CHAPTER XXI

PURSUIT.

The next morning John and Jack were stirring as soon as the first gray light of dawn filtered through their bedroom windows.

Let’s get up, suggested John. No use trying to sleep any more. I’m going to take a cold shower—no telling when I’ll get another.

By five o’clock they were dressed and had packed their handbags, and were ready to leave the hotel.

We’ll go out somewheres and get a good substantial breakfast, and go around to the garage for the car.

They strolled around until they found a restaurant whose sign announced that it was open day and night. When they were seated opposite each other Jack addressed his companion across the porcelain table-top:

Tell me what you think of this. They told us at the garage last night that the girls weren’t coming for their car until eight o’clock. If we go for ours at six, we’ll have two hours to fool around before they come, and two hours of waiting will seem like ten. Let’s get our car, drive a little piece down the street, and wait there until we see what girl comes for the car. If it’s Marjorie or Ethel, we can show ourselves, find out how things are going, and make sure there has been no change of plans.

Fine! agreed John. And if it’s Marjorie who comes for the car, we can show her ours. She’ll be glad to know we have been so lucky.

Great! And won’t her eyes pop out when she sees it! She’ll think we have hers. I’ll have a little fun with her.

If you can be separated from those hot-cakes, let’s be going. We want to be at the garage just at six o’clock, and show that man Tom we were in earnest.

As the last piece of syrupy hot-cake disappeared from his plate, Jack looked up in horror.

Say! We forgot something!

What?

Suppose the garage burned down last night and our cars were destroyed!

Of all the fool notions, laughed John, you certainly can think up the darndest!

What would General Grant have said in a case like that?

Quit your kidding, you idiot, and come on!

At the garage they found the foreman and his two men cleaning up.

Just got finished, gentlemen. She’s all ready, and it yet wants five minutes till six, he called, glancing up at the shop clock.

Great work! commended John. Ted Fisher said you wouldn’t fail us! And by the expression on the man’s face, John knew that he could not have said anything that would have pleased him more.

The boys drove down the street for a short distance to the block below, turned around, and parked along the curb in a position to command a view of the garage. They whiled away the time in admiring their own car, and, when they had tired of that, in watching the people hurrying along to their day’s work. When it approached eight o’clock, they began to feel restless. Jack was pulling out his watch every other minute, until John begged him to let it alone. Then, at ten minutes before the hour they saw turning the corner of the street, not only Marjorie, but Ethel as well. John started the car and overtook them before they could reach the garage.

My goodness! exclaimed Marjorie, when she became aware of their presence, am I in my right senses? Have you two been stalking us?

Not quite, replied John. We just thought we’d let you know we are ready and on the job! But to Jack’s chagrin, his sister was so glad to see them that she failed to notice the car they were seated in. Not so Ethel, however. She noticed it immediately, and cried out:

How in the world did you get hold of our car?

Jack’s face brightened perceptibly.

Is this your car? he asked, innocently.

It certainly is! exclaimed Marjorie indignantly, stepping back to look it over.

Why, the man did say it belonged to some girls, now that I think of it! exclaimed Jack. But he said they wouldn’t need it for a few weeks!

What man? demanded Marjorie, her eyes flashing.

In the garage there, replied Jack.

The villain! cried the enraged girl, starting off immediately for the garage.

Hold on a minute, Sis!

Marjorie turned and saw them laughing at her. She stood frowning at them a moment, and came back again.

I should know my own brother by this time. What trick are you trying to play on us?

Did you think that after they made your car, they broke the mold? asked Jack.

Why, is this another one just like ours? cried Marjorie, delighted.

What else? answered John; and he proceeded to explain their good fortune in obtaining the car.

It’s wonderful! Marvelous! I hope we’re as lucky with the rest of the trip. We must hurry along now, or the girls will wonder what is detaining us.

No change in plans?

No change! Don’t lose us!

Never fear! We’ll be with you at the finish. Goodbye, and good luck!

