going back when we ran right into the car turning around in a lane."
"Didn't see who was in it, did you?"
"No. The headlights shone right in our eyes. Seemed like a couple of young fellows. If they had been a little slower we'd have had the car."
"Well, we have it now. They'll wish they wasn't so smart, leavin' it out in the rain that way."
"Nice wet walk they'll have if they live in Bayport," laughed Gus Montrose shortly. "I know who I wish owned it."
"Your little friends?"
"Those brats of Hardy boys," returned Gus. "Followed me for about three blocks to-day when I went uptown to meet Sam."
"What was the big idea?"
"Aw, they kid themselves that they're a couple of amateur detectives," rasped Montrose. "Just because they've been luck in a couple of cases they think they gotta go spyin' on everybody."
"What made 'em spy on you?"
"How should I know? I guess Dodd must have put them up to it."
"They don't figger you're mixed up with these missin' cars, do they?"
"How could they? Nobody has anythin' on me," bragged Gus. "But I told them a few
