oy keenly felt his responsibility.

"Good old Dad," he said, "you're a brick! Get in back now, and look after
mother and Elise. Don't let them shoot me or anything, when I'm not
looking. Patty is a little trump; she is plucky clear through, and I am
glad to have her up in front with me. Now I'll do the best I can, and
drive straight through the storm. If I see any sort of a place where we
can turn in for shelter, I think we'd better do it, don't you?"

"I do, indeed," said his father. "Meantime, my boy, go ahead. I trust the
whole matter to you, for you're a more expert driver than I am."

It was already raining fast as the two men again climbed into the car.
But the curtains all around kept the travellers dry, and with its cheery
lights the interior of the car was cozy and pleasant.

In front was a curtain with a large window of mica which gave ample view
of the road ahead.

With his strong and well-arranged lights, Roger had no fear of collision,
and as they were well protected from the rain, his chief worriment was
because they were on the wrong road.

"It's miles and miles longer to go around this way," he confided to
Patty. "I don't know what time we'll ever get there."

"Never mind," said Patty, who wanted to cheer him up. "I think this is a
great experience. I suppose there's danger, but somehow I can't help
enjoying the wild excitement of it."

"I'm glad you like it," said Roger a little grimly. "I'm always pleased
to entertain my guests."

The storm was increasing, and now amounted to a gale. The rain dashed
against the curtains in great wet sheets, and finally forced its way in
at a few of the crevices.

Mrs. Farrington, sitting between her husband and daughter, was thoroughly
frightened and extremely uncomfortable, but she pluckily refrained from
giving way to her nervousness, and succeeded in behaving herself with
real bravery and courage.

Still the tempest grew. So wildly did it dash against the front curtain
that Patty and Roger could see scarcely a foot before the machine.

"There's one comfort," said Roger, through his clenched teeth, "we're not
in danger of running into anything, for no other fools would be abroad
such a night as this. Patty, I'm going to speed her! I'm going to race
the storm!"

"Do!" said Patty, who was wrought up to a tense pitch of excitement by
the war of the elements without, and the novelty of the situation within.

Roger increased the speed, and they flew throug