ink and paper. At half after ten that morning the following note
reached me:

"Dear Chuck: Am in a devil of a scrape at the police-court. Tried to
play a joke on the girls last night by dressing up in the groom's
clothes. Got the wrong outfit, and was arrested. Bring thirty-five
and a suit of clothes the quickest ever. And, for mercy's sake, say
nothing to any one, least of all the folks. I have given the name
of James Osborne. Now, hustle. Bob."

I hustled.




VIII

ANOTHER SALAD IDEA


When they found him missing, his bed untouched, his hat and coat on
the rack, his inseparable walking-stick in the umbrella-stand, they
were mightily worried. They questioned Jane, but she knew nothing.
Jack went out to the stables; no news there. William, having driven
the girls home himself, dared say nothing. Then Jack wisely
telephoned for me, and I hurried over to the house.

"Maybe he hunted up some friends last night," I suggested.

"But here's his hat!" cried Nancy.