“Well,” said George, “he doesn’t seem to be leaving the country very rapidly and if we hear of him riding around in a brand new automobile we’ll begin to ask some questions. Now, the thing for us to do is to start on our trip and see if there’s anything in the report my father has received about the lost car having been found in Newburgh.”
A few minutes later the four boys were on their way toward the beautiful little city on the Hudson.
A ride of between forty and fifty miles was before them and they had not gone far on their journey before they were more deeply interested in the sights and scenes they were passing than in the pursuit of the car which had been lost.
While they were riding through the Ramapo Valley they tried to discover the place where young Montagnie had had his troubles with the cowboys who had stopped him. Other stories of heroic deeds by the colonists in the struggle for independence were told by George and Grant and the time passed so rapidly that when the car stopped at Suffern, where the boys were to have their luncheon, with one accord they declared that the ride had been the most enjoyable in all their experience.
Early in the afternoon the ride was resumed and such excellent time was made that by half past three o’clock they had arrived at the end of their journey.
Their car was placed in a garage and then the boys at once went to a hotel where they were to remain that night, for it had been decided that they would not return until the following morning, whether their lost car was found or not.
“Come on, fellows,” said George a half-hour afterward, “we’ll go down to the garage and see if our car is there.”
Down the hillside on the steep street that led to the bank of the Hudson the boys made their way, frequently commenting on the experiences people of Newburgh must have in winter-time, when ice and snow were to be found on the streets.
George explained that at that time ropes were stretched along the sidewalk to protect the people who tried to pass up or down the slippery way.
“Here we are,” explained George a little later as they stopped in front of a large garage. “Come on in. We’ll know what out fate is in a few minutes.”