"Boys, I've had my trunk looted!"
"And I've had my trousers' pockets picked!"
"And the half-dollar I left on the bureau is gone!"
Such were some of the excited exclamations which the Rover boys heard when they went downstairs the next morning. The speakers were the youths who occupied Dormitories Numbers 3 and 4, at the rear of the main upper hall. An inquiry among the lads elicited the information that everybody had suffered excepting one boy, who said he had not had any money on hand.
"I spent my last cent for the spread," he grinned. "I guess I'm the lucky one."
The news of the robberies created a profound sensation throughout Putnam Hall, and both Captain Putnam and George Strong were very much disturbed.
"We never had such a thing occur before," said the captain, and he ordered a strict investigation.
All told, something like thirty-two dollars were missing, and also a gold watch, a silver watch, and several shirt-studs of more or less value. Among the shirt-studs was one set with a ruby belonging to a cadet named Weeks.
The investigation revealed nothing of importance. The robbery had been committed during the night, while the owners of the money and the various articles slept.
"I must get at the bottom of this affair," said Captain Putnam."The honor of the academy is at stake."
He talked to all of those who had lost anything and promised to make the matter good. Then he asked each if he had any suspicions regarding the thief or thieves. No one had, and for the time being it looked as if the case must fall to the ground.
Those who had been at the feast hardly knew what to say or to do. Should they tell the captain of the strange figure Sam had seen in the hallway?
"I'll tell him, and shoulder the blame, if you fellows are willing," said Sam, after a long discussion. "Fun is one thing, and shielding a thief is another."
"But what can you tell?" asked Fred. "You do not know that that person, was the thief."
"More than likely he was," came from Dick.
"And if he was, who was he?" went on Fred. "If you tell CaptainPutnam you'll simply get us all into trouble."
"I vote that Sam makes a clean breast of it," said Frank, and Larry said the same. This was just before dinner, and immediately after the midday meal had been finished the youngest Rover went up to the master of the Hall and touched him on the arm.
"I would like to speak to you in private and at once, CaptainPutnam," he said.
"Very well, Rover; come with me," was the reply, and CaptainPutnam led the way to his private office.
"I suppose I should have spoken of this before," said Sam, when the two were seated. "But I didn't want to get the others into trouble. As it is, Captain Putnam, I want to take the entire blame on my own shoulders."
"The blame of what, Samuel?"
"Of what I am going to tell you about. We voted to tell you, but I don't want to be a tattle-tale and get the others into trouble along with me."
"I will hear what you have to say," returned the master of the Hall briefly.
"Well, sir, you know it was Dick's birthday yesterday, and we boys thought we would celebrate a bit. So we had a little blow-out in our room."
"Was that the noise I heard last night?"
"The noise you heard was from our room, yes. But that isn't what I was getting at," stammered Sam. "We set a guard out in the hallway to keep watch."
"Well?"
"I was out in the hall part of the time, and I saw a dark figure in the rear hallway prowling around in a most suspicious manner. It went into Dormitory No. 3 and then came out and disappeared toward the back stairs."
"This is interesting. Who was the party?"
"I couldn't make out."
"Was it a man or a woman?
"A man, sir, or else a big boy. He had something like a shawl over his shoulders and was dressed in black or dark-brown."
"You saw him go in and come out of one of the sleeping rooms?"
"Yes, sir."
"And then he went down the back stairs?"
"He either went down the stairs or else into one of the back rooms. I walked back after a minute or two, but I didn't see anything more of him, although I heard a door close and heard a key turn in a lock."
"Was this before I came up or after?"
"Before, sir. We went to sleep right after you came up."
"Who was present at the feast?" And now Captain Putnam prepared to write down the names.
"Oh, sir; I hope you won't—won't—"
"I'll have to ask you for the names, Samuel. I want to know who was on foot last night as well as who was robbed."
"Surely you don't think any of us was guilty?" cried Sam in sudden horror.
"I don't know what to think. The names, please."
"I—I think I'll have to refuse to give them, Captain Putnam."
"Of course all the boys who sleep in your dormitory were present?"
"I said I would take this all on my own shoulders, Captain Putnam. Of course, you know I wouldn't have confessed at all; but I don't wish to give that thief any advantage."
"Perhaps the person wasn't a thief at all, only some other cadet spying upon you."
"We thought of that."
"You may as well give me the names. I shall find them out anyway."
Hardly knowing whether or not he was doing right, Sam mentioned all of the cadets who had taken part in the feast. This list Captain Putnam compared with another containing the names of those who had been robbed.
"Thirty-two pupils," he mused. "I'll have the whole, school in this before I finish."
He looked at Sam curiously. The youth wondered what was coming next, when there was a sudden knock on the door. "Come in," said Captain Putnam, and one of the little boys entered with a letter in his hand.
"Mr. Strong sent me with this," said the young cadet. "He just found it on the desk in the main recitation room."
"All right, Powers; thank you," answered the captain, and took the letter. "You can go," and Powers retired again.
The letter was encased in a dirty, envelope on which was printed in a big hand, in lead pencil:
"CAPT. VICTOR PUTNAM.Very Important. Deliver at Once."
Taking up a steel blade, the master of the Hall cut open the envelope and took out the slip of paper it contained. As he read the communication he started. Then he crushed the paper in his hand and looked sharply at Sam.
"Samuel, was the party you saw in the hall-way tall and slim?"
"Rather tall, yes, sir."
"And slim?"
"Well, he wasn't fat."
"Did you see his face?"
"No; it was too dark for that, and, besides, he had that shawl, or whatever it was, pretty well up around him."
"Did you notice how he walked?"
"He moved on tiptoes."
"And you cannot imagine who it was?"
"No, sir."
