Page:The Rover Boys at School.djvu/186

168 "We've lost him!" murmured Tom, when he could get back his breath. "Now, who in the name of Old Nick can he be?"

"Evidently a friend to Baxter. Perhaps he's Baxter's father?" suggested Sam.

"Baxter's father Gracious! He is!"

"How do you know?"

"I'm not positive, but when I met him and the thief in the woods, the thief, who was called Buddy, started to call that fellow Baxter, but the tall man wouldn't have it, and made him call him Nolly. His right name, I feel certain, is Arnold Baxter."

"Then, if he isn't Baxter's father, he must be some close relative, otherwise he wouldn't give Baxter that money. Now it is easy to see where the bully gets all of his cash. That tall man must be rich."

"Yes, but who knows how he comes by his money? He is the chum of a thief, that's certain."

A search was made for Dan Baxter, but he could not be found. As a matter of fact, he had been in the buggy, hiding under the seat. The boys hung around for quarter of an hour longer, and then resolved to return to Putnam Hall.

"No use of making, a row about it," said Tom. "I remember that policeman at the steamboat landing. He is a terribly fat fellow