"You had someone with you?" The old man's voice was incredulous
"Only a hitch-hiker," replied Stuart quickly. "I picked him up out of the storm."
"Yes — but to bring him here?" The man's alarm was evident.
"I–I figured I was a bit early," said Stuart. Groping for an excuse. "I planned to go into Herkimer and return. He was going there, so I took him along. I couldn't leave him out in such a storm."
"I see," acquiesced the old man. "It was not wise, however. Well, we can do nothing until my man appears, which should be any moment now."
AS if in fulfillment of the old man's prediction, the door opened, and Stuart Bruxton looked up to see the monster whom he had observed beside the wrecked car.
The man was a powerful brute, with tremendous shoulders for one of middle stature. His face, although ugly, did not wear that fiendish expression that Stuart had seen by the lightning flash. Instead, it wore a look of puzzlement as its owner viewed the newcomer.
"Grady," said the old man. "this is the man we have been expecting — Mr. Powell. He tells me that he has had an accident.
"He also had a man riding with him — a hitch-hiker — who was hurt and is still in the car.
Will you go down to the bridge and see what you can do?"