say. One of the men who had been kneeling over a case of some
sort, dimly outlined in the radiance of a side-light, rose and
placed his burden in the tonneau.

"I'm ready," he announced.

Young Knight showed some nervousness and apprehension--emotions
which his companions, judging by their alert watchfulness, fully
shared. Jim seized his sister by the arm and led her aside.

"How the deuce did YOU get here--and who is this guy?" He jerked
his head toward Merkle.

Lorelei introduced her companion and made known the cause of their
present plight.

"Humph!" grunted Jim. "What d'you suppose ma'll say to this--you
out all night with a man?"

"What are YOU doing? Who are those people?" she retorted.

"Never mind. But say--I don't like the looks of this affair."

For a second time Merkle appealed to Jim. "If you can't take your
sister home I'll have to telephone for another car."

Jim's tone was disagreeable as he replied: "You two don't look as
if you'd been wrecked. Where's your driver?" Merkle's fist
clenched; he muttered something, at which Jim laughed harshly.