A Losing Rack

Nancy pressed her foot hard upon the gas pedal and the roadster responded with such a burst of speed that Joe Swenson looked up in astonishment. He doubtless wondered what possessed Nancy, for it was the second time she had " burned up the road."

" I don't live very far from here, " he remarked uneasily.

Nancy did not respond, for she was intent upon her driving. She must lose that police car before it could catch them!

" I don't believe the officers saw us take this road, " she told herself. " Either they turned this way accidently, or someone at the factory told them which way we had gone."

Nancy knew that in trying to outdistance the Mapleton officers she was playing a desperate, dangerous game. They might fire upon the car if she refused to halt. Then, too, if Joe Swenson were taken the girls might all be arrested for aiding a criminal to escape.

The road ahead was straight and smooth. Traffic was light and Nancy took advantage of her opportunity to speed. She could see by the reflection in the mirror that the police car was losing ground.

" I don't believe they realize yet that Joe Swenson is in this automobile, " Nancy thought. " If I can only drop him at his home and get away before they draw even! "

The prospect of eluding the officers looked very bright until she was forced to slow down for a curve. Directly beyond, two horsemen were driving a small herd of cattle.

" Good night! " Nancy told herself in disgust. " We're sunk now! "

There was no other course than to bring the roadster to a stop. The cows completely blocked the road and idled along at their own pace.

Bess and George looked anxious.

Nancy tooted her horn and tried to push through, but only succeeded in frightening the cows and making them more difficult to manage. She could see that the police car was rapidly gaining.

Joe Swenson was as good as captured. His only chance was to get down in the bottom of the car and hide. Nancy started to tell him to do so, then checked herself. Such an action would make the officers even more suspicious.

The oncoming car came to a standstill alongside of the roadster. Nancy's heart was in her throat but she tried not to show her agitation. She glanced quickly at her companion. Joe had not even looked at the officers, and if he were at all disturbed, gave no indication of it.

The two herdsmen had headed the cows off to the side of the road. Nancy quickly shifted gears, but before she could start away a shout went up from the other car. Joe Swenson had been recognized!

" Hold on there! " one of the officers cried.

With an expression of wondering surprise Nancy obeyed. She saw at once that her affected ignorance of the situation would avail nothing. The two men were Ed Baxter and Lem Daffil, noted for the high-handed way they rushed people to jail upon the slightest pretext.

Ed Baxter, his hand resting near the holster at his belt, stepped upon the running-board and peered intently at Joe Swenson.

" Sure, this is the bird! " he announced in satisfaction. " Thought I recognized him! "

" What is the meaning of all this? " Nancy demanded, but her voice sounded weak.

" It means that we have the man who set fire to Raybolt's dwelling! " Ed Baxter snapped. " Trying to make a get-away, eh? "

At the accusation Joe Swenson looked dumbfounded. Then a flush of anger mounted to his cheeks.

" What nonsense is this? I don't know anything about the fire. You have the wrong man."

" Think so? " Lem Daffil inquired sarcastically. " Well, you can explain it to the jury. You'll have to come along with us and the less trouble you make the better it will be for you! ''

He flipped a pair of handcuffs from his pocket. Joe Swenson shrank back.

" Don't put them on, please! I'll go without trouble."

" O.K. But don't try any funny stunts. Climb out and be quick about it! "

" Just a minute, " Nancy interposed. " Aren't you making a mistake? I feel sure Mr. Swenson isn't the man you're after. Let him go free. I'll be responsible for his appearance in court."

" I started working at Baylor Weston's factory this week, " Joe Swenson interposed. " I don't mind answering your questions but if I'm detained in jail I'll lose my job."

" You should have thought of that before, " Lem told him gruffly. " Come along. Climb out of there."

Protest was useless. Joe gave Nancy a courageous, apologetic smile, and obeyed.

" You girls will have to come along too! " Ed Baxter announced. " Drive on ahead and not too fast! I'll warn you not to try to get away."

" This is an outrage! " Bess gasped. " You mean we actually must go to your horrid old jail? "

" I'm sorry I got you girls into this, " Joe Swenson murmured. He turned pleadingly to the officers. " It wasn't their fault. They merely offered me a ride."

" They'll all have to come to headquarters for questioning, " Lem Daffil insisted.

Joe Swenson was forced into the official car and the two Mapleton men climbed in beside him. Nancy was ordered to drive slowly ahead.

" For two cents I'd step on the gas and try to get away! " Nancy fumed.

" I shouldn't advise it, " George said uneasily. " Lem Daffil is aching to shoot off that big revolver of his! He'd love to pepper our tires and make a great show so he could get his name in the paper again! "

" They both make me tired, " Nancy said impatiently. " My plans are ruined now."

" They're guarding poor Joe as though he were a notorious criminal, " Bess declared. " I wonder what they'll do with him? "

" I wonder what they will do with us? " George added. " We're in a ticklish place ourselves. We may be held as accomplices."

The girls fell into gloomy silence. They were miles from their friends and the prospect of unpleasant notoriety for their families was anything but reassuring.

" Whatever happens, don't say anything that will incriminate Joe Swenson, " Nancy warned as they neared Mapleton. " The officers most likely will question us individually but we must pretend we know nothing of the case."

" My guess is that they'll make hash of Swenson's story, " George declared. " He doesn't seem to know what it's all about yet I wonder if he can prove an alibi? "

" I'm afraid he's too dazed to prove anything, " Nancy returned gloomily.

The girls were glad that they had been permitted to drive a short way ahead of the police car, for their entry into Mapleton attracted less attention than would otherwise have been the case.

" What would Ned Nickerson think if he could see his Nancy now! " George teased.

" If it comes to the worst we can call on him, " Nancy smiled. " Before we get through you may be glad he is my friend."

At the jail the situation lost all suggestion of humor. Joe Swenson was arraigned on a charge of arson. No charge was placed against the girls but they were asked a great many questions and names and addresses were written down. When Nancy gave hers, significant looks were exchanged. After that the girls were treated with more courtesy.

If they had hoped that the name of Drew would release them at once, the girls were mistaken, for they were informed that they must submit to further questioning.

" They'll try to mix us up on our stories now, " Nancy warned in a whisper as they were ushered into a private room. " Don't admit anything! "

George and Bess were thoroughly frightened and Joe Swenson had become so agitated that he could not speak in a normal tone of voice. Nancy realized that he was in no condition to defend himself.

The four were given chairs facing the tribunal—a group of three hard-faced men.

One could have heard a pin drop, so quiet was the room. The officers stared fixedly at Joe Swenson, who squirmed uncomfortably in his chair. Suddenly one of the men pointed an accusing finger, and his voice rasped out so sharply that Nancy jumped.

" Swenson, when did you first plot the death of Felix Raybolt? "