"
"Oh, I see, a schoolboy's trick, eh? You schoolboys are up to all sorts
of pranks."
"You don't know where they went to, do you?" questioned Dave, as he
leaped up from the bed and stretched himself.
"No, I haven't the least idea. They hired this room for to-night, that's
all."
"I think I'll try to catch them," said the youth. "Much obliged for
setting me free."
"You are welcome. But say, I don't want any more skylarking around
here," added the proprietor of the resort, as Dave hurried out of the
room and down the stairs.
He had found his hat on the floor, and, after brushing up a little, he
started on a brisk walk for the hotel where the others were to have
dinner. He did not, of course, know the way, and so hired a newsboy for
a dime to act as guide.
"Dave! you have been away a long time!" cried Laura, as he appeared. "We
have almost finished eating."
"Never mind, I can get all I wish in a few minutes," he answered.
"Why, your stickpin is gone!" cried Jessie. "And your watchchain, too."
"Dave, have you been robbed?" questioned his uncle, quickly.
"Yes and no," he answered, with a grim smile. "I suppose I might as well
tell you what happened," he continued, and then gave a few of the
details. Then he had to tell his uncle how Nat had been put aboard the
freight car.
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