As the searchers went more quickly now, the spirits of the occupants of Lonsdale’s car were more depressed than ever. Their search was absolutely fruitless.
Suddenly not far ahead of them they saw the faint gleam of the red light of an auto. Putting on speed they splashed along regardless of the smoothness or the roughness of the road. Then Grandpa Jim gave an exclamation of rejoicing.
“It’s Mary Louise’s car!” he cried.
Faster went the Lonsdale car, gaining, ever gaining on its object. Now they honked the horn repeatedly but the escapers evidently paid no heed. Though their speed did not seem to increase, neither did it slacken.
“Better not run a risk of their escaping again,” muttered Crocker, and leaning carefully over the side of the car he fired two shots into the rear tire of the machine. The effect was instantaneous. With a loud explosion, the car swerved quickly, slowed down and then came to a dead stop.
CHAPTER XV
A JOURNEY BEGUN
When Will White and Jim O’Hara realized that Lonsdale’s machine had driven on, their relief was unbounded.
O’Hara turned to Will White and said: “I know that you are doing this entirely for the sake of that boy of mine, but I trust that you will never have a moment’s regret that you have aided my escape.”
“It ain’t nothin’ a-tall,” commented Will, chewing his quid with energy. “It’s ben my hope that some time I could do something for Dan Dexter, and when he come to me this evenin’ ter tell me of his fix, why I sure was there to help with bells on.”