The Washington herald., 1914-07-05

that the idea of the dingy shop in the
outskirts of the city occurred to him
while he talked with Wood, for when
he entered the Office he had entertained
no thought beyond that of taking trial
spin in one of the motors. But some
thing in the cars themselves spoke of
defeated effort, and Woods descrip-
ton of their placing in the garage
reused Billy's ready sympathy, and he
made a bee line for the derelicts when
he left the Office.
Young Duplane proceeded to study
the cars seriously now, and was struck
anew by the ingenuity exercised in their
construction.
The motors were now out in the open,
and as Billy examined them further,
his enthusiasm and admiration grew. He
directed man to oil and petrol the ma
chine for the road, while he retired to
don his chauffeur's outfit.
why, child could run i'll" he said,
as he changed his dress. Economy in
building; economy in running" Billy
began to chant a college song in his ex-
uberance. He took out the bit of paste
board that rested in his pocketbook.
preserved in its daintiness by fold
of college note paper and inscribed
Miss Priscilla Gryce" He studied it
awhile, and then returned it to his
pocketbook.
at would be funny if there proves to
be any connection" he said to himself,
as he hurried down the stair.
Billy crawled slowly out of the garage
into the street When he saw a clear
road ahead OF him, he increased his
speed. He turned into Euclid avenue,
and travelled faster, yet cautiously. for
he still had to make the acquaintance of
his machine. Once or twice he passed
up and down the fashionable thorough
| fare, each time at a greater pace
"Gadg" he said. 81 believe she's do
ing fortyI"
There was no speedometer fitted to
the car, but Billy was expert enough to
be good judge. He sat his seat at the
I wheel like a centaur, and once more
curious eyes from the avenue were cast
upon him. His steel-colored, roughly
painted car was a eheap-lookfng ma
chine, but Billy. in his Harvard chauf-
feur's costume, was anything but cheap
looking.
Passing along the street of palatial
residences, Billy himself shot many in
quisitive glances about, especially in the
vicinity of F. F. Harrison's marble
abode, but no glimpse or the October
Maid rewarded him, so he left Euclid
avenue and settled down to the business
he had come out to prosecute.
In short time Billy drew up his car
before the dilapidated building to
which he had driven millionaire Harri-
son and the girl whose card rested in
Billy's left breast pocket Billy jumped !
down and approached the doors, which .
were closed and locked by paddock at
tached to an iron bar. He knocked and .
pounded, but there came no sound from
within. He walked round the building,
peering in now and then, trying to get
glimpse of the interior through the
dust grirned windows. He was on the
point of breaking one of the small .
lights, when a man who was leaning
over fence on the opposite side of the
street, called out:
Bust! Locked up! Gone awayr
Billy crossed the road.
q see you've got one of their autos"
said the man.
Did Bryce Brothers make that carr"
Billy asked, somewhat astonished.
Didn't you know that?" said the
man, indirectly answering the question.
Where have Gryce Brothers gomez"
asked Billy.
They've gone bust, as l told you,"
replied the other.
Are they dead, as we'll as bust?" in
quired Billy.
They're not dead, so far as l know"
said the man. 4
"Well, have you any idea where they
are to be found?' Billy was growing i'm
patient. 4
81 did hear as how David Gryce had
joined the Speeding Automobile Works;
at any rate, a Speeding man removed
one of the cars yesterday, and he said :,
David Gryoe had sent him for it." /.