"Can't slow down too much," the driver said to the detectives. "I'm due back at ten and it's after eight now." "It's O. K. with us," said one of the men sitting in back. He nodded at the man beside the driver. "You're not afraid of being thrown out either, are you, Dorcas?" "If I am I can pick myself up again," came the reply. The speaker turned and though it was too dark to see very clearly, Skippy thought the man smiled at him. So Dorcas was his name! Glad of that additional knowledge, Skippy put from him any lingering fears. He was confident that nothing would mar Mr. Conne's well laid plans. Dorcas would always be there at Delafield. They were still bumping along at a pretty fair speed when the engine emitted peculiar sounds. The driver made some comment but did not stop, saying that it was probably due to the gas which he was trying for the first time. The engine continued to "act up" as the driver called it, but he did not lessen his speed. They seemed to bump in and out of the ruts faster than ever. Suddenly the car lurched forward tumbling them all about. And, while Skippy strove frantically to keep himself from falling entirely off the seat, they lurched again. The driver yelled, the brakes ground and for the fraction of a second the powerful car seemed to whirl. Skippy felt himself whirled along with it, his head struck something and amid the ear-splitting shouts and screams from the boys and the men, there came the sound of breaking glass. There was a sickening crash after that, but Skippy did not hear it. CHAPTER VI A SUSPICION Skippy's head throbbed painfully and there was a soreness all over his slim body when he tried to move. His ears buzzed and his eyes opened with difficulty upon a world that was dark and confusing. Voices, low and hoarse, seemed all about him and he had the sensation of rapid motion that added materially to his discomfort. It came to him gradually that he was neither lying down nor standing up, but that he was in a half-reclining position with his head resting on someone's lap. Also, he discovered that he was again in a car and that they seemed to be speeding along in the dark the same as before. His head was being jounced up and down sending sharp pains through his body, and when he felt he could no longer stand it, he stirred. A familiar, hoarse voice spoke directly above him. "Feelin' kinda rocky, pal?" Skippy squinted but it was too dark to discern anything. Nevertheless, he sensed Nickie Fallon's bright eyes looking down at him inquiringly. "You, Fallon?" he asked weakly. "Yeah. Your head's been banged up an' I been holdin' you on my lap." Then, reassuringly: "But you'll be O. K., kid--don't worry." "It's dark--terrible dark...." "Yeah, we're travelin' without no lights. I'd keep kinda quiet if I was you. It ain't gonna be long 'fore we'll be where you can tumble in bed an' sleep till your head's better."