“Well, that might have been it. I didn’t pay much attention. His auto was badly in need of repairs, and I sort of asked if he didn’t want me to fix it. He said he didn’t as they were only going on a little farther.”
“A little farther,” remarked Jerry, for it was still some distance to Denver, where Noddy was undoubtedly headed for. It was common knowledge that the Comet, the airship of our heroes, was in Denver, for the papers had contained many accounts of how it had broken records at the big meet. Noddy could not have helped seeing them, and, naturally, he would suspect that the motor boys were going to pick up their craft.
“Well, he said he and his crowd were going to take a train the rest of the way,” went on the garage man. “They were going to Belmont station, and take the train there. Here comes the gasolene. I’ll soon have your tanks filled.”
“Fellows, we’ve got to do something!” exclaimed Jerry to his companions, as the gasolene was being put in. “Noddy may get ahead of us after all, and reach Denver first, if he takes a train.”
“What can we do?” asked Ned.
“Leave the auto, and take a train ourselves,” replied the tall lad.
“That’s it!” cried Bob. “Beat him at his own game!”
“Then we’ll do it,” decided Jerry. “How far is it to Belmont?” he asked of the garage man, as he paid for the gasolene.
“About twenty miles.”
“Can you get a through train there for Denver, Colorado?”