"But why should the Soden boys run away?" asked Shadow. "They were willing to be initiated."
"Perhaps they got cold feet—mentally as well as physically," ventured Henshaw. "They may have got to talking things over in the dark and got scared."
"They didn't break out, that's sure," declared the senator's son. "Somebody on the outside removed that wooden peg."
"Well, we didn't do it," said one of the boys.
"Can they be anywhere around?"
Some of the boys began a search, but this was in vain—the twins had disappeared.
"We may as well give up for to-night," said the president at last.
"I move we adjourn to bed," said Ben, and this was put and carried, and without delay the robes, headgears, and stuffed clubs and swords were hidden away, and the students hurried to Oak Hall.
Here another setback awaited them. The side door was locked, and the false key they had put on a convenient nail was missing.