“Nobody around now, at all events,” observed the young major, as they glanced through the lower rooms.
“No, but somebody has been here, Jack—by the muddy footprints.”
Wondering if their suspicions would prove correct, they mounted to the second story of the old mansion and ran into the room in the closet of which the trophies had been stored.
“Empty!” gasped Pepper, peering inside the closet.
“Every bag gone!” echoed Jack. “Those crazy men must have carted them all away!”
“Where did they take the things to?”
“That remains to be found out. And if we can’t find the things——” The young major paused. “Well, somebody will have a fine bill to pay, that’s certain!”
CHAPTER XXIX
THE HILL CLIMBING CONTEST
That night Jack called a special meeting of the cadets who had participated in the removal of the trophies from Pornell Academy. This took place in the gymnasium, and every possible care was taken to exclude outsiders.
“We are in a pickle,” admitted the young major. “Events have taken an unexpected turn, and what we had best do I do not know.” And then he told everything, how Will Carey had been robbed of the bracelet and his ring, and how the crazy men had carried off all the bags of trophies.