“Don’t you know? The Hoffs’ automobile hit us and overturned the motorcycle.”
“The Hoffs’ car!” cried Fleck and Carter together.
“Yes, I thought you knew.”
“Tell us everything,” demanded Fleck. “Where did it happen? Did they run you down purposely?”
“I don’t think so; in fact I am sure they didn’t. It was entirely accidental.”
“Where did it happen? All Dean could remember was that you had picked up their trail about ten miles south of West Point. He could not tell how the accident occurred. He didn’t even mention the Hoffs or seem to suspect that they were anywhere near at the time.”
“I don’t think he saw their car at all,” Jane explained. “I caught just a glimpse of it before we were crashed into. We were on a mountain road going down a steep hill when their motor shot out of a deep cut just as we were passing.”
“What happened then?”
“I must have been stunned for a moment or two. When I regained my senses the Hoffs’ car had stopped, and Frederic was backing the car to where the accident had happened. His uncle was storming at him for stopping. He wanted Frederic to go on and leave us there, but Frederic wouldn’t do it, and they quarrelled. Frederic won out by pointing out that two bodies lying at the entrance would arouse suspicion.”
“At the entrance to what?”