A few minutes later an automobile passed by. It belonged to a Bayport merchant, out for an evening drive. He saw the splendid car by the roadside and said to his wife:
"Somebody is taking an awful chance. I wouldn't leave a fine-looking automobile like that out here without some one to watch it. I guess the owner is down on the beach. If one of those auto thieves happens along there'll be another good car listed among the missing."
"Well, it's their own lookout," returned his wife.
They drove past.
But the roadster was not deserted, as it seemed. So quickly had the Hardy boys concealed themselves that, even had any one been watching, it would have been difficult to follow their movements.
The roadster, having been built for show, had a large and roomy locker at the back. By experimenting in the privacy of the garage and by clearing this locker of all odds and ends, the boys found it was just large enough to accommodate them both.
Here they were hidden. They were not uncomfortable, and the darkness did not bother them, for each was equipped with a small flashlight.
"You didn't forget your revolver, did you?" whispered Frank.
"No. I have it here," answered his brother. "Have you got yours?"
"Ready in case I need it."