But what on earth ails Dodge, anyway ?" "Why, for one thing, he's worried to death about the disappearance of his father," replied Dick Prescott.
"I've seen people awfully worried before, and yet it didn't make madmen of them," snorted Darrin.
"Well---perhaps-----" Dick hesitated.
"Well---- ?" Darrin insisted, rather impatiently.
"I'm half inclined to think that Bert Dodge has been leading the soreheads who sulk and won't play football in the same team with some of us common fellows," Dick laughed.

"If so, the very fact of my being sent to look into the news side of his father's disappearance would make Bert feel especially sore at me." "By George, you've hit the nail right on the head there," cried Dave.

"That's the trouble.

Bert has been leading a kick that was aimed very largely at Dick & Co., and now it almost puts him out of his head to find that Dick Prescott, of all the fellows in the school, has been sent by 'The Blade' to gather the facts concerning Theodore Dodge's mysterious disappearance---or death." "Mr.Dodge isn't dead," replied Prescott slowly.
"What?
And say! Do you realize, Dick, that you're letting the horse walk ?" "I intended to," returned Dick.

"Whoa!" "There's a boat coming up the river and showing a search-light," broke in Dave, pointing.
"I saw it.