"No. What's happened?"
"They were arrested last night for stealing Martin's car. They're both in the Bayport jail right now."
There was a low whistle of consternation from Frank.
"Isn't that a shame!" he declared indignantly. "They had no more to do with stealing that car than the man in the moon!"
"Of course, it was found on their farm," Chet pointed out. "I know they didn't do it, but you can't blame the police for taking action, when you come to think it over. The public are raising such an uproar about these missing cars that they have to do something to show they're awake."
"It's too bad Jack and his father should be made the goats."
"Sure is."
"They're in jail now?" asked Joe.
Chet nodded. "They're coming up for hearing this morning, but it's sure to be remanded. It's mighty tough, because they haven't much money and it will be hard for them to raise bail."
Chet's news disturbed the Hardy boys profoundly. For that matter, it had a depressing effect on all the boys in the class, for Jack Dodd was well liked and all his chums were quite convinced of his innocence of the charge against him. At recess they gathered in little groups, discussing the misfortune that had befallen him, and at noon a number of the lads stopped Officer Con Riley on the street and asked if he had heard the outcome of the morning's hearing.