He glanced out of the window and saw that it was light outside. The early morning sun shone on the bare limbs of the trees and made them glisten. Here and there a bud could be seen almost ready to burst its shell and Bob rejoiced to see signs of the coming of spring and summer. He was not happy, however, for the loss of the car weighed him down and oppressed him. Even the awakening beauties of nature did not cheer him up and that was unusual in Bob's case. A few moments later he was fully dressed except for his shoes. He held them in one hand, and in his stocking feet slipped out of his room and stole downstairs. He opened the front door carefully and then sat down on the steps to put on his shoes. As he busied himself a bicycle passed along the street in front of the house, and Bob recognized the rider as Frank Wernberg. "What's he doing out at this time of day?" muttered Bob angrily. He sat motionless and as Frank did not look toward the house he decided that he had not been seen. Bob yawned, rubbed his eyes sleepily, and stretched. He suddenly recalled the loss of the automobile, and jumping to his feet started toward the garage. As he came near he saw that the front door of the garage was open. That was queer, he thought, as Heinrich never left it open at night. Then he recalled that he and Hugh had left it open the night before and that probably Heinrich had left it undisturbed so that they could run in the car without trouble when they returned. Heinrich had no doubt come in and gone to sleep, and had not yet discovered that the car was missing. Imagine Bob's surprise therefore when he turned the corner of the building and saw the car standing in its accustomed place. Heinrich was washing it as if nothing in the world had happened. CHAPTER X BOB IS MYSTIFIED Bob stopped and stared in amazement. He could scarcely believe his eyes. There was the car that had disappeared so mysteriously the night before, in its right place, and undamaged as far as he could see. "Heinrich," he exclaimed in amazement. The chauffeur, a hose in one hand, a big sponge in the other, and wearing high rubber boots, looked up inquiringly. "What are you doing up so early?" he asked. "Where did the car come from?" demanded Bob. Heinrich straightened up and gazed at Bob. "What you mean?" he inquired. "Who brought the car home?" "How do I know? Maybe your father use it last night. Whoever do it, get it all covered mit dust." "But," stammered Bob, "the car was stolen." "What!" exclaimed Heinrich. "What you talking about?" "What time did you get in last night?" Bob inquired, becoming more and more anxious and bewildered every moment. "Twelve o'clock," said Heinrich. "What you mean the car iss stolen?" "Was it here when you came home?" "Certainly it was here. What you talking about?" "I don't know," said Bob weakly, and he sat down on the running board and passed his hand across his brow.