Cora saw that argument was useless. Reluctantly she turned from the Turtle. Ray climbed in with Daisy and Maud. Bess and Belle were ready to start "from the seat," without cranking up. Cora gave the Whirlwind a few turns. "I hope we get home without any further trouble," came from the folds of Ray's blue veil. "I think we have had enough for one day." "Enough!" echoed Clip. "Why, I could stand ten times that much! I love trouble--in the abstract." "Suppose you call this the abstract," almost sneered Daisy, who evidently did not relish being crowded. "Certainly I do," declared Clip. "Just gaze on the abstracted Turtle!" "Who's that?" whispered Hazel nervously. A step could be heard in the roadway. "My bandit!" breathed Clip. "Oh, my darling, desperate bandit!" "Hush!" cautioned Cora, for she felt the possibility of Paul's captors being about still. Then two figures appeared from the sharp turn in the road. Cora wanted to start, but hesitated. The figures came closer. They were those of two well-dressed men; that was easily discernable. Clip put her hand over her heart. "Oh-h=h!" she groaned audibly. "Isn't he handsome!" Hazel clutched at her sleeve. "Do stop!" she begged. "They may be--" "They are!" answered Clip, and, as the men halted beside the Turtle, she deliberately jumped out and approached them. The other girls were spellbound. Cora, too, left her place--she knew Cecilia's recklessness and felt it her duty to stand by her. The two strange men looked first at the girls and then at the car. "Had an accident?" asked the taller of the two politely. "Oh, no, it's chronic," answered Clip flippantly, much to Cora's dismay. The men were evidently gentlemen. They were well dressed, and had the mannerisms of culture. "Perhaps I can help you," suggested one, taking from his pocket a wrench. "I always carry tools--meet so many 'chronics,'" and he laughed lightly. "Come on," called Hazel from the Whirlwind. "You know, Paul will be waiting, Cora." At this the men both started. He with the wrench ceased his attempt to open the motor hood. The other looked toward Hazel. "Oh, I see," he said with affected ease. "Your friend promised to meet you, and you are late." "My brother," said Hazel curtly. "Paul Hastings," said Cora quickly, before she knew why. "Oh!" almost whistled the taller man. "I see; of the Whitehall Company?" "Do you know him?" demanded Cora rather sharply. "Slight-ly," drawled the stout man, he with the wrench. "Well, we had best not detain you, young ladies," said the other, "as you have so important an engagement," and with that they both turned off. "What do you think of that?" exclaimed Cora. "The utmost!" replied Clip, in her favorite way of expressing "the limit." "They knew Paul!" gasped Hazel. "Seemed to," answered Cora evasively. She had her opinions and doubts as to who these gentlemen might be.