“In various ways, Nick, according to my reports. At times they block the road with their car and hold up the first automobile-party that appears, which, of course, is obliged to stop. Having relieved the travelers of their property, the crooks then forced them to turn their machine about, under the muzzles of leveled revolvers, and depart at full speed. If the frightened victims return in a few moments, as once or twice has been the case, they reach the scene, only to find that the knaves have fled.” “Naturally,” said Nick smilingly. “They have adopted, in fact, innumerable methods for holding up an automobile-party,” added Weston, “and they invariably intimidate their quarry and get away with the goods.” “Of what does their plunder usually consist?” inquired Nick. “Money and jewelry. They take all that their victims have, and the most of them give up readily rather than take any chances of being shot in cold blood.” “Have you been able to locate any of the stolen property in the pawn-shops?” “Not a piece of it.” “Judging from your reports, Weston, what is the value of the property thus far secured by these highwaymen?” “Thousands of dollars, Nick. Close upon fifty thousand, at least.” “Have there been house burglaries about here of late?” “Very few.” “It looks, then, as if these knaves were confining themselves to this road work.” “I think so,” bowed Weston. Nick glanced again at the photograph, which he still retained in his hand. “This was one of these hold-ups, was it?” said he. “Yes.” “It occurred in Brookline?” “In a lonely road leading into Brookline,” replied Weston. “The victims were Brookline people, and were robbed of some five hundred dollars’ worth of diamonds and jewelry, including what money they had with them. The victims were two ladies, taking an afternoon ride in a Stanley machine.” “Did they have a chauffeur?” “No.” “How was that?” “One of the women, Mrs. Badger, is an expert driver, and frequently rides without a chauffeur.” Nick glanced again at the photograph—little dreaming at that moment, however, how important a clue he then held in his hand. CHAPTER III. NICK CARTER HELD UP. Despite that he then attached no special significance to the photograph, the fact that Nick Carter was of a peculiarly impressionable nature, and that any unusual circumstance quickly stirred his rare detective instinct, appeared in his next question and the abruptness with which it was asked. “How did it happen, Weston, that this picture of the scene was taken during the robbery?” “I’ll tell you,” replied the Boston chief. “One moment,” interposed Nick. “First, tell me something about the victims of the robbery.”