"By the way, you of course know Alexander Pop, our colored waiter."
"Why, to be sure! Everybody knows Aleck, and we have had lots of fun with him, at one time or another. But you surely don't suspect him, do you?"
"This letter says Pop is guilty."
"That letter? And who wrote it?"
"I do not know. It contains but two lines, and you can read it for yourself," and the captain handed over the communication, which ran as follows:
"Alexander Pop stole that money and the other things.ONE WHO KNOWS ALL."
"That's a mighty queer letter for anybody to write," murmured Sam, as he handed it back. "Why didn't the writer come to you, as I have done?"
"Perhaps he wanted to keep out of trouble."
"I don't believe the letter tells the truth, sir."
"And why not?"
"Because Aleck is too good-hearted a fellow to turn thief."
"Hum! That hardly covers the ground, Samuel."
"Well, why don't you have him searched?"
"I will."
Without further ado Sam was dismissed, and Captain Putnam calledGeorge Strong to him and showed the strange letter.
"Why not look among Pop's effects?" suggested the assistant. "He may have hidden the money and jewelry in his trunk."
"We will go up to his apartment," replied Captain Putnam, and a few minutes later the pair ascended to the attic room which the colored waiter had used for several terms. They found Pop just fixing up for a trip to Cedarville.
He nodded pleasantly, and then looked at both questioningly.
"Pop, I am afraid I have a very unpleasant duty to perform," beganCaptain Putnam.
"Wot's dat, sah?" asked Aleck in surprise.
"You have heard of the robberies that have been committed?"
"'Deed I has, sah. But—but yo' don't go fo' to distrust me, do yo', cap'n?" went on the colored man anxiously.
"I would like to search your trunk and your clothing, Pop. If you are innocent you will not object."
"But, sah, I didn't steal nuffin, sah."
"Then you shouldn't object."
"It aint right nohow to 'spect an honest colored pusson, sah," said Aleck, growing angry.
"Do you object to the search?"
"I do, sah. I am not guilty, sah, an' dis am not treatin' me jest right, sah, 'deed it aint, sah."
"If you object, Pop, I will be under the painful necessity of having Snuggers place you under arrest. You know he is a special officer for the Hall."
At this announcement Aleck fell back completely dumfounded. "Well, dat's de wust yet!" he muttered, and sank back on a chair, not knowing what to do next.
"Will you submit to having your trunk examined or not?" demandedCaptain Putnam, after a painful pause, during which AlexanderPop's eyes rolled wildly from one teacher to the other.
"Yo' kin examine it if yo' desire," said Aleck. "But it's an outrage, Cap'n Putnam, an' outrage, sah!"
Without more ado Captain Putnam approached the waiter's trunk, to find it locked.
"Where is the key, Pop?"
"Dare, sah, on de nail alongside ob yo' sah."
Soon the trunk was unlocked and the lid thrown back. The box contained a miscellaneous collection of wearing apparel, which the captain pushed to one side. Then he brought out a cigar box containing some cheap jewelry and other odds and ends, as well as two five dollar bills.
"Dat money am mine, sah," said Aleck. "Yo paid me dat las'Saturday, sall."
"That is true, but how did this get here, Pop?"
As Captain Putnam paused he held up a stud set with a ruby-the very stud the cadet Weeks had lost!
"Dat—dat stud—I never seen dat shirt-stud before, cap'n, 'deed I didn't," stammered the waiter.
"That is certainly Weeks' stud; I remember it well," put in George Strong. "He showed it to me one day, stating it was a gift from his aunt."
"And here is a cheap watch," added Captain Putnam, bringing forth the article. "Pop, is this your watch?"
"No, sah—I—I never seen dat watch before," answered Aleck nervously. "I dun reckon sumbuddy put up a job on dis poah coon, sah," he continued ruefully.
"I believe the job was put up by yourself," answered CaptainPutnam sternly. "If you are guilty you had better confess."
A stormy war of words followed. Alexander Pop stoutly declared himself innocent, but in the face of the proofs discovered the master of the Hall would not listen to him.
"Peleg Snuggers shall take you in charge and drive down to theCedarville lock-up," said the captain.
The news that some of the things had been found in Pop's trunk spread with great rapidity. Many were astonished to learn that he was thought guilty, but a few declared that "a coon wasn't to be trusted anyway."
"Niggers are all thieves," said Jim Caven, "never yet saw an honest one."
"I don't believe you!" burst out Tom. "Pop's a first-rate fellow, and the captain has got to have more proof against him before I'll believe him guilty."
"Oh, he's a bad egg!" growled the Irish boy.
"You only say that because he called you down last week," put in Frank. He referred to a tilt between the new pupil and the colored man. Jim Caven had tried to be "smart" and had gotten the worst of the encounter.
"Yes, I think he's as honest as you are!" burst out Tom, before he had stopped to think twice.
"What! do you call me a thief!" roared Jim Caven, and leaped upon Tom, with his face as white as the wall. "I'll make you smart for that!"
One blow landed on Tom's cheek and another was about to follow, when Tom dodged and came up under Caven's left arm. Then the two boys faced each other angrily.
"A fight! Fight!" cried a number of the cadets, and in a twinkle a ring was formed around the two contestants.
"I'm going to give you the worst thrashing you ever had," saidCaven, but in rather a nervous tone.
"All right, Caven, go ahead and do it," cried Tom. "I will stand up for Aleck Pop, and there you are!"
Tom launched forth and caught Caven on the right cheek. The Irish lad also struck out, but the blow fell short. Then the two boys clinched.
"Break away there!" cried Frank. "Break away!"
"I'll break his head!" panted Caven. "How do you like that?" And he held Tom with one hand and hit him in the neck with the other.
