“So I scrabbled on me clothes, meanin’ to start right down there to see about the robbers. My telephone rung agin, jest as I got to the door, and Mrs. Somes called me back. It was the man at Rebo’s.”
“In Upton Falls? Yes?” said Dan, eagerly.
“He says a maroon automobile had just stopped there for gasoline——”
“Yes?” urged Dan.
“And he says,” pursued the constable, “that when the car started away, somebody dropped a piece of paper out of it. He says he believed somebody was hangin’ onto the back of the car, and throwed the paper so he’d see it. He ran and picked it up, read it, and then telephoned me. Of course, he knew I’d ’tend to it,” said Josiah, pompously.
“Yes, yes!” agreed Dan. “What did the paper say?”
“Why, as near as I can remember, it said: ‘Telephone authorities at Riverdale to stop maroon car, headed that way. Men in her have robbed Mr. Sudds and I think they are the ones who robbed Farmers’ Bank.’ And your brother’s name was signed to it. Now, Dan Speedwell, either it’s a hoax, or your brother is mixed up in these robberies,” declared the constable, with a tone of satisfaction that made Dan angry.
“Well, well, Josiah!” said Mr. Armitage. “You’d better let us by. If you are going to try to catch the real robbers’ automobile, you’ll want some help, won’t you?”
“Wait!” cried Dan, again, as the constable dropped the rope. “Tell me one thing.”
“Wal, what is it?” returned Josiah, grudgingly.