Eight o'clock
As nothing better was suggested the boys set out for Highpoint , which they soon reached , and a short hunt enabled them to find Jack Dudley , the leader of the Highpoint Patrol , from whom they learned that Pepper had not been there . `` What time did he start ? '' asked Dudley . `` Eight o'clock , '' replied Rand . `` It 's very strange , '' said Dudley . `` He may have met with some accident . I will hunt up our patrol and will help you search for him .