“It is very serious, I think. I think it would be better if these boys went after him at once. I fear something terrible may happen. I will explain later.” He sank exhausted into a chair.
“Which way has he gone, sir?” asked Tony.
“Across the campus—down the hill. Hurry, Deering, hurry! else something terrible may happen.”
CHAPTER XXI
SELF-SACRIFICE
It was a warm muggy night. A pale moon shone dimly through the mists, and the buildings of the school cast long shadows across the campus, giving a weird uncanny effect to the scene, of which the boys were immediately conscious as they came out of the Doctor’s study.
They waited for a moment outside, straining their eyes for a sight of Finch. Suddenly Jimmie discerned a dark figure just disappearing over the brow of the hill. “There he goes,” he cried, “over the hills towards the beach.”
“All right—after him!” urged Tony, and set the pace at a rapid trot. Lawrence and Clavering kept close behind.