The Flying Mercury

ling the inside of the mile oval, uttered something resembling a howl and rushed to the gate to signal his recreant driver. From the opposite side of the track Lestrange waved gay re

and, where the crowd heaved and surged; the

o the central field. "The cars are going out now for the preliminary run. Rupert's nearly cr

nge. "Keep cool, Ffrench; I've got half a

s ended it would be a wreck of yellow dust and oil. As he paused in running an appraising glance down the street-like row of tents, the white-

shouted. "The rest of us would have more

looked up as they passed, and cam

ey've been givin' your manager sal volatile to hold him sti

ling; I want to beat you,

es a driver,'" sang another, w

t. At his approach a swarm of mechanics from the factory stood back from the long, low, gray car, the

uously. "Rupert-where's Rupert? Don

tent with Lestrange's gauntlets and cap

erved. "Did you walk both ways, or only all three? I'm no Eve,

spent the last two hours on the Coney Island beach, about three squares from here, watching th

ry unwilling smile slowly

awled, and turned to ma

e next few moments; until Lestrange was in his seat and Rupert swung

aid Lestrange to him, above the deafening noise

ood-humor once more as h

y talk, what?

darted

oping advent on the track. Handkerchiefs and scar

chanic next to Dick. "They don't f

uarter of six blew from whistles and klaxons, signal flags se

his machine shuddering to a standstill before the tent.

ck came beside the wheel, the face so reveale

ing afterward that I didn't treat you quite squarely in keeping still. I hope you won't ta

ords. Dick leaned against

Your company can get along without me, now all is running well-indeed, Mr. Ffrench has dismissed me." His firm lip bent a little more firmly. "The

tened his chubby figure.

is Lestrange n

pert swung back to his seat. Dick reached up his hand to

ed you anyhow, but I'm glad, just the same. And I don't

sin; then the swirl of preparation swept between them and Dick next saw him as a

for the first curve, struggling for possession of the narrow track in a wheel to wheel contest where one mistouch meant the wre

ch circled the cars, themselves gemmed with white and crimson lamps. The cheers of the people as the lead was taken by one favorite or another, the hum of voic

me flying in, sent off the tr

seconds of the stop, and laughed openly a

ere?" asked the novice, infecte

rt flung over his shoulder

echanic patroniz

nd people tripping over 'em. You get sent off to lig

enzy of excitement among its men. At ten o'clock the Mercury car came in a

cross the camp. "Ffrench, at twelve I'll have to come in to rest some, and turn my machine over to the other man. And I won't have him wrecking it for

M

o it. You,

ory together. It's all stuff about your going away; why should you? You and your

hand on his shoulder. "But-it won't do.

; men scattered in every directio

nd suspense. When Lestrange came in again, onl

e order?" Le

es

d showing a face white with fatigue

he boys for coffee, will you, please? Rupert needs some, too. Here, one of you others, ask one

strain of driving had reopened the injury of the da

esting. Come in, Ffrench, and we'll

peering into the dark with a vague impr

igorous use of a dripping towel. "Tell Darling I feel faint and I'm going over to that grand-stand café a la car to get so

senger boy had

h?" he verified

e was from

"Limousine making delay. Wire

o be sent. But he thrust the yellow envelope into his pocket before turning to the tent whe

or a pillow. There he intermittently spoke to his companion of whatever the moment suggested; listening to every sound of the race and interspersing acute comment, starting up whenever

ty on to me-you know she died when I was born-for I nearly drove the family mad. They expected the worst of me, and I gave the best worst I had. But," he turned to Dick the clear candor of his smile, "it wa

the oth

helped him through with it. He was wealthy and she was pretty; it seemed to fit. I believe they've stayed married ever since, by the way. But somehow the reporters got affairs mixed and published me as the bridegroom. Have you got a cigar? I smoke about three times a year, and this is one of them. Yes, there was a fine scene when I went home th

d with the cry of countless voices. The ambulance gong cl

car?" h

answere

t's burning up after a

nstant. "Go flag Frank; I'll take the machine again my

urned to make ready, but paused beside the awed Dick to look o

them. "'Tell Lestrange I'm doin' time catchin' him,' he yelled to me.

a few moments later, Lestrange

e will hear of me; if anything happens, I've told you the trut