> + +<p>"I thought you were going to put in part of +this tour with me," he had said, rather reproachfully. +"Besides, if you will come in with me it +will give Ada a chance to visit with the others."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll ride with you some time," Grace +had answered. "I want Ada to have as good a +time as any of us."</p> + +<p>The long hours spent on the road had proved +rather tiring to Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning, +and when Larkinburg was reached they were glad +enough to rest in a comfortable room which +Dick engaged for them.</p> + +<p>"You young folks can go to the festival," said +Mrs. Stanhope, with a smile. "We are going<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +to stay here and go to bed early;" and so it was +arranged.</p> + +<p>The festival was held in a large grove bordering +a beautiful stream and located some distance +from the center of the town. As soon as our +friends had arrived they had called up the two +former students of Hope, and it had been decided +that these girls, along with their escorts, +should join the others and all should attend the +festival together.</p> + +<p>"We can easily pack the whole crowd in our +three cars," announced Dick.</p> + +<p>"I can't carry any extra people in my runabout," +complained Chester Waltham. "Of +course, one of the fellows might stand on the +running board, but——"</p> + +<p>"We'll take them, don't worry," answered +Sam. "We've got some vacant seats, you know, +and four extra won't count."</p> + +<p>The girls from Hope were a jolly pair and so +were the two young men who accompanied them. +All got in the Rovers' machines, and away they +went, followed closely by the Waltham runabout. +A parking space had been set aside, and there +our friends found themselves surrounded by machines +of all sorts, and a jolly, laughing crowd +numbering several thousands of people.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how pretty!" burst from Grace's lips, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +they strolled toward the place where the concert +and the tableaux were to be given.</p> + +<p>A stage had been constructed among some +trees and bushes with a background of the river, +and here scores of lamps and lanterns twinkled +forth. The seats were placed along a sloping +bank, and soon the whole crowd was gathered +to listen to the opening number of the concert.</p> + +<p>As soon as the machines were parked Chester +Waltham, almost ignoring his sister, had +devoted his attention to Grace, doing this while +Sam was busy talking over some matters with +his brothers. Waltham had walked over to the +seats with Grace beside him, and now he saw +to it that she was placed where he could talk to +her with ease. This, of course, did not particularly +suit Sam, but he was helpless in the matter +and so made the best of it.</p> + +<p>The concert was a fine one and the tableaux, +which were interspersed between the various +musical numbers, were intensely interesting.</p> + +<p>"Certainly well worth attending," was Tom's +comment, when that portion of the festival came +to an end amid a loud clapping of hands.</p> + +<p>"And now for some refreshments," announced +Dick. "Come on, let us hurry or the tables may +all be filled," for some long tables decorated with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +lanterns had been set under the trees at one side +of the grove.</p> + +<p>"My! but it is rather chilly here," was Grace's +comment, when they were moving toward the +tables. "I feel positively cold."</p> + +<p>"Didn't you bring your jacket?" questioned +Sam.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I left it in the auto."</p> + +<p>"I'll go and get it," he returned, and ran off +to procure the garment. He found that more +machines had come in, and it was some little +while before he could locate their automobile +and pick out the jacket.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, Chester Waltham, leaving +his sister with the other girls from Hope, had +gone on with Grace and seated her at one of the +tables, with the others of the party opposite. +There was but one vacant seat left next to Grace, +and this the young millionaire appropriated.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what Sam will do when he gets +here," remarked Grace, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess he'll find a seat somewhere," answered +Chester Waltham, coolly.</p> + +<p>The youngest Rover was rather surprised on +getting back to find every seat filled and the +young millionaire sitting beside the girl who was +so dear to his heart, but he made no comment. +He helped Grace don the jacket, and then stood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +back until there was a vacant seat at a table some +distance away.</p> + +<p>"I think it was rather mean of Chester Waltham +to appropriate that seat," whispered Nellie +to Dora while they were being served.</p> + +<p>"I think so myself, Nellie," was the low reply.</p> + +<p>At last the festival came to an end, and all +those in the crowd prepared to go home.</p> + +<p>"I hope you enjoyed your refreshments," said +Sam, rather coolly, as he came up to Grace's +side.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, I enjoyed them very much," answered +the girl. She looked at him rather pointedly. +"Didn't you think the sandwiches and +cake and other things were very nice?"</p> + +<p>"Nice enough," he grumbled. "Come on, let +us get back to the hotel, I'm as tired as a dog," +and he started to walk away, leaving the others +to follow him.</p> + +<p>His words and the manner in which they were +spoken rather nettled Grace, and she walked +toward the automobiles in silence, with the others +in front and behind her. But Chester Waltham +remained at her side, and as they approached +the machines he caught her by the arm.</p> + +<p>"Say, Grace, come on and take a ride with +me," he half whispered. "It's a beautiful night.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +Come on, you don't want to go back to the hotel +yet."</p> + +<p>"But what about Ada?" she questioned.</p> + +<p>"Oh, she can take your place in one of the +other autos, can't she?"</p> + +<p>"I—I—suppose so," faltered Grace. She +hardly knew how to go on. She did not wish +particularly to take a ride with Waltham, and, +at the same time, she was hurt over the way +Sam had spoken to her.</p> + +<p>"See here, Sis," cried the young millionaire, +"I am going to take Miss Laning back in my +runabout. She says you can take her place with +the Rovers."</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right, Chester," answered the sister. +"Hope you have a nice time of it," she added +to Grace.</p> + +<p>There was a large crowd down among the +automobiles, and our friends had all they could +do in the semi-darkness to get their machines out +on the road in safety.</p> + +<p>"Where is Grace?" demanded Sam, as some +of the others came up to him. He had just +turned on the lights of both cars.</p> + +<p>"She is going to ride back with Chester," +answered Ada Waltham. "You'll have to let me +ride back with you," and she laughed lightly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right. Come ahead," returned the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> +youngest Rover. He spoke as lightly as he could. +He did not wish to let the others know his true +feelings. There was a strange bitterness in his +heart, and for the moment he wished that he +had never come on this tour.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>A CALL FOR ASSISTANCE</h3> + + +<p>Ada Waltham did all she could to make +herself agreeable to Sam and the others, but +the youngest Rover was in no mood for raillery, +and on the way back to Larkinburg had +but little to say.</p> + +<p>Chester Waltham had lost no time in assisting +Grace into his runabout and in getting his car +out of the congestion in the parking space. Then +he put on speed, and soon the pair were whirled +away out of the sight of the others.</p> + +<p>"It's a dandy night for a ride," was Tom's +remark. There was some moonshine, and the +stars glittered clear in the heavens overhead.</p> + +<p>"That is true, Tom," answered his wife, "but +don't you think we had better get back to the hotel +and go to bed? I heard Dick say something +about a long day of it to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Nellie, we'll get back. It wouldn't +be fair to go off and leave mother and Mrs. Stanhope +alone."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span></p> + +<p>When they reached the hotel at Larkinburg +the Rovers expected to find the Waltham runabout +in the garage, and they were consequently +somewhat surprised when they saw no sign of +the machine.</p> + +<p>"We certainly couldn't have passed them on +the road," observed Dick. He turned to his +youngest brother. "You didn't see them, did +you?"</p> + +<p>"No. They went on ahead," answered Sam, +shortly; and his manner of speech showed that +he was thoroughly out of sorts.</p> + +<p>Having placed the touring cars in the care of +the garage keeper, the Rovers joined the others +on the piazza of the hotel. Then Dora slipped +upstairs to see if her mother and Mrs. Laning +were all right. She found both of them sleeping +soundly, and did not disturb them.</p> + +<p>Sam could not content himself with sitting +down, and so lounged around in one place and +another, and finally said he would go inside and +write a letter to the folks at home. He was still +writing when Tom came in to join him.</p> + +<p>"Sam, did Chester Waltham say anything +about where he was going to take Grace?" asked +Tom, as he sat down beside his brother.</p> + +<p>"No, he didn't say a word to me," was the +short reply, and Sam went on writing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Did Grace say anything?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>Tom said nothing for a moment, drumming +his fingers on the writing table. At last he heaved +something of a sigh.</p> + +<p>"Seems to me if they were going on a long +ride they might have said something to us about +it," he observed. "Nellie is rather worried."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess they've got a right to take a +ride if they want to," came rather crossly from +Sam. He finished his letter with a flourish, +folded it, and rammed it into an envelope which +he quickly addressed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course, but——" Tom did not finish, +and as Sam, after stamping his letter, arose, he +did the same. "I wonder if we had better stay +up for them."</p> + +<p>"I think I'll go to bed."</p> + +<p>"Sam!" and Tom looked sharply at his +younger brother.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's the use of staying up?"</p> + +<p>"A whole lot of use, Sam Rover, and you +know it. If I were you I wouldn't let Chester +Waltham ride over me."</p> + +<p>"Who says I am letting him ride over me?" +retorted Sam; and now his manner showed that +he was quite angry.</p> + +<p>"I say so," answered Tom, bluntly. "If you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> +have got half the sand in you that I always +thought you had, you wouldn't stand for it. All +of us know how matters were going on between +you and Grace. Now to let this fellow step in, +even if he is a young millionaire, is downright +foolish. If you really care for Grace it's up to +you to go in and take her."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but suppose that she cares for Waltham +and his money more than she cares for me?" +asked Sam, hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"Do you think Grace is the kind of a girl to +be caught by money, Sam?" and now, as the two +were in a deserted part of the hallway, Tom +took his brother by both arms and held him +firmly.