The man had come from the porch through the darkness. He was standing beside the car.
Stuart could distinguish his face through the gloom.
"I'm heading for a town called Herkimer," explained Stuart. "How do I get there?"
"I'm going that way," came the reply. "Want to give me a lift? Guess I can show you the road."
"Sure thing," responded Stuart.
The man clambered into the car. Now, at close range, Stuart saw that he was evidently a man from the city. He was well dressed, even though his overcoat bore signs of long wear. He was about thirty-five years of age, and his face, while pale and drooping, indicated intelligence.
"Herkimer's straight ahead — for a while," the man remarked. "Glad you came along. I was kinda stranded there, on that porch. Waiting for the storm to pass over."
They were entering the storm zone as the man spoke. Stuart could feel the effects of the driving wind as he managed the powerful coupe. Rain was battering against the windshield, and the glare of the bright lights shone into an oncoming torrent.
Stuart pictured the porch where the man had been. It was hardly an enviable spot during a deluge, but it was better than the open.
"Hiking my way," explained the man. "Cut across this road because it was shorter, and figured I could pick up a hitch. But the people seem to be kinda leery of hikers. That's why I was watching, when you came along."