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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f03bb2a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #53406 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53406) diff --git a/old/53406-8.txt b/old/53406-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a2ad10e..0000000 --- a/old/53406-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8139 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Dick Hamilton's Touring Car, by Howard R. Garis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Dick Hamilton's Touring Car - A Young Millionaire's Race For A Fortune - -Author: Howard R. Garis - -Release Date: October 30, 2016 [EBook #53406] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DICK HAMILTON'S TOURING CAR *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -+-------------------------------------------------+ -|Transcriber's note: | -| | -|Obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | -| | -+-------------------------------------------------+ - - -[Illustration: INTO THE WATER SPLASHED THE BIG TOURING CAR. - -_Dick Hamilton's Touring Car._ _Frontispiece_--(_Page 168._)] - - - - -DICK HAMILTON'S TOURING CAR - -OR - -A YOUNG MILLIONAIRE'S RACE FOR A FORTUNE - -BY -HOWARD R. GARIS - -AUTHOR OF "DICK HAMILTON'S FORTUNE," "DICK -HAMILTON'S STEAM YACHT," "FROM OFFICE BOY -TO REPORTER," "LARRY DEXTER AND THE STOLEN BOY," ETC. - -_ILLUSTRATED_ - -THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO. -AKRON, OHIO NEW YORK - -MADE IN U. S. A. - - -Copyright, 1913, by -_Grosset & Dunlap_ - - - - -PREFACE - - -MY DEAR BOYS: - -I am not going to detain you long over this, for, if you are anything -like I was, when I was your age, you don't want a lengthy introduction. -But I just want a moment or so of your time, to explain something of the -kind of story this is--a sort of bill of fare, as it were. - -This is an account of how the young millionaire, Dick Hamilton, -unexpectedly did a great service for a stranger, and how, later learning -that this same stranger needed help in saving his fortune, Dick took -strenuous action. - -For excellence in his studies at the Kentfield Military Academy, Dick's -father gave him his choice of any automobile he wished. Dick found just -the kind of a touring car he wanted--one large enough to sleep and live -in, as he and his friends traveled about. - -In this car, which Dick named the _Last Word_, the boys set out for San -Francisco. What happened to them on the way, how they foiled the plans -of Dick's Uncle Ezra, how they came upon the strange man in the great -salt desert, and how, in an exciting race, they tried to save him and -blocked the plans of those who would take Mr. Wardell's fortune from -him--all this you may read of in this book. - -It is the fifth volume of the "Dick Hamilton Series," and that you will -like it as well as you have the preceding ones is the sincere wish of -your friend, - -HOWARD R. GARIS. - - - - -CONTENTS - -CHAPTER PAGE - I QUEER ACTIONS 1 - - II UNCLE EZRA 11 - - III GOOD NEWS 20 - - IV TO THE AUTO SHOW 28 - - V THE BIG CAR 41 - - VI THE RUINED MILLIONAIRE 48 - - VII ON THE ROAD 56 - - VIII UNCLE EZRA LAUGHS 64 - - IX DICK MAKES PLANS 73 - - X MR. WARDELL'S CONFESSION 81 - - XI OFF ON THE TRIP 89 - - XII UNCLE EZRA PLOTS 96 - - XIII THE HAND IN THE DARK 105 - - XIV A BLOCKED ROAD 114 - - XV PUZZLED 121 - - XVI THE LAME MAN 129 - - XVII GIVING HIM A LIFT 137 - - XVIII A DISAPPEARANCE 142 - - XIX A SIMPLE TRICK 147 - - XX DOWN HILL 155 - - XXI MAROONED 164 - - XXII AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM 169 - - XXIII OFF AGAIN 176 - - XXIV A NIGHT ENCOUNTER 182 - - XXV INTO THE LONELINESS 189 - - XXVI BAD NEWS 198 - - XXVII THE MAN IN THE DESERT 206 - -XXVIII IMPORTANT INFORMATION 211 - - XXIX ON TO 'FRISCO 221 - - XXX PURSUED 229 - - XXXI A BREAKDOWN 236 - - XXXII THE RACE 244 - -XXXIII JUST IN TIME 249 - - XXXIV THE FORTUNE SAVED 255 - - - - -DICK HAMILTON'S TOURING CAR - - - - -CHAPTER I - -QUEER ACTIONS - - -"Here's cheerful news--not!" exclaimed Dick Hamilton, as he tossed a -letter on the bed of the room occupied by himself and his chum, Paul -Drew, at the Kentfield Military Academy. "Nice, rich, juicy news, Paul!" - -"What's the matter, old man? Has some one sent you a bill?" - -"No, but it's a note from my Uncle Ezra Larabee, of Dankville, saying -he's coming to pay me a visit. Whew!" - -"A visit from Uncle Ezra; eh? Isn't he that sour-faced man who hates -your bulldog, Grit, and who thinks football is a waste of time?" - -"That's the man, Paul. And he's the same uncle who tried to kidnap me, -to teach me how sinful it was to go off and have a good time on my -yacht. Oh, he's the limit!" - -"But if there isn't any love lost between you, why is he coming here, -Dick? I think you told me he was about as near to being a miser as it's -possible to get, and it costs money to come here from Dankville." - -"Oh, he isn't coming specially to see me--you can make up your mind to -that, Paul. I'm only a side issue. Let's see what he says," and Dick -took up the letter again. "'Dear Nephew Richard,'" he read--"he never -calls me anything but Richard, you know. 'I hope you are doing well in -your studies'--no, that isn't it--'I trust you have gotten rid of your -savage dog'--no, it isn't there--quiet, Grit!" he called to a -handsome-homely dog in one corner of the room, the intelligent beast -having growled instinctively at the mention of Uncle Ezra's name. - -"Let's see, where is that part of his note?" went on Dick, leafing over -the sheet. "He's wasteful enough of paper, ink and words, if he isn't of -money. Oh, here it is. 'I have some business to attend to near -Kentfield, and after I have finished I will run over and see you.' - -"There you are, Paul. You see he's only coming to see me as an -after-thought. Probably he knows I'll ask him to take dinner with me in -the mess hall, and he can save the price of a sandwich and a cup of -coffee. Oh, Uncle Ezra is mighty saving!" - -"He must be." - -"Well, he won't be here until afternoon, Paul. So let's take advantage -of it and go for a walk. You haven't anything on; have you?" - -"No; drill's over and I'm through with lectures. I'm with you. Where do -you want to go?" - -"Oh, anywhere. Let's walk out toward the hills. It's more like the -country there, and with summer almost here I always want to get out in -the woods and fields." - -"The same with me. It won't be long until vacation now. What are you -going to do, Dick?" - -"I don't know," replied the young millionaire, musingly, as he donned a -fatigue uniform. "Dad did think of going to Europe, and if he does I -shall probably go with him. But I'd rather put in a good time on this -side, with some of the fellows. What's your programme, Paul?" - -"It's up to the folks, and they haven't made up their minds yet. It's -always a toss-up between the mountains and the seashore. I generally -vote for the shore, though I wouldn't mind a trip across the mill-pond. -However, I suppose I'll have to stick with the family. Well, are you -ready?" - -"Yes. Come along, Grit!" and Dick had to brace himself against the -demonstrative leaps of the fine animal that was delighted at going on a -jaunt with his master. - -"I guess I'll leave word that if Uncle Ezra should come in while we're -out, he can wait here for us," went on Dick, and on his way out he spoke -to the care-taker in charge of the dormitory. - -"I have to be decent to him, if he did treat me pretty mean," went on -Dick. "After all, he thinks he's doing right, and he is my dead -mother's brother." - -"Did he say what his business was around here?" asked Paul. - -"No, but you can be pretty sure it is something to do with money. -Probably Uncle Ezra is coming to collect some bill." - -"I'm glad I don't owe him anything, Dick." - -"The same here. He'd get the last penny from you. I pity anyone who does -owe him, if he can't pay. Here, Grit, you never mind that cat," for the -bulldog, with a low growl and a raising of the hair on the ridge of his -back, had shown an inclination to chase a cat that scuttled across the -drive from the barrack stables where the troop horses of the military -academy were kept. - -"That must be a strange feline," remarked Paul. "Grit knows all the -regulars." - -"Guess you're right, Paul. There goes Beeby. Hi, Innis!" Dick called to -a tall cadet, crossing the parade ground. "Want to come for a walk?" - -"Can't--I've got some work to do." - -"'Work was made for slaves,'" quoted Paul. - -"Then I'm a slave," retorted Innis Beeby. "See you later," and he turned -into his dormitory. - -Paul and Dick kept on by themselves, meeting chums and acquaintances -occasionally, until they were well away from the military academy, -swinging along a country road at a good pace--heads up, shoulders back -and with a true military carriage, attained only after long practice. - -"Which way?" asked Paul, as they came to a place where the road branched -off, one highway leading to Lake Wagatook, and the other to a small town -about two miles away. - -"Let's go in to Westville. I want to see about getting a new collar for -Grit. No, I didn't call you," he said to the bulldog, who came back on -hearing his name. - -"On to Westville then," assented Paul, and not until some time afterward -did either of them realize how their choice of roads that day had to do -with an important epoch in the life of a certain young man. - -About half way to Westville the highway was crossed by a railroad -embankment, the road being carried under it by a big culvert. It was on -approaching this embankment that Paul, looking up, and seeing the figure -of a man on the tracks, called Dick's attention to him. - -"Look there!" he exclaimed. "That fellow's acting mighty queer, Dick. -I've been noticing him ever since we came in sight of the railroad. -Watch him." - -Dick looked up. The man on the track above them did not seem aware of -their presence. He would walk along the embankment a short distance, -pause, and seem to be contemplating the rails; then, with an odd gesture -would retrace his steps. - -"You're right, Paul, he does act queer," agreed Dick. "I wonder what -he's up to?" - -"I don't know. Let's watch him a bit longer. He doesn't seem to be -paying any attention to us." - -As they looked, the man sat down on a pile of stones near the edge of -the track, and began looking through his pockets. He seemed to find what -he wanted--a bit of paper that fluttered in the wind--and then, placing -it on his knee he began to write. - -"He's making notes," said Dick. - -"Maybe he's a track walker, and he's found some defect in the rails," -suggested Paul. - -"Track-walkers don't dress that way. He's got a tailor-made suit on." - -"That's so, Dick. I wonder who he is?" - -Whatever the man was writing did not seem to take long, for he soon -arose. Then the two cadets saw him carefully pin the paper he had -written to the inner pocket of his coat. - -"Well, what do you know about that?" demanded Dick. - -"It looks strange," admitted Paul. "He sure isn't going to lose that -paper." - -As he spoke the man resumed his pacing of the track. He came to the edge -of the concrete bridge that carried the railroad over the highway, -paused a moment, and then, with a shake of his head, retraced his steps. -Then he came to a pause at the place where he had rested to write the -note. He looked down the embankment, and once more shook his head. - -Suddenly the whistle of an approaching train was heard, though it was -some distance off, and would not be along for several minutes. At the -sound the man on the tracks threw his hands upward with a tragic -gesture. - -"Paul!" cried Dick, "there's something wrong with that man! Maybe he's -partly insane and doesn't realize his danger. I'm going up and tell him -to get off the track." - -"Maybe it would be a good idea, Dick. Go ahead--I'm with you." - -The cadets scrambled up the yielding ashes and earth that formed the -elevated embankment. As they advanced they could hear the distant -rumbling of the approaching train. The man who had acted so strangely -now saw them, but only regarded them with a sort of melancholy smile, -and did not hasten away. - -"I beg your pardon," panted Dick, as he walked toward the stranger -somewhat winded after his climb, "but it's dangerous up here. There's a -train coming." - -"Thank you, I know it." The man spoke calmly, in contrast with his queer -actions. - -"I thought perhaps you might be a stranger around here," the young cadet -resumed. "There are two trains that pass here about the same time. You -might get out of the way of one, and step in the path of the other." - -"Thank you for the warning," said the man. "I--er--I----" - -He hesitated, and seemed to be struggling with some emotion. - -"Perhaps I had better get off the track--for the present," he said, -slowly. - -"You had, if you don't want to be killed!" exclaimed Dick, with a laugh -that took the grim meaning from the words. "I guess we'd all better. The -trains are getting nearer, and it's too good a world to leave by way of -the iron route." - -"Is it a good world?" asked the man, suddenly. - -"I find it so," answered the cadet. "Especially in this kind of weather, -and vacation so near at hand; eh, Paul?" - -"That's right!" - -"You are students at the Kentfield Academy then?" - -"Yes. Better move a bit faster. Here comes the express. It will pass the -local on the bridge, I guess. Yes, there they both come." - -Whistles from the locomotives of the two approaching trains, which -rounded curves at this point, showed that the two engineers had seen the -figures on the track. - -"That's for us!" exclaimed Paul, quickly. - -The stranger did not answer, but slowly followed Dick, who scrambled -down the embankment. Ere they reached the lower level the trains rushed -thunderously past in a cloud of dust and cinders. - -"Now you can walk the track with more safety," remarked Dick to the -man. "There won't be another train for three hours." - -"Thank you, I think I'll go the rest of my journey by the highway," and -the man, with a little bow, turned aside, going in the direction from -which the boys had come. As he walked along Paul turned in time to see -him take from his pocket the note he had pinned there and tear it up, -scattering the fragments along the road. - -For a few moments Paul and Dick walked along in silence, Grit following -at their heels. Then Paul spoke. - -"Dick!" he exclaimed, "do you know I think you saved that man from -committing suicide!" - -"Suicide! Nonsense, Paul!" - -"That's right. If I ever saw despair and hopelessness on a man's face it -was on his." - -"Well, he didn't look very happy, that's a fact. But what had that to do -with an intention to take his own life?" - -"Lots, when you think of the way he acted." - -"Oh, you imagine it." - -"I do not! I believe he came here with the intention of throwing himself -under a train, or at least allowing himself to be struck by one. I -believe he wrote a note of farewell, and pinned it in his pocket so it -wouldn't get lost. Just see how queer he acted! No one would stay on the -track the way he did, with two trains coming, unless he had it in mind -to get hurt. No, Dick, you can say what you like, but I believe your -going up when you did, and talking to him, saved his life." - -"Well, I'd like to think that I did that for a fellow being, Paul; but I -still can't admit it." - -"It's true, whether you admit it or not. You saved his life, and some -day you'll know it, or I'm mistaken." - -"Oh, nonsense!" - -"No nonsense at all. You'll see. That man was at the end of his rope--he -was all in. He was in despair, and he wasn't a common sort, either. He -comes of a good family, I can see that. And the way you talked to him, -just at the right moment--saying this was a pretty good old world after -all--you saved his life, Dick--at least for a time." - -"Get out!" But in spite of his denial Dick felt glad that he had done -what he had. And it was not until some time after that he learned what -really had taken place. Under strange circumstances he was to meet that -man again. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -UNCLE EZRA - - -"Quiet, Grit! What's the matter, old fellow?" - -"He seems to think some one is in our room," said Paul Drew. He and Dick -had returned from their walk, Grit resplendent in a new, brass-studded -collar, and the dog had shown signs of resentful excitement on nearing -the door of the room where the two chums lodged. - -"I wonder----?" began Dick, and then, as he opened the door, and saw a -rather grizzled man standing near the window--a man with a queer little -tuft of whiskers on his chin--Dick exclaimed: - -"Uncle Ezra!" - -"Yes, Nephew Richard. I am here. I got through my business sooner than I -expected and came over." - -"I'm glad you did, Uncle Ezra. Quiet, Grit, or I'll send you to the -stable," for the dog was uttering low growls, and sidling closer and -closer to the aged man, who still remained standing. It might be noticed -that our hero did not say that he was glad to see his uncle. He was -not, and he did not believe in saying what was not so, even to be -polite. - -"Have you got that savage cur still?" demanded Mr. Larabee, while he -bowed slightly in response to a salutation from Paul. - -"I expect to have Grit for a long time yet," replied his nephew, coldly. -"Though if he annoys you I'll have him taken away," and he pushed a -button on the wall. - -"He does annoy me! You know I can't abide dogs. Useless critters, eatin' -almost as much as a man, all covered with fleas, and no good anyhow! -Send him away!" - -"Grit, I guess you'd better go," said Dick, softly, as a janitor came in -response to his ring. "Take him to the stable, Hawkins. I'll have him -back--later," he added in a low voice. Grit was led off, whining in -protest as he looked at Dick, and then shifting his tones to a menacing -growl as he glared at Uncle Ezra, who, he well knew, was the cause of -his banishment. - -"Ugly brute!" muttered Mr. Larabee. "I've been waiting quite some time -for you, Nephew Richard," he went on. "I was afraid I'd have to go back -without seeing you. I've got a limited excursion ticket, and if I didn't -use it back to Dankville to-day I'd lose the value of it. Leastwise I -might have to sue the railroad company to recover, and lawsuits is -dreadful expensive--dreadful." - -"We just went for a walk," Dick explained. "I did not know exactly what -time you would come." - -"No, I couldn't tell, myself. But I got through my business sooner than -I expected, even with attending to some after I got through with the -deal that brought me on here." - -"It came out all right, I hope," ventured Dick. - -"Yes--oh, yes. My business allers does come out satisfactory--leastwise -mostly." Perhaps Uncle Ezra was thinking of the time he had interfered -with Dick's yachting trip, with disastrous results to himself. - -"I got all that was coming to me," the aged man went on, "though I did -have a fight for it." - -"Did some one owe you money?" asked Dick. - -"Well, yes, in a way. You see it was a young fellow who had been left -more money than was good for him. He didn't know enough to take care of -it, and now I've got it." Uncle Ezra chuckled grimly. - -"I hope you didn't take all he had, Uncle Ezra," spoke Dick. - -"Why shouldn't I?" Mr. Larabee asked, indignantly. "This chap didn't -know the value of money--I do. He made certain investments, and I told -him that I'd insist on having my last dollar if they failed. They did -fail, just as I knew they would, and now I have his money. It was mine -by right, though, for business is business, and he's young enough to -start over again. It will do him good. Ha! Ha! I'll never forget how -blank he looked when he asked me if I wouldn't give him another chance. -Another chance! Ho! Ho! He had his chance and didn't use it. Another -chance! I guess not! I want what's mine!" And Uncle Ezra ground his -teeth and clenched his bony fists in a way that was not pleasant to -contemplate. - -"Then you cleaned him out, Uncle Ezra?" asked Dick. - -"Not I--no. He cleaned himself out by his foolish investments. You can't -have your cake and eat it too, you know. You can't be a 'sport' and not -pay attention to your business, and expect to keep your money. You've -got to be on the watch all the while. I made a pretty penny out of -it--er--that is, not too much!" Uncle Ezra added quickly, as if fearful -lest some one should attempt to borrow something from him. "But a -legitimate profit--yes, a legitimate profit. - -"And, as I got through sooner than I expected, Nephew Richard, I came -over to see you, as I promised. But I'll soon have to be getting back. -I've got a new hired man, and I know he'll feed too much to the stock, -and ruin 'em, to say nothing of wasting grain. I must get back before -feeding time." - -"I hope you'll stay and take lunch with me," suggested Dick, as he -thought he saw a hungry look in his uncle's face. - -"Yes, I might," was the answer, as though Mr. Larabee was doing Dick a -favor. - -"Then I'll send word to have a place laid for you at our table. You -know some of my friends, I think." - -"Humph! Yes, I do, and I can't say I altogether approve of 'em, Nephew -Richard. They spend too much money." - -"Well I guess they've got plenty to spend," said Dick, for Kentfield -Academy was attended by the sons of many rich men, though it was in no -sense a snobbish institution. - -"Yes," went on Uncle Ezra, with a grim chuckle, "I came here to meet a -young man, and I met him. I came to teach him a lesson, and I taught it. -I guess Mr. Frank Wardell won't be so high and mighty after this. I -cleaned him out--and it was all done in a regular way, too. I cleaned -him out." - -"Ruined him, you mean, Uncle Ezra?" - -"Well, _he_ accused me of that, but it wa'n't my fault. He brought it on -himself, and he can start over again. He's young yet." - -"But what will become of him, Uncle Ezra, if he hasn't any money?" - -"I don't know, and he didn't either by the way he rushed off after I got -through with him," and the old man chuckled. "But I reckon he can go to -work like the rest of us. I offered him a place in my woolen mill at -Dankville. I said I could pay him five dollars a week to start, though I -know he wouldn't be wuth it. But he might learn the trade." - -Dick said nothing, but the thought of a ruined man, who must have had a -considerable fortune, going to work for Uncle Ezra in the woolen mill -for five dollars a week, struck our hero as being rather pathetic. - -"Did he take your offer, Mr. Larabee?" asked Paul. - -"He did not!" exclaimed Dick's uncle. "He said he'd become a tramp -first. Wa'al, he kin if he wants to--there's no law ag'in' it!" and -again he chuckled mirthlessly. - -"I'll go see about lunch," volunteered Dick. "Oh, something for me, -Toots?" he exclaimed, as he opened the door, and saw an old Sergeant -standing there with an envelope in his hand. - -"Yes, a letter, Mr. Hamilton." - -"It's from dad!" exclaimed our hero, as he noted the writing. - -"I hope he has taken my advice, and will withdraw you from this useless -military academy," spoke Uncle Ezra. "It is time you went to work, -Nephew Richard." - -"I'll be back in a little while," replied Dick, not taking the trouble -to answer his uncle directly, and he hurried off down the corridor to -arrange about having his guest at luncheon in the mess hall. - -While preparations for the meal are under way I shall ask for a few -minutes of your time--you my new readers--while I briefly explain about -Dick Hamilton, and introduce you more formally to him, as he has -appeared in the previous volumes of this series. - -Dick was the only son of Mortimer Hamilton, of Hamilton Corners, in New -York State. Mr. Hamilton was a millionaire, with varied interests, and -Dick had a fortune in his own right, left to him by his mother. - -In my first book, called "Dick Hamilton's Fortune," I related how this -inheritance came to the youth, and under what peculiar conditions, so -that he really had to work hard to deserve it. And he nearly lost it at -that. The second volume deals with Dick's life at a well-known military -academy--Kentfield--and is entitled, "Dick Hamilton's Cadet Days." How -he had to struggle against heavy odds, and how he won out, is related in -the story. - -In "Dick Hamilton's Steam Yacht," our hero found himself confronted with -a queer problem. How he worked it out, and defeated the aims of Uncle -Ezra, you will find fully set forth. - -Uncle Ezra Larabee was a curious character. He was quite rich, perhaps -not so much so as Mr. Hamilton, but with a large fortune. He did not -seem to enjoy life, however, and was continually preaching economy. He -had a particular aversion to the bulldog, Grit, and, it might be said in -passing, Grit returned the compliment, so to speak. - -When Dick and his chums at Kentfield found that their football challenge -to the Blue Hill Academy was treated as a joke, they were quite angry, -and justly so. True, the former military academy team was in poor shape, -but the lads were eager to do better. - -And in "Dick Hamilton's Football Team," the fourth book of the series, I -related how the young millionaire made a big change at Kentfield, and -what came of it, and I also related how he was instrumental in helping -his father in a business transaction. - -The Fall and football were things of the past, and now the long summer -vacation was approaching. Baseball had the call, and Dick was acting as -the academy pitcher with great success. A few weeks more and Kentfield -would close until Fall, and what to do in the interim was puzzling not -only Dick, but some of his chums. - -"Well, Uncle Ezra," said the cadet, as he came back into the room a -little later, to find his chum Paul fidgeting about, for it was no joke -to entertain Mr. Larabee, "I've arranged to have our lunch a little -ahead of the rest. I know you want to catch your train." - -"Yes, I do. I don't want to waste my return ticket. I'll go down at -once." - -Paul gave a sigh of relief, and winked at Dick. The three moved toward -the dining hall, Dick making inquiries about his aunt, and some other -distant relatives in Dankville, a place he hated above all others,--for -his uncle's house there was almost the personification of gloom. - -"Wa'al, your aunt's as well as she can expect to be," remarked Mr. -Larabee. "She suffers consid'able from stomach misery, and the doctor -don't seem to do her no good. He charges enough too, and he's allers -changin' the medicine. I should think he could take one kind and stick -to it." - -"He has to try different kinds to see what is the best," suggested Dick. - -"I know, but you ought to see the bottles, only half-took, that I have -to throw away. I tried to git a rebate on 'em, but the druggist said he -couldn't use 'em. So I'm that much out," and Mr. Larabee drew a deep -sigh. - -"Any news from home, Dick?" asked Paul, as the three sat alone in the -mess hall, at a special table for visitors. "How is your father?" - -"By Jove! I forgot to read the letter!" exclaimed Dick, pulling it from -his pocket. "Excuse me while I look at it," and he ripped open the -envelope. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -GOOD NEWS - - -"Will you have some more of this roast beef, Mr. Larabee?" asked Paul, -doing the honors for Dick, who was busy over the letter from his father. - -"Wa'al, I might have a bit more. It seems like pretty tender meat." - -"Yes, we get the very best at Kentfield." - -"Hum! If I was runnin' this place I'd buy the cheaper cuts, and save -money. Tough meat is better for growing lads, anyhow. I wouldn't give -'em such expensive meat." - -"But we pay for it, Mr. Larabee." - -"It's a waste of money," replied the miser, and went on with the meal, -which, to do Dick justice, was exceptionally good. Dick never believed -in starving even his ill-natured relatives. - -"Hurray! This is great!" suddenly exclaimed the young millionaire. -"Whoop! Oh, I say, excuse me, Uncle Ezra!" he added, quickly. "I didn't -mean to startle you," for the aged man had jumped at Dick's exclamation, -and some potato, covered with gravy, had fallen on his trousers. - -"That's jest like you boys--allers shoutin' and makin' a noise," rasped -out Mr. Larabee. "I'll have to pay for havin' that spot taken out," and -he scrubbed vigorously at it with a napkin. "That is, unless my hired -man can start it with some of my harness soap. I guess I'll have him try -when I get back. No use payin' a cleaner if my hired man can do it." - -"I'm sorry, Uncle Ezra," spoke Dick, contritely, and trying not to smile -at Paul Drew. "We can take it out here for you. A little ether will do -the trick. It will dissolve the grease. I'll take you to the chemical -laboratory after lunch." - -"No, the ether might eat a hole in my pants, and they're my second best -ones. I'll wait until I git hum, and try the harness soap. Next time -please don't yell so." - -"I won't, Uncle Ezra. But dad sent me some good news, and I just -couldn't help it." - -"Is he going to take you to Europe this vacation?" asked Paul. - -"Europe! You don't mean to tell me that Mortimer Hamilton is going to -waste money on another trip to Europe?" cried Mr. Larabee, in horror. - -"No, it isn't that," answered Dick. "He writes that as he sees by my -reports I have done well this term, I may have just what I've been -wanting a long time." - -"To go into some business, I hope," said Mr. Larabee. "That would be a -sensible present, and I could offer you a place in my woolen mill at a -salary of----" - -"No, thank you, Uncle Ezra," laughed Dick. "I think I'll stay here at -Kentfield for another term yet." - -"But what is it your father is going to give you?" asked Paul. "Don't -keep us in suspense." - -"It's a touring car!" cried Dick, in delight. "He says I can select the -best and biggest car made, and send the bill to him. Hurray! Isn't that -great news? Say, I can just about see where my vacation is coming in -now, Paul." - -"That's right. You are in luck!" - -"A touring car!" cried Mr. Larabee. "You mean an automobile, Dick? Why -you've got one already. It would be a shameful waste of money to buy -another. You can take what a touring car would cost, and invest the sum -in some good securities. I have some that I acquired from that young man -I spoke of to-day." - -"I haven't a touring car," said Dick. "I have that little runabout; but -it isn't much use. A touring car for mine!" - -"Oh, the sinful waste of this rising generation!" murmured Uncle Ezra, -shaking his head, sadly. - -"What kind of a car is he going to give you, Dick?" asked Paul. - -"He says I can pick it out myself. I'll read you that part of the -letter," and Dick quoted from the missive: - - - "'I have been thinking of something you might like, Dick, as a sort - of reward for your good work at school this winter. I know you have - studied hard. I had a man come here to look over your runabout, - thinking perhaps it could be fixed up, but he says it is hardly - worth it. He advised trading it in for a new and up-to-date - machine, and I think that best myself. - - "'I want you to be satisfied with what I get you, and I think the - best way would be to let you pick it out yourself. So if you will - look over some catalogues, which you can send for yourself, and let - me know the make of car, I will attend to the rest'" - - -"That's great!" cried Paul. - -"A terrible waste!" muttered Mr. Larabee. "Sinful!" - -"Good old dad!" exclaimed Dick, as he put the letter in his pocket. "I -wonder what sort of a car I ought to take?" - -"One that you can cross the country in," advised Paul. - -"That's what I'll do--I'll get a big touring car, and take some of you -fellows with me. We'll have a great and glorious trip this summer!" - -"More waste! You would much better get work somewhere, Dick, and pay -part of your expenses here," declared Mr. Larabee. - -"My mother arranged all that before she died," said the young cadet. -"She wanted me to attend a military school, and left the funds for it. -My tuition is all paid for." - -"Well, my sister never did know what she was doing," declared Mr. -Larabee, bitterly. - -"Hold on!" exclaimed Dick, hotly. "Remember that she was _my_ mother," -and he spoke the word softly, for she had not been dead many years. - -"Ahem! Wa'al, I didn't mean anything," stammered Mr. Larabee. "Say, I've -got to hustle to get my train," he added, quickly, looking at an ancient -silver watch, which he pulled out of his pocket by means of a leather -thong. "Come and see us at Dankville, Nephew Richard. Your aunt will be -glad to have you, but you can't expect such meals as this," he went on -hastily. "You know she has the dyspepsia, and she can't eat much, so I -don't buy much. But come and see us." - -Dick mumbled something not quite distinguishable, and the meal came to -an end. - -"I guess I'll just take some of this meat that's left over, and make -myself a couple of sandwiches," said Mr. Larabee, suiting the action to -the word. "No use in letting it go to waste," he added. "And I might get -hungry before we get to Dankville. This will save me buying anything on -the train," and wrapping up the sandwiches in a piece of newspaper he -thrust them into his pocket. - -"Thank goodness I didn't take him to one of the tables with the -fellows!" whispered Dick, as he winked at Paul. "He sure is the limit!" - -"This way to the trolley that goes to the depot," said Dick, as he -escorted his uncle across the parade ground, Paul having excused -himself. - -"I'm not going to take the trolley, Nephew Richard. I have plenty of -time to walk the distance, and there is no use wasting five cents. It is -grass most of the way, and I won't wear out my shoes none to speak of. -I'm going to walk." - -"All right," assented Dick, with a shrug of the shoulders. "Good-bye. -I'd go with you, but we have guard mount soon, and I'm officer of the -day." - -"Foolishness, all foolishness!" snorted Mr. Larabee, feeling in his -pocket to make sure he had the sandwiches. "You had better think twice -about wasting money on that touring car, too, Nephew Richard. Don't take -it--take the money and invest it." - -"I would rather have the car, Uncle Ezra. Remember me to Aunt Samanthy." - -"Um!" mumbled Mr. Larabee, as he walked off in the direction of the -railroad. A trolley car was coming, and it was quite a distance to the -station, but he did not signal for it to stop. - -"He's happy," mused Dick. "He didn't have to pay for his lunch, he got -his supper for nothing, and he's saving a nickel carfare. Oh, he's happy -all right. But, excuse me!" - -Just then Grit, who had been released from his kennel near the stable, -came rushing out to meet his master. Then the dog caught sight of the -vanishing figure of Uncle Ezra, and with a growl sprang in that -direction. - -"Here! Come back, Grit!" yelled Dick. "Come back!" - -The bulldog paused. Mr. Larabee looked back. The temptation was too much -for the animal. He made another rush. - -"Call him back! Call him back!" yelled Mr. Larabee, breaking into a run. -"If he bites me, Nephew Richard, I'll sue your father for damages! Call -him back!" - -"Grit!" called the cadet, and the dog knew the consequences of -disobeying that voice. Reluctantly he turned, but he sent menacing -growls and barks in the direction of his traditional enemy. Mr. Larabee -was still running as Dick turned back toward the parade ground, with -Grit following reluctantly. - -"Grit, have you no manners?" asked Dick, but he could not help smiling. -The dog wagged his tail, as though answering that he had not, and was -glad of it. - -Dick turned to look after his uncle, who, casting occasional fearful -glances back, was hurrying toward the station. And, as Dick looked, he -saw a man turn from a cross road, and meet his uncle. - -The two stopped at the same time, and the stranger seemed to be -questioning Mr. Larabee. If such was the case he got little -satisfaction, for Dick's uncle could be seen to shake his head -vigorously in disapproval, and then, with a gesture, to dismiss the -other. The stranger hesitated a moment, and soon turned away. - -"He looks just like the man Paul and I met on the railroad," mused Dick. -"The one Paul said acted as if he was going to commit suicide. I wonder -what he wanted of Uncle Ezra?" - -But Dick was not to know that for some time. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -TO THE AUTO SHOW - - -"Come on now, Dick! Give him a teaser!" - -"You know how to make him bite!" - -"Two down! Only one more Dick, old man!" - -The occasion was the last of a series of baseball games between the -Kentfield Military Academy and the Blue Hill Cadets, a rival -organization. It was for the championship of the league, which coveted -honor lay between Kentfield and Blue Hill, with the chances in favor of -the former. - -Each nine had won a game in the final series of the best two out of -three, and to-day would decide the matter. - -"That's the stuff, Dick old man!" - -"That's got him going!" - -"Make him fan again!" - -These cries greeted Dick's delivery of the ball to Lem Gordon, who was -up for Blue Hill, for Lem had struck and missed. - -"Only two more like that Dick!" called Paul Drew, "and we'll be all to -the merry." - -"Watch Lem poke it, though!" called Joe Bell, the plucky little captain -of the Blue Hill nine. "A home run, Lem, or a broken bat." - -The lad at home plate nodded, and kept a close watch on Dick, who was -winding up for another delivery. - -"Two balls--one strike," Innis Beeby called. "Watch yourself, Dick." - -Dick nodded comprehendingly. This was several days after the visit of -Uncle Ezra Larabee, and the time had been devoted to getting the -Kentfield team in shape for the final contest. It was an important one, -for, as I have said, it would carry with it the championship of the -Military League. - -The game had run along with nothing remarkable to distinguish it, and -was now at the beginning of the ninth inning. Blue Hill had six runs to -Kentfield's seven, and if Dick could strike this last man out the game -would be ended in favor of the Kentfield nine, since they would not play -out their half of the ninth. Blue Hill had two out, but Lem Gordon, the -cadet at the bat, was a doughty hitter. Had he gone in earlier in that -inning there might have been a different story to tell. - -"Strike two!" called the umpire, and a wave of cheering seemed to roll -over the grandstand--cheers in which the shrill voices of girls could be -heard. - -"Oh, I do hope Dick strikes him out!" exclaimed Mabel Hanford, one of a -party of pretty girls in the main stand. "Isn't he fine?" - -"Who--Dick or Lem?" asked Nellie Fordice. - -"Dick, of course, though Lem is very nice, and he's a dandy dancer." - -"So is Dick," declared Nettie French. "Oh girls! are you going to the -graduation ball?" - -"If we're asked," answered Mildred Adams. - -"Oh, let's watch the game," suggested Mabel, and the four girls, with -whom Dick and his chums were on friendly terms, gave their attention to -the contest. - -The interest on the part of the big crowd present was now intense. The -next ball might tell the tale, for if Dick struck out the batter, the -game would end. On the other hand if Gordon got a safe hit, he would be -followed by another good batsman, and the game might go at least another -half inning, and in case Kentfield could not make a winning run, -continue on for some time longer. - -Dick felt a bit nervous as he got ready to deliver the next ball. It was -two and two now. - -"I've got to get it over the plate, and yet fool him," thought Dick. "I -wonder if I dare risk a little slow twister. If he hits it, we're goners -though--that is, we'll have to fight it out the rest of this inning. -Well, here goes!" - -As he was about to deliver the ball he heard the barking of Grit over in -one of the grandstands, where a chum, who was not playing, was keeping -the bulldog. - -"Good old Grit!" mused Dick. "That's his way of cheering, I guess!" - -Swiftly the ball left Dick's fingers, shooting toward the batter. Lem -stepped back a trifle, and then lunged forward to meet the horsehide. -And he did meet it with his bat, full and true. - -With a vicious "ping!" the ball shot back, out over the diamond, -shooting upward, and laying a course just between the left and centre -fielders. Both players converged to meet it, but the ball passed over -their heads, as they had to run back. - -"Go on, Lem! Sprint for it!" - -"Show 'em how you can run!" - -"Leg it, old man! Leg it!" - -"A home run! A home run!" - -"We'll beat 'em yet! Go on! Go on!" - -But Lem needed not the hoarse cries to urge him on. He needed not the -frantic cheers of his comrades in arms nor those who sat in the -grandstands. No sooner had he felt the magic of that meeting between his -bat and the ball, than he sprang forward like some stone from an ancient -catapult, tossing the stick to one side. And how he did run! - -The second baseman stood ready to relay the ball home, as soon as the -frantic rightfielder should get it. But the horsehide had rolled into -the deep grass. There was some delay in finding it, and by that time Lem -was at second. As he rounded that the centrefielder got his fingers on -the ball. Like a flash he threw. - -"Come on! Come on!" screamed the Blue Hill captain, and Lem came. - -He beat the ball to third base, and kept on. He heard the thud of the -horsehide striking the mit of the third baseman, and thought all was -lost, but he dared not turn to see. Then a groan--a groan of despair -from the Kentfield stand--told him what had happened. The third baseman -had muffed it. There was still a chance for the runner. - -Lem's feet and legs scarce could carry him onward, but he forced them -to. The shortstop was racing madly for the ball. He and Dick collided, -and when the ball was finally recovered by the chagrined third baseman -himself, Lem was so near home that it was a foregone conclusion that he -would tally the tieing run. - -And he did. The ball came with a "plunk" into the catcher's big mit, and -then the umpire called out: - -"Safe!" - -Joyful pandemonium broke loose in the Blue Hill ranks. - -"We've got a chance to beat 'em!" they yelled. And truly this was so, -but it was a very slim chance. - -"Never mind, Dick," consoled Beeby. "You can strike out Ed Mayfield." - -"Don't let him get a look in, and we can easily pull one run out when -we get to the bat," urged Paul Drew. - -"All right," answered Dick, shortly. He had taken a chance on Lem not -hitting that ball, but the unexpected had happened. Dick pulled himself -together, and faced Ed Mayfield, the next batter up, who was nervously -dancing about the plate, trying by means of grins and gibes to -disconcert the pitcher. - -But Dick was not built that way. Calmly he sized up his opponent and -sent in a ball that fooled him. Then came something in the nature of a -fizzle, when the umpire called a ball. It began to look a bit dubious -when the next was a ball also. - -"Careful, Dick," warned the captain. "We can't afford to go to pieces -now." - -Dick did not answer, but there was a grim tightening of his lips. Then -he sent in a viciously swift ball. - -"Strike two!" called the umpire, sharply. - -"Ah!" came as a sort of chorus from the big crowd. - -"Dick's all right now," declared Paul Drew, in a low voice. - -And so it proved. Without giving another ball, Dick put over another -delivery, which resulted in a strike, and to it the umpire added: - -"Strike three--batter's out!" The score was a tie. - -"Now, Kentfield!" came the excited cry. "Show 'em how to win this game! -One run will do it!" - -The home team came pouring in from the various parts of the diamond, -ready to bat. Paul Drew was to start off, and managed to get to first. -But he was caught stealing second. Then Teddy Naylor got to third, but -was held there as Hal Foster struck out. - -"Two down," came the mournful cry. It began to look as though the game -would go ten innings, with the ever-increasing chance that Blue Hill -would win, or at least improve her opportunity. The score was still a -tie. - -"Hamilton up!" called the scorer. - -"Dick, you've just got to make a hit!" - -"Bring in Naylor!" was implored. - -"Knock the cover off, Dick!" - -These were only a few of the cries that greeted our hero as he stepped -to the plate. Ordinarily Dick was a good safe hitter, in contrast to -many pitchers, but this time, when so much depended on his skill, he -found himself feeling nervous. - -"Here, this won't do!" he told himself. "Brace up. Think of that big -touring car you're going to get and the fun you'll have. Think of -Grit--and Uncle Ezra." - -The memory of how the aged man had hurried away from Grit's threatened -attack brought a smile to Dick's face. He could feel his nervousness -leaving him, but he was brought to a realizing sense of the importance -of paying more strict attention to baseball, by hearing the umpire call -sharply: - -"Strike one!" - -Dick had let the first ball pass him without making a motion toward it, -though it was just where he wanted it. - -"Watch yourself," called Paul Drew, in a low voice. - -Dick saw that he must. He looked narrowly at the pitcher and, from -previous experience, he thought he knew what kind of a ball was coming. - -"I'm going to hit it!" said Dick fiercely to himself. - -He stepped right into it, before the curve had time to "break," and when -he felt the impact of his bat on the horsehide he knew that he had made -a hit. - -"It's good for two bags anyhow!" he murmured as he sprinted toward -first, and had a vision of Naylor racing in from third. - -"Go on Dick! Go on!" - -"Run! Run old man!" - -"A homer--a homer!" - -"And a homer it's going to be!" cried Dick, as he passed second, and saw -the right fielder vainly racing after the ball which had been sent away -over his head and back of him. It was a better hit than that of Gordon. - -Dick saw Naylor cross the home plate and then he was at third himself. -The ball was slowly coming in from the fielder, but the throw was such -a long one that the second baseman had to run out to meet it. - -"They'll never get it home in time," thought Dick, as he staggered -onward, for he had run hard and his legs were trembling. "I can beat it -home." - -And he did, crossing the rubber before the ball was in the catcher's -hands. - -Then such cheering as broke out. Naylor's run had put Kentfield one -ahead, and Dick's made two. It was sensational playing, with two home -runs so close together, and the crowd appreciated it. Kentfield had the -championship now. - - - "Kentfield! Kentfield! Kentfield! - Rah! Rah! Rah! - Boom! Boom! _Boom!_ - Ah! Ah! Ah! - Kentfield!" - - -Thus the school cry was given, coming from a thousand hoarse throats, -and then came: - -"Three cheers for Dick Hamilton!" - -The grandstands rocked and swayed and creaked with the stress of emotion -displayed. - -"It was great, old man! Great!" cried Paul, clapping his panting chum on -the back. - -"Thanks. I knew I had to do it to save the game." - -"And you did!" exclaimed Beeby. "Somebody punch me--I'm too happy to -last!" - -Some one obliged him with such force that Beeby stumbled, and to save -himself he had to execute a forward somersault, at which trick he was -an adept. - -"Armstrong up!" called the scorer, when he could make himself heard. - -"Oh, what's the use of playing it out?" asked Beeby. - -"Let's sweeten the score if we can," urged Dick, who did not like doing -anything by halves. But there was little interest in the game now, for -Kentfield had won, and nothing could take it from her. Still Armstrong -got up, and promptly fanned out, over which fact there was no regret, -rather gladness on the part of the champions, who wanted to quit and -celebrate. - -Dejectedly Blue Hill filed off the field, after they had cheered and -been cheered. The great game was over, the crowds thronged down from the -grandstands. The Kentfield nine and the substitutes got together, and -cheered Dick to the echo. Then with a singing of the song that always -followed a victory they dispersed to the dressing rooms. Their baseball -season was over. - -"You certainly did yourself and us proud, Dick," said Paul, as he and -his chum walked away together. "I wish Uncle Ezra could have seen you." - -"Oh, he'd probably say that the money spent on baseball might better be -used to buy interest-bearing bonds," laughed Dick. "But say, I thought I -saw some of the girls here." - -"They are. We'll look 'em up after we tidy up a bit." - -And then came the shower baths, a changing into clean raiment and a -gladsome time with the girls, who crowded around the hero of the day. - -"Well, I suppose we'll soon be away from here," remarked Paul that night -as he, Dick and Innis Beeby sat in the room of the latter, and talked -over the great game. - -"Yes, my folks wrote to say that the cottage by the sea was open, and -I'm expected there soon," said Innis. - -"I'm booked for the White Mountains this trip," said Paul, "and I'm not -very keen for it, either." - -Dick was silent for a few seconds, looking over some papers. - -"What are you going to do, old man?" asked Paul. - -"Fellows, I've got the best scheme yet!" exclaimed Dick. "I've just got -it worked out. What do you say to a trip to California with me in the -new auto I'm going to get? Will you come?" - -"Will we!" cried Innis without a moment's hesitation. "Will a duck -swim?" - -"Put her there, old man!" yelled Paul, slapping his hand into that of -Dick. "When do we start?" - -"Do you mean it?" asked Dick, hardly believing his chums were in -earnest. They assured him that they did. - -"Then here's my game," he went on. "Dad wrote to me to get some -catalogues and pick out the auto I wanted. I'm going to go him one -better." - -"What's that?" asked Paul. "Have a car made to order?" - -"No, that would take too long. But the New York Automobile Show is on, -in Madison Square Garden. There are lots of cars there that can be -bought for immediate delivery. And I can pick out a car twice as good -from seeing it, rather than by looking at a picture of it. - -"Now we three will take in that auto show. I'll pick out the car I want, -dad will foot the bill, according to his promise, and we'll start on our -tour across country. How does that strike you?" - -"Great!" declared Innis. - -"Bully!" assented Paul. "Dick, you're a gentleman and a scholar. This is -too much!" and he pretended to weep on Beeby's shoulder. - -"Then pack up, and we'll leave day after to-morrow for New York," said -Dick. "I'll write to dad. I'd go to-morrow only I don't want to miss the -graduation dance." - -"No, and I fancy someone else doesn't either," said Paul, with a -significant glance at the picture of a pretty girl on the bureau. - -So it was arranged. The dance was a success, as all such affairs at -Kentfield were, but we shall not concern ourselves with that. The day -after it saw Dick and his chums, with Grit, on the way to the big auto -show in New York. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE BIG CAR - - -"What kind of a car have you in mind, Dick?" - -"Get a six cylinder, anyhow." - -Dick Hamilton looked at Paul and Innis, who were in the parlor car with -him, speeding on to New York. - -"I haven't exactly made up my mind," answered the young millionaire. "I -want a powerful car; if we're going to cross the Rockies I'll need -power. But I want a comfortable one, too. It wants to be enclosed, and -so arranged that if we have to we can sleep in it." - -"Say, you want a traveling hotel; don't you?" asked Paul. - -"Something like that, yes," assented Dick. "But I don't want such a -heavy machine that we'll be having tire trouble all the time. I'm not -going to make up my mind as to any particular car until I see what kinds -there are in the Garden." - -The boys talked of many things as the train sped on. Dick had engaged -rooms for himself and his friends at the hotel where he and his father -always stopped on coming to the metropolis, and a few hours more would -see them at their destination. - -The porter came up to Dick, his honest black and shining face wearing a -broad grin, as he remarked: - -"'Scuse me, but does one ob yo' gen'mans own a bulldog what is in de -baggage car?" - -"I do!" exclaimed Dick, quickly. "What about him?" - -"Den yo' presence am earnestly requested up dere by de baggageman," went -on the porter. - -"Is Grit hurt?" demanded the young millionaire. - -"No, sah, leastaways he wasn't when I seed him. He were feelin' mighty -peart!" - -"Then what's the trouble?" asked Dick, as he prepared to follow the -colored man to the car ahead. - -"Why dere's a man in de car, an' yo' dog won't let him go out." - -"Won't let him go out?" asked Dick, wonderingly. - -"No, sah! He jest completely won't let him go out ob dat car, and he's -keepin' him right by de do, so de baggage man can't slide out no trunks, -no how. An' we's comin' to a station soon, where dem trunks hab jest -natchally gotter be put off." - -"I'll see what's the matter," promised Dick, hurrying on. "Be back in a -minute," he called to his chums. - -"If you want any help, send for us!" suggested Paul, "though," he added -in a lower voice, "if Grit is on a rampage I'd rather not -interfere--that is, personally." - -Dick found matters as the porter had described. A rather flashily -dressed young man stood close against one of the side doors of the -baggage car, while Grit, who had broken his chain, stood in front of -him, with his bowed front legs far apart, and his black lips drawn back -from his teeth. From time to time the bulldog growled menacingly, -especially whenever the young man moved. The baggageman, with a puzzled -expression on his face, had placed some trunks in the middle of the car, -ready to be put out of the side door when the next station stop should -be reached. - -"But every time I try to get out of the way," said the flashily dressed -man, "this confounded dog of yours acts as if he was going to eat me up. -I daren't move. Call him off or I'll kick him, and break his jaw." - -"I wouldn't," said Dick, quietly. "It would probably be your last -kick--with that foot, anyhow." - -"Something has to be done," declared the baggage man. "I must put these -trunks off soon. That door's on the station side, and the other door -opens against a high concrete wall. I can't get a trunk off there." - -"I'll take care of Grit," said Dick. "What did you do to him?" he asked -the young fellow. - -"Nothing." - -"Oh, yes you did," said Dick, quietly. "Grit doesn't act that way for -nothing. Come here," he called, and the dog obeyed, though with fierce -backward glances at the man by the door. "Now you can move," went on -Dick. "What did they do to you, old fellow?" he asked, as he bent over -his pet. Grit's neck was bleeding slightly where his collar had cut him -as he wrenched against the chain, and broke it. - -"He pulled his tail--that's what he did," asserted the now relieved -baggageman. "I told him to let the dog alone, for I saw it was a -thoroughbred, and was nervous. But he got funny with the animal, and -then your dog broke loose, and drove him against the door." - -"You're lucky he didn't bite you," said Dick, as he loosened the chafing -collar. "He only wanted to teach you a lesson, I guess. Next time don't -fool with a bulldog." - -"If he'd a' bit me I'd a' had the law on you," threatened the young man, -as he hurried out of the car, followed by the resentful glare of Grit. - -"All right," assented Dick. "Only I guess you might have had to wait -until you came out of the hospital. It was your own fault. Will he be -all right with you?" he asked of the baggage man, referring to Grit. - -"Oh, yes, he and I are good friends. I was in another part of the car, -making out some records, or I'd have stopped that young idiot from -pinching his tail. But he got all that was coming to him. He was mighty -scared. I thought it best to send for you, though." - -"That was right. Grit, old man, I can't blame you, but try and hold -yourself in," said Dick, patting his pet. - -The dog whined, and licked his master's hands, and then, having made -sure that Grit and the baggageman would get along well together, Dick -left his pet, having brought him some water, and bound up the cut on his -neck with a spare handkerchief. - -Grit whined lonesomely as Dick left, and the young millionaire called -back: - -"It'll only be a little while now, old fellow. We'll soon be at the -hotel." - -Grit's joy was unbounded when he was released from the car, and soon -with his master, and the latter's two chums, was speeding across New -York in a taxicab. Arrangements were made at the hotel to have Grit -cared for, and he was to be allowed in Dick's room at certain times -during the day, the young millionaire having ascertained that no nervous -old ladies were near enough to be annoyed. - -"And now for the auto show!" exclaimed Dick after dinner that night. -"We'll make a preliminary survey, and see what we can find." - -Madison Square Garden was a brilliant place, with the thousands of -electric lights, the glittering cars and the decorative scheme, which -was unusually elaborate that year. - -"Say, this is great!" gasped Beeby, as the three entered through the -crowd at the doors. - -"I should say yes!" added Paul. "It's gorgeous! How are you going to -pick out a car among so many, Dick?" - -"Oh, there's only one kind I want. I hope I find it here. But there's no -hurry. Let's look about." - -And indeed the sights were well worth viewing. There seemed to be every -kind of car represented, from little runabouts to palatial enclosed -vehicles that would carry eight persons. And there were trucks, from -small three-wheeled ones, that could be used to deliver a lady's hat, to -monsters that could shift a five-ton safe with ease. - -There was the hum of motors, electricity driven, for gasoline was not -allowed in the building on account of the fire danger. There was the -snapping of spark-plugs, some of which were being shown at work under -water, to prove how hard it was to short circuit them. And there was the -crackle of a wireless outfit in use, to demonstrate how it could be -attached to an army-auto in war time. - -The boys roved about the big space, visiting exhibit after exhibit. -Several times Dick thought he saw what he wanted, but he always decided -to look further, in the hope of finding something a little better. - -As he and his chums passed a place where they had lingered long over -some beautiful enclosed cars, powerful and efficient with many new -appliances, Dick's eye was caught by a big car standing by itself in an -open space. It was painted dark green, and for a moment its size almost -made Dick believe it was a sort of dummy, used for advertisement -purposes. - -Then, as he saw the heavily tired wheels and caught a glimpse of the -engine under the open hood, he exclaimed: - -"That's the car for me, boys!" - -The three crowded closer to the big auto, and their wonder grew as they -noted how it was fitted out. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -THE RUINED MILLIONAIRE - - -"What a car!" - -"It's got folding bunks in, as sure as you're born!" - -"And that looks like a small kitchen!" - -"Those tires are a new kind, too--cushion instead of pneumatic!" - -"Say, you could drive that through a hail storm and you'd never know -it!" - -"That's the car for me, boys, if dad will stand for it, and I can get -it!" Thus exclaimed Dick Hamilton, the other exclamations coming from -his two chums as they stood admiring the big car. - -Nor were they the only ones, for a throng had gathered about the space -where the peculiar auto was being exhibited. In general shape it was -like any large enclosed car, but it exceeded in size any Dick had ever -seen. And in the interior appointments, certainly it was the "last word" -in auto construction. - -Briefly described, for I shall go more into details later, it was a -six-cylinder machine, with the whole body back of the engine itself -enclosed in wood and glass. There was no division back of the steering -wheel, the whole interior of the car, save for a space that Paul -described as the "kitchen," being thrown into one compartment. And that -apartment contained, as Beeby had said, folding bunks or berths, that -served as long seats in the day time, while at night they made -comfortable beds. - -There was a small stove, evidently operated by an electric current; -there were electric lights, and the car could be started by the same -agency, as Dick noted. Then there were displayed dishes with which to -set a folding table, and utensils for cooking on the electric stove. -There was ample room for food and bed clothing, as well as for garments. - -"That's the nearest thing to a traveling parlor and dining car that I've -seen!" exclaimed Dick; "with sleeping berths thrown in. That's the car I -want. I wonder if it's for sale, boys?" and he looked questioningly at a -man who seemed to be in charge. - -"Yes, it is," was the answer. "It has just been put on the market. In -fact the car has been on exhibition only since this morning, when we got -instructions to dispose of it." - -"Do you make those up for stock?" asked Paul. - -"No, this is the only car like it in the world, we believe. It was made -to order for a gentleman, but now he does not want it, and he -authorized us to dispose of it for him. It has never been used, though -it has been thoroughly tested." - -"What's the matter?" asked Dick. "Didn't he like it?" - -"Maybe it wasn't big enough," suggested Beeby. - -"As to that I can't say," went on the salesman. "I only was told to -dispose of it, and I'm afraid I'm going to have my own troubles. It's -too large for use in the city. It was built for touring purposes -exclusively, and it is very complete. But few persons would want a car -like it, I am afraid. Would you like to look it over more closely?" he -asked, seeing how interested Dick and his chums were. - -"We sure would!" exclaimed Paul. - -"And if dad doesn't keep his word, and get this for me," added Dick, -"why--I'll get it myself. This car positively must be mine!" - -"I'm afraid it will be more than the average young man can afford," -remarked the agent, with a smile. - -"The beauty of it, though," said Paul to the man in a low voice, as they -slipped under the ropes, "is that he isn't an average young man." - -"No?" - -"That's Mortimer Hamilton's son," went on Paul. - -"The millionaire?" - -Paul nodded. - -"Great Scott!" whispered the man. "I came near making a break," and he -hurried after Dick to explain the points of the car. - -While Dick, his chums and others in the interested crowd looked on, the -agent showed how the bunks could be utilized as seats in the day time, -or even folded up out of the way and camp stools used when it was -desired to eat. The table was let down from the "ceiling" and could be -folded and raised with but little effort when not wanted. - -There were enough dishes to feed six persons at a time, though four was -all the car would "sleep." More could travel in it during the day, -however. The electric stove, operated by a current from a dynamo, as -well as from a storage battery, was very efficient, and a fairly -complete meal could be cooked on it. There was also ample storage room -for supplies. - -The engine, in which Dick was also greatly interested, was of a new and -very powerful type. It was almost "trouble-proof," and would stand up -well under hard usage. - -The use of a new type of cushion tires, instead of those inflated with -air, insured freedom from punctures and blowouts, and would, because of -the weight of the car, and a new kind of springs, make riding very easy. - -"In short, it's a car for a long tour," said the agent. - -"And it's the car for me!" exclaimed Dick. By this time most of the -crowd had gone to look at other exhibits, leaving the agent and the -three boys comparatively alone. "But why did not the man who ordered it -take it after it was completed?" asked Dick. "Was he dissatisfied with -it?" - -"Not at all!" exclaimed a voice back of the boys. "I couldn't take the -car after I ordered it, for the simple reason that I didn't have the -money to pay for it. I lost my fortune between the time I contracted for -the _Last Word_ and the time it was finished. That's all." - -"Oh," said Dick blankly. He was rather surprised to be taken up so -quickly. He turned to see who had spoken, and, as he did so, he uttered -an exclamation of surprise that was echoed by Paul Drew. - -For, standing near the big car which he could not now possess, was the -young man whom Paul and Dick had seen acting so strangely on the -railroad tracks--the young man who, according to Paul, had been -prevented from committing suicide by Dick's prompt action. - -The stranger, too, was as much surprised as were Dick and Paul. He -paused as he was about to continue his explanation, and an odd look came -over his face. Then he held out his hand, saying: - -"I believe I have met two of you boys before." - -"That's right," agreed Dick. "I'm glad to see you again. So this is your -car?" - -"It _was_," he replied with a little smile. "Now it's for whoever can -raise the money. I can't." - -"I came on from Kentfield," Dick explained. "The academy has closed for -the summer, and I'm looking for a touring car. My father is giving me -one as a sort of reward for not flunking in class." - -"I see. Well, you couldn't get a better car than this. I know the firm -well, and, while it is rather peculiarly built, from ideas of my own, -still it can compete with any of the regular machines, and beat most of -them, though it has not abnormal speed, of course." - -"I'm not looking for speed," laughed Dick. "I want comfort." - -"It's rather odd that we should meet again," went on the young man. "I -live out near Kentfield, but I thought I would take a run in to New -York, to see if there was a chance of getting rid of the car. I haven't -paid for it yet, but I believe I am, in a way, responsible, since I -agreed to take it. I wouldn't like to see the firm lose money on it, but -if it comes to getting it out of me they'll have hard work. I'm dead -broke--cleaned out. - -"Three months ago I was worth over a million. Now I have barely enough -to live on. But I'm going to make my pile again!" he exclaimed with -energy. "I'm not going to give up, and when I come into my own again -I'll have another car like this. I've been foolish once, but I'm through -now. They don't catch me twice on the same bait. No more speculation -for Frank Wardell!" and he slapped the big tire of one of the wheels -determinedly. - -Dick Hamilton started. - -"What--what did you say your name was?" he asked. - -"Wardell--Frank Wardell. I'll give you a card," and he produced one. - -"Mine's Hamilton--Dick Hamilton," said Dick. - -"Glad to meet you. I know your father slightly--Mortimer Hamilton?" - -"Yes." - -"This is odd, a ruined millionaire and a successful one," and he laughed -grimly. "Never mind, I'll be in your class soon again," and he shook -hands with Dick, who had introduced his chums. - -"Wardell--Frank Wardell," murmured Dick to Paul. "Do you recognize that -name?" - -"I can't say that I do. Why?" - -"Don't ask me now. I'll tell you later. To think it should come out this -way," went on Dick. "Frank Wardell! The man I met on the track--a ruined -millionaire. No wonder he acted so strangely. Oh, if I could only help -him! I hope he doesn't ask too much about my family. I'd hate to have to -admit that I'm Uncle Ezra's nephew," and with this rather mystifying -ejaculation, Dick gave his attention to what Mr. Wardell was -saying--explaining some points about the car that had escaped the -attention of the boys. - -"I do hope you will take it, Mr. Hamilton," the ruined millionaire went -on. "I don't know of anyone I'd rather would get it than you. I know -you'll appreciate it." - -"I think very likely I shall take it," said Dick. - -"Then you'll take a load off my shoulders," the other went on, "for I -feel, in a measure, responsible for the price, and the land knows I -could never raise the cash." - -And Dick, as he looked over the wonderful touring car, could not help -thinking how strangely fate had ordered matters. Paul looked at his -chum, anxious to hear why the name "Wardell" should make such an -impression on the young millionaire. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -ON THE ROAD - - -"Then you have fully made up your mind to take it, Mr. Hamilton?" asked -the agent, of Dick. - -"Yes, it is just what I want. I will wire my father to-night, and I'm -sure he will agree, though the price may be more than he first decided -on. But I'll make up the difference myself." - -"Then I'll let Mr. Wardell know," for the former millionaire, after -declining an invitation to come to supper with Dick and his chums, had -left the auto show. - -"Say, what about him?" asked Paul, when he got a chance. "Who is this -Wardell, anyhow?" - -"Don't you remember," answered Dick. "That's the man Uncle Ezra came on -from Dankville to see--to clean up, in other words--take his money away, -you know. Don't you remember, Paul, hearing him tell about how a certain -party didn't know enough to hold on to his wealth, and all that?" - -"Is this the man--this Wardell?" - -"The very same one, I believe. He must be. It couldn't be that there -were two of the same name, both of whom had lost their fortunes at the -same time. Uncle Ezra ruined the man whose auto I'm going to take, -Paul." - -"Well, I guess you're right, Dick. It's a strange coincidence. Are you -going to tell him it was your uncle who got all his money away from -him?" - -"I certainly am not, Paul. It's not a thing to be proud of, and if I -keep him from finding it out until we get this car, and leave, I'll be -glad of it. Of course if he asks me I'll have to tell him. But I don't -believe he will. Larabee and Hamilton are different names, and Mr. -Wardell will not be likely to trace any connection, though he may. - -"I thought sure you'd let out something about Uncle Ezra when you heard -the name Wardell, Paul." - -"No, it didn't strike me. But then you know I wasn't in the room all the -while you and your uncle were talking. I don't recall hearing him -mention Wardell at all." - -"Well, I did, and I was startled when I found out who this man was," -went on Dick. "I suppose it's a sort of puzzle to you, Innis," the young -millionaire added, while the auto salesman was making out some papers -for Dick to sign. - -"Somewhat, yes," admitted Beeby, and then Dick and his other chum -explained. - -"Well, I know one thing I didn't know before," said Paul, as they were -ready to depart. - -"What's that?" - -"I know why this young Mr. Wardell was thinking of ending his life on -the railroad track that day you saved him." - -"Why was he?" - -"Because he'd lost his fortune," went on Paul in a low voice. "Just -think of it--a millionaire one week, and practically without a cent the -next! I suppose that's the way it sometimes goes with rich men who make -their living by speculation, but it's hard, just the same. And to know -he couldn't pay for this fine car he'd ordered--no wonder he was tired -of life." - -"And to think that some member of my family was responsible," added -Dick. "It makes me mad! I hope he doesn't connect me with Uncle Ezra." - -"Do you suppose your uncle took advantage of him?" asked Innis. "I don't -mean exactly that, either," he added hastily, thinking Dick might take -the question as a reflection on his relative. - -"Oh, you can't fuss me--saying things about Uncle Ezra," laughed the -young millionaire. "While I don't believe he would do anything that was -unlawful--that is, as _he_ regards the law--I do think that he'd want -every last cent that he could claim by any stretch of the statutes. He's -a hard man, Uncle Ezra is, especially where money is concerned. I don't -just know what sort of dealings he had with this Mr. Wardell, but he -got his fortune, that's sure, and maybe by a trick, for all I know. - -"That's why I'm not at all anxious to have it known that I'm Mr. -Larabee's nephew. I'm not at all proud of the connection, and I -certainly would feel bad to have Mr. Wardell know it. Legally Uncle Ezra -might be well within his rights, but morally I wouldn't be surprised if -he was a good way outside of them. But let's forget all about such an -unpleasant matter. I'll see when we can get this car, and try it." - -A talk with the agent brought out the fact that Dick could take the big -auto at any time after the money had been paid down. It was not a part -of the regular auto show, and the space it occupied could be utilized by -other machines. - -"Very well then," said Dick. "I'll probably hear from my father in the -morning. He'll likely send an order to his New York bankers to pay over -the money, and then the machine will be mine." - -"And I congratulate you," said the agent. "It is a car to be proud of, -and if you intend making a long trip it will be just what you want." - -"We'll go across the continent in her!" cried Dick. "Boys, are you with -me?" - -"That's what!" exclaimed Paul and Innis. - -They spent some more time in looking at the various exhibits, and Dick -sent his father a message from the telegraph office temporarily set up -in the Garden. Then they drifted back to the big car, which Dick had -christened _Last Word_, on learning that Mr. Wardell had tentatively -selected that title. - -"It sure is a peach!" exclaimed our hero. - -"Think you can drive it?" asked Paul. - -"One of the company's engineers will be glad to demonstrate it on the -road for you," suggested the agent. - -"Thanks," replied Dick. "I think I shall be glad to have a few lessons. -I can drive an ordinary car, but this is an extraordinary one." - -Dick's anticipation of his father's action was confirmed next morning. A -telegram came, saying: - - - "Congratulations. Big car--big price. I'm satisfied if you are." - - -"That's like dad," remarked Dick. - -"But he doesn't say anything about the money," remarked Paul, who was -anxious to have a ride in the big machine. - -"Oh, trust dad not to overlook that part," spoke the young millionaire. -"We'll go see that agent. Probably he has already heard from my father." - -And so it proved. Dick's purchase of the car was confirmed in a telegram -to the makers, and the information was added that Mr. Hamilton's -bankers had been instructed to send a certified check for the price. - -"I have sent for one of our engineers," the salesman told Dick, when the -latter and his two chums visited the Garden after breakfast. "You can go -for a spin on the road this afternoon." - -"Good!" cried Dick. "Get ready, fellows!" - -Matters went through without a hitch. The price was paid over, and the -car formally became Dick's. Then the professional chauffeur arrived, and -after some manipulation the big touring machine was run out of the -Garden, while a crowd gathered around to see the novel sight. - -"It looks almost as big as a Pullman coach," declared Innis Beeby. - -"Well, let's get in and see if it rides like one," suggested Dick. - -"Look at the auto swells!" cried a newsboy. "Hurray!" - -"As long as our heads aren't swelled we're all right," remarked Paul. - -The oil and gasoline tanks had been filled, and, after looking over the -various parts, the chauffeur got in, taking the driver's seat, the boys -disposing themselves comfortably on the long, leather-covered benches, -that would later be made into sleeping berths. - -"Isn't he going to crank up?" asked Innis in some surprise, for the -motor was not running when the chauffeur took his place. - -"You don't have to, on this car," the man explained. "It is a -self-starter. It has two systems--an electric motor, operated by an -accumulated current, that will turn over the engine, and even run the -car on its own power for some distance. Then there is also an acetylene -gas motor, so in case one fails the other will work. I'll start it by -electricity now." - -He pressed a button on the dash. There was a low humming from somewhere -beneath the car, and then the gasoline motor took up the song of -progress. The machine vibrated with the power of the engine, until the -driver slowed it down. Then throwing in the gear, he let the clutch slip -into place, and the big machine glided slowly forward. - -"We're off!" cried Dick. - -"Like a charm!" added Paul. "I never saw a big car start so easily." - -"This machine has a new style of clutch," explained the chauffeur. -"You'll find a number of the very latest wrinkles on her," he added with -a smile. "Now, where do you want to go?" - -"Out toward the Bronx," replied Dick. "Get us into something like the -country--that is, as much as there is near New York," and soon they were -spinning ahead at good speed. It did not take them long to get in the -upper part of Manhattan, and a little later they were out on what might -be called a country road. - -"This is great!" exclaimed Dick, as he gazed from the plate glass -windows of his touring car on the landscape that fairly flew past. - -"It sure is!" agreed his chums. - -"But wait until we start across the continent," went on the young -millionaire. "Then we'll have some real fun!" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -UNCLE EZRA LAUGHS - - -"Suppose you try it now, Mr. Hamilton," suggested the chauffeur, when -they had gone several miles, the professional giving the new owner -various instructions about the car. - -"Yes, go ahead, Dick," urged Paul. "The sooner you get to know how to -run it, the quicker we'll be off on our trip." - -"Well, I want you fellows to pick up some of the fine points, too," said -Dick. "I don't intend to run the car all the while." - -"Oh, we'll do our share," agreed Innis. "Sit up now, Dick and show us -what you can do." - -It was not without a feeling of nervousness that Dick took the wheel, -for certainly driving this big and powerful car was no light matter. - -But they were on a broad and straight highway, where there was not much -traffic, so Dick took his place at the wheel and levers, with the -chauffeur near by in case of emergency, and Paul and Innis looking on, -as anxious to learn as was Dick. - -"She steers easier than I thought she would," remarked the wealthy -youth, when he had driven for a mile or so. - -"Yes, and that's one danger," the chauffeur explained. "You're likely -to give too much of a twist. Just a little turn of the wheel answers." - -"Look out for that dog, Dick!" yelled Paul, as a yellow cur shot from a -yard, diagonally across the road, barking at the big car. - -"I see him!" came the answer. - -"And there's a goose on the other side!" added Innis, as Dick swerved -the machine to one side. "There, you ran over its foot!" - -A series of "honks-honks!" apprised the young driver that something had -happened. Quickly he shut off the power and jammed on the foot and hand -brakes. A woman rushed out of a rather dilapidated house crying: - -"Oh, you've run over Heinie! You've run over Heinie! Oh, you've killed -him!" - -Dick turned pale. - -"Is--is any one under the car?" he faltered. - -"My Heinie! Oh, my Heinie!" cried the woman again. "You haf runned ofer -my Heinie!" - -With a bound Dick was out of the car through the sliding door in front, -and peering between the wheels. He could see no child, and gave a sigh -of relief. - -"Who is Heinie?" he asked the woman. - -"Who is Heinie? He is my best goose, and you haf runned over him mit -your steam roller. You shall pay mit him yet!" - -"Oh, if it's only a goose that's all right," said Dick as he took out -his pocketbook. "How much?" - -"Heinie was worth more as a dollar," she exclaimed, as she picked up the -goose, which was still protestingly honking. "His feets is broken. He -was worth more as two dollar." - -"Here are five," said Dick, generously. "I couldn't help it. I steered -out to avoid the dog, and your goose got in the way. I thought it was a -child, by the way you called." - -"Heinie is more as a child by me. I haf him more as five years now, and -always--always he is careful mit der autos. But yours! it is not a -auto--it is a house!" - -"Well, maybe he'll get better. His foot isn't much hurt," said Dick with -a laugh, as he passed over the money. "I'm sorry." - -"Poor Heinie," murmured the woman, as she gathered her apron about the -goose and went into the house. "He was worth more as fife dollar!" - -"You're starting in great, Dick," laughed Paul, as his chum got back -into the touring car. "At this rate you'll need to take a big pocketbook -along every time you go out." - -"He aimed at the dog and hit a goose," added Innis. - -"Lucky it was no worse," said Dick. "I sure thought I was in bad by the -way she yelled about 'Heinie.'" - -"You don't yet quite appreciate how easily the car steers, I guess," -suggested the chauffeur. - -"Try it some more." - -They went on a little more slowly, and had no more accidents. Dick soon -became familiar with the mechanism, and rapidly acquired confidence in -himself. Then Paul and Innis took turns, under the watchful eye and -ready hands of the chauffeur. - -They stopped for dinner at a wayside hotel, and then drove back to New -York, Dick arranging to have the car kept in a nearby garage. The next -day he went out again, on a longer run, taking Grit with him. The -bulldog seemed to take kindly to the new car, and made himself at home -in it. The chauffeur had it easier now, for Dick felt confident enough -to do all the operating himself. - -"We ought to stock up and live in it one night," suggested Paul, the -third day. - -"Time enough for that," replied the delighted owner of the _Last Word_. -"I'm going to drive it to Hamilton Corners in a few days." - -"You are?" - -"Sure. That won't be much of a run, compared with our trip across the -continent." - -Another week saw Dick so improved in skill that the chauffeur declared -he need have no hesitation in taking the car on any trip. Then a license -having been procured, and the tanks refilled, Dick and his chums started -on the trip to Hamilton Corners. It was accomplished without accident, -an early morning start enabling them to arrive shortly before dark. - -As they drove into the side entrance of Dick's house a voice called from -the library: - -"What's this, Mortimer? It looks like a railroad coach coming in." - -"Uncle Ezra's here!" exclaimed the son of the house as he recognized the -tones. - -"I expect that is Dick's new touring car," replied Mr. Hamilton. - -"Mortimer! You don't mean to say you let your son get an expensive auto -like that?" - -"I gave it to him, yes, Ezra," the boys heard Mr. Hamilton reply. - -"Well, of all the sinful, foolish wasting of money, this is the worst! -Why, such a car as that must have cost nigh onto a thousand dollars!" - -"If he only knew!" murmured Dick, with a chuckle. "Come on in, fellows. -You'll stay with me a few days, and then we'll arrange about our trip." - -"Well, Nephew Richard, I see you haven't learned economy yet," rasped -Uncle Ezra, as our hero entered the library with his chums. "Where do -you expect to end your days?" - -"I hope I don't have to think of that so soon, Uncle Ezra," replied -Dick. "I guess you know my two chums; don't you?" - -"Um! Is that dog in here?" the crabbed man asked quickly, as a low growl -sounded from under a chair near the door. "Send him out at once, or I -shall go." - -"Take Grit away, Gibbs," Dick said to the butler. "He and Uncle Ezra -seem to get on each other's nerves," he added in a low voice. - -Dick briefly related the incidents of his trip, and thanked his father -for the generous gift of the car. Then, as the young men were rather -dusty and tired from their journey, they went to their rooms to dress -for dinner, which would soon be served. - -Dick was ready first, and going downstairs he heard his father and uncle -talking in the library. As he went toward the handsome room, intending -to join them, he heard Mr. Hamilton remark: - -"So you got possession of all his securities, Ezra?" - -"Every one, Mortimer. I cleaned young Wardell out from head to foot, and -it was all his own fault. He put up the stock as collateral for a loan. -I supplied the money, and when the time came to pay me back he -couldn't--he didn't have the cash." - -"Because he bought some other stock that you controlled, and you so -manipulated that market that the latter stock was worthless; wasn't that -it, Ezra?" and Mr. Hamilton spoke coldly. - -"Well, Mortimer, I didn't do nothin' unlawful; did I? I only did what -other folks do every day. I had a right to swing my own market the way I -liked; didn't I?" - -"I suppose so" - -"And if this Wardell didn't know enough to protect himself, that wasn't -my fault; was it?" - -"Perhaps not." - -"He ought to have more sense." - -"Perhaps. Still I feel sorry for him." - -"Wa'al, I don't! He brought it on himself. Ha! ha! I won't forget how he -begged me to hold off, and not close him out! Ha! ha!" and Uncle Ezra -laughed heartily, in a sort of rasping chuckle. "I told him I wasn't no -philanthropist, and he went away mighty mad, I reckon. - -"But I'm not in business for my health. The funny part of it is, -Mortimer, that even now, if Wardell only knowed enough, he could get -back his fortune?" - -"He could? How?" asked Mr. Hamilton, eagerly. - -"Wa'al, I wouldn't tell everybody, but I know it will be safe with you. -You see, when he got that big loan off me, to do what he calls -speculatin', he gave me as security for the money some stock in that -Western railroad--that California branch you know. Citrous Junction, I -believe it's called." - -"Yes," assented Mr. Hamilton. - -"Wa'al, it was valuable stock, and I was hopin' all the while that -something would turn up so's I could keep it, for I had some of their -stock, and this would give me the control of the road. - -"Wa'al, it did. Wardell turned up broke, and I got a hold on his stock. -But the queer part of it is that there's some tangle in the matter--some -legal complications that my lawyer is figuring out--and if Wardell only -knowed enough he could file an injunction against havin' any of that -stock transferred--even his lot that he put up with me as security. That -would halt matters until he could make good on something else, and then -he could pay me what he owes, and get this railroad stock back. But he -don't know that he can do this, and I ain't goin' to tell him. - -"It ain't up to me to do so. So all I've got to do is to hold on to his -stock until a certain time, and then it will be too late for him to file -any papers, and the stock will be mine forever, and I'll control the -road. Ha! ha! It's a good joke on Wardell; ain't it?" - -"I suppose you think so," said Mr. Hamilton, coldly, "but it seems like -hard lines for him." - -"Wa'al, he brought it on himself; didn't he? I didn't ask him to borrow -my money. He asked me for it. I didn't ask him to go into any of these -deals; he went into them himself with his eyes open. Now I'm not goin' -to tell him he has a chance to get back his fortune, if he was only -smart enough! No, sir. Ha! ha! - -"I'm just goin' to keep quiet, and say nothin'. If the time limit -expires, and he doesn't file that injunction, or whatever legal paper it -is, with the California courts by a certain day, then his security -railroad stock is mine, and it will be twice as valuable as when -Wardell owned it. It'll be worth nigh onto a million! That's what I call -business, I do!" - -"Oh, yes, it's business--of a certain kind," admitted Mr. Hamilton. "And -so he has a chance to get back his fortune?" - -"Yes, but he don't know it, Mortimer! He don't know it! Ha! ha! That's -the joke of it! He don't know it! He don't know it! He! he!" and Uncle -Ezra went off into a fit of laughter that nearly choked him. - -Dick, in the hall, heard, though not intending to play the eavesdropper. - -"So, Wardell doesn't know; eh?" mused the young man. "He doesn't know, -and Uncle Ezra thinks that's a joke. A queer joke. Wardell doesn't know -what chance he has to get back his fortune. But _I_ know, and Uncle -Ezra, unless I'm very much mistaken, I'm going to put a spoke in your -wheel!" and then Dick went silently upstairs to join his two chums. