[CHAPTER V]
KIDNAPPED!
The message that had taken Sam away from practice had been brought to him by one of the younger boys and, scrawled hurriedly on the back of an envelope, was as follows: “Sam: I’m at the gate in the buggy and must see you, but can’t leave the nag. Run up for a minute, like a good chap, Chester. P. S.—Important!”
There were one or two things about which Chester Harris might want to talk, Sam reflected, but, since that matter was uppermost to his mind at the moment, he believed that Chester had something to confide regarding the Towners’ plans for the game. So he tossed the ball to Hal Morris and, without stopping to change at the gymnasium, sought Chester at the gate. Chester, whose father was the owner of one of the larger mills in Charlemont and very well off, was fond of driving and riding, and, since his father’s stable was well filled with horses, was able to gratify his taste whenever he wished. Today he was seated in a natty runabout behind a handsome and very restive bay mare.
“Hello, Sammy,” was Chester’s greeting. “I’m glad you came because I’ve got something to tell you; something you’ll want to hear, too. Whoa, Judy! Stand still, can’t you. This mare’s the fidgetiest thing I ever saw. She doesn’t want to stand still a moment, but she can certainly travel all right!” Chester looked about him cautiously, but there was no one nearer than the steps of South Dormitory.
“It’s about the game this afternoon, Sammy,” he went on, lowering his voice. “Of course, I’m a Towner, but there are some things——”
The horse began to show her impatience again at that moment and Chester gave her his attention.
“Whoa, you idiot! Say, Sammy, get in here and we’ll drive around a bit. I can’t talk with Judy dancing a two-step all the time.”
“I’ve got my togs on,” Sam objected, yet looking longingly at the seat of the runabout.