Darting off, Gerald was gone but a few minutes, returning on the run to report that Pepper had not been back since morning.
"Perhaps he has got hurt somehow," put in Dick.
"It is no way impossible," assented Donald. "It might no be a bad idea to walk along the road until we meet him."
"Which way did he go?" asked Jack.
"The upper road," replied Rand.
The boys acted upon the suggested and proceeded along the road, slowly at first, then more rapidly as their comrade did not appear. They had covered more than half the distance to Highpoint.
"Listen!" said Jack suddenly, as they stopped for a moment. "What is that?"
Faint and far in the distance sounded what seemed like a bugle call.
"It is a bugle call," cried Dick. "It must be Pepper."
"It may be possible," admitted Donald.