“Let us go with the gentleman,” urged the Professor.
“Oh, very well,” answered Kearns. “I have no objection to seeing the adventure through to the end.”
“Come, Bowman, come, Walker,” said the Colonel, turning to the cross-eyed man and his companion; “assist them to my phaeromobile.”
“I don’t think we need assistance, thank you,” said the Professor, rising and waving away the tall dark man.
“Assistance, indeed!” exclaimed Kearns as he repulsed the cross-eyed man. “I should say not!”
“But you might fall! Pray be careful!” urged the Colonel with officious kindness.
“I may if I don’t get something to eat pretty soon,” laughed Kearns.
“Yes; it is certainly high time we ate,” declared the Professor.
“Ah, just as I feared!” remarked the Colonel anxiously.
By this time they had passed through the door of the station-house. Outside stood one of those curious looking machines which Kearns and the Professor had seen rushing past them on the highway. On the front seat sat a man, apparently the driver. Behind him, in the body of the vehicle, were seats for four persons.