seen through the scheme of the other, when he asked to be
given a lift on his way. He had claimed boldly to have such sore feet
that he could hardly bear to stand his weight upon them; yet here he was
now dancing around as lightly as any one could.

"But what object could he have in view?" Rod was asking himself, even
while continuing to keep a cautious eye on Oscar, though he pretended to
be tending over Josh, still examining his wheel.

Like a flash it shot through Rod's mind that this same Oscar might be in
league with the man who was devoting all his talents and energies to the
task of getting a certain paper out of their possession--Jules Baggott.
He had already shown himself to be possessed of considerable skill at
planning, and the story told by Oscar may have all been made up out of
whole cloth, just to cause them delay, and give the plotter another
opportunity to rob them.

It was well that these thoughts should have raced through Rod's mind
just then; for they caused him to take exact note of what the stranger
was doing. Josh chanced to be too busily engaged at the time to observe
anything; as for Hanky Panky, really he was not to be depended on. And
that his sudden suspicions were well founded Rod presently had positive
evidence.

CHAPTER XII.

TURNING THE TABLES.

This was what happened!

Oscar had for the time being ceased to remember his bruised leg, and
even his grunts had temporarily stopped, which would apparently indicate
that after all his injuries were not so serious as he had made out.

He was now industriously engaged in ridding his garments of some of the
dust which they had accumulated at the time he and Josh rolled over in
the road. To the surprise of Rod he even took out his handkerchief, and
used this to wipe the sleeves of his coat.

Just then Rod, out of the tail of his eye, noticed the fellow give a
quick glance toward Josh and Hanky Panky, both of whom were bending over
the former's machine, anxiously examining to ascertain if it had really
been much damaged.

Instinctively Rod made out to be industriously looking at something of
interest in the near distance. He even shaded his eyes with one hand,
though at the same time he could manage to see Oscar.

It paid him well in the bargain, for he noticed that while dusting his
coat as a dandy detesting all manner of dirt might, the said Oscar also
flirted that white handkerchief in a strange manner.

Then it suddenly dawn