“If you’re going to do it, you’d better hurry up. He may get back any time.”
“That’s so. Here goes, then.”
In a trice Bill was untied, and Sam, taking the halter, led him away. When Tony came up he was not in sight.
Though Tony felt convinced that Rudolph had carried away the horse, he felt it to be his duty to look about for him. There was a bare chance that he might find him somewhere in the wood. In this way he lost considerable time. Had he started for the hotel immediately, he would very likely have overtaken the two boys.
Sam kept on his way, and finally arrived at the hotel.
As he led the horse into the stable yard, James, the hostler, exclaimed, in surprise:
“How came you by that horse, Sam Payson?”
“Is that the way you thank me for bringing him back?” asked Sam.
He left the stable under the charge of Tony Rugg this morning.”
“Pretty care he takes of him, then!”