"There is one thing about this whole matter that worries me," said Dick, "and that is that when they catch this Blackie Crowden—and I think they'll land on the fellow sooner or later—most of the money may be gone. There will be some satisfaction in placing such a rascal behind the bars, but that won't give Mr. Sanderson his cash back nor lift that mortgage."
"We've just got news and we thought we would let you know about it," cried Ada Waltham, as the runabout came to a standstill close to the other automobiles. "There is to be a grand festival at Larkinburg this evening, and if it is not necessary to stay in Ashton to-night we might as well go to that place and attend the festival. I received a letter at the Ashton post-office from two girls who used to go to Hope, and they are to be at the affair, and they write that it will be well worth attending."
"Oh, yes, let us go to Larkinburg by all means!" cried Grace. "I know the two girls—Jennie Cross and Mabel Stanford. The festival will certainly be well worth while if they say so."
"Let me see—how many miles is it to Larkinburg?" questioned Tom.
"Only sixty, so we can make the run with ease if we start directly after lunch," answered Chester Waltham.
The matter was talked over for a few minutes, and as a result it was decided to go ahead and make the town mentioned in ample time to attend the festival.
"They are going to have a concert and some outdoor tableaux, with refreshments," said Grace. "Ada was telling me all about it."
"Well, that will be much better than staying in Ashton doing nothing," returned Dora. "And, besides, we must be getting along on our trip. Dick says we are really a day behind in our schedule."
During the stop at the Ashton hotel for lunch, Chester Waltham had been very attentive to Grace and had asked her if she did not wish to change places with his sister on the run to Larkinburg; but she had declined, offering some excuse which was far from satisfactory to the young millionaire.
"I thought you were going to put in part of this tour with me," he had said, rather reproachfully. "Besides, if you will come in with me it will give Ada a chance to visit with the others."