</p> + +<p>"N—no, I—I can't say that exactly," faltered +Sam. "But just the same, why does she favor +him at all?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe it's because you haven't been as outspoken +as you ought to be. It's one thing for +a girl to know what you think of her, but just +the same the average girl wants you to tell her +so in plain words. Now, it may not be any of +my business, but you know that I want you to +be happy, and that I am unusually interested because +of Nellie. It seems to me if I were you +I'd go to Grace the first chance I had and have +a clear understanding."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I—I can't go to her now. She's out with +Waltham," stammered Sam.</p> + +<p>"Then hang around until they get back and +see to it that you have a chance to talk with +her before she goes to her room," returned Tom; +and then, as some other people came up, the +conversation had to come to an end.</p> + +<p>A half hour passed and Ada Waltham excused +herself. "Chester and Grace must be having +a fine ride," she observed on retiring, "otherwise +they would have returned by this time."</p> + +<p>"Maybe they had a breakdown," observed +Dick. "I've been told that some of the roads +around here are far from good."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't say that!" cried the girl. "Chester +hates to have to make any repairs when he is +alone. Time and again he has run to a garage +on a flat tire rather than put another one on +himself."</p> + +<p>Another half hour dragged by, and now Dora +turned to whisper to Dick.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think we had better retire?" she +asked. "I never supposed Grace was going to +stay out as late as this."</p> + +<p>"No, we'll stay up," he answered. "Nellie +has told Tom that she isn't going to bed until +her sister gets back, so it won't do for us to +leave them here on the piazza alone."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mr. Rover! Telephone call for Mr. Rover!" +came the announcement from a bellboy, as he +appeared upon the piazza.</p> + +<p>"Which Mr. Rover?" demanded Sam, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"The party said any of 'em would do," answered +the bellboy.</p> + +<p>"I'll go," said Sam, eagerly, before either of +his brothers or their wives could speak.</p> + +<p>"All right, Sam. I'll follow in case you want +me or any of the others," answered Tom.</p> + +<p>The telephone booths were located in the lobby +of the hotel, and Sam was quickly shown to one +of them. While he talked Tom stood by, but +caught only a few words of what was said.</p> + +<p>"Hello!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, is this you, Sam?" came over the wire in +Grace's voice. "I'm so glad! I have been trying +to get somebody for the last ten minutes but +they couldn't give me the hotel connection."</p> + +<p>"Where are you?" questioned the youth. "Has +anything happened?" for the tone of the girl's +voice indicated that she was very much agitated.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam! I want you or some of the others +to come and get me," cried Grace. "The runabout +has broken down, and I don't think Mr. +Waltham can fix it. And we are miles and miles +away from Larkinburg!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A breakdown, eh? Why, sure, I'll come and +get you, Grace. Where are you?"</p> + +<p>"I am at a farmhouse on the road between +Dennville and Corbytown—the Akerson place. +If you come, take the road to Dennville and then +drive toward Corbytown. We'll hang a lantern +on the stepping block, so you will know where +to stop."</p> + +<p>"All right, Grace, I'll be there just as soon as +I can make it," answered Sam; and then he added +quickly: "You weren't hurt when the breakdown +happened, were you?"</p> + +<p>"Not very much, although I was a good deal +shaken up. Mr. Waltham had his face and his +hand scraped by the broken wind-shield."</p> + +<p>"Well, you take good care of yourself, and +I'll start right away," returned the youngest Rover, +and after a few words more hung up the +receiver.</p> + +<p>It did not take Sam long to acquaint the others +with what had occurred, and then he ran down +to the hotel garage to get out one of the touring +cars.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think I had better go along?" +asked Tom. "Chester Waltham may be in a fix +and need assistance. And, besides, they may both +be more hurt than Grace said."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess you'd better come," answered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +his brother. And soon, having received directions +from the garage keeper as to how to get +to Dennville, the pair were on the way.</p> + +<p>"How did Grace seem to be when you spoke +to her?" questioned Tom, as Sam ran the car +as rapidly as the semi-darkness of the night permitted.</p> + +<p>"She seemed to be all unstrung," was Sam's +thoughtful reply.</p> + +<p>"Then the accident may have been worse than +she admitted, Sam."</p> + +<p>"I hope not, but we'll soon see." And then, as +a straight stretch of fairly good road appeared +before them, Sam turned on the power and the +touring car sped onward faster than ever.</p> + +<p>Inside of half an hour they reached Dennville, +a sleepy little town, located in the midst of +a number of hills. All the houses were dark +and the stores closed up, and not a soul was +in sight. They ran into the tiny public square +and there found several signboards.</p> + +<p>"Here we are!" cried Sam. "Corbytown four +miles this way," and he pointed with his hand.</p> + +<p>"We'll look at the other signboards first to +see whether there is another road," answered his +brother. But there was only the one, and so +Sam turned the touring car into this, and they +sped forward once more, but now at a reduced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +rate of speed, for the road was decidedly hilly +and far from good.</p> + +<p>"What possessed Waltham to take such a road +as this," remarked Tom, after they had passed +a particularly bad spot.</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me!" was the reply. "It's no wonder +he had a breakdown if he took this road on +high speed."</p> + +<p>They were going up a long hill. At the top +a large and well-kept farm spread out, and, beyond, +the hill dropped away on a road that was +worse than ever.</p> + +<p>"Hello! there's a light!" cried Tom, as they +approached the house belonging to the farm.</p> + +<p>"I see it," answered his brother; and in a few +seconds more they ran up to the horse-block and +brought the touring car to a standstill, Sam, at +the same time, sounding the horn.</p> + +<p>But the summons was unnecessary, for their +approach had been eagerly looked for by Grace, +and hardly had the machine come to a standstill +when she flew out of the farmhouse to meet +them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so glad you've come!" she burst out. +"If you hadn't, I don't know what I should have +done!" She was somewhat hysterical and on +the verge of tears.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure that you're not hurt, Grace?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> +asked Sam, quickly; and as he spoke he caught +her by one hand and placed an arm on her shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I—I don't think I am hurt, Sam," she faltered, +and then looked rather tearfully into his +face. "But it was an awful experience—awful!" +and then as he drew a little closer she suddenly +burst into a fit of weeping and rested her head +on his shoulder.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>SAM FREES HIS MIND</h3> + + +<p>In spite of his fun-loving disposition, Tom +Rover was a very wise young man, so as soon +as he saw Grace resting on his brother's shoulder +he promptly turned away, to interview the +farmer and his wife who lived in the farmhouse +and who had answered the girl's knock on their +door.</p> + +<p>"I can't tell much about the accident," said +Mr. Akerson. "Me and my wife were just goin' +to bed when the young lady knocked on the door +and begged us to take her in, and then asked if +we had a telephone. She said she had been in +an automobile breakdown, but she didn't give us +many particulars, except to say that she thought +the front axle of the machine was broken."</p> + +<p>"Well, a broken axle is bad enough," was +Tom's prompt comment. "They are lucky that +no necks were broken."</p> + +<p>"The poor girl was dreadfully shook up," put +in Mrs. Akerson. "She just went on somethin'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +terrible. I had all I could do to quiet her at +first."</p> + +<p>"Didn't the young man come here with her?" +questioned Tom.</p> + +<p>"No. She said she had left him down on +the road with the machine. She said he was all +worked up over the accident."</p> + +<p>"I should think he would be," returned Tom, +and said no more on the subject. Yet he thought +it very strange that Chester Waltham had not +accompanied Grace to the farmhouse and thus +made certain that help was summoned.</p> + +<p>Tom and his brother had entered the sitting-room +of the farmhouse. Next to it was a lit-up +dining-room and to this Sam and Grace had +walked, the latter between her sobs telling of +what had happened.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam, it was dreadful!" cried Grace. +"Mr. Waltham was so reckless. I couldn't understand +him at all. When I said I would ride +with him I supposed we were going right back +to the hotel. But on the way he said it was too +fine a night to go in yet, and begged me to go +a little farther, and so finally I consented. Then +he drove the car on and on, ever so many miles, +until we reached Dennville."</p> + +<p>"But if you didn't want to go that far, Grace, +why didn't you tell him?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I did—several times. But he wouldn't listen +to me. Of course, I didn't want to act rude, +and when I told him to turn back he only laughed +at me. Then, when we got to Dennville, and I +told him that I positively would not go any farther, +he said, 'Oh, yes, you will. We are going +to have a good, long ride. I am going to make +you pay up in full for not riding with me +before.'"</p> + +<p>"The mean fellow!" murmured Sam. "I'd +like to punch him for that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but, Sam! that wasn't the worst of it," +went on the girl; and now she blushed painfully +and hung her head. "Then he started up on this +side road and he ran the car as fast as ever. +I was dreadfully scared, but he only laughed and +told me to enjoy myself, and when the car +bumped over some stones, and I was thrown +against him, he put his arm around me and—and +he did his best to kiss me!"</p> + +<p>"What!"</p> + +<p>"But I didn't allow it. I pushed him away, +and when he laughed at me I told him that if +he tried it again I would box his ears. Then, +just after we had passed this place, he reached +over and caught hold of me and tried to pull me +toward him. Then I boxed him, just as I had +said I would. That made him furious, and he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> +put on a burst of speed, and the next minute +there was a terrible bump and a crash, and both +of us were almost thrown out of the car. The +wind-shield was broken and also, I think, the +front axle, and he was scratched in several places. +Oh, it was awful!" And again Grace hid her +face on Sam's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Well, it served him right if he got hurt and +if his runabout was ruined," was the youth's +comment. He drew Grace closer to him than +ever. "Then you didn't really care for him?" +he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam, Sam! how can you ask such a question?" +she murmured.