"It's queer Baxter hasn't shown up," said Tom, when they were ready to leave.
"Perhaps he went elsewhere for his skates," suggested Sam.
The hardware shop was at the end of the village street, and as they passed a number of places of business Tom suddenly caught his brother by the arm.
"There is Baxter now—just entering that tavern!" he exclaimed in a low voice.
"The tavern!" repeated Sam. "Why, it's against the regulations to enter a drinking place!"
"I don't care—I saw Baxter go in," returned Tom. "He was with a tall man."
"If Captain Putnam hears of this, Baxter will be sent away, or at least punished."
"Perhaps, Sam; but I shan't tell him."
"No; we're no tale-bearers. Let us go up to the side windows of the tavern and see if we can see them."
This was agreed to, and the two boys hurried up to first one window and then another.