"We didn't know," said Frank. "We thought perhaps they were the auto thieves."
The game wardens began to laugh.
"You were on the wrong track that time, son," said one. "I guess they're all right, Dan. Let them go."
The man who had stumbled on them in the bush released Frank reluctantly.
"They gave me a start," he said. "Hidin' there so quiet. I was sure they were with this other pair."
"Never saw either one of them before," repeated Jed.
"Well, if you stand up for them, I guess they're telling the truth. You boys beat it out of here and don't go interfering with our work again. You might have scared these two away if they'd caught sight of you."
"I wish we had seen 'em," said Jed. "We wouldn't be in this mess now."
"You'd have been caught sooner or later. You've been spearing fish in the brooks and ponds around here for the past three weeks, and you know it. You'll stand a fine in police court to-morrow."
The Hardy boys did not wait to hear the rest of the argument. Sheepishly, they left the group, thankful to be at liberty again, and retraced their steps up the trail through the wood until they again reached the road. Neither said a word. This inglorious end to the adventure had left them crestfallen.