Cora thought for a moment. A daring plan came into her mind.

"Let me take you," she suggested.

"Oh, indeed, I would not think of such a thing. I should not have
mentioned my troubles to you. But they were so--so much to me that I
didn't realize what I was doing. But let me look at your car."

He soon adjusted the broken bolt of the mud guard, and announced
that it was now as good as new.

"But why won't you go in the Whirlwind?" demanded the girl. "I am
only out on a little pleasure spin, and I would be very glad indeed
to take you to New City. Besides, I'd like to race with the train,"
she went on with sparkling eyes. "I know I could beat it."

Paul looked interested.

"I guess you could," he said. "It would be a good chance, anyhow."

"Come on, then! Don't waste a moment. Let's try it."

Paul called his assistant, a young lad, and gave him instructions
about some cars, and what to do if certain customers came in. It was
not a busy part of the day, and he could leave without causing any
complications. Then he slipped into his long, linen coat and stepped
into Cora's car.

"I'm afraid this is an imposition," he declared, taking the steering