The strange man disappeared in the woods but Jack did not look back to see where he went but kept straight on to the Academy.
Reaching the building he went to the telephone which the boys were allowed to use on occasion and called up Mr. Brooke.
“Hello! Mr. Brooke? I may have news for you about something. I will communicate with you as previously arranged in case there is anything to tell you. Good-bye.”
No one hearing this message could guess what it meant and Jack was purposely cautious and guarded, knowing that some of the operators in the exchange had told things which they had heard over the wires.
Having sent his message to the editor, he hung up the receiver and went to find Percival or some other of the boys.
A few minutes after the strange man with whom Jack had had his strange interview had disappeared in the woods, Peter Herring crept cautiously out of the bushes and whistled softly to some one.
In a moment he was joined by Merritt and the two hurried toward the road and took their way down hill.
“You heard the whole business?” asked Herring.
“Yes. That’s a nice mix-up.”
“I guess it is. Now we’ve got a hold on Sheldon. The son of a bank robber and he said his father was dead.”