"It was built to order," said Dick, "and I got it in a deal when the owner couldn't take it. It just suits me." "I should think it would suit anyone. It's a peach! Are you going far?" "To San Francisco!" "You don't tell me! That _is_ a tour, all right. My car looks small alongside yours, though my machine is considered a pretty good one." It was a good one, Dick and his chums could see, and the small break could easily be repaired. After making sure that the disabled car was well out of the way of traffic, and leaving a written notice on it to show to whom it belonged, Dick, his chums, and Mr. Brockhurst entered the _Last Word_, with the first named at the wheel, and once more they were under way. Mr. Brockhurst proved an agreeable companion. He had traveled much, and could talk well of the places he had visited, telling a number of funny stories that kept the cadets laughing. On reaching the garage the man in charge, promised to send out and get the car. "But as for renting you one, I can't do it," he said to Mr. Brockhurst. "There isn't a one in the place, except Colonel Carter's, and he'd have my head off if I loaned that, though he only drives it about once a week." "I wonder if I couldn't see him and make some deal with him?" asked the lame man. "It's important that I get to Hazelton this morning." "Say!" interrupted Dick. "What's the use of going to all that bother. I'll be glad to run you down. It's only ten miles out of our way, and we are ahead of our schedule. Anyhow, a day or so doesn't matter to us. Come on, Mr. Brockhurst." "Oh, I don't want to put you out----" "It will be a pleasure to have you," said Dick, and he meant it. His chums, too, were glad of the man's company. "And I'll show you how the electric stove works," went on Dick, for the lame man had been much interested in the fittings of the big car. "All right--if you insist!" and he laughed in an engaging manner. He left orders about his car, and was soon in the big machine with Dick and his chums, who resumed their journey. They had purchased some supplies in the village where the garage was situated, and, reaching a secluded place on the road, they began the preparation of a meal on the electric stove. "Now I insist on you letting me help," said Mr. Brockhurst. "I'm a sort of old bachelor myself, and used to cooking. Shall I bring up a scuttle of coal, or a pail of water?" "We don't need coal," said Dick, "though we might have some water. That looks like a spring over there." "I'm the water-boy!" cried the lame man, as, with all the exuberance of youth, he limped off with a collapsible rubber pail toward the spring. CHAPTER XVIII A DISAPPEARANCE "Well, you boys certainly know how to live! This is great!"