HB 004 The Missing Chums

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CHAPT#" ,
#xcitin
Assi nment
;<7#= how soon will >o! be rea$> to roll?; 2ran@ Har$> b!rst into the ara e where his brother was wor@in on a slee@= blac@-an$-silver motorc>cle. ;"i ht now= iA this machine @ic@s over=; <oe replie$= p!ttin $own a
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wrench. ;B!t what:s the r!sh? 5e:re not two ho!rs.; <oe loo@e$ !p B!iCCicall> at his brother. ;ChieA Colli phone$=; 2ran@ sai$. ;1o!:ll never believe it= b!t he has a case Aor !s.; ;1o!:re s!re he $i$n:t mean 6a$?; <oe as@e$. 2enton Har$> was a wi$el> @nown private investi ator. His sons ha$ learne$ Arom him abo!t sle!thin = an$ acB!ire$ a reat $eal oA s@ill. ;Positive. He sai$ he wante$ the $etective:s sons this time-an$ ri ht awa>.; ;5owD; <oe exclaime$ happil>. ;5hat a brea@D -!mmer vacation an$ a m>ster> to solveD; He sw!n into the sa$$le an$ @ic@e$ $own har$ on the starter. A roar Aille$ the ara e an$ he rinne$ in satisAaction. 6ar@-haire$= ei hteen->ear-ol$ 2ran@ ha$ E!mpe$ onto an i$entical motorc>cle= stan$in besi$e that oA his blon$ brother= who was a >ear >o!n er. The two machines roare$ o!t into the hot mornin s!nli ht. Ten min!tes later the bo>s arrive$ at police hea$B!arters in $owntown Ba>port. The> were reete$ b> the $es@ ser eant. ;Hello 2ran@-<oeD; He wave$ them towar$ the chieA:s oAAice. ;He:s waitin Aor >o!.; ;Come in= bo>s=; boome$ ChieA Colli thro! h the open $oor. He was a vi oro!s= mi$$le-a e$ man with iron- ra> hair. ;,:ll et ri ht to the point. There:s somethin A!nn> oin on in the sB!atter colon> at the en$ oA the ba>.; ;1o! mean -hant>town?; <oe as@e$= reAerrin to a settlement oA shac@s on the ocean shore north oA Ba>port. The o$$ comm!nit> was compose$ mostl> oA men who ha$ seasonal or temporar> Eobs-an$ some who $i$ not wor@ at all. ChieA Colli no$$e$. ;The men there seem to be in an ! l> moo$-violence an$ Ai htin at ni ht. The charitable lan$owner who permits them to sta> there wants !s to investi ate= b!t it:ll have to be an !n$ercover Eob beca!se those $riAters reco niCe the police.; ;An$ that:s where we come in?; 2ran@ !esse$. oin to meet Chet an$ BiAA Aor
;1es. , want >o! to p!t on ol$ clothes= m!ss >o!r hair= an$ han aro!n$ -hant>town Aor a while. -ee iA >o! can $iscover what:s been stirrin !p the ro!p. 5ill >o! $o it?; ;5ill weD; <oe exclaime$ witho!t hesitation. He t!rne$ to 2ran@ an$ a$$e$= ;Chet an$ BiAA aren:t $!e at the boatho!se Aor an ho!r. 4et:s ta@e a loo@ at -hant>town.; ;Than@s= bo>s. Be careA!l=; ChieA Colli sai$ as the> h!rrie$ Arom the oAAice. 7!tsi$e= 2ran@ an$ <oe mo!nte$ their motorc>cles an$ ro$e thro! h the $owntown traAAic to the Ba>port waterAront.

4eavin the bi commercial piers behin$= the> too@ the -hore "oa$= past a section oA private $oc@s to where the brothers @ept their trim spee$boat= the -le!th. 6rivin on= the Har$>s Aollowe$ the roa$ alon the c!rve oA the leAt ban@ oA the ba> to the mo!th oA the harbor. Here the> t!rne$ north an$ contin!e$ parallel with the ocean. -oon the> saw a E!mble oA boar$ shanties on the wi$e beach ahea$. -ome were nothin more than open lean-tos= b!t others ha$ lass win$ows an$ stovepipes. Pieces oA ra e$ clothin Al!ttere$ Arom ropes in the breeCe. -mo@e c!rle$ !p laCil> Arom a small Aire aro!n$ which three men la>= watchin the steam Arom a blac@ pot which h!n on a tripo$ above the Alames. The bo>s par@e$ a $istance awa> an$ observe$ them intentl>. ;4oo@s peaceA!l=; <oe commente$. ;A lot oA them m!st be awa> at wor@=; 2ran@ remar@e$. ;"emember= the tro!ble comes at ni ht= when the>:re all here to ether.; AAter st!$>in the B!iet scene Aor a Aew more min!tes= 2ran@ sai$= ;5e:ll come bac@ later.; The brothers t!rne$ their motorc>cles aro!n$ an$ hea$e$ towar$ the o!ts@irts oA Ba>port= where the man> private $oc@s la>. Bri htl> painte$ cabin craAt an$ sailboats with slen$er masts ro$e at moorin Aloats. -eein a >ellow Ealop> par@e$ in Aront oA the Har$> boatho!se= <oe remar@e$= ;Chet:s here.; 2ran@ an$ <oe par@e$ their motorc>cles besi$e his car= name$ the F!een. A broa$-sho!l$ere$= oo$-loo@in bo> steppe$ thro! h the small si$e $oor oA the boatho!se. He hel$ a @e>= one oA the $!plicates the Har$>s ha$ iven to their close Arien$s. ;Hi= BiAAD; 2ran@ reete$ him. ;5here:s Chet?;
BiAA Hooper answere$ in an !nnat!rall> lo!$ voice an$ win@e$ at them. ;5h>-!h-he:ll see >o! soon.; ;5hat:s !p?; <oe whispere$. BiAA merel> shr! e$ an$ @ept on was in the ma@in D rinnin . The Har$>s @new some Eo@e
2ran@ as@e$ in a low tone= ;Have >o! opene$ the ba> $oor >et?; BiAA no$$e$. ;An$ !nmoore$ the -le!th.; 2ran@ raise$ his voice an$ contin!e$ tal@in with BiAA= at the same time motionin to his brother to tiptoe to the boat $oor. <oe ch!c@le$= too@ a bamboo pole Arom a ainst the boatho!se= an$ pic@e$ his wa> across the catwal@ to the Aront. He peere$ in= then !pwar$. <amme$ between the raAters an$ the ceilin was pl!mp Chet MortonD He was loo@in the other wa>= towar$ the small $oor.

-ilentl> <oe !nmoore$ the -le!th= an$ !sin the pole= p!lle$ the craAt halAwa> o!t oA the boat-ho!se= leavin a clear s!rAace oA water beneath Chet. Then <oe pla>A!ll> Eabbe$ at his Arien$ with the bamboo pole. ;1owD; Chet bellowe$. There Aollowe$ a reat splash= an$ a e>ser oA water $renche$ the insi$e oA the boatho!se= as the ch!bb> bo> went !n$er. A secon$ later he poppe$ to the s!rAace= E!st as 2ran@ an$ BiAA ran in. ;5h>= Chet= what are >o! $oin astonishment. in the water?; 2ran@ as@e$= preten$in
;As iA >o! $i$n:t @nowD 5here:s <oe?; ;"i ht here= Chet=; he sai$. ;All ri ht= >o! t!rne$ the tables=; Chet sp!ttere$ oo$-nat!re$l> as the> ha!le$ him o!t oA the water. ;, was oin to scare >o!. BiAA= $i$ >o! ive me awa>?; ;7A co!rse not.; BiAA la! he$. ;,A ,:$ @nown it was a swimmin ,:$ have worn m> tr!n@sD; Chet rinne$ an$ be an peelin oAA his wet shirt. ;/oo$ thin tr!n@s !n$er m> clothes=; he sai$. part>= , wore m>
,n a Aew min!tes his wet arments were $r>in in the stern oA the -le!th while the powerA!l craAt= with <oe at the wheel= c!t smoothl> thro! h the waters oA Barmet Ba>. The bo>s m!nche$ on san$wiches= which Chet ha$ bro! ht alon . ;-a>= how abo!t a campin trip= Aellows?; BiAA s! to some oA the islan$s alon the coast.; este$. ;5e co!l$ o
;This boat wo!l$ hol$ plent> oA provisions=; Chet chime$ in. ;5e can explore Hermit ,slan$=; BiAA went on. ;, hear$ that the ol$ man who owns it lives there all alone.; ;AArai$ we can:t= Aellows=; 2ran@ answere$. ;5e have a new case.; F!ic@l> he tol$ them abo!t it. BiAA whistle$ appreciativel> b!t Chet roane$. ;#ver since >o! solve$ The Tower Treas!re m>ster>= o!r lives haven:t been the same.; 5ith a twin@le in his e>es= BiAA sai$= ;Chet was hopin >o!r Airst an$ onl> case.; that wo!l$ be
;The last one >o! too@ on was nearl> the $eath oA me=; Chet r!mble$. He was reAerrin to his a$vent!res with the Har$>s while solvin The -ecret oA the 7l$ Mill. ;2rom here on=; he $eclare$= ;E!st leave me o!t oA an> m>steriesD; His Arien$s la! he$= @nowin how Chet hate$ to be leAt o!t oA an>thin . Aor -hant>town to ta@e another
;Too late=; <oe tol$ him. ;5e:re hea$in

loo@-see.; B> now the spee$> craAt was Aar o!t on the broa$ ba>. The water ha$ rown chopp> an$ was t!rnin Arom reen to steel> ra>. ,n the $istance the bo>s watche$ a cl!ster oA white sails s@immin beAore the breeCe. ;A race=; BiAA observe$. ;He>D 4oo@ o!tD; 2ran@ crie$ sharpl>. A blac@ h!ll= partin the water in white sheets at its prow= was bearin strai ht $own on the -le!th:s rear on the portsi$e. 2ran@ sho!te$ an$ wave$ Aranticall> at the oncomin <oeD; boat. ;C!t her=
-till the stran e craAt roare$ alon towar$ the bo>s. At the last moment it came abo!t= throwin a heav> ban@ oA water aboar$ the -le!th. 2or a moment the two boats spe$ Aorwar$= !nwale to !nwale. The name Blac@ Cat was on the prow oA the stran e boat. ;.ot so closeD; 2ran@ sho!te$ an ril>. The pilot i nore$ the warnin . He was a swarth> man with blac@ hair combe$ strai ht bac@. At his si$e sat a h! e man with a bal$ hea$. Callin on the -le!th:s reserve oA power= <oe shot the craAt Aorwar$= veerin to the ri ht. The bo>s loo@e$ bac@ with satisAaction as the blac@ boat $roppe$ behin$. 2acin Aorwar$ a ain= <oe ca! ht his breath in horror. 6irectl> ahea$ loome$ the reat white sails oA the racers= bearin $own on them swiAtl>. He c!t the wheel Aranticall> to the leAt. ;Han onD; he >elle$. ;5e:re oin to hitD;
CHAPT#" ,,
An #venin
oA M>ster>
,.-TA.T41 2ran@ rabbe$ the steerin wheel hel$ b> his brother. He twiste$ it violentl> an$ p!lle$ o!t the throttle at the same time. 2or a moment the -le!th ban@e$ har$ an$ balance$ on her si$e= while the h! e tiltin sails hovere$ overhea$D 7ne-two-three-Ao!r-$ar@ sailboat h!lls slice$ saAel> across the spee$boat:s boilin wa@e as she shot o!twar$ into the ba>. ;5owD That last one onl> misse$ !s b> a AootD; BiAA exclaime$. ;7h= bo>= let:s not $o that a ainD; Chet sai$ sha@il>. ;1o! o@a>= <oe?; 2ran@ as@e$ as he sli$ bac@ to his si$e oA the boat.