</p> + +<p>"Because I didn't know. I thought—— You +see, he—he is a millionaire, and——"</p> + +<p>"Why, Sam Rover! do you think that money +would make any difference to me?" and now she +raised her face to look him full in the eyes.</p> + +<p>"I am mighty glad to know it hasn't made any +difference," he returned quickly; and then caught +and held her tight once more.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you young men are goin' back to +help the fellow with his busted machine," remarked +Mr. Akerson to Tom.</p> + +<p>"I—I suppose so," returned Tom, slowly, and +then looked toward Sam and Grace.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't want to go back!" cried the girl,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> +quickly. "I want to return to the hotel in Larkinburg."</p> + +<p>"All right, I'll take you back, Grace," answered +Sam. "If you say so, we'll leave Waltham +right where he is."</p> + +<p>"I think it would be the right thing to do, +Sam, under ordinary circumstances," was the reply. +"But then we mustn't forget about Ada. +She will be greatly worried if I come back +and let her know that we left her brother out +here on the open road with a broken machine."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what we'll do, Grace. You stay +here and Tom and I will go down and see what +Waltham has got to say for himself." He turned +to the people of the house. "She can stay here +a little longer, can't she? We'll make it all +right with you."</p> + +<p>"Certainly she can stay," answered Mr. Akerson. +"And there won't be anything to pay outside +of the telephone toll, and that's only twenty +cents."</p> + +<p>"Please don't stay too long," implored Grace, +as the two Rovers hurried away.</p> + +<p>"Not a minute longer than is necessary," returned +Sam.</p> + +<p>On the way down the hill to where the accident +had occurred Sam gave his brother the particulars<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> +of the affair, not mincing matters so +far as it concerned Chester Waltham.</p> + +<p>"I was thinking that that was about the way +it would turn out," was Tom's dry comment. +"With so much money, Waltham thinks he can +do about as he pleases. I reckon now, Sam, you +are sorry you didn't talk to Grace before."</p> + +<p>"I sure am, Tom!" was the reply, and Sam's +tones showed what a weight had been taken from +his heart. "I'm going to fix it up with Grace +before another twenty-four hours pass."</p> + +<p>"That's the way to talk, boy! Go to it! I +wish you every success!" and Tom clapped his +brother on the shoulder affectionately.</p> + +<p>Even though all the lights were out, it did not +take the two Rovers long to locate the disabled +runabout, which rested among some stones on the +side of the highway. As Grace had stated, the +wind-shield was a mass of smashed glass, and +the front axle had broken close to the left +wheel.</p> + +<p>"They can certainly be thankful they didn't +break their necks," was Tom's comment, as he +walked around the wreck.</p> + +<p>"Waltham doesn't seem to be anywhere around +here," returned Sam. "Wonder where he went +to?"</p> + +<p>Both looked up and down the highway, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> +presently saw a figure approaching from down +the road. It proved to be Chester Waltham. +He was capless and walked with a limp.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Who are you?" challenged the young +millionaire, and then as he drew closer he added: +"Oh, the Rovers, eh? Did Grace get you on the +'phone?"</p> + +<p>"She did," answered Sam, and then added +sharply: "You've made a nice mess of it here, +haven't you?"</p> + +<p>"Say, I don't want any such talk from you," +blustered the rich young man. Evidently he +was in far from a good humor.</p> + +<p>"I'll say what I please, Waltham, without asking +your permission," continued the youngest Rover. +"You had no right to bring Miss Laning +away out here against her wishes. It was a contemptible +thing to do."</p> + +<p>"You talk as if you were my master," retorted +Chester Waltham. "This isn't any of your affair +and you keep out of it."</p> + +<p>"We are perfectly willing to keep out of it +if you say so, Waltham," broke in Tom. "We +came down here merely to see if we could help +you in any way. But I see your front axle is +broken, and you will have to get the garage people +to help you out with that."</p> + +<p>"Where's Grace?" asked the young millionaire.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> +The subject of the broken-down runabout +did not seem to interest him.</p> + +<p>"She is up at the farmhouse on the hill," answered +Tom.</p> + +<p>"And we are going to take her back to the +Larkinburg hotel in our auto," added Sam.</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right, then, go ahead and do it."</p> + +<p>"Do you want to ride with us?" questioned +Tom.</p> + +<p>"I don't know that I do. I'll stay here and +take care of my runabout. If you'll tell my sister +that I'm all right, that is all I want."</p> + +<p>"Very well, just as you say," answered Tom. +He took his brother by the arm. "Come on, +Sam, there is no use of wasting time here."</p> + +<p>"I'll be with you in a minute, Tom," was the +younger brother's reply. "You go on ahead, I +want to say just a few words more to Waltham."</p> + +<p>"No use of your getting into a fight, Sam," +returned Tom in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"There won't be any fight unless he starts it."</p> + +<p>Tom walked slowly up the road, and Sam +turned back to where Chester Waltham had settled +himself on the mud-guard of the broken-down +runabout.</p> + +<p>"See here, Waltham, I want to say a few +words more to you," began Sam, and his tone +of voice was such that the young millionaire<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> +leaped at once to his feet. "I want to warn you +about how you treat Miss Laning in the future."</p> + +<p>"To warn me!" repeated Chester Waltham, +not knowing what else to say.</p> + +<p>"Exactly! Up at the farmhouse she told me +all of what took place between you. She was +all unstrung and quite hysterical. Now this won't +do at all, and I want you to know it. After this +if you are going to travel with us you've got to +act the gentleman and treat her like a lady."</p> + +<p>"Humph!"</p> + +<p>"No 'humph' about it. I mean just what I +say. If you don't behave yourself and don't +treat her like a lady I'll—I'll——"</p> + +<p>"Well, what will you do?" sneered Chester +Waltham.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what I'll do," and now Sam shook +his finger in the young millionaire's face. "I'll +give you the soundest thrashing you ever had +in your life!"</p> + +<p>"Ah! do you mean to threaten me?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly do."</p> + +<p>"When it comes to a thrashing, maybe two +can play at that game," observed the young millionaire; +but it was plainly to be seen that Sam's +decided stand had disconcerted him.</p> + +<p>"All right, Waltham, I'll be ready for you. +But remember what I said. We came out here<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +to have a good time, and I am not going to allow +you to spoil it for Miss Laning or for anybody +else."</p> + +<p>"Humph! you make me tired," sneered the +rich young man. "Go on, I don't want to be +bothered with you any longer. The whole bunch +of you is too namby-pamby for me. I think my +sister and I could have a much better time if +we weren't with you."</p> + +<p>"As far as you personally are concerned, you +can't leave us any too quickly to suit me," returned +Sam.</p> + +<p>"Is that so? Well, I guess you can call it off +then so far as my sister and I are concerned. +But if you think, Rover, that you have seen the +last of this affair you are mistaken," went on +the young millionaire, pointedly. "You think you +are going to run things to suit yourself, don't +you? Well, I'll put a spoke in your wheel—a +spoke that you never dreamed of! You just +wait and see!" and then Chester Waltham turned +back and sat down once more on his wrecked +runabout, leaving Sam to walk up the road to +rejoin Tom in a very thoughtful mood.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h3>A TELEGRAM FROM NEW YORK</h3> + + +<p>It was not until the small hours of the morning +that the two Rovers and Grace returned to +the hotel in Larkinburg. They found Dick and +his wife and Nellie anxiously awaiting their return.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I am so glad that you weren't hurt," +cried Nellie, as she embraced her sister. "I was +so worried," and she hugged her again and again.</p> + +<p>"You can rest assured, Nellie, that I'll never go +out with Chester Waltham again! Never!" cried +Grace. "Come on, I am going to my room. +Good-night, everybody," she called back, and in +another moment had retired from their view, followed +by her sister.</p> + +<p>"Why, Sam! what does it mean?" cried Dora, +as she looked on in bewilderment.</p> + +<p>"It means that Chester Waltham ought to have +had a good thrashing," declared the youngest +Rover; and then he and Tom told of what had +occurred.</p> + +<p>"I guess it will be a good job done if we part<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> +company with the Walthams," remarked Dick, +after the subject had been discussed for some +time. "He is not of our class, even if he has +money."</p> + +<p>"I feel rather sorry for his sister," added +Dora. "Although once in a while she shows the +same haughtiness of manner that Chester displays. +It's too bad, too, for they might be really +nice company."</p> + +<p>With so much excitement going on, it was +small wonder that the Rover party did not come +downstairs that morning until quite late. Sam +was the first to show himself, he being anxious +to know how Grace had fared.</p> + +<p>"Here is a letter for your brother, Mr. Rover," +said the clerk at the desk, when Sam approached +him. "It was left here by that Mr. +Waltham."</p> + +<p>"Hand it over," returned the youth, and then +added: "Did Mr. Waltham bring his wrecked +runabout to the garage here?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, he just came here, got his sister, paid +his bill, and went off."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see." Sam could not help but show +his surprise. "I'll take this letter to my brother," +he added, and hurried off.</p> + +<p>The communication was a short one, yet the +Rovers and the others read it with interest. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> +it Chester Waltham said that in consideration of +the way he had been treated by some members +of the party he considered it advisable for his +sister and himself to continue their tour separately. +He added that he trusted Miss Laning +did not feel any ill effects because of the breakdown +on the road.</p> + +<p>"And just to think that Ada went off without +saying good-bye!" cried Grace, when she saw the +letter. "I didn't think she would be quite so +mean as that."</p> + +<p>"Probably she took her brother's part. She +usually did," returned her sister. "Well, I think +we are well rid of them."</p> + +<p>"So do I," put in Tom. "Personally I don't +care if we never see them again."</p> + +<p>"He said he was going to put a spoke in our +wheel," mused Sam. "I wonder if he'll dare +to do anything to harm us?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's likely he was talking through his +hat," returned Dick; but for once the oldest Rover +was mistaken.</p> + +<p>Now that our friends were by themselves there +seemed to be a general air of relief. The only +one of the party who was rather quiet was Grace, +but Sam did everything he could to make it pleasant +for her, and before nightfall she was as jolly +as ever.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p> + +<p>The run during that day was through a particularly +beautiful section of the country, and +about one o'clock they stopped in a grove and +partook of a lunch which had been put up for +them at the Larkinburg hotel. Then they moved +forward once again, with Dick and Tom at the +steering wheels of the cars.