of
being engaged in mechanical invention merely an excuse for getting rid
of unpleasant visitors. I think we were both surprised when he answered
Winter's chaff quite warmly.

"I should not at all mind exposing my car to any risk if I could get the
opportunity to examine the Motor Pirate's car. If the truth must be
told, from what I have seen of his car, and what you have told me, I am
rather inclined to think that whoever designed it has forestalled me in
an idea which I had thought quite my own. I have long been working to
produce a car which would run at least a hundred miles an hour without
noise or perceptible vibration."

"Couldn't you get it completed in a week?" interrupted Winter. "We might
have a most exciting chase after our friend."

Mannering shook his head. "I've been absolutely floored on one detail,
and if that fellow has solved the problem----" Shrugging his shoulders,
he rose and held out his hand to Winter. I followed his example.

"I had no idea that you had anything so important on the stocks,"
remarked Winter, as he accompanied us to the door.

"Nor would you have done so until you saw the perfect machine on the
road, if it had not been for my chagrin at seeing that car to-night. Of
course I can count upon you both to say nothing of the matter."

"On condition that you do not refer to our adventure again," said I,
laughing.

"Agreed," responded Mannering, as he smiled again.

We both said good night to Winter, and in spite of our host's efforts to
persuade us to stay for another peg, I followed Mannering out,
declaring that I should never be able to face Mrs. Winter again if I
kept him up any longer.

I found Mannering standing at the gate, and I paused beside him to
glance at the sky, across which one or two fleecy clouds were hurrying
from the west. The moon, brilliant as earlier in the evening, now hung
low down over the horizon. The breeze had freshened, and we could hear
it whispering amongst the trees.

"We shall not be long without rain. If the Pirate is still abroad he
will leave tracks," said Mannering.

The beauty of the night held so much of appeal to me that I felt annoyed
at the current of my thoughts being turned back to the topic.

I answered shortly. My companion took no notice of my petulance.

"You have always thought I cared nothing for speed," he remarked, "but
you were mistaken. I thought I would keep my desires in the background
until I had succeeded in perfec