Paul Hastings was talking to the Robinson girls. It was evident that he was much excited. Cora was on the sidewalk, and Cecilia was beside her. Jack stood off to one side with Walter. "Some important consultation," whispered Daisy. "I'll wager it's about the hold-up." "Of course, father knows you had nothing to do with it," Bess was saying to Paul, "but he is positive the papers were in that mail. Corn, thought it best we should let you know right away." "Forewarned is forearmed," said Paul. Then Daisy and Maud came up to the group. "My!" exclaimed Daisy. "Quite a gathering." "Yes," answered Clip. "We are glad you came. Now our meeting is complete. We want evidence. Tell us all you know about the strange men. You had a good chance to observe. You were not in the little quadrille on the road." "Why," stammered Daisy, "I thought them very nice-looking men. They were well dressed, and--" "That's it," interrupted Jack. "They were nice men, well dressed. What else do you expect young ladies to observe? Clip, your suspicions are not borne out by facts. Not a girl in the party but yourself saw--what was it? The corner of the missing blue envelope in the upper right-hand pocket--" "Jack Kimball! You know perfectly well I never said such a thing. I did see something blue, but it might have been--" "A captured shadow from Daisy's eyes," said Walter dryly. "What happened?" breathed Maud. Then Walter realized what a girl's eyes may do in the matter of "imploring." He deliberately stepped over to Maud's side. "Oh, some valuable papers were taken from the mailbag," volunteered Clip. "And we thought the strange men might have found them." "You cheerful fibber," whispered Jack. "Come on, if you expect to get to Cartown to-day." "How can we, now?" asked Clip in an undertone. "Just jump in and go," replied Jack. "Why should we explain?" Jack cranked up his car, and in her usual deliberate way, Cecilia Thayer stepped into the runabout, pulled on her gloves, smoothed out the robe, and then said: "Good morning!" Jack and Clip left the others standing in surprise and, perhaps, disappointment. Only Cora guessed where they were actually going. CHAPTER IX THE MYSTERIOUS RIDE The fact that Cecilia Thayer could be old or young, as had been remarked by one of her companions, was not a mere saying. The Thayers were strangers in Chelton, and Cecilia was now only home from school on a vacation. It was generally understood that the girl was not exactly a daughter of the small household, but perhaps a niece, or some relative, who made her home with the people. She never invited her friends to her home, but this was not considered strange, as her means plainly were not equal to the circumstances of those with whom she associated. Not that Cecilia sought this class, because she was constantly sought by them--she was a brilliant, happy young girl, and, as such, was a most desirable adjunct to the Chelton younger set.