“Don’t hurry—stay as long as you like,” invited the farmer. “It’s going to be a bad storm.”
“That’s why we want to get on to Newton,” said Jerry. “We’re going to stop there for the night.”
“Well, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like here,” the man went on. “All I ask is decent treatment. But when a fellow smokes in my barn, and when he’s the same fellow that once robbed my orchard, broke down my fence, and sassed me in the bargain, I have no use for him!”
He watched the boys adjusting their chains, and renewed his invitation to them to remain. But they thanked him and moved on.
“It sure is a rain!” said Bob, as they drove along a muddy road. “Good thing we put on the side curtains as well as the chains.”
“Sure,” assented Ned.
Presently the Motor Boys heard Bill Cromley snicker to himself.
“By Peter, these fellers were right,” muttered the old miner. “Thought I didn’t tell ’em everything about that treasure. And no more I did!” And he snickered again.
“What do you mean?” questioned Ned curiously.
“I didn’t tell ’em about the twin trees, down past which the treasure chest is supposed to have slid. I got that from an old Mexican I knew years ago. I’ll have to point out the twin trees to you boys—that is, provided they are still standin’.”