“Go easy,� Gus drawled. “Let Roy tell it. Go ahead, Roy.�
Roy “went ahead� and told his story, ending with the words:
“I haven’t seen Teddy since. That’s all!�
“That’s a-plenty,� Mr. Manley declared. “Where do you suppose Teddy went, Roy? Oughtn’t he to be back by now?�
“He should,� Roy replied. “As I told you, he said ten minutes. Golly, I don’t know where he is, Dad! I’m worried. Something must have happened to him.�
“You don’t know that,� Nick Looker broke in. “Don’t cross no bridges till you come to ’em. Teddy’s all right!�
“I hope so,� Mr. Manley replied moodily. “But I never knew Teddy to stay away when he said he’d be back unless he couldn’t come. Well, let’s not waste time here. We must find him.�
“Want to spread out, boss?� Pop asked. “Better that way, hey?�
“Right!� Mr. Manley answered shortly. “Roy, you come with me. Pop, you and Gus ride to the left. Nick can take the right. Roy and I will go straight down.�
The men and the boy started on their search. Mr. Manley and Roy took the very same path over which Teddy had traveled, though, of course, they did not know this.