“Oh,” exclaimed the driver. For a moment he thought that the pursuing car was imaginary. “Shall I go slower, sir?”
“On the contrary,” replied Cranston calmly, “I would appreciate it if you would go faster.”
The cab whirled along the avenue. It was approaching the corner where it must turn to reach Zuvor’s house. Cranston again spoke through the window.
“Take this one corner slowly,” he remarked. “It is rather dangerous.”
The driver nodded approvingly. The avenue turned at an angle at the point mentioned. The corner was indeed a bad one. The cab was nearing it now.
The driver applied his brakes with a jolt. The cab skidded slightly, as it came to a standstill; then the taximan swung the wheel, and the cab leaped forward like a living creature.
As it shot down the street, a sedan turned from the avenue, in close pursuit.
THE driver stopped his cab suddenly in front of Prince Zuvor’s house. Leaping from his seat, he opened the door. At that instant, the sedan came up behind.
The taximan stepped back in amazement. Then he reached in, and turned on the light. To his utter astonishment, the back of the cab was empty!
The man’s bewilderment was observed from the sedan. A tall, broad-shouldered fellow stepped to the sidewalk, and approached the cab.