"Hark!" exclaimed Grace, suddenly. "It sounds like an auto just ahead of us!"
"It is," declared Larry, whose quick ear had caught the chug-chug of a motor.
An instant later they had rounded a turn. There, in front of them, climbing the steep hill, was a green car. In it could be seen four men.
"That's them!" cried Larry.
"Open her up! Throw in the high gear!" yelled Fritsch, who was now as enthusiastic and as interested in the chase as were either of his companions. "Let her rip!"
"Will she stand it?" asked Larry, shouting the words over his shoulder to Grace and Fritsch in the tonneau.
"Sure!"
There was a grinding noise as Larry threw in the high-speed gear. The auto hung back for an instant because of the sudden change. The motor seemed to groan at the unexpected load thrown on it. Then, like a gallant horse responding to the call of its rider, the car leaped ahead.
"Hurrah!" cried Larry. "She'll do it! We'll catch 'em!"
The distance between the two cars was lessening. Those in the green machine seemed unaware of the approach of their pursuers.