CHAPTER IX
THE FALCON STRIKES
I glanced at the watch in front of me and saw that it was three o'clock. It would take Kharkoff a good twenty minutes to catch us up, I thought, and by that time I ought to have the job done and be away, provided I did not put my own car out of action. Ahead of me, Chu-Chu had hit the top of the grade and disappeared. I opened up the big six and she went up that hill like a thirteen-inch shell. Then, here was a cloud of dust ahead, and as I tore down the slope on the other side I saw that it was a big limousine touring-car full of people. She was chugging along like an old tugboat, rattling like a junk-cart. I swore. The place was perfect for my plan, and there was Chu-Chu going down the grade ahead like a scared rabbit.
But the confounded old hearse behind her spoiled everything, and I knew that at the gait we were travelling we would mighty soon strike Abbeville. So I decided to wait until after that place, which was just as well, the country being wilder and bleaker beyond. I slowed down so as to keep Chu-Chu's dust in sight.
Soon we went through Abbeville and out on to the big straight road beyond. That two-seater of Ivan's could certainly get over the route and Chu-Chu was a good driver. I realised that I must ditch him before Montreuil, as after that the road is more fre-
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