Cora sank back in utter disgust and despair. What ever would Paul Hastings think of her? What would Walter Pennington say? Whoever saw her, it would make talk. Besides, Paul had come to New City in his shop clothes concealed under his duster, a fitting enough suit in which to ride in an auto, but not if he had to go back in the train. Perhaps, she thought, he had not brought money enough with him, depending on her to take him back to Chelton. And, above all, what would people think of Cora Kimball riding with Sidney Wilcox? "This is glorious!" exulted the daring youth, "I have just been pining for a ride in this car, Cora, and, incidentally, I may as well admit that I have been pining for a talk with you. When have you heard from your friend, Miss Downs?" He fairly shot the question at Cora. "Miss Downs?" she said falteringly. "Yes." "I don't know that I ever hear from Mary Downs," was Cora's sharp reply. "No?" His voice was queerly questioning. "Well, I want to say I think Mary a very slick little girl." Cora could not mistake his intention. He wanted her to think that he believed Mary was not one of her set. By "slick" he probably meant to convey the idea that he considered the former milliner girl might be tricky. "I am sorry Miss Downs is away," said Cora simply. "I intended to take her on a little run with me. She doesn't get many chances to go out in a car." "No, I guess, not. But don't you think it--er--rather risky to take up with--shop girls?" "Shop girls? Why, any girl is a lady, no matter what her position, as long as she conducts herself like one. What do you mean by your insinuations?" She almost detested herself for asking him this question, but she could not help it. Sid laughed. "What have you to say against her character?" demanded Cora again. Sid seemed a bit uneasy. He had hardly expected to be pinned down so directly. "Oh, of course," he finally answered, "if you feel that way about it, I--er--I suppose--nothing. I only wished to caution you. That money matter is still in--er--well, let us say, in an awkward shape." "Does Mary Downs know anything about it?" asked Cora directly, determined to face Sid down. "I'm sure I don't know," he drawled. "But you know she was--er--there with the--rest of us." CHAPTER XIV JUST CORA AND PAUL As if this had been the entire object of his peculiar actions, Sid suddenly stopped the car. "This is as far as I care to go," he said. "I think I'll leave you now. I can't thank you enough for the ride," he added mockingly, and, with a bow that had much of irony in it, he walked down a side path of the park, into which he had directed the machine. Cora did not answer him, but her look was sufficient to show what she thought. And in spite of her contempt she felt an overwhelming desire to question him about what he had said of Mary Downs. Did Sid Wilcox know anything about the robbery?