"Carriage?" repeated an old farmer to whom they next put the question. "Wa'al, now, come t' think of it, I did see one drivin' along here early this morning. It had rubber tires on too, for I recollect remarkin' t' myself that it didn't make much noise. Had t' talk t' myself," he added in explanation, "'cause nobody else in the family was up, 'ceptin' th' dog." "Did the carriage have some Russians in it?" asked Tom eagerly, "and was one a big bearded man?" "Wa'al, now you've got me," admitted the farmer frankly. "It was quite early you see, and I didn't take no particular notice. I got up early t' do my milkin' 'cause I have t' take it t' th' cheese factory. That's th' reason nobody was up but me. But I see this carriage comin' down th' road, and thinks I t' myself it was pretty middlin' early fer anybody t' be takin' a pleasure ride. I 'lowed it were a pleasure ride, 'cause it were one of them hacks that folks don't usually use 'ceptin' fer a weddin', or a funeral, an' it wa'n't no funeral." "Then you can't tell us anything more except that it passed?" asked Ned. "No, I couldn't see inside, 'cause it was rather dark at that hour, and then, too, I noticed that they had th' window shades down." "That's suspicious!" exclaimed Tom. "I believe they are the fellows we're after," and, without giving any particulars he said that they were looking for a friend who might have been taken away against his will. "Could you tell where they were going?" asked Tom, scarcely hoping to get an affirmative answer. "Wa'al, th' man on th' seat pulled up when he see me," spoke the farmer with exasperating slowness, "an' asked me how far it was t' th' Waterville station, an' I told him." "Why didn't you say so at first?" asked Tom quickly. "Why didn't you tell us they were heading for the railroad?" "You didn't ask me," replied the farmer. "What difference does it make." "Every minute counts!" exclaimed the young inventor. "We want to keep right after those fellows. Maybe the agent can tell us where they bought tickets to, and we can trace them that way. "Shouldn't wonder," commented the farmer. "There ain't many trains out from Waterville at that time of day, an' mighty few passengers. Shouldn't wonder but Jake Applesauer could put ye on th' trail." "Much obliged," called Tom. "Come on, Ned," and he started back in the direction of the house where the kidnapping had taken place. "That ain't th' way t' 'vaterville!" the farmer shouted after them. "I know it, we're going to get our airship," answered Tom, and then he heard the farmer mutter. "Plumb crazy! That's what they be! Plumb crazy! Going after their airship! Shouldn't wonder but they was escaped lunatics, and the other fellers was keepers after 'em. Hu! Wa'al, I've got my work to do. 'Tain't none of my affair." "Let him think what he likes," commented Ned as he and his chum hurried on. "We're on the trail all right."