“Well, boys, everybody on the job!” cried Tom, and lost no time in stripping off his coat and donning a jumper, which he carried for use when working on the car.

“I suppose that’s my fault,” said Songbird, much crestfallen.

“It might have happened to any of us, Songbird,” returned Sam.  “Let us see how quickly we can put on another shoe and inner tube.”  He, too, put on a jumper, and in a few minutes the boys had the back axle of the touring car jacked up.

“You hold the light, Songbird,” directed Tom.  “Sam and I can do this work without any help.”  Then the two Rovers set to work, and in a very short time the old shoe with its inner tube had been removed.  In the meantime, Songbird had brought out another inner tube, and unstrapped one of the extra shoes attached to the side of the car, and these were quickly placed over the wheel rim.

“Now, let me do my share of the pumping,” insisted Songbird.

“Nothing doing on that score, Songbird!” replied Tom, quickly.  “We had a new power pump installed last week.  I will attach it, and then you can start up the motor.”

“A power pump!  Say, that beats hand pumping all to pieces.”

“Indeed, it does!” broke in Sam.  “I never minded putting on a new tire, but the pumping-up always came hard.”

“Say, this puts me in mind of a story,” came from Tom, with a grin.  “Some Germans were going on an automobile tour, and a friend was bidding them good-bye.  Says the friend:  ’Uf you haf a blowout, be sure and haf it in de right place—­ at de hotel!’” And at this little joke there was a general laugh.

Five minutes more found them again on the way, and now Songbird had the large lights turned on, which made the roadway ahead as bright as day.  He drove as speedily as possible, but with great care, avoiding everything that looked as if it might harm the tires.

“Oh, what a splendid time I have had!” exclaimed Minnie, as, all too soon, the Sanderson homestead was reached.  Then Songbird assisted her to alight, and insisted upon accompanying her into the cottage.

“I will wager he would rather stay here than go on to Brill,” remarked Tom, slyly.

“Sure thing!” returned Sam.  “Wouldn’t we rather remain at Hope than go to Brill?” And at this pointed remark both of the girls giggled.

Those outside waited for several minutes, and then Tom sounded the horn loudly.  Soon Songbird re-appeared and took his place at the wheel, and then the automobile was turned in the direction of the seminary.

“When will we see you again?” remarked Nellie, when the touring car had been run through the grounds.

“Oh, it won’t be very long,” replied Tom.  But as he spoke, little did he realize under what peculiar conditions they would come together again.

“If you hear anything more about that money affair, let us know at once,” whispered Sam to Grace.

“I will, Sam,” returned the girl; and a few minutes later the young folks bade each other a fond good-night, and the touring car turned towards Brill.