Nick now thought he could see a favorable finish to this unexpected hold-up, for the touring-car was approaching at a high rate of speed, and the escape of the thief appeared next to impossible.
Yet the latter, while reiterating his threatening commands, only backed a few paces toward the middle of the road.
The man in the approaching car evidently saw what was going on, and he began to slow down.
The rear of the runabout was now toward the road, with the machine half-hidden in the shrubbery.
“Stop her!” whispered Nick, not yet venturing to turn about on the seat. “Stop her at once!”
He did not wish to go too far in from the road.
Grady felt that he was taking his life in his hand—yet he promptly obeyed.
Instantly two sharp reports of a revolver rang out on the morning air.
The reports were followed by others, nearly as loud, occasioned by the bursting of the two rear tires of the runabout.