“Good-by to you, and good luck!” shouted Frank, as they clambered into the wagon, and many other cadets set up a shout.  Then the wagon rattled off.  The Rover boys had turned their backs on dear old Putnam Hall for a long while to come.

CHAPTER XI

THE ROVERS REACH A CONCLUSION

For the three Rover boys the Golden Star could not make the trip from Cedarville to Ithaca fast enough.  They fretted over every delay, and continually wondered if there was any likelihood of their missing the train which was to take them to Oak Run, the nearest railroad station to Valley Brook farm, their uncle’s home.

But the train was not missed; instead, they had to wait half an hour for it.  During this time they procured dinner, although Dick felt so strange he could scarcely eat a mouthful.

“Uncle Randolph doesn’t say much,” he murmured to Tom.  “He might have said more.”

“We’ll know everything before we go to bed, Dick,” answered his brother.  “I don’t believe Uncle Randolph would telegraph unless the news was good.”

They indulged in all sorts of speculation, as the train sped on its way to Oak Run.  When the latter place was reached it was dark, and they found Jack Ness, the hired man, waiting for them with the carriage.

“There, I knowed it,” grinned Jack.  “Mr. Rover calculated that only Dick would come, but I said we’d have ’em all.”

“And what is this news of my father?” questioned Dick.

“It’s a message as was picked up off the coast of Africky,” replied Ness.  “Mr. Rover didn’t explain very clearly to me.  He’s a good deal excited, and so is the missus.”

“And so are we,” remarked Sam.  “Can it be that father is on his way home?”

“I calculate not, Master Sam.  Leas’wise, your uncle didn’t say so,” concluded the hired man.

Never had the horses made better time than they did now, and yet the boys urged Ness continually to drive faster.  Swift River was soon crossed —­ that stream where Sam had once had such a stirring adventure —­ and they bowled along past the Fox and other farms.

“Here we are!” shouted Dick at last.

“There is Uncle Randolph out on the porch to greet us!”

“And there is Aunt Martha!” added Sam.  “I do believe they look happy, don’t you, Tom?”

“They certainly don’t look sad,” was the noncommittal answer; and then the carriage swept up to the horse-block and the three boys alighted.

“All of you, eh?” were Randolph Rover’s first words.  “Well, perhaps it is just as well so.”

“We simply couldn’t stay behind, uncle,” said Sam.  “And we are dying to know what it all means.”

“But you must have supper first,” put in Aunt Martha, as she gave one and another a motherly kiss.  “I know riding on the cars usually makes Tom tremendously hungry.”