“Gone!” exclaimed Will aghast.

“Yes.  That’s what Goodman said.”

“How many went, do you know, Peter John?” demanded Foster.

“He said three.”

“Do you know who they were?”

“No.”

“When did they start?”

“Goodman said they went about an hour ago.”

“Which road?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why didn’t Mott go?”

“I don’t think he knew anything about it before these fellows came and told him.”

“What did he do after they told him?”

“He slapped his legs and laughed.”

“You say he went away with those fellows that told him about it?”

“Yes.”

“Did they say anything about any other canes—­” began Will.  But he was sharply interrupted by Foster and abruptly ceased.

“I didn’t know there were any others,” said Peter John.  “Are there?  Where are they?”

“We haven’t any time to waste here,” said Foster, hastily donning his sweater and putting a cap on his head.  “Peter John, you go back to your room, and if you hear of anything more go straight to Bishop with the word.”

“I’d rather go with you fellows.”

“Not this trip.  You’ll have to be on the lookout here.  Somebody must do it and you’re the one, Peter John.  Come on, Will,” he added, calling to his room-mate and instantly departed from the room.

Ignoring Peter John, Will hastily followed Foster, and together the two freshmen ran to Hawley’s room.  There a hurried consultation was held, the result of which was that it was decided that Foster and Dana should secure a car and drive swiftly to Coventry Center by one road, two other classmates were to drive to the same destination by another road, while Will and Hawley were to go on foot across the country and strive to arrive at the minister’s house by the time the others had done so.  In this way it was believed that every avenue of approach or retreat would be covered, and that even if the sophomores had been first on the scene they would still be unable to get away with their booty before they would be discovered, and at least followed.

In a brief time Will and Hawley were on their way across the country, leaving their more fortunate comrades, who were to ride, to follow as soon as their conveyances could be secured.  The ground was still frozen, and in places there were patches of snow and ice, although the heavy snowfall of the winter for the most part was gone.  Their way led through woods and over plowed fields, but the steady run or “trot” was maintained uphill and down, and within an hour and a half from the time they had departed from Winthrop they arrived at the confines of the little hamlet of Coventry Center.

“See or hear anything, Will?” inquired Hawley, as the two freshmen stopped and listened intently as they peered all about them.

“Not a thing,” whispered Will in response.