;1es= than@s to >o!D 5here $i$ the Blac@ Cat ;There she isD; BiAA sho!te$. 4oo@in aro!n$= the brothers saw that the other spee$boat ha$ veere$ in plent> oA time to r!n easil> beAore the sail craAt. The bi = bal$ man was pointin to the bo>s an$ la! hin . ;Ban@ her a ain= <oeD; 2ran@ crie$ an ril>. ;5e:re menD; oin aAter those o?;
;, can:tD; <oe sho!te$ bac@ over the roar oA the en ine. ;-he won:t respon$ to the wheel.; Alrea$> a B!arter oA a mile oA open water separate$ the two boats. Helpless= the Ao!r Arien$s watche$ the blac@ craAt race awa>. Meanwhile= the -le!th shot ahea$ at A!ll spee$= her han$some prow liAte$ clear oA the water. ;6o somethin D; Chet crie$. ;5e:ll r!n a ro!n$D; ;.o= we won:t=; sai$ 2ran@= who ha$ notice$ the c!rvin their wa@e. ;5e:re oin in circles.; white swath oA
The -le!th= her steerin mechanism $isable$ b> 2ran@:s emer enc> t!rn= was clearl> completin a wi$e circ!it. ;5e mi ht as well save as=; <oe sai$= throttlin s!re. 5e won:t ma@e -hant>town to$a>.; $own. ;7ne thin :s
/l!ml> the Ao!r sat still while the $istant shores seeme$ to rotate aro!n$ them. To the east= where the ba> opene$ towar$ the sea= a ra>ish mist la> over the blac@ water. ;4oo@ at that Ao ban@=; BiAA sai$. ;, hope we:re not st!c@ here when it rolls in. ,t wo!l$ be mi ht> har$ Aor an>bo$> to Ain$ !s.; ;, $on:t thin@ that pea so!p will move in beAore $ar@=; 2ran@ sai$= b!t there was a note oA concern in his voice. ;5e:re s!ppose$ to o to Callie:s cost!me part> toni ht=; Chet remin$e$ the others= ;so we:$ better et o!t oA this mess soonD; -!$$enl> the bo>s: attention was $iverte$ b> the hi h whine oA a motorboat plowin towar$ them across the water. ;More tro!ble?; Chet m!ttere$. ;Tro!ble= nothin D; <oe exclaime$. ;,t:s the .apoliD Hi=Ton>D; The Ao!r companions wave$ wil$l> at their Arien$ an$ in a Aew min!tes a >ellow spee$boat i$le$ !p alon si$e the -le!th. ;Tho! ht it was >o!=; sai$ $ar@-haire$ Ton> Prito Arom behin$ the wheel. ;5h> are >o! Aellows r!nnin in circles?; as@e$ <err> /ilro>= who sat

besi$e Ton>. ;7!r steerin :s Ao!le$ !p=; <oe reporte$ brieAl>. ;/ive !s a tow= will >o!= Ton>? ,:ll tell >o! abo!t it on the wa> in. Chet= let:s have that line bac@ thereD; Ta@in a coil oA rope Arom the sto!t bo>= <oe scramble$ onto the prow oA the -le!th. He sec!re$ the line at the bow= passe$ it to <err> in the .apoli= an$ then climbe$ into Ton>:s boat himselA. 5hile the -le!th bobbe$ alon towar$ Ba>port in the wa@e oA the .apoli= <oe tol$ the newcomers oA the near collision. Twent> min!tes later the six Arien$s stoo$ to ether on the $oc@ oA the Ba>port boat>ar$ while a mechanic examine$ the -le!th. ;1o! thin@ the Aellow trie$ to si$eswipe >o! on p!rpose?; Ton> Prito as@e$. ;1es= , $o=; 2ran@ sai$. ;The> saw !s clearl> an$ hear$ !s sho!tin = b!t the> came strai ht at !s= an>how.; ;Ma>be somethin went wron have been an acci$ent.; with their boat=; Ton> s! este$. ;,t co!l$
;Acci$entD; Chet Morton snorte$. ;1o! sho!l$ have seen the loo@ on the bal$ man:s Aace aAter we s@inne$ past that last sailboat. The> were o!t to et !s all ri ht.; ;B!t wh>?; <err> inB!ire$. ;6i$ >o! ever see them beAore?; ;.everD; <oe state$ positivel>. ;B!t , certainl> hope we see them a ainD; ;5e:ll report this to the Coast /!ar$=; 2ran@ sai$. ;The> ma> want to tal@ to those two men.; <!st then the >o!n mechanic Eoine$ the ro!p. ;1o! have a $ama e$ r!$$er=; he reporte$ to the Har$>s. ;,:ve Aixe$ it temporaril>= b!t >o!:ll nee$ a new part to $o the Eob ri ht. ,t:ll ta@e a $a> or two Aor me to et it. Brin >o!r boat bac@ then.; ;,:ll Aollow while >o! ta@e the -le!th to >o!r boatho!se=; Ton> vol!nteere$. ;Then we can all o to the Coast /!ar$ station in the .apoli.; AAter the Har$>s: craAt -ha$ been saAel> moore$ in their boatho!se= Ton> hea$e$ the .apoli o!t into the ba>. He t!rne$ an$ Aollowe$ the shoreline to the lon Eetties where the Arei hters were $oc@e$. -oon the .apoli passe$ !n$er the ra> bow oA a bi c!tter moore$ at the Coast /!ar$ pier. Ton> ma$e his boat Aast= an$ the six bo>s climbe$ !p a steel la$$er onto the $oc@. The> entere$ the small= neat station oAAice= which ha$ a short-wave tower on its rooA. The oAAicer on $!t> rose Arom his $es@. ;Hello= 2ran@-<oe-Aellows=; he reete$ them. The personnel at the Ba>port station @new the Har$>s well. More than once the> ha$ cooperate$ with the bo>s an$ their Aather

on cases. ;Hello= 4ie!tenant Par@er=; 2ran@ sai$ ravel>. ;5e want to report a near collision ca!se$ b> a powerboat name$ the Blac@ Cat. Can >o! tell !s who owns her?; F!ic@l> 2ran@ ave an acco!nt oA the inci$ent while the oAAicer too@ notes. Then a seaman who ha$ been listenin bro! ht over a heav> le$ er= which he sprea$ open on the $es@. 4ie!tenant Par@er ran his Ain er $own the list oA names an$ licenses oA spee$boats on the ba>. ;.othin here= Aellows=; he anno!nce$= loo@in !p. ;-he m!st have come in Arom an o!tsi$e port. Have >o! notice$ a boat li@e that in the last wee@ or so= Thompson?; The seaman tho! ht Aor a moment. ;.o= sir=; he answere$. ;B!t there:s been a bi re atta oin on !p the coast Aor a co!ple oA $a>s. -he ma> have r!n $own Arom there.; ;5e:ll o !p an$ Ain$ herD; <oe p!t in ea erl>. ;5hat town is it?;
;.orthport.; ;.ot so Aast=; 2ran@ sai$. ;6on:t Aor et o!r other b!siness= <oe.; ;1o! win=; <oe replie$ with a r!eA!l rin= ;b!t , hate to see-;
;5e:ll have o!r patrol boats @eep a loo@o!t Aor the craAt=; the oAAicer promise$. ;,A we Ain$ it= ,:ll call >o!.; ,t was late aAternoon when the .apoli plowe$ thro! h ro! h water on her ret!rn to the Har$> boatho!se. To seawar$= the wall oA mist ha$ mo!nte$ hi her an$ move$ in closer= so that now it seeme$ almost at the harbor:s mo!th. ;The Ao :s comin in Aast=; <err> remar@e$ as 2ran@= <oe= Chet= an$ BiAA $isembar@e$. The Har$>s than@e$ Ton> Aor his help. ;That:s o@a>=; he replie$. ;,t:s ettin an$ et rea$> Aor Callie:s part>.; late. 5e:$ all better o home
;6on:t Aor et >o!r cost!me=; <oe calle$ as the .apoli ch!rne$ awa>. He t!rne$ to Chet an$ BiAA. ;How abo!t >o!= Aellows? Are >o! all set Aor the masB!era$e?; ;, amD; The Aat bo> ch!c@le$ in anticipation. ;5ait:ll >o! see what ,:m oin to wearD; BiAA rinne$. ;#ven >o! $etectives won:t @now !s.;
;5e E!st have time to pic@ !p o!r cost!mes Arom Mr. 2rench beAore he closes=; 2ran@ note$. A Aew min!tes later there was a clatter as Chet bac@e$ his Ealop> onto -hore "oa$ an$ he an$ BiAA $rove oAA.

