rget it. He even talked about it in his sleep,"
returned Sam. "He wanted to go out and get those nuggets of gold."

"Well, I'd like some nuggets myself," cried Spud. "But I am not going
to the ice fields of Alaska for 'em," he added, grimly, and this caused
a faint smile to spread on some of the boys' faces.

Songbird had received permission to accompany Sam to Ashton, and at
nine o'clock the youths were on the way, in a carriage driven by one of
the college drivers. They went directly to the depot, there to await
the arrival of the train that was to bring Dick.

It was a cold, disagreeable evening, with a promise of rain in the air.
The boys were glad enough to go into the station, which was kept open
for the coming of the late train.

"Can a fellow get on that one o'clock Chicago train from here?" asked
Sam, of the ticket man.

"Yes, if he's got a ticket," was the reply. "I'll have to signal it to
stop though."

"Well, I'll let you know about it as soon as I see my brother. He is
coming in on the eleven-thirty."

It had begun to rain by the time the last-named train rolled in. Only
three passengers got off, but one of them was Dick. He had a suitcase
with him, and he fairly ran to meet Sam and Songbird.

"Any more news?" he demanded.

Sam related the particulars of what had occurred. In the meantime the
train had gone on and the station was deserted by all but the ticket
man.

"Going to lock up now," he said to the boys, who had gathered in the
station, out of the rain.

"Wait just one minute please," pleaded Sam.

"Here, go out and get some cigars for yourself," added Dick, and passed
over a quarter.

"Thanks, I will," returned the ticket man, and walked off to an
all-night resort not far from the station.

"I don't see anything to do but to follow Tom to Chicago," said Dick.
"We might send a telegram to the authorities, but I can't see how it
would do any good. They don't know him, and in a big city like that it
is hard enough to find a fellow when he is well-known. If we take that
one o'clock train we'll be in Chicago by morning, and I'd rather look
around myself than trust the police to do it."

"All right, I came prepared for the trip," answered Sam, and pointed to
his suitcase.

When the station man came back they purchased two tickets for Chicago
and the man set out his lantern to signal the express. Then Songbird
said good-bye, wishing them all kinds of good luck, and rode back