"I think we're getting at the truth of it, Joe. When Chet and Biff started on their trip, those fellows followed them or lay in wait for them some place and captured them."
Just then the Hardy boys met Phil Cohen and Tony Prito in front of the fruit stand of their friend, Nick the Greek, each with a bottle of pop.
"Hello," was Tony's greeting. "Have one?" he invited, indicating the pop.
"Don't mind if we do, even if it is just after breakfast."
Nick the Greek dexterously opened two bottles of pop and slapped them down on the counter. "Hot day, eh?" he said, as the boys reached for straws.
"You bet it's hot." After a satisfying gurgle of the ice-cold pop, the Hardy boys turned to their chums. "We have a clue," declared Frank.
"About what?"
"About Chet and Biff."
"Yes?" Tony and Phil were immediately interested. "What's up?"
Frank then told them of the incident of the letter and, often prompted by his brother, explained how they had connected it with the disappearance of their chums.