“They’re stacked up like cordwood,” answered Burgess, “over in the lumber-yard. Some of the cops went crazy and are swimming in the canal. Young lady--guest of my wife--and I came over to look after sick family, and ran into the show. I joined the hunt for a while, but it wasn’t any good. You’ll find the survivors camped along the canal bank waiting for reenforcements.” He lighted a cigarette, jumped in and drove the car toward home for half a dozen blocks--then lowered the speed so that he could speak to the girl. He was half sorry the adventure was over; but there yet remained his obligation to do what he could for Drake--if that person could be found. “You must let me go now,” said Nellie earnestly; “the police will wake up and begin looking for me, and you’ve had trouble enough. And it was rotten for me to work you to help get Bob off! You’d better have stayed in the house; but I knew you would help--and I was afraid Bob would kill somebody. Please let me out right here!” Her hand was on the latch. “Oh, never in this world! I have no intention of letting the police take you--you haven’t done anything but try to help your brother, like the fine girl you are; and that’s all over. Where’s Drake?” Her gravity passed instantly and her laugh greeted his ears again. He was running the car slowly along a curb, his head bent to hear. “Listen! Robert telephoned just as I was leaving the office. I told him to keep away from the house. When I saw you in the bank I knew Bob was here, but I thought he’d be out of the way; but he wouldn’t go until dark, and I would have telephoned you but I was afraid. I really meant to tell you at the house that Robert wasn’t there and wouldn’t be there; but Bob was so ugly I made you go with us, because I wanted your help. I thought if they nailed us you would pull Bob through. And now you don’t really mind--do you?” she concluded tearfully. “Well, what about Drake? If he’s still----” She bent closer and he heard her murmurous laugh again. “I told Robert I’d meet him at the courthouse--by the steps nearest the police station--at seven o’clock. That’s the safest place I could think of.” Burgess nodded and the machine leaped forward. “We’ve got ten minutes to keep that date, Nellie. But I’m going to be mighty late for dinner!” V