South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-29

As he dressed. Bob carefully re-
viewed the situation. Apparently
the only thing to do would be TO
leave town, drive across the state
line at It's nearest point. and pro-
cure another licence He went
downstairs. and neglecting to eat
breakfast, he hurried out 10 the ga
rage 70 get his machine.
Upon arriving there. he found
that his father had put other OBJ
stacles in his path The vide doors
through which he would have 20
drive were shut and locked. with
@ paddock Bob had never seen be-
fore. and which had a suspicious
look OF newness about IL. The lock
which had been used was gone
because Bob had the key 10 that
The little door at the side was open.
and Bob went In, but apparently
there was no way TO set the machine
out without breaking the lock. Well.
then. the lock would have 10 be
broken.
The young man picked up a ham
mer with which 70 accomplish HIS
purpose. but as he stepped out TO
begin his attack. he changed his
mind. Two husky gardeners were
standing not far away. and Mr..
Griffith was talking 10 them, appar-
emily giving them instructions TO
stop any attempts to get the ma
chine out Of the garage
Without the car. Bob felt it
would be impossible 10 elope. BY
all means, then, he must contrive 70
get away from the place with It To
begin hammering on the lock would
serve only 10 bring on Interference.
AS Bob looked the matter over, he
decided to maize a daring attemp:
TO break down the doors, using the
front end Of his long roadster as a
battering ram.
Quietly, he filled the gasoline
tank from the supply pump in the
garage. Then he looked. over the
ignition system to see that 1t had
not been put out Of commission.
Every precaution possible was taken
before finally he crawled into the
seat and set the motor going. Bob
was thankful that it didn't make
much noise.
Carefully he reversed the machine
as far back as II would go, so as to
give him plenty Of room TO STAR
Then he set the gears in first speed
and released his clutch, at the same
time advancing the throttle. Like a
living animal, the machine under
him responded. 1t took a flying
leap at the fiimsy barriers. crashing
into them with a two-ton weight.
The lock simply couldn't stand
the sudden strain. and IL few apart,
allowing the doors to swing wide.
With rapidly gathering momentum,
the car shot down the drive to the
street. Bob clinglng desperately to
the wheel. The sudden start had
almost caused him to lose control.
He was dimly conscious of pair of
men running after him and shouting
as he steered the machine through
the gate and out into the street, but
he chuckled as he thought how lit
tie they could do TO stop him.
Five minutes later he was running
up the 'front.' walk TO the mouse
where Esther Cullinane lived. She
was sitting on the porch. Come
on" ordered Bob. They'll be after
us in a minute or two"
Il can't, Bob" replied Esther.
tearfully. When mother saw that
I'm the paper this morning, she
made me promise that 1 wouldn't
go with you. / didn't want TO, but
1 had to-"
To the credit Of Robert Griffith.
let il be said that he could catch n
loophole in anything. A contract
with a Joker" could never get by
him, but he was always able to in
sert such a phrase without being de-
tected. You promised you wouldn't
go with me?" lie questioned.
Esther nodded.
We'll. you didn't promise not to
be taken" ne declared, and without
more ado he picked her up and car
ried her down the walk 10 where
his machine stood, the engine still