Little time was lost in transferring Mr. Cameron to Dick's big car. The young engineer was soon himself again, the slight feeling of illness, caused by the chloroform, passing off.
"Those blowouts came just in time to let us get you," remarked Dick, as he looked at the stalled car.
"Yes," agreed Mr. Cameron. "They ran so fast they overheated the shoes. I didn't think you could catch us."
"Oh, the Last Word can go some when she has to," said Dick, proudly. "I never called on her for as much speed as this before though. What did they do to you?"
"Nothing much, after they took me by surprise, and bundled me into their car. Then they gagged me, as I found out when I recovered my senses, and they trussed me up pretty well with the ropes. I could hear them talking, though."
"Were they some of Uncle Ezra's gang?" asked Dick.
"Yes, they were taking the place of my two former guards, Sam and Bill. I guess they had their orders to hide me away somewhere so you boys couldn't find me until it was too late. But what are you going to do now?"
"Get something to eat, and then head for San Francisco as fast as the car will take us," said Dick. "We won't waste another minute. No telling what trick they may try next."
The meal, served in the big auto, revived them, for they were tired with the chase and worn by anxiety. Soon they all felt better and a little later they were on the move again, leaving the stalled car where doubtless the men would come back and get it.
"It's a wonder they didn't show fight when they found we were overhauling them," said Paul.