rage they paused to
question the employees.

"Did a big gray car with two men, an old man with a beard and a young
man driving, pass this way about an hour ago?"

"I don't remember any such car," was the invariable answer.

Time and time again they repeated their query, wording it always the
same, except for lengthening the interval of time in which the car might
have passed, for the afternoon was rapidly passing. In their circuit
they had now reached the roads pointing to the southward.

"We'll try this one more garage," said Dean, as they approached a
wayside shed bearing a large sign "Gasoline."

"I fear it is only wasting time," said Jane wearily.

"Don't you want the Hoffs caught?" snapped her companion.

"Of course I do," she retorted heatedly, "but I don't see you catching
them."

"I believe you are half glad of it," snarled her escort as he brought
the machine to a stop and repeated his usual question.

"Sure there was a car with two men in it like you describe passed here,"
the man replied to their amazement and delight. "They stopped here for
gas, as they generally do. About three hours ago, I guess it
musta been."

Dean shot a triumphant glance at Jane.

"An old man with a gray beard and a smooth-shaven young man
driving--does that describe them?" he repeated.

"That's them," said the garage proprietor. "They come through here every
few days, always about the same time."

"Where do they go?" questioned Dean eagerly, feeling at last that the
scent was growing hot.

The man shook his head in a puzzled way.

"I've often wondered about that. They're always heading south and
appear to be in a powerful hurry, but the funny part of it is I ain't
never seen them coming back."

"Do you know their names?"

"No, I can't say I do, though it seems as if I'd heard one of them
called Fred. I can't say which it was."

"Do they always come by on the same day--on Wednesday?" asked Jane,
forgetful once more of Dean's warning to let him do the talking lest her
voice should betray her sex.

"Come to think of it," said the man, apparently noticing nothing
unusual, "I guess it always is on a Wednesday they come by."

"Is the number of their car anything like this?" asked Dean, exhibiting
an entry in his notebook.

"I couldn't say," said the man, studying the figures. "I know it is a
New York license, and the number ends with two nines like this one does.
What might you be wanting them for?"

He spoke t