“Yes, there was one thing—a humming that was faint and then increased in strength and finally died away.”
“It might have been a ’plane,” suggested Bob.
“Why, I hadn’t thought of that. Sure, that’s just what it sounded like.”
“The driver of the car got out and came back a little after.”
“After the humming had died away?”
“That’s right,” agreed the sheriff.
Bob was elated at this news. He felt that even before his arrival at Atalissa he had stumbled upon a real clue and he hoped upon a worthy aid in the doughty southern sheriff.
“Then he went on, later dumping you out of the car?” pressed Bob.
The sheriff agreed.
“He was none too gentle in dumping me out,” complained the sheriff. “I’d just like to get my hands on him for a few minutes. Believe me, I’d make his bones ache.”