A day slipped by and nothing more was said 213 about the affair by Doctor Clay or Nat Poole. Then Nat left the school, telling some friends he was going home for a week’s rest.
“Most likely he is after his uncle,” was Roger’s comment, and Dave agreed with him.
As soon as he could get the time Dave went to Oakdale to see if he could find any trace of the baggage belonging to Phil and the others who had run away. He made many inquiries but without success, and was on the point of returning to the school when he happened to think of an old man named Dowling, who did some trucking and who knew Buster Beggs very well.
“We’ll go around to Dowling’s place,” said he to his chum.
They found the old man in a little shanty behind his house which he called his office. It had an old easy-chair and a desk, and on the wall was a telephone.
“How do you do, boys,” he said, politely. “What can I do for you? Want some baggage shipped?”
“No, I came for some information, Mr. Dowling,” said Dave. “Have you shipped any baggage for Buster Beggs lately?”
At the mention of the fat student’s name the old expressman started.
“What do you want to know that for?” he demanded. 214
“I’ve a very good reason, Mr. Dowling. I want to do Beggs a favor.”