But, as he neared it,
the old financier, who with Mortlake was already seated in the tonneau,
spoke a word in the chauffeur's ear, and the machine dashed off, leaving
Roy enraged and nonplussed.
"Too bad, Roy," breathed Peggy, as, rather crestfallen, the lad returned.
"Oh, I don't know, Sis. Even if they hadn't sneaked off like that, and I'd
caught the machine, I guess I'd have been like the dog that chased the
train. I wouldn't have known what to do with it when I got it."
"But Roy, their flight confirms their guilt!"
"I know, Sis, but what possible way have we to prove it? The rascals have
covered up their tracks cleverly."
A sudden thought struck Peggy, and she turned to the farmer.
"Did any of those bills have an identifying mark on it?" she asked.
The farmer shook his head. But Mrs. Galloway had a better memory.
"Why, yes, Ike," she exclaimed; "that twenty-dollar-bill you got frum Si.
Giddens fer ther Baldwins. I re'klect thet it hed a big round O in red ink
marked on ther back uv it. It was a bit rubbed out, an' hard ter see, but
ef you knew it wuz thar an' luked fer it, you could see it plain enough."
After inquiring about the baby, whose thankful mother declared it to be as
well as ever, Roy and Jimsy dragged out the _Golden Butterfly_ and boarded
it. It had been arranged that the two girls were to spin back to town in
the car, the aeroplane following them as closely as possible from above.
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