The message was sent, and then Bob headed the car for the open country. They were bowling along, the fat lad having given several demonstrations of how to apply the new brakes, when he took one hand from the steering wheel and began fishing in his pocket.
“What’s the matter?” asked Jerry.
Bob did not answer, but pulled out a doughnut and began munching on it.
“Well, for the love of pepsin!” cried Ned. “If you aren’t——”
He never finished the sentence, for just then the car rounded a curve in the road and Jerry, pointing ahead, cried:
“Look! There’s a house on fire!”
In pointing he jarred Bob’s hand just as the latter was raising the doughnut for another bite.
“It sure is a fire!” shouted Ned.
“Ug! Ow! Huh! Huh! Heck!” coughed and spluttered Bob.
“What’s the matter?” cried Jerry.