The Motor Maids by Rose, Shamrock and Thistle Part 27

"We are about ten miles from anywhere," called Billie, who studied her road map like a daily lesson.

"I think we had better take refuge in some farm house hereabouts,"

suggested Feargus.

"And leave the 'Comet' to be stolen, as he was once before?" cried Billie. "Never!"

"I'll stand guard over him. I'll roll up in a blanket and sleep on the back seat," answered the boy meekly. "If you ladies will stay here and protect each other, I'll explore first and see what can be found."

"It was a comfort to have a man with them, and such a good-natured one, too," thought Miss Campbell as Feargus disappeared through the trees.

They waited in silence for some time. At last Billie, growing impatient, started to follow.

"Go with her, one of you," ordered Miss Campbell nervously, seeing that the impetuous girl had not waited to ask permission.

Nancy rushed after her friend's retreating figure, and after walking a few moments, the two girls found themselves on the edge of a dingle.

Below, in the warm glow of a fire, they could see the forms of two men in close conversation. Nearby a tent had been pitched, and at one side a horse was contentedly munching gra.s.s. While they watched, a girl emerged from somewhere with a frying pan in one hand and a small pail in the other.

"Gypsies," whispered Nancy.

"They look like it," a.s.sented Billie, "and that's Feargus talking to the man."

She had scarcely spoken when the Irish boy shook hands with the stranger and started up the hill. He walked slowly and seemed to be turning something over in his mind. The girls waited impatiently, wondering why he took so long.

Feargus looked embarra.s.sed and anxious when he saw them waiting for him.

"Do hurry," called Nancy.

"Are those people Gypsies?" asked Billie.

"No,-that is, not exactly. They are-well, wanderers."

"Why did you shake hands with the man?"

"Oh, just to be friendly. He gave me some information. There is a farmhouse not far away where--"

"Listen," interrupted Billie. "I hear the sound of another motor car."

The three young people broke into a run and reached the disabled "Comet"

just as a two-seated machine drew up alongside the road.

"Can I do anything for you?" asked a man with a pleasant-sounding voice.

"You certainly can, sir," answered Miss Campbell, "and we shall be deeply indebted to you. We were just about to give up and spend the night wherever we could."

The stranger leaped down from his motor car and began to examine the "Comet" with a practiced eye.

"Perhaps I can fix her up," he said; "and if not, I'll tow you to the next village. You'd find it fairly uncomfortable sleeping out here."

With an electric lantern to guide him, he gave a quick professional examination of the "Comet's" interior. Then he burst out laughing.

"I suppose you never noticed that your gasoline tank was empty?" he asked.

There was a moment of intense silence and Billie was glad it had grown too dark for him to see her crimson countenance.

"I'm afraid it's my fault," she apologized, "or rather it's the fault of the people at the last garage. They said they had filled the tank full.

I suppose they fibbed, and I have such a trusting nature I never thought to look and see. I am a poor chauffeur."

"You are a very remarkable young woman to be a chauffeur at all,"

answered the stranger, while he filled the tank from his emergency can.

"Now, I imagine that will fix you and you can follow on to the next town. It's just about ten miles, I think."

They were in the midst of thanking him profusely, when he interrupted them.

"You've been traveling this road for some days, I suppose? You haven't by chance seen some people who had a little boy in tow? They might possibly look like Gypsies."

He had turned to Miss Campbell when he asked this question.

Feargus, who was about to crank up the "Comet," suddenly stood up very straight and stiff.

"No, we have not met any persons exactly of that description," Miss Campbell answered. "Are you looking for the little boy who was kidnapped?"

"Yes."

"We knew him on board s.h.i.+p. Isn't it interesting? He was in charge of two tutors and a doctor, poor little soul. I wondered why it took three men to look after one little boy."

"I suppose it's because his father is a very busy man," answered the detective, for such he evidently was. "He is a pathetic little fellow."

"What about those--" Nancy began, turning to Billie, when Feargus interrupted her.

"Be still," he said in a low voice.

Billie was surprised and Nancy extremely irritated.

"Is any one suspected?" Miss Campbell was saying.

"Yes, but that is still a secret. However, we are on the track of two suspects."

The "Comet's" motor engine was now working busily.

"I think we had better be getting on," continued the detective. "I'll take the lead and you can follow."

In a few minutes he was moving down the road in his racing car, the red car following behind.

"I think you should have told him, Feargus," said Billie in a low voice.

"He was very kind to us, and perhaps he might have found a clew through those people. Who knows?"

"Don't you think it would have been rather unkind to involve those people in a lot of trouble?" replied Feargus.

"I don't see why they would have been involved!" exclaimed Nancy.