It was all very sordid and very lifeless and altogether discouraging in the drizzle of late afternoon.

Bud did not see half a dozen human beings on his way to the telephone office, which he found was in the post office.
He called up San Francisco, and got the chief of police's office on the wire, and told them where they would find the men who had robbed that jewelry store of all its diamonds and some other unset jewels.

Also he mentioned the car that was stolen, and that was now stalled and waiting for some kind soul to come and give it a tow.
He speedily had all the attention of the chief, and having thought out in advance his answers to certain pertinent questions, he did not stutter when they were asked.

Yes, he had been hired to drive the ear south, and he had overheard enough to make him suspicious on the way.

He knew that they had stolen the car.