They waited where they were until they saw the girls leave the garage in their car, and then followed at a distance. The journey had begun. All that day the boys continued to follow, stopping when the girls stopped, but always keeping far enough in the rear to avoid attracting attention. So long as they could just see the leading car, or a cloud of dust before them, they were satisfied that they could overtake it quickly, if necessary. At regular intervals they changed places at the wheel in order to prevent fatigue. Jack was in a high humor; for he was an exceptionally good driver, and to be at the steering-wheel of a good car spelled heaven for him. He was immensely pleased at the steady pace the girls were setting; they seemed to be fairly eating up the miles. John sat grim and silent most of the time, with that look of determination his face always wore when embarked on some serious enterprise.

Nothing happened during the day to arouse their suspicions. They went steadily on, overtaking and passing other cars at times, but never being passed themselves. Late in the afternoon they entered one of the larger towns on their route where the party had planned to spend the night. They were careful not to drive past the hotel where the scouts had engaged rooms, but sought instead a smaller place nearby, put up their car for the night, and had dinner. They went to bed early, reasoning that the girls would do so after their long drive.

As on the day previous they were up the next morning at dawn, breakfasted and waited around until they saw the girls start, then took up the trail once more. As the day wore on, and nothing happened to break the monotony of the drive, Jack began to grow impatient and remarked that the enemy had gotten cold feet. The words were no sooner out of his mouth than both became aware of the fact that they were rapidly overtaking the car in front, although they had not increased their speed. Then they saw that the girls had stopped.

Here’s where we come in at last! cried Jack, who happened to be driving.

A sudden burst of speed brought them close to the girls in a minute’s time, and as Jack slowed down to get his bearings, they saw two horsemen searching the scout car. Then John suddenly remembered that Ted Fisher had told them that their car would probably be searched for liquor at the Nevada state line if they used this road.

A booze search! he hastily reminded Jack. They’re all right; but we’re too close now not to be discovered. Pass them at full speed, or we’ll be stopped ourselves!

They whizzed by the group before the men were aware of their existence.

Gave them the go-by! cried Jack, exultantly, as he slowed down again.

But I’m afraid the girls recognized us! said John.

What’s the difference? I’m glad we escaped being held up for a search; but now we’ve gone and reversed the order of things, and we have to lead instead of follow.

Now that they thought the girls knew of their presence, they did not trouble to keep out of sight, realizing that so long as they acted as strangers, Mrs. Hart would suspect nothing. When they reached the town on the border of the desert, they searched for the hotel given in the girls’ schedule, and engaged rooms for themselves in another across the street. They did not wait to put the car away, but left it standing in the hotel yard; for they were anxious to be out of sight when the girls arrived. From a window overlooking the street, they saw the scouts alight, with the exception of Marjorie, who drove the car into the garage adjoining their hotel. When she reappeared they were tempted to go out and intercept her, but thought better of it.

Let’s go to the dining-room, suggested Jack, I’m hungry as a bear!

You always are! answered his companion.

They chose a table by a window from which they could see the hotel opposite, hoping to catch sight of the girls again. A long while after dinner they sat there, resting and smoking. They saw the garage-man lock up his place and go off to supper; after that, except for an occasional horseman, the street was deserted. The long drive and the hearty meal made both boys feel drowsy. Jack was about to suggest that they go out to hunt a garage, when John leaped to his feet, upsetting the water carafe. Grasping Jack’s arm he pointed across the street to the garage. Jack looked, and to his amazement beheld the girls’ car standing outside the closed doors.

What the deuce! he muttered. Can it be that they are going on again tonight?

It’s not on the schedule, said John.

Shall we investigate?

No! Sit still! I think the play is about to commence! Let’s wait for our cues!

At this announcement, the film of sleepiness cleared instantly from Jack’s brain.

Look!

The door of the garage office opened slowly. Suddenly a young man came out, his cap pulled down over his eyes. Closing the door after him, he took one hasty glance up and down the street, jumped into the girls’ machine and drove off.

Without one word, the two boys dashed for their own car. They found it as they had left it.

You drive! cried John.

They sprang to their places, Jack at the wheel, John in the seat beside him.

Good thing we had the old boat handy!

You bet! replied Jack, guiding the car out into the road.

Jackie, my boy, I always did admire your driving. Now’s your chance to show what you really can do.

Watch me! I’ll get ’im, came the confident answer.

Already the car was leaping under them, responding under Jack’s hands like a live thing, and gathering speed all the time.

