“Will you excuse me, Colonel,” he said; “but both my friend and myself want to go without further delay to our own place. We’ve not the advantage of your acquaintance, and I’m sure I don’t understand the meaning of these proceedings.” “You’ve been arrested on a serious charge,” said the Colonel gravely, but with good humor, “and you’re practically parolled in my custody. I don’t see what you can very well do, except take advantage of my hospitality, or adopt the unpleasant alternative of a cell.” “But,” began Kearns with indignation, “I must assure you that----” “I beg you not to excite yourselves,” exclaimed the Colonel, as one might seek to quiet a fractious child. “It might be very bad for you--even fatal, under the circumstances. No one can tell what might happen, I assure you! Be content to come with me.” “Let us go with the gentleman,” urged the Professor. “Oh, very well,” answered Kearns. “I have no objection to seeing the adventure through to the end.” “Come, Bowman, come, Walker,” said the Colonel, turning to the cross-eyed man and his companion; “assist them to my phaeromobile.” “I don’t think we need assistance, thank you,” said the Professor, rising and waving away the tall dark man. “Assistance, indeed!” exclaimed Kearns as he repulsed the cross-eyed man. “I should say not!” “But you might fall! Pray be careful!” urged the Colonel with officious kindness. “I may if I don’t get something to eat pretty soon,” laughed Kearns. “Yes; it is certainly high time we ate,” declared the Professor. “Ah, just as I feared!” remarked the Colonel anxiously. By this time they had passed through the door of the station-house. Outside stood one of those curious looking machines which Kearns and the Professor had seen rushing past them on the highway. On the front seat sat a man, apparently the driver. Behind him, in the body of the vehicle, were seats for four persons. “Step in,” said the Colonel cheerily. Turning to the cross-eyed man and his companion, he added warningly: “Keep your mouths closed as to this matter. Not a word for the present!” The two men thus addressed clicked their heels together and saluted. “Home,” said the Colonel to the driver, stepping into the vehicle, “but not too fast!” The driver saluted, turned a lever and they were off. “And now for a few words of explanation,” said Kearns to the Colonel. “Not a word, my good friends,” said the Colonel with soothing patronage, “until you are thoroughly restored--invigorated--out of danger!” “Out of danger?” exclaimed Kearns mystified. “What may be your meaning, sir?” inquired the Professor. Both stared at him as if he were a good-natured lunatic. “After six weeks of fasting,” said the Colonel diplomatically, “a man should be willing to go quietly to a meal, I think.”