"We were extremely fortunate in getting away to-night. Every hour counts now," said Mr. Rack, "but as I have some papers to look over I'll get at them." Swiftly through the summer night the train sped on. The detective seemed to be occupied with nothing more important than some road maps, but his companions did not venture to interrupt him and in their own conversation spoke in low tones. The distance seemed very great, somehow, to the impatient boys. But at last---- "Here we are!" said Robert Rack, even before Phil or Dave were aware of it, and a moment later the lights of Griffin came into view. I shall not undertake to tell in detail of the conflicting emotions with which Billy and Paul greeted their friends and with which they all, Mr. Rack included, gathered beside the Big Six while Worth quickly told of the escape of Coster and the Torpedo's disappearance. "A little faster than I expected," mused the detective, in that same easy, gentle tone. Apparently _he_ was no more disturbed than if Billy had said it looked like rain, which, in fact, was the case. "But this man in jail--_we_ didn't tell you anything about him, Mr. Rack. We didn't know it ourselves," Phil spoke up anxiously. For it will be remembered that Chief Fobes' prisoner had not appeared in the situation at all at the time Way and MacLester left Griffin. "Or did you know without our _telling_ you?" Phil added, his own mind in a whirl of confused thoughts. "Oh, I have not been idle to-day," smiled Detective Bob. Then more seriously, but still in his affable, pleasing way, quite as though he were planning a little outing, he continued, "Now I'll need some help. The best driver take the wheel. I'll sit beside him. The rest of you ride behind and if I may ask so much, no one will leave the car except as I may request it." Immediately Phil nodded to Dave to take the driver's place. In an instant Bob Rack was in the seat beside him, the others in the tonneau. "Just as fast as is consistent with a reasonable degree of safety now," Mr. Rack said, placidly. "First, to Creek's garage." The Big Six moved swiftly away, throwing always a flood of light ahead, its gleaming oil lamps seeming to be but a streak of white to those who watched it pass. In a minute's time the detective apparently had seen all he wished to see at the small garage. While he looked the place over Way, at his request, was locating Chief Fobes by phone. The policeman came from the hotel on the run when told that Mr. Bob Rack wanted him. For perhaps five minutes he and the detective talked in Willie Creek's office. "That fellow Coster got out about nine o'clock. He must have got off with the Torpedo about half-past nine. About a two hours' start of us," said Billy Worth to his friends in the tonneau. There was no doubt in his mind, whatever, that the jail-bird had flown in the stolen machine.