Dr. Bennet seemed flushed and excited. He began, without any preliminaries, to tell Cora that she must get into his car, and hurry back to Breakwater. "I have been on the wildest hunt," he said, smiling an acknowledgment to Cora's introduction to Ed, and bowing to Jack, whom he had met earlier in the day. "I have been all over Chelton, but of course did not expect to locate you out here." Duncan Bennet possessed that manner which is at once persuasive and at the same time courteous combination of the doctor and the man. "You see," he continued, "I happened to overhear that you are to be subpoenaed in that Robinson patent case. In fact, I heard Reed say he would have you in an hour, so I determined to beat him back home--get you over the State line before he can serve the papers. Now, you had best jump right in. Clip is waiting for us at Wiltons'. We will pick her up and then fly." "Oh!" gasped Cora, seizing at Jack's arm. "I am not going to run away. I will stay right at home--with my brother." Cora was as near crying as any young lady with the reputation of strength of character might safely venture. But Jack knew more of the case than he had confided to her, and he instantly agreed with Dr. Bennet. "Run along, sis," he advised, with the jollity that makes a brave boy ever a girl's hero. "I'll be after you with the others, and it will be no end of fun. Clip's going, and I'll try to have Paul and Hazel join--if Paul is fit. Then with Ed and Walter-- Say, we will have the time of our young lives! Get in with Dr. Bennet, and I'll turn back and stop in front of the ice cream place. Of course, Reed or Roland will come along that way, and of course you will be inside eating frapped subpoenas." Cora was now climbing in beside Dr. Bennet. "And that is why that horrid man tried to get me to ride in town with him!" cried Cora. "He wanted to make me take those papers--" "Certainly," interrupted Duncan. "But we have fooled him thus far. Be sure to come to the show, boys," this to Ed and Jack. "My crowd will be out there to-night, but I suppose we will not see the Chelton throng until to-morrow. Excuse haste--and a bad pen," he added, laughing, while Tom gave a signal on the horn. "This is the time we make a run against the law." CHAPTER XXVIII CONFIDENCES "Now, Tom," called Duncan Bennet to his chauffeur, after Clip had joined Cora, "you had better slow up some. The young ladies may want to find out whether or not they still wear hats." They had ridden fast and far. "Oh!" exclaimed Clip, "I never had such a delightful ride. I suppose that is what you call being motor mad--going and going until you cannot go fast enough. They say it is a disease, isn't it, doctor?" "I believe it is so defined," answered Duncan with mock dignity. "But we are not to talk disease, if you please, young lady," and he smiled a command which might easily be interpreted to mean: "You must rest from that sort of thing for a while."