He made a circle, and then, seeing a level field back of some of the houses, headed for it, and shut off the engine.

They landed without anybody seeing them do it.
"Tom, I think you had better watch the machine, while Sam and I make some inquiries," said Dick, as he alighted.
"Oh, don't you think I had better go too ?" asked Tom anxiously.
"We can't leave the _Dartaway_ alone." At that moment a man came out of the darkness, attracted by the voices.
He was surprised to see the biplane.

He told the lads that his house was close by and wanted to know what they were doing.
"We are on the trail of a big, enclosed touring car that came this way," answered Dick.

"Did you see anything of it ?" "Say, that must be the machine Jim Hickey told about!" cried the man.
"Jim said it went tearin' through like mad, about half an hour ago." "Which way was it headed ?" asked Tom, eagerly.
"I don't know--I didn't ask.

Jim could tell you." "Where is he ?" "Jim?
Why he keeps the barber shop, down on the corner of Main Street and Lumber Alley." "Do you know if he is at his barber shop now ?" asked Dick.
"He must be--he was going there when he saw the auto." The boys waited no longer, but asking the man to look after the _Dartaway_ during their absence, they hurried to the main street of the town and then to the barber shop in question.