The officer raised his gun to fire. Two shots flashed from the coupe. The policeman fell, but the coupe kept on. Other men in uniform dashed to the rescue. A commandeered car took up the pursuit.
Rufus Cruikshank, mayor of Seaview City, was the man in that coupe. He had leaped into the car — one of his own vehicles — at the entrance to the garage behind his home.
Now, he was trapped. Even with the handy automatic that he had kept in the door pocket of the car, he could not hope to overcome those who were on his trail. Quick action was a method which Chief Yates had established among the resort police. With emergency orders to stop and pursue every suspicious car, the entire force was out tonight.
Had Wheels Bryant invoked the personality of Rufus Cruikshank, he might have been able to spread a bluff. But he hesitated to attempt it. He knew that Yates was adamant. With the force, the chief was supreme.
The narrow street, along which Wheels Bryant was fleeing, led directly to the board walk. That placed him in a trap. As he crossed another avenue, new police sprang into view. As the coupe shot toward the end of the street, other officers dashed down from the board walk.
The coupe stopped. The converging police would soon have their man, if he hesitated. But Wheels dashed out of the car and into the entrance of the club Catalina. There he paused long enough to shoot down one policeman who was closer than all the others. Wheels went up the stairs in long strides.
An attendant stood in surprise as he recognized the features of Rufus Cruikshank. The fleeing mayor shoved him aside, and hurried into Big Tom’s. Both doors were open, for this place was running without molestation. But now, consternation reigned; for this was to be the last night.
Big Tom had not expected a raid; hence he stared wild-eyed when he saw the mayor burst in. Attendants who would have stopped any other intruder sank back, aghast.
Big Tom’s amazement increased when he found Rufus Cruikshank gripping him by the arm. Then a long gasp came from his fat face when he heard the voice of Wheels Bryant speaking.
“The cops!” growled Wheels. “They are after me. Stop them! Quick!”