The Go Ahead Boys and the Mysterious Old House Part 23

"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 pa.s.sengers 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 t.i.tle 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.

CHAPTER XIX-AN INVITATION

Appearing to ignore his friends John drove rapidly around the circle which had been laid out between the station and the main street. Proudly returning to the place on the platform where his friends were awaiting his coming, he called out, "How's this car? How's the driver? Pretty slick, eh?"

"What we don't know," said George quickly, "is where the driver came from and how he got the car."

"You'll have to trust your Uncle John for some things," replied the driver solemnly. "There are some things you can't explain and some things it's hard for certain people to understand. You see that your car's here, don't you?"

"Yes," replied George.

"It's all right, isn't it?"

"As far as I can see."

"Cylinders all sound? Tires all complete? Boiler intact? Carbureter still working? Limousine all ready to be carved?"

"That's right," said George, laughing as he spoke. "As far as I can see everything is all straight except the fact that you didn't tell us how you got the car and beat us back here."

"Get in, fellows, and I'll tell you about it on the way back," said John. "I'll resign my position as chauffeur too," he added, as he quickly moved to another seat.

"I don't mind; stay where you are," said George cordially.

"No, I know you don't 'mind,' but this is a hot day. I would rather sit behind and tell you how to do it."

"All right then, I'll go ahead," said George, as he started the car.

"Tell us how you did it."

"I have already explained to the best of my ability," said John soberly.

"Tell us again, then," broke in Fred.

"Why, all there is to it is that after you fellows left I looked around for the car and found it."

"Did you find it alone?"

"What do you mean,-was I the only one that found it, or do you mean that I found the car all by itself?"

"My, how correct some fellows are in their talk," murmured Fred. "Yes, what I mean was were you all alone when you found the car?"

"No."

"Well, why don't you tell us who was with you?" demanded Grant irritably.

"The tramp," said John abruptly.

"The tramp!" repeated the boys together.