The Har$>s @ic@e$ their motorc>cles into liAe an$ starte$ towar$ town. 5hen the> reache$ Ba>port:s main street most oA the stores were closin . ;5e:re in l!c@D; 2ran@ $eclare$ as he par@e$ in Aront oA the cost!me store. ;,t:s still open. Mr. 2rench has a co!ple oA c!stomers in thereD; The bo>s h!rrie$ towar$ the $oor. Thro! h the wi$e shopwin$ow the> co!l$ see the tall= spare proprietor= with thinnin blon$ hair an$ a small ra>in m!stache. He was tal@in earnestl> to two men whose bac@s were t!rne$. .one oA them notice$ the bo>s. As 2ran@ p!she$ open the $oor= Mr. 2rench stoppe$ spea@in . The taller oA the stran ers raise$ his voice an$ sai$ in an ! l> tone: ;5ell= >o!:re in this now= 2rench= an$ $on:t >o! Aor et itD;
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2aces in the 2o TH# $oor clic@e$ sh!t behin$ the Har$>s an$ the spea@er whirle$. He was a sli ht man with ra> hair= pale s@in= an$ small $ar@ e>es. His brow was A!rrowe$ in a $eep scowl= b!t in a Alash he ass!me$ a enial smile. ;Hello there. 1o! startle$ me. , $i$n:t hear >o! come in.; His companion was short an$ $ar@l> tanne$= with almost white-blon$ hair. He ave a little la! h an$ no$$e$. #ven Mr. 2rench ass!me$ a thin smile= tho! h his e>es ha$ a worrie$ an$ !ncertain loo@. ;-orr> to interr!pt=; 2ran@ sai$= ;b!t we:ve come Aor o!r cost!mes.; ;1o! $i$n:t interr!pt an>thin = Aellows=; the blon$ man ass!re$ them. ;<!st a little stan$in Eo@e we have with Mr. 2rench. 5e:ve @nown him Aor >ears. B!t ever> time we come to town he sa>s he won:t o o!t Aor a oo$ time with !s. -o we have to et to! h with him. ,sn:t that ri ht= 2rench?; The shop@eeper smile$ wea@l> an$ stammere$= ;1es ... oA co!rse . . . that:s ri ht.; .ervo!sl> he Ain ere$ a small cost!me box on the co!nter in Aront oA him. Then= to 2ran@ an$ <oe:s s!rprise= he a$$e$= ;These are the sons oA the Aamo!s $etective= 2enton Har$>. #xc!se me= ,:ll et their cost!mes.; He h!rrie$ into the bac@ room. Both stran ers loo@e$ stea$il> at the bo>s a Aew moments beAore the ra>-haire$ man spo@e !p. ;, recollect that >o!r Aather was once an eminent member oA the .ew 1or@ Cit> police Aorce.; ;That:s ri ht=; 2ran@ replie$. ;An$ haven:t >o! >o!n >o!r own exploits?; la$s receive$ attention in the p!blic e>e Aor

2ran@ an$ <oe loo@e$ !ncomAortable at the Alatter>. BeAore the> co!l$ answer= Mr. 2rench ret!rne$ with two car$boar$ boxes. He opene$ one an$ too@ o!t a hair>-s@inne$ orilla cost!me. ,ts Aerocio!s hea$ was a r!bber mas@ to Ait over 2ran@:s hea$. ;/oin to a part>= eh?; as@e$ the white-haire$ man.
;5here will the Aestivities be hel$?; inB!ire$ the other. ;At a Arien$:s ho!se=; 2ran@ replie$ evasivel>. ;7A co!rse.; The man ave him a har$ loo@.
Then= ta@in the small cost!me box Arom the co!nter= he sai$= ;5ell= we wish >o! a pleasant evenin = >o!n entlemen. /oo$ ni ht= Mr. 2renchD; 5ith a cheer> wave oA the han$= the ra>-haire$ stran er went o!t the $oor= Aollowe$ b> his short companion. As the> wal@e$ past the win$ow= the Har$>s loo@e$ them over careA!ll>. ;,s m> s!it rea$> too= Mr. 2rench?; <oe as@e$= aAter the men ha$ passe$ Arom si ht. ;1es-the ma ician:s o!tAit. Here it is.; The shop@eeper opene$ the other box an$ hel$ !p a r!bber mas@ with a lon nose= sinister slantin e>es= blac@ m!stache= an$ oatee. <oe loo@e$ at it Aor a moment with approval= then ret!rne$ it to the box. ;5e:ll brin the cost!mes bac@ tomorrow=; he promise$= an$ the brothers leAt the shop. ;-omethin B!eer was oin on in there=; 2ran@ sai$ as the> place$ the boxes in the carriers oA their motorc>cles. ;, thin@ that ra>-haire$ Aellow was threatenin Mr. 2rench=; <oe $eclare$. ;7l$ Arien$s= m> AootD 6i$ >o! notice how Mr. 2rench trie$ to cover it !p?; ;Ma>be he $i$n:t $are $o an>thin else=; 2ran@ s! este$. ;He loo@e$ scare$ to me. 4et:s as@ him abo!t it tomorrow. He mi ht be in some @in$ oA tro!ble.; ;7@a>=; his brother a ree$ as the> mo!nte$ their motorc>cles. ;B!t we:re oin to be b!s> on that -hant>town case.; Min!tes later= the two motorc>cles sw!n into the Har$> $rivewa>. ;-a>= , have an i$eaD; <oe sai$= as the bo>s leAt the ara e to ether. ;4et:s p!t on o!r mas@s an$ ive Mother an$ A!nt /ertr!$e a s!rprise.; 2ran@ ch!c@le$. ;,:ll as@ what:s new at the Coo.; The brothers p!lle$ the Aalse Aaces over their hea$s an$ went to the Aront $oor. As <oe presse$ the $oorbell= chimes so!n$e$ within. The bo>s thr!st their Aaces Aorwar$. AAter a pa!se the $oor was opene$ b> a tall= thin woman whose an !lar

Arame AroCe momentaril> to stiAA attention. Her mo!th opene$ an$ close$ twice. 7n the thir$ tr> her voice s!ccee$e$. ;1o!:re rep!lsiveD /o awa>D; she crie$ an$ slamme$ the $oor. The brothers b!rst into la! hter. ;Poor A!nt /ertr!$eD; sai$ 2ran@. ;,t isn:t oAten we can Aool 6a$:s smart sisterD; The $oor opene$ a ain= revealin a han$some man with the b!il$ oA an athlete. ;5hat:s oin -?; Then he be an to la! h. ;7@a>= >o! n!ts. Come in.; 2ran@ an$ <oe rippe$ oAA the mas@s an$ wal@e$ into the livin room. ;1o!D; A!nt /ertr!$e exclaime$. ;5e:re sorr>= A!ntie=; 2ran@ sai$. ;<oe an$ , $i$n:t mean to scare >o! so ba$l>. These are mas@s we:re wearin to a masB!era$e part> toni ht.; Mrs. Har$>= their slim= attractive mother= smile$. ;The> are realistic. .o won$er >o! were Ari htene$= /ertr!$eD; 5hen Miss Har$> was molliAie$= the Aamil> sat $own to a $elicio!s chic@en $inner. Between mo!thA!ls= 2ran@ an$ <oe tol$ abo!t the near collision on the ba> an$ oA their conAerence with ChieA Colli . ;,t co!l$ be an important case=; Mr. Har$> sai$. ;/oo$ l!c@ ; B!t his sister ha$ other i$eas. ;, $on:t li@e it in the least=; she $eclare$. ;Two >o!n bo>s amon those ro! hnec@s in -hant>townD; ;2ran@ an$ <oe @now how to ta@e care oA themselves=; Mrs. Har$> sai$. ;6on:t worr>.; ;,:m warnin >o!=; A!nt /ertr!$e sai$ to the bo>s. ;7ne oA these $a>s somethin terrible will happen to >o!D <!st remember , tol$ >o! so.; -eein the teasin twin@le in <oe:s e>e= Mrs. Har$> spo@e !p B!ic@l> beAore he co!l$ repl>. ;5here:s the bi part> toni ht?; ;Callie -haw:s=; <oe answere$. ;2ran@ can:t wait to see her.; ;7h-hoD; his Aather tease$. ;An$ , s!ppose >o!= <oe= won:t loo@ Aor ,ola Morton as soon as >o! et there?; The brothers rinne$ at the mention oA the two irls the> li@e$ best.
;Callie an$ ,ola are ivin the part> to ether=; 2ran@ explaine$. ;That remin$s me= <oe. 5e:re s!ppose$ to pic@ !p the ice creamD; A short time later= as 2ran@ an$ <oe steppe$ Arom the ho!se= the> note$ the ra>= lea$en s@> overhea$. ;4oo@s as iA that Ao ban@ has move$ in Arom the ba>=; <oe commente$. ;,t:ll be thic@ $owntown.; AAter stowin their cost!mes in the carrier behin$ 2ran@:s motorc>cle= the two bo>s set oAA Aor the center oA Ba>port. 5hite wisps oA Ao

swirle$ in the lare oA their hea$li hts an$ almost blotte$ o!t traAAic. Both ri$ers slowe$ to a ca!tio!s pace. At last the bo>s mane!vere$ to a stop in Milton Place E!st oAA Main -treet. Thro! h the Ao an$ atherin $!s@= va !e li hts co!l$ be seen in the bi bric@ b!il$in on the opposite corner. ;The>:re wor@in overtime at the ban@=; <oe pointe$ o!t an$ rinne$. ;Co!ntin the extra mone> the> too@ in $!rin evenin ho!rs.; The brothers wal@e$ aro!n$ the corner onto Main -treet an$ entere$ a so$a shop. Min!tes later the> emer e$= each carr>in a two- allon $r!m oA ice cream pac@e$ in $r> ice. ;5owD This is col$D; sai$ <oe= as the> t!rne$ into the alle>. 2ran@ an$ <oe place$ the c>lin$ers in <oe:s carrier. ;.ow Aor the part>D; 2ran@ rinne$. -!$$enl> the> hear$ a harsh ratin noise an$ loo@e$ $own the narrow street to see a heav> si$e $oor swin open in the ban@ b!il$in . There was a clatter oA Aootsteps on concrete= an$ Ao!r men h!rrie$ Arom insi$e= carr>in white sac@s. Their Aaces loo@e$ li@e those oA hi$eo!s beastsD 2or an instant the Har$>s stoo$ paral>Ce$ with s!rprise !ntil 2ran@ crie$ o!t= ;,t:s a ban@ robber>D; ,n a split secon$ the men $ive$ into a waitin se$an. ,ts powerA!l en ine roare$. As the etawa> car move$ $own Milton Place thro! h the mist= a ban@ c!sto$ian race$ o!t an$ Aire$ his revolver at one oA the car:s tires= b!t misse$. ;4et:s tail :em= <oeD; crie$ 2ran@= leapin onto his motorc>cle.
CHAPT#" ,8
A 6arin
/etawa>
2"A.3 an$ <oe !nne$ their motors an$ too@ oAA $own the narrow street aAter the ban@ robbers. Tires screame$ as p!rs!ers an$ p!rs!e$ careene$ thro! h the Ao -Aille$ streets towar$ the Ba>port waterAront $istrict. Thro! h the haCe= the bo>s co!l$ see the re$ tailli hts oA the ban@ robbers: car. ;The>:re hea$in Aor the $oc@sD; <oe sho!te$ as he reco niCe$ the lon = $ar@ shapes oA wareho!ses on both si$es oA the m!r@> street. The Aleein car shot o!t onto a wi$e pier= li hte$ at intervals b> >ellow Ao lamps. Ahea$= a Ao!r-Aoot wire Aence barre$ motorists Arom the pier:s en$. Bra@es sB!eale$ sharpl>. ,n the amber low= the Har$>s saw the Ao!r

