“Guess so,” said Mr. Hardy, confidently.
As they walked up town the brothers chanced to pass the Farmers’ National Bank. Through the barred window Mr. Baird, the cashier, saw them, and beckoned them to enter.
“Boys, I have a very serious proposal to make you,” the cashier said. “We have just had a conference with Mr. Briggs, one of our big depositors. He has told us of the race he had with the car of those robbers who broke into Mr. Sudds’ house, and whom we are sure are the same that robbed this bank.”
“And I am positive they are the same men,” said Dan.
“Me, too,” agreed Billy. “And they’ve got some automobile! It’s as good a car as Mr. Briggs’ new one.”
“Well, as to that I cannot say,” returned the cashier. “But Mr. Briggs has told us of the connection of you two brothers with the thieves, and he has put a thought into my mind.”
“And that is?” asked Dan, seriously.
“That you boys—at least, Billy, here—will be able to recognize and identify those robbers.”
“I should say I would!” declared Billy. “At least, the fellow who bosses them, and the man who was wounded at Mr. Sudds’, were both without masks or goggles for part of the time. I’d know them anywhere. And the chauffeur, George, I believe I should know by his figure.”
“I couldn’t be sure myself,” said Dan, doubtfully. “I made a mistake in that matter of identification once. I took Henri, Mr. Briggs’ own chauffeur, for one of the thieves.”