“You are wanted in the office, sir—a gentleman to see you.”
“Really! My old friend Simon!” murmured the teacher. “Snuggers, I will go below at once. We can continue this search at another time.” And down the stairs went Josiah Crabtree and the general-utility man after him.
“Phew! but that was a narrow escape,” murmured Jack. “If they had gotten in here our cake would have been dough.”
After that the boys found the time hanging heavily on their hands. They talked the situation over in a low tone, but could reach no satisfactory conclusion.
Presently it grew darker and began to rain, the storm keeping up far into the night. This made a noise on the roof, so they could talk with but little danger of being heard.
At supper-time they partook of some more of the eatables in the basket and then prepared to make themselves comfortable for the night. They were resting on the bed when they heard a low whistle at the door.
They unlocked the door, and there stood Andy and Stuffer, each with some supper done up in a napkin. Andy also had a candle and some matches. Dale had told them where to come.
“Had a time getting this here,” said Stuffer, after the candle had been lit.
“Old Crabtree is nearly crazy, thinking you have run away from the Hall,” said Andy. “He and Snuggers have been hunting all over for you. They even sent word to Cedarville.”
“Well, let Crabby worry—he deserves it,” grumbled Pepper. “Say, it’s mighty good of you to bring this,” he continued.
“Here are a couple of new magazines, too,” said Stuffer, handing them over. “I got them from the library. They’ll help you to pass away the time.”
Andy and Stuffer did not dare to remain upstairs long, and soon left, and then the door was locked as before and Jack hung his handkerchief over the keyhole. The curtain to the window was drawn down tightly, so that the candlelight might not be seen by anybody outside.
Several hours went by and the academy became quiet. Both boys had read for awhile and also taken several naps. Then Pepper started up.
“Let us go downstairs after old Crabby is to bed and play some trick on him.”
“That would be all right—if we didn’t get caught. But if he catches us it will go so much harder with us when it comes to a settlement.”