CHAPTER II.
THE START OF THE DODGE MYSTERY "This is the way it always goes," jerked out Bradley, as the two High School boys hurried into the office after him.
"One of my men is sick, and the other two are somewhere---where, I can't find out." "All" his men sounded large enough; as a matter of fact, the only reporters "The Blade" employed were three young men on salary, and Dick Prescott, mainly as gleaner of school news.

Dick didn't receive any salary, but was paid a dollar a column.
"What's happening, anyway ?" Dick asked coolly.
"You know Theodore Dodge ?" demanded Mr.Bradley.
"I know him when I see him; he never talks with me," Prescott replied.
"Theodore Dodge is the father of a fellow in our senior class at High School," Dave put in, adding under his breath, "and the son is one of our football 'soreheads.'" "Dodge has vanished," continued Bradley.

"He went out early this morning, and hasn't been seen since.

Tonight, just after dark, a man walking by the river, up above the bend, picked up a coat and hat on the bank.

Letters in the pocket showed the coat to be Mr.Dodge's.