The Clutches of the Law

Nancy at once became intensely interested in the conversation which was going on directly behind her and strained her ears to catch every word. She felt she must hear what the officials were saying.

" He works at Baylor Weston's factory, " she heard one of the officers whisper to his companion. " We'll aim to get there about closing time and take him by surprise."

So Joe Swenson was to be arrested for arson—perhaps on an even more serious charge! Now Nancy understood the meaning of what she had read in the paper regarding the new " clue." Who had informed the police? Certainly not Ned Nickerson or any of her friends.

" Oh, dear, this is certain to ruin all my plans, " Nancy thought. " I'm not convinced Swenson is guilty. The evidence is wholly circumstantial and I can't help feeling that he is honest. But I must have definite proof before I'll feel right in not trying to protect him from the officers. I know they won't give him a chance. And the disgrace to his wife and that darling little girl! "

Her father had told her how prisoners were sometimes treated. They were given the " third degree, " a merciless grilling which not infrequently caused the victims to confess to crimes they had not committed. Nancy knew that Joe Swenson would be no match for the officers. They would twist and distort his alibi until his guilt would appear certain.

" I must think of some way to save him! " she told herself desperately.

The voices behind had dropped to an indistinct murmur. Presently the two men arose and left the theater. Since it was nearly four o'clock Nancy knew they must be starting for the factory.

If she were to save Joe Swenson she must act instantly!

" Come on! " she whispered, nudging George and Bess who were still engrossed in the picture. " We must get out of here quickly! "

" What's the matter? " George demanded, without taking her eyes from the picture. " Can't we wait until the end? "

For answer Nancy fairly dragged her chums from their seats and pushed them down the aisle. They reached the foyer in time to see the two officers disappear through the street entrance.

" See those men! " Nancy cried excitedly. " They're on their way to arrest Joe Swenson! ''

In a few terse sentences she explained the situation, and called upon her chums for an instant decision.

" Shall we try to warn him or allow the officers to make the arrest? "

" Let's warn him if we can! " George cried.

" That's what I say! " Bess added.

" Good! " Nancy exclaimed, highly pleased. " I thought you’d both feel the way I did about it. The question now is, can we get there in time! "

Without further debate the girls rushed from the theater to a nearby parking lot where Nancy had left the roadster. In a twinkling they were on their way to the factory.

" Unless the officers know the same short-cut I do, we have a chance to get there first, " Nancy declared. " Keep a sharp watch for policemen. We don't want to be hauled into court for speeding."

Deliberately selecting side streets which were comparatively free of traffic, she drove as rapidly as she dared and soon came within view of the factory grounds.

" I believe we're here first! " Nancy cried joyfully as she turned in at the gate. " If only we can get to Swenson before they come! "

As she spoke, the four o'clock whistle sounded.

" What luck! " George exclaimed. " He'll be out any minute now."

Nancy parked near the exit to the factory building but wisely kept the engine running. Anxiously the girls scanned the workmen as they came from the building.

" Why doesn't he come? " Bess fretted, casting an anxious glance toward the entrance of the grounds.

At that moment Nancy caught sight of him and called his name. With a smile of friendly recognition he came over to the car. George and Bess had already scrambled out and were climbing into the rumble seat.

" Jump in! " Nancy invited. " We'll give you a lift to your home."

" Why, thanks, " the inventor returned gratefully. " I live on the south side. Another fellow and I share a cabin at the outskirts of town. I imagine it's out of your way –"

" Not at all, " Nancy assured him with a worried glance toward the road. " Do get in."

" Why not let me ride in the rumble seat? I don't like to inconvenience your two friends."

" We don't mind it here, " George called out hastily. " Do get in with Nancy, Mr. Swenson.''

It was not the intention of the girls to permit the inventor to ride in the open rumble seat, for should the car bearing the Mapleton officers arrive he would be instantly recognized.

Nancy had flung open the car door, but Swenson seemed to consume much time climbing in. In her haste to get away from the factory Nancy finally put out her hand and almost jerked the man in.

" A fellow surely appreciates a ride home after a hard day on his feet, " Swenson remarked, leaning back against the cushion. " I'm not yet accustomed to standing eight hours, but I'll be all right in a week or so. I 'm glad to earn a little money by any means after being out of work for so long."

Nancy murmured something in return, but she had scarcely heard what the man said, for her thoughts were elsewhere. Would they get away from the factory in time?

She reached the gate, and then her heart almost stopped beating. An automobile which plainly bore the inscription " Official Car" was approaching from the north.

" They haven't looked this way yet! " Nancy thought. " Even if they do, I don't believe they'll recognize Swenson—it's too far away! "

Turning south, she skillfully wound in and out among the cars on the road and was soon at the head of the line. Nancy was prepared to " step on the gas" and give the officials a real chase for their quarry, but to her relief the police car turned in at the factory grounds.

" O.K. from the rear! " George chirped out significantly.

She, too, had noted the approach of the officers and had watched their maneuvers anxiously.

Joe Swenson, blissfully unaware of his narrow escape from the law, smiled tolerantly at what he considered George's ridiculous slang.

" You're certainly a fast driver, " he remarked to Nancy, not without admiration. " Guess you're in a hurry to get home."

Nancy laughed. She could afford to relax now. What a close call it had been!

Glancing curiously at her companion, she noted that he did not appear in the least disturbed. Not a hint of a suspicion that he was wanted by the police seemed to be in his mind.

" Perhaps it wasn't a nice trick to play on those officers, " Nancy thought, " but I'm glad we did it. I'm more than ever convinced that Swenson is innocent."

The inventor gave directions for reaching his living quarters and then fell to talking of his wife and child. He missed them a great deal, he said, and was looking forward to the day when he could return to Sandy Creek or send them the money to come to him.

" I'm making only six dollars a day, " he declared apologetically. " A few months ago I thought I'd be making six hundred a week. I would have, too, if it hadn't been for Felix Raybolt! "

A scowl settled over the inventor's face, but almost at once it vanished.

" No use thinking about what is past, " he observed philosophically. " Raybolt has the invention and I'm out of it."

Nancy was pleased to see that Swenson was in a more cheerful mood than when she had talked with him earlier in the day, but his reference to Felix Raybolt made her uneasy. Apparently the inventor had no suspicion of what lay in store for him.

" The officers will return to the factory tomorrow, " she told herself. " I must warn him to be on the lookout."

The warning was never to be uttered, for as Nancy chanced to glance in the overhead mirror she beheld the reflection of an automobile rapidly approaching from the rear. At first she could not believe her eyes, then conviction seized her.

It was the Mapleton police car!