in the village, and
come out to see you when I may--when you have made your decision.
I feel the need of a little rest--after my narrow escape. And that
it should be you who saved my life--you of all!"

Again the boys noted his peculiar manner.

"I guess we had better be getting back," suggested Hank. "Have to
foot it to town, though," he added regretfully, as he looked at
the smashed carriage. "I hope the boss doesn't blame me for this,"
and his voice was rueful.

"I shall take it upon myself to testify in your favor," said the
Spaniard with courtly grace. "It was an unavoidable accident--the
breaking of the rein, and the maddened dash of the horse off the
bridge. That we did not follow was a miracle. I shall certainly
tell your employer--as you say your boss," and he smiled--"I shall
tell him you could not help it."

"I'd take it kindly if you would," added Hank, "for Rex, though he
had a terrible temper, was a valuable horse. Well, he won't run
away any more, that's one sure thing. I guess that carriage can
be patched up."

"Why don't you ask Mr. Baker to lend you a rig?" suggested Blake.
"I'm sure he would. I'll tell him how it happened."

"That is kind of you, sir. You place me more than ever in your
debt," spoke the Spaniard, bowing again.

"How did you know we were here?" asked Joe of the boy who had
brought the delayed special delivery letter.

"I stopped at Mr. Baker's house," Sam explained, "and Mrs. Baker
said she saw you come down this way on your motor cycle. She said
you'd just been on a ride, and probably wouldn't go far, so I ran
on, thinking I'd meet you coming back. I didn't know anything
about the accident," he concluded, his eyes big with wonder as he
looked at the smashed carriage.

"Are you able to walk back to the farmhouse where we are
boarding?" asked Blake of Mr. Alcando. "If not we could get Mr.
Baker to drive down here."

"Oh, thank you, I am perfectly able to walk, thanks to your
quickness in preventing the carriage and ourselves from toppling
into the chasm," replied the Spaniard.

Hank, with Mr. Alcando and Sam, walked back along the road, while
Blake and Joe went to where they had dropped their motor cycle.
They repaired the disconnected gasoline pipe, and rode on ahead to
tell Mr. Baker of the coming of the others. The farmer readily
agreed to lend his horse and carriage so that the unfortunate ones
would not have to walk into town, a matter of three miles.

"I shall r