"A fine machine!" exclaimed Paul, noting how perfect was the rhythm of action as it thrilled out beneath them.
"There are friends of mine," said Cora suddenly as a runabout, containing two young then, came into sight. Ed Foster and Walter Pennington raised their caps as they dashed by, but they did not go so quickly but that Cora noticed an expression of surprise on their faces.
"Oh, yes, I know them also," remarked Paul. "I've had that machine in the garage."
"I wonder where they are going?" went on Cora. She also found herself wondering if Walter and Ed were surprised to see her out alone with a professional chauffeur. It was the first time her conduct in taking Paul with her came forcibly to her mind. Then, with an independence of spirit that characterized her, she decided she had no apology or explanation to make.
"It's hard to say where any person in an auto is going," replied Paul pleasantly, "and sometimes almost as hard to say when they'll get there."
"That young man on the right is the one who recently lost twenty thousand dollars," observed the girl as she changed to second speed to take a troublesome little hill.
"So I understand. And wasn't there some mystery connected with it?"
"Indeed, there was. You know, they found the empty wallet in the tool-box of my car."
"Yes, so I heard. Quite remarkable. But can't the detectives find out who stole the money and hid the pocketbook there?"
Cora was grateful for the neat way he put that, to avoid referring to the suspicions that had been cast on her and on her friends.