“You’ll soon be able to tell,” remarked the professor. “He’s almost here.”
The bobbing light approached nearer, and soon, by its rays, the boys could see that the lantern was carried by a grizzled farmer, who wore a horse blanket as a raincoat. He stopped, and standing in a puddle of water demanded:
“Are ye stuck, strangers?”
“That’s what,” replied Jerry.
“Can you accommodate us over night?” asked Ned quickly. “We’re willing to pay you well.”
“Oh, I guess I could put you up,” drawled the man. “I live all alone, jest a piece down the road. I saw the lights on your machine, an’ I sensed that suthin’ were wrong, so I come out t’ help. This is a powerful bad bit of road, an’ lots of machines has trouble. Generally they comes t’ me fer help an’ I does what I kin. If ye’ll walk along I’ll light th’ way, though it’s a measly bad storm.”
“Will it be safe to leave the auto here, boys?” asked the professor.
“Oh, yes,” replied Jerry. “No one could run away with it to-night, but I’ll take the precaution of locking the ignition system, and that will prevent anyone tampering with it. I guess we’ll go with you, Mr.—” He paused and looked at the farmer.
“Buttle is my name, Enoch Buttle. Come right along. I ain’t got a very scrumptious place, but ye’re welcome.”
“I must get my valuables!” exclaimed the professor suddenly, as he reached back under the seat where he had piled his specimen boxes. “It would never do to leave them here.” As he emerged with the small packages in his arms, shielding them from the wet as well as he could, Mr. Buttle looked at the scientist sharply, and asked: