They hurried to the door of the farmhouse and knocked. In a little while the door was flung open and Jack Dodd confronted them.
"Who's there?" he asked, peering out into the darkness. Then he exclaimed with astonishment: "The Hardy boys! What on earth are you doing here at this hour? Come in!"
Frank and Joe entered. They were wet and bedraggled, and Jack Dodd looked at them curiously.
"I was working late at my studies," he explained. "What happened? Did your car get stalled?"
"We've found the auto thieves—and the stolen cars!" Frank told him quickly.
"They're not far from here, either. We want to use your telephone," added Joe.
"The auto thieves!" gasped Jack incredulously. "You've found them?"
"The whole gang. And if we move fast we'll be able to land the outfit," answered Frank.
Jack quickly realized the situation. There was no time to be lost. He led the way into a hallway and pointed to the telephone.
"There you are!"