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -DICK MAKES PLANS - - -"Well, Dick, so you think you have the very car you want?" - -"Yes, Dad, and I can't thank you enough for it. It's a dandy, and we're -soon going to make a big trip in it--all the way across to San -Francisco." - -"More expense! More expense!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra, raising his hands in -protest. They were at the dinner table, talking over Dick's plans for -the coming summer. - -"It won't be much more expensive than going to some resort, Uncle Ezra," -remarked Dick, thinking over what he had heard a little while before. - -"And I think it will do the boys more good," said Mr. Hamilton. "They'll -see something of life, and the experience will be a new one for them. Do -you think you can make your car a base of supplies, Dick, and live in it -without going to hotels, as you plan?" - -"I think so, but we're not going to bind ourselves down by any hard and -fast rules. If we want to go to a hotel we'll go; otherwise we'll camp -out in the _Last Word_." - -"More expense! More expense!" protested Mr. Larabee. "Oh, what is the -present generation coming to?" - -No one answered him. - -"When do you expect to start?" asked Mr. Hamilton. - -"Just as soon as the boys can get ready," replied Dick. "It's up to -them." - -"I'll have to write home," said Paul. "I've no doubt, though, but what -my folks will let me." - -"Same here," observed Innis. - -"What is that?" suddenly demanded Uncle Ezra. "Who is kicking my legs?" - -He moved his feet about under the table, but as he sat at some distance -from the others it was difficult to understand who could be kicking him. -The mystery was solved a moment later, however, for a low growl came -from beneath the oak table. - -"It's that dratted dog!" exclaimed the crabbed old man. "Mortimer, if I -can't eat my dinner in peace----" - -"I didn't know he was in here," said Dick, apologizing. "Gibbs, have -Grit taken to the stable." - -"Yes, Mr. Dick," answered the butler, and again the unfortunate dog was -led away, casting a sad look at Dick and a vindictive one at Uncle Ezra. - -"It's lucky he didn't bite you," spoke Mr. Hamilton. "He must have -sneaked in here after he was put out before." - -"If he had bitten me----" began Uncle Ezra. - -"He'd have done it at once, if he had any such intention, I think," -interrupted Dick. "Grit isn't savage----" - -"Isn't savage!" cried Mr. Larabee. "I'd like to know what you do call -it?" - -"You don't understand him," suggested the young millionaire. "He's as -gentle as a cat with--his friends." - -"Then I'm glad I'm not one of his friends!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra. - -The dinner went on, the talk being divided among the boys on one side, -and Mr. Hamilton and his brother-in-law on the other, with occasional -interchanges. Then the millionaire and Mr. Larabee went to the library -to talk over some business, and the three chums went out to the garage -to look over the new car, and see how it had stood the journey. - -"It seems all right," said Dick. "Of course we didn't put much strain on -it. When we get out West, trying to cross deserts, ford streams and -climb mountains, then we'll see how she stands up. Jove! but I'm anxious -to start. - -"Say, can't you fellows get your folks on the long distance telephone, -and see when you can go?" - -Dick was always planning how to make short cuts. - -"It's too late to call 'em up now," said Paul. "They'd think something -had happened. We'll write." - -"Then do it now," urged Dick. "You'll get an answer so much quicker. -Explain everything and tell 'em you simply must go! It will do you -good." - -"Oh, we'll go, all right!" declared Innis, and they went back into the -house to write the letters. - -Dick got out a big map and began to figure on a tentative route. Not -much preparation would be necessary, at least on this side of the -Rockies, for he knew he could buy supplies of food and gasoline almost -anywhere. Time was no object, so they could go along leisurely, and he -made his plans accordingly. - -The route would have to be decided on as they went from State to State, -for Dick realized that local conditions might vary, and a stream that -would be fordable at one time might not be at another. - -"It will be a great trip!" he remarked to himself. "But if I could only -do something for Mr. Wardell I'd feel better. It doesn't seem fair, the -way Uncle Ezra acted, though maybe it's all right according to law. And -it doesn't seem right that Mr. Wardell should lose his fortune when he -can save it, if he only knew how. I wonder if it would be wrong to act -on the information I overheard by accident? I'm going to ask dad." - -Mr. Larabee retired early that night, as he always did, and he piled -some chairs against his locked door. - -"I'm not going to have that pesky bulldog getting in!" he declared. -"Drat him! I wish he'd run away." - -"Dad!" exclaimed Dick a little later, "I want a little talk with you." - -"Want another auto, Dick?" asked Mr. Hamilton, with a smile. - -"No, the _Last Word_ suits me right down to the ground. It's about Mr. -Wardell and Uncle Ezra." - -"What do you know about them, Dick?" asked the millionaire, quickly. - -"Well, I overheard something to-night," and Dick related it. "Do you -know this Mr. Wardell?" he went on. "I bought the car from him, you -remember." - -"Yes. Well, I don't know that I can say I know him. I used to know his -father, and a fine man he was, though he had rather queer notions of -business. He was strictly honest, though, and perhaps if he had taken -advantage of every legal trick he might have left more money." - -"Tricks like Uncle Ezra's?" - -"Well, Dick, we won't talk about them. Uncle Ezra is responsible to -himself, and, as he says, he is strictly within the law. We all have -different standards. But, Dick, what is it you want to do?" - -"I want to save Mr. Wardell's fortune for him. You heard what Uncle -Ezra said. Can't you take a hand, and change matters?" - -Mr. Hamilton thought a moment. - -"Dick," he said, "what your uncle told me was in confidence. I can't -violate that. I'm sorry--in a way--that you overheard what you did, and -yet it may be for the best in the end. I can't act, and yet----" - -"Is there anything to prevent me, Dad?" - -"No-o-o-o," was the answer, slowly given. "I don't know as there is." - -"And you can advise me; can't you?" - -"Well, Dick, if you ask me questions, I suppose I'll have to answer -them," and there was a twinkle in Mr. Hamilton's eyes. "But Uncle Ezra -won't like it if he finds it out," the father concluded. - -"He won't find it out!" declared Dick, with energy. - -"Now here is how I size it up," the young man went on. "Uncle Ezra got -Mr. Wardell's fortune--which consisted mostly of railroad stock--in -exchange for a loan." - -"Yes, he took the stock, or, rather he has had his lawyers take it, -because the money was not repaid to him." - -"And it wasn't paid because Mr. Wardell bought other stock that proved -worthless. Is that it?" - -"That's about it, Dick." - -"And Uncle Ezra sold Mr. Wardell this worthless stock?" - -"Well, his representatives did. But look here, Dick, your uncle didn't -force Mr. Wardell to buy this worthless stock, you know. Mr. Wardell did -that with his eyes open." - -"I know, but he didn't know it was worthless?" - -"Probably not." - -"And Uncle Ezra did?" - -"Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say that. There is a lot of stock in -the market that is practically worthless, but which is sold with the -best intentions in the world. It may be worth a fortune some day." - -"All right. Anyhow, Mr. Wardell gave up some good stock, got bad stock, -and lost his good stock." - -"Yes." - -"And now it develops that if, within a certain time, he makes a sort of -legal protest--files a paper in court or something like that--he has a -chance to get his stock back?" - -"Provided, of course, he gives back the money." - -"And he is practically assured of his money if he does make that -protest, Dad?" - -"Yes. It's quite complicated, but, to state it simply, if he files that -paper, protesting against losing his old stock, the new stock that he -bought will be worth considerable, and out of the money he gets from -selling that he can get back his old stock, which will be worth twice as -much." - -"It sounds like a Chinese puzzle, Dad, but the main thing to do is, I -take it, to file this protest." - -"Yes, if it's filed in time." - -"That's what I wanted to know, Dad. I see my way clear now." - -"What are you going to do, Dick?" asked Mr. Hamilton as he saw his son -preparing to write a letter. - -"I'm going to tell Mr. Wardell that there's a chance to save his -fortune, and I'm going to offer my services to do it for him!" was the -quick answer. "I want to have a talk with him." - -"Dick, I don't know----" - -"Mortimer!" exclaimed a voice in the hall, "I can't sleep with the -howling of that pesky bulldog. I shall have to ask you to have him taken -farther off." - -"Great Peter!" gasped Dick. "Uncle Ezra!" - - - - -CHAPTER X - -MR. WARDELL'S CONFESSION - - -The tableau which presented itself to the view of Mr. Larabee showed Mr. -Hamilton gazing at Dick, and our hero, with a strange expression on his -face, looking at his father. He was wondering just how much his uncle -had overheard. - -"Can't sleep; eh?" repeated Mr. Hamilton, after a pause. - -"No, that dog of Nephew Richard's makes such a noise. Can't he be sent -farther off?" - -"I--I'll have Grit taken away, Uncle Ezra," promised Dick, quickly. -"I'll attend to it right away. I'm sorry he annoyed you." - -"Huh!" snorted the visitor. "I never could see the use of dogs, anyhow. -They eat 'most as much as humans, and never do any work." - -"They keep tramps away," said Dick, in defense of his pet. - -"Huh! A good shotgun near the door, where a tramp can see it, beats all -your dogs, and it don't cost anythin' either," declared Mr. Larabee, -with a sniff of disdain. "One charge of powder--not too much--and a -little salt and pepper, will do for a whole season of tramps. You don't -have to shoot the gun off, you know," he explained. "Sometimes one load -will do for several seasons, and think of the money you save." - -"I'd rather have Grit," said Dick, simply. - -"Sittin' up rather late; aren't you, Mortimer?" went on Mr. Larabee, who -was attired in a faded dressing gown, rather too short for him. It -showed his lean legs, the feet encased in ancient slippers, which, Uncle -Ezra boasted, had lasted him many years. - -"I seldom go to bed early," spoke the millionaire. - -"But it's late for Nephew Richard," went on the old man. "Growin' boys -should be a-bed early. When I was a lad we went to bed soon after -sundown--we had to, for we had to git up at four o'clock to milk. But -the present generation has it too easy--they're pampered too much." - -"Dick and I were talking business," said Mr. Hamilton, and he glanced -sharply at his brother-in-law, to see if he had overheard any of the -conversation. If Mr. Larabee had done so, he showed no signs of it. - -"Business!" he exclaimed. "Wa'al, of course that's a good thing if -Nephew Richard profits by what he hears. I hope he does. But I've lost -considerable sleep over that pesky dog. I wish you'd attend to him." - -"I will!" exclaimed Dick, hurrying out to the stable. "I guess Grit -hasn't done much sleeping, either," he murmured, "not while he knew -Uncle Ezra was in the house, anyhow. I don't see why he has to be so -mean--Uncle Ezra, I'm thinking of," went on Dick, reflectively. "I -suppose it comes natural, but it isn't very pleasant. - -"There's that Mr. Wardell--he's practically ruined him, just on account -of a greed for money, when he's already got more than he knows what to -do with. Well, I'm going to help that young fellow if I can--I'm going -to try to help him get back his fortune. I know how I'd feel if I lost -mine--especially by some trick like this. - -"Yes, I'll get in touch with him, and see if we can't beat Uncle Ezra at -his own game. Come on, Grit," he went on, speaking to the dog, who -vainly tried to break his chain the quicker to get near Dick. "You've -got to go into exile for the rest of the night, anyhow, all on account -of Uncle Ezra. I'm sorry, but it has to be, old man." - -Caressing his dog, Dick took him to a distant tool house in the garden, -far enough off so that should Grit bark or whine Mr. Larabee would not -hear him. The dog whimpered a bit when Dick went away, but soon -accustomed himself to the new situation. - -"To-morrow I'll write to Mr. Wardell," decided Dick, as he rejoined his -father, Mr. Larabee having gone back to his room. Mr. Hamilton approved -of this plan, and Dick went to bed to dream of saving the fortune of an -unfortunate man, and shooting across country in his big touring car. - -"I'll sort of combine business with pleasure," remarked the youth next -morning, as he arose and recalled his dream. - -The letter to Mr. Wardell having been written, Dick and his two chums -took the new car out for a spin. Mr. Hamilton consented to be driven to -the railroad depot in it, as he had to go to a distant city on some -business. Mr. Larabee, who was going back to Dankville, much to the -satisfaction of Dick, refused an invitation to try out the _Last Word_. - -"Trust myself in that? Never!" he exclaimed. "I'd as soon think of -riding on a fire engine. You mark my words, Nephew Richard, you'll come -to grief in that car yet. It's too big and heavy." - -"It has to be, for what I want of it," replied our hero. "I'm going to -cross the continent in it, and sometimes we may be stuck where there are -no hotels. In that case we'll have a hotel with us." - -"Oh, the sinful shame and waste of money!" cried Uncle Ezra, dolefully -shaking his head. - -Dick and his chums, with Grit as a mascot, had a fine ride for a -considerable distance out into the country and back. The car behaved -perfectly, and Dick found she had more speed than he had suspected. The -luxury of it appealed to the three young men, and they were looked on -with envious eyes as they sped along the broad highways. - -Dick posted his letter to Mr. Wardell, and then there was nothing to do -but await an answer. Paul and Innis planned to go to their homes, to -arrange for the long trip with Dick, and were to return to Hamilton -Corners in about a week. In the meantime the young millionaire would -perfect his plans for the continental tour. - -There was considerable to be done in the way of laying out a route, and -arranging to communicate with his father at certain points. Also Dick -wanted to have plenty of time to aid Mr. Wardell in recovering his -fortune. - -"And I've got to do it without Uncle Ezra knowing anything about it," -decided Dick. "If he found it out he might find a way, law or no law, to -prevent us from filing that protest in time. Oh, I've got to be as foxy -as Uncle Ezra himself." But Dick little realized the resourcefulness of -his relative. - -A few days after Dick's chums had gone to their homes, when the former -was wondering when he would hear from the man whose car he had -purchased, Gibbs came to him in the library one afternoon with the -information that a visitor wanted to see Dick. - -"Bring him in here," he requested the butler. "Oh, hello, Mr. Wardell!" -Dick exclaimed when he saw who his caller was. "I'm real glad to see -you. I was getting ready to come on to New York and meet you, as soon as -you sent me word." - -"Were you, indeed? I thought I had better take a run up here, though, -as I haven't any permanent address in New York at present. I haven't my -plans made, and I may go away at any time. But I am curious to know what -good news you have to tell me," for Dick had not given the particulars -in his letter. "I don't see how there can be any good news for me any -more," went on Mr. Wardell, rather despondently. - -"Well, there is," said Dick, simply. "What would you say if I told you -there was a chance to get back your fortune?" - -"I'd say, I'm afraid, that you were dreaming." - -"I never was more wide awake. Listen," and Dick quickly related the gist -of what he and his father had talked over. - -"You don't mean it!" exclaimed Mr. Wardell. "If the papers are filed in -time I can save my fortune?" - -"That's about it. Can you arrange to file them?" - -"I can, I think--no, by Jove! Dick, I can't, either. At least I'm afraid -I can't. I'll tell you how I'm fixed. I am about to go to South America -for a mining concern. It's a good opening, and it's too good to turn -down. I can make my living at it, and in time I may get rich by it. It's -a bird in the hand, and it's worth two in the bush, where my former -fortune seems to be at present. I don't see how I can go out to San -Francisco and to South America, too. And yet I would like to get back -my fortune, for I am beginning to believe that it wasn't taken from me -altogether fairly." - -"We won't go into that now," spoke Dick. "But can you arrange with your -lawyer to furnish the necessary papers?" - -"Yes. I guess Mr. Tunison would do that for me, even if I can't pay his -regular fee. He's done enough business for our family in the past. But, -look here, Mr. Hamilton, what good will the papers do me when I can't go -to San Francisco to file them? At least, I don't think I ought to give -up a certain, sure thing for one that's only a chance. I can't file the -papers after I get them." - -"Well, then, I can!" cried Dick. - -"You can? What do you mean?" - -"I mean that my chums and I are going to take a tour to California. I -can combine business with pleasure, and file those papers for you. If I -can do it in time, you'll get a chance to recover your fortune." - -"And will you do that for me?" - -"I certainly will!" - -Mr. Wardell clasped Dick's hand in a hearty grasp. - -"Look here, old man," he said feelingly, "you've done too much for me -already." - -"Oh, pshaw! I haven't done anything worth mentioning!" exclaimed Dick, -who disliked having a fuss made over him. "I bought your car as much -for myself as to help you out of a hole." - -"Oh, it isn't that I mean!" cried Mr. Wardell, quickly. "Dick, I've a -confession to make. You may not know it, but you saved my life that day -on the railroad tracks." - -"Saved your life?" - -"Yes, I was down and out! I didn't see a thing to live for, and I wasn't -going to look for a reason. I was going to cash in when you and your -chum came along, and I didn't have the nerve to do what I was going to -do--shuffle off this mortal coil. You saved my life, Dick Hamilton, and -now you are going to save my fortune for me. You're doing too much!" and -the visitor seemed much affected. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -OFF ON THE TRIP - - -"That's all right now, Mr. Wardell," said Dick, after a rather painful -pause. "I'm sure I'm only too glad that I can do something for you. It -isn't going to be any trouble--filing this paper, as it's on my way. -And, as for saving your life----" - -"Oh, you did it--there's no question about that!" interrupted the other. -"I was miserable enough to do anything rash, but the kind way in which -you spoke to me, and the cheerfulness of yourself, and your chum, made -me ashamed to do what I had contemplated. It started me on a new road, -thinking of you, and I made up my mind I'd begin over again. - -"Now it might seem to you that I ought to look after this matter -myself--going out there and filing this paper--but the truth of the -matter is that I'm quite disgusted with myself--not knowing enough to -take care of my money when I had it. I deserve to lose it. But if you -can save it I'm willing to give you whatever share your lawyer thinks -fair." - -"I'm not doing it for that," declared Dick. "I'm doing it for--well, -I'll tell you later," he finished. But to himself he said: - -"I'm doing this for the honor of my family. If he ever finds out it was -my uncle who ruined him he'll not think much of my father and myself, -even if I was instrumental in saving his life. No, I've got to keep -still about that part of it, and save _his_ fortune for the honor of -_our_ family. And I'll do it, too, in spite of Uncle Ezra!" - -"Well, it's awfully good of you," went on Mr. Wardell, after a pause. -"Now I'll see our old family lawyer, Mr. William Tunison, and have him -arrange with you. You say the papers have to be filed on a certain -date?" - -"Yes." - -"Then why can't they be sent out there, and held until it is time to -present them to the court?" - -"Because the law in this matter is peculiar. The documents have to be -filed between certain dates--they can't be presented before the one, nor -after the other. There is a period of a few days during which they can -legally be presented to the courts, and in that time only. If you sent -them out there now they might get filed away in some pigeon-hole, and be -forgotten until it was too late." - -"I see." - -"So the only thing to do is for some one to look after the matter -personally. And I'll do it!" - -"It's very good of you. I suppose I might do it myself, but I hate to -lose this South American chance. It may never come again, and I want to -show folks that, even if I have lost one fortune, I can make another. -Otherwise I'd go West myself." - -"You don't need to. I'll act as your agent," promised Dick. - -"Very well, then. I'll arrange with my lawyer. I was so angry and -discouraged when I found that my fortune was wiped out that I didn't go -into details over it. All I knew was that a fellow named Larabee had -cleaned me out. A queer sort of chap he was, too. About as mean as they -make 'em, I thought, and quite a financier into the bargain. Ever meet -him?" - -"I--I have heard of him," stammered Dick. Then he quickly added: -"Suppose you give me power of attorney to act for you, and a letter to -your lawyer. Then I can see him myself," for Dick did not want to get on -dangerous ground as regards Uncle Ezra. "Then you can go to South -America whenever you get ready, and I'll look after the rest," he added. - -"It seems sort of cowardly, to run away and leave you to face the -music," and Mr. Wardell hesitated. - -"Not at all!" Dick assured him. "I'll be glad of the chance to do this -business for you. It will be good training for me. My father is willing. -And," Dick added to himself, "it will give me a chance to get back at -Uncle Ezra for some of the mean things he has done to me." - -"All right," spoke Mr. Wardell after a moment or two of thought. "I'll -give you power to act for me, as my attorney, or representative, or -whatever is necessary. And I'll write to my lawyer. He can fix up the -papers. Do you want him to come here?" - -"No, I am going to New York in a few days, to arrange some details about -our trip. I'll see him then. Will you stay to dinner, and meet my -father? We can put you up for the night." - -"No, thank you. I'll stay for dinner, but I must go back to New York on -the midnight train. There is no telling when this South American berth -may be open for me." - -A little later Mr. Wardell and Mr. Hamilton went over details with Dick, -and it was arranged that the latter should complete his plans with Mr. -Tunison, the lawyer. - -A few days later saw our hero once more in New York. He went by train, -as his chums had not yet arrived from their homes, and Dick did not want -to drive his big car by himself. - -Mr. Tunison proved to be an agreeable gentleman, who readily entered -into Dick's plan to try to recover the Wardell fortune. - -"Though I'm afraid you're going to have a hard task, Mr. Hamilton," the -lawyer said. "This Mr. Larabee is a hard customer. By the way, he is -some relation to you; isn't he? I've been looking him up." - -"He is," admitted Dick, "but I'm not proud of it. I would just as soon -Mr. Wardell did not know it--at least, until I am successful. I am doing -this, in a measure, for the honor of my family." - -"Hum! Well, I'll keep your secret. Now it appears from the investigation -I have made since I got Mr. Wardell's letter, that this Mr. Larabee -isn't appearing in this matter openly himself." - -"No?" asked Dick in some surprise. - -"No. Whether he is ashamed of what he did, or whether he has sold out -his claim to someone else, I can't learn. But he is represented by a Mr. -Harrison Black, and I want to warn you against him." - -"Warn me?" - -"Yes. Mr. Black, while a lawyer, is one of the most unscrupulous -attorneys I have ever met, or had dealings with. He is a sharper, just -keeping well enough within the law not to be caught. Now, he is handling -this matter for your uncle, it seems, and he knows about this time -limit." - -"I suppose so." - -"Yes. He'll do all in his power to prevent us from filing the papers -that would give Mr. Wardell a chance to claim his fortune again. So you -must be on your guard." - -"I will. What sort of a man is this Mr. Black?" - -"I will describe him to you," and the lawyer did so. "But he probably -will not appear openly himself," resumed Mr. Tunison. "He has other -shyster lawyers who do his evil work for him. Probably you will -encounter one of his tools, and as he has a number I can't say which one -it will be. Only be on your guard, Mr. Hamilton." - -"I will." - -"Now then, I will give you the necessary papers, which must be filed -with the Supreme Court not before September first and not later than -midnight September third." - -"Three days!" exclaimed Dick. - -"That is all. A short period. To be sure of making no mistake, you had -better file them the first day. Don't take any chances. At the same -time, it would not be fair to you to have you give up all the pleasure -of your trip to be in San Francisco before the first day of next -September. - -"I understand you are going to make a tour in the big car Mr. Wardell -had built for himself before his fortune was lost. My advice is to do -this, and so arrange your programme that you will reach San Francisco -September first. That will give you plenty of time. I have a lawyer -friend there, Mr. Whitfield Ainslie, who will attend to the California -legal end for you. Now I will prepare the papers." - -It did not take long, and after getting a few more detailed instructions -from Mr. Tunison, Dick left for Hamilton Corners. When he got home he -found Paul and Innis waiting for him. - -"Well, when do we start?" asked Paul. - -"Yes; we've been doing nothing but dream of this trip!" cried the -other. - -"We'll leave this week!" declared Dick. - -And he was as good as his word. His plans were completed, the route -finally decided on, and, with the auto thoroughly in shape, the boys -started off early one morning, Grit sitting proudly beside Dick, who was -at the wheel. - -"Take care of yourself, my boy," cautioned Mr. Hamilton, as he shook -hands with his son and his chums. - -"I will, Dad. If Uncle Ezra asks for me--well, tell him I'll see him -later!" - -"I will. Have you the papers safe?" - -"Yes, they're in the auto where no one can find them. I'll write as -often as I can. All ready, boys?" - -"Let her go, Dick!" cried Paul. - -"Start off!" exclaimed Innis Beeby. - -Dick pressed the button of the electric starter. There was a hum, a -throb of the powerful motor, and the big car moved slowly out of the -yard. Dick and his chums were off on their long trip. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -UNCLE EZRA PLOTS - - -"What's our time-table, Dick?" asked Paul, as they swung out of Hamilton -Corners into the less-populated country. - -"We haven't any. That is, we're not going to try to make any special -time, as long as we get to 'Frisco by September first," for Dick had -told his chums of the endeavor he was going to make to save Mr. -Wardell's fortune. - -"What's our programme, then?" Innis Beeby wanted to know. "Are we going -to run along, hit or miss, or have we some definite plan?" - -"I thought I gave you our route." - -"Well, old man, we went over it so often, and made so many changes, that -I don't know now whether we're going by way of New Orleans or Alaska." - -"More like Alaska this time of year!" exclaimed Paul. "Shall I start the -electric fan, Dick?" - -"Yes, do. There isn't much breeze to-day," and soon a big electric fan -near the roof of the touring car was stirring the air, making the three -travelers more comfortable. - -"This is the schedule the way I have worked it out," went on Dick, as -he steered out to avoid a load of hay being driven along the country -road. "We'll go to Buffalo, and from there on to Cleveland. Next, in the -order as they come, will be Chicago, Des Moines, Omaha, Denver, -Leadville, Salt Lake City, Carson City, Sacramento, and then 'Frisco." - -"All good places to visit," observed Innis, reflectively. - -"Well, we may not strike all of them," Dick went on. "If we have to -change our route because of bad roads, or from other causes, we may cut -out the big cities, and just go somewhere near them. But that route will -give us plenty of travel." - -"I should say so!" agreed Paul. "Nearly four thousand miles, I guess. -Well, your car looks good for it, Dick!" - -And indeed the _Last Word_ appeared able to navigate to the Arctic -regions if called on to do so. - -"Are we going to put up at a hotel for lunch?" asked Innis, when they -had gone on several miles farther. "That isn't a hint that I'm hungry!" -he hastened to add, "but I was just wondering, Dick." - -"I think we'll try camping out a bit," said that young man. "We might as -well get used to it, and the weather is good now." - -"That's right," agreed Paul. - -"I have some grub stowed away in back," Dick resumed. "We will stop at -some butcher shop and grocery in the next town, get some steak and -bacon, and cook it on our electric stove. Then we can eat it alongside -the road. There will be plenty of chances to go to hotels later." - -The boys laughed and joked, thoroughly enjoying themselves in the big -touring car. It rode easily, even over rough roads, and it was roomy -enough so that they could move about in it, not having to stay cramped -up in one seat. Paul and Innis took turns at driving, as Dick wanted -them to become familiar with the mechanism. - - * * * * * - -But perhaps if Dick and his chums could have been made aware of a little -scene that had taken place in the office of a certain lawyer in -Dankville that morning they would not have felt so care-free and -light-hearted. About the time Dick started off on his tour a crabbed old -man might have been seen going into this law office, on the door of -which was the name: - - HARRISON BLACK. - -"Ah, good morning, Mr. Larabee!" the lawyer greeted his visitor. "Come -right in," and the two were closeted together for some time. When they -came out, Mr. Black said: - -"Now don't you have a bit of worry, Mr. Larabee. I'll attend to the -matter for you, and this young man will never see his money again." - -"He don't deserve to, anyhow. Folks that is as careless as he was, -don't deserve no pity." - -"That's right, so they don't, Mr. Larabee. Ha! ha! You have exactly the -right idea." - -"And now about this foolish young nephew of mine," went on Mr. Larabee. -"I didn't hear all he and his father talked about that night when I came -down on 'em unexpected-like, but I'm sure my nephew has some crazy -notion about helping this Wardell. It mustn't be allowed--he must be -stopped!" and Uncle Ezra clenched his fist and struck a desk a smart -blow. - -"I agree with you, Mr. Larabee. He must be stopped. But does he know of -this time limit?" - -"He might. I wouldn't take any chances. He's fooled me more than once. -Don't take any chances, Black." - -"I won't. If he has any papers to file inside the time limit, he won't -be allowed to do so. We'll take some means to stop him. Wait, I'll call -one of my men who--er--who attends to all these little matters for me. -Jake, here, I want you!" - -From an outer room came a man with a hard face, and a jaw like that of a -prize fighter. He had little, shifty eyes that seemed never to look one -in the face. - -"Jake this is Mr. Larabee," went on Mr. Black. "This is Jake Morton," to -Uncle Ezra. "He'll see that your foolish nephew doesn't do anything -rash." - -"That's what I want." - -"It--er--it may cost something, Mr. Larabee." - -"Cost something?" and Uncle Ezra clapped his hand on his pocket. "Not -much, I hope!" - -"Well, of course your nephew has started off in an auto, I believe you -mentioned that." - -"Yes, in a great big touring car like a steam coach--him and two other -spendthrifts. Oh, the money they waste!" and Uncle Ezra shook his head. - -"Well, if they're in an auto, I presume they'll have to be followed in -an auto," went on Mr. Black, "and auto hire costs money." - -"Couldn't--couldn't they be followed on a bicycle?" asked the crabbed -old man. "I wouldn't mind buying a second-hand bicycle for your man, and -he could follow them on that. Bicycle riding is healthy." - -"Say, if you expect me to trail along after a touring car on a -bicycle--and a second-hand one at that--you can get some one else to do -this job!" exclaimed Jake Morton. "I'm done! What! Maybe chase half way -to San Francisco on an old wheel? I guess not." - -"Wa'al, maybe I could stand a new one," whined Uncle Ezra. - -"No, nor a new one, either. It's a touring car for me, or nothing!" - -"Oh, the sinful waste of money!" exclaimed Mr. Larabee. "The awful -waste!" - -"You'd much better spend a few dollars to hire a touring car for my -clerk than to lose all this money," said Mr. Black. "And, mind you, if -your nephew files that paper it may result in a lawsuit, which would be -very expensive, and, at the same time might go against you." - -"Well, then, if you think it wise, perhaps I'd better. I don't want to -lose this money I've worked so hard for." - -A smile of something like contempt curled the lip of Mr. Black. He knew -just how hard Mr. Larabee had "worked" for his money, for many a -mortgage he had foreclosed for him, and many a transaction he had -consummated--transactions that never got into the law courts. - -"Then if you don't want to run any chances, you'd better do as I say," -went on the lawyer. "My man will look after matters. You say your nephew -and his chums have gone off on a tour. Do you know the route they are -going to take?" - -"Not exactly, for, though I looked and listened the young spendthrifts -changed their plans so often I wasn't able to keep track of them. But -they are going to the main cities. Why, would you believe it, they'd -think nothing of going hundreds of extra miles, just to get to some -place to see the sights! And gasoline is gettin' more and more expensive -every day, to say nothin' of tires. Oh, the waste of it!" - -"Well, I suppose your nephew is well off?" - -"Yes; too much so for his own good!" snapped Uncle Ezra. "If I had the -handlin' of his wealth, there'd be a different story to tell." - -"I can well believe that," remarked the lawyer, drily. "Now to get down -to business. Pay attention, Jake Morton. You will have to follow this -party of young fellows in the big touring car as best you can, since Mr. -Larabee doesn't know the exact route they will take." - -"No, I couldn't find out," mumbled Uncle Ezra, "though I heard something -of Buffalo, Cleveland, and so on." - -"I guess I can get on their trail, all right," said the lawyer's -henchman. "If it's a big touring car, as you describe, it ought to be -pretty conspicuous. Folks will notice it and I can make inquiries as I -go along." - -"Yes, but keep your wits about you. Don't let them suspect, for they are -sharp lads, I take it." - -"Oh, I'll play foxy, all right. I'll hang back for a few days and watch -my chance." - -"But don't delay too long," cautioned Uncle Ezra. "Automobile hire is -expensive, and I'm not as rich as Mortimer Hamilton. Don't go wastin' my -money." - -"Well, I'm not going to starve on the trip," laughed the man. "I've got -to live decently if I'm to pose as a touring autoist." - -"Oh, dear!" groaned Uncle Ezra. "This is going to cost a pile of -money--a dreadful pile!" - -"But you're going to make a lot out of it!" insisted the shyster lawyer. - -"Maybe--maybe," assented the old man. "And say," he went on to Morton, -"you'll get that paper away from him. I know he has some sort of a paper -to file, to cheat me out of my hard-earned money. I was sharp enough to -find that out, though he and his father think they fooled me. But I was -too much for 'em--I was so--ha! ha!" and he chuckled so that he went -into a coughing fit, and had to be thumped on the back to bring his -breath into his lungs again. - -"You--you'll get that paper; won't you?" he pleaded. - -"Sure I will," declared Jake Morton. "And they won't know I have it -until it's too late to file it." - -"Good!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra. "And maybe, while you are at it, you could -get that auto away from my nephew, or wreck it, or something like that." - -"Good land, Mr. Larabee! You don't mean that; do you?" cried Mr. Black. -"Wreck your nephew's auto?" - -"Oh, not with him in it, of course. But if it could be disabled some -way, maybe he'd desert it, and we could get it, and fix it up and sell -it. I might get enough out of it to pay for the expenses of this trip, -for it's goin' to cost a lot--a dreadful lot." - -"I wouldn't advise you to try that," said the lawyer, significantly. -"We're taking enough chances as it is. You don't want to make yourself -criminally liable; do you?" - -"Oh, my good land, no! Sakes alive! No! no!" cried Uncle Ezra. "I've -always kept within the law. We ain't goin' to do nothin' unlawful; are -we?" and he gazed anxiously at the lawyer. - -"Oh, no. I'm not any too fond, myself, of overstepping the law. But I'll -take all it allows!" he declared, thrusting out a lean and claw-like -hand. - -"Oh, so will I!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra. "All the law allows--yes; all the -law allows! Ha! ha! I guess you'll find, Nephew Richard," he went on, -"that two of us can play at that little game you started. Two of us; -yes-um! We'll see who wins out! Ha! ha!" and, chuckling in a cackling -sort of voice, Mr. Larabee left the lawyer's office, while Mr. Black and -his henchman looked at each other. - -"What do you think of him?" asked Mr. Black. - -"I don't like to think. But, as long as he pays our price, we'll do his -work; eh?" - -"Yes. Now come in here and we'll talk over what's best to do. We must -get that paper away from Dick Hamilton." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE HAND IN THE DARK - - -"Say, this is a little bit of all right; isn't it?" - -"It certainly is. I'll have some more of that steak." - -"Another morsel of bacon would just about suit me." - -"Those eggs aren't so bad. That electric stove cooks quick enough." - -"I should say yes. Any more coffee left?" - -Question and comment thus went back and forth among the three chums as -they sat in Dick Hamilton's big touring car, under a great oak tree at -one side of a pleasant country road. - -They had traveled many miles from Hamilton Corners before stopping at a -village grocery and meat market and buying what they wanted for dinner. - -"Going camping?" the man had asked them, as he wrapped up the parcels. - -"No, just on a tour," Dick said. - -"Oh, then you're going to cook over an open fire?" - -"No, we're going to cook it right in the auto," the young autoist said. - -"Ha! ha!" laughed the man. "Joking; eh? Well, I know you auto fellows -have some new wrinkles, but I didn't think you were up to that. Going to -broil the steak on your over-heated engine, I suppose, and make coffee -with the hot water from your radiator? Ha! ha!" - -"Not exactly," replied Dick. "Though that might be done. No, we have a -stove of our own," and he showed the man the little electrical apparatus -in the rear of the enclosed tonneau, on which a good meal could be -prepared. - -And the boys had just finished their culinary operations and were now -enjoying the fruits of their labors. They were in a secluded place, and -the day was all that could be desired. The little table had been let -down from the roof, and the three sat about it, laughing and joking. - -Farmers and others passing along the highway paused to look in some -astonishment, not only at the big car, which was of a type and size -seldom seen, but at the boys themselves, who seemed to be taking their -ease in regular Gypsy fashion, yet in a style never approached by the -dark-skinned nomads. - -"Some class to this," remarked Paul, as he passed his plate for more -steak and bacon. - -"I should say yes," agreed Innis. "I say, old boy, you're not going to -take that egg; are you?" - -"Why not, I'd like to know?" retorted Paul, pausing in the act of -helping himself to a nicely browned one, nestling amid a pile of crisp -bacon. - -"Because you've had three, and that's mine--or Dick's, if he wants it." - -"No, I don't want it," said the latter. "But it isn't worth quarreling -over. We can fry some more." - -"I guess we'll have to if Paul is going to develop that kind of an -appetite," remarked Innis. "Three eggs, twice on the steak, and no end -of bacon----" - -"I did not!" snapped Paul. - -"Did not what?" asked Innis, with a smile. - -"Did not have three eggs. It was only two, and----" - -"Well, this'll be three," retorted Innis. - -"Oh, well, then I'll split it with you," and Paul cut the egg in half, -thus settling the dispute. - -"Well, there's one consolation in eating this way," remarked Dick, as -the auto-meal came to an end. "We don't have many dishes to wash," and -he tossed from the window of the car the wooden plates from which they -had dined. - -"That's right," agreed Paul. "Washing dishes is the worst part of camp -life. Some day I'm going to invent a set of dishes that wash -themselves." - -"These are just as good," said Dick. Though there was in the auto a -small set of porcelain dishes, the boys had decided that, except for -food that actually needed other styles, they would use the wooden -plates, that could be thrown away after each meal. They carried a supply -of these, as well as paper napkins, and more could be bought whenever -needed. - -Of course there were pans and other utensils for the stove, and these -were cleaned after being used, and stowed away in the proper -compartments. - -"Well, I guess we're all ready to start again," announced Dick, as they -got out and walked about a bit, pausing to get a drink at a roadside -spring. - -"Where to?" asked Paul. - -"I'll take a look at our map and see," went on the young millionaire. "I -think we can make Hosford by evening, and stay there over night. There's -no use journeying after dark until we have to." - -"That's right; not until we find we have to put on speed to file that -paper in time," added Paul. - -"But is there a hotel in Hosford?" inquired Innis. - -"We'll not bother with a hotel," suggested Dick. "As long as we have the -bunks in our auto we might as well use them. We'll just pull up at some -quiet place, off the road, get our supper, and turn in. We're -independent of hotels, unless we want to go to one now and again to have -more room to stretch. That's why I got this kind of a car." - -"Sure enough!" exclaimed Innis. "We'll bunk here then." - -And they did that night. At first it was a bit awkward, but soon they -got used to the not too large apartment into which the auto was turned, -and they found the bunks very comfortable. - -The curtains were drawn over the glass doors and windows and with an -electric light glowing in the roof, the boys went to sleep, well -satisfied with their first day's trip. - -They were under way soon after breakfast and traveled a good distance by -noon, stopping for their meal in a little grove of trees just off a -country road. - -"What's the programme for to-day?" asked Paul, as they started off -again, leaving a pile of wooden plates behind them as a souvenir of -their stop. - -"Hand me that road map, and I'll decide," spoke Dick. "It's in the flap -pocket of that side door, nearest you, Paul." - -Paul pulled from the leather compartment on the door an envelope, and -handed it to Dick. - -"No, that isn't it," said the young man. "Those are the papers I'm going -to file with the court to save Mr. Wardell's property. The map is in the -same place, in an envelope just like that. Now you've got it," as Paul -pulled out another bulky envelope. - -"Do you think it's safe to keep the law papers in such a place?" asked -Innis. - -"I don't see why not," replied Dick. "I don't want them in my pocket, -for they might slip out when I walk around. And if I put them anywhere -else in the auto I couldn't get at them in a hurry in case we caught -fire, or had any accident. No one would think of looking in there for -them, and if we leave the auto at any time we can take the documents -with us. Now let's have a squint at this map. I think we can make -Flagtown to-night." - -"Flagtown!" exclaimed Innis, looking over his chum's shoulder. "That's -quite a run." - -"Well, we haven't tried out this car much as to speed yet," replied -Dick. "There are good roads to Flagtown, and we might as well see what -she can do. We'll hit up the pace a little." - -And they did make Flagtown, the _Last Word_ proving that she had speed -as well as other qualities, though she was essentially not a racing car. - -Supper followed, in due time, and then, sitting about the auto in the -quiet of the evening, the boys talked over their adventures of the day, -and speculated on what lay before them. - -"It will be a good joke on your Uncle Ezra, to get Mr. Wardell's fortune -away from him; won't it?" remarked Paul. - -"It sure will," declared Dick. "And the best of it is that he doesn't -know that I'm going to do it. Uncle Ezra is pretty sharp, but I think we -got ahead of him this time." - -But if Dick could have known that a few miles back, in an auto that had -closely followed the course of the big touring car since the day before, -was a certain mean-faced man, perhaps the young millionaire would not -have felt so confident. Especially could he have known that the man in -the rear auto was constantly making inquiries about the _Last -Word_--when she had passed through certain towns, and which way she was -headed. - -But knowing none of these things, Dick and his chums turned into the -bunks with a feeling of peacefulness and ease, and slept soundly. All -too soundly, it would seem. Too soundly to have heard a car pull up -behind them shortly after midnight. - -The car came to a halt some distance away from Dick's, the red tail-lamp -on the latter disclosing its presence. From the rear car a man silently -alighted to the dusty road. - -"Are you sure that's the machine?" a whispered voice asked. - -"Yes, I'll stake my reputation on it. We've followed it too close to be -mistaken, and they haven't had time to shake us." - -"That's right. Well, Jake, do your best. Mr. Black expects us to make a -record on this job." - -"I know he does. That old skinflint of a Larabee isn't going to pay very -heavy, though. It was all we could do to squeeze this car out of him." - -"Well, now we've got it we can do as we please. Think you can pull off -anything?" - -"I don't know. I can sneak up there and see how the land lays, anyhow. -If we can't get the papers now we will have to some other time. But I -think those lads will sleep well to-night--they had quite a day of it." - -"I should say so! It was all I could do to drive this old car to keep up -with 'em, and this isn't a slow machine, either. Well, if you're going, -go ahead. I'll wait here." - -"And be ready for a quick get-away in case--well, in case anything -happens." - -"Sure, I'll be on the job." - -The figure in the road stole quietly toward the big touring car. As he -came nearer he walked more and more slowly, and getting to within a -short distance of the _Last Word_, he remained silent--listening. - -"'All quiet along the Potomac,'" he quoted. "I guess I'll take a -chance." - -Again he stole forward. - -In the darkness of the night a hand stole softly out toward one of the -side doors of the big car. A pair of evil eyes looked in on the sleeping -lads. Then the hand stole down in through the opening in the door, an -opening as in a coach, covered with glass, but which glass had been -dropped down to let in the air. - -"I'll see what luck I have," murmured the voice of the man in the dark. -Lower stole in the hand in the night. The fingers encountered the flap -of a pocket. There was a start of surprise. - -"By Jove!" whispered the voice. "I have it--first crack out of the -box!" - -The hand withdrew itself, with a bulky envelope, and, hesitating a -moment to be sure that none of the sleepers had awakened, the man of -darkness put in the same pocket another envelope of the same size as the -one removed, and hurried back down the road to the waiting car. - -"What luck?" his companion asked. - -"Best in the world. I got it, and switched another bundle of papers in -place of those I took. Now speed her, but--but run silently until you -get some distance off." - -"I get you all right. Hop in." - -And the car sped away in the darkness, while Dick and his chums slept -on. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -A BLOCKED ROAD - - -"Oh! Ah! Um!" - -"Who said get up?" - -"Gee-whiz, but I'm tired!" - -"So is the auto--rubber tired." - -"Joke! Ha! Ha! Everybody snicker!" - -The three chums turned over on their bunks in the _Last Word_, and -looked one at the other. - -"Well, if you fellows are going to lie abed all day, I'm not!" exclaimed -Paul, he and his two companions having just indulged in the little -morning "roundelay" I have used to introduce this chapter. He sprang -from the bunk. - -"'Up, up, Lucy!'" he quoted. "'The sun is up, and I am up too!' First -reading lesson. Come on, fellows!" and he pulled the covers from Dick. - -"It's too comfortable here," said that youth, gazing at the ceiling of -the car where the electric light was yet glowing. Reaching out his hand -Dick switched it off. "And yet I suppose we might as well get up," he -went on. "Innis, you're nearest to it, turn on the stove, will you, and -set the coffee to boiling? Then we'll have grub and see what the day -will bring forth." - -A storage battery in the car furnished current for the stove. The -coffee had been put in the pot the night before, with cold water on it, -and now all that remained was to shove it over on top of the electric -stove, and set it boiling by the turn of a switch. - -"The simple life--this," remarked Innis, as he complied with his host's -request. Then, as the grateful aroma of coffee filled the car the lads -dressed, and were soon washing at a nearby spring, which they had -discovered the night before in a patch of woods, not far from the road. - -Breakfast over, they were once more ready to proceed. Dick started the -car from his seat, and sent it going at a moderate pace. They had no -special objective point in view, and were content to take dinner -wherever noon found them. - -Through villages and towns they passed, attracting no little attention -as they scurried along. Once an officious constable warned them against -speeding. - -"You went a leetle too fast comin' in," he said, throwing back the lapel -of his coat to display his badge. "You fellers want t' be careful goin' -out." - -"All right," agreed Dick, with a laugh. "We'll be careful. Are the roads -pretty good now?" - -"Yep. Fine! That's why I warned you fellers. It's a great temptation t' -speed. Only last week a feller was caught outside of town. We've got one -of the finest speed traps in the country," he went on proudly. "I don't -s'pose I ought t' tell you 'bout it, but I will, seein' as how you're -strangers, an' that's a kind of car we don't often see around here. - -"It's like this. I've got a man stationed near the fust mile post -outside th' village proper. When he sees an auto comin' he marks down -th' time it passes him, and then he telefoams to another of my men at -the next mile post. - -"Now if that there auto gits to the second mile post too quick, we know -it's exceedin' th' speed limit, so we jest stop 'em an' collect th' -fine. Squire Bradley is always ready t' hear the case. He'll come in -from his hay field, or even stop plowin', t' hold court." - -"I suppose it pays him," remarked Paul, while Dick was seeing about -renewing the supply of gasoline, a stop having been made for that -purpose. - -"Oh, yes, it pays middlin' well," admitted the constable. "Th' Squire -gits half th' fine, an' th' other half goes t' me an' my assistants." - -"How do you stop the speeding autos when they get to the second mile -post?" Innis wanted to know. - -"Ha! That there's my patent. I've got a long rail fixed on a sort of -hinge, like an old-fashioned well-sweep, you know. When an auto ain't -exceedin' the legal rate of speed the long pole sticks straight up in -the air alongside the road. But when my man at the first mile post -telefoams to Hank Selby at the second post that a car is comin' too -fast, Hank jest yanks on a rod, down comes th' pole across th' road, an' -th' car can't go on no further." - -"I see," laughed Paul. "Hank yanks!" - -"That's it! I see you fellers will have your leetle joke!" and the -constable laughed with them. - -"But supposing the car didn't stop?" asked Innis. "That pole across the -road wouldn't be hard to break; would it?" - -"No, I don't s'pose 'twould. But when they bust that pole they're -bustin' th' law, too, an' that's a more serious offence. Squire Bradley -jest doubles th' fine then." - -"But how do you catch the autoists once they are past the second mile -stone, supposing they have broken the pole?" Paul asked, much interested -in this sort of a speed trap. - -"That's easy," said the constable. "As soon as any one is rash enough t' -bust our pole, Hank jest telefoams to his brother, who lives down the -road a piece. His brother runs out and drops a lot of boards, with sharp -nails in 'em, in th' dust. An auto ain't goin' fur after it runs over a -few sharp pointed nails. No, sir-ee!" - -"You 'nail' 'em; is that it?" asked Innis. - -"That's what we do. We nail 'em! Ha! Ha! I never thought of that. It's -another joke, by ginger!" - -"It must be pretty expensive, keeping two telephones working," suggested -Paul. - -"Oh, the county pays for it," said the constable. "Anyhow, if they -didn't, we could clear enough on fines to do it. Squire Bradley could -raise the rate a leetle." - -"I suppose so," agreed Innis, "Well, we'll be getting on, I guess," he -added, as Dick came out of the garage after paying for the gasoline. - -"An' don't try any speedin'," cautioned the representative of the law. - -"We won't!" promised Dick. - -Their trip up to noon was uneventful. They were in a section where good -roads abounded, and a local automobile club had posted the route so they -did not have to stop to ask their directions. They went to a local -country hotel for dinner, as the place was well advertised as giving a -good chicken and mushroom dinner, and this was a menu that the boys did -not care to undertake on their small electric stove. - -"Jove! That was good!" exclaimed Dick, as they came out of the hostelry. - -"That's right," agreed Innis. - -"I think I'll see if they have a couple of roast fowls that we could -take along with us, and eat cold for supper," suggested the young -millionaire, and he carried out his plan, a brace of well browned -chickens being stowed away in the "kitchen" locker. - -Late that afternoon they came to a place where two main roads forked. -Either one would take them to the place where they had decided to stay -over night. - -"This one's a little the shorter," explained a farmer, whom they asked -about it, "and it's a good road. The only thing is that there's no -crossroad leading from it for about eight miles, and you may git stuck -in the middle, and have to come back." - -"How so?" asked Dick. - -"Why Bill Simpson is moving his house along this road. He's changing the -location, and he may not be off the highway by the time you get there. I -did hear, though, that he expected to have it off the road and on the -new foundation by night." - -"Well, we'll take a chance," said Dick. "If the house blocks the road -maybe we can go around it." - -"Maybe," assented the farmer, and the big car went on. - -They had nearly reached the end of the fine, level road, and were -congratulating themselves on soon getting to a fair-sized town where -they intended to put up for the night, when Paul, looking ahead, -exclaimed: - -"There it is. Just our luck!" - -"What?" inquired Dick from the back of the car, for Innis was steering. - -"Bill Simpson's house--it's blocking the whole road, and it looks as if -the men had given up work for the day, for they're getting a red -lantern ready to display. We can't get past, Dick." - -"Pshaw!" exclaimed the young millionaire. "We'll have to turn around and -go back, I guess. Lose a lot of time, too. Drive up, and let's see what -it looks like." - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -PUZZLED - - -"Looks bad enough." - -"Yes, the more so as you come closer." - -"I don't see any way but to go back." - -"That's right. Lucky we've got room to turn." - -Thus Paul and Innis exchanged remarks and criticisms as they approached -the house which, being moved from one site to another, now blocked the -entire road. - -"There's no chance of getting past, without running the risk of getting -fast in the ditch," decided Dick, as he got out of the car and took a -careful survey. "I guess we're stuck, boys." - -"Funny they're quitting work so soon," observed Paul, looking at his -watch. "Why, it's only four o'clock, and they're getting ready to leave, -and hanging out a red light." - -"We've got to do it," said one of the workmen. "Our windlass busted just -now, and we can't do anything until it's fixed. No way of moving the -shebang." - -"You could if you had enough horses," said Dick. "Why can't you hitch -two or three teams directly on the pulling rope, and yank the house a -little further along--or even back--that would give us room to pass." - -"It can't be done, young feller," said the man. - -"Why not?" - -"Because we ain't got the horses to do it. There'd be four teams needed, -at the very most, to snake this house ahead or back, without a windlass -to give us leverage. That's what we need--leverage." - -"You've got ropes and pulleys; haven't you?" asked Dick. - -"Sure we have." - -"Can you attach them to the back of the house as well as on the front?" - -"Sure we can. But what good is that going to do? There ain't enough -horses that we can get now to snake the old building out of the way. -We'll have to wait until morning, and then we can get a blacksmith to -mend the windlass." - -"Yes, and in the meantime I'm stuck here!" exclaimed Dick. - -"Well, that is too bad, but you can turn around and go back to the other -main road." - -"That's eight miles or more, and I won't get to Fullerton until long -after dark, even if I break the speed limits." - -"Well, what can we do?" appealed the man, while his fellows prepared to -go to their several homes. - -"I'll tell you what we can do!" cried Dick, with sudden energy. "Put -your tackle on the back here and I'll pull the house far enough this -way so I can get past. It's just at the wrong point in the road for me -to do that now. Ten feet either way will let me pass." - -"I s'pose it will, but land sakes! you can't pull that house with -anything you can rig up now. Where's your horses?" - -"Horses? I don't need horses. I've got seventy-five of 'em right here -with me." - -The man's face was a picture of startled surprise. He looked from Dick -to Paul and Innis, who were silently laughing, and then he inquired: - -"Which one of you is his keeper?" - -"What's that?" cried Dick. "Do you think I'm crazy?" - -"I'm sure of it," said the man, confidently. "Move this -house--seventy-five horses--got 'em with you! Where? In your pocket?" - -"In there!" replied the young millionaire, pointing to the hood covering -the engine of his auto. "I'll pull the house out of the way." - -By this time a crowd of workmen had gathered. Dick stood in front of his -big car, not at all put out by the curious glances cast at him. - -"What's the matter here?" asked a man who seemed to be in charge. - -"This young feller wants to get past," explained the man who had been -about to hang up the red lantern. "He can't 'count of Simpson's house -bein' in the road. Says he'll snake it fo'rd or back so's to make room." - -"Back, not forward," said Dick. "I can't get past to hitch on to the -front end or I'd haul it ahead for you. But, as it is, you won't lose -more than ten feet, and I really have a right to half the road." - -"Yes, I s'pose you have," agreed the foreman. "But I don't see how we're -going to give it to you. I never thought that windlass would bust so -soon. I knowed it was an old one, but I figured it would last until we -got Bill's house moved. Howsomever----" - -"I tell you I can move the house!" exclaimed Dick. "If you'll have your -men attach the tackle to this end I'll pull it far enough back so I can -get past." - -"How?" demanded the foreman, dubiously. - -"He says he's got seventy-five horses," put in the man with the red -lantern. "I guess he's from some asylum," he added in a whisper loud -enough for Dick to hear. - -The latter smiled and answered: - -"Perhaps I should have explained. My auto is about seventy-five -horsepower. If you'll fix the ropes so I can hitch them to my rear axles -I can pull the house far enough back so I can pass. I think I have a -right to ask that." - -"Yes, I guess you have," assented the foreman. "We'll let you try. We -can pull her back again in the morning after the windlass is fixed. Get -busy, boys!" he exclaimed. "Put the ropes on this end." - -"But what about the windlass?" asked the lantern man, referring to the -spindle on which the rope was wound. - -"I won't need it," declared Dick. "I can get enough purchase with the -pulleys. I'll be turning the car around, and by that time you can have -the ropes in place." - -Turning the big car in rather a restricted roadway was no easy matter, -but Dick accomplished it, and soon he had it backed up toward the rear -of the house, to which the men were attaching the ropes, rove through -heavy blocks. - -The house was elevated on piles of short crossed beams and jack screws, -and was being slid along big timbers, common yellow soap and tallow -making the ways slippery enough so that friction would, in a measure, be -overcome. - -Dick took a long rope, and put it around the rear of his car so as to -strain it as little as possible. Then this rope was bent on to the one -connecting with the system of pulleys. - -"Are you all ready?" called the young man to the foreman, who had had -his men rearrange the beams. - -"All ready!" came the answer. - -Dick's motor was running. With himself at the wheel, while three of the -heaviest workmen had been added to Paul and Innis in the tonneau to give -weight and trackage to the machine, Dick threw in the speed gears and -released the clutch. - -There was a whining, groaning noise. The roped tautened, the pulley -blocks shrilled out a protest and then the house was seen to quiver. - -"She's moving!" cried the lantern-man. - -"By Jupiter! So she is!" agreed the foreman, in surprise. - -"Watch out!" warned Dick, "and let me know when I have her far enough!" - -He turned on more power, threw in the second speed gear and then the -house began moving more quickly, while the astonished men looked on. - -In a short time, pulling directly on the main rope as he was, Dick had -moved the house back far enough so that he could pass to one side, the -building having been halted in a particularly narrow part of the road. - -"That'll do!" shouted the foreman. - -"All right," answered Dick, bringing his machine to a stop. "Now we'll -try to get past." - -It did not take long to disengage the ropes, turn the auto, and -negotiate a way to one side of the building. Dick came to a halt on the -now unblocked road, and called his thanks to the foreman for being -allowed to do as he had done. - -"Don't mention it!" was the answer. "You saved me ten dollars. I'd been -fined that by the county authorities for blocking the road over night." - -"Then we're even," laughed Dick. "Good night!" - -"Huh! He ain't half as crazy as I thought he was," observed the man with -the red lantern as he hung it on the rear of the house to warn -night-drivers of the danger. - -Dick and his chums sped on, and soon reached the town for which they -were headed. They bought some more food, which, with the cold chickens, -made a good supper. Then, as they did not like the looks of the only -hotel in the place, they drove out a little way into the country and -prepared to spend the night. - -Dick was the first up the next morning. - -"What's the route to-day?" asked Paul, turning over in the bunk. - -"I'm going to try to make Buffalo." - -"What! Buffalo?" - -"Sure, we can do it by taking short cuts, I think. Let me have a look at -that road map. Hand it over, Innis." - -From his cot Innis reached into the pocket on the inner side of the -door, and hauled out an envelope. This he handed to Dick. - -"What's this? Where did this come from?" asked the latter, as he pulled -out several blank sheets of legal paper. "This is a funny trick. Our -road map has been transformed into nothing." - -"Maybe I got hold of the wrong envelope," suggested Innis. "Here's -another," and he pulled out a second. - -"No, those are the legal papers," said Dick, after an examination. "See -if the map isn't there." - -It was not, and a search of the other places in the auto where it might -have been put did not reveal it. - -"This is queer," exclaimed Dick. "Our road map disappears, and we have -some blank papers in its place." - -"But the legal papers are safe!" exclaimed Paul. - -"What do you mean?" - -"I mean that there's been some crooked work here. Some one tried to get -those legal papers, and took the road map by mistake." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -THE LAME MAN - - -For a moment Dick stared at his chum uncomprehendingly. Then a light -came over his face, and he said: - -"By Jove, old man! I believe you're right." - -"I'm sure of it," declared Paul. - -Innis looked at the two in some bewilderment. - -"I wish you'd kindly explain," he said. "I may be bright looking, but I -guess I'm an awful dunce when it comes to making a stab at what you two -are getting at. The road map is gone--I get as far as that--and the -legal papers are safe. But how do you decide that a change has been -made?" - -"Easy," answered Paul, showing a bundle of the kind of paper known as -"legal cap," with red lines down the side. "These were in the envelope -containing the road map. The map and the legal documents were in the -same pocket on the auto door. I remember, for I looked at the map to see -how many miles we had made after we crossed that river." - -"Maybe it dropped out on the road," suggested Innis. "Mind you!" he -said, quickly, "I'm not saying this to be stubborn, but I want to make -sure that we're not overlooking anything. For if it's true, what Paul -says, it means that there's something wrong going on, and that we've got -to be on our guard." - -"I believe you," asserted Dick, "and I'm just as glad to have you raise -all the objections you can. We want to be very sure of what we're about. -Now it's pretty well settled that none of us have had the road map since -it was put in the flap pocket last night. The envelope of legal papers -looks just like the road map, and any one putting their hand in after -dark, might get one in place of the other." - -"And, lucky for you he got the wrong envelope," said Innis. "It's a good -joke on whoever it is." - -"Yes," agreed Dick, "and I'm beginning to have an idea of who it is." - -"Who?" demanded his two chums. - -"My Uncle Ezra, of course. Who else would have an object in preventing -me from trying to save Mr. Wardell's fortune?" - -"Ha! Ha!" laughed Innis. "I can just see his face when he looks in that -envelope and sees nothing but a road map. That's a rich one; eh, Grit?" -and he patted the bulldog, who wagged his stump of a tail energetically. - -"Yes, it's a good joke," mused Dick; "but I don't believe Uncle Ezra -will be the first one to appreciate it." - -"What do you mean?" asked Paul. - -"Why, that my uncle didn't personally take that envelope," went on -Dick. "He must have hired some one to do it for him, just as he tried to -get me off my yacht that time." - -"And he got badly stung, too!" exclaimed Innis. "Just as he did this -time." - -"But we mustn't let that make us careless," went on Dick, "Uncle Ezra, -if it was he, won't give up so easily. He'll have another try." - -"But if he does get the papers so long before the time when you have to -turn them over to the courts, Dick, can't you get other copies?" asked -Paul. - -The young millionaire shook his head. - -"Mr. Wardell has left for South America by this time," he said. "It -would be almost impossible to trace him now, in time to get him to -execute new papers, in case these were lost or taken," and Dick looked -at the valuable packet. "Of course I could cable him, if I knew on what -ship he had sailed, but I don't. - -"To find that out I'd have to go back home, and maybe even then his -lawyer wouldn't know. You see Mr. Wardell was so ashamed of how easily -he had been fooled that he wanted to get off by himself somewhere. Maybe -he didn't leave his address. So I'd have quite a task tracing him. - -"He depends on me to do this business for him, since I have undertaken -it. He didn't do it himself for two reasons. He didn't have much idea -that he could ever get his fortune back, I guess; and, for another -reason, he didn't want to lose the only chance he might have to make -another in this South American matter. If that is successful, I -understand, Mr. Wardell will come in for a big share of the profits. - -"Now then, since he has trusted me, and since so much depends on these -papers, we've got to take good care of them. I'll hide them in a new -place. I guess under the cushions of one of the bunks will do. They -can't be gotten away in the night without one of us knowing it," and -Dick proceeded to carry his plan into execution. - -"But how do you suppose the map was taken last night?" asked Paul. - -"It would only be guess work," replied Dick. "Probably some one in an -auto sneaked up near us after we were sound asleep, reached in and took -the first envelope his fingers met with. That's the most plausible -theory, though I don't say it's right." - -"But why an auto?" asked Paul. - -"That's about the only way Uncle Ezra's agents could keep after us. They -must have our route down pretty fine, and now I'm sorry I didn't keep -quieter about it when we were laying it out. I talked freely before -Uncle Ezra, and, now I recall it, he was at our house more often since -we began getting ready for this trip, than ever before. He must have -overheard what dad and I planned to do." - -"It looks so," admitted Paul Drew. "But why does he make all this fuss -about it? Why doesn't he wait until the time comes, and then file in -court a legal paper that would offset the one you have for Mr. Wardell, -Dick?" - -"Because this is a peculiar case," explained his friend, who had gone -over it in detail with Mr. Wardell's lawyer. "No papers can be filed -before a certain date, and only within certain times. All Uncle Ezra -could do in the meanwhile would amount to nothing, unless he could get -these papers away from me. And that wouldn't be so important if Mr. -Wardell hadn't left the country and gone to a place where I can't get at -him in time to have him execute a new power of attorney. So we've got to -take good care of these papers, boys." - -"And we've got to get a new road map," said Paul. - -They stopped at the next town they came to and got a fine map, showing -the best roads to take. Then, in furtherance of his original plan, Dick -headed for Buffalo, which he hoped to make before nightfall. - -"Couldn't you change your route, and fool your Uncle Ezra, Dick?" asked -Innis, after dinner that day. - -"I could in some ways, but the cities we have planned to pass through -are on the best route to San Francisco. Of course I could switch off on -side roads here and there, but my idea is that if Uncle Ezra makes any -other attempts they'll be made in or near the big cities. He knows every -one where I'm going to touch." - -"And this car is a regular landmark," complained Paul. "Everyone will -remember it once they see it." - -"Well, there's no use worrying until we have to," observed Dick. "We'll -keep the papers as well hidden as we can, and a sharp watch out." - -"It's a wonder Grit didn't give the alarm last night," said Innis. - -"That's so," exclaimed Dick. "But the trouble with Grit is that he's too -friendly with everyone except Uncle Ezra. He got that from the boys at -school making such a fuss over him. He thinks everyone is his friend, -and if a chap was only to speak gently to him Grit would wag his head -off. That's probably what our night visitor did. Grit, you're no good!" - -Grit barked happily, as though he had just been paid the greatest -compliment in the world. - -They drove the car hard that day, and had the satisfaction of arriving -on the outskirts of Buffalo just as dusk was settling down. And then -they had their first bit of bad luck. - -From lack of oil, one of the bearings became heated and an inspection in -a garage disclosed the fact that some new Babbitt, or anti-friction -metal, would have to be put in. - -"A two days' job," the repair man said. - -"Punk!" exclaimed Dick. "Well, we'll have to lay over, that's all. Come -on, fellows, we'll go to a hotel and take a run out to Niagara Falls -to-morrow." - -So, after all, the accident had its advantages, for they quite enjoyed -the trip to the big cataract. The auto was repaired on time, and in the -interim Dick kept the valuable papers in his own pocket. - -"If we only knew what sort of a man, or men, to be on the watch against, -it would be easier," remarked Paul, when they were ready to proceed -again. - -"That's just it," admitted Dick. "We can't tell who Uncle Ezra will -send, nor when they'll appear. But I think, after once being fooled, -they'll go a bit slow. We won't worry, anyhow." - -They were on the main road out of Buffalo, and were counting on making -Cleveland their next big stop. Their schedule called for leisurely -traveling, for they were in no special hurry, desiring to enjoy the trip -as much as possible. - -"Here's a good chance to make speed," remarked Paul, as he sighted the -long, straight road ahead of them, after they had turned out of a bad -stretch. - -"Yes, let her out a bit," suggested Dick, who had turned the wheel over -to Paul. - -They sped along at a rapid pace, keeping a watchful eye out for -motorcycle speed-officers, when, as they rounded a curve, which Paul -took at rather too great speed, they saw just ahead of them an auto -drawn diagonally across the road. - -"Look out!" cried Dick. "There isn't room to get past. What did he want -to stop that way for?" - -"Maybe he had a breakdown," suggested Innis. - -"It looks so," admitted Paul, as he slowed up. As he did so a man -walking with a perceptible limp came from the other side of the car, -where he had evidently been tinkering with the mechanism, and held up -his hand as a signal of distress. - -"What's the matter?" asked Dick, as his big car came to a stop. - -"Steering gear's broken," said the lame man, "and I can't push the car -out of the road myself. It's a mean place to have an accident." - -"Yes, especially as it makes the road impassable," said Paul. "Well, I -guess we can get you out of the way all right. Is the break a bad one?" - -"Yes, the steering knuckle has gone all to pieces. I tried to fix it, -but I don't dare drive the car with that out of commission." - -"I should say not," agreed Dick. "You'd be climbing a tree before you -knew it," and he walked toward the disabled car, the lame man following -closely, after a sharp glance at Dick's handsome machine. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -GIVING HIM A LIFT - - -Dick Hamilton bent over the disabled steering gear of the car that was -slewed across the roadway. As he did so he gave a start that was noticed -by Paul, who was directly back of him. - -"What is it?" asked his chum. - -"Nothing--er that is--I should say it _was_ a smash!" finished the young -millionaire in louder tones, speaking to the lame man. "It looks as if -something hit it." - -"Something did hit it," went on the other autoist, limping up. "I ran -over a piece of iron lying in the road. My wheel kicked it up, and the -first thing I knew one end had hit the steering knuckle. - -"It cracked as though I had struck it with the hammer, and I found -myself shooting across the road. I brought up standing, with both brakes -set, and I jumped out in such a hurry that I gave my ankle a twist. It -hurts like the mischief, too! I was trying to see if I could patch up -the steering gear in any way, when you came along. I didn't want to -block up the highway any longer than I had to. But if you'll give me a -hand I think we can push the car out of the way." - -With the boys and the lame man pushing at the disabled auto it was soon -rolled to one side, allowing a free passage, which a few minutes later -was taken advantage of by several cars. The occupants looked curiously -at the broken machine, but, seeing that the unfortunate autoist had -assistance, they did not stop. - -"Well, that's done!" exclaimed Dick, as he and the others rested from -their labors. "Can we do anything else for you, Mr.--er--?" and he -paused suggestively. - -"Brockhurst is my name," said the man, quickly. "Samuel Brockhurst. I'm -from Buffalo, and I was out on a little run when this accident happened. -It comes just at a wrong time, too. I had an appointment with a man in -Hazelton," naming a town about twenty-five miles away, "and now I can't -keep it in time, I'm afraid. I can't get back to the city in time to -catch a train, and there's no garage around here where I can hire a car. -I do seem to have the worst luck! - -"But there's no use in burdening you with my troubles," he added, with a -frank smile. "I'm very thankful to you for what you've done for me. If -you wouldn't mind stopping at the first garage you come to, and telling -them to send out for this machine, I'll be obliged to you." - -"Of course we will," said Dick, quickly; "but can't we give you a lift -on your way? We're going close to Hazelton, and if it will be any -accommodation to you we can just as well make that town." - -"Oh, no, I wouldn't think of troubling you. I've delayed you enough at -it is. I might go on to the garage with you, if you don't mind, and then -I could tell the man just what the trouble is. He might even have a car -I can hire, though, as I remember it, the nearest garage is a small, -one-horse sort of a place. Still, they can mend the steering knuckle I -should think." - -"Come on then," urged Dick. "We'll take you as far as there, and if you -can't hire a car you're welcome to ride to Hazelton with us." - -"Oh, Mr.