The Delta independent., 1914-10-02

ly; "and il you make quick job of it.
I'll stand the cost of the new tire"
But IL another cab comes along
while you're at it you'll lose us as
quick as wink. Here's my card. in
case we have to desert you in hurry
you understand this is matter of life
and death. and I'll have no time to
settle up with you. But you can call
at Mr.. Digby's office and he'll FIX
things up to your satisfaction"
The man took the card and after n
glance at the name touched his hat
with more noticeable respect.
All right. Mr.. Law" he agreed:
anything you say" And forthwith
got to work.
The rapidity with which he COM
pleted the change OF tires proved him
an excellent chauffeur. an adept at his
craft: but the delay was one disas-
trous for all that. II worked together
with what Alan pardonably described
as the DEVILS own luck to bring the
touring car In sight at the precise mo-
ment when the chauffeur was cranking
up and Alan on the point OF re-enter-
ing the cab. And though they were
of again before Alan could close the
door. the attempt was hopeless from
the start.
And yet-whether or not because
Alan's distaste for interference had
been too convincingly demonstrated
the touring car for the time being
contented itself with trailing about
fifty feet in the rear. while the taxi
fed the tenement purlieus of tho Ho-
boken waterfront and found its way
into the broader streets OF an unpre-
tentious suburban quarter.
Not until they were well into the
suburbs, with few dwellings near and
no pedestrians to 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
phat, rising in his seat, ieveled . re-
voIver over the windshield and fired.
The crack OF his weapon was prac-
tically coincident with q metallic thud
beneath the rear seat of the taxicab.
Not for some moments did Alan ap-
preciate the viciousness of the scheme
Eurmising that the gasoline tank had
been punctured by the bullet. he was
inclined to believe that Marrophat
hoped to stop the taxicab by depriv-
ing 1t. In course OF time, of its fuel.
And with this In mind he was present
ly surprised. as the cab took corner.
to see Marrophat's car stop at that
corner and Marrophat himself get
down. The brow of a. hill intervened.
shutting of sight Of the blackguard as
he knelt and lit match. 1t was the
girl who gave the alarm. suddenly
withdrawing her head from the win
dow to scream at Alan:
Hes fred the gasolinel It's fam
ing along the street, following the line
OF the leak-and catching up with us!"
Without pausing to put his hand to
the latch, Alan kicked the door open.
Jump" he cried. For your life
jump! As soon as that flame catches
up with the tank"
simultaneously the chauffeur. over
hearing, shut OF the power.
The three gained the sidewalk bare
most imperceptible in the sunlight.
was not yard from the Jet that spurt-
ed through the bullet hole in the tank.
In the nutter Of an eyelash the explo-
sion followed. Had the cab been load.
ed with nitroglycerin Its destruction
could have been no more absolute.
There was a roar and then
. heap Of smoking ruins.
Without waiting to admire the spec
tacle. Alan caught the arm OF the girl
and hurried her up the street, at the
same time calling to the chauffeur to
follow. And chance brought them to
the next corner as another cab. fare
less, hove into view. Promising It's
driver anything he might ask, in or
out OF reason. Alan gave him the ad-
dress. and helped the girl in.
II Marrophat pursued Alan could see
no sign of him. The second car made
better time than the first. Unhindered.
and as far as could be determined.
without being followed. 1t covered the
brief remaining distance In q CRATE
fully short lapse Of time.
The suburb dropped behind maze
OF streets where dwellings stood shout
der to shoulder and dooryards were
scant. The car swept up to corner
house of modest and homely aspect.
Two minutes more. and Alan was ex-
changing salutations with and making
his bride-to-be known to Digby's good
friend. the Reverend Mr.. Wright.
Embarrassment worked confusion
with the young mans perceptive facul-
ties. Az this moment approached
when two should be made one who had
gone through nre and food. literally
- well - nguratively. for each 9th