CHAPTER XVIII--THE ARRIVAL
In spite of the protests of the other boys against John being leftbehind, it was finally decided that he should carry out his own plan. Hehad declared his purpose to find out if possible what had become of thesecond car.
George had insisted that all four of the Go Ahead boys either shouldremain together or depart in a body; but after a brief conversation inwhich John explained that he really was desirous of making some furtherinvestigations of his own and also that it was equally important forGeorge to get into touch with his father, as he could not do over thetelephone, it was agreed that John should remain until the followingday. A very attractive hotel not far from the station was most inviting.There John explained he would remain until the following day when theboys 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 nearbyvalley and long before its arrival at the station the people of thelittle village were aware that the one o'clock train was "on time."
Again George protested strongly against John being left behind, althoughhe did not explain how he was to ride on the train without a ticket norhow he was to obtain a ticket without any money. However, in a fewminutes the three departing boys, standing on the rear platform of thelast car, were waving their hats as they bade good-by to the fourthmember of the Go Ahead boys who was watching them from the platform ofthe station.
Slowly John turned into the walk that led him from the little station tothe main street of the village. As he came out upon the sidewalk he wasstartled when he heard himself addressed by his own name. Surprised, heglanced in the direction from which the unexpected hail had come and hewas amazed to behold the tramp, who had been his companion in themorning, now seated in the missing automobile. Evidently he had beendriving the car but the expression on his face as John ran toward himdid not indicate his purpose to explain the sight which had so startledhim.
"Where did you get that car?" demanded John sharply as he stared at thedriver.
"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 thismorning. I guess it must be the same fellow that you scared or droveinto a ditch; at least that's what he said. He couldn't fix his carbecause the rim was torn into pieces and he got a lift back to thisgarage 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 theremight be some trouble of the kind so I went around there and sure enoughI found this car just as I half expected to. Your friends have clearedout 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'llsee what time I can make."
"You're sure you know how to drive?" inquired John. "Because if youdon't know how I can do something at it myself."
"My 'deah boy,'" lisped the tramp, "don't distress your little heartabout my being able to drive the car. You get in here and if you haveany 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 ofmoney."
"So I understand. It took all the money there was in the crowd to buytickets for three boys."
"How did you know?"
"Never mind that. I knew you didn't have any money and I knew too that Iwould have to furnish what we needed on our trip. I managed to gettogether twenty-three cents. I think that's just the amount one ought tohave 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 storeand I bought some cheese and a box of crackers. You get in and feed upon the way back. If you're like me you'll think you've had a dinner fitfor a king."
As he spoke the tramp held up to view the purchases he had made and Johninstantly responded to his appeal and took his seat in front beside thedriver. The hungry boy declared that he never had tasted food he enjoyedmore. Meanwhile the car was driven steadily forward on its way. And ifJohn had had any misgivings as to the ability of his companion as adriver they were soon dispelled. It was plain that the man was an expertat his task.
"Where did you learn to drive a car?"
"I didn't have to learn," said the tramp. "I always knew. I have drivencars ever since they were first made. If I need any money I get a job asa chauffeur and then after I have got some money I don't need any joband 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 somethingworth while. What do you want to be beating around the country forwithout any home and staying nights in such places as the old MeekerHouse?"
"I have often wondered myself," replied the tramp quietly. "I don't knowthat there's any answer to your question. Speaking of the old MeekerHouse, have you heard anything more about the strange noises overthere?"
"Not since I saw you," replied John.
"Well, my advice to you is to take your friends over there to-night andI 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 wantto see your friends stirred up you take them over there after you havehad your dinner to-night. By the way, do you think there will be anyreward 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 countryyet."
"I have never found any one who didn't know how to charge," laughedJohn.
"Well, this man didn't seem to know much about it, so I paid his billand 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 itanyway for he's that kind of a man."
The automobile was making most excellent time and long before it waspossible for his companions to arrive John had turned into the drivewaythat 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 Johnfor 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 washup I want to go over to the station and bring them home. They'll come inprobably on the next train."
True to his word a half-hour later John was waiting in the automobilenear the station. He had pictured to himself the excitement of hisfriends 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 thecoming of the train was made known. So pleased was he over the prospectthat he laughed aloud. The arrival of the train, however, soon causedhim to watch the alighting passengers and as soon as he discovered hisfriends among the number, in his loudest tones he shouted, "George, tellall the Go Ahead boys to come over here!"
Startled by the unexpected hail the three boys turned and for a momentstared blankly at John. All the latter's hopes were more than fulfilled.Surprise and incredulity were stamped upon the faces of the three GoAhead bo
ys.
"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 Ithought you would like to have me look up your car, so that's what Ihave done, but you don't seem to be very thankful. This is an ungratefulworld, and a naughty deed arouses more interest than a good one. Atleast I think that's what Shakespeare says."
"Shakespeare?" broke in Fred sharply. "You never got as far as the titlepage."
"That may all be," retorted John. "All I mean to say now is that thiscar is for the exclusive use of those who are accustomed to move inpolite society." As he spoke John turned on the power and despite theefforts of his friends to overtake him soon was moving rapidly over theroad.