"Here they are now," said Jimmy. "And, gee whiz, how they are coming!" The boys could see on the open road a big gray car fairly leaping toward them. Frank, even at the distance, recognized it as the one that had brought his parents and Colonel Powers that morning. A smile lighted up his face.
"That'll help some to have David here," he said.
In a few minutes the car came to a halt on the road opposite them, and a voice called, "Frank Armstrong, oh, Frank Armstrong, you're wanted."
Frank turned and made his way through the crowd to the side of the car. Colonel Powers held a package in his hand.
"David is determined that you are to skate on Ruddock blades, Frank. When we were visiting you after luncheon, he took the car and went to Milton, searched the stores and duplicated the skates that some one stole from you."
Frank could not answer for the choking sensation in his throat, and when he looked at David the latter grinned back at him merrily.
"Get them onto your feet," he cried, "quick. You'll find the screw holes of the other ones will be just right for these. They are exact duplicates."
Frank could not answer just then, but he pulled the paper off the skates.
"And in case you didn't have any screws to fit," continued David, "I brought some screws and a screw driver. Get them on quick." Frank ran to the river bank, and in a few minutes had the new skates firmly attached to his stout shoes. Then he threw the old ones down and sprang to his feet. How good they felt, how light, how different from the other clogs! He took a spin around on them, stamped his feet, and felt himself another person, fit to fight for his life, and, better still, to fight and win. His antics were watched with interest by the occupants of the car.
Jimmy's amazement knew no bounds when he saw how Frank was shod.