Almost noiselessly the big machine purred forward, more slowly now but still at good speed. In wonder and excitement the Auto Boys sat silent as the darkness round them. And while _they_ were at tension that strained every nerve, the calm tranquillity of Mr. Bob Rack was, by contrast, the more amazing. "I suppose," said he, softly, quite as if he might have been gently musing before a pleasant fireplace in the quiet of home, "I suppose the truest words ever put in verse are those which say---- "'Truth crushed to earth will rise again. "But error, wounded, writhes in pain "And dies amidst her worshipers.' "And there," he said as if he were but speaking to himself, "there is the whole ground work, the unfailing foundation that we must work upon, whether we are detectives or doctors or anything else. There is no such thing as successful deception. This case is an excellent illustration, and I must tell you about it later. It is an old, old error, a monstrous lie that has reached its end to-night, I firmly believe." CHAPTER VIII IN MOST EXCELLENT GOOD SEASON Almost as he ceased speaking the detective, peering forward, as if not quite certain of the road, it was so dark, placed a detaining hand on Davy's arm. "Right to one side here and stop," he said. Without jar or sound, save the slight squeak of a brake, the Big Six came to a halt. The wonder of the Auto Boys was doubled, if such a thing were possible. Another hundred yards would have placed them directly in front of the dwelling of Mr. Peek. "_He_ had nothing to do with stealing that car, or ours," Paul Jones could not refrain from whispering to Billy, at his side. Lost in his own questioning thoughts, Worth did not answer. "Keep right behind me, Philip, the gun in your right hand and pointed to the ground." Mr. Rack was out of the car now, and taking Phil by the sleeve as he spoke, that young gentleman also stepped softly down. "If you boys are as quiet as mice," said the detective to the others, "you will hear me call instructions, should I do so. We may be gone for some time." In silent wonder the three in the car obeyed the order so gently given, but so imperatively attuned. Without misgiving, but trembling from the multitude of questions rushing to his mind, Way followed Mr. Rack. Walking upright, but without noise, the two approached the dark and lonely farmhouse. Stationing Way behind the trunk of an old apple tree, Mr. Rack left him. For a quarter of an hour he was absent. Vastly to Phil's surprise he came creeping on hands and knees and was fairly beside the boy ere the latter discovered him. "We are too late, or too early. It will take some time----" A terrific scream burst suddenly on the air. Coming in unexpected violence, and from within the old house, the sound was terrifying beyond description. "Don't forget the signal!" said Robert Rack calmly. "Close in," Phil whispered, to show he remembered, but the detective was gone.