“No more than what they said—­ that they were going to the crazy man’s sister.”

“Which was false,” muttered Tom.

“What were you to do?” asked Dick.

“They told me I might sail up the river to Newburgh and wait there for a telegram.”

After that the captain talked freely.  But what he had to say shed but little more light on the subject.  The boys came to the conclusion that he had been dragged into the plot without knowing what it was, but that he had been willing to lend his help, provided he was well paid for it.

“When the proper time comes I shall want your testimony,” said Dick, at the conclusion of the interview.  “In the meantime I advise you to have no more to do with those fellows.”

“They shan’t come near the schooner, even if they did charter her,” growled Captain Rodney.

CHAPTER XXII

 Hot on the trail

The boys had no appetite, but as they were in the dining room they ordered a light lunch and paid for it.  Then they saw an automobile come splashing through the mud of the road.

“There is that car!” cried Sam, as be recognized the driver.

The boys ran out and made their way through the rain to the garage.  The enclosed touring car had just entered and the driver had shut off the power.  The wind shield had been up, but the man had gotten quite wet and stood shaking the water from his coat.

“Here’s the car!” cried the colored man, coming forward.

“So I see,” returned Dick.  He turned to the driver.  “Pretty bad traveling, I imagine.”

“You bet!  The road is a mass of slippery mud.  I came near skidding half a dozen times.”

“Where did you go?” and Dick stepped closer to the chauffeur.

The man started and looked at the oldest Rover boy sharply.

“What’s that to you?” he asked, shortly.

“Everything.  We want to go to the same place.”

“And as quickly as you can get us there,” added Tom.

The chauffeur surveyed the three Rovers in amazement.  Then he took off his coat and shook it briskly.

“Sorry, but I can’t take you,” he said, slowly.  “I’ve got another job in—­ er—­ in half an hour.”

“You are going to take us,” said Dick, firmly.  “And right away.  What did those men pay you?”

“What is that——­”

“How much—­ out with it?  I haven’t any time to spare.”

“Ten dollars.”

“All right.  You’d like another ten, wouldn’t you?”

“Sure.  But——­”

“Ten dollars to get us to the same place inside of twenty minutes,” went on Dick, and showed a roll of bankbills.

“Can’t do it—­ in this slippery weather,” answered the man, his eyes glistening at the sight of the money.  “Make it in half an hour.”

“All tight then.”

“I’ll put on the chains,” cried the chauffeur, and brought out the anti-skidding chains for the rear wheels.  The boys got the colored man to assist him, and the chains were soon adjusted.  Then the car was backed out of the garage and the three Rovers leaped inside.