"An automobile?" cried Bascomb; "at the Tanks?"
Clip nodded. With a leap Bascomb sprang away down the slope.
"Bascomb!" shouted Matt. "Come back here!"
The revolver was in Matt's left hand. Before he could do anything with it, Clip grabbed it out of his hand, leveled it after the receding form, and pulled the trigger. A futile snap followed. Again and again Clip tried to shoot, but always with the same result.
"I'll get him!" said Matt resolutely.
But before he could start the Comet, Clip had caught him and tried to hold him back.
"They'd kill you!" growled Clip. "Your life's worth more'n a thousand dollars. Let him go."
"I'll catch him before he reaches the Tanks," answered Matt.
The motor started, and Matt was dragged out of his chum's hands.