you could pretend to take me out for a little
ride in your car, and pick up Abijah and give us a lift. My things are
all packed and hid away in the garage; so all I need to do is to get my
hat."

"Of course I couldn't come back here," Archie suggested. "Your father
would be sure to vent his wrath on me."

"Oh, I'd thought of that!" she exclaimed. "But you could go on and wait
somewhere for the Governor to catch up with you."

"I'd have to make sure he _didn't_ catch up with me! He'll be mighty
sore about this."

"Well, if you're afraid of him--"

"Pooh! I certainly am not afraid of him," he declared contemptuously.
"He and I were bound to part sometime."

In the half hour they had spent together by the brook he had forgotten
his dependence upon the Governor and his earlier fears that the master
crook might desert him. Through the cajoleries of a girl he had known
only a few hours he was ready to break with his comrade by mischievously
upsetting the domestic affairs of a host who doubtless had not forgotten
how to kill men who incurred his displeasure. Sally had affected him
like a strong cordial and as they walked to the house he grew
increasingly keen for the proposed adventure. Sally, like Isabel, had
dared him to be brave, and he screwed his courage to the sticking point.

"If you don't mind I'll take Sally for a little run down the road," he
suggested casually when they found the Governor and Mrs. Walker still
gossiping on the veranda.

No objection was raised by Mrs. Walker beyond an injunction not to be
gone long and a warning not to go without her jacket. The permission was
given so readily that Archie was moved to make the polite suggestion
that they might all like to go and his heart sank when the Governor
promptly seconded the invitation. But to his immeasurable relief Mrs.
Walker professed weariness and quickly disposed of the matter.

"No joy riding," the Governor called after them. "Sally's a valuable
asset of this family and I'll hold you personally responsible, Comly,
for her safe return."

III

At the garage Sally produced a satchel which Archie tossed into the car,
and they were quickly humming through the lane and into the highway.

"Abijah expected me to walk down to meet him if I could get away
tonight, so he'll be surprised when I come in a machine," she said as
they emerged into the open road. "He was to wait for me every night
until I saw a good chance to skip. His car is only a li