----" - -"Hamilton--Dick Hamilton," supplied our hero. - -"I couldn't think of it, Mr. Hamilton. I wouldn't put you to that -trouble for the world." - -"It's no trouble," Dick assured him. "I believe in being helpful -whenever I can. I might be in the same boat myself some day." - -"It doesn't look as though your car would ever break down," said the -lame man. "It certainly is a beauty. What make is that?" - -"It was built to order," said Dick, "and I got it in a deal when the -owner couldn't take it. It just suits me." - -"I should think it would suit anyone. It's a peach! Are you going far?" - -"To San Francisco!" - -"You don't tell me! That _is_ a tour, all right. My car looks small -alongside yours, though my machine is considered a pretty good one." - -It was a good one, Dick and his chums could see, and the small break -could easily be repaired. After making sure that the disabled car was -well out of the way of traffic, and leaving a written notice on it to -show to whom it belonged, Dick, his chums, and Mr. Brockhurst entered -the _Last Word_, with the first named at the wheel, and once more they -were under way. - -Mr. Brockhurst proved an agreeable companion. He had traveled much, and -could talk well of the places he had visited, telling a number of funny -stories that kept the cadets laughing. - -On reaching the garage the man in charge, promised to send out and get -the car. - -"But as for renting you one, I can't do it," he said to Mr. Brockhurst. -"There isn't a one in the place, except Colonel Carter's, and he'd have -my head off if I loaned that, though he only drives it about once a -week." - -"I wonder if I couldn't see him and make some deal with him?" asked the -lame man. "It's important that I get to Hazelton this morning." - -"Say!" interrupted Dick. "What's the use of going to all that bother. -I'll be glad to run you down. It's only ten miles out of our way, and we -are ahead of our schedule. Anyhow, a day or so doesn't matter to us. -Come on, Mr. Brockhurst." - -"Oh, I don't want to put you out----" - -"It will be a pleasure to have you," said Dick, and he meant it. His -chums, too, were glad of the man's company. - -"And I'll show you how the electric stove works," went on Dick, for the -lame man had been much interested in the fittings of the big car. - -"All right--if you insist!" and he laughed in an engaging manner. He -left orders about his car, and was soon in the big machine with Dick and -his chums, who resumed their journey. - -They had purchased some supplies in the village where the garage was -situated, and, reaching a secluded place on the road, they began the -preparation of a meal on the electric stove. - -"Now I insist on you letting me help," said Mr. Brockhurst. "I'm a sort -of old bachelor myself, and used to cooking. Shall I bring up a scuttle -of coal, or a pail of water?" - -"We don't need coal," said Dick, "though we might have some water. That -looks like a spring over there." - -"I'm the water-boy!" cried the lame man, as, with all the exuberance of -youth, he limped off with a collapsible rubber pail toward the spring. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -A DISAPPEARANCE - - -"Well, you boys certainly know how to live! This is great!" - -Thus exclaimed Mr. Brockhurst as he sat in the shade of a big tree on -the edge of the country road, eating lunch with Dick and his chums. It -had been cooked in the little "kitchen" of the auto, but as it was -rather warm they had elected to eat out in the open air, and a board, -laid across two stumps, served excellently as a table. Paul, whose turn -it was to cook, also acted as waiter. - -"This isn't half bad," admitted Innis, reaching for some more chicken -sandwiches and olives. - -"You'd have to go a good way to find anything better, in my opinion," -spoke the lame man. "I never realized before what chances there were in -a big touring car. It's better than traveling by train, for you can stop -and start when you like. And with the outfit you have here you're -independent of almost anything--even the weather." - -"Yes, we can close ourselves up in the car," said Dick, "and rain or -snow, up to a certain limit, won't bother us." - -"I wish I was going all the way with you," went on the lame man. "But -I've got my business to attend to. If this deal in Hazelton goes through -I may be able to have a car like yours. It certainly is a dandy!" - -"Perhaps we are delaying here too long," suggested Dick. - -"No, I've got considerable lee-way yet," said Mr. Brockhurst. "I can -meet my man in time, and this lunch is too good to miss. By the way, -there's a fine view to be had from the hill over there. Suppose we -stroll over and take it in. It won't take long, and it's well worth -seeing." - -"As long as we'll be in time for your appointment, all right," assented -Dick. "Our time is our own." - -"Don't worry about me. Come along," and, lunch being over, Mr. -Brockhurst led the way along a path that went up a rather steep hill. - -"Do you live around here?" asked Paul, wondering how the lame man knew -of the view so far out from Buffalo. - -"No, not exactly. I used to, when I was a boy, but the city is my home -now. I don't often get out into the country, and when I do I like to -take advantage of it." - -"That's the idea," said Dick. - -They walked on, chatting about various subjects. Dick had taken a -certain electric switch out of his car, without which it was impossible -to start it, so he had no worries about leaving the auto in the roadway -unprotected. - -"Are we walking too fast for you?" inquired Dick, and his two chums, -who happened to be looking at him, thought the young millionaire -regarded their visitor with a rather strange glance. - -"Oh, no, I can keep up this pace," he said, though he seemed to be -walking more and more slowly. "I did give my ankle a bad twist," he went -on, "and I'll have it looked to as soon as we get to Hazelton. It isn't -much farther to the top of the hill now." - -They had gone only a few steps more, when, with an exclamation of pain, -Mr. Brockhurst came to a halt. His face was screwed up in an expression -of anxiety. - -"I'm afraid I'd better not go on any further," he said, sitting down on -a grassy place. "I don't want to strain my foot too much. I'll wait for -you here. Go on and get a look at that view. You wouldn't want to miss -it. Lots of people go miles out of their way for it. I'll just sit here -and rest." - -"Are you sure you'll be all right?" asked Dick. - -"Oh, sure. Go ahead. Don't mind me. I'll wait until you come back. And -there's a good spring on that hill. It's supposed to have some medicinal -virtue. I don't take much stock in that, but I know it's good and cold, -for I used to drink there when I was a boy." - -"I'm going to have some," asserted Paul. "I'm as dry as codfish." - -Though the boys somewhat regretted not having Mr. Brockhurst to -accompany them, the thought of a cool drink at the summit of the hill -hurried them on, for the day was warm. - -They looked back to see the lame man still sitting on the grass plot, -gazing up at them. He waved his hand in a friendly fashion. - -"Say, this is some view!" exclaimed Paul, as they reached the summit. - -"I should say yes!" assented Dick. "I'm glad we came up." - -Down before them, rolling in a series of gentle slopes, was a vast -extent of country. There was a great plain, and, in the distance, -mountains arising, blue and purple in the haze of the summer day. - -"It's magnificent!" murmured Innis. "It makes a fellow feel--well, like -poetry," he finished for want of something better to say. - -"It makes me more thirsty to see that water," added Paul, pointing to a -little stream, that, like a silver ribbon, made its tortuous way through -a distant green meadow. - -"Let's look for that spring," suggested Dick, after a few minutes of -gazing at the view, which was really superb. - -But the spring was not as easy to find as they had supposed. They -finally located a small brook, and, tracing it back some distance, they -came upon the spring. It justified all that Mr. Brockhurst had said of -it, and the boys drank long and deep. - -"It's got a queer taste," said Dick. - -"That's the medicinal virtues of it, I guess," laughed Innis. - -"Well, it's all right when you're thirsty," assented Paul, "for it's -good and cold, but I'd have to get used to it before I'd want it steady. -Well, shall we go back?" - -"Might as well," said Dick, looking at his watch. "We've been here half -an hour. Mr. Brockhurst will be getting tired." - -They started down the slope, and, when they got to a point where they -should have seen the lame man he was not there. - -"He's gone!" cried Innis. - -"Probably got tired of waiting, and went back to the auto," spoke Dick. -"He'll be waiting for us." - -But his chums thought they detected a strange note in his voice. - -The three hurried on, and when the auto came in sight they peered -eagerly toward it for a sight of their visitor. - -"Maybe he's inside," said Paul, when they could not see him. - -"Maybe," said Dick--rather grimly. - -They reached the car. The side door was open, but there was no sign of -the lame man. - -"He's gone!" gasped Paul. - -"I thought that was his game," said the young millionaire, quietly. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -A SIMPLE TRICK - - -Dick's chums looked at him for a moment without speaking. He was quite -cool while they were much excited. - -"What's that you said?" asked Paul, thinking perhaps he had not heard -aright. - -"You expected him to skip out; did you?" asked Innis. - -"I did," replied Dick, calmly. "That is, after he sent us on to see the -view alone. I thought maybe he might wait until we got nearer to -Hazelton, but he evidently got what he wanted--a good chance--and took -advantage of it." - -"Yes, and maybe he took something else, too!" cried Paul. "Have you -looked for your papers, Dick?" and he peered into the car. - -"That's so--those legal papers!" added Innis. "He was one of your -uncle's agents, Dick!" - -"Don't worry," said the young millionaire with a quizzical smile. "I -have the papers safe," and he pulled an envelope from his pocket. "I've -been carrying them there ever since I saw that broken steering knuckle," -he went on. - -"What in the world had the broken steering knuckle to do with it?" asked -Paul. - -"Because it had been deliberately smashed with a hammer, to knock his -car out of commission," went on Dick. "He wanted a breakdown, and he -made it to order. He knew we were coming along and would give him a -lift, and he counted on getting possession of what he wanted. So I've -been suspicious of him ever since. I thought it safer to carry the -papers with me, and I guess I did right. Innis, just see if our road map -isn't missing again." - -The cadet put his hand in the flap pocket where the map was kept. His -fingers came out empty. - -"Cæsar's pineapples!" he cried. "It's gone, Dick!" - -"Yes, and I expect Mr. Brockhurst, or whatever his name happens to be, -is bemoaning his poor luck. Score another miss for Uncle Ezra." - -"Be careful, though, Dick," warned Paul. "Three times and out, you -know." - -"That's right, old man. I've got to be careful. We'll have to adopt some -new system of hiding it, I guess." - -"But say, Dick, how did you get onto that fellow's curves?" inquired -Innis. "You didn't tip us off." - -"No, I wanted to see just how far he would go, and I didn't want him to -get suspicious. I knew I had the game in my own hands as long as I held -the papers. You see it was this way: - -"When I first saw his stalled car I didn't think anything but that he -was a fellow motorist in hard luck. But when he told that yarn about a -piece of iron in the road flying up and cracking the steering knuckle I -knew he wasn't telling the truth. No piece of iron could fly up with -sufficient force to do that. Besides, the dent of the blow was inside, -where no flying missile, unless it could turn a corner, could hit. So I -deduced that a hammer had been used." - -"Regular detective," laughed Paul. - -"I should say so," agreed Innis. - -"Well," went on Dick, "then I noticed his limp. He had a no more -sprained ankle than I had." - -"If he wasn't lame, he was a good actor," declared Innis. - -"That's it--he really was lame!" exclaimed Dick, quickly. "It wasn't put -on at all, and I knew then that he was permanently disabled, and that it -wasn't from the jar of suddenly leaping out of a car." - -"How could you tell that?" asked Paul. - -"By his shoes. You know how a shoe will get full of wrinkles if it's -walked in in a certain way for any length of time. A lame person's shoe -will get wrinkles in it that no other person's would. It was that way -with this man. When he limped I could see certain wrinkles on the side -of his shoe, and the wrinkles had been there for some time, showing he -had been lame longer than since to-day." - -"Good boy!" cried Paul. - -"Then I was sure I had him," resumed Dick, "and it was only a question -of time when he would make a break." - -"And he was playing all that time to get possession of those papers?" -asked Innis. - -"That's what," answered Dick, "only he got the wrong bunch. I guess I'll -have to charge my road maps up to Uncle Ezra if this keeps up." - -"But how did he know you were coming along the road where he disabled -his car?" asked Innis. "And how could he figure out that you'd give him -a lift?" - -"I don't know," replied the young man, frankly. "But it might be easy -enough to lay such a trap for us. You see my uncle knows our route -almost as well as we do ourselves. He could tip off some unscrupulous -man, and he could be on the watch for us. Our arrival in Buffalo would -soon become known, for, as I've said before, this car is rather -conspicuous. Then it was easy enough to figure which road we'd leave by. -All that was necessary was to be in waiting, and the little trick of the -disabled car did the rest." - -"Only you were too sharp for him," put in Paul. - -"I was lucky," was the way Dick put it. "You see he wanted to get us -away from the car, and that talk about the view and the spring did it. -Then he pretended he was tired out, and, as soon as we were out of -sight, he hiked back to my auto, and rummaged it." - -"I hope he didn't take any of our grub!" exclaimed Innis. "I have what -the English call a 'rare old twist on,' I'm hungry, in other words." - -"It was papers--not food--he was after," said Dick. - -"But when you knew his game, and suspected what he was up to, weren't -you afraid to let him go to your car, and you remain at the spring?" -asked Paul. - -"No, for I felt sure he wouldn't do any damage. I knew he couldn't start -it, and I had the documents. Those were the only two things to worry -about." - -"I see!" exclaimed Innis. "Well, what's to be done next? I mean after -eating," he added quickly. - -"We'll have to think up a plan," remarked Dick. "I guess, too, we might -change our route a bit. If Uncle Ezra's men are going to make trouble -for us, let's put as many hurdles in their way as we can." - -"That's what I say," agreed Paul. - -They discussed this matter at length as they prepared a simple meal. -Before they could decide on a change of route, however, they would need -a new road map, and this Dick said he would get in the next town. - -Soon they were under way again, there being no signs of Mr. Brockhurst -in the neighborhood. He had probably made the best time to get out of -sight; then he could take matters more leisurely. - -"Though when he sees nothing but a road map in that envelope, marked -'legal papers,' he'll have a 'rare old fit,' as perhaps some of your -English friends would say, Innis," and Paul smiled at his chum. - -"Did you mark that road map envelope 'legal papers'?" asked Paul. - -"Sure I did. I wanted to fool them. And the papers are marked 'road -map,'" said Dick. "I just changed envelopes, see!" - -"Then I've just thought of the best way to fool any more men your Uncle -Ezra may set after us!" exclaimed Paul. "Listen, Dick. You remember that -story of Edgar Allan Poe's--'The Purloined Letter'; don't you?" - -"I think so--yes." - -"What was it?" inquired Innis, who was not much of a reader. - -"Why, Poe tells of some one who had a certain important letter which the -police were after. This man was foxy, and knowing the police would -search his rooms for it, he didn't hide it in any out-of-the-way place, -such as the leg of a bed, or in a secret recess in the wall, for he knew -the police would search there." - -"Did they?" asked Innis. - -"They did. But they didn't find the letter. It was right in plain sight, -all the while, though." - -"In plain sight?" - -"Sure. This man just took an old crumpled envelope, that didn't look -good enough to hold a receipted gas bill, and stuck this important -letter in it. Then he jabbed it into a card rack, where everyone could -see it. The police never suspected for a moment that their man would do -such a simple thing, and they passed over this old envelope a dozen -times. You see they were looking in the hard places, while, all the -while, it was in the easiest place." - -"Well, what's the answer?" asked Innis, as Paul came to a stopping -place. - -"Why can't Dick do the same thing?" asked his chum. - -"How do you mean?" that young man wanted to know. - -"Why, just get an old advertising envelope, put your papers in that, and -jab it up back of that looking glass," and Paul indicated a mirror on a -side of the car. "Let part of the envelope stick out, Dick, and if those -men search until doomsday they'll never find it." - -"I believe you're right!" Dick cried. "I'll do it." - -"It will be safer than carrying the papers in your pocket," went on -Paul, "for there's no telling when you may be held up, and searched. -Your uncle might hire some one to pose as a road agent just to get a -chance to go through your clothes." - -"That's right," agreed Innis. - -"But they'll never think of taking an old advertisement envelope, that -looks as though it was just stuck away behind the mirror and forgotten," -went on Paul. - -"You're right--we'll fool 'em!" cried Dick, and at the next stopping -place this simple trick was carried out. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -DOWN HILL - - -"You'd never suspect it was there; would you?" - -"Not at first glance." - -"And unless we meet with some one who was as clever as the amateur -detective that Poe tells about, who looked in the simplest place for the -letter instead of in the hardest, we'll be safe," said Paul. - -The three chums had just finished carrying out their little plan. Back -of the mirror there stuck, half-way out, an envelope bearing in large -type the name of an auto firm. It was obviously an envelope meant to -contain a circular, but into it Dick had slipped the important papers. - -"We'll leave,'em there until we go to sleep in some hotel," he -explained, "and then I'll hide them somewhere in the room. But I'm not -going to carry them about with me." - -"You couldn't come to a wiser decision," declared Paul. "Did you get a -new road map?" - -"Yes, and a better one than our lame friend took. I'll have a joke with -Uncle Ezra when I see him again. I'll send him a bill for two maps, and -he'll wonder what's up." - -"I don't want to say mean things about your relatives, Dick," began -Innis, "but----" - -"Go as far as you like!" interrupted the young millionaire. "You can't -hurt my feelings by saying anything about Uncle Ezra. What is it?" - -"Well, I was just going to remark that he had an awful lot of nerve to -try to stop you from saving this Wardell's fortune. Don't you think so -yourself?" - -"I do, Innis. But you must remember that my uncle is a peculiar man. -Money is more to him than anything else. He hates to see it 'wasted,' as -he calls it, though I believe in enjoying the good things that money can -buy--to a limited extent, of course. But, no doubt, Uncle Ezra feels -that he is doing right, that he is well within the law, and that he has -a claim on this man's fortune, though I think he got it away from him by -unfair means. Or, rather, he is going to try to get it away from him. -But he won't if I can stop him." - -"That's the way to talk, Dick! But how can your uncle think it is right -to send men to search your auto for papers?" - -"I suppose because my uncle thinks he has a right to the papers." - -"Maybe so," agreed Paul. "But say, if we're going to reach Plattsville -by night, we'd better get a move on." - -They had come to a halt a little way out of the town, not far from -Buffalo, where they had bought a new road map, and secured the envelope -into which the legal papers were slipped. They had abandoned the plan of -going to Hazelton, when they found out the trick that had been played on -them, and were now counting on making Plattsville in time to stay just -outside it over night. They did not travel after dark, unless it was to -reach some predetermined point of their journey, and on this occasion, -as there was no good hotel in Plattsville, they had voted to sleep in -the big auto. - -Once more they started off, Paul driving, while Dick and Innis -overhauled the stores in the "kitchen," in preparation for getting a -meal in case they did not find a good restaurant in the next town. - -"The beauty of this way of traveling," said Innis, "is that you can do -as you please. If you want a course dinner you can get it--if not in one -town, then in another. Or if you want simple grub, it's here ready for -us." - -"That's right," agreed Paul. "It was mighty white of Dick to ask us -along." - -"I'm sure I was only too glad to have you," said the latter. "I wouldn't -have gone alone for a farm; would we, Grit?" and the bulldog barked his -answer. - -"I guess you're hungry," went on Dick. "Innis, open some of that canned -chicken." - -"What! Are you going to eat so near supper time?" - -"I am not. It's for Grit." - -"Shades of Uncle Ezra! What would he say if he were here? Canned chicken -for a dog! Oh, the sinful waste!" - -"That's just what Uncle Ezra would say if he _were_ here," laughed Dick. -"And I half wish he was, so I could tell him what I think of him. - -"But there! It's best to keep peace in the family if you can. Uncle Ezra -is trying to ruin a young man, financially, and I'm trying to save him. -It may come out even in the end, and that will be all right. There you -are, Grit!" And the bulldog barked in delight as Dick gave him a -generous helping of canned chicken. - -"That makes me hungry," called Paul, from the steering seat. - -"We'll soon be at Plattsville," answered Dick. "Say, you are hitting up -the pace, all right!" he exclaimed, as the big car swung around a curve -and careened down the straight road. - -"This is a good place to make time," answered Paul. - -"Don't get caught in one of those speed traps the old constable was -telling us about," warned Innis. "I don't want to waste good money on -some justice of the peace." - -"I'll be careful," promised Paul, and he slowed down a bit. - -They found a good restaurant in Plattsville, and so decided they would -not get their own supper, as they were rather weary with the day's -journey. The big auto was left outside, and to keep the curious crowd -that gathered from going inside it, Dick locked the doors. The legal -papers were left in plain sight, and while perhaps an older person might -not have taken that risk, the boys thought they were doing the best -thing. - -Grit was allowed to roam about while the travelers were eating, and -later, after Dick and his chums had gone up the street a little way, to -buy some things they needed, they missed the dog. - -"Why, where is Grit?" asked Dick, as they got in the auto again, to -drive to the outskirts of the town, where they decided to "camp" for the -night. - -"I haven't noticed him since coming from the restaurant," said Paul. "I -took it for granted that he was following us." - -"So did I," said Innis. - -Dick leaped from his seat and went back. There was no sign of his pet, -and the waiters said the bulldog had gone out after them. - -Dick looked up and down the street. Not far from the restaurant was a -stable, setting back some distance, and reached by an alley. - -"Maybe he's in there," suggested Paul. "It may remind him of the -barracks at Kentfield Academy." - -"Maybe," assented Dick. "I'll take a look." - -As he neared the stable he heard the muffled barking of a dog. A burly -man sauntered out of a shed and demanded: - -"Whatcher want here?" - -"Have you seen anything of a bulldog?" asked Dick. - -"Naw." - -"That sounds like my dog barking." - -"Aw, that's me own pup. He's allers barking." - -Something in the man's manner made Dick suspicious. - -"Would you mind letting me see him?" he asked, quietly. "Perhaps my dog -got in there by--er--mistake." - -"Naw, he ain't there. An' dis is private property--see? You'd better -vamoose!" - -"I think I'll take a look just the same," insisted Dick. He glanced -about and saw that Paul and Innis were coming into the alley. -"Reinforcements," thought Dick. - -"Did you locate him?" called Paul. - -"I think so." - -The surly man came forward. - -"Hi, Bill!" he called to some one in the shed he had left. "Here's a -couple of fresh guys that need lookin' after." - -"Oh, we can look after ourselves; thank you," said Dick. Then, raising -his voice, he called sharply: - -"Here, Grit! Hi, old man!" - -A perfect chorus of barks answered him. The young millionaire sprang -toward the stable, but before he could reach the door there was the -sound of a rattling chain, that seemed to snap. Then came a choking -gurgle, and the next moment the door burst open and Grit, leaping and -bounding, rushed out. - -"Grit!" called Dick. - -The dog barked an answer, and then, trailing the broken chain after him, -made a rush at the surly man. - -"Look out!" called Paul. "If he gets hold of you----" - -The man did not stop to hear the rest of the warning. With a leap he -made for the shed he had left, pushing his companion before him, and -slamming the door shut in time to cause Grit to bound fiercely up -against it. - -"He's a lucky chap," murmured Innis, while the dog leaped and bounded -about the closed portal, barking with rage. - -"Here, Grit!" called Dick. - -His pet, after a moment of hesitation, and a longing look at the shut -door, came to him limping. - -"The brutes!" exclaimed Dick, as he saw where his dog had been kicked. -"I've a notion to have them arrested." - -"It will only make a lot of trouble, and delay us, to testify against -them," said Paul. "Let's get out of here." - -"I guess that's best," assented Dick. "They tried to keep my dog, -though. But you were too much for 'em; eh, Grit?" - -The bulldog nearly turned himself inside out trying to wag his short -tail, and fawned about his master and the latter's chums. - -A crowd had collected at the alley entrance, and through it the boys -pushed their way, the assemblage giving respectful room to Grit, who was -in no gentle humor. It was plain that the stablemen, seeing a valuable -dog, had enticed Grit into the barn--no hard task, since he was fond of -horses--and had tried to prevent Dick from recovering his pet. - -But all's well that ends well, and soon the trio, with Grit on the seat -of honor in front, were speeding to the outskirts of the town, where the -auto was drawn to one side of the road, and preparations made to spend -the night. - -They were off early the next morning. Cleveland was their next big city, -and in accordance with Dick's plan they changed their route slightly, -taking seldom-traveled roads to throw off any spies whom Uncle Ezra -might send after them. - -Shortly before noon something occurred which nearly put an end to their -journey. They had come through a bad stretch of roads and had ascended a -steep hill, at the other side of which, according to a local guide, -began a good highway. - -"Then we can make some speed!" exclaimed Dick. "We've been crawling all -morning." - -He was at the wheel, and as he started to descend the slope he looked -to see that the brake levers were clear. There were three on the big -car--the ordinary foot-pedal brake, a hand one for hard stops, and an -emergency that locked all four wheels. - -The _Last Word_ started down the slope, and half way to the bottom -something snapped. - -"What's that?" cried Innis. - -"One of the brakes, I'm afraid," answered Dick. - -The car gathered speed. The young millionaire had shut off all power and -was coasting. Now he reached for the emergency brake, but the handle was -loose in his hand. - -The hill was steep--the car heavy, and it was acquiring speed. The foot -and ordinary hand brake were powerless to check it. - -"We're running down hill!" cried Innis. - -"That's what we are," agreed Dick, grimly. - -As they flashed past a house a man rushed out. - -"Look out for that bridge!" he cried, pointing to the foot of the slope. -"It's weakened by a flood. You'll never get over it if you hit it that -fast!" - -His words died away as the car rushed on down hill, Dick vainly trying -to check its speed by the two brakes still in commission. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -MAROONED - - -"Can't you hold her, Dick?" - -"Is there anything we can do?" - -Paul and Innis shouted their questions at their chum, as he sat at the -wheel, guiding the ponderous car on its perilous way. Every stone that -could be avoided Dick steered away from, yet to make too much of a -swerve, he knew, would be disastrous. - -"I'm afraid--it's getting--away from me," he called through his clenched -teeth. "The emergency brake is broken, and the others don't seem to -hold." - -"Can't you put on the reverse?" asked Innis. - -"It would only strip the gears. I guess we've got to chance it, boys!" - -A man ran out at the foot of the hill, dancing up and down near the -approach to the bridge, and waving a red handkerchief. - -"Are you going to try the bridge?" shouted Paul. - -"I don't see how I can help it," replied Dick. "If I turn into the ditch -we'll sure upset." - -"Maybe the bridge is stronger than they think," suggested Innis. "It -looks all right." - -"That's the way with those country bridges," said Paul, bitterly. "They -never keep 'em in repair, and even a heavy truck may go through. It's a -shame!" - -"Well, get ready for something, fellows!" said Dick, grimly. "Do you -want to jump?" - -"I guess it's the only thing to do," declared Paul. "There's grass on -both sides of the road, and we can't be much hurt. You go first, Dick." - -"No, you fellows try it. I've got to hold this wheel. The minute I let -go this auto is going to be like a wild horse, trying to climb the first -tree in sight. Jump, while I hold her steady. Then I'll take my chance." - -"I'll steer for you," offered Innis, gallantly. - -"No, let me!" insisted Paul. - -"I tell you I'll stick to my machine until she smashes!" cried Dick, -sharply. "You fellows jump while you've got the chance. I'll try and -hold her until she gets to the bridge, and then I may be able to land in -the water. Go ahead." - -"It's a shame!" cried Paul. "To see this dandy car go to smash." - -"It can't be helped," replied Dick, sadly. - -Paul opened the door on one side, and Innis on the other. They got in -good positions to make their leap. The man on the bridge was still -waving his signal of danger, uselessly it seemed, for the big car was -headed straight for the structure. - -Dick gave a sharp glance ahead, and tightened his grip on the steering -wheel. Then he called out, hoarsely: - -"Wait a minute, fellows! Hold on! Don't jump yet! Maybe there's a way -out yet!" - -"How?" yelled Paul. - -"See! There's a ford at one side of the bridge!" and Dick nodded his -head toward a place where the road over the structure branched off, -dividing; one side going down a slope into the stream of water, and up -again on the other side, to join the highway past the bridge. This path -was used by those who wished to water their horses, or swell their dried -wagon-wheels. It was also a ford in case the bridge was out of -commission for heavy loads, as at present. - -"What's your game?" cried Innis. - -"I'm going to try to send the auto down that ford-road," replied the -young millionaire. "It's soft and sandy. If I can make the change the -soft dirt may clog the wheels enough, and slacken our speed, so that we -can get over the creek safely. It's worth trying--in fact, it's the only -thing we can do. Hold on!" - -Nearer and nearer to the bridge thundered the big car. The man with the -red handkerchief had leaped out of the way now, fearing the collapse of -the structure. But Dick did not intend to trust himself to the weakened -beams and king-braces. - -Narrowly watching the road where it forked into the ford, or crossing, -Dick swerved the steering wheel ever so little at a time. A sudden -change in the course, he knew, would mean an overturned auto, and -possibly serious injury to all of them. - -"That's it! That's the way to do it!" cried the man who had waved a -warning. "The water isn't very deep!" - -"I hope not," murmured Dick. "Hold hard, boys!" - -With tense face he watched the path before him. His hands were gripped -on the steering wheel so hard that it seemed as though he had no fingers -at all--as if they were all in one. The car thundered on. It vibrated -and trembled. The brakes that had been set--exclusive of the broken -one--were bringing forth a shrill protest from the axle bands. - -"I--I guess you'll make it, Dick!" shouted Paul. - -"It won't be from lack of trying, anyhow," agreed Innis. - -Though he and Paul had come partly back into the car they were still -ready to leap in case Dick's plan miscarried. But it seemed likely to -succeed. - -There was a sudden twist to the steering wheel, and the _Last Word_ -swerved dangerously. Paul and Innis clutched the sides. Then they saw -that the auto was on the short slope that led down to the water. Dick -had made the diversion in safety--so far. What would happen when he -struck the stream, with its uneven bed, was a matter of conjecture. - -But the deep sand of the slope leading down to the water was already -having its effect. No better brake could have been devised than that -clinging material. - -"She's slacking up!" cried Paul. - -"We're all right!" added Innis. - -Into the water splashed the big touring car. A shower of spray shot up -on either side. The machine was slackening speed. Dick was beginning to -relax his grip on the steering wheel, and his chums breathed easier. - -Then, with a jolt that threw them all forward in a heap, the auto seemed -to strike some obstruction in the bed of the creek. - -It careened to one side, so that they feared it was about to topple -over. Then it righted itself, surged forward, and came to a groaning -stop in the middle of the water, stuck fast in the cloying mud that -formed the bed of the creek. - -"Safe!" exclaimed Paul. - -"Not a bone broken!" added Innis. - -"But we're marooned!" murmured Dick, gloomily. "It will take ten horses -to pull us out of this mudhole. Hang the luck!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM - - -After their exciting ride down hill--a ride that might have ended -disastrously but for Dick's good judgment and prompt action--the three -chums were content to sit still in the stalled auto for a few moments. -They were about in the middle of a small stream, that flowed under the -partly wrecked bridge, and the water came up nearly to the tops of the -big-tired wheels. - -This did not represent its real depth, however, as the weight of the car -had caused it to sink down in the soft mud, which served to hold it -fast. Paul, Dick and Innis looked about them. - -"Well, this is the limit!" grumbled the young millionaire. - -"It sure is," assented Paul. - -"What'd you want to come down hill so fast for?" asked the man with the -red flag. - -"We didn't mean to," said Dick. "One of the brakes went out of -commission, and I couldn't hold the car with the other two, though -they're supposed to be able to. Must be something wrong with 'em. I'm -going to have 'em looked at when we get out of here." - -"If we ever do," suggested Innis. "We sure are stuck fast." - -"That's awful sticky mud," volunteered the flagman. "Didn't Bill Hockey, -at the top of the hill, warn you about this bridge?" - -"Yes, but it was too late, then, to stop," answered Dick. - -"Well, I'm here to let only light loads over the bridge," the man went -on. "It'll hold a horse and carriage, but not much else. Your auto would -sure have gone through it." - -"Then I'm glad we didn't chance it," remarked Paul. - -"The county is getting bids on having a new bridge built, but when it'll -be done nobody seems to know," said the man. - -"I don't s'pose you mind, as long as you have a job here flagging," -suggested Innis, with a smile. - -"Well, 'tain't so much fun in wet weather. I'm thinkin' of havin' a -shelter made. But you sure are stuck fast. You'd better go over and see -if you can hire some horses. There's a farm just around the turn of the -road. Porter Hanson owns it, and he's got a couple of teams." - -"I guess it will take more than two teams to get us out," said Dick. -"I'd rather trust to a block and fall. Could I get one around here, do -you imagine?" - -"You might. Some of the farmers has 'em." - -"It's going to be quite a problem even at that," said Paul, looking -across to the other shore with a critical eye. "We can't get a very good -hold for the block." - -"Then we'll have to make one," decided Dick. "Fellows, we'll pretend -this is one of the engineering problems we used to get at Kentfield, and -we'll see how we can work it out. - -"We've got a weight here to move of approximately four thousand pounds, -and the distance, up to the road, is about twenty-five feet. Innis, how -much moving force do we require?" - -"Not prepared!" answered the cadet, giving one of the stock answers of -the class room, and his chums laughed. - -"Where are you fellows from?" asked the man with the flag. - -"New York," answered Dick, which was true enough, and he did not want to -go into details about himself and his chums. "We're students on our -vacation." - -"Well, it looks as though you were goin' to get your feet wet," remarked -the bridge guardian with a chuckle. "If you want to wait I'll go down -the creek a ways, and borrow a boat. But you'll have to warn any teams, -heavier than a single carriage, not to go over the bridge." - -"All right--we will," agreed Dick. "And we'll pay you for your trouble. -We'll probably need a boat anyhow when we start to haul the car up on -dry land again." - -"Well, shall we go ashore?" asked Paul, as their new friend started off -down the bank of the stream. - -"And get our feet wet doing it," added Innis. "I'm going to wade -barefoot, anyhow," and he prepared to take off his shoes. - -"Let's sit here and eat first," suggested Dick. "It's about dinner time, -and we've got some hard work ahead of us. I do hope we can get a block -and fall." - -Dick's plan met with instant favor, and then, in the big car the three -marooned travelers began to prepare a meal on the electric stove. - -They were busily engaged at this when their new friend came rowing up -the stream. He saw the boys sitting comfortably about the table which -had been let down from the roof of the car, and his eyes grew big with -astonishment. - -"Wa'al, I swan t' goodness!" he gasped. "There ain't nothin' slow about -you boys; be there?" - -"Not so as you could notice it," assented Dick, with a laugh. "Will you -have a fried egg sandwich?" - -"What? Be you cookin' in there?" cried the man in astonishment. - -"Sure!" laughed Paul. "Wait, I'll put an egg on for you in a jiffy!" and -he broke one in the aluminum frying pan, while the man was tying the -boat to the stranded auto. - -"Wa'al, I swan t' goodness!" exclaimed the man, who had said his name -was Peter Kinsey. - -"This beats th' Dutch! Why, you've got a regular sleepin' an' dinin' -car here; ain't you?" - -"Somewhat," admitted Dick, while Paul passed out the egg sandwich on a -wooden plate. - -"Gosh all sizers!" exclaimed Mr. Kinsey, as he bit into it. "It's hot, -all right! But it's mighty good jest th' same!" he added quickly. - -He ate it with such evident relish that Paul at once fried him another. -Then, as the three chums had eaten enough, they put away their cooking -apparatus, tossed the wooden plates into the stream, and prepared to get -their auto out of the mud. - -"The first thing to do," decided Dick, when they had gone ashore in the -boat Mr. Kinsey had borrowed for them, "is to see if we can get that -tackle. There's no use bothering with horses until we have something -rigged up so we can use their strength to the best advantage. Where -would we be likely to get a rope and pulleys?" he asked the flagman. - -"Wa'al, Josiah McIntyre might have some," was the answer. "He moved his -barn last week, and I don't believe they took the rigging away." - -"Where does he live?" - -"Down the road a piece. Second house on the right. It's painted red and -sets back a ways from the road. You can tell him what you want, and say -I sent you." - -"All right," agreed Dick. "Paul, I'll delegate you to get the rope and -pulleys. Push 'em here in a wheelbarrow, and see if we can hire a team -when we need it." - -"All right, my hearty!" - -"Innis, you and I'll look about for a place where we can hitch the -pulley. We may have to set a post. I suppose we could borrow a shovel?" -he asked Mr. Kinsey. - -"Yes, I've got one here myself. I was digging worms for fish bait. Had -to do something settin' here all day. What do you want a shovel for?" - -"To dig a hole to set a post in." - -"I see. Well, I'll get the shovel, and I reckon you can take one of the -busted beams from this bridge. There's a lot of 'em over on the other -side." - -With the post and shovel provided, Dick and his chums began to see a way -out of their difficulty. Paul started down the road after the tackle, -and Dick decided to wait and see how long the rope was before setting -the post that was to support the pull of the falls against the weight of -the auto. - -Meanwhile he and Innis awaited the return of their chum, who had gone -down the road whistling. The fine big car remained in the middle of the -stream, the water swirling between the spokes of the wheels. - -"It'll do it good to soak up a bit," said Dick, "It's been so dry lately -that the wood was shrinking." - -"Yes, it has been terrible dry," agreed Mr. Kinsey. "The farmers have -begun prayin' for rain. An' it looks as if we'd get some soon." - -Several boys, who had, in some mysterious way, heard of the accident, -came running down the road to stand along the bank of the creek and -stare at the odd sight. Dick's big car was something new and strange to -them, and they made the most of the exhibition. - -"Here comes Paul!" exclaimed Innis, as he saw a figure make the turn of -the road. "And he's got some one to push the wheelbarrow for him," he -added, as he saw a man walking beside the youth. - -"Oh, you can trust Paul to get out of the hardest part of the work," -laughed Dick. "Never mind, we'll need a man's help anyhow, and I was -going to suggest that he hire some one." - -"He's evidently done it," remarked Innis. - -"Looks as though he had plenty of tackle," commented Mr. Kinsey. "I -guess it's what Josiah used for his barn, all right." - -"What luck?" called Dick, as his chum came within hearing distance. - -"Good!" was the answer. "I've got a long tackle, and we can get two -teams if we need 'em. I hired a man to help us rig it up, too." - -"Fine!" exclaimed the young millionaire. "Now, Innis, we'll get busy on -a practical engineering problem instead of figuring it out on paper." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -OFF AGAIN - - -"How's that post now?" called Paul, who with Innis had been tamping dirt -about a short beam stuck in the ground some distance back from the edge -of the water. - -"That's got a better slant to it," answered Dick. "It would have pulled -out as it was." - -"How are you going to fasten the tackle to the car?" asked Innis, as he -and his chum finished their part of the work. - -"Take a hitch around the front axle. Here, give me a hand and we'll do -that now. Paul, you can go see about the horses. Tell the farmer we -won't need them long, and we'll pay him what he thinks they're worth." - -"Aye--aye, sir," answered Paul, saluting in the most approved Kentfield -Military Academy style, as he started off down the road. - -The three chums, with the aid of Mr. Kinsey, and such of the gathered -farm lads as volunteered, had been busy the last half-hour rigging up -the tackle to pull the big car from the creek. A stout post had been set -up to give a fixed purchase, for Dick found that the tackle and fall was -of a good type, with one fixed and one movable pulley--the former with -two, and the latter with three wheels. This gave great power, and it -would be needed, for the car was deep in the mud, and there was quite a -slope to negotiate to the road. - -"If she hadn't settled so deep in the mud, I could get her out under her -own power," said Dick, as he and Innis fixed about the axle of the car a -loose rope, into which could be fastened the hook of the movable pulley. -The fixed pulley would be made fast to the post, the boys, after some -discussion, having decided that this was the best plan to follow. - -The ropes were adjusted, the pulleys were looked after to make sure that -they would not foul, and then all that remained was to wait for the -horses to come. - -Quite a crowd had gathered by this time, a number of boys and men, as -well as some women and girls, having been drawn from their houses by the -report of the stalled auto. - -"What about those papers, Dick?" asked Innis, as they finished making -fast the auxiliary rope, and rowed to shore to await the return of Paul. - -"They're in the auto." - -"Do you think they're safe there?" - -"Sure. Safer than if I had 'em in my pocket, where they'd fall out into -this muddy creek. Then they would be gone forever." - -"Have you the doors locked?" - -"Surest thing you know. See anything of Paul?" - -"Yes, there he comes, with four horses instead of two, and I'm blessed -if he isn't riding one of the nags." - -"Sure. What else did you expect? Paul is learning how to take life easy. -He'll live longer that way." - -"But why four horses? I thought two would be enough?" - -"So they might, but I guess Paul doesn't believe in taking chances. Four -will be sure to pull us out of the ruck, and two mightn't." - -"To say nothing of the fact that the farmer saw a chance to hold you up -for a double price." - -"Oh, that's all right," said the young millionaire. "I don't mind paying -for actual work, and it will be a blessing to get started again." - -As usual, when a crowd gathers about anything that is going on, there -was plenty of advice offered. One man insisted that Dick had the pulleys -arranged wrong, and another held that the auto should have been pulled -out backwards instead of by the front. - -"But I don't want to go backwards," said Dick. "I'm going on ahead. I -want to get on the other side of the bridge. I had trouble enough trying -to cross the stream. I might as well finish up, now that I'm at it." - -"You'll only get stuck deeper in the mud!" declared this pessimist. - -"I guess the horses can get us out," said Dick. "I'll take a chance, -anyhow." - -The tackle was in shape, and all that remained was to hitch the four -steeds to the free end of the rope, and start them. Dick rowed out to -his car, and sat at the steering wheel. Two men had been hired to lay -planks under the wheels to prevent them from sinking in the soft shore -of the stream as soon as they should emerge from the water. Paul and -Innis were to have general charge of matters on shore, one to see that -the horses pulled when urged ahead, and the other to call a halt in case -anything showed signs of going wrong. - -"All ready?" asked Innis from his position near the heads of the horses, -which the owner was to drive. - -"All right here," answered Paul, who was on the shore. - -"Let her go!" cried Dick, taking a firmer grip of the steering wheel. - -There was a creaking of the ropes and pulleys. The cables tautened; the -blocks were lifted up from the ground by the strain. The rope around the -axle of the car straightened out. There was a snapping, tugging sound, -and then the car began to move slowly. - -"She's coming!" cried Paul. - -"Keep moving!" urged Dick. - -He turned the steering gear about to free the front wheels from the -clinging mass of mud. The car moved faster. Then, as the horses settled -to their collars, the big touring machine was slowly pulled from the -water. - -Then the front wheels struck the planks laid down to receive them, -splitting one of the boards. Up the slope went the _Last Word_ amid the -cheers of the assembled farmers. Up the slope and out on the road, where -Dick called for a halt, and jammed on the brakes. - -"Whew! I'm glad that's over!" exclaimed Paul. - -"The same here!" added Innis. "Is she all right, Dick?" - -"I don't know. I'm just going to have a look," and the young man bounded -out of his car, and cast a hasty glance over the running gear. That -seemed to be intact, save for the broken brake. The engine was next -looked to, Dick starting it, with the gears unmeshed. It ran as soon as -the electrical switch was turned, and the hum and throb told that it was -in perfect condition. - -"So far--so good!" exclaimed Dick. "Now, after we have that defective -brake looked to, I guess we can get under way again." - -"There's a garage about a mile further along," said Mr. Kennedy, who had -supplied the horses. "I guess they can fix you up." - -"I'll try for it," said Dick. Then he paid the men who had helped him, -not forgetting the bridge tender who had gotten the boat for them, -without which Dick and his chums would have had wet feet. - -"Where are you bound for?" asked a man in the crowd. He seemed to be a -stranger, since none of the others talked to him. He addressed Dick. - -"Oh, we're just on a tour," replied our hero, with a sharp glance at the -chap. - -"Looks as though you could go all the way to 'Frisco in that car," the -man went on, as he stepped to the door and peered into the interior of -the _Last Word_. - -"We could--if we wanted to," said Dick, coolly. "Please don't touch -anything," he added sharply, as he saw the man fingering various levers -and switches. - -"Huh! I didn't mean anything," was the surly response. - -"Perhaps not, but you don't know when you might do some damage," went on -Dick, "and the car's been through enough for one day. Come along, boys," -he added to his chums. "We'll get a move on." - -With thanks to those who had helped them out of their predicament, the -boys drove off toward the garage where Dick intended to have the broken -brake repaired. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -A NIGHT ENCOUNTER - - -"Did you think there was anything queer about that man, Dick?" asked -Paul, as the three chums sat about the garage, while the chief -mechanician looked over the big auto. - -"Which man was that? There were so many around us when we got stuck in -the creek that I don't remember any special one." - -"I mean the chap that suggested you could make a trip to 'Frisco." - -"Oh, him. Well, yes, in a way, I did. At least I didn't think I'd give -him the satisfaction of letting him guess where we were going." - -"I'm glad you didn't." - -"Why, Paul?" - -"Because I was a bit suspicious of him. Did you notice what he did after -we started away?" - -"I did not, because I was so busy thinking how lucky we were to get off -as we did. What happened?" - -"Why, that man--the fellow with the droopy eyes, I'll call him, because -his eyes were sort of sleepy looking--he pulled out a note book as we -started off, and seemed to be making a record in it." - -"Maybe he was a constable, and he thought we might try to speed up -after being delayed. He might be looking to get a share of the fine if -we were caught," suggested Innis. - -"No, he wasn't a constable," declared Paul. - -"What makes you so sure?" - -"If he was a constable in a country town he'd be some pumpkins, a sort -of a Poo-Bah. Instead, no one paid the least attention to him. He might -be a constable from somewhere else, but he didn't belong here. He was a -stranger, and yet he seemed mightily interested in your car." - -"Well, it's a good car--if I do say it myself," responded Dick. - -"No, it wasn't that," continued his chum. "That man had some object in -view. Dick, do you know what I think?" - -"I give up, Paul. You think so much that you have me guessing. What is -it now?" - -"I think that man was one of Uncle Ezra's spies!" - -"What!" cried Dick. - -Paul repeated his words. - -"Whew!" exclaimed Dick in a whisper, as he pretended to wipe his brow. -"This is the limit! Aren't we ever to get away from my Uncle Ezra?" - -"Don't misunderstand me," said Paul, quickly. "I'm not an alarmist, and -I don't want to be a false prophet, but that fellow acted suspiciously -to me." - -"I think so too," added Innis. - -"Queer I didn't notice it," said Dick, slowly, "but I guess I was so -busy thinking about my car that I didn't pay much attention to him. I -noticed that he looked in our parlor, so to speak, and----" - -He interrupted himself to cross the garage, and peer into the interior -of the big machine, underneath which was a workman taking out the -damaged brake, ready to put in a new one. - -"It's there, all right," said our hero, with an air of relief. - -"What?" asked Innis. - -"The envelope with the legal papers. Paul's talk gave me a scare. I -thought that man might have made off with 'em!" - -"No, he didn't get a chance for that," said Paul. "I watched him too -closely. But he did get me suspicious, all right. However, we're here, -and we'll soon be far enough away." - -"Maybe," said Dick. "I'm not going to take any chances on those brakes -after the experience we had. They've got to be perfect, and if we have -to lay over a day or so, we'll do it. How about it?" he asked the man, -who was crawling out from under the big car. - -The talk of the young men had been carried on in low tones until Dick -asked this question. - -"She'll have to come out, and a new band be put on," the workman said. - -"How long will it take?" - -"Two days. I've either got to send for a new one, or forge one myself." - -"Then make it here," said Dick. "If you send for one there may be a -factory delay, and I don't want that. If you can fix it do so." - -"I can," said the garage man. "This is a special type of car, and no one -would probably have that brake in stock. I can make it." - -Dick then arranged with him to do the work, and the three chums, after -getting some of their belongings out of the car, started off toward the -village. - -"Where are we going to stay to-night?" asked Innis, as they walked -slowly along the country road. - -"In our car!" said Dick, quickly. - -"What? When there's a fairly good hotel in the village?" asked Innis. - -"This talk of Paul's has made me a bit nervous," went on our hero. "I -think I'd feel safer if I slept in the _Last Word_. I can fix it with -the garage man, I think. And if any of Uncle Ezra's spies are hanging -about they may try to disable my car if they can't get their hands on -the legal papers. They might do it out of spite." - -"That's right," agreed Innis. "Where are the papers now, Dick?" - -"Back in the car." - -"Don't you think that's risky?" - -"No more so than carrying them about with me. I'm a sort of fatalist. I -believe if a thing is going to happen it will happen. But I'll do all I -can to stop it. - -"They're less likely to think the papers are in the car than that I have -them. And even if they do pull out that advertising envelope, and look -in it, all they'll see at first glance will be an auto catalog. I took -the precaution of slipping the legal sheets between the pages of the -booklet." - -"Good, Dick. But supposing the place catches fire?" asked Paul. - -"Oh, you've got to take some chances in this world, old man; eh, Grit?" -and he patted the head of the bulldog that trotted along with the boys -toward the village. - -The boys found the town to be a picturesque one, well worth visiting, -and there was a good restaurant in it. There they got a meal, sort of -half-way between dinner and supper, and they arranged to come back later -for something to eat before turning in on the bunks of the auto. - -"And there's a moving picture show in town," exclaimed Innis, as they -were walking back to the garage. "I vote we take that in." - -"All right," assented Dick. "It will relieve the monotony if we have to -lay over here two days." - -The owner of the garage readily gave the boys permission to occupy their -car while it was in his establishment, and the lads made a change of -clothes, for they were rather disheveled by the work of getting the auto -out of the creek. - -Shortly before dusk they made their way to the village again, and after -a good supper they headed for the moving picture theatre. - -In spite of the small size of the town, the exhibition was a good one. -It was interspersed with vaudeville acts, and as this happened to be -"amateur" night, it was quite late when our friends came out. - -"Well, it was pretty good; wasn't it?" remarked Dick, as he linked his -arms in those of his chums. - -"Not half bad--for a change," assented Innis. "What's the game for -to-morrow?" - -"Oh, we'll have to hang over here, I guess. But I understand there's a -baseball game between two country nines and we can take that in. It will -be sport." - -"That's the cheese!" exclaimed Paul. - -They were in the midst of the crowd that had thronged from the moving -picture show. A number of pretty girls were bunched together, and from -their midst came voices that could be heard to remark about the identity -of our heroes, as the youths were spoken of as "the millionaire -autoists." - -"We're getting a reputation already," whispered Innis. - -"That's Dick's fault," said Paul. - -"I haven't said a word," retorted that youth. "You fellows must have -been talking." - -Gradually the crowd thinned out, and the three chums found themselves -walking along a rather dark country road toward the garage where the -_Last Word_ had been left. - -For a while they talked among themselves of the adventures of the day, -and then a silence settled down. They were all tired and anxious to get -to bed. - -"Is that some one ahead of us, or behind us?" suddenly asked Dick, -coming to a halt. - -"I don't hear anything," said Innis. - -"Me either," added Paul. - -"Walk on a bit and then listen," suggested Dick. - -"There is some one sort of keeping time to our footsteps, fellows," -spoke Paul a little later. - -"But are they ahead or behind us?" asked Dick. "I've been hearing it for -some time." - -"Ahead of us," said Innis. - -"Behind," was Paul's opinion. - -The three came to a halt in the roadway and listened. This time, instead -of the footsteps becoming silent, they were more plain. - -"They're coming," whispered Paul. - -A voice hailed them from the darkness. - -"Say, is this the road to Centreville?" - -"No, you're going the wrong way," replied Dick. "Centreville is behind -you." - -"Huh! That's funny!" some one remarked. "We must be all twisted up. Wait -a second, will you," and from the darkness could be heard footsteps -quickly approaching. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -INTO THE LONELINESS - - -"Have you the time?" - -It was the voice of one of those who were approaching our hero and his -two chums, they having come to a halt at the request for information. - -"Oh, what does it matter?" some one else asked, and then Dick could see -that three men were hurrying toward them out of the darkness. - -"I just wanted to see how late it was," went on the one who had -apparently spoken first. "Sorry to trouble you," he added, "but we're -strangers here, and we seem to have lost our way." - -"It's no trouble--if we can direct you," said the young millionaire. -"We're strangers here ourselves." - -"It's a little after eleven," announced Paul, looking at his watch as -well as he could by the starlight. As he spoke one of the men made a -sudden motion toward him. - -"Not him! The other!" some one exclaimed sharply. - -Before the three knew what was happening they were seized by the three -men--seized and roughly mauled. - -"Here! What does this mean?" demanded Dick, hotly, as he struck out -vigorously. - -"It's a hold-up!" yelled Innis. "Lay into 'em, fellows!" - -"Let go of me!" insisted Paul, as he swung himself loose from his -antagonist and dealt him a stinging blow that staggered the fellow. - -The man, with a smothered exclamation, recovered himself, and rushed -back at Paul. In the meanwhile Innis and his assailant were having a -tussle. As for Dick, after that first outcry, he had held his voice, but -he was struggling desperately with the man in the darkness. He could -feel hands moving over his body, inserting themselves in his various -pockets. - -"They're thieves!" he cried. "Help! Help!" - -There was no answer save the echo of his own voice, broken by the -panting breaths of the three men, who seemed to want to do their work in -silence. - -By a powerful right-hand swing Paul sent his man to the ground with a -thud that knocked the breath from his body, and the fellow did not get -up again immediately. - -"Let go of me!" yelled Innis. "Keep your hands out of my pockets!" - -He tore himself loose from the man's grip, and shoved the fellow aside, -so that he fell on top of the one Paul had knocked down. - -"Help! Help!" yelled Innis. "Thieves! Grit! Grit!" - -"Grit isn't here!" panted Dick, wishing with all his heart that his pet -had not been left in the garage to keep watch and ward over the auto. -Our hero was struggling fiercely with his man. - -By this time the one Paul had knocked down was getting up, being -assisted by the fellow Innis had pushed from him. Dick managed to get -one arm free and he dashed his clenched fist full into the face of his -attacker. - -He could feel the force of the blow, and he knew he must have caused the -footpad considerable pain, for there was a grunt of protest. - -"Here they come again!" said Innis, fiercely. "Back to back, fellows, -and we can stand 'em off!" - -Now that the first instinctive fear at the attack in the dark had passed -off, the three youths felt a fierce joy in the coming conflict. It was -like a battle on the football gridiron, only with greater odds. - -Dick, Paul and Innis moved close together, being free for the moment -from their assailants. Then from down the road could be heard the sound -of footsteps running rapidly. The men paused, listened a moment, and -then the one who had attacked Dick exclaimed: - -"Come on. He hasn't it with him!" - -At once the three men turned and raced off in the darkness, away from -the sound of the approaching footsteps. For a moment the three chums -remained in a sort of triangular posture of defense, hardly knowing what -it was all about, since it had taken place so quickly. - -"Are--are we all here?" Dick finally managed to gasp. - -"It seems so," replied Paul. "What happened, anyhow? Was it a joke?" - -"My nose doesn't feel that way," said Innis. - -"No, and I guess I gave one of those fellows something that he'll -remember for a day or so," went on Paul. "But what in the world were -they after?" - -"Something that I left back in the auto," replied Dick, grimly. - -"What! Those papers?" - -"That's it. The fellow who had me went all through my pockets while he -was rough-housing me. First I thought he was after my watch and money, -but when he didn't take them, I knew what he wanted." - -"They went through my pockets, too," confessed Innis. - -"Same here," added Paul. - -"Did they get anything?" asked Dick, quickly. - -The lads made a hasty search, and both reported that they had lost -nothing. At that moment a man came running up. - -Instinctively the three chums got ready for a renewal of hostilities, -but they soon saw they had nothing to fear, even had not the man spoken, -for he was an honest-appearing chap. - -"What--what's the matter?" he panted. "Did you call for help?" - -"We did," replied Dick, "but we don't need any now; thank you." - -"What was it?" - -"Somebody tried to hold us up," went on the young millionaire, not -caring to go into all the details. "But we beat 'em off." - -"That's good. Were they three rough-looking fellows?" - -"There were three of 'em, all right," said Paul, "and I guess they're a -little more rough-looking than they were at first; eh, boys?" - -"Sure thing," remarked Innis, tenderly touching some of his bruises. - -"I'm a watchman down the road a ways, at a new building just going up," -the man went on. "I saw these fellows go past, and I didn't like their -looks and actions. They were talking about getting something off some -one, and----" - -"I guess they were talking about us," interrupted Dick. "They probably -saw us in the moving picture place, and followed us. They asked for the -time, and pretended they had missed their way. That was only to get us -to halt, of course. But we're well out of it, all right." - -"Did they get much?" - -"Nothing," said Paul. "We're much obliged to you for coming." - -"I came as soon as I heard you call. Oh, you're the fellows with the -big auto; aren't you?" he went on, as he came close and made out the -faces of the three in the starlight. - -"That's us," said Dick. "I guess we might as well go on, boys," he added -to his chums. "I want some arnica for this bump I got." - -"Which way did the men go?" the watchman wanted to know, and when the -boys had indicated it, and had themselves started to go in the same -direction, to reach the garage where the _Last Word_ was waiting for -them, the watchman went on: "Aren't you afraid they'll tackle you again? -They may be waiting down the road for you." - -Dick shook his head. - -"They found out we didn't have what they wanted," he remarked, "and they -won't bother us any more. Come on, boys." - -"Huh! Queer robbers," observed the watchman, and he turned away after -the boys had thanked him for his prompt response to their calls for -help. - -"Do you really think those men were after the papers, Dick?" asked Paul. - -"I'm sure of it," answered his friend. "It was all part of the game -Uncle Ezra is playing, but I'm getting tired of it. This is the limit! -It's got to stop!" - -"Are you going to tell him so?" asked Innis, as they walked along. - -"No, but I'm going to make a change in our plans. We'll fool 'em--we'll -get off the beaten track and go off into the unknown until we put -plenty of space behind us. Then they'll have their own troubles tracing -us." - -"That does seem the best way," assented Paul. "It's no fun to be on the -verge of an attack at any time. The game is too one-sided. We'll make it -harder for them." - -"That's my idea," said Dick, as they neared the garage, having seen no -further signs of the three men. - -They found the big car undisturbed, with Grit ready to give them a noisy -welcome. - -"I wish we'd had you along a while ago, old fellow," remarked Dick, as -he patted his dog. "I guess those fellows wouldn't have been quite so -fresh. But maybe it's just as well as it is, for I wouldn't want any of -them chewed up." - -"How do you figure it out?" asked Paul, as they got themselves a little -lunch before turning in. - -"Why, Uncle Ezra, or whoever he's hired to turn this trick, knew where -we would be at a certain day, I suppose," said Dick. "The men were on -the watch, and, when we arrived, they just kept tabs on us. The rest was -easy enough." - -"Only you didn't happen to carry the papers with you," added Innis. - -"No, it was a good trick to leave 'em here," assented our hero, as he -looked in the advertising envelope behind the mirror, to make sure that -the documents were safe. "Well, they won't try it on again in a hurry. -In the morning we'll figure out a new route that will bring us to -'Frisco in time to file the papers." - -It was no very difficult task, with their road maps, to do this, and -having seen the garage man start on the work of repairing the brakes, -Dick and his chums strolled into town. They managed to find some points -of interest, and also took in the ball game, and, though the repairs -took three days, instead of two, they did not regret their little -stop-over. - -"We've got plenty of time," said Dick, "and from now on we'll shift -about on our route. I'm anxious to get out in the West." - -"So am I!" added Paul. - -Once more they were under way, but they did not head for Chicago, as -they had intended. - -"Too much is likely to happen there," decided Dick. "We might as well -have a brass band with us, as this big car. So the thing to do is to -avoid the big cities." - -This they did. As events of very little interest occurred during the -next week, I shall skim over that period, only saying that the lads had -no further trouble, except an occasional bad road to travel, and a storm -to journey through. - -Farther and farther west they worked their way, until one morning saw -them in Salt Lake City, Utah. This was on their original schedule, but -Dick and his chums figured that they had so shifted about that their -enemies must have lost their trail by this time. - -"Of course they may be waiting for us here," said Dick, "but they won't -get much chance at us. We'll keep on the outskirts of town, and after we -get what supplies we need we'll strike out into the desert." - -"The desert!" exclaimed Paul. "That sounds lonely enough." - -"It will be," asserted the young millionaire, "and we'll have to take -along an extra amount of water and gasoline. But we'll keep near the -line of the Western Pacific railroad, and in case of trouble we can get -help." - -That afternoon they started off, having stocked the big car well. They -made a quick run to the Great Salt Lake, paused to wonder at it, and -then headed for the great desert. Off into its loneliness they steered, -wondering what lay before them. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -BAD NEWS - - -"Say it sure is lonesome; isn't it?" - -"No mistake about it. If this isn't the jumping-off place, it's next -door to it." - -"I'd hate to be caught here without water or a means of getting away." - -Thus, in turn, Dick, Paul and Innis expressed themselves as they sat in -the big car, panting and uncomfortable from the heat of a summer day, -making a pretense of eating. It was almost too warm for that, however. - -"Well, there's one consolation, we can leave whenever we like," remarked -Dick. "I'll start whenever you fellows say so." - -"Well, let's get a move on," suggested Paul. "There's a little breeze -when we're in motion, but there isn't any now." - -They put away the remains of the meal and were soon moving over the -great salt desert of Utah, it being their second day on it. They had -been delayed by a slight accident or they would have made better time -across it. - -However, they did not regret the time spent, for it was a new and -wonderful experience for them, and one they would long remember. - -The big car, aside from the slight break which Dick and his chums had -been able to mend themselves, was behaving to perfection. In it they -could cross with ease and comparative comfort this terrible stretch of -country, where many of the early settlers had given up their lives. - -Dick had taken the precaution to put on, over the big cushion tires, a -sort of steel-studded leather shoe, which gave a larger surface, so that -the wheels would not sink down so far in the sand, for the _Last Word_ -was of no light weight. - -In addition, strips of canvas were carried so that when they came to a -particularly sandy place these strips could be laid down, like boards -across a mud puddle, and the auto sent over them, turn and turn about. -Of course that would be slow progress, but it was better than stalling. - -They saw little of other travelers. Occasionally a mule team would be -observed, and now and then they came in sight of the railroad, and -watched a train dash along it. But, in the main, they picked out their -own route, having learned in Salt Lake City of the one most available -for autos. - -At no time were they very far from the railroad line, but they did not -follow it too closely. For, as Dick said, "What was the use of coming -out on a tour if you kept in touch with civilization all the while?" - -So they broke their own trail as far as was practicable, and enjoyed the -experience. Water--for themselves and the car--was their main worry, -but they had a goodly supply with them. To drink Dick had provided -several large vacuum bottles of ice-cold lemonade, and, though of course -the frigid temperature could not be retained indefinitely, the liquid -was still quite cool and refreshing after several hours of bottling. - -"Well, this sure has been a great experience for us," declared Paul, as -the big car moved off over the desert. - -"I should say yes," agreed Dick. "I wouldn't have missed it for a farm." - -"Not even with all the trouble Uncle Ezra made?" asked Innis. - -"No, even with that. But he hasn't bothered us lately," said our hero, -patting Grit, who sat on the seat beside him, Paul driving the car for a -change. - -"I guess he's lost track of us," suggested Innis. "We haven't had a -sight of any of his pesky men since that encounter in the dark." - -"No," assented Dick, "but you never can tell where he will crop up. He -may be laying low for us. Though I don't expect there'll be any more -fighting until it comes time to file those papers. Then he may try to -block me in a legal way." - -"What can you do?" asked Paul. - -"I don't know, until the time comes. Dad told me to wire him in case of -trouble, and ask his advice. Maybe I'll have to depend somewhat on Mr. -Ainslie, the California lawyer." - -"Say, it seems to me you're going to a lot of trouble to save a fortune -for a fellow you don't know very well, and who doesn't seem to take much -interest in it himself," observed Innis. - -"Who, Wardell?" asked Dick. - -"Sure. That's who I mean." - -"You don't understand," said the young millionaire, softly. "In the -first place, Mr. Wardell would make the biggest kind of a fight for -himself, if he were here. But I think he's doing the right thing, to try -to start life over again, for there's nothing sure about saving his -fortune for him. The courts may decide against him at the last minute. -But there's a chance in his favor, and I'm taking it for him. - -"Some day Mr. Wardell is going to know that it's my uncle who played him -this trick, but if he knows that I did my best to offset it, why, that's -going to square it; isn't it?" - -"I suppose so," agreed Innis. - -"And Wardell is a mighty fine chap," went on Dick. "Of course that day -when Paul and I saw him on the railroad bank he had sort of lost his -nerve. You can't blame him for that. I'm not a bit sorry over what I'm -trying to do for him." - -"Oh, no, of course not. Only it's a lot of trouble for a stranger." - -"Well, I'm not doing it altogether for him," said Dick. "I'm thinking -of the honor of our family. I wouldn't want it said that any of my -relatives ruined a man, even if it was legal." - -"Good for you!" cried Paul. "Say, the trail is leading us back toward -the railroad, I think." - -"Yes, it does come near the line about here," agreed Dick, as he -consulted a map. "So much the better. We may strike a water tank. Our -supply isn't any too large." - -The big car slowly made its way over the desert. They were not trying -for any speed, since the clinging sand made progress difficult, and they -did not want to put too much of a strain on the wheels and motor. - -It seemed to get hotter as they proceeded, though the breeze of the -electric fan in the car was grateful. But even the air in motion seemed -to come out of some oven, laden with the smell of baking earth. - -"Whew!" exclaimed Paul, when they had gone on about a mile further, and -had come in sight of the railroad. "Take her a while, Innis. My hands -are tired from trying to hold the wheel steady. She wabbles a lot." - -"I'll guide," said Dick. - -"No, let me," urged his other chum, so he was given charge. - -The _Last Word_ ran along well, and they were beginning to think of -looking for a good location to spend the night, since it was evident -that they would need another day to cross the desert. - -Suddenly Dick, who had been looking ahead, uttered an exclamation, and -made a grab for the gasoline lever. - -"Stop her!" he cried to Innis. But it was too late. The car sank down -several inches into a particularly soft and yielding stretch of sand. - -"Wow!" cried Innis, as he saw into what he had steered. - -"Never mind," consoled Dick. "It couldn't be helped. I didn't see it in -time. I guess we'll have to use the canvas strips to cross this stretch. -It's as wide as all get-out, and we might get into something worse if we -tried to go around it. Come on, fellows; get busy!" - -They leaped out, taking light wooden shovels from the back of the auto, -where they had been fastened on purpose to be used on the desert sand. -Then the canvas strips were brought into use, Paul and Innis stretching -them in front of the wheels, while Dick drove the car over them. - -The broad surface of the sail cloth, coupled with the wide tires, served -to keep the machine from settling much, but their progress was slow, and -after an hour or so of it Dick announced: - -"Let's give up until morning. I'm dead tired, and it's too hot to work -any more. We'll just camp here, have grub, and go to sleep. There's -going to be a moon, and when it comes up we can work in the cool of the -night." - -"That's the ticket!" exclaimed Innis. "Though don't stop on my -account," he urged. "I got you into this hole, and I'll help to get you -out." - -"You didn't get us in at all," declared Dick. "I'd have run into this -soft stretch as soon as you. Knock off and we'll eat." - -The rest was welcome. As the sun began to set they looked over toward -the distant railroad, the rails of which could be seen glittering in the -fading light. Something not far off stirred in a faint breeze. - -"What's that?" asked Paul. - -"Part of a newspaper," said Dick, as he caught sight of it. "Probably -some passenger tossed it out of a car window. I'm going to have a look -at it. Maybe it isn't more than a month old, and there'll be something -in it to read. The next time I come touring I'm going to bring along -part of a library." - -He strolled toward the fragment of paper, which was held down by a -little mound of shifting sand. Paul and Innis were getting the meal -ready. Suddenly they were startled by a cry from Dick. He was staring at -the paper. - -"What's the matter?" asked Paul. - -"Matter, fellows! Look here! If this isn't bad news I don't know what -is." - -"Somebody dead you know?" inquired Innis. - -"No, but this paper is only two days old. It must have been tossed away -to-day. And it's got something in it about that railroad in which -Wardell's fortune is tied up." - -"What is it?" demanded Paul. - -"Why, it says that a new turn has been given the fight for the control -of the stock. Instead of waiting until September to settle the case, -it's going to be forced to a settlement now. New information has been -given that puts an entirely different light on matters, and certain -Eastern interests are said to be going to gobble up the whole outfit. - -"Fellows, I can see Uncle Ezra's hand in this. He's found out he can't -get those papers away from me, and he's going to make them of no use by -hurrying this game to a finish before I have time to get to 'Frisco!" - -"How's that?" asked Paul. - -"Why, the whole thing, according to this paper, is scheduled to be -settled a week from to-day." - -"You can get to 'Frisco before then!" exclaimed Innis. - -"Yes, I know I can, but what good will it do me? I can't file these -papers before the date set. You see they've stolen a march on us. Uncle -Ezra has had his lawyers act and they've brought matters to a head -sooner than was expected. - -"These legal papers I have are useless after all our work in saving -them, and Wardell's fortune will be lost! Hang it all! Did you ever see -such bad luck?" and Dick vigorously shook the newspaper he had picked up -on the desert. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -THE MAN IN THE DESERT - - -"Say, Dick," requested Paul, "just calm down a bit, and sort of explain -things." - -"Yes, he's got me going," added Innis, pausing in the act of frying some -eggs for supper. - -"Why, it's plain enough," said Dick. "Here is a piece of a San Francisco -paper, and it has in it an account of this railroad lawsuit. The case -come up in 'Frisco, you know," he added. "The paper was probably tossed -out of the car window by some man who got tired of it, and I almost wish -I hadn't found it." - -"Why?" Paul wanted to know. - -"Because it makes me feel bad. To think that all my hard work is thrown -away." - -"But is it?" asked Innis. - -"It looks so. This is how I figure it out. As soon as Uncle Ezra finds -out he couldn't block my game to save Mr. Wardell's fortune by getting -the legal papers away from me, he starts off on a new tack. He has his -lawyers look up other means for getting control of this railroad, and -they find one, it seems. - -"From what I can gather, by reading this article, a new witness has -cropped up. He gave testimony in court that knocks out Wardell, and -makes his claim valueless. Under the new ruling, Uncle Ezra and those -associated with him can go ahead and, inside of a week, get possession -of the railroad stock so that Mr. Wardell can't redeem it. - -"You see, it was this way: This Wardell had this stock left to him by -his father. It was worth considerable. In fact, it virtually made him -owner of the railroad, though of course he didn't operate it. Then, -foolishly, he puts up that stock as security for a loan with Uncle Ezra, -and invests the money in something else. - -"He loses it--I guess Uncle Ezra intended he should, and of course if he -can't pay it back Uncle Ezra will get the railroad. But from what my dad -and I understood there was a time limit set by which Wardell would have -another show for his white alley--I mean that he'd get a chance to go to -court, and say he had been cheated and would like more time to raise the -money to buy back his railroad stock. - -"That's the plan I've been working on, and that's what these legal -papers covered. Now it seems this new witness makes it all look like an -ice cream cone on a hot day. Unless the money is paid inside of a week -Wardell will forfeit all his stock to Uncle Ezra. Oh, it's a cute game, -all right, and there doesn't seem to be any way to beat it," said Dick, -bitterly. - -"Maybe if we hurried into San Francisco," suggested Paul, "and saw this -witness, we could explain things to him, and ask him to hold off until -Mr. Wardell could get here." - -"No chance of that," said Dick. "Wardell is in South America--the land -knows where. We can't reach him in time." - -"But if we could find this witness," persisted Paul. - -"He's disappeared, so this newspaper article says," remarked Dick. -"That's another funny part of it. It looks like a hold-off game, -spiriting the witness away in that fashion, and yet what can we do? Even -if we got to 'Frisco before the end of the week, which we could easily -do, by abandoning the car and taking a train, what good would it do? We -couldn't offset the testimony of this witness." - -"It does look as though we were up against it," assented Paul. - -"Good and hard," agreed Dick. - -"Well, let's have grub," suggested Innis, practically. "It's almost -ready. And maybe after supper we'll find a way out." - -But even after the meal, eaten amid the silence of the salt desert, -their gloomy thoughts were not dispersed. They sat about, moody and -quiet, until Paul, with a sarcastic exclamation, cried out: - -"Say, this is the limit. Let's do a song and dance, or something like -that." - -"There is a phonograph stowed away somewhere among my things," said -Dick with a laugh that had no mirth in it. - -"Trot it out and give us a tune," urged Innis, and, after a moment's -thought, Dick complied. Anything was better than sitting about, thinking -gloomy thoughts. And really he felt keenly his failure so unexpectedly -disclosed by that stray piece of newspaper. - -All his hard work--his skill in keeping the legal documents away from -the cunning emissaries of Uncle Ezra--had gone for naught, in case it -were true what he had read. And he had no reason to doubt it. The paper -was a reliable publication, and the names of lawyers were mentioned who -had a national reputation. - -Of course, in a measure, it was a case of "high finance," perhaps not -strictly moral, but perfectly legal. Certain interests wanted control of -the railroad, and even Uncle Ezra might be simply a catspaw in the game. - -Yet it seemed certain that unless something were done--some sort of -legal protest or injunction entered--the Wardell fortune would be wiped -out. And this Dick did not want to see happen. - -Paul was at the phonograph, adjusting the mechanism. He had slipped in a -record containing "My Old Kentucky Home," and soon its strains were -vibrating out on the desert air. - -The phonograph was not particularly good, for it was too small to have -any sweetness, and yet, even with that handicap, the boys enjoyed the -"canned music," as Dick called it. - -As the chorus welled out, they joined in with the voice of the singer -coming from the horn. - - - "'My old Kentucky home--good night!'" - - -There was a pause, and as the chorus was repeated more softly, the boys -lowered their voices. They had sung in the glee club at Kentfield -Military Academy, and their tones were true and pure. In the darkness of -the starlight night, on that lonely desert, the music seemed to gather -strength and sweetness. - -Then, as the chorus neared the end, the three chums were startled to -hear, off in the distance, another voice joining in with theirs, -blending perfectly, in a rich baritone. - -They stopped singing, so startled were they, for they thought themselves -all alone, and the unseen voice carried the air alone, accompanied only -by the phonograph. - -Then, as the last echoes died away, Dick Hamilton jumped to his feet and -called out: - -"Who is there?