CHAPTER XIX
LOOKING FOR THE RUNAWAYS
When Dave and Roger went to the midday meal in the dining-room they looked all over for Phil, Ben, and Buster, but the three were not in sight.
“Dave, they haven’t come back yet.”
“So I see,” returned our hero, and he was much disturbed. He ate sparingly, and the senator’s son also had but little appetite for the meal.
“Say, what’s become of those chaps?” questioned Shadow.
“I’ll tell you later,” answered Dave. “Don’t say anything now—and tell the others to keep quiet, too.”
But such a happening could not be kept quiet, and soon it was whispered around that Phil, Ben, and Buster were missing. This presently got to the ears of Andrew Dale, and the head assistant teacher sought out Dave for an explanation.
“I understand you went out with Lawrence, Basswood, and Beggs this morning, Porter,” said 182 the teacher. “They are not yet back. Do you know where they went?”
“They went off in a motor-boat, that is all I know about that part of it, Mr. Dale. Roger Morr and I would like to speak to you and Doctor Clay in private. It is very important,” went on our hero.