BOB HUNTER THOROUGHLY AROUSED.
When Bob Hunter returned from the evening school to his room, he expected to find young Randolph there.
“He promised to be here,” said Bob to himself; “I hope nothing has happened to him.”
The newsboy’s manner showed some alarm. He felt anxious about his friend.
“Something has gone wrong, I believe, or he would surely come,” continued Bob, after waiting for a full half hour; “but I can’t imagine what has steered him on to the wrong track.”
Another half hour went by, and Herbert did not put in an appearance.
“I might’s well stay here, I s’pose, as to go ’n’ prowl round this town huntin’ for Vermont,” said Bob, thoughtfully. “But I guess I’ll see if I can strike his trail. Any way I’ll feel better, ’cause I’ll know I’ve done something. It’s no use to let a feller like him be run into these dens, if the game can be stopped.”
An hour’s fruitless hunt, in and about the Bowery, failed to reveal Herbert’s whereabouts to the anxious searcher. He was unable to find any one who remembered to have seen him.
After giving up all hope of learning what he wished to find out, Bob hurried back to his room, with a feeling of anxiety quite new to him. He had taken a great liking to our hero, and now felt thoroughly alarmed, fearing that foul play had been brought to bear upon him.
The next morning he was up bright and early, looking sharply after his paper business, but he was not the Bob Hunter of the past. From the drollest and funniest boy in the trade he had suddenly become the most serious and thoughtful.