familiar attitude of staring, mouth agape, at a lady. He had confidently expected Jane to support him and dismiss Speedy's claim to run the car. This was an unlooked-for development. It meant a change in plans, another trip over to the Callahan clan. He thought rapidly. All right, if this chap Swift was looking for trouble, he'd get it plenty. No trip would be made with that car tomorrow, whether Swift was aboard or not!
Speedy sensed what was passing through Carter's mind. He knew it boded no good. The older man shrugged his trim shoulders and summoned a smile that was half a threat and half sarcasm to his face.
"Very well, I yield to Swift—at your wishes, Miss Dillon," he said. "I trust when the day is over tomorrow, Miss Dillon, that you will not have made a mistake in your decision—nor Swift in his. As I said once before, it's a tough neighborhood and accidents will happen."
"No accident will happen," retorted Speedy. "But if one does, I'll be prepared for it."
Carter bade them a polite good night. He had business to transact with Puggy Callahan.
When he had gone, Jane looked appealingly, helplessly, to Speedy and asked, "Oh, Harold, what is it all about? I'm so frightened, with granddad away and all."
Speedy patted her soft shoulder.
"Don't worry," he quieted her. "Everything's going to be all right, now that you've decided to trust it to me. Were you going out for the night?" Jane told him that she was visiting Daisy Ryan.
