d mind.

"You are a thousand times welcome to the car," she hurriedly assured
him; "and anything else you might want. It is dreadfully unfortunate
Mr. Kinkaid is away on one of his usual business trips to the west,
or he would insist on going with you. But I feel certain, Hugh, you
will manage things splendidly, and a mother's prayers will go after
you, that you may not only find my boy, but that he may not have been
seriously injured."

"Then we'll not linger any longer, ma'am," said Hugh, eager to be on
the move.

Horatio wrapped himself up warmly, and the two of them shot out of
the door.

"Now, what first, Hugh?"

Hugh seemed to have mapped out a plan of campaign in his mind, for he
answered without hesitation.

"We must pick up several of the fellows--Thad for one, then Owen
Dugdale would be another good hand at hunting for a lost party; and,
well, Julius Hobson for the third. That will make five in
all,--enough to search the quarry road from end to end. Besides, we
ought to carry several lanterns, because, while there is a moon, I
reckon we'll find it far from light along that overgrown trail."

"You just think of everything, Hugh," remarked Horatio, wonderingly.

"Let's get the car, first of all," Hugh continued shrewdly, "because
it can save us many steps in picking up the other fellows."

By this time they were at the Kinkaid home. Horatio was well
acquainted with the premises, as he had played with K. K. since they
were small boys together. Hugh had been told where the key of the
garage was hidden, and quickly discovered it hanging on a concealed
nail.

"Wait till I throw the switch, and light up," said Horatio, for they
had electricity at the Kinkaid place, and, of course, a bulb lighted
in the garage was considered much safer than a lantern.

As soon as the illumination came both boys set about examining the
big touring car that occupied the garage.

"Bully!" ejaculated Horatio, after making the rounds with suspended
breath; "all the tires are as hard as anything. How about the supply
of gas, Hugh?" for his companion had occupied himself with making an
examination of the tank.

"Plenty to carry us up and back twice over!" cried the delighted
Hugh. "This is what I call great luck. I was afraid there would be
a tire that needed changing; or else no gasolene at all. K. K.
didn't realize how kind he was to himself when he fitted up the old
car so handsomely, for some purpose."

"Oh!