Ned Wilding's Disappearance Part 13

"Limit! It's the strangest thing I ever heard of," cried Frank.

"Somebody has been stuffing the reporter," suggested Fenn. "Let's read the rest of it."

Looking over Bart's shoulders the two other lads read the account. It told in vivid language how the fact was discovered that the tower had been blown down by an explosive. Those nearest the tower when the crash came told of hearing a dull boom, that was not caused by the wind. Then came the sound as the bricks fell through the corner of the roof of the auditorium.

"But if other evidence was wanting," the article went on, "it is easily found in the dials of the clock that was in the tower. The white faces bear the black marks of powder and an a.n.a.lysis which has been made shows the stains to have been caused by some powerful explosive, the exact nature of which is being kept secret by the authorities.

"It is understood from a reliable source, however, that dynamite was used, a small quant.i.ty being placed in the top of the tower. It is said that part of a dynamite cartridge has been found but this is denied by the police.

"That the work was that of mischievous boys, who, possibly did not appreciate the seriousness of their deed, is the opinion of the school authorities. This is borne out by the fact that a boy confessed to having carried off one of the powder-marked dials of the clock. Why he did this has not been disclosed, but Mr. Williamson has secured an admission from him that he did take the dial from the debris of the wrecked tower. This dial the president of the board has secured, together with the other three.

"It is alleged that four boys, who are often seen in each others'

company, and who have, before this, taken part in more or less harmless tricks, are suspected of blowing down the tower. One of them, it can be a.s.serted on the highest authority, had the clock dial. An investigation has been started by the school authorities, and the four boys in question, including the one who took the dial from the wreckage, will be called on to tell what they know. If the evidence, after a thorough sifting, points to them, it is understood that criminal action will be taken."

"Did you ever hear the like?" cried Fenn.

"Wait, here's something more," said Bart. He pointed to a few lines of type at the bottom of the article. They read:

"Just as we are going to press we learn that one of the four suspected lads has hurriedly left town."

"Come on!" cried Bart. "I'm going to make him take that back."

"Make who take what back?" asked Frank.

"Why the editor of this paper. Can't you see who he's referring to in that last line? He means Ned! He means that Ned's run away for fear he'll be arrested! He means us when he says 'four boys often seen in each others' company!' He's accusing the Darewell Chums of blowing up the tower! Come on, we'll make him deny this if he has to get out an extra!"

"Go slow," advised Frank.

"Go slow! Yes, that's always your way! Wait and let him say all he wants to about us! I guess not!"

"I say we'd better wait," Frank went on quietly. "Of course you know, and I know, none of us had anything to do with the blowing up of the tower. I don't believe it was blown up. I believe the wind did it, and some one has imagined all this and given the reporter a story of what he thinks is the truth. At the same time the school authorities may be going to have an investigation. It's their privilege. Now if we go to the editor's office and raise a row folks at once will jump to the conclusion that we had some hand in the explosion. Besides, it doesn't say we are suspected."

"It as good as says so," Bart exclaimed. "Everyone will know they mean us."

"At the same time the article doesn't say so. That editor is cute enough for that. He doesn't want a libel suit on his hands."

"It might as well call us by the names," Bart insisted. "Besides, that refers to Ned as plain as can be, and he isn't here to defend himself.

It's our duty to go."

"I tell you you'll only make things worse if you go to the office of the paper," Frank insisted. "The editor will ask you if you think the article refers to you. You'll say it does, and he'll say, in effect, 'if the shoe fits put it on.' These newspaper men are no fools. They have some basis for what they write. Besides, you know I did take the dial."

"So you did," said Fenn.

"Did you give it back to Mr. Williamson?" asked Bart.

"Yes, I took it to the store as he asked me to."

"But you didn't make any admissions, did you?"

"How could I? There were none to make. You were with me when he asked me about the clock face and you heard all I said. When I left the dial in the store he was not there. I haven't seen him since. The reporter is drawing on his imagination I guess for considerable of this."

"I wonder if they are going to have an investigation?" said Bart.

"Let's go and see Mr. Williamson," suggested Fenn. "We can show him the article and he can tell us what to do. I think that's the best plan."

The other two chums agreed to this, and, each one having purchased a paper containing the startling news, they went to the hardware store of the president of the Board of Education.

Mr. Williamson was talking to some other members of the board, in his private office, when the boys entered the store. They sent word they wanted to see him, and in a little while, his visitors having gone, the president invited the chums in.

"Well, boys," he began, "what can I do for you?"

"This article," began Bart. "It seems to--"

"I have read it," Mr. Williamson interrupted.

"Do you suspect us?" demanded Bart.

"That is hardly a fair question," Mr. Williamson replied. "I shall probably be called upon to preside at the investigation and I can not discuss the case in advance of the hearing. I will say this however: We believe some boy or boys blew up the tower, little thinking of the terrible danger to which he subjected the entire school and that audience. We have no direct evidence, as yet, but we expect to get some.

I may add that a hearing will be held to-night, and I would like you boys to be there. I understand Ned Wilding has gone to New York."

"He went this morning," replied Bart, "but he had planned to go long before this thing happened. We are going to join him Wednesday."

"Indeed?" and Mr. Williamson looked a little surprised.

"What time is the hearing?" asked Fenn.

"At eight o'clock, in my office here."

"We'll be on hand," spoke Bart.

All the members of the Board of Education, the school janitor, the chief of police, a detective, the fathers of Bart and Fenn, and Frank's uncle were at the hearing. There was much testimony in an informal way, to the effect that the tower was wrecked by an explosion and not by the wind.

So much was easily proved.

The next thing was to discover who had done the deed. The janitor said he had seen a boy hanging around the tower just before the entertainment began, but he could not give a good description. It might fit half the boys in Darewell.

There was no direct evidence against the chums. Bart had bought some powder in Mr. Williamson's store a few days before the explosion, but he testified it was for his gun, which evidence was corroborated by Mr.

Keene. The taking away of the clock dial by Frank was dwelt upon, and there seemed a disposition to make much of it, but the boy's uncle bore out Frank's statement that the dial had been placed among a lot of other relics and ornaments in his nephew's room, and was not hidden away as though Frank wished to conceal any evidence. Ned's sudden trip was explained, though it was manifest that some of the school commissioners looked with disfavor on it.

The affair ended, as far as the four chums were concerned, in a sort of Scotch verdict of "not proven."

"Does that end this inquiry?" asked Mr. Keene.

"For the time being," replied Mr. Williamson.

"Then I demand that this committee issue a statement that there is not the slightest evidence against my son and his chums."

"We will do nothing of the sort!" exclaimed Mr. Williamson.

"Then I shall take legal steps to compel you to."