Cautiously, they advanced. Joe took his revolver from his pocket and gripped it tightly.
They realized that they were dealing with a band of desperate men, who would stop at nothing if they were discovered.
The Hardy boys rounded the corner of the passageway, and Frank's flashlight revealed a number of large boxes, stacked up against the side of the tunnel. They halted and Frank scrutinized some lettering on the boxes.
"The Eastern Importing Company," he read.
"Why, that's the name of the company that lost the truck!" Joe exclaimed. "Remember? The two men who were held up and rolled down the bluff."
"It's the same name, all right. I'll bet this is some of the truck cargo."
The boxes were seven in number, and on each was inscribed the name of the Eastern Importing Company.
There was no doubt in the minds of the Hardy boys now that they had made a momentous discovery. This was plainly the hiding place of the auto thieves, and although none of the stolen cars were in evidence, the big packing boxes spoke for themselves.
"We'll see what's farther on," Frank decided.
He went ahead. Joe tiptoed close behind. The flashlight illuminated the rocky floor of the tunnel.