"Surely. Why not? We can't leave Mark there all alone. He may be hurt,
or in trouble."

"That's what I think," said Jack. "I'll tell Washington and Andy, and
we'll go back and hunt for him. Poor Mark! If he had only waited for
me, perhaps this would never have happened, and if I hadn't stopped at
the dog-fight maybe Mark would have waited for me. Well, it's too late
to worry about that now. The thing is to find him; and I guess we can."

Jack would not stop longer than to snatch a hasty bite of supper before
he joined the searching party. Washington and he carried lanterns,
while Andy Sudds had his trusty rifle, and the two professors brought
up in the rear, armed with stout clubs, for Jack's account of the
affair made them think that perhaps they might have to deal with a
violent man.

"Hadn't you better notify the police?" suggested Andy. "A couple of
constables would be some help."

"Not very much," declared Jack. "Besides, there are only two in
Bayside, and it's hard to locate either one when you want them. I guess
we can manage alone."

"Yes, I would rather not notify the police if it can be avoided," said
Professor Henderson.

The searching party hurried along the country highway, which was now
deserted, as it was quite dark. Their lanterns flashed from side to
side, but they had no hope of getting any trace of Mark until they came