He had heard rumors that Italy might enter the war on the side of the Allies, but he knew that it had not yet taken any action and he had high hopes of finding a path to safety in that direction.

Meanwhile, and whatever came of it, he must press on.
Toward noon he slackened speed, and they ate a little from the supplies they carried in the automobile.

Just as they finished Suzanne held up her hand: "I think I hear another machine coming," she said.
"You are right," said John, after he had listened intently for a full minute.

"It's the humming sound of tires, but it's only one automobile.
Of that I'm sure, and I think it's a light one.

We'll drive on at moderate speed, attending strictly to our own business." But he loosened the revolver in his belt, and while he appeared to look straight ahead he had eye and ear also for the approaching machine, which obviously was coming at a great pace.
"It's a small automobile with only one person in it," said Julie.
"Then we have nothing to fear," said John.