"I am at a complete loss how to proceed. If the ground had
opened and swallowed him he could not have disappeared more suddenly
and more completely."
"We shall certainly have to start another search. The question is
where to begin," mused the judge, and just then, catching sight
of Officer Dugan, his mind reverting to the latter's inexcusable
blunder, he gave the chagrined minion of the law a severe reprimand.
How far the angry judge might have proceeded is not known, for just
at this moment Pepper appeared in the doorway.
"Pepper!" cried Jack. "Where in the world have you been?"
"Where in the world haven't I been?" he responded.
"You evidently found yourself," asserted the colonel.
"Is it really you, Pepper?" asked Gerald; "and where did you hide
yourself?" and other questions came thick and fast.
"Just returned from delivery of the message to the Highpoint Scouts,"
finally answered the boy when he was afforded an opportunity to
speak.
"Highpoint! Why, we went to Highpoint!" cried Rand, "and you had
not been there.
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