Ken was smiling when he came back from taking the call. “It was Pop,” he explained. “Dad phoned and gave him the information from the Motor Vehicle Bureau.” He handed Sam Morris a scrap of paper with a name and a New York City address written on it. “This is the man you were asking us about—the one who left without the change from his twenty-dollar bill.”
Sam’s eyes widened. “How did you learn who he was?”
The boys explained, and Sam shook his head in admiration. “Such a smart idea. Now I can send Mr. Barrack his money.”
“Maybe you ought to write him first and make sure it’s the right person,” Sandy said. “Maybe the man you want was just sitting in a car that belongs to somebody else.”
Sam looked worried. “Do you think that’s likely?”
“I’ll tell you what, Sam.” Ken spoke up. “We’re going to be in New York tomorrow and we’ll check on it for you. Dad’s apartment is right near this address. It won’t be any trouble. Then you can be sure you’re sending the money to the right man.”
Sam had to be persuaded. He insisted the boys had already gone to enough trouble, by learning the name and address.
“If he has a phone we’ll just call him up,” Ken pointed out. “And even if he doesn’t it will only take a few minutes to run over there.”
“Well, if you’re sure—” Sam said finally.
“Fine,” Ken interrupted. “We’ll let you know what we find out. And thanks for checking the box for us.”