ong enough and found a strange satisfaction in being rash.
Besides, no matter what difficulties he got into, he would be repaid by
the memory of the look Alice had given him. The way the warm color
crept into her face had stirred him as nothing else had done. Anyhow,
he had started on the adventure and was going to see it through.

After a time, they sped across a bridge, where a burn splashed noisily
down a ravine, and John asked: "How long have we got, sir?"

"Ten minutes, if the train's punctual."

"And where's the other car, sir?"

Foster, whose eyes were dazzled by the match he had struck, looked
round and saw a misty flash in the dark.

"About half a mile behind, I think."

"Very good, sir. It all depends upon the train now. She's not often
late."

The throb of the engine quickened and struck a sharper note, and Foster
felt the car leap forward up the hill. Turning in his seat, he watched
the flickering gleam behind and saw it grow fainter and then gradually
get bright. It looked as if the pursuers had lost sight of the front
car's tail lamp and were increasing their speed.

"They're creeping up," he said to John, who did not reply.

Foster thought they had now reached the top of the moor, and as they
swung up and down across the heathy undulations a streak of light
flashed out in the distance.

"That's the train," he said.

"Yes, sir. You can see her for two or three miles."

Then there was a change in the sound and motion, and Foster knew the
engine was running all-out. Showers of small stones and water flew up
about the wheels and the wind whipped his face, but the following light
was a little nearer when he looked behind. The other car had reached
the summit and it would be a close race, but he thought they could keep
their lead long enough. Then he looked ahead and saw that the bright
streak he had noticed had gone. The fireman had, no doubt, closed the
furnace door, but the lights from the carriage windows twinkled faintly
across the heath. He could not see the station, but it was obvious
that he had not much time to spare.

A few moments later they swept across a low rise and a faint blur of
buildings loomed among a cluster of lights. They were now going
furiously and he seized the side of the car as they swung round a
curve. He felt the near wheels sink as they crushed through spongy
sod, and the car tilted, but they got round, and there was a sudden jar
when the station lay s