“That is the mystery.  I met Mr. Baxter only once —­ when he placed his son in my care.  At that time I was certain he was wearing a wig and a false mustache.  The scar was on his chin, although he tried to hide it.  I have never seen him since.  When any money is due from him he sends it to me by mail and does not ask for any receipt.  I once asked Baxter about his parents, and he said his mother was dead and he didn’t know exactly where his father was, as the latter was a great traveler and went everywhere.”

“I see.”

“If you are right, and the man is a rascal, it is to his credit that he is trying to bring his son up as a gentleman.  Perhaps he doesn’t want Daniel to know anything of the past.  Do you follow me?”

“I do, sir.  But if this is so, would he take his son into the tavern?”

“Perhaps —­ everybody is not so opposed to drinking as I am.”

“Well, if Mr. Baxter is a bad man, I rather think Dan is a chip of the old block,” rejoined Tom bluntly.  “But be that as it may, all I want to get hold of is that thief and Dick’s timepiece.”

“I will question Baxter closely,” answered Captain Putnam.  “But I do not wish to hold him guilty of something of which most likely he knows nothing.”

George Strong had by this time come in, and he was sent to bring Baxter.  He was gone but, a few minutes when he came back in high excitement.

“Baxter has broken out of the guardroom!” he, exclaimed.  “I cannot find him anywhere!”

“Did you look in the dormitory?”

“Yes, sir; and his valise is gone, and his trunk is empty of all of value.”

“Humph!” Captain Putnam’s brow contracted.  “This looks very suspicious.”

At that moment one of the smaller cadets came in with a note in his hand.

“I just met Baxter running down the road!” exclaimed the little fellow.  “He gave me this for you, Captain Putnam.”

At once the proprietor of the Hall tore open the communication and read it half aloud: 

“Good-by to Putnam Hall forever.  It is full of fellows who are no good and run by a man I never liked.  No use of following me, for I am going to join my father, and I don’t mean to come back.

“Dan Baxter

“P.  S. —­ Tell the Rover boys I shan’t forget them, and some day I shall take pains to square accounts.

“D.  B.”

“The foolish boy,” was the captain’s comment.  “But perhaps he has done what is best, for it might have been necessary to dismiss him.”  For a long while those at the Hall wondered how Baxter had escaped.  Only Mumps knew and he kept the secret to himself.  A duplicate key to the door of the guardroom had done the trick.

As Baxter was not followed, nothing more was spoken of him for the time being, and after several days the cadets settled down to their regular work as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.  A hunt was instituted by Dick for Arnold Baxter and Buddy the thief, but no trace of the pair came to light.