The boys looked at Ernest.
“I did see him there!” he said. “That was the truth. With me. Up in the air.”
CHAPTER X
Mr. De Lorme did not know that his stepson had escaped. When Zip discovered the empty garret he did not dare break the news to his employer. The inquiries after Dee were wholly on Zip’s own hook. He hoped to find that the boy had taken refuge with one of his chums. He could not suspect any of them knowing anything about Dee, however, after Ernest’s guiltless information. Down at the L. & N. Station! Zip smiled. The boy was thoroughly scared, after all, and had made good his escape! Somehow or somewhere he might have found out his Aunt’s address. Zip felt sure that when they wanted him they would be able to go down to the great fertile farm in the Blue Grass and find the boy.
Zip went back to the house with a light heart. He took the daily chunk of bread and set it on the attic stairs; then, for fear Mr. De Lorme might take a fancy to unlock the door and go up to see Dee, Zip took the key from the lock.
He found Mr. De Lorme in the laboratory, flushed with his labor. His keen eyes looked tired but steady as he glanced at Zip. “Well?” he interrogated.
“Nothing new,” said Zip. “Everything quiet.”
“How is the prisoner?” asked Mr. De Lorme.
“I did not bother to go up,” said Zip. “He is so sulky that I will not try to talk to him at all. I just leave his food at the bottom of the stairs.”