The blow was a telling one, and for a brief instant Tom was dazed.But then he caught his second wind and threw Caven backward.Before the Irish lad could recover his balance, Tom struck himin the nose, and over rolled his opponent.
A shout went up. "Good for Tom Rover! That was a telling blow!I Keep it up!"
"I'll fix you!" gasped Jim Caven, as soon as he could speak. "I'll fix you!" and staggering to his feet, he glanced around for some weapon. Nothing met his view but a garden spade which Peleg Snuggers had been using, and catching this up he ran for Tom as if to lay him low forever.
"Caven, none of that! Fight fair!"
"He shan't call me a thief!" growled the Irish boy. "I'll show him!" And he aimed a tremendous blow for Tom's head.
Had the spade fallen as intended Tom's cranium might have been split in twain. But now both Dick and Frank caught the unreasonable youth and held him while Sam and several others took the spade away.
"Stop it—here comes Mr. Strong!" came the unexpected cry from some outsiders.
"Yes, give it up, Tom," whispered Sam.
"We're in hot water enough, on account of that feast."
"I'll give it up if Caven is willing," muttered
"I'll meet you another time," answered Caven, and walked rapidly away.
"What is the row here?" demanded George Strong, as he strode up.
"Nothing, sir," said one of the boy. "Some of the fellows were wrestling for possession of that spade."
"Oh, I was afraid there was a fight," and Mr. Strong sauntered off.
He was on his way to the barn, and presently the cadets saw him come forth with the man-of-fall-work and the light spring wagon.
"They are going to take poor Aleck to the Cedarville lock-up," announced Fred. "Poor chap, I never thought this of him!"
"Nor I," answered Dick. "To me this affair isn't very clear."
"I don't believe they will be able to convict him of the crime," put in Sam.
An hour later Peleg Snuggers started away from Putnam Hall with his prisoner. Aleck looked the picture of misery as he sat on a rear seat, his wrists bound together and one leg tied to the wagon seat with a rope.
"Dis am a mistake," he groaned. "I aint guilty nohow!"
Some of the boys wished to speak to him, but this was not permitted. Soon the turnout was out of sight.
"You may think I am hard with him," said Captain Putnam, later on, "but to tell the truth he does not come from a very good family and he has a step-brother already in prison."
"Aleck can't be held responsible for his stepbrother's doings," murmured Tom, but not loud enough for the master to hear him.
A diligent search had been made for the other stolen articles, but nothing more was brought to light. If Pop had taken the things he had either hidden them well or else disposed of them.
It was nearly nightfall when Peleg Snuggers drove back to the Hall. Dick and Tom met him just outside the gates and saw that the man-of-all-work looked much dejected.
"Well, Peleg, is he safe in jail?" called out Tom.
"No, he ain't," was the snappy reply.
"Why, what did you do with him?" questioned Dick quickly.
"Do? I didn't do nuthin—not me. It was him as did it all—cut that blessed rope and shoved me over the dashboard on to the hosses!" growled Snuggers.
"Do you mean to say he got away from you?" asked Tom.
"Yes, he did—got away like a streak o' fightnin', thet's wot he did, consarn him!" And without another word Peleg drove to the rear of the Hall, put his team in the barn, and went in to report to Captain Putnam.
Another row resulted, and this nearly cost the utility Man his position. But it appeared that he was not so much to blame that Alexander Pop had taken him unawares and finally he was sent away to his work with the caution to be more careful in the future. Before night and during the next day a hunt was made for the colored man, but he had left the vicinity entirely, gone to New York, and shipped on one of the outward-bound ocean vessels. The Rover boys fancied that they would never see him again, but in this they were mistaken.
"Say, fellows, but this is the greatest sport yet!"
"I feel like flying, Tom," said Dick Rover. "I never thought wheeling was so grand."
"Nor I," came from Sam Rover. "Where shall we go this afternoon?"
It was several weeks later, and the scholars were having a half-holiday. Just six days before, Randolph Rover had surprised his three nephews by sending each a handsome bicycle, and it had taken them hardly any time to learn how to handle the machines.
"Let us take a ride over to Chardale," said Dick. "I understand that the roads are very good in that direction."
"All right, I'm willing," answered Sam, and Tom said the same.Soon the three brothers were on the way, Dick leading and Tom andSam coming behind, side by side.
It was an ideal day for cycling, cool and clear, and the road they had elected to take was inviting to the last degree, with its broad curves, its beautiful trees, and the mountainous views far to the north and west.
"It's a wonder we didn't get wheels before," observed Dick. "This beats skating or riding a to bits."
"Just you look out that you don't take a header!" warned Tom. "This road is all right, but a loose stone might do a pile of damage."
"I've got my eye on the road," answered his big brother. "For the matter of that, we'll all have to keep our eyes open."
To reach Chardale they had to cross several bridges and then descend a long hill, at the foot of which ran the railroad to several towns north and south.
"Come on!" cried Tom, and spurted ahead. With a laugh, Sam tried to catch up to him, but could not. "Now for a coast!" went on the fun-loving Rover, as the hill was gained, and on he started, his wheel flying faster and faster as yard after yard was covered.
"My gracious, Tom! look out or you'll be smashed up!" yelled Dick."Put on your brake!"
"Can't," came back the answer. "I took it off entirely this morning."
This reply had scarcely reached Dick's ears when another sound came to him which disturbed him greatly.
Far away he heard the whistle of a locomotive as it came around the bottom of the hill. Looking in the direction, he saw the puff of smoke over the treetops.
He tried to cry out, but now the road was rather rough, and he had to pay strict attention 'to where he was riding.
"Tom's going to get into trouble," gasped Sam, as he ranged up alongside of his elder brother. "The road crosses the railroad tracks just below here."
