“Then I’ll come with pleasure.” Douglas helped Eleanor into the low seat of the motor, and clambered in behind the wheel. “I’m awfully sorry there isn’t a third seat, Colonel, and that I can’t take you where you wish to go.”
“I left my car down by the curb; thanks all the same, Douglas,” and Thornton waved a friendly good-bye to Eleanor as the motor started slowly down the driveway.
“If you have no objection, I will stop at the Municipal Building for a moment, Miss Thornton,” said Douglas, turning the car into Thirteenth Street.
“I don’t mind in the least. What a magnificent motor!”
“Isn’t it?” with enthusiasm, as he steered safely between another machine and a delivery wagon. “My chief in Tokio has one just like this, and I learned to run his car.”
As they crossed K Street he put on the emergency brakes hard and the motor stopped just in time, as a touring car shot in front of them and disappeared down the street. When the car was again under way, Douglas turned to the silent girl by his side.
“That was the Japanese Ambassador, was it not?”
“Yes.”
“He seemed to be in the devil of a hurry; it was a near smash.”
“A little too near for comfort.” Eleanor drew a long breath. “I noticed some luggage in his car—oh, take care!” as the motor skidded toward the gutter.