|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 10
"I am a selectman," said the one with the lantern. "You been
exceedin' our speed limit."
The chauffeur gave a gasp that might have been construed to
mean that the charge amazed and shocked him.
"That is not possible," Winthrop answered. "I have been going
very slow--on purpose--to allow a disabled car to keep up with
me."
The selectman looked down the road.
"It ain't kep' up with you," he said pointedly.
"It has until the last few minutes."
"It's the last few minutes we're talking about," returned the
man who had not spoken. He put his foot on the step of the
car.
"What are you doing?" asked Winthrop.
"I am going to take you to Judge Allen's. I am chief of
police. You are under arrest."
Before Winthrop rose moving pictures of Miss Forbes appearing
in a dirty police station before an officious Dogberry, and,
as he and his car were well known along the Post road,
appearing the next morning in the New York papers. "William
Winthrop," he saw the printed words, "son of Endicott
Winthrop, was arrested here this evening, with a young woman
who refused to give her name, but who was recognized as Miss
Beatrice Forbes, whose engagement to Ernest Peabody, the
Reform candidate on the Independent ticket----"
And, of course, Peabody would blame her.
"If I have exceeded your speed limit," he said politely, "I
shall be delighted to pay the fine. How much is it?"
"Judge Allen'll tell you what the fine is," said the selectman
gruffly. "And he may want bail."
"Bail?" demanded Winthrop. "Do you mean to tell me he will
detain us here?"
"He will, if he wants to," answered the chief of police
combatively.
For an instant Winthrop sat gazing gloomily ahead, overcome
apparently by the enormity of his offence. He was calculating
whether, if he rammed the two-inch plank, it would hit the car
or Miss Forbes. He decided swiftly it would hit his new
two-hundred-dollar lamps. As swiftly he decided the new lamps
must go. But he had read of guardians of the public safety so
regardless of private safety as to try to puncture runaway
tires with pistol bullets. He had no intention of subjecting
Miss Forbes to a fusillade.
So he whirled upon the chief of police:
"Take your hand off that gun!" he growled. "How dare you
threaten me?"
Amazed, the chief of police dropped from the step and advanced
indignantly.
"Me?" he demanded. "I ain't got a gun. What you mean by----"
With sudden intelligence, the chauffeur precipitated himself
upon the scene.
"It's the other one," he shouted. He shook an accusing finger
at the selectman. "He pointed it at the lady."
To Miss Forbes the realism of Fred's acting was too
convincing. To learn that one is covered with a loaded
revolver is disconcerting. Miss Forbes gave a startled
squeak, and ducked her head.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|