“Wait until we hear what the constable has to say.”
“He won’t say anything—he’ll just drag us to the Oakdale lockup!” put in Ben.
“I wonder what my dad will say to that, when he hears of it?” murmured Roger. “The newspapers are bound to make a spread of it. ‘Son of a U. S. Senator Jailed for Blowing Up a Hotel!’ or something like that. Oh, it makes me sick!”
Plainly the majority of the students were very nervous. The only one who kept calm was Dave, and even he was much disturbed. All walked along the road, keeping a sharp eye out for the appearance of Paul Hickson.
“Here he comes!” cried Phil, as a covered wagon came along the road, driven by the keeper of the Oakdale jail. On the front seat beside the driver were the constable and Jason Sparr.
“Hi, you boys!” shouted the constable, as the wagon came closer. “I want to see you!”
“What do you want?” demanded Dave, stepping to the front.
“We want you, for one!” cried the hotel-keeper. “Be careful, Hickson, that none of ’em get away!” he added.
“I don’t know one from tudder,” said the constable, doubtfully. 170
“This is just the bunch we are after, unless I am mistaken,” went on the hotel man. “That is Lawrence there, and Basswood, and this is Porter, and I think that is Morr,” and he pointed to the various students.