Peaches gave directions to the dozing driver and the car lurched out of a ditch and set off northward. After a few minutes the road picked up the railway tracks and for the rest of the nine-mile journey kept them company. They rattled sedately into Hale’s Bridge ahead of time and came to a stop in the shadow of the freight-house a few rods short of the station. The town was a small place, with scarcely more than a dozen buildings in sight. A few street lights punctured the darkness at long intervals and these were presently dimmed by the white radiance of an engine’s headlight as the south-bound express rolled noisily out of the night. The driver of the Ford started his motor, and presently from the direction of the station a figure approached. “All right, Davy,” called Peaches, softly. The traveler deposited his bag in the back of the car and took the place vacated by Barry, who had moved to a seat beside the driver. The lights switched on and the Ford made a perilous turn and headed homeward. A tap on the shoulder caused Barry to turn his head. [Illustration: “ALL RIGHT, DAVY,” CALLED PEACHES, SOFTLY] “I want you to meet Davy Lyle,” Peaches was saying. Barry managed to reach the hand extended to him and felt a hard, firm grasp on it. He couldn’t see much of Davy,――just a blurred countenance in the dimness,――but the slightly high-pitched voice that acknowledged the introduction was pleasant. The couple in the back talked all the way, but what they said wasn’t audible to Barry, above the noise of the car. Just short of Wessex a stop was made and Barry crowded into the back seat, Davy disappearing from sight to sit on the floor and hug his knees for the journey through the center of the village. A few minutes later the car stopped once more, this time opposite the lane that led to Brazer’s Farm, Peaches transferred some money to the driver, and, while the conveyance went on along the road, the passengers made their way back to the Lyle house. Peaches and Barry entered by the front gate, but Davy jumped over the fence and disappeared through the shadows toward the back of the house. “So far, so good,” murmured Peaches, sitting down on the top step. “How do you like the criminal life, Barry?” “How do you mean criminal? We haven’t done anything criminal!” “No, we haven’t, I guess, but blowed if I don’t feel as if we had! I’d sort of like to see into Mr. Benjy’s room right now. I’ll bet the old gentleman’s happy; what?” The Ford rattled wildly past on its way back to town. Peaches followed it with his gaze until its twinkling tail-light had disappeared. Then: “I swore that guy to secrecy, and I guess he’s all right,” he said thoughtfully, “but if he forgets and goes to talking―― Hang it, I don’t believe I’d be much of a success as a criminal, after all! I’ve certainly gone and left a swell clue behind me!” “Think that fellow recognized Davy?” asked Barry.