As for Noddy, he was not found for nearly a month after the sensational capture. Then one of the Cresville detectives, who was working on a chicken stealing case, found him in the old hut, near which the boys had once picked up Noddy’s knife. It developed that he had run away after the arrest of the thieves, and had been living as best he could, traveling about the country doing odd jobs. He was brought back home, but was not arrested, as there was no charge against him.
“I wish he’d stayed away,” remarked Jerry, when he heard of Noddy’s return. “He’s a bad sort of chap to have around.”
“Well I guess we’ve taught him not to interfere with us,” said Bob.
“That kind never learns a lesson,” Jerry added. “We’ll be bothered with Noddy as long as he’s anywhere near us.”
And though he did not know it, Jerry spoke with truth. For Noddy was smarting over what had happened, and much ashamed of the disclosures regarding his connection with the thieving gang.
The further trouble he and Bill Berry caused the motor boys will be told of in another volume to be called, “The Motor Boys on the Atlantic; Or, The Mystery of the Lighthouse.”
But with the clearing up of the mystery of the robbery, and the arrest of the gang the motor boys were destined to have a period of quietness. They went back to Lake Cantoga after matters in regard to the trial of the thieves had been settled, and enjoyed several days of life in the open.
There we will leave them for the present, having a good time in their motor boat, which proved to be all that they had hoped.
THE END