As my old readers know, the Rover boys possessed a very fine
automobile. This was kept in one of the new garages on the place,
which was presided over by Abner Filbury, the son of the old man who
had worked for years around the dormitories.

"Is she all ready, Ab?" questioned Tom, as the young man came forward
to greet them.

"Yes, sir, I filled her up with gas and oil, and she's in apple-pie
order."

"Why, Tom!" broke in Sam, in surprise. "You must have given this order
before supper."

"I did," and Tom grinned at his younger brother. "I took it for
granted that you would make the trip." And thus speaking, Tom leaped
into the driver's seat of the new touring car. Then Sam took his place
beside his brother, and in a moment more the car was gliding out of
the garage, and down the curving, gravel path leading to the highway
running from Ashton past Brill College to Hope Seminary.

As Tom had predicted, it was a clear night, with the full moon just
showing over the distant hills. Swinging into the highway, Tom
increased the speed and was soon running at twenty-five to thirty
miles an hour.

"Don't run too fast," cautioned Sam. "Remember this road has several
dangerous curves in it, and remember, too, a good many of the
countrymen around here don't carry lights when they drive."