The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1925-07-22
Phelan Takes
a Chance
By BAYARD SHARPE
.@ BY Western Newspaper Union

something about the license number
ON the rear of the car ahead of him
holding his eyes, The number read:
9S6S09.
AS state motor vehicle Inspector
Bob knew exactly what was wrong
with the license number So far the
| state had not issued number plates
over seven hundred thousand close
scrutiny showed that the number
should have read; six hundred and
| eight thousand. nine hundred and
eighty-sx. The number plate was up
side down.
Must think we're all dum'bells 7"
Bob grinned. pressing the throttle and
bringing the radiator of his car paral-
lei with that of the other.
! "Class to that baby-beleves in
grabbin' good ones while he's at it!
Dalpin-Six!
He glanced casually at the driver
of the Dalpin. and unconsciously his
hands frightened ON the steering wheel.
"D-n" Bob cussed emphatically
Under his breath. "Fenny Thomas
shoot his grandmother an steal her
false teeth-an' me steppin' out to-
night? Fat chance of gittin' him!"
Fenny Thomas had long been sus-
pected as the leader of an organized
band of automobile thieves; so far au-
thorities had failed to get the goods
on him..
"LOIdy," Bob breathed. "Send me
motor cop or sOmetEng!"
The driver of the Dalpin eased up
on the throttle; Bob did likewise, fol-
lowing and keeping his front wheels
just to the rear of the Dalpin's big
nickled bumper.
BoD'S position as motor vehicle in
spectOr called for the wearing of no
UNIFORM; he was an officer of the
state. sworn to make arrests wherever
he found infractions against the state
motor vehicle laws.
AS they sped along he began to Won
der If the showdown, or whatever it
was was going to be, would make him
miss his date with the girl-but, if he
! could only get the Dalpin into traf-
! nc jam, any way to get his hands on
! Thomas-he'd show 'em that Steve
Brodie wasn't the only bird that could
take chance.
Suddenly, the driver of the Dalpin
signaled for a left turn-Bob's lips
became straight line he gripped the
steering wheel-deliherately driving
his car into the Dalpin.
"Crash-Bang
! The right front wheel of Bob's car,
| hooked in the bumper of the Dalpin,
struck the button in the center of the
street and collapsed The tire blew
out with roar. The Dalpin came to
a skidding stop, its driver snOrting:
"What the"
"Ay fault Old Man" Smiling, Bob
shouted to make himself heard above
the noise of the traffic. "Sleep at the
switch; didn't get your signal till too
late-nO brakes Didn't hurt you
none"
Tie scOwl on Fenny's face. just re-
laxed. Back up SOS can get on my
way!"
"Cramp your wheels. an back close
to the curb! :" Bob shouted toward the
driver Of the Dalpin. Tugging at the
steering wheel, Thomas dropped into
reverse gear: as lie did so Bob climbed
on the running board. Thomas brought
the gear shift into neutral.
Sorry it happened. Old Man" Bob
smiled alphabetically, Heres ten
spot to fix your bumper!' He extend
ed the bill.
Grinning. Thomas took the money.
Hard luck for you!"
YEAH" Bob sobered. Gotta date,
! too-tllree-bock walk is gonna make
me late-cOuld--I ride couple of
blocks down the street with you?"
Thomas peered into Bob's lean face.
He saw nothing to excite his sus.
picion.
Get in.''
Smiling, Bob opened the door and
climbed into the seat beside him.
"Grr-reeck !" o
The gear lever went into second and
with the click, as it snapped back into
high, Thomas brought his hand back
/ to the steering wheel. Then-Thomas
felt something jab him in the ribs and
he heard Bob's voice rasping in his
ear:
Keep your hands on the wheel an
your eyes on the road an drive for
Central station-an' hit the bumps
easy If you don't want this gat to do
| some evacuatin'!"
Cursing and trembling, Thomas
obeyed, not even trusting glance at
the something. covered by Bob's coat
| tail, that dug into his ribs; in fact he
did not even demonstrate when Bob
| relieved him Of his own shining
weapon, and he was still trembling as
he led the way into the station; but
as he stepped to the desk, he faced
Bob, sneering:
"Y're a wise Dick awright, but II
you'd "a took that gat Outa my ribs
| and give me chance-rd "a sure give
! you the gaff ]"
| "Yeah!'' Bob grinned, thrusting out
| his fist and almost touching the nose
! Of the sneering crook with the stubbed
end of crippled index finger, May
| be you think didn't take a chance,
this little old stub, with your imagina-
tion-did the trick-my gat was home
! on the dresser !"
C~>&A:~~ Es>-~>