"I wonder how it was that Tom and the other fellows didn't run
into one of the scouts that the tramps had out," said Dick, after
they had driven a short distance.

"Tom told me that they did catch a glimpse of a scout prowling
by the road side, so they went around him," Darrin replied. "They
slipped past the fellow without his seeing them."

As Dick held the reins he also eyed the dark road closely as they
went along. He was not blind to the fact that the tramps might
reassemble and rush the wagon, for these vagabonds would want
both the peddler's money and what they would consider suitable
revenge on the high school boys, for their part in the night's
doings.

However, the village of Dunfield was reached without further adventure.
Dave woke up the head of a family living in one of the cottages,
and from him learned where to find the local physician. Then
Dick drove to the medical man's house.

Dr. Haynes came downstairs at the first ring of the door bell,
helping the boys to bring the still unconscious peddler inside.

There, under a strong light, with the peddler stretched on an
operating table, the physician looked Reuben Hinman over.

"I can't find evidence of any bones being broken," said the physician.
"It's my opinion that shock and exhaustion have done their work.
Reuben is a very hard-working old man."