Traces of the Thief
Chet Morton’s roadster was a brilliant yellow, not easily mistaken, and the Hardy boys were confident that it would not be difficult to pick up the trail of the auto thief.
“The car is pretty well known around Bayport,” said Chet. “It was certainly a gay-looking speed-wagon. Anyone who saw it would remember it.”
“Seems strange that a thief would take a car like that,” remarked Frank. “Auto thieves usually take cars of a standard make and standard color. They’re easier to get rid of. He would know that a car like yours could be easily traced.”
“I don’t think he stole the car to sell it,” Joe pointed out. “Take it from me, that chap was getting away from some place in a hurry and when his own car was smashed he just took the first one that came to hand. If we keep after him before he has a chance to get rid of it we’ll run him to earth.”
A number of men in a hayfield nearby attracted Frank’s attention, and he brought his motorcycle to a stop.
“I’m going to ask these chaps if they saw him pass.”
Frank scrambled over the fence and went over to talk to the farmhands, who watched his approach with curiosity.
“Didn’t see a yellow roadster pass here within the last hour, did you?”