“No use keeping this up longer,” said the policeman. “We’d better hide around the side of the house and wait for the fellow we’re after. Feel sure he’ll come here?”
“We don’t know,” returned Bob. “This may not even be where he lives. He might have stolen the car he had from someone who does live here.”
They took places beside the house, at a point where they could command a good view of the road and driveway. How long it would be before the thief would show up, if at all, they had not the slightest idea. They hoped, however, it would not be long, for darkness was not far off.
Hardly five minutes had passed when Bob caught the arm of the policeman, who was nearest him.
“Listen!” the youth hissed. “There’s a car coming. Hear it?”
Sure enough, the faint sound of an approaching automobile was breaking the evening silence. Whether the vehicle was that of the thief, the hiding forms did not know. Their hopes were high, though, as the purring became louder.
Those hopes were not shattered, for a minute later the same car that had been parked in front of Mr. Jordan’s estate turned in the driveway.
“Look!” breathed Joe. “It’s the man we’re after, all right. He’s stopping. Sees our car and wonders why it’s here, I guess.”
At word from the policeman, the four stepped out and advanced toward the man. As they went nearer, the officer displayed his revolver.
“You’re under arrest,” he said. “Throw up your hands and tell us where you put those stolen goods.”