“But they may have taken any of half a dozen roads leading out of here,” Walter said. “They must have hurried away.”
“And you didn’t have a glimpse of them?” asked Belle.
“Not a trace,” answered Jack. “We managed to pick up the trail by means of that patch on the tire. Saw it in the dust several times. Then it was lost in the shuffle, as you might say, so we thought it better to come back. I wonder if the people here noticed anything of two strange men hanging about.”
“We’ll ask the cashier,” suggested Cora.
She knew, slightly, the girl who sat at the cash register, for Ye Olde Spinning Wheel was a popular resort for automobile parties.
“Yes, Miss Kimball,” the girl said, “there were two young men in here this morning, though whether they were the ones who took your car I can’t say.”
“How did they look?” asked Jack.
“Well, I don’t know that I can tell you. They were both of medium height, and were smooth shaven—I mean they had no beards or moustaches, though both of them would have been better for a visit to the barber’s.”
“What did they do or say?” asked Walter.
“They came in and each had a plate of cream,” went on the girl. “I didn’t exactly like their looks, for, though we try to run a place that will suit every one, we are a bit particular too. But they didn’t make any fuss, and even tipped the waitress.”