Matt's bewilderment continued to increase.
"I've got ten thousand dollars for him, and also a message from George," he managed to articulate.
"You can give me the money and the message, Mr. Motor Matt," was the terse reply, "and I will see that they are delivered."
Matt halted the car—it was time to cool off the engine a little, anyway—and straightened in his seat.
"I am a friend of your brother's," he observed, "and Joe McGlory will tell you what I have tried to do for him. Your father sent a telegram to San Francisco asking McGlory to have me come with him and George, if possible. Now, at a good deal of inconvenience and expense to myself, I have come—and why shouldn't I see your father?"
"Because," answered Miss Lorry steadily, "he has recently heard something about you that—that is not to your credit. If you insist on seeing him, he might—he might have you arrested."
If Matt was "stumped" before, he was staggered now. Arrested! George Lorry's father might have him arrested! And for what? For helping George recover the ten thousand dollars, and for helping to bring George back to Madison?
"There's a big mistake, somewhere," muttered Matt.
"You'll not go on?" queried Miss Lorry.
"I will go on," Matt returned firmly. "But I'll get out of the car and walk, if you want it that way, Miss Lorry. I can't give the money to you, or the message, either. As I say, there's a mistake, and I must see your father and explain away the bad impression he has of me. Certainly he didn't get that from Joe McGlory."