the automobile, by the
same route they had covered in approaching the bank; the machine was
backed out; they entered it, turned on the power, and sped away through
the silent streets as they had come, with nobody the wiser for what they
had done, the havoc they had wrought, and the wealth they had stolen.

Down beside the road where they had made the change before, from the
track of the railway to the highway, they paused long enough to secure
the iron wheels, and here the change was made back to a railway machine.
The car was lifted in sections to the tracks, and with everything
adjusted they were soon flying down the shining rails at a frightful
rate of speed, and in silence--for it seemed to be a rule among these
men that there should be no talking.

Mile after mile they covered in this way, and then the machine was
slowed down, and came to a stop at the point where it had picked up
Handsome and Nick at first, and here they got down, and, having taken
out the plunder, stood beside the track until the machine had
disappeared from view.

"Now, Dago, help me with the swag," said Handsome; and together they
picked it up, and once more started for the outlaws' retreat in the
middle of the impassable swamp.

When they were in the boat, and almost ready to land where Nick had
thrown the man into the water, Handsome turned to him, and whispered:

"You're all right, Dago. I'll tell Madge so, too!"

CHAPTER VII.

THE DETECTIVE'S PREDICAMENT.

When Nick Carter was shown a place to sleep that night--or, rather, that
morning, for it was well toward daylight by the time Handsome and he
returned to the outlaws' camp--he tumbled upon the bunk that was shown
him, and he lost no time in doing so; nor did he open his eyes again
until he felt a hand shaking him lustily, and a voice crying out to him:

"Wake up, Dago! You're wanted!"

He sprang up instantly; and, because he had laid himself down with
nearly all his clothing still upon his person, he was not long in making
himself ready. To have insulted the profession he had adopted by washing
his face was not to be thought of.

"Gee! But I'm hungry!" he said to Handsome, who was standing near,
waiting for him.

"Madge will give you something to eat. She is at her breakfast now," was
the whispered reply. "She wants you."

"Then," said Nick, "if I am going into the presence of a lady, and am
expected to eat with her, I'll have to wash my face and hands. Show me
w