"Twenty," cried the stranger. "Apiece?" asked James. "Apiece," declared the unhappy youth. "Apiece, James," said Mike, turning inquiringly to his companion. "Make it thirty," said James, "and we may be able to help you." "All right, thirty apiece. Get me the clothes." "You might write us each a check," suggested James, and drew forth the pen and check-book. "For innocence," groaned Mike, "commend me to me loving comrade, James." The stranger’s eyes glittered as he recognized his book and pen. He glanced from one ragged specimen before him to the other, from James’ crafty face to Mike’s sly visage, but he said nothing, merely took the pen and book. "Your names?" he asked, opening the book and resting it against a tree for support. "Better put ’to bearer,’" said James. "Simplicity is always the best." The stranger wrote the checks, signed them and turned to the two watching him. "Bring me the suit," he said quietly, "and these are yours." Mike shuffled off into the trees and James and the stranger waited in silence for his return. He came back presently and threw the suit at the stranger’s feet. "You’ll notice," said he, "that this nobby spring suit in our latest style is cheap at the price. Fancy, a thing like that for only sixty dollars!" "I see," said the stranger. "Payable in advance," said James. The stranger handed them each a check and thoughtfully drew on the shabby clothes of the Watermelon. It had not been long since he had worn rags of a necessity, and he hitched them up with the skill bred of familiarity. He thrust the pen and book into a pocket he had first made sure was holeless. Then he turned to the two and his eyes gleamed. "How much for the car?" he asked. Mike raised his hands to Heaven. "The car? James, does he think we stole his car?" "A stock-broker," said James, "would suspect his own mother." "If you want youse car," said Mike, "go to the hotel." "Bah," snapped the stranger. "Do you think I was weaned yesterday? Be quick and tell me your price." "I have no price," said Mike proudly, not sure where the car was. They started through the woods to the village, the stranger leading and Mike and James following. At the edge of the village, they paused instinctively and without a word. "Tell me where the car is and who your accomplice is," said the stranger in the short sharp tones of one born to command, "and you two can go free. If you don’t tell, I’ll do my best to have you arrested and sent up for grand larceny. Understand?" "Oh, yes," said Mike, "I understand. When I was young I learned English, foolishly, as I haven’t used it since." "We don’t know where your damn car is," declared James. "And we didn’t steal your blooming outfit. What do you take us for, anyway?" "Very well, then," snapped the stranger. "I see that you won’t tell. Remember, I gave you your chance."