It didn’t take long to find Larry. He was sitting in his favorite hiding place behind the seat. He looked miserable. Frank and Joe quickly filled Larry in on the plan.

"Sounds pretty risky, guys," said Larry.

"I know it’s risky," responded Frank, "but we don’t have any other choice."

"Yeah," added Joe, "It’s the only way to prove who really took the watch!"

They were stopping in Chicago, Illinois later that day. Frank and Joe couldn’t believe how huge the buildings were all around them! As they walked through the streets and gazed at the towers, they couldn’t help but think how much it looked like New York City.

"When are we going to set up our, ah, plan?" asked Joe as the two boys walked ahead of their parents.

"We’ll try to follow Ron and Jeff later today," Frank said, "Then we make sure they see us."

"I don’t like the next part," Joe said with a frown.

"We won’t really be stealing, Joe," Frank said, "It’ll be more like ‘borrowing’."

"It will feel like stealing, though," Joe replied. Frank shook his head and brushed his brown hair away from his forehead. Joe was always feeling something! Even though he was only eleven, Frank knew the plan was logical and would work out perfectly.

The Hardy boys spent the morning and afternoon with their parents exploring the wonder of Chicago. By late afternoon, the family went to the ‘Spaghetti Warehouse’ for an early supper.

They all enjoyed the Italian meals they ordered. Mrs. Hardy had a salad with Italian dressing, soft bread sticks with garlic butter and a large bowl of Wedding soup. Mr. Hardy had Veal Parmesan, spaghetti in marinara sauce and a salad. Frank and Joe both had stuffed manicotti and meatballs. They even ate their salads without complaining!

Back on the train again, the boys checked in with Larry. The red-haired boy told them that Ron and Jeff were just wandering through the train, probably looking for something else to steal.

Frank and Joe began looking for Larry’s brothers. They finally saw them in the large recreation car.

"Let’s split up so we can watch them better," suggested Frank. Joe nodded and moved over by the pinball machines and video games.

Frank walked across the room and pretended to watch two teenagers playing air-hockey, but both boys kept their eyes on Ron and Jeff Bell.

Frank wondered how they were going to get Ron and Jeff’s attention, when he saw Joe walk up to the two boys.

"You guys want to play ‘Highway Robbery’?" Joe asked Ron and Jeff. He was talking about a new video game that was in the recreation room. "I’m pretty good at it, but it’s no fun to play without someone to beat," Joe pretended to brag.

"Ha! Betch’a I could beat you with one hand behind my back, Squirt!" boasted Ron.

"Go on, Ron," said Jeff, "I’ll watch you beat this little brat!"