Page:The Eight-Oared Victors.djvu/247

Rh yawn. "Did we take the toothpick out of the alarm clock, I wonder?"

The three of them glanced toward the table where the timepiece was wont to tick. It was the cutsom [sic] to wind and set it before going to bed, the last one to retire being charged with the duty of removing the toothpick, which was used to silence the ticking that annoyed the chums when they were studying.

"Why—why—it's gone—gone!" gasped Tom, halting on his way to his room.

"That's right!" chorused the others.

"Tom Parsons, is this your joke?" demanded Sid, sternly.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean did you take that clock away for a joke, and then, when you got caught, made up that fake story about chasing me?"

"I—did—not!" exclaimed Tom in such a manner that they could not help believing him.

"Then where is it?" demanded Frank. There was silence for several seconds, while the white-clad figures regarded one another. Then Tom burst out with:

"I have it!"

"I thought you did," said Sid significantly.

"No, you gump! I mean I have the solution. It was that chap who was in here, and whom I took for you, Sid. He has our clock. I'll get it back!"