"I know it, Sam. I wish we could make him come back."
As Dick finished he saw a chance to stop and at once dismounted.Then he yelled at the top of his lungs:
"Tom, stop! Stop, or you'll run into the railroad train!"
Sam also came to a halt and set up a shout. But Tom was now speeding along like the wind and did not hear them.
Nearer and nearer he shot to the railroad tracks. Then the whistle of the locomotive broke upon his ears and he turned pale.
"I don't want to run into that train," he muttered, and tried to bring his bicycle to a halt.
But the movement did not avail without a brake, and so he was compelled to seek for some side path into which he might guide his machine.
But, alas! the road was hemmed in with a heavy woods on one side and a field of rocks on the other. A sudden stop, therefore, would mean a bad spill, and Tom had no desire to break his bones by any such proceeding.
Nearer and nearer he drew to the railroad crossing. He could now hear the puffing of the engine quite plainly and caught a glimpse of the long train over the rocks to his left. On he bounded until the crossing itself came into view. He was less than a hundred yards from it—and the oncoming engine was about the same distance away!
There are some moments in one's life that seem hours, and the present fraction of time was of that sort to poor Tom. He had a vision of a terrific smash-up, and of Dick and Sam picking up his lifeless remains from the railroad tracks. "I'm a goner!" he muttered, and then, just before the tracks were reached, he made one wild, desperate leap in the direction of a number of bushes skirting the woods. He turned over and over, hit hard—and for several seconds knew no more.
When Dick and Sam came up they found Tom sitting in the very midst of the bushes. The bicycle lay among the rocks with the handle-bars and the spokes of the front wheel badly twisted.
"Are you much hurt, Tom?" asked his big brother sympathetically, yet glad to learn that Tom had not been ground to death under the train, which had now passed the crossing.
"I don't know if I'm hurt or not," was the 'slow answer, as Tom held his handkerchief to his nose, which was bleeding.
"I tried to plow up these bushes with my head, that's all. I guess my ankle is sprained, too."
"You can't ride that wheel any further," announced Sam.
"I don't want to ride. I've had enough, for a few days at least."
It was a good quarter of an hour before Tom felt like standing up. Then he found his ankle pained him so much that walking was out of the question.
"I'm sure I don't know what I am going to do," he said ruefully. "I can't walk and I can't ride, and I don't know as I can stay here."
"Perhaps Dick and I can carry you to Hopeton," said Sam, mentioning a small town just beyond the railroad tracks.
"It will be a big job. If you— Here comes a wagon. Perhaps the driver of that will give me a lift."
As Tom finished a large farm wagon rattled into sight, drawn by a pair of bony horses and driven by a tall, lank farmer.
"Hullo, wot's the matter?" asked the farmer, as he drew rein."Had a breakdown?"
"No, I've had a smash-up," answered Tom.
"My brother's ankle is sprained, and we would like to know if you can give him a lift to the next town," put in Dick. "We'll pay you for your trouble."
"That's all right—Seth Dickerson is allers ready to aid a fellow-bein' in distress," answered the farmer. "Can ye git in the wagon alone?"
Tom could not, and the farmer and Dick carried him forward and placed him on the seat. Then the damaged bicycle was placed in the rear of the turnout, and Seth Dickerson drove off, while Sam and Dick followed on their steeds of steel.
"I see you air dressed in cadet uniforms," remarked the farmer, as the party proceeded on its way. "Be you fellers from Pornell school?"
"No; we come from Putnam Hall," answered Tom.
"Oh, yes—'bout the same thing, I take it. How is matters up to the school—larnin' a heap?"
"We are trying to learn all we have to."
"Had some trouble up thar, didn't ye? My wife's brother was a-tellin' me about it. A darkey stole some money an' watches, an' that like."
"They think he stole them," said Tom.
"We can hardly believe it."
"Why don't Captain Putnam hunt around them air pawnshops fer the watches?" went on Seth Dickerson, after a pause.
"The thief would most likely pawn 'em, to my way of thinkin'."
"He hasn't much of a chance to do that. But I presume the police will keep their eyes open."
"I was over to Auburn yesterday—had to go to see about a mortgage on our farm—and I stopped into one of them pawnbrokin' shops to buy a shot-gun, if I could git one cheap. While I was in there a big boy came in and pawned a gold watch an' two shirt studs."
"Is that so," returned Tom, with much interest. "What kind of a looking boy was it?"
"A tall, slim feller, with reddish hair. He had sech shifty eyes I couldn't help but think that maybe he had stolen them things jest to raise some spending money."
"Did he give his name?"
"He said Jack Smith, but I don't think thet vas correct, for he hesitated afore he gave it."
"A tall, slim fellow, with reddish hair and shifty eyes," musedTom. "Do you remember how he was dressed?"
"He had on a rough suit of brownish-green and a derby hat with a hole knocked in one side."
"My gracious me!" burst out the boy. "Can it be possible!"
"Can wot be possible, lad?"
"That description fits one of our students exactly." Tom called to Dick and Sam. "Come up here, both of you!"
"What's up, Tom; do you feel worse?" asked Dick, as he wheeled as closely to the seat of the wagon as possible.
"No, I feel better. But I've made a big discovery—at least, I feel pretty certain that I have?"
"What discovery?" questioned Sam.
"I've discovered who stole that money and other stuff."
"And who was it?" came quickly from both brothers.
"Jim Caven."
"Jim Caven!" repeated Dick slowly, "What makes you believe that he is guilty?"
"From what Mr. Dickerson here says," answered Tom, and repeated what the farmer had told him.
"Gracious, that does look black for Caven!" said Dick, when he had finished. He turned to the farmer. "Would you recognize that boy again if you saw him?"
