"I don't think we'll get back to the Hall much before midnight," said Dave, and this proved to be the case. It lacked just ten minutes of that time when they tied up at the boathouse. Henshaw's leg was now stiff and the others had to carry him to the door.
"Ha! so I have caught you!" exclaimed Job Haskers, as he suddenly showed himself. "What do you mean by coming in at this late hour?"
"We've had an accident—Henshaw is hurt," answered Roger.
At this announcement the teacher's face took on a sour look.
"An accident, eh? You are quite sure?" he demanded, with a suspicious look at Henshaw.
"Yes, I'm sure," grumbled the hurt one. "We had a collision with another ice-boat, and when our craft turned over I was caught underneath."
"What is the trouble there?" came in Dr. Clay's voice, and he showed himself at the top of the stairs and then came down. After asking a few questions he had Henshaw taken to a private bed-chamber, where the injured limb was carefully examined and then bathed with liniment.
"I wish to see you in private, Dr. Clay," said Dave. "Perhaps Morr and Messmer will want to see you too."
"Very well, come into the office," answered the master of Oak Hall, and led the way. He made a light and then faced the three students who had followed him.