The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1914-11-26

Trnc, YOU tuiot-fses Notci
fancy. For failing TO influence tho
taxi driver by shouted demands or
threats. or to gain the least attention
from Alan. Trines FIRST lieutenant alb
ruptly and surprisingly took his llto
In his hands and In one Wild bound
bridged the distance between the two
nying cars aud landed on the tani's
running board
Stop" he screamed madly. Stop.
say You don't know what you 10
doingl Let me tell you"
lie got that far but no farther. Ia
the same breath Alan had nunE wide
the door and was at the fellows throat
There was a struggle Of negligible
duration. Marrophat was In no way
bis antagonists match. within three
seconds he threw out both hands.
clu,ched hopelessly at the framework
Of the cab. and fell heavily TO tho
street.
This taxi sped on without pause. It's
driver deaf TO the halls OF innocent n
Indignant bystahderv Alan pulled
himself together and looked back luat
In time TO catch a glimpne Of a NUN.
Der Of loaiers lifting MArrophai to hts
feet and helping him TO the sidewalk
OF an unsavory. looking tenement. DO.
fore the cab took corner on two
wheels J."
mot seriously injured. fancy" he
told the girl In response to her eager
look. Worse luck" he =assd
tloomily.
But Il seemed that he was TO have
greater cause than slls TO complain OF
BIS luck. before that ride was ended.
Three blocks further on a tire blew
ont With report like a cannon crack.
er. aud the taHi lurched perilously,
hesitated. slowed down. and llmped
ceieotedly 10 the curb.
Alan and the chauffeur piled out 10
tse same instant. the one standing
epard-wlth an eye out az we'll for
another cab-whlle the other assessed
damages.
Nothing for II but a new tire, str"
this last reported alphabetically. 1t
must have been = broken bottle or
something like that--it sure did rip
the usefulness clean out OF that shoe"
"Go TO H." Alan advised him terpe.
~; "and II you make a quick job OF II,
III stand the cost Of the new tire"
But II another cab comes along
while you're AZ Il you'll lose us as
quick az a wink. Here's my card. In
case We have 70 desert you In hurry.
YOU understand this il a matter OF life
aud death. and III nave no time TO
eettle up with you. Hut you can call
at Mr Dlgby's Office and he'll or
things up TO your satisfaction"
The man took the card and after a
glance at the name touched his hat
with more noticeable respect.
IAN right Mr. Law" he agreed:
anything you say" And forthwith
got 10 work
The rapidly with which he com.
pleted the change Of tires proved him
an excellent chauffeur. an adept at hts
craft: but the delay was one dlsas.
tfous for all that. II worked together
with what Alan pardonably described
an the devils own luck 10 bring ths
touring car In sight at the precise mo.
meut when tho chauffeur was craukinE
up and Alan on the point Of re.enter.
Ing the cab. And though they were
of again before Alan could close tho
door the attempt was hopeless from
the start.
AMI yet-whether or not because
AIah's distaste for Interference had |
been too conyincingly demonstrated
the touring car for the time being |
contented itself with trailing about
dfiy feet in the rear. while the taxi
ded the tenement purlieus f.the Ho.
hoken waterfront and found its way
into the broader streets OF an unpre.
tentiouB suburban quarter.
Not until they we're well into the
suburbs. with few dwellings near and
no pedestrians 20 interfere. did Mario.
phat's purpose become apparent. Then.
however-and II happened while Alan
was looking back-the touring car
drew In swiftly and easily and Mario
PLAT. rising In his seat, Ieveled a re-.
volyer over the windshield and fred.
The crack OF HE weapon was prac.
tieally coincldent with a metallic thud
beneath the rear seat OF the taxicab.
Not for some moments did Alan ap-
preciate the viciousneas OF the scheme.
surmising that the gasoline tank had
been punctured by the bullet. he was
inclined to believe that Marrophat
hoped 10 stop the taxicab by depriv.
Ing II. In course OF time. OF It's fuel.
And with this In mind he was present.
ly surprised. an the cab took a corner.
to see Marrophat's car stop at that
corner and Marropha; himself get
down. The brow Of bill interviewed.
(Cont. on next page.)
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