Putnam patriot., 1912-08-09
CHAPTER VIII,
Team-Mated.

Idsnloh or his own. some days later.
 There's a gentleman downstairs to see you, sir" the bell-boy brought in- formation to the latter, one afternoon.
 He won't come up because he says he can't leave his automobile. but he'd be glad If you'd cohe down. sir"
 Stanton looked at the card presented. and rose with alacrity.
 His mechanician was in the hall, gazing across the wide windows at a low-swung. long -bonneted, dull-gray metorear that stood by the curbstone; car stripped as bare of every super huous belongings as pugilist enter Ing the ring. At the hiss of the de- scending elevator he turned to meet Stanton with his smile of sun-shot cordiality
 q was afraid to let your machine put of my sight" he exclaimed. She IS going on to Indiana. tonight, and the chief wanted you to see her first. There wasn't time to get you out to the factory, after fixing her steering busi- aess the way you wanted, so they sent her down for you to look over. The chief sent word. for you to try her out anywhere you liked and he would pay he cost If you got in trouble. but to get her shipped west tonight unless ,he had to go back to the factory, for here were rumors of a strike among he train men and We might not be Ible to get her through in time for the ace"
 Who drove her down here?" Stan- on demanded casting Jealous dance out the window, but accepting lie facts more amiably than could lave been expected.
 "The chief, until he left me at the venue corner. just now. He said iever mind"
 "Oh. go ahead"
 Well he said he had been a racing lriver himself and knew how you would feel about having your car ,anked thirty miles across country oads by another driver: and, er-that le guessed that he was the only man n the shops who'd care to tell you he lad done It."
 "I'll get some driving things" sug- eested Stanton. and went back to the elevator.
 When he joined Floyd beside the big car. he stood for a moment busied with the clasp of his gauntlet, before at tempting to start.
 Miss Floyd told you of my call, the other day." he queried.
 Yes, of course. I was sorry to be away; I had never thought of your hunting me up"
 You did not object to my taking her out? There was no way of asking you"
 This from the self-willed Stanton! FIoyd's eyes glinted with an apprecia- ton at once humorous and touched.
 Object? Why? You could take care of her" he countered.
 Fix the spark" bade Stanton, and went front to crank his motor.
 "WeIl not get half block without drawing every mounted policeman for ten miles" Floyd called, above the roar of the exhausts. We ought to have made ready by putting on few dozen mufflers."
 "What time must she be shipped?"
 'We must have her at the Mercury office by six o'clock, unless you say she has to go back to the factory.
 Tt is after four. now. No time to try the Long Island course. and there Is a motorcycle race on the Beach track. Get into your seat; we'll take Pelham Parkway"
 "Pelham Parkway! Why"
 Have you anything better to pro- pose?"
 'Tt's a first offense" Floyd resigned himself. They can't do worse than fine you"
 Stanton shrugged his shoulders, and the car rolled forward.
 The Mercury glided through the teeming. congested streets. and left faultless record behind her. Not a traffic officers slightest signal was dis regarded. no speed regulations were materially fractured: Stanton drove like a law-abiding chauffeur from the suburbs, and until they were in the park
 Don't see or hear too much, and don't tell me if you do." advised Stan bon suddenly, and leaned forward.
 The Mercury uttered vibrant roar that cleared the Parkway for quarter of a mile ahead, and leaped.
 Floyd kept his eyes upon the road in front. carefully avoiding view Of the hubbub left in their wake. He had eeeting glimpse of one scandaiized ofn- cer struggling with his rearing horse. as they thundered past, and he enter tained no doubt of the number in their rear.
 .she steers a little stir." Stanton ob- served, twisting between a limousine and two carriages. But We can TX that at the track. What2"
 Two motorcycle policemen are just behind" communicated Floyd, deyour- ed by silent mirth. Had enoughY"
 .I haven't seen them yet l can't let out the machine here, of course. but was that dog?"
 Poodle
 But 1t seems all right"
 Around a curve ahead darted blue uniformed figure on motorcycle, one arm raised Stanton instantly checked his car. Floyd throwing out his hand in warning to those behind. There was A mad series of explosions from the abruptly halted motorcycles in pursuit.