"I don't want any help," growled the German.
He leant out again. The car was only two or three hundred yards behind.
He said to his men, pointing to Lupin.
"Bind him. If he resists. . . ."
He drew his revolver.
"Why should I resist, O gentle Teuton?" chuckled Lupin. And he added, while they were fastening his hands, "It is really curious to see how people take precautions when they need not and don't when they ought to. What the devil do you care about that motor? Accomplices of mine? What an idea!"
Without replying, the German gave orders to the driver:
"To the right! . . . Slow down! . . . Let them pass. . . . If they slow down also, stop!"
But, to his great surprise, the motor seemed, on the contrary, to increase its speed. It passed in front of the car like a whirlwind, in a cloud of dust. Standing up at the back, leaning over the hood, which was lowered, was a man dressed in black.
He raised his arm.