ury the money in a
graveyard and hurry uptown and live right there with the whole police
system right under him. He was a dear fellow, Hoky! By the way, you're
mighty lucky that you didn't get a neat little chunk of lead right
through the midriff, fooling with that drug store!"

In the rush of his thoughts Archie had forgotten his imaginary exploit
at the Harbor drug store and realized that he must have his wits about
him if he expected to retain the Governor's regard and confidence. The
ease with which the supercrook rode around policemen vastly increased
his feeling of reliance in his strange companion, and his only misgiving
was that the daring resourceful rogue might abandon him.

As dawn broke the whistle and rumble of a train caused the Governor to
stop the car and dive into his pockets for time tables of which he
carried a large supply. He scanned one and hummed his satisfaction.

"We'll get rid of this machine right now as there's a station over there
a little way where we can pick up a local right into Portsmouth. Don't
be nervous. We'll pass for a couple of city men owning farms up here and
just riding into town on a little business.

'Virtue is bold and goodness never fearful,'

as well said by old William of Avon. We shall be bold, Archie, but not
too bold."

He stopped, opened a gate and ran the car--thoroughly disreputable from
its nocturnal bath in mud--through a barnyard and into an empty shed.

"Now for a brisk walk! The owner of this place sleeps late--not a sign
of smoke from the kitchen chimney. And yet so many students of farm life
wonder at the meager earnings of the honest husbandman! However, we've
given that chap an excellent roadster and if he keeps his mouth shut he
can run it till it falls to pieces for all anybody will ever know it's a
stolen vehicle."

They crossed the railroad and were soon buying tickets from a sleepy
stationmaster. The Governor talked briskly through the window as the
agent stamped their tickets while Archie cowered at the door marveling
that any one could face the problems of a precarious existence so gaily.

They alighted at Portsmouth without mishap, and Archie, recalling the
primary object of his travels, stepped to the telegraph office and wired
his sister as follows:

"Have been motoring with friend; hence delay in reporting. The
house will not do. Plumbing in wretched condition, and house
generally out of repair. Sorry but you will have to