Borne on the late afternoon breeze came the familiar chorus of voices that the efficient cheer captain, Herman Hooker, led with such powerful effect. The sound thrilled Frank Allen as nothing else could have done. He found himself involuntarily joining in with that never-to-be-forgotten rallying cry that had so often aroused himself and his mates to undreamed-of endeavors on the field of strife: “Ho! ho! ho! hi! hi! hi! _veni! vidi! vici!_ We came, we saw, we conquered! Columbia! ’Rah!” That told the story! The departing hosts seemed to be all Columbia people, judging from the shouts that arose. Then Lanky--good, reliable old Lanky--had passed both Parker and Coddling in the race, and landed the colors of his school across the tape, winner of the long run! And Frank felt content that it was so. CHAPTER XXIV WHEN THE MESSAGE CAME “Oh! Frank!” There was Lanky, dressed in his everyday clothes, and looking very unlike the proud victor of a long, grueling run. But Frank could understand that his chum was tremendously excited. The three boys had just seen poor Bill taken into his own home, with his mother crying over him, and the father hastening to ’phone for a doctor to come without delay; for they, like all other parents, instantly forgave the erring son when they saw him so terribly injured. Frank had accepted the offer of Mallory that he and Keating take the horse to a livery stable, and they had just driven off, to communicate with the owner later, when Lanky hailed in the manner stated above. “What’s up, Lanky?” asked Frank; “They tell me you came in ahead, all right, and that Columbia will blaze with bonfires to-night because of your great work.” “That’s all right!” exclaimed Lanky, breathlessly; “tell you all about it later. Get into your everyday togs as fast as you can, and come with me.” “Why, what’s the matter now?” demanded Frank; though perhaps he began to have a dim suspicion as to the cause of his chum’s new excitement. “Had a message over the wire,” Lanky went on, tersely, as though breath was more valuable now than when on his long run; “little Effie had on just such a bonnet when she disappeared. Mr. Elverson and his wife were away, and just got my wire. They’re coming along right now, and’ll get here to-morrow, Frank.” “Well, what are you going to do about it?” asked Frank. “Get the little girl before those gyps hike out,” came the reply. “Just us two go into that camp, where there are something like five husky men, with faces I don’t altogether like?” questioned Frank. “Shucks! no. Don’t you understand, I’ve fixed it up with Chief Hogg, and he’s to go along, with two of his men. And more’n that, Frank, I’ve been and got an order of arrest on the charge of kidnapping for that old gypsy queen. Didn’t tell you about that before, did I; eh? Well, I thought I’d spring a surprise, if the thing worked out right. Hit her up now, and get dressed. I’ll go along and hurry things.”