There was no sign of the stolen automobile, but the boys did not entirely give up hope of catching up with it. When they had gone about three miles, however, even Frank was forced to admit that the fugitives had doubtless given them the slip.
"What's going on over there?" said Frank suddenly. "There's a state trooper and three men over in that farmyard."
"And a big car, too," said Chet.
"Why, I know this place," Joe declared. "This is Dodd's farm."
"Not Jack Dodd? The chap who goes to Bayport High."
"Sure. This is where he lives. I remember the place was pointed out to me once."
"I knew Jack Dodd lived on a farm but I didn't know it was this far out," said Chet. "Let's drop in and see what's up."
With Frank in the lead the three boys turned down the lane leading in to the Dodd place.
"I wonder what that trooper is here for," he said. "They all seem to be having an argument over something."
"Perhaps the trooper met the auto thieves!" conjectured Chet.
When they drove into the barnyard they saw a boy running toward them and they recognized him as Jack Dodd, a quiet, likable lad who was in their class at the Bayport high school.
