"Right as rain," he panted. "Tell you 's we go." He started to pelt up the street. I ran by his side. "'Bout two minutes after you'd gone--fellow ran up t' the car in hell of a state--firs' couldn' make out what matter was--talked too fast--then gathered, you'd sent him--Adèle had been taken ill--lie, of course--see now--never occurred to me at time--told him get on step and guide me--burst off up street--lef' ri' lef stunt--'fore knew where I was, cul de sac--pulled up--nex' second, both doors open and toughest cove 've ever seen told me t' hop it--in bad American--round to t' left here--course I tumbled at once--dirty work--tried t' hit him--nothing doing--tried to lock car--couldn't--hauled out anyhow--no good yelling--ran find you--one ray hope--out of petrol--I never stopped engine--petered out on its own--can on step, I know--but they'll have to locate trouble--and then decant--left again here ... no ... wait." He looked from side to side anxiously. Then he swung round and glanced back. "Gad, I think we're wrong." He started back frantically. "No, that's right. I 'member that café." We swung round again. Arrived once more at the corner, again he hesitated, twitching his lips nervously and sobbing for want of breath. "These blasted streets," he jerked out. "I tried to memorise 'em, but---- _There they are, Boy! There they are!_" It was true. Turning away from us into a street on our left, about forty paces away, was our own blue coupé.... But for the fact that a cart was presenting a momentary obstruction, our quarry would have been gone. As it was, I flung myself on to the running-board as she was gathering speed.... Without a word, I thrust my arm in at the window and switched off the engine. As she slowed up I leapt for the bonnet, whipped it open and felt for the high-tension wire. At that moment the engine re-started.... For a second whoever was driving fumbled with the gears.... As the wheels meshed with a chunk, my fingers found what they sought. The next instant the car lunged forward--and the wire broke. I fell on my back, certainly, and my hand was bleeding, but I could afford to smile. The gun was spiked. As I rose to my feet, the car came gently to rest twenty-five paces away. "All right?" panted Berry by my side. "Every time," said I. "And now for it." I turned to a gaping youth. "_Allez cherche la police,_" I flung at him. "_Vite!_" As we came up to the car-- "And may I ask," drawled a voice, "the meaning of this hold-up? I guess you'll get tired of answering before you're through, but, as the owner of this vehicle, I'm just curious." "Cut it out," said I shortly. "And just come out of that car. Both of you." So far as the speaker's companion was concerned, my injunction was supererogatory. Even as I spoke, with a scream of agony the latter emerged from the car. Holding him fast by the wrist, Berry had almost broken his arm across the jamb of the door.