"Come, boys," exclaimed Bart. "Hide the ladder."
They carried it through the rain back to the ditch and placed it away. Then Frank and Bart led Mr. Roscoe through the woods to the foot of the cliff where the boat was fastened. Ned and Fenn took their positions under the tree-shelter to wait for morning, when they could start back for camp.
"All aboard!" called Frank, as he helped Mr. Roscoe into the canoe.
At that instant the bell of the institution began to ring.
"What's that?" cried Frank.
"The alarm!" exclaimed Mr. Roscoe. "They have discovered my escape."
"Paddle! Paddle!" cried Frank, dipping his blade into the water.
CHAPTER XXIX
THE CURE—CONCLUSION
The canoe, loaded down as it was, answered to the strokes of the sturdy arms of the boys. It shot forward, breasting the current, and was soon well away from the cliff.
"They'll never catch us now," Frank said. "They'll not think of looking toward the river. We're safe."