that a big automobile skimmed past the Presco

med Peggy. "And look, old Mr. Hardin

had been arranged that he was to bring the aeroplane back that morning, driving over with Peggy, Jimsy and Jess in the car, and skimming home in the Butterfly

hem, and, almost before the car h

s?" asked Jims

it?" demanded

obbed last night. All the money was tak

Roy incredulously. Peggy had t

the servants and she told

p their money in such places, it is hardly surpr

e reach the farm-house," put in J

who lost the money," said Peggy. "I e

e sheriff, red-faced and important, was examining several farm hands beneath one of the big elms, w

under the elm, and whispered something to the sheriff. The blue-chinned, thick-necked Mortlake aro

ied Peggy. "We were dreadfully sorry to h

odded. The sheriff now rose and came toward the machine. He knew all the young folks and greeted them briefly. At his heels pre

in this house yesterday afterno

id Peggy. "There was Lieut. Brad

ed annoyed glances. This was

n," urged

oft here and his sister, a

re in the room? I presume from the remark you mad

Bancroft's, but we do

n the parlor beside yourself when Mr. Galloway opened the wall

sister and Lieut. Bradbury, beside

brother wa

. He didn't co

her didn't see

here only a very brief time. But what d

picion," said the sheriff. "Mr. Harding and M

exclaimed Peggy

eriff

scott was here at the time. They eve

he sheriff's arm. He was seconded by Mortlake. I

oncluded lamely. He turned and went o

snarled old Harding, as they walked away much

entioned a young man being with the girl in the aeropla

it for granted,'" snorted the old miserly financier of San

pportunity to send it back, and no more will be heard of the matt

ome plan to choke him off. That scheme of yours to blame the robbery on h

that whole outfit regret bitterly that they ever

avy would have been the best way, h

to do that yet,"

rything seemed very much muddled, but one fact stood out clearly, and that was that an a

hat o

icion, it would have worked to his discredit with the naval authorities, and might have

d suddenly: "If that was the case, why did

Without him, the tests of the Prescott aer

d Peggy Prescott undertook to take

Peggy; "but look, here is Mrs.

the party had as yet alighted. She was followed by her husband.

bin so flustered thet I don' know no more than a wet hen. My brother, that's Mr. Mo

r to laugh at the woman's blunt frankn

accompanied by Harding

t candor. "They stayed quite a while. H

at yer aeroplane. Yer know he's in thet thar bu

have been based on a true presentiment. The blue-jowled Mortlake had undoubtedly improved his o

er went on, "fer he made a lot uv ther nicest droo

Harding car. But, as he neared it, the old financier, who with Mortlake was already seated in the tonne

Peggy, as, rather crest

d I'd caught the machine, I guess I'd have been like the dog that cha

flight confirm

have we to prove it? The rascals hav

uck Peggy, and she t

s have an identifying

head. But Mrs. Gallow

s. I re'klect thet it hed a big round O in red ink marked on ther back uv it. It was a bit rubbed

Jimsy dragged out the Golden Butterfly and boarded it. It had been arranged that the two girls we

on to the rough road, Peggy's thoughts kept

a-red-round-O. A-twenty-dol