“Oh, we’ll be back safe and sound and on time,” cried Dick.  “So don’t worry about us.”

“Those are both powerful machines,” was Mr. Rover’s comment.  “Be careful that you don’t exceed the speed limits, or you may be arrested.”

“Providing they catch us,” answered Tom, with a grin.

It had been decided that they should go out into the country by the way of Germantown, and soon they were bowling along in fine fashion over the smooth city pavement.  Here and there they met crowds shooting off pistols and firecrackers.

“It is good we haven’t horses,” said Sam.  “This racket might cause them to run away.”

“That is where the automobilist has the advantage over a horse driver, Sam,” answered his big brother.  “But I must say, some of the young fellows on the street are rather careless.”

Scarcely had Dick spoken when the big machine rounded a corner and speeded through a crowd of what were evidently factory hands.  They were shooting off pistols and firecrackers and raised a great din.  Then one ugly looking young fellow lighted a firecracker and sent it toward the automobile.  It landed directly in Dora’s lap.

“Oh!” screamed Dora, and tried to draw away.

As quick as a flash Dick leaned forward and caught up the firecracker.  As he threw it out of the automobile it exploded close by.

“Do that again, and I’ll come back at you!” shouted the elder Rover, and shook his fist at the fellow in the street.

“Dick, did it hurt you?” asked Dora, anxiously.

“Oh, it burst my little finger a trifle, that’s all,” was the reply.  The finger smarted quite some, but Dick did not want to show it.

“We ought to go back and punch his head,” was Sam’s comment.

“Wonder if they’ll try that game on the other auto,” said Fred, as he arose to look back.

He saw the street rough throw a lighted firecracker at the other machine.  It landed on the floor of the tonneau, but like a flash Tom was after it.  The fun-loving Rover held it up, took aim, and sent it straight at the fellow who had first launched it.  Bang! went the firecracker, right close to the rough’s left ear.  He set up a howl of pain, for he had been burnt enough to make it smart well.

“There, he’s paid back,” said Fred, and then the two automobiles passed on, leaving the roughs in the distance.

CHAPTER XIII

A WILD AUTOMOBILE RIDE

“This is glorious!”

“It certainly could not be finer, Dick.”

“Some day, Dora, I am going to take you for a long ride,” went on Dick.  “I mean some day after we get home with that treasure,” he added, in a lower tone, so that the chauffeur might not hear.

“That’s a long time off, Dick.”

“Perhaps not so long.”

“And what are you going to do after this hunt is over?”