ils of his interview with Amos Greenleaf.

"Say," exclaimed Zeph, "I believe there's something to this. Every
point seems to tally somehow to what information the car finder gave
me, don't you think so? Besides, in investigating the matter, I heard
about this same wreck. And five years ago? Ralph, this is worth
looking up, don't you think so?"

Zeph was fairly incoherent amid his excitement. He could not sit
still, and arose to his feet and began walking around restlessly.

"You see, it is a long time since the car disappeared," said Ralph,
"and we may not be able to find any trace of it. The car finder, in
his investigations, must have heard of this wreck. Still, as you say,
it is worth following up the clew, and that is why I got a leave from
work for the afternoon."

"Hello," said Zeph, looking in among the bushes abruptly, "some one in
there? No, I don't see anybody now, but there was a rustling there a
minute or two ago."

"Some bird or animal, probably," said Ralph. "Come on, Zeph, we will
go to the bridge and start on our investigations."

The river near Wilmer was a broad stream. It was quite deep and had a
swift current. The boys started down one bank, conversing and watching
out. Ralph laughed humorously after a while.

"I fancy this is a kind of a blind hunt, Zeph," he said. "We certainly
cannot expect to find that car lying around loose."

"Well, hardly, but we might find out where it went to if we go far
enough," declared Zeph. "I tell you, I shall never give it up now if I
have to go clear to the end of this river."

They kept on until quite late in the afternoon, but made no
discoveries. They passed a little settlement and went some distance
beyond it. Then Ralph decided to return to the railroad camp.

"All right," said Zeph, "only I quit work to-morrow."

"What for?"

"To find that car. I say, I'm thirsty. Let us get a drink of water at
that old farm house yonder."

They went to the place in question and were drinking from the well
bucket when the apparent owner of the place approached them.

"Won't you have a cup or a glass, my lads?" he inquired kindly.

"Oh, no, this is all right," said Ralph.

"On a tramp, are you?" continued the farmer, evidently glad to have
someone to talk to.

"In a way, yes," answered Ralph, and then, a sudden idea struck him,
he added: "By the way, you are an old resident here, I suppose?"

"Forty years or more."

"Do you happen to remember anything of