CHAPTER VIII 

THE SEARCH FOR DICK 

"Dick is taking his time, that's certain." 

The remark came from Sam, after the boys who had been left in the alleyway had waited the best part of half an hour for the elder Rover's reappearance. 

"Perhaps he has found something of interest," suggested Frank. 

"And perhaps he has fallen into a trap," put In Tom. "I've a good mind to hunt him up." 

"If you go I'll go with you," said Sam. 

"I don't want to be left out here alone," said Frank. "Let us wait a little longer." 

The best part of an hour passed, but of course nothing was seen or heard of Dick. 

"I shan't wait any longer," began Tom, when they saw the front door of the tenement opened and two men hurried forth. Both had their hats pulled far down over their eyes and had their coat collars turned up, even though the night was warm. 

"Out of sight!" cried Sam in a low voice, and they dropped down behind the stoop of the second tenement. 

"One of those men was Buddy Girk!" ejaculated Tom, when the pair had passed up the alleyway. 

"And don't you know who the other was?" demanded Sam. "It was Dan Baxter's father!" 

"Impossible, Sam. Arnold Baxter is in the hospital, and--" 

"It was Dan Baxter's father, as true as I'm born, Tom. No wonder he walked with a cane! Am I not right, Frank?" 

"I don't know, I'm sure I don't remember Dan's father. But that was Buddy Girk, beyond a doubt." 
What was Sam's assessment of that?
"Dick is taking his time, that's certain." 

The remark came from Sam, 