Read "The Mysterious Three" by William le Queux online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
A man was kneeling, facing me, on the outskirts of the wood on the hill, not a hundred yards away. His face was in shadow, and partly hidden by a slouch hat, so that I could hardly see it. The rifle he held was levelled at me -- he was taking steady aim -- his left arm extended far up the barrel, so that his hand came near the muzzle -- the style adopted by all first-class shots, as it ensures deadly accuracy.
I am bound to confess that I completely lost my nerve. I sprang to one side almost as he fired. I had just enough presence of mind left to pick up the driver in my arms -- even at the risk of my life I couldn't leave him there -- lift him into the car, and slam the door. Then I jumped on to the driving-seat, put in the clutch -- in a perfect frenzy of fear lest I myself should be shot at the next instant -- and the car flew down the avenue.