"Drayton is missing too!" exclaimed Mr. Andrews.
"O father, here's a note one of the chambermaids gave me for you. I forgot all about it," cried Max Bernard, the teacher's little son, who was to make one of the party.
Mr. Bernard opened the note hastily and read:--
"MR. BERNARD,--I can't go with you. Let Joe Chester go, please. I did the mischief, and was afraid to tell. Ben Carver knew about it, but did not do it. We are going off together. Please send our fathers word that we are safe. RALPH DRAYTON.
"P.S.--I was never sorrier in my life, Mr. Bernard."
Mr. Bernard read the note again carefully, and then said to the waiting crowd,--
"Drayton and Carver have gone, they do not say where; but in this note which they leave behind, Drayton confesses that he is the guilty person."
A murmur of astonishment passed around the throng of boys, which was changed to a cheer when Mr. Bernard added,--
"Who will go back for Chester?"
A score of eager voices shouted, "I, sir!" and before he could speak again a dozen boys had leaped ashore, led by David Winter, and were scampering like a herd of wild deer across the fields towards the Academy boarding-house, each determined to be first in announcing the good news to Joe Chester.