$oors oA the thieves: car pop open at once. 2ive $ar@-coate$ Ai !res pile$ o!t an$ E!mpe$ the Aence. The Har$>s: motorc>cles screeche$ to a halt behin$ the empt> car. ;-topD; sho!te$ 2ran@= leapin oAA. ;HelpD PoliceD; etawa>
A clatter oA Aootsteps so!n$e$ Aar o!t on the Eett>. 2ran@ an$ <oe va!lte$ the Aence an$ sprinte$ in p!rs!it. The so!n$ oA heav> breathin tol$ them the> were nearin their B!arr>. B!t as the bo>s reache$ the en$ oA the lon pier a powerA!l boat en ine s!$$enl> roare$ to liAe. There was a ch!rnin oA water= a whiAA oA asoline smo@e= an$ the so!n$ oA men E!mpin into the boat. Then the craAt aine$ hea$wa> in the $ar@ness oA the ba>. ;5e can still stop themD; 2ran@ exclaime$. ;The Coast /!ar$ station:s on the next pier. Come on= <oeD; The bo>s $ashe$ bac@= cleare$ the barrier= an$ ran past their motorc>cles. -!$$enl> the> hear$ sho!ts an$ AootAalls approachin the pier. 7mphD 5ith st!nnin impact= <oe colli$e$ hea$-on with a r!nnin arms raspe$ him. alon man.
;4oo@ o!tD; 2ran@ sho!te$ as stron
;HaltD; a voice or$ere$. ;5e:ve ot >o!D; A whistle pierce$ the air. 2or a moment all was conA!sion. ;.ow-what:s oin on here?; $eman$e$ the a!thoritative voice. ;4et !s oD Ban@ robber>D 5e nee$ the Coast /!ar$D; 2ran@ sai$= aspin .
;5e are the Coast /!ar$=; replie$ the voice= an$ a Alashli ht shone thro! h the Ao . ;5h>= it:s the Har$> bo>s. "elease them= men=; sai$ 4ie!tenant Par@er. ;5e hear$ somebo$> sho!tin ban@ robbers?; Aor police=; he a$$e$. ;5hat:s this abo!t
AAter 2ran@ ha$ explaine$= the oAAicer sai$= ;,:ll $ispatch a c!tter aAter the ban$its ri ht awa>.; 4ie!tenant Par@er an$ his men race$ oAA. Moments later= a police car spe$ onto the pier= its siren wailin an$ re$ top li ht blin@in . ,t stoppe$ an$ three !niAorme$ men leape$ o!t. ;There:s the carD; crie$ one oA the men. #ven in the heav> Ao = 2ran@ an$ <oe reco niCe$ him as the ban@ !ar$ who ha$ Aire$ the shots aAter the Aleein robbers. ;The croo@s ot into that car= an$ then these motorc>cles race$ oAA with them.; -!$$enl> he spotte$ 2ran@ an$ <oe. ;Those are the bo$> !ar$s who ro$e the motorc>cles. /rab :emD; A rim-Aace$ policeman= !n in han$= or$ere$ 2ran@ an$ <oe to come Aorwar$. Apparentl> he an$ the oAAicer with him were new members oA

Ba>port:s police $epartment= Aor the bo>s ha$ never seen them beAore. ;All ri ht= what $o >o! two have to sa> abo!t this?; the patrolman $eman$e$. A ain 2ran@ tol$ what ha$ happene$. The policeman t!rne$ to the !ar$. ;,s that the wa> it was?;
;1es-no-; the man stammere$= hi hl> excite$. ;The robbers ha$ on hats an$ pea Eac@ets. An$ the> wore horrible-loo@in mas@s.; ;4oo@ at thisD; calle$ the secon$ policeman= who ha$ been examinin the car an$ the motorc>cles. He came over= hol$in !p the orilla Aace in one han$ an$ the ma ician mas@ in the other. ;These were in the carrier oA that c>cle. , !ess we:ve ot two members oA the an .; ;.ow wait a min!teD; <oe be an= b!t the wail oA a siren c!t him short. Two more police cars arrive$ an$ heavil> arme$ men po!re$ Arom both cr!isers. The Airst oAAicer to reach the ro!p was ChieA Colli . ;5e ot >o!r ra$io callD; he tol$ the policemen brieAl>. ;An> si n oA the ban@ robbers?; ;Two oA them-ri ht hereD; the man replie$. He Eer@e$ a th!mb at the Har$>s. <oe steppe$ Aorwar$ B!ic@l> into the beam oA >ellow Ao ChieAD; li ht. ;Hello=
;2ran@D <oeD; Colli crie$ o!t in astonishment. ;How $i$ >o! et here?; He Aace$ the startle$ roo@ies an$ sai$= ;These bo>s are all ri ht.; ;B!t=; one oA the men proteste$= ;accor$in to the ban@ !ar$ the thieves wore mas@s. An$ we Ao!n$ these on one oA the c>cles.; He han$e$ ChieA Colli the Aalse Aaces. ;1o!:ll Ain$ Ao!r allons oA ice cream= too= ChieA=; 2ran@ p!t in. ;5e:re on o!r wa> to Callie -haw:s masB!era$e part>.; The chieA la! he$ heartil>= b!t B!ic@l> became serio!s a ain. ;An> s!spicion oA these bo>s is nonsense. .ow= what abo!t the ban@ robbers?; F!ic@l> 2ran@ tol$ him all that ha$ happene$. ;, !ess it was too Ao loomil>. > to see their etawa> boat=; the chieA sai$
;That:s ri ht=; <oe answere$= ;b!t Arom the so!n$ oA it= ,:$ sa> it was an open spee$boat= with a powerA!l inboar$ motor.; There was the rin in next pier. oA bells an$ the $eep r!mble oA en ines Arom the
;The Coast /!ar$ is ta@in the c!tter=; 2ran@ sai$. ;B!t even their powerA!l searchli hts won:t pierce thro! h this pea so!p.;

;Their best bet is to crisscross the ba> an$ perhaps close in on the robbers=; <oe a$$e$. ;An$ Aor that a little boat is as oo$ as a bi excite$l>. ;<oe= $o >o! thin@ the -le!th is in ta@e o!t?; ;,t:s worth a tr>=; his brother assente$. ChieA Colli no$$e$ approvin l>. ;The more boats we sen$ o!t= the better o!r chances=; he sai$. ;,:ll $ispatch the police cr!iser= too.; 2ran@ an$ <oe sw!n onto their motorc>cles an$ roare$ oAA the pier an$ alon the -hore "oa$ towar$ their boatho!se as Aast as the> $are$ in the heav> Ao . /!essin the> were near the private $oc@s= the bo>s p!lle$ oAA the roa$ an$ par@e$. #ach too@ a Alashli ht Arom the carrier oA his motorc>cle. AAter a short wal@ the> Ao!n$ their boatho!se. <oe reache$ the small $oor an$ too@ o!t his @e>. He ave a cr>. ;The loc@:s bro@en oAAD; ;5hatD; 2ran@ exclaime$. He sw!n the $oor open an$ beame$ his Alashli ht insi$e the b!il$in . oneD one=; 2ran@ sai$ oo$ eno! h shape to
The -le!th was
CHAPT#" 8
6ancin
/orillas
27" A moment 2ran@ an$ <oe stare$ at the empt> boatho!se !nbelievin l>. ;,:ll bet the ban@ robbers stole the -le!thD; <oe explo$e$. ;,A the> $i$=; 2ran@ sai$ with a rim smile= ;the> ma> be s!rprise$. That r!$$er is onl> temporaril> repaire$. ,t won:t last lon .; ;4et:s o aAter themD; <oe !r e$. ;5e:ll call Ton> to brin the .apoli.;
;7@a>=; 2ran@ sai$. ;He:ll be at Callie:s now.; The Har$>s h!rrie$ to their motorc>cles an$ hea$e$ bac@ towar$ town. 5hen the> reache$ the piers= the> stoppe$ at a p!blic telephone booth o!tsi$e a wareho!se. <oe $iale$ the call an$ ret!rne$ aAter a short conversation. ;Ton> will meet !s at the Coast /!ar$ station=; he reporte$ to 2ran@. ;Come onD; 5hen the Har$>s wal@e$ in the> Ao!n$ that ChieA Colli ha$ t!rne$ the

