dad about what's happened, and see what he says."

"Carriage?" repeated an old farmer to whom they next put the question.
"Wa'al, now, come t' think of it, I did see one drivin' along here early
this morning. It had rubber tires on too, for I recollect remarkin' t'
myself that it didn't make much noise. Had t' talk t' myself," he added
in explanation, "'cause nobody else in the family was up, 'ceptin' th'
dog."

"Did the carriage have some Russians in it?" asked Tom eagerly, "and was
one a big bearded man?"

"Wa'al, now you've got me," admitted the farmer frankly. "It was quite
early you see, and I didn't take no particular notice. I got up early t'
do my milkin' 'cause I have t' take it t' th' cheese factory. That's th'
reason nobody was up but me. But I see this carriage comin' down th'
road, and thinks I t' myself it was pretty middlin' early fer anybody t'
be takin' a pleasure ride. I 'lowed it were a pleasure ride, 'cause it
were one of them hacks that folks don't usually use 'ceptin' fer a
weddin', or a funeral, an' it wa'n't no funeral."

"Then you can't tell us anything more except that it passed?" asked Ned.

"No, I couldn't see inside, 'cause it was rather dark at that hour, and
then, too, I noticed that they had th' window shades down."

"That's suspicious!" exclaimed Tom. "I believe they are the fellows we
re after," and, without giving any particulars he said that they were
looking for a friend who might have been taken away against his will.