oser, then it died away in the distance on their left.

"The machine must have taken to a side road," was Dick's comment.

"Yes, and we may as well go on," answered Tom.

Once more they proceeded on their way. Less than a hundred yards were
covered when they reached the side road. In the muddy roadway the tracks
of the rubber tires of the automobile were plainly to be seen.

"If we were sure they were the men we might go after them," said Sam.

"We'd not catch them with the horses," answered Dick.

"And it might be another machine," added Tom. "There are plenty of them
in Carwell."

They were now within two miles of the town and the farmhouses were
becoming more numerous. Just as they struck a paved street, Tom uttered
an exclamation:

"Here comes Uncle Randolph now!"

He pointed ahead to where a street light fell on a horse and buggy. On
the seat of the latter sat Randolph Rover, driving along contentedly.

"Hullo, Uncle Randolph!" sang out Dick, and brought the buckboard to a
halt.

"Why, Dick!" exclaimed the uncle, staring at the three boys in surprise.
"What brings you here this time of night?"

"We came to find you, Uncle Randolph," said Tom, and added: "Are your
traction company bonds safe?"

"My bonds? What do you know of my bonds?" And now the buggy halted
beside the buckboard.

"We know two men are after them," said Sam.

"Oh, I thought that was a secret," answered Mr. Rover.

"But did you see the men?" asked Dick, impatiently.

"Oh, yes, and I have had a narrow escape from being swindled," answered
the uncle, calmly.

"Oh, then you escaped," said Dick, and he and his brothers breathed a
sigh of relief.

"Yes, I escaped," answered Randolph Rover. "It was very kind of Mr.
Jardell to come to me as he did," he went on.

"Mr. Jardell?" asked Tom. "Who is he?"

"Why, the treasurer of the traction company."

"Then you haven't seen a man named Merrick and another named Pike?"
asked Sam.

"Why, no. Who are they?"

"Two rascals who were up to some game. We think they were after your
traction company bonds."

"Ha! perhaps--But no, that couldn't be," murmured Mr. Rover, wiping off
the spectacles he wore. "I--er--I really do not understand this, boys."

"Tell us what you've been doing, uncle, and then we'll tell what we
know," said Dick.

"Um! Well, you know that some time ago I invested in ten thousand
dollars worth of traction company bonds--got them through an agent in
New York."

"