"Of course I didn't," said the latter. "It went up the street like the wind. Didn't it, Chet?" "That rascal was going some when he turned the corner of Rapidan Street. I wonder he did not skid again and smash his car to pieces against the hydrant. Served him right if he had," Chet said. "There were no chains on his wheels," said Short and Long, in the same mysterious way. "You said it," agreed Lance. "What then?" "There are not many cars in Centerport right now without chains on. The streets have been icy for more than twenty-four hours." "Your statement is irrefutable," said Chet, grinning. "Get it off your chest, Short and Long," begged Lance. "What do you mean?" "I mean," said the earnest lad, "that I know a car that was out this afternoon without chains, and it was a seven-seater Perriton car--just as this one that knocked down Chet's friend was." "It was a Perriton, I believe," murmured Lance. But Chetwood Belding said: "I don't know whether that poor fellow is a friend of mine or not. If I have to give Pa fifty dollars--Whew!" "But the car?" urged Lance Darby. "Who has a Perriton car, Short and Long?" "And without chains?" added Chet, waking up to the main topic. "Come along, fellows," said the younger lad. "I won't tell you. But I'll take you to where you can see the car I mean. If it still is without chains on the wheels, and has just been used--Well, we can talk about it then!" "All right," said Chet. "We can't do any good here. Here comes the ambulance. That poor fellow is going to be in the hospital for some time, I bet." There was such a crowd around the spot where the victim of the accident lay that the boys could not see the Central High girls, save Bobby Hargrew, who came running back from her father's store just as the clanging of the ambulance gong warned the crowd that the hospital had responded in its usual prompt fashion. The boys hailed the smaller girl and told her they were off to hunt for the car that had knocked down the victim. Then the three hurried away. Meanwhile, in the center of the crowd Laura Belding and Jess Morse had been aiding the girl in the Red Cross uniform as best they could to care for the man who was hurt. The latter had not opened his eyes when the ambulance worked its way into the crowd and halted beside the three girls on their knees in the street. "What have you there?" asked the young doctor, who swung himself off the rear of the truck. Laura and Jess told him. The third girl, the one who had done the most for the unfortunate man, did not at first say a word. The driver brought the rolled stretcher and blanket. He laid it down beside the victim. When the doctor had finished his brief notes he helped his aid lift the man to the stretcher. They picked it up and shoved it carefully into the ambulance. "I know you, Miss Belding," said the doctor. "And this is Miss Morse, isn't it? Do you mind giving me your name and address?" he asked the third girl.