"Not a thing to see," observed Randolph Rover. "We may as well go
back."

"Let us scatter and make a search," came from Dick, and his idea was
carried out. But though they tramped the locality for a good half hour
the pursuit of Arnold Baxter proved useless.

"He is probably making good use of his time," was Tom's comment. "He
knew we would be after him hot-footed, just as soon as we heard of his
being here."

"I'm going to drive over to the railroad station," said Dick. "He may
hang around and get aboard of the first morning train."

"Take me along with you," said Sam, and Dick agreed. They got Aleck to
drive them and took the fastest team the stable afforded.

But at the depot all was dark and deserted, and if Arnold Baxter was
anywhere near he took good care not to show himself, nor was anything
seen of him in Oak Run later on.

"He has left the neighborhood by some other way," said Randolph Rover,
and his surmise was correct.

When the boys reached home again they found their parent sitting up in
an easy-chair, with his forehead still bandaged. The blows he had
received were painful, but by no means serious, and when the doctor was
called in he said the patient would speedily recover.

"But you had a narrow escape," said the doctor. "Had you been struck a