"Sufferin' traitors!" chanted McGlory. "I've a hunch, pard, your finger's on the right button."
"So," pursued Matt, "it is fair to assume that Ben Ali has some one to watch the Elgin road in the vicinity of the oak opening. If he is warned that any suspicious persons are approaching, the Hindoo will slide away snakelike and dodge pursuit."
Twomley nodded.
"You're a fair daisy, Motor Matt, in placing the situation squarely in front of us. By Jove, it looks like a hard nut to crack."
"Matt will crack it," averred McGlory. "Listen, now, to how he proposes to do it."
"How are you going about it?" inquired Burton impatiently. "I've had this on my mind ever since you and I left the house with the green shutters, and I can't tell how nervous you make me hanging fire about it. Seems like a mighty simple thing to go out in the woods, meet a fellow where he intends to be, and nab him."
"Not so deuced simple as you suppose, Mr. Burton," returned Twomley, "when you consider the character of the man, and his ability to make passes, look at you, and give you your ticket to the Land of Nod."
"We're going to work out this problem by motor car and aëroplane," said Matt.
"Aëroplane!" exclaimed McGlory. "That means you and me, pard."
"The motor car for you, Joe," smiled Matt. "You and Twomley, and Burton will go along the Elgin road in that."