“This Mr. Brundage?” inquired Clancy.
“It is. What ye want? What’s the matter with Bully?”
Clancy turned and drew a breath of relief at sight of Bully, who had fallen sound asleep from utter weariness.
“We came after Merriwell,” he stated, turning to the farmer. “Get him out here in a hurry. Bully is tired out, that’s all.”
This statement was perfectly true. At Clancy’s air of haste, Brundage clawed his whiskers for an instant, then turned and hurriedly stamped into the house. Before the other man returned, Clancy caught up the shotgun and thrust it into Billy’s hands.
“Climb into the Hornet and be ready to light out,” he exclaimed. “Keep that fellow covered.”
As the man approached, Billy ordered him to put up his hands. Clancy was already examining the barnyard. In one corner appeared an automobile, which beyond a doubt was that of the Carsonville garage.
The astonished farm hand obeyed Billy’s abrupt order. Bully Carson was in no danger of awakening for the present, and Clancy made ready to depart as soon as Chip was produced.
“We’ve got to hit her up for Fardale, Billy. When Chip comes, you give him that seat and climb out to the running board——”
“Take Carson’s car,” suggested Billy.