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -IMPORTANT INFORMATION - - -For a moment, following Dick's challenge, there was no answer, and then, -off in the darkness, beyond the circle of light from the campfire, made -of pieces of a broken wagon the boys had found, came a voice, saying: - -"I am a stranger in a strange land. Who are you that you make the night -melodious with your music and song?" - -The boys felt the tension leave them as they heard the note of culture -in the voice, for plainly they had to deal with a gentleman of birth and -breeding. - -"Come on up, and make yourself at home," invited Dick. "Are you lost? -Hungry or thirsty, perhaps?" - -"Neither one nor the other, may it please you," was the somewhat -whimsical retort. "Yet I will join you if only for a little while. Then -I must get back, or my guards will be thinking that I have escaped." - -"Guards," murmured Paul, in a low voice. "He must be a prisoner--but in -this lonely place----" - -"I thought we were the only ones here," added Innis. - -"Hush! Here he comes!" cautioned our hero. - -A man advanced into the glare of the firelight. He was seen to be a -young fellow, of about twenty-five perhaps, of rather frail build, -dressed in a negligee costume, well suited to that hot climate, and yet -his clothing, as Innis instinctively noticed, was well tailored and -fitted him perfectly. Innis was more fastidious about his dress than -either of his chums, and naturally noticed the garments of others more -closely. - -"Greeting, fair sirs!" exclaimed the newcomer. "It is very kind of you -to extend your hospitality to a stranger, and I thank you. Permit me to -make myself known to you. I am Harry Cameron, sometime of San Francisco, -at present of the desert waste; an engineer by profession, a -dilly-dallier of verse by avocation, and actually in durance vile for -the time being. Such is my brief but not unhappy history." - -The three chums looked at one another, hardly knowing what to make of -their visitor, who took a seat on part of the old broken wagon--a -"prairie schooner" of a bygone age--and stretched out his legs in a -comfortable attitude, gazing at Dick's party. - -"An escaped lunatic," thought Innis, rather thankful that the stranger -seemed to be of the mild type. - -"Somebody who has been crazed by the heat perhaps," was Paul's mental -comment. Yet he could not account for the freshness of the man's -appearance and attire. - -"He's stringing us," was Dick's thought. "Well, if he is, I'll give him -as good as he sends." Then he spoke: - -"We are college professors, searching in the desert for traces of a lost -glacier, last reported to be headed for the salt lake. We want to get -some specimens of the tail." - -The young man started, looked keenly at Dick, and then, with a quizzical -smile, remarked: - -"You are pleased to joke, I see. I wish I had the chance to accompany -you on your search. But it is denied me. Still, lest perchance you think -that I, too, am a jester, there is my card," and, with a quick and -skillful motion, he scaled a bit of pasteboard over so that it fell -exactly on Dick's outstretched leg. "He who sits may read," went on Mr. -Cameron. - -Dick picked up the card, feeling a little ashamed of his bantering -retort. By the light of the fire he read the name as given by their -visitor. There was also an address in San Francisco, and, the letters C. -E.--denoting his profession. - -"I beg your pardon!" exclaimed Dick, quickly. "I--er--I thought----" - -"You thought I was stringing you, I guess," interrupted Mr. Cameron, -with a smile. "I was not. I'll tell you----" - -"I beg your pardon," interrupted Dick. "Let me introduce myself and my -friends," and he presented Paul and Innis in turn, and mentioned his own -name. - -"And the glacier?" asked Mr. Cameron. - -"Was a joke, too," said Dick. "We are merely traveling for pleasure. -That is our car," and he waved toward where the _Last Word_ was fast in -the sand. "We ran into a sort of bog hole and decided to wait until -morning to extricate ourselves. But where are you staying?" Dick asked, -looking around on the sandy waste, now shrouded in darkness. - -"Over there," replied Mr. Cameron, with an indefinite wave of his hand -in the direction whence he had come. "We are camping out." - -"Camping out!" exclaimed Paul. "In this desert?" - -"It does seem rather foolish; doesn't it?" asked their visitor. "And the -reasons are peculiar. I was thinking so myself as I strolled out after -supper, and saw the gleam of your campfire. I wanted to see who else was -as foolish as my friends." - -"Then you have friends with you?" asked Innis. - -"They call themselves such," was the answer, "but I prefer to think of -them as my guards." - -"Guards!" cried Dick. - -"I surprise you, I see. Let me explain why I am out in this sandy waste. -I am a lost man!" and he waved his hand with a gentle air, as though -being lost was the most delightful of occupations. - -"Lost!" murmured Paul, again wondering whether they did not have an -insane man to deal with. - -"Legally lost, perhaps I should have said," went on Mr. Cameron. "As you -are not likely to interfere with the plans of my--er--friends, and as -you will probably never think of the matter again, I shall tell you the -circumstances. Particularly as those who call themselves my friends -don't want me to. - -"I like being different, and doing the unexpected," he continued. "Also -because it will give those fellows back there something to worry about, -I am going to tell you a secret. I won't even ask you not to repeat it, -because I don't see what object you could have in doing so. - -"Know, then, that I am sequestered here in this desert in order that I -may not jeopardize certain interests in giving testimony in a big -lawsuit. I am to be kept out of the way for a certain time, and I am -well paid for being lost. I have promised, for a certain stipulated sum, -and because of certain representations made to me, not to go back to -beloved 'Frisco until after September third. - -"Should I go, certain persons who are antagonistic to those who have -hired me, might get hold of me, compel me to give certain testimony in -court, and then--as the poet would say--all the fat would be in the -fire. So I have to stay here where the other fellows can't find me, -and--well, I am as happy as I can be, in such a dog's hole! It is the -most out-of-the-way place they could find to conceal me, and yet be -within touch of civilization. There you have the story in a nutshell. -And when September third comes, I shall hie me back to civilization." - -During this recital Dick's wonder had been growing. He could scarcely -believe what he heard, and the odd part of it was that it fitted so in -with the scheme he had undertaken to help Mr. Wardell. - -Paul and Innis also felt a growing wonder, for they knew some of the -details of Dick's plan to save the Wardell fortune. - -"Now you understand why I am here," went on Mr. Cameron. "There is a -water hole about a mile from here, and one of those rare occurrences in -the desert, a little oasis of trees, and a hill. There we have made a -camp, which not one in a thousand would ever find. We are comfortable -enough, in a way, but I lack for society. - -"That is why, wandering away, I saw the gleam of your fire, and hearing -the music, I could not help but join in. I trust you will pardon me. But -when you have with you two men who do nothing all day but smoke -cigarettes, and play some mysterious card game known as 'Seven-up' and -whose only conversation seems to be along the line of said game--why, -life gets rather monotonous, you see." - -"I should say so," agreed Dick. And then he resolved on a bold plan. Mr. -Cameron had revealed something without being asked. Dick was under no -promise of silence. And he saw a chance to defeat the enemies of Mr. -Wardell. - -"Can it be, by any chance, Mr. Cameron," the young millionaire asked, -"that your case has any connection with the Citrous Junction Railway?" - -"It has!" cried the engineer, springing to his feet. "But how did you -guess it? I never mentioned it--I was careful about that." - -"No, you did not," agreed Dick, "but your mention of the date--September -third--gave me the clue." - -"You are looking for clues, then?" - -"In a way, yes. I am seeking some means of getting back to Mr. Wardell -the control of the railroad that is about to be taken from him. I was on -my way to San Francisco to file a certain paper before September -third--the date you mentioned. By the merest accident, happening to pick -up a newspaper, probably tossed from a train, I learned that my efforts -would be of no avail, because of testimony given by a new witness. And -you----" - -"I am that witness!" cried Mr. Cameron. "Great Scott! but this is queer. -To think of me telling the secret to some one--in all the world--who -knew the other half of it. It's astounding! May I ask how you figure in -it?" - -"Because my uncle, Mr. Ezra Larabee, is the man who is trying to get Mr. -Wardell's fortune, and, for the honor of the family, I am trying to -prevent him." - -"You Ezra Larabee's nephew! Well, of all things in the world that I -should meet you here! Why, young man, Ezra Larabee--or, rather, his -agent--is paying me to remain away so that the other side can't get hold -of me. For, you must know that Mr. Wardell does not own all the stock in -the railroad. There are some minor shareholders, and it is they who are -trying to get me to go to court on their behalf. But I have accepted -money from Mr. Larabee, and, as far as I know, he is in the right. I -cannot go back on him, merely because you happen to be for the other -side. - -"And so you are Larabee's nephew. You don't look much like him, which is -a consolation." - -"Have you seen him?" asked Dick. - -"He came to 'Frisco to see me," explained Mr. Cameron. "He made a flying -trip, and hurried back so as to save the other half of his excursion -ticket, which was limited." - -"That's like him," laughed Dick. - -"It seems so. Well, he made certain representations, and it seemed that -he was in the right. He hired me to disappear, and so you behold--a lost -man." - -Dick thought for a moment. - -"Would you mind telling me," he said, "just what your testimony consists -of?" - -"Well, since you know so much, perhaps it can do no harm to tell you -more. I am, as I said, a civil engineer. When this contest over the -railroad came up, I was engaged to make certain maps and copies of -records. It seems that the Citrous Junction is a short line, connecting -two important trunk lines in a well-known orange region. That is what -gives it its importance. - -"Accidentally, while going over some old records, I came across some -papers that changed the whole situation. I am not enough of a lawyer to -know just how, except that if the papers were produced in court this Mr. -Wardell and the other stockholders, no matter what was done by the other -side, would get their rights. Mr. Larabee and his crowd could not keep -them from so doing. - -"I showed to those who had hired me the papers I had found, and at once -there was a great how-de-do. It was plainly seen that if they were -allowed to get into court your uncle's case would be knocked higher than -Gilderoy's kite, even if Wardell did not file certain papers which, I -understand, could, at one time, have been filed. - -"Your uncle and his lawyers determined on a bold move. They had me give -certain testimony that would knock out the other side if they should -file certain papers, and then they had me disappear, so I could not be -brought into court to give the rest of my evidence and tell of the old -document I had accidentally discovered. So I agreed to come to this -lonely place, to live until after September third. After that date -nothing Wardell can do will save the railroad for himself and the others -associated with him." - -"And you agreed to do this?" asked Dick, bitterly. "You consented to see -a man cheated out of his fortune?" - -"Not at all," said Mr. Cameron, calmly. "As it was represented to me -this Mr. Wardell tried to do others out of their holdings, and he got -caught at his own game. That is why I agreed to do something that, while -perfectly legal, might be considered a trick. I did it to help out your -Uncle Ezra." - -"If I were to show you," went on our hero, "that matters had been -misrepresented to you, and that you were doing Mr. Wardell a grave -injustice, what would you do?" - -"Misrepresented!" cried Mr. Cameron. "If you can prove to me that -they've been fooling me--telling me things that aren't so--for the -purpose of keeping me out of court, why, Dick Hamilton, I'll go back to -San Francisco to-morrow and rip their case apart in the highest court in -the land! That's what I'll do!" and he leaped to his feet at the words. - -"Then," said Dick, quietly, "that is just what I am going to prove to -you!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -ON TO 'FRISCO - - -The young millionaire started for the auto that was stalled in the sand. -He intended to get from it the bundle of legal papers and prove to Mr. -Cameron the statement just made about misrepresentation. But before he -reached the _Last Word_ he heard the sound of some one coming toward the -fire. And out of the desert darkness a voice hailed, saying: - -"Hello there, Mr. Cameron! We were looking all over for you." - -"I'm here," said the young man, quickly. "Enjoying myself. Won't you -come up and meet my new friends?" Then to Paul, who sat near him, he -said in low tones: - -"My guards--as I call them! Say nothing of this, and warn young -Hamilton. I will see you to-morrow." - -"Wait a minute, Dick!" called Paul, as he glided off in the gloom toward -the car which Dick was approaching. - -"We thought you were lost," went on one of the two men who had come up. -"Lost in the desert, Mr. Cameron." - -"Oh, no," he answered, lightly. "I was just strolling along, and I came -to the concert." - -"Concert!" exclaimed the other man. "Is that another of your jokes?" -from which it would appear that Mr. Cameron was in the habit of -indulging in persiflage. - -"Not at all," was the answer. "Boys, will you start up the phonograph -again for my friends?" - -"Phonograph--out here in this desert!" exclaimed one of the two -newcomers. "Say, that sounds like 'Frisco. Can you give us some -ragtime?" - -"We haven't a very choice selection of records," spoke Innis, Paul and -Dick being engaged in a whispered conversation near the car. "I'll play -what we've got," and he started toward the car. "I'll have to get -another record from the the machine," he added. - -"Machine!" exclaimed one of the men. "Have you an auto here, too?" - -"A big car," said Mr. Cameron. "It could swallow our modest -six-cylinder, from the looks of it." - -"Oh, then you also came in an auto?" asked Dick of the engineer, who, -with Paul, had come back to the fire. - -"Yes, I believe I forgot to mention that," said Mr. Cameron. "We escaped -into the desert in a gasoline chariot, unlike the Children of Israel, -who walked." - -"Mr. Cameron!" exclaimed one of the men, "I--ahem--I hope you'll excuse -me mentioning it, but you know you promised not to do too much talking. -It was the agreement----" - -"There are agreements--and agreements," said the young engineer, with -peculiar emphasis. "You need have no fear of me, Sam Martin. And, while -I am about it, let me present to you my new friends. Boys, these are Sam -Martin and Bill Wickford, my--er--my camp-mates," and he named the three -chums in turn. - -"Pleased to see you," said Sam, with a jerky bow. "Mr. Cameron is -camping out here for--er--for his health. Bill and I are running things -for him. It's no fun to be in the desert alone." - -"That's right," chimed in Bill. "Have you got any ragtime?" he asked, as -Innis came back with a record. - -Then the phonograph was played again, sounding strangely in that lonely -desert. Mr. Cameron seemed at his ease, but the two men were plainly -nervous, and Dick was much excited, though he tried not to show it. He -had heard what Paul said, and refrained from bringing out any of the -papers. - -"That's fine!" exclaimed Bill Wickford, as the tune came to an end. "I -wish we had one of those at our camp." - -"It might interfere with the seven-up tournament," observed Mr. Cameron, -drily. - -"Oh, we'd have time for that," said Sam. "But I guess we'd better be -getting back. It's late." - -"Don't be in a hurry," urged Dick, hospitably. - -"Well, we may be over to see you again. We didn't know we had any -neighbors so close by." - -"You might come over and see us," added Bill, somewhat awkwardly. "We -can't offer you much in the way of entertainment, but we'll do our -best." - -"Thanks," answered Dick. "We may come, but we're going to pull out of -this to-morrow, I hope. As soon as we can get out of this sand bog we'll -travel." - -"We struck one of those places," volunteered Sam, "and we had quite a -time of it. Well, so-long," and he and his companion seemed to hover -around Mr. Cameron as though they were afraid he would let out something -of the secret that had already been told, had they only known it. - -Good-nights were said, and the three disappeared in the darkness. The -chums stood for a moment silent about their dying camp fire. - -"Well, what do you know about that?" asked Paul. - -"It's a queer go," assented Innis. - -"Those men are just like guards," said Dick. "Uncle Ezra, or his agents, -must be afraid Mr. Cameron will go back on his promise." - -"If it was a promise given under misrepresentation then he is released -from it--that holds in law," said Paul. - -"I believe it does," agreed our hero. "I hope I get a chance to speak to -him to-morrow. The idea of hiding him away out in this desert to prevent -him from going to court. It's outrageous." - -"Do you think he'll testify for Mr. Wardell if you show him the facts?" -asked Paul. - -"I sure do. Well, let's turn in. To-morrow will be another day. There's -a lot of hard work ahead of us." - -They were up early the next morning, the night having passed without -incident, though Grit growled several times as though intruders--human -or otherwise--were about the camp. But he gave no decided alarm, and the -boys did not pay much attention. - -Soon after breakfast they resumed work on getting the auto out of the -clinging sand, by using the canvas strips. While they were engaged on -this, Mr. Cameron and his two guards came up. - -"We came to see if we could help you any," he said, with a wink. "At the -same time I'd like to get a look at your car." He passed close to Dick, -and found a chance to whisper: "Where are the papers?" - -"In the old envelope, back of the mirror," replied Dick in the same low -voice. Then, in louder tones, he added: "We'd be glad of some help. -It's hard work." - -"Sam, and Bill, don't you want to get busy?" went on the young engineer. - -"Sure!" said Sam. In fact, he and his companion seemed anxious to get -the three boys away from the vicinity. The men helped spread and fasten -down the canvas strips, and as Dick got in the car to drive it forward, -he saw Mr. Cameron looking over the legal papers that proved how he had -been deceived. - -"By Jove, Hamilton!" he exclaimed, "you were right. They have put up a -great game on me." - -"Then will you turn them down?" - -"I certainly will. I'm on your side from now on. I didn't understand it. -These papers make it plain." He and Dick could talk without being -regarded suspiciously, since the two men were working with Paul and -Innis, spreading the strips of canvas. - -Once or twice the two men looked at the car, as though wondering why Mr. -Cameron was riding in it. He guessed their thoughts, and, putting back -the papers, said to Dick: - -"You may not need these, with my testimony. Still, keep them safe. Now -I'd better leave you. Those fellows are paid to watch me as a cat does a -mouse. How can I get away and reach 'Frisco?" - -"We'll take you," said Dick, promptly. "We've accommodations for four -in this car. Can you manage to escape?" - -"Yes, and it had better be to-night. There is a gully about a mile from -here, near a dried water hole. You'll get to it if you keep straight on. -Can you wait for me there?" - -"Yes," said Dick, quickly. - -"Then I won't say any more. Here comes Sam. I guess he's getting -suspicious." Mr. Cameron left the car, which Dick had stopped to allow -him to alight, the engineer added in louder tones: "You certainly have a -fine machine there, Mr. Hamilton. I envy you. Now I'll give you a hand -in getting under way again. Perhaps I may see you some day in 'Frisco." - -The canvas strips proved just the thing needed, and after about an -hour's work the _Last Word_ was on firmer ground. Then, bidding their -new acquaintances good-bye, during which farewells Dick winked at Mr. -Cameron, to indicate that the arrangements made would be carried out, -the big car was sent on over the desert. The two men seemed much -relieved as it went off. - -Dick easily found the gully Mr. Cameron had referred to. Driving several -miles past it, to throw off suspicion in case they were followed, the -young millionaire came to a halt. - -"We'll wait here until night," he said, making his chums acquainted with -the plan to be followed. - -The boys thought night would never come, but it did finally, and -carefully they ran their car back nearly to the dry gully. Then, -stopping at a safe distance, Dick went back to hold the rendezvous with -Mr. Cameron. - -An hour passed, and Dick was beginning to think that perhaps the plan -had failed, when he heard a cautious whistle. It was a strain from "My -Old Kentucky Home." He answered in like manner, and then a voice called: - -"Here I am. But we'd better be quick. They may follow me as they did -last night." - -"Come on," urged Dick. They went back toward the car on the run. It was -the work of but a moment to start it, and with four passengers now, -instead of three, the _Last Word_ shot over the desert in the darkness, -no lights being set aglow, as they wanted to remain concealed for some -time yet. They were on their way to 'Frisco, and with a better chance of -saving Mr. Wardell's fortune than Dick had imagined could be had, -following the revelation in that stray newspaper. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -PURSUED - - -"Well, we got away in good shape!" - -"We sure did; and fooled those fellows." - -Thus spoke Paul and Innis. - -"I'll show you that my car can go some, Mr. Cameron," said Dick, as he -turned on more power. - -"It may need to," answered the engineer. - -"Why so?" - -"Sam and Bill aren't going to give up so easily. And they have a speedy -machine." - -"You mean they may follow us?" - -"I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they did. You know they were paid to -see that no hostile interests got at me." - -"And we might be regarded as 'hostile interests'; is that it?" inquired -Dick, with a smile. - -"Somewhat; yes. So put as many miles between them and us as you can. -They're sure to discover, sooner or later, that I have gone, and they'll -pursue us. But I think I put one over on them at that." - -"How?" asked Paul, from the rear of the car, for Dick was driving. - -"I poured water in the gasoline tank. They may be able to run for a few -miles, but they're sure to stall sooner or later." - -"Then there's no use in worrying," said our hero, and he had almost -slowed down his car, when Mr. Cameron said: - -"Don't bank too much on that. They carry an extra supply of the 'gas,' -and they're sure to find out, in a little while, what the trouble is. -They're both experts, and they were sent off with me on that account. -Also, your Uncle Ezra's agents considered that it might be necessary for -me to make a quick shift, so they provided a powerful car, and plenty of -gasoline, though he did object most strenuously to the price." - -"I can imagine him doing that," agreed Dick, with a laugh. "Well, then, -we'll keep on for a while longer, and remain dark. It won't be so easy -for them to trace us then, as this car makes very little noise for its -size." - -"I noticed that," said Mr. Cameron. - -On they shot, over the desert. It was about an hour since they had left -the dry gully where they had picked up the young engineer, and they had -covered several miles. - -Once Dick halted his machine, while they listened for any sounds of -pursuit, but they heard none. If the other car was coming after them it -was either following silently, or was so far back that no sound of its -motor carried over the desert. - -"And so you put water in their gasoline tank?" chuckled Dick, as he -recalled what his guest had said. - -"Yes, they were both playing 'seven-up,' and disputing over some -intricate point, when I just took one of the water cans, and emptied it -into the gas tank. I thought I ought to do something after their having -taken most of the tricks so far." - -"That was all right!" rejoined Dick. "I'd like to see them when they -stall." - -"Well, really I owed them something like that," went on the young -engineer. "They had things their own way long enough. To think how I let -them fool me makes me mad! And yet I believed what they told me--that -they were in the right--I mean your Uncle Ezra and his friends--and of -course as long as I was paid for my legitimate work, I saw nothing wrong -in not coming to court to testify, particularly when they said that the -other side had been guilty of the same kind of practice. - -"But I see their game now. They thought I would never hear the other -side. It was the luckiest thing in the world that I stumbled into your -camp last night. It was fate. Do you believe in fate?" he asked Dick. - -"I certainly do," answered that young man. "That is why I stuck those -valuable papers--at least, they were valuable at one time--back of that -glass where anyone could see them," and he told of the experiences he -and his chums had gone through. - -In turn Mr. Cameron related some of his life's story. He was all alone -in the world, having been left a small inheritance by his father. He -took up the study of civil engineering, and made a success of it. - -It was by accident that he had been hired by Mr. Larabee's agents to -make the survey, and the rest followed by a "trick of fate," as he -described it. - -"I needed the money they promised to give me," he said, "or perhaps I -should not have gone into the matter at all. I am intending to set up in -business for myself, and the amount the lawyer named was very -acceptable. I never stopped to think that I might be doing some one an -injustice. The fact of the matter is, that I thought the trickery was on -Wardell's side." - -"I hope you are convinced now that it was not," said Dick. - -"I am, perfectly. I think your Uncle Ezra, not to put too fine a point -upon it, as the celebrated Mr. Snagsby would say--I think your Uncle -Ezra rather put one over on me." - -"I believe he did," said Dick, "and I'm glad I can be the means of -correcting the wrong." - -"And what will Uncle Ezra say when he finds it out?" asked Paul, with a -chuckle. - -"I'm afraid," answered the young millionaire, "that he'll have a fit; -won't he, Grit?" - -The animal growled, as he nearly always did at the mention of Mr. -Larabee's name. Grit and Mr. Cameron, however, had made friends at once. - -They drove on for a few miles farther, stopping now and then to listen -for sounds of an auto coming after them, but they heard nothing. Then, -as the way was getting rough, Dick decided to light the lamps, since it -was hardly possible now for the two men to see them over the desert. - -A short halt was made for this purpose, and then they got under way -again. There was the coming of a pale light in the east, and Dick, -looking toward it, said: - -"The sun will soon be up. We'll keep on as far as we can in the cool of -the day, and then halt in the best place we can find, for the engine -easily gets overheated on this sandy desert. After rest, and a -breakfast, we'll keep on." - -All thought this was a good plan, and it was followed. They had put many -miles between themselves and the two men when they slackened speed for -the morning meal. The sun seemed to come up with a "pop" from the sandy -waste, and immediately it was warm. - -"Thank goodness we haven't much more of this desert," said Dick, as he -helped his chums to prepare breakfast. "We can make better time when we -get on harder ground." - -"Are you going right into 'Frisco?" asked Innis. - -"As straight as I can," answered Dick. "I don't want to run any more -chances than I have to, and there's no telling what the other fellows -may do when they find that Mr. Cameron has deserted them." - -"Would they telegraph in to the lawyers?" asked Paul. - -"Very likely they would." - -"Then they may be waiting for us when we arrive," said Dick. "We'll have -to be careful." - -"I agree with you," spoke Mr. Cameron. "Once they know I have gone over -to the other side--the right side--they will do their best to discredit -me. They may even cause my arrest on some trumped-up charge, to prevent -me from going into court and giving my evidence to save Mr. Wardell's -fortune." - -"Then we'll be careful that they don't get you," said Dick, with a -laugh. "I'll have some more coffee, Paul." - -They were putting away the breakfast things, playfully scattering the -wooden plates over the sand, when Innis, who had gone to the rear of the -car, to look at the brake band, that needed a slight adjusting, called -out: - -"I say, Dick, they're after us!" - -"Who?" - -"Mr. Cameron's guards. There's a car coming over the desert behind us." - -They all ran to look, and there, in the distance, could be seen a cloud -of dust. - -"Maybe it's a stage coach," suggested Paul. - -Dick focussed a pair of field glasses on the cloud. Then he exclaimed: - -"It's an auto, all right, and it must be after us, though I can't make -out the kind of a car it is. Still, we'll take no chances. Come on, -fellows, let's get a move on!" - -They tumbled into the _Last Word_ and were soon speeding off over the -sand. - -"Lucky there isn't much more of this," said Paul. "We can't make any -time here." - -"And if we don't run into another sand-bog we'll be lucky," added Innis. - -"We simply mustn't do that," declared Dick. "You fellows watch out, and -so will I. We don't want to be delayed, for they would catch up to us -then." - -"They'll have hard work to get me to go back with them," spoke Mr. -Cameron, grimly. - -"Well, we don't want a fight if we can help it," said our hero. "If we -can beat them, so much the better," and he glanced back to where the -other auto was coming on in pursuit of the big car. Then Dick turned on -more power, and watched the road ahead keenly. He wanted no accidents -now. - -But the auto behind was coming on swiftly. It was a powerful car, and -was traveling light, while the _Last Word_ carried a heavy load. - -"But they sha'n't catch us!" murmured Dick. - -From behind there sounded a report like that of a gun. - -"A blow-out!" cried Paul. - -"No, they're trying to signal us--with revolvers," said Mr. Cameron, -with a chuckle. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -A BREAKDOWN - - -Each one of Dick's chums said, afterward, that he thought the same thing -at the moment Mr. Cameron made his statement--that the affair was more -desperate than they had at first suspected. True, the men racing after -them in the swift car might only be trying to attract their attention by -the firing of revolver shots, but, knowing what he did, Dick was more -inclined to think that it was done with the intention of injuring some -one. - -"Do you really think they're shooting at us?" asked Innis. - -"Well, not so much at us, as at our car," said the young engineer. - -"The tires!" cried Paul, with sudden thought. - -"What kind have you?" asked Mr. Cameron. - -"Not pneumatic!" exclaimed Dick, as he put on a little more power. -"Cushions instead. It won't hurt them to get a few bullets inside." - -"Good! For I think that's their intention," went on Mr. Cameron. -"They're not in effective range yet, though. But they think they can -disable us, and then get me back in their control again. They're going -to have their own troubles doing that though!" and he shut his teeth -grimly. His former light-hearted manner seemed to have left him. - -Paul took a backward glance at the oncoming car. Behind it there floated -a little haze of smoke from the firing of the revolver. - -"They're coming on," murmured the youth. "Can you get any more speed up, -Dick?" - -"I think so. I'm sort of doing it gradually, though, for this going is -hard on the running gear, and I don't want a breakdown." - -The _Last Word_ responded well to the demand made on her for increased -speed. Faster and faster she raced over the sandy stretch of the desert, -and now, Innis, looking back, reported: - -"We're giving them the go-by, Dick, old man!" - -"Glad of it. I thought we would. I have something left in reserve, too. -I guess we'll make a get-away, all right." - -"That water in the gasoline ought to work pretty soon, I should think," -said Mr. Cameron. "They must have used up all that was in the feed pipe -and carbureter, and the small auxiliary tank." - -"I guess that's what's the trouble now, all right!" went on Innis. "See, -they have stopped." - -"Then they're stuck!" cried the engineer, joyfully. "It's all right, -boys. They won't be able to find out what's the matter for an hour or -more. They'll tinker with every part of the engine, and when they do -find it's the gas we'll be far enough off." - -"That's right," agreed Dick. "It was a good thing to do." - -"The nerve of them, though--firing at us!" exclaimed Paul. "They might -have hit one of us." - -"I don't believe they would have done so intentionally," spoke the -engineer. "The men are not as desperate as that. But the bullets might -have glanced off. I imagine they fired low, just at the tires. But they -had nerve even to chase after us, as if I were an escaping criminal." - -"Do you think they had orders to prevent you from going away?" asked -Dick. - -"I believe they did," was the answer, "and to use force, if necessary. I -didn't realize it before, but those men, including your Uncle Ezra, Mr. -Hamilton, are probably desperate at the fear of losing control of this -road. It means a big thing to them, and they want to beat Mr. Wardell if -possible. But they shan't, if I can prevent it." - -Dick, now that he realized that the chase was over for the time being, -slowed up his car. They looked back along the level desert road, and -saw, in the dim distance, the two men busy about their stalled machine. - -"That will hold them for a while," said Mr. Cameron. "Now we can take -our time about getting away." - -Four hours later they had reached the end of the desert and had passed -into Nevada. - -"Into civilization once more," remarked Paul, as they saw the different -nature of the country before them. - -"And I'm glad of it," exclaimed Dick. "I've had enough of desert travel -for a while." - -"What is your programme?" asked Mr. Cameron, as they came to a pleasant -place, where Dick decided they would stay for the night. It was -sufficiently far from the main road to preclude the possibility of their -pursuers finding them, even should they be able to get under way again. -And that part of Nevada was not thickly populated. - -"I think we'll head for Carson City," said our hero. "It will be the -most direct route to reach San Francisco, and now that the matter of -filing the papers within a certain date isn't so important, I want to -get to the court as soon as possible." - -"That's right," agreed the young engineer. "As soon as I can make -affidavit to what I know your friend Wardell will be safe. Then it will -be a matter of fighting it out legally, but he'll have a chance for his -white alley, as the boys say. It won't be all one-sided. He'll have an -opportunity to put his side of the case in, and I think the courts will -restore his fortune to him. I'll do all I can for him, anyhow." - -"That's very good of you," said Dick. - -"Not at all. It's up to me to do that much, especially after what I did -to knock him out--though I didn't mean to, and it was because I was -deceived. I'll have a talk with your uncle, when I see him, Dick -Hamilton," he added significantly. - -"I don't imagine Uncle Ezra will show up around these parts, once he -knows he is likely to be defeated," said the young millionaire, with a -smile. - -"He'll rather have it in for you; won't he, Dick?" asked Paul, as he -patted Grit on the head. - -"Well, he may," Dick admitted, with a peculiar smile; "but I'm not as -afraid of my uncle as I used to be. I may tell him some things, too, the -way I did when he tried to kidnap me." - -"How was that?" asked Mr. Cameron, interestedly. - -"Oh, when I went on a cruise in my ship," answered the owner of the -_Last Word_, and he related the main incidents as I have set them down -in "Dick Hamilton's Steam Yacht." - -"He's as bold as an old-fashioned pirate--your uncle," remarked the -young engineer when Dick had finished. "But, say, this is something like -living!" he exclaimed, as he saw the preparations under way for getting -a meal. "I'm glad I eloped with you boys. Can I help at anything?" - -"You might see if you can get some water," suggested Dick. "That in the -tanks is a bit stale, I fancy." - -Soon they were merrily eating, and talking over their plans for the next -few days. They slept that night in the auto, and in the morning were off -again, no signs of their pursuers having been seen. - -In due time they reached Carson City, and laid in a supply of food and -gasoline. Then they hurried onward again. The road was fine in some -places, and miserable in others, but they made fairly good time. - -They were in California now, and the end of their journey was almost in -sight. They might have taken a train, and gotten to San Francisco -sooner, perhaps, and very likely it would have been safer to do so, -considering the risks they ran. But if this occurred to them they did -not give it a second thought. - -Besides, Dick did not want to abandon his car, and he had a sort of -pride in sticking to it throughout the whole journey across the -continent. - -True, Mr. Cameron might have gone on by himself, but when Dick suggested -this the engineer said: - -"No, I'm going to stick by the ship. I don't believe those fellows can -get ahead of us. Anyhow, I want your testimony, Dick, to go in with -mine. Besides, I hold the trump cards, so to speak. They can't do -anything without me, and the evidence I will give is the most important -in the case. - -"Another thing, I feel as if I needed protection, and you boys can -provide it. If I started for 'Frisco all alone they might get hold of me -somehow, and keep me out of the way until it was too late to do -anything. So I'll just stick with you. Four are harder to handle than -one, as they'll find if they come any of their funny tricks on us." - -"That's right!" agreed Paul, while Innis clenched his fists -suggestively. - -The way was rougher now, and they were proceeding more slowly. The trip -across the desert had somewhat delayed them, for the heavy car sank -deeper into the sand than they had counted on, and the trip had consumed -nearly three times as much time as it ordinarily does. - -They were within a few hours' run of Sacramento, passing through a -rather lonely region, when Dick, who was at the wheel, leaned forward, -and through the open front windows of the car seemed to be listening to -the chug-chug of the motor. - -"What's the matter?" asked Paul. - -"She doesn't seem to be running just right," he answered. "Something -seems to be out of gear. Maybe it's one of the timers. I guess I'll have -a look." - -As he put out his hand to shut off the gasoline by the lever provided -for that purpose, the big car came to a sudden stop of its own accord. - -"A breakdown, I guess," murmured Dick. "And a bad place to have it in," -he added as he looked about him. As he alighted, followed by the others, -there came up behind them a powerful auto containing three men. This car -stopped, and two of the strangers got out, approaching Dick and his -friends. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -THE RACE - - -"Something gone wrong?" asked one of the men, pleasantly, while the -third member of the trio was getting out of the powerful car that had -pulled up back of Dick's. - -"Yes, the motor stopped without any reason, as far as I can see," said -our hero. He gave a hasty glance at the men. As far as he could tell he -had never seen any of them before. A look at Mr. Cameron showed that he -was not perturbed at their arrival, for he was looking at some queer -rocks at the side of the roadway. - -"Perhaps I can be of some service," said another of the trio. "I know -something of autos." - -"We'll take a look," agreed Dick, as he opened the bonnet over the -motor. "It's the first time it's gone back on me since I had it, except -for a little brake trouble," he went on. - -"It's a mighty fine car," said the stranger. "I don't know as I ever saw -one like it." - -"She was built to order," said Dick, not caring to go into details. Yet -he had no intention of concealing anything, for he realized that their -enemies, if they desired to keep track of their progress, could do so -anyhow, since the car was not one to be easily forgotten. - -While Dick and the man who had admitted that he was something of an auto -expert, were going over the motor, looking for the trouble, the other -two strangers had gone back to their car. - -"Want any help?" asked Paul, as he and Innis strolled about. - -"I guess not," said Dick. "Make yourselves comfortable. We'll start as -soon as we can." - -Mr. Cameron was walking idly about, examining different geological -specimens. Then the two men who had gone back to their car discovered -that one of the tires had a puncture, and was down almost flat. They -called this information to the one who was with Dick, and the latter -answered: - -"Better put in a new inner tube. We'll want to make time when we get -away from here." - -"Don't let me keep you," said Dick, quickly. "I think I may be able to -locate the trouble myself." - -"Well, I am in something of a hurry," the man admitted. "But, since my -own car needs attention I'll stay with you until they get the tire -fixed. Have you looked at the carbureter?" - -"No, I was just going to." - -Together they inspected that important part of an auto's mechanism. -They found it a little out of adjustment, and proceeded to remedy it. - -"I imagine the trouble, as much as anything, is in the gasoline," said -the stranger. "It's an awful poor quality they supply nowadays. It'll -get so, after a while, that we'll have to use kerosene. In fact, I'm -thinking of getting a car that has a two-jet carbureter on it, to mingle -gasoline and kerosene. That's what we'll come to, after a while." - -He and Dick talked interestedly of the mechanical side of autos, while -the carbureter was put in shape for a test. Meanwhile the two men were -working away at their tire. They seemed to be having trouble with it, -and Paul and Innis were just going to ask if they did not want some help -in return for the service their friend was rendering Dick, when Mr. -Cameron exclaimed: - -"I'll lend 'em a hand. I want to learn how to change a tire. I may have -an auto of my own some day." - -With the three of them at work, the tire was soon in shape and pumped -up. But Dick's car would not respond. The self-starter was tried again -and again, but, though the motor flywheel was turned over rapidly, the -cylinders would not take up their work. - -"She doesn't seem to be getting a spark," said the man. "How is your -magneto?" - -"It never has been out of order," said Dick. "Still, there is always a -first time." - -"Let's have a look at that," the stranger suggested, and he and Dick -went around on the other side of the car where the electrical mechanism -was located under the bonnet. - -As they reached it there came from the other car the staccato sound of -the exhaust. One of the men had started it going. - -"Now don't let me keep you!" exclaimed Dick. "It's getting late, and we -can bunk here all night if we have to. You can't." - -"No, that's where you have the advantage of us. But I'll just have a -look at your magneto, and then I'm afraid I'll have to be getting on. -I'll be with you in a minute!" he called to his two friends. "Are you -ready to start?" - -"We will be in a minute," came back the answer. Mr. Cameron was standing -near the machine, while Paul and Innis had strolled over to a spring and -were drinking. - -Suddenly, as Dick looked, he saw one of the men at the other auto make a -jump for Mr. Cameron. The latter leaped back, but not in time to avoid -being caught. The young millionaire had a glimpse of a white cloth being -pressed over his friend's face, and a moment later the two men had -lifted him into the tonneau. Then, while one held the struggling -engineer there, the other leaped to the steering wheel. - -"Come on!" he cried, evidently to the man with Dick. "We're ready now!" - -"Good!" and with that the third man raced from Dick's side and the next -instant was in the moving auto. A moment later it passed Dick's car with -a burst of speed, and went down the road in a cloud of dust, bearing off -Mr. Cameron. - -For a moment Dick could not find his voice. Then as the significance of -what had occurred dawned on him he cried out: - -"Paul--Innis! They've got Mr. Cameron! It was a trick! Those are some of -Uncle Ezra's agents! They're going to get Mr. Cameron out of the way and -spoil our case. Come on!" - -The two cadets came running back, surprise showing on their faces. - -"We've got to get him back!" cried Dick. - -"But how can you, with our car stalled?" asked Paul. - -The young millionaire made a gesture of despair. Then with a last hope -he sprang to the steering wheel and pressed the button of the -self-starter. - -With a whizz and a roar the motor began running. By some trick Dick and -the man had remedied the trouble without knowing it. The _Last Word_ -could proceed again. - -"Good luck!" cried Innis. - -"Come on!" yelled Dick. "We've got to chase them!" - -The three made flying leaps for the car, and a moment later the strange -race was on. But the other auto was out of sight. - - - - -Chapter XXXIII - -JUST IN TIME - - -"Say, they're regular kidnappers!" - -"That's what! Wanting to help us was all part of the trick." - -"I wonder how they overpowered him? He was a strong man." - -"Chloroform, I guess." - -"That's right," agreed Dick, the foregoing remarks having been made by -his chums as the big car dashed along in pursuit of the other. "I -smelled it," the young millionaire added. - -"I do hope we can catch the scoundrels!" murmured Paul. - -"It's a handicap, though, with night coming on," said Innis. - -"Well, we won't stop until we have to," said Dick, grimly. - -"How do you suppose they worked it?" asked Paul, as the _Last Word_ -careened on over the uneven way. - -"They must have been trailing us," suggested Dick, as he held to the -vibrating steering wheel. "Martin and Wickford probably got in touch -with their crowd by telegraph after we got away from them, and very -likely mapped out the course we would probably take. They knew we had to -come to San Francisco. Then they dropped out of the game--Martin and -Wickford did--and some others took up the chase. The object was to get -hold of Mr. Cameron so he couldn't testify." - -"And they've done it," said Innis, gloomily. - -"But we'll get him back!" asserted Paul. - -"That's what!" declared Dick. "We'll keep on their trail until we get -him away from them. Fate rather played into their hands this trip. If we -hadn't become stalled they might not have caught up with us, as I was -thinking of laying up over night, and they might have passed us in the -evening. - -"However, it can't be helped. We'll do the best we can. As soon as they -saw us, when they came dashing up, they must have laid their plans. They -knew our car the moment they laid eyes on it, and we were at a -disadvantage, for we'd never seen them before." - -"And we didn't suspect," added Paul, gloomily. - -"No," went on our hero. "I even believe they punctured that tire on -purpose." - -"They might have," admitted Innis. "It's a wonder that fellow didn't put -your motor out of commission for keeps, Dick, while he was working over -it." - -"He might easily have done so. I never suspected a thing. But I was -watching him pretty closely, for all that, for he didn't know as much -about machinery as he pretended to. He couldn't have tried any trick -without my seeing him, and I guess he didn't care to take any chances. - -"His game was to hold my attention while his confederates worked things -so as to get Mr. Cameron near their car. Then they grabbed him, stuck a -chloroformed rag over his nose to take the fight out of him, and made -their get-away." - -"It's lucky your motor started when it did," remarked Innis, as he clung -to the sides of the swaying car. - -"That's right," agreed Dick. "We might have been stalled yet, only that -luck was with us. I suppose monkeying with it the way we did, we put -back into adjustment some little thing that was out of gear. She's -running like a sewing machine now." - -And indeed the big car was responding nobly to the demands made on her. -The road was very good, fortunately. It was getting dusk, but the boys -had no thought of even halting for supper. There were some sandwiches -they could eat later on. - -Dick switched on the powerful searchlights and the path ahead of them -was illumined by a brilliant glow. Mile after mile they covered, and as -it happened, the only crossroads they passed were so poor that it would -have been dangerous for the car ahead of them to have turned off. - -"Though they may slip into some side lane, and trust to us to run -past," said Paul. - -"Maybe," assented Dick. "The odds are against us, but we'll keep on." - -"Look!" suddenly cried Innis, pointing ahead. Through the darkness they -could see a single gleam of red, like some big ruby. - -"Their tail light!" cried Dick. - -"Unless it's some other car," said Paul. - -"We haven't passed any, though maybe we're catching up to one that came -in from some side road," admitted Dick. "Here goes for a spurt. Maybe we -can catch 'em!" - -He threw on all the power that was safe on such a road at night, and the -_Last Word_ forged ahead. It was their one best chance to catch the -other car, if indeed that was it, and they were taking advantage of it. - -On and on they raced, the big auto swaying dangerously. Fortunately they -did not have to worry about tire trouble, and this was something that -might handicap the other car at a moment's notice. On and on they raced. - -"The light seems to be brighter now," said Paul. - -"I think we are catching up to them," agreed Innis. - -"I hope so," murmured Dick. He peered ahead for a sign of any possible -obstruction into which they might crash. At the speed they were keeping -up, to hit anything, or have even a slight accident, would be serious. -But the big lights made the road very plain. - -"They must have seen us," observed Paul. - -"I fancy so," agreed Dick. "I wish we had some way of puncturing one of -their tires." - -Almost as he spoke there came from the car ahead of them a loud report. - -"They're firing at us, just as those other fellows did!" cried Paul. - -"No, that wasn't a shot!" yelled Dick. "Fellows, it's a tire blow-out. -We've got 'em." - -He gave the laboring motor of the _Last Word_ a little more gasoline and -adjusted the spark lever. The car responded promptly. - -"We're overhauling 'em!" cried Innis. - -The red tail light was growing more bright every moment. It could be -seen that the other auto was losing speed. There was the sound of -another tire giving way, and then the screech as brakes were quickly -applied. - -"We've got 'em!" yelled Dick. "Luck's with us to-night, all right!" - -The other car was in full glare of the search-lamps of Dick's car now. -Three figures were seen to leap out and make for the woods on one side -of the highway. - -"Mr. Cameron! Mr. Cameron!" yelled Dick. "Are you all right?" - -There was no answer. A moment later the big car shot up alongside the -stalled one. The boys leaped out, and a glance inside the auto they had -pursued showed them the figure of the engineer huddled up on the floor -of the tonneau. - -"Are you all right? Have they harmed you?" asked Dick, opening one of -the side doors. A murmur was the only answer he got. - -"They've gagged him!" cried Paul. - -A moment later the boys had the rag from the mouth of their friend, and -had cut the cords that bound him. They helped him to his feet, and one -of them brought him a drink of water from the big car. - -"How are you?" asked Dick, anxiously. - -"All--right--now," was the hesitating answer. "A little--knocked out, -but still in the ring. You came just in time, boys." - -"How is that?" inquired Dick. - -"Ten minutes later they would have been at the railroad station, and had -me aboard a train. Then they'd have taken me into the unknown again, and -you'd never have gotten me until it was too late. You were just in -time." - - - - -Chapter XXXIV - -THE FORTUNE SAVED - - -Little time was lost in transferring Mr. Cameron to Dick's big car. The -young engineer was soon himself again, the slight feeling of illness, -caused by the chloroform, passing off. - -"Those blowouts came just in time to let us get you," remarked Dick, as -he looked at the stalled car. - -"Yes," agreed Mr. Cameron. "They ran so fast they overheated the shoes. -I didn't think you could catch us." - -"Oh, the _Last Word_ can go some when she has to," said Dick, proudly. -"I never called on her for as much speed as this before though. What did -they do to you?" - -"Nothing much, after they took me by surprise, and bundled me into their -car. Then they gagged me, as I found out when I recovered my senses, and -they trussed me up pretty well with the ropes. I could hear them -talking, though." - -"Were they some of Uncle Ezra's gang?" asked Dick. - -"Yes, they were taking the place of my two former guards, Sam and Bill. -I guess they had their orders to hide me away somewhere so you boys -couldn't find me until it was too late. But what are you going to do -now?" - -"Get something to eat, and then head for San Francisco as fast as the -car will take us," said Dick. "We won't waste another minute. No telling -what trick they may try next." - -The meal, served in the big auto, revived them, for they were tired with -the chase and worn by anxiety. Soon they all felt better and a little -later they were on the move again, leaving the stalled car where -doubtless the men would come back and get it. - -"It's a wonder they didn't show fight when they found we were -overhauling them," said Paul. - -"I guess they didn't dare risk it," said Mr. Cameron. "They were taking -enough chances with the law as it was. Well, I'll be glad when this is -over so I can settle down to business again. I'll give my testimony as -soon as I can, and then the case will be over." - -As Mr. Cameron knew the roads well they made a night journey of it, -coming at dawn to a fair-sized city where they stopped for gasoline. -Then they continued on, and in due time came to San Francisco. - -"Now what's the program?" asked Paul, when they realized that they were -at the end of their journey. They had crossed this great continent. - -"Get to a good lawyer, explain the case to him and have him fix matters -up so your friend Wardell won't lose his fortune," said Mr. Cameron, and -this was done, a call being made on Mr. Whitfield Ainslie, who was -recommended by Mr. Tunison. - -The lawyer agreed that no time was to be lost. Matters were put in shape -for presentation to the courts, and Mr. Cameron's affidavits were filed. -The papers Dick had taken such care of came in useful, though their -importance was not as great as they would have been had not Mr. Cameron -been able to tell what he knew. - -Then came the day in court, when the other side, with the lawyers -representing Mr. Larabee fighting in every way their trained legal minds -could think of. - -The judge heard all the testimony, including how Mr. Cameron had -discovered the unexpected evidence, and how, under a misapprehension, he -had agreed to keep silent about it. The manner in which Mr. Wardell gave -up his railroad stock was also recited. - -"Why is he himself not here to give testimony?" the judge asked. - -"Because, your honor," said Mr. Ainslie, "he is really not needed. He -has given Mr. Hamilton power of attorney to act for him. Besides Mr. -Wardell is, I am informed by credible authority, in South America, -trying to make a new fortune for himself." - -"Well," remarked the judge with a little smile, "in that case I think -we shall have to give him back his old one. I find for Mr. Wardell, let -judgment be entered accordingly," and he signed the papers and turned -them over to his clerk for formal filing. - -"What does that mean?" whispered Dick to his lawyer. - -"It means that you have saved Mr. Wardell's fortune for him. I -congratulate you." - -"Well, I had a race for it!" said Dick, grimly. "But it was fun after -all." - -Of course Uncle Ezra's lawyers tried their best to upset the judgment in -Mr. Wardell's favor, but they were ruled out of court. Uncle Ezra even -came on himself, crabbed and angry at having spent money on railroad -fare. - -"And so you're responsible for my losing all this money, be you, Nephew -Richard?" he snarled, when he found he had lost his case. - -"It wasn't yours by rights," declared Dick. "I'm sorry to have to go -against you, but it was the only thing I could do." - -"Humph!" sniffed Mr. Larabee. "Don't you let that pesky dog of yours nip -me, or I'll sue you for damages!" he cried, as Grit growled and showed a -desire to get nearer to Uncle Ezra's legs. - -"Down, Grit," said Dick, quietly. "I don't suppose, Uncle Ezra," he went -on, "that you'll want to ride back with us in the big auto. We'll be -touring back after we see something of California." - -"I wouldn't ride with you for a farm!" snapped the old man. "Besides, -I've got a return ticket an' I'm not goin' to let the railroad get the -best of me. I've lost enough money as it is." - -"You might sell the ticket," suggested Dick, but he hoped his relative -would not ride back with him. - -"Huh! Yes, and lose nigh half of it. No, sir, I'm going back in the -cars!" - -"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Paul in a low voice. And then, as Mr. -Larabee left Dick's chum asked: - -"Well, what's next on the program, old man? Do you think we'll have any -more adventures like those we've just passed through?" - -"I don't know," remarked, Dick, musingly. And what new adventures befell -him and his friends will be related in the next book of this series, to -be called "Dick Hamilton's Airship; Or, A Young Millionaire in the -Clouds." - -Uncle Ezra departed for the East next day, a very much put-out man. He -said he never would forgive his nephew. - -"Now look here, Uncle Ezra," remarked our hero, solemnly. "I don't care -what you think, for I know I did right in this matter. You may have been -fully within the law in what you did----" - -"I was, Nephew Richard. I had the law with me." - -"But not the moral law," went on Dick. "You might have been the cause of -Mr. Wardell taking his life. He actually contemplated that as he was in -such despair at losing his fortune. I was lucky enough to prevent him, -and I saved his fortune for him, for the honor of my family." - -"Humph!" sniffed Uncle Ezra, as he went for his train, Grit growling a -good-bye. "Wa'al, maybe it's all for the best," he added grudgingly. -"I've lost a pile of money, but still I wouldn't want anybody to suicide -on my account." - -"And now let's forget law and legal papers and all such stuff!" cried -Dick, a little later. "We're going to have a good time the rest of the -summer." - -And that they did need not be doubted. Dick informed his father by -telegraph of the success of the trip, and later wrote the main facts to -him. In turn Mr. Hamilton sent Dick a letter that had come from Mr. -Wardell in South America. - -Thus in possession of the address Dick wrote telling of the saving of -the fortune. And, as Mr. Wardell had not been as successful in South -America as he had hoped to be, he came on home, and took up the -management of his affairs, so luckily preserved to him. Mr. Cameron, in -recognition of his services, was made chief engineer of the railroad, a -position that exactly suited him. Mr. Wardell offered Dick a substantial -sum, but the young millionaire turned it over to charity. - -Criminal action might have been taken against the men who practically -kidnapped him, but it was decided best to drop the matter, so they were -not sought out, nor were those who had annoyed and tried to get the -papers from Dick. - -"And now let's tour California," said Dick one day, some time after all -court matters were over. "We'll see the sights and start back across the -continent so as to get to Kentfield when the football season opens!" - -"That's the talk!" cried Paul Drew. - -And here we will take leave of Dick Hamilton and his friends. - - -THE END - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Dick Hamilton's Touring Car, by Howard R. 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Garis. - </title> - <style type="text/css"> - - p { margin-top: .75em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .75em; - } - - p.bold {text-align: center; font-weight: bold;} - p.bold2 {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 150%;} - - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; - } - h1 span, h2 span { display: block; text-align: center; } - #id1 { font-size: smaller } - - - hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; - } - - body{margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - } - - table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; text-align: right;} - - .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - text-indent: 0px; - } /* page numbers */ - - .center {text-align: center;} - .smaller {font-size: smaller;} - .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - .mynote { background-color: #DDE; color: black; padding: .5em; margin-left: 20%; - margin-right: 20%; } /* colored box for notes at beginning of file */ - .space-above {margin-top: 3em;} - .right {text-align: right;} - .left {text-align: left;} - .s6 {display: inline; margin-left: 6em;} - - .poem {display: inline-block; text-align: left;} - .poem br {display: none;} - .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} - .poem div {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's Dick Hamilton's Touring Car, by Howard R. Garis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Dick Hamilton's Touring Car - A Young Millionaire's Race For A Fortune - -Author: Howard R. Garis - -Release Date: October 30, 2016 [EBook #53406] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DICK HAMILTON'S TOURING CAR *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class = "mynote"><p class="center">Transcriber's Note:<br /><br /> -Obvious typographic errors have been corrected.<br /></p></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><a name="cover.jpg" id="cover.jpg"></a><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="INTO THE WATER SPLASHED THE BIG TOURING CAR" /></div> - -<p class="bold">INTO THE WATER SPLASHED THE BIG TOURING CAR<br /><i>Dick Hamilton's Touring Car.</i><span class="s6"> </span><i>Frontispiece</i>—(<i>Page 168.</i>)</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> - -<h1>DICK HAMILTON'S<br />TOURING CAR</h1> - -<p class="bold">OR</p> - -<p class="bold">A YOUNG MILLIONAIRE'S RACE<br />FOR A FORTUNE</p> - -<p class="bold space-above">BY</p> - -<p class="bold2">HOWARD R. GARIS</p> - -<p class="bold">AUTHOR OF "DICK HAMILTON'S FORTUNE," "DICK<br /> -HAMILTON'S STEAM YACHT," "FROM OFFICE BOY<br /> -TO REPORTER," "LARRY DEXTER AND THE STOLEN<br />BOY," ETC.</p> - -<p class="bold space-above"><i>ILLUSTRATED</i></p> - -<p class="bold space-above">THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO.<br /> -AKRON, OHIO<span class="s6"> </span>NEW YORK</p> - -<p class="bold">MADE IN U. S. A.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">Copyright, 1913, by</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Grosset & Dunlap</i></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> - -<h2>PREFACE</h2> - -<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Boys</span>:</p> - -<p>I am not going to detain you long over this, for, if you are anything -like I was, when I was your age, you don't want a lengthy introduction. -But I just want a moment or so of your time, to explain something of the -kind of story this is—a sort of bill of fare, as it were.</p> - -<p>This is an account of how the young millionaire, Dick Hamilton, -unexpectedly did a great service for a stranger, and how, later learning -that this same stranger needed help in saving his fortune, Dick took -strenuous action.</p> - -<p>For excellence in his studies at the Kentfield Military Academy, Dick's -father gave him his choice of any automobile he wished. Dick found just -the kind of a touring car he wanted—one large enough to sleep and live -in, as he and his friends traveled about.</p> - -<p>In this car, which Dick named the <i>Last Word</i>, the boys set out for San -Francisco. What happened to them on the way, how they foiled the plans -of Dick's Uncle Ezra, how they came upon the strange man in the great -salt desert, and how, in an exciting race, they tried to save him and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span> -blocked the plans of those who would take Mr. Wardell's fortune from -him—all this you may read of in this book.</p> - -<p>It is the fifth volume of the "Dick Hamilton Series," and that you will -like it as well as you have the preceding ones is the sincere wish of -your friend,</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="smcap">Howard R. Garis</span>.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - -<table summary="CONTENTS"> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="left"><span class="smaller">CHAPTER</span></td> - <td><span class="smaller">PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>I</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Queer Actions</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>II</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Uncle Ezra</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>III</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Good News</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>IV</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">To the Auto Show</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>V</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Big Car</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VI</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Ruined Millionaire</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_48">48</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VII</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">On the Road</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VIII</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Uncle Ezra Laughs</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>IX</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Dick Makes Plans</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>X</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Mr. Wardell's Confession</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XI</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Off on the Trip</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_89">89</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XII</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Uncle Ezra Plots</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIII</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Hand in the Dark</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIV</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Blocked Road</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XV</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Puzzled</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_121">121</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XVI</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Lame Man</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XVII</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Giving Him a Lift</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XVIII</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Disappearance</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_142">142</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIX</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Simple Trick</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_147">147</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XX</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Down Hill</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_155">155</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXI</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Marooned</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_164">164</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXII</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">An Engineering Problem</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXIII</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Off Again</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span>XXIV</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Night Encounter</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXV</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Into the Loneliness</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_189">189</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXVI</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Bad News</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXVII</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Man in the Desert</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXVIII</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Important Information</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_211">211</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXIX</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">On to 'Frisco</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXX</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Pursued</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_229">229</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXXI</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Breakdown</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_236">236</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXXII</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Race</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_244">244</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXXIII</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Just in Time</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_249">249</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXXIV</td> - <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Fortune Saved</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_255">255</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">DICK HAMILTON'S<br />TOURING CAR</p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER I</span> <span class="smaller">QUEER ACTIONS</span></h2> - -<p>"Here's cheerful news—not!" exclaimed Dick Hamilton, as he tossed a -letter on the bed of the room occupied by himself and his chum, Paul -Drew, at the Kentfield Military Academy. "Nice, rich, juicy news, Paul!"</p> - -<p>"What's the matter, old man? Has some one sent you a bill?"</p> - -<p>"No, but it's a note from my Uncle Ezra Larabee, of Dankville, saying -he's coming to pay me a visit. Whew!"</p> - -<p>"A visit from Uncle Ezra; eh? Isn't he that sour-faced man who hates -your bulldog, Grit, and who thinks football is a waste of time?"</p> - -<p>"That's the man, Paul. And he's the same uncle who tried to kidnap me, -to teach me how sinful it was to go off and have a good time on my -yacht. Oh, he's the limit!"</p> - -<p>"But if there isn't any love lost between you, why is he coming here, -Dick? I think you told me he was about as near to being a miser as it's -possible to get, and it costs money to come here from Dankville."</p> - -<p>"Oh, he isn't coming specially to see me—you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> can make up your mind to -that, Paul. I'm only a side issue. Let's see what he says," and Dick -took up the letter again. "'Dear Nephew Richard,'" he read—"he never -calls me anything but Richard, you know. 'I hope you are doing well in -your studies'—no, that isn't it—'I trust you have gotten rid of your -savage dog'—no, it isn't there—quiet, Grit!" he called to a -handsome-homely dog in one corner of the room, the intelligent beast -having growled instinctively at the mention of Uncle Ezra's name.</p> - -<p>"Let's see, where is that part of his note?" went on Dick, leafing over -the sheet. "He's wasteful enough of paper, ink and words, if he isn't of -money. Oh, here it is. 'I have some business to attend to near -Kentfield, and after I have finished I will run over and see you.'</p> - -<p>"There you are, Paul. You see he's only coming to see me as an -after-thought. Probably he knows I'll ask him to take dinner with me in -the mess hall, and he can save the price of a sandwich and a cup of -coffee. Oh, Uncle Ezra is mighty saving!"</p> - -<p>"He must be."</p> - -<p>"Well, he won't be here until afternoon, Paul. So let's take advantage -of it and go for a walk. You haven't anything on; have you?"</p> - -<p>"No; drill's over and I'm through with lectures. I'm with you. Where do -you want to go?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, anywhere. Let's walk out toward the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> hills. It's more like the -country there, and with summer almost here I always want to get out in -the woods and fields."</p> - -<p>"The same with me. It won't be long until vacation now. What are you -going to do, Dick?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," replied the young millionaire, musingly, as he donned a -fatigue uniform. "Dad did think of going to Europe, and if he does I -shall probably go with him. But I'd rather put in a good time on this -side, with some of the fellows. What's your programme, Paul?"</p> - -<p>"It's up to the folks, and they haven't made up their minds yet. It's -always a toss-up between the mountains and the seashore. I generally -vote for the shore, though I wouldn't mind a trip across the mill-pond. -However, I suppose I'll have to stick with the family. Well, are you -ready?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Come along, Grit!" and Dick had to brace himself against the -demonstrative leaps of the fine animal that was delighted at going on a -jaunt with his master.</p> - -<p>"I guess I'll leave word that if Uncle Ezra should come in while we're -out, he can wait here for us," went on Dick, and on his way out he spoke -to the care-taker in charge of the dormitory.</p> - -<p>"I have to be decent to him, if he did treat me pretty mean," went on -Dick. "After all,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> he thinks he's doing right, and he is my dead -mother's brother."</p> - -<p>"Did he say what his business was around here?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"No, but you can be pretty sure it is something to do with money. -Probably Uncle Ezra is coming to collect some bill."</p> - -<p>"I'm glad I don't owe him anything, Dick."</p> - -<p>"The same here. He'd get the last penny from you. I pity anyone who does -owe him, if he can't pay. Here, Grit, you never mind that cat," for the -bulldog, with a low growl and a raising of the hair on the ridge of his -back, had shown an inclination to chase a cat that scuttled across the -drive from the barrack stables where the troop horses of the military -academy were kept.</p> - -<p>"That must be a strange feline," remarked Paul. "Grit knows all the -regulars."</p> - -<p>"Guess you're right, Paul. There goes Beeby. Hi, Innis!" Dick called to -a tall cadet, crossing the parade ground. "Want to come for a walk?"</p> - -<p>"Can't—I've got some work to do."</p> - -<p>"'Work was made for slaves,'" quoted Paul.</p> - -<p>"Then I'm a slave," retorted Innis Beeby. "See you later," and he turned -into his dormitory.</p> - -<p>Paul and Dick kept on by themselves, meeting chums and acquaintances -occasionally, until they were well away from the military academy, -swinging along a country road at a good pace<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span>—heads up, shoulders back -and with a true military carriage, attained only after long practice.</p> - -<p>"Which way?" asked Paul, as they came to a place where the road branched -off, one highway leading to Lake Wagatook, and the other to a small town -about two miles away.</p> - -<p>"Let's go in to Westville. I want to see about getting a new collar for -Grit. No, I didn't call you," he said to the bulldog, who came back on -hearing his name.</p> - -<p>"On to Westville then," assented Paul, and not until some time afterward -did either of them realize how their choice of roads that day had to do -with an important epoch in the life of a certain young man.</p> - -<p>About half way to Westville the highway was crossed by a railroad -embankment, the road being carried under it by a big culvert. It was on -approaching this embankment that Paul, looking up, and seeing the figure -of a man on the tracks, called Dick's attention to him.</p> - -<p>"Look there!" he exclaimed. "That fellow's acting mighty queer, Dick. -I've been noticing him ever since we came in sight of the railroad. -Watch him."</p> - -<p>Dick looked up. The man on the track above them did not seem aware of -their presence. He would walk along the embankment a short distance, -pause, and seem to be contemplating the rails; then, with an odd gesture -would retrace his steps.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p><p>"You're right, Paul, he does act queer," agreed Dick. "I wonder what -he's up to?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. Let's watch him a bit longer. He doesn't seem to be -paying any attention to us."</p> - -<p>As they looked, the man sat down on a pile of stones near the edge of -the track, and began looking through his pockets. He seemed to find what -he wanted—a bit of paper that fluttered in the wind—and then, placing -it on his knee he began to write.</p> - -<p>"He's making notes," said Dick.</p> - -<p>"Maybe he's a track walker, and he's found some defect in the rails," -suggested Paul.</p> - -<p>"Track-walkers don't dress that way. He's got a tailor-made suit on."</p> - -<p>"That's so, Dick. I wonder who he is?"</p> - -<p>Whatever the man was writing did not seem to take long, for he soon -arose. Then the two cadets saw him carefully pin the paper he had -written to the inner pocket of his coat.</p> - -<p>"Well, what do you know about that?" demanded Dick.</p> - -<p>"It looks strange," admitted Paul. "He sure isn't going to lose that -paper."</p> - -<p>As he spoke the man resumed his pacing of the track. He came to the edge -of the concrete bridge that carried the railroad over the highway, -paused a moment, and then, with a shake of his head, retraced his steps. -Then he came to a pause at the place where he had rested to write<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> the -note. He looked down the embankment, and once more shook his head.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the whistle of an approaching train was heard, though it was -some distance off, and would not be along for several minutes. At the -sound the man on the tracks threw his hands upward with a tragic -gesture.</p> - -<p>"Paul!" cried Dick, "there's something wrong with that man! Maybe he's -partly insane and doesn't realize his danger. I'm going up and tell him -to get off the track."</p> - -<p>"Maybe it would be a good idea, Dick. Go ahead—I'm with you."</p> - -<p>The cadets scrambled up the yielding ashes and earth that formed the -elevated embankment. As they advanced they could hear the distant -rumbling of the approaching train. The man who had acted so strangely -now saw them, but only regarded them with a sort of melancholy smile, -and did not hasten away.</p> - -<p>"I beg your pardon," panted Dick, as he walked toward the stranger -somewhat winded after his climb, "but it's dangerous up here. There's a -train coming."