1898.]
off at the next fork and be well on our way home before they dis
cover their mistake."
And so, indeed, it turned out.' Par on in the night two students,
Sleepy, but highly elated, drew up before a modest cottage in
Saranac and after much tugging succeeded in raising some mys
'terious bundle to the roof of the porch, from where it was quickly
transferred to one of the upper rooms. Thus did the untutored
savage enter upon a new phase of existence. But retribution was
even then following swiftly upon the heels of the wily con
spirators.
Hal had been chosen by toss of coin to return the hired con
veyance, which he did in a roundabout way to avert any sus
picion. But when he mounted the steps of the cottage he did
not notice two dark forms which glided behind the trees on the
other side of the narrow street. And it was well for his peace of
mind that he did not.
As for the officers, when they found out the trick which . had
been played upon them, they at once turned about and took up
the trial at the other fork. This brought them directly into
Saranac. After a little inquiry they learned that there was but
one livery establishment in the place and there they went, arriv
ing only a few moments before Hal returned with the hired rig.
From there it was an easy matter to trace him to his rooms.
The next morning two pairs of eager eyes scanned the early
paper, but no mention did either find of their owner's escapade.
In the first column, however, in glaring headlines, they saw :
Then followed a lengthy account of the affiair, describing the
perpetrators and the victim, together with the chase and the es
cape, closing with the inevitable statement that the identity of
the rascals was known and that they would soon be brought to
justice.
However, the sporting page held all of the interest for these
two, so they confined their reading of this event to the headlines.
Had they read further they would have been better prepared for
what was to befall them.
It was precisely eight by the little ormolu clock on the mantel
piece, and both boys were busily engaged in "grubbing"to make
Their Savage Protege
A Daring Abduction.
Pretty Louise Wilford stolen
By a pair of bold ruffians
Police neatly outwitted.