impatience to reach Barberton.

They slowed down to go through the streets of the town, and as they drew
up in front of the police station, Brandon shut off his motor and leaped
to the sidewalk.

"Come on in, boys, and we'll tell the chief about the little party
scheduled for this evening," he said, and the boys followed him into the
police station.

Fortunately the chief of police, Mr. Durand, was in, and he greeted Mr.
Brandon with a heartiness that showed they were old friends.

After they had shaken hands, Brandon introduced the radio boys, and then
proceeded to acquaint the chief with the details of the plot they had
discovered. As Mr. Durand listened a dark frown gathered between his
bushy eyebrows, and his fingers drummed angrily on the table before him.
When Mr. Brandon had finished, the chief jumped to his feet and strode
fiercely up and down the room.

"This won't be the first trouble we've had with those rascals!" he
exclaimed wrathfully. "Members of the same gang have held up and robbed
stores in this town, and we have two of them doing their bit in jail
right now. And if we have any luck to-night we'll have the whole gang
under lock and key before the morning. These young fellows must have
been right on the job from start to finish, Frank."

"Yes, I guess they were," replied Brandon. "If we land this gang, we'll
have them to thank for it. But now what are your plans for capturing the
crooks?"

For answer the chief pressed a button, and a capable looking police
lieutenant appeared.

"Get together ten of our best men," he directed, "and put them into two
automobiles. When they are ready to start, report to me."

The lieutenant saluted, and left the room.

"According to the code message, the robbers won't be at Hicks Bridge
much before eight o'clock, which is after dark these days," said the
chief. "We'll get there a lot earlier than that, and I'll conceal my men
in the woods. Then I'll leave orders here to stop the motor truck as it
comes through, and replace its crew with a few picked men from my force.
When the robbers try to hold up that truck, they'll have a big surprise
in store for them."

"It might be a good plan," suggested Bob, "to mount a searchlight or two
on the motor truck. At the right minute you could turn these on the
crooks, and while it would confuse them, it would give your men in the
woods a big advantage, as they'd be able to see the hold-up men plainly
without being seen t