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, I know it." The man spoke calmly, in contrast with his queer -actions.</p> - -<p>"I thought perhaps you might be a stranger around here," the young cadet -resumed. "There are two trains that pass here about the same time. You -might get out of the way of one, and step in the path of the other."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p><p>"Thank you for the warning," said the man. "I—er—I——"</p> - -<p>He hesitated, and seemed to be struggling with some emotion.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I had better get off the track—for the present," he said, -slowly.</p> - -<p>"You had, if you don't want to be killed!" exclaimed Dick, with a laugh -that took the grim meaning from the words. "I guess we'd all better. The -trains are getting nearer, and it's too good a world to leave by way of -the iron route."</p> - -<p>"Is it a good world?" asked the man, suddenly.</p> - -<p>"I find it so," answered the cadet. "Especially in this kind of weather, -and vacation so near at hand; eh, Paul?"</p> - -<p>"That's right!"</p> - -<p>"You are students at the Kentfield Academy then?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Better move a bit faster. Here comes the express. It will pass the -local on the bridge, I guess. Yes, there they both come."</p> - -<p>Whistles from the locomotives of the two approaching trains, which -rounded curves at this point, showed that the two engineers had seen the -figures on the track.</p> - -<p>"That's for us!" exclaimed Paul, quickly.</p> - -<p>The stranger did not answer, but slowly followed Dick, who scrambled -down the embankment. Ere they reached the lower level the trains rushed -thunderously past in a cloud of dust and cinders.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p><p>"Now you can walk the track with more safety," remarked Dick to the -man. "There won't be another train for three hours."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, I think I'll go the rest of my journey by the highway," and -the man, with a little bow, turned aside, going in the direction from -which the boys had come. As he walked along Paul turned in time to see -him take from his pocket the note he had pinned there and tear it up, -scattering the fragments along the road.</p> - -<p>For a few moments Paul and Dick walked along in silence, Grit following -at their heels. Then Paul spoke.</p> - -<p>"Dick!" he exclaimed, "do you know I think you saved that man from -committing suicide!"</p> - -<p>"Suicide! Nonsense, Paul!"</p> - -<p>"That's right. If I ever saw despair and hopelessness on a man's face it -was on his."</p> - -<p>"Well, he didn't look very happy, that's a fact. But what had that to do -with an intention to take his own life?"</p> - -<p>"Lots, when you think of the way he acted."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you imagine it."</p> - -<p>"I do not! I believe he came here with the intention of throwing himself -under a train, or at least allowing himself to be struck by one. I -believe he wrote a note of farewell, and pinned it in his pocket so it -wouldn't get lost. Just see how queer he acted! No one would stay on the -track the way he did, with two trains coming, unless he had it in mind -to get hurt. No, Dick,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> you can say what you like, but I believe your -going up when you did, and talking to him, saved his life."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'd like to think that I did that for a fellow being, Paul; but I -still can't admit it."</p> - -<p>"It's true, whether you admit it or not. You saved his life, and some -day you'll know it, or I'm mistaken."</p> - -<p>"Oh, nonsense!"</p> - -<p>"No nonsense at all. You'll see. That man was at the end of his rope—he -was all in. He was in despair, and he wasn't a common sort, either. He -comes of a good family, I can see that. And the way you talked to him, -just at the right moment—saying this was a pretty good old world after -all—you saved his life, Dick—at least for a time."</p> - -<p>"Get out!" But in spite of his denial Dick felt glad that he had done -what he had. And it was not until some time after that he learned what -really had taken place. Under strange circumstances he was to meet that -man again.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER II</span> <span class="smaller">UNCLE EZRA</span></h2> - -<p>"Quiet, Grit! What's the matter, old fellow?"</p> - -<p>"He seems to think some one is in our room," said Paul Drew. He and Dick -had returned from their walk, Grit resplendent in a new, brass-studded -collar, and the dog had shown signs of resentful excitement on nearing -the door of the room where the two chums lodged.</p> - -<p>"I wonder——?" began Dick, and then, as he opened the door, and saw a -rather grizzled man standing near the window—a man with a queer little -tuft of whiskers on his chin—Dick exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Uncle Ezra!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Nephew Richard. I am here. I got through my business sooner than I -expected and came over."</p> - -<p>"I'm glad you did, Uncle Ezra. Quiet, Grit, or I'll send you to the -stable," for the dog was uttering low growls, and sidling closer and -closer to the aged man, who still remained standing. It might be noticed -that our hero did not say that he was glad to see his uncle. He was -not,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> and he did not believe in saying what was not so, even to be -polite.</p> - -<p>"Have you got that savage cur still?" demanded Mr. Larabee, while he -bowed slightly in response to a salutation from Paul.</p> - -<p>"I expect to have Grit for a long time yet," replied his nephew, coldly. -"Though if he annoys you I'll have him taken away," and he pushed a -button on the wall.</p> - -<p>"He does annoy me! You know I can't abide dogs. Useless critters, eatin' -almost as much as a man, all covered with fleas, and no good anyhow! -Send him away!"</p> - -<p>"Grit, I guess you'd better go," said Dick, softly, as a janitor came in -response to his ring. "Take him to the stable, Hawkins. I'll have him -back—later," he added in a low voice. Grit was led off, whining in -protest as he looked at Dick, and then shifting his tones to a menacing -growl as he glared at Uncle Ezra, who, he well knew, was the cause of -his banishment.</p> - -<p>"Ugly brute!" muttered Mr. Larabee. "I've been waiting quite some time -for you, Nephew Richard," he went on. "I was afraid I'd have to go back -without seeing you. I've got a limited excursion ticket, and if I didn't -use it back to Dankville to-day I'd lose the value of it. Leastwise I -might have to sue the railroad company to recover, and lawsuits is -dreadful expensive—dreadful."</p> - -<p>"We just went for a walk," Dick explained.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> "I did not know exactly what -time you would come."</p> - -<p>"No, I couldn't tell, myself. But I got through my business sooner than -I expected, even with attending to some after I got through with the -deal that brought me on here."</p> - -<p>"It came out all right, I hope," ventured Dick.</p> - -<p>"Yes—oh, yes. My business allers does come out satisfactory—leastwise -mostly." Perhaps Uncle Ezra was thinking of the time he had interfered -with Dick's yachting trip, with disastrous results to himself.</p> - -<p>"I got all that was coming to me," the aged man went on, "though I did -have a fight for it."</p> - -<p>"Did some one owe you money?" asked Dick.</p> - -<p>"Well, yes, in a way. You see it was a young fellow who had been left -more money than was good for him. He didn't know enough to take care of -it, and now I've got it." Uncle Ezra chuckled grimly.</p> - -<p>"I hope you didn't take all he had, Uncle Ezra," spoke Dick.</p> - -<p>"Why shouldn't I?" Mr. Larabee asked, indignantly. "This chap didn't -know the value of money—I do. He made certain investments, and I told -him that I'd insist on having my last dollar if they failed. They did -fail, just as I knew they would, and now I have his money. It was mine -by right, though, for business is business, and he's young enough to -start over again. It will do him good. Ha! Ha! I'll never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> forget how -blank he looked when he asked me if I wouldn't give him another chance. -Another chance! Ho! Ho! He had his chance and didn't use it. Another -chance! I guess not! I want what's mine!" And Uncle Ezra ground his -teeth and clenched his bony fists in a way that was not pleasant to -contemplate.</p> - -<p>"Then you cleaned him out, Uncle Ezra?" asked Dick.</p> - -<p>"Not I—no. He cleaned himself out by his foolish investments. You can't -have your cake and eat it too, you know. You can't be a 'sport' and not -pay attention to your business, and expect to keep your money. You've -got to be on the watch all the while. I made a pretty penny out of -it—er—that is, not too much!" Uncle Ezra added quickly, as if fearful -lest some one should attempt to borrow something from him. "But a -legitimate profit—yes, a legitimate profit.</p> - -<p>"And, as I got through sooner than I expected, Nephew Richard, I came -over to see you, as I promised. But I'll soon have to be getting back. -I've got a new hired man, and I know he'll feed too much to the stock, -and ruin 'em, to say nothing of wasting grain. I must get back before -feeding time."</p> - -<p>"I hope you'll stay and take lunch with me," suggested Dick, as he -thought he saw a hungry look in his uncle's face.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I might," was the answer, as though Mr. Larabee was doing Dick a -favor.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p><p>"Then I'll send word to have a place laid for you at our table. You -know some of my friends, I think."</p> - -<p>"Humph! Yes, I do, and I can't say I altogether approve of 'em, Nephew -Richard. They spend too much money."</p> - -<p>"Well I guess they've got plenty to spend," said Dick, for Kentfield -Academy was attended by the sons of many rich men, though it was in no -sense a snobbish institution.</p> - -<p>"Yes," went on Uncle Ezra, with a grim chuckle, "I came here to meet a -young man, and I met him. I came to teach him a lesson, and I taught it. -I guess Mr. Frank Wardell won't be so high and mighty after this. I -cleaned him out—and it was all done in a regular way, too. I cleaned -him out."</p> - -<p>"Ruined him, you mean, Uncle Ezra?"</p> - -<p>"Well, <i>he</i> accused me of that, but it wa'n't my fault. He brought it on -himself, and he can start over again. He's young yet."</p> - -<p>"But what will become of him, Uncle Ezra, if he hasn't any money?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know, and he didn't either by the way he rushed off after I got -through with him," and the old man chuckled. "But I reckon he can go to -work like the rest of us. I offered him a place in my woolen mill at -Dankville. I said I could pay him five dollars a week to start, though I -know he wouldn't be wuth it. But he might learn the trade."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p><p>Dick said nothing, but the thought of a ruined man, who must have had a -considerable fortune, going to work for Uncle Ezra in the woolen mill -for five dollars a week, struck our hero as being rather pathetic.</p> - -<p>"Did he take your offer, Mr. Larabee?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"He did not!" exclaimed Dick's uncle. "He said he'd become a tramp -first. Wa'al, he kin if he wants to—there's no law ag'in' it!" and -again he chuckled mirthlessly.</p> - -<p>"I'll go see about lunch," volunteered Dick. "Oh, something for me, -Toots?" he exclaimed, as he opened the door, and saw an old Sergeant -standing there with an envelope in his hand.</p> - -<p>"Yes, a letter, Mr. Hamilton."</p> - -<p>"It's from dad!" exclaimed our hero, as he noted the writing.</p> - -<p>"I hope he has taken my advice, and will withdraw you from this useless -military academy," spoke Uncle Ezra. "It is time you went to work, -Nephew Richard."</p> - -<p>"I'll be back in a little while," replied Dick, not taking the trouble -to answer his uncle directly, and he hurried off down the corridor to -arrange about having his guest at luncheon in the mess hall.</p> - -<p>While preparations for the meal are under way I shall ask for a few -minutes of your time—you my new readers—while I briefly explain about -Dick Hamilton, and introduce you more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> formally to him, as he has -appeared in the previous volumes of this series.</p> - -<p>Dick was the only son of Mortimer Hamilton, of Hamilton Corners, in New -York State. Mr. Hamilton was a millionaire, with varied interests, and -Dick had a fortune in his own right, left to him by his mother.</p> - -<p>In my first book, called "Dick Hamilton's Fortune," I related how this -inheritance came to the youth, and under what peculiar conditions, so -that he really had to work hard to deserve it. And he nearly lost it at -that. The second volume deals with Dick's life at a well-known military -academy—Kentfield—and is entitled, "Dick Hamilton's Cadet Days." How -he had to struggle against heavy odds, and how he won out, is related in -the story.</p> - -<p>In "Dick Hamilton's Steam Yacht," our hero found himself confronted with -a queer problem. How he worked it out, and defeated the aims of Uncle -Ezra, you will find fully set forth.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ezra Larabee was a curious character. He was quite rich, perhaps -not so much so as Mr. Hamilton, but with a large fortune. He did not -seem to enjoy life, however, and was continually preaching economy. He -had a particular aversion to the bulldog, Grit, and, it might be said in -passing, Grit returned the compliment, so to speak.</p> - -<p>When Dick and his chums at Kentfield found that their football challenge -to the Blue Hill<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> Academy was treated as a joke, they were quite angry, -and justly so. True, the former military academy team was in poor shape, -but the lads were eager to do better.</p> - -<p>And in "Dick Hamilton's Football Team," the fourth book of the series, I -related how the young millionaire made a big change at Kentfield, and -what came of it, and I also related how he was instrumental in helping -his father in a business transaction.</p> - -<p>The Fall and football were things of the past, and now the long summer -vacation was approaching. Baseball had the call, and Dick was acting as -the academy pitcher with great success. A few weeks more and Kentfield -would close until Fall, and what to do in the interim was puzzling not -only Dick, but some of his chums.</p> - -<p>"Well, Uncle Ezra," said the cadet, as he came back into the room a -little later, to find his chum Paul fidgeting about, for it was no joke -to entertain Mr. Larabee, "I've arranged to have our lunch a little -ahead of the rest. I know you want to catch your train."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do. I don't want to waste my return ticket. I'll go down at -once."</p> - -<p>Paul gave a sigh of relief, and winked at Dick. The three moved toward -the dining hall, Dick making inquiries about his aunt, and some other -distant relatives in Dankville, a place he hated above all others,—for -his uncle's house there was almost the personification of gloom.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p><p>"Wa'al, your aunt's as well as she can expect to be," remarked Mr. -Larabee. "She suffers consid'able from stomach misery, and the doctor -don't seem to do her no good. He charges enough too, and he's allers -changin' the medicine. I should think he could take one kind and stick -to it."</p> - -<p>"He has to try different kinds to see what is the best," suggested Dick.</p> - -<p>"I know, but you ought to see the bottles, only half-took, that I have -to throw away. I tried to git a rebate on 'em, but the druggist said he -couldn't use 'em. So I'm that much out," and Mr. Larabee drew a deep -sigh.</p> - -<p>"Any news from home, Dick?" asked Paul, as the three sat alone in the -mess hall, at a special table for visitors. "How is your father?"</p> - -<p>"By Jove! I forgot to read the letter!" exclaimed Dick, pulling it from -his pocket. "Excuse me while I look at it," and he ripped open the envelope.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER III</span> <span class="smaller">GOOD NEWS</span></h2> - -<p>"Will you have some more of this roast beef, Mr. Larabee?" asked Paul, -doing the honors for Dick, who was busy over the letter from his father.</p> - -<p>"Wa'al, I might have a bit more. It seems like pretty tender meat."</p> - -<p>"Yes, we get the very best at Kentfield."</p> - -<p>"Hum! If I was runnin' this place I'd buy the cheaper cuts, and save -money. Tough meat is better for growing lads, anyhow. I wouldn't give -'em such expensive meat."</p> - -<p>"But we pay for it, Mr. Larabee."</p> - -<p>"It's a waste of money," replied the miser, and went on with the meal, -which, to do Dick justice, was exceptionally good. Dick never believed -in starving even his ill-natured relatives.</p> - -<p>"Hurray! This is great!" suddenly exclaimed the young millionaire. -"Whoop! Oh, I say, excuse me, Uncle Ezra!" he added, quickly. "I didn't -mean to startle you," for the aged man had jumped at Dick's exclamation, -and some potato, covered with gravy, had fallen on his trousers.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p><p>"That's jest like you boys—allers shoutin' and makin' a noise," rasped -out Mr. Larabee. "I'll have to pay for havin' that spot taken out," and -he scrubbed vigorously at it with a napkin. "That is, unless my hired -man can start it with some of my harness soap. I guess I'll have him try -when I get back. No use payin' a cleaner if my hired man can do it."</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry, Uncle Ezra," spoke Dick, contritely, and trying not to smile -at Paul Drew. "We can take it out here for you. A little ether will do -the trick. It will dissolve the grease. I'll take you to the chemical -laboratory after lunch."</p> - -<p>"No, the ether might eat a hole in my pants, and they're my second best -ones. I'll wait until I git hum, and try the harness soap. Next time -please don't yell so."</p> - -<p>"I won't, Uncle Ezra. But dad sent me some good news, and I just -couldn't help it."</p> - -<p>"Is he going to take you to Europe this vacation?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"Europe! You don't mean to tell me that Mortimer Hamilton is going to -waste money on another trip to Europe?" cried Mr. Larabee, in horror.</p> - -<p>"No, it isn't that," answered Dick. "He writes that as he sees by my -reports I have done well this term, I may have just what I've been -wanting a long time."</p> - -<p>"To go into some business, I hope," said Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> Larabee. "That would be a -sensible present, and I could offer you a place in my woolen mill at a -salary of——"</p> - -<p>"No, thank you, Uncle Ezra," laughed Dick. "I think I'll stay here at -Kentfield for another term yet."</p> - -<p>"But what is it your father is going to give you?" asked Paul. "Don't -keep us in suspense."</p> - -<p>"It's a touring car!" cried Dick, in delight. "He says I can select the -best and biggest car made, and send the bill to him. Hurray! Isn't that -great news? Say, I can just about see where my vacation is coming in -now, Paul."</p> - -<p>"That's right. You are in luck!"</p> - -<p>"A touring car!" cried Mr. Larabee. "You mean an automobile, Dick? Why -you've got one already. It would be a shameful waste of money to buy -another. You can take what a touring car would cost, and invest the sum -in some good securities. I have some that I acquired from that young man -I spoke of to-day."</p> - -<p>"I haven't a touring car," said Dick. "I have that little runabout; but -it isn't much use. A touring car for mine!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, the sinful waste of this rising generation!" murmured Uncle Ezra, -shaking his head, sadly.</p> - -<p>"What kind of a car is he going to give you, Dick?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"He says I can pick it out myself. I'll read<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> you that part of the -letter," and Dick quoted from the missive:</p> - -<blockquote><p>"'I have been thinking of something you might like, Dick, as a sort -of reward for your good work at school this winter. I know you have -studied hard. I had a man come here to look over your runabout, -thinking perhaps it could be fixed up, but he says it is hardly -worth it. He advised trading it in for a new and up-to-date -machine, and I think that best myself.</p> - -<p>"'I want you to be satisfied with what I get you, and I think the -best way would be to let you pick it out yourself. So if you will -look over some catalogues, which you can send for yourself, and let -me know the make of car, I will attend to the rest'"</p></blockquote> - -<p>"That's great!" cried Paul.</p> - -<p>"A terrible waste!" muttered Mr. Larabee. "Sinful!"</p> - -<p>"Good old dad!" exclaimed Dick, as he put the letter in his pocket. "I -wonder what sort of a car I ought to take?"</p> - -<p>"One that you can cross the country in," advised Paul.</p> - -<p>"That's what I'll do—I'll get a big touring car, and take some of you -fellows with me. We'll have a great and glorious trip this summer!"</p> - -<p>"More waste! You would much better get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> work somewhere, Dick, and pay -part of your expenses here," declared Mr. Larabee.</p> - -<p>"My mother arranged all that before she died," said the young cadet. -"She wanted me to attend a military school, and left the funds for it. -My tuition is all paid for."</p> - -<p>"Well, my sister never did know what she was doing," declared Mr. -Larabee, bitterly.</p> - -<p>"Hold on!" exclaimed Dick, hotly. "Remember that she was <i>my</i> mother," -and he spoke the word softly, for she had not been dead many years.</p> - -<p>"Ahem! Wa'al, I didn't mean anything," stammered Mr. Larabee. "Say, I've -got to hustle to get my train," he added, quickly, looking at an ancient -silver watch, which he pulled out of his pocket by means of a leather -thong. "Come and see us at Dankville, Nephew Richard. Your aunt will be -glad to have you, but you can't expect such meals as this," he went on -hastily. "You know she has the dyspepsia, and she can't eat much, so I -don't buy much. But come and see us."</p> - -<p>Dick mumbled something not quite distinguishable, and the meal came to -an end.</p> - -<p>"I guess I'll just take some of this meat that's left over, and make -myself a couple of sandwiches," said Mr. Larabee, suiting the action to -the word. "No use in letting it go to waste," he added. "And I might get -hungry before we get to Dankville. This will save me buying <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>anything on -the train," and wrapping up the sandwiches in a piece of newspaper he -thrust them into his pocket.</p> - -<p>"Thank goodness I didn't take him to one of the tables with the -fellows!" whispered Dick, as he winked at Paul. "He sure is the limit!"</p> - -<p>"This way to the trolley that goes to the depot," said Dick, as he -escorted his uncle across the parade ground, Paul having excused -himself.</p> - -<p>"I'm not going to take the trolley, Nephew Richard. I have plenty of -time to walk the distance, and there is no use wasting five cents. It is -grass most of the way, and I won't wear out my shoes none to speak of. -I'm going to walk."</p> - -<p>"All right," assented Dick, with a shrug of the shoulders. "Good-bye. -I'd go with you, but we have guard mount soon, and I'm officer of the -day."</p> - -<p>"Foolishness, all foolishness!" snorted Mr. Larabee, feeling in his -pocket to make sure he had the sandwiches. "You had better think twice -about wasting money on that touring car, too, Nephew Richard. Don't take -it—take the money and invest it."</p> - -<p>"I would rather have the car, Uncle Ezra. Remember me to Aunt Samanthy."</p> - -<p>"Um!" mumbled Mr. Larabee, as he walked off in the direction of the -railroad. A trolley car was coming, and it was quite a distance to the -station, but he did not signal for it to stop.</p> - -<p>"He's happy," mused Dick. "He didn't have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> to pay for his lunch, he got -his supper for nothing, and he's saving a nickel carfare. Oh, he's happy -all right. But, excuse me!"</p> - -<p>Just then Grit, who had been released from his kennel near the stable, -came rushing out to meet his master. Then the dog caught sight of the -vanishing figure of Uncle Ezra, and with a growl sprang in that -direction.</p> - -<p>"Here! Come back, Grit!" yelled Dick. "Come back!"</p> - -<p>The bulldog paused. Mr. Larabee looked back. The temptation was too much -for the animal. He made another rush.</p> - -<p>"Call him back! Call him back!" yelled Mr. Larabee, breaking into a run. -"If he bites me, Nephew Richard, I'll sue your father for damages! Call -him back!"</p> - -<p>"Grit!" called the cadet, and the dog knew the consequences of -disobeying that voice. Reluctantly he turned, but he sent menacing -growls and barks in the direction of his traditional enemy. Mr. Larabee -was still running as Dick turned back toward the parade ground, with -Grit following reluctantly.</p> - -<p>"Grit, have you no manners?" asked Dick, but he could not help smiling. -The dog wagged his tail, as though answering that he had not, and was -glad of it.</p> - -<p>Dick turned to look after his uncle, who, casting occasional fearful -glances back, was hurrying toward the station. And, as Dick looked, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> -saw a man turn from a cross road, and meet his uncle.</p> - -<p>The two stopped at the same time, and the stranger seemed to be -questioning Mr. Larabee. If such was the case he got little -satisfaction, for Dick's uncle could be seen to shake his head -vigorously in disapproval, and then, with a gesture, to dismiss the -other. The stranger hesitated a moment, and soon turned away.</p> - -<p>"He looks just like the man Paul and I met on the railroad," mused Dick. -"The one Paul said acted as if he was going to commit suicide. I wonder -what he wanted of Uncle Ezra?"</p> - -<p>But Dick was not to know that for some time.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IV</span> <span class="smaller">TO THE AUTO SHOW</span></h2> - -<p>"Come on now, Dick! Give him a teaser!"</p> - -<p>"You know how to make him bite!"</p> - -<p>"Two down! Only one more Dick, old man!"</p> - -<p>The occasion was the last of a series of baseball games between the -Kentfield Military Academy and the Blue Hill Cadets, a rival -organization. It was for the championship of the league, which coveted -honor lay between Kentfield and Blue Hill, with the chances in favor of -the former.</p> - -<p>Each nine had won a game in the final series of the best two out of -three, and to-day would decide the matter.</p> - -<p>"That's the stuff, Dick old man!"</p> - -<p>"That's got him going!"</p> - -<p>"Make him fan again!"</p> - -<p>These cries greeted Dick's delivery of the ball to Lem Gordon, who was -up for Blue Hill, for Lem had struck and missed.</p> - -<p>"Only two more like that Dick!" called Paul Drew, "and we'll be all to -the merry."</p> - -<p>"Watch Lem poke it, though!" called Joe Bell,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> the plucky little captain -of the Blue Hill nine. "A home run, Lem, or a broken bat."</p> - -<p>The lad at home plate nodded, and kept a close watch on Dick, who was -winding up for another delivery.</p> - -<p>"Two balls—one strike," Innis Beeby called. "Watch yourself, Dick."</p> - -<p>Dick nodded comprehendingly. This was several days after the visit of -Uncle Ezra Larabee, and the time had been devoted to getting the -Kentfield team in shape for the final contest. It was an important one, -for, as I have said, it would carry with it the championship of the -Military League.</p> - -<p>The game had run along with nothing remarkable to distinguish it, and -was now at the beginning of the ninth inning. Blue Hill had six runs to -Kentfield's seven, and if Dick could strike this last man out the game -would be ended in favor of the Kentfield nine, since they would not play -out their half of the ninth. Blue Hill had two out, but Lem Gordon, the -cadet at the bat, was a doughty hitter. Had he gone in earlier in that -inning there might have been a different story to tell.</p> - -<p>"Strike two!" called the umpire, and a wave of cheering seemed to roll -over the grandstand—cheers in which the shrill voices of girls could be -heard.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I do hope Dick strikes him out!" exclaimed Mabel Hanford, one of a -party of pretty girls in the main stand. "Isn't he fine?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p><p>"Who—Dick or Lem?" asked Nellie Fordice.</p> - -<p>"Dick, of course, though Lem is very nice, and he's a dandy dancer."</p> - -<p>"So is Dick," declared Nettie French. "Oh girls! are you going to the -graduation ball?"</p> - -<p>"If we're asked," answered Mildred Adams.</p> - -<p>"Oh, let's watch the game," suggested Mabel, and the four girls, with -whom Dick and his chums were on friendly terms, gave their attention to -the contest.</p> - -<p>The interest on the part of the big crowd present was now intense. The -next ball might tell the tale, for if Dick struck out the batter, the -game would end. On the other hand if Gordon got a safe hit, he would be -followed by another good batsman, and the game might go at least another -half inning, and in case Kentfield could not make a winning run, -continue on for some time longer.</p> - -<p>Dick felt a bit nervous as he got ready to deliver the next ball. It was -two and two now.</p> - -<p>"I've got to get it over the plate, and yet fool him," thought Dick. "I -wonder if I dare risk a little slow twister. If he hits it, we're goners -though—that is, we'll have to fight it out the rest of this inning. -Well, here goes!"</p> - -<p>As he was about to deliver the ball he heard the barking of Grit over in -one of the grandstands, where a chum, who was not playing, was keeping -the bulldog.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p><p>"Good old Grit!" mused Dick. "That's his way of cheering, I guess!"</p> - -<p>Swiftly the ball left Dick's fingers, shooting toward the batter. Lem -stepped back a trifle, and then lunged forward to meet the horsehide. -And he did meet it with his bat, full and true.</p> - -<p>With a vicious "ping!" the ball shot back, out over the diamond, -shooting upward, and laying a course just between the left and centre -fielders. Both players converged to meet it, but the ball passed over -their heads, as they had to run back.</p> - -<p>"Go on, Lem! Sprint for it!"</p> - -<p>"Show 'em how you can run!"</p> - -<p>"Leg it, old man! Leg it!"</p> - -<p>"A home run! A home run!"</p> - -<p>"We'll beat 'em yet! Go on! Go on!"</p> - -<p>But Lem needed not the hoarse cries to urge him on. He needed not the -frantic cheers of his comrades in arms nor those who sat in the -grandstands. No sooner had he felt the magic of that meeting between his -bat and the ball, than he sprang forward like some stone from an ancient -catapult, tossing the stick to one side. And how he did run!</p> - -<p>The second baseman stood ready to relay the ball home, as soon as the -frantic rightfielder should get it. But the horsehide had rolled into -the deep grass. There was some delay in finding it, and by that time Lem -was at second. As<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> he rounded that the centrefielder got his fingers on -the ball. Like a flash he threw.</p> - -<p>"Come on! Come on!" screamed the Blue Hill captain, and Lem came.</p> - -<p>He beat the ball to third base, and kept on. He heard the thud of the -horsehide striking the mit of the third baseman, and thought all was -lost, but he dared not turn to see. Then a groan—a groan of despair -from the Kentfield stand—told him what had happened. The third baseman -had muffed it. There was still a chance for the runner.</p> - -<p>Lem's feet and legs scarce could carry him onward, but he forced them -to. The shortstop was racing madly for the ball. He and Dick collided, -and when the ball was finally recovered by the chagrined third baseman -himself, Lem was so near home that it was a foregone conclusion that he -would tally the tieing run.</p> - -<p>And he did. The ball came with a "plunk" into the catcher's big mit, and -then the umpire called out:</p> - -<p>"Safe!"</p> - -<p>Joyful pandemonium broke loose in the Blue Hill ranks.</p> - -<p>"We've got a chance to beat 'em!" they yelled. And truly this was so, -but it was a very slim chance.</p> - -<p>"Never mind, Dick," consoled Beeby. "You can strike out Ed Mayfield."</p> - -<p>"Don't let him get a look in, and we can easily<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> pull one run out when -we get to the bat," urged Paul Drew.</p> - -<p>"All right," answered Dick, shortly. He had taken a chance on Lem not -hitting that ball, but the unexpected had happened. Dick pulled himself -together, and faced Ed Mayfield, the next batter up, who was nervously -dancing about the plate, trying by means of grins and gibes to -disconcert the pitcher.</p> - -<p>But Dick was not built that way. Calmly he sized up his opponent and -sent in a ball that fooled him. Then came something in the nature of a -fizzle, when the umpire called a ball. It began to look a bit dubious -when the next was a ball also.</p> - -<p>"Careful, Dick," warned the captain. "We can't afford to go to pieces -now."</p> - -<p>Dick did not answer, but there was a grim tightening of his lips. Then -he sent in a viciously swift ball.</p> - -<p>"Strike two!" called the umpire, sharply.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" came as a sort of chorus from the big crowd.</p> - -<p>"Dick's all right now," declared Paul Drew, in a low voice.</p> - -<p>And so it proved. Without giving another ball, Dick put over another -delivery, which resulted in a strike, and to it the umpire added:</p> - -<p>"Strike three—batter's out!" The score was a tie.</p> - -<p>"Now, Kentfield!" came the excited cry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> "Show 'em how to win this game! -One run will do it!"</p> - -<p>The home team came pouring in from the various parts of the diamond, -ready to bat. Paul Drew was to start off, and managed to get to first. -But he was caught stealing second. Then Teddy Naylor got to third, but -was held there as Hal Foster struck out.</p> - -<p>"Two down," came the mournful cry. It began to look as though the game -would go ten innings, with the ever-increasing chance that Blue Hill -would win, or at least improve her opportunity. The score was still a -tie.</p> - -<p>"Hamilton up!" called the scorer.</p> - -<p>"Dick, you've just got to make a hit!"</p> - -<p>"Bring in Naylor!" was implored.</p> - -<p>"Knock the cover off, Dick!"</p> - -<p>These were only a few of the cries that greeted our hero as he stepped -to the plate. Ordinarily Dick was a good safe hitter, in contrast to -many pitchers, but this time, when so much depended on his skill, he -found himself feeling nervous.</p> - -<p>"Here, this won't do!" he told himself. "Brace up. Think of that big -touring car you're going to get and the fun you'll have. Think of -Grit—and Uncle Ezra."</p> - -<p>The memory of how the aged man had hurried away from Grit's threatened -attack brought a smile to Dick's face. He could feel his nervousness -leaving him, but he was brought to a realizing sense of the importance -of paying more strict<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> attention to baseball, by hearing the umpire call -sharply:</p> - -<p>"Strike one!"</p> - -<p>Dick had let the first ball pass him without making a motion toward it, -though it was just where he wanted it.</p> - -<p>"Watch yourself," called Paul Drew, in a low voice.</p> - -<p>Dick saw that he must. He looked narrowly at the pitcher and, from -previous experience, he thought he knew what kind of a ball was coming.</p> - -<p>"I'm going to hit it!" said Dick fiercely to himself.</p> - -<p>He stepped right into it, before the curve had time to "break," and when -he felt the impact of his bat on the horsehide he knew that he had made -a hit.</p> - -<p>"It's good for two bags anyhow!" he murmured as he sprinted toward -first, and had a vision of Naylor racing in from third.</p> - -<p>"Go on Dick! Go on!"</p> - -<p>"Run! Run old man!"</p> - -<p>"A homer—a homer!"</p> - -<p>"And a homer it's going to be!" cried Dick, as he passed second, and saw -the right fielder vainly racing after the ball which had been sent away -over his head and back of him. It was a better hit than that of Gordon.</p> - -<p>Dick saw Naylor cross the home plate and then he was at third himself. -The ball was slowly coming in from the fielder, but the throw was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> such -a long one that the second baseman had to run out to meet it.</p> - -<p>"They'll never get it home in time," thought Dick, as he staggered -onward, for he had run hard and his legs were trembling. "I can beat it -home."</p> - -<p>And he did, crossing the rubber before the ball was in the catcher's -hands.</p> - -<p>Then such cheering as broke out. Naylor's run had put Kentfield one -ahead, and Dick's made two. It was sensational playing, with two home -runs so close together, and the crowd appreciated it. Kentfield had the -championship now.</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>"Kentfield! Kentfield! Kentfield!</div> -<div>Rah! Rah! Rah!</div> -<div>Boom! Boom! <i>Boom!</i></div> -<div>Ah! Ah! Ah!</div> -<div>Kentfield!"</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>Thus the school cry was given, coming from a thousand hoarse throats, -and then came:</p> - -<p>"Three cheers for Dick Hamilton!"</p> - -<p>The grandstands rocked and swayed and creaked with the stress of emotion -displayed.</p> - -<p>"It was great, old man! Great!" cried Paul, clapping his panting chum on -the back.</p> - -<p>"Thanks. I knew I had to do it to save the game."</p> - -<p>"And you did!" exclaimed Beeby. "Somebody punch me—I'm too happy to -last!"</p> - -<p>Some one obliged him with such force that Beeby stumbled, and to save -himself he had to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> execute a forward somersault, at which trick he was -an adept.</p> - -<p>"Armstrong up!" called the scorer, when he could make himself heard.</p> - -<p>"Oh, what's the use of playing it out?" asked Beeby.</p> - -<p>"Let's sweeten the score if we can," urged Dick, who did not like doing -anything by halves. But there was little interest in the game now, for -Kentfield had won, and nothing could take it from her. Still Armstrong -got up, and promptly fanned out, over which fact there was no regret, -rather gladness on the part of the champions, who wanted to quit and -celebrate.</p> - -<p>Dejectedly Blue Hill filed off the field, after they had cheered and -been cheered. The great game was over, the crowds thronged down from the -grandstands. The Kentfield nine and the substitutes got together, and -cheered Dick to the echo. Then with a singing of the song that always -followed a victory they dispersed to the dressing rooms. Their baseball -season was over.</p> - -<p>"You certainly did yourself and us proud, Dick," said Paul, as he and -his chum walked away together. "I wish Uncle Ezra could have seen you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, he'd probably say that the money spent on baseball might better be -used to buy interest-bearing bonds," laughed Dick. "But say, I thought I -saw some of the girls here."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p><p>"They are. We'll look 'em up after we tidy up a bit."</p> - -<p>And then came the shower baths, a changing into clean raiment and a -gladsome time with the girls, who crowded around the hero of the day.</p> - -<p>"Well, I suppose we'll soon be away from here," remarked Paul that night -as he, Dick and Innis Beeby sat in the room of the latter, and talked -over the great game.</p> - -<p>"Yes, my folks wrote to say that the cottage by the sea was open, and -I'm expected there soon," said Innis.</p> - -<p>"I'm booked for the White Mountains this trip," said Paul, "and I'm not -very keen for it, either."</p> - -<p>Dick was silent for a few seconds, looking over some papers.</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do, old man?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"Fellows, I've got the best scheme yet!" exclaimed Dick. "I've just got -it worked out. What do you say to a trip to California with me in the -new auto I'm going to get? Will you come?"</p> - -<p>"Will we!" cried Innis without a moment's hesitation. "Will a duck -swim?"</p> - -<p>"Put her there, old man!" yelled Paul, slapping his hand into that of -Dick. "When do we start?"</p> - -<p>"Do you mean it?" asked Dick, hardly <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>believing his chums were in -earnest. They assured him that they did.</p> - -<p>"Then here's my game," he went on. "Dad wrote to me to get some -catalogues and pick out the auto I wanted. I'm going to go him one -better."</p> - -<p>"What's that?" asked Paul. "Have a car made to order?"</p> - -<p>"No, that would take too long. But the New York Automobile Show is on, -in Madison Square Garden. There are lots of cars there that can be -bought for immediate delivery. And I can pick out a car twice as good -from seeing it, rather than by looking at a picture of it.</p> - -<p>"Now we three will take in that auto show. I'll pick out the car I want, -dad will foot the bill, according to his promise, and we'll start on our -tour across country. How does that strike you?"</p> - -<p>"Great!" declared Innis.</p> - -<p>"Bully!" assented Paul. "Dick, you're a gentleman and a scholar. This is -too much!" and he pretended to weep on Beeby's shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Then pack up, and we'll leave day after to-morrow for New York," said -Dick. "I'll write to dad. I'd go to-morrow only I don't want to miss the -graduation dance."</p> - -<p>"No, and I fancy someone else doesn't either," said Paul, with a -significant glance at the picture of a pretty girl on the bureau.</p> - -<p>So it was arranged. The dance was a success,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> as all such affairs at -Kentfield were, but we shall not concern ourselves with that. The day -after it saw Dick and his chums, with Grit, on the way to the big auto -show in New York.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER V</span> <span class="smaller">THE BIG CAR</span></h2> - -<p>"What kind of a car have you in mind, Dick?"</p> - -<p>"Get a six cylinder, anyhow."</p> - -<p>Dick Hamilton looked at Paul and Innis, who were in the parlor car with -him, speeding on to New York.</p> - -<p>"I haven't exactly made up my mind," answered the young millionaire. "I -want a powerful car; if we're going to cross the Rockies I'll need -power. But I want a comfortable one, too. It wants to be enclosed, and -so arranged that if we have to we can sleep in it."</p> - -<p>"Say, you want a traveling hotel; don't you?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"Something like that, yes," assented Dick. "But I don't want such a -heavy machine that we'll be having tire trouble all the time. I'm not -going to make up my mind as to any particular car until I see what kinds -there are in the Garden."</p> - -<p>The boys talked of many things as the train sped on. Dick had engaged -rooms for himself and his friends at the hotel where he and his father -always stopped on coming to the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>metropolis, and a few hours more would -see them at their destination.</p> - -<p>The porter came up to Dick, his honest black and shining face wearing a -broad grin, as he remarked:</p> - -<p>"'Scuse me, but does one ob yo' gen'mans own a bulldog what is in de -baggage car?"</p> - -<p>"I do!" exclaimed Dick, quickly. "What about him?"</p> - -<p>"Den yo' presence am earnestly requested up dere by de baggageman," went -on the porter.</p> - -<p>"Is Grit hurt?" demanded the young millionaire.</p> - -<p>"No, sah, leastaways he wasn't when I seed him. He were feelin' mighty -peart!"</p> - -<p>"Then what's the trouble?" asked Dick, as he prepared to follow the -colored man to the car ahead.</p> - -<p>"Why dere's a man in de car, an' yo' dog won't let him go out."</p> - -<p>"Won't let him go out?" asked Dick, wonderingly.</p> - -<p>"No, sah! He jest completely won't let him go out ob dat car, and he's -keepin' him right by de do, so de baggage man can't slide out no trunks, -no how. An' we's comin' to a station soon, where dem trunks hab jest -natchally gotter be put off."</p> - -<p>"I'll see what's the matter," promised Dick, hurrying on. "Be back in a -minute," he called to his chums.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p><p>"If you want any help, send for us!" suggested Paul, "though," he added -in a lower voice, "if Grit is on a rampage I'd rather not -interfere—that is, personally."</p> - -<p>Dick found matters as the porter had described. A rather flashily -dressed young man stood close against one of the side doors of the -baggage car, while Grit, who had broken his chain, stood in front of -him, with his bowed front legs far apart, and his black lips drawn back -from his teeth. From time to time the bulldog growled menacingly, -especially whenever the young man moved. The baggageman, with a puzzled -expression on his face, had placed some trunks in the middle of the car, -ready to be put out of the side door when the next station stop should -be reached.</p> - -<p>"But every time I try to get out of the way," said the flashily dressed -man, "this confounded dog of yours acts as if he was going to eat me up. -I daren't move. Call him off or I'll kick him, and break his jaw."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't," said Dick, quietly. "It would probably be your last -kick—with that foot, anyhow."</p> - -<p>"Something has to be done," declared the baggage man. "I must put these -trunks off soon. That door's on the station side, and the other door -opens against a high concrete wall. I can't get a trunk off there."</p> - -<p>"I'll take care of Grit," said Dick. "What<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> did you do to him?" he asked -the young fellow.</p> - -<p>"Nothing."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes you did," said Dick, quietly. "Grit doesn't act that way for -nothing. Come here," he called, and the dog obeyed, though with fierce -backward glances at the man by the door. "Now you can move," went on -Dick. "What did they do to you, old fellow?" he asked, as he bent over -his pet. Grit's neck was bleeding slightly where his collar had cut him -as he wrenched against the chain, and broke it.</p> - -<p>"He pulled his tail—that's what he did," asserted the now relieved -baggageman. "I told him to let the dog alone, for I saw it was a -thoroughbred, and was nervous. But he got funny with the animal, and -then your dog broke loose, and drove him against the door."</p> - -<p>"You're lucky he didn't bite you," said Dick, as he loosened the chafing -collar. "He only wanted to teach you a lesson, I guess. Next time don't -fool with a bulldog."</p> - -<p>"If he'd a' bit me I'd a' had the law on you," threatened the young man, -as he hurried out of the car, followed by the resentful glare of Grit.</p> - -<p>"All right," assented Dick. "Only I guess you might have had to wait -until you came out of the hospital. It was your own fault. Will he be -all right with you?" he asked of the baggage man, referring to Grit.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, he and I are good friends. I was in another part of the car, -making out some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> records, or I'd have stopped that young idiot from -pinching his tail. But he got all that was coming to him. He was mighty -scared. I thought it best to send for you, though."</p> - -<p>"That was right. Grit, old man, I can't blame you, but try and hold -yourself in," said Dick, patting his pet.</p> - -<p>The dog whined, and licked his master's hands, and then, having made -sure that Grit and the baggageman would get along well together, Dick -left his pet, having brought him some water, and bound up the cut on his -neck with a spare handkerchief.</p> - -<p>Grit whined lonesomely as Dick left, and the young millionaire called -back:</p> - -<p>"It'll only be a little while now, old fellow. We'll soon be at the -hotel."</p> - -<p>Grit's joy was unbounded when he was released from the car, and soon -with his master, and the latter's two chums, was speeding across New -York in a taxicab. Arrangements were made at the hotel to have Grit -cared for, and he was to be allowed in Dick's room at certain times -during the day, the young millionaire having ascertained that no nervous -old ladies were near enough to be annoyed.</p> - -<p>"And now for the auto show!" exclaimed Dick after dinner that night. -"We'll make a preliminary survey, and see what we can find."</p> - -<p>Madison Square Garden was a brilliant place, with the thousands of -electric lights, the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>glittering cars and the decorative scheme, which -was unusually elaborate that year.</p> - -<p>"Say, this is great!" gasped Beeby, as the three entered through the -crowd at the doors.</p> - -<p>"I should say yes!" added Paul. "It's gorgeous! How are you going to -pick out a car among so many, Dick?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, there's only one kind I want. I hope I find it here. But there's no -hurry. Let's look about."</p> - -<p>And indeed the sights were well worth viewing. There seemed to be every -kind of car represented, from little runabouts to palatial enclosed -vehicles that would carry eight persons. And there were trucks, from -small three-wheeled ones, that could be used to deliver a lady's hat, to -monsters that could shift a five-ton safe with ease.</p> - -<p>There was the hum of motors, electricity driven, for gasoline was not -allowed in the building on account of the fire danger. There was the -snapping of spark-plugs, some of which were being shown at work under -water, to prove how hard it was to short circuit them. And there was the -crackle of a wireless outfit in use, to demonstrate how it could be -attached to an army-auto in war time.</p> - -<p>The boys roved about the big space, visiting exhibit after exhibit. -Several times Dick thought he saw what he wanted, but he always decided -to look further, in the hope of finding something a little better.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p><p>As he and his chums passed a place where they had lingered long over -some beautiful enclosed cars, powerful and efficient with many new -appliances, Dick's eye was caught by a big car standing by itself in an -open space. It was painted dark green, and for a moment its size almost -made Dick believe it was a sort of dummy, used for advertisement -purposes.</p> - -<p>Then, as he saw the heavily tired wheels and caught a glimpse of the -engine under the open hood, he exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"That's the car for me, boys!"</p> - -<p>The three crowded closer to the big auto, and their wonder grew as they -noted how it was fitted out.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VI</span> <span class="smaller">THE RUINED MILLIONAIRE</span></h2> - -<p>"What a car!"</p> - -<p>"It's got folding bunks in, as sure as you're born!"</p> - -<p>"And that looks like a small kitchen!"</p> - -<p>"Those tires are a new kind, too—cushion instead of pneumatic!"</p> - -<p>"Say, you could drive that through a hail storm and you'd never know -it!"</p> - -<p>"That's the car for me, boys, if dad will stand for it, and I can get -it!" Thus exclaimed Dick Hamilton, the other exclamations coming from -his two chums as they stood admiring the big car.</p> - -<p>Nor were they the only ones, for a throng had gathered about the space -where the peculiar auto was being exhibited. In general shape it was -like any large enclosed car, but it exceeded in size any Dick had ever -seen. And in the interior appointments, certainly it was the "last word" -in auto construction.</p> - -<p>Briefly described, for I shall go more into details later, it was a -six-cylinder machine, with the whole body back of the engine itself -enclosed in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> wood and glass. There was no division back of the steering -wheel, the whole interior of the car, save for a space that Paul -described as the "kitchen," being thrown into one compartment. And that -apartment contained, as Beeby had said, folding bunks or berths, that -served as long seats in the day time, while at night they made -comfortable beds.</p> - -<p>There was a small stove, evidently operated by an electric current; -there were electric lights, and the car could be started by the same -agency, as Dick noted. Then there were displayed dishes with which to -set a folding table, and utensils for cooking on the electric stove. -There was ample room for food and bed clothing, as well as for garments.</p> - -<p>"That's the nearest thing to a traveling parlor and dining car that I've -seen!" exclaimed Dick; "with sleeping berths thrown in. That's the car I -want. I wonder if it's for sale, boys?" and he looked questioningly at a -man who seemed to be in charge.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it is," was the answer. "It has just been put on the market. In -fact the car has been on exhibition only since this morning, when we got -instructions to dispose of it."</p> - -<p>"Do you make those up for stock?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"No, this is the only car like it in the world, we believe. It was made -to order for a gentleman, but now he does not want it, and he -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>authorized us to dispose of it for him. It has never been used, though -it has been thoroughly tested."</p> - -<p>"What's the matter?" asked Dick. "Didn't he like it?"</p> - -<p>"Maybe it wasn't big enough," suggested Beeby.</p> - -<p>"As to that I can't say," went on the salesman. "I only was told to -dispose of it, and I'm afraid I'm going to have my own troubles. It's -too large for use in the city. It was built for touring purposes -exclusively, and it is very complete. But few persons would want a car -like it, I am afraid. Would you like to look it over more closely?" he -asked, seeing how interested Dick and his chums were.</p> - -<p>"We sure would!" exclaimed Paul.</p> - -<p>"And if dad doesn't keep his word, and get this for me," added Dick, -"why—I'll get it myself. This car positively must be mine!"</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid it will be more than the average young man can afford," -remarked the agent, with a smile.</p> - -<p>"The beauty of it, though," said Paul to the man in a low voice, as they -slipped under the ropes, "is that he isn't an average young man."</p> - -<p>"No?"</p> - -<p>"That's Mortimer Hamilton's son," went on Paul.</p> - -<p>"The millionaire?"</p> - -<p>Paul nodded.</p> - -<p>"Great Scott!" whispered the man. "I came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> near making a break," and he -hurried after Dick to explain the points of the car.</p> - -<p>While Dick, his chums and others in the interested crowd looked on, the -agent showed how the bunks could be utilized as seats in the day time, -or even folded up out of the way and camp stools used when it was -desired to eat. The table was let down from the "ceiling" and could be -folded and raised with but little effort when not wanted.</p> - -<p>There were enough dishes to feed six persons at a time, though four was -all the car would "sleep." More could travel in it during the day, -however. The electric stove, operated by a current from a dynamo, as -well as from a storage battery, was very efficient, and a fairly -complete meal could be cooked on it. There was also ample storage room -for supplies.</p> - -<p>The engine, in which Dick was also greatly interested, was of a new and -very powerful type. It was almost "trouble-proof," and would stand up -well under hard usage.</p> - -<p>The use of a new type of cushion tires, instead of those inflated with -air, insured freedom from punctures and blowouts, and would, because of -the weight of the car, and a new kind of springs, make riding very easy.</p> - -<p>"In short, it's a car for a long tour," said the agent.</p> - -<p>"And it's the car for me!" exclaimed Dick. By this time most of the -crowd had gone to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> look at other exhibits, leaving the agent and the -three boys comparatively alone. "But why did not the man who ordered it -take it after it was completed?" asked Dick. "Was he dissatisfied with -it?"</p> - -<p>"Not at all!" exclaimed a voice back of the boys. "I couldn't take the -car after I ordered it, for the simple reason that I didn't have the -money to pay for it. I lost my fortune between the time I contracted for -the <i>Last Word</i> and the time it was finished. That's all."</p> - -<p>"Oh," said Dick blankly. He was rather surprised to be taken up so -quickly. He turned to see who had spoken, and, as he did so, he uttered -an exclamation of surprise that was echoed by Paul Drew.</p> - -<p>For, standing near the big car which he could not now possess, was the -young man whom Paul and Dick had seen acting so strangely on the -railroad tracks—the young man who, according to Paul, had been -prevented from committing suicide by Dick's prompt action.</p> - -<p>The stranger, too, was as much surprised as were Dick and Paul. He -paused as he was about to continue his explanation, and an odd look came -over his face. Then he held out his hand, saying:</p> - -<p>"I believe I have met two of you boys before."</p> - -<p>"That's right," agreed Dick. "I'm glad to see you again. So this is your -car?"</p> - -<p>"It <i>was</i>," he replied with a little smile. "Now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> it's for whoever can -raise the money. I can't."</p> - -<p>"I came on from Kentfield," Dick explained. "The academy has closed for -the summer, and I'm looking for a touring car. My father is giving me -one as a sort of reward for not flunking in class."</p> - -<p>"I see. Well, you couldn't get a better car than this. I know the firm -well, and, while it is rather peculiarly built, from ideas of my own, -still it can compete with any of the regular machines, and beat most of -them, though it has not abnormal speed, of course."</p> - -<p>"I'm not looking for speed," laughed Dick. "I want comfort."</p> - -<p>"It's rather odd that we should meet again," went on the young man. "I -live out near Kentfield, but I thought I would take a run in to New -York, to see if there was a chance of getting rid of the car. I haven't -paid for it yet, but I believe I am, in a way, responsible, since I -agreed to take it. I wouldn't like to see the firm lose money on it, but -if it comes to getting it out of me they'll have hard work. I'm dead -broke—cleaned out.</p> - -<p>"Three months ago I was worth over a million. Now I have barely enough -to live on. But I'm going to make my pile again!" he exclaimed with -energy. "I'm not going to give up, and when I come into my own again -I'll have another car like this. I've been foolish once, but I'm through -now. They don't catch me twice on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> same bait. No more speculation -for Frank Wardell!" and he slapped the big tire of one of the wheels -determinedly.</p> - -<p>Dick Hamilton started.</p> - -<p>"What—what did you say your name was?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Wardell—Frank Wardell. I'll give you a card," and he produced one.</p> - -<p>"Mine's Hamilton—Dick Hamilton," said Dick.</p> - -<p>"Glad to meet you. I know your father slightly—Mortimer Hamilton?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"This is odd, a ruined millionaire and a successful one," and he laughed -grimly. "Never mind, I'll be in your class soon again," and he shook -hands with Dick, who had introduced his chums.</p> - -<p>"Wardell—Frank Wardell," murmured Dick to Paul. "Do you recognize that -name?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say that I do. Why?"</p> - -<p>"Don't ask me now. I'll tell you later. To think it should come out this -way," went on Dick. "Frank Wardell! The man I met on the track—a ruined -millionaire. No wonder he acted so strangely. Oh, if I could only help -him! I hope he doesn't ask too much about my family. I'd hate to have to -admit that I'm Uncle Ezra's nephew," and with this rather mystifying -ejaculation, Dick gave his attention to what Mr. Wardell was -saying—explaining some points<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> about the car that had escaped the -attention of the boys.</p> - -<p>"I do hope you will take it, Mr. Hamilton," the ruined millionaire went -on. "I don't know of anyone I'd rather would get it than you. I know -you'll appreciate it."</p> - -<p>"I think very likely I shall take it," said Dick.</p> - -<p>"Then you'll take a load off my shoulders," the other went on, "for I -feel, in a measure, responsible for the price, and the land knows I -could never raise the cash."</p> - -<p>And Dick, as he looked over the wonderful touring car, could not help -thinking how strangely fate had ordered matters. Paul looked at his -chum, anxious to hear why the name "Wardell" should make such an -impression on the young millionaire.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VII</span> <span class="smaller">ON THE ROAD</span></h2> - -<p>"Then you have fully made up your mind to take it, Mr. Hamilton?" asked -the agent, of Dick.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it is just what I want. I will wire my father to-night, and I'm -sure he will agree, though the price may be more than he first decided -on. But I'll make up the difference myself."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll let Mr. Wardell know," for the former millionaire, after -declining an invitation to come to supper with Dick and his chums, had -left the auto show.</p> - -<p>"Say, what about him?" asked Paul, when he got a chance. "Who is this -Wardell, anyhow?"</p> - -<p>"Don't you remember," answered Dick. "That's the man Uncle Ezra came on -from Dankville to see—to clean up, in other words—take his money away, -you know. Don't you remember, Paul, hearing him tell about how a certain -party didn't know enough to hold on to his wealth, and all that?"</p> - -<p>"Is this the man—this Wardell?"</p> - -<p>"The very same one, I believe. He must be. It couldn't be that there -were two of the same<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> name, both of whom had lost their fortunes at the -same time. Uncle Ezra ruined the man whose auto I'm going to take, -Paul."</p> - -<p>"Well, I guess you're right, Dick. It's a strange coincidence. Are you -going to tell him it was your uncle who got all his money away from -him?"</p> - -<p>"I certainly am not, Paul. It's not a thing to be proud of, and if I -keep him from finding it out until we get this car, and leave, I'll be -glad of it. Of course if he asks me I'll have to tell him. But I don't -believe he will. Larabee and Hamilton are different names, and Mr. -Wardell will not be likely to trace any connection, though he may.</p> - -<p>"I thought sure you'd let out something about Uncle Ezra when you heard -the name Wardell, Paul."</p> - -<p>"No, it didn't strike me. But then you know I wasn't in the room all the -while you and your uncle were talking. I don't recall hearing him -mention Wardell at all."</p> - -<p>"Well, I did, and I was startled when I found out who this man was," -went on Dick. "I suppose it's a sort of puzzle to you, Innis," the young -millionaire added, while the auto salesman was making out some papers -for Dick to sign.</p> - -<p>"Somewhat, yes," admitted Beeby, and then Dick and his other chum -explained.</p> - -<p>"Well, I know one thing I didn't know <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>before," said Paul, as they were -ready to depart.</p> - -<p>"What's that?"</p> - -<p>"I know why this young Mr. Wardell was thinking of ending his life on -the railroad track that day you saved him."</p> - -<p>"Why was he?"</p> - -<p>"Because he'd lost his fortune," went on Paul in a low voice. "Just -think of it—a millionaire one week, and practically without a cent the -next! I suppose that's the way it sometimes goes with rich men who make -their living by speculation, but it's hard, just the same. And to know -he couldn't pay for this fine car he'd ordered—no wonder he was tired -of life."</p> - -<p>"And to think that some member of my family was responsible," added -Dick. "It makes me mad! I hope he doesn't connect me with Uncle Ezra."</p> - -<p>"Do you suppose your uncle took advantage of him?" asked Innis. "I don't -mean exactly that, either," he added hastily, thinking Dick might take -the question as a reflection on his relative.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you can't fuss me—saying things about Uncle Ezra," laughed the -young millionaire. "While I don't believe he would do anything that was -unlawful—that is, as <i>he</i> regards the law—I do think that he'd want -every last cent that he could claim by any stretch of the statutes. He's -a hard man, Uncle Ezra is, especially where money is concerned. I don't -just know what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> sort of dealings he had with this Mr. Wardell, but he -got his fortune, that's sure, and maybe by a trick, for all I know.</p> - -<p>"That's why I'm not at all anxious to have it known that I'm Mr. -Larabee's nephew. I'm not at all proud of the connection, and I -certainly would feel bad to have Mr. Wardell know it. Legally Uncle Ezra -might be well within his rights, but morally I wouldn't be surprised if -he was a good way outside of them. But let's forget all about such an -unpleasant matter. I'll see when we can get this car, and try it."</p> - -<p>A talk with the agent brought out the fact that Dick could take the big -auto at any time after the money had been paid down. It was not a part -of the regular auto show, and the space it occupied could be utilized by -other machines.</p> - -<p>"Very well then," said Dick. "I'll probably hear from my father in the -morning. He'll likely send an order to his New York bankers to pay over -the money, and then the machine will be mine."</p> - -<p>"And I congratulate you," said the agent. "It is a car to be proud of, -and if you intend making a long trip it will be just what you want."</p> - -<p>"We'll go across the continent in her!" cried Dick. "Boys, are you with -me?"</p> - -<p>"That's what!" exclaimed Paul and Innis.</p> - -<p>They spent some more time in looking at the various exhibits, and Dick -sent his father a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>message from the telegraph office temporarily set up -in the Garden. Then they drifted back to the big car, which Dick had -christened <i>Last Word</i>, on learning that Mr. Wardell had tentatively -selected that title.</p> - -<p>"It sure is a peach!" exclaimed our hero.</p> - -<p>"Think you can drive it?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"One of the company's engineers will be glad to demonstrate it on the -road for you," suggested the agent.</p> - -<p>"Thanks," replied Dick. "I think I shall be glad to have a few lessons. -I can drive an ordinary car, but this is an extraordinary one."</p> - -<p>Dick's anticipation of his father's action was confirmed next morning. A -telegram came, saying:</p> - -<blockquote><p>"Congratulations. Big car—big price. I'm satisfied if you are."</p></blockquote> - -<p>"That's like dad," remarked Dick.</p> - -<p>"But he doesn't say anything about the money," remarked Paul, who was -anxious to have a ride in the big machine.</p> - -<p>"Oh, trust dad not to overlook that part," spoke the young millionaire. -"We'll go see that agent. Probably he has already heard from my father."</p> - -<p>And so it proved. Dick's purchase of the car was confirmed in a telegram -to the makers, and the information was added that Mr. Hamilton's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> -bankers had been instructed to send a certified check for the price.</p> - -<p>"I have sent for one of our engineers," the salesman told Dick, when the -latter and his two chums visited the Garden after breakfast. "You can go -for a spin on the road this afternoon."</p> - -<p>"Good!" cried Dick. "Get ready, fellows!"</p> - -<p>Matters went through without a hitch. The price was paid over, and the -car formally became Dick's. Then the professional chauffeur arrived, and -after some manipulation the big touring machine was run out of the -Garden, while a crowd gathered around to see the novel sight.</p> - -<p>"It looks almost as big as a Pullman coach," declared Innis Beeby.</p> - -<p>"Well, let's get in and see if it rides like one," suggested Dick.</p> - -<p>"Look at the auto swells!" cried a newsboy. "Hurray!"</p> - -<p>"As long as our heads aren't swelled we're all right," remarked Paul.</p> - -<p>The oil and gasoline tanks had been filled, and, after looking over the -various parts, the chauffeur got in, taking the driver's seat, the boys -disposing themselves comfortably on the long, leather-covered benches, -that would later be made into sleeping berths.</p> - -<p>"Isn't he going to crank up?" asked Innis in some surprise, for the -motor was not running when the chauffeur took his place.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p><p>"You don't have to, on this car," the man explained. "It is a -self-starter. It has two systems—an electric motor, operated by an -accumulated current, that will turn over the engine, and even run the -car on its own power for some distance. Then there is also an acetylene -gas motor, so in case one fails the other will work. I'll start it by -electricity now."</p> - -<p>He pressed a button on the dash. There was a low humming from somewhere -beneath the car, and then the gasoline motor took up the song of -progress. The machine vibrated with the power of the engine, until the -driver slowed it down. Then throwing in the gear, he let the clutch slip -into place, and the big machine glided slowly forward.</p> - -<p>"We're off!" cried Dick.</p> - -<p>"Like a charm!" added Paul. "I never saw a big car start so easily."</p> - -<p>"This machine has a new style of clutch," explained the chauffeur. -"You'll find a number of the very latest wrinkles on her," he added with -a smile. "Now, where do you want to go?"</p> - -<p>"Out toward the Bronx," replied Dick. "Get us into something like the -country—that is, as much as there is near New York," and soon they were -spinning ahead at good speed. It did not take them long to get in the -upper part of Manhattan, and a little later they were out on what might -be called a country road.</p> - -<p>"This is great!" exclaimed Dick, as he gazed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> from the plate glass -windows of his touring car on the landscape that fairly flew past.</p> - -<p>"It sure is!" agreed his chums.</p> - -<p>"But wait until we start across the continent," went on the young -millionaire. "Then we'll have some real fun!"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VIII</span> <span class="smaller">UNCLE EZRA LAUGHS</span></h2> - -<p>"Suppose you try it now, Mr. Hamilton," suggested the chauffeur, when -they had gone several miles, the professional giving the new owner -various instructions about the car.</p> - -<p>"Yes, go ahead, Dick," urged Paul. "The sooner you get to know how to -run it, the quicker we'll be off on our trip."</p> - -<p>"Well, I want you fellows to pick up some of the fine points, too," said -Dick. "I don't intend to run the car all the while."</p> - -<p>"Oh, we'll do our share," agreed Innis. "Sit up now, Dick and show us -what you can do."</p> - -<p>It was not without a feeling of nervousness that Dick took the wheel, -for certainly driving this big and powerful car was no light matter.</p> - -<p>But they were on a broad and straight highway, where there was not much -traffic, so Dick took his place at the wheel and levers, with the -chauffeur near by in case of emergency, and Paul and Innis looking on, -as anxious to learn as was Dick.</p> - -<p>"She steers easier than I thought she would," remarked the wealthy -youth, when he had driven for a mile or so.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p><p>"Yes, and that's one danger," the chauffeur explained. "You're likely -to give too much of a twist. Just a little turn of the wheel answers."</p> - -<p>"Look out for that dog, Dick!" yelled Paul, as a yellow cur shot from a -yard, diagonally across the road, barking at the big car.</p> - -<p>"I see him!" came the answer.</p> - -<p>"And there's a goose on the other side!" added Innis, as Dick swerved -the machine to one side. "There, you ran over its foot!"</p> - -<p>A series of "honks-honks!" apprised the young driver that something had -happened. Quickly he shut off the power and jammed on the foot and hand -brakes. A woman rushed out of a rather dilapidated house crying:</p> - -<p>"Oh, you've run over Heinie! You've run over Heinie! Oh, you've killed -him!"</p> - -<p>Dick turned pale.</p> - -<p>"Is—is any one under the car?" he faltered.</p> - -<p>"My Heinie! Oh, my Heinie!" cried the woman again. "You haf runned ofer -my Heinie!"</p> - -<p>With a bound Dick was out of the car through the sliding door in front, -and peering between the wheels. He could see no child, and gave a sigh -of relief.</p> - -<p>"Who is Heinie?" he asked the woman.</p> - -<p>"Who is Heinie? He is my best goose, and you haf runned over him mit -your steam roller. You shall pay mit him yet!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, if it's only a goose that's all right," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> Dick as he took out -his pocketbook. "How much?"</p> - -<p>"Heinie was worth more as a dollar," she exclaimed, as she picked up the -goose, which was still protestingly honking. "His feets is broken. He -was worth more as two dollar."</p> - -<p>"Here are five," said Dick, generously. "I couldn't help it. I steered -out to avoid the dog, and your goose got in the way. I thought it was a -child, by the way you called."</p> - -<p>"Heinie is more as a child by me. I haf him more as five years now, and -always—always he is careful mit der autos. But yours! it is not a -auto—it is a house!"</p> - -<p>"Well, maybe he'll get better. His foot isn't much hurt," said Dick with -a laugh, as he passed over the money. "I'm sorry."</p> - -<p>"Poor Heinie," murmured the woman, as she gathered her apron about the -goose and went into the house. "He was worth more as fife dollar!"</p> - -<p>"You're starting in great, Dick," laughed Paul, as his chum got back -into the touring car. "At this rate you'll need to take a big pocketbook -along every time you go out."</p> - -<p>"He aimed at the dog and hit a goose," added Innis.</p> - -<p>"Lucky it was no worse," said Dick. "I sure thought I was in bad by the -way she yelled about 'Heinie.'"</p> - -<p>"You don't yet quite appreciate how easily<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> the car steers, I guess," -suggested the chauffeur.</p> - -<p>"Try it some more."</p> - -<p>They went on a little more slowly, and had no more accidents. Dick soon -became familiar with the mechanism, and rapidly acquired confidence in -himself. Then Paul and Innis took turns, under the watchful eye and -ready hands of the chauffeur.</p> - -<p>They stopped for dinner at a wayside hotel, and then drove back to New -York, Dick arranging to have the car kept in a nearby garage. The next -day he went out again, on a longer run, taking Grit with him. The -bulldog seemed to take kindly to the new car, and made himself at home -in it. The chauffeur had it easier now, for Dick felt confident enough -to do all the operating himself.</p> - -<p>"We ought to stock up and live in it one night," suggested Paul, the -third day.</p> - -<p>"Time enough for that," replied the delighted owner of the <i>Last Word</i>. -"I'm going to drive it to Hamilton Corners in a few days."</p> - -<p>"You are?"</p> - -<p>"Sure. That won't be much of a run, compared with our trip across the -continent."</p> - -<p>Another week saw Dick so improved in skill that the chauffeur declared -he need have no hesitation in taking the car on any trip. Then a license -having been procured, and the tanks refilled, Dick and his chums started -on the trip to Hamilton Corners. It was accomplished <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>without accident, -an early morning start enabling them to arrive shortly before dark.</p> - -<p>As they drove into the side entrance of Dick's house a voice called from -the library:</p> - -<p>"What's this, Mortimer? It looks like a railroad coach coming in."</p> - -<p>"Uncle Ezra's here!" exclaimed the son of the house as he recognized the -tones.</p> - -<p>"I expect that is Dick's new touring car," replied Mr. Hamilton.</p> - -<p>"Mortimer! You don't mean to say you let your son get an expensive auto -like that?"</p> - -<p>"I gave it to him, yes, Ezra," the boys heard Mr. Hamilton reply.</p> - -<p>"Well, of all the sinful, foolish wasting of money, this is the worst! -Why, such a car as that must have cost nigh onto a thousand dollars!"</p> - -<p>"If he only knew!" murmured Dick, with a chuckle. "Come on in, fellows. -You'll stay with me a few days, and then we'll arrange about our trip."</p> - -<p>"Well, Nephew Richard, I see you haven't learned economy yet," rasped -Uncle Ezra, as our hero entered the library with his chums. "Where do -you expect to end your days?"</p> - -<p>"I hope I don't have to think of that so soon, Uncle Ezra," replied -Dick. "I guess you know my two chums; don't you?"</p> - -<p>"Um! Is that dog in here?" the crabbed man asked quickly, as a low growl -sounded from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> under a chair near the door. "Send him out at once, or I -shall go."</p> - -<p>"Take Grit away, Gibbs," Dick said to the butler. "He and Uncle Ezra -seem to get on each other's nerves," he added in a low voice.</p> - -<p>Dick briefly related the incidents of his trip, and thanked his father -for the generous gift of the car. Then, as the young men were rather -dusty and tired from their journey, they went to their rooms to dress -for dinner, which would soon be served.</p> - -<p>Dick was ready first, and going downstairs he heard his father and uncle -talking in the library. As he went toward the handsome room, intending -to join them, he heard Mr. Hamilton remark:</p> - -<p>"So you got possession of all his securities, Ezra?"</p> - -<p>"Every one, Mortimer. I cleaned young Wardell out from head to foot, and -it was all his own fault. He put up the stock as collateral for a loan. -I supplied the money, and when the time came to pay me back he -couldn't—he didn't have the cash."</p> - -<p>"Because he bought some other stock that you controlled, and you so -manipulated that market that the latter stock was worthless; wasn't that -it, Ezra?" and Mr. Hamilton spoke coldly.</p> - -<p>"Well, Mortimer, I didn't do nothin' unlawful; did I? I only did what -other folks do every day. I had a right to swing my own market the way I -liked; didn't I?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p><p>"I suppose so"</p> - -<p>"And if this Wardell didn't know enough to protect himself, that wasn't -my fault; was it?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps not."</p> - -<p>"He ought to have more sense."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps. Still I feel sorry for him."</p> - -<p>"Wa'al, I don't! He brought it on himself. Ha! ha! I won't forget how he -begged me to hold off, and not close him out! Ha! ha!" and Uncle Ezra -laughed heartily, in a sort of rasping chuckle. "I told him I wasn't no -philanthropist, and he went away mighty mad, I reckon.</p> - -<p>"But I'm not in business for my health. The funny part of it is, -Mortimer, that even now, if Wardell only knowed enough, he could get -back his fortune?"</p> - -<p>"He could? How?" asked Mr. Hamilton, eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Wa'al, I wouldn't tell everybody, but I know it will be safe with you. -You see, when he got that big loan off me, to do what he calls -speculatin', he gave me as security for the money some stock in that -Western railroad—that California branch you know. Citrous Junction, I -believe it's called."</p> - -<p>"Yes," assented Mr. Hamilton.</p> - -<p>"Wa'al, it was valuable stock, and I was hopin' all the while that -something would turn up so's I could keep it, for I had some of their -stock, and this would give me the control of the road.</p> - -<p>"Wa'al, it did. Wardell turned up broke, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> I got a hold on his stock. -But the queer part of it is that there's some tangle in the matter—some -legal complications that my lawyer is figuring out—and if Wardell only -knowed enough he could file an injunction against havin' any of that -stock transferred—even his lot that he put up with me as security. That -would halt matters until he could make good on something else, and then -he could pay me what he owes, and get this railroad stock back. But he -don't know that he can do this, and I ain't goin' to tell him.</p> - -<p>"It ain't up to me to do so. So all I've got to do is to hold on to his -stock until a certain time, and then it will be too late for him to file -any papers, and the stock will be mine forever, and I'll control the -road. Ha! ha! It's a good joke on Wardell; ain't it?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose you think so," said Mr. Hamilton, coldly, "but it seems like -hard lines for him."</p> - -<p>"Wa'al, he brought it on himself; didn't he? I didn't ask him to borrow -my money. He asked me for it. I didn't ask him to go into any of these -deals; he went into them himself with his eyes open. Now I'm not goin' -to tell him he has a chance to get back his fortune, if he was only -smart enough! No, sir. Ha! ha!</p> - -<p>"I'm just goin' to keep quiet, and say nothin'. If the time limit -expires, and he doesn't file that injunction, or whatever legal paper it -is, with the California courts by a certain day, then his security -railroad stock is mine, and it will be twice<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> as valuable as when -Wardell owned it. It'll be worth nigh onto a million! That's what I call -business, I do!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, it's business—of a certain kind," admitted Mr. Hamilton. "And -so he has a chance to get back his fortune?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but he don't know it, Mortimer! He don't know it! Ha! ha! That's -the joke of it! He don't know it! He don't know it! He! he!" and Uncle -Ezra went off into a fit of laughter that nearly choked him.