That was enough. The two members of the Country Club darted away after Matt.
McGlory was making preparations to drop from the other window, but the colonel grabbed him at the critical moment and forced him into a chair.
“Off with you, Levitt!” the colonel called. “You can catch that young cub! And when you do overhaul him get the report and the letter at any cost.”
As he finished the colonel flung the door key toward the engineer. The latter let himself out of the room and bounded excitedly down the stairs.
[CHAPTER VII.
AN OLD FRIEND.]
Matt hoped that McGlory would be able to follow him; but, if the cowboy found this to be impossible, then Matt would do his best to prevent the report from falling into the hands of the colonel and Levitt. That report was the one thing of vital importance. On it alone hinged the success or failure of the colonel’s gigantic swindling operations. Matt must escape capture at any cost, in order to retain possession of the report.
The course of his flight carried him toward the rear of the Country Club grounds. He heard the colonel’s shout to the young men just in from the golf links, and he knew there would be a pursuit. Of course Matt could explain the situation and perhaps escape legal complications, but if caught he would be compelled to give up the report.
He darted across a tennis court, leaped the net, dodged behind a clump of lilac bushes, and ran toward the edge of a grove that bordered the Country Club grounds on that side. Between the lilacs and the grove was a rustic pavilion. A flower bed was near the pavilion, and an old negro was kneeling beside the bed, his back toward Matt, and industriously pulling weeds. Matt had not much time to give to the negro, but hoped that he was giving his whole attention to his work. As he came around the pavilion Matt heard sounds which indicated that more pursuers were after him—these coming from the direction of the garage and the stables.
To reach the timber without being seen seemed hopeless, and Matt looked hurriedly around for some place in which he could secrete himself.