"Well, we have some news, such as it is." Mr. Crowninshield's voice sounded dubious and discouraged. "They tracked the car we were after to Buzzard's Bay and found it there empty; its occupants had disappeared."
"Disappeared!" repeated the astounded boy.
"Yes, they're gone! Vanished in thin air! Not a trace of them is to be found. The abandoned automobile with its number removed, was discovered on a side road."
"The man must be hiding somewhere in the vicinity then."
"That does not follow, son; I wish it did."
"What else could he do?"
"His accomplice from Brockton could meet him with another car, for one thing."
"A different car, and throw us off the scent!"
"Precisely."
For a second neither of them spoke. Walter was too nonplussed and his employer too disheartened.