s, whose attention was attracted at the same moment, informed
him that another motor-car was coming up behind. Then, to quote Mr.
Bradshaw's own words, 'Thinking the other chap was on for a race, I did
everything I knew to get every ounce out of my motor. But,' he
continued, 'though I'll swear we were running nearer forty than
thirty-five, the other fellow swooped up and passed us as if we were
standing still.'

"For the moment he thought that the stranger was one of those American
speed motors specially built for racing on the track, but only for a
moment. The strange car slackening speed, allowed them to come
alongside. What followed may be best described in Mr. Bradshaw's own
words.

"'There was only one occupant of the strange car, and, seeing him
slacken speed, I naturally thought he wished to speak to us. So, as he
came level, I shouted to him, my exact words being, if I remember
aright, "Hallo, sir! You've got a flyer there." I fancied I heard a
chuckle from beneath his mask (he wore a hood covering the head fitted
with a mica plate in front) and he replied, "Yes; I fancy my car is fast
enough to overtake anything that is to be found on the road." There was
something in his tone that struck me as peculiar, but I merely
attributed it to the motorist's pride in his car. As however he said
nothing further, but continued to keep alongside, in a manner that
looked as if he were inclined to gloat over the owner of a less speedy
machine, I asked with some little irritation, "Is there anything I can
do for you, because if not----" He did not allow me to finish my query.
"Yes, sir," he replied promptly, "there is something I am going to ask
you to do for me," and he gave another of his infernal chuckles.

"'"Well, what is it?" I demanded, with a little warmth.

"'"I must request you to hand over all your money and valuables to me,"
he replied.

"'I could not believe my ears. I was so astonished that I gave the wheel
a turn that nearly landed us in the ditch. Will you believe it? Even in
that swerve the strange car followed mine, and when I had got her
straight in the road, I heard him chuckle again. His manner angered me
beyond bearing.

"'"What the deuce do you mean?" I shouted.

"'"There's no need for you to lose your temper," he answered coolly. "I
must, however, trouble you to stop that car at once."

"'As he spoke he raised his hand, and I saw the barrel of a revolver
glisten in the moonlight. There seemed