Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/62

50 "And you are sure the fellows were Merwell and Jasniff?" asked the assistant teacher.

"All I know on that point is what Mallory and his chums had to say," answered Dave.

"I think it would be like that pair to follow you up," said Doctor Clay, with a grave shake of his head. "They are two very bad boys,—worse, Porter, than you can imagine," and he looked knowingly at Job Haskers as he spoke. "Now go in to supper, and after that, you, Porter, Morr, and Lawrence, may come to my study and talk the matter over further."

Wondering what else had happened to upset the head of the school, Dave followed his chums to the dining-hall. Here a late supper awaited the crowd, to which, it is perhaps needless to state, all did full justice.

"Do you think we can track Jasniff and Merwell?" asked the senator's son, during the course of the repast.

"I don't," answered Dave frankly. "For they will do their best to keep out of our way."

A little later found Dave, Phil, and Roger in the doctor's private study, a sort of library connected with his regular office. The head of Oak Hall was reading a German historical work, but laid the volume down as they filed in.

"Sit down, boys," said Doctor Clay, pleasantly, and when they were seated, he added: "Now