"Still. . . ."
"No, nothing at all . . . a mere remark. . . . Besides, we are ten minutes ahead . . . and our car is at least a forty-horse-power."
"It's a sixty," said the German, looking at him uneasily from the corner of his eye.
"Oh, then we're all right!"
They were climbing a little slope. When they reached the top, the count leant out of the window:
"Damn it all!" he swore.
"What's the matter?" asked Lupin.
The count turned to him and, in a threatening voice:
"Take care! If anything happens, it will be so much the worse for you."
"Oho! It seems the other's gaining on us! . . . But what are you afraid of, my dear count? It's no doubt a traveller . . . perhaps even some one they are sending to help us."