“With both hands,” Elsie said acidly.

Eleven

I picked up the agency crock at the Red Rooster.

Rolling along toward Mono Drive, I noticed headlights in the rear mirror. They were quite a way behind. I stepped on the throttle a bit and moved along at a pretty good clip.

The headlights kept behind at just about the same distance, too far really to be following me.

I got more speed out of the car.

As a matter of driving habit, I glanced at the petrol gauge on the dashboard.

The hand showed the tank was empty; yet I’d filled up before starting out for the Red Rooster.

Of course, it could have been that the gauge had developed trouble. In any event, this was a good time to use up what petrol I had as fast as it would flow through the carburettor.

I put the throttle down to the floorboards.