They were running along a country road a good many miles from Philadelphia. All the noise of the city had been left behind and it was as calm and peaceful as one would wish. The second machine was only a short distance behind the first, and each was making not less than thirty miles per hour. "Do you know, some day I am going to make a regular tour in an auto," remarked Sam. "I am sure a fellow could have lots of fun." "You can have this machine any time you want to," said the chauffeur, who had taken greatly to the party. "We'll remember," answered Dick, indifferently. He did not particularly fancy the fellow, for he was rather familiar and his breath smelt of liquor. Twice he had talked of stopping at road houses, but Dick had told him to go on, fearful that he might drink too much. A hill was before the automobiles, but both machines climbed it without an effort. From the top of the hill a fine view was to be obtained, and here a hotel had been located, and this displayed a sign which interested the boys and girls very much: ICE CREAM. SODA WATER. ROOT BEER. BEST CANDY. "Let us stop for some ice-cream," suggested Songbird. And he yelled to those in the automobile ahead. All of the girls loved ice-cream, so despite Dick's anxiety over his chauffeur, a stop was made, and the boys and girls filed into the hotel for the treat. Dick lingered behind to speak to both of the machine drivers, for he saw that the second man was of the same "thirsty" type as the other. "Do you smoke?" he asked. "Sure," was the reply from both. "Then here is a quarter with which you can buy some cigars. And please remember, no drinking," he added, significantly. "Can't a fellow have a drink if he wants it?" demanded the chauffeur of the first car. "Not while you have my party out," was Dick's reply. "Well, a fellow gets thirsty, driving a car in this dust," grumbled the second chauffeur. "If you are thirsty there is plenty of water handy, and root beer and soda water, too. I meant liquor when I spoke." "Oh, we'll keep straight enough, don't you worry," said the first chauffeur, and then both of them turned away to a side entrance of the hotel. Dick was much worried, but he did not let the rest see it. He joined the crowd in the ice-cream pavillion attached to the hotel, and there they spent an hour, eating ice-cream, water ices and cake. Then some of the lads went off and got several boxes of bonbons and chocolates to take along on the rest of the trip. When they went out to the two automobiles the chauffeurs were missing. A man was trimming a hedge nearby and Dick asked him if he had seen the pair. "Must be over to the barroom," said the gardener. "That Hellig loves his liquor, and Snall likes a glass, too." "Was Hellig the driver of this first car?" "Yes, and Snall ran the second." Just then Tom came up, having placed Nellie in the second car. "What's the trouble, Dick?" he questioned.