“He is a gambler and appears to have plenty of money, so that he could have bought his own machine if he had wanted to, but that wasn’t his object. “He lays for the Red Spider, makes prisoners of the Chicago men, and tucks them away somewhere in the Vermont woods where they will be safe; then he and his outfit gets into the Chicago men’s clothes, and go piking around the circle as Leonard Martin, Leslie Hibbard, Morris Markham and Emil Z. Schiffel----” “By Jupiter!” exclaimed Nick, as the whole graft dawned on him. “That was a clever game, for no one could ever suspect these rich Chicago men of looting a bank, or doing any other crooked work.” “Clancy has a good head for that kind of business.” “The old woman was well informed, it seems to me.” “She got her information through Five Points, I suppose, who knows something about driving an automobile.” “Why did you wire me to look out for Clancy?” “The old woman described Clancy to her brother, so that he would know him at sight. She also mentioned that he was a pal of Ramsay’s, and had come East with a double purpose--to clear up as much good money as he could and, incidentally, to settle Nick Carter.” “He’s tried it twice,” said Nick, “and----” “Listen!” broke in Patsy. “That other auto is dead ahead. Can’t you hear it?” They could hear it plainly, the chough, chough, chough coming to their ears with great distinctness. “Now, then,” muttered Nick, “if this machine holds together, we’ll be up with them in a very few minutes. Let me have one of your revolvers, Patsy.” “Take ’em both,” said Patsy, tendering the weapons; “I’ll use the rifle.” “Better let me take the rifle,” returned Nick, a sudden idea coming to him. “All right.” Patsy handed over the gun. The next instant the auto rounded a hill and the Red Spider came into sight. It was some distance off and racing at a speed which caused it to lurch dangerously from side to side. “A stern chase is usually a long one, but I don’t think this will be,” muttered Nick. “We’re gaining at every jump.” “And they don’t know yet that we’re after them,” chuckled Patsy. “They know now,” said Chick. “One of them, on the rear seat, is turning around. There! He’s trying a shot.” The report of a revolver echoed out, but the range was too great for effective shooting with small arms. “Give ’em the Winchester, Nick!” suggested Patsy. “I will,” replied Nick, “and I’ll cripple the Spider so we can overhaul it in less time than ever.” He threw the repeater to his shoulder and sighted it long and carefully. It was a pretty shot that he intended making, for not only must he take into consideration the motion of his own auto, but of the Red Spider as well. Suddenly he pulled the trigger. A loud report volleyed out, and instantly the Spider began to wobble. The speed of the gasoline machine was reduced at least one-half. “By thunder!” exulted Patsy; “he’s punctured one of the rear tires!” CHAPTER XXV. PATSY’S CAPTURE.