ongbird. But you know
how he acted that day Stanley and Spud went into the old well hole,
and----"

"Well, what could happen to him in Ashton, such a sleepy country town
as this is? Oh, he's around somewhere and will soon turn up, take my
word for it."

They found the depot deserted, for it was a time of day when there were
no trains. Then they walked up the main street, past the stores and
the Eclipse photo playhouse. The afternoon performance was just over
at the show place and a crowd of about a hundred, mostly women and
children, was pouring forth. In the crowd were a burly, jolly looking
farmer and a pretty girl, his daughter.

"Why, Mr. Sanderson!" cried Songbird, his face lighting up. "And you,
Minnie! This is a surprise!" and he shook hands.

"Oh!" cried the girl, and smiled sweetly. "I didn't expect to see you
here."

"We were doing some tradin' in town and thought we'd run in and see the
movin' picters," said Mr. Sanderson, who knew the boys well. "They
sure are great."

"We came in to find Tom," said Sam, as he, too, shook hands. He and
his brothers had once done Minnie Sanderson a great service, the
particulars of which I have related in "The Rover Boys at College."
Since that time Songbird had frequently visited the Sanderson
homestead, to call on Minnie, whom he regarded as the nicest young lady
of his acquaintance.

"To find Tom?" repeated Minnie.

"Yes. Have you seen him?"

"I saw him about noon time," said Mr. Sanderson.

"Where?"

"Why, he was walking along the road to Hope Seminary."

"The road to Hope?" cried Sam. "Are you sure?"

"Tolerably sure, Sam. I was drivin' rather fast an' didn't take much
of a look. But I reckon it was Tom."

"Maybe he went there to call on Nellie," suggested Songbird.

"This mixes me up," murmured Sam. "I don't know what to think."

"I trust there is nothing wrong, Sam," said Minnie, sweetly. She
counted the Rovers among her warmest friends.

"I--I hope not, and yet I am very much worried. You see, Tom hasn't
been just himself ever since he got that blow on the head. He came to
Ashton to see a doctor, but the doctor was away on business. Now I
can't find him anywhere."

"If you want to go to Hope I'll drive you there," said Mr. Sanderson.
"I've got to go there anyway--to see about some potatoes they wanted.
Minnie said she would stay in town and do some more shopping, until I
got back. But I've only got a buggy big enough for tw