bject of the highwaymen's attack, saying:

"Uncle, we didn't tell you how we happened to be present when those
two men stopped you tonight, because we didn't want the chauffeur to
hear what we had to say. The whole story is contained in this note,
which one of the boys found after we had seen those men come out of
the cave and hurry away. Here it is; read it. As you are more
interested in it than anybody else, you may keep it."

Clifford drew the folded paper from his vest pocket and gave it to Mr.
Stanlock. The latter held it close to the lamp and read.

"That's Jake, my driver; it's his handwriting I'm certain. What did be
want to do that for? He must be in league with the worst element of
the strikers. Probably they paid him well for this, or promised him a
tempting bribe."

Mr. Stanlock mused thus aloud as he studied over the note. The
situation puzzled him. What ought he to do? Of course, he must have
the driver arrested, and there must be an investigation by the police.
But, would it be safe for him to trust Jake to drive him home?
Probably it would be safe enough, for doubtless the driver had no
desire to be openly connected with the plot.

He was about decided to return home with the driver and say nothing to
him about the note, when a slight noise at the entrance attracted the
attention of all. Listening carefully, they could hear the sound of
retreating footsteps.

"That's Jake," Mr. Stanlock exclaimed. "He overheard us. After him, or
he'll run away with the machine."

The rush for the entrance threatened to cause some confusion and delay
in getting out. Fortunately, however, the delay, if any, was not
serious, and the pursuit soon indicated that there were some real
sprinters among the boys. As they emerged from the cave, the driver
was already within fifty feet of the machine. But he looked back over
his shoulder and evidently thought better of his original purpose, for
he turned to the left and raced down the hill toward the road at
another point, leaping and striding with such recklessness that it
seemed almost miraculous that he should escape a fall and serious
injury.

Mr. Stanlock had no desire to attempt a capture of the traitorous
chauffeur by physical force, and when he saw that Jake had given up
the idea of fleeing in the automobile, he called the pursuit off. Then
he announced his intention to drive the machine home himself, taking
the route that led past Mr. Hunter's home. He had no fear