sorts of reasons were assigned for his absence.

Then late at night Dick's car was returned by a constable who said he
had found it in the road just outside the town of Riverton and,
recognizing it and knowing that there had been inquiries made about it,
had brought it back.

This did not explain Jack's absence, however, and many telephone
messages were sent to various parts of the town, enquiring for him.

Mr. Brooke reported his having been to the office and others remembered
having seen him but where he had gone and why the car had been abandoned
were puzzles that no one could solve.

When Jack himself appeared at the last moment and announced that he was
ready to begin his examinations there was a general rejoicing but the
mystery was as deep as ever for the boy would not answer any questions
at the time, merely repeating that he had been detained but was glad
that he was no later.

Then he set to work upon the first of his papers and no one disturbed
him for two hours when he went outside and said to Percival who had
finished his paper:

"Somebody did not want me to take this examination but I am taking it
and that is all there is to say about it."

"But where have you been, Jack?"

"Up in the hills, miles away from here. I stayed with a hermit who might
have been Rip Van Winkle himself during a part of the night and set out
for Hilltop some time after sunrise, just making it in time."

"Yes, but Jack, what did you do it for?" and Dick showed that he was
greatly puzzled as well as distressed. "Didn't you know that the boys
would be worried?"

"I am not so fond of going off miles away by myself and then walking
back as to do a thing of that sort willingly, Dick," laughed Jack. "I
was run away with, abducted, kept a prisoner, released by a man who has
been a prisoner himself, walked for miles through the mountain passes,
stayed with a hermit and his dog and finally got back here just in time.
Did you get your car?"

"Yes, and that's what worried us for we did not know what had become of
you. Tell me all about it?"

"There is not time," with a laugh, "but I will tell you some things. You
remember the man with the white mustache?"

"Yes, of course."

"He was up in the mountains where my captors took me and it was he who
got me free and afterward left me, going I know not where. I told you I
would tell you who he is one day."

"Yes, so you did but if you don't like to----"

"I don't mind telling you