Almost at once, and where there was not a dwelling in sight,
they saw a figure tramping in the road ahead, a big man, roughly
dressed, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat. Somehow, his appearance
made Tom reduce speed and he hesitated to pass the pedestrian.

The man did not hear the runabout at first; or, at least, he
did not look over his shoulder. He strode on heavily, but
rapidly. Suddenly the young inventor heard the giant behind him
emit a hissing breath.

"Master!" whispered the giant.

"What's up now?" demanded Tom, but without glancing around.

"The big feet!" exclaimed Koku.

The giant's own feet were shod with difficulty in civilized
footgear, but compared with his other physical dimensions his
feet did not seem large. The man ahead wore coarse boots which
actually looked too big for him! Koku started up in the back of
the car as the latter drew nearer to the stranger.

The man looked back at last and Tom gained a clear view of his
features--roughly carved, dark as an Indian's, and holding a grim
expression in repose that of itself was far from breeding
confidence. In a moment, too, the expression changed into one of
active emotion. The man glared at the young inventor with
unmistakable malevolence.