CHAPTER V.
THE MYSTERY OF THE MINER.
"He's gone!" exclaimed Ned.
"Are you sure he was here?" inquired the physician.
Of that the boys had not the slightest doubt, and they speedilyconvinced the medical man. The lantern was flashed in every corner ofthe hut, but there was not a sign of the miner.
"It's rather queer," commented Dr. Morrison, when he had listened to thedetails the boys gave him.
"Do you suppose some one came and carried him off?" asked Bob.
"More likely he was not as badly hurt as you supposed," replied Dr.Morrison. "He may have been only stunned by a blow on the head. When heregained his senses he probably feared another attack, and so he hurriedfrom the hut. Let me take the lamp."
The physician flashed the lantern outside the door of the cabin, holdingit close to the ground.
"I thought so," he said. "See, there are a few grains of the gold-dustshowing on the door sill, and here are more, farther along the path. Theman has gone away, and has left a little golden trail."
The physician attempted to follow it, but the yellow specks soondisappeared and there was no other clew.
"Depend on it, he has run away in fear," said the doctor. "Ratherdisappointing, too. I believe he could tell a queer story. Who robbedhim, I wonder?"
"It was----" began Bob, but a nudge from Jerry stopped him.
"We saw some one run from the hut," explained Jerry. "We gave chase inthe automobile, but the fellow cut across lots and we couldn't follow."
"I suppose I may as well go back," announced the doctor. "There is nouse staying here. I don't believe the miner will return and solve themystery for us."
The auto was turned toward Cresville and a quick trip was made, the boysspeculating among themselves on what might be revealed if the woundedman could be found.
The physician was left at his home, and then the boys began thinking oftheir beds, as it was growing late.
"Queer that both Noddy and Jack should turn thieves, isn't it?" remarkedJerry.
"And that we should happen to be mixed up in both cases," put in Ned. "Iwonder if we will meet either of them again."
If the boys could have looked into the future they would have seen thatthey were destined to soon encounter Noddy and Jack, and under thestrangest of circumstances.
The auto was put away and three tired boys were soon snoring in theirbeds. They were up bright and early the next morning and in consultationabout the proposed trip to Chicago. They called on Mr. Wakefield tolearn his plans.
He said he expected to start for the Windy City by way of New York,on Thursday. It was then Tuesday, and the boys realized that they hadlittle time to spare in which to make their preparations.
The three parents, who had somewhat reluctantly given their consent tothe project, were soon almost as enthusiastic as the boys. Stocks ofclothing were looked over, money matters were arranged, and the boyspacked their dress-suit cases with what they thought would do them onthe trip. They were each given a fairly liberal allowance of funds.
Then the automobile was got ready. It was given a thorough overhauling,and an extra supply of tools, together with a full new set of tires, wasprovided. Andy Rush was told to prepare to go, it having been decidedto take him as far as New York or Chicago, he having relatives in bothcities.
At last the time came to start. It was a fine, crisp September morning,and the boys were up early enough to see the sun rise. The suit-caseshad been strapped to the machine, tires were pumped up, there was plentyof water and gasolene in the tanks, the batteries were renewed, andevery bit of machinery had been gone over carefully. Andy Rush, thenight previous, had sent his things over to Bob's house, from whence thetrip was to be begun. Andy himself arrived right after breakfast.
"Hurrah!" he shouted. "Here we go--all aboard--blow the horn--get outof the way--turn on the gasolene--off brakes--break the records--mile aminute--whoop!"
"You'll have all the excitement you want for once, I hope, Andy," saidJerry.
"Betcherlife!" exclaimed Andy, in one breath.
The boys piled into the auto; good-byes were called, over and overagain. Then came a toot of a horn as Mr. Wakefield came up the road inhis machine, a friend, who intended making the trip, accompanying him.
"All ready, boys?" he called.
"All ready!" replied Jerry, who was going to steer for the first stage.
With a blaring of the automobile trumpets, a waving of hands from thosewho had gathered to see the start, and a chorus of cries, wishing everyone good luck, the little party rode away.
Mr. Wakefield, who knew the road better than did the boys, took thelead. His car was of the same pattern as theirs and both machines wereof equal speed. For several miles the two autos puffed along over thepleasant country roads.
No attempt to make time was tried, and at noon the travelers foundthemselves in Providence, Rhode Island, that being the first stoppingplace Mr. Wakefield had decided on. The machines were run up in frontof a quiet but good hotel, and every one was hungry enough to do fulljustice to the meal.
"How do you boys like it?" asked Mr. Wakefield at the table. "Do youthink you can stand it as far as Chicago?"
They were all sure they could run the machine to San Francisco, ifnecessary, and Mr. Wakefield and his friend laughed at their enthusiasm.
"We have come about seventy miles without a mishap," said Mr. Wakefield,"but there are many miles ahead of us yet."
After a short rest the journey was again taken up, and throughout theafternoon the autos were speeded along. The way was through a pleasantcountry, and the boys enjoyed the scenery and fresh air. Several timesthey stopped at farmhouses to get drinks of cold milk, and once amotherly-looking woman filled the boys' pockets with newly bakeddoughnuts that were delicious.
"We'll spend the night in Norwich, Conn.," said Mr. Wakefield, when thetwo autos were ready to start, after a momentary stop at a farmhouse.
"Norwich--Norwich! I know Norwich!" exclaimed Andy. "I saw it in abook once--years ago--I was a little fellow--man in the moon came downtoo soon to inquire the way to Norwich--went by the south--burnt hismouth--eating cold bean porridge!"
"You remember your nursery rhymes well," said Mr. Wakefield, with alaugh, in which all joined.
On and on chugged the autos. The afternoon waned to dusk and frequentsignboards told that the distance from Norwich was constantly lessening.Mr. Wakefield was about half a mile in advance, on a straight, levelroad. Suddenly came a sound as of a pistol shot.
"Tire busted!" exclaimed Jerry, shutting off the power. Mr. Wakefieldheard the noise and turned back.
"Accident?" he inquired.
Jerry explained that one of their inner tubes had blown out.
"Want any help?" asked the athletic instructor.
"We may as well begin now as any other time to mend our own breaks,"spoke Jerry. "You go ahead. We'll catch up to you soon."
"All right," said Mr. Wakefield. He felt that it would be a good thingto accustom the boys to depend on themselves. So, telling them that theroad to Norwich was now a straight one, and that the town was about tenmiles off, he left them to their own devices.
The boys started in on the not very easy task of taking off the heavyouter shoe and inserting a new inner tube, of which they carried asupply. It finally became so dark that they had to light the lamps tosee to work. At length they were finished and the tools were put away.
The new tire was pumped up and the engine started. The boys took theirseats, and, at Bob's request, he was allowed to steer.
"Go slow at first," advised Jerry, "until we see how the new tube holds."
Bob started off at first speed. It was now quite dark, but the oil andacetylene lamps gave a good light. All at once Bob, who was peeringahead, shut off the power with a jerk and put the brakes on hard.
"What's the matter?" asked Jerry.
"Something in the road," replied the steersman, pointing to a darkobject.
The nex
t instant three figures loomed up in the glare of the auto lamps.
"Climb out of that gasolene gig!" exclaimed a rough voice. "We're hardup an' we need help!"