"Guess I'd better put on a little more speed," he said to himself. "It's going to take some time to get this all straightened out, and I don't like to have such a large sum with me on the road." He speeded up his car, and was soon on the outskirts of the city, where he had to go slower, threading his way in and out among many vehicles. He reached the bank shortly before noon, was greeted by the president and the secretary, who were expecting him, and was shown into a private office. "Well, we have the stock all ready for you," said the president genially. It was not every day that his bank disposed of such a large block. "I trust you will find it a good investment." "I believe I will," replied Ed as he reached his hand in his inner pocket to take out the wallet that contained the money and bonds. "I looked into--" He stopped suddenly. A blank look came over his face. Hurriedly he felt in another pocket. Then he began a rapid search through his clothes. "What's the matter?" asked the secretary. "Did you mislay your valuables?" "Yes--no--I don't see--" murmured Ed. All the while he was making a frantic search. His face paled. The bank officials looked anxiously on. "Can't you find it?" inquired the president. "I've either lost my wallet,--or it's been stolen!" burst out Ed desperately. "How could it have been stolen?" asked the secretary. "I don't know," was the answer. "I don't see how it could have been, as, from the time it was in my pocket until now, I did not leave my auto--" He stopped quickly. The memory of the scene alongside the road, where the machines had collided, came back to him with vivid distinctness. He had alighted there, and-- He pursued his reflections no further, but hurriedly got up from the chair. "I must go back at once," he said. "I will make a search. I think I know where the loss may have taken place." "Or the theft," suggested the president. "No," said Ed slowly, "I don't believe it was a theft." "Shall we send for a detective? Will you take one of our porters or a watchman with you?" asked the secretary. "No; I think I'll make a search myself, first, thank you. And please don't tell the police--yet. I may have dropped it. I'll let you know as soon--as soon as I go to a certain place and look. There is time enough to notify the authorities afterward. I'll telephone you if I don't find it, and then I'll tell the police in Chelton. But I must hurry." "Yes; you had better lose no time," advised the president. "The thief--if there, was one--could easily dispose of those securities. As for the money--?" "He would have no trouble in spending that," finished Ed. "Yes, I'll go back at once."