place into a temporar> hea$B!arters. He was B!estionin three ban@ tellers who ha$ been bro! ht there at the chieA:s reB!est. 7ne teller was ivin his acco!nt: ;The Ao!r men m!st have hi$$en in another part oA the ban@. <!st aAter we close$ toni ht= the robbers r!she$ into the main room to ether. Three came to o!r ca es an$ Aorce$ !s at !n point to p!t all the mone> into their sac@s= while the Ao!rth went to the si$e $oor. Then the> warne$ !s to @eep still= an$ bac@e$ o!t the $oor. 7!r va!lt c!sto$ian Aire$ aAter their car= b!t ha$ no l!c@.; ;Can >o! $escribe E!st one oA the an ?; Colli as@e$ wearil>. ;An> one that stic@s in >o!r min$? 5as he short or tall? 2at or s@inn>?; ;, alrea$> tol$ >o!=; the man sai$ $o siCe.; e$l>. ;The> were all the same
;B!t blast it= man= that:s impossibleD; the chieA explo$e$. ;, $on:t have Ao!r i$enticall> b!ilt men on m> whole AorceD; ;The> were all the same siCe=; the teller repeate$= ;The> wore mas@s.; rowin s!llen.
-ha@in his hea$= ChieA Colli t!rne$ Arom the teller. His e>es Aell on 2ran@ an$ <oe. ;Bac@ so soon?; he as@e$= s!rprise$. 2ran@ tol$ him abo!t the stolen -le!th. ;The ban@ robbers !se$ a spee$boat Aor their etawa>=; <oe a$$e$. ;,t mi ht have been o!rs.; ;Has the c!tter ha$ an> l!c@ on the ba>?; 2ran@ as@e$. ;.othin >et=; the ra$io operator spo@e !p. ;The>:ve been callin ever> ten min!tes.; in
5hile <oe reporte$ the theAt oA their boat to a Coast /!ar$man= 2ran@ as@e$ whether an> cl!es ha$ been Ao!n$ in the thieves: car. ;.ot even a Ain erprint=; was ChieA Colli :s answer. ;5e chec@e$ on the vehicle= oA co!rse. ,t ha$ been stolen in .orthport.; <!st then Ton> Prito entere$ the crow$e$ station= exclaimin = ;,t loo@s li@e a police convention o!tsi$e= with all those prowl carsD; ;Hi= Ton>=; <oe ;Than@s Aor reete$ him. here so Aasti; 2ran@ sai$.
ettin
The three bo>s leAt the station at once= ran across the pier= an$ scramble$ $own a la$$er into the .apoli. Ton> starte$ his motor= switche$ on his r!nnin li hts= an$ throttle$ ca!tio!sl> into the ba>. The s!rAace oA the water was smooth an$ the air was warm. The Ao = however= was thic@er than ever. Ton> trie$ his spotli ht b!t even this $i$ not penetrate the m!r@ Aor an> reat $istance. ;-!ppose we Ci Ca alon shore abo!t halA a mile o!t=; <oe s! ;The Coast /!ar$ will cover the mi$$le oA the ba>.; este$.

The .apoli move$ stea$il> thro! h the ni ht. The bo>s co!l$ see nothin . ;5e nee$ o!r ears Aor this Eob=; 2ran@ sai$ Ainall>. ;-h!t her oAA a min!te= Ton>.; The stea$> p!rr oA the motor cease$ an$ the craAt $riAte$ noiselessl>. 2ar to seawar$= o!tsi$e the harbor:s mo!th= a $eep-voice$ Ao horn raspe$ its warnin at re !lar intervals. ;.othin =; <oe m!ttere$ $is !ste$l>. ;-tart her a ain= Ton>D; ;5aitD; 2ran@ or$ere$. ;There-another boatD; ;, $on:t hear itD; Ton> whispere$. ;,t:s ver> hi h-pitche$-E!st a tin le. T!rn her o!t into the ba>= Ton>. "!n A!ll throttle !ntil , sa> stop.; The .apoli shot Aorwar$= roarin ;-topD; 2ran@ crie$ o!t. A ain came the s!$$en= h!she$ silence. 7nl> the wa@e oA the .apoli washe$ a!$ibl> behin$ them. B!t now all three bo>s hear$ the so!n$ oA a boat en ine. ;1o! were ri ht=; <oe whispere$. ;, thin@ it is the -le!th. 4istenD; The hi h-pitche$ whine $rew slowl> closer= then it approache$ a ain. ;-he:s Ton>.; oin in circlesD; <oe chortle$ ra$!all> rece$e$. -oon thro! h the Ao .
leeA!ll>. ;Hea$ towar$ her=
;-!re. B!t which wa>?; ;To the ri ht=; <oe sai$ promptl>. ;-trai ht ahea$D; 2ran@ co!ntere$. Ton> starte$ his en ine an$ hea$e$ mi$wa> between the two $irections. He $rove stea$il> Aorwar$ !ntil <oe si nale$ to c!t it a ain. The other craAt was ver> near them an$ over the motor:s p!rr the> co!l$ hear an r> voices. ;,t won:t wor@D; one crie$ o!t. ;Tr> it >o!rselAD; Another sho!te$= ;Move over= thenD; 2ran@= <oe= an$ Ton> listene$= rinnin = while the men ar !e$ abo!t the $isable$ boat. -!$$enl> the -le!th:s motor was silent. ;The>:re $riAtin awa>=; 2ran@ sai$ B!ietl>.
Altho! h Ton> Aollowe$ in the $irection he tho! ht the other boat was ta@in = the voices rew Aaint. 6esperatel> Ton> opene$ his throttle

wi$e= then sh!t oAA the motor a ain to listen. The voices ha$ cease$. ;The men m!st have hear$ !s=; <oe whispere$. ;The> probabl> @now the>:re bein chase$.; 2or a time the eerie p!rs!it contin!e$= b!t at last 2ran@ sai$= ;,t:s no !se. The> co!l$ have $riAte$ a mile awa> b> now.; ;7r the> co!l$ be Aive Aeet Arom !s=; <oe whispere$. ;5e:ll never Ain$ them in this Ao .; ;Besi$es= we:re low on Ba>port. as=; Ton> a$$e$= an$ t!rne$ the .apoli towar$
;<oe an$ , will come to the part> later=; 2ran@ tol$ Ton>. ;, thin@ 6a$ wo!l$ li@e to hear o!r acco!nt oA the ban@ robber>.; AAter $roppin 2ran@ an$ <oe at the Coast /!ar$ pier= Ton> ret!rne$ his boat to its moorin an$ went bac@ to Callie:s ho!se. Meanwhile= the brothers= $eEecte$= c>cle$ home. 7penin the Aront $oor= the> Ao!n$ their Aather in the hall ta@in his hat Arom the rac@. Mr. Har$> stoppe$ short. ;Tell me what >o! @now abo!t the ban@ hol$!p=; he sai$ crispl>. His sons stare$ in s!rprise. Then 2ran@ rinne$. ;, !ess ChieA Colli tol$ >o! abo!t !s= $i$n:t he?;
;1es=; replie$ Mr. Har$>. ;He E!st phone$ to as@ m> help. ,:m on m> wa> $owntown. BrieA me B!ic@l>.; The $etective listene$ with @een interest while his sons po!re$ o!t the stor> oA the robber> an$ the missin -le!th. ;7ne thin is o$$=; 2ran@ a$$e$ when the> ha$ Ainishe$. ;The tellers swear the thieves were all the same siCe an$ b!il$.; 2enton Har$> smile$. ;That:s not so stran e.; ;1o! mean the men were i$entical in siCe?; 2ran@ as@e$. ;.ot at all=; their Aather answere$. ;B!t a lar e mas@ will ma@e a person:s bo$> seem smaller. A tin> Aace mas@ can ma@e him loo@ bi er.; ;-o the robbers !se$ the mas@s to $is !ise their b!il$s as well as their Aaces=; sai$ 2ran@. ;#xactl>=; his Aather answere$. ;,t so!n$s li@e a ver> clever an .;
At that moment A!nt /ertr!$e came into the livin room. ;2enton=; she sai$= her voice sharp with $isapproval= ;there was a special news b!lletin on the ra$io E!st now sa>in that >o!:ve ta@en on the Ba>port ban@ robber> case.; ;-o , have=; Mr. Har$> replie$ mil$l>= tho! h the bo>s @new he was an expert at this. ;At least to help the local a!thorities=; he a$$e$.

;B!t wh> $o the> anno!nce it?; his sister as@e$ tartl>. ;The ban@ robbers ma> hear it= an$ who @nows what those $an ero!s men mi ht $o to ma@e >o! $rop the easel; ;6on:t worr>= /ertr!$e=; Mr. Har$> replie$ @in$l>. ;,:ll be careA!l. Than@s Aor the inAormation= bo>s=; he a$$e$= an$ h!rrie$ oAA. A!nt /ertr!$e e>e$ 2ran@ an$ <oe s!spicio!sl>. ;5hat are >o! two to $o now?; she $eman$e$. ;.othin $an ero!s= A!ntie=; <oe ass!re$ her. ;5e:re E!st oin to Callie:s part>.; -atisAie$= Miss Har$> watche$ the bo>s $epart. ;A!nt /ertr!$e:s ri ht= >o! @now=; 2ran@ remar@e$ as the> wal@e$ to their motorc>cles in the $rive. ;,t:s too ba$ abo!t that ra$io b!lletin. 6a$ is saAer iA he wor@s !n$er cover.; A short ri$e bro! ht 2ran@ an$ <oe to the -haw ho!se. The> par@e$ their motorc>cles besi$e the ara e an$ B!ic@l> p!t on their cost!mes. Carr>in the two containers oA ice cream= the orilla an$ the ma ician wal@e$ to the $oor= where the> were a$mitte$ b> a smilin Mrs. -haw. ;Hello= bo>s. Come ri ht inD ,:ll p!t the ice cream awa>.; 5hen the Har$>s entere$ the bi livin room the> were haile$ b> a camel with Ao!r h!man le s= -paceman Prito= an$ man> other Aantastic Ai !res. Prett>= brown-haire$ Callie was $resse$ as a Aair> princess= an$ slim= vivacio!s ,ola as a pa e bo>. The two irls h!rrie$ Aorwar$ to reet the late arrivals. ;Ton> tol$ !s abo!t the robbers an$ the chase=; Callie sai$. ;5e:re la$ >o! ot hereD; ,ola a$$e$ warml>. oin
A Aierce pirate stro$e !p to them. ;,:m Blac@-bear$ BiAA Hooper=; he anno!nce$. ;How:$ >o! li@e to wal@ the plan@?; BeAore 2ran@ co!l$ answer= there was a Aerocio!s roar behin$ him an$ a han$ clampe$ $own on his sho!l$er. He whirle$ to Ain$ himselA Aace to Aace with another orillaD ;Tol$ >o! ,:$ s!rprise >o!D; came Chet Morton:s voice. ;Come on= /ar ant!aD 4et:s $anceD; The two hair> creat!res Eoine$ han$s an$ waltCe$ aro!n$ the room to the m!sic oA the recor$ pla>er. The> piro!ette$= leape$ in the air= an$ $i$ somersa!lts. The other !ests watche$= shrie@in with la! hter. Pantin = Chet >an@e$ oAA his ti ht-Aittin orilla Aace. ;7opsD; he exclaime$ r!eA!ll>. ;, tore it.; 2ran@ examine$ the r!bber mas@. ;Too ba$=; he sai$ with a have to wear >o!r own Aace Arom now on.; rin. ;1o!:ll
4ater= as the !ests ate= the> listene$= Aascinate$= to the Har$>s: acco!nt oA their a$vent!re. 2inall>= abo!t mi$ni ht= ever>one be an to