"I allow as how I would. His eyes was wot got me—never saw sech unsteady ones afore in my life."
"Yes, those eyes put me down on Caven the minute I saw him," answered Tom. "More than half of the boys at the Hall have put him down as a first-class sneak, although we can't exactly tell why."
"See here," said Dick. "I think it would be best if Mr. Dickerson would drive back to the Hall with us and tell Captain Putnam of what he knows."
"And see if he can identify Caven," finished Sam. "Are you willing to do that, Mr. Dickerson?"
"Well, to tell the truth, I've got some business to attend to now," was the slow reply.
"I am sure Captain Putnam will pay you for your trouble," went onSam. "If he won't, we will."
"You seem mighty anxious to bring this Caven to justice," smiled the farmer.
"We are, for two reasons," said Tom. "The first is, because he isn't the nice sort to have around, and the second is, because one of the men working at the school, a colored waiter, whom we all liked, has been suspected of this crime and had to run away to avoid arrest."
"I see. Well—" The farmer mused for a moment. "All right, I'll go back with ye—and at once."
The team was turned around as well as the narrow confines of the hilly road permitted, and soon the Rover boys were on their way back to Putnam Hall, a proceeding which pleased Tom in more ways than one, since he would not have now to put up at a strange resort to have his ankle and his wheel cared for. They bowled along at a rapid gait, the horses having more speed in them than their appearance indicated. They were just turning into the road leading to Putnam Hall grounds when Dick espied several cadets approaching, bound for the lake shore.
"Here come Caven, Willets, and several others!" he cried. "Mr.Dickerson, do you recognize any of those boys?"
The farmer gave a searching glance, which lasted until the approaching cadets were beside the wagon. Then he pointed his hand at Jim Caven.
"Thet's the boy I seed over to Auburn, a-pawning thet watch an' them studs," he announced. "He's got his sodger uniform on, but I know him jest the same."
Jim Caven looked at the farmer in astonishment. Then when he heard Seth Dickerson's words he fell back and his face grew deathly white.
"I—I don't know you," he stammered.
"I seed you over to Auburn, in a pawnshop," repeated Dickerson.
"It—It isn't true!" gasped Caven. "I was never over to Auburn in my life. Why should I go there to a pawnshop?"
"I guess you know well enough, Caven," said Tom. "You bad better come back to the Hall with us and have a talk with Captain Putnam."
"I won't go with you. This is—is a—a plot against me," stammered the slim youth.
"You will go back!" cried Dick, and caught Caven by the arm. But with a jerk the seared boy freed himself and ran down the road at the top of his speed.
Sam and Dick pursued him on their bicycles, while some of the others came after on foot. Seeing this, Jim Caven took to the woods just as Dan Baxter had done, and the boys found it impossible to track him any further.
"I wonder if he'll come back tonight?" said Dick, as the party returned to where they had left Seth Dickerson and Tom.
"I don't think he will," answered Sam. "I declare, he must be almost as bad as the Baxters!"
The farm wagon soon reached the Hall, and Dick ushered Seth Dickerson into Captain Putnam's office. The captain looked surprised at the unexpected visitor, but listened with deep concern to all the farmer and the Rover boys had to say.
"This certainly looks black for Caven," he said at last. "I did not think I had such a bad boy here. And you say he got away from you?"
"Yes, sir."
"It is a question if he will come back—providing he is reallyguilty. I will have his trunk and bag searched without delay.But if he is guilty how did that ruby stud and the watch come intoAlexander Pop's possession?"
"He was down on Aleck," replied Tom, who had hobbled in after the others. "And, besides, he thought if Aleck was arrested the search for the criminal would go no further."
"Perhaps you are right, Thomas. It is a sad state of affairs at the best."
The party ascended to the dormitory which Jim Caven occupied with several smaller boy. His trunk was found locked, but Captain Putnam took upon himself the responsibility of hunting up a key to fit the box. Once open the trunk was found to contain, among other things, a bit of heavy cloth tied with a piece of strong cord.
"Here we are, sure enough!" cried the captain, as he undid the package and brought to light several of the missing watches and also some of the jewelry. "I guess it is a clear case against Caven, and Pop is innocent."
"I wish we could tell Pop of it," put in Dick.
"He must feel awfully bad."
"I will do what I can for the negro, Rover. I am very sorry indeed, now, that I suspected him," said Captain Putnam, with a slow shake of his head.
At the bottom of the trunk was a pocketbook containing nearly all of the money which had been stolen. A footing-up revealed the fact that two watches and three gold shirt studs were still missing.
"And those were pawned in Auburn," said Sam. "Just wait and see if I am not right."
A party was organized to hunt for Caven, and the captain himself went to Auburn that very evening. The hunt for the missing boy proved unsuccessful, and it may be added here that he never turned up at Putnam Hall again nor at his home in Middletown, having run away to the West.
When Captain Putnam came back he announced that he had recovered all but one watch. The various goods and the money were distributed among their rightful owners, and it must be confessed that a big sigh of relief went up from the cadets who had suffered. The single missing timepiece was made good to the boy who had lost it, by the captain buying a similar watch for the youth.
After this several weeks passed without anything of special interest occurring outside of a stirring baseball match with a club from Ithaca, which Putnam Hall won by a score of six to three. In this game Dick made a much-needed home run, thus covering himself with glory.
"The Rovers are out of sight!" was Larry's comment. "Whatever they do they do well."
"And they hang together like links of a chain," added Fred. "The friend of one is the friend of all, and the same can be said of an enemy."
One morning a telegraph messenger from Cedarville was seen approaching the Hall, just as the boys were forming for the roll-call.
"Here's a telegram for somebody," said Sam.
"I hope it's not bad news."
