THE ROVER BOYS Boxed Set: 26 Illustrated Adventure Novels. Stratemeyer Edward

the outskirts, about a mile and a half from here."

      "Can you take us there now?"

      "Sorry, but I've got a job in quarter of an hour."

      "We'll pay you double fare," put in Sam. "Get somebody else to take that other job."

      To this the coach driver readily agreed, but to make the arrangement took time, and it was six o'clock before they were on the way to Dr. Karley's place.

      When they reached the sanitarium they found the building dark, with the shutters on the ground floor tightly closed. Dr. Karley answered Tom's summons in person.

      "Yes, the parties were here," he said smoothly. "But I could not accommodate them, and so they went elsewhere."

      "Elsewhere?" echoed Tom.

      "Exactly, sir."

      "But our coach driver says they got off here; He was the one who brought them."

      At this announcement the face of the physician changed color for an instant. But he quickly recovered himself.

      "Well — er — they did get off here, as the sick young man wished to rest. When I said I couldn't accommodate them the older man went off and got another coach, and all three went off in that."

      "To where?"

      "I do not know, although I recommended the general hospital to them."

      "They did not go to any of the city institutions."

      "Then perhaps they went to a hotel."

      "We have inquired at every hotel in town."

      The little old doctor shrugged his bony shoulders. "I am sorry, but I can give you no further information."

      "How was the sick young man when he was here?"

      "He didn't appear to be very sick. Had he been bad I would have certainly done more for him."

      "And you haven't the least idea where they went to?"

      "I have not."

      "It's mighty strange," was Tom's blunt conmment. "Do you know who the sick young man was?"

      "I haven't the slightest idea. I never ask questions unless they are necessary."

      "He was my brother, and those fellows who had him in charge are his enemies and up to no good."

      "Indeed!" And Dr. Karley elevated his shaggy eyebrows in well-assumed surprise.

      "I am bound to find my brother, and if you know anything more you had better tell me," went on Tom bluntly.

      The random shaft struck home, and the old doctor started back in dismay.

      "Why — er — surely you do not — er — suspect me of — ahem — of anything wrong?" he stammered.

      "I want to get at the truth. Which way did they go when they drove off?"

      "Directly for town."

      "And when was this?"

      "Inside of half an hour after they got here."

      "Did they give any names?"

      "No. It was not necessary, since I could not take them in."

      "Your place doesn't seem to be very crowded."

      At this the physician glared angrily at Tom.

      "Boy, it seems to me that you are growing impudent!" he cried. "I am not accustomed to being addressed in this fashion. I think I had better bid you good-night."

      The two were standing in the hallway, and now the doctor opened the door to signify that the interview was over.

      "All right, I'll go," muttered Tom. "But I am going to get to the bottom of this affair, don't you forget that." And then he hurried out and rejoined Sam and Peterson at the coach.

      "He may be telling the truth," said the coach driver, on hearing what Tom had to say. "But, all the same, I was driving around these streets for a good hour after I left here, and I saw no other rig with those men and your brother in it."

      "I am inclined to think the doctor is humbugging us," answered Tom. "But the thing is to prove it."

      "Perhaps you had better watch the place for a while," suggested the lumberman.

      "Do you know anything of this doctor — what sort of a reputation he has?" asked Sam of the driver.

      "His reputation is none of the best," was the answer. "He has been in court twice because of the people he treats."

      "Then he wouldn't be above helping Arnold Baxter — if he was paid for it," said Tom.

      All entered the coach and drove off around the nearest corner.

      Then Tom and Sam got out and walked away, intending to come up at the rear of the sanitarium.

      Presently a carriage appeared in view, driven by a man who, in the gloom, appeared strangely familiar, despite his false beard.

      "Arnold Baxter!" cried Sam. "Hi, there, whoa!"

      He ran toward the carriage and caught the horse by the bridle. Tom followed, and the man, who was just returning from taking Dick to the Peacock, was brought to bay.

      CHAPTER VII

       THE ESCAPE OF ARNOLD BAXTER

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      "Arnold Baxter, where is my brother Dick?" demanded Tom, as he reached the carriage and caught the evildoer by the arm.

      To say that Arnold Baxter was astonished would be to put it altogether too mildly. He was completely dumfounded.

      "You!" he said slowly, hardly knowing how to speak after he had caught his breath.

      "Yes, you rascal. Where is Dick."

      "Dick?"

      "Yes, Dick."

      "I know nothing of your brother. This is a — a complete surprise. I didn't know you were in Cleveland."

      "Perhaps not. But let me tell you that we know your game, and we are going to hand you over to the law."

      "Never!" Arnold Baxter fairly hissed out the words. "Let go of that horse" the latter words to Sam.

      "Don't you do it!" cried Tom, and then he caught Arnold Baxter by the leg. "Come out of the carriage."

      A fierce struggle ensued, and, afraid that Tom would get the worst of it, Sam set up a loud shout for help.

      "You whelp! I'll fix you!" ejaculated Arnold Baxter, and catching up the whip, he struck at Tom with the butt end. He caught the youth directly over the head, and Tom went down as if shot.

      "Let Tom alone," screamed Sam. "Help! help!"

      "Who is it?" came from a distance, and Luke Peterson hove into sight. "Hullo! the man we are after."

      He made a dive for Arnold Baxter, but the latter was too quick for him, and leaped from the opposite side of the carriage to the ground. The horse now became frightened and set off on a run, directly for a lane behind Dr. Karley's institution.

      "Tom, are you badly hurt?" questioned Sam, but, even as he spoke, Tom tried to stagger to his feet. Seeing this, Sam began a chase after Baxter, with the lumberman beside him.

      Arnold Baxter was fleet of foot, and realizing what capture meant — a return to prison with his sentence to be served once more from the beginning — he ran as never before, straight for the dock where the Peacock lay.

       THE HORSE NOW BECAME FRIGHTENED AND SET OFF ON A RUN.

      His first thought was to board the schooner