“They had railroad tickets, though,” said Belle.
“Yes, but to New York, and perhaps they didn’t want to go there.”
“I should think New York would be just the place where they would want to go if they had no money,” came from Cora. “There are so many chances to make money there.”
“Perhaps they didn’t dare go,” suggested Belle.
“What do you mean?” came in a duet from the others.
“They might have done something—perhaps have taken another auto—and they knew the police would be after them,” explained Belle.
“Quite dramatic,” observed Cora. “But whoever they are or whatever their motive, I wish they’d send back my car. I want it.”
“I don’t blame you a bit,” came from Bess. “Come on, we’ll go out on another searching tour.”
“All right,” agreed Cora, and they were soon on the road again in the car of the Robinson twins. The girls had not left it all to the authorities to find the missing automobile. They had made diligent inquiries themselves on all roads leading out of Chelton and in the vicinity of the tea room. Nor had the boys been idle. Paul Hastings arrived in town on business connected with the automobile concern by which he was employed, and he, Jack and Walter, made it their business to scurry around in Jack’s car, looking for clews.
But the slender ones they found proved unavailing. Automobiles are all too common to attract attention unless there is something unusual about them. And Cora’s car, while it was a fine one, was not unusual enough to call for special notice.