Part 34 (1/2)

”One feller was an old gent, who looked like a perfesser,” said the tramp.

”That must have been Crabtree,” said Tom.

”Can it be that they were going to leave the carriage and take to an auto at Latown?” came from Sam.

”Perhaps,” answered d.i.c.k. ”If they did take to an auto it will be mighty hard to find them.”

Tossing the tramp a quarter, they went on their way, and presently reached Latown, and there hurried to the only garage the place possessed.

There they learned that the garage owner had rented a touring car out several days before and it had not yet been returned.

”The fellow who rented it was to pay me ten dollars a day, but I didn't think he'd keep it so long,” said the man. ”He gave me his card.”

”Why, it is my card!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed d.i.c.k, on glancing at the pasteboard.

”The nerve of him! Of course it was Sobber-or one of his cronies.”

It was not until nightfall that the boys learned what had become of the touring car. Then they found a boy who had seen the car, with three men and two women in it, speeding towards the Albany road. This lad took them to the very spot where he had seen the car.

”One of the ladies was terribly excited,” said the lad. ”When she saw me, she shouted something and then threw one of her hair combs at me. Here is the comb now.”

”It must be Mrs. Stanhope's,” was d.i.c.k's comment. ”She wanted it to be used to trace her by.”

”It is hers,” said Sam. ”I remember, she had a pair of them.”

”What did she shout?” asked d.i.c.k.

”I couldn't make out, exactly. It sounded like Boston-but I ain't sure.”

”Boston?” repeated d.i.c.k. ”Oh, it can't be! That is too far away.”

”They might be headed for Boston. There is a fine road for autos from Albany to the Hub-the old post-road,” said Tom.

”I'll telephone along the line and try to find out where they went,”

answered d.i.c.k.

It was not until the next day that word came in from Albany that the automobile had been seen in that city. It had stopped at a garage to have a tire fixed. No one was in it at the time but a young man. He appeared to be in a great hurry, and had paid well for a rapid repair.

From Albany the auto was traced across the Hudson river and to North Adams. But that was the last heard of it.

”I am going to North Adams,” said d.i.c.k.

”It looks as if they did really go to Boston,” said Tom.

”Well, they could make the run in a day if they tried real hard. The distance is only about a hundred and fifty miles.”

All of the boys resolved to go to North Adams, and sent word to Cedarville to that effect. In return came a telegram from Mr. Rover, reading as follows:

”Run them down if you possibly can. Do not spare expense.”

”As if I would spare any expense!” murmured d.i.c.k. ”I'd give all I possess to put Mrs. Stanhope back in her home, and put Josiah Crabtree back in prison!”