Bob related the story of the car and its strange return, and also told about the postal card his father had received that morning. The mystery seemed to deepen rather than clear up, and both boys were profoundly mystified by the strange events of the previous day. "Your eye's better anyway," remarked Hugh. "Yes," said Bob. "But I may get another one to-day." "We'll hope not. When do you want to start?'' "Right away." "Come ahead then," and jumping on their bicycles the two boys pedalled out of the yard. Little did they dream that bright April morning, as they rode along, that they were headed for adventures which would make the events that had gone before appear mild in comparison. CHAPTER XI THE DESERTED HOUSE "Somebody stole Percy," said Bob when they had ridden a little way. "The alligator?" "Yes. Heinrich's pet, you know." "Why should any one want to do that?" "I can't imagine, and poor old Heinie is all broken up about it. I've never seen any one who liked animals as much as he does." "Who do you suppose did it?" "I've no idea. Perhaps the man who returned the car stole him and is planning to wait until he grows big and then train him to come and bite us," laughed Bob. "Let's hope not," smiled Hugh. "There are too many strange things going on for me to understand just now. My brain is all mixed up." "And so's mine. I should like to know who sent that postal card though." "Perhaps we'll get on the trail of it when we get to the deserted house." "Do you suppose we can break in?" "Perhaps we can. I've brought an electric flashlight along that may come in handy." "A good idea," exclaimed Bob. "I have an idea myself." "What's that?" "We'd better not ride too far down the road. Let's leave our wheels this side of the hill, and then go across the country and come in to the house from the back. In that way I think we'll stand less chance of being seen." "Probably you're right. At any rate I hope no one steals our bicycles." "I wonder if they'd be returned," said Bob. "Wasn't that a queer thing?" "It certainly was." They rode in silence for some time and presently came within sight of the hill of which they had been speaking. They dismounted from their bicycles, and wheeling them by their sides started across the fields. A hundred yards from the main road they concealed them under a clump of bushes and then continued on their way. They walked for about a half-mile until they saw the fringe of the woods in the middle of which stood the deserted house. "Bob," said Hugh suddenly. "I know who took your automobile." "What?" exclaimed Bob. "What are you talking about?" "I know who took your automobile." "Who!" "Heinrich." Bob burst out laughing. "What are you talking about?" he demanded. "How could Heinrich take it? Hugh, you're going crazy." "Isn't Heinrich a German?" "He is." "Weren't there a lot of Germans meeting out here in the old house last night?"