CHAPTER VI.
IN WHICH SEVENOAKS EXPERIENCES A GREAT COMMOTION, AND COMES TO THE CONCLUSION THAT BENEDICT HAS MET WITH FOUL PLAY.
Thomas Buffum and his family slept late on Sunday morning, and the operating forces of the establishment lingered in their beds.

When, at last, the latter rose and opened the doors of the dormitories, the escape of Benedict was detected.

Mr.Buffum was summoned at once, and hastened across the street in his shirt-sleeves, which, by the way, was about as far toward full dress as he ever went when the weather did not compel him to wear a coat.

Buffum examined the inner door and saw that it had been forced by a tremendous exercise of muscular power.

He remembered the loss of the key, and knew that some one had assisted in the operation.
"Where's that boy ?" wheezed the keeper.
An attendant rushed to the room where the boy usually slept, and came back with the report that the bed had not been occupied.