"You'll be looked after right until you reach Montana," he said. "You won't have to change trains. There'll be no bother."
"We're very grateful to you—" began Frank.
The little lawyer dismissed their thanks with a gesture.
"It's no trouble at all," he said. "No trouble at all. Your father would do as much for me any day."
From out on the platform they heard the stentorian cry, "All Aboard!" Mr. Hopkins glanced at his watch.
"I'll have to go," he said quickly. Then, without waiting to say good-bye, he dashed out of the compartment, slamming the door behind him in his haste.
The Hardy boys settled back in the comfortable seats as the train began to move. They looked out the window as they emerged from the great train-shed and then they were occupied gazing at the city streets as the locomotive picked up speed and roared on its way.
In due time the train passed through the outskirts of Chicago, then it rushed on through open stretches of country, past little towns and villages. It was an express that evidently stopped only at the larger cities.
"At this rate it won't take us long to reach Montana," Frank remarked.
"We're sure making good time."