Altogether it was hot quarters for Cripps that morning, and once or twice he struck completely, and putting himself on his dignity, declared “he wasn’t a-going to be questioned and brow-beated as if he was a common pickpocket!” which objection Mr Loman quietly silenced by saying “Very well,” and turning to go, a movement which so terrified the worthy publican that he caved in at once, and submitted to further questions.
Mr Loman then followed up his advantage by finding out all he could about the companions whom his son had been in the habit of meeting on the occasion of his visits to the Cockchafer. What were their names, occupations, addresses, and so on? Cripps, if any one had told him twenty-four hours ago that he would be meekly divulging all this information to any one in his own house, would have scoffed at the idea. But there was something about Mr Loman’s voice, and Mr Loman’s eye, and Mr Loman’s note-book, which was too much for the publican, and he submitted like a lamb.
In due time the ordeal was over, and Mr Loman said he would now go and call upon these young gentlemen, and see what they had to say, and that Mr Cripps would most likely hear from him again.
Altogether the landlord of the Cockchafer had hardly ever passed such an uncomfortable morning.
Meanwhile the other searchers, among whom were Oliver and Wraysford, were busy.
For a whole day there came no news of the missing boy. No one could be met who had seen him or heard of him. Neither in Maltby nor up the river, nor in the country roads round, could any tidings of him be found. Towards evening those who remained anxiously behind began to entertain fresh fears. Had the boy been merely running away, some one would surely have seen him or heard of him. Had anything worse happened to him?
Mr Loman and the police-inspector paid a hurried visit to the boathouse. Had the boy been there? No, no one had been there for two days. They followed the paths through the woods, asking at every cottage and stopping every passer-by. But no, no one knew anything. No boat had passed through the lock, no passenger on foot had gone past it.
The night came, and with it most of the searchers returned, dejected and worn-out.
The school was strangely silent. Not a sound could be heard in the passages or class-rooms. Nothing but the heavy rain, which now began to fall dismally upon the roof and windows of the old school-house.
Boys who heard it shuddered, and their minds went out into the dark wet night after their lost schoolfellow, wherever he might be.