Dan Speedwell was completely taken aback by this statement of the deputy sheriff. He knew that Mr. Polk must have surety for his words. The men in the maroon automobile were well known and perfectly responsible citizens.
Indeed, as Dan wheeled his motorcycle nearer to the car he saw that the two in the tonneau of the auto were much different-looking individuals from those he expected to find. The men who had wrecked Maxey Solomons’ auto, and perhaps killed the young man himself, would certainly not possess the personal appearance of these gentlemen!
Mr. Briggs Dan knew by reputation. He was the most enthusiastic motorist in Crandall County. The thousand mile endurance test which he had suggested, and to the winner of which he had promised a gold cup, interested Dan and Billy Speedwell not a little, although they owned no automobile, and at this time had no immediate expectation of getting a car.
“What does the young man want, Polk?” inquired Mr. Armitage, a gray-mustached man with a ruddy face and pleasant smile. “He asked us to stop; didn’t he?”
“There’s a mistake been made somewhere, Mr. Armitage,” declared the deputy sheriff, with some hesitation. “Dan is a good boy, and trustworthy. But it seems he has been following you and Mr. Briggs on his motorcycle——”
“What for?” asked the gentleman, quickly.
“Because of something that happened up the road. He says that the automobile he followed wrecked another machine and hurt the driver.”
“Our auto?” cried Mr. Armitage.
“Why, Dan says it was a maroon car, like yours, and that it came direct from Riverdale.”
“By which road?” asked Mr. Briggs, quickly.