later, when her car and Jack's, having been sent at a fast speed
down the road, came to a halt, and she directed her brother's
attention to the spot.

"No, this isn't it," objected Walter. "It's farther on. It's right
near an old stump, don't you remember?"

"Oh, yes," answered Cora as she sent her car ahead again. "This is
where we nearly ran into the wagon. I'm so excited I can't think
straight."

"Well, be sure you steer straight!" cried Jack from the rear. "I
don't want to run into you. Better let Walter take the wheel."

"Indeed, I'll do nothing of the sort!" cried Cora, laughing. "With
all due respect to you, Walter, of course," she added with a bright
look up into the face of her companion. "But don't you think I can
manage my machine pretty well?"

"More than pretty and more than well," was her escort's reply. "Jack
is a base defamer of your ability."

"Oh, you had to say that, Walt!" cried Jack, the irrepressible.
"Push on. We want to get that money before some one walks off with
it."

They were soon at the spot, where many tracks in the road showed
that there the collision had taken place. Here was where Ed had
alighted to fix Cora's car. His small machine had on a set of
peculiar tires, and the impressions and indentations of the rubber