e talk followed, and Mrs. Jardell advised Dick to communicate
with the traction company at once, and he said he would do so.

"It wasn't Mr. Jardell at all, Uncle Randolph," said the youth, as he
hung up the receiver. "The whole thing was a cleverly-planned swindle,
and unless you can get the bonds back you'll be out the money."

At this announcement Mr. Rover nearly collapsed--for he was rather a
retired man, and had had little to do in a business way since his trip
to Africa with the boys, as related in "The Rover Boys in the Jungle."
He did not know what to do, and stood rubbing his hands nervously.

"The swindlers!" he murmured. "Really, it is getting so that nobody can
be trusted!"

"The best thing we can do is to send word to the various towns to stop
the runabout with the two men in it on sight and have the rascals held
by the authorities," said Dick, who felt he must take charge of affairs.

"That's the talk!" cried Tom, "and the sooner we get at it the better."

"Let us find out where that side road leads to," added Sam, "I mean the
road on which we heard the auto."

Inside of an hour various messages had been sent by telephone and
telegraph. It was now growing late and the Rovers hardly knew what to do
next. From their uncle the boys got the whole tale concerning the bonds,
but the new light shed on the subject did not help matters.

They also told the authorities about the cave and the boxes stored
there, and some men were at once sent off to investigate and take
possession of whatever could be found.

"I think some of us ought to go home," said Sam. "Aunt Martha won't go
to bed until we get back, and she will be greatly worried."

It was finally decided that Tom and Dick should remain at the Carwell
hotel over night and Sam and his uncle should go home in the buggy. The
team was put up at the hotel barn, and then all hands went to the dining
room for a late supper.

"I'm as hungry as two bears," announced Tom.

"Well, I shan't say no to a good feed," answered Sam.

Randolph Rover could eat but little. Now that he realized what had
occurred, he upbraided himself bitterly for having been so deluded.

"They talked about scientific farming just to get me into good humor,"
he said, bitterly. "I see it all! Oh, if I can only get my hands on
them!"

After Mr. Rover and Sam had departed, Dick and Tom wandered around the
hotel and the vicinity for three hours. They anxiously awaited some
message rega