Dick went to a neighboring city that same afternoon and purchased his runabout. He wanted to drive it home alone, but the manager of the garage sent a helper with the boy. But the man did not have much to do, for Dick was very quick and soon learned the different points. In a few days he was able to operate the machine with considerable skill, and he took a number of his boy friends for a spin in the country. "Want to take a trip?" he called one afternoon to Simon Scardale and Guy Fletcher, whom he saw in front of the billiard room, which place they seemed to frequent very much of late. "Sure," replied Simon. "Maybe we can get a race with some car along the road. That will be sport." "Not for me," replied Dick quietly. "I sha'n't race until I know the car better. But come along." In spite of their rather flashy manners, Dick liked Simon and Guy, as he did nearly everyone, in fact--for Dick Hamilton was a large-hearted youth. He accepted all his acquaintances "at one hundred cents on the dollar" until he learned to value them differently. The three boys spent a pleasant time whirring about on the country roads. "What do you think of that property?" asked Dick at length, pointing to a low, swampy tract. "Why?" asked Guy. "Thinking of buying it?" "Maybe," replied Dick. "I have a chance to get it cheap. Do you think I could sell it again?" "Search me," answered Simon. "It looks to be good for ducks, that's all." "It only needs draining," objected Dick. "I think it would be a good investment, and I came out here to look at it." "Going into business?" asked Guy, with a sneer. "I thought you didn't have to work." "Of course I'm going into business, as soon as I finish at school," said Dick, for the term at the academy, where he attended, had recently closed. "I've come into some money lately," he said modestly, for he had not spoken of his fortune to any one yet, "and I want to invest some of my spare cash." "I'll tell you the very thing!" exclaimed Simon. "I know a stock that's bound to go up ten points in a few days." "No stocks or bonds for me until I know a little more about them," objected Dick. "But this is a sure thing," insisted Simon. "I got a tip on it from a friend in New York." "I've read of too many 'sure things' going wrong," said Dick with a laugh. "I think I'll try real estate for a starter." Simon looked a little disappointed, but he made up his mind he would try Dick again on that subject, and a strange, cunning look came into his face. During the trip back Simon tried to learn from the millionaire's son more about his new wealth, but Dick did not give him much satisfaction. However, Simon was sharp, and by dint of skillful hints and questions learned more than Dick thought he had told. Guy, too, was much interested, and a visible change came over his manner.