"What happened?" breathed Maud. Then Walter realized what a
girl's eyes may do in the matter of "imploring." He deliberately
stepped over to Maud's side.

"Oh, some valuable papers were taken from the mailbag,"
volunteered Clip. "And we thought the strange men might have
found them."

"You cheerful fibber," whispered Jack. "Come on, if you expect to
get to Cartown to-day."

"How can we, now?" asked Clip in an undertone.

"Just jump in and go," replied Jack. "Why should we explain?"

Jack cranked up his car, and in her usual deliberate way, Cecilia
Thayer stepped into the runabout, pulled on her gloves, smoothed
out the robe, and then said: "Good morning!"

Jack and Clip left the others standing in surprise and, perhaps,
disappointment. Only Cora guessed where they were actually going.




CHAPTER IX

THE MYSTERIOUS RIDE