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accusing voice.
    â€œNot me,” Slim said. “I wasn’t the last one in. Anyway, I think they’re lying. ”
    â€œBruce, go check the door,” Big Harry ordered the other workman.
    Frank said, “It fell shut behind us. It might have locked itself.”
    Bruce paused in the doorway, looking at his employer inquiringly.
    â€œNever mind,” Big Harry said impatiently. He stared at the two boys. “What’s your names?”
    â€œI’m Joe Bayport,” Joe said. “He’s my brother Frank.”
    Just then Red Sluice walked into the office, took one look at the boys and exclaimed, “What are you two doing here?”
    â€œYou know them?” Big Harry asked.
    â€œI sure do!
    â€œSlim and Bruce found them lurking around the machine shop. Who are they?”
    â€œI don’t know their names, but they were hanging around my house last night also. They were peeking in a window, getting ready to break in I think,” Red explained.
    â€œYou sure they’re the same ones?” Big Harry asked.
    â€œPositive. Anton and I were having coffee in the kitchen when the cat meowed to get in. I opened the door and saw them because the light from the kitchen window was shining right in their faces.”
    â€œTo make sure, go get your old friend,” Big Harry suggested.
    With sinking hearts, Frank and Joe realized that once Jivaro saw them, he would recognize them as the Hardy boys. As long as the crooks thought they were just thieves, they had a good chance of being let go with just a lecture. But if it was discovered they they were the sons of the private detective investigating the car-theft ring, they were in big trouble!
    But Red Sluice gave them a brief respite. “My friend didn’t see them,” he admitted. They got away before he came out. I chased them until they jumped into a car and drove off.“
    â€œOkay, boys,” Big Harry said to Frank and Joe. “Get out your I.D.s.”
    The boys winced inwardly. This was just as bad as being identified by Jivaro. Desperately, Joe stalled by saying, “I’m not carrying any.”
    â€œNeither am I,” Frank added.
    â€œSearch them for wallets,” Big Harry ordered.
    Joe had kept an eye on the man with the wrench. When Slim let it hang at his side, feeling the boys would not try a break, the young detective suddenly reached out and grabbed it from his hand.
    Tossing it into a wastebasket across the room, he yelled, “Come on, Frank!” and headed for the door.
    Slim stepped in front of him, though, and delivered a roundhouse right. Joe ducked under it, drove a fist into the man’s belly, then delivered an uppercut that sent his opponent reeling backwards.
    Red Sluice swung at Frank, who ducked the blow. An instant later, Bruce knocked Frank down with a hard right to the jaw. But as he bore in to finish the boy off, Joe stuck out a foot to trip him. A moment later, Bruce was flat on his face.
    As Frank recovered, Red Sluice rushed at him. Frank pushed him back into Big Harry, who had just come around the desk to join in the fray.
    As the two workmen again moved in for the attack, Joe shoved Slim, Frank hit Bruce, and the two men crashed together, going down with a loud thud.
    â€œLet’s get out of here!” Joe yelled, leading the way through the door.
    They were almost to the restroom when the four hoods recovered sufficiently to run after them. The boys darted inside and Frank slammed and bolted the door. They climbed out the window just as a heavy shoulder hit the door from the other side.
    Chet started the engine and Vern leaned over to let the Hardys into the rear of the car. When Chet pulled away, the back door of the warehouse opened and the four hoods rushed out.
    â€œAfter them!” Big Harry yelled.
    Looking through the rear window, the boys saw the thieves jump into a green sedan parked behind the warehouse. Big Harry took the wheel, swung