was slipping away up the Shonoho road when the
touring-car, with brakes protesting, came to a stand at the tree
barrier. Like a flash, two of the three men in the tonneau leaped out,
and a charge of buckshot whistling over the heads of the two
obstructionists halted them. Thereupon the Honorable David gave his
orders tersely.

"Tennessee, you go up yonder and argue with Jack Barto a spell," he
directed. "Tell him and his partner that the Wartrace smoke-house is the
safest place in Quaretaro County for a couple of club-witted bunglers
like they are, and then you see to it that they get there. You, Billy,
help Rickert get a tow-rope hitch on that road-car, and we'll see if we
can't jerk it out of the way." After which he turned to his son as
casually as if only the preconceived and preconcerted had come to pass:
"Tried to wreck you, did they? Mighty near made a job of it, too, from
the looks of Miss Patty's little car. Not hurt, are you? That's good.
Climb in here, both of you, and when we get this windfall out of the
road we'll go on to town."

Blount put Patricia into the empty tonneau while Shack and the chauffeur
were making the tow-rope hitch, but he was still angry enough to
hesitate when it came his turn. A glance at his watch decided him. It
was still only half past four. Had his father repented so far as to
override the obstacle which he himself had interposed? Patricia was
holding the tonneau-door open, and Blount got in and took his seat
beside her.

A small engineering feat, made possible by the power plant of the big
car and the tow-rope, soon cleared the way of the wrecked roadster and
the tree. Then the senator gave another order.

"You and Billy stay here and see if you can't get that roadster so you
can run it to town on its own power," he said to the chauffeur; and over
his shoulder to the pair behind him: "If you'll change partners back
there, and let Honoria ride on the cushions--"

Though he could not remotely apprehend his father's reason for the
rearrangement, Blount got out, helped Mrs. Honoria down and up again,
and then climbed into the seat she had just vacated. At the click of the
tonneau door-latch the big car rolled on down the grade, and for a good
half of the straightaway fifteen miles to the city the younger man held
his peace grimly. Finally he turned to his father and said:

"I'm blaming you for the tree, and for Barto's attempt to get those
papers away from me. Am I wrong?"

Th