The boy had but just taken his departure when Dan approached, looking very mournful.
"Have you been bounced?" Teddy cried, excitedly.
"Not a bit of it; but look here," and Dan held up a straw hat. "That's poor Sam's! His boat has been found bottom up, an' this, with one of the oars, was fished out of the creek a few moments ago. While we were talking rough about him the poor boy was drowning!"
CHAPTER XIX.
THE ARREST.
Teddy was dazed by the tidings and apparent proof of Sam's death. Without being able to explain why, it seemed as if the amateur detective was not the sort of a boy who might be expected to depart this life suddenly, and the news saddened him wonderfully.
"Just think," he said, "the poor fellow wouldn't try to save the women because of the danger of approaching a drowning person, and in such a short time he himself is at the bottom of the creek."
"If he has got any folks some word ought to be sent to them."
"I never heard him say whether he had or not. Will any one search for the body?"