Andrew frowned. "A sweet thought," he murmured sarcastically.
"Oh, he wouldn't do it," said Joe. "He likes to talk like that, but he's all right behind his mouth."
"Search me. I know he was gone when I got back at six, or a little before. I thought, of course, that he was around somewhere; probably at Alumni. But he wasn't at dinner and he didn't show up afterwards, and I remembered his line of talk this morning and got to snooping around and found his suit-case gone and some of his things; brushes and sponge and the like of those."
"Maybe he got leave to go home over Sunday."
"I thought of that and found out from Mr. Hoyt. Had to be careful so he wouldn't get suspicious, but I got away with it, I guess. He hasn't asked for leave; and wouldn't have got it anyway, I guess. No, he's just plain beat it."
"That fixes him," he said regretfully. "On top of probation----"
"That's the point," urged Joe. "He's dished for fair if faculty gets wind of it. That's why I came. _I_ can't go. I asked Driscoll and he said nothing doing. So it's up to you, Andy."
"Go after him and bring him back," answered Joe. "I looked up trains. He probably waited until after dark, because he wouldn't have risked being seen with a suit-case, and if he did he must have taken the six-eighteen for New York. There's no train for Port Foster out of Philadelphia until seven-twelve tomorrow morning. He might stay in New York overnight or go on to Philadelphia, so the best way'll be to go right through to Philadelphia and watch the Port Foster trains."
Andrew stared amazedly. "Look here, Joe," he said, "are you suggesting that I go to Philadelphia after Myron?"
"Sure," answered Joe impatiently. "What did you suppose? And you'll have to get a hustle on, too: it's about eight-fifteen now and your train goes at nine-five. I'd go in a minute, but I'm in training and the rule's strict, and if I got caught--fare thee well!"
To Joe's surprise, Andrew began to laugh. "Well, you're a wonder, Joe," he gasped. "Why, man alive, I can't go traipsing all over the United States like that! I'm beastly sorry for Myron, but----"
"Why can't you?" demanded Joe, scowling. "Some one's got to, and that's flat. If he's caught away from school without permission they'll chuck him as sure as shooting. Why do you say you can't go, Andy?"