“Read it yourself,” he muttered. “It――sounds bad, John. I’ve got to get to him somehow. I thought――――” “‘George seriously injured in game. Come to City Hospital immediately. Wire me when you will reach here. Lyman Chase!’” Mr. Benton read the message aloud and handed it back. “Perhaps it’s not so serious as you fear, Bill,” he said sympathetically. “But of course you must go at once, Tom.” Tom’s first sensation had been one of triumph. His enemy was at his mercy! But in the face of Mr. Connors’ grief and anxiety all such thoughts disappeared in an instant, his wrath melted away and only an eager sympathy remained. “I’ll get you there if it can be done, sir,” he said eagerly. “Dad, how far is Finley Falls?” “About fifty miles by railroad. A little more by the dirt roads, I suppose. Can you do it, son?” “Yes, sir, I can do it. I want Will, though, dad. Will you telephone him and tell him to hustle right over to the garage? I’ll get the car, Mr. Connors, and bring it around right away.” “I’ll go with you,” replied the liveryman. “It’ll save time.” “All right, sir, come along! Good night, dad! Good night, ma! Don’t wait up for me, for I can’t tell when I’ll get back!” Seizing a coat and his cap from the hat-tree in the hall, Tom hurried through the door, closely followed by Mr. Connors. Mr. Benton was to send a telegram to Mr. Chase. “What time is it now, sir?” asked Tom, as they turned toward the garage. “Six-forty,” answered Mr. Connors. “And that telegram was sent at half-past four. My God, Benton, when will we get there?” “I’ll get you to Finley Falls in an hour and a half if The Ark will hold together!” CHAPTER XXVIII A WILD RIDE Although Tom and Mr. Connors walked as fast as they knew how, the garage was lighted when they came in sight of it and they found Willard, who had run all the way from his house, seeing to the lamps on the car. “I’ve looked at the tank, Tom, and it’s two-thirds full,” said Willard. “That’ll get us to Finley Falls all right. We can buy gas there if we need more. Shall I turn the lights on?” Mr. Connors, after nodding to Willard, took out his watch and frowned at what he saw. While the boys lighted the lamps he paced impatiently up and down by the car, although Tom had opened the tonneau door invitingly. Finally, “All ready, sir,” said Tom. Mr. Connors took his place in the back of the car, Willard slammed the door after him and The Ark ran out into the street. Willard closed the garage and sprang into his place beside Tom. The engine sputtered, the gears rasped and they started off. One block on Main Street and Tom turned back through Linden to Washington. As he swung around the corner he pulled the throttle further open and they flew along under the yellowing elms at a pace that brought the residents of that quiet thoroughfare to their doors.