expressed, for the motor, like many of the flying machine kind, had no muffler attached, and the explosions were not unlike the firing of a gatling gun.
Some girls had seen them come down, and presently the boys saw three figures hurrying towards them.
"Oh, what made you come so late?" cried Grace, as she rushed up and shook hands with Sam and then with the others.
"We thought you might come to-day," put in Nellie, as she beamed on Tom, and extended both hands.
"I heard the machine first," declared Dora, and came straight to Dick, who did not hesitate to give her the hearty kiss to which he thought his engagement entitled him.
"We have been to Plankville," came from Tom and Sam, in a breath.
"Have you heard the news?" questioned their big brother, and he looked anxiously from Dora to her cousins.
"What news?" cried Dora, quickly. "We have heard nothing unusual."
"Josiah Crabtree broke out of the Plankville jail and ran away."
"Oh, Dick!" and Dora grew suddenly pale. "Do you really mean it?"
