"Gone away!" echoed Dick.
"Yes. The three left for home on the late afternoon train. Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning said it was a matter of business. Then you didn't get their note?"
"We did not," answered Tom.
"That is too bad. I am sure they spoke of sending it. Wait, I will ask Parks, our messenger, about it."
The teacher left the room, and the Rover boys looked speculatively at each other.
"They must have been getting ready to leave when Tubbs saw them," said Dick.
"And we never knew they were going," added Sam bitterly.
"The matter of business must refer to that Sobber case," said Tom. "I don't know what else could take them home."
"Maybe they have lost the case and must give the treasure up," said Sam. "In that case, Mr. Laning would have to take the girls away from such an expensive place as this."
In a few minutes the lady teacher came back.
"Parks says he took three notes, addressed to Richard, Thomas and Samuel Rover. He says he went over to Brill this morning with them and gave them to a man named Filbury."
"Filbury, eh?" said Dick, naming an old man
