Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-06-17

the CurD, one mana upon the open uooi
Of the car.
Cant you make it go?"
Its all right" l shouted, reaching
for the spark. "get inside!" and the
engine started with snort and q
howl. The crowd had begun to mutter
threatening, and as l sprang for the
other side Of the car they jostled me
back.
'Murder!" some one shouted hoarse-
ly. Police! police! police!"
From far down the block came the
regular thud Of running feet, and the
shrill blast OF whistle and along |
with it, stumbling clatter from the
tenement hallway, and Carucci, great
smear of blood across his convulsed
and swollen face, lurched drunkenly
to the sidewalk.
CHAPTER x.
It was q matter OF seconds. vault |
ed over the spare tires into the chauf-
feur's seat, pulling the throttle open
while felt for my pedals; and as
did SO, heard the door of the lmou-
sine slam behind me. A hasty glance
over my shoulder showed me that the
back of the car was clear. I jerked
In the reverse and raised my feet;
and with roar and stream of blue
smoke, the machine swung backward
across the street, while twisted furi-
ously 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 off his balance. He sprawled on
his back in the gutter, and an instant
later I was in my second speed ana
halfway up the block. The policeman
behind us was firing his revolver;
whether at us or our tires or the sky
| had no time to guess. And look
the first corner with my heart IN my
mouth and an empty feeling IN my
stomach, praying that we might get
around 1t right side up. A shadow
ran out from the curb and sprang for
the running board; but my hands and
eyes were so 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 rs possible to avoid be-
ing headed, and for the next few
minutes we swayed and slid around
treacherous corners through dark
ness that was full of shouts and whis-
things and gesticulating enemies.
wondered that every blue-coated figure
running blindly up the lane of our
lights did not stop us, and that at
every turning we had neither upset
nor skidded into the opposite curb. 1t
was wild work at the best; and consid.
ering that was driving q heavy and
unfamiliar car over Shiny pavements,
can not understand now how we
avoided either accident or capture.
But presently the headlights showed
long, dark street, clear of interference.
We raced up it at 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, 1t had
grown fainter; and slowed to saner
speed, watching the street lamps for
knowledge Of my whereabouts. Then
I became conscious that there was a
man beside me In the car.
He was huddled in heap on the
floor, desperately, and crowding him
self into the least possible space as II
to keep out Of sight. AS soon as
could spare q hand, I began to pound
him over the head and neck. I was IN
no mood for half measures. He
covered back on to the running board.
shielding himself with an arm and
turning up an absurd and ugly face OF
terror. It was our highly respectable
chauffeur
ooh. 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 as 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,
| said, cor 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 think actually in his
eyes.
"Do you know your way out OF
this?" demanded.
mo, sir. I haven't notion. I'll
get out and ask" He was apparently
too frightened to know his own mind,
but had made up mine. He was bet
ter with us than wandering about the
city, telling murder stories.
"Stay where you are" snapped.
you'll go home with us, and keep your
head shut"
ooh, can't think Of it, sir. Wen
never get home after this. I'll get out
here. It's murder and resisting arrest
and endangering traffic. They'll have
me an accomplish"
caught at his collar as he tried to
stand up, and jerked him back into his
seat Before he could make another
move, had shut of and got my right
hand on the revolver. held 1t across
my knees under the wheel, and slip
ped the holster of It.
You're going to sit still and keep
quiet" said, land you're going where
ever we go. Do you understand
He sat like craven image after
49, NTH no aoind hut an ncoa siona