CHAPTER VII HORACE ELGERT GOES A LITTLE TOO FAR
"What's the matter, Rexworth?"
So queried Warren. Ralph was standing anxiously looking around. He was perplexed, and did not know what he ought to do. These marks might afford him a clue to the mystery of his father's disappearance; and yet the chance seemed but slight, there were more horses than one going lame in one leg. If he stopped he would be late for school, and he did not want to get into disgrace.
He could not explain to his companions, for he saw that if he was ever to succeed he must keep his secrets to himself. A casual word, heedlessly dropped, that he was looking for a lame horse which drew a light trap might be enough to make the owner of horse and trap very careful that he should not be traced.
"It was nothing," he said slowly. "I was thinking."
"Then don't stop to think now," was the advice he received. "We have been a little too far. You scudded along so, and we tried to beat you. We cannot waste any more time. Come on."
He went on with his friends. He felt that it was right to do so. Moreover, the man with the horse and trap must be in the locality still, and if he was not scared off, those tracks would be made again, perhaps even more clearly, and Ralph might then have better opportunity of following them. It was the right thing to go back to the school now.
"I say," suddenly queried Warren, as they hurried on. "Has Elgert said anything more to you?"
"No; I have not seen him, except just as we were coming out, when he came into the gymnasium."