Duncan Bennet had no sister, and, consequently, was not versed in the art of "fidgets." He only knew the ailment when it took definite form.
But Cora was getting it--in fact, she now felt positively nervous.
How that machine did go! The speed delighted Duncan. Tom was like an eagle bending over his prey--he urged the car on with such determination. Once or twice Cora felt bound to exclaim, but Duncan only shook his head. It was going, that was all he seemed to care for.
Near the station they were obliged to slow up some to look for trains.
As they did so Cora saw another car dash by, and in she recognized the man now known to her as Mr. Reed, Rob Roland"s cousin.
She made no remark to Duncan; he seemed so occupied with his own thoughts. But when, after a few minutes, the same car pa.s.sed them again, having made a circuit on a crossroad, and the same man stared at Cora as if to make sure it was she, she felt a queer uneasiness.
This time the other car shot ahead at such a wild pace that even Duncan"s machine was not speeding compared with that.
"Talk about going!" commented the physician; "just look at that fellow.
If he can use up that much gasoline and escape the law, no need for us to worry."
The chauffeur was simply intent upon speed--he seemed to have gone speed crazy, Cora thought.
They were traveling over a perfectly straight road, and Duncan Bennet took out his field gla.s.ses.
"Here," he said to Cora, "I often find these interesting when on a long journey. Take a peek."
Cora adjusted the gla.s.ses and peered ahead.
"That man," she said, "has stopped at a small shed--"
"That"s the constable"s hang-out," remarked Duncan. "I had to stop there once--just once," and the thought was evidently funny, for he laughed boyishly.
"Yes," went on Cora, "there is some one talking to him. Oh, Duncan,"
and she clutched his arm nervously, "do tell Tom to drive slowly past there, for I think I know that man."
"Go slow, Tom," called Duncan carelessly. "We might be held up. Just let me take the gla.s.ses, Cora."
He peered through the strong lenses. "The other car has gone on," he said. "Perhaps the cop is a friend of your friend"s"; and again he laughed, much to Cora"s discomfort.
On and on the machine flew. Finally they were within a few rods of the little shed by the roadside. A man on a motor-cycle was waiting. As the Bennet car came up he shot out into the center of the road.
Duncan did not mistake his intention. Tom turned his head and gave the other a meaning look. Then the chauffeur slowed down--slower and slower.
"Stop!" called the man on the motor-cycle, at the same moment dismounting from his wheel.
Tom almost stopped. Cora thought he had turned off the gasoline, but the next moment he had shot past the surprised officer, and was going at a madder pace than ever.
Cora was frightened. Some motor-cycles can beat ordinary automobiles; she knew that. But Duncan was laughing. If only that man, Reed, was not on the same road just then.
"Can you make it?" asked Duncan, calling into the chauffeur"s ear.
"Don"t know," replied the man. "But we may as well get as far out of the woods as possible."
"Don"t worry, little girl," said Duncan to Cora with that self-confidence peculiar to those who are accustomed to being obeyed.
"We are all right. It is only a fine, at any rate, and I always carry small change."
"Stop!" yelled the man at the rear. "You cannot cross the line, and if you don"t stop soon you will find your tires winded."
A revolver shot sounded.
Tom drew up instantly. "I don"t fancy putting on new tires," he said coolly, "so we may as well surrender."
Duncan looked at the officer in a perfectly friendly way.
"Well, what"s up?" he asked indifferently.
"You ought to know," replied the man, scowling angrily. "If I hadn"t stopped you land knows but you would have been over the falls. What"s the matter with you fellows, anyhow? Can"t you take a joy ride without committing murder and suicide?"
"You"re mistaken," replied Duncan. "I"m a doctor on a hurry call--"
"Yes, you are! You look it!" and the officer sneered at Cora. "Tell that to the marines!"
"Well, what"s the price?" demanded Duncan with some impatience. "I"m in a hurry."
"Wait till your hurry cools off," said the officer, who from his own wild chase was now plainly uncomfortably warm. "You made the marked-off distance in the shortest time on record, from post to post in one minute."
"How do you know?" asked the chauffeur sharply.
"What"s that to you?" replied the officer. "Didn"t I see you?"
"You did not!" shouted Tom. "Some one "squealed," and you have no proof of what you are saying."
The man hesitated. Then he blurted out: "Well, what if a friend did tip me off? Wasn"t he in as much danger from your runaway machine as the next one?"
"That man!" whispered Cora to Duncan. "He stopped and told him to arrest us."
"Well, the price?" called Duncan, with his hand in his pocket. "I tell you I am a doctor, and I am in a hurry to get to Chelton. Can"t you make it something reasonable--and then something for your own trouble?"
The man eyed Duncan sharply. "I was told you would say just that," he said with a curious laugh.
"And that is just what the other fellow said to you," spoke Tom. "Now look here, Hanna. I know how much you have got out of this already, and I happen to know the sort of coin that that sneak, Reed, carries.
He has offered me some--at times. He travels out here quite some of late. Take my advice and be square. It is all bound to come out in the wash."
Cora gazed at Duncan in astonishment. "I told you," said the latter, "that it is best to leave a good man alone. Like a good cook, they usually know their own business."
But the officer was not so sure. He hesitated, then said: "Well, I see judge Brown over in the meadow. He can settle it. Come along."
CHAPTER XXVI
LEGAL STRATEGY