"It looks almost as big as a Pullman coach," declared Innis Beeby.
"Well, let's get in and see if it rides like one," suggested Dick.
"Look at the auto swells!" cried a newsboy. "Hurray!"
"As long as our heads aren't swelled we're all right," remarked Paul.
The oil and gasoline tanks had been filled, and, after looking over the various parts, the chauffeur got in, taking the driver's seat, the boys disposing themselves comfortably on the long, leather-covered benches, that would later be made into sleeping berths.
"Isn't he going to crank up?" asked Innis in some surprise, for the motor was not running when the chauffeur took his place.
"You don't have to, on this car," the man explained. "It is a self-starter. It has two systems--an electric motor, operated by an accumulated current, that will turn over the engine, and even run the car on its own power for some distance. Then there is also an acetylene gas motor, so in case one fails the other will work. I'll start it by electricity now."
He pressed a button on the dash. There was a low humming from somewhere beneath the car, and then the gasoline motor took up the song of progress. The machine vibrated with the power of the engine, until the driver slowed it down. Then throwing in the gear, he let the clutch slip into place, and the big machine glided slowly forward.
"Like a charm!" added Paul. "I never saw a big car start so easily."
"This machine has a new style of clutch," explained the chauffeur. "You'll find a number of the very latest wrinkles on her," he added with a smile. "Now, where do you want to go?"
"Out toward the Bronx," replied Dick. "Get us into something like the country--that is, as much as there is near New York," and soon they were spinning ahead at good speed. It did not take them long to get in the upper part of Manhattan, and a little later they were out on what might be called a country road.
"This is great!" exclaimed Dick, as he gazed from the plate glass windows of his touring car on the landscape that fairly flew past.
"But wait until we start across the continent," went on the young millionaire. "Then we'll have some real fun!"
"Suppose you try it now, Mr. Hamilton," suggested the chauffeur, when they had gone several miles, the professional giving the new owner various instructions about the car.