It was a terrible fall, much worse than that experienced by Dave and Babcock when they had run into the fallen tree, and no sooner did Roger land than his senses forsook him. His legs and part of his body went into the water, while his head and arms rested on some sand.
The short autumn day drew to a close and Roger did not appear at Oak Hall. The other students went to supper and then for the first Dave learned that the senator's son had not gotten back.
"Where is Master Morr?" demanded Job Haskers, severely.
"He went out on his new motor cycle," answered Dave. "Perhaps he had a breakdown."
"If he was not sure he could get back in time he should not have gone out," snapped the disagreeable teacher.
Supper over, some of the students retired to their dormitories while others sought the library and the gymnasium. Dave and Ben looked around for Roger, but as he did not put in an appearance they obtained permission from Andrew Dale to go out on their bicycles and make a hunt for the missing one.
"He must be somewhere in this vicinity," said Dave.
"He said he was going to Oakdale and would then come back by the Cass Brook road," returned Ben.
"Let us take to the Cass Brook road then, Ben. Maybe we'll meet him."
With their bicycle lamps lit and turned up brightly, the pair set off, and were soon out of sight of Oak Hall. The road was smooth and they made rapid progress. Ben took to one side of the road while Dave pursued the other. All was dark and quiet, not a breath of air stirring the almost leafless trees.