The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-09-13
CHAPTER VlII-lcontinuedl.


don't tell me if you do" advised STAN
ton suddenly, and leaned forward.
The Mercury uttered a vibrant roar
that cleared the Parkway for quarter
of 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 a
feeting glimpse of one scandalized off,
Ger struggling with his rearing horse,
as they Numbered past, and he enter
tanned no doubt of the number in their
rear
"She steers a little stiff" Stanton OBJ
served, twisting between limousine
and two carriages. "But we can fix
that at the track. What?"
1.-TWO motorcycle policemen are just
behind" communicated Floyd, devour-
ed by silent mirth "Had enough?"
''I haven't seen them yet can't let
out the machine here, of course. but
was that a dog?"
Poodle"
'But 1t seems all right"
Around a curve ahead darted a 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.
you're under arrest!" shouted
three voices at once, as the Mercury
slid to a standstill.
"Is 1t possible?" inquired the driver,
removing his goggles.
Two more motorcycle officers were
coming up, three mounted on horses
were arriving from side-paths. Sur
rounded by the outraged eight and all
the population in the neighborhood,
the Mercury stood quiescent.
"Will you follow to the police sta
ton, or will we have to take your
came the crisp question. We've got
your number"
It'll follow wherever you like" en-
gagged Stanton. Lead the way"
They started, preceded by one officer
and followed by another, also by a
shabby young man on bicycle. Into
the station they went. accompanied by
their three attendants.
The charge was three fold: exceed
ing the speed limit by some fifty miles
an hour, resisting arrest. and violating
the smoke ordinance. That set forth
the usual interrogatory was put, Stan.
ton replying with concise brevity
Name and age?"
Ralph Stanton, twenty-six."
"Occupation?"
Automobile driver"
Name of carr"
Mercury"
Owner"
"The Mercury Company"
The shabby young man interrupted
proceedings by stifled gasp, grasping
the sleeve of Floyd, who stood looking
on.
That's Stanton? Stanton? And you
who are you?"
"Jes Floyd, his mechanician." was
the wondering response.
Stanton glanced that way, as Floyd
was drawn to the other side of the
room by his excited captor, but turned
back to answer the remainder of the
examination. When the ceremony was
ended, he signaled to his mechani.
clan.
Come; I've got to go before the
magistrate and give BAIL" be
summoned impatiently
Floyd came across to him. shining.
eyed and eager.
Stanton, that is a reporter: be
wants US to tell him about your doing
this. He needs fresh story to make
good with his paper-can't we give il
to him?"
Stanton surveyed his companion
eyebrows lifted.
Why should we? The newspaper,
Will get 1t, whatever We do. Come"
But he needs it; 1t would heir
him." Floyd urged "He, he's thin ant
frayed out-S Stanton, he looks hungry
DO you want to help him? thu
driver queried. astonished. DO yos
care about man you do not know
Ana never sse againi"
Don't your" asked Floyd simply.