"Are you sure there isn't?" answered Jack.
CHAPTER XV
PEPPER TAKES THE MESSAGE
When Rand arrived at the great oak, which stood at the fork of the road on the outskirts of Creston, on the following morning, he found Pepper impatiently awaiting his arrival.
"I thought you were never coming," grumbled Pepper, when Rand made his appearance. "I expected to be half way there by this time."
"Plenty of time," said Rand. "How long do you think it will take you to get there and back?"
"How far is it?"
"Five miles, as the crow flies," returned Rand, "and near six by the road."
"That's an hour and a half on the road each way and an hour to stop. I ought to do it in four hours and a half."
"Then you should be back by dinner time," concluded Rand. "We will meet you here at 1 o'clock. Which road are you going to take?"