That was a question Cora asked herself as she took her place at the wheel, just vacated by the unmannerly youth. "He certainly acts as though he did," she reasoned to herself. "And why should he make such an insinuation against Mary?" She found no answer to her question. Suddenly looking at her watch she noted that no train had departed from New City since she and Paul had reached there. She was yet in time to give, him a ride home as she had planned. Turning quickly she made the run back toward the bank building. From behind a clump of bushes Sid Wilcox watched her. "I wonder if you'll tell your brother?" he mused, "If you do there may be a row over my kidnaping you. But I couldn't help it. No, I don't think you will tell Jack. You don't want to see us--quarrel." He added the last word below his breath, and there was a mean smile on his face. As he turned to continue his walk he met a man coming in the opposite direction. "Lem Gildy! What are you doing here?" he exclaimed. "Why--er--I'm sort of lookin' for work." "You--work!" exclaimed Sid. "Well, I heard you was goin' to take a trip across country, and I thought maybe you'd take me along. You and me's pals, ain't we?" "Hush!" exclaimed Sid, as if afraid of someone hearing the man's words. "Don't you know better than to follow me?" "Well, I heard you was comin' for a new job, an' I thought--" "You think entirely too much. Now you get hack to Chelton, and stay there. I may need you." Lem's little, rat-like eyes gleamed. "You'll pay me, won't you?" he asked. "Of course." "Well, I'm a little short now, an'--" Sid extended a bill, which the man took quickly. "Now be off," ordered young Wilcox, "and don't ever follow me again." He waited until Lem had shuffled off, and then he took a different path. "He's getting altogether too familiar," said Sid to himself as he strolled along. "But I may find him useful." Scarcely had Cora, driving her big car, turned into the turnpike leading from the park to New City, than she again encountered Ed Foster and Walter Pennington. She instantly realized that they would wonder why she did not stop, for Ed was slowing up his car. But she knew she could not get back to the bank building to meet Paul if she halted, so, with a smile, as comprehensive as she was able to make it, she sent the Whirlwind ahead at a fast speed. She noted the looks of surprise on the faces of her friends as she passed them. "How ever will I be able to explain?" was the thought that flashed into Cora's mind. "Walter acted as if he wanted to say something--perhaps something about the money. He looked as if he were pleased. Maybe he has some good news."