"Lupin, if you don't stop this minute, this second, I fire at mademoiselle!"
"I advise you to aim at the cheek if you want to hit the temple," said Lupin, without turning his head.
Clotilde called out:
"Don't go too fast, Maxime! The pavement is very slippery, and you know how timid I am!"
She was still smiling, with her eyes fixed on the cobbles with which the road bristled in front of the car.
"Stop him, tell him to stop!" shouted Shears beside himself with fury. "You can see for yourself that I am capable of anything!"
The muzzle of the revolver grazed her hair.
"How reckless Maxime is!" she murmured. "We are sure to skid, at this rate."
Shears replaced the revolver in his pocket and seized the handle of the door, preparing to jump out, in spite of the absurdity of the act.
"Take care, Mr. Shears," said Clotilde. "There's a motor-car behind us."