esn't matter a lot whether it's asphalt
or cow trail you drive over."

Bud was in too sour a mood to respond to the flattery. He did not even
grunt.

"Could you take a car south for me? There'll be night driving, and bad
roads, maybe--"

"If you know what you say you know about my driving, what's the
idea--asking me if I can?"

"Well, put it another way. Will you?"

"You're on. Where's the car? Here?" Bud sent a seeking look into the
depths of the garage. He knew every car in there. "What is there in it
for me?" he added perfunctorily, because he would have gone just for
sake of getting a free ride rather than stay in San Jose over night.

"There's good money in it, if you can drive with your mouth shut. This
isn't any booster parade. Fact is--let's walk to the depot, while I
tell you." He stepped out of the doorway, and Bud gloomily followed him.
"Little trouble with my wife," the man explained apologetically. "Having
me shadowed, and all that sort of thing. And I've got business south and
want to be left alone to do it. Darn these women!" he exploded suddenly.

Bud mentally said amen, but kept his mouth shut upon his sympathy with
the sentiment.

"Foster's my name. Now here's a key to the garage at this address." He
handed Bud a padlock key and an address scribbled on a card. "That's my
place in Oakland, out by Lake Merritt. You go there to-night, get the
car, and have it down at the Broadway Wharf to meet the 11:30 boat--the
one the theater crowd uses. Have plenty of gas and oil; there won't be
any stops after we start. Park out pretty well near the shore end as
close as you can get to that ten-foot gum sign, and be ready to go when
I climb in. I may have a friend with me. You know Oakland?"

"Fair to middling. I can get around by myself."

"Well, that's all right. I've got to go back to the city--catching the
next train. You better take the two-fifty to Oakland. Here's money for
whatever expense there is. And say! put these number plates in your
pocket, and take off the ones on the car. I bought these of a fellow
that had a smash--they'll do for the trip. Put them on, will you? She's
wise to the car number, of course. Put the plates you take off under
the seat cushion; don't leave 'em. Be just as careful as if it was a
life-and-death matter, will you? I've got a big deal on, down there, and
I don't want her spilling the beans just to satisfy a grudge--which she
would do in a minute. So don't fail to be a