He had drawn forth a brandy flask, and Burke quickly unscrewed the cup-cap, to pour out a libation.
"Oh, no!" moaned Lorna, objecting weakly, but Burke forced it between her teeth. The burning liquid roused her energies and, with Mary's assistance, she was able to sit up in the rear of the auto.
"Take another, lady," volunteered the chauffeur. "It'll do you good."
"Never. I've tasted the last liquor that shall ever pass my lips," said Lorna. "Oh, Mary, what a horrible lesson I've learned!"
Her sister comforted her, and turned toward Burke pleadingly.
"Can I take her home, Bob? You know how anxious father is?"
Captain Sawyer had come to the side of the automobile. He nodded.
"Yes, Miss Barton, the chauffeur will take her right up to your house. Give her some medical attention at once, and be ready to come back with her to the station house as soon as I send for you. I'm going to get the ringleader of this gang in my net before the day is through. So your sister should be here if she is strong enough to press the first complaint. I'll attend to the others, with the Federal Government and those phonograph records back of me! Hurry up, now."
He turned to his sergeant.
"Put these prisoners in the other automobile and call out the men to clear this mob away from the streets. Keep the house watched by one man outside and one in the rear. We don't know what might be done to destroy some of this evidence."