The maroon car! Dan was sure of it even at that distance. The trio of reckless men who had perhaps injured Maxey Solomons had stayed their flight at the Falls hotel.
Even as Dan sped down the street, however, he observed that the men he followed were climbing into their car again. The blanket had been drawn in over the back seat of the car and the movements of the three were leisurely enough. They were probably convinced that there was no pursuit.
The boy saw several men in the square whom he knew. One was a deputy sheriff and this officer stepped quickly out into the street and held up his hand for Dan and his Flying Feather to reduce speed.
Dan shut off his engine. The maroon car was just starting. The short man at the wheel guided the auto carefully out into the road, and turned toward the highway that led to Barnegat.
“Stop them!” cried Dan, waving his hand at the departing auto. “Arrest those men, Mr. Polk!”
“What do you mean, Dan?” demanded the deputy, running along by the boy’s side as the Flying Feather slowed down.
“Do as I say! They’ve perhaps killed a boy up the road. At any rate, they smashed his automobile. Then they drove on, full tilt, and I followed them.”
“Nonsense, Dan! Not those men,” cried Mr. Polk.
“Yes they did. I tell you it was a maroon car, with three men in it. I was close enough.”
“To see the license numbers?” interrupted the deputy sheriff.