I had just stopped to take another look at the tire, which seemed to be flattening more or less, when I heard some one calling weakly.

When I turned to look I found that by some accident I had stopped exactly in front of that queer old place which we've always called the Rookery, because it looks as if spooks might live there." As Thad paused to catch his breath, Hugh elevated his eyebrows.
Apparently his interest no longer flagged, for he instinctively guessed that something unusual must come out of Thad's mention of the strange old place, where, as he well knew, Owen Dugdale and his eccentric grandfather lived by themselves.
"When I caught the sound of a voice again," continued Thad, "I was interested, because I had heard the one word 'help' uttered.

Some one must be in trouble, I told myself; and then all of a sudden I remembered who lived there.

So I started my machine and moved off the road, to leave it clear for other cars to pass by if any came along.
After that I jumped out and hurried over to the stone wall that, as you know, surrounds the wild-looking grounds of the place.
"The voice still sounded, and I could see somebody lying on the ground there.

I vaulted the low stone wall, and soon found that it was old Mr.Dugdale.