Phil became nervous and uneasy as so much time was being consumed in discussion, interesting to him though the talk was. "Tell us just what _you'd_ do, Mr. Cape," he said earnestly. "Advice is dangerous in a case like this. You may do as I would do and lose by it. Still, I'll venture a suggestion. You have gotten together, bit by bit, a lot of valuable facts. Right here in this building is a detective. He works for big people. Why not talk with him? If that Torpedo is the stolen Harkville machine you will win the help of one of the largest insurance companies in the job of capturing the thieves and at the same time, it is quite certain, recovering your own car." "That's the plan!" exclaimed Phil eagerly. "The very thing!" said Dave. In a moment Mr. Cape had the telephone in his hand. Within five minutes the boys were in the office of Detective Robert Rack, or plain "Bob" Rack, as his name so often appears in the newspapers. Mr. Rack was a ready listener to the whole story in detail as the boys told it. Quietly he referred to a card index a stenographer brought him. "I don't think this work need cost you young men a copper," said he. His voice was soft as a June zephyr. His neat business suit, calm, gray eyes and hair just tinged with gray, made him appear a great deal more like a successful salesman of some kind than a detective--than such ideas of detectives as the boys had hitherto had, at least. "Not a copper cent," said Bob Rack, looking up from the card index. "And how would you like to be reimbursed for your trouble and expense?" These were quite the most pleasant words that had fallen upon David's or Philip's ears for some time. In substance they said as much. "I do not doubt the Torpedo you picked up is one we have long wanted to get trace of. The insurance people offer four hundred dollars for the recovery of the car. For the arrest and conviction of the thieves they will give five hundred dollars more. So then, if your party--four of you in all, are there?--wish simply to turn over the Torpedo you may do so. I'll tell you who is to be notified. There's one hundred dollars each for you. Or if you'd like my office to help you, both with the Torpedo and your own car, I'll make this proposition: to go myself, or send a good man with you on this case, and whatever the expenses and whatever the receipts may amount to they all shall be shared equally." "Bob, you're a brick!" cried Mr. Cape, who had been an interested listener. Then he said good-bye, assuring the boys that their problem was in the best of hands. Heartily they thanked him. "But there's some doubt about that car in Griffin being the one stolen at Harkville, isn't there?" reasoned Phil Way as the facts in hand were further discussed with Mr. Rack. "Why did that man Kull never answer our telegram?"