“The train just went, didn’t it?” asked Dave, 187 and as the agent nodded, he went on: “Did three young fellows like ourselves get on?”
“If they did, I didn’t see ’em,” answered the man.
“Oh!” cried Roger, “maybe they didn’t take the train, after all.”
“Let us hope so.”
Somewhat out of breath, the two boys tramped around Barrelton, looking for Phil and the others, and asking about them. But nobody appeared to have seen the runaways, and not a trace of them was to be found anywhere.
“All we can do is to get something to eat and take the other train for Oakdale,” said Roger, after they had satisfied themselves that the runaways were nowhere in that vicinity. The walking around had made him hungry.
They procured some pie and milk at a little stand near the station, and shortly after four o’clock took the way train for Oakdale and walked to the school. They went directly to the doctor’s office. The master of Oak Hall listened patiently to what they had to tell.
“I am sorry you did not find them,” he said, gravely. “It was very foolish of them to run away, very. I trust they will come back of their own accord soon.”
“Will you see Mr. Sparr about the matter?” asked Dave. 188
“Yes, Porter. And I wish you and Morr to go with me.”