leave. As 2ran@ an$ <oe were sa>in oo$ ni ht to the irls= Chet came over to them. ;BiAA= Ton>= <err>= an$ , have $eci$e$ to o campin tomorrow. 5e:re !sin Mr. Hooper:s boat. -orr> >o! Aellows can:t come.; ;5e:ll ma@e it next time=; <oe promise$. ,ola sai$ to Chet= ;1o! can sta>in overni ht here.; ;7@a>= -is.; 2ran@ an$ <oe $eparte$= an$ soon aAter ret!rnin home= the> were so!n$ asleep. Two ho!rs later the rin in oA the telephone Earre$ the silence oA the Har$> home. 2ran@ awo@e an$ pic@e$ !p the extension phone. ;Hello.; ;2ran@?; The spea@er was Mrs. Morton. ;,s Chet there? He hasn:t come home >etD; ;.o= he isn:t here=; 2ran@ answere$. ;He probabl> went to BiAA:s.; ;,:ll tr> the Hoopers=; Mrs. Morton sai$. ;-orr> to have awa@ene$ >o!.; As 2ran@ replace$ the telephone= he two o:cloc@. lance$ at his wrist watch. ,t was o on home an$ $rop BiAA at his ho!se. ,:m
;2!nn> Chet $i$n:t phone his Aol@s=; he tho! ht. A secon$ later the phone Ean le$ a ain an$ he pic@e$ it !p. ;2ran@ Har$> spea@in .; ;This is Mrs. Hooper=; sai$ a worrie$ voice. ;,s BiAA with >o!?; 2ran@ sat strai ht !p in be$. ;,:m sorr>= he isn:t here=; he replie$. ;,:ll call some oA o!r Arien$s an$ see what , can Ain$ o!t.; BiAA:s mother rateA!ll> accepte$ the oAAer. ;7h= than@ >o!. ,:m so worrie$ abo!t him.; As 2ran@ p!t $own the phone= <oe m!mble$ sleepil>= ;5hat:s the matter?; ;Matter? ,t loo@s as iA plent>:s the matter. 5a@e !pD Chet an$ BiAA are missin D;
CHAPT#" 8,
A Perilo!s -li$e -TA"T4#6 b> the news= <oe sat bolt !pri ht in be$. ;Chet an$ BiAA one?;

;The> vanishe$ aAter the part>.; ;5ho was that on the telephone?; s!$$enl> as@e$ a $eep voice. ,n the $oorwa> stoo$ 2enton Har$> in a robe. F!ic@l> 2ran@ tol$ his Aather an$ <oe abo!t the calls Arom Mrs. Morton an$ Mrs. Hooper. Mr. Har$> promptl> $iale$ police hea$B!arters= an$ i$entiAie$ himselA to the $es@ ser eant. ;Have an> acci$ents been reporte$ since mi$ni ht?; he inB!ire$. As he listene$= the lines oA his Aorehea$ relaxe$. ;.one=; he reporte$ to 2ran@ an$ <oe. Then the $etective explaine$ the sit!ation to the oAAicer= who promise$ that the police wo!l$ loo@ Aor Chet an$ BiAA. AAter p!ttin $own the phone= Mr. Har$> as@e$ his sons= ;,s there an> place the bo>s are li@el> to have one?; ;The> were plannin to o campin earl> this mornin =; <oe recollecte$= ;stoppin at $iAAerent islan$s alon the coast. Ma>be the> $eci$e$ to o toni ht instea$.; ;, $o!bt it-in this Ao =; 2ran@ obEecte$. ;An$ not witho!t tellin an>one.; .evertheless= he $iale$ the Hooper home to ma@e s!re. ;7h= no=; BiAA:s mother replie$ to 2ran@:s B!estion. ;Mr. Hooper carries the boatho!se @e> with him. ,A BiAA an$ Chet ha$ wante$ to leave earlier= the> wo!l$ have ha$ to et it Arom him.; 2ran@ trie$ not to show his mo!ntin alarm. Hopin he so!n$e$ cheerA!l= he sai$= ;5e:ll @eep loo@in Aor the bo>s.; AAter sa>in oo$-b>= he t!rne$ to <oe an$ his Aather. ;This is serio!s. , hate to $ist!rb Callie= b!t ,:ll have to now.; He $iale$ her n!mber. Callie herselA answere$ sleepil>. ;-orr> to bother >o! so late=; 2ran@ sai$. ;B!t will >o! $o me a Aavor? Pee@ o!t the win$ow an$ see iA Chet:s Ealop> is there. ,t was par@e$ !n$er the street li ht.; AAter a short pa!se he t!rne$ to <oe an$ his Aather. ;,t:s still thereD . . . Callie= when $i$ BiAA an$ Chet leave?; He listene$ a moment. ;Than@s. 5e can:t locate them. . . . .othin wron Aor s!re >et. 5e:ll call >o! tomorrow.; 2ran@ h!n !p an$ sai$ worrie$l>= ;The> leAt the part> ten min!tes aAter we $i$.; <oe snappe$ his Ain ers. ;,:ll bet the> co!l$n:t et the Ealop> starte$. The>:re probabl> spen$in the ni ht with one oA the Aellows who lives on Callie:s street.; 2ran@ loo@e$ relieve$. ;4et:s be an $ressin . o over an$ chec@ the Ealop>.; The bo>s
;Have >o! a @e> to the car?; Mr. Har$> as@e$.

;Chet ave !s one=; 2ran@ explaine$.
2iAteen min!tes later the bo>s $rove !p B!ietl> in their Aather:s se$an an$ par@e$ behin$ the >ellow Ealop>. F!ic@l> 2ran@ slippe$ into the $river:s seat= an$ a moment later the F!een co! he$ an$ rattle$ into liAe. Abr!ptl> he c!t the motor an$ the two brothers loo@e$ at each other soberl>. ;, was wron =; <oe sai$. ;The> $i$n:t have car tro!ble. 5hat $i$ happen?; 2ran@ shoo@ his hea$ riml>. B> the li ht oA the street lamp the bo>s examine$ the Ealop>= the c!rb an$ roa$ aro!n$ it= b!t Ao!n$ no cl!es. 0sin their Alashli hts= the> chec@e$ the -haws: >ar$ an$ porch. ;.othin here=; 2ran@ sai$ Ainall>.
The porch li hts blin@e$ on an$ Callie appeare$ in the $oorwa>. ;2ran@<oe= what are >o! $oin ?; she as@e$. ;4oo@in Aor cl!es=; <oe replie$. ;B!t we haven:t Ao!n$ an> >et.;
;Chet an$ BiAA ha$ their cost!mes on when the> leAt= an$ carrie$ the mas@s=; Callie sai$. ;The> loo@e$ so conspic!o!s= the> sho!l$ be eas> to locate.; ;5e:ll @eep tr>in =; 2ran@ promise$. He !se$ the -haw phone an$ calle$ each bo> who ha$ been at the part>. Chet an$ BiAA were not with an> oA them= nor ha$ Ton> or <err> hear$ Arom them. 2inall> the Har$>s hea$e$ Aor home. The> ave their Aather the $isco!ra in report an$ rel!ctantl> went bac@ to be$. AAter a Aew ho!rs oA !neas> sleep= 2ran@ an$ <oe awa@ene$ to Ain$ bri ht s!nli ht Aillin the room. H!rrie$l> the> $resse$ an$ $ashe$ $ownstairs. Their Aather was alrea$> at the brea@Aast table. ;An> news oA Chet an$ BiAA?; 2ran@ as@e$. Mr. Har$> shoo@ his hea$ soberl>. ;The police have Ao!n$ no trace oA them.; ;,A onl> we @new where to start loo@in D; <oe sai$ worrie$l>. ;B!t we haven:t a sin le cl!e to o on.; ;The -tate Police are searchin = too=; Mr. Har$> tol$ them. ;A lea$ ma> t!rn !p beAore the $a> is over. , hate to mention it=; he a$$e$= ;b!t the bo>s mi ht have been @i$nape$. -o= to be on the saAe si$e= there:ll be absol!tel> no p!blicit>.; ;/oo$ i$ea=; 2ran@ a ree$. 2or a min!te he an$ <oe sat in <oe as@e$ Ainall>. l!m silence. ;5hat abo!t the -le!th?;

;The Coast /!ar$ hasn:t Ao!n$ it >et=; Mr. Har$> replie$= ;an$ there are no lea$s on the ban@ robber>= either.; ;How abo!t the stolen car?; 2ran@ B!erie$. ;5ho owns it?; ;A man livin !p the coast=; his Aather answere$. ;,t $isappeare$ $a> beAore >ester$a> while he was at a boat re atta in .orthport.; ;A boat re atta-; <oe m!rm!re$. ;5here have we hear$ oA one latel>?; ;At the Coast /!ar$ station=; 2ran@ prompte$. ;That:s itD -eaman Thompson tho! ht the boat that trie$ to ram !s mi ht have come $own Arom the re atta in .orthport.; ;4oo@s li@e .orthport mi ht A!rnish a lea$ to more than one m>ster>=; 2ran@ $eclare$. ;4et:s ta@e a r!n !p there an$ see iA we can pic@ !p a $!e.; ;,A , o !p the coast= , want to Airml>. ;5e m!st Ain$ herD; o in the -le!thD; <oe answere$
At this point= Mrs. Har$> bro! ht the $isc!ssion to an en$ b> settin beAore each bo> a stac@ oA steamin = ol$en-brown panca@es. A!nt /ertr!$e came in behin$ her with a bloc@ oA >ellow b!tter an$ a tall pitcher oA maple s>r!p. ;There are more ca@es on the ri$$le=; she sai$. ;1o! nee$ >o!r stren th. An$ Aor bo>sD; oo$ness: sa@e= Ain$ those poor lost
;,A we can help-; Mrs. Har$> be an. ;Than@s=; 2ran@ sai$. AAter brea@Aast the brothers h!rrie$ to the ara e. ;The ban@ robbers m!st have beache$ the -le!th somewhere=; <oe reasone$. ;,A we Aollow the shore= we:re s!re to Ain$ her.; The blac@-an$-silver motorc>cles bac@Aire$ li@e pistol shots= then roare$ Arom the $rive an$ $own Hi h -treet. The ri$ers hea$e$ o!t -hore "oa$= past the private $oc@s. The Ao oA the ni ht beAore ha$ iven wa> to a bri ht-bl!e s!mmer mornin . As the bo>s spe$ alon in a cool= salt> breeCe the> watche$ the white san$ oA the beach on their ri ht. There was no si n oA the -le!th. 2inall> the> reache$ the hea$ oA the ba> an$ t!rne$ sharpl>= Aollowin the seacoast northwar$. 2or a while 2ran@ an$ <oe saw onl> the bi reen rollers oA the Atlantic as the> bro@e into Aoamin white alon the san$ an$ roc@s. The brothers spotte$ the sB!atters: colon> oA slappe$-to ether boar$ $wellin s ahea$.

