"A simple little ruse," he said to himself. "And one that I've seen
used with effect more than once. Evidently Miss Vale has her wits
about her."
Leaning against his machine he waited and listened. From around the
bend came the low sound of the Maillard; nearer and nearer it came for
a time; then it began to recede. At this the Italian remounted; the
explosions of his motor were muffled as he went swiftly along upon the
way by which he had come. At the cross-roads he slowed up and examined
the ground. Deep in the dust was the broad impress of the tires,
showing the car to have taken the turn to the left. Then swiftly the
cycle turned into the same road and took up the trail once more.
Some three miles further on, the track veered back toward the highway
along a badly cut dirt road.
"Slow going for a heavy car," said the pursuer calmly. "It will not be
long before I sight it again."
There was a hard, beaten footpath at one side of the road; taking to
this, the man on the motor cycle found it easy traveling enough.
Shortly after, he caught the laborings of the Maillard as it made its
way through the binding ruts; then he slowed down and ran easily along
the path, content, apparently, to keep in sound of the chase.
Pages:
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216