"The automobile!" he gasped.
"And coming this way," added Matt, swerving his eyes up the slope.
"The three of them are coming back," went on Clip. "They're after us, Matt!"
"How do you make that out, Clip? If Bascomb is one of Burke's men, he couldn't be coming back with two of the Dangerfield gang. If he's coming back alone he's unarmed, and we'll be more than a match for him."
"Maybe Bascomb failed to get the roadster! Maybe the two roughs are heading this way! If——"
The words faded on Clip's lips. Just then the red roadster showed itself at the top of the rise. Bascomb was on the driver's seat and the other two men were not in evidence.
Bascomb came down the slope slowly and halted the roadster in front of the boys.
"All aboard for Phœnix!" said he calmly. "One of you get in the rumble with the machines; the other climb up here beside me. Hurry! You know I'm in a rush, Matt."