The c>cles ch! e$ !p -hore "oa$= which rose an$ twiste$ alon oA hi h= roc@> cliAAs alon the sea. the top
;4oo@ $own thereD; <oe calle$ o!t s!$$enl>. He ha$ ca! ht the lint oA s!nshine on a Aamiliar h!ll. The -le!thD ,t was stran$e$ on the beachD ;1ippeeD; exclaime$ 2ran@. ;The robbers m!st have Aloate$ her in at hi h ti$e.; The bo>s par@e$ their motorc>cles an$ h!rrie$ to the e$ e oA the bl!AA. Below them= the roc@> cliAA Aell strai ht $own to the bo!l$ers bor$erin the san$. ;, $on:t see a path=; 2ran@ sai$. ;5aitD Here:s a place we can o $own.;
As he leane$ over the e$ e= a mass oA loose so$ an$ stone ave wa> at his Aeet. 5ith a startle$ cr> 2ran@ sli$ $ownwar$. 6esperatel> he raspe$ Aor a hol$= his clawin Ain ers closin on a sharp slab E!ttin o!t E!st below the lip oA the bl!AA. His bo$> h!n a h!n$re$ Aeet above the roc@s an$ san$ below. ;Han onD; its loops. co!l$ pass the b!c@le <oe sho!te$= an$ whippe$ his extra-lon leather belt Arom 4>in Alat= he inche$ $ownwar$ over the cliAA e$ e !ntil he the leather !n$er 2ran@:s armpits. He sli$ the en$ thro! h an$ p!lle$ the belt ti ht.
<oe sB!irme$ bac@ a ain= brace$ himselA= an$ ha!le$. 2or one sic@enin moment 2ran@ sw!n li@e a pen$!l!m beneath the cliAA. 5ith all his stren th= <oe Eer@e$ the belt a ain an$ a moment later helpe$ 2ran@ clamber to saAet>. ;5hewD That was closeD; 2ran@ sai$= >o!-; aspin . ;,A it ha$n:t been Aor his belt. ;5e can come
;Better leave the boat=; <oe pante$= retrievin b> sea with the Coast /!ar$ an$ et her.; -till sha@in
Arom Ari ht= 2ran@ a ree$.
The brothers went at once to the Coast /!ar$ station on the pier. 5hen 4ie!tenant Par@er hear$ 2ran@:s stor>= he calle$ two men an$ le$ the wa> to a patrol boat. The powerA!l craAt hea$e$ strai ht o!t the mo!th oA the ba> an$ t!rne$ sharpl> !p the coast. The beach was a whitish line on their leAt. -oon it broa$ene$= an$ the t!mble-$own b!il$in s oA -hant>town came into view. ;5aitD 5ait a min!teD; 2ran@ calle$ o!t. ;Can we slow $own? 5hat:s that white thin Aloatin in the water?; ;A $ea$ Aish=; s! este$ a Coast /!ar$man. Aar
The patrol boat throttle$ $own an$ sli$ nearer the obEect. 4eanin over the si$e= <oe l!n e$ an$ scoope$ it Arom the sea.
;This isn:t a AishD; he crie$ o!t excite$l>. ;,t:s a r!bber mas@ t!rne$ insi$e o!tD; As he spo@e= his Ain ers move$ nimbl>. ,n an instant a limp orilla

Aace appeare$. ;This belon s to ChetD; 2ran@ exclaime$.
CHAPT#" 8,,
6an ero!s Beachcombin 2"A.3 too@ the mas@ Arom <oe an$ examine$ it careA!ll>. ;1o!:re ri ht. Here:s the place where Chet rippe$ it at the part>.; ;B!t what:s it $oin Aloatin in the ba>?; as@e$ <oe in ;He an$ BiAA m!st have one o!t in a boat aAter all.; ;B!t whose?; 2ran@ B!erie$. ;An$ wh> wo!l$ the> o o!t in the Ao ?; <oe a$$e$. Then he voice$ the B!estion !ppermost in both their min$s. ;1o! $on:t thin@ the> co!l$ have $rowne$?; 2ran@:s Aace was rim. ;Chet an$ BiAA are excellent swimmers. Ma>be= Aor a reason we $on:t @now >et= the>:re hi$in somewhere-perhaps -hant>townD; 2ran@ aCe$ intentl> across the water at the sB!atter colon>= now Aallin astern. ;Co!l$ be=; <oe sai$. ;The> @new abo!t o!r case. Ma>be the> pic@e$ !p a cl!e an$ lan$e$ in -hant>town. 5e:$ better Ain$ o!t as soon as we et the -le!th.; The bo>s lapse$ into worrie$ silence !ntil the Coast /!ar$ boat came within si ht oA roc@> cliAAs towerin hi h above the white beach. A seaman scanne$ the shore with binoc!lars an$ san o!t= ;There she is= sirD ,t:s the -le!th= all ri ht. , can rea$ her name.; The en ines oA the c!tter sh!$$ere$ as it sw!n in towar$ the beache$ motorboat. The Har$>s whippe$ oAA their shoes an$ leape$ overboar$ into thi h-$eep water as the craAt cr!nche$ a ainst the san$> bottom. <oe was the Airst to reach the $erelict -le!th. ;-he loo@s o@a>=; he calle$ o!t to his brother. ;1es= b!t hi h an$ $r>=; 2ran@ sai$ as he wa$e$ ashore. ;5e:ll help >o! Aloat her=; a seaman oAAere$. F!ic@l> atherin lar e pieces oA $riAtwoo$= the bo>s improvise$ a cr!$e s@i$wa>. Then= with the Coast /!ar$men helpin = the> sli$ the boat $own to the water. A towline was sec!re$ an$ the -le!th bobbe$ towar$ Ba>port in the wa@e oA the Coast /!ar$ patrol boat. ;4et:s tow her strai ht to the boat>ar$=; 2ran@ s! have the new part b> now.; este$. ;Ma>be the> reat concern.

His !ess prove$ correct. 5hile the patrol boat waite$= the >o!n mechanic B!ic@l> examine$ the -le!th. ;Have >o! been !sin her?; he as@e$ the Har$>s.
;5ell-somebo$> has= Charlie=; <oe replie$. The mechanic no$$e$. ;Hm-tho! ht so. The temporar> repair , ma$e $i$n:t last. B!t iA >o! @eep t!rnin the wheel= >o! can ma@e her steer a little-eno! h to et b>.; ;That:s how the ban$its slippe$ awa> in the Ao whispere$ to his brother. last ni ht=; 2ran@
;,:ll be Ainishe$ in an ho!r=; Charlie sai$. ;-hall , have her ta@en to >o!r boatho!se?; ;"i hto=; 2ran@ replie$. ;5e:ll pic@ her !p there.; The Har$>s ro$e on the patrol boat to the Coast /!ar$ pier= than@e$ 4ie!tenant Par@er an$ his men Aor their help= an$ hastene$ to their motorc>cles. ;, wish the -le!th were rea$> now=; <oe sai$ impatientl>= ;so we co!l$ o ri ht to -hant>-town.; ;B!t Airst we have to ro!n$ !p beachcomber $is !ises=; 2ran@ remin$e$ him. The bo>s ro$e home an$ chan e$ into $r> clothes. 5hile Mrs. Har$> an$ A!nt /ertr!$e were preparin l!nch Aor them= <oe calle$ police hea$B!arters. He learne$ that there were no new lea$s on their Arien$s or the ban@ robbers. ChieA Colli was amaCe$ to hear abo!t the $iscover> oA Chet:s mas@. ;The bo>s ma> be nearer than , tho! ht. ,:ve alrea$> sent o!t a seventeen-state missin -persons alarm.; ;5e mi ht Ain$ more cl!es in -hant>town=; <oe tol$ him. ;5e:re there next.; oin
6irectl> aAter l!nch= 2ran@ an$ <oe bo!n$e$ !pstairs= p!lle$ o!t some ol$ shirts an$ pants= an$ h!rrie$ $own a ain. As the> passe$ thro! h the hall carr>in the clothes= their mother an$ a!nt loo@e$ o!t Arom the livin room in s!rprise. ;5here are >o! oin ?; A!nt /ertr!$e inB!ire$.
Mrs. Har$> as@e$= smilin = ;.ot another cost!me part>? , ret!rne$ >o!r orilla an$ ma ician s!its this mornin .; ;6i$ >o! explain to Mr. 2rench abo!t Chet an$ BiAA? He:ll won$er wh> the> $on:t brin their cost!mes bac@=; <oe sai$. ;He wasn:t there=; Mrs. Har$> replie$. ;, leAt >o!r o!tAits with the cler@.;

;5here are >o! bo>s oAA to?; A!nt /ertr!$e $eman$e$ a ain. ;5e:re oin sle!thin in -hant>town=; 2ran@ replie$. ;Probabl> we won:t be home to s!pper.; A!nt /ertr!$e stare$ in $isapproval. ;#ven Aoolhar$> >o!n et h!n r>=; she sai$ tartl>. $etectives
;,:ll pac@ >o!r s!pper=; their mother oAAere$. A!nt /ertr!$e an$ the bo>s Aollowe$ her into the @itchen where the two women B!ic@l> prepare$ a pac@a e oA Aoo$ Aor the bo>s to ta@e alon . ;1o! an$ A!ntie certainl> move Aast= Mother=; <oe sai$ a$mirin l>. ;Than@s a lot.; ;1es= we appreciate it=; 2ran@ chime$ in. Mrs. Har$> smile$. ;5e @now >o!:re in a h!rr>.; The bo>s went o!t the bac@ $oor an$ hastil> stowe$ the Aoo$ an$ clothin in their motorc>cle carriers. ;5e m!st p!t in the ma@e-!p @it Arom the lab=; 2ran@ remin$e$ his brother. 5ith 2enton Har$>:s help= 2ran@ an$ <oe ha$ Aitte$ o!t a small mo$ern crime laborator> over the Aamil> ara e. <oe h!rrie$ !pstairs to it an$ soon emer e$ with the @it= which he p!t in the carrier. 5hen the> reache$ their boatho!se= the bo>s Ao!n$ the -le!th there. B> the time the craAt emer e$= she carrie$ two entirel> $iAAerent-loo@in >o!n men. 2ran@:s Aace was sm!$ e$ an$ his $ar@ hair was to!sle$. He wore a battere$ straw hat an$ a stripe$ Eerse> with a lon rip in the bac@. <oe:s normal s!ntan ha$ been ma$e even $ar@er b> the !se oA ma@e-!p. A Aa@e tattoo $ecorate$ his ri ht arm. His tro!sers were torn oAA at the @nees. Both bo>s wore tennis shoes b!rstin sac@s appropriate Aor beachcombin . at the si$es. The> carrie$ b!rlap este$.
;4et:s lan$ abo!t a mile this si$e oA -hant>-town=; 2ran@ s! ;5e can wan$er towar$ it alon the beach.;
-oon Beachcomber <oe= at the wheel= ran the -le!th into a little cove. 6rawin her !p between two roc@s= the> camo!Ala e$ the craAt with pieces oA $riAtwoo$ an$ $r> seawee$. ;.ow=; sai$ <oe= ;iA we can E!st Ain$ another cl!e to lea$ !s to Chet an$ BiAAD; 2ran@ no$$e$. ;An$ at the same time learn what:s behin$ the Ai htin -hant>town.; in
Tr>in not to appear h!rrie$= the two bo>s sa!ntere$ alon with their sac@s. The mi$aAternoon s!n threw a white spar@le over ever>thin -the

