The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1923-05-04
INsTALLMENT NO. 7.

mo chance. Picked up half hour
ago, guess. When'd you mail it?"
about an hour ago.
Lord" grinned the mail man,
that letters gone down town, and
back up again by now. You'll find it
on the mail car of the Diamond Elk
press if it goes West"
The fear-stricken man waited for
no further explanation. He dashed
away toward his hotel. reached his
room, and breathlessIy directed the
valet to pack his clothing.
Here's your pay. he shot back
as he flew through the door, Good
luck. Thanks" And he was off, stop
ping only long enough at the desk
down stairs to pay his bill. AS he
started away, the clerk handed him a
message which he slipped unthinking-
ly into his pocket, and he took up
again his race down the street to-
ward the garage in which he kept his
new racing car. He headed for the
Grand Central station, and bolted
through the great arched doorway,
making straight for the train sheds
AS he reached the gates, policeman
asked him what train he wished to
catch, and when he informed him, the |
policeman showed him back with |
gruff:
Gone four minutes ago."
John Emerson, frantically realiz-
ing that it was necessary for him in
some way to overtake that letter, do
it how he might, thought deeply and
quickly as he stood there. Lightning
like, an idea came to his rescue.
Can catch the Diamond Express ?"
he asked feyerfshly. I
Don't know how, brother" re- {
piled a sleepy red-cap. /
"Whassat?" inquired the chief of 1
the red-caps, as he overheard the S
question. S
I'm desperate. John calculated. s
Got to catch that train. Important Y
Life and death. Any chance?" S
"She stops at Harmon to change II
to steam engine" the captain in ri
formed him. Got a carr" h
Eyes, and fast one"
Good road all the way up. Several n,
miles UP the Hudson. Might get it. l h;
doubt it, though. Up the river road" ST
But The quaking John Emerson hs
waited for no more He slid into his 81
seat, stepped on the accelerator, and la
his big engine snorted as the car ii,
eaped away tn
Through the densest traffic he nosed to
MS way north at double the speed pl
allowed under the law But he cared co
lot, nor did he remember, about speed tn
avs now He must catch the in
Diamond Express. He did not even to
stop to consider what it might mean SCI
o him if he failed. AS his low slung ciC
peedster spurted out of the traffic pc
md into the country boulevard above
Jew York City he opened the throttle, no
leld tightly to his emergency brake, no
md sailed through the cool night tn
iir like an aviator His speed was no
ickening. He pressed his foot down me
Ipon the accelerator until that in tri
trument would plunge no further. to
hen he leaned forward in his seat ma
Until his chest lay heavily against wi
lis steering wheel tn;
The heavily traversed roadway was lea
veil supplied with motorcycle police arr
men and Already two had hailed the rec
nad driver, but without avail The
DAD now began swerving to the left, lit
hen to the right, but it seemed to ste
i'm he could detect railroad track SIN
earby when his car came furthest to hir
he left. The minutes passed quickly, at
nd finally, through the tears that an
ow were filling his eyes, he thought COZ
e saw the dim red tail-light of bel
peeding train far ahead. Two min Gle
ties passed, and the red light grew ant
lore distinct. 1t was the trainl for
The car raced to the top of hill arr
nd once over it it picked up speed for
18th amazing rapidity, and presently dea
ohm Emerson thrilled as he showed
Iongside the plunging train and arr
aimed car at almost each turn of hin
is head Now he was alongside it, he
hat would he do? Would he keep on He
es,de it! His gasoline might give anC
ut. Suddenly, as if he had plunged dis
eadlong into tunnel, he saw no she
lore train, no more red and yellow fer
gifts flying through the air. Just her