The Rover Boys Series. Stratemeyer Edward

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      CHAPTER X

       A STRANGE MESSAGE FROM THE SEA

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      "Jim Caven!" repeated Dick slowly, "What makes you believe that he is guilty?"

      "From what Mr. Dickerson here says," answered Tom, and repeated what the farmer had told him.

      "Gracious, that does look black for Caven!" said Dick, when he had finished. He turned to the farmer. "Would you recognize that boy again if you saw him?"

      "I allow as how I would. His eyes was wot got me — never saw sech unsteady ones afore in my life."

      "Yes, those eyes put me down on Caven the minute I saw him," answered Tom. "More than half of the boys at the Hall have put him down as a first-class sneak, although we can't exactly tell why."

      "See here," said Dick. "I think it would be best if Mr. Dickerson would drive back to the Hall with us and tell Captain Putnam of what he knows."

      "And see if he can identify Caven," finished Sam. "Are you willing to do that, Mr. Dickerson?"

      "Well, to tell the truth, I've got some business to attend to now," was the slow reply.

      "I am sure Captain Putnam will pay you for your trouble," went on Sam. "If he won't, we will."

      "You seem mighty anxious to bring this Caven to justice," smiled the farmer.

      "We are, for two reasons," said Tom. "The first is, because he isn't the nice sort to have around, and the second is, because one of the men working at the school, a colored waiter, whom we all liked, has been suspected of this crime and had to run away to avoid arrest."

      "I see. Well — " The farmer mused for a moment. "All right, I'll go back with ye — and at once."

      The team was turned around as well as the narrow confines of the hilly road permitted, and soon the Rover boys were on their way back to Putnam Hall, a proceeding which pleased Tom in more ways than one, since he would not have now to put up at a strange resort to have his ankle and his wheel cared for. They bowled along at a rapid gait, the horses having more speed in them than their appearance indicated. They were just turning into the road leading to Putnam Hall grounds when Dick espied several cadets approaching, bound for the lake shore.

      "Here come Caven, Willets, and several others!" he cried. "Mr. Dickerson, do you recognize any of those boys?"

      The farmer gave a searching glance, which lasted until the approaching cadets were beside the wagon. Then he pointed his hand at Jim Caven.

      "Thet's the boy I seed over to Auburn, a-pawning thet watch an' them studs," he announced. "He's got his sodger uniform on, but I know him jest the same."

      Jim Caven looked at the farmer in astonishment. Then when he heard Seth Dickerson's words he fell back and his face grew deathly white.

      "I — I don't know you," he stammered.

      "I seed you over to Auburn, in a pawnshop," repeated Dickerson.

      "It — It isn't true!" gasped Caven. "I was never over to Auburn in my life. Why should I go there to a pawnshop?"

      "I guess you know well enough, Caven," said Tom. "You bad better come back to the Hall with us and have a talk with Captain Putnam."

      "I won't go with you. This is — is a — a plot against me," stammered the slim youth.

      "You will go back!" cried Dick, and caught Caven by the arm. But with a jerk the seared boy freed himself and ran down the road at the top of his speed.

      Sam and Dick pursued him on their bicycles, while some of the others came after on foot. Seeing this, Jim Caven took to the woods just as Dan Baxter had done, and the boys found it impossible to track him any further.

      "I wonder if he'll come back tonight?" said Dick, as the party returned to where they had left Seth Dickerson and Tom.

      "I don't think he will," answered Sam. "I declare, he must be almost as bad as the Baxters!"

      The farm wagon soon reached the Hall, and Dick ushered Seth Dickerson into Captain Putnam's office. The captain looked surprised at the unexpected visitor, but listened with deep concern to all the farmer and the Rover boys had to say.

      "This certainly looks black for Caven," he said at last. "I did not think I had such a bad boy here. And you say he got away from you?"

      "Yes, sir."

      "It is a question if he will come back — providing he is really guilty. I will have his trunk and bag searched without delay. But if he is guilty how did that ruby stud and the watch come into Alexander Pop's possession?"

      "He was down on Aleck," replied Tom, who had hobbled in after the others. "And, besides, he thought if Aleck was arrested the search for the criminal would go no further."

      "Perhaps you are right, Thomas. It is a sad state of affairs at the best."

      The party ascended to the dormitory which Jim Caven occupied with several smaller boy. His trunk was found locked, but Captain Putnam took upon himself the responsibility of hunting up a key to fit the box. Once open the trunk was found to contain, among other things, a bit of heavy cloth tied with a piece of strong cord.

      "Here we are, sure enough!" cried the captain, as he undid the package and brought to light several of the missing watches and also some of the jewelry. "I guess it is a clear case against Caven, and Pop is innocent."

      "I wish we could tell Pop of it," put in Dick.

      "He must feel awfully bad."

      "I will do what I can for the negro, Rover. I am very sorry indeed, now, that I suspected him," said Captain Putnam, with a slow shake of his head.

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