"A message for Richard Rover," announced George Strong, after receiving it, and handed over the yellow envelope.
Wondering what the message could contain and who had sent it, Dick tore open the envelope and read the brief communication. As his eyes met the words his head seemed to swim around, so bewildered was he by what was written there.
"What is it, Dick?" came from Tom and Sam.
"It's from Uncle Randolph. He wants us to come home at once. He says—but read it for yourselves," and the elder Rover handed over the message, which ran as follows:
"Have just received a strange message from the sea, supposed to be written by your father. Come home at once. RANDOLPH ROVER."
"My gracious! News from father!" gasped Tom.
"Is he really alive?" burst out Sam. "Oh, I pray Heaven the news is true!"
"A strange message from the sea," repeated Dick. "I wonder what he can mean?"
"Perhaps it's a message that was picked up by some steamer," suggested Sam. "Anyway, uncle wants us to come home at once."
"He doesn't say all of us. The message is addressed to me."
"But of course he wanted all of us to come," put in Tom. "Anyway, four horses couldn't hold me back!" he continued determinedly.
"Nor me," chimed in Sam. He drew a long breath. "If we hurry up we can catch the noon boat at Cedarville for Ithaca."
"Yes, and the evening train for Oak Run," finished Tom. "Hurry up, Dick!"
Dick was willing. To tell the truth, that message had fired him as he had never been fired before. He burst into the captain's office pell-mell, with Tom and Sam on his heels, to explain the situation. Ten minutes later—and even this time seemed an age to the brothers—they were hurrying into their ordinary clothing and packing, their satchels, while Peleg Snuggers was hitching up to take them to the landing at Cedarville.
"Good-by to you, and good luck!" shouted Frank, as they clambered into the wagon, and many other cadets set up a shout. Then the wagon rattled off. The Rover boys had turned their backs on dear old Putnam Hall for a long while to come.
For the three Rover boys the Golden Star could not make the trip from Cedarville to Ithaca fast enough. They fretted over every delay, and continually wondered if there was any likelihood of their missing the train which was to take them to Oak Run, the nearest railroad station to Valley Brook farm, their uncle's home.
But the train was not missed; instead, they had to wait half an hour for it. During this time they procured dinner, although Dick felt so strange he could scarcely eat a mouthful.
"Uncle Randolph doesn't say much," he murmured to Tom. "He might have said more."
"We'll know everything before we go to bed, Dick," answered his brother. "I don't believe Uncle Randolph would telegraph unless the news was good."
They indulged in all sorts of speculation, as the train sped on its way to Oak Run. When the latter place was reached it was dark, and they found Jack Ness, the hired man, waiting for them with the carriage.
"There, I knowed it," grinned Jack. "Mr. Rover calculated that only Dick would come, but I said we'd have 'em all."
"And what is this news of my father?" questioned Dick.
"It's a message as was picked up off the coast of Africky," replied Ness. "Mr. Rover didn't explain very clearly to me. He's a good deal excited, and so is the missus."
"And so are we," remarked Sam. "Can it be that father is on his way home?"
"I calculate not, Master Sam. Leas'wise, your uncle didn't say so," concluded the hired man.
Never had the horses made better time than they did now, and yet the boys urged Ness continually to drive faster. Swift River was soon crossed—that stream where Sam had once had such a stirring adventure—and they bowled along past the Fox and other farms.
"Here we are!" shouted Dick at last.
"There is Uncle Randolph out on the porch to greet us!"
"And there is Aunt Martha!" added Sam. "I do believe they look happy, don't you, Tom?"
"They certainly don't look sad," was the noncommittal answer; and then the carriage swept up to the horse-block and the three boys alighted.
"All of you, eh?" were Randolph Rover's first words. "Well, perhaps it is just as well so."
"We simply couldn't stay behind, uncle," said Sam. "And we are dying to know what it all means."
"But you must have supper first," put in Aunt Martha, as she gave one and another a motherly kiss. "I know riding on the cars usually makes Tom tremendously hungry."
"Well eat after we have had the news," said Tom. "We're dying to know all, as Sam says."
"The news is rather perplexing, to tell the truth," said RandolphRover, as he led the way into the library of the spacious home."I hardly know what to make of it."
"Who brought it?" questioned Dick.
"It came by mail—a bulky letter all the way from Cape Town,Africa."
"From father?"
"No, from a Captain Townsend, who, it seems, commands the clipper ship Rosabel. He sent me one letter inclosing another. The first letter is from himself."
"And is the second letter from father?" burst out Tom.
"Yes, my boy."
"Oh, let us see it!" came in a shout from all three of the Rover boys.
"You had better read the captain's communication first," answered Randolph Rover. "Then you will be more apt to understand the other. Or shall I read it for the benefit of all?"
"Yes, yes, you read it, Uncle Randolph," was the answer.
"The letter is dated at Cape Town, and was written a little over amonth ago. It is addressed to 'Randolph Rover, or to Richard,Thomas, or Samuel Rover, New York City,' and is further marked'Highly Important-Do Not Lose or Destroy.'"
"And what is in it?" asked the impatient Tom. "Do hurry and tell us, Uncle Randolph."
And then his uncle read as follows:
"TO THE ROVER FAMILY, New York:
"I am a stranger to you, but I deem it my duty to write to you on account of something which occurred on the 12th day of April last, while my clipper ship Rosabel, bound from Boston, U. S. A., to Cape Town, Africa, was sailing along the coast of Congo but a few miles due west from the mouth of the Congo River.
"Our ship had been sent in by a heavy gale but the wind had gone down, and we were doing more drifting than sailing to the southward when the lookout espied a man on a small raft which was drifting toward us.
