He was so queer a figure standing there in the center of the road that the
girls found themselves staring unduly. Realizing something of this, Betty
jumped down from the running board where she was still standing and held
out her hand to the little man, thanking him in a voice that still
trembled a little for the great service he had done them. The other girls
followed suit and so overwhelmed their rescuer that he seemed quite
embarrassed and looked around nervously as if for some means of escape.

Betty, seeing his embarrassment, was about to take pity upon him when
something happened that they had not bargained for. It began to rain, not
gently, but in a deluge, taking the girls completely by surprise.

Instinctively they turned toward the car, but Mollie suddenly began to
laugh in a half-hysterical manner.

"This is what I call fun" she said. "Engine dead, caught in the rain, and
I've even left the side curtains at home! I guess we're in for it, girls."




Chapter III

The Queer Little Man



While the girls stood looking wildly at each other their unknown rescuer
seemed suddenly galvanized to action.