The next instant, with a rush and rattle, Noddy’s car came up alongside that of Jerry’s. They were now on even terms.
“I s’pose you thought you’d beat me!” sneered the bully.
“The race isn’t over yet,” answered Jerry.
But in truth it looked as if it was, as far as Jerry was concerned. Noddy gained inch by inch, until his car was a good length ahead. The bully looked back with a mocking smile.
One mile was reeled off, and but four remained of the distance to the little town where the Government office was located. Another mile; then another. Noddy’s car was now five hundred feet ahead, and Jerry was running his machine as fast as he dared, though not to the limit.
There remained but another mile as the cars shot into a long, straight stretch. In the distance Jerry could see a small town. Noddy was an eighth of a mile in advance.
“I’m going to lose!” exclaimed Jerry, and he felt his heart sink.