Mr. Simms looked doubtfully at Carl Schaum.
"Well," he said slowly, "if he's a friend of yours, I suppose it's all right—"
He had noticed that Schaum's wrists were tied.
Frank laughed.
"I was just joking. This is one of the fellows who stole your car last month. Carl Schaum—"
"Oh! The thief that escaped, eh?"
"Yes. We ran across him down along the shore, and we were anxious to turn him over to the police again."
"Put him in the car," said Simms grimly. "I'll put the rascal where he belongs."
Rejoiced at having the prisoner taken off their hands so readily, the Hardy boys bundled Schaum into the rear seat of the automobile. They apologized to Mr. Simms for troubling him, but the man assured them that it was no trouble at all.
"It's a pleasure," he said. "I'll see that he doesn't get away." He glared at Carl Schaum. "So you're one of the scoundrels who stole my car, are you? And you thought you were going to escape a term in jail! You'll have to be mighty smart to do it then, for I'm going to break a few speed records getting you back to Bayport. I'm going to enjoy this trip."