“The Ann, sir, if it’s all the same to you.”
“You’re quite welcome to her,” the millionaire returned.
“Well, then, with your permission,” continued Sam, “I’ll smuggle Jimmie out to the field and we’ll be on our way. The machine has plenty of gasoline on board, I take it, and is perfect in other ways?”
“I believe her to be in perfect condition, and well supplied with fuel,” was the answer. “She’s the fastest machine in the world right now.”
Sam started away, looking anything but a tramp in his new clothes, but turned back in a moment and faced his employer.
“If we shouldn’t be back by morning,” he said, then, “don’t do any worrying on our account. Start south in your machines and you’ll be certain to pick us up somewhere between Quito and Lake Titicaca. If you don’t pick us up within a day or two,” the boy continued in a hesitating tone, “you’ll find a letter addressed to yourself at the local post-office.”
“Look here, Sam,” suggested Mr. Havens, “why don’t you tell me a little more about yourself and your people?”
“Sometime, perhaps, but not now,” was the reply. “The letter, you understand,” he continued, “is not to be opened until you have reasonable proof of my death.”
“I understand!” the millionaire answered. “But here’s another thing,” he added, “you say that we may find you between Quito and Lake Titicaca. Are you acquainted with that region?”
“Well, I know something about it!” replied Sam. “You see,” he continued, “when I left your employ in the disgraceful manner which will at once occur to you, I explained to Old Civilization that she might go and hang herself for all of me. I ducked into the wilderness, and since that time I’ve spent many weeks along what is known as the roof of the world in Peru.”