"They are missing and I know you were out on your wheel and they went out too—over to Leeton."
"We went to Oakdale," said Nat, and turned away, for fear of being questioned further. He, Plum, and Jasniff had arranged it between them to say they had been to Oakdale and nowhere else.
Shadow Hamilton returned to his friends and related what Poole had said. Some of the students had already departed for the football field, going on their wheels and in one of the carriages belonging to the place. The football club was to take the carryall, and turnouts had been engaged for all who were to witness the game.
Soon Andrew Dale came out to see if the team was ready. He was greatly surprised when he learned that Dave and Paul were missing.
"It may be they have been delayed," said he, "and if that is so, they may have gone direct from Leeton to the Mongrace estate. I think there is a fairly good road."
"Perhaps that is so," answered the senator's son, brightening a little. "But they ought to have come here—they knew I should be worried."
"You had better take their suits along. We can leave word here about the suits—in case they come after we are gone."
Swiftly the minutes went by until the club could wait no longer. Then into the carryall they piled, regulars and substitutes, taking the outfits of the missing players with them. Jackson Lemond was to drive, and with a crack of the whip they were off. Usually the boys would have been noisy and full of fun, but now they were sober.
"Paul told me he would surely be back," said Henshaw. "I am afraid something has happened to him."
"Maybe they got a tumble," suggested Buster Beggs. "But it would be queer if they both got caught at the same time."