telling me confidentially that the Martin people recommend you very
highly and suggesting that in case you get into trouble through the
Judge I'm to look out for you to the limit. The limit with old Tom
Sayers has never yet been found. So I've got to make good. Besides all
that, there's another reason that's entirely my own, which is that I
think this shebang needs your services, and I work first, last and all
the time for the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company. So I'm
not going to let a tin rooster like Granger interfere with our business
in any way if I can help it. Where's your luggage?"

"Over in Mrs. Clancey's house--the place where you recommended me to
stop while here."

The superintendent stepped to the door leading out into the office and
beckoned to a confidential clerk, who promptly came into the office.

"Smith, go over to Mrs. Clancey's and pack Mr. Gollop's suit case and
bring it here as soon as you can. Tell her Mr. Gollop has gone--called
away hurriedly; just in time to catch a train; no time to pack. And--see
here, Smith--you're to forget it all the very minute after the job is
done! Understand?"

"Very well, sir," said Smith, with a grin, and disappeared.

Before the door had closed Holmes was at the plant telephone, and Jimmy
was compelled to admire the way in which he avoided all waste of time.

"Garage?" questioned the superintendent. "Good! Tell Hawkins to get out
that new roadster we fixed up for Mr. Sayers, see that she's all ready
for a run, and bring her around to the office door for me."

As he hung up the receiver the whistle blew and outside could be heard
the droning diminuendo of machinery brought to a stop, denoting that
another day's work was done, and this was followed by the thrumming of
feet and the murmur of voices as the workmen departed. The
superintendent got up and pulled down the window shade.

"Just as well to make certain that no one sees you sitting in here," he
said, as he again reached for the 'phone, called up his home and said
that he would not be home until late that night because he was detained
on business, and then proceeded in a deliberate and methodical way to
clear up his desk.

It was just twenty minutes later when the two men walked out of the
office and to the waiting roadster. The big plant looked idle and
deserted. The superintendent gave some words of caution to the man
Hawkins, took his seat, told Jim to climb in, and the machine moved