Part 10 (2/2)

Somehow the very confidence shown in Hugh's words seemed to pa.s.s along to the almost distracted lady. Her eyes lighted up with renewed courage, and she even smiled, though wanly, it must be confessed. But then Hugh was pretty much of a magician in regard to arousing a feeling of hope in the most depressed mind.

”You are a thousand times welcome to the car,” she hurriedly a.s.sured him; ”and anything else you might want. It is dreadfully unfortunate Mr. Kinkaid is away on one of his usual business trips to the west, or he would insist on coming with you. But I feel certain, Hugh, you will manage things splendidly, and a mother's prayers will go after you, that you may not only find my boy, but that he may not have been seriously injured.”

”Then we'll not linger any longer, ma'am,” said Hugh, eager to be on the move.

Horatio wrapped himself up warmly, and the two of them shot out of the door.

”Now, what first, Hugh?”

Hugh seemed to have mapped out a plan of campaign in his mind, for he answered without hesitation.

”We must pick up several of the fellows---Thad for one, then Owen Dugdale would be another good hand at hunting for a lost party; and, well, Julius Hobson for the third. That will make five in all,---enough to search the quarry road from end to end. Besides, we ought to carry several lanterns, because, while there is a moon, I reckon we'll find it far from light along that overgrown trail.”

”You just think of everything, Hugh,” remarked Horatio, wonderingly.

”Let's get the car, first of all,” Hugh continued shrewdly, ”because it can save us many steps in picking up the other fellows.”

By this time they were at the Kinkaid home Horatio was well acquainted with the premises, as he had played with K.K. since they were small boys together. Hugh had been told where the key of the garage was hidden, and quickly discovered it hanging on a concealed nail.

”Wait till I throw the switch, and light up,” said Horatio, for they had electricity at the Kinkaid place, and, of course, a bulb lighted in the garage was considered much safer than a lantern.

As soon as the illumination came both boys set about examining the big touring car that occupied the garage.

”Bully!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Horatio, after making the rounds with suspended breath; ”all the tires are as hard as anything. How about the supply of gas, Hugh?” for his companion had occupied himself with making an examination of the tank.

”Plenty to carry us up and back twice over!” cried the delighted Hugh.

”This is what I call great luck. I was afraid there would be a tire that needed changing; or else no gasolene at all.”

K.K. didn't realize how kind he was to himself when he fitted up the old car so handsomely, for some purpose.”

”Oh!” chuckled Horatio, ”mebbe I know why. You see, there's going to be another barn dance next Tuesday night up at Bailey's, and I think K.K. asked a girl to go with him and Peggy Noland and Owen Dugdale. Yes, he even told me there was still room for two more, if I could coax somebody to keep me company.”

Hugh busied himself in starting the car going. He knew considerable about mechanics, as most boys of the present generation do, since automobiles have become so very common. Running it out of the garage Hugh bade Horatio ”hop aboard,” which that worthy did without a second invitation.

”Better get Thad first of all, I reckon,” suggested Hugh, as though he might even have figured out how best to save themselves from any unnecessary delay; ”then we can clip around to Julius Hobson's place, and pick up Owen last on our way out of town.”

The program suited Horatio first cla.s.s. Indeed, he had such perfect confidence in Hugh that anything the other said carried conviction along with it. It is a fine thing for any boy to have aroused such a spirit of trust in the minds of his comrades that they look up to him as a sort of natural leader, and obey his slightest wish without hesitation. But Hugh bore his honors with humility, and never attempted to display the attributes of a czar.

Great was the astonishment of Thad Stevens when he found two excited fellows demanding that he bundle up and go with them for a night ride up to the abandoned quarry that had gained such a bad reputation among the country folks residing roundabout.

The story was partly told in rapid-fire style, enough of it, at least, to cause Thad to bounce into his heavy coat, and provide himself with a lantern. He expected to become better informed from time to time as they pushed along the road.

Next came Julius Hobson. They found him at home also, and, of course, he was duly worked up on hearing how poor K.K. had never returned home from his run over the long course of fifteen miles. When he heard that they needed lanterns Julius produced a new electric flashlight which had received for a birthday present, and Hugh said it would do very well as an additional means of illumination.

Last of all they stopped at the home of Owen Dugdale, the dark-faced lad who lived with his grandfather in a big house, and about whom there had at one time been quite a little halo of mystery hanging.

Again was the main fact mentioned concerning the necessity for a searching party starting forth to find poor K.K. Owen did not have to be urged to join the bunch; indeed, he showed himself eager to accompany them.

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