The lads hurried out of Jerry’s house, and started after the odd, little scientist who had been their instructor at Boxwood Hall. But Professor Snodgrass made such good time that he was around the corner and in a side lane before the boys were within hailing distance.
“There he goes!” cried Bob.
“And on the run, too!” added Ned. “He must be after a six cylinder June bug.”
Indeed, Professor Snodgrass was fairly running now, and it could not be doubted, from what the boys knew of him, that he was after some creature to add to his collection of strange bugs.
Suddenly the little man, as if in pursuit of a flying object, turned quickly to the left, and, as he did so, Ned cried:
“He’d better watch out! That path leads to the edge of the cliff where they’ve been taking out gravel above Limestone Creek. There’s a sharp fall there, and there was a slide there last week. It’s dangerous!”
“We’d better call to him,” suggested Jerry. “Hi, there, Professor Snodgrass!” he shouted, making a megaphone of his hands. “Come back! Don’t go any farther!”
The boys redoubled their speed after Ned’s warning and, making a turn in the path, came in view of the little man. All unconscious of his danger, he was running straight ahead, his hat held out as though to catch a butterfly.
“Come back! Come back!” cried the Motor Boys.
But the professor, unheeding, ran on, and an instant later had fallen, disappearing over the edge of a cliff.