d was narrow where they were, and unless the boys' machine was
run to one side of the road there was no chance for the red machine to
pass. Jack made it clear that he didn't intend to let them.

He paid no attention to the shouts that came from behind.

"Hey, you kids, with that queer-looking car, get off the road and give
a real machine a chance to get by," shouted the driver, he who had
been addressed as Bill.

Jack did not turn his head.

"I'll knock your head off if you don't turn out--and turn out quick!"
came another shout.

Still the boys did not pay any attention. In this order they came into
Nestorville. Lined up, with a look of stern determination on his
face, and with his nickel star of office newly polished, was Chief
Biff Bivins. Behind him were Lena Hardy and Joe Curley, his "force."

"Say, boys," hailed Chief Biff, as the boys rolled up abreast of him
and his men, "hain't seen hair nor hide of that car your dad was arter
'phonin' me about."

"Well, you soon will, chief," said Jack.

"Haow do yew know that?" asked the chief, his little eyes blinking
curiously.

"Because it's right behind us now," declared Jack. "It's that red
one."

"Ther dickens you say. How'd you come ter git erhead of 'em?"

"They must have stopped to fix a tire or something," said Jack.

But Biff was paying no attention to him. The majesty of the law was
strong upon him. Calling his minions to his side he stepped into the
middle of the road in front of the red car.

"Get out of the way!" shouted the man who was driving.

"Not much I won't," declared Biff valorously. "Halt that gasoline
gadabout o' yourn instanter."

"What for, you old Rube?"

"Old Rube am I?" sputtered Biff, feeling that the law had been
insulted in his person, "jes' fer thet yer under 'rest."

"What for?" demanded the driver of the red car angrily.

"Fer running daown and grievously wounding a man and then speedin' off
without stoppin' ter see if you'd killed him dead or what all. That's
what fer."

The driver of the red machine lost his blustering tone.

"Why, there's some mistake," he stammered, his face very pale,
"I--er--we--er--that is, we didn't run anybody down."

"Oh, yes, you did," said Jack. "We saw you, and what's more we've got
the man you struck right here in our car. You're a fine pack of
cowards to run off like that. If we hadn't happened along he might
have lain there for hours before help came."

"You saw us!" gasped the d