Fortunately, the thief had headed for the desert, to which there was but the one road. The boys had but to overtake him; there was no chance of his eluding them by another road. This they both realized, and the thought gave them confidence.

Ahead they could see a cloud of dust which enveloped the fleeing car.

We’re gaining! said John.

Jack nodded grimly, and put on more speed. They were, indeed, drawing closer; for they could begin to discern the outline of the stolen machine. Slowly, they gained until they could make out a figure at the wheel. Then, as slowly, the figure vanished; and finally the car itself.

He’s pulling away from us! cried John. He probably sees us!

Jack had his eyes riveted on the road ahead; he did not answer, but John could feel their speed increase.

Go to it, boy! he yelled, in admiration. You’ll get him yet!

And after all, why should they not? Their cars were alike, both capable of about the same speed. And the advantage, if there were any, lay with themselves, who had an extra man to ballast the swaying machine. But they would have to overtake him soon, while the daylight lasted, and it could not last much longer.

It’s up to the superior driver! concluded John; and glancing at the cool, determined figure at the wheel by his side, he felt his anxiety pass away. He took his revolver from his pocket and examined it.

We’re gaining again! he announced a moment later.

Slowly, inch by inch, it seemed, they were creeping closer to the car ahead. But could they hold to such a pace? The rush of hot wind almost took their breath away; particles of sand beat like needles against their faces and into their eyes, almost blinding them; and the car swayed from side to side like mad, threatening every moment to overturn. Jack, bent double over the steering-wheel, was giving her all she would take, staking all on this last burst of speed, which was so terrific that it seemed as if the earth were turning under them, opening, about to swallow them up.

But it was too much for the other driver, who was travelling as fast as his nerve, skill, and fear permitted him. The boys were gaining rapidly; and when they were about fifty yards apart, John leaned over and yelled in Jack’s ear:

I’m going to shoot over his head, and see whether that will stop him!

He raised his revolver and fired carefully, but the swaying cars altered his aim, and the ball shattered the windshield of the scouts’ car. But this display of hostility had the desired effect. The pursued car immediately began to slow down, and continued to do so until it came to a stop.

What are you fellows trying to do? blustered the frightened young man at the wheel, as the boys came to a halt beside him.

Arrest a very dirty thief! replied John promptly, covering him with his revolver. Hands up! Now, stand up! Jack, just feel in his pockets and see whether he’s armed.

Jack drew a small revolver from the man’s side-pocket and transferred it to his own.

Who are you? Highwaymen?

We represent private interests, replied Jack, grinning.

Now tell us your name, said John, and what you are doing with this car!

What’s that to you?

All right; don’t tell us then! But maybe you’ll tell the police authorities when we turn you over to them!

No, no! Don’t do that! begged the prisoner, thoroughly cowed. You say you represent private interests. I’ll tell you all, if you promise not to lock me up.

John considered a moment.

Your name is Crowell, isn’t it? he asked.

The other started, but nodded in affirmation. Which are you—Milton or Vaughn?

Vaughn. How did you know?

Never mind that! Just tell us the story!

Will you promise not to hand me over, if I do?

Can’t tell till I hear the story, replied John. Vaughn Crowell pondered this, then said:

I guess I’ll take a chance!

The recital was a sorry one, but he told it all. It was dark by the time he had finished. John reached forward and turned on the headlights.

It’s the meanest trick I ever heard of, Crowell! No one with common decency would have thought of such a thing! But I’ll tell you what I’ll do. If my chum agrees, I’ll let you off provided you go with us straight to Miss Vaughn, your aunt, and tell her all you’ve told us. How about it, Jack?

Suits me!

I’ll do it! decided Vaughn. When do we start?

Right away, answered John. But first, please oblige me by stepping a few paces away while I have speech with my friend here. There, there, that’s far enough!

Turning to Jack, he said in an undertone:

How does this plan suit you? You take our car and go ahead, and I’ll follow with Crowell in the girls’ car. I’ll make him drive, and I’ll see that he doesn’t get away with anything!

Fine! agreed Jack. Triumphal march! For us, at least. But if I were in his shoes, I think I’d rather face jail than that old lady, judging from what I’ve heard of her.

So I’m thinking! laughed John. And Jack, old man! he added, placing his hand affectionately upon his chum’s shoulder, you sure are some driver!