“Very well, Mr. Strong,” answered Captain Putnam.
Malville was a small settlement back of Top Rock Hill, and George Strong said he had a distant relative there, whom he wished to see. He set off in a cutter, and Jack and Pepper chanced to see him depart.
“Have a good time, Mr. Strong!” shouted Pepper, pleasantly.
“Thank you, Ditmore, I am going on business, not pleasure.”
The following morning passed, and the assistant teacher did not appear. Captain Putnam took his place in the classroom, and also taught during the afternoon.
“This is strange,” he said to Josiah Crabtree. “I expected him back by ten o’clock, or noon at the latest.”
The next day passed, and still George Strong did not show himself, nor did he send any message to explain his absence.
Captain Putnam was much worried, and the absence of the assistant upset matters in the school. All of the cadets began to talk of the affair.
“Maybe his horse ran away and threw him out on the rocks,” said Stuffer.
“If I was the captain I’d investigate,” came from Harry Blossom.