“You’re the only one around here that’s funny,” said the “promising football player,” with conviction.
“It’s too early in the morning to start scrapping, fellows,” laughed Dave. “What’s the program for to-day, Bob?”
“Of course I agree with Larry that it’s all nonsense for us to expect to beat the police at their own game,” began Bob. “Still——”
“Still what?” interposed Tom, with a toss of his head.
“Sergeant Erskine was good enough to tell me the direction in which Jed was going. He gave me a lot of other clues, too, which may help us to follow him up.”
“I knew you’d agree with my plan!” cried Tom, enthusiastically.
“His plan!” snickered Larry.
“Well, I’ll leave it to the crowd: didn’t I tell Sergeant Erskine last night——”
“Oh, yes—that the bunch was going to solve the mystery,” jeered Larry.
“Wouldn’t make us jealous a bit if you did, I’m sure,” said Stephen Stevens, with a hearty laugh. “Poor old Jed! He seemed to be a pretty good sort. For my part, I don’t believe a word of all this yawp about his deserting.”