The Delta independent., 1910-12-30

"We'vs Done Enough Taikin'."
athlete-had acquired SO much skill in
the handling of car.
1t proved hard to get into the tom
neau. Several times he got one leg
almost over the back, only to be dis
lodged as the car bumped into a rut
or over a stone. Once he almost lost
his grip entirely. But a final effort
gave him leg hold. and slowly-very
slowly-he climbed over to the leath-
er cushions Of the wide seat
II Arima now turned and saw him,
almost anything might happen. But
before he could become conscious that
anyone was near him, Orme was
crouching in the tonneau.
The car was going at a 35 mile clip.
The street lights were flashing by. and
not far ahead were the frequent lights
OF houses Nothing could be done
here: therefore Orme got down as low
as he could. He realized that he
would have to wait till they had
| passed through the town.
Arima had not remained on the
| Sheridan road. He hfd taken a street
which struck OF from 1t, more direct
| ly southwark, and Orme surmised that
the intention was to avoid the main
| streets Of Evanston.
When the car came to a cross street
and turned westward this surmise was
strengthened. They bumped over rail
road tracks. Several times they
passed other vehicles.
Presently Orme raised his head and
discovered that the houses were thin
ming out. The car appeared to be
heading straight into the open coun-
try. and Arima put on more speed
Forty miles an hour was not a high
estimate for the rate at which they
were travelling.
| For several minutes Orme continued
in his crouching position. The posi-
tions OF the stars told him that they
were still going west-not south to-
ward Chicago. Every turn of the
wheels. therefore. was carrying him
farther into unknown territory-farth-
er from the girl and all chance of COM
municating with her. Surely he must
act soon. II he was to act At all: for
Arima evidently was proceeding to
some rendezvous. where Orme might
find himself again in the midst OF an
overwhelming number Of enemies.
But what could he do? Rapidly he
turned over in his mind the various
courses open to him. Should he try
to stun Arima with q blow, and then
reach forward and take the steering
wheel before the car could swervs
into the ditch?
The blow might not prove effective.
In that case. the chances were that
Arima would involuntarily swing the
car to one side. Then there would
be a smash-with death or serious in
jury threatening both Arima and him
self
Should he try to cut tire?
The feat was almost impossible In
attempting 1t, he would run great risk
OF premature discovery. and even II
he succeeded in the attempt, the situa-
tion would be little changed. The me-
cessity Of stopping the car to make
repairs might not put Arima in his
hands.
The plan he at last decided upon
was to throw his left arm around Ari-
mas neck and draw him straight back.
trusting that he might be able to get
over the seat and set the brakes with
out losing his grip. The throat of the
jiu-jitsu adept is tough, made so by
patient development of neck muscles
but Orme had a strong arm, and he
believed. moreover. that Arima would
not have time to protect himself BY
stifYening his muscles before the grin
uaa secured.
The car was skimming along over
the turnpike like some flying bird OF
night. Orme glanced back over the
way they had come. soft electric
glow in the sky told where Evanston
lay. several miles to the east Far
to the south greater glow showed
the position of Chicago.
Pulling himself erect, Orme leaned
forward. 1t seemed as though Arima
must hear him breathe. Slowly he
advanced his arm. Then, darting
swiftly. he threw 1t around Arimas
neck and drew backwards with jerk
The Japanese was taken completely
unawares. Uttering a strangled
, cry. he let go of the steering
wheel and clutched at the choking
: arm that held him: he could not break
the grip.
Meanwhile Orme reached for tho
steering wheel with his free arm. But
Arima. kicking frantically, struck the
wheel with his foot Just as Orme was
about TO seize It. The car turned
sharply to one side. Into the ditch
Il plunged