The door at the river side was closed and locked, the ignition locked, and the key placed where the boys could find it, the battery switch thrown safely off, and the day was done in so far as the motor boat was concerned.
“Now, it’s up to the chief’s office for us, and if he isn’t there we’ll have to find him.”
They stopped at the first drug store to quench their thirst with soda-water, and from there proceeded in the direction of the police headquarters.
Stopping along the street to pass remarks with other boys of their acquaintance, answering questions about the speed of the Rocket, they found themselves a few blocks nearer to the large brick structure without having attracted any undue attention.
This, though unplanned, was the best way to proceed.
Buster Billings met his father on the way and was asked to look after a family matter of extreme importance. Buster could not have refused, even if he had wished to, so after promises on the part of the other boys to tell him everything that passed in police headquarters and with assurances that his name would be given to the chief as knowing something of the matter, he said good-bye and went on his way.
Finally, when the others reached the police department, Frank led the way in. He saw Chief Berry sitting in his office, his feet comfortably cocked up on his desk.
Just then one of the attendants at the hospital came rushing up, touched Frank on the shoulder and whispered:
“Come to the hospital quickly. The doctor wants you.”
Before Frank could ask questions, before he could get any information, the attendant was gone.