"On coming closer, we discovered that the man was white and that he looked half starved. We put out a boat and rescued the poor creature but he had suffered so much from spear wounds and starvation that, on being taken on board of our ship, he immediately relapsed into insensibility, and out of this we failed to arouse him. He died at sundown, and we failed, even to learn him name or home address.
"On searching the dead man's pockets we came across the enclosed letter, addressed to you, and much soiled from water. As you will see, it is dated more than a year back and was evidently in the possession of the man who died for some time. Probably he started out to deliver it, or to reach some point from which it could be mailed.
"I trust that the message becomes the means of rescuing the Anderson Rover mentioned in the letter, and I will be pleased to learn if this letter of mine is received. The Rosabel sails from Cape Town to Brazil as soon as her cargo can be discharged and another taken on.
"Very truly yours,
"JOHN V. TOWNSEND, Captain."
As Randolph Rover ceased reading there was a brief silence, broken by Tom.
"So the man who died held a letter. And what is in that, UncleRandolph?"
"I will read it to you, boys, although that is a difficult matter, for the writing is uneven and much blurred. On one part of the sheet there is a blot of blood—the blood, I presume—of the poor fellow who was trying to deliver the communication."
Unfolding the stained document, Randolph Rover bent closer to the table lamp that he might read the more easily. As for the boys, they fairly held their breaths, that no spoken word might escape them.
"The letter is addressed to me," said the uncle. "But the envelope is, as you can see, very much torn. I will read," and he did so.
"NIWILI CAMP, on the Congo,
"July the 18th, 189—.
"If, by the goodness of God, this reaches you, I trust that you will set out without delay to my assistance.
"I write under great difficulties, as a prisoner, of the Bumwo tribe of natives, ruled by King Susko.
"I have discovered the secret of a gold mine here, and the king will not let me go, fearing that I will tell the outside world of my discovery and bring the English or French here to slay him and his followers. They know nothing here of Americans.
"I entrust this to the care of an English sailor who is going to try to make his escape. I cannot go myself, having had my leg broken by a blow from one of my jailers.
"I am sick and weak in body, and it may be that I will soon die. Yet I beg of you to do what you can for me. If I die, I trust you to be a father to my dear boys, Dick, Tom, and Sam, and ask Martha for me to be a mother to them.
"The king expects soon to remove to another camp at a place called Rhunda Konoka (the Water Well). Perhaps he will take me along, or else he may slay me.
"All those who were with me are dead excepting several natives who have joined the Burnwo tribe.
"Good-by, and do what you can until you are certain that I am dead.
"Your loving brother,
When Randolph Rover ceased reading he saw that there were tears in the eyes of all of the boys, and that his wife was also crying. His own voice had had to be cleared continually. To all the letter was like a message from the grave.
"And that is all?" questioned Dick, breaking the silence.
"That is all, my boy—and the letter was written about a year ago!"
"But we'll go in search of him!" put in Tom, quickly. "He may be alive yet."
"I thought I would go," answered Randolph Rover, "and I thought, possibly, that I might take Dick with me."
"Oh, you must take me too!" burst out Tom. "I could never bear to be left behind."
"And you must take me," interrupted Sam. "We always go together, you know."
At this talk Randolph Rover was somewhat taken aback. "All!" he cried. "Why, what would three boys do in the heart of Africa?"
"Look for father!" cried Tom. "I shan't stay behind—you can't make me!" he went on half defiantly.
"We have been through lots of adventures, uncle, you know that," came from Sam. "We are not afraid."
"But the danger, boys—" began the uncle.
"What danger wouldn't we face for father's sake!" said Tom. "I'd go through fire and water for him."
"You had better let us all go," said Dick.
"If you don't let Tom and Sam go, why, the chances are they'll—"
"Run away and go anyway," finished Sam.
"Oh, Uncle Randolph, say we can go; please do!"
At this enthusiasm the uncle smiled sadly.
"All-right, boys; as you are bound to have it so, you shall all go. But don't blame me if the perils are greater than you anticipate, and if the undertaking costs one or more of you your lives."
It was long after midnight before the conversation in relation to the proposed trip to Africa came to an end. Mrs. Rover insisted that the boys should eat something, and they sat around the table discussing the viands and the two letters at the same time.
"Have you any idea where this Niwili Camp is?" asked Dick of his uncle.
"It is on the Congo, but how far froth the mouth of that stream is a question, lad. Probably we can learn all about it when we reach Boma, the capital of the Congo Free State."
"The Congo is a pretty big stream, isn't it?" questioned Sam.
"Very large indeed. At its mouth it is about ten miles wide, and it is from twelve to fourteen hundred miles long. Stanley traced its course after an expedition in which he fought over thirty battles with the natives."
"They must be fearfully savage."
"Those in the interior are. The natives that live close to the ocean are peaceable enough, so I have been told."
"And how are we going to get there?" asked Tom. "I don't suppose there are any regular steamers running to the Congo."
"No, indeed, Tom. I have written to a shipping firm in New York for information, and they will probably send word by morning," was the answer.
It can well be imagined that the boys slept but little that night. In the morning they telegraphed to Putnam Hall for their trunks, and also let Captain Putnam and their chums know how matters stood. Then began preparations for such a tour as none of them had ever before anticipated.
Word came from New York in the early afternoon mail, and the information sent was highly satisfactory to Randolph Rover. The French steamer Republique was in port, loading for Boma and other African ports, and would set sail on the coming Saturday. The firm had taken upon itself the responsibility to speak of passage for Mr. Rover and one or two others.
"Hurrah!" cried Tom. "Uncle Randolph, you had better telegraph to them at once for passage for the four of us."
"I will," answered, Mr. Rover, and the telegram was sent within the hour.
