He started for Billy on the jump. Brundage slammed the door and vanished.
At the man’s shout, Billy hastily examined the shotgun. He found that it was unloaded, and flung it to the ground. Clancy, flaming with anger and despair, returned hastily to the machine just as the farm hand leaped at Billy.
The red-haired chap was in no mood for argument. His fist shot out and caught the farm hand underneath the ear. The fellow gave a grunt, then slumped weakly to the dust, and lay quiet.
“We’re up against it, Clancy,” exclaimed Billy, looking at the house. “He would have fallen for it if he hadn’t seen me holding that chap up, or trying to.”
“It’s all my fault,” said Clancy, with a groan. “But we know that he’s got Merry in there, and that’s some comfort. We’ll have to get him out.”
“I don’t see how----” began Billy, but at that instant he was interrupted.
A shrill yell arose from inside the house. Then there followed a wild commotion.
Without warning, there was a crash of glass, as a china plate came through one of the lower windows. Another followed, and another, then a chair burst through the window.
“Wow! Lemme out o’ here!” came a shrill yell. “I want to go home!”
Through the window protruded a frightened countenance.
“It’s the garage driver from Carsonville!” yelled Billy. “Come on, old scout!”
It was evident that the young fellow was scared almost out of his head. He took a flying leap through the window and landed in a rose-bush. In his hand he held two more plates, and as he scrambled to his feet he hurled them against the house.
Then, paying no attention to Clancy and Billy, he rushed across the barnyard and cranked up his machine. It was evident that he had broken loose, and was too frightened to do anything but hit it up for home.
“Let him go,” said Clancy. “We’ll get in that window, Billy!”
He started for the house. The chauffeur, wild-eyed and reckless, got his machine slewed around and went shooting down the drive like a crazy man.
“Wow!” he yelled, as he passed. “Git the constable! Wow!”
Renewed sounds of commotion came from within the house. Clancy dashed at the window. Billy gave him a boost to the sill, and the red-haired chap shot over the edge headfirst and tumbled to the floor inside.