Mopping his brow, flushed with anger, Riley took refuge in the station and vowed vengeance in the future on all the boys in Bayport, particularly high school boys, most especially Chet Morton's gang, and most absolutely and positively Chet Morton himself.
As for that worthy, in company with his chums, he had witnessed the alarm clock parade from a convenient corner across the street and was now limply making his way toward the Hardys' barn, pausing every now and then to burst into shrieks of laughter at the remembrance of Riley's undignified flight.
But when the Hardy boys and their chums reached the house they found their father hastening down the front steps.
"I just had a telephone message from the police station," he said.
"What's the matter?" asked Frank, while the other lads looked at one another guiltily. Had Riley reported them?
"Paul Blum has escaped from jail," said Fenton Hardy.
CHAPTER XV
The Chase
"When?" asked the Hardy boys quickly, in response to their father's announcement of Paul Blum's escape.
"Just a few minutes ago. At least that was when they discovered it. He managed to get out into the jail yard for some exercise, and in some way the guard's attention was distracted. Blum piled up a couple of old boxes against the wall and was over before any one saw him."