“Mr. Red Wig may have come back to the woods expecting to use Chet’s car again, and-“
“Frank, you’re a genius! You figure the guy may have left a clue by accident”
“Exactly.”
Fired with enthusiasm once more, the brothers called to Mrs. Hardy where they were going, then set off on their motorcycles. After parking them at the picnic site, the brothers once more set off for the isolated spot where the jalopy had been hidden.
Everything looked the same as it had before, but Frank and Joe examined the ground carefully for new footprints. They found none, but Joe pointed out six-inch circular marks at regular intervals.
“They’re just the size of a man’s stride,” he remarked, “and I didn’t notice them before.”
“I didn’t either,” said Frank. “Do you suppose that thief tied pads onto his shoes to keep him from making footprints?”
“Let’s see where they lead.”
The boys followed the circular marks through the thicket. They had not gone far when their eyes lighted up with excitement.
“Another due!” Joe yelled. “And this time a swell one!”