“Certainly it was, Jerry, and you may let Vic alone to think of such schemes as that,” said Mrs. Badger, with an evil display of sisterly pride. “She’s a keen one, all right,” grinned Conley. “The picture is as good as a positive proof that we were robbed,” added Claudia; “and Weston never for a moment has doubted our story. The very fact, if it were a fact, that we were robbed, moreover, plainly shows that we cannot have been both the thieves and the victims, also. That would be absurd, you see, and as long as Carter credits the photograph, just so long we may be sure that he does not suspect us of being crooks.” “That is an ugly word to apply to us, Claudia,” growled Badger disapprovingly. “One might as well call things by their right names,” laughed his wife. “I told you I was an adventuress, and a woman of nerve, Amos, when you wanted to marry me, and you knew just what you bargained for.” “I’m finding no fault on that score.” “You’d better not,” was the pointed rejoinder. “I fancy the life I now lead, this moving in good society, for it lays away over the stage, or riding bareback in the circus-ring, to which Vic and I were bred in old England.” “What need to refer to those days?” muttered Badger, frowning darkly. “Only that you may keep in mind the stuff I am made of,” replied his wife, with a shrug of her shoulders. “When you told me you were in hot water financially, Amos, it was I who suggested this scheme of road robbery to tide you along. In becoming your assistant, along with Jerry, here, my old life of adventure has served me well. I can ride the most vicious horse, and no auto can go too fast for me, Amos; so you couldn’t have a better helper, whether I wear skirts or trousers, in holding up an auto-party.” “That’s true enough.” “As for the wickedness of it—well, most of the world is wicked in one way or another,” laughed the woman. “We must contrive to get our living, Amos, in some way; and this life of danger and adventure just suits me, to say nothing of the profits derived. Just think!—last month we cleaned up close to twenty thousand, providing those Gaylord jewels bring as much as we expect.” “Oh, there’s money enough in it, I’ll admit that,” nodded Badger. “And with Vic to help us, with the aid of the friend she has so completely under her thumb, we are sure to be informed of any move contemplated by Weston or by Nick Carter. So your fears are groundless, Amos, as I said in the beginning.” “It’s dead lucky, I’ll admit, that we have that anchor to the windward,” said Badger, with features now relaxing. “So it is, Amos, and with him to inform us of—— Hark! there goes the telephone-bell again. I’ll wager that Vic has something more to report.” Claudia Badger was right in the last.