CHAPTER XXVI.
WHAT HAPPENED TO BRAD.
The boys waited in Dick’s room for him to reappear. They were confident he had escaped Maloney. With tears of merriment streaming down his cheeks, Tucker rehearsed every particular of the preposterously amusing affair that had taken place in the kitchen. Tommy’s version of it was sufficient to bring a ghastly smile to the solemn face of Jones.
“Oh, yes, it was funny, wasn’t it?” sneered Bigelow. “I ruined a good suit of clothes, and then Tucker stuck a butcher knife into me about a foot and a half, and that Irish policeman wiped his feet on me and broke a couple of ribs.”
“What I want to know,” said Buckhart, “is who fastened me under the sink. Had to brace and push with all my strength in order to break that door open.”
“When Dick skipped and Maloney went after him, howling like a madman,” laughed Tommy, “Maggie promptly collapsed. About that time Mrs. Watson came down on us, and I expect we’ll all get fired out in the morning.”
“Do wish my pard would show up,” muttered Buckhart, glancing at the clock. “It’s strange he doesn’t come back. Been more than an hour and a half now. If he doesn’t get in before eleven, I’m going out looking for him.”
The restlessness of the Texan finally led him to slip downstairs, and, hearing the murmur of voices coming from the kitchen, he tiptoed to the door and listened. A few minutes later he came charging into the room where the boys were gathered.
“Great horn spoon!” he gasped, his face pale and his eyes betraying the greatest excitement. “That Irish cop is in the kitchen this minute. Just heard him telling Maggie how they chased Dick clean to the river, and he tried to get away by swimming. Maloney says he got cramps and went down. Maloney said he sure was drowned. I don’t believe it, but I’m going to find out what I can about it. Who’s with me?”
Seizing their hats, they followed the Texan; but on the front steps they encountered Merriwell, who was getting out his latchkey.
“Hello, fellows,” said Dick coolly. “Where are you bound in such a rush?”