"You're mistaken," replied Duncan. "I'm a doctor on a hurry call--" "Yes, you are! You look it!" and the officer sneered at Cora. "Tell that to the marines!" "Well, what's the price?" demanded Duncan with some impatience. "I'm in a hurry." "Wait till your hurry cools off," said the officer, who from his own wild chase was now plainly uncomfortably warm. "You made the marked-off distance in the shortest time on record, from post to post in one minute." "How do you know?" asked the chauffeur sharply. "What's that to you?" replied the officer. "Didn't I see you?" "You did not!" shouted Tom. "Some one 'squealed,' and you have no proof of what you are saying." The man hesitated. Then he blurted out: "Well, what if a friend did tip me off? Wasn't he in as much danger from your runaway machine as the next one?" "That man!" whispered Cora to Duncan. "He stopped and told him to arrest us." "Well, the price?" called Duncan, with his hand in his pocket. "I tell you I am a doctor, and I am in a hurry to get to Chelton. Can't you make it something reasonable--and then something for your own trouble?" The man eyed Duncan sharply. "I was told you would say just that," he said with a curious laugh. "And that is just what the other fellow said to you," spoke Tom. "Now look here, Hanna. I know how much you have got out of this already, and I happen to know the sort of coin that that sneak, Reed, carries. He has offered me some--at times. He travels out here quite some of late. Take my advice and be square. It is all bound to come out in the wash." Cora gazed at Duncan in astonishment. "I told you," said the latter, "that it is best to leave a good man alone. Like a good cook, they usually know their own business." But the officer was not so sure. He hesitated, then said: "Well, I see judge Brown over in the meadow. He can settle it. Come along." CHAPTER XXVI LEGAL STRATEGY Cora was in despair. To be thus detained when there was not an hour to spare! Tom drew the machine well to the roadside. Duncan leisurely climbed out and then asked the girl if she would remain in the car. "That's the mean part of this business," remarked Duncan; "they don't want money--they want time--good, honest time." Then, of a sudden, with that boyishness that Cora had so greatly admired in so thoughtful a young man, he sprang off on a run toward the meadow, where the constable had indicated the judge could be found. "Come on, friend," he called good-naturedly to the officer on the wheel. "When a thing's to be done, may as well do it. The sooner the quicker," he joked, while Cora wondered more and more how so wronged a person could be so good-humored. Tom fussed about the machine, looking to see that the official bullet had not struck through a tire. Evidently the constable did not expect Duncan to take him at his word, and go after the squire, for it took him some time to put his wheel against a tree and prepare to follow on foot.