The sergeant hurried down to the superintendent’s office, where he found the officer of the day, who had just been making his report.
“I understand that Private Huggins abused my confidence, and that he stayed out all night on the pass I gave him yesterday,” said the superintendent, after returning Bert’s salute. “Perhaps you had better take a corporal with you, and look around and see if you can find any traces of him.”
Bert was delighted. Here was an opportunity for him to win a reputation.
“Shall I go to Oxford, sir?” said he.
“To Oxford?” repeated the superintendent, while the officer of the day looked surprised.
“Yes, sir. There’s where he has gone.”
“How do you know?”
“His room-mate told me so. He has run away intending to go to sea.”
“Well, well! It is more serious than I thought,” said the superintendent, while an expression of annoyance and vexation settled on his face. “He must be brought back. Was he going to walk all that distance or steal a ride on the cars? He has no money, and his father took pains to tell me that none would be allowed him.”