</p> - -<p>Dick, in the hall, heard, though not intending to play the eavesdropper.</p> - -<p>"So, Wardell doesn't know; eh?" mused the young man. "He doesn't know, -and Uncle Ezra thinks that's a joke. A queer joke. Wardell doesn't know -what chance he has to get back his fortune. But <i>I</i> know, and Uncle -Ezra, unless I'm very much mistaken, I'm going to put a spoke in your -wheel!" and then Dick went silently upstairs to join his two chums.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IX</span> <span class="smaller">DICK MAKES PLANS</span></h2> - -<p>"Well, Dick, so you think you have the very car you want?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Dad, and I can't thank you enough for it. It's a dandy, and we're -soon going to make a big trip in it—all the way across to San -Francisco."</p> - -<p>"More expense! More expense!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra, raising his hands in -protest. They were at the dinner table, talking over Dick's plans for -the coming summer.</p> - -<p>"It won't be much more expensive than going to some resort, Uncle Ezra," -remarked Dick, thinking over what he had heard a little while before.</p> - -<p>"And I think it will do the boys more good," said Mr. Hamilton. "They'll -see something of life, and the experience will be a new one for them. Do -you think you can make your car a base of supplies, Dick, and live in it -without going to hotels, as you plan?"</p> - -<p>"I think so, but we're not going to bind ourselves down by any hard and -fast rules. If we want to go to a hotel we'll go; otherwise we'll camp -out in the <i>Last Word</i>."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p><p>"More expense! More expense!" protested Mr. Larabee. "Oh, what is the -present generation coming to?"</p> - -<p>No one answered him.</p> - -<p>"When do you expect to start?" asked Mr. Hamilton.</p> - -<p>"Just as soon as the boys can get ready," replied Dick. "It's up to -them."</p> - -<p>"I'll have to write home," said Paul. "I've no doubt, though, but what -my folks will let me."</p> - -<p>"Same here," observed Innis.</p> - -<p>"What is that?" suddenly demanded Uncle Ezra. "Who is kicking my legs?"</p> - -<p>He moved his feet about under the table, but as he sat at some distance -from the others it was difficult to understand who could be kicking him. -The mystery was solved a moment later, however, for a low growl came -from beneath the oak table.</p> - -<p>"It's that dratted dog!" exclaimed the crabbed old man. "Mortimer, if I -can't eat my dinner in peace——"</p> - -<p>"I didn't know he was in here," said Dick, apologizing. "Gibbs, have -Grit taken to the stable."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Mr. Dick," answered the butler, and again the unfortunate dog was -led away, casting a sad look at Dick and a vindictive one at Uncle Ezra.</p> - -<p>"It's lucky he didn't bite you," spoke Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> Hamilton. "He must have -sneaked in here after he was put out before."</p> - -<p>"If he had bitten me——" began Uncle Ezra.</p> - -<p>"He'd have done it at once, if he had any such intention, I think," -interrupted Dick. "Grit isn't savage——"</p> - -<p>"Isn't savage!" cried Mr. Larabee. "I'd like to know what you do call -it?"</p> - -<p>"You don't understand him," suggested the young millionaire. "He's as -gentle as a cat with—his friends."</p> - -<p>"Then I'm glad I'm not one of his friends!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra.</p> - -<p>The dinner went on, the talk being divided among the boys on one side, -and Mr. Hamilton and his brother-in-law on the other, with occasional -interchanges. Then the millionaire and Mr. Larabee went to the library -to talk over some business, and the three chums went out to the garage -to look over the new car, and see how it had stood the journey.</p> - -<p>"It seems all right," said Dick. "Of course we didn't put much strain on -it. When we get out West, trying to cross deserts, ford streams and -climb mountains, then we'll see how she stands up. Jove! but I'm anxious -to start.</p> - -<p>"Say, can't you fellows get your folks on the long distance telephone, -and see when you can go?"</p> - -<p>Dick was always planning how to make short cuts.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p><p>"It's too late to call 'em up now," said Paul. "They'd think something -had happened. We'll write."</p> - -<p>"Then do it now," urged Dick. "You'll get an answer so much quicker. -Explain everything and tell 'em you simply must go! It will do you -good."</p> - -<p>"Oh, we'll go, all right!" declared Innis, and they went back into the -house to write the letters.</p> - -<p>Dick got out a big map and began to figure on a tentative route. Not -much preparation would be necessary, at least on this side of the -Rockies, for he knew he could buy supplies of food and gasoline almost -anywhere. Time was no object, so they could go along leisurely, and he -made his plans accordingly.</p> - -<p>The route would have to be decided on as they went from State to State, -for Dick realized that local conditions might vary, and a stream that -would be fordable at one time might not be at another.</p> - -<p>"It will be a great trip!" he remarked to himself. "But if I could only -do something for Mr. Wardell I'd feel better. It doesn't seem fair, the -way Uncle Ezra acted, though maybe it's all right according to law. And -it doesn't seem right that Mr. Wardell should lose his fortune when he -can save it, if he only knew how. I wonder if it would be wrong to act -on the information I overheard by accident? I'm going to ask dad."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p><p>Mr. Larabee retired early that night, as he always did, and he piled -some chairs against his locked door.</p> - -<p>"I'm not going to have that pesky bulldog getting in!" he declared. -"Drat him! I wish he'd run away."</p> - -<p>"Dad!" exclaimed Dick a little later, "I want a little talk with you."</p> - -<p>"Want another auto, Dick?" asked Mr. Hamilton, with a smile.</p> - -<p>"No, the <i>Last Word</i> suits me right down to the ground. It's about Mr. -Wardell and Uncle Ezra."</p> - -<p>"What do you know about them, Dick?" asked the millionaire, quickly.</p> - -<p>"Well, I overheard something to-night," and Dick related it. "Do you -know this Mr. Wardell?" he went on. "I bought the car from him, you -remember."</p> - -<p>"Yes. Well, I don't know that I can say I know him. I used to know his -father, and a fine man he was, though he had rather queer notions of -business. He was strictly honest, though, and perhaps if he had taken -advantage of every legal trick he might have left more money."</p> - -<p>"Tricks like Uncle Ezra's?"</p> - -<p>"Well, Dick, we won't talk about them. Uncle Ezra is responsible to -himself, and, as he says, he is strictly within the law. We all have -different standards. But, Dick, what is it you want to do?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p><p>"I want to save Mr. Wardell's fortune for him. You heard what Uncle -Ezra said. Can't you take a hand, and change matters?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Hamilton thought a moment.</p> - -<p>"Dick," he said, "what your uncle told me was in confidence. I can't -violate that. I'm sorry—in a way—that you overheard what you did, and -yet it may be for the best in the end. I can't act, and yet——"</p> - -<p>"Is there anything to prevent me, Dad?"</p> - -<p>"No-o-o-o," was the answer, slowly given. "I don't know as there is."</p> - -<p>"And you can advise me; can't you?"</p> - -<p>"Well, Dick, if you ask me questions, I suppose I'll have to answer -them," and there was a twinkle in Mr. Hamilton's eyes. "But Uncle Ezra -won't like it if he finds it out," the father concluded.</p> - -<p>"He won't find it out!" declared Dick, with energy.</p> - -<p>"Now here is how I size it up," the young man went on. "Uncle Ezra got -Mr. Wardell's fortune—which consisted mostly of railroad stock—in -exchange for a loan."</p> - -<p>"Yes, he took the stock, or, rather he has had his lawyers take it, -because the money was not repaid to him."</p> - -<p>"And it wasn't paid because Mr. Wardell bought other stock that proved -worthless. Is that it?"</p> - -<p>"That's about it, Dick."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p><p>"And Uncle Ezra sold Mr. Wardell this worthless stock?"</p> - -<p>"Well, his representatives did. But look here, Dick, your uncle didn't -force Mr. Wardell to buy this worthless stock, you know. Mr. Wardell did -that with his eyes open."</p> - -<p>"I know, but he didn't know it was worthless?"</p> - -<p>"Probably not."</p> - -<p>"And Uncle Ezra did?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say that. There is a lot of stock in -the market that is practically worthless, but which is sold with the -best intentions in the world. It may be worth a fortune some day."</p> - -<p>"All right. Anyhow, Mr. Wardell gave up some good stock, got bad stock, -and lost his good stock."</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"And now it develops that if, within a certain time, he makes a sort of -legal protest—files a paper in court or something like that—he has a -chance to get his stock back?"</p> - -<p>"Provided, of course, he gives back the money."</p> - -<p>"And he is practically assured of his money if he does make that -protest, Dad?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. It's quite complicated, but, to state it simply, if he files that -paper, protesting against losing his old stock, the new stock that he -bought will be worth considerable, and out of the money<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> he gets from -selling that he can get back his old stock, which will be worth twice as -much."</p> - -<p>"It sounds like a Chinese puzzle, Dad, but the main thing to do is, I -take it, to file this protest."</p> - -<p>"Yes, if it's filed in time."</p> - -<p>"That's what I wanted to know, Dad. I see my way clear now."</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do, Dick?" asked Mr. Hamilton as he saw his son -preparing to write a letter.</p> - -<p>"I'm going to tell Mr. Wardell that there's a chance to save his -fortune, and I'm going to offer my services to do it for him!" was the -quick answer. "I want to have a talk with him."</p> - -<p>"Dick, I don't know——"</p> - -<p>"Mortimer!" exclaimed a voice in the hall, "I can't sleep with the -howling of that pesky bulldog. I shall have to ask you to have him taken -farther off."</p> - -<p>"Great Peter!" gasped Dick. "Uncle Ezra!"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER X</span> <span class="smaller">MR. WARDELL'S CONFESSION</span></h2> - -<p>The tableau which presented itself to the view of Mr. Larabee showed Mr. -Hamilton gazing at Dick, and our hero, with a strange expression on his -face, looking at his father. He was wondering just how much his uncle -had overheard.</p> - -<p>"Can't sleep; eh?" repeated Mr. Hamilton, after a pause.</p> - -<p>"No, that dog of Nephew Richard's makes such a noise. Can't he be sent -farther off?"</p> - -<p>"I—I'll have Grit taken away, Uncle Ezra," promised Dick, quickly. -"I'll attend to it right away. I'm sorry he annoyed you."</p> - -<p>"Huh!" snorted the visitor. "I never could see the use of dogs, anyhow. -They eat 'most as much as humans, and never do any work."</p> - -<p>"They keep tramps away," said Dick, in defense of his pet.</p> - -<p>"Huh! A good shotgun near the door, where a tramp can see it, beats all -your dogs, and it don't cost anythin' either," declared Mr. Larabee, -with a sniff of disdain. "One charge of powder—not too much—and a -little salt and pepper, will do for a whole season of tramps. You don't -have to shoot the gun off, you know," he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> explained. "Sometimes one load -will do for several seasons, and think of the money you save."</p> - -<p>"I'd rather have Grit," said Dick, simply.</p> - -<p>"Sittin' up rather late; aren't you, Mortimer?" went on Mr. Larabee, who -was attired in a faded dressing gown, rather too short for him. It -showed his lean legs, the feet encased in ancient slippers, which, Uncle -Ezra boasted, had lasted him many years.</p> - -<p>"I seldom go to bed early," spoke the millionaire.</p> - -<p>"But it's late for Nephew Richard," went on the old man. "Growin' boys -should be a-bed early. When I was a lad we went to bed soon after -sundown—we had to, for we had to git up at four o'clock to milk. But -the present generation has it too easy—they're pampered too much."</p> - -<p>"Dick and I were talking business," said Mr. Hamilton, and he glanced -sharply at his brother-in-law, to see if he had overheard any of the -conversation. If Mr. Larabee had done so, he showed no signs of it.</p> - -<p>"Business!" he exclaimed. "Wa'al, of course that's a good thing if -Nephew Richard profits by what he hears. I hope he does. But I've lost -considerable sleep over that pesky dog. I wish you'd attend to him."</p> - -<p>"I will!" exclaimed Dick, hurrying out to the stable. "I guess Grit -hasn't done much sleeping, either," he murmured, "not while he knew -Uncle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> Ezra was in the house, anyhow. I don't see why he has to be so -mean—Uncle Ezra, I'm thinking of," went on Dick, reflectively. "I -suppose it comes natural, but it isn't very pleasant.</p> - -<p>"There's that Mr. Wardell—he's practically ruined him, just on account -of a greed for money, when he's already got more than he knows what to -do with. Well, I'm going to help that young fellow if I can—I'm going -to try to help him get back his fortune. I know how I'd feel if I lost -mine—especially by some trick like this.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'll get in touch with him, and see if we can't beat Uncle Ezra at -his own game. Come on, Grit," he went on, speaking to the dog, who -vainly tried to break his chain the quicker to get near Dick. "You've -got to go into exile for the rest of the night, anyhow, all on account -of Uncle Ezra. I'm sorry, but it has to be, old man."</p> - -<p>Caressing his dog, Dick took him to a distant tool house in the garden, -far enough off so that should Grit bark or whine Mr. Larabee would not -hear him. The dog whimpered a bit when Dick went away, but soon -accustomed himself to the new situation.</p> - -<p>"To-morrow I'll write to Mr. Wardell," decided Dick, as he rejoined his -father, Mr. Larabee having gone back to his room. Mr. Hamilton approved -of this plan, and Dick went to bed to dream of saving the fortune of an -unfortunate man, and shooting across country in his big touring car.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p><p>"I'll sort of combine business with pleasure," remarked the youth next -morning, as he arose and recalled his dream.</p> - -<p>The letter to Mr. Wardell having been written, Dick and his two chums -took the new car out for a spin. Mr. Hamilton consented to be driven to -the railroad depot in it, as he had to go to a distant city on some -business. Mr. Larabee, who was going back to Dankville, much to the -satisfaction of Dick, refused an invitation to try out the <i>Last Word</i>.</p> - -<p>"Trust myself in that? Never!" he exclaimed. "I'd as soon think of -riding on a fire engine. You mark my words, Nephew Richard, you'll come -to grief in that car yet. It's too big and heavy."</p> - -<p>"It has to be, for what I want of it," replied our hero. "I'm going to -cross the continent in it, and sometimes we may be stuck where there are -no hotels. In that case we'll have a hotel with us."</p> - -<p>"Oh, the sinful shame and waste of money!" cried Uncle Ezra, dolefully -shaking his head.</p> - -<p>Dick and his chums, with Grit as a mascot, had a fine ride for a -considerable distance out into the country and back. The car behaved -perfectly, and Dick found she had more speed than he had suspected. The -luxury of it appealed to the three young men, and they were looked on -with envious eyes as they sped along the broad highways.</p> - -<p>Dick posted his letter to Mr. Wardell, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> then there was nothing to do -but await an answer. Paul and Innis planned to go to their homes, to -arrange for the long trip with Dick, and were to return to Hamilton -Corners in about a week. In the meantime the young millionaire would -perfect his plans for the continental tour.</p> - -<p>There was considerable to be done in the way of laying out a route, and -arranging to communicate with his father at certain points. Also Dick -wanted to have plenty of time to aid Mr. Wardell in recovering his -fortune.</p> - -<p>"And I've got to do it without Uncle Ezra knowing anything about it," -decided Dick. "If he found it out he might find a way, law or no law, to -prevent us from filing that protest in time. Oh, I've got to be as foxy -as Uncle Ezra himself." But Dick little realized the resourcefulness of -his relative.</p> - -<p>A few days after Dick's chums had gone to their homes, when the former -was wondering when he would hear from the man whose car he had -purchased, Gibbs came to him in the library one afternoon with the -information that a visitor wanted to see Dick.</p> - -<p>"Bring him in here," he requested the butler. "Oh, hello, Mr. Wardell!" -Dick exclaimed when he saw who his caller was. "I'm real glad to see -you. I was getting ready to come on to New York and meet you, as soon as -you sent me word."</p> - -<p>"Were you, indeed? I thought I had better<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> take a run up here, though, -as I haven't any permanent address in New York at present. I haven't my -plans made, and I may go away at any time. But I am curious to know what -good news you have to tell me," for Dick had not given the particulars -in his letter. "I don't see how there can be any good news for me any -more," went on Mr. Wardell, rather despondently.</p> - -<p>"Well, there is," said Dick, simply. "What would you say if I told you -there was a chance to get back your fortune?"</p> - -<p>"I'd say, I'm afraid, that you were dreaming."</p> - -<p>"I never was more wide awake. Listen," and Dick quickly related the gist -of what he and his father had talked over.</p> - -<p>"You don't mean it!" exclaimed Mr. Wardell. "If the papers are filed in -time I can save my fortune?"</p> - -<p>"That's about it. Can you arrange to file them?"</p> - -<p>"I can, I think—no, by Jove! Dick, I can't, either. At least I'm afraid -I can't. I'll tell you how I'm fixed. I am about to go to South America -for a mining concern. It's a good opening, and it's too good to turn -down. I can make my living at it, and in time I may get rich by it. It's -a bird in the hand, and it's worth two in the bush, where my former -fortune seems to be at present. I don't see how I can go out to San -Francisco and to South America, too. And yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> I would like to get back -my fortune, for I am beginning to believe that it wasn't taken from me -altogether fairly."</p> - -<p>"We won't go into that now," spoke Dick. "But can you arrange with your -lawyer to furnish the necessary papers?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. I guess Mr. Tunison would do that for me, even if I can't pay his -regular fee. He's done enough business for our family in the past. But, -look here, Mr. Hamilton, what good will the papers do me when I can't go -to San Francisco to file them? At least, I don't think I ought to give -up a certain, sure thing for one that's only a chance. I can't file the -papers after I get them."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, I can!" cried Dick.</p> - -<p>"You can? What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"I mean that my chums and I are going to take a tour to California. I -can combine business with pleasure, and file those papers for you. If I -can do it in time, you'll get a chance to recover your fortune."</p> - -<p>"And will you do that for me?"</p> - -<p>"I certainly will!"</p> - -<p>Mr. Wardell clasped Dick's hand in a hearty grasp.</p> - -<p>"Look here, old man," he said feelingly, "you've done too much for me -already."</p> - -<p>"Oh, pshaw! I haven't done anything worth mentioning!" exclaimed Dick, -who disliked having a fuss made over him. "I bought your car<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> as much -for myself as to help you out of a hole."</p> - -<p>"Oh, it isn't that I mean!" cried Mr. Wardell, quickly. "Dick, I've a -confession to make. You may not know it, but you saved my life that day -on the railroad tracks."</p> - -<p>"Saved your life?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I was down and out! I didn't see a thing to live for, and I wasn't -going to look for a reason. I was going to cash in when you and your -chum came along, and I didn't have the nerve to do what I was going to -do—shuffle off this mortal coil. You saved my life, Dick Hamilton, and -now you are going to save my fortune for me. You're doing too much!" and -the visitor seemed much affected.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XI</span> <span class="smaller">OFF ON THE TRIP</span></h2> - -<p>"That's all right now, Mr. Wardell," said Dick, after a rather painful -pause. "I'm sure I'm only too glad that I can do something for you. It -isn't going to be any trouble—filing this paper, as it's on my way. -And, as for saving your life——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you did it—there's no question about that!" interrupted the other. -"I was miserable enough to do anything rash, but the kind way in which -you spoke to me, and the cheerfulness of yourself, and your chum, made -me ashamed to do what I had contemplated. It started me on a new road, -thinking of you, and I made up my mind I'd begin over again.</p> - -<p>"Now it might seem to you that I ought to look after this matter -myself—going out there and filing this paper—but the truth of the -matter is that I'm quite disgusted with myself—not knowing enough to -take care of my money when I had it. I deserve to lose it. But if you -can save it I'm willing to give you whatever share your lawyer thinks -fair."</p> - -<p>"I'm not doing it for that," declared Dick.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> "I'm doing it for—well, -I'll tell you later," he finished. But to himself he said:</p> - -<p>"I'm doing this for the honor of my family. If he ever finds out it was -my uncle who ruined him he'll not think much of my father and myself, -even if I was instrumental in saving his life. No, I've got to keep -still about that part of it, and save <i>his</i> fortune for the honor of -<i>our</i> family. And I'll do it, too, in spite of Uncle Ezra!"</p> - -<p>"Well, it's awfully good of you," went on Mr. Wardell, after a pause. -"Now I'll see our old family lawyer, Mr. William Tunison, and have him -arrange with you. You say the papers have to be filed on a certain -date?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Then why can't they be sent out there, and held until it is time to -present them to the court?"</p> - -<p>"Because the law in this matter is peculiar. The documents have to be -filed between certain dates—they can't be presented before the one, nor -after the other. There is a period of a few days during which they can -legally be presented to the courts, and in that time only. If you sent -them out there now they might get filed away in some pigeon-hole, and be -forgotten until it was too late."</p> - -<p>"I see."</p> - -<p>"So the only thing to do is for some one to look after the matter -personally. And I'll do it!"</p> - -<p>"It's very good of you. I suppose I might do it myself, but I hate to -lose this South <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>American chance. It may never come again, and I want to -show folks that, even if I have lost one fortune, I can make another. -Otherwise I'd go West myself."</p> - -<p>"You don't need to. I'll act as your agent," promised Dick.</p> - -<p>"Very well, then. I'll arrange with my lawyer. I was so angry and -discouraged when I found that my fortune was wiped out that I didn't go -into details over it. All I knew was that a fellow named Larabee had -cleaned me out. A queer sort of chap he was, too. About as mean as they -make 'em, I thought, and quite a financier into the bargain. Ever meet -him?"</p> - -<p>"I—I have heard of him," stammered Dick. Then he quickly added: -"Suppose you give me power of attorney to act for you, and a letter to -your lawyer. Then I can see him myself," for Dick did not want to get on -dangerous ground as regards Uncle Ezra. "Then you can go to South -America whenever you get ready, and I'll look after the rest," he added.</p> - -<p>"It seems sort of cowardly, to run away and leave you to face the -music," and Mr. Wardell hesitated.</p> - -<p>"Not at all!" Dick assured him. "I'll be glad of the chance to do this -business for you. It will be good training for me. My father is willing. -And," Dick added to himself, "it will give me a chance to get back at -Uncle Ezra for some of the mean things he has done to me."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p><p>"All right," spoke Mr. Wardell after a moment or two of thought. "I'll -give you power to act for me, as my attorney, or representative, or -whatever is necessary. And I'll write to my lawyer. He can fix up the -papers. Do you want him to come here?"</p> - -<p>"No, I am going to New York in a few days, to arrange some details about -our trip. I'll see him then. Will you stay to dinner, and meet my -father? We can put you up for the night."</p> - -<p>"No, thank you. I'll stay for dinner, but I must go back to New York on -the midnight train. There is no telling when this South American berth -may be open for me."</p> - -<p>A little later Mr. Wardell and Mr. Hamilton went over details with Dick, -and it was arranged that the latter should complete his plans with Mr. -Tunison, the lawyer.</p> - -<p>A few days later saw our hero once more in New York. He went by train, -as his chums had not yet arrived from their homes, and Dick did not want -to drive his big car by himself.</p> - -<p>Mr. Tunison proved to be an agreeable gentleman, who readily entered -into Dick's plan to try to recover the Wardell fortune.</p> - -<p>"Though I'm afraid you're going to have a hard task, Mr. Hamilton," the -lawyer said. "This Mr. Larabee is a hard customer. By the way, he is -some relation to you; isn't he? I've been looking him up."</p> - -<p>"He is," admitted Dick, "but I'm not proud<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> of it. I would just as soon -Mr. Wardell did not know it—at least, until I am successful. I am doing -this, in a measure, for the honor of my family."</p> - -<p>"Hum! Well, I'll keep your secret. Now it appears from the investigation -I have made since I got Mr. Wardell's letter, that this Mr. Larabee -isn't appearing in this matter openly himself."</p> - -<p>"No?" asked Dick in some surprise.</p> - -<p>"No. Whether he is ashamed of what he did, or whether he has sold out -his claim to someone else, I can't learn. But he is represented by a Mr. -Harrison Black, and I want to warn you against him."</p> - -<p>"Warn me?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Mr. Black, while a lawyer, is one of the most unscrupulous -attorneys I have ever met, or had dealings with. He is a sharper, just -keeping well enough within the law not to be caught. Now, he is handling -this matter for your uncle, it seems, and he knows about this time -limit."</p> - -<p>"I suppose so."</p> - -<p>"Yes. He'll do all in his power to prevent us from filing the papers -that would give Mr. Wardell a chance to claim his fortune again. So you -must be on your guard."</p> - -<p>"I will. What sort of a man is this Mr. Black?"</p> - -<p>"I will describe him to you," and the lawyer did so. "But he probably -will not appear openly himself," resumed Mr. Tunison. "He has other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> -shyster lawyers who do his evil work for him. Probably you will -encounter one of his tools, and as he has a number I can't say which one -it will be. Only be on your guard, Mr. Hamilton."</p> - -<p>"I will."</p> - -<p>"Now then, I will give you the necessary papers, which must be filed -with the Supreme Court not before September first and not later than -midnight September third."</p> - -<p>"Three days!" exclaimed Dick.</p> - -<p>"That is all. A short period. To be sure of making no mistake, you had -better file them the first day. Don't take any chances. At the same -time, it would not be fair to you to have you give up all the pleasure -of your trip to be in San Francisco before the first day of next -September.</p> - -<p>"I understand you are going to make a tour in the big car Mr. Wardell -had built for himself before his fortune was lost. My advice is to do -this, and so arrange your programme that you will reach San Francisco -September first. That will give you plenty of time. I have a lawyer -friend there, Mr. Whitfield Ainslie, who will attend to the California -legal end for you. Now I will prepare the papers."</p> - -<p>It did not take long, and after getting a few more detailed instructions -from Mr. Tunison, Dick left for Hamilton Corners. When he got home he -found Paul and Innis waiting for him.</p> - -<p>"Well, when do we start?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p><p>"Yes; we've been doing nothing but dream of this trip!" cried the -other.</p> - -<p>"We'll leave this week!" declared Dick.</p> - -<p>And he was as good as his word. His plans were completed, the route -finally decided on, and, with the auto thoroughly in shape, the boys -started off early one morning, Grit sitting proudly beside Dick, who was -at the wheel.</p> - -<p>"Take care of yourself, my boy," cautioned Mr. Hamilton, as he shook -hands with his son and his chums.</p> - -<p>"I will, Dad. If Uncle Ezra asks for me—well, tell him I'll see him -later!"</p> - -<p>"I will. Have you the papers safe?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, they're in the auto where no one can find them. I'll write as -often as I can. All ready, boys?"</p> - -<p>"Let her go, Dick!" cried Paul.</p> - -<p>"Start off!" exclaimed Innis Beeby.</p> - -<p>Dick pressed the button of the electric starter. There was a hum, a -throb of the powerful motor, and the big car moved slowly out of the -yard. Dick and his chums were off on their long trip.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XII</span> <span class="smaller">UNCLE EZRA PLOTS</span></h2> - -<p>"What's our time-table, Dick?" asked Paul, as they swung out of Hamilton -Corners into the less-populated country.</p> - -<p>"We haven't any. That is, we're not going to try to make any special -time, as long as we get to 'Frisco by September first," for Dick had -told his chums of the endeavor he was going to make to save Mr. -Wardell's fortune.</p> - -<p>"What's our programme, then?" Innis Beeby wanted to know. "Are we going -to run along, hit or miss, or have we some definite plan?"</p> - -<p>"I thought I gave you our route."</p> - -<p>"Well, old man, we went over it so often, and made so many changes, that -I don't know now whether we're going by way of New Orleans or Alaska."</p> - -<p>"More like Alaska this time of year!" exclaimed Paul. "Shall I start the -electric fan, Dick?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, do. There isn't much breeze to-day," and soon a big electric fan -near the roof of the touring car was stirring the air, making the three -travelers more comfortable.</p> - -<p>"This is the schedule the way I have worked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> it out," went on Dick, as -he steered out to avoid a load of hay being driven along the country -road. "We'll go to Buffalo, and from there on to Cleveland. Next, in the -order as they come, will be Chicago, Des Moines, Omaha, Denver, -Leadville, Salt Lake City, Carson City, Sacramento, and then 'Frisco."</p> - -<p>"All good places to visit," observed Innis, reflectively.</p> - -<p>"Well, we may not strike all of them," Dick went on. "If we have to -change our route because of bad roads, or from other causes, we may cut -out the big cities, and just go somewhere near them. But that route will -give us plenty of travel."</p> - -<p>"I should say so!" agreed Paul. "Nearly four thousand miles, I guess. -Well, your car looks good for it, Dick!"</p> - -<p>And indeed the <i>Last Word</i> appeared able to navigate to the Arctic -regions if called on to do so.</p> - -<p>"Are we going to put up at a hotel for lunch?" asked Innis, when they -had gone on several miles farther. "That isn't a hint that I'm hungry!" -he hastened to add, "but I was just wondering, Dick."</p> - -<p>"I think we'll try camping out a bit," said that young man. "We might as -well get used to it, and the weather is good now."</p> - -<p>"That's right," agreed Paul.</p> - -<p>"I have some grub stowed away in back,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> Dick resumed. "We will stop at -some butcher shop and grocery in the next town, get some steak and -bacon, and cook it on our electric stove. Then we can eat it alongside -the road. There will be plenty of chances to go to hotels later."</p> - -<p>The boys laughed and joked, thoroughly enjoying themselves in the big -touring car. It rode easily, even over rough roads, and it was roomy -enough so that they could move about in it, not having to stay cramped -up in one seat. Paul and Innis took turns at driving, as Dick wanted -them to become familiar with the mechanism.</p> - -<p class="center">* * * * *</p> - -<p>But perhaps if Dick and his chums could have been made aware of a little -scene that had taken place in the office of a certain lawyer in -Dankville that morning they would not have felt so care-free and -light-hearted. About the time Dick started off on his tour a crabbed old -man might have been seen going into this law office, on the door of -which was the name:</p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Harrison Black</span>.</p> - -<p>"Ah, good morning, Mr. Larabee!" the lawyer greeted his visitor. "Come -right in," and the two were closeted together for some time. When they -came out, Mr. Black said:</p> - -<p>"Now don't you have a bit of worry, Mr. Larabee. I'll attend to the -matter for you, and this young man will never see his money again."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p><p>"He don't deserve to, anyhow. Folks that is as careless as he was, -don't deserve no pity."</p> - -<p>"That's right, so they don't, Mr. Larabee. Ha! ha! You have exactly the -right idea."</p> - -<p>"And now about this foolish young nephew of mine," went on Mr. Larabee. -"I didn't hear all he and his father talked about that night when I came -down on 'em unexpected-like, but I'm sure my nephew has some crazy -notion about helping this Wardell. It mustn't be allowed—he must be -stopped!" and Uncle Ezra clenched his fist and struck a desk a smart -blow.</p> - -<p>"I agree with you, Mr. Larabee. He must be stopped. But does he know of -this time limit?"</p> - -<p>"He might. I wouldn't take any chances. He's fooled me more than once. -Don't take any chances, Black."</p> - -<p>"I won't. If he has any papers to file inside the time limit, he won't -be allowed to do so. We'll take some means to stop him. Wait, I'll call -one of my men who—er—who attends to all these little matters for me. -Jake, here, I want you!"</p> - -<p>From an outer room came a man with a hard face, and a jaw like that of a -prize fighter. He had little, shifty eyes that seemed never to look one -in the face.</p> - -<p>"Jake this is Mr. Larabee," went on Mr. Black. "This is Jake Morton," to -Uncle Ezra. "He'll see that your foolish nephew doesn't do anything -rash."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p><p>"That's what I want."</p> - -<p>"It—er—it may cost something, Mr. Larabee."</p> - -<p>"Cost something?" and Uncle Ezra clapped his hand on his pocket. "Not -much, I hope!"</p> - -<p>"Well, of course your nephew has started off in an auto, I believe you -mentioned that."</p> - -<p>"Yes, in a great big touring car like a steam coach—him and two other -spendthrifts. Oh, the money they waste!" and Uncle Ezra shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Well, if they're in an auto, I presume they'll have to be followed in -an auto," went on Mr. Black, "and auto hire costs money."</p> - -<p>"Couldn't—couldn't they be followed on a bicycle?" asked the crabbed -old man. "I wouldn't mind buying a second-hand bicycle for your man, and -he could follow them on that. Bicycle riding is healthy."</p> - -<p>"Say, if you expect me to trail along after a touring car on a -bicycle—and a second-hand one at that—you can get some one else to do -this job!" exclaimed Jake Morton. "I'm done! What! Maybe chase half way -to San Francisco on an old wheel? I guess not."</p> - -<p>"Wa'al, maybe I could stand a new one," whined Uncle Ezra.</p> - -<p>"No, nor a new one, either. It's a touring car for me, or nothing!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, the sinful waste of money!" exclaimed Mr. Larabee. "The awful -waste!"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p><p>"You'd much better spend a few dollars to hire a touring car for my -clerk than to lose all this money," said Mr. Black. "And, mind you, if -your nephew files that paper it may result in a lawsuit, which would be -very expensive, and, at the same time might go against you."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, if you think it wise, perhaps I'd better. I don't want to -lose this money I've worked so hard for."</p> - -<p>A smile of something like contempt curled the lip of Mr. Black. He knew -just how hard Mr. Larabee had "worked" for his money, for many a -mortgage he had foreclosed for him, and many a transaction he had -consummated—transactions that never got into the law courts.</p> - -<p>"Then if you don't want to run any chances, you'd better do as I say," -went on the lawyer. "My man will look after matters. You say your nephew -and his chums have gone off on a tour. Do you know the route they are -going to take?"</p> - -<p>"Not exactly, for, though I looked and listened the young spendthrifts -changed their plans so often I wasn't able to keep track of them. But -they are going to the main cities. Why, would you believe it, they'd -think nothing of going hundreds of extra miles, just to get to some -place to see the sights! And gasoline is gettin' more and more expensive -every day, to say nothin' of tires. Oh, the waste of it!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I suppose your nephew is well off?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; too much so for his own good!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> snapped Uncle Ezra. "If I had the -handlin' of his wealth, there'd be a different story to tell."</p> - -<p>"I can well believe that," remarked the lawyer, drily. "Now to get down -to business. Pay attention, Jake Morton. You will have to follow this -party of young fellows in the big touring car as best you can, since Mr. -Larabee doesn't know the exact route they will take."</p> - -<p>"No, I couldn't find out," mumbled Uncle Ezra, "though I heard something -of Buffalo, Cleveland, and so on."</p> - -<p>"I guess I can get on their trail, all right," said the lawyer's -henchman. "If it's a big touring car, as you describe, it ought to be -pretty conspicuous. Folks will notice it and I can make inquiries as I -go along."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but keep your wits about you. Don't let them suspect, for they are -sharp lads, I take it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'll play foxy, all right. I'll hang back for a few days and watch -my chance."</p> - -<p>"But don't delay too long," cautioned Uncle Ezra. "Automobile hire is -expensive, and I'm not as rich as Mortimer Hamilton. Don't go wastin' my -money."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm not going to starve on the trip," laughed the man. "I've got -to live decently if I'm to pose as a touring autoist."</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear!" groaned Uncle Ezra. "This is going to cost a pile of -money—a dreadful pile!"</p> - -<p>"But you're going to make a lot out of it!" insisted the shyster lawyer.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p><p>"Maybe—maybe," assented the old man. "And say," he went on to Morton, -"you'll get that paper away from him. I know he has some sort of a paper -to file, to cheat me out of my hard-earned money. I was sharp enough to -find that out, though he and his father think they fooled me. But I was -too much for 'em—I was so—ha! ha!" and he chuckled so that he went -into a coughing fit, and had to be thumped on the back to bring his -breath into his lungs again.</p> - -<p>"You—you'll get that paper; won't you?" he pleaded.</p> - -<p>"Sure I will," declared Jake Morton. "And they won't know I have it -until it's too late to file it."</p> - -<p>"Good!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra. "And maybe, while you are at it, you could -get that auto away from my nephew, or wreck it, or something like that."</p> - -<p>"Good land, Mr. Larabee! You don't mean that; do you?" cried Mr. Black. -"Wreck your nephew's auto?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, not with him in it, of course. But if it could be disabled some -way, maybe he'd desert it, and we could get it, and fix it up and sell -it. I might get enough out of it to pay for the expenses of this trip, -for it's goin' to cost a lot—a dreadful lot."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't advise you to try that," said the lawyer, significantly. -"We're taking enough<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> chances as it is. You don't want to make yourself -criminally liable; do you?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, my good land, no! Sakes alive! No! no!" cried Uncle Ezra. "I've -always kept within the law. We ain't goin' to do nothin' unlawful; are -we?" and he gazed anxiously at the lawyer.</p> - -<p>"Oh, no. I'm not any too fond, myself, of overstepping the law. But I'll -take all it allows!" he declared, thrusting out a lean and claw-like -hand.</p> - -<p>"Oh, so will I!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra. "All the law allows—yes; all the -law allows! Ha! ha! I guess you'll find, Nephew Richard," he went on, -"that two of us can play at that little game you started. Two of us; -yes-um! We'll see who wins out! Ha! ha!" and, chuckling in a cackling -sort of voice, Mr. Larabee left the lawyer's office, while Mr. Black and -his henchman looked at each other.</p> - -<p>"What do you think of him?" asked Mr. Black.</p> - -<p>"I don't like to think. But, as long as he pays our price, we'll do his -work; eh?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Now come in here and we'll talk over what's best to do. We must -get that paper away from Dick Hamilton."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIII</span> <span class="smaller">THE HAND IN THE DARK</span></h2> - -<p>"Say, this is a little bit of all right; isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"It certainly is. I'll have some more of that steak."</p> - -<p>"Another morsel of bacon would just about suit me."</p> - -<p>"Those eggs aren't so bad. That electric stove cooks quick enough."</p> - -<p>"I should say yes. Any more coffee left?"</p> - -<p>Question and comment thus went back and forth among the three chums as -they sat in Dick Hamilton's big touring car, under a great oak tree at -one side of a pleasant country road.</p> - -<p>They had traveled many miles from Hamilton Corners before stopping at a -village grocery and meat market and buying what they wanted for dinner.</p> - -<p>"Going camping?" the man had asked them, as he wrapped up the parcels.</p> - -<p>"No, just on a tour," Dick said.</p> - -<p>"Oh, then you're going to cook over an open fire?"</p> - -<p>"No, we're going to cook it right in the auto," the young autoist said.</p> - -<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed the man. "Joking; eh?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> Well, I know you auto fellows -have some new wrinkles, but I didn't think you were up to that. Going to -broil the steak on your over-heated engine, I suppose, and make coffee -with the hot water from your radiator? Ha! ha!"</p> - -<p>"Not exactly," replied Dick. "Though that might be done. No, we have a -stove of our own," and he showed the man the little electrical apparatus -in the rear of the enclosed tonneau, on which a good meal could be -prepared.</p> - -<p>And the boys had just finished their culinary operations and were now -enjoying the fruits of their labors. They were in a secluded place, and -the day was all that could be desired. The little table had been let -down from the roof, and the three sat about it, laughing and joking.</p> - -<p>Farmers and others passing along the highway paused to look in some -astonishment, not only at the big car, which was of a type and size -seldom seen, but at the boys themselves, who seemed to be taking their -ease in regular Gypsy fashion, yet in a style never approached by the -dark-skinned nomads.</p> - -<p>"Some class to this," remarked Paul, as he passed his plate for more -steak and bacon.</p> - -<p>"I should say yes," agreed Innis. "I say, old boy, you're not going to -take that egg; are you?"</p> - -<p>"Why not, I'd like to know?" retorted Paul, pausing in the act of -helping himself to a nicely browned one, nestling amid a pile of crisp -bacon.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p><p>"Because you've had three, and that's mine—or Dick's, if he wants it."</p> - -<p>"No, I don't want it," said the latter. "But it isn't worth quarreling -over. We can fry some more."</p> - -<p>"I guess we'll have to if Paul is going to develop that kind of an -appetite," remarked Innis. "Three eggs, twice on the steak, and no end -of bacon——"</p> - -<p>"I did not!" snapped Paul.</p> - -<p>"Did not what?" asked Innis, with a smile.</p> - -<p>"Did not have three eggs. It was only two, and——"</p> - -<p>"Well, this'll be three," retorted Innis.</p> - -<p>"Oh, well, then I'll split it with you," and Paul cut the egg in half, -thus settling the dispute.</p> - -<p>"Well, there's one consolation in eating this way," remarked Dick, as -the auto-meal came to an end. "We don't have many dishes to wash," and -he tossed from the window of the car the wooden plates from which they -had dined.</p> - -<p>"That's right," agreed Paul. "Washing dishes is the worst part of camp -life. Some day I'm going to invent a set of dishes that wash -themselves."</p> - -<p>"These are just as good," said Dick. Though there was in the auto a -small set of porcelain dishes, the boys had decided that, except for -food that actually needed other styles, they would use the wooden -plates, that could be thrown away after each meal. They carried a supply -of these,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> as well as paper napkins, and more could be bought whenever -needed.</p> - -<p>Of course there were pans and other utensils for the stove, and these -were cleaned after being used, and stowed away in the proper -compartments.</p> - -<p>"Well, I guess we're all ready to start again," announced Dick, as they -got out and walked about a bit, pausing to get a drink at a roadside -spring.</p> - -<p>"Where to?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"I'll take a look at our map and see," went on the young millionaire. "I -think we can make Hosford by evening, and stay there over night. There's -no use journeying after dark until we have to."</p> - -<p>"That's right; not until we find we have to put on speed to file that -paper in time," added Paul.</p> - -<p>"But is there a hotel in Hosford?" inquired Innis.</p> - -<p>"We'll not bother with a hotel," suggested Dick. "As long as we have the -bunks in our auto we might as well use them. We'll just pull up at some -quiet place, off the road, get our supper, and turn in. We're -independent of hotels, unless we want to go to one now and again to have -more room to stretch. That's why I got this kind of a car."</p> - -<p>"Sure enough!" exclaimed Innis. "We'll bunk here then."</p> - -<p>And they did that night. At first it was a bit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> awkward, but soon they -got used to the not too large apartment into which the auto was turned, -and they found the bunks very comfortable.</p> - -<p>The curtains were drawn over the glass doors and windows and with an -electric light glowing in the roof, the boys went to sleep, well -satisfied with their first day's trip.</p> - -<p>They were under way soon after breakfast and traveled a good distance by -noon, stopping for their meal in a little grove of trees just off a -country road.</p> - -<p>"What's the programme for to-day?" asked Paul, as they started off -again, leaving a pile of wooden plates behind them as a souvenir of -their stop.</p> - -<p>"Hand me that road map, and I'll decide," spoke Dick. "It's in the flap -pocket of that side door, nearest you, Paul."</p> - -<p>Paul pulled from the leather compartment on the door an envelope, and -handed it to Dick.</p> - -<p>"No, that isn't it," said the young man. "Those are the papers I'm going -to file with the court to save Mr. Wardell's property. The map is in the -same place, in an envelope just like that. Now you've got it," as Paul -pulled out another bulky envelope.</p> - -<p>"Do you think it's safe to keep the law papers in such a place?" asked -Innis.</p> - -<p>"I don't see why not," replied Dick. "I don't want them in my pocket, -for they might slip out when I walk around. And if I put them <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>anywhere -else in the auto I couldn't get at them in a hurry in case we caught -fire, or had any accident. No one would think of looking in there for -them, and if we leave the auto at any time we can take the documents -with us. Now let's have a squint at this map. I think we can make -Flagtown to-night."</p> - -<p>"Flagtown!" exclaimed Innis, looking over his chum's shoulder. "That's -quite a run."</p> - -<p>"Well, we haven't tried out this car much as to speed yet," replied -Dick. "There are good roads to Flagtown, and we might as well see what -she can do. We'll hit up the pace a little."</p> - -<p>And they did make Flagtown, the <i>Last Word</i> proving that she had speed -as well as other qualities, though she was essentially not a racing car.</p> - -<p>Supper followed, in due time, and then, sitting about the auto in the -quiet of the evening, the boys talked over their adventures of the day, -and speculated on what lay before them.</p> - -<p>"It will be a good joke on your Uncle Ezra, to get Mr. Wardell's fortune -away from him; won't it?" remarked Paul.</p> - -<p>"It sure will," declared Dick. "And the best of it is that he doesn't -know that I'm going to do it. Uncle Ezra is pretty sharp, but I think we -got ahead of him this time."</p> - -<p>But if Dick could have known that a few miles back, in an auto that had -closely followed the course of the big touring car since the day before, -was a certain mean-faced man, perhaps the young<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> millionaire would not -have felt so confident. Especially could he have known that the man in -the rear auto was constantly making inquiries about the <i>Last -Word</i>—when she had passed through certain towns, and which way she was -headed.</p> - -<p>But knowing none of these things, Dick and his chums turned into the -bunks with a feeling of peacefulness and ease, and slept soundly. All -too soundly, it would seem. Too soundly to have heard a car pull up -behind them shortly after midnight.</p> - -<p>The car came to a halt some distance away from Dick's, the red tail-lamp -on the latter disclosing its presence. From the rear car a man silently -alighted to the dusty road.</p> - -<p>"Are you sure that's the machine?" a whispered voice asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'll stake my reputation on it. We've followed it too close to be -mistaken, and they haven't had time to shake us."</p> - -<p>"That's right. Well, Jake, do your best. Mr. Black expects us to make a -record on this job."</p> - -<p>"I know he does. That old skinflint of a Larabee isn't going to pay very -heavy, though. It was all we could do to squeeze this car out of him."</p> - -<p>"Well, now we've got it we can do as we please. Think you can pull off -anything?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. I can sneak up there and see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> how the land lays, anyhow. -If we can't get the papers now we will have to some other time. But I -think those lads will sleep well to-night—they had quite a day of it."</p> - -<p>"I should say so! It was all I could do to drive this old car to keep up -with 'em, and this isn't a slow machine, either. Well, if you're going, -go ahead. I'll wait here."</p> - -<p>"And be ready for a quick get-away in case—well, in case anything -happens."</p> - -<p>"Sure, I'll be on the job."</p> - -<p>The figure in the road stole quietly toward the big touring car. As he -came nearer he walked more and more slowly, and getting to within a -short distance of the <i>Last Word</i>, he remained silent—listening.</p> - -<p>"'All quiet along the Potomac,'" he quoted. "I guess I'll take a -chance."</p> - -<p>Again he stole forward.</p> - -<p>In the darkness of the night a hand stole softly out toward one of the -side doors of the big car. A pair of evil eyes looked in on the sleeping -lads. Then the hand stole down in through the opening in the door, an -opening as in a coach, covered with glass, but which glass had been -dropped down to let in the air.</p> - -<p>"I'll see what luck I have," murmured the voice of the man in the dark. -Lower stole in the hand in the night. The fingers encountered the flap -of a pocket. There was a start of surprise.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p><p>"By Jove!" whispered the voice. "I have it—first crack out of the -box!"</p> - -<p>The hand withdrew itself, with a bulky envelope, and, hesitating a -moment to be sure that none of the sleepers had awakened, the man of -darkness put in the same pocket another envelope of the same size as the -one removed, and hurried back down the road to the waiting car.</p> - -<p>"What luck?" his companion asked.</p> - -<p>"Best in the world. I got it, and switched another bundle of papers in -place of those I took. Now speed her, but—but run silently until you -get some distance off."</p> - -<p>"I get you all right. Hop in."</p> - -<p>And the car sped away in the darkness, while Dick and his chums slept on.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIV</span> <span class="smaller">A BLOCKED ROAD</span></h2> - -<p>"Oh! Ah! Um!"</p> - -<p>"Who said get up?"</p> - -<p>"Gee-whiz, but I'm tired!"</p> - -<p>"So is the auto—rubber tired."</p> - -<p>"Joke! Ha! Ha! Everybody snicker!"</p> - -<p>The three chums turned over on their bunks in the <i>Last Word</i>, and -looked one at the other.</p> - -<p>"Well, if you fellows are going to lie abed all day, I'm not!" exclaimed -Paul, he and his two companions having just indulged in the little -morning "roundelay" I have used to introduce this chapter. He sprang -from the bunk.</p> - -<p>"'Up, up, Lucy!'" he quoted. "'The sun is up, and I am up too!' First -reading lesson. Come on, fellows!" and he pulled the covers from Dick.</p> - -<p>"It's too comfortable here," said that youth, gazing at the ceiling of -the car where the electric light was yet glowing. Reaching out his hand -Dick switched it off. "And yet I suppose we might as well get up," he -went on. "Innis, you're nearest to it, turn on the stove, will you, and -set the coffee to boiling? Then we'll have grub and see what the day -will bring forth."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p><p>A storage battery in the car furnished current for the stove. The -coffee had been put in the pot the night before, with cold water on it, -and now all that remained was to shove it over on top of the electric -stove, and set it boiling by the turn of a switch.</p> - -<p>"The simple life—this," remarked Innis, as he complied with his host's -request. Then, as the grateful aroma of coffee filled the car the lads -dressed, and were soon washing at a nearby spring, which they had -discovered the night before in a patch of woods, not far from the road.</p> - -<p>Breakfast over, they were once more ready to proceed. Dick started the -car from his seat, and sent it going at a moderate pace. They had no -special objective point in view, and were content to take dinner -wherever noon found them.</p> - -<p>Through villages and towns they passed, attracting no little attention -as they scurried along. Once an officious constable warned them against -speeding.</p> - -<p>"You went a leetle too fast comin' in," he said, throwing back the lapel -of his coat to display his badge. "You fellers want t' be careful goin' -out."</p> - -<p>"All right," agreed Dick, with a laugh. "We'll be careful. Are the roads -pretty good now?"</p> - -<p>"Yep. Fine! That's why I warned you fellers. It's a great temptation t' -speed. Only last week a feller was caught outside of town. We've got one -of the finest speed traps in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>country," he went on proudly. "I don't -s'pose I ought t' tell you 'bout it, but I will, seein' as how you're -strangers, an' that's a kind of car we don't often see around here.</p> - -<p>"It's like this. I've got a man stationed near the fust mile post -outside th' village proper. When he sees an auto comin' he marks down -th' time it passes him, and then he telefoams to another of my men at -the next mile post.</p> - -<p>"Now if that there auto gits to the second mile post too quick, we know -it's exceedin' th' speed limit, so we jest stop 'em an' collect th' -fine. Squire Bradley is always ready t' hear the case. He'll come in -from his hay field, or even stop plowin', t' hold court."</p> - -<p>"I suppose it pays him," remarked Paul, while Dick was seeing about -renewing the supply of gasoline, a stop having been made for that -purpose.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, it pays middlin' well," admitted the constable. "Th' Squire -gits half th' fine, an' th' other half goes t' me an' my assistants."</p> - -<p>"How do you stop the speeding autos when they get to the second mile -post?" Innis wanted to know.</p> - -<p>"Ha! That there's my patent. I've got a long rail fixed on a sort of -hinge, like an old-fashioned well-sweep, you know. When an auto ain't -exceedin' the legal rate of speed the long pole sticks straight up in -the air alongside the road. But when my man at the first mile post<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> -telefoams to Hank Selby at the second post that a car is comin' too -fast, Hank jest yanks on a rod, down comes th' pole across th' road, an' -th' car can't go on no further."</p> - -<p>"I see," laughed Paul. "Hank yanks!"</p> - -<p>"That's it! I see you fellers will have your leetle joke!" and the -constable laughed with them.</p> - -<p>"But supposing the car didn't stop?" asked Innis. "That pole across the -road wouldn't be hard to break; would it?"</p> - -<p>"No, I don't s'pose 'twould. But when they bust that pole they're -bustin' th' law, too, an' that's a more serious offence. Squire Bradley -jest doubles th' fine then."</p> - -<p>"But how do you catch the autoists once they are past the second mile -stone, supposing they have broken the pole?" Paul asked, much interested -in this sort of a speed trap.</p> - -<p>"That's easy," said the constable. "As soon as any one is rash enough t' -bust our pole, Hank jest telefoams to his brother, who lives down the -road a piece. His brother runs out and drops a lot of boards, with sharp -nails in 'em, in th' dust. An auto ain't goin' fur after it runs over a -few sharp pointed nails. No, sir-ee!"</p> - -<p>"You 'nail' 'em; is that it?" asked Innis.</p> - -<p>"That's what we do. We nail 'em! Ha! Ha! I never thought of that. It's -another joke, by ginger!"</p> - -<p>"It must be pretty expensive, keeping two telephones working," suggested -Paul.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p><p>"Oh, the county pays for it," said the constable. "Anyhow, if they -didn't, we could clear enough on fines to do it. Squire Bradley could -raise the rate a leetle."</p> - -<p>"I suppose so," agreed Innis, "Well, we'll be getting on, I guess," he -added, as Dick came out of the garage after paying for the gasoline.</p> - -<p>"An' don't try any speedin'," cautioned the representative of the law.</p> - -<p>"We won't!" promised Dick.</p> - -<p>Their trip up to noon was uneventful. They were in a section where good -roads abounded, and a local automobile club had posted the route so they -did not have to stop to ask their directions. They went to a local -country hotel for dinner, as the place was well advertised as giving a -good chicken and mushroom dinner, and this was a menu that the boys did -not care to undertake on their small electric stove.</p> - -<p>"Jove! That was good!" exclaimed Dick, as they came out of the hostelry.</p> - -<p>"That's right," agreed Innis.</p> - -<p>"I think I'll see if they have a couple of roast fowls that we could -take along with us, and eat cold for supper," suggested the young -millionaire, and he carried out his plan, a brace of well browned -chickens being stowed away in the "kitchen" locker.</p> - -<p>Late that afternoon they came to a place where two main roads forked. -Either one would take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> them to the place where they had decided to stay -over night.</p> - -<p>"This one's a little the shorter," explained a farmer, whom they asked -about it, "and it's a good road. The only thing is that there's no -crossroad leading from it for about eight miles, and you may git stuck -in the middle, and have to come back."</p> - -<p>"How so?" asked Dick.</p> - -<p>"Why Bill Simpson is moving his house along this road. He's changing the -location, and he may not be off the highway by the time you get there. I -did hear, though, that he expected to have it off the road and on the -new foundation by night."</p> - -<p>"Well, we'll take a chance," said Dick. "If the house blocks the road -maybe we can go around it."</p> - -<p>"Maybe," assented the farmer, and the big car went on.</p> - -<p>They had nearly reached the end of the fine, level road, and were -congratulating themselves on soon getting to a fair-sized town where -they intended to put up for the night, when Paul, looking ahead, -exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"There it is. Just our luck!"</p> - -<p>"What?" inquired Dick from the back of the car, for Innis was steering.</p> - -<p>"Bill Simpson's house—it's blocking the whole road, and it looks as if -the men had given up work for the day, for they're getting a red<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> -lantern ready to display. We can't get past, Dick."</p> - -<p>"Pshaw!" exclaimed the young millionaire. "We'll have to turn around and -go back, I guess. Lose a lot of time, too. Drive up, and let's see what -it looks like."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XV</span> <span class="smaller">PUZZLED</span></h2> - -<p>"Looks bad enough."</p> - -<p>"Yes, the more so as you come closer."</p> - -<p>"I don't see any way but to go back."</p> - -<p>"That's right. Lucky we've got room to turn."</p> - -<p>Thus Paul and Innis exchanged remarks and criticisms as they approached -the house which, being moved from one site to another, now blocked the -entire road.</p> - -<p>"There's no chance of getting past, without running the risk of getting -fast in the ditch," decided Dick, as he got out of the car and took a -careful survey. "I guess we're stuck, boys."</p> - -<p>"Funny they're quitting work so soon," observed Paul, looking at his -watch. "Why, it's only four o'clock, and they're getting ready to leave, -and hanging out a red light."</p> - -<p>"We've got to do it," said one of the workmen. "Our windlass busted just -now, and we can't do anything until it's fixed. No way of moving the -shebang."</p> - -<p>"You could if you had enough horses," said Dick. "Why can't you hitch -two or three teams directly on the pulling rope, and yank the house<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> a -little further along—or even back—that would give us room to pass."</p> - -<p>"It can't be done, young feller," said the man.</p> - -<p>"Why not?"</p> - -<p>"Because we ain't got the horses to do it. There'd be four teams needed, -at the very most, to snake this house ahead or back, without a windlass -to give us leverage. That's what we need—leverage."</p> - -<p>"You've got ropes and pulleys; haven't you?" asked Dick.</p> - -<p>"Sure we have."</p> - -<p>"Can you attach them to the back of the house as well as on the front?"</p> - -<p>"Sure we can. But what good is that going to do? There ain't enough -horses that we can get now to snake the old building out of the way. -We'll have to wait until morning, and then we can get a blacksmith to -mend the windlass."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and in the meantime I'm stuck here!" exclaimed Dick.</p> - -<p>"Well, that is too bad, but you can turn around and go back to the other -main road."</p> - -<p>"That's eight miles or more, and I won't get to Fullerton until long -after dark, even if I break the speed limits."</p> - -<p>"Well, what can we do?" appealed the man, while his fellows prepared to -go to their several homes.</p> - -<p>"I'll tell you what we can do!" cried Dick, with sudden energy. "Put -your tackle on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> back here and I'll pull the house far enough this -way so I can get past. It's just at the wrong point in the road for me -to do that now. Ten feet either way will let me pass."</p> - -<p>"I s'pose it will, but land sakes! you can't pull that house with -anything you can rig up now. Where's your horses?"</p> - -<p>"Horses? I don't need horses. I've got seventy-five of 'em right here -with me."</p> - -<p>The man's face was a picture of startled surprise. He looked from Dick -to Paul and Innis, who were silently laughing, and then he inquired:</p> - -<p>"Which one of you is his keeper?"</p> - -<p>"What's that?" cried Dick. "Do you think I'm crazy?"</p> - -<p>"I'm sure of it," said the man, confidently. "Move this -house—seventy-five horses—got 'em with you! Where? In your pocket?"</p> - -<p>"In there!" replied the young millionaire, pointing to the hood covering -the engine of his auto. "I'll pull the house out of the way."</p> - -<p>By this time a crowd of workmen had gathered. Dick stood in front of his -big car, not at all put out by the curious glances cast at him.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter here?" asked a man who seemed to be in charge.</p> - -<p>"This young feller wants to get past," explained the man who had been -about to hang up the red lantern. "He can't 'count of Simpson's house -bein' in the road. Says he'll snake it fo'rd or back so's to make room."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p><p>"Back, not forward," said Dick. "I can't get past to hitch on to the -front end or I'd haul it ahead for you. But, as it is, you won't lose -more than ten feet, and I really have a right to half the road."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I s'pose you have," agreed the foreman. "But I don't see how we're -going to give it to you. I never thought that windlass would bust so -soon. I knowed it was an old one, but I figured it would last until we -got Bill's house moved. Howsomever——"</p> - -<p>"I tell you I can move the house!" exclaimed Dick. "If you'll have your -men attach the tackle to this end I'll pull it far enough back so I can -get past."</p> - -<p>"How?" demanded the foreman, dubiously.</p> - -<p>"He says he's got seventy-five horses," put in the man with the red -lantern. "I guess he's from some asylum," he added in a whisper loud -enough for Dick to hear.</p> - -<p>The latter smiled and answered:</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I should have explained. My auto is about seventy-five -horsepower. If you'll fix the ropes so I can hitch them to my rear axles -I can pull the house far enough back so I can pass. I think I have a -right to ask that."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I guess you have," assented the foreman. "We'll let you try. We -can pull her back again in the morning after the windlass is fixed. Get -busy, boys!" he exclaimed. "Put the ropes on this end."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p><p>"But what about the windlass?" asked the lantern man, referring to the -spindle on which the rope was wound.</p> - -<p>"I won't need it," declared Dick. "I can get enough purchase with the -pulleys. I'll be turning the car around, and by that time you can have -the ropes in place."</p> - -<p>Turning the big car in rather a restricted roadway was no easy matter, -but Dick accomplished it, and soon he had it backed up toward the rear -of the house, to which the men were attaching the ropes, rove through -heavy blocks.</p> - -<p>The house was elevated on piles of short crossed beams and jack screws, -and was being slid along big timbers, common yellow soap and tallow -making the ways slippery enough so that friction would, in a measure, be -overcome.</p> - -<p>Dick took a long rope, and put it around the rear of his car so as to -strain it as little as possible. Then this rope was bent on to the one -connecting with the system of pulleys.</p> - -<p>"Are you all ready?" called the young man to the foreman, who had had -his men rearrange the beams.</p> - -<p>"All ready!" came the answer.</p> - -<p>Dick's motor was running. With himself at the wheel, while three of the -heaviest workmen had been added to Paul and Innis in the tonneau to give -weight and trackage to the machine, Dick threw in the speed gears and -released the clutch.</p> - -<p>There was a whining, groaning noise. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> roped tautened, the pulley -blocks shrilled out a protest and then the house was seen to quiver.</p> - -<p>"She's moving!" cried the lantern-man.</p> - -<p>"By Jupiter! So she is!" agreed the foreman, in surprise.</p> - -<p>"Watch out!" warned Dick, "and let me know when I have her far enough!"</p> - -<p>He turned on more power, threw in the second speed gear and then the -house began moving more quickly, while the astonished men looked on.</p> - -<p>In a short time, pulling directly on the main rope as he was, Dick had -moved the house back far enough so that he could pass to one side, the -building having been halted in a particularly narrow part of the road.</p> - -<p>"That'll do!" shouted the foreman.</p> - -<p>"All right," answered Dick, bringing his machine to a stop. "Now we'll -try to get past."</p> - -<p>It did not take long to disengage the ropes, turn the auto, and -negotiate a way to one side of the building. Dick came to a halt on the -now unblocked road, and called his thanks to the foreman for being -allowed to do as he had done.</p> - -<p>"Don't mention it!" was the answer. "You saved me ten dollars. I'd been -fined that by the county authorities for blocking the road over night."</p> - -<p>"Then we're even," laughed Dick. "Good night!"</p> - -<p>"Huh! He ain't half as crazy as I thought he was," observed the man with -the red lantern<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> as he hung it on the rear of the house to warn -night-drivers of the danger.</p> - -<p>Dick and his chums sped on, and soon reached the town for which they -were headed. They bought some more food, which, with the cold chickens, -made a good supper. Then, as they did not like the looks of the only -hotel in the place, they drove out a little way into the country and -prepared to spend the night.</p> - -<p>Dick was the first up the next morning.</p> - -<p>"What's the route to-day?" asked Paul, turning over in the bunk.</p> - -<p>"I'm going to try to make Buffalo."</p> - -<p>"What! Buffalo?"</p> - -<p>"Sure, we can do it by taking short cuts, I think. Let me have a look at -that road map. Hand it over, Innis."</p> - -<p>From his cot Innis reached into the pocket on the inner side of the -door, and hauled out an envelope. This he handed to Dick.</p> - -<p>"What's this? Where did this come from?" asked the latter, as he pulled -out several blank sheets of legal paper. "This is a funny trick. Our -road map has been transformed into nothing."</p> - -<p>"Maybe I got hold of the wrong envelope," suggested Innis. "Here's -another," and he pulled out a second.</p> - -<p>"No, those are the legal papers," said Dick, after an examination. "See -if the map isn't there."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p><p>It was not, and a search of the other places in the auto where it might -have been put did not reveal it.</p> - -<p>"This is queer," exclaimed Dick. "Our road map disappears, and we have -some blank papers in its place."</p> - -<p>"But the legal papers are safe!" exclaimed Paul.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"I mean that there's been some crooked work here. Some one tried to get -those legal papers, and took the road map by mistake."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVI</span> <span class="smaller">THE LAME MAN</span></h2> - -<p>For a moment Dick stared at his chum uncomprehendingly. Then a light -came over his face, and he said:</p> - -<p>"By Jove, old man! I believe you're right."</p> - -<p>"I'm sure of it," declared Paul.</p> - -<p>Innis looked at the two in some bewilderment.</p> - -<p>"I wish you'd kindly explain," he said. "I may be bright looking, but I -guess I'm an awful dunce when it comes to making a stab at what you two -are getting at. The road map is gone—I get as far as that—and the -legal papers are safe. But how do you decide that a change has been -made?"</p> - -<p>"Easy," answered Paul, showing a bundle of the kind of paper known as -"legal cap," with red lines down the side. "These were in the envelope -containing the road map. The map and the legal documents were in the -same pocket on the auto door. I remember, for I looked at the map to see -how many miles we had made after we crossed that river."</p> - -<p>"Maybe it dropped out on the road," suggested Innis. "Mind you!" he -said, quickly, "I'm not saying this to be stubborn, but I want to make<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> -sure that we're not overlooking anything. For if it's true, what Paul -says, it means that there's something wrong going on, and that we've got -to be on our guard."</p> - -<p>"I believe you," asserted Dick, "and I'm just as glad to have you raise -all the objections you can. We want to be very sure of what we're about. -Now it's pretty well settled that none of us have had the road map since -it was put in the flap pocket last night. The envelope of legal papers -looks just like the road map, and any one putting their hand in after -dark, might get one in place of the other."</p> - -<p>"And, lucky for you he got the wrong envelope," said Innis. "It's a good -joke on whoever it is."</p> - -<p>"Yes," agreed Dick, "and I'm beginning to have an idea of who it is."</p> - -<p>"Who?" demanded his two chums.</p> - -<p>"My Uncle Ezra, of course. Who else would have an object in preventing -me from trying to save Mr. Wardell's fortune?"</p> - -<p>"Ha! Ha!" laughed Innis. "I can just see his face when he looks in that -envelope and sees nothing but a road map. That's a rich one; eh, Grit?" -and he patted the bulldog, who wagged his stump of a tail energetically.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it's a good joke," mused Dick; "but I don't believe Uncle Ezra -will be the first one to appreciate it."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p><p>"Why, that my uncle didn't personally take that envelope," went on -Dick. "He must have hired some one to do it for him, just as he tried to -get me off my yacht that time."</p> - -<p>"And he got badly stung, too!" exclaimed Innis. "Just as he did this -time."</p> - -<p>"But we mustn't let that make us careless," went on Dick, "Uncle Ezra, -if it was he, won't give up so easily. He'll have another try."</p> - -<p>"But if he does get the papers so long before the time when you have to -turn them over to the courts, Dick, can't you get other copies?" asked -Paul.</p> - -<p>The young millionaire shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Wardell has left for South America by this time," he said. "It -would be almost impossible to trace him now, in time to get him to -execute new papers, in case these were lost or taken," and Dick looked -at the valuable packet. "Of course I could cable him, if I knew on what -ship he had sailed, but I don't.</p> - -<p>"To find that out I'd have to go back home, and maybe even then his -lawyer wouldn't know. You see Mr. Wardell was so ashamed of how easily -he had been fooled that he wanted to get off by himself somewhere. Maybe -he didn't leave his address. So I'd have quite a task tracing him.</p> - -<p>"He depends on me to do this business for him, since I have undertaken -it. He didn't do it himself for two reasons. He didn't have much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> idea -that he could ever get his fortune back, I guess; and, for another -reason, he didn't want to lose the only chance he might have to make -another in this South American matter. If that is successful, I -understand, Mr. Wardell will come in for a big share of the profits.</p> - -<p>"Now then, since he has trusted me, and since so much depends on these -papers, we've got to take good care of them. I'll hide them in a new -place. I guess under the cushions of one of the bunks will do. They -can't be gotten away in the night without one of us knowing it," and -Dick proceeded to carry his plan into execution.</p> - -<p>"But how do you suppose the map was taken last night?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"It would only be guess work," replied Dick. "Probably some one in an -auto sneaked up near us after we were sound asleep, reached in and took -the first envelope his fingers met with. That's the most plausible -theory, though I don't say it's right."</p> - -<p>"But why an auto?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"That's about the only way Uncle Ezra's agents could keep after us. They -must have our route down pretty fine, and now I'm sorry I didn't keep -quieter about it when we were laying it out. I talked freely before -Uncle Ezra, and, now I recall it, he was at our house more often since -we began getting ready for this trip, than ever before. He must have -overheard what dad and I planned to do."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p><p>"It looks so," admitted Paul Drew. "But why does he make all this fuss -about it? Why doesn't he wait until the time comes, and then file in -court a legal paper that would offset the one you have for Mr. Wardell, -Dick?"</p> - -<p>"Because this is a peculiar case," explained his friend, who had gone -over it in detail with Mr. Wardell's lawyer. "No papers can be filed -before a certain date, and only within certain times. All Uncle Ezra -could do in the meanwhile would amount to nothing, unless he could get -these papers away from me. And that wouldn't be so important if Mr. -Wardell hadn't left the country and gone to a place where I can't get at -him in time to have him execute a new power of attorney. So we've got to -take good care of these papers, boys."</p> - -<p>"And we've got to get a new road map," said Paul.</p> - -<p>They stopped at the next town they came to and got a fine map, showing -the best roads to take. Then, in furtherance of his original plan, Dick -headed for Buffalo, which he hoped to make before nightfall.</p> - -<p>"Couldn't you change your route, and fool your Uncle Ezra, Dick?" asked -Innis, after dinner that day.</p> - -<p>"I could in some ways, but the cities we have planned to pass through -are on the best route to San Francisco. Of course I could switch off on -side roads here and there, but my idea is that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> if Uncle Ezra makes any -other attempts they'll be made in or near the big cities. He knows every -one where I'm going to touch."</p> - -<p>"And this car is a regular landmark," complained Paul. "Everyone will -remember it once they see it."</p> - -<p>"Well, there's no use worrying until we have to," observed Dick. "We'll -keep the papers as well hidden as we can, and a sharp watch out."</p> - -<p>"It's a wonder Grit didn't give the alarm last night," said Innis.</p> - -<p>"That's so," exclaimed Dick. "But the trouble with Grit is that he's too -friendly with everyone except Uncle Ezra. He got that from the boys at -school making such a fuss over him. He thinks everyone is his friend, -and if a chap was only to speak gently to him Grit would wag his head -off. That's probably what our night visitor did. Grit, you're no good!"</p> - -<p>Grit barked happily, as though he had just been paid the greatest -compliment in the world.</p> - -<p>They drove the car hard that day, and had the satisfaction of arriving -on the outskirts of Buffalo just as dusk was settling down. And then -they had their first bit of bad luck.</p> - -<p>From lack of oil, one of the bearings became heated and an inspection in -a garage disclosed the fact that some new Babbitt, or anti-friction -metal, would have to be put in.</p> - -<p>"A two days' job," the repair man said.</p> - -<p>"Punk!" exclaimed Dick. "Well, we'll have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> to lay over, that's all. Come -on, fellows, we'll go to a hotel and take a run out to Niagara Falls -to-morrow."</p> - -<p>So, after all, the accident had its advantages, for they quite enjoyed -the trip to the big cataract. The auto was repaired on time, and in the -interim Dick kept the valuable papers in his own pocket.</p> - -<p>"If we only knew what sort of a man, or men, to be on the watch against, -it would be easier," remarked Paul, when they were ready to proceed -again.</p> - -<p>"That's just it," admitted Dick. "We can't tell who Uncle Ezra will -send, nor when they'll appear. But I think, after once being fooled, -they'll go a bit slow. We won't worry, anyhow."</p> - -<p>They were on the main road out of Buffalo, and were counting on making -Cleveland their next big stop. Their schedule called for leisurely -traveling, for they were in no special hurry, desiring to enjoy the trip -as much as possible.</p> - -<p>"Here's a good chance to make speed," remarked Paul, as he sighted the -long, straight road ahead of them, after they had turned out of a bad -stretch.</p> - -<p>"Yes, let her out a bit," suggested Dick, who had turned the wheel over -to Paul.</p> - -<p>They sped along at a rapid pace, keeping a watchful eye out for -motorcycle speed-officers, when, as they rounded a curve, which Paul -took<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> at rather too great speed, they saw just ahead of them an auto -drawn diagonally across the road.</p> - -<p>"Look out!" cried Dick. "There isn't room to get past. What did he want -to stop that way for?"