</p> + +<p>"Still seventy-three miles to go if we want +to make Etoria to-day," announced Dick, after +consulting the guide book. "I'm afraid that will +be quite a ride for you ladies," he added, turning +to Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, let us go on to Etoria by all means," +pleaded Sam.</p> + +<p>"Any particular reason for going to that city?" +asked Tom, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've got a reason, but I'm not going +to tell you," returned his younger brother. And +then, as both Dick and Tom looked at him questioningly, +he blushed and turned away.</p> + +<p>"Oh, go ahead. I think I can stand it," said +Mrs. Stanhope, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I am getting used to traveling," declared +Mrs. Laning. "It's much more comfortable than +I at first supposed it would be."</p> + +<p>Nightfall found them still ten miles from Etoria +and Dick asked the others if they wished to +stop anywhere along the way for supper. All<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> +declared, however, that they would rather keep +on until the city was reached.</p> + +<p>"They tell me that they have got a dandy hotel +there—something new," said Sam. "We +ought to get first-class accommodations there."</p> + +<p>Etoria was a city of some fifty thousand inhabitants, +with a long main street brightly lighted +up. The new hotel was opposite a beautiful +public park, an ideal location. Sam seemed to +be in unusual haste to finish his supper, and immediately +it was over he asked Grace if she would +not take a walk with him.</p> + +<p>"We are going to do up the town, so don't +worry if we get back a little late," he told Mrs. +Laning, and then whispered something in her ear +which made her smile and gaze at him fondly.</p> + +<p>They pursued their way along the main street +of the town, and while doing so the youngest Rover +kept his eyes on the various shops that were +passed. At last they came to a large jewelry +establishment and here he brought the girl to a +halt.</p> + +<p>"It's open!" he cried. "That's what I call +luck! I was afraid they would all be closed."</p> + +<p>Grace looked at the store, and at the display +of jewelry in the window, and then looked at +Sam.</p> + +<p>"I guess you know what it's going to be,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +Grace," he said rather tenderly, and looked her +full in the eyes. "I want you to have just as +good a one as Dora or Nellie."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam! I—I don't understand," she stammered.</p> + +<p>"It's an engagement ring. We are going in +here and see what sort of rings this man has +got. It looks like a reliable place."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam!" and now, blushing deeply, Grace +clung to his arm. "An engagement ring?"</p> + +<p>"Sure! You ought to have had it long ago, +then maybe we wouldn't have had any trouble."</p> + +<p>"There wasn't any trouble, Sam—at least, I +didn't make any trouble," she repeated; and +then, as he caught her arm and dragged her into +the shop, she murmured: "Oh, I—I feel so funny +to go into a store for a thing like that! Don't +you think I had better wait outside?"</p> + +<p>"You can if you want to, after the jeweler has +measured your finger, Grace. But what's the +use of being so backward? As soon as we get +back home you are going to be Mrs. Sam Rover, +so you might as well get used to such things first +as last."</p> + +<p>Fortunately for the young couple it was a very +elderly man—quite fatherly in appearance—who +came to wait on them.</p> + +<p>"A diamond ring?" he queried. "Why, certainly,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> +I'll be pleased to show everything we +have;" and then he measured Grace's finger, and +brought forth several trays of glittering gems.</p> + +<p>Grace would have been satisfied with almost +any of the rings, but Sam was rather critical and +insisted upon obtaining a beautiful blue-white +diamond which was almost the counterpart of the +stone Dick had bestowed upon Dora.</p> + +<p>"Now you've got to promise to have this engraved +by eight o'clock to-morrow morning," +said the youngest Rover to the jeweler. "We +are on an automobile tour and we can't wait +any longer than that." And thereupon the shopkeeper +promised that the order should be duly +filled.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam, how extravagant you are!" murmured +Grace, when the pair were returning to +the hotel. "Why, that ring cost a dreadful lot +of money." Her eyes were shining like stars.</p> + +<p>"It isn't a bit too good for such a girl as you," +he declared stoutly, and then gave her hand a +squeeze that meant a great deal.</p> + +<p>When they left Etoria the next morning Sam +had the engagement ring tucked safely away in +his pocket. He had confided in Dick, and the +oldest Rover managed it so that that noon they +stopped at a large country hotel and obtained the +use of a private dining-room. This, Sam had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> +decorated with flowers, and just before the meal +commenced he slipped the engagement ring upon +Grace's finger.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam! Oh, Grace!" shrieked Nellie when +she saw the sparkling circlet on her sister's +finger.</p> + +<p>"Oh! so that's what's going on, is it?" cried +Dora, joyfully. "Grace, allow me to congratulate +you," and then she kissed the girl and immediately +afterward kissed Sam. Numerous other +kisses and handshakes followed, and for the time +being Sam and Grace were the happiest young +people in the world.</p> + +<p>"Let us send telegrams home, announcing the +affair," suggested the youngest Rover, after the +meal was at an end. "I know dad, as well as +Aunt Martha and Uncle Randolph, will be glad +to hear of it."</p> + +<p>The telegrams were quickly prepared and sent +off. In the messages Sam notified those at home +where the touring party would be for the next +ten days.</p> + +<p>After that several days slipped by quickly. +The tourists had covered a good many miles +and were now approaching the Mississippi +River. The weather had been ideal, and not a +single puncture or blowout had come to cause +them trouble. Sam and Grace were much together,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> +and, as the youngest Rover declared, +"were having the time of their lives."</p> + +<p>"It's queer I don't get more word from New +York," remarked Dick one evening, when they +had reached a city which I shall call Pemberton. +"Dad acknowledged that telegram of Sam's, but +he didn't say a word about that Lansing deal or +anything about the Bruno bonds."</p> + +<p>"Well, let us hope that no news is good news," +returned Tom. "Anyway, I'm not going to +worry until I know there is something to worry +about."</p> + +<p>That evening came word from Valley Brook, +stating that everything was going along well at +the farm and that Mr. Anderson Rover was confining +himself closely to business in New York.</p> + +<p>The Mississippi was crossed, and then the tourists +headed in the direction of Colorado Springs. +It was their intention to make the Springs the +turning point of the trip, with a side trip by the +cog railway to Pike's Peak. They would return +by the way of Denver. Some days later found +them in Topeka, where they had decided to rest +up for a day or two. During that time only one +short telegram had come from Mr. Anderson +Rover, stating that the Bruno bonds had been +sold at a fair profit, but that the Lansing deal was +still uncertain.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We stand to win or lose quite a lot of money +on that Lansing deal," Dick explained to Sam. +"It's rather a peculiar affair. The whole thing +is being engineered by a Wall Street syndicate."</p> + +<p>On the morning of the second day in Topeka, +when Sam and Grace and some of the others +had gone shopping, Dick heard one of the bellboys +call his name.</p> + +<p>"Telegram," he said to Tom. "I hope this is +from dad and that it contains good news."</p> + +<p>The telegram proved to be what is known as +a Night Letter, and its contents caused the two +Rovers much astonishment. The communication +ran as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Have been following up the Lansing deal +closely. Affairs are getting rather clouded and I +am afraid we may lose out. A new opposition +has appeared, a combination headed by your former +friend, Waltham. He is still in the West +but his agents are working against us. He has +also bought controlling interest in the Haverford +deal. Evidently means to hit us as hard as +possible. Will know more in a day or two and +will let you know at once of any change in affairs.</p> + +<div style="text-align: right;"> +"<span class="smcap">Anderson Rover.</span>"</div></blockquote> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<h3>CLOUDBURST AND FLOOD</h3> + + +<p>"I see it!" cried Tom. "That's the spoke Chester +Waltham told Sam he would put in our +wheel."</p> + +<p>"I guess you are right," returned his older +brother. "Evidently Waltham is a meaner fellow +than I took him to be. Just because Grace would +not put up with his ungentlemanly attentions he +evidently is going to do what he can to make +trouble for us."</p> + +<p>"I don't understand what dad means by the +Haverford deal," went on Tom, as he studied the +telegram. "I thought that deal was closed long +ago."</p> + +<p>"They thought of closing it, Tom, but at the +last moment something went wrong and the men +who were going into the matter withdrew. That +put a large part of the burden on our shoulders. +We have at least forty thousand dollars invested +in it. Now, if Waltham has bought a controlling +interest, as dad says, he will be able to swing it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span> +any way he pleases, just as he may be able to +swing the Lansing deal, too."</p> + +<p>"How much money have we got locked up in +that? The last I heard it was only about eight +thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"When I left, dad said he expected to put in +another twelve thousand, which would make a +total of twenty thousand dollars, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Phew! Then that makes a grand total of +sixty thousand dollars in the two deals. Chester +Waltham must have a lot of loose money, if +he can jump into deals as big as those are at a +moment's notice."</p> + +<p>"Oh, a young millionaire like Waltham can get +hold of cash whenever he wants it," answered +Dick. He ran his hand through his hair thoughtfully. +"This looks bad to me. Perhaps I had +better take a train back to New York without +delay."</p> + +<p>"Oh, if you did that it would spoil the trip for +Dora," protested his brother.</p> + +<p>"It's better to spoil the trip than to let Chester +Waltham get the better of us."</p> + +<p>"Why not send a telegram asking if it will do +any good for you to come home?" questioned +Tom. And after a little discussion Dick decided +to do this, and the telegram was sent without +delay. A few hours later word came back that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> +if Dick was needed his father would send for him.</p> + +<p>The stay in Topeka was extended to the best +part of a week, for that night a furious rainstorm +set in which lasted two days. The downpour was +unusually heavy, and as a consequence many of +the outlying roads became well-nigh impassable.</p> + +<p>During the last day of the storm Sam received +a long letter from Songbird in which the would-be +poet told of how he was working to make his +way in the world and also earn some money that +he might pay back the amount lost by Mr. Sanderson. +He added that so far the authorities had +been unable to find any further trace of Blackie +Crowden.