“A booze search!” he hastily reminded Jack. “They’re all right; but we’re too close now not to be discovered. Pass them at full speed, or we’ll be stopped ourselves!”
They whizzed by the group before the men were aware of their existence.
“Gave them the go-by!” cried Jack, exultantly, as he slowed down again.
“But I’m afraid the girls recognized us!” said John.
“What’s the difference? I’m glad we escaped being held up for a search; but now we’ve gone and reversed the order of things, and we have to lead instead of follow.”
Now that they thought the girls knew of their presence, they did not trouble to keep out of sight, realizing that so long as they acted as strangers, Mrs. Hart would suspect nothing. When they reached the town on the border of the desert, they searched for the hotel given in the girls’ schedule, and engaged rooms for themselves in another across the street. They did not wait to put the car away, but left it standing in the hotel yard; for they were anxious to be out of sight when the girls arrived. From a window overlooking the street, they saw the scouts alight, with the exception of Marjorie, who drove the car into the garage adjoining their hotel. When she reappeared they were tempted to go out and intercept her, but thought better of it.
“Let’s go to the dining-room,” suggested Jack, “I’m hungry as a bear!”
“You always are!” answered his companion.
They chose a table by a window from which they could see the hotel opposite, hoping to catch sight of the girls again. A long while after dinner they sat there, resting and smoking. They saw the garage-man lock up his place and go off to supper; after that, except for an occasional horseman, the street was deserted. The long drive and the hearty meal made both boys feel drowsy. Jack was about to suggest that they go out to hunt a garage, when John leaped to his feet, upsetting the water carafe. Grasping Jack’s arm he pointed across the street to the garage. Jack looked, and to his amazement beheld the girls’ car standing outside the closed doors.
“What the deuce!” he muttered. “Can it be that they are going on again tonight?”