</p> - -<p>"Maybe he had a breakdown," suggested Innis.</p> - -<p>"It looks so," admitted Paul, as he slowed up. As he did so a man -walking with a perceptible limp came from the other side of the car, -where he had evidently been tinkering with the mechanism, and held up -his hand as a signal of distress.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter?" asked Dick, as his big car came to a stop.</p> - -<p>"Steering gear's broken," said the lame man, "and I can't push the car -out of the road myself. It's a mean place to have an accident."</p> - -<p>"Yes, especially as it makes the road impassable," said Paul. "Well, I -guess we can get you out of the way all right. Is the break a bad one?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, the steering knuckle has gone all to pieces. I tried to fix it, -but I don't dare drive the car with that out of commission."</p> - -<p>"I should say not," agreed Dick. "You'd be climbing a tree before you -knew it," and he walked toward the disabled car, the lame man following -closely, after a sharp glance at Dick's handsome machine.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVII</span> <span class="smaller">GIVING HIM A LIFT</span></h2> - -<p>Dick Hamilton bent over the disabled steering gear of the car that was -slewed across the roadway. As he did so he gave a start that was noticed -by Paul, who was directly back of him.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" asked his chum.</p> - -<p>"Nothing—er that is—I should say it <i>was</i> a smash!" finished the young -millionaire in louder tones, speaking to the lame man. "It looks as if -something hit it."</p> - -<p>"Something did hit it," went on the other autoist, limping up. "I ran -over a piece of iron lying in the road. My wheel kicked it up, and the -first thing I knew one end had hit the steering knuckle.</p> - -<p>"It cracked as though I had struck it with the hammer, and I found -myself shooting across the road. I brought up standing, with both brakes -set, and I jumped out in such a hurry that I gave my ankle a twist. It -hurts like the mischief, too! I was trying to see if I could patch up -the steering gear in any way, when you came along. I didn't want to -block up the highway any longer than I had to. But if you'll give me a -hand I think we can push the car out of the way."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p><p>With the boys and the lame man pushing at the disabled auto it was soon -rolled to one side, allowing a free passage, which a few minutes later -was taken advantage of by several cars. The occupants looked curiously -at the broken machine, but, seeing that the unfortunate autoist had -assistance, they did not stop.</p> - -<p>"Well, that's done!" exclaimed Dick, as he and the others rested from -their labors. "Can we do anything else for you, Mr.—er—?" and he -paused suggestively.</p> - -<p>"Brockhurst is my name," said the man, quickly. "Samuel Brockhurst. I'm -from Buffalo, and I was out on a little run when this accident happened. -It comes just at a wrong time, too. I had an appointment with a man in -Hazelton," naming a town about twenty-five miles away, "and now I can't -keep it in time, I'm afraid. I can't get back to the city in time to -catch a train, and there's no garage around here where I can hire a car. -I do seem to have the worst luck!</p> - -<p>"But there's no use in burdening you with my troubles," he added, with a -frank smile. "I'm very thankful to you for what you've done for me. If -you wouldn't mind stopping at the first garage you come to, and telling -them to send out for this machine, I'll be obliged to you."</p> - -<p>"Of course we will," said Dick, quickly; "but can't we give you a lift -on your way? We're going close to Hazelton, and if it will be any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> -accommodation to you we can just as well make that town."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, I wouldn't think of troubling you. I've delayed you enough at -it is. I might go on to the garage with you, if you don't mind, and then -I could tell the man just what the trouble is. He might even have a car -I can hire, though, as I remember it, the nearest garage is a small, -one-horse sort of a place. Still, they can mend the steering knuckle I -should think."</p> - -<p>"Come on then," urged Dick. "We'll take you as far as there, and if you -can't hire a car you're welcome to ride to Hazelton with us."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Mr.——"</p> - -<p>"Hamilton—Dick Hamilton," supplied our hero.</p> - -<p>"I couldn't think of it, Mr. Hamilton. I wouldn't put you to that -trouble for the world."</p> - -<p>"It's no trouble," Dick assured him. "I believe in being helpful -whenever I can. I might be in the same boat myself some day."</p> - -<p>"It doesn't look as though your car would ever break down," said the -lame man. "It certainly is a beauty. What make is that?"</p> - -<p>"It was built to order," said Dick, "and I got it in a deal when the -owner couldn't take it. It just suits me."</p> - -<p>"I should think it would suit anyone. It's a peach! Are you going far?"</p> - -<p>"To San Francisco!"</p> - -<p>"You don't tell me! That <i>is</i> a tour, all right.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> My car looks small -alongside yours, though my machine is considered a pretty good one."</p> - -<p>It was a good one, Dick and his chums could see, and the small break -could easily be repaired. After making sure that the disabled car was -well out of the way of traffic, and leaving a written notice on it to -show to whom it belonged, Dick, his chums, and Mr. Brockhurst entered -the <i>Last Word</i>, with the first named at the wheel, and once more they -were under way.</p> - -<p>Mr. Brockhurst proved an agreeable companion. He had traveled much, and -could talk well of the places he had visited, telling a number of funny -stories that kept the cadets laughing.</p> - -<p>On reaching the garage the man in charge, promised to send out and get -the car.</p> - -<p>"But as for renting you one, I can't do it," he said to Mr. Brockhurst. -"There isn't a one in the place, except Colonel Carter's, and he'd have -my head off if I loaned that, though he only drives it about once a -week."</p> - -<p>"I wonder if I couldn't see him and make some deal with him?" asked the -lame man. "It's important that I get to Hazelton this morning."</p> - -<p>"Say!" interrupted Dick. "What's the use of going to all that bother. -I'll be glad to run you down. It's only ten miles out of our way, and we -are ahead of our schedule. Anyhow, a day or so doesn't matter to us. -Come on, Mr. Brockhurst."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't want to put you out——"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p><p>"It will be a pleasure to have you," said Dick, and he meant it. His -chums, too, were glad of the man's company.</p> - -<p>"And I'll show you how the electric stove works," went on Dick, for the -lame man had been much interested in the fittings of the big car.</p> - -<p>"All right—if you insist!" and he laughed in an engaging manner. He -left orders about his car, and was soon in the big machine with Dick and -his chums, who resumed their journey.</p> - -<p>They had purchased some supplies in the village where the garage was -situated, and, reaching a secluded place on the road, they began the -preparation of a meal on the electric stove.</p> - -<p>"Now I insist on you letting me help," said Mr. Brockhurst. "I'm a sort -of old bachelor myself, and used to cooking. Shall I bring up a scuttle -of coal, or a pail of water?"</p> - -<p>"We don't need coal," said Dick, "though we might have some water. That -looks like a spring over there."</p> - -<p>"I'm the water-boy!" cried the lame man, as, with all the exuberance of -youth, he limped off with a collapsible rubber pail toward the spring.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVIII</span> <span class="smaller">A DISAPPEARANCE</span></h2> - -<p>"Well, you boys certainly know how to live! This is great!"</p> - -<p>Thus exclaimed Mr. Brockhurst as he sat in the shade of a big tree on -the edge of the country road, eating lunch with Dick and his chums. It -had been cooked in the little "kitchen" of the auto, but as it was -rather warm they had elected to eat out in the open air, and a board, -laid across two stumps, served excellently as a table. Paul, whose turn -it was to cook, also acted as waiter.</p> - -<p>"This isn't half bad," admitted Innis, reaching for some more chicken -sandwiches and olives.</p> - -<p>"You'd have to go a good way to find anything better, in my opinion," -spoke the lame man. "I never realized before what chances there were in -a big touring car. It's better than traveling by train, for you can stop -and start when you like. And with the outfit you have here you're -independent of almost anything—even the weather."</p> - -<p>"Yes, we can close ourselves up in the car," said Dick, "and rain or -snow, up to a certain limit, won't bother us."</p> - -<p>"I wish I was going all the way with you,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> went on the lame man. "But -I've got my business to attend to. If this deal in Hazelton goes through -I may be able to have a car like yours. It certainly is a dandy!"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps we are delaying here too long," suggested Dick.</p> - -<p>"No, I've got considerable lee-way yet," said Mr. Brockhurst. "I can -meet my man in time, and this lunch is too good to miss. By the way, -there's a fine view to be had from the hill over there. Suppose we -stroll over and take it in. It won't take long, and it's well worth -seeing."</p> - -<p>"As long as we'll be in time for your appointment, all right," assented -Dick. "Our time is our own."</p> - -<p>"Don't worry about me. Come along," and, lunch being over, Mr. -Brockhurst led the way along a path that went up a rather steep hill.</p> - -<p>"Do you live around here?" asked Paul, wondering how the lame man knew -of the view so far out from Buffalo.</p> - -<p>"No, not exactly. I used to, when I was a boy, but the city is my home -now. I don't often get out into the country, and when I do I like to -take advantage of it."</p> - -<p>"That's the idea," said Dick.</p> - -<p>They walked on, chatting about various subjects. Dick had taken a -certain electric switch out of his car, without which it was impossible -to start it, so he had no worries about leaving the auto in the roadway -unprotected.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p><p>"Are we walking too fast for you?" inquired Dick, and his two chums, -who happened to be looking at him, thought the young millionaire -regarded their visitor with a rather strange glance.</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, I can keep up this pace," he said, though he seemed to be -walking more and more slowly. "I did give my ankle a bad twist," he went -on, "and I'll have it looked to as soon as we get to Hazelton. It isn't -much farther to the top of the hill now."</p> - -<p>They had gone only a few steps more, when, with an exclamation of pain, -Mr. Brockhurst came to a halt. His face was screwed up in an expression -of anxiety.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid I'd better not go on any further," he said, sitting down on -a grassy place. "I don't want to strain my foot too much. I'll wait for -you here. Go on and get a look at that view. You wouldn't want to miss -it. Lots of people go miles out of their way for it. I'll just sit here -and rest."</p> - -<p>"Are you sure you'll be all right?" asked Dick.</p> - -<p>"Oh, sure. Go ahead. Don't mind me. I'll wait until you come back. And -there's a good spring on that hill. It's supposed to have some medicinal -virtue. I don't take much stock in that, but I know it's good and cold, -for I used to drink there when I was a boy."</p> - -<p>"I'm going to have some," asserted Paul. "I'm as dry as codfish."</p> - -<p>Though the boys somewhat regretted not <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>having Mr. Brockhurst to -accompany them, the thought of a cool drink at the summit of the hill -hurried them on, for the day was warm.</p> - -<p>They looked back to see the lame man still sitting on the grass plot, -gazing up at them. He waved his hand in a friendly fashion.</p> - -<p>"Say, this is some view!" exclaimed Paul, as they reached the summit.</p> - -<p>"I should say yes!" assented Dick. "I'm glad we came up."</p> - -<p>Down before them, rolling in a series of gentle slopes, was a vast -extent of country. There was a great plain, and, in the distance, -mountains arising, blue and purple in the haze of the summer day.</p> - -<p>"It's magnificent!" murmured Innis. "It makes a fellow feel—well, like -poetry," he finished for want of something better to say.</p> - -<p>"It makes me more thirsty to see that water," added Paul, pointing to a -little stream, that, like a silver ribbon, made its tortuous way through -a distant green meadow.</p> - -<p>"Let's look for that spring," suggested Dick, after a few minutes of -gazing at the view, which was really superb.</p> - -<p>But the spring was not as easy to find as they had supposed. They -finally located a small brook, and, tracing it back some distance, they -came upon the spring. It justified all that Mr. Brockhurst had said of -it, and the boys drank long and deep.</p> - -<p>"It's got a queer taste," said Dick.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p><p>"That's the medicinal virtues of it, I guess," laughed Innis.</p> - -<p>"Well, it's all right when you're thirsty," assented Paul, "for it's -good and cold, but I'd have to get used to it before I'd want it steady. -Well, shall we go back?"</p> - -<p>"Might as well," said Dick, looking at his watch. "We've been here half -an hour. Mr. Brockhurst will be getting tired."</p> - -<p>They started down the slope, and, when they got to a point where they -should have seen the lame man he was not there.</p> - -<p>"He's gone!" cried Innis.</p> - -<p>"Probably got tired of waiting, and went back to the auto," spoke Dick. -"He'll be waiting for us."</p> - -<p>But his chums thought they detected a strange note in his voice.</p> - -<p>The three hurried on, and when the auto came in sight they peered -eagerly toward it for a sight of their visitor.</p> - -<p>"Maybe he's inside," said Paul, when they could not see him.</p> - -<p>"Maybe," said Dick—rather grimly.</p> - -<p>They reached the car. The side door was open, but there was no sign of -the lame man.</p> - -<p>"He's gone!" gasped Paul.</p> - -<p>"I thought that was his game," said the young millionaire, quietly.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIX</span> <span class="smaller">A SIMPLE TRICK</span></h2> - -<p>Dick's chums looked at him for a moment without speaking. He was quite -cool while they were much excited.</p> - -<p>"What's that you said?" asked Paul, thinking perhaps he had not heard -aright.</p> - -<p>"You expected him to skip out; did you?" asked Innis.</p> - -<p>"I did," replied Dick, calmly. "That is, after he sent us on to see the -view alone. I thought maybe he might wait until we got nearer to -Hazelton, but he evidently got what he wanted—a good chance—and took -advantage of it."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and maybe he took something else, too!" cried Paul. "Have you -looked for your papers, Dick?" and he peered into the car.</p> - -<p>"That's so—those legal papers!" added Innis. "He was one of your -uncle's agents, Dick!"</p> - -<p>"Don't worry," said the young millionaire with a quizzical smile. "I -have the papers safe," and he pulled an envelope from his pocket. "I've -been carrying them there ever since I saw that broken steering knuckle," -he went on.</p> - -<p>"What in the world had the broken steering knuckle to do with it?" asked -Paul.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p><p>"Because it had been deliberately smashed with a hammer, to knock his -car out of commission," went on Dick. "He wanted a breakdown, and he -made it to order. He knew we were coming along and would give him a -lift, and he counted on getting possession of what he wanted. So I've -been suspicious of him ever since. I thought it safer to carry the -papers with me, and I guess I did right. Innis, just see if our road map -isn't missing again."</p> - -<p>The cadet put his hand in the flap pocket where the map was kept. His -fingers came out empty.</p> - -<p>"Cæsar's pineapples!" he cried. "It's gone, Dick!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and I expect Mr. Brockhurst, or whatever his name happens to be, -is bemoaning his poor luck. Score another miss for Uncle Ezra."</p> - -<p>"Be careful, though, Dick," warned Paul. "Three times and out, you -know."</p> - -<p>"That's right, old man. I've got to be careful. We'll have to adopt some -new system of hiding it, I guess."</p> - -<p>"But say, Dick, how did you get onto that fellow's curves?" inquired -Innis. "You didn't tip us off."</p> - -<p>"No, I wanted to see just how far he would go, and I didn't want him to -get suspicious. I knew I had the game in my own hands as long as I held -the papers. You see it was this way:</p> - -<p>"When I first saw his stalled car I didn't think anything but that he -was a fellow motorist in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> hard luck. But when he told that yarn about a -piece of iron in the road flying up and cracking the steering knuckle I -knew he wasn't telling the truth. No piece of iron could fly up with -sufficient force to do that. Besides, the dent of the blow was inside, -where no flying missile, unless it could turn a corner, could hit. So I -deduced that a hammer had been used."</p> - -<p>"Regular detective," laughed Paul.</p> - -<p>"I should say so," agreed Innis.</p> - -<p>"Well," went on Dick, "then I noticed his limp. He had a no more -sprained ankle than I had."</p> - -<p>"If he wasn't lame, he was a good actor," declared Innis.</p> - -<p>"That's it—he really was lame!" exclaimed Dick, quickly. "It wasn't put -on at all, and I knew then that he was permanently disabled, and that it -wasn't from the jar of suddenly leaping out of a car."</p> - -<p>"How could you tell that?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"By his shoes. You know how a shoe will get full of wrinkles if it's -walked in in a certain way for any length of time. A lame person's shoe -will get wrinkles in it that no other person's would. It was that way -with this man. When he limped I could see certain wrinkles on the side -of his shoe, and the wrinkles had been there for some time, showing he -had been lame longer than since to-day."</p> - -<p>"Good boy!" cried Paul.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p><p>"Then I was sure I had him," resumed Dick, "and it was only a question -of time when he would make a break."</p> - -<p>"And he was playing all that time to get possession of those papers?" -asked Innis.</p> - -<p>"That's what," answered Dick, "only he got the wrong bunch. I guess I'll -have to charge my road maps up to Uncle Ezra if this keeps up."</p> - -<p>"But how did he know you were coming along the road where he disabled -his car?" asked Innis. "And how could he figure out that you'd give him -a lift?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," replied the young man, frankly. "But it might be easy -enough to lay such a trap for us. You see my uncle knows our route -almost as well as we do ourselves. He could tip off some unscrupulous -man, and he could be on the watch for us. Our arrival in Buffalo would -soon become known, for, as I've said before, this car is rather -conspicuous. Then it was easy enough to figure which road we'd leave by. -All that was necessary was to be in waiting, and the little trick of the -disabled car did the rest."</p> - -<p>"Only you were too sharp for him," put in Paul.</p> - -<p>"I was lucky," was the way Dick put it. "You see he wanted to get us -away from the car, and that talk about the view and the spring did it. -Then he pretended he was tired out, and, as soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> as we were out of -sight, he hiked back to my auto, and rummaged it."</p> - -<p>"I hope he didn't take any of our grub!" exclaimed Innis. "I have what -the English call a 'rare old twist on,' I'm hungry, in other words."</p> - -<p>"It was papers—not food—he was after," said Dick.</p> - -<p>"But when you knew his game, and suspected what he was up to, weren't -you afraid to let him go to your car, and you remain at the spring?" -asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"No, for I felt sure he wouldn't do any damage. I knew he couldn't start -it, and I had the documents. Those were the only two things to worry -about."</p> - -<p>"I see!" exclaimed Innis. "Well, what's to be done next? I mean after -eating," he added quickly.</p> - -<p>"We'll have to think up a plan," remarked Dick. "I guess, too, we might -change our route a bit. If Uncle Ezra's men are going to make trouble -for us, let's put as many hurdles in their way as we can."</p> - -<p>"That's what I say," agreed Paul.</p> - -<p>They discussed this matter at length as they prepared a simple meal. -Before they could decide on a change of route, however, they would need -a new road map, and this Dick said he would get in the next town.</p> - -<p>Soon they were under way again, there being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> no signs of Mr. Brockhurst -in the neighborhood. He had probably made the best time to get out of -sight; then he could take matters more leisurely.</p> - -<p>"Though when he sees nothing but a road map in that envelope, marked -'legal papers,' he'll have a 'rare old fit,' as perhaps some of your -English friends would say, Innis," and Paul smiled at his chum.</p> - -<p>"Did you mark that road map envelope 'legal papers'?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"Sure I did. I wanted to fool them. And the papers are marked 'road -map,'" said Dick. "I just changed envelopes, see!"</p> - -<p>"Then I've just thought of the best way to fool any more men your Uncle -Ezra may set after us!" exclaimed Paul. "Listen, Dick. You remember that -story of Edgar Allan Poe's—'The Purloined Letter'; don't you?"</p> - -<p>"I think so—yes."</p> - -<p>"What was it?" inquired Innis, who was not much of a reader.</p> - -<p>"Why, Poe tells of some one who had a certain important letter which the -police were after. This man was foxy, and knowing the police would -search his rooms for it, he didn't hide it in any out-of-the-way place, -such as the leg of a bed, or in a secret recess in the wall, for he knew -the police would search there."</p> - -<p>"Did they?" asked Innis.</p> - -<p>"They did. But they didn't find the letter. It was right in plain sight, -all the while, though."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p><p>"In plain sight?"</p> - -<p>"Sure. This man just took an old crumpled envelope, that didn't look -good enough to hold a receipted gas bill, and stuck this important -letter in it. Then he jabbed it into a card rack, where everyone could -see it. The police never suspected for a moment that their man would do -such a simple thing, and they passed over this old envelope a dozen -times. You see they were looking in the hard places, while, all the -while, it was in the easiest place."</p> - -<p>"Well, what's the answer?" asked Innis, as Paul came to a stopping -place.</p> - -<p>"Why can't Dick do the same thing?" asked his chum.</p> - -<p>"How do you mean?" that young man wanted to know.</p> - -<p>"Why, just get an old advertising envelope, put your papers in that, and -jab it up back of that looking glass," and Paul indicated a mirror on a -side of the car. "Let part of the envelope stick out, Dick, and if those -men search until doomsday they'll never find it."</p> - -<p>"I believe you're right!" Dick cried. "I'll do it."</p> - -<p>"It will be safer than carrying the papers in your pocket," went on -Paul, "for there's no telling when you may be held up, and searched. -Your uncle might hire some one to pose as a road agent just to get a -chance to go through your clothes."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p><p>"That's right," agreed Innis.</p> - -<p>"But they'll never think of taking an old advertisement envelope, that -looks as though it was just stuck away behind the mirror and forgotten," -went on Paul.</p> - -<p>"You're right—we'll fool 'em!" cried Dick, and at the next stopping -place this simple trick was carried out.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XX</span> <span class="smaller">DOWN HILL</span></h2> - -<p>"You'd never suspect it was there; would you?"</p> - -<p>"Not at first glance."</p> - -<p>"And unless we meet with some one who was as clever as the amateur -detective that Poe tells about, who looked in the simplest place for the -letter instead of in the hardest, we'll be safe," said Paul.</p> - -<p>The three chums had just finished carrying out their little plan. Back -of the mirror there stuck, half-way out, an envelope bearing in large -type the name of an auto firm. It was obviously an envelope meant to -contain a circular, but into it Dick had slipped the important papers.</p> - -<p>"We'll leave,'em there until we go to sleep in some hotel," he -explained, "and then I'll hide them somewhere in the room. But I'm not -going to carry them about with me."</p> - -<p>"You couldn't come to a wiser decision," declared Paul. "Did you get a -new road map?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and a better one than our lame friend took. I'll have a joke with -Uncle Ezra when I see him again. I'll send him a bill for two maps, and -he'll wonder what's up."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p><p>"I don't want to say mean things about your relatives, Dick," began -Innis, "but——"</p> - -<p>"Go as far as you like!" interrupted the young millionaire. "You can't -hurt my feelings by saying anything about Uncle Ezra. What is it?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I was just going to remark that he had an awful lot of nerve to -try to stop you from saving this Wardell's fortune. Don't you think so -yourself?"</p> - -<p>"I do, Innis. But you must remember that my uncle is a peculiar man. -Money is more to him than anything else. He hates to see it 'wasted,' as -he calls it, though I believe in enjoying the good things that money can -buy—to a limited extent, of course. But, no doubt, Uncle Ezra feels -that he is doing right, that he is well within the law, and that he has -a claim on this man's fortune, though I think he got it away from him by -unfair means. Or, rather, he is going to try to get it away from him. -But he won't if I can stop him."</p> - -<p>"That's the way to talk, Dick! But how can your uncle think it is right -to send men to search your auto for papers?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose because my uncle thinks he has a right to the papers."</p> - -<p>"Maybe so," agreed Paul. "But say, if we're going to reach Plattsville -by night, we'd better get a move on."</p> - -<p>They had come to a halt a little way out of the town, not far from -Buffalo, where they had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> bought a new road map, and secured the envelope -into which the legal papers were slipped. They had abandoned the plan of -going to Hazelton, when they found out the trick that had been played on -them, and were now counting on making Plattsville in time to stay just -outside it over night. They did not travel after dark, unless it was to -reach some predetermined point of their journey, and on this occasion, -as there was no good hotel in Plattsville, they had voted to sleep in -the big auto.</p> - -<p>Once more they started off, Paul driving, while Dick and Innis -overhauled the stores in the "kitchen," in preparation for getting a -meal in case they did not find a good restaurant in the next town.</p> - -<p>"The beauty of this way of traveling," said Innis, "is that you can do -as you please. If you want a course dinner you can get it—if not in one -town, then in another. Or if you want simple grub, it's here ready for -us."</p> - -<p>"That's right," agreed Paul. "It was mighty white of Dick to ask us -along."</p> - -<p>"I'm sure I was only too glad to have you," said the latter. "I wouldn't -have gone alone for a farm; would we, Grit?" and the bulldog barked his -answer.</p> - -<p>"I guess you're hungry," went on Dick. "Innis, open some of that canned -chicken."</p> - -<p>"What! Are you going to eat so near supper time?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p><p>"I am not. It's for Grit."</p> - -<p>"Shades of Uncle Ezra! What would he say if he were here? Canned chicken -for a dog! Oh, the sinful waste!"</p> - -<p>"That's just what Uncle Ezra would say if he <i>were</i> here," laughed Dick. -"And I half wish he was, so I could tell him what I think of him.</p> - -<p>"But there! It's best to keep peace in the family if you can. Uncle Ezra -is trying to ruin a young man, financially, and I'm trying to save him. -It may come out even in the end, and that will be all right. There you -are, Grit!" And the bulldog barked in delight as Dick gave him a -generous helping of canned chicken.</p> - -<p>"That makes me hungry," called Paul, from the steering seat.</p> - -<p>"We'll soon be at Plattsville," answered Dick. "Say, you are hitting up -the pace, all right!" he exclaimed, as the big car swung around a curve -and careened down the straight road.</p> - -<p>"This is a good place to make time," answered Paul.</p> - -<p>"Don't get caught in one of those speed traps the old constable was -telling us about," warned Innis. "I don't want to waste good money on -some justice of the peace."</p> - -<p>"I'll be careful," promised Paul, and he slowed down a bit.</p> - -<p>They found a good restaurant in Plattsville, and so decided they would -not get their own supper, as they were rather weary with the day's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> -journey. The big auto was left outside, and to keep the curious crowd -that gathered from going inside it, Dick locked the doors. The legal -papers were left in plain sight, and while perhaps an older person might -not have taken that risk, the boys thought they were doing the best -thing.</p> - -<p>Grit was allowed to roam about while the travelers were eating, and -later, after Dick and his chums had gone up the street a little way, to -buy some things they needed, they missed the dog.</p> - -<p>"Why, where is Grit?" asked Dick, as they got in the auto again, to -drive to the outskirts of the town, where they decided to "camp" for the -night.</p> - -<p>"I haven't noticed him since coming from the restaurant," said Paul. "I -took it for granted that he was following us."</p> - -<p>"So did I," said Innis.</p> - -<p>Dick leaped from his seat and went back. There was no sign of his pet, -and the waiters said the bulldog had gone out after them.</p> - -<p>Dick looked up and down the street. Not far from the restaurant was a -stable, setting back some distance, and reached by an alley.</p> - -<p>"Maybe he's in there," suggested Paul. "It may remind him of the -barracks at Kentfield Academy."</p> - -<p>"Maybe," assented Dick. "I'll take a look."</p> - -<p>As he neared the stable he heard the muffled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> barking of a dog. A burly -man sauntered out of a shed and demanded:</p> - -<p>"Whatcher want here?"</p> - -<p>"Have you seen anything of a bulldog?" asked Dick.</p> - -<p>"Naw."</p> - -<p>"That sounds like my dog barking."</p> - -<p>"Aw, that's me own pup. He's allers barking."</p> - -<p>Something in the man's manner made Dick suspicious.</p> - -<p>"Would you mind letting me see him?" he asked, quietly. "Perhaps my dog -got in there by—er—mistake."</p> - -<p>"Naw, he ain't there. An' dis is private property—see? You'd better -vamoose!"</p> - -<p>"I think I'll take a look just the same," insisted Dick. He glanced -about and saw that Paul and Innis were coming into the alley. -"Reinforcements," thought Dick.</p> - -<p>"Did you locate him?" called Paul.</p> - -<p>"I think so."</p> - -<p>The surly man came forward.</p> - -<p>"Hi, Bill!" he called to some one in the shed he had left. "Here's a -couple of fresh guys that need lookin' after."</p> - -<p>"Oh, we can look after ourselves; thank you," said Dick. Then, raising -his voice, he called sharply:</p> - -<p>"Here, Grit! Hi, old man!"</p> - -<p>A perfect chorus of barks answered him. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> young millionaire sprang -toward the stable, but before he could reach the door there was the -sound of a rattling chain, that seemed to snap. Then came a choking -gurgle, and the next moment the door burst open and Grit, leaping and -bounding, rushed out.</p> - -<p>"Grit!" called Dick.</p> - -<p>The dog barked an answer, and then, trailing the broken chain after him, -made a rush at the surly man.</p> - -<p>"Look out!" called Paul. "If he gets hold of you——"</p> - -<p>The man did not stop to hear the rest of the warning. With a leap he -made for the shed he had left, pushing his companion before him, and -slamming the door shut in time to cause Grit to bound fiercely up -against it.</p> - -<p>"He's a lucky chap," murmured Innis, while the dog leaped and bounded -about the closed portal, barking with rage.</p> - -<p>"Here, Grit!" called Dick.</p> - -<p>His pet, after a moment of hesitation, and a longing look at the shut -door, came to him limping.</p> - -<p>"The brutes!" exclaimed Dick, as he saw where his dog had been kicked. -"I've a notion to have them arrested."</p> - -<p>"It will only make a lot of trouble, and delay us, to testify against -them," said Paul. "Let's get out of here."</p> - -<p>"I guess that's best," assented Dick. "They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> tried to keep my dog, -though. But you were too much for 'em; eh, Grit?"</p> - -<p>The bulldog nearly turned himself inside out trying to wag his short -tail, and fawned about his master and the latter's chums.</p> - -<p>A crowd had collected at the alley entrance, and through it the boys -pushed their way, the assemblage giving respectful room to Grit, who was -in no gentle humor. It was plain that the stablemen, seeing a valuable -dog, had enticed Grit into the barn—no hard task, since he was fond of -horses—and had tried to prevent Dick from recovering his pet.</p> - -<p>But all's well that ends well, and soon the trio, with Grit on the seat -of honor in front, were speeding to the outskirts of the town, where the -auto was drawn to one side of the road, and preparations made to spend -the night.</p> - -<p>They were off early the next morning. Cleveland was their next big city, -and in accordance with Dick's plan they changed their route slightly, -taking seldom-traveled roads to throw off any spies whom Uncle Ezra -might send after them.</p> - -<p>Shortly before noon something occurred which nearly put an end to their -journey. They had come through a bad stretch of roads and had ascended a -steep hill, at the other side of which, according to a local guide, -began a good highway.</p> - -<p>"Then we can make some speed!" exclaimed Dick. "We've been crawling all -morning."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p><p>He was at the wheel, and as he started to descend the slope he looked -to see that the brake levers were clear. There were three on the big -car—the ordinary foot-pedal brake, a hand one for hard stops, and an -emergency that locked all four wheels.</p> - -<p>The <i>Last Word</i> started down the slope, and half way to the bottom -something snapped.</p> - -<p>"What's that?" cried Innis.</p> - -<p>"One of the brakes, I'm afraid," answered Dick.</p> - -<p>The car gathered speed. The young millionaire had shut off all power and -was coasting. Now he reached for the emergency brake, but the handle was -loose in his hand.</p> - -<p>The hill was steep—the car heavy, and it was acquiring speed. The foot -and ordinary hand brake were powerless to check it.</p> - -<p>"We're running down hill!" cried Innis.</p> - -<p>"That's what we are," agreed Dick, grimly.</p> - -<p>As they flashed past a house a man rushed out.</p> - -<p>"Look out for that bridge!" he cried, pointing to the foot of the slope. -"It's weakened by a flood. You'll never get over it if you hit it that -fast!"</p> - -<p>His words died away as the car rushed on down hill, Dick vainly trying -to check its speed by the two brakes still in commission.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXI</span> <span class="smaller">MAROONED</span></h2> - -<p>"Can't you hold her, Dick?"</p> - -<p>"Is there anything we can do?"</p> - -<p>Paul and Innis shouted their questions at their chum, as he sat at the -wheel, guiding the ponderous car on its perilous way. Every stone that -could be avoided Dick steered away from, yet to make too much of a -swerve, he knew, would be disastrous.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid—it's getting—away from me," he called through his clenched -teeth. "The emergency brake is broken, and the others don't seem to -hold."</p> - -<p>"Can't you put on the reverse?" asked Innis.</p> - -<p>"It would only strip the gears. I guess we've got to chance it, boys!"</p> - -<p>A man ran out at the foot of the hill, dancing up and down near the -approach to the bridge, and waving a red handkerchief.</p> - -<p>"Are you going to try the bridge?" shouted Paul.</p> - -<p>"I don't see how I can help it," replied Dick. "If I turn into the ditch -we'll sure upset."</p> - -<p>"Maybe the bridge is stronger than they think," suggested Innis. "It -looks all right."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p><p>"That's the way with those country bridges," said Paul, bitterly. "They -never keep 'em in repair, and even a heavy truck may go through. It's a -shame!"</p> - -<p>"Well, get ready for something, fellows!" said Dick, grimly. "Do you -want to jump?"</p> - -<p>"I guess it's the only thing to do," declared Paul. "There's grass on -both sides of the road, and we can't be much hurt. You go first, Dick."</p> - -<p>"No, you fellows try it. I've got to hold this wheel. The minute I let -go this auto is going to be like a wild horse, trying to climb the first -tree in sight. Jump, while I hold her steady. Then I'll take my chance."</p> - -<p>"I'll steer for you," offered Innis, gallantly.</p> - -<p>"No, let me!" insisted Paul.</p> - -<p>"I tell you I'll stick to my machine until she smashes!" cried Dick, -sharply. "You fellows jump while you've got the chance. I'll try and -hold her until she gets to the bridge, and then I may be able to land in -the water. Go ahead."</p> - -<p>"It's a shame!" cried Paul. "To see this dandy car go to smash."</p> - -<p>"It can't be helped," replied Dick, sadly.</p> - -<p>Paul opened the door on one side, and Innis on the other. They got in -good positions to make their leap. The man on the bridge was still -waving his signal of danger, uselessly it seemed, for the big car was -headed straight for the structure.</p> - -<p>Dick gave a sharp glance ahead, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>tightened his grip on the steering -wheel. Then he called out, hoarsely:</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute, fellows! Hold on! Don't jump yet! Maybe there's a way -out yet!"</p> - -<p>"How?" yelled Paul.</p> - -<p>"See! There's a ford at one side of the bridge!" and Dick nodded his -head toward a place where the road over the structure branched off, -dividing; one side going down a slope into the stream of water, and up -again on the other side, to join the highway past the bridge. This path -was used by those who wished to water their horses, or swell their dried -wagon-wheels. It was also a ford in case the bridge was out of -commission for heavy loads, as at present.</p> - -<p>"What's your game?" cried Innis.</p> - -<p>"I'm going to try to send the auto down that ford-road," replied the -young millionaire. "It's soft and sandy. If I can make the change the -soft dirt may clog the wheels enough, and slacken our speed, so that we -can get over the creek safely. It's worth trying—in fact, it's the only -thing we can do. Hold on!"</p> - -<p>Nearer and nearer to the bridge thundered the big car. The man with the -red handkerchief had leaped out of the way now, fearing the collapse of -the structure. But Dick did not intend to trust himself to the weakened -beams and king-braces.</p> - -<p>Narrowly watching the road where it forked into the ford, or crossing, -Dick swerved the steering wheel ever so little at a time. A sudden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> -change in the course, he knew, would mean an overturned auto, and -possibly serious injury to all of them.</p> - -<p>"That's it! That's the way to do it!" cried the man who had waved a -warning. "The water isn't very deep!"</p> - -<p>"I hope not," murmured Dick. "Hold hard, boys!"</p> - -<p>With tense face he watched the path before him. His hands were gripped -on the steering wheel so hard that it seemed as though he had no fingers -at all—as if they were all in one. The car thundered on. It vibrated -and trembled. The brakes that had been set—exclusive of the broken -one—were bringing forth a shrill protest from the axle bands.</p> - -<p>"I—I guess you'll make it, Dick!" shouted Paul.</p> - -<p>"It won't be from lack of trying, anyhow," agreed Innis.</p> - -<p>Though he and Paul had come partly back into the car they were still -ready to leap in case Dick's plan miscarried. But it seemed likely to -succeed.</p> - -<p>There was a sudden twist to the steering wheel, and the <i>Last Word</i> -swerved dangerously. Paul and Innis clutched the sides. Then they saw -that the auto was on the short slope that led down to the water. Dick -had made the diversion in safety—so far. What would happen when he -struck the stream, with its uneven bed, was a matter of conjecture.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p><p>But the deep sand of the slope leading down to the water was already -having its effect. No better brake could have been devised than that -clinging material.</p> - -<p>"She's slacking up!" cried Paul.</p> - -<p>"We're all right!" added Innis.</p> - -<p>Into the water splashed the big touring car. A shower of spray shot up -on either side. The machine was slackening speed. Dick was beginning to -relax his grip on the steering wheel, and his chums breathed easier.</p> - -<p>Then, with a jolt that threw them all forward in a heap, the auto seemed -to strike some obstruction in the bed of the creek.</p> - -<p>It careened to one side, so that they feared it was about to topple -over. Then it righted itself, surged forward, and came to a groaning -stop in the middle of the water, stuck fast in the cloying mud that -formed the bed of the creek.</p> - -<p>"Safe!" exclaimed Paul.</p> - -<p>"Not a bone broken!" added Innis.</p> - -<p>"But we're marooned!" murmured Dick, gloomily. "It will take ten horses -to pull us out of this mudhole. Hang the luck!"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXII</span> <span class="smaller">AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM</span></h2> - -<p>After their exciting ride down hill—a ride that might have ended -disastrously but for Dick's good judgment and prompt action—the three -chums were content to sit still in the stalled auto for a few moments. -They were about in the middle of a small stream, that flowed under the -partly wrecked bridge, and the water came up nearly to the tops of the -big-tired wheels.</p> - -<p>This did not represent its real depth, however, as the weight of the car -had caused it to sink down in the soft mud, which served to hold it -fast. Paul, Dick and Innis looked about them.</p> - -<p>"Well, this is the limit!" grumbled the young millionaire.</p> - -<p>"It sure is," assented Paul.</p> - -<p>"What'd you want to come down hill so fast for?" asked the man with the -red flag.</p> - -<p>"We didn't mean to," said Dick. "One of the brakes went out of -commission, and I couldn't hold the car with the other two, though -they're supposed to be able to. Must be something wrong with 'em. I'm -going to have 'em looked at when we get out of here."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p><p>"If we ever do," suggested Innis. "We sure are stuck fast."</p> - -<p>"That's awful sticky mud," volunteered the flagman. "Didn't Bill Hockey, -at the top of the hill, warn you about this bridge?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but it was too late, then, to stop," answered Dick.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm here to let only light loads over the bridge," the man went -on. "It'll hold a horse and carriage, but not much else. Your auto would -sure have gone through it."</p> - -<p>"Then I'm glad we didn't chance it," remarked Paul.</p> - -<p>"The county is getting bids on having a new bridge built, but when it'll -be done nobody seems to know," said the man.</p> - -<p>"I don't s'pose you mind, as long as you have a job here flagging," -suggested Innis, with a smile.</p> - -<p>"Well, 'tain't so much fun in wet weather. I'm thinkin' of havin' a -shelter made. But you sure are stuck fast. You'd better go over and see -if you can hire some horses. There's a farm just around the turn of the -road. Porter Hanson owns it, and he's got a couple of teams."</p> - -<p>"I guess it will take more than two teams to get us out," said Dick. -"I'd rather trust to a block and fall. Could I get one around here, do -you imagine?"</p> - -<p>"You might. Some of the farmers has 'em."</p> - -<p>"It's going to be quite a problem even at that,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> said Paul, looking -across to the other shore with a critical eye. "We can't get a very good -hold for the block."</p> - -<p>"Then we'll have to make one," decided Dick. "Fellows, we'll pretend -this is one of the engineering problems we used to get at Kentfield, and -we'll see how we can work it out.</p> - -<p>"We've got a weight here to move of approximately four thousand pounds, -and the distance, up to the road, is about twenty-five feet. Innis, how -much moving force do we require?"</p> - -<p>"Not prepared!" answered the cadet, giving one of the stock answers of -the class room, and his chums laughed.</p> - -<p>"Where are you fellows from?" asked the man with the flag.</p> - -<p>"New York," answered Dick, which was true enough, and he did not want to -go into details about himself and his chums. "We're students on our -vacation."</p> - -<p>"Well, it looks as though you were goin' to get your feet wet," remarked -the bridge guardian with a chuckle. "If you want to wait I'll go down -the creek a ways, and borrow a boat. But you'll have to warn any teams, -heavier than a single carriage, not to go over the bridge."</p> - -<p>"All right—we will," agreed Dick. "And we'll pay you for your trouble. -We'll probably need a boat anyhow when we start to haul the car up on -dry land again."</p> - -<p>"Well, shall we go ashore?" asked Paul, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> their new friend started off -down the bank of the stream.</p> - -<p>"And get our feet wet doing it," added Innis. "I'm going to wade -barefoot, anyhow," and he prepared to take off his shoes.</p> - -<p>"Let's sit here and eat first," suggested Dick. "It's about dinner time, -and we've got some hard work ahead of us. I do hope we can get a block -and fall."</p> - -<p>Dick's plan met with instant favor, and then, in the big car the three -marooned travelers began to prepare a meal on the electric stove.</p> - -<p>They were busily engaged at this when their new friend came rowing up -the stream. He saw the boys sitting comfortably about the table which -had been let down from the roof of the car, and his eyes grew big with -astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Wa'al, I swan t' goodness!" he gasped. "There ain't nothin' slow about -you boys; be there?"</p> - -<p>"Not so as you could notice it," assented Dick, with a laugh. "Will you -have a fried egg sandwich?"</p> - -<p>"What? Be you cookin' in there?" cried the man in astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Sure!" laughed Paul. "Wait, I'll put an egg on for you in a jiffy!" and -he broke one in the aluminum frying pan, while the man was tying the -boat to the stranded auto.</p> - -<p>"Wa'al, I swan t' goodness!" exclaimed the man, who had said his name -was Peter Kinsey.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p><p>"This beats th' Dutch! Why, you've got a regular sleepin' an' dinin' -car here; ain't you?"</p> - -<p>"Somewhat," admitted Dick, while Paul passed out the egg sandwich on a -wooden plate.</p> - -<p>"Gosh all sizers!" exclaimed Mr. Kinsey, as he bit into it. "It's hot, -all right! But it's mighty good jest th' same!" he added quickly.</p> - -<p>He ate it with such evident relish that Paul at once fried him another. -Then, as the three chums had eaten enough, they put away their cooking -apparatus, tossed the wooden plates into the stream, and prepared to get -their auto out of the mud.</p> - -<p>"The first thing to do," decided Dick, when they had gone ashore in the -boat Mr. Kinsey had borrowed for them, "is to see if we can get that -tackle. There's no use bothering with horses until we have something -rigged up so we can use their strength to the best advantage. Where -would we be likely to get a rope and pulleys?" he asked the flagman.</p> - -<p>"Wa'al, Josiah McIntyre might have some," was the answer. "He moved his -barn last week, and I don't believe they took the rigging away."</p> - -<p>"Where does he live?"</p> - -<p>"Down the road a piece. Second house on the right. It's painted red and -sets back a ways from the road. You can tell him what you want, and say -I sent you."</p> - -<p>"All right," agreed Dick. "Paul, I'll delegate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> you to get the rope and -pulleys. Push 'em here in a wheelbarrow, and see if we can hire a team -when we need it."</p> - -<p>"All right, my hearty!"</p> - -<p>"Innis, you and I'll look about for a place where we can hitch the -pulley. We may have to set a post. I suppose we could borrow a shovel?" -he asked Mr. Kinsey.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I've got one here myself. I was digging worms for fish bait. Had -to do something settin' here all day. What do you want a shovel for?"</p> - -<p>"To dig a hole to set a post in."</p> - -<p>"I see. Well, I'll get the shovel, and I reckon you can take one of the -busted beams from this bridge. There's a lot of 'em over on the other -side."</p> - -<p>With the post and shovel provided, Dick and his chums began to see a way -out of their difficulty. Paul started down the road after the tackle, -and Dick decided to wait and see how long the rope was before setting -the post that was to support the pull of the falls against the weight of -the auto.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile he and Innis awaited the return of their chum, who had gone -down the road whistling. The fine big car remained in the middle of the -stream, the water swirling between the spokes of the wheels.</p> - -<p>"It'll do it good to soak up a bit," said Dick, "It's been so dry lately -that the wood was shrinking."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p><p>"Yes, it has been terrible dry," agreed Mr. Kinsey. "The farmers have -begun prayin' for rain. An' it looks as if we'd get some soon."</p> - -<p>Several boys, who had, in some mysterious way, heard of the accident, -came running down the road to stand along the bank of the creek and -stare at the odd sight. Dick's big car was something new and strange to -them, and they made the most of the exhibition.</p> - -<p>"Here comes Paul!" exclaimed Innis, as he saw a figure make the turn of -the road. "And he's got some one to push the wheelbarrow for him," he -added, as he saw a man walking beside the youth.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you can trust Paul to get out of the hardest part of the work," -laughed Dick. "Never mind, we'll need a man's help anyhow, and I was -going to suggest that he hire some one."</p> - -<p>"He's evidently done it," remarked Innis.</p> - -<p>"Looks as though he had plenty of tackle," commented Mr. Kinsey. "I -guess it's what Josiah used for his barn, all right."</p> - -<p>"What luck?" called Dick, as his chum came within hearing distance.</p> - -<p>"Good!" was the answer. "I've got a long tackle, and we can get two -teams if we need 'em. I hired a man to help us rig it up, too."</p> - -<p>"Fine!" exclaimed the young millionaire. "Now, Innis, we'll get busy on -a practical engineering problem instead of figuring it out on paper."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIII</span> <span class="smaller">OFF AGAIN</span></h2> - -<p>"How's that post now?" called Paul, who with Innis had been tamping dirt -about a short beam stuck in the ground some distance back from the edge -of the water.</p> - -<p>"That's got a better slant to it," answered Dick. "It would have pulled -out as it was."</p> - -<p>"How are you going to fasten the tackle to the car?" asked Innis, as he -and his chum finished their part of the work.</p> - -<p>"Take a hitch around the front axle. Here, give me a hand and we'll do -that now. Paul, you can go see about the horses. Tell the farmer we -won't need them long, and we'll pay him what he thinks they're worth."</p> - -<p>"Aye—aye, sir," answered Paul, saluting in the most approved Kentfield -Military Academy style, as he started off down the road.</p> - -<p>The three chums, with the aid of Mr. Kinsey, and such of the gathered -farm lads as volunteered, had been busy the last half-hour rigging up -the tackle to pull the big car from the creek. A stout post had been set -up to give a fixed purchase, for Dick found that the tackle and fall was -of a good type, with one fixed and one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> movable pulley—the former with -two, and the latter with three wheels. This gave great power, and it -would be needed, for the car was deep in the mud, and there was quite a -slope to negotiate to the road.</p> - -<p>"If she hadn't settled so deep in the mud, I could get her out under her -own power," said Dick, as he and Innis fixed about the axle of the car a -loose rope, into which could be fastened the hook of the movable pulley. -The fixed pulley would be made fast to the post, the boys, after some -discussion, having decided that this was the best plan to follow.</p> - -<p>The ropes were adjusted, the pulleys were looked after to make sure that -they would not foul, and then all that remained was to wait for the -horses to come.</p> - -<p>Quite a crowd had gathered by this time, a number of boys and men, as -well as some women and girls, having been drawn from their houses by the -report of the stalled auto.</p> - -<p>"What about those papers, Dick?" asked Innis, as they finished making -fast the auxiliary rope, and rowed to shore to await the return of Paul.</p> - -<p>"They're in the auto."</p> - -<p>"Do you think they're safe there?"</p> - -<p>"Sure. Safer than if I had 'em in my pocket, where they'd fall out into -this muddy creek. Then they would be gone forever."</p> - -<p>"Have you the doors locked?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p><p>"Surest thing you know. See anything of Paul?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, there he comes, with four horses instead of two, and I'm blessed -if he isn't riding one of the nags."</p> - -<p>"Sure. What else did you expect? Paul is learning how to take life easy. -He'll live longer that way."</p> - -<p>"But why four horses? I thought two would be enough?"</p> - -<p>"So they might, but I guess Paul doesn't believe in taking chances. Four -will be sure to pull us out of the ruck, and two mightn't."</p> - -<p>"To say nothing of the fact that the farmer saw a chance to hold you up -for a double price."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's all right," said the young millionaire. "I don't mind paying -for actual work, and it will be a blessing to get started again."</p> - -<p>As usual, when a crowd gathers about anything that is going on, there -was plenty of advice offered. One man insisted that Dick had the pulleys -arranged wrong, and another held that the auto should have been pulled -out backwards instead of by the front.</p> - -<p>"But I don't want to go backwards," said Dick. "I'm going on ahead. I -want to get on the other side of the bridge. I had trouble enough trying -to cross the stream. I might as well finish up, now that I'm at it."</p> - -<p>"You'll only get stuck deeper in the mud!" declared this pessimist.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p><p>"I guess the horses can get us out," said Dick. "I'll take a chance, -anyhow."</p> - -<p>The tackle was in shape, and all that remained was to hitch the four -steeds to the free end of the rope, and start them. Dick rowed out to -his car, and sat at the steering wheel. Two men had been hired to lay -planks under the wheels to prevent them from sinking in the soft shore -of the stream as soon as they should emerge from the water. Paul and -Innis were to have general charge of matters on shore, one to see that -the horses pulled when urged ahead, and the other to call a halt in case -anything showed signs of going wrong.</p> - -<p>"All ready?" asked Innis from his position near the heads of the horses, -which the owner was to drive.</p> - -<p>"All right here," answered Paul, who was on the shore.</p> - -<p>"Let her go!" cried Dick, taking a firmer grip of the steering wheel.</p> - -<p>There was a creaking of the ropes and pulleys. The cables tautened; the -blocks were lifted up from the ground by the strain. The rope around the -axle of the car straightened out. There was a snapping, tugging sound, -and then the car began to move slowly.</p> - -<p>"She's coming!" cried Paul.</p> - -<p>"Keep moving!" urged Dick.</p> - -<p>He turned the steering gear about to free the front wheels from the -clinging mass of mud.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> The car moved faster. Then, as the horses settled -to their collars, the big touring machine was slowly pulled from the -water.</p> - -<p>Then the front wheels struck the planks laid down to receive them, -splitting one of the boards. Up the slope went the <i>Last Word</i> amid the -cheers of the assembled farmers. Up the slope and out on the road, where -Dick called for a halt, and jammed on the brakes.</p> - -<p>"Whew! I'm glad that's over!" exclaimed Paul.</p> - -<p>"The same here!" added Innis. "Is she all right, Dick?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. I'm just going to have a look," and the young man bounded -out of his car, and cast a hasty glance over the running gear. That -seemed to be intact, save for the broken brake. The engine was next -looked to, Dick starting it, with the gears unmeshed. It ran as soon as -the electrical switch was turned, and the hum and throb told that it was -in perfect condition.</p> - -<p>"So far—so good!" exclaimed Dick. "Now, after we have that defective -brake looked to, I guess we can get under way again."</p> - -<p>"There's a garage about a mile further along," said Mr. Kennedy, who had -supplied the horses. "I guess they can fix you up."</p> - -<p>"I'll try for it," said Dick. Then he paid the men who had helped him, -not forgetting the bridge tender who had gotten the boat for them,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> -without which Dick and his chums would have had wet feet.</p> - -<p>"Where are you bound for?" asked a man in the crowd. He seemed to be a -stranger, since none of the others talked to him. He addressed Dick.</p> - -<p>"Oh, we're just on a tour," replied our hero, with a sharp glance at the -chap.</p> - -<p>"Looks as though you could go all the way to 'Frisco in that car," the -man went on, as he stepped to the door and peered into the interior of -the <i>Last Word</i>.</p> - -<p>"We could—if we wanted to," said Dick, coolly. "Please don't touch -anything," he added sharply, as he saw the man fingering various levers -and switches.</p> - -<p>"Huh! I didn't mean anything," was the surly response.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps not, but you don't know when you might do some damage," went on -Dick, "and the car's been through enough for one day. Come along, boys," -he added to his chums. "We'll get a move on."</p> - -<p>With thanks to those who had helped them out of their predicament, the -boys drove off toward the garage where Dick intended to have the broken -brake repaired.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIV</span> <span class="smaller">A NIGHT ENCOUNTER</span></h2> - -<p>"Did you think there was anything queer about that man, Dick?" asked -Paul, as the three chums sat about the garage, while the chief -mechanician looked over the big auto.</p> - -<p>"Which man was that? There were so many around us when we got stuck in -the creek that I don't remember any special one."</p> - -<p>"I mean the chap that suggested you could make a trip to 'Frisco."</p> - -<p>"Oh, him. Well, yes, in a way, I did. At least I didn't think I'd give -him the satisfaction of letting him guess where we were going."</p> - -<p>"I'm glad you didn't."</p> - -<p>"Why, Paul?"</p> - -<p>"Because I was a bit suspicious of him. Did you notice what he did after -we started away?"</p> - -<p>"I did not, because I was so busy thinking how lucky we were to get off -as we did. What happened?"</p> - -<p>"Why, that man—the fellow with the droopy eyes, I'll call him, because -his eyes were sort of sleepy looking—he pulled out a note book as we -started off, and seemed to be making a record in it."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p><p>"Maybe he was a constable, and he thought we might try to speed up -after being delayed. He might be looking to get a share of the fine if -we were caught," suggested Innis.</p> - -<p>"No, he wasn't a constable," declared Paul.</p> - -<p>"What makes you so sure?"</p> - -<p>"If he was a constable in a country town he'd be some pumpkins, a sort -of a Poo-Bah. Instead, no one paid the least attention to him. He might -be a constable from somewhere else, but he didn't belong here. He was a -stranger, and yet he seemed mightily interested in your car."</p> - -<p>"Well, it's a good car—if I do say it myself," responded Dick.</p> - -<p>"No, it wasn't that," continued his chum. "That man had some object in -view. Dick, do you know what I think?"</p> - -<p>"I give up, Paul. You think so much that you have me guessing. What is -it now?"</p> - -<p>"I think that man was one of Uncle Ezra's spies!"</p> - -<p>"What!" cried Dick.</p> - -<p>Paul repeated his words.</p> - -<p>"Whew!" exclaimed Dick in a whisper, as he pretended to wipe his brow. -"This is the limit! Aren't we ever to get away from my Uncle Ezra?"</p> - -<p>"Don't misunderstand me," said Paul, quickly. "I'm not an alarmist, and -I don't want to be a false prophet, but that fellow acted suspiciously -to me."</p> - -<p>"I think so too," added Innis.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p><p>"Queer I didn't notice it," said Dick, slowly, "but I guess I was so -busy thinking about my car that I didn't pay much attention to him. I -noticed that he looked in our parlor, so to speak, and——"</p> - -<p>He interrupted himself to cross the garage, and peer into the interior -of the big machine, underneath which was a workman taking out the -damaged brake, ready to put in a new one.</p> - -<p>"It's there, all right," said our hero, with an air of relief.</p> - -<p>"What?" asked Innis.</p> - -<p>"The envelope with the legal papers. Paul's talk gave me a scare. I -thought that man might have made off with 'em!"</p> - -<p>"No, he didn't get a chance for that," said Paul. "I watched him too -closely. But he did get me suspicious, all right. However, we're here, -and we'll soon be far enough away."</p> - -<p>"Maybe," said Dick. "I'm not going to take any chances on those brakes -after the experience we had. They've got to be perfect, and if we have -to lay over a day or so, we'll do it. How about it?" he asked the man, -who was crawling out from under the big car.</p> - -<p>The talk of the young men had been carried on in low tones until Dick -asked this question.</p> - -<p>"She'll have to come out, and a new band be put on," the workman said.</p> - -<p>"How long will it take?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p><p>"Two days. I've either got to send for a new one, or forge one myself."</p> - -<p>"Then make it here," said Dick. "If you send for one there may be a -factory delay, and I don't want that. If you can fix it do so."</p> - -<p>"I can," said the garage man. "This is a special type of car, and no one -would probably have that brake in stock. I can make it."</p> - -<p>Dick then arranged with him to do the work, and the three chums, after -getting some of their belongings out of the car, started off toward the -village.</p> - -<p>"Where are we going to stay to-night?" asked Innis, as they walked -slowly along the country road.</p> - -<p>"In our car!" said Dick, quickly.</p> - -<p>"What? When there's a fairly good hotel in the village?" asked Innis.</p> - -<p>"This talk of Paul's has made me a bit nervous," went on our hero. "I -think I'd feel safer if I slept in the <i>Last Word</i>. I can fix it with -the garage man, I think. And if any of Uncle Ezra's spies are hanging -about they may try to disable my car if they can't get their hands on -the legal papers. They might do it out of spite."</p> - -<p>"That's right," agreed Innis. "Where are the papers now, Dick?"</p> - -<p>"Back in the car."</p> - -<p>"Don't you think that's risky?"</p> - -<p>"No more so than carrying them about with me. I'm a sort of fatalist. I -believe if a thing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> is going to happen it will happen. But I'll do all I -can to stop it.</p> - -<p>"They're less likely to think the papers are in the car than that I have -them. And even if they do pull out that advertising envelope, and look -in it, all they'll see at first glance will be an auto catalog. I took -the precaution of slipping the legal sheets between the pages of the -booklet."</p> - -<p>"Good, Dick. But supposing the place catches fire?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you've got to take some chances in this world, old man; eh, Grit?" -and he patted the head of the bulldog that trotted along with the boys -toward the village.</p> - -<p>The boys found the town to be a picturesque one, well worth visiting, -and there was a good restaurant in it. There they got a meal, sort of -half-way between dinner and supper, and they arranged to come back later -for something to eat before turning in on the bunks of the auto.</p> - -<p>"And there's a moving picture show in town," exclaimed Innis, as they -were walking back to the garage. "I vote we take that in."</p> - -<p>"All right," assented Dick. "It will relieve the monotony if we have to -lay over here two days."</p> - -<p>The owner of the garage readily gave the boys permission to occupy their -car while it was in his establishment, and the lads made a change of -clothes, for they were rather disheveled by the work of getting the auto -out of the creek.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p><p>Shortly before dusk they made their way to the village again, and after -a good supper they headed for the moving picture theatre.</p> - -<p>In spite of the small size of the town, the exhibition was a good one. -It was interspersed with vaudeville acts, and as this happened to be -"amateur" night, it was quite late when our friends came out.</p> - -<p>"Well, it was pretty good; wasn't it?" remarked Dick, as he linked his -arms in those of his chums.</p> - -<p>"Not half bad—for a change," assented Innis. "What's the game for -to-morrow?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, we'll have to hang over here, I guess. But I understand there's a -baseball game between two country nines and we can take that in. It will -be sport."</p> - -<p>"That's the cheese!" exclaimed Paul.</p> - -<p>They were in the midst of the crowd that had thronged from the moving -picture show. A number of pretty girls were bunched together, and from -their midst came voices that could be heard to remark about the identity -of our heroes, as the youths were spoken of as "the millionaire -autoists."</p> - -<p>"We're getting a reputation already," whispered Innis.</p> - -<p>"That's Dick's fault," said Paul.</p> - -<p>"I haven't said a word," retorted that youth. "You fellows must have -been talking."</p> - -<p>Gradually the crowd thinned out, and the three chums found themselves -walking along a rather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> dark country road toward the garage where the -<i>Last Word</i> had been left.</p> - -<p>For a while they talked among themselves of the adventures of the day, -and then a silence settled down. They were all tired and anxious to get -to bed.</p> - -<p>"Is that some one ahead of us, or behind us?" suddenly asked Dick, -coming to a halt.</p> - -<p>"I don't hear anything," said Innis.</p> - -<p>"Me either," added Paul.</p> - -<p>"Walk on a bit and then listen," suggested Dick.</p> - -<p>"There is some one sort of keeping time to our footsteps, fellows," -spoke Paul a little later.</p> - -<p>"But are they ahead or behind us?" asked Dick. "I've been hearing it for -some time."</p> - -<p>"Ahead of us," said Innis.</p> - -<p>"Behind," was Paul's opinion.</p> - -<p>The three came to a halt in the roadway and listened. This time, instead -of the footsteps becoming silent, they were more plain.</p> - -<p>"They're coming," whispered Paul.</p> - -<p>A voice hailed them from the darkness.</p> - -<p>"Say, is this the road to Centreville?"</p> - -<p>"No, you're going the wrong way," replied Dick. "Centreville is behind -you."</p> - -<p>"Huh! That's funny!" some one remarked. "We must be all twisted up. Wait -a second, will you," and from the darkness could be heard footsteps -quickly approaching.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXV</span> <span class="smaller">INTO THE LONELINESS</span></h2> - -<p>"Have you the time?"</p> - -<p>It was the voice of one of those who were approaching our hero and his -two chums, they having come to a halt at the request for information.</p> - -<p>"Oh, what does it matter?" some one else asked, and then Dick could see -that three men were hurrying toward them out of the darkness.</p> - -<p>"I just wanted to see how late it was," went on the one who had -apparently spoken first. "Sorry to trouble you," he added, "but we're -strangers here, and we seem to have lost our way."</p> - -<p>"It's no trouble—if we can direct you," said the young millionaire. -"We're strangers here ourselves."</p> - -<p>"It's a little after eleven," announced Paul, looking at his watch as -well as he could by the starlight. As he spoke one of the men made a -sudden motion toward him.</p> - -<p>"Not him! The other!" some one exclaimed sharply.</p> - -<p>Before the three knew what was happening they were seized by the three -men—seized and roughly mauled.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p><p>"Here! What does this mean?" demanded Dick, hotly, as he struck out -vigorously.</p> - -<p>"It's a hold-up!" yelled Innis. "Lay into 'em, fellows!"</p> - -<p>"Let go of me!" insisted Paul, as he swung himself loose from his -antagonist and dealt him a stinging blow that staggered the fellow.</p> - -<p>The man, with a smothered exclamation, recovered himself, and rushed -back at Paul. In the meanwhile Innis and his assailant were having a -tussle. As for Dick, after that first outcry, he had held his voice, but -he was struggling desperately with the man in the darkness. He could -feel hands moving over his body, inserting themselves in his various -pockets.</p> - -<p>"They're thieves!" he cried. "Help! Help!"</p> - -<p>There was no answer save the echo of his own voice, broken by the -panting breaths of the three men, who seemed to want to do their work in -silence.</p> - -<p>By a powerful right-hand swing Paul sent his man to the ground with a -thud that knocked the breath from his body, and the fellow did not get -up again immediately.</p> - -<p>"Let go of me!" yelled Innis. "Keep your hands out of my pockets!"</p> - -<p>He tore himself loose from the man's grip, and shoved the fellow aside, -so that he fell on top of the one Paul had knocked down.</p> - -<p>"Help! Help!" yelled Innis. "Thieves! Grit! Grit!"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p><p>"Grit isn't here!" panted Dick, wishing with all his heart that his pet -had not been left in the garage to keep watch and ward over the auto. -Our hero was struggling fiercely with his man.</p> - -<p>By this time the one Paul had knocked down was getting up, being -assisted by the fellow Innis had pushed from him. Dick managed to get -one arm free and he dashed his clenched fist full into the face of his -attacker.</p> - -<p>He could feel the force of the blow, and he knew he must have caused the -footpad considerable pain, for there was a grunt of protest.</p> - -<p>"Here they come again!" said Innis, fiercely. "Back to back, fellows, -and we can stand 'em off!"</p> - -<p>Now that the first instinctive fear at the attack in the dark had passed -off, the three youths felt a fierce joy in the coming conflict. It was -like a battle on the football gridiron, only with greater odds.</p> - -<p>Dick, Paul and Innis moved close together, being free for the moment -from their assailants. Then from down the road could be heard the sound -of footsteps running rapidly. The men paused, listened a moment, and -then the one who had attacked Dick exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Come on. He hasn't it with him!"</p> - -<p>At once the three men turned and raced off in the darkness, away from -the sound of the approaching footsteps. For a moment the three<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> chums -remained in a sort of triangular posture of defense, hardly knowing what -it was all about, since it had taken place so quickly.</p> - -<p>"Are—are we all here?" Dick finally managed to gasp.</p> - -<p>"It seems so," replied Paul. "What happened, anyhow? Was it a joke?"</p> - -<p>"My nose doesn't feel that way," said Innis.</p> - -<p>"No, and I guess I gave one of those fellows something that he'll -remember for a day or so," went on Paul. "But what in the world were -they after?"</p> - -<p>"Something that I left back in the auto," replied Dick, grimly.</p> - -<p>"What! Those papers?"</p> - -<p>"That's it. The fellow who had me went all through my pockets while he -was rough-housing me. First I thought he was after my watch and money, -but when he didn't take them, I knew what he wanted."</p> - -<p>"They went through my pockets, too," confessed Innis.</p> - -<p>"Same here," added Paul.</p> - -<p>"Did they get anything?" asked Dick, quickly.</p> - -<p>The lads made a hasty search, and both reported that they had lost -nothing. At that moment a man came running up.</p> - -<p>Instinctively the three chums got ready for a renewal of hostilities, -but they soon saw they had nothing to fear, even had not the man spoken, -for he was an honest-appearing chap.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p><p>"What—what's the matter?" he panted. "Did you call for help?"</p> - -<p>"We did," replied Dick, "but we don't need any now; thank you."</p> - -<p>"What was it?"</p> - -<p>"Somebody tried to hold us up," went on the young millionaire, not -caring to go into all the details. "But we beat 'em off."</p> - -<p>"That's good. Were they three rough-looking fellows?"</p> - -<p>"There were three of 'em, all right," said Paul, "and I guess they're a -little more rough-looking than they were at first; eh, boys?"</p> - -<p>"Sure thing," remarked Innis, tenderly touching some of his bruises.</p> - -<p>"I'm a watchman down the road a ways, at a new building just going up," -the man went on. "I saw these fellows go past, and I didn't like their -looks and actions. They were talking about getting something off some -one, and——"</p> - -<p>"I guess they were talking about us," interrupted Dick. "They probably -saw us in the moving picture place, and followed us. They asked for the -time, and pretended they had missed their way. That was only to get us -to halt, of course. But we're well out of it, all right."</p> - -<p>"Did they get much?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing," said Paul. "We're much obliged to you for coming."</p> - -<p>"I came as soon as I heard you call. Oh,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> you're the fellows with the -big auto; aren't you?" he went on, as he came close and made out the -faces of the three in the starlight.</p> - -<p>"That's us," said Dick. "I guess we might as well go on, boys," he added -to his chums. "I want some arnica for this bump I got."</p> - -<p>"Which way did the men go?" the watchman wanted to know, and when the -boys had indicated it, and had themselves started to go in the same -direction, to reach the garage where the <i>Last Word</i> was waiting for -them, the watchman went on: "Aren't you afraid they'll tackle you again? -They may be waiting down the road for you."</p> - -<p>Dick shook his head.</p> - -<p>"They found out we didn't have what they wanted," he remarked, "and they -won't bother us any more. Come on, boys."</p> - -<p>"Huh! Queer robbers," observed the watchman, and he turned away after -the boys had thanked him for his prompt response to their calls for -help.</p> - -<p>"Do you really think those men were after the papers, Dick?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"I'm sure of it," answered his friend. "It was all part of the game -Uncle Ezra is playing, but I'm getting tired of it. This is the limit! -It's got to stop!"</p> - -<p>"Are you going to tell him so?" asked Innis, as they walked along.</p> - -<p>"No, but I'm going to make a change in our plans. We'll fool 'em—we'll -get off the beaten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> track and go off into the unknown until we put -plenty of space behind us. Then they'll have their own troubles tracing -us."</p> - -<p>"That does seem the best way," assented Paul. "It's no fun to be on the -verge of an attack at any time. The game is too one-sided. We'll make it -harder for them."</p> - -<p>"That's my idea," said Dick, as they neared the garage, having seen no -further signs of the three men.</p> - -<p>They found the big car undisturbed, with Grit ready to give them a noisy -welcome.</p> - -<p>"I wish we'd had you along a while ago, old fellow," remarked Dick, as -he patted his dog. "I guess those fellows wouldn't have been quite so -fresh. But maybe it's just as well as it is, for I wouldn't want any of -them chewed up."</p> - -<p>"How do you figure it out?" asked Paul, as they got themselves a little -lunch before turning in.</p> - -<p>"Why, Uncle Ezra, or whoever he's hired to turn this trick, knew where -we would be at a certain day, I suppose," said Dick. "The men were on -the watch, and, when we arrived, they just kept tabs on us. The rest was -easy enough."</p> - -<p>"Only you didn't happen to carry the papers with you," added Innis.</p> - -<p>"No, it was a good trick to leave 'em here," assented our hero, as he -looked in the advertising envelope behind the mirror, to make sure that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> -the documents were safe. "Well, they won't try it on again in a hurry. -In the morning we'll figure out a new route that will bring us to -'Frisco in time to file the papers."</p> - -<p>It was no very difficult task, with their road maps, to do this, and -having seen the garage man start on the work of repairing the brakes, -Dick and his chums strolled into town. They managed to find some points -of interest, and also took in the ball game, and, though the repairs -took three days, instead of two, they did not regret their little -stop-over.</p> - -<p>"We've got plenty of time," said Dick, "and from now on we'll shift -about on our route. I'm anxious to get out in the West."</p> - -<p>"So am I!" added Paul.</p> - -<p>Once more they were under way, but they did not head for Chicago, as -they had intended.</p> - -<p>"Too much is likely to happen there," decided Dick. "We might as well -have a brass band with us, as this big car. So the thing to do is to -avoid the big cities."</p> - -<p>This they did. As events of very little interest occurred during the -next week, I shall skim over that period, only saying that the lads had -no further trouble, except an occasional bad road to travel, and a storm -to journey through.</p> - -<p>Farther and farther west they worked their way, until one morning saw -them in Salt Lake City, Utah. This was on their original schedule, but -Dick and his chums figured that they had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> so shifted about that their -enemies must have lost their trail by this time.</p> - -<p>"Of course they may be waiting for us here," said Dick, "but they won't -get much chance at us. We'll keep on the outskirts of town, and after we -get what supplies we need we'll strike out into the desert."</p> - -<p>"The desert!" exclaimed Paul. "That sounds lonely enough."</p> - -<p>"It will be," asserted the young millionaire, "and we'll have to take -along an extra amount of water and gasoline. But we'll keep near the -line of the Western Pacific railroad, and in case of trouble we can get -help."</p> - -<p>That afternoon they started off, having stocked the big car well. They -made a quick run to the Great Salt Lake, paused to wonder at it, and -then headed for the great desert. Off into its loneliness they steered, -wondering what lay before them.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXVI</span> <span class="smaller">BAD NEWS</span></h2> - -<p>"Say it sure is lonesome; isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"No mistake about it. If this isn't the jumping-off place, it's next -door to it."</p> - -<p>"I'd hate to be caught here without water or a means of getting away."</p> - -<p>Thus, in turn, Dick, Paul and Innis expressed themselves as they sat in -the big car, panting and uncomfortable from the heat of a summer day, -making a pretense of eating. It was almost too warm for that, however.</p> - -<p>"Well, there's one consolation, we can leave whenever we like," remarked -Dick. "I'll start whenever you fellows say so."</p> - -<p>"Well, let's get a move on," suggested Paul. "There's a little breeze -when we're in motion, but there isn't any now."</p> - -<p>They put away the remains of the meal and were soon moving over the -great salt desert of Utah, it being their second day on it. They had -been delayed by a slight accident or they would have made better time -across it.</p> - -<p>However, they did not regret the time spent, for it was a new and -wonderful experience for them, and one they would long remember.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p><p>The big car, aside from the slight break which Dick and his chums had -been able to mend themselves, was behaving to perfection. In it they -could cross with ease and comparative comfort this terrible stretch of -country, where many of the early settlers had given up their lives.</p> - -<p>Dick had taken the precaution to put on, over the big cushion tires, a -sort of steel-studded leather shoe, which gave a larger surface, so that -the wheels would not sink down so far in the sand, for the <i>Last Word</i> -was of no light weight.</p> - -<p>In addition, strips of canvas were carried so that when they came to a -particularly sandy place these strips could be laid down, like boards -across a mud puddle, and the auto sent over them, turn and turn about. -Of course that would be slow progress, but it was better than stalling.</p> - -<p>They saw little of other travelers. Occasionally a mule team would be -observed, and now and then they came in sight of the railroad, and -watched a train dash along it. But, in the main, they picked out their -own route, having learned in Salt Lake City of the one most available -for autos.</p> - -<p>At no time were they very far from the railroad line, but they did not -follow it too closely. For, as Dick said, "What was the use of coming -out on a tour if you kept in touch with civilization all the while?"</p> - -<p>So they broke their own trail as far as was practicable, and enjoyed the -experience. Water<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span>—for themselves and the car—was their main worry, -but they had a goodly supply with them. To drink Dick had provided -several large vacuum bottles of ice-cold lemonade, and, though of course -the frigid temperature could not be retained indefinitely, the liquid -was still quite cool and refreshing after several hours of bottling.</p> - -<p>"Well, this sure has been a great experience for us," declared Paul, as -the big car moved off over the desert.</p> - -<p>"I should say yes," agreed Dick. "I wouldn't have missed it for a farm."</p> - -<p>"Not even with all the trouble Uncle Ezra made?" asked Innis.</p> - -<p>"No, even with that. But he hasn't bothered us lately," said our hero, -patting Grit, who sat on the seat beside him, Paul driving the car for a -change.</p> - -<p>"I guess he's lost track of us," suggested Innis. "We haven't had a -sight of any of his pesky men since that encounter in the dark."</p> - -<p>"No," assented Dick, "but you never can tell where he will crop up. He -may be laying low for us. Though I don't expect there'll be any more -fighting until it comes time to file those papers. Then he may try to -block me in a legal way."</p> - -<p>"What can you do?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"I don't know, until the time comes. Dad told me to wire him in case of -trouble, and ask his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> advice. Maybe I'll have to depend somewhat on Mr. -Ainslie, the California lawyer."</p> - -<p>"Say, it seems to me you're going to a lot of trouble to save a fortune -for a fellow you don't know very well, and who doesn't seem to take much -interest in it himself," observed Innis.</p> - -<p>"Who, Wardell?" asked Dick.</p> - -<p>"Sure. That's who I mean."</p> - -<p>"You don't understand," said the young millionaire, softly. "In the -first place, Mr. Wardell would make the biggest kind of a fight for -himself, if he were here. But I think he's doing the right thing, to try -to start life over again, for there's nothing sure about saving his -fortune for him. The courts may decide against him at the last minute. -But there's a chance in his favor, and I'm taking it for him.</p> - -<p>"Some day Mr. Wardell is going to know that it's my uncle who played him -this trick, but if he knows that I did my best to offset it, why, that's -going to square it; isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose so," agreed Innis.</p> - -<p>"And Wardell is a mighty fine chap," went on Dick. "Of course that day -when Paul and I saw him on the railroad bank he had sort of lost his -nerve. You can't blame him for that. I'm not a bit sorry over what I'm -trying to do for him."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, of course not. Only it's a lot of trouble for a stranger."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm not doing it altogether for him,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> said Dick. "I'm thinking -of the honor of our family. I wouldn't want it said that any of my -relatives ruined a man, even if it was legal."</p> - -<p>"Good for you!" cried Paul. "Say, the trail is leading us back toward -the railroad, I think."</p> - -<p>"Yes, it does come near the line about here," agreed Dick, as he -consulted a map. "So much the better. We may strike a water tank. Our -supply isn't any too large."</p> - -<p>The big car slowly made its way over the desert. They were not trying -for any speed, since the clinging sand made progress difficult, and they -did not want to put too much of a strain on the wheels and motor.</p> - -<p>It seemed to get hotter as they proceeded, though the breeze of the -electric fan in the car was grateful. But even the air in motion seemed -to come out of some oven, laden with the smell of baking earth.</p> - -<p>"Whew!" exclaimed Paul, when they had gone on about a mile further, and -had come in sight of the railroad. "Take her a while, Innis. My hands -are tired from trying to hold the wheel steady. She wabbles a lot."</p> - -<p>"I'll guide," said Dick.</p> - -<p>"No, let me," urged his other chum, so he was given charge.</p> - -<p>The <i>Last Word</i> ran along well, and they were beginning to think of -looking for a good location to spend the night, since it was evident<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> -that they would need another day to cross the desert.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Dick, who had been looking ahead, uttered an exclamation, and -made a grab for the gasoline lever.</p> - -<p>"Stop her!" he cried to Innis. But it was too late. The car sank down -several inches into a particularly soft and yielding stretch of sand.</p> - -<p>"Wow!" cried Innis, as he saw into what he had steered.</p> - -<p>"Never mind," consoled Dick. "It couldn't be helped. I didn't see it in -time. I guess we'll have to use the canvas strips to cross this stretch. -It's as wide as all get-out, and we might get into something worse if we -tried to go around it. Come on, fellows; get busy!"</p> - -<p>They leaped out, taking light wooden shovels from the back of the auto, -where they had been fastened on purpose to be used on the desert sand. -Then the canvas strips were brought into use, Paul and Innis stretching -them in front of the wheels, while Dick drove the car over them.</p> - -<p>The broad surface of the sail cloth, coupled with the wide tires, served -to keep the machine from settling much, but their progress was slow, and -after an hour or so of it Dick announced:</p> - -<p>"Let's give up until morning. I'm dead tired, and it's too hot to work -any more. We'll just camp here, have grub, and go to sleep. There's -going to be a moon, and when it comes up we can work in the cool of the -night."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p><p>"That's the ticket!" exclaimed Innis. "Though don't stop on my -account," he urged. "I got you into this hole, and I'll help to get you -out."</p> - -<p>"You didn't get us in at all," declared Dick. "I'd have run into this -soft stretch as soon as you. Knock off and we'll eat."</p> - -<p>The rest was welcome. As the sun began to set they looked over toward -the distant railroad, the rails of which could be seen glittering in the -fading light. Something not far off stirred in a faint breeze.</p> - -<p>"What's that?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"Part of a newspaper," said Dick, as he caught sight of it. "Probably -some passenger tossed it out of a car window. I'm going to have a look -at it. Maybe it isn't more than a month old, and there'll be something -in it to read. The next time I come touring I'm going to bring along -part of a library."</p> - -<p>He strolled toward the fragment of paper, which was held down by a -little mound of shifting sand. Paul and Innis were getting the meal -ready. Suddenly they were startled by a cry from Dick. He was staring at -the paper.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"Matter, fellows! Look here! If this isn't bad news I don't know what -is."</p> - -<p>"Somebody dead you know?" inquired Innis.</p> - -<p>"No, but this paper is only two days old. It must have been tossed away -to-day. And it's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> got something in it about that railroad in which -Wardell's fortune is tied up."</p> - -<p>"What is it?" demanded Paul.</p> - -<p>"Why, it says that a new turn has been given the fight for the control -of the stock. Instead of waiting until September to settle the case, -it's going to be forced to a settlement now. New information has been -given that puts an entirely different light on matters, and certain -Eastern interests are said to be going to gobble up the whole outfit.</p> - -<p>"Fellows, I can see Uncle Ezra's hand in this. He's found out he can't -get those papers away from me, and he's going to make them of no use by -hurrying this game to a finish before I have time to get to 'Frisco!"</p> - -<p>"How's that?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"Why, the whole thing, according to this paper, is scheduled to be -settled a week from to-day."</p> - -<p>"You can get to 'Frisco before then!" exclaimed Innis.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know I can, but what good will it do me? I can't file these -papers before the date set. You see they've stolen a march on us. Uncle -Ezra has had his lawyers act and they've brought matters to a head -sooner than was expected.</p> - -<p>"These legal papers I have are useless after all our work in saving -them, and Wardell's fortune will be lost! Hang it all! Did you ever see -such bad luck?" and Dick vigorously shook the newspaper he had picked up -on the desert.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXVII</span> <span class="smaller">THE MAN IN THE DESERT</span></h2> - -<p>"Say, Dick," requested Paul, "just calm down a bit, and sort of explain -things."</p> - -<p>"Yes, he's got me going," added Innis, pausing in the act of frying some -eggs for supper.</p> - -<p>"Why, it's plain enough," said Dick. "Here is a piece of a San Francisco -paper, and it has in it an account of this railroad lawsuit. The case -come up in 'Frisco, you know," he added. "The paper was probably tossed -out of the car window by some man who got tired of it, and I almost wish -I hadn't found it."</p> - -<p>"Why?" Paul wanted to know.</p> - -<p>"Because it makes me feel bad. To think that all my hard work is thrown -away."</p> - -<p>"But is it?" asked Innis.</p> - -<p>"It looks so. This is how I figure it out. As soon as Uncle Ezra finds -out he couldn't block my game to save Mr. Wardell's fortune by getting -the legal papers away from me, he starts off on a new tack. He has his -lawyers look up other means for getting control of this railroad, and -they find one, it seems.</p> - -<p>"From what I can gather, by reading this article, a new witness has -cropped up. He gave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> testimony in court that knocks out Wardell, and -makes his claim valueless. Under the new ruling, Uncle Ezra and those -associated with him can go ahead and, inside of a week, get possession -of the railroad stock so that Mr. Wardell can't redeem it.</p> - -<p>"You see, it was this way: This Wardell had this stock left to him by -his father. It was worth considerable. In fact, it virtually made him -owner of the railroad, though of course he didn't operate it. Then, -foolishly, he puts up that stock as security for a loan with Uncle Ezra, -and invests the money in something else.</p> - -<p>"He loses it—I guess Uncle Ezra intended he should, and of course if he -can't pay it back Uncle Ezra will get the railroad. But from what my dad -and I understood there was a time limit set by which Wardell would have -another show for his white alley—I mean that he'd get a chance to go to -court, and say he had been cheated and would like more time to raise the -money to buy back his railroad stock.</p> - -<p>"That's the plan I've been working on, and that's what these legal -papers covered. Now it seems this new witness makes it all look like an -ice cream cone on a hot day. Unless the money is paid inside of a week -Wardell will forfeit all his stock to Uncle Ezra. Oh, it's a cute game, -all right, and there doesn't seem to be any way to beat it," said Dick, -bitterly.</p> - -<p>"Maybe if we hurried into San Francisco,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> suggested Paul, "and saw this -witness, we could explain things to him, and ask him to hold off until -Mr. Wardell could get here."</p> - -<p>"No chance of that," said Dick. "Wardell is in South America—the land -knows where. We can't reach him in time."</p> - -<p>"But if we could find this witness," persisted Paul.</p> - -<p>"He's disappeared, so this newspaper article says," remarked Dick. -"That's another funny part of it. It looks like a hold-off game, -spiriting the witness away in that fashion, and yet what can we do? Even -if we got to 'Frisco before the end of the week, which we could easily -do, by abandoning the car and taking a train, what good would it do? We -couldn't offset the testimony of this witness."</p> - -<p>"It does look as though we were up against it," assented Paul.</p> - -<p>"Good and hard," agreed Dick.</p> - -<p>"Well, let's have grub," suggested Innis, practically. "It's almost -ready. And maybe after supper we'll find a way out."</p> - -<p>But even after the meal, eaten amid the silence of the salt desert, -their gloomy thoughts were not dispersed. They sat about, moody and -quiet, until Paul, with a sarcastic exclamation, cried out:</p> - -<p>"Say, this is the limit. Let's do a song and dance, or something like -that."</p> - -<p>"There is a phonograph stowed away <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span>somewhere among my things," said -Dick with a laugh that had no mirth in it.</p> - -<p>"Trot it out and give us a tune," urged Innis, and, after a moment's -thought, Dick complied. Anything was better than sitting about, thinking -gloomy thoughts. And really he felt keenly his failure so unexpectedly -disclosed by that stray piece of newspaper.</p> - -<p>All his hard work—his skill in keeping the legal documents away from -the cunning emissaries of Uncle Ezra—had gone for naught, in case it -were true what he had read. And he had no reason to doubt it. The paper -was a reliable publication, and the names of lawyers were mentioned who -had a national reputation.</p> - -<p>Of course, in a measure, it was a case of "high finance," perhaps not -strictly moral, but perfectly legal. Certain interests wanted control of -the railroad, and even Uncle Ezra might be simply a catspaw in the game.</p> - -<p>Yet it seemed certain that unless something were done—some sort of -legal protest or injunction entered—the Wardell fortune would be wiped -out. And this Dick did not want to see happen.</p> - -<p>Paul was at the phonograph, adjusting the mechanism. He had slipped in a -record containing "My Old Kentucky Home," and soon its strains were -vibrating out on the desert air.</p> - -<p>The phonograph was not particularly good, for it was too small to have -any sweetness, and yet,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> even with that handicap, the boys enjoyed the -"canned music," as Dick called it.</p> - -<p>As the chorus welled out, they joined in with the voice of the singer -coming from the horn.</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>"'My old Kentucky home—good night!'"</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>There was a pause, and as the chorus was repeated more softly, the boys -lowered their voices. They had sung in the glee club at Kentfield -Military Academy, and their tones were true and pure. In the darkness of -the starlight night, on that lonely desert, the music seemed to gather -strength and sweetness.</p> - -<p>Then, as the chorus neared the end, the three chums were startled to -hear, off in the distance, another voice joining in with theirs, -blending perfectly, in a rich baritone.</p> - -<p>They stopped singing, so startled were they, for they thought themselves -all alone, and the unseen voice carried the air alone, accompanied only -by the phonograph.</p> - -<p>Then, as the last echoes died away, Dick Hamilton jumped to his feet and -called out:</p> - -<p>"Who is there?"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXVIII</span> <span class="smaller">IMPORTANT INFORMATION</span></h2> - -<p>For a moment, following Dick's challenge, there was no answer, and then, -off in the darkness, beyond the circle of light from the campfire, made -of pieces of a broken wagon the boys had found, came a voice, saying:</p> - -<p>"I am a stranger in a strange land. Who are you that you make the night -melodious with your music and song?"</p> - -<p>The boys felt the tension leave them as they heard the note of culture -in the voice, for plainly they had to deal with a gentleman of birth and -breeding.</p> - -<p>"Come on up, and make yourself at home," invited Dick. "Are you lost? -Hungry or thirsty, perhaps?"</p> - -<p>"Neither one nor the other, may it please you," was the somewhat -whimsical retort. "Yet I will join you if only for a little while. Then -I must get back, or my guards will be thinking that I have escaped."</p> - -<p>"Guards," murmured Paul, in a low voice. "He must be a prisoner—but in -this lonely place——"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p><p>"I thought we were the only ones here," added Innis.</p> - -<p>"Hush! Here he comes!" cautioned our hero.</p> - -<p>A man advanced into the glare of the firelight. He was seen to be a -young fellow, of about twenty-five perhaps, of rather frail build, -dressed in a negligee costume, well suited to that hot climate, and yet -his clothing, as Innis instinctively noticed, was well tailored and -fitted him perfectly. Innis was more fastidious about his dress than -either of his chums, and naturally noticed the garments of others more -closely.</p> - -<p>"Greeting, fair sirs!" exclaimed the newcomer. "It is very kind of you -to extend your hospitality to a stranger, and I thank you. Permit me to -make myself known to you. I am Harry Cameron, sometime of San Francisco, -at present of the desert waste; an engineer by profession, a -dilly-dallier of verse by avocation, and actually in durance vile for -the time being. Such is my brief but not unhappy history."</p> - -<p>The three chums looked at one another, hardly knowing what to make of -their visitor, who took a seat on part of the old broken wagon—a -"prairie schooner" of a bygone age—and stretched out his legs in a -comfortable attitude, gazing at Dick's party.</p> - -<p>"An escaped lunatic," thought Innis, rather thankful that the stranger -seemed to be of the mild type.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p><p>"Somebody who has been crazed by the heat perhaps," was Paul's mental -comment. Yet he could not account for the freshness of the man's -appearance and attire.</p> - -<p>"He's stringing us," was Dick's thought. "Well, if he is, I'll give him -as good as he sends." Then he spoke:</p> - -<p>"We are college professors, searching in the desert for traces of a lost -glacier, last reported to be headed for the salt lake. We want to get -some specimens of the tail."</p> - -<p>The young man started, looked keenly at Dick, and then, with a quizzical -smile, remarked:</p> - -<p>"You are pleased to joke, I see. I wish I had the chance to accompany -you on your search. But it is denied me. Still, lest perchance you think -that I, too, am a jester, there is my card," and, with a quick and -skillful motion, he scaled a bit of pasteboard over so that it fell -exactly on Dick's outstretched leg. "He who sits may read," went on Mr. -Cameron.</p> - -<p>Dick picked up the card, feeling a little ashamed of his bantering -retort. By the light of the fire he read the name as given by their -visitor. There was also an address in San Francisco, and, the letters C. -E.—denoting his profession.</p> - -<p>"I beg your pardon!" exclaimed Dick, quickly. "I—er—I thought——"</p> - -<p>"You thought I was stringing you, I guess," interrupted Mr. Cameron, -with a smile. "I was not. I'll tell you——"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p><p>"I beg your pardon," interrupted Dick. "Let me introduce myself and my -friends," and he presented Paul and Innis in turn, and mentioned his own -name.</p> - -<p>"And the glacier?" asked Mr. Cameron.</p> - -<p>"Was a joke, too," said Dick. "We are merely traveling for pleasure. -That is our car," and he waved toward where the <i>Last Word</i> was fast in -the sand. "We ran into a sort of bog hole and decided to wait until -morning to extricate ourselves. But where are you staying?" Dick asked, -looking around on the sandy waste, now shrouded in darkness.</p> - -<p>"Over there," replied Mr. Cameron, with an indefinite wave of his hand -in the direction whence he had come. "We are camping out."</p> - -<p>"Camping out!" exclaimed Paul. "In this desert?"</p> - -<p>"It does seem rather foolish; doesn't it?" asked their visitor. "And the -reasons are peculiar. I was thinking so myself as I strolled out after -supper, and saw the gleam of your campfire. I wanted to see who else was -as foolish as my friends."</p> - -<p>"Then you have friends with you?" asked Innis.</p> - -<p>"They call themselves such," was the answer, "but I prefer to think of -them as my guards."</p> - -<p>"Guards!" cried Dick.</p> - -<p>"I surprise you, I see. Let me explain why I am out in this sandy waste. -I am a lost man!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> and he waved his hand with a gentle air, as though -being lost was the most delightful of occupations.</p> - -<p>"Lost!" murmured Paul, again wondering whether they did not have an -insane man to deal with.</p> - -<p>"Legally lost, perhaps I should have said," went on Mr. Cameron. "As you -are not likely to interfere with the plans of my—er—friends, and as -you will probably never think of the matter again, I shall tell you the -circumstances. Particularly as those who call themselves my friends -don't want me to.</p> - -<p>"I like being different, and doing the unexpected," he continued. "Also -because it will give those fellows back there something to worry about, -I am going to tell you a secret. I won't even ask you not to repeat it, -because I don't see what object you could have in doing so.</p> - -<p>"Know, then, that I am sequestered here in this desert in order that I -may not jeopardize certain interests in giving testimony in a big -lawsuit. I am to be kept out of the way for a certain time, and I am -well paid for being lost. I have promised, for a certain stipulated sum, -and because of certain representations made to me, not to go back to -beloved 'Frisco until after September third.</p> - -<p>"Should I go, certain persons who are antagonistic to those who have -hired me, might get hold of me, compel me to give certain testimony<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> in -court, and then—as the poet would say—all the fat would be in the -fire. So I have to stay here where the other fellows can't find me, -and—well, I am as happy as I can be, in such a dog's hole! It is the -most out-of-the-way place they could find to conceal me, and yet be -within touch of civilization. There you have the story in a nutshell. -And when September third comes, I shall hie me back to civilization."</p> - -<p>During this recital Dick's wonder had been growing. He could scarcely -believe what he heard, and the odd part of it was that it fitted so in -with the scheme he had undertaken to help Mr. Wardell.</p> - -<p>Paul and Innis also felt a growing wonder, for they knew some of the -details of Dick's plan to save the Wardell fortune.</p> - -<p>"Now you understand why I am here," went on Mr. Cameron. "There is a -water hole about a mile from here, and one of those rare occurrences in -the desert, a little oasis of trees, and a hill. There we have made a -camp, which not one in a thousand would ever find. We are comfortable -enough, in a way, but I lack for society.</p> - -<p>"That is why, wandering away, I saw the gleam of your fire, and hearing -the music, I could not help but join in. I trust you will pardon me. But -when you have with you two men who do nothing all day but smoke -cigarettes, and play some mysterious card game known as 'Seven-up' and -whose only conversation seems to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> along the line of said game—why, -life gets rather monotonous, you see."</p> - -<p>"I should say so," agreed Dick. And then he resolved on a bold plan. Mr. -Cameron had revealed something without being asked. Dick was under no -promise of silence. And he saw a chance to defeat the enemies of Mr. -Wardell.</p> - -<p>"Can it be, by any chance, Mr. Cameron," the young millionaire asked, -"that your case has any connection with the Citrous Junction Railway?"</p> - -<p>"It has!" cried the engineer, springing to his feet. "But how did you -guess it? I never mentioned it—I was careful about that."</p> - -<p>"No, you did not," agreed Dick, "but your mention of the date—September -third—gave me the clue."</p> - -<p>"You are looking for clues, then?"</p> - -<p>"In a way, yes. I am seeking some means of getting back to Mr. Wardell -the control of the railroad that is about to be taken from him. I was on -my way to San Francisco to file a certain paper before September -third—the date you mentioned. By the merest accident, happening to pick -up a newspaper, probably tossed from a train, I learned that my efforts -would be of no avail, because of testimony given by a new witness. And -you——"</p> - -<p>"I am that witness!" cried Mr. Cameron. "Great Scott! but this is queer. -To think of me telling the secret to some one—in all the world—who -knew the other half of it. It's <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>astounding! May I ask how you figure in -it?"</p> - -<p>"Because my uncle, Mr. Ezra Larabee, is the man who is trying to get Mr. -Wardell's fortune, and, for the honor of the family, I am trying to -prevent him."</p> - -<p>"You Ezra Larabee's nephew! Well, of all things in the world that I -should meet you here! Why, young man, Ezra Larabee—or, rather, his -agent—is paying me to remain away so that the other side can't get hold -of me. For, you must know that Mr. Wardell does not own all the stock in -the railroad. There are some minor shareholders, and it is they who are -trying to get me to go to court on their behalf. But I have accepted -money from Mr. Larabee, and, as far as I know, he is in the right. I -cannot go back on him, merely because you happen to be for the other -side.</p> - -<p>"And so you are Larabee's nephew. You don't look much like him, which is -a consolation."</p> - -<p>"Have you seen him?" asked Dick.</p> - -<p>"He came to 'Frisco to see me," explained Mr. Cameron. "He made a flying -trip, and hurried back so as to save the other half of his excursion -ticket, which was limited."</p> - -<p>"That's like him," laughed Dick.</p> - -<p>"It seems so. Well, he made certain representations, and it seemed that -he was in the right. He hired me to disappear, and so you behold—a lost -man."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p><p>Dick thought for a moment.</p> - -<p>"Would you mind telling me," he said, "just what your testimony consists -of?"</p> - -<p>"Well, since you know so much, perhaps it can do no harm to tell you -more. I am, as I said, a civil engineer. When this contest over the -railroad came up, I was engaged to make certain maps and copies of -records. It seems that the Citrous Junction is a short line, connecting -two important trunk lines in a well-known orange region. That is what -gives it its importance.</p> - -<p>"Accidentally, while going over some old records, I came across some -papers that changed the whole situation. I am not enough of a lawyer to -know just how, except that if the papers were produced in court this Mr. -Wardell and the other stockholders, no matter what was done by the other -side, would get their rights. Mr. Larabee and his crowd could not keep -them from so doing.</p> - -<p>"I showed to those who had hired me the papers I had found, and at once -there was a great how-de-do. It was plainly seen that if they were -allowed to get into court your uncle's case would be knocked higher than -Gilderoy's kite, even if Wardell did not file certain papers which, I -understand, could, at one time, have been filed.</p> - -<p>"Your uncle and his lawyers determined on a bold move. They had me give -certain testimony that would knock out the other side if they should -file certain papers, and then they had me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> disappear, so I could not be -brought into court to give the rest of my evidence and tell of the old -document I had accidentally discovered. So I agreed to come to this -lonely place, to live until after September third. After that date -nothing Wardell can do will save the railroad for himself and the others -associated with him."</p> - -<p>"And you agreed to do this?" asked Dick, bitterly. "You consented to see -a man cheated out of his fortune?"</p> - -<p>"Not at all," said Mr. Cameron, calmly. "As it was represented to me -this Mr. Wardell tried to do others out of their holdings, and he got -caught at his own game. That is why I agreed to do something that, while -perfectly legal, might be considered a trick. I did it to help out your -Uncle Ezra."</p> - -<p>"If I were to show you," went on our hero, "that matters had been -misrepresented to you, and that you were doing Mr. Wardell a grave -injustice, what would you do?"</p> - -<p>"Misrepresented!" cried Mr. Cameron. "If you can prove to me that -they've been fooling me—telling me things that aren't so—for the -purpose of keeping me out of court, why, Dick Hamilton, I'll go back to -San Francisco to-morrow and rip their case apart in the highest court in -the land! That's what I'll do!" and he leaped to his feet at the words.</p> - -<p>"Then," said Dick, quietly, "that is just what I am going to prove to you!"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIX</span> <span class="smaller">ON TO 'FRISCO</span></h2> - -<p>The young millionaire started for the auto that was stalled in the sand. -He intended to get from it the bundle of legal papers and prove to Mr. -Cameron the statement just made about misrepresentation. But before he -reached the <i>Last Word</i> he heard the sound of some one coming toward the -fire. And out of the desert darkness a voice hailed, saying:</p> - -<p>"Hello there, Mr. Cameron! We were looking all over for you."</p> - -<p>"I'm here," said the young man, quickly. "Enjoying myself. Won't you -come up and meet my new friends?" Then to Paul, who sat near him, he -said in low tones:</p> - -<p>"My guards—as I call them! Say nothing of this, and warn young -Hamilton. I will see you to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute, Dick!" called Paul, as he glided off in the gloom toward -the car which Dick was approaching.</p> - -<p>"We thought you were lost," went on one of the two men who had come up. -"Lost in the desert, Mr. Cameron."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p><p>"Oh, no," he answered, lightly. "I was just strolling along, and I came -to the concert."</p> - -<p>"Concert!" exclaimed the other man. "Is that another of your jokes?" -from which it would appear that Mr. Cameron was in the habit of -indulging in persiflage.</p> - -<p>"Not at all," was the answer. "Boys, will you start up the phonograph -again for my friends?"</p> - -<p>"Phonograph—out here in this desert!" exclaimed one of the two -newcomers. "Say, that sounds like 'Frisco. Can you give us some -ragtime?"</p> - -<p>"We haven't a very choice selection of records," spoke Innis, Paul and -Dick being engaged in a whispered conversation near the car. "I'll play -what we've got," and he started toward the car. "I'll have to get -another record from the the machine," he added.</p> - -<p>"Machine!" exclaimed one of the men. "Have you an auto here, too?"</p> - -<p>"A big car," said Mr. Cameron. "It could swallow our modest -six-cylinder, from the looks of it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, then you also came in an auto?" asked Dick of the engineer, who, -with Paul, had come back to the fire.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I believe I forgot to mention that," said Mr. Cameron. "We escaped -into the desert in a gasoline chariot, unlike the Children of Israel, -who walked."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p><p>"Mr. Cameron!" exclaimed one of the men, "I—ahem—I hope you'll excuse -me mentioning it, but you know you promised not to do too much talking. -It was the agreement——"</p> - -<p>"There are agreements—and agreements," said the young engineer, with -peculiar emphasis. "You need have no fear of me, Sam Martin. And, while -I am about it, let me present to you my new friends. Boys, these are Sam -Martin and Bill Wickford, my—er—my camp-mates," and he named the three -chums in turn.</p> - -<p>"Pleased to see you," said Sam, with a jerky bow. "Mr. Cameron is -camping out here for—er—for his health. Bill and I are running things -for him. It's no fun to be in the desert alone."</p> - -<p>"That's right," chimed in Bill. "Have you got any ragtime?" he asked, as -Innis came back with a record.</p> - -<p>Then the phonograph was played again, sounding strangely in that lonely -desert. Mr. Cameron seemed at his ease, but the two men were plainly -nervous, and Dick was much excited, though he tried not to show it. He -had heard what Paul said, and refrained from bringing out any of the -papers.</p> - -<p>"That's fine!" exclaimed Bill Wickford, as the tune came to an end. "I -wish we had one of those at our camp."</p> - -<p>"It might interfere with the seven-up tournament," observed Mr. Cameron, -drily.</p> - -<p>"Oh, we'd have time for that," said Sam.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> "But I guess we'd better be -getting back. It's late."</p> - -<p>"Don't be in a hurry," urged Dick, hospitably.</p> - -<p>"Well, we may be over to see you again. We didn't know we had any -neighbors so close by."</p> - -<p>"You might come over and see us," added Bill, somewhat awkwardly. "We -can't offer you much in the way of entertainment, but we'll do our -best."</p> - -<p>"Thanks," answered Dick. "We may come, but we're going to pull out of -this to-morrow, I hope. As soon as we can get out of this sand bog we'll -travel."</p> - -<p>"We struck one of those places," volunteered Sam, "and we had quite a -time of it. Well, so-long," and he and his companion seemed to hover -around Mr. Cameron as though they were afraid he would let out something -of the secret that had already been told, had they only known it.</p> - -<p>Good-nights were said, and the three disappeared in the darkness. The -chums stood for a moment silent about their dying camp fire.</p> - -<p>"Well, what do you know about that?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"It's a queer go," assented Innis.</p> - -<p>"Those men are just like guards," said Dick. "Uncle Ezra, or his agents, -must be afraid Mr. Cameron will go back on his promise."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p><p>"If it was a promise given under misrepresentation then he is released -from it—that holds in law," said Paul.</p> - -<p>"I believe it does," agreed our hero. "I hope I get a chance to speak to -him to-morrow. The idea of hiding him away out in this desert to prevent -him from going to court. It's outrageous."</p> - -<p>"Do you think he'll testify for Mr. Wardell if you show him the facts?" -asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"I sure do. Well, let's turn in. To-morrow will be another day. There's -a lot of hard work ahead of us."</p> - -<p>They were up early the next morning, the night having passed without -incident, though Grit growled several times as though intruders—human -or otherwise—were about the camp. But he gave no decided alarm, and the -boys did not pay much attention.</p> - -<p>Soon after breakfast they resumed work on getting the auto out of the -clinging sand, by using the canvas strips. While they were engaged on -this, Mr. Cameron and his two guards came up.</p> - -<p>"We came to see if we could help you any," he said, with a wink. "At the -same time I'd like to get a look at your car." He passed close to Dick, -and found a chance to whisper: "Where are the papers?"</p> - -<p>"In the old envelope, back of the mirror," replied Dick in the same low -voice. Then, in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> louder tones, he added: "We'd be glad of some help. -It's hard work."</p> - -<p>"Sam, and Bill, don't you want to get busy?" went on the young engineer.</p> - -<p>"Sure!" said Sam. In fact, he and his companion seemed anxious to get -the three boys away from the vicinity. The men helped spread and fasten -down the canvas strips, and as Dick got in the car to drive it forward, -he saw Mr. Cameron looking over the legal papers that proved how he had -been deceived.</p> - -<p>"By Jove, Hamilton!" he exclaimed, "you were right. They have put up a -great game on me."</p> - -<p>"Then will you turn them down?"</p> - -<p>"I certainly will. I'm on your side from now on. I didn't understand it. -These papers make it plain." He and Dick could talk without being -regarded suspiciously, since the two men were working with Paul and -Innis, spreading the strips of canvas.</p> - -<p>Once or twice the two men looked at the car, as though wondering why Mr. -Cameron was riding in it. He guessed their thoughts, and, putting back -the papers, said to Dick:</p> - -<p>"You may not need these, with my testimony. Still, keep them safe. Now -I'd better leave you. Those fellows are paid to watch me as a cat does a -mouse. How can I get away and reach 'Frisco?"</p> - -<p>"We'll take you," said Dick, promptly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> "We've accommodations for four -in this car. Can you manage to escape?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and it had better be to-night. There is a gully about a mile from -here, near a dried water hole. You'll get to it if you keep straight on. -Can you wait for me there?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Dick, quickly.</p> - -<p>"Then I won't say any more. Here comes Sam. I guess he's getting -suspicious." Mr. Cameron left the car, which Dick had stopped to allow -him to alight, the engineer added in louder tones: "You certainly have a -fine machine there, Mr. Hamilton. I envy you. Now I'll give you a hand -in getting under way again. Perhaps I may see you some day in 'Frisco."</p> - -<p>The canvas strips proved just the thing needed, and after about an -hour's work the <i>Last Word</i> was on firmer ground. Then, bidding their -new acquaintances good-bye, during which farewells Dick winked at Mr. -Cameron, to indicate that the arrangements made would be carried out, -the big car was sent on over the desert. The two men seemed much -relieved as it went off.</p> - -<p>Dick easily found the gully Mr. Cameron had referred to. Driving several -miles past it, to throw off suspicion in case they were followed, the -young millionaire came to a halt.</p> - -<p>"We'll wait here until night," he said, making his chums acquainted with -the plan to be followed.</p> - -<p>The boys thought night would never come, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> it did finally, and -carefully they ran their car back nearly to the dry gully. Then, -stopping at a safe distance, Dick went back to hold the rendezvous with -Mr. Cameron.</p> - -<p>An hour passed, and Dick was beginning to think that perhaps the plan -had failed, when he heard a cautious whistle. It was a strain from "My -Old Kentucky Home." He answered in like manner, and then a voice called:</p> - -<p>"Here I am. But we'd better be quick. They may follow me as they did -last night."</p> - -<p>"Come on," urged Dick. They went back toward the car on the run. It was -the work of but a moment to start it, and with four passengers now, -instead of three, the <i>Last Word</i> shot over the desert in the darkness, -no lights being set aglow, as they wanted to remain concealed for some -time yet. They were on their way to 'Frisco, and with a better chance of -saving Mr. Wardell's fortune than Dick had imagined could be had, -following the revelation in that stray newspaper.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXX</span> <span class="smaller">PURSUED</span></h2> - -<p>"Well, we got away in good shape!"</p> - -<p>"We sure did; and fooled those fellows."</p> - -<p>Thus spoke Paul and Innis.</p> - -<p>"I'll show you that my car can go some, Mr. Cameron," said Dick, as he -turned on more power.</p> - -<p>"It may need to," answered the engineer.</p> - -<p>"Why so?"</p> - -<p>"Sam and Bill aren't going to give up so easily. And they have a speedy -machine."</p> - -<p>"You mean they may follow us?"</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they did. You know they were paid to -see that no hostile interests got at me."</p> - -<p>"And we might be regarded as 'hostile interests'; is that it?" inquired -Dick, with a smile.</p> - -<p>"Somewhat; yes. So put as many miles between them and us as you can. -They're sure to discover, sooner or later, that I have gone, and they'll -pursue us. But I think I put one over on them at that."</p> - -<p>"How?" asked Paul, from the rear of the car, for Dick was driving.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p><p>"I poured water in the gasoline tank. They may be able to run for a few -miles, but they're sure to stall sooner or later."</p> - -<p>"Then there's no use in worrying," said our hero, and he had almost -slowed down his car, when Mr. Cameron said:</p> - -<p>"Don't bank too much on that. They carry an extra supply of the 'gas,' -and they're sure to find out, in a little while, what the trouble is. -They're both experts, and they were sent off with me on that account. -Also, your Uncle Ezra's agents considered that it might be necessary for -me to make a quick shift, so they provided a powerful car, and plenty of -gasoline, though he did object most strenuously to the price."</p> - -<p>"I can imagine him doing that," agreed Dick, with a laugh. "Well, then, -we'll keep on for a while longer, and remain dark. It won't be so easy -for them to trace us then, as this car makes very little noise for its -size."</p> - -<p>"I noticed that," said Mr. Cameron.</p> - -<p>On they shot, over the desert. It was about an hour since they had left -the dry gully where they had picked up the young engineer, and they had -covered several miles.</p> - -<p>Once Dick halted his machine, while they listened for any sounds of -pursuit, but they heard none. If the other car was coming after them it -was either following silently, or was so far back that no sound of its -motor carried over the desert.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p><p>"And so you put water in their gasoline tank?" chuckled Dick, as he -recalled what his guest had said.</p> - -<p>"Yes, they were both playing 'seven-up,' and disputing over some -intricate point, when I just took one of the water cans, and emptied it -into the gas tank. I thought I ought to do something after their having -taken most of the tricks so far."</p> - -<p>"That was all right!" rejoined Dick. "I'd like to see them when they -stall."</p> - -<p>"Well, really I owed them something like that," went on the young -engineer. "They had things their own way long enough. To think how I let -them fool me makes me mad! And yet I believed what they told me—that -they were in the right—I mean your Uncle Ezra and his friends—and of -course as long as I was paid for my legitimate work, I saw nothing wrong -in not coming to court to testify, particularly when they said that the -other side had been guilty of the same kind of practice.</p> - -<p>"But I see their game now. They thought I would never hear the other -side. It was the luckiest thing in the world that I stumbled into your -camp last night. It was fate. Do you believe in fate?" he asked Dick.</p> - -<p>"I certainly do," answered that young man. "That is why I stuck those -valuable papers—at least, they were valuable at one time—back of that -glass where anyone could see them," and he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> told of the experiences he -and his chums had gone through.</p> - -<p>In turn Mr. Cameron related some of his life's story. He was all alone -in the world, having been left a small inheritance by his father. He -took up the study of civil engineering, and made a success of it.</p> - -<p>It was by accident that he had been hired by Mr. Larabee's agents to -make the survey, and the rest followed by a "trick of fate," as he -described it.</p> - -<p>"I needed the money they promised to give me," he said, "or perhaps I -should not have gone into the matter at all. I am intending to set up in -business for myself, and the amount the lawyer named was very -acceptable. I never stopped to think that I might be doing some one an -injustice. The fact of the matter is, that I thought the trickery was on -Wardell's side."</p> - -<p>"I hope you are convinced now that it was not," said Dick.</p> - -<p>"I am, perfectly. I think your Uncle Ezra, not to put too fine a point -upon it, as the celebrated Mr. Snagsby would say—I think your Uncle -Ezra rather put one over on me."</p> - -<p>"I believe he did," said Dick, "and I'm glad I can be the means of -correcting the wrong."</p> - -<p>"And what will Uncle Ezra say when he finds it out?" asked Paul, with a -chuckle.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid," answered the young millionaire, "that he'll have a fit; -won't he, Grit?"</p> - -<p>The animal growled, as he nearly always did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> at the mention of Mr. -Larabee's name. Grit and Mr. Cameron, however, had made friends at once.</p> - -<p>They drove on for a few miles farther, stopping now and then to listen -for sounds of an auto coming after them, but they heard nothing. Then, -as the way was getting rough, Dick decided to light the lamps, since it -was hardly possible now for the two men to see them over the desert.</p> - -<p>A short halt was made for this purpose, and then they got under way -again. There was the coming of a pale light in the east, and Dick, -looking toward it, said:</p> - -<p>"The sun will soon be up. We'll keep on as far as we can in the cool of -the day, and then halt in the best place we can find, for the engine -easily gets overheated on this sandy desert. After rest, and a -breakfast, we'll keep on."</p> - -<p>All thought this was a good plan, and it was followed. They had put many -miles between themselves and the two men when they slackened speed for -the morning meal. The sun seemed to come up with a "pop" from the sandy -waste, and immediately it was warm.</p> - -<p>"Thank goodness we haven't much more of this desert," said Dick, as he -helped his chums to prepare breakfast. "We can make better time when we -get on harder ground."</p> - -<p>"Are you going right into 'Frisco?" asked Innis.</p> - -<p>"As straight as I can," answered Dick. "I don't want to run any more -chances than I have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> to, and there's no telling what the other fellows -may do when they find that Mr. Cameron has deserted them."</p> - -<p>"Would they telegraph in to the lawyers?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"Very likely they would."</p> - -<p>"Then they may be waiting for us when we arrive," said Dick. "We'll have -to be careful."</p> - -<p>"I agree with you," spoke Mr. Cameron. "Once they know I have gone over -to the other side—the right side—they will do their best to discredit -me. They may even cause my arrest on some trumped-up charge, to prevent -me from going into court and giving my evidence to save Mr. Wardell's -fortune."</p> - -<p>"Then we'll be careful that they don't get you," said Dick, with a -laugh. "I'll have some more coffee, Paul."</p> - -<p>They were putting away the breakfast things, playfully scattering the -wooden plates over the sand, when Innis, who had gone to the rear of the -car, to look at the brake band, that needed a slight adjusting, called -out:</p> - -<p>"I say, Dick, they're after us!"</p> - -<p>"Who?"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Cameron's guards. There's a car coming over the desert behind us."</p> - -<p>They all ran to look, and there, in the distance, could be seen a cloud -of dust.</p> - -<p>"Maybe it's a stage coach," suggested Paul.</p> - -<p>Dick focussed a pair of field glasses on the cloud. Then he exclaimed:</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p><p>"It's an auto, all right, and it must be after us, though I can't make -out the kind of a car it is. Still, we'll take no chances. Come on, -fellows, let's get a move on!"</p> - -<p>They tumbled into the <i>Last Word</i> and were soon speeding off over the -sand.</p> - -<p>"Lucky there isn't much more of this," said Paul. "We can't make any -time here."</p> - -<p>"And if we don't run into another sand-bog we'll be lucky," added Innis.</p> - -<p>"We simply mustn't do that," declared Dick. "You fellows watch out, and -so will I. We don't want to be delayed, for they would catch up to us -then."</p> - -<p>"They'll have hard work to get me to go back with them," spoke Mr. -Cameron, grimly.</p> - -<p>"Well, we don't want a fight if we can help it," said our hero. "If we -can beat them, so much the better," and he glanced back to where the -other auto was coming on in pursuit of the big car. Then Dick turned on -more power, and watched the road ahead keenly. He wanted no accidents -now.</p> - -<p>But the auto behind was coming on swiftly. It was a powerful car, and -was traveling light, while the <i>Last Word</i> carried a heavy load.</p> - -<p>"But they sha'n't catch us!" murmured Dick.</p> - -<p>From behind there sounded a report like that of a gun.</p> - -<p>"A blow-out!" cried Paul.</p> - -<p>"No, they're trying to signal us—with revolvers," said Mr. Cameron, -with a chuckle.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXXI</span> <span class="smaller">A BREAKDOWN</span></h2> - -<p>Each one of Dick's chums said, afterward, that he thought the same thing -at the moment Mr. Cameron made his statement—that the affair was more -desperate than they had at first suspected. True, the men racing after -them in the swift car might only be trying to attract their attention by -the firing of revolver shots, but, knowing what he did, Dick was more -inclined to think that it was done with the intention of injuring some -one.</p> - -<p>"Do you really think they're shooting at us?" asked Innis.</p> - -<p>"Well, not so much at us, as at our car," said the young engineer.</p> - -<p>"The tires!" cried Paul, with sudden thought.</p> - -<p>"What kind have you?" asked Mr. Cameron.</p> - -<p>"Not pneumatic!" exclaimed Dick, as he put on a little more power. -"Cushions instead. It won't hurt them to get a few bullets inside."</p> - -<p>"Good! For I think that's their intention," went on Mr. Cameron. -"They're not in effective range yet, though. But they think they can -disable us, and then get me back in their control again. They're going -to have their own troubles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> doing that though!" and he shut his teeth -grimly. His former light-hearted manner seemed to have left him.</p> - -<p>Paul took a backward glance at the oncoming car. Behind it there floated -a little haze of smoke from the firing of the revolver.</p> - -<p>"They're coming on," murmured the youth. "Can you get any more speed up, -Dick?"</p> - -<p>"I think so. I'm sort of doing it gradually, though, for this going is -hard on the running gear, and I don't want a breakdown."</p> - -<p>The <i>Last Word</i> responded well to the demand made on her for increased -speed. Faster and faster she raced over the sandy stretch of the desert, -and now, Innis, looking back, reported:</p> - -<p>"We're giving them the go-by, Dick, old man!"</p> - -<p>"Glad of it. I thought we would. I have something left in reserve, too. -I guess we'll make a get-away, all right."</p> - -<p>"That water in the gasoline ought to work pretty soon, I should think," -said Mr. Cameron. "They must have used up all that was in the feed pipe -and carbureter, and the small auxiliary tank."</p> - -<p>"I guess that's what's the trouble now, all right!" went on Innis. "See, -they have stopped."</p> - -<p>"Then they're stuck!" cried the engineer, joyfully. "It's all right, -boys. They won't be able to find out what's the matter for an hour or -more.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> They'll tinker with every part of the engine, and when they do -find it's the gas we'll be far enough off."</p> - -<p>"That's right," agreed Dick. "It was a good thing to do."</p> - -<p>"The nerve of them, though—firing at us!" exclaimed Paul. "They might -have hit one of us."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe they would have done so intentionally," spoke the -engineer. "The men are not as desperate as that. But the bullets might -have glanced off. I imagine they fired low, just at the tires. But they -had nerve even to chase after us, as if I were an escaping criminal."</p> - -<p>"Do you think they had orders to prevent you from going away?" asked -Dick.</p> - -<p>"I believe they did," was the answer, "and to use force, if necessary. I -didn't realize it before, but those men, including your Uncle Ezra, Mr. -Hamilton, are probably desperate at the fear of losing control of this -road. It means a big thing to them, and they want to beat Mr. Wardell if -possible. But they shan't, if I can prevent it."</p> - -<p>Dick, now that he realized that the chase was over for the time being, -slowed up his car. They looked back along the level desert road, and -saw, in the dim distance, the two men busy about their stalled machine.</p> - -<p>"That will hold them for a while," said Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> Cameron. "Now we can take -our time about getting away."</p> - -<p>Four hours later they had reached the end of the desert and had passed -into Nevada.</p> - -<p>"Into civilization once more," remarked Paul, as they saw the different -nature of the country before them.</p> - -<p>"And I'm glad of it," exclaimed Dick. "I've had enough of desert travel -for a while."</p> - -<p>"What is your programme?" asked Mr. Cameron, as they came to a pleasant -place, where Dick decided they would stay for the night. It was -sufficiently far from the main road to preclude the possibility of their -pursuers finding them, even should they be able to get under way again. -And that part of Nevada was not thickly populated.</p> - -<p>"I think we'll head for Carson City," said our hero. "It will be the -most direct route to reach San Francisco, and now that the matter of -filing the papers within a certain date isn't so important, I want to -get to the court as soon as possible."</p> - -<p>"That's right," agreed the young engineer. "As soon as I can make -affidavit to what I know your friend Wardell will be safe. Then it will -be a matter of fighting it out legally, but he'll have a chance for his -white alley, as the boys say. It won't be all one-sided. He'll have an -opportunity to put his side of the case in, and I think the courts will -restore his fortune to him. I'll do all I can for him, anyhow."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p><p>"That's very good of you," said Dick.</p> - -<p>"Not at all. It's up to me to do that much, especially after what I did -to knock him out—though I didn't mean to, and it was because I was -deceived. I'll have a talk with your uncle, when I see him, Dick -Hamilton," he added significantly.</p> - -<p>"I don't imagine Uncle Ezra will show up around these parts, once he -knows he is likely to be defeated," said the young millionaire, with a -smile.</p> - -<p>"He'll rather have it in for you; won't he, Dick?" asked Paul, as he -patted Grit on the head.</p> - -<p>"Well, he may," Dick admitted, with a peculiar smile; "but I'm not as -afraid of my uncle as I used to be. I may tell him some things, too, the -way I did when he tried to kidnap me."</p> - -<p>"How was that?" asked Mr. Cameron, interestedly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, when I went on a cruise in my ship," answered the owner of the -<i>Last Word</i>, and he related the main incidents as I have set them down -in "Dick Hamilton's Steam Yacht."</p> - -<p>"He's as bold as an old-fashioned pirate—your uncle," remarked the -young engineer when Dick had finished. "But, say, this is something like -living!" he exclaimed, as he saw the preparations under way for getting -a meal. "I'm glad I eloped with you boys. Can I help at anything?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p><p>"You might see if you can get some water," suggested Dick. "That in the -tanks is a bit stale, I fancy."</p> - -<p>Soon they were merrily eating, and talking over their plans for the next -few days. They slept that night in the auto, and in the morning were off -again, no signs of their pursuers having been seen.</p> - -<p>In due time they reached Carson City, and laid in a supply of food and -gasoline. Then they hurried onward again. The road was fine in some -places, and miserable in others, but they made fairly good time.</p> - -<p>They were in California now, and the end of their journey was almost in -sight. They might have taken a train, and gotten to San Francisco -sooner, perhaps, and very likely it would have been safer to do so, -considering the risks they ran. But if this occurred to them they did -not give it a second thought.</p> - -<p>Besides, Dick did not want to abandon his car, and he had a sort of -pride in sticking to it throughout the whole journey across the -continent.</p> - -<p>True, Mr. Cameron might have gone on by himself, but when Dick suggested -this the engineer said:</p> - -<p>"No, I'm going to stick by the ship. I don't believe those fellows can -get ahead of us. Anyhow, I want your testimony, Dick, to go in with -mine. Besides, I hold the trump cards, so to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> speak. They can't do -anything without me, and the evidence I will give is the most important -in the case.</p> - -<p>"Another thing, I feel as if I needed protection, and you boys can -provide it. If I started for 'Frisco all alone they might get hold of me -somehow, and keep me out of the way until it was too late to do -anything. So I'll just stick with you. Four are harder to handle than -one, as they'll find if they come any of their funny tricks on us."</p> - -<p>"That's right!" agreed Paul, while Innis clenched his fists -suggestively.</p> - -<p>The way was rougher now, and they were proceeding more slowly. The trip -across the desert had somewhat delayed them, for the heavy car sank -deeper into the sand than they had counted on, and the trip had consumed -nearly three times as much time as it ordinarily does.</p> - -<p>They were within a few hours' run of Sacramento, passing through a -rather lonely region, when Dick, who was at the wheel, leaned forward, -and through the open front windows of the car seemed to be listening to -the chug-chug of the motor.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>"She doesn't seem to be running just right," he answered. "Something -seems to be out of gear. Maybe it's one of the timers. I guess I'll have -a look."</p> - -<p>As he put out his hand to shut off the gasoline<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> by the lever provided -for that purpose, the big car came to a sudden stop of its own accord.</p> - -<p>"A breakdown, I guess," murmured Dick. "And a bad place to have it in," -he added as he looked about him. As he alighted, followed by the others, -there came up behind them a powerful auto containing three men. This car -stopped, and two of the strangers got out, approaching Dick and his friends.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXXII</span> <span class="smaller">THE RACE</span></h2> - -<p>"Something gone wrong?" asked one of the men, pleasantly, while the -third member of the trio was getting out of the powerful car that had -pulled up back of Dick's.</p> - -<p>"Yes, the motor stopped without any reason, as far as I can see," said -our hero. He gave a hasty glance at the men. As far as he could tell he -had never seen any of them before. A look at Mr. Cameron showed that he -was not perturbed at their arrival, for he was looking at some queer -rocks at the side of the roadway.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I can be of some service," said another of the trio. "I know -something of autos."</p> - -<p>"We'll take a look," agreed Dick, as he opened the bonnet over the -motor. "It's the first time it's gone back on me since I had it, except -for a little brake trouble," he went on.</p> - -<p>"It's a mighty fine car," said the stranger. "I don't know as I ever saw -one like it."</p> - -<p>"She was built to order," said Dick, not caring to go into details. Yet -he had no intention<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> of concealing anything, for he realized that their -enemies, if they desired to keep track of their progress, could do so -anyhow, since the car was not one to be easily forgotten.</p> - -<p>While Dick and the man who had admitted that he was something of an auto -expert, were going over the motor, looking for the trouble, the other -two strangers had gone back to their car.</p> - -<p>"Want any help?" asked Paul, as he and Innis strolled about.</p> - -<p>"I guess not," said Dick. "Make yourselves comfortable. We'll start as -soon as we can."</p> - -<p>Mr. Cameron was walking idly about, examining different geological -specimens. Then the two men who had gone back to their car discovered -that one of the tires had a puncture, and was down almost flat. They -called this information to the one who was with Dick, and the latter -answered:</p> - -<p>"Better put in a new inner tube. We'll want to make time when we get -away from here."</p> - -<p>"Don't let me keep you," said Dick, quickly. "I think I may be able to -locate the trouble myself."</p> - -<p>"Well, I am in something of a hurry," the man admitted. "But, since my -own car needs attention I'll stay with you until they get the tire -fixed. Have you looked at the carbureter?"</p> - -<p>"No, I was just going to."</p> - -<p>Together they inspected that important part of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> an auto's mechanism. -They found it a little out of adjustment, and proceeded to remedy it.</p> - -<p>"I imagine the trouble, as much as anything, is in the gasoline," said -the stranger. "It's an awful poor quality they supply nowadays. It'll -get so, after a while, that we'll have to use kerosene. In fact, I'm -thinking of getting a car that has a two-jet carbureter on it, to mingle -gasoline and kerosene. That's what we'll come to, after a while."</p> - -<p>He and Dick talked interestedly of the mechanical side of autos, while -the carbureter was put in shape for a test. Meanwhile the two men were -working away at their tire. They seemed to be having trouble with it, -and Paul and Innis were just going to ask if they did not want some help -in return for the service their friend was rendering Dick, when Mr. -Cameron exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"I'll lend 'em a hand. I want to learn how to change a tire. I may have -an auto of my own some day."</p> - -<p>With the three of them at work, the tire was soon in shape and pumped -up. But Dick's car would not respond. The self-starter was tried again -and again, but, though the motor flywheel was turned over rapidly, the -cylinders would not take up their work.</p> - -<p>"She doesn't seem to be getting a spark," said the man. "How is your -magneto?"</p> - -<p>"It never has been out of order," said Dick. "Still, there is always a -first time."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p><p>"Let's have a look at that," the stranger suggested, and he and Dick -went around on the other side of the car where the electrical mechanism -was located under the bonnet.</p> - -<p>As they reached it there came from the other car the staccato sound of -the exhaust. One of the men had started it going.</p> - -<p>"Now don't let me keep you!" exclaimed Dick. "It's getting late, and we -can bunk here all night if we have to. You can't."</p> - -<p>"No, that's where you have the advantage of us. But I'll just have a -look at your magneto, and then I'm afraid I'll have to be getting on. -I'll be with you in a minute!" he called to his two friends. "Are you -ready to start?"</p> - -<p>"We will be in a minute," came back the answer. Mr. Cameron was standing -near the machine, while Paul and Innis had strolled over to a spring and -were drinking.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, as Dick looked, he saw one of the men at the other auto make a -jump for Mr. Cameron. The latter leaped back, but not in time to avoid -being caught. The young millionaire had a glimpse of a white cloth being -pressed over his friend's face, and a moment later the two men had -lifted him into the tonneau. Then, while one held the struggling -engineer there, the other leaped to the steering wheel.</p> - -<p>"Come on!" he cried, evidently to the man with Dick. "We're ready now!"</p> - -<p>"Good!" and with that the third man raced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> from Dick's side and the next -instant was in the moving auto. A moment later it passed Dick's car with -a burst of speed, and went down the road in a cloud of dust, bearing off -Mr. Cameron.</p> - -<p>For a moment Dick could not find his voice. Then as the significance of -what had occurred dawned on him he cried out:</p> - -<p>"Paul—Innis! They've got Mr. Cameron! It was a trick! Those are some of -Uncle Ezra's agents! They're going to get Mr. Cameron out of the way and -spoil our case. Come on!"</p> - -<p>The two cadets came running back, surprise showing on their faces.</p> - -<p>"We've got to get him back!" cried Dick.</p> - -<p>"But how can you, with our car stalled?" asked Paul.</p> - -<p>The young millionaire made a gesture of despair. Then with a last hope -he sprang to the steering wheel and pressed the button of the -self-starter.</p> - -<p>With a whizz and a roar the motor began running. By some trick Dick and -the man had remedied the trouble without knowing it. The <i>Last Word</i> -could proceed again.</p> - -<p>"Good luck!" cried Innis.</p> - -<p>"Come on!" yelled Dick. "We've got to chase them!"</p> - -<p>The three made flying leaps for the car, and a moment later the strange -race was on. But the other auto was out of sight.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXXIII</span> <span class="smaller">JUST IN TIME</span></h2> - -<p>"Say, they're regular kidnappers!"</p> - -<p>"That's what! Wanting to help us was all part of the trick."</p> - -<p>"I wonder how they overpowered him? He was a strong man."</p> - -<p>"Chloroform, I guess."</p> - -<p>"That's right," agreed Dick, the foregoing remarks having been made by -his chums as the big car dashed along in pursuit of the other. "I -smelled it," the young millionaire added.</p> - -<p>"I do hope we can catch the scoundrels!" murmured Paul.</p> - -<p>"It's a handicap, though, with night coming on," said Innis.</p> - -<p>"Well, we won't stop until we have to," said Dick, grimly.</p> - -<p>"How do you suppose they worked it?" asked Paul, as the <i>Last Word</i> -careened on over the uneven way.</p> - -<p>"They must have been trailing us," suggested Dick, as he held to the -vibrating steering wheel. "Martin and Wickford probably got in touch -with their crowd by telegraph after we got away<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> from them, and very -likely mapped out the course we would probably take. They knew we had to -come to San Francisco. Then they dropped out of the game—Martin and -Wickford did—and some others took up the chase. The object was to get -hold of Mr. Cameron so he couldn't testify."</p> - -<p>"And they've done it," said Innis, gloomily.</p> - -<p>"But we'll get him back!" asserted Paul.</p> - -<p>"That's what!" declared Dick. "We'll keep on their trail until we get -him away from them. Fate rather played into their hands this trip. If we -hadn't become stalled they might not have caught up with us, as I was -thinking of laying up over night, and they might have passed us in the -evening.</p> - -<p>"However, it can't be helped. We'll do the best we can. As soon as they -saw us, when they came dashing up, they must have laid their plans. They -knew our car the moment they laid eyes on it, and we were at a -disadvantage, for we'd never seen them before."</p> - -<p>"And we didn't suspect," added Paul, gloomily.</p> - -<p>"No," went on our hero. "I even believe they punctured that tire on -purpose."</p> - -<p>"They might have," admitted Innis. "It's a wonder that fellow didn't put -your motor out of commission for keeps, Dick, while he was working over -it."</p> - -<p>"He might easily have done so. I never <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>suspected a thing. But I was -watching him pretty closely, for all that, for he didn't know as much -about machinery as he pretended to. He couldn't have tried any trick -without my seeing him, and I guess he didn't care to take any chances.</p> - -<p>"His game was to hold my attention while his confederates worked things -so as to get Mr. Cameron near their car. Then they grabbed him, stuck a -chloroformed rag over his nose to take the fight out of him, and made -their get-away."</p> - -<p>"It's lucky your motor started when it did," remarked Innis, as he clung -to the sides of the swaying car.</p> - -<p>"That's right," agreed Dick. "We might have been stalled yet, only that -luck was with us. I suppose monkeying with it the way we did, we put -back into adjustment some little thing that was out of gear. She's -running like a sewing machine now."</p> - -<p>And indeed the big car was responding nobly to the demands made on her. -The road was very good, fortunately. It was getting dusk, but the boys -had no thought of even halting for supper. There were some sandwiches -they could eat later on.</p> - -<p>Dick switched on the powerful searchlights and the path ahead of them -was illumined by a brilliant glow. Mile after mile they covered, and as -it happened, the only crossroads they passed were so poor that it would -have been dangerous for the car ahead of them to have turned off.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p><p>"Though they may slip into some side lane, and trust to us to run -past," said Paul.</p> - -<p>"Maybe," assented Dick. "The odds are against us, but we'll keep on."</p> - -<p>"Look!" suddenly cried Innis, pointing ahead. Through the darkness they -could see a single gleam of red, like some big ruby.</p> - -<p>"Their tail light!" cried Dick.</p> - -<p>"Unless it's some other car," said Paul.</p> - -<p>"We haven't passed any, though maybe we're catching up to one that came -in from some side road," admitted Dick. "Here goes for a spurt. Maybe we -can catch 'em!"</p> - -<p>He threw on all the power that was safe on such a road at night, and the -<i>Last Word</i> forged ahead. It was their one best chance to catch the -other car, if indeed that was it, and they were taking advantage of it.</p> - -<p>On and on they raced, the big auto swaying dangerously. Fortunately they -did not have to worry about tire trouble, and this was something that -might handicap the other car at a moment's notice. On and on they raced.</p> - -<p>"The light seems to be brighter now," said Paul.</p> - -<p>"I think we are catching up to them," agreed Innis.</p> - -<p>"I hope so," murmured Dick. He peered ahead for a sign of any possible -obstruction into which they might crash. At the speed they were keeping -up, to hit anything, or have even a slight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> accident, would be serious. -But the big lights made the road very plain.</p> - -<p>"They must have seen us," observed Paul.</p> - -<p>"I fancy so," agreed Dick. "I wish we had some way of puncturing one of -their tires."</p> - -<p>Almost as he spoke there came from the car ahead of them a loud report.</p> - -<p>"They're firing at us, just as those other fellows did!" cried Paul.</p> - -<p>"No, that wasn't a shot!" yelled Dick. "Fellows, it's a tire blow-out. -We've got 'em."</p> - -<p>He gave the laboring motor of the <i>Last Word</i> a little more gasoline and -adjusted the spark lever. The car responded promptly.</p> - -<p>"We're overhauling 'em!" cried Innis.</p> - -<p>The red tail light was growing more bright every moment. It could be -seen that the other auto was losing speed. There was the sound of -another tire giving way, and then the screech as brakes were quickly -applied.</p> - -<p>"We've got 'em!" yelled Dick. "Luck's with us to-night, all right!"</p> - -<p>The other car was in full glare of the search-lamps of Dick's car now. -Three figures were seen to leap out and make for the woods on one side -of the highway.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Cameron! Mr. Cameron!" yelled Dick. "Are you all right?"</p> - -<p>There was no answer. A moment later the big car shot up alongside the -stalled one. The boys leaped out, and a glance inside the auto they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> had -pursued showed them the figure of the engineer huddled up on the floor -of the tonneau.</p> - -<p>"Are you all right? Have they harmed you?" asked Dick, opening one of -the side doors. A murmur was the only answer he got.</p> - -<p>"They've gagged him!" cried Paul.</p> - -<p>A moment later the boys had the rag from the mouth of their friend, and -had cut the cords that bound him. They helped him to his feet, and one -of them brought him a drink of water from the big car.</p> - -<p>"How are you?" asked Dick, anxiously.</p> - -<p>"All—right—now," was the hesitating answer. "A little—knocked out, -but still in the ring. You came just in time, boys."</p> - -<p>"How is that?" inquired Dick.</p> - -<p>"Ten minutes later they would have been at the railroad station, and had -me aboard a train. Then they'd have taken me into the unknown again, and -you'd never have gotten me until it was too late. You were just in time."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXXIV</span> <span class="smaller">THE FORTUNE SAVED</span></h2> - -<p>Little time was lost in transferring Mr. Cameron to Dick's big car. The -young engineer was soon himself again, the slight feeling of illness, -caused by the chloroform, passing off.</p> - -<p>"Those blowouts came just in time to let us get you," remarked Dick, as -he looked at the stalled car.</p> - -<p>"Yes," agreed Mr. Cameron. "They ran so fast they overheated the shoes. -I didn't think you could catch us."</p> - -<p>"Oh, the <i>Last Word</i> can go some when she has to," said Dick, proudly. -"I never called on her for as much speed as this before though. What did -they do to you?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing much, after they took me by surprise, and bundled me into their -car. Then they gagged me, as I found out when I recovered my senses, and -they trussed me up pretty well with the ropes. I could hear them -talking, though."</p> - -<p>"Were they some of Uncle Ezra's gang?" asked Dick.</p> - -<p>"Yes, they were taking the place of my two former guards, Sam and Bill. -I guess they had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> their orders to hide me away somewhere so you boys -couldn't find me until it was too late. But what are you going to do -now?"</p> - -<p>"Get something to eat, and then head for San Francisco as fast as the -car will take us," said Dick. "We won't waste another minute. No telling -what trick they may try next."</p> - -<p>The meal, served in the big auto, revived them, for they were tired with -the chase and worn by anxiety. Soon they all felt better and a little -later they were on the move again, leaving the stalled car where -doubtless the men would come back and get it.</p> - -<p>"It's a wonder they didn't show fight when they found we were -overhauling them," said Paul.</p> - -<p>"I guess they didn't dare risk it," said Mr. Cameron. "They were taking -enough chances with the law as it was. Well, I'll be glad when this is -over so I can settle down to business again. I'll give my testimony as -soon as I can, and then the case will be over."</p> - -<p>As Mr. Cameron knew the roads well they made a night journey of it, -coming at dawn to a fair-sized city where they stopped for gasoline. -Then they continued on, and in due time came to San Francisco.</p> - -<p>"Now what's the program?" asked Paul, when they realized that they were -at the end of their journey. They had crossed this great continent.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p><p>"Get to a good lawyer, explain the case to him and have him fix matters -up so your friend Wardell won't lose his fortune," said Mr. Cameron, and -this was done, a call being made on Mr. Whitfield Ainslie, who was -recommended by Mr. Tunison.</p> - -<p>The lawyer agreed that no time was to be lost. Matters were put in shape -for presentation to the courts, and Mr. Cameron's affidavits were filed. -The papers Dick had taken such care of came in useful, though their -importance was not as great as they would have been had not Mr. Cameron -been able to tell what he knew.</p> - -<p>Then came the day in court, when the other side, with the lawyers -representing Mr. Larabee fighting in every way their trained legal minds -could think of.</p> - -<p>The judge heard all the testimony, including how Mr. Cameron had -discovered the unexpected evidence, and how, under a misapprehension, he -had agreed to keep silent about it. The manner in which Mr. Wardell gave -up his railroad stock was also recited.</p> - -<p>"Why is he himself not here to give testimony?" the judge asked.</p> - -<p>"Because, your honor," said Mr. Ainslie, "he is really not needed. He -has given Mr. Hamilton power of attorney to act for him. Besides Mr. -Wardell is, I am informed by credible authority, in South America, -trying to make a new fortune for himself."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p><p>"Well," remarked the judge with a little smile, "in that case I think -we shall have to give him back his old one. I find for Mr. Wardell, let -judgment be entered accordingly," and he signed the papers and turned -them over to his clerk for formal filing.</p> - -<p>"What does that mean?" whispered Dick to his lawyer.</p> - -<p>"It means that you have saved Mr. Wardell's fortune for him. I -congratulate you."</p> - -<p>"Well, I had a race for it!" said Dick, grimly. "But it was fun after -all."</p> - -<p>Of course Uncle Ezra's lawyers tried their best to upset the judgment in -Mr. Wardell's favor, but they were ruled out of court. Uncle Ezra even -came on himself, crabbed and angry at having spent money on railroad -fare.</p> - -<p>"And so you're responsible for my losing all this money, be you, Nephew -Richard?" he snarled, when he found he had lost his case.</p> - -<p>"It wasn't yours by rights," declared Dick. "I'm sorry to have to go -against you, but it was the only thing I could do."</p> - -<p>"Humph!" sniffed Mr. Larabee. "Don't you let that pesky dog of yours nip -me, or I'll sue you for damages!" he cried, as Grit growled and showed a -desire to get nearer to Uncle Ezra's legs.</p> - -<p>"Down, Grit," said Dick, quietly. "I don't suppose, Uncle Ezra," he went -on, "that you'll want to ride back with us in the big auto. We'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> be -touring back after we see something of California."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't ride with you for a farm!" snapped the old man. "Besides, -I've got a return ticket an' I'm not goin' to let the railroad get the -best of me. I've lost enough money as it is."</p> - -<p>"You might sell the ticket," suggested Dick, but he hoped his relative -would not ride back with him.</p> - -<p>"Huh! Yes, and lose nigh half of it. No, sir, I'm going back in the -cars!"</p> - -<p>"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Paul in a low voice. And then, as Mr. -Larabee left Dick's chum asked:</p> - -<p>"Well, what's next on the program, old man? Do you think we'll have any -more adventures like those we've just passed through?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," remarked, Dick, musingly. And what new adventures befell -him and his friends will be related in the next book of this series, to -be called "Dick Hamilton's Airship; Or, A Young Millionaire in the -Clouds."</p> - -<p>Uncle Ezra departed for the East next day, a very much put-out man. He -said he never would forgive his nephew.</p> - -<p>"Now look here, Uncle Ezra," remarked our hero, solemnly. "I don't care -what you think, for I know I did right in this matter. You may have been -fully within the law in what you did——"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p><p>"I was, Nephew Richard. I had the law with me."</p> - -<p>"But not the moral law," went on Dick. "You might have been the cause of -Mr. Wardell taking his life. He actually contemplated that as he was in -such despair at losing his fortune. I was lucky enough to prevent him, -and I saved his fortune for him, for the honor of my family."</p> - -<p>"Humph!" sniffed Uncle Ezra, as he went for his train, Grit growling a -good-bye. "Wa'al, maybe it's all for the best," he added grudgingly. -"I've lost a pile of money, but still I wouldn't want anybody to suicide -on my account."</p> - -<p>"And now let's forget law and legal papers and all such stuff!" cried -Dick, a little later. "We're going to have a good time the rest of the -summer."</p> - -<p>And that they did need not be doubted. Dick informed his father by -telegraph of the success of the trip, and later wrote the main facts to -him. In turn Mr. Hamilton sent Dick a letter that had come from Mr. -Wardell in South America.</p> - -<p>Thus in possession of the address Dick wrote telling of the saving of -the fortune. And, as Mr. Wardell had not been as successful in South -America as he had hoped to be, he came on home, and took up the -management of his affairs, so luckily preserved to him. Mr. Cameron, in -recognition of his services, was made chief engineer of the railroad, a -position that exactly suited him. Mr. Wardell offered Dick a substantial -sum,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> but the young millionaire turned it over to charity.</p> - -<p>Criminal action might have been taken against the men who practically -kidnapped him, but it was decided best to drop the matter, so they were -not sought out, nor were those who had annoyed and tried to get the -papers from Dick.</p> - -<p>"And now let's tour California," said Dick one day, some time after all -court matters were over. "We'll see the sights and start back across the -continent so as to get to Kentfield when the football season opens!"</p> - -<p>"That's the talk!" cried Paul Drew.</p> - -<p>And here we will take leave of Dick Hamilton and his friends.</p> - -<p class="center space-above">THE END</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Dick Hamilton's Touring Car, by Howard R. 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