In spite of the protests of the other boys against John being left
behind, it was finally decided that he should carry out his own plan. He
had declared his purpose to find out if possible what had become of the
second car.
George had insisted that all four of the Go Ahead boys either should
remain together or depart in a body; but after a brief conversation in
which John explained that he really was desirous of making some further
investigations of his own and also that it was equally important for
George to get into touch with his father, as he could not do over the
telephone, it was agreed that John should remain until the following
day. A very attractive hotel not far from the station was most inviting.
There John explained he would remain until the following day when the
boys either would come for him or send him money.
Only a few moments elapsed before the noisy train proclaimed its coming.
The scream of the locomotive was echoed and re-echoed in the nearby
valley and long before its arrival at the station the people of the
little village were aware that the one o'clock train was "on time."
Again George protested strongly against John being left behind, although
he did not explain how he was to ride on the train without a ticket nor
how he was to obtain a ticket without any money. However, in a few
minutes the three departing boys, standing on the rear platform of the
last car, were waving their hats as they bade good-by to the fourth
member of the Go Ahead boys who was watching them from the platform of
the station.
Slowly John turned into the walk that led him from the little station to
the main street of the village. As he came out upon the sidewalk he was
startled when he heard himself addressed by his own name. Surprised, he
glanced in the direction from which the unexpected hail had come and he
was amazed to behold the tramp, who had been his companion in the
morning, now seated in the missing automobile. Evidently he had been
driving the car but the expression on his face as John ran toward him
did not indicate his purpose to explain the sight which had so startled
him.
"Where did you get that car?" demanded John sharply as he stared at the
driver.
"I found it at the other garage," explained the tramp.
"How did it get there?"
"Why, there was another blowout right near where you had yours this
morning. I guess it must be the same fellow that you scared or drove
into a ditch; at least that's what he said. He couldn't fix his car
because the rim was torn into pieces and he got a lift back to this
garage and sent some men out to get his car."
"And they got ours?" demanded John delightedly.
"That's what it seems," replied the tramp quietly. "I suspected there
might be some trouble of the kind so I went around there and sure enough
I found this car just as I half expected to. Your friends have cleared
out and left you, have they?"
"They have gone back home," explained John.
"Well, that's all right. We'll beat them there yet. You get in and I'll
see what time I can make."
"You're sure you know how to drive?" inquired John. "Because if you
don't know how I can do something at it myself."
"My 'deah boy,'" lisped the tramp, "don't distress your little heart
about my being able to drive the car. You get in here and if you have
any fault to find I'll resign and let you take the wheel."
"We ought to have something to eat," said John, "but I haven't a cent of
money."
"So I understand. It took all the money there was in the crowd to buy
tickets for three boys."
"How did you know?"
"Never mind that. I knew you didn't have any money and I knew too that I
would have to furnish what we needed on our trip. I managed to get
together twenty-three cents. I think that's just the amount one ought to
have when he is leaving in a hurry, don't you?" laughed the tramp.
"That's all right."
"Well, I took my twenty-three cents and went over to the grocery store
and I bought some cheese and a box of crackers. You get in and feed up
on the way back. If you're like me you'll think you've had a dinner fit
for a king."
As he spoke the tramp held up to view the purchases he had made and John
instantly responded to his appeal and took his seat in front beside the
driver. The hungry boy declared that he never had tasted food he enjoyed
more. Meanwhile the car was driven steadily forward on its way. And if
John had had any misgivings as to the ability of his companion as a
driver they were soon dispelled. It was plain that the man was an expert
at his task.
"Where did you learn to drive a car?"
"I didn't have to learn," said the tramp. "I always knew. I have driven
cars ever since they were first made. If I need any money I get a job as
a chauffeur and then after I have got some money I don't need any job
and quit."
John laughed as he said, "You're the strangest man I ever saw."
"That's what others have told me."
"I don't see why a man with the brains you have doesn't do something
worth while. What do you want to be beating around the country for
without any home and staying nights in such places as the old Meeker
House?"
"I have often wondered myself," replied the tramp quietly. "I don't know
that there's any answer to your question. Speaking of the old Meeker
House, have you heard anything more about the strange noises over
there?"
"Not since I saw you," replied John.
"Well, my advice to you is to take your friends over there to-night and
I suspect you'll have an experience that will interest you."
"What is it?" demanded John, interested at once.
"I'm not sure just what it will be so I cannot explain, but if you want
to see your friends stirred up you take them over there after you have
had your dinner to-night. By the way, do you think there will be any
reward for finding this car?"
"Knowing Mr. Sanders as I do, I'm quite sure there will be."
"I have brought the bill in my pocket for the repairs at the garage."
"How much did they charge?"
"Fifty-three cents and the man apologized for the size of his bill.
That's one of the things they haven't learned up here in the country
yet."
"I have never found any one who didn't know how to charge," laughed
John.
"Well, this man didn't seem to know much about it, so I paid his bill
and had just twenty-three cents left, as I told you. I think if Mr.
Sanders wants to pay that bill I shall let him."
"I certainly know he will," said John. "I know he will insist upon it
anyway for he's that kind of a man."
The automobile was making most excellent time and long before it was
possible for his companions to arrive John had turned into the driveway
that led to George's home.
The tramp had insisted upon leaving the car before it had turned in,
explaining that he would return when Mr. Sanders came and if the latter
"sufficiently urged" him to accept a reward he would do so willingly.
John laughed as the strange man departed and then drove up to the house.
Uncle Sim was the first to greet him and after staring blankly at John
for a moment he said, "Whar de other boys?"
"They are coming later," said John. "They are coming on the train."
"Wha' fo'?"
"Oh, they will have to tell you," said John. "Just as soon as I can wash
up I want to go over to the station and bring them home. They'll come in
probably on the next train."
True to his word a half-hour later John was waiting in the automobile
near the station. He had pictured to himself the excitement of his
friends when they should arrive and discover him in the lost automobile,
awaiting their coming.
John's meditations were interrupted by the prolonged blast by which the
coming of the train was made known. So pleased was he over the prospect
that he laughed aloud. The arrival of the train, however, soon caused
him to watch the alighting passengers and as soon as he discovered his
friends among the number, in his loudest tones he shouted, "George, tell
all the Go Ahead boys to come over here!"
Startled by the unexpected hail the three boys turned and for a moment
stared blankly at John. All the latter's hopes were more than fulfilled.
Surprise and incredulity were stamped upon the faces of the three Go
Ahead boys.
"Where did you get that car?" demanded George, hastily approaching.
"Why, it is your car, isn't it?" said John meekly.
"Sure it is, but where did you get it?"
"Why, after you fellows left me over there where you took the train I
thought you would like to have me look up your car, so that's what I
have done, but you don't seem to be very thankful. This is an ungrateful
world, and a naughty deed arouses more interest than a good one. At
least I think that's what Shakespeare says."
"Shakespeare?" broke in Fred sharply. "You never got as far as the title
page."
"That may all be," retorted John. "All I mean to say now is that this
car is for the exclusive use of those who are accustomed to move in
polite society." As he spoke John turned on the power and despite the
efforts of his friends to overtake him soon was moving rapidly over the
road.