The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-28

T:It 1t seemed that he was to have
greater cause than this TO complain of
his luck, before that ride was ended.
Three blocks further on a tire blow
out with a report like q cannon crack
CT. and the taxi lurchcd perilously, hes.
itated slowed down, ana limpcd do
lcctedlY to the curb.
Alan and tho chauffeur piled out In
Tho Same instant. tho one standing
ruard-with an eye out as well for an
other cab--whilc the other assessed
damages.
Nothing for it bu, q. new urc. sir."
this last reported syrnpathotically 1T
must have been broken bottle OF
something like that-it surc did rip
tho usefulness clean out OF that shoe
Go TO it," Alan advised him tersely
and II YOU make e quick Job Of 1t, ~
stand the cost Of the new tire Bat II
another cab comes along while you're
~ IT. youll lose US ~ quick as a wink.
Heres my card, in case we have To de-
.ert sou in hurry: YOU understand
this Is matter OF life and death. aud
III have no time 10 settle up with YOU.
But YOU can call at sir. Diebys oficc
and he'll fix things up to Your satsfac-
ton"
The man took tho card and, after
glance at the name. touched his hat
with moro noticeable respect.
An riEh NJ. Law" no agreed. any
thing YOU say" And forthwith goi TO
work
The rapidity win which ne completed
tho change Of tires proved him an e%
cellcnt chauffeur All adept at his craft
bat the delay VAS ono disastrous for
al that. II worked together with what
Alan pardonably described as the dev
Us own luct TO bring tho touring car
IN si1ht al tho precise moment when
tho chauffeur ~as ,ranking UP and
pf ter q
cab. And though they were of again
before Alan could close the door. the
attempt was hopeless from the start.
And yet--~hether or not because
Mans disthtc for interference had been
700 convincingly demonstrated the
touring car for the tim" being con
tented itself with trailing about nfty
feet in tho rear. while the taxi fed the
tenement purlicus OF the IIoboken wa
tertrcnt and found it's way into tho
broader ntrects OF AN unprcntioua
suburban quarter.
Not until they were we'll into this
last. with fcw dwellings near and no
pcdestrians TO interfere, dtd Mario
chats purpose become apparent Then,
howcver--and IL happened while Alan
was looking back-thc touring car drew
in swiftly and easily and Marrophat
rising in his seat. leveled revolver
over the windshield and nrcd
The crack of his weapon was prp5-
ticaIly conincident with metall,- thud
beneath tho rear scat OF tho taNicah
And neither repeated. with a
satisfied l.cr Mavrophat settled back
and pocketed mis- rcvolve:, while the
touring car maintained ita distance. no
longer gaining. but show'rE no ndi-
cation OF an intention 10 crop back.
Not for some moments lid Alan ap.
preciat~ the viciousncss OF the scheme.
Sui,ntsinE THAT the Rasolcne tank had
.,A l.,,It b.
inclined 10 believe that Marrophat
hoped to stop the ,aXicab by depriving
IL. IN course OF time. OF it's fuel Md
with this IN mind he was presently sur
pr!sed. as the cab took p corner, 10 see
Marrophat's car stop at that corner.
and Marrophat himself get down. The
brow Of hill interviewed. shutting off
sight OF the olackEuard as I've knelt aud
~ il match. II Was the girl who gave
the alarm. suddenly r'ithdrawins her
lead from the window To scream at
Tics nred the gasolene. It's flaming
along tho street. following the line
~ the lcak-and catching UP with us"
Without phusing to put his hand TO
me latch, Alan kicked the door open
Jump" hc cried. For YOUR life
lump. AS soon as that flames catches
up with tho tank"
simultaneously the chauffeur, over
earring, shut or the power.
The three gained the sidewalk bare
lv IN time: the tiny trail OF names al
most imperceptiblc in tho sunlight, waa
not a ward from the jet that Spuiicd
Trough the bullet hole in the tank. In
he huttcr of an eyclash the explosion
loiloWcd Had the cab been loaded with
r!tro2i rim its destruction could have
been nr more absolute.
Thor .as = roar and then "a
lean al ..uoking ruins.
Without waiting to admire the spec
jacle. Alan caught the arm Of tho girl
and hurried her up the street. at the
same time calling TO the chauffeur 10
follow. And chance brouGt them to
the next corner as another CAP fare
less. hove in view. Promising It's
driver anything he might ask. in or
out OF reason, Alan gave him the adj
ddrcss. and helped the girl in
tContnued To-morrow.j