in the course you have chosen. And a similar fate will overtake
your pal, Mallow. By the way, is that his right name?... Never
mind, I know him as Mallow. A shallow, trusting man, and, I hope,
a better judge of diamonds than of character. As for me, I look
deeper than the surface and am seldom deceived in people--witness
your case, for example. I knew you at once for a crook. It might
save you several miles of bad walking to tell me where Mallow is
waiting to high-jack me.... No?"

"I dunno what you're ravin' about," growled the unhappy owner of
the automobile. "But, believe me, I'll have you pinched for this."

"How sharper than a serpent's tooth is ingratitude! And what bad
taste to prattle of prosecution. I sha'n't steal your car, it
needs too much overhauling. And I abominate cheap machines. It is
true that I'm one pistol to the good, but in view of the law
against carrying lethal weapons, surely you won't prefer charges
against me for removing it from your person. Oh, not that! It
seems to me that I'm treating you handsomely, for I shall even pay
you the agreed price for this trip, provided only you tell me
where you expect to meet Mr. Mallow."

"Go to hell!" "Very well. Oblige me now by getting out.... And
make it snappy!"

The driver did as directed. Gray pocketed the automatic, slipped
in behind the steering wheel, and drove away into the night,
followed by loud and earnest objurgations.

He was still smiling cheerfully when, a mile farther on, he