“Yes, he sent in word about an hour ago.  Tom is doing very well, and the specialist says he will soon be himself again.”

“That’s the best news yet!” cried Dick, and his face showed his relief.

“Yes, it is even better than this news you sent me—­ that Pelter and Japson have been captured.”

“Well, I am mighty glad we rounded up those rascals,” said the son.

“So am I.”

“Did Sam say anything about Crabtree?”

“He said Crabtree was about the same.  The doctors are doing what they can for him.  But he will most likely be a cripple for life.”

“That’s bad.  But he has nobody to blame but himself.”

After that Dick had to sit down and tell his father the details of all that had occurred.  Then he got a late supper, and some time after that he and his parent retired.  The youth was thoroughly tired out, but happy.

The next few days were as busy as those just past had been.  Dick and his father ran up to where Tom lay in the hospital.  They found the sufferer had come to his senses.  Sam and a nurse were with him.

“Oh, I’ll be all right again, in a few days!” cried Tom, with a brave attempt at a smile.  “I guess I fared better than old Crabtree.  They tell me he’ll limp for life.”

“Limp for life!” cried Dick.

“That is what they say.”

“What a terrible affliction!” murmured the oldest Rover boy.  “But he has nobody to blame but himself.”

“Tom, are you quite comfortable here?” asked Mr. Rover, anxiously.

“Oh, yes, they do all they can for me, Dad,” was the answer.

“We must send you home as soon as we can.”

“Well, I’ll be willing to go,” returned Tom.  He thought of the quiet farm, and of his Aunt Martha’s motherly care, and gave a deep sigh.

“He can be moved in four or five days—­ the doctor said so,” put in Sam.  “I’ve figured it all out.  We can take him to the train in an auto, and I’ll see that he gets to Oak Run all right.  There Jack can meet us with our own machine, and the rest will be easy.”

“I can go along,” said Dick.

“It won’t be necessary, Dick,” said Tom “You stay in New York and get Dad’s affairs straightened out.”

The matter was talked over, and it was at length decided that Sam should remain with Tom and take him home, while Mr. Rover and Dick returned to the city.

Four days later the youngest Rover got permission from the specialist who had attended Tom to take him home.  An easy-riding automobile was procured, and in this the two brothers drove to the nearest railroad station.  A compartment in a parlor car had already been engaged, and Tom was placed in this and made as comfortable as circumstances permitted.  The ride was a long and tedious one for the youth, and by the time he had made the necessary changes to get to Oak Run he was pretty well exhausted, and had a severe headache.