"What has become of them?" asked Sam.
"That is just what I asked. The house is open, and the lamp is burning as if it was waiting for them; but Ben and Bob don't show up."
"Why, where in the world are they?" said Sam, growing somewhat interested.
"That is just what I want to know. I am going up to Mr. Gibbons's house to see about it."
"Does Mr. Gibbons know where they are?"
"No; but he is Bob's lawyer, and he will know about them if anybody does. My idea is," continued Hank, "that they have been kidnapped and sent off to sea."
"Well, if that don't beat me!" said Sam, lost in wonder. "Who do you suppose could have done it?"
"That is what I want to know. But I must go along, now, and see what Bob's lawyer thinks about it."
"One minute before you go, Hank," exclaimed Sam. "I want to speak to you about something."
"To-morrow will do just as well," replied Hank, who, being rested a little by his short pause, broke at once into a run toward Mr. Gibbons's house.