, who had been
invited to the "tryout," was full of questions as they sped silently,
and with an absolute lack of vibration, along the road.

"How do you generate your electricity?" he asked eagerly.

"By a device geared to the rear axle," answered Tom. "It runs a sort
of dynamo, though it would be difficult for you to understand it if I
went into details. It's something like the ordinary generator and
turns a constant stream of 'juice' into the storage batteries that, in
turn, feed the engines."

"Yes, that's all plain enough," said the inquisitive Dick, "but how do
you get your power for starting?"

"If there is not enough juice in the storage batteries for the purpose
we resort to compressed air," was the reply from Tom, for Jack, with
keen eyes on the unrolling ribbon of road, was too busy to have his
attention distracted.

"And that?" Dick paused interrogatively.

"Is pumped into a pressure tank as we go along. See that gauge?" he
pointed to one on the dashboard of the car in front of the driver's
seat.

Dick nodded.

"Well, that's a pressure gauge. You see, we have sixty pounds of air
in the tank now. That can generate enough electricity to start the car
going. After that the process is automatic."

"Yes, you explained that. Suppose the tank should, through an
accident, be empty, and you wanted to start?"

"We've provided for that"

"I expected so. Wabbling wheels of Wisconsin, you fellows are
certainly wonders."

"Nothing very wonderful about it," disclaimed Tom. "Well, if we find
the tank is empty we have a powerful, double-acting hand pump by
which, without much effort, we can get up any pressure we need."

"And then you turn a valve?"

"Exactly, and the air-motor turns over the dynamo which starts
generating electricity right away."

"Then, except for the first cost of the car, the expense of operating
it is comparatively nothing?" asked Dick.

"Yes, you might say we get our power out of the air, and that's
free--so far."

"And there's no limit, then, to what you can do or where you can go
with the Electric Monarch?"

"None; that is, so long as the machinery holds out. We are independent
of fuel and the lubricating system is so devised that the oiling is
automatic and requires attending to only once a month. We could easily
carry a year's supply of lubricant."

"Tall timbers of Taunton!" burst out Dick enthusiastically. "You've
solved the problem of the poor man's car. All the owner