"I came to the conclusion that he had robbed some teacher's room, or had been exploring your strong-box, sir," interposed Bent. "At any rate, I was sure that he had not come honestly by it; and, when I saw it sticking out of his pocket, I took possession of it, for it was the sinews of war."
"And, when you got it, you decided to return?" asked the principal, with a smile.
Bent winced under the glance bestowed upon him; for he realized that the principal understood him, and that any more humility or pretence of duty would do him no good.
"I did not decide to return because I had got the money, but because Tom had deserted his post, and instead of being up at Plattsburgh, or some point miles nearer the foot of the lake, we were not four miles from the mouth of Beaver River."
"That sounds quite reasonable. Tom had spoiled the enterprise he had undertaken to manage," added the captain.
"That was exactly it. He was sleepy, and then he anchored the schooner and turned in. I knew we couldn't get away after he had lost three or four hours. There was no chance for us, and I gave it up as soon as I had looked over the ground. The moment I said a word, Kidd and Pell were eager to come back."
"You may come over to the boat-house with me," continued the principal, leading the way.
The boat-house was open, and they found all the students assembled there. The smoke was pouring out of the smoke-stack of the Sylph, and the runaways concluded that they were getting her ready to go in search of the Lily. No one seemed to be stirring yet on board of the schooner; and it was evident that Tom Topover and his two companions had not yet finished their nap. It was only seven o'clock, and they had not turned in till one; so that they had not yet made up the eight hours of sleep to which they were accustomed.
Dory Dornwood and Paul Bristol were called by Captain Gildrock, and directed to go out to the Lily, buoy the cable without waiting to get up the anchor, and to bring her to the wharf without waking those in the cabin.
Dory laughed heartily when he had learned enough of the absence of the schooner to comprehend the situation; and he and Paul executed the order with which they were charged, to the letter. The Lily was brought alongside of the wharf, and made fast. The sleepers in the cabin were entering on their seventh hour of slumber, and the movements of the boat had not disturbed them.