Part 25 (1/2)

Did Sid Wilcox know anything about the robbery?

That was a question Cora asked herself as she took her place at the wheel, just vacated by the unh he did,” she reasoned to herself ”And why should he ainst Mary?”

She found no answer to her question Suddenly looking at her watch she noted that no train had departed from New City since she and Paul had reached there She was yet in ti quickly she

From behind a clump of bushes Sid Wilcox watched her

”I wonder if you'll tell your brother?” heyou But I couldn't help it No, I don't think you will tell Jack You don't want to see us--quarrel”

He added the last word below his breath, and there was a mean smile on his face As he turned to continue his walk hein the opposite direction

”Le here?” he exclaimed

”Why--er--I'm sort of lookin' for work”

”You--work!” exclaioin' to take a trip across country, and I thoughtYou and me's pals, ain't we?”

”Hush!+” exclai the man's words ”Don't you know better than to follow me?”

”Well, I heard you was coht--”

”You think entirely too et hack to Chelton, and stay there I leamed

”You'll pay me, won't you?” he asked

”Of course”

”Well, I'm a little short now, an'--”

Sid extended a bill, which theWilcox, ”and don't ever follow ain”

He waited until Lem had shuffled off, and then he took a different path

”He's getting altogether too fa ”But Icar, turned into the turnpike leading froain encountered Ed Foster and Walter Pennington She instantly realized that they would wonder why she did not stop, for Ed was slowing up his car But she knew she could not get back to the bank building to meet Paul if she halted, so, with a smile, as comprehensive as she was able to make it, she sent the Whirlwind ahead at a fast speed She noted the looks of surprise on the faces of her friends as she passed theht that flashed into Cora's --perhaps so about the ood news”

It took Cora but a short time to make the run back to the city She turned her machine toward the depot, as she knew a train would shortly leave for Chelton, and she fancied Paulthe station she saw his tall figure, clad in the linen duster, pacing up and down the platform She was just in time

”Did you think I ran away?” she asked as she skillfully turned the car up to the platforh ”I happened to see who got into the car, and I guessed that you were run aith”