Carson was evidently quite unsuspecting. Possibly he did not see the two figures that waited at the roadside. At all events his car rolled slowly past the smithy, and, as it came opposite to their waiting place, Clancy nudged Billy and leaped forth. He believed in doing a thing thoroughly, when he was doing it. Consequently, as he saw Bully twist around in his seat with a start of alarm, Clancy gave him no chance to increase his speed, but put all his energies into a flying leap.
A cry broke from Carson, but he was too late. Clancy rose in the air like a bird and struck full against him, driving him down at once. The two fell in a confused tangle under the steering wheel, while the car went slowly along the road.
Meantime, Billy Mac jumped to the running board and piled into the tonneau. He leaned over the back of the front seat. Before he could lend assistance, the two figures came erect, and Clancy shoved Carson bodily over into the tonneau.
“Keep him there, Mac,” he ordered.
“What you going to do?” gasped Billy.
“No time to talk,” said Clancy, jumping to the[187] steering wheel. “Throw a robe over that fellow’s head! Sit on him, you chump!”
Carson, indeed, was rising to the occasion. He had landed in the tonneau on his head and shoulders, and was squirming upright, letting out wild yells as he did so. The peace of the Sabbath was being terribly shattered.
Billy Mac saved the day by adopting Clan’s suggestion. Seizing the heavy blanket that did duty for an auto robe, he threw it over Carson’s head, managed to evade the waving fists, and plumped himself on top of the big fellow.
Carson was forced to the floor of the car, which had leaped into speed under Clancy’s touch. Billy McQuade being a chunky fellow for his age, made no light weight, and Carson’s bellows for help were stifled.
So quickly had it all occurred, that, while Bully Carson must have recognized his assailants, he had been too startled to propound any questions. In fact, he had been hustled about so rapidly that when Billy came down on him he had no more breath left with which to shout.
After a moment Clancy stopped the car on a lonely stretch of road, and told Billy to shove their prisoner out. Billy did not stand on ceremony, but opened one of the side doors and sent Carson tumbling out like a bag of flour.
The big fellow landed in the dust, came to his[188] feet, flung off the robe, and emerged, spluttering with rage.
“What’s this mean!” he exclaimed hotly. “I’ll have you dubs pinched fer this!”
Clancy grinned.
“No, you won’t, Bully. You’re liable to get pinched yourself for what took place last night. Where’s Chip Merriwell?”
“How do I know?” demanded Carson, working himself up into a rage. “You’d better clear out, and do it quick, or I’ll smash your carrot head in about——”
“No more of that talk,” said Clancy. “You’re a coward, my friend. If you try fighting, you’ll get the worst of it by a good deal. Where’s Chip Merriwell?”
Clancy gave no sign of his inward perturbation. He had conducted this assault absolutely without evidence, and on a momentary impulse. If he failed to extract any information, he was apt to find himself up against the law.
“I don’t know anythin’ about him,” said Carson sullenly.
“Don’t lie,” said Clancy angrily. “You sent him a fake telegram that got him over to Orton this morning. Where is he?”
Carson went white.
“How’d you know that——” he began, then checked himself and tried to bluster it off.[189] “You’re crazy, you boobs! I ain’t seen the feller——”
“You make me sick,” said Clancy, with renewed self-confidence. “You gave yourself away right there, Bully. Now come across, or take the consequences.”
Carson glared at him out of his one good optic.
“I’ll show you!” he bellowed. “You ain’t a-goin’ to get clear with this kind o’ doin’s around here——”
And turning swiftly, he shoved Billy Mac aside and made a break down the road. Clancy grinned inwardly. Carson was not only scared, but he was extremely anxious to get away.
Clancy caught the big fellow within fifty feet. Carson showed fight, but the red-haired chap decided to waste no further time. Catching the arm of Carson, he twisted it behind the other’s back, and had him at his mercy.
“Take his arm, Billy,” he commanded. “Put him into the machine and keep him quiet. If he yells for help, twist his arm and it’ll break just below the elbow.”
Carson went green.
“Hey, what you fellers tryin’ to do?” he whimpered. “Ouch! I’ll go along—don’t twist that arm, Billy! We allus been friends, ain’t we?”
“Not much,” retorted Billy Mac, with unconcealed contempt. “I always knew you were a[190] coward, Bully, but I thought you’d show a little fight! Get along with you.”
Clancy climbed into the driver’s seat, feeling high............