"I very seldom use the train," explained Prentice. "You know that time is of no great value to me, and I enjoy the motor ride. The cool lake air and the scent of the woods are really very refreshing after being in the hot city—and certainly preferable to the gas, smoke and cinders that are inseparable from the train. "By the way," continued Prentice, after a pause, "have you done anything further about that message we were discussing today?" "Yes," replied Forrester. "I have taken very definite action since I left you." "Drawn the money from the bank, I suppose." "I certainly did not!" declared Forrester. "I went first to the police, and then engaged a private detective agency to look into the matter." "What did the police say?" inquired Prentice. "Oh, I guess it was the same old stuff," admitted Forrester. "Although they did say that they believed they had a clue at last." "Well, I hope it is a better clue than some of the others they have pretended to discover. It is certainly time they did something. And what is your private detective going to do?" "Not very much, I’m afraid," said Forrester. "He proposes to keep his eye on this mysterious oak, which I believe is just what all the detectives have done so far without results." "Exactly," agreed Prentice. "But it is the first time, I think, that anyone has employed a private detective. Perhaps he will be more successful than the police. Well, here you are," he added, as he swung the car to the curb and stopped. "Thank you for the lift," said Forrester, as he stepped out. "I’ll let you know how my private detective gets on." "Yes, do," urged Prentice. "I should certainly like to get some revenge for the money those people took from me. I suppose I shall see you at the club as usual tomorrow." "No," returned Forrester, "between now and Saturday I am going to be very busy on this ’Friends of the Poor’ matter. I don’t intend to let any grass grow under my feet in running them to earth." Then he added, laughing, "However, after Saturday I may have to hang around the club for protection." "If I can be of any help, don’t fail to call upon me," offered Prentice. "Good-bye." "Good-bye!" called Forrester, as the car shot off up the drive. Forrester was glad that his mother and sister were not at home. His mind was concentrated on the peculiar situation in which he now found himself, and he felt little inclination to talk. His mother certainly would have noticed his preoccupation and guessed that something was wrong. It would have been difficult to keep up the pretense of having nothing on his mind. At this time he did not intend to tell his family anything about the warning he had received, for it would worry them unnecessarily, especially after the fate which had overtaken Mr. Nevins.