"We won't be any longer than we can help," said Frank mysteriously.
With that, the Hardy boys left the house and went out to the garage for their motorcycles.
They drove around the streets of Bayport for some time until at last it grew darker. Then they headed their machines out toward the shore road. The moon was just rising over the bay when they left the city, and they drove at good speed into the country.
"Now to tackle the old mill!" exclaimed Frank.
CHAPTER XXI
At the Mill
The two boys made good time out into the country and when at last they reached the abandoned road that led down to Willow River it was not quite ten o'clock. As they rode they discussed their plan of action and it was agreed that they should leave the motorcyles beside the road at the same place they had left them on the occasion of their previous visit to the mill.
"I'd like to have them closer to the river," said Frank, "for we might have to clear out of there in a hurry. But we can't afford to let them hear us coming."
"And it's a calm night. They could hear a motorcycle for half a mile," opined his brother.
They left the machines in the shade of some trees by the roadside and went the rest of the way on foot. They could see quite clearly, for the moon had risen higher and the grey ribbon of road extended before them.