"Got out of that better than I expected," whispered Sam to his big brother.
"It pays to put on a front, Sam," was the answer. "If I had been weak-kneed about it that fellow wouldn't have done a thing."
"Oh, you've got a head for business, Dick—I can see that," said the youngest Rover, admiringly.
"I hope so, Sam—for I think I'll need it soon."
"You mean for helping Dad?"
"Yes,"
"It's too bad he has these weak spells, isn't it?"
"Yes. What he needs, I think, is a good, long rest."
The others went off in the touring auto, and Dick and Sam made themselves at home on the flat car. Soon a freight engine backed up, the car was attached; and off they started, in company with the section boss and two track laborers, in the direction of Ashton.
As the Rovers could readily see, the Dartaway was a complete wreck, beyond the possibility of being repaired. But the motor looked to be in good order, and the stays and turn-buckles would, of course, be worth something.