CHAPTER XXIV 

MORE RIVALRY 

"Do you mean to tell me that you saw Arnold Baxter?" exclaimed Dick, after listening to Sam and Tom's story. 

"We did," replied the youngest Rover. "There was no mistake?" 

"If it wasn't Arnold Baxter do you think he would take such pains to get out of our reach?" asked Tom. 

"That is true, Tom. But it seems so unnatural. What can he be doing in this out-of-the-way place?" 

"As Powell says, he must be keeping out of the reach of the law. Perhaps he expects to keep shady until this affair blows over." 

"As if it would blow over!" cried Sam. "Dick, we ought to do something." 

Captain Putnam had already learned why the four cadets had been late in returning to camp. The Rovers now went to consult him further. 

"I agree, something should be done," said the captain. "Perhaps you had better go to the nearest telegraph office, Richard, and telegraph to your folks. You might also get some of the local authorities to take up the hunt for this criminal." 

"Who are the local authorities?" 

"I really don't know, but we can find out at Oakville." 

In the end Dick and Tom received permission to leave camp for an indefinite time. Late as it was, they hurried to Oakville and caught the telegraph operator at the little railroad station just as he was shutting up for the night. 

Having sent the message to their father they made inquiries of the operator and learned that the town boasted of a Judge Perkins and that the local constable was Munro Staton. 
Who goes to see him?
The Rovers now went to consult him further.