"Where and how was the ruby lost?" went on Grattan, paying no attention to Pardo.
"I started out with Martin to look for this automobile," said Matt, "and we found Sam Wing at the watering place on the Gardenville road. McGlory and I followed him, but my chum got lost and I was left to keep up the chase alone. It was somewhere along the course Sam Wing led me that the ruby was lost."
"Sam Wing is fooling you!"
"I think he's telling the truth, Grattan."
"Bosh! The chink has hidden the ruby and is trying to make you believe he lost it. If you let him go, he'll find the stone and get away with it."
"Why not turn him loose, an' then follow him?" suggested Banks.
Matt shook his head.
"I'm positive Sam Wing is giving the straight of it," he declared.
"Well," laughed Grattan, but with an undernote of regret, "I hope he is. If I can't have the ruby that I've worked for so long, I'm glad to think that no one else will have it. Where are we bound for, gentlemen?" and Grattan turned to Banks and Gridly.
"To the Boggs farm to pick up the sailor," Banks replied, "then for the Catskill jail."