The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-02-26

Of acquittal doubtful to q degree, he
would be q fool to throw away what
this opportunity offered. Perhaps
even as he spoke the words he had
hardly meant them. Already this
blessed taste Of freedom. after that
week In a prison cell, made him re-
alize how sweet a thing liberty was.
even the liberty of the hunted. He'd
got a fighting chance and he would
take It!
Through the town in safety, but at
slow rate of speed that tried Fred
dy's nerves. He dared not go fast.
since the slightest accident or misad-
venture compelling them to halt might
be fatal to Lathom's chance Of evad-
ing capture, in spite Of the knowledge
that pursuit might begin at any time.
Il can picture that little hair dress
er-treacherous beast.-sprinting like
/ o'clock to the police station to give
us away! and the superintendent has
a motor car, too. worse luck!" Freddy
observed savagely. But once out Of
the town I doa't think he can race
my Panhard!"
Outside the town they came to
where the high road forked: one road
led to Wildfell. the other struck of
at an angle south. On reflection
Thornton decided to take the latter
and '1et her rip"
The wild rush of air. the tinglins
madness Of the speed, as the great car
raced like the wind along the wintry
roadway in the swiftly gathering dusk.
seemed to get into Jack Lathom's
blood. After his incarceration in q
prison cell. what an exhilarating rap
ture was this taste Of freedom!
Luckily the road was practically de-
| serted: past occasional farms and
houses, under the great railway arch.
they swung along as though racing the
wind, with the car osciliating at every
| unevennness in the road. trees and
telegraph poles flying past them. For
| little way the road ran parallel with
the railway track Behind them they
heard the roar and the scream OF q
train, creeping up to them, with Its
long row OF lighted carriage windows:
along the road side by side for little
way. racing the great iron monster;
then gradually It forged ahead. and
they saw the red tail light leaving
them: but the distance between train
and car only widened slowly-Freddy
was letting her rip
Something like speed, this-eh. old
/ ri tn To- 11xx
What price the superintendent car
IL it's on the road behind us? All the
same. wish you were safe on board
that train" He paused abruptly; a
look OF dismay crept over his face.
Hear that rattling?" he said. in an al.
tered voice. Hanged II I don't think
something's gone wrong with the mo.
tor. or all the luck." he added, dis.
gustedly, as he slowed up.
He jumped out
| Lucky we've got good start.
Here's a nut shaken of. Glad no.
ticed 1t when I did: bit later and Il
might have been serious" And he
plunged into technicalities
AS he spoke, he was fumbling with
tools, growing very hot and exasperat.
ed as he tinkered at the motor-car,
trying to remedy the defect. Freddy
was capital driver and an uncom.
monty poor mechanician - and some.
thing more serious than merely a miss.
ing nut appeared TO have happened
to the car in the undue strain IL had
been subjected to.
Freddy fumbled and tinkered grow.
ing hotter and wore exasperated;
Jack got out and assisted him. and at
last they were able to resume the
journey. But ten minutes had been
lost and The superintendent of police
had motor-car too. Freddy's face
was very serious as he grasped the
steering wheel again.
Listen. mani" he cried, suddenly
his hand pausing on the lever in the
very ict of setting the car in motion
That ten minutes has done for us
Old III; Il. lc,.eye they're hot on OH
track"
Very family up the road they could
rear the dis I: mt sound of swiftly
driven car. oo ming froM the direction
OF fellssatth.
1T nsy not be the police. but most
probably il is and il so II will be all
up" c. I'D Freddy rapidly and excited
~. 'fou see. they'd hang on to the
TAIL CT our car. though | doubt II the,
could owe. take us until the petrol gave
out Whtt's TO be dane?'
The sCurd If the CIR was growing
nearer; il vas evidently being driver
at reckless speed. There was not q
moment TO lose In arriving at de
isicn. Although the pursuing cal
Was still distant. and the curying ROAD
hid its iiehts from the occupants Of
lie stationary car. it would be OF
them in next to no time.
Ten 10 one it's the poiice," ex
claimed Jack Lathom. You must e
on alone. I'll get OF here and hide
| tiIr thay'ra mast