The Hitch-Hiker (short story)

Infobox short story
name = The Hitch Hiker
title_orig =
translator =
author = Roald Dahl
country = England
language = English
series = The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More
genre = Short story
published_in = 1977
publication_type = Print (Paperback)
publisher =
media_type =
pub_date = 1977
english_pub_date = 1977
preceded_by = The boy who talked with animals
followed_by = The Mildenhall Treasure

The Hitch-Hiker is a 1977 short story by Welsh author Roald Dahl. The story features a man who picks up a hitch hiker whilst driving to London. They talk, and the driver tells the hitch hiker about himself. He explains that he is a writer. The hitch-hiker says that the driver is a skilled professional, stating also that he too is in a skilled profession.

The person is driving a brand new BMW car, and the hitch-hiker challenges him to see if it really can go at 130 miles per hour. They reach a stretch of flat even road, and the driver opens up the throttle, he reaches 130 mph just as a police officer pulls him over. The officer threatens the driver with a lengthy prison sentence, and gives him a fine. The officer asks the hitch-hiker what his address and occupation is, he tells him his address and also explains that he is an hod carrier. The police officer says he will be checking up on them both, and tells them to go on their way. After this meeting, the person is worried about the fine, the hitch hiker assures him that he won't get thrown into prison and reveals that he is a "finger smith", a very skilled pick pocket. He then tells the driver that he has taken the police officer's ticket and note books, adding that they should leave the highway and make a bonfire to burn them.