The next day was a busy one. As but little in the way of outfits could be procured in Oak Run or the adjoining villages, it was decided that they should go down to New York on Thursday afternoon and spend all of Friday in purchasing in the metropolis whatever was needed.
The only person who was really sober was Mrs. Rover, for she hated to see her husband start on such a journey, which was bound to, be full of grave perils.
"I am afraid you will never come back," she said, with tears in her eyes. "And if you and Anderson are both dead to me, what will I do?"
"Be brave, Martha," said Mr. Rover tenderly. "I feel certain that a kind Providence will watch over us and bring us all back in safety."
At last the party was ready to set off. A fond good-by was said, and away they rattled in the carryall for the railroad station at Oak Run.
"Good-by to home!" shouted Tom, as he waved his cap to his aunt, who stood beside the gateway.
"And when we come back may we bring father with us," added Dick, and Sam muttered an amen.
The journey down to New York was without incident, and as the Rovers had lived in the metropolis for years they felt thoroughly at home and knew exactly where to go for their outfit and suitable clothing for use in such a warm country was procured, and in addition each was armed with a revolver. Mr. Rover also purchased a shot-gun and a rifle, and likewise a number of cheap gold and silver trinkets.
"The natives are becoming civilized," he explained. "But, for all that, I am certain a small gift now and then will go a long way toward making friends."
The found that the Republique was a stanch-built steamer of eight thousand tons burden. Her captain, Jules Cambion, spoke English quite fluently and soon made them feel at home. He was much interested in the story Randolph Rover had to tell concerning his missing brother.
"'Tis a strange happening, truly," he remarked. "I sincerely trust that your search for him proves successful and that he returns to the arms of his family unharmed. But it is a fierce country. I have visited it twice, and I know."
"I am glad to learn that you have been up the Congo," replied Randolph Rover. "Perhaps during your leisure hours on the trip you will not mind giving me such information as conics to your mind."
"I will tell you all I know willingly," answered Captain Cambion.
Exactly at noon on Saturday the Republique was ready to sail, and with a shout from those on the wharf who had come to see the few passengers off, she sheered away and started down the bay, past Bedloe Island and the Statue of Liberty. Before night the shore line had faded from view, and they were standing out boldly into the Atlantic Ocean.
"Off for Africa at last," murmured Sam, who had been standing at the rail watching the last speck of land as it disappeared. "What a big trip this is going to be!"
"Never mind how big it is, Sam," came from Tom, "if only it is successful."
The first few days on board were spent in settling themselves. The party had two connecting staterooms, and Mr. Rover and Sam occupied one, while Dick and Tom had settled themselves in the other.
The passengers were mostly French people, who were going to try their fortunes in French Congo. There was, however, one Englishman, a man named Mortimer Blaze, who was bound out simply for adventure.
"I'm tired of England, and tired of America too," he explained."I've hunted through the Rocky Mountains and up in Canada, as wellas at home, and now I'm going to try for a lion or a tiger inAfrica."
"Perhaps the lion or tiger will try for you," smiled Tom. "What then?"
"It will be a pitched battle, that's all," drawled Mortimer Blaze. He was rather a sleepy looking man, but quick to act when the occasion demanded.
The weather was all that could be wished, and during the first week out the Republique made good progress. On a steamer there was but little for the boys to do, and they spent all of their spare time in reading the books on Africa which Captain Cambion had in his library, and which were printed in English. Often they persuaded the genial captain to tell them of his adventures in that far-away country.
"You have many strange sights before you," he said to them one day. "The strange vegetation, the immense trees, the wonderful waterfalls, some larger than your own Niagara, and then the odd people. Some of the natives are little better than dwarfs, while others are six feet and more in height and as straight as arrows.
"Did you ever hear of this King Susko?" questioned Tom.
"Yes; I have heard of him several times. He is known as the Wanderer, because he and his tribe wander from place to place, making war on the other tribes."
The captain knew nothing of Niwili Camp and expressed the opinion that it had been, like many other camps, only a temporary affair. He said that the best the party could do was to strike straight up the Congo, along the south shore, and question the different natives met concerning King Susko's present whereabouts.
On the beginning of the second week a storm was encountered which lasted for three days. At first the wind blew at a lively rate, and this was followed by thunder and lightning and a regular deluge of rain, which made all of the boys stay below. The steamer pitched from side to side and more than one wave broke over her decks.
"This is the worse storm I ever saw," remarked Dick, as he held fast to a chair in the cabin. "They won't be able to set any table for dinner today."
"Dinner!" came from Sam, with a groan.
"Who wants any dinner, when a fellow feels as if he was going to be turned inside out!" So far none of the boys had suffered from seasickness, but now poor Sam was catching it, and the youngest Rover felt thoroughly miserable.
"Never mind, the storm won't last forever," said Dick sympathetically. "Perhaps you had better lie down, Sam."
"How can I, with the ship tossing like a cork? I've got to hold on, same as the rest, and be glad, I suppose, that I am alive," and poor Sam looked utterly miserable.
It was very close in the cabin, but neither door nor port-hole could be opened for fear of the water coming in. Dinner was a farce, to use Tom's way of expressing it, for everything was cold and had to be eaten out of hand or from a tin cup. Yet what was served tasted very good to those who were hungry.
"I believe we'll go to the bottom before we are done," began Sam, when a loud shout from the deck reached the ears of all of the Rovers and made Tom and Dick leap to their feet.
"What's that?" cried Dick. "They are calling to somebody!"
Above the wind they could hear a yell from a distance, and then came more cries from the deck, followed by a bump on the side of the steamer.
"We've struck something!" ejaculated Tom.
"But I guess it wasn't hard enough to do much damage."
"That remains to be seen," answered Dick. "Storm or no storm, I'm gong on deck to learn what it means," and he hurried up the companionway.