"But there's no use in burdening you with my troubles," he added, with a frank smile. "I'm very thankful to you for what you've done for me. If you wouldn't mind stopping at the first garage you come to, and telling them to send out for this machine, I'll be obliged to you."
"Of course we will," said Dick, quickly; "but can't we give you a lift on your way? We're going close to Hazelton, and if it will be any accommodation to you we can just as well make that town."
"Oh, no, I wouldn't think of troubling you. I've delayed you enough at it is. I might go on to the garage with you, if you don't mind, and then I could tell the man just what the trouble is. He might even have a car I can hire, though, as I remember it, the nearest garage is a small, one-horse sort of a place. Still, they can mend the steering knuckle I should think."
"Come on then," urged Dick. "We'll take you as far as there, and if you can't hire a car you're welcome to ride to Hazelton with us."
"Hamilton--Dick Hamilton," supplied our hero.
"I couldn't think of it, Mr. Hamilton. I wouldn't put you to that trouble for the world."
"It's no trouble," Dick assured him. "I believe in being helpful whenever I can. I might be in the same boat myself some day."
"It doesn't look as though your car would ever break down," said the lame man. "It certainly is a beauty. What make is that?"
"It was built to order," said Dick, "and I got it in a deal when the owner couldn't take it. It just suits me."
"I should think it would suit anyone. It's a peach! Are you going far?"
"You don't tell me! That _is_ a tour, all right. My car looks small alongside yours, though my machine is considered a pretty good one."
It was a good one, Dick and his chums could see, and the small break could easily be repaired. After making sure that the disabled car was well out of the way of traffic, and leaving a written notice on it to show to whom it belonged, Dick, his chums, and Mr. Brockhurst entered the _Last Word_, with the first named at the wheel, and once more they were under way.
Mr. Brockhurst proved an agreeable companion. He had traveled much, and could talk well of the places he had visited, telling a number of funny stories that kept the cadets laughing.