ntil seven o'clock--the telegraph office is
closed."

At last Sam became so worn out that he could keep his eyes open no
longer. He flung himself on his bed, dressed as he was, and fell into
a fitful doze. And thus the hours went by until the sun shone over the
hills in the East.

"Did he come in?" It was a question put by Songbird, as he came to the
door.

"No."

"Say, Sam, this is strange. What are you going to do?"

"I don't know--telegraph to Dick and send out a general alarm, I guess."

"You don't think he simply ran away, do you?"

"What, without telling me? You know better than that, Songbird."

"Then he must have wandered off while he was out of his mind. Maybe
he's somewhere in the woods around here."

"Maybe. I only hope he isn't hurt."

"Well, if I can do anything, let me know," answered Songbird, and
stepped back into his room to dress.

As soon as possible Sam went to Doctor Wallington and talked the matter
over with the head of Brill. The worthy doctor knew about the case
already and was all sympathy.

"We had better send out a general alarm," he said. "And you can notify
your folks. It was a mistake to let your brother come back here so
soon after being hurt. You can take one of the carriages and drive
down to Ashton at once, if you wish, and also drive around to some of
the other places in this vicinity. Somebody must have seen your
brother after he left here, or after Mr. Sanderson saw him."

"Would you mind if I take John Powell with me?" asked Sam. "I may need
somebody to help me."

"Very well, Rover, he can go if he wishes."

"To be sure I'll go," said Songbird, when told of this. "And we'll
find Tom, see if we don't," he added, by way of cheering Sam.

Sam waited until nine o'clock to see if Tom would show himself and then
he and Songbird drove over the Ashton. A search lasting the best part
of an hour followed, but nothing new was learned. Then, rather
reluctantly--for he knew that Dick was having trouble enough attending
to their father's affairs--he sent a telegram to his big brother,
telling of Tom's disappearance, and adding that he would telegraph
again, if anything new turned up.

In driving over to Hope Seminary Mr. Sanderson had pointed out to Sam
the spot where he had seen--or thought he had seen--Tom. Sam now
determined to visit that spot and see if from that point he could not
get on the trail of his brother.

The place was near a turn of the road