"Unless he is so angry that he hasn't any common sense left," suggested Ned.
"That may be it, yes. Well, the sooner we get started away from here the better it will be for us."
"Do you think you'll escape your enemies, Tom, by starting on a trip in the House on Wheels?" asked Ned.
"Not exactly! We've had experiences before in being trailed by those who wanted to injure me or my father. But it isn't as easy for them to get at me when I'm on the move. I can keep them guessing."
"There's something in that," admitted Ned. "Well, I won't be sorry to be on the move, either."
It was two days after this, following a tryout of the House on Wheels fully loaded and equipped, that Tom and Ned started on what they thought was to be a pleasant little excursion, but which turned out to be the beginning of a series of strange events.
"I'll let you know when I get to Chesterport, Dad," said Tom, when bidding his father good-bye.
"Yes, do," urged the aged inventor. "This is a different machine from any you have traveled in, and I should like to know how it behaves. We might make some money out of putting them on the market."
"I'll think about that."
Ned made his farewells to Helen Morton and then, amid a chorus of good wishes on the part of Mr. Damon and the shop force, the two young men started off in the strange machine which attracted much attention all along the road.