"What! Isn't Mark home?" cried Jack, starting back in alarm.
"No, Massa Jack, we ain't seed him sence yo' two went off togedder.
Where yo' all been?"
"Mark not home!" gasped Mark. "Where is Professor Henderson, Wash? I must speak to him at once."
"He am out in de shed wif Massa Roumann."
With fear in his heart Jack dashed out toward the big shed.
"Ain't yo' goin' t' hab some supper?" called Washington.
"I don't want any supper—yet," flung back Jack over his shoulder.
CHAPTER IX
A DARING PLOT
Mark Sampson lay an inert mass in the arms of the man who had attacked him. Through the sagging door of the old, deserted house the captive lad was carried, and up creaking stairs.