c!rlin waves= the san$= an$ even the ra>= bleachin $riAtwoo$. .ow an$ a ain 2ran@ an$ <oe wo!l$ stoop an$ p!t a han$A!l oA shells= bits oA rope= or a Aew pebbles into the sac@s. ;-ome beachcombin D; <oe rinne$.
At last the Har$>s entere$ the sB!atters: villa e. The Airst h!ts were merel> tarpa!lins stretche$ across $riAtwoo$ poles. B!t as the bo>s strolle$ alon = the> saw that several oA the man> shac@s were oA woo$= well constr!cte$= with soli$= pa$loc@e$ $oors. A Aew men were lo!n in abo!t= smo@in . 2ran@ an$ <oe passe$ near a ro!p roastin potatoes in hot coals beAore one oA the h!ts. The men pai$ no attention to the Har$>s as the bo>s move$ on. ;,A Chet an$ BiAA are here= the> co!l$ be in an> oA these shac@sD; <oe m!ttere$ in a low tone. ;How can we et a closer loo@?; The >o!n sle!ths were wal@in between the water:s e$ e an$ the Airst row oA h!ts. .ear them a man stoo$ in the water wrin in o!t a shirt. ;4et:s $riAt !p to the next shac@=; 2ran@ s! este$.
The bo>s approache$ a soli$l> b!ilt shant>. Abr!ptl> the $oor sw!n open. A thin= see$>-loo@in man with Aa$e$ re$ hair steppe$ o!t in the s!nli ht an$ stare$ at them with har$ bl!e e>es. As the Har$>s ret!rne$ the loo@= the Aellow move$ towar$ them. ;5hat are >o! $oin here?; he challen e$ harshl>. voice.
;<!st wal@in alon the beach=; <oe ret!rne$ in a to! h-so!n$in ;4oo@in Aor E!n@.; ;1eah? 5ell= et o!t oA here an$ $o it some place else. -ee?;
;This is a Aree co!ntr>=; 2ran@ retorte$= also spea@in tone. ;5e:ll wal@ here iA we Aeel li@e it.;
in a to! h
,nstea$ oA answerin = the man reache$ into a bac@ poc@et an$ p!lle$ o!t a blac@Eac@. He l!n e$ at 2ran@ with the a ilit> oA a cat. ;C!t it o!t= -!ttonD; bar@e$ a voice. The newcomer= a broa$-sho!l$ere$ >o!n man= $arte$ between 2ran@ an$ his assailant. A boxer:s han$ chop sent the blac@Eac@ Al>in to the san$. -!tton m!ttere$ !n$er his breath= clenche$ his Aists= an$ tall man. He was >o!n an$ stron = with a blon$ crew c!t. ;,A >o!:re loo@in Aor tro!ble= ,:ll sai$ meanin A!ll>. lare$ at the Aellow
ive it to >o!=; the bi
-!tton $roppe$ his e>es an$ t!rne$ awa>. He retrieve$ his weapon an$ $isappeare$ behin$ his shant>. "elieve$= 2ran@ sai$= ;Than@s a lot= Mr.-; ;Call me AlA=; was the Arien$l> repl>. ;, was wa$in over there when ,

saw -!tton o Aor >o!. 1o!:$ better sta> awa> Arom this place. 5e:ve ha$ a lot oA tro!ble latel>.; ;5ell= than@s a ain= AlA=; 2ran@ sai$ warml> as he shoo@ the h! e= har$ han$. ;1o! s!re save$ me a l!mp on the hea$. ,:m 2ran@= an$ this is m> brother <oe.; The three strolle$ alon the beach. ;-o there:s been tro!ble in -hant>town latel>=; <oe repeate$= hopin to learn more Arom their new acB!aintance. ;1es. -!tton an$ his pals have been the ones ma@in it= too. All the> $o is Ai ht amon themselves. -hant>town wo!l$n:t be s!ch a ba$ place= otherwise.; ;6o >o! live here= AlA?; 2ran@ inB!ire$. ;Me?; The man la! he$ oo$-nat!re$l>. ;.o= b!t , wor@ on the $oc@s an$ , @now some Aellows who wor@ in town occasionall> an$ live here= so , come o!t a lot on m> ho!rs oAA.; B> now the three ha$ reache$ the Aar e$ e oA the colon>. ;,:ve ot to see a Aellow=; AlA tol$ them. ;4oo@ o!t Aor Han@ -!tton when >o! o bac@. ,A he tries an>thin = E!st >ell Aor AlA-AlA 4!n$bor .; The >o!n iant:s Arien$l> act an$ his open Aace ma$e 2ran@ $eci$e to tr!st him. ;Ma>be we can help >o! sometime= AlA=; he sai$. ;7!r name is Har$>= b!t we $on:t want an>one in -hant>town to @now it.; ;.obo$>:ll hear it Arom me=; 4!n$bor replie$. ;-a>= iA >o!:re oin be aro!n$ Aor a while= wh> $on:t >o! eat with m> Arien$s an$ me?; ;5e:$ li@e that=; 2ran@ sai$. ;How:'' we Ain$ >o!?; AlA reache$ into his poc@et. ;<!st listen Aor this=; he replie$= openin his han$. ,n the palm la> a harmonica. ;-ee >o! aro!n$=; he sai$ an$ move$ oAA. 5hen AlA 4!n$bor ha$ one !p the beach= the brothers retrace$ their steps. 5hile pic@in !p more stones an$ shells= the> scanne$ the san$ careA!ll> Aor an>thin that mi ht belon to their missin ch!ms. This time the> too@ care not to vent!re too close to -!tton:s shant>. ;There:s o!r :Arien$=:; 2ran@ sai$ in a low voice. -tealin a lance towar$ the h!t= <oe saw -!tton stan$in at one corner= tal@in earnestl> with another man. His companion was listenin with obvio!s impatience. He shiAte$ his wei ht an$ s!$$enl> t!rne$ A!ll aro!n$. The Har$>s saw that he was short in b!il$= an$ ha$ blac@ hair combe$ strai ht bac@. ;That manD; <oe whispere$. ;,t:s-; ;, @nowD; 2ran@ too@ his brother:s arm an$ h!rrie$ him towar$ the beach. ;,t:s the spee$boat $river who almost ramme$ !sD 5hat:s he $oin here?; to

CHAPT#" 8,,,
Postcar$ P!CCle ;3##P oin =; 2ran@ a$vise$ <oe. ;,A we t!rn aro!n$ Aor another loo@= that powerboat pilot ma> reco niCe !sD; 5ith bent hea$s= the >o!n $etectives sh!AAle$ alon the beach between the ocean an$ the Airst line oA sB!atters: shac@s. ,A the stran er with the $ar@= combe$-bac@ hair notice$ them at all= he saw onl> two ra e$ beachcombers wan$erin bac@ in the $irection oA Ba>port. ;-o= the Aellow who ramme$ !s han s aro!n$ -hant>townD; <oe b!rst o!t. ;1es=; 2ran@ a$$e$ tho! htA!ll>= ;an$ he:s Arien$l> with the chieA tro!blema@er there.; ;B!t wh> sho!l$ one oA B!tton:s pals tr> to ram the -le!th?; <oe p!CCle$. ;Beca!se he Ao!n$ o!t-or s!specte$-we:$ be investi atin -hant>-town?; ;Possibl>=; 2ran@ replie$. ;An$ iA Chet an$ BiAA are prisoners here= the men $on:t want !s to Ain$ o!tD The>:ll $o ever>thin to @eep !s awa>.; <oe whistle$. ;,A that:s tr!e= we m!st Ain$ them. ,:m scare$ abo!t what ma> have happene$ to them.; ;Ma>be we:ll pic@ !p some cl!es toni ht=; 2ran@ sai$. ;,t:s almost s!ppertime. 4et:s o bac@ an$ watch -!tton:s place.; 5hen the bo>s ret!rne$ to the ro!p oA shac@s= the> saw some oA the men $riAtin in Arom wor@= an$ others ten$in coo@in Aires. Behin$ -!tton:s shant> was a $eserte$ shac@. 2ran@ an$ <oe slippe$ insi$e an$ settle$ themselves b> a bro@en win$ow. Altho! h the> sta>e$ at their post an ho!r= the> saw no si n oA activit>. ;-!tton:s probabl> eatin somewhere else=;
2ran@ sai$. ;4et:s Ain$ AlA an$ come bac@ later.; As the bo>s steppe$ o!tsi$e the> hear$ a livel> t!ne Arom a harmonica. 2ollowin the so!n$ oA the m!sic= the> Ao!n$ AlA pla>in Aor a small ro!p oA ro! h-loo@in men= seate$ aro!n$ a Aire. 5hen AlA Ainishe$ the son = he intro$!ce$ the bo>s an$ the laborers b> Airst names. The men loo@e$ the Har$>s over an$ no$$e$. ;The stew:s $one=; a bi re$-Aace$ man sai$= ta@in lar e @ettle. ;Pitch inD; the li$ Arom a
As the men be an to serve themselves on tin plates= 2ran@ an$ <oe

reache$ into their ba s an$ too@ o!t the Aoo$ the> ha$ bro! ht. The> !npac@e$ a po!n$ oA Aran@A!rters= rolls= two cans oA beans= an$ apples. ;Help >o!rselves=; 2ran@ invite$