“Call that a joke?” he moaned.
“Don’t spring any more. My life ain’t insured, by heck,” put in Yankee Hiram.
“Well, that got a laugh in the minstrel show where I heard it,” responded the aggrieved joke-smith.
Before long, lights flashed ahead of them, and, descending a steepish hill, they chugged into the town of Aquebogue. It was a fairly large town, and here and there lighted windows showed that some of the low resorts were still open for business. Far down the street shone two green lights, which marked the police station. The auto glided up to this, and Rob jumped out, accompanied by Merritt, leaving Tubby and Hiram in the car.
“Let’s get out and stretch our legs a bit,” said Tubby presently. It was taking some time for Rob to explain his errand to a sleepy police official.
“All right, my boy,” drawled Hiram. “I’m not averse to a bit of leg-stretching.”
The two lads got out and strolled as far as the street corner.
“H’s’h!” exclaimed Tubby suddenly, as they reached it. He seized Hiram’s arm with every appearance of excitement.
“Wa-al, what is it now?” asked the down-east boy; “more jokes and didoes?”
“No. See that chap just sneaking down the street from the opposite corner?”