Dick easily found the gully Mr. Cameron had referred to. Driving several miles past it, to throw off suspicion in case they were followed, the young millionaire came to a halt.
"We'll wait here until night," he said, making his chums acquainted with the plan to be followed.
The boys thought night would never come, but it did finally, and carefully they ran their car back nearly to the dry gully. Then, stopping at a safe distance, Dick went back to hold the rendezvous with Mr. Cameron.
An hour passed, and Dick was beginning to think that perhaps the plan had failed, when he heard a cautious whistle. It was a strain from "My Old Kentucky Home." He answered in like manner, and then a voice called:
"Here I am. But we'd better be quick. They may follow me as they did last night."
"Come on," urged Dick. They went back toward the car on the run. It was the work of but a moment to start it, and with four passengers now, instead of three, the _Last Word_ shot over the desert in the darkness, no lights being set aglow, as they wanted to remain concealed for some time yet. They were on their way to 'Frisco, and with a better chance of saving Mr. Wardell's fortune than Dick had imagined could be had, following the revelation in that stray newspaper.
"I'll show you that my car can go some, Mr. Cameron," said Dick, as he turned on more power.
"Sam and Bill aren't going to give up so easily. And they have a speedy machine."
"I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they did. You know they were paid to see that no hostile interests got at me."
"And we might be regarded as 'hostile interests'; is that it?" inquired Dick, with a smile.
"Somewhat; yes. So put as many miles between them and us as you can. They're sure to discover, sooner or later, that I have gone, and they'll pursue us. But I think I put one over on them at that."
"How?" asked Paul, from the rear of the car, for Dick was driving.
"I poured water in the gasoline tank. They may be able to run for a few miles, but they're sure to stall sooner or later."
"Then there's no use in worrying," said our hero, and he had almost slowed down his car, when Mr. Cameron said:
"Don't bank too much on that. They carry an extra supply of the 'gas,' and they're sure to find out, in a little while, what the trouble is. They're both experts, and they were sent off with me on that account. Also, your Uncle Ezra's agents considered that it might be necessary for me to make a quick shift, so they provided a powerful car, and plenty of gasoline, though he did object most strenuously to the price."