"Ask Dick."
"I'll tell you all by and by," smiled Dick. "But now, let us
hurry back to camp. I want to see Mr. Colquitt just as soon
as I can."
"Bosh! A detective like Colquitt doesn't take up with such trifling
mysteries as missing marrow bones," jibed Reade. "Besides, we
can't afford to hire detectives."
"I don't want to hire a detective," Dick replied enigmatically,
"but I'd like about one minute's talk with Mr. Colquitt, and I
mean to have it. Don't let us dawdle on the way back, fellows."
So the six boys hurried on and soon came within sight of the camp.
"There they come!" cried Belle Meade. "Did you get the thief,
boys?"
"No," called Dave, "and it seems that the fellow is no longer
a thief, but a distinguished fellow citizen whom we must honor
at sight, like a bank draft."
"What are you talking about?" half frowned Belle.
"I haven't the least idea what I am talking about," Dave admitted
cheerfully. "You'll have to ask Dick for the map to my few remarks."
"Where are Mr. Colquitt and his party?" Dick demanded.
"Gone," replied Laura Bentley.
"How long ago?" Dick asked, paling somewhat and looking troubled.
"About two minutes ago," replied Dr. Bentley. "They excused themselves
and went away in their car.
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