</p> + +<p>"It's too bad!" was Sam's comment, after he +had read this communication. "Poor Songbird! +I suppose he feels as bad as ever over the loss of +that money."</p> + +<p>At last the sun once more broke through the +clouds and the journey of the tourists was resumed. +Close to the city the roads were in fairly +good condition, but farther out they soon found +evidences of the tremendous downpour of the +days before. Deep gullies had been cut here +and there, and occasionally they came across +washed-out trees and brushwood.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to take it a bit slowly, especially +after dark," remarked Dick.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span></p> + +<p>When they passed over some of the rivers they +found the rushing waters reached almost to the +flooring of the bridges; and on the second day +out they found one bridge swept completely away, +so that they had to make a detour of many miles +to gain another crossing.</p> + +<p>"What a tremendous loss to some of these +farmers," remarked Mrs. Laning, as they rolled +past numerous cornfields where the stalks had +been swept down and covered with mud. "I am +glad to say we never had anything like this at +Cedarville."</p> + +<p>"And we never had anything like it at Valley +Brook either," returned Dick. "This is the +worst washout I ever saw."</p> + +<p>At noon they stopped at a small town for dinner +and there they heard numerous reports concerning +the storm. In one place it had taken away +a barn and a cowshed and in another it had +undermined the foundations of several houses.</p> + +<p>"The water up to Hickyville was three feet +deep in the street," said one man at the hotel. +"The folks had to rescue people by boats and +rafts. One man had four cows drowned, and up +at Ganey Point a man lost all his pigs and two +horses."</p> + +<p>The party had scarcely left that town when it +began to rain again. The downpour, however,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span> +was for a time so light that they did not think it +worth while to stop or to turn back.</p> + +<p>"We'll put the tops up," said Tom, "and maybe +in a little while the clouds will blow away."</p> + +<p>But Tom's hopes were doomed to disappointment. +The downpour was comparatively light for +about an hour, but then, just as they were passing +through a patch of timber, it suddenly came on +with great fury.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" burst out Sam, as a gust of +wind drove the rain under the automobile tops. +"We'll have to put down the side curtains."</p> + +<p>"Right you are!" answered Dick; and then the +machines were halted and all the curtains were +lowered and fastened. But even this did not +protect them entirely, for the wind drove the rain +in between the numerous cracks of the covering.</p> + +<p>"How many miles to the next stopping place?" +queried Nellie.</p> + +<p>"About thirty," answered Tom. "That is, if +we go as far as we calculated to when we left this +morning."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't see how we are going to make +thirty miles more in such a storm as this!" cried +her sister.</p> + +<p>"We'll be lucky to make any kind of stopping +place," announced Dick, grimly. "Just listen to +that!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was a wild roaring of wind outside, and +then came a flash of lightning followed by a deafening +clap of thunder.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Oh!" came in a shriek from the girls; +and involuntarily they placed their hands to their +ears.</p> + +<p>"Richard, do you think it is safe to stay under +the trees in such a storm as this?" questioned +Mrs. Stanhope, fearfully.</p> + +<p>Before Dick could reply to this question there +came more lightning and thunder, and then a +crash in the woods as a big tree was laid low.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! Listen!" cried Nellie. "Suppose +one of the trees should come down on the autos!"</p> + +<p>"That is what I was afraid of," added her +mother. "I think we had better get out of here."</p> + +<p>"All right, if you say so," answered Dick. "I +was only thinking about the awful wind. It's +going to hit us pretty hard when we get out on +the open road."</p> + +<p>The automobiles had drawn up side by side, so +that those in one machine could converse with +those in the other. Now Dick started up one +of the touring cars and was followed a minute +later by Tom, at the wheel of the other automobile.</p> + +<p>Once in the open air, those in the machines realized +how furiously the wind was blowing and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span> +how heavily the rain was descending. The automobiles +fairly shook and shivered in the blasts, +and despite their efforts to keep themselves dry +all those in the automobiles were speedily +drenched. The downpour was so heavy that the +landscape on all sides was completely blotted out.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dick! what in the world shall we do?" +gasped Dora, and it was plainly to be seen that +she was badly frightened.</p> + +<p>"I'd turn in somewhere if I only knew where," +answered her husband, trying his best to peer +through the rain-spattered wind-shield. "I don't +see anything like a house anywhere around, do +you?"</p> + +<p>"No, I can't see a thing."</p> + +<p>Dick was running along cautiously, and now, +of a sudden, he put on the brakes. Just ahead of +him had appeared a flood of water, and how deep +it was there was no telling.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" cried Mrs. Stanhope, when the automobile +had come to a standstill. "Did I hear +somebody calling?"</p> + +<p>Scarcely had she spoken when there came another +vivid flash of lightning followed by more +thunder, and then a downpour heavier than ever. +As the lightning flashed out Dick was surprised +to see a girl splashing through the water on the +road and running toward them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Look! Look!" he ejaculated. "Unless I am +mistaken it's Ada Waltham!"</p> + +<p>"It is! It is!" exclaimed Dora. "What in the +world is she doing out alone in such a downpour +as this!"</p> + +<p>As the girl on the road came closer to the touring +car Dick threw up one of the curtains, opened +the door, and sprang out to meet her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Rover!" gasped Ada Waltham, "is +it really you? How fortunate! Won't you please +help me?"</p> + +<p>"What's wrong?" he demanded quickly.</p> + +<p>"Chester! He's lost!"</p> + +<p>"Lost! Where?"</p> + +<p>"He tried to cross the river yonder in the +storm, and the bridge broke and let the automobile +down. I managed to save myself and jumped +ashore, but he was carried off by the torrent." +The rich girl clasped her hands nervously. "Oh, +please save him, Mr. Rover! Please do!"</p> + +<p>By this time the second automobile had come +up, and Dick waved to Tom to stop. Seeing that +something was wrong, Tom quickly alighted, +followed by Sam.</p> + +<p>"What's wrong?" came from both of the new +arrivals, as they gazed at Ada Waltham in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Miss Waltham says her brother is lost—that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span> +he has been carried off in the flood of yonder +river," answered Dick.</p> + +<p>"Oh, please hurry!" burst out the girl eagerly. +"Please hurry, or it will be too late! I don't think +Chester can swim."</p> + +<p>"All right, we'll tell the others where we are +going and then we'll do what we can," answered +Dick. "But if that flood is very strong we may +have——"</p> + +<p>Dick was unable to finish his speech. Just then +there came more lightning followed by a deafening +crash of thunder. Then the very heavens +seemed to open, to let down a torrent of water +which seemed to fairly engulf them.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Oh! Oh!" came from the women and +the girls. "Oh! what a terrible storm!"</p> + +<p>"It is a cloudburst! That's what it is!" gasped +Sam.</p> + +<p>"You're right!" ejaculated Tom. "Look! See +how the water in the river is rising! It's a cloudburst +and a flood!"</p> + +<p>Tom was right—there had been a cloudburst, +but fortunately not directly over the heads of our +friends, otherwise they might have perished in +the terrible downpour which immediately followed. +The catastrophe had occurred at a point +about a mile farther up the river, and now the +waters from this flood were coming down with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> +great swiftness and rising higher and higher every +instant.</p> + +<p>"We've got to get out of here," was Sam's +comment. Already they were standing in water +up to their ankles. "We've got to find higher +ground."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam! Sam! please don't let my brother +drown!" pleaded Ada Waltham, catching him by +the arm.</p> + +<p>"We'll do what we can to save him, Ada, but +we've got to save ourselves first," he answered.</p> + +<p>"See! there is a little hill ahead," came from +Dick, as he did his best to look through the rain, +which was coming down as heavily as ever. "Let +us run to the top of the rise, then we'll be in less +danger from the flood if the river gets much +higher." He turned to the distracted girl. +"Come, you had better go with us, then we will +see what we can do for your brother."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dick! Dick! If you don't hurry we'll +be swept away, sure!" cried Dora, and then made +room so that Ada might get in beside her.</p> + +<p>In a moment more the three Rovers had re-entered +the touring cars, and then the machines +were sent forward through the water, which was +now nearly a foot deep on the roadway.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I never saw such a storm in my life," +was Mrs. Laning's comment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If only we get out of this alive!" breathed +Mrs. Stanhope. Being naturally a very nervous +woman, she was on the verge of a collapse.</p> + +<p>Running with care through the swirling water +that covered the roadway, they at length reached +a rise of ground several feet above the flood. +Here they stopped at the highest point they +could gain, bringing the machines side by side.</p> + +<p>When the storm had started in earnest the +three Rovers had donned their raincoats. Now, +with rain caps pulled well down over their heads, +they once more alighted.</p> + +<p>"If you can show us where your auto went +into the river we'll see if we can locate your +brother," announced Dick to Ada Waltham. +"Maybe he got out and is walking somewhere +around here," he added, by way of encouragement.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! I'm so nervous I can scarcely +stand!" gasped the girl, and when she reached the +ground they had to support her.</p> + +<p>Splashing along through the water that covered +the roadway, they slowly progressed until +they gained a point where the youths felt it would +be impossible for Ada Waltham to go any farther.</p> + +<p>"There is what is left of the bridge over yonder," +cried the girl, pointing with her hand.</p> + +<p>The Rovers looked in that direction and saw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span> +a few sticks of timber sticking out of the swirling +waters, which were running down stream as turbulently +as ever.</p> + +<p>"I don't think there is any use of looking for +Chester around that bridge," was Tom's remark. +"Most likely he was carried down stream—how +far there is no telling. I think the best thing we +can do is to take a look farther down."</p> + +<p>"That is just my opinion," returned his older +brother. "I think you had better return to the +autos. It won't do any good for you to remain +out in this storm," he continued to the girl.