“Nary bit,” agreed Crane. “He done us a dirty turn to-day, and it’ll take a whole lot of explainin’ to put him right with the bunch.”
Roy was the first to leave the gymnasium, and he started almost at a run for Sage’s home.
“I don’t understand it myself,” he muttered, as he hurried along. “I can’t imagine what threw Fred into such a pitiful condition. I hope he can explain.”
As he came within view of Fred’s home he discovered his chum and Mr. Sage standing near the open stable door, apparently engaged in conversation. At the same moment Fred seemed to espy Roy, and immediately, with a quick word to his father, he darted into the stable and disappeared.
Mr. Sage walked out to meet Hooker. There was a strange expression on the man’s face, and Roy fancied that he seemed somewhat nervous and distraught.
“I’d like to see Fred a minute,” said Hooker.
“I’m sorry,” was the answer, “but he’s not feeling well. He can’t see you.”
His perplexity greatly augmented, Roy stared at the man.
“Is he ill?”
Andrew Sage seemed to hesitate. Lifting a hand to his lips, he coughed behind it.