"Josiah Crabtree has escaped from jail."

"Escaped!" ejaculated Tom.

"Why, we were just talking about him!" put in Dick "When did this
happen?"

"Last night, so the newspaper man said. It seems there was a small
fire at the jail-- down in the kitchen. There was great excitement,
for supper was just being served. In the excitement three of the
prisoners, who were out of their cells, escaped. Josiah Crabtree was
one of them."

"Too bad!" murmured Sam. "And we thought he was safe!"

"This spells Trouble for us," was Tom's comment, and Dick nodded his
head, to show that he was of the same opinion.

CHAPTER II

ABOUT THE PAST

"Did you get any more particulars?" asked Sam, of the college poet.

"No. The newspaper man was busy, so the Doctor said, and didn't have
time to go into details," answered Songbird.

"Did he say who the other prisoners were who got away?" asked Dick.