</p> + +<p>When the party got back to the cars they found +a farmer and his grown son standing by the +machines.</p> + +<p>"I was just telling the ladies you had better +run your automobiles up to my place," said the +farmer. "It's about ten or fifteen feet higher +than this, and, consequently, just so much safer. +Besides, the ladies can come into the house."</p> + +<p>"We want to find this young lady's brother. +He was swept off the bridge yonder," returned +Dick.</p> + +<p>"So the ladies were telling me," returned James +Barlow. "You come up to the house, and I'll go +out with you. We've got a big rowboat that may +come in handy. Say! ain't this some storm? +Worst let-down I've ever seen in these parts."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + +<h3>THE RESCUE ON THE RIVER</h3> + + +<p>It did not take long to run the automobiles +down the road and up a side lane leading to the +farmer's house. Here the ladies got out, and +then the machines were placed in a barn.</p> + +<p>"You will do all you can to find my brother?" +wailed Ada Waltham, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll do our level best," answered Dick; +and Tom and Sam said practically the same.</p> + +<p>The Rovers consulted with Mr. Barlow and his +son, James, and all five walked down as close to +the edge of the river as the effects of the cloudburst +would allow. They saw bushes, trees, and +parts of buildings coming down the swiftly-flowing +stream, the waters of which were now +thick with mud.</p> + +<p>"Here is my rowboat," announced the farmer, +pointing to where the craft was tied fast to a +large tree. "You can use it if you want to, but +it looks to me like rather a hopeless matter to try +to do anything while the river is raging like this.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span> +You had better wait until it calms down a little."</p> + +<p>"The trouble of it is, it may then be too late," +answered Tom. He looked at his brothers. "I +think we can manage it," he added.</p> + +<p>The matter was discussed for fully a quarter +of an hour, and during that time the storm seemed +to let up a little. The first awful effects of the +cloudburst were passing, and the water was going +down slowly but surely.</p> + +<p>"We'll try it," announced Dick, at last. "If +we can't manage the rowboat we'll come ashore +farther down the stream."</p> + +<p>The craft was a substantial one, and there were +two pairs of oars, and to these James Barlow +added a sweep to be used as a rudder. Then +the three Rovers embarked, Tom and Sam to do +the rowing and the other brother to guide the +craft. It was hard, dangerous work, as they +realized as soon as they struck the current of +the swollen stream. They were sent along pell-mell, +and it was all they could do to keep themselves +from crashing into one object or another on +the way.</p> + +<p>"Look out, or you'll get upset!" yelled James +Barlow to them, and then his voice was drowned +out in the rushing and roaring of the elements +around them.</p> + +<p>A half hour passed—which to the Rovers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> +just then seemed almost an age. During that time +the three kept their eyes wide open for a possible +sight of Chester Waltham or anybody else who +might have been carried away by the flood.</p> + +<p>"There is somebody!" suddenly called out +Dick. "A man caught in a tree!"</p> + +<p>"Is it Waltham?" demanded Tom, quickly.</p> + +<p>"I can't make out. He is crouched in a heap +on some limbs and is waving frantically for us."</p> + +<p>Not without additional peril did the Rovers +turn the rowboat across the river, for the tree in +which the man was crouching was on the shore +opposite to that from which they had embarked.</p> + +<p>"Hello! there are two fellows in the tree!" +announced Tom, as they drew closer.</p> + +<p>The second man crouched behind the trunk, so +that they had not at first been able to see him.</p> + +<p>"Help! Help!" came from the fellow who +had been waving so frantically to them. And +now, as they drew still closer, they saw that the +individual was Chester Waltham. The young +millionaire was capless and coatless, and his face +and hands were much scratched.</p> + +<p>"We're in luck, that's sure," was Tom's comment, +in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"And I'm glad on his sister's account," added +Sam.</p> + +<p>"When we bring the boat up beside the tree you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span> +lower yourself into it, Waltham," directed Dick. +"But be careful how you do it or we'll upset. +The current here is very swift."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I'll be careful," answered the young +millionaire in a voice which trembled so that he +could scarcely speak. He was, of course, much +surprised to discover that it was the Rovers who +had come to his assistance.</p> + +<p>He was so exhausted that to get out of the tree +in safety was all but impossible, and finally Dick +had to assist him while Tom and Sam did all +they could to hold the rowboat in position.</p> + +<p>"It's fine of you to come for me!" panted Chester +Waltham, when he found himself safe in the +rowboat. "Di-did my si-sister get you, or what?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, she escaped and told us of your plight," +answered Dick, briefly.</p> + +<p>"Good for Ada! Now get me safe on shore +once more and I'll pay you handsomely for your +trouble."</p> + +<p>"You won't have to pay us a cent, Waltham," +was Sam's quick reply. "Just sit still so that the +boat doesn't go over."</p> + +<p>"Can I help you in any way?"</p> + +<p>"No. Sit still, that's all," came from Tom, +sharply. The idea of having Waltham speak of +paying them at such a time disgusted him.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the second fellow in the tree<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span> +had moved down a limb or two with the idea of +following Waltham into the rowboat. But now, +as he looked at the three Rovers, he suddenly +drew back.</p> + +<p>"Hi there! don't you want to come with us?" +cried Dick, considerably astonished over the man's +actions.</p> + +<p>To this the individual in the tree made no reply. +He kept behind the trunk and finally waved a +hand as if to motion them away.</p> + +<p>"Say! is that fellow crazy?" questioned Sam.</p> + +<p>"He must be," was Tom's comment. He turned +to Chester Waltham. "Do you know him!"</p> + +<p>"No, he's a stranger to me. I tried to speak +to him, but he was so scared and cold from the +ducking he got he did nothing but chatter, so I +couldn't understand him."</p> + +<p>"See here, it's foolish to stay up there," called +out Dick. "Come on down and we'll take you +ashore."</p> + +<p>"D-do-don't want to g-g-go," came the stuttered-out +reply. "G-go-wheep!" came in a funny +little whistle. "G-g-go a-away!"</p> + +<p>"Well, of all the scared fellows——" commenced +Tom.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! I wonder if that fellow can be +Blackie Crowden!" ejaculated Sam.</p> + +<p>"G-g-go a-wa-way!" stuttered the man in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span> +tree, and then tried to say something more, but +the words only ended in a strange little whistle.</p> + +<p>"Sam, do you really think it can be the fellow +who robbed Songbird?" demanded Dick. "What +would he be doing away out here?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Blackie Crowden came from Denver +or Colorado Springs," announced the youngest +Rover. "Remember, we are not so many miles +away from those places." He raised his voice. +"You come down out of there, Crowden. We +know you and we want you."</p> + +<p>At this command the man in the tree seemed +much disturbed. He tried to speak, but because +of his natural stutter and his terror of the situation +through which he was passing, his effort was +a failure.</p> + +<p>"If you don't come down, we'll haul you +down," ordered Dick, finally, and then, after a +little more urging, the fellow finally consented to +come out of the tree, and dropped into the rowboat.</p> + +<p>"Blackie Crowden, as sure as fate!" murmured +Sam, as soon as he got a good look at the fellow's +features. "Well, if this isn't luck!"</p> + +<p>"Evidently you know this fellow," came from +Chester Waltham, curiously.</p> + +<p>"We sure do!" declared Sam. "He's the man +who knocked our college chum, John Powell,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span> +down on the road near Ashton and robbed him +of four thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"I di-didn't r-r-rob any bo-body," stuttered +Blackie Crowden. "It's all a mi-mis-mis-mista-ta-take!" +and he ended with his usual queer whistle.</p> + +<p>"We'll see about that later, Crowden," put in +Dick, sternly. "Now you sit perfectly still or +else maybe you'll go overboard and be drowned."</p> + +<p>It would be difficult to describe the joy with +which Ada Waltham greeted her brother on his +safe return. She flew into his arms and, as wet +as he was, hugged him over and over again.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I was so afraid you'd be drowned, +Chester!" and then she added quickly: "How +grand it was for the Rovers to go to your assistance!"</p> + +<p>"It certainly was very fine of them to do it," +returned the young millionaire. And now it must +be admitted that he seemed very much disturbed +in mind. "I'm going to pay them back, you see +if I don't," he added, after a thoughtful pause.</p> + +<p>Blackie Crowden had done his best to make +them believe that he was not guilty of the attack +upon Songbird, but the Rovers would not listen +to this, and put him through such a grilling that +finally he broke down and confessed all.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have done the deed at all if it +hadn't been that I was worried over another matter,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span> +he said amid much stuttering and whistling. +"I ain't a bad man naturally, even though I do +drink and gamble a little. If it hadn't been for +a lawyer named Belright Fogg I would never have +robbed the young man."</p> + +<p>"Belright Fogg!" came from the Rovers.</p> + +<p>"What has that shyster lawyer to do with it?" +added Sam.</p> + +<p>"Do you know he is a shyster lawyer?"</p> + +<p>"We sure do!" added Tom, promptly.</p> + +<p>"Then you will understand me when I tell you +how it was. Some time ago I was mixed up in a +land transaction. It is a long story, and all I +need to tell you is that Belright Fogg was in it, +too. I did some things that I oughtn't to, and +that gave Fogg a hold on me. Finally he claimed +that I owed him three hundred dollars, and he +said if I didn't pay up he would make it hot for +me and maybe land me in jail. That got me +scared and I said I'd get the money somehow.</p> + +<p>"Then by accident I saw Powell get the money +from the bank, and I followed him on horseback, +passed him, and took the cash, as you know. +As soon as the deed was done I was sorry for it, +but then it was too late," stuttered Blackie Crowden, +and hung his head.</p> + +<p>"And did you go to Belright Fogg and give +him the three hundred dollars?" queried Sam.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes. I met him in Leadenfield, at a road +house kept by a Frenchman named Bissette."</p> + +<p>"Then I was right after all!" cried Sam. "I +accused Fogg of meeting you, but he denied it."</p> + +<p>"Well, he got the three hundred all right +enough," stuttered Crowden.</p> + +<p>"And how was it you tried to keep out of our +sight in that flood?" asked Sam curiously. "Did +you know us?"</p> + +<p>"I knew you—saw you follow me to the depot +at Dentonville. You thought I got on that train. +But I didn't—I took a night freight."</p> + +<p>"I see. That is why the authorities didn't spot +you."