"Coast is clear," he said.
They got quickly out of the locker. They lost no time, for there was a possibility that one of the auto thieves might be in the neighborhood, watching the roadster, and if their trap was discovered it would be useless to make a second attempt.
They got back into the car, Joe taking the wheel this time. He drove the roadster back onto the highway, turned it around, and they set out back for Bayport.
Both lads were disappointed, although they had not yet given up hope. They had been so confident that their plan would be successful that this failure took some of the wind out of their sails, so to speak.
"We'll just try again to-morrow night," said Frank.
"Perhaps the auto thieves have quit."
"Not them! They'll fall for our trap yet."
"I'm glad we didn't tell any of the fellows. We'll look mighty foolish if it doesn't work."
The car sped along the Shore Road, the headlights casting a brilliant beam of illumination. As they rounded a curve they caught a glimpse of a dark figure trudging along in the shadow of the trees bordering the ditch.
"Wonder who that is," Frank remarked, peering at the man.