“You’d better believe it’s something to stop you!” cried Jack, still swinging forward on the run.
Cora, too, had started toward Eline and Nancy. She saw that the big car probably had nothing to do with the attempted abduction of the shipwrecked girl, and that it was only coincidence that brought it there at that moment. But it was a fortunate coincidence, for it frightened away the two men.
Like a flash Mr. Cross turned, sped back to his car, and in another instant he and his crony were speeding down the road.
“Oh, he’s gone–he’s gone,” sobbed Nancy on the shoulder of Eline.
“Of course he’s gone!” cried Jack. “If he hadn’t–” and he glanced significantly at the tire iron in his hand.
“Jack, dear,” said Cora, gently, with a warning glance at Nancy. Cora did not want her disturbed any more than was necessary.
“Well–” blustered Jack, and let it go at that.
“Was that really your guardian, Nancy?” asked Cora, when her new friend had somewhat composed herself.
“Yes, it was. Oh, has he gone?”
“Far enough off by this time,” declared Jack.