</p> + +<p>"That's it. But you were asking about Fogg," +continued Blackie Crowden, speculatively.</p> + +<p>"And did he know you had stolen the money?" +demanded Dick, sharply.</p> + +<p>"I'm pretty sure he did, although he didn't +ask any questions. He knew about the robbery, +and he knew well enough that I didn't have any +three hundred dollars of my own to give him."</p> + +<p>"What did you do with the rest of the money, +Crowden? I hope you didn't spend it?" questioned +Sam, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Spend it!" came in a bitter stutter from the +criminal. "I didn't get any chance to spend it. +All I had was two hundred dollars!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then what became of the other thirty-five +hundred?" questioned Tom.</p> + +<p>"It's in a room at the Ashton hotel, unless somebody +found it and stole it."</p> + +<p>"At the Ashton hotel!" cried Sam.</p> + +<p>"That's it. You see, after I met Fogg I +stopped at Ashton for one night and put up at +the old hotel on the Cheesley turnpike. I hid +the money in an out-of-the-way corner of a +clothes closet, because I didn't want to carry it +on my person. Then, when I was on the street, +I heard that you were on my trail, and I got +scared and I was afraid to go back to the hotel +to get it."</p> + +<p>"Can you remember what room it was?" +queried Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it was a back room—number twenty-two. +I put the money in a hole in the wall back +of an upper shelf."</p> + +<p>"We had better notify the authorities at Ashton +of this," said Tom to his brothers.</p> + +<p>"Let us telegraph to Songbird and tell him to +go to Ashton," suggested Sam. "If the money +is there, Songbird ought to have the fun of getting +it and returning it to Mr. Sanderson."</p> + +<p>"All right, let's do it!" cried Dick; and so the +matter was arranged.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h2> + +<h3>MRS. SAM ROVER—CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<p>"Well, that's good news and I'm mighty glad +to hear it."</p> + +<p>It was Dick who spoke, three days after the +incidents recorded in the last chapter. Our +friends had been staying at the farmhouse of Mr. +Barlow. Blackie Crowden had been turned over +to the local authorities, the oldest Rover making +the charge against him. Crowden had pleaded +for mercy, but the boys, while sympathizing with +him, had thought it best to let the law take its +course. Chester Waltham and his sister had also +remained at the farmhouse, which fortunately +was a large one, so that the whole party was not +particularly crowded for room.</p> + +<p>The rescue of the young millionaire from the +river had worked wonders, and he was now heartily +ashamed of himself, not only for the way he +had treated Grace but also on account of the instructions +he had sent to his agents in Wall Street.</p> + +<p>"You can rest assured, Mr. Rover, that my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span> +opposition to your plans in New York will be +withdrawn," he said to Dick. "I am going to +telegraph to my agents as soon as I get a chance. +And I want you and your brothers to understand +that I appreciate thoroughly your goodness in +coming to my rescue. It was a splendid thing to +do. I am not going to insult you by offering you +any reward—all I can say is that I thank you +from the bottom of my heart." And that evening +Chester Waltham and his sister had taken their +departure, stating that the accident at the bridge +had ended their idea of touring farther, and that +they were going to take the first train they could +get for the East.</p> + +<p>The thing that Dick called "good news" was +a long "Night Letter" sent over the wires by +Songbird. The former poet of Brill had received +their message concerning Blackie Crowden, and +also Belright Fogg, and had at once hurried to +Ashton and to the hotel on the Cheesley turnpike. +There, in room twenty-two, as mentioned +by Crowden, he had found the package containing +the thirty-five hundred dollars. Next he had +called on Belright Fogg and had scared the shyster +lawyer so completely that Fogg had returned +the three hundred dollars received from Crowden +with scarcely a protest. Then the happy youth +had driven over to the Sanderson place. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span> +Sandersons had been surprised to see him and +amazed to learn that he had recovered so large a +portion of the stolen money.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"As I had already paid Mr. Sanderson one hundred +dollars," wrote Songbird, "it made a total +of thirty-nine hundred returned to him, and he +told me that I need not bother about the other +hundred. But I paid it just the same, for I had +just been fortunate enough to sell six of my +poems—two to a magazine and four to a weekly +paper—for one hundred and sixty dollars.</p> + +<p>"Of course we had a grand time, and Mr. +Sanderson has forgiven everything. He and +Minnie think you are mighty smart fellows, and +I agree with them. Minnie and I have fixed matters +all up between us, and we are the happiest +couple you ever saw. I don't know how to thank +you enough for what you have done for me, and +all I can add is, God bless you, every one!"</p></blockquote> + +<p>"Good old Songbird!" murmured Sam, as he +read the communication a second time. "I'll +wager he feels a hundred per cent. better than +he did."</p> + +<p>"And to think he sold six of his poems!" commented +Tom. "I shouldn't wonder if he thinks +more of that than he does of getting the money +back," he added, somewhat drily.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the following day came another telegram, +this time from Mr. Rover, stating that the opposition +of the Waltham interests in Wall Street +had been suddenly withdrawn. But he added +that business matters in the metropolis were becoming +more and more arduous for him, and he +asked when Dick expected to get back.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it's getting too much for dear, old +dad," was Dick's comment, on perusing this message. +"I think the best thing I can do is to get +back and help him."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you go back, I think I'll go back myself," +said Tom. "Anyway, this tour seems to +have come to a standstill, with so much rain."</p> + +<p>"I'm willing to go back if you fellows say so," +put in Sam.</p> + +<p>"I'll wager he and Grace want to get ready for +their wedding," remarked Tom, slily.</p> + +<p>"That's just what we do," returned Sam, +boldly. "We're going to be married early this +fall, aren't we, Grace?" and he gazed fondly at +the girl, who nodded, and then turned away to +hide her blushes.</p> + +<p>But the tour did not come to an end as quickly +as might have been expected. On the day following +it was such fair weather that they left the +Barlow farm and started once more on their trip +westward. Colorado Springs was soon gained,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span> +and, passing on to Manitou, they left the automobiles, +and took the cog railway to the summit of +Pike's Peak. Then, on the day following, they +motored up to Denver.</p> + +<p>"We can ship our automobiles home by +freight," said Dick, "and by returning by train +we can be back in New York in no time."</p> + +<p>A week later found the entire party once +more in the East. While Dick and Tom settled +down to help their father at the offices in Wall +Street, the others returned to Valley Brook and +to Cedarville, to prepare for the coming wedding.</p> + +<p>"And where is it to be, Sam?" questioned Tom, +when the brothers were on the point of parting.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it can only be in one place," was Sam's +answer.</p> + +<p>"And I guess I know where that is," returned +Tom, with a grin.</p> + +<p>Both Dick and Tom had been married in the +Cedarville Union Church, a little stone edifice +covered with ivy, which was located not a great +distance from the homes of the Lanings and the +Stanhopes, and also Putnam Hall. As before, it +was a question if the numerous guests who were +expected to the ceremony would be able to get +into the building. But both Grace and Sam said +they would have to make the best of it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span></p> + +<p>As soon as the wedding invitations were issued, +the presents began to come in, and they were fully +as numerous and as costly as had been the gifts +bestowed upon Dora and upon Nellie. From Mr. +Rover came, as was to be expected, a bankbook +containing an amount written therein which was +the duplicate of that he had bestowed upon Dick +and Dora and likewise upon Tom and Nellie.</p> + +<p>"You can always depend on dad," was Sam's +comment, his voice choking a little. "The best +dad anybody ever had!"</p> + +<p>"Indeed you are right!" answered the bride-to-be. +"And I'm going to love him just as if he +were my own father."</p> + +<p>Sam's own present to his bride was a gold +wrist-watch set in diamonds and pearls—a beautiful +affair over which the happy girl went wild +with delight.</p> + +<p>At last came the eventful day, full of golden +sunshine. All of the Rovers had arrived in +Cedarville and were quartered at the hotel. Many +other guests were at the Stanhope homestead and +at the Laning farm, and still others—former +cadets—had come back not only to attend the +wedding but also to take another look at dear old +Putnam Hall.</p> + +<p>Among the old guard who had thus presented +themselves were Fred Garrison, Larry Colby,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span> +Bart Conners and Harry Blossom. Among those +who had attended Brill were Stanley Browne, +Spud Jackson, Bob Grimes and, of course, Songbird.</p> + +<p>"I'm engaged to Minnie," whispered the latter +to the Rovers at the first opportunity. "We are +going to be married just as soon as my income +will permit. And what do you think? I've sold +four more poems—got eighty dollars for them," +and his face beamed as they had never seen it +shine before.</p> + +<p>"I congratulate you, Songbird," returned Sam, +heartily. "I certainly hope you get to be the +best-known poet in the United States."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know about that. I am going +to buckle down to business. My uncle thinks I +am doing wonderfully well, and he says if I keep +on he is going to give me a substantial increase +in salary after the first of the year. I'm going +to write verses just as a side issue."</p> + +<p>As at the other weddings, the ceremony was +set for high noon. Soon the guests began to arrive, +and before long the old church was crowded +to its capacity, with many standing up in the +aisles and in the rear and even at the side windows, +which were wide open.</p> + +<p>Captain Putnam, in full uniform and looking +a little grayer than ever, was there, and with him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span> +George Strong, his head assistant, with whom +Sam had always been very friendly. There were +also numerous girls there who had formerly attended +Hope Seminary, and of these one was a +flower girl and two were bridesmaids.</p> + +<p>Sam's best man was his old Putnam Hall chum, +Fred Garrison, while among the ushers were +Songbird, Stanley, Spud, Bob, and some others +of his former classmates.</p> + +<p>Presently the organ pealed out and the minister +appeared, followed a moment later by Sam. Then +up the aisle came Grace on the arm of Mr. Laning, +and daintily attired in white with a flowing +veil beset with orange blossoms.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how pretty she looks!" said more than +one; and they spoke the truth, for Grace certainly +made a beautiful bride.