CHAPTER XXIII 

BACK AT ASHTON 

The three Rovers listened in astonishment to what the auto-stage driver had to say concerning the sudden disappearance of Blackie Crowden. 

"Then he must have jumped from the stage while you were running," remarked Dick. 

"That's just what he did do, mister. And he took some chances, too, believe me, for I wasn't runnin' at less than twenty miles an hour." 

"Did he have any baggage with him?" questioned Tom. 

"He had a small handbag, that's all." 

"Would you remember the place where he jumped off?" came from Sam, eagerly. 

"Yes, it was on the road back of here--just before you turn into this highway." 

"You mean the road that was so thick with dust?" remarked Tom. 

"That's the place. He jumped off at a spot where the bushes are pretty thick, and there are three trees standin' close together just back of the bushes." 

"I think I know that place," said Dick. "There is a small white cottage on the hillside just behind it." 

"You've struck it," answered the stage driver. "I reckon as how he was goin' to call on somebody at the cottage. But why he didn't ask me to stop is a mystery. Why! he might have broken a leg gettin' off that way." 

"That man is a criminal, and he did it to throw you off his track," announced Sam. "Do you know what I think?" he continued to his brothers. "I think Blackie Crowden must have gotten on to the fact that we were at Fernwood, and made up his mind to clear out as soon as possible. Then he got afraid that we might question folks, including this stage driver, and so jumped from the auto-stage to throw us off his trail, provided we should follow the stage." 
Who is being questioned?
 the stage driver.