"Ah! here is a key on the inside. What can this mean?"
"I don't know, sir. I left him a-groanin' only a few minutes ago."
"It is very strange." Jasper Grinder gazed around the empty storeroom.
"Did you hear anything from Master Tubbs?"
"No, sir."
The teacher stepped out of the storeroom and made his way to the stone
cell.
"He is gone too!" he ejaculated.
"Really, sir, did you say 'gone'?" cried Peleg Snuggers, in dismay.
"Yes. This is--ah--outrageous, Snuggers. Where can they be?"
"I'm sure I don't know, sir. Master Rover got out mighty quick."
"Look for them among the students, and if you find them bring them to me
at once."
"I will, sir."
As soon as Peleg Snuggers had departed Jasper Grinder looked around the
storeroom and the stone cell to learn if he could find any trace of the
boys.
This gave Tom the chance to slip through the captain's private rooms and
into the students' quarters.
"Well, how did you make out?" was Dick's impatient question. "You've
been gone an age."
"Come with me and I'll tell you," said Tom, and taking his brother and
several chums aside he related what had occurred.
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