</p> + +<p>The ceremony was a brief but solemn one, and +then, as the organ pealed out joyously, the happy +pair walked forth from the church, to enter an +automobile which whirled them off to the Laning +homestead. To that place they were followed by +a great number of invited guests. An elaborate +wedding dinner had been prepared, and an orchestra +from the city had been hired, and all sat +down to a feast of good things with music.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to give them a send-off—same as +they gave me," said Tom to his brother Dick,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span> +while the festivities were at their height. "They'll +be getting ready to go away soon."</p> + +<p>"Sure! we'll give them a send-off," returned +the oldest brother. "Come on, let us get busy."</p> + +<p>Down at the barns an automobile was in readiness +to take Sam and his bride away on their +wedding trip. This car Dick and Tom and a +number of others lost no time in decorating with +white streamers and a placard which read: <i>We +are on our wedding trip. Congratulate us.</i></p> + +<p>"Aren't you going to stay to have a dance?" +questioned Nellie of her sister, a little later.</p> + +<p>"Of course," answered Grace; and shortly after +that she and Sam tripped around to the tuneful +measures of a two-step. All of the young folks +present joined in, the older folks looking on with +much satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"I can hardly believe it," declared old Aunt +Martha, as she took off her spectacles to wipe her +eyes. "Why, it don't seem no time since Sam was +just a baby!"</p> + +<p>The dancing continued for some time but then, +of a sudden, came a cry from Dora:</p> + +<p>"Where are Sam and Grace? I don't see them +anywhere."</p> + +<p>"They are gone! They have given us the slip!"</p> + +<p>"No, they've gone upstairs. Wait here, and +we'll give them a shower."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span></p> + +<p>The young folks gathered in the hallway and +out on the piazza, and a few minutes later Sam +and Grace appeared, both ready for their tour. +Then came a grand shower of rice and confetti, +mingled with two or three old shoes, and in the +midst of this the happy, laughing young couple +escaped to the automobile which was now drawn +up before the door. The chauffeur was ready for +the start, and in an instant more the machine +shot down the lane and out into the roadway.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye! Good-bye and good luck to you!" +was the cry.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, everybody!" came back from the +touring car, and Sam and Grace stood up to wave +their hands to those left behind. Then the touring +car disappeared around a turn of the road, +and they were gone.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>And now let me add a few words more and +thus bring to a close this long series of adventures +in which the three Rover boys, Dick, Tom, and +Sam, have played such an important part.</p> + +<p>A number of years have passed and many +changes of importance have occurred. Mr. Anderson +Rover has retired from active participation +in The Rover Company, and Dick is now the +president, with Tom secretary and Sam treasurer. +The concern is doing remarkably well and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span> +all of the Rovers are reported to be wealthy. The +father has returned to the farm at Valley Brook, +where he lives in peace and comfort with Uncle +Randolph and Aunt Martha, who, despite their +years, are still in the best of health.</p> + +<p>A year after Sam's marriage to Grace, Songbird +Powell married Minnie Sanderson. The +would-be poet has made quite a business man of +himself and, what perhaps is of even greater +pleasure to himself, has had many of his poems +accepted by our leading periodicals.</p> + +<p>When Sam was first married he went to live in +an apartment close to those occupied by Dick and +Tom, but two years later the three brothers had +a chance to buy a beautiful plot of ground on +Riverside Drive, facing the noble Hudson River, +and on this they built three beautiful houses adjoining +one another.</p> + +<p>"I guess we are in New York to stay," was the +way the oldest brother had expressed himself, +"and if that is so we may as well make ourselves +as comfortable here as possible."</p> + +<p>Before the young folks moved into the new +homes Dick and Dora were blessed with a little +son, who later on was named John after Mr. +John Laning. Little Jack, as he was always called +by the others, was a wonderfully bright and clever +lad and a great source of comfort to his parents.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span> +Later still the young couple had a daughter, whom +they named Martha after Dick's aunt.</p> + +<p>Tom and Nellie had twin boys that were +speedily christened Andy after Mr. Anderson +Rover, and Randy after Tom's Uncle Randolph. +Then Sam came along with a daughter, who was +called Mary after Mrs. Laning and with a son, +whom he called Fred after his old school chum, +Fred Garrison.</p> + +<p>The young Rover boys had a great many +qualities similar to those displayed by their fathers. +Little Jack was as strong and sturdy as +Dick had ever been, and young Fred had many +of the peculiarities of Sam, while Andy and +Randy, the twins, were the equal of their father, +Tom, for creating fun.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what we're ever going to do +with those kids," remarked Tom, one day, after +Andy and Randy had played a big joke on Jack +and Fred. "Some day they'll pull the house +down over our ears."</p> + +<p>"Well, Andy and Randy are simply chips of the +old block," laughed Dick Rover. "I suppose we'll +all have to do as our folks did with us—send the +lads off to some strict boarding school."</p> + +<p>"If I ever do send them off, I know where it +will be," answered Tom Rover. "Our old Putnam +Hall chum, Larry Colby, has opened a first-class<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span> +military academy which he calls Colby Hall. +If I ever send them away I think I'll send them +to Larry."</p> + +<p>"That wouldn't be a half bad idea," put in Sam +Rover. "Larry was always a first-class fellow +and I don't doubt but what he is running a first-class +school."</p> + +<p>"Well, those boys are too young yet to leave +home," was Dick Rover's comment. "If they are +to go to boarding school that must come later."</p> + +<p>A few years after that Jack, Andy and Randy, +and Fred were sent to Colby Hall, and it is possible +that some day I may tell you of what happened +there to this younger generation of Rovers.</p> + +<p>Dick, Tom, and Sam were happy, and with +good reason. They had the best of wives, and +children that they dearly loved, and though they +worked hard they were surrounded with every +comfort. Every summer, and at Christmas time, +they left New York either for Valley Brook or +for Cedarville, there to receive the warmest of +welcomes. Life looked rosy to all of them, and +here we will leave them and say good-bye.</p> + + +<div class="center"><br /><br />THE END</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><i>This Isn't All!</i></h2> + +<blockquote><div class="unindent">Would you like to know what +became of the good friends you +have made in this book?</div> + +<div class="unindent">Would you like to read other +stories continuing their adventures +and experiences, or other books +quite as entertaining by the same +author?</div> + +<div class="unindent">On the <i>reverse side</i> of the wrapper +which comes with this book, +you will find a wonderful list of +stories which you can buy at the +same store where you got this book.</div></blockquote> + + +<div class="unindent" style="font-size: 115%;"><b><i>Don't throw away the Wrapper</i></b></div> + +<blockquote><div class="unindent"><i>Use it as a handy catalog of the books +you want some day to have. But in +case you do mislay it, write to the +Publishers for a complete catalog.</i></div></blockquote> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE FAMOUS ROVER BOYS +SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By ARTHUR M. WINFIELD</h3> + +<h4>(EDWARD STRATEMEYER)</h4> + +<div class="center"><b>Beautiful Wrappers in Full Color</b></div> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/image06.jpg" width="300" height="121" alt="ad" title="ad" /> +</div> + +<p>No stories for boys ever published +have attained the tremendous popularity +of this famous series. Since the +publication of the first volume, The +Rover Boys at School, some years ago, +over three million copies of these +books have been sold. They are well +written stories dealing with the Rover +boys in a great many different kinds +of activities and adventures. Each +volume holds something of interest to +every adventure loving boy.</p> + +<p>A complete list of titles is printed +on the opposite page.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="center" style="font-size: 120%;">FAMOUS ROVER BOYS SERIES</div> +<div class="center">BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD</div> +<div class="center" style="font-size: 80%;">(Edward Stratemeyer)</div> +<div> </div> +<div class="center">OVER THREE MILLION COPIES SOLD OF THIS SERIES.</div> +<div> </div> +<div class="center"><b>Uniform Style of Binding. Colored Wrappers.<br /> +Every Volume Complete in Itself.</b></div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS IN BUSINESS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS UNDER CANVAS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS IN THE LAND OF LUCK<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG BEAR LAKE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS SHIPWRECKED<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS ON SUNSET TRAIL<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ROVER BOYS WINNING A FORTUNE<br /></span> +</div></div> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="center" style="font-size: 120%;">WESTERN STORIES FOR BOYS</div> +<div class="center">By JAMES CODY FERRIS</div> +<div> </div> +<div class="center"><b>Individual Colored Wrappers and Illustrations by<br /> +WALTER S. ROGERS<br /> +Each Volume Complete in Itself.</b></div> + +<p>Thrilling tales of the great west, told primarily for +boys but which will be read by all who love mystery, +rapid action, and adventures in the great open spaces.</p> + +<p>The Manly Boys, Roy and Teddy, are the sons of +an old ranchman, the owner of many thousands of +heads of cattle. The lads know how to ride, how to +shoot, and how to take care of themselves under any +and all circumstances.</p> + +<p>The cowboys of the X Bar X Ranch are real cowboys, +on the job when required but full of fun and +daring—a bunch any reader will be delighted to know.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE X BAR X BOYS IN THUNDER CANYON<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE X BAR X BOYS ON WHIRLPOOL RIVER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE X BAR X BOYS ON BIG BISON TRAIL<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE X BAR X BOYS AT THE ROUND-UP<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE X BAR X BOYS AT NUGGET CAMP<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE X BAR X BOYS AT RUSTLER'S GAP<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE X BAR X BOYS AT GRIZZLY PASS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE X BAR X BOYS LOST IN THE ROCKIES<br /></span> +</div></div> +<div class="center">GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class="smcap">Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>Transcriber's Notes:</h2> + +<p>—Handful of punctuation and printer inaccuracies were silently corrected.</p> + +<p>—Archaic and variable spelling was preserved.</p> + +<p>—The author's long dash style has been preserved.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Rover Boys on a Tour, by Arthur M. 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