In a short time a car came into sight and when it came near, Frank stepped out into the road and signaled the driver to stop. The automobile slowed down.
The man at the wheel looked at them curiously.
Then Frank gave an exclamation of delight.
"Why, he's from Bayport!" he shouted to Joe. "It's Mr. Simms."
At the same moment, the driver recognized Frank.
"Hello there, Hardy!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing so far away from home?"
Frank and Joe knew Mr. Simms, having met him at the time of the solving of the Shore Road mystery, because he was one of the automobile owners who had suffered at the hands of the car thieves. The very car Mr. Simms was driving just then had been recovered by the Hardy boys when they had found the automobiles stolen by Gus Montrose, Carl Schaum and the other members of the gang.
"This is luck!" exclaimed Frank. "How would you like to take a passenger back to Bayport with you?"
"Do you want a ride?" asked Mr. Simms. "Hop in."
"I'm not asking for myself. But our friend here is wanted back in Bayport. Perhaps you could take him in."