"Punk!" exclaimed Dick. "Well, we'll have to lay over, that's all. Come on, fellows, we'll go to a hotel and take a run out to Niagara Falls to-morrow." So, after all, the accident had its advantages, for they quite enjoyed the trip to the big cataract. The auto was repaired on time, and in the interim Dick kept the valuable papers in his own pocket. "If we only knew what sort of a man, or men, to be on the watch against, it would be easier," remarked Paul, when they were ready to proceed again. "That's just it," admitted Dick. "We can't tell who Uncle Ezra will send, nor when they'll appear. But I think, after once being fooled, they'll go a bit slow. We won't worry, anyhow." They were on the main road out of Buffalo, and were counting on making Cleveland their next big stop. Their schedule called for leisurely traveling, for they were in no special hurry, desiring to enjoy the trip as much as possible. "Here's a good chance to make speed," remarked Paul, as he sighted the long, straight road ahead of them, after they had turned out of a bad stretch. "Yes, let her out a bit," suggested Dick, who had turned the wheel over to Paul. They sped along at a rapid pace, keeping a watchful eye out for motorcycle speed-officers, when, as they rounded a curve, which Paul took at rather too great speed, they saw just ahead of them an auto drawn diagonally across the road. "Look out!" cried Dick. "There isn't room to get past. What did he want to stop that way for?" "Maybe he had a breakdown," suggested Innis. "It looks so," admitted Paul, as he slowed up. As he did so a man walking with a perceptible limp came from the other side of the car, where he had evidently been tinkering with the mechanism, and held up his hand as a signal of distress. "What's the matter?" asked Dick, as his big car came to a stop. "Steering gear's broken," said the lame man, "and I can't push the car out of the road myself. It's a mean place to have an accident." "Yes, especially as it makes the road impassable," said Paul. "Well, I guess we can get you out of the way all right. Is the break a bad one?" "Yes, the steering knuckle has gone all to pieces. I tried to fix it, but I don't dare drive the car with that out of commission." "I should say not," agreed Dick. "You'd be climbing a tree before you knew it," and he walked toward the disabled car, the lame man following closely, after a sharp glance at Dick's handsome machine. CHAPTER XVII GIVING HIM A LIFT Dick Hamilton bent over the disabled steering gear of the car that was slewed across the roadway. As he did so he gave a start that was noticed by Paul, who was directly back of him. "What is it?" asked his chum. "Nothing--er that is--I should say it _was_ a smash!" finished the young millionaire in louder tones, speaking to the lame man. "It looks as if something hit it."