The Detroit times., 1911-07-04
CHAPTER X.
, We Brought Home


Difficulty.
II was a matter of seconds. vault
ed over the spare tires into the chauf-
feur's seat. pulling the throttle open
while I felt for my pedals and as
did 80, / heard the door OF the
limousine slam behind me. A hasty
glance over my shoulder showed me
that the back OF the car was clear. |
jerked In the reverse and raised my
feet; and with a roar and stream OF
blue smoke, the machine swung back
ward across the street, while | twist
ed furiously at the wheel. One OF the
men caught at me as We began to
move, but the suddenness OF our
starting helped the push gave him
to throw him on his balance. He
sprawled on his back In the gutter,
and an instant later | was In my sec
ond speed and halfway up the block.
The policeman behind US was firing
his revolver: whether at US or our
tires or the sky I had no time TO
guess. And l took the first corner
with my heart In my mouth and an
empty feeling in my stomach, praying
that we might get around Il right side
up. A shadow ran out from the curb
and sprang for the running-board;
but my hands and eyes were 30 busy
IN front OF me that / did not know
whether We missed him or ran him
down.
Speed was impossible over the cob
bles; our only chance was to take as
many turnings as possible to avoid
- NJ hn foW
minutes We swayed and slid around
treacherous corners through dark
ness that was full OF shouts and
whistlings and gesticulating enemies.
I wondered that every blue-coated
figure running blindly up the lane OF
our lights did not stop US, and that
nj every turning we had neither upset
nor skidded into the opposite curb.
II was wild work at the best: and con-
sidering that I was driving q heavy
and unfamiliar car over shiny pave
ments, can not understand now how
we avoided either accident or cap
ture. But presently the headlights
showed a long, dark street, clear Of
interference. We raced up It at q
rate that seemed to loosen every
tooth In my head, and numbed my
fingers upon the rafting wheel The
noise was fairly behind US. After
couple more turns, IL had grown faint
err; and I slowed TO saner speed.
watching the street lamps for knowl
edge of my whereabout Then be
came conscious that there was q
man beside me In the car.
He was huddied In heap on the
floor, between the seat and the dash
hanging on desperately, and crowding
himself into the least possible space
as II to keep out Of sight. As soon al
I could spare a hand, began TO
pound him over the head and neck.
was In no mood for half measures
He covered back on the running
board, shielding himself with an arm
and turning up an absurd and ugly
face of terror. 1t WINS our highly re
spectacle chauffeur.
"Oh, for Gods sake, don't, sir" he
croaked, shrinking back out Of reach
II won't interfere with you nor moth
ing. I'll get out as soon az We get
fair away. Only I'd ha' been took up
sure, sir, and there's me character
gone"
Get into that seat and keep STILL
I said. ''or you'll have Us all taken
up. Get In, tell you"
He crawled into the seat, shaking
and protesting. There were tears in
his voice, and I think actually In his
eyes.
'"Do you know your way out OF
this7". demanded.
No, sir. Il haven't notion. I'll
get out and ask" He was apparent
ly too frightened to know his own
mind, but had made up mine. He
was better with US than wandering
about the city, telling murder stories
stay where you are" snapped
you'll 90 home with US, and keep
your head shut"
"Oh, I cant think of 1t. sir, Well
never get home after this. III, get
out here. It's murder and resisting
arrest and endangering trafic. They'll
have me an accomplish"
I caught at his collar as he tried to
stand up, and jerked him back into
the seat Before he could make an
other move, I had shut on and got
my right hand on the revolver.
held II across my knees under the
wheel, and slipped the holster of IT,
You're going TO SIT still and keep
quiet,"I said, "and you're going wher,