When it shot into sight Billy gave a sudden cheer.
“Number fifty-three! Oh, Dannie! that’s Mr. Robert!”
But at that word his brother stepped quickly out of the way. He could not hold up Darringford, who had already been so kind to them. But the young proprietor of the Darringford Machine Shops began to slow down as soon as he saw that the drab car was in trouble.
“What’s the matter, boys?” he shouted, craning his head out of the car to see them.
“Oh, Mr. Robert!” cried Billy, boldly. “Can you lend us a gallon of gasoline?”
“What! gone stale between towns?” laughed the young man. “I am surprised at you, boys.”
“It was not our fault, I assure you,” said Dan, quietly. “Somebody played a trick on us. They filled our cans at Farmingdale with water instead of gasoline.”
“Why! that’s a despicable trick,” declared Mr. Robert, as Dan opened one of the cans and poured the water into the road.
“It has lost us nearly an hour already,” said Billy.
“It shall lose you no more time. Give me that empty can,” said Mr. Robert, quickly. “Take one of our full ones. That’s right. Now, come on, boys, and show me what your Breton-Melville can do!” and, the exchange being made, he waved to his chauffeur to go on again.