the arm of another.

Bess and Belle were driving along, "their faces as long as fiddles," as
Cora said. The boys had taken the lead, and they were having their own
trouble trying to convince Walter that Miss Robbins had "dumped" the
girls, and that it was a "low-down trick."

The _Whirlwind_ glided along apparently happy under the firm hand of
its fair owner. The _Flyaway_ seemed, too, to be glad of a chance to
get away again, and as Bess threw in the third speed, according to
commands from Jack, who was leading, the little silver machine darted
away like an arrow freed from the bow.

The day was wonderfully clear after the rain, and even the sunshine had
been polished up by the scouring of the mighty storm of late summer.

"I shouldn't care so much," Belle confided to her twin sister, "but
when we get to Lenox alone, without a chaperon, what will people say?"

"Well, Tinkle, we have not got there yet. Maybe we may pick up a
chaperon between this and that."

"If we only could! Where do we stop tonight?"

"Wherever we get."

So they sped on. Mile after mile was lapped up in the dust of the
motors. Out through Connecticut, over the line into Massachusetts, and
along the splendid roads that border the Housatonic River.

Houses were becoming scarcer and fewer; it was now largely a matter of
woodlands and roads.

"We have to make time now," called Cora to the twins. "The boys say we
should get to Pittsfield by evening."

"To Pittsfield! Why, that's----"

"About a hundred," called Cora again. "Look out for your shoes, and
don't be reckless on the turns. Stripping your differential just now
would be fatal."

"All right," responded Bess, "but mine is not the only car in the race."

"Thanks," called back Cora, "and now we will clear off. Good-by!"

The _Whirlwind_ shot ahead. Jack's car was clear of the
other--Walter's, and as the run had to be made against time it was best
for each machine to have "room to look around it."

"Oh!" gasped Hazel, as Cora swerved around a sharp bend, "I don't fancy
this sort of riding."

"But we have to get to a large town before night. It's all right. The
roads are so clear."

On they flew. Only the shrieking of Jack's siren and the groaning of
the deep horn on Walter's car gave messages to the girls.

Several miles were covered in silence, and then they came to a
signboard. It told that the main road was closed, and that they must
take to a side road--a hi