"Well," the state trooper was saying, "I'm going to drive the car back to Bayport and return it to the owner. You don't claim it's yours, do you?" He gestured toward a splendid touring car near by.
"Of course it isn't mine," said Mr. Dodd. "I've never seen it before and I never want to see it again—"
"I guess you don't," growled one of the detectives.
"How it got here, I can't tell. I certainly had nothing to do with stealing it."
"People don't leave perfectly good cars hidden behind other people's barns," said the other detective. "You'd better tell us a straight story, Dodd. It'll be easier for you."
"I've told you all I know about it."
"Well, then, if you don't know any more about it, perhaps your son does."
"I don't know any more than Dad," declared Jack stoutly. "I've never seen the car before."
"Never?"
"No."