"A mighty good thing for us that you showed up when you did," Frank declared. "That gang were trying to kidnap us."
"How come?"
"They've been trying to keep us from catching a train to the West, and they mighty nearly got away with it that time."
"Well, dey won't ha'm yoh no moah—not so long as yoh is in dis autymobile," the big negro assured them. And, as the car bounded along onto the main highway, the Hardy boys discussed the trap into which they had been so cleverly led.
"It'll teach us to beware of strangers from now on," Frank said. "Evidently one lesson isn't enough."
"If a stranger says so much as 'Hello' to me after this I'll yell for the police."
"Perhaps not that bad," and Frank grinned. "But we know now that there is a plot on foot to keep us from reaching the West, and we'll have to be on our guard."
"I'm more anxious than ever to get to the West now. It looks as if we're heading into some real excitement."
"We've had more than we bargained for already."
In a short time the automobile came within sight of the town the boys had left but a little while before, and after warmly thanking their two rescuers and slipping a five-dollar bill into the hands of the big driver, who beamed with gratification and delight, the Hardy boys settled down to wait for the night train back to Chicago. They were bothered by no more encounters with strangers, and after an almost interminable wait the train arrived.