At the conclusion of the interview in the office Captain Putnam sent for Tad Sobber. One of the monitors went on the errand and came back in quarter of an hour with the information that the youth could not be found.
"Did he have permission to leave the grounds?" asked the captain of the teachers.
"Not from me," said one instructor after another.
Then Peleg Snuggers was sent out to hunt the bully up and soon came back with the information that Sobber was not around the grounds, but had been seen by two of the cadets walking in the direction of Cedarville. Sobber had given one of the cadets a note for the master of the Hall. This ran as follows:
"Must go to the village on a matter of great importance. Will explain when I return.—T. Sobber."
"Maybe he has gone to find out about that snake," suggested Tom.
"How could he?" came from his younger brother. "The museum keeper has moved away."
"Tad may know where he moved to," put in Larry.
A whole day passed and the bully did not show himself. Then Captain Putnam drove over to the village and attempted to hunt him up, but without success. He learned that the museum man had shipped his outfit to Boston.
"He has run away," said the master of the Hall to Mr. Pell and George Strong. "I am satisfied now that he was guilty. But as Nick knew of it, he must have had something to do with it," he added.