And then, looking like some wild creature which had been summoned out of the dark places of the earth, Jim himself appeared, running down the side of the mountain, stooping low like a hunted animal. The sweat poured from his face; his clothes were torn in ribbons and his hands were cut and bleeding.
“You see, I didn’t break my word,” he said; “but it ain’t likely I’ll escape now. I’m too tired. I’ve been runnin’ for half the night.”
Minnie was sobbing bitterly.
“Cousin Helen, couldn’t we——” began Billie.
“But, my dear, how can we? What shall we do, Mr. Moore?”
“We couldn’t hide him in the car. Besides, if they caught him, it would get you into no end of trouble,” answered Daniel.
“He could have saved himself if it hadn’t been for us,” said Nancy reproachfully.
“We could disguise him in Billie’s polo coat with a veil and goggles,” suggested Mary suddenly.
Don’t blame these good people for what they now proceeded to do. Certainly it was the wildest, most reckless and dangerous adventure ever engaged in by six sensible, well-brought-up people, and two of them at least old enough to know better. Remember only that their sympathies were very much engaged, and that every cent stolen from the limited express was to be returned. While the horsemen were hidden behind a wall of rock, Jim’s identity was changed. He became a female of uncertain age in a polo coat, an automobile bonnet, goggles and a chiffon veil, which concealed his countenance. And sitting between Miss Campbell and Daniel Moore on the back seat he resembled any other motorist on a long trip.
They moved slowly down into the valley, and the horsemen as they passed lifted their black felt hats with quite a gallant air to Miss Campbell and her party.