And by the same token
there was something familiar about him, though I only had a faint
glimpse, he jumped so fast."
As he slowly rode past the bushes he heard no sound. Hugh considered
it good policy not to betray the fact that he had noticed anything
out of the way; he did not as much as turn in the saddle, but continued
to look straight ahead along the dusty white road.
There was another bend a short distance away. No sooner had he
turned this than Hugh was off his wheel like lightning, and running
back to take a look, as though his curiosity might have been aroused.
What he saw caused him to give a low whistle. Out of the bushes came
a form he recognized. It was a rather compact figure upon which he
gazed, and the clothes greatly resembled Brother-in-law Andrew's
Sunday-best. Yes, Hugh no longer had any doubts, for the man was
no other than the reformed hobo.
"I've known that Brother Lu had taken to tramping about the country
latterly," he muttered to himself, as he watched the other going
off, apparently laughing as though greatly amused, "for a number
of people have told me as much. That's all right, but why should he
want to hide from me? I've got a good notion to chase after him,
once he turns that other bend, and see what it all means."
The idea must have appealed more and more strongly to Hugh then, for
two minutes afterwards, when the form of the tramp could no longer
be seen ahead, he went back to his wheel, mounted, and retraced his
course until he arrived at the second abrupt curve.
Again he dismounted and crept forward to see what he might discover.
Strange to say, Hugh, usually steady-going Hugh, now found himself
trembling all over, just as though he anticipated making a startling
discovery.
Well, he did.
Brother Lu was in plain sight. He was just approaching the stalled
car that stood at the side of the road. Watching, Hugh saw the
chauffeur jump from his seat, and he plainly saluted the other most
respectfully. Hugh paid particular attention to that part of the
affair, because any pedestrian might have stopped to pass a few words
with a car driver, or ask a question; but the pilot would hardly
have made that positive sign unless there was a reason for his action.
Now they seemed to be talking earnestly. Brother Lu made gestures,
and Hugh took notice of the fact that he seemed to be speaking with
authority, because the chauffeur constantly nodded his bead, as if to
say
|