“In case of war,” he said slowly, “I imagine these airplane-controlled tanks could do considerable damage.”
Their guest left soon after that, and, of course, the boys were sorry to have him go. His last words to them were about Cassey.
“Keep your eyes open for that scoundrel,” he said, “and we’ll find out what he’s up to yet.”
But in the next few days so many alarming things happened that the boys had little time to think about Dan Cassey. The alarming happenings consisted of a series of automobile robberies in neighboring towns, robberies committed so skillfully that no hint nor clue was given of the identity of the robbers.
And then the robberies came nearer home, even into Clintonia itself. The president of one of the banks left his machine outside the bank for half an hour, and when he came out again it was gone. No one could remember seeing any suspicious characters around.
Then Raymond Johnston, a prominent business man of the town, had his car taken in the same mysterious manner from in front of his home. As before, no one could give the slightest clue as to the identity of the thieves.
The entire community was aroused and the police were active, and yet the mystery remained as dark as ever.
Then, one day, Herb came dashing over to Bob’s home in a state of wild excitement. Joe and Jimmy were already there, and Herb stopped not even for a greeting before he sprang his news.
“Say, fellows!” he cried, sprawling in a chair and panting after his run, “it’s time somebody caught those auto thieves. They are getting a little too personal.”
“What’s up?” they demanded.