CHAPTER XX

ALL SET.

After the girls left the restaurant on the eve of their return trip, John and Jack went back to their table and smoked a while in silence. Both had been surprised by the boldness of Marjorie’s plan; yet both attached importance to the fact that she had considered it necessary to summon them from Chicago for assistance. And each young man secretly entertained a feeling of pride at her dependence.

Well, what do you think there is to it? asked Jack.

Something, of course, replied John. Marjorie never goes off at a tangent.

I’d like to meet these Crowell fellows, observed the other.

Well, we did meet those two chaps at Mae’s—and you know I didn’t think much of them. I have to admit I’ve been sort of worried all summer, though I hardly expected anything like this.

You agree with Marj that they’ll try something again?

I do—and I don’t, replied John, thoughtfully. If they’re as scheming as your sister believes them to be, they’ll see that she is on. Yet, as she says, they’d hate to kiss all that money goodbye.

You bet! agreed Jack. But I can’t conceive that they would try to pull off anything serious, as Marj seems to think probable. Two young fellows of their type would have more sense.

No, neither can I—if they try to work the stunt themselves. The thing that worries me is that they might hire some one else to do their dirty work for them—a couple of desperate characters, for instance, who wouldn’t know where to stop.

That’s so! frowned Jack. Gee! I’m glad we’re here! We’ll have to be on the job all the time, and never let them get out of our sight. The first thing we want to do is to get a car—not a flivver, but a good, fast car—that will keep up with theirs.

I guess we could hire a car of that description, nodded John.

But where? No one out here knows who we are, and people don’t hire out good cars to perfect strangers, you know.

That’s true, acknowledged John, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Suddenly he struck the table with his fist. I have it! My firm has a branch office in this city, and the fellow who is manager learned his job in the same office with me. We were great chums. I’ll call Ted Fisher on the phone, and he’ll be able to help us out.

Good! exclaimed Jack. Let’s clear out of here and get a move on.

They called for their bill, and then made for the nearest phone. The friend was located without difficulty in the telephone directory, and a moment later John was in a booth holding an animated conversation. Jack, who was waiting outside, saw John hang up and come out smiling.

Ted’s going to look after us! he announced, gleefully. He even says he thinks he can get us a car just like the girls’ so that, barring accidents, they’ll not be able to travel faster than we can. We’re to wait here for Ted; he’ll be along in ten minutes.

I was just thinking while you were in there phoning, mused Jack. Suppose we are able to hire a car, and trail the girls all the way to Lima without anything happening. Who is going to drive the car back?

That would be a jolt, now wouldn’t it? considered John, thoughtfully. But why worry about that now? We’ll take a tip from General Grant, and cross that bridge when we come to it!

What’s General Grant got to do with it? said Jack mournfully. He won’t be in Lima to drive the car back.

John threw back his head and laughed heartily.

I had in mind that story of how, when someone asked him what retreat he had provided for in case a certain offensive failed, he said We’re not going to retreat! If nothing happens, I guess we can get in touch with the owner of the car and have him send on some reliable person to drive it back. But why worry? It is my opinion, that if those fellows are going to interfere, they’ll do it before they get too far from home; for why should they be any more anxious than we are to take such a long drive. Their absence might cause suspicion.

Here John turned to greet a tall young man who was advancing upon him with outstretched hand. Hello, Ted!

Hadley, old man, you’re the last person in the world I expected to see out here! How come?

It’s a long story, replied John, introducing him to Jack.

Jack Wilkinson, did you say? exclaimed Ted Fisher, shaking Jack’s hand. Why, I remember that name well. You were John’s side-partner in several other enterprises. Now, what are you two up to? I hope you’ll surrender yourselves to my tender mercies for this evening, at least.

We’re yours for this evening, Ted, with pleasure, acquiesced John. And we are depending on you to get that car for us.

Yes, I think I can do that. Let’s go; I have my own outside.

When they were in the car, he asked:

Do you mind telling what you want the car for, or is it a secret?

John looked at Jack, who nodded his head approvingly; and they proceeded to outline their plans, without divulging any names.

Some adventure! remarked John’s friend. I wish I could go with you myself!

They stopped before a public garage and entered the office where a man sat working at a roll-top desk. He rose respectfully when he recognized their companion.

Good evening, Captain. What can I do for you?

Tom, here are two very good friends of mine, Mr. Hadley and Mr. Wilkinson. They must have a car for a week or so. And Tom, Mr. Hadley is a cracker-jack automobile man, and I know for a fact that he would take better care of a machine than I would; so I want you to let him have the one I used while mine was being overhauled. I’ll guarantee that it will come back to you in as good shape as when it leaves.

When do you want it? I had it out the other night and picked up a phonograph needle in the rear tire.

Tomorrow morning, at six o’clock. And the puncture won’t matter, Tom. I want you to put on four brand-new tires, of the best make in your shop. And you’d better put a new spare on the back. Charge ’em to me. And as a special favor, I want you personally to give the engine a thorough looking over, and see that she has all the oil and gas she’ll carry. By six A. M., Tom.

She’ll be ready. We’ll start to work right away. Shall we take a look at her?

They stepped out into the garage, where Tom called to two mechanics who were working on an expensive limousine.

Come on, you guys. Put that prairie schooner on the shelf for a while.

Mr. Hughes is coming for this tomorrow morning, observed one of the men, hesitating.

I know. Let Mr. Hughes wait! This is a special job for Mr. Fisher.

They followed the foreman over to the far corner of the garage where two big low touring cars with streamline bodies stood side by side.

What’s this, Tom, what’s this? Which is our car? asked Fisher.

The two machines were identical. Except for the fact that one showed signs of having been on the road lately, while the other was clean and bright with a new set of tires, it would have been hard to tell them apart.

Twins, by Jove! exclaimed Jack.

John, when he beheld the newer car, started violently and stared in silence.

The foreman, Tom, was chuckling to himself.

Sister ships, I call ’em. Funny thing; here you come, asking me to put our car in A1 condition, with a new set of tires, by six o’clock tomorrow. We’ve just finished doing the same thing to this one for a party of Girl Scouts. They’re comin’ for her at eight o’clock tomorrow; they motored here all the way from Philadelphia, and they’re startin’ back tomorrow. Some girls!

All three young men exchanged amused glances during this recital. It was evident that the girls’ performance had gained the man’s admiration.

The car looks fine after coming all that distance, remarked John, carelessly. They must have taken good care of it. Is it in good shape for the return?

Fine! These are some cars! I asked the young lady who seemed to be the leader of the crowd how they came to pick out this particular make, and she said a friend of hers who knew cars picked it out. I’ll say he knew something. Well, I got to get to work if you gentlemen are to have this boat by six o’clock.

When they reached the street, Jack exclaimed, Talk about luck! You’d better hold on to me, Hadley, or I’ll be doing a war-dance right here on the pavement!

Ted, you wonderful fellow! cried John. When I called on you for help I had an idea it would be a good deal like rubbing a magical lamp, but you’re a far more powerful genie than I ever dreamed. What’s the secret of your hold on that man Tom?

Ted Fisher looked pleased at the obvious appreciation of the two friends. Yet he hesitated before he answered:

Maybe I never told you I was captain of a dough-boy outfit in France during the war. Tom was one of my sergeants. Well,—one night I helped him get out of a tight place; so I’m sort of special pet of his. That’s all. Tom’s the best automobile mechanic I know of. He said you could have the car by six o’clock; so you can depend on him. Now forget it. You said you were mine for the evening, you know.

And he motioned them into the waiting car.