Dave Porter and the Runaways Part 36

"I hardly know. I wish we could round up the wild man."

"Plenty of folks wish that."

"I think he hangs out somewhere along the river, or on one of the islands."

"Maybe Nat Poole knows."

"I hardly think so--although I am sure Nat wants to find the fellow--why, I can't imagine."

During those trying days, Job Haskers was as harsh and dictatorial to Dave and Roger as ever, and several times he pa.s.sed sneering remarks about those who were missing.

"You may think as you please, Doctor Clay," said he to the master of the Hall. "I feel sure in my mind that Lawrence and those other boys are guilty. I do not think Mr. Sparr would accuse them if he was not pretty sure of his ground."

"Well, he has not dared to have those warrants served," replied the doctor, dryly.

"Because he is afraid there will be a great deal of money used in the case to fight him."

"Mr. Haskers, do you stand up for Mr. Sparr? I thought you had had some difficulty yourself with him once?"

"That was but a small affair. I think he is perfectly honest and that he wants to do what is right."

"Possibly. But he did not treat Lawrence very fairly in the matter of that dinner that was ordered."

"That was a mistake, and Mr. Sparr lost as much as he got. Yes, I think those boys guilty, and in the end you will find out that I am right," added Job Haskers as he went off, smiling grimly to himself, as if it was a pleasure to him to have the boys thus accused.

The next morning came another surprise. On getting up Dave noticed that something was missing from the dormitory. Phil's suit-case was gone, likewise a portion of his clothing, and also the valises of Ben and Buster, and part of their outfits.

"Well, this beats the Dutch!" exclaimed Roger, on learning the news.

"Who took them, do you suppose?"

"Don't ask me, Roger."

"Maybe they came themselves and got them," suggested Sam.

"If they did, wouldn't we hear them?" asked Gus.

"Talk about a mysterious disappearance," cried Shadow. "Say, this puts me in mind of a story. Once some fellows----"

"Oh, stow it, Shadow!" cried the senator's son. "Let's get busy and try to find out what this means. Maybe they are back at the school."

All of the boys dressed hastily and took a look around. But they could find no trace of the runaways. Yet the traveling-bags and the clothing were certainly gone.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say the place was haunted!" cried Luke.

"Oh, don't say that!" exclaimed Polly Vane, looking scared. "I don't wish to see any ghosts."

Doctor Clay was informed of what had occurred, and he had another search conducted. But it was all to no purpose--the things were missing, and that was all there was to it.

It may well be imagined that with so much going on it was next to impossible for Dave and Roger to study. Yet they did their best, not wishing to drop behind again as they had during the trip to Cave Island. Job Haskers did not let up on them, and many a time they wished he would leave Oak Hall and that they might never see him again.

One afternoon Roger came to Dave in great haste and beckoned for him to come outside.

"I think we had better follow Nat Poole," said the senator's son. "I think there is something in the wind."

"What makes you think that?"

"Nat has been packing a valise and he has put in the strangest things--some clothing, some bottles of medicine, some rope, and a thing that looks like a crown made of bra.s.s."

"A crown made of bra.s.s? Oh, Roger, maybe that wild man--who calls himself the King of Sumatra----"

"That's the idea, Dave, I see you've caught on. Come on, before Nat gets away from us."

Our hero needed no further urging, and soon he and Roger were on their way to the gymnasium, where the senator's son had, by pure accident, seen Nat Poole packing the things mentioned in his handbag.

As they approached, they saw the money-lender's son trundle out a bicycle he owned and mount it, swinging his valise over his shoulder by a strap. He looked back to see if he was being observed, but Dave and Roger were on guard and quickly dove out of sight behind some bushes.

"We'll have to follow on our own wheels," said Dave.

Their old bicycles were still in the gymnasium. They were not in very good condition, but the tires were air-tight and that was enough.

Without delay, they trundled the machines out, and leaping into the saddles, pedaled after Nat.

The course of the money-lender's son was along the river road, and he followed this for the best part of a mile. Then he branched off on a side-road leading to what were known as the Chester Hills. It was hard work pushing the machine up the hills, but Nat kept at it steadily, and Dave and Roger followed. Strange to say, the money-lender's son did not once look back after leaving the school. Evidently he was of the opinion that n.o.body had observed his departure, or, if so, had taken no particular notice of it.

From the top of one of the hills, Nat struck off on another side-road, leading to a little valley. Here was a brook, and at a point where it widened out, a small and really beautiful island. In the center of the island a cabin had been built by some sportsman, and a rustic bridge connected the resort with the sh.o.r.e.

Reaching the rustic bridge, Nat dismounted, and with his valise still over his shoulder, walked towards the cabin. As he did this Dave and Roger came quite close and they, too, dismounted, keeping in the shelter of some trees near by.

"Stop! I command you, in the name of the King of Sumatra, to stop!"

The call came from the cabin, and a second later the wild man appeared. He was clad in a blue pair of trousers and over his shoulder was thrown a big red blanket. On his head rested a crown made of a tin pail cut into sharp points.

"I salute you, King of Sumatra!" called out Nat, making a low bow.

"Ha! it is my servant that speaks," said the wild man. "Bow low, bow, I tell you!" and he flourished a wooden sword that he held in one hand.

"It is the wild man, sure enough!" whispered Roger, in great excitement.

"And evidently he has been expecting Nat," returned Dave. "Let us get closer and see what is up."

They advanced with care until they were behind a tree at the very foot of the rustic bridge. In the meantime Nat had gone forward, bowing low at every step.

"I have brought you something, my king!" cried the money-lender's son. "Something of great importance to you."

"What is it?" demanded the wild man, his curiosity excited.

"A new crown. It is of gold, a beautiful crown."

"Ha! ha! that is well! The King of Sumatra needs a new crown!" cried the wild man, strutting up and down in front of the cabin. "Give it to me, that I may see if it fits." And he held out his empty hand.