"Forget it," Joe said, embarrassed. "You'd do the same for us if it were the other way around."
"If you run across any information that might help us find who left the car on your farm let us know," put in Frank. "And, by the way, see if you can find out where Gus Montrose is now and what he is doing. I have an idea that fellow knows something."
"I haven't heard anything about him, but I'll try to find out," Jack promised.
"Are you going back home now?"
"I don't know. I hate to miss any more school, for I've been a bit behind in my work."
"Go on to school with the boys," advised Mr. Dodd. "I'll go back home alone. No use losing any more time than can be helped."
Fenton Hardy nodded his head in approval of this sensible advice and the boys went on to school together, where Jack Dodd received an enthusiastic welcome from his classmates, all of whom stoutly asserted their belief in his innocence and confidently predicted that he would come through his ordeal with flying colors.
"It's a crying shame ever to have arrested you," said one of the lads loyally.
"Oh, the police of this town are a lot of doughheads," said another.
"It's not the fault of the police, exactly," Frank pointed out. "It was also the state troopers and detectives."