"He was with you last night?"
"No, not all the time. He went out with me, but I saw him only twice during the early part of my watch."
Mr. Simms looked serious. "I hope nothing has happened to him. See here, Luke. They tell me Master Stacy has not been seen this morning. Know anything of it?"
"Why, no. Are you sure? Have you looked in his tent?"
"Excuse me, I'll go see if he isn't there," said Tad, rising from the table and hurrying to the tent occupied by his companion.
"No," he said as he returned; "evidently he has not been there since we went out at midnight."
"Ask Old Hicks if he has seen him come in," directed Mr. Simms.
The cook said he had not set eyes on the fat boy, adding that he didn't care a rap if he never came back.
The boys looked at each other with mute, questioning eyes.
"We must go in search of him at once," decided the Professor.