“He only did this to delay us,” declared Jerry, and the others agreed with him.
“Well, if he isn’t here by ten I’ll formally discharge you, and send the warrant back to Judge Lawton with an explanation,” said Judge Blackford.
Ten o’clock brought no change in the situation, and holding court in his library, the magistrate discharged the “prisoners.” Constable Snook was on hand, and looked rather disappointed when he saw that he was not to have the pleasure of taking the boys and the professor to jail.
“But we have strict laws agin’ speedin’ here,” he warned them, as Jerry got out the car to resume the trip. “If I catch ye’ speedin’ I’ll have t’ take ye in.”
“We won’t come this way soon again,” replied Jerry. Then, good-byes having been said to the judge and his wife, our friends started on their journey.
“I wonder what happened to Noddy?” spoke Ned, who had taken his place on the front seat with Jerry.
“Oh, he has either turned back, or else he’s waiting until we get far enough ahead of him so that he can follow as he pleases,” replied the tall lad.
They had turned off the main road to reach the home of the judge, and were now coming out of a sort of long country lane, thickly bordered with trees, to reach the main highway again. As they were about to swing around a turn they all heard the chug-chug of an auto.
“Someone’s coming,” remarked Ned.