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Tintin and the Captain rented a car, and took off down the road. They figured it would take them another two hours before they got to Paris, then five more hours before they got to Switzerland. It was ten' o'clock in the morning, and they hoped to arrive by five that evening, then check into a hotel for the night, and continue to Italy in the morning. At least, that was the plan. There were several drawbacks, however…

The first drawback was a flat tire. There was a spare, but it took Haddock half-an-hour to get it changed. When they were finally on the road again, the next problem occurred. They ran out of petrol…

"I'll walk and find a refuelling station," Tintin said. "And come back with petrol can to fill the car."

"Hurry then, Tintin," Haddock groaned. "At this rate we won't get there until tomorrow."

However, it was only another half-hour before Tintin returned down the road with the petrol can. After refuelling the car, they drove quickly, hoping to make up for lost time. That was when the third – though, not so major – problem occurred. As they drove along, Haddock at the wheel, Tintin happened to spot a small, white, dirty dog wandering along the road. Bella saw it too, and barked loudly.

"Pull over, Captain!" Tintin exclaimed, and was out of the car before it was at a complete stop. Tintin ran back down the road to the dog, which had lain down under a tree. As Tintin approached, his heart sank. It wasn't Snowy, as he had hoped. The dog looked up at him, giving him a bark of greeting. Just then, an elderly man walked by.

"Come on, Victor," he called to the dog, giving a quick whistle. The dog scurried after him, as they turned and headed back the way they came. Tintin sighed, watching him go, wishing that the little dog was Snowy, and that they could be going home now. But alas, it was not, and they could not. Not yet.

Climbing back into the car, Tintin and Haddock continued on with their journey in silence, before the finally reached Paris.

Stopping for lunch at a small café, Tintin and Haddock discussed where they'd go next.

"I say we go straight on," Tintin said. "That latest we could get there is nine o'clock at night, if we just keep driving."

"I reckon we should find a hotel or something here and carry on in the morning."

"But Captain, its only noon," Tintin protested. "We have plenty of time to get to Switzerland before dark. And I'll do most of the driving, if that's what you're concerned about."

"No, no," Haddock shook his head. "We should stay here."

"Oh, Captain," Tintin moaned in despair. "Everyday we spend searching is another day something could happen to Snowy before we get there."

"Tintin, there's not use wearing ourselves out," Haddock reasoned. "You're exhausted from worry, and you need to rest."

"But I don't want to rest," Tintin argued, getting up abruptly from his chair. "I won't rest until I know Snowy is safe with me!" He scowled as he spoke, but it faded quickly. "But," he added, in a gentler tone. "If you want to stay here, that's fine." He turned to leave. "But I'm going on."

"Tintin!" Haddock exclaimed, jumping up from his seat and catching up with him. He took his arm to stop him. "This isn't like you. And this proves what I said; you need rest! Now we'll go and find a hotel we can spend the night in." Tintin quietly went with him without resisting, a blank expression on his face.

"You're right, Captain," he said softly. "This isn't like me."

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