"I have some grub stowed away in back," Dick resumed. "We will stop at some butcher shop and grocery in the next town, get some steak and bacon, and cook it on our electric stove. Then we can eat it alongside the road. There will be plenty of chances to go to hotels later." The boys laughed and joked, thoroughly enjoying themselves in the big touring car. It rode easily, even over rough roads, and it was roomy enough so that they could move about in it, not having to stay cramped up in one seat. Paul and Innis took turns at driving, as Dick wanted them to become familiar with the mechanism. * * * * * But perhaps if Dick and his chums could have been made aware of a little scene that had taken place in the office of a certain lawyer in Dankville that morning they would not have felt so care-free and light-hearted. About the time Dick started off on his tour a crabbed old man might have been seen going into this law office, on the door of which was the name: HARRISON BLACK. "Ah, good morning, Mr. Larabee!" the lawyer greeted his visitor. "Come right in," and the two were closeted together for some time. When they came out, Mr. Black said: "Now don't you have a bit of worry, Mr. Larabee. I'll attend to the matter for you, and this young man will never see his money again." "He don't deserve to, anyhow. Folks that is as careless as he was, don't deserve no pity." "That's right, so they don't, Mr. Larabee. Ha! ha! You have exactly the right idea." "And now about this foolish young nephew of mine," went on Mr. Larabee. "I didn't hear all he and his father talked about that night when I came down on 'em unexpected-like, but I'm sure my nephew has some crazy notion about helping this Wardell. It mustn't be allowed--he must be stopped!" and Uncle Ezra clenched his fist and struck a desk a smart blow. "I agree with you, Mr. Larabee. He must be stopped. But does he know of this time limit?" "He might. I wouldn't take any chances. He's fooled me more than once. Don't take any chances, Black." "I won't. If he has any papers to file inside the time limit, he won't be allowed to do so. We'll take some means to stop him. Wait, I'll call one of my men who--er--who attends to all these little matters for me. Jake, here, I want you!" From an outer room came a man with a hard face, and a jaw like that of a prize fighter. He had little, shifty eyes that seemed never to look one in the face. "Jake this is Mr. Larabee," went on Mr. Black. "This is Jake Morton," to Uncle Ezra. "He'll see that your foolish nephew doesn't do anything rash." "That's what I want." "It--er--it may cost something, Mr. Larabee." "Cost something?" and Uncle Ezra clapped his hand on his pocket. "Not much, I hope!" "Well, of course your nephew has started off in an auto, I believe you mentioned that."