done, we must do it. If you will take the case, Garrick, I can
promise you that the Association will pay you well for it."

"I will add whatever is necessary, too," put in Warrington,
eagerly. "I can stand the loss of the car--in fact, I don't care
whether I ever get it back. I have others. But I can't stand the
thought that my car is going about the country as the property of
a gunman, perhaps--an engine of murder and destruction."

Garrick had been thoughtfully balancing the exploded shell between
his fingers during most of the interview. As Warrington concluded,
he looked up.

"I'll take the case," he said simply. "I think you'll find that
there is more to it than even you suspect. Before we get through,
I shall get a conviction on that empty shell, too. If there is a
gunman back of it all, he is no ordinary fellow, but a scientific
gunman, far ahead of anything of which you dream. No, don't thank
me for taking the case. My thanks are to you for putting it in my
way."




CHAPTER III

THE MYSTERY OF THE THICKET


"You know my ideas on modern detective work," Garrick remarked to