“You bet!” replied Jack, guiding the car out into the road.
“Jackie, my boy, I always did admire your driving. Now’s your chance to show what you really can do.”
“Watch me! I’ll get ’im,” came the confident answer.
Already the car was leaping under them, responding under Jack’s hands like a live thing, and gathering speed all the time.
Fortunately, the thief had headed for the desert, to which there was but the one road. The boys had but to overtake him; there was no chance of his eluding them by another road. This they both realized, and the thought gave them confidence.
Ahead they could see a cloud of dust which enveloped the fleeing car.
“We’re gaining!” said John.
Jack nodded grimly, and put on more speed. They were, indeed, drawing closer; for they could begin to discern the outline of the stolen machine. Slowly, they gained until they could make out a figure at the wheel. Then, as slowly, the figure vanished; and finally the car itself.
“He’s pulling away from us!” cried John. “He probably sees us!”
Jack had his eyes riveted on the road ahead; he did not answer, but John could feel their speed increase.