"Thet's the wust on it," answered Wumble. "Dick had a dirty tumble, and we can't find him nowhar."
Of course the stories on both sides had to be told. Jack Wumble could not keep from laughing when told that Tom had been mistaken for a horse thief.
"Not but wot ye run away with them hosses slick enough," he added slyly.
Dick's disappearance sobered Tom greatly.
"Can it be possible that he has been drowned?" he asked.
"I crawled down to the river, but couldn't find hide nor hair of him," answered Wumble.
Soon all were on the way to the old hotel. As they drew closer
Yates warned them to be cautious.
"Perhaps we can do a bit o' surprisin'," he explained.
"Here comes Noxton!" exclaimed Tom.
"Slinky Bill, sure enough," returned Yates, and one of his companions nodded.