“Oh!” And then Ruth grew suddenly thoughtful. Then she presently glanced slyly at Jack and smiled, and, glancing back, he grinned in return; and thus the thin ice that had been forming between them dissolved.
Mile after mile was covered, and in less than an hour they reached Margot and there brought the cars to a halt.
“It won’t be safe to go any further,” explained Randy, who was driving the other car. “There are two roads from Albany coming in here, and we don’t know which one they are taking. They didn’t know themselves, because when they got to Jackville they were going to ask which one was in the better condition and then take that.”
While waiting at Margot they entered a drug store and had some ice-cream soda. They had just finished this treat when Fred, who had gone out to see if their friends were yet in sight, came back hurriedly and motioned to the other boys.
“Come out here, quick!” cried the youngest Rover. “I’ve got a surprise for you! Hurry!”
Grabbing up the change the druggist was giving him, Jack dashed out of the place, followed by the twins. Fred was on the sidewalk pointing in the direction of a side road leading southward from the town.
“See that auto?” exclaimed the youngest Rover excitedly.
“Yes. What of it?” questioned Jack.
“It just came up the roadway we have been traveling,” answered Fred. “There were two people in it. The minute the driver saw me standing by the machines he put on all speed, went around that corner, and now he’s streaking it for all he’s worth.”