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going to meet some of his pals,” Joe said.
    â€œWe won’t let him out of our sight,” Frank said, “and if we meet a policeman I’ll ask him to notify headquarters.”
    They were careful to remain far enough behind so that there were always several people between them and their quarry. The fair-haired man did not look back. He seemed to be in a hurry.

    â€œYou’d think Bayport has no cops,” Joe complained when the boys had gone several blocks without meeting one.
    The Hardys trailed the big man for several blocks. Abruptly he struck off down a side street. The boys had to run in order to keep him in sight.

    â€œPerhaps,” Joe said, “he saw you and me and is trying to shake us.”
    â€œI don’t think so. I believe he’s going to the railroad station.”
    â€œGood night! If he takes a train out of town, we’ll lose him.”
    â€œI don’t intend to lose him,” Frank declared. “How much money do you have with you?”
    Joe groped in his pockets. “About seven dollars.”
    â€œLuck’s with us. I have thirty. We can take the train if he does, but I hope he won’t go far.”
    It was soon evident that Chris was indeed bound for the station. When he came in sight of the big brick building, he broke into a run and disappeared through the massive doorway.
    The Hardys hastened in pursuit, still looking for a policeman. Just before reaching the station, they saw one of their father’s friends. Quickly Frank told him the story and added, “Call headquarters and my mother.” He dashed after Joe.
    When the boys entered the station they saw Chris just leaving one of the ticket windows. He ran across to an exit, raced through it, and darted toward a waiting train.
    Frank stepped up to the window which the fair-haired man had just left.
    â€œWhere to?” the agent asked.
    â€œWe wanted to meet a man here,” Frank explained. “He’s a big fellow with blond hair. Have you seen him?”
    â€œJust bought a ticket to New York City a minute ago.”
    Frank was taken aback. He had not anticipated that Chris would be going as far as New York. However, having once picked up the trail, the young detective decided to follow it.
    â€œTwo one-way tickets,” he said.
    â€œYou’ll have to hurry,” the agent said. “The express is due to leave right away.”
    Frank grabbed the tickets. He heard a whistle and saw that the train was beginning to move.
    The boys dashed to the platform. Joe, in the lead, scrambled up the rear steps of the last coach. Frank followed.
    When the boys had recovered their breath, they went through to the coach Chris occupied. They halted in the rear doorway and made a quick survey of the occupants.
    Alone in a front seat they saw a familiar thatch of yellow hair. Chris was unaware that he had been followed.
    The boys took seats at the rear of the car, and settled down for the journey.

CHAPTER X
    Elevator Chase
    â€œI hope the Bayport police communicate with the authorities in New York,” Frank remarked. “If they meet the train and arrest Chris, our worries will be over.”
    â€œAnd if they don’t?” Joe asked.
    Frank gave a wan smile. “Our troubles will just be starting. There’ll be crowds and it’ll be tough to keep track of him.”
    The train did not make many stops, but each time it did, Frank and Joe were ready to hop off in case Chris should alight. At length the train reached the suburbs, clattering past miles of factories and houses, and finally lurched to a halt in the underground station in New York City.
    The boys watched Chris intently as the passengers prepared to leave. The fair-haired man did not look back once. He put on his hat and strolled toward the front of the car.
    â€œWe’ll get out at the back and keep an eye on him from there,” Frank said.
    The Hardys scrambled onto the platform where