"Joy-ride?"
"Not at all."
"Who was with you?" Miss Chapin's voice was ominously sweet.
"N—nobody I knew."
"Does that mean that you were alone?"
"Yes. I stopped off between trains to view the city, and took a
'Seeing Omaha' ride. The yap wagon upset, and—I broke my toe."
"You left Chicago ten days ago," said Speed accusingly.
"Of course, but—when I broke my toe I had to stay. It's a beautiful city—lots of fine buildings." "How did you like the jail?"
"What in the world are you boys talking about?" queried Miss
Blake.
"Mr. Speed seems amused at Culver's accident." Roberta gave him a stinging look. "Now we'd better let Culver go to his room and freshen up a bit. I want to talk to you, Helen," and Speed drooped at the meaning behind her words. But it was time for a general conference; events were shaping themselves too rapidly for him to cope with. Once the three were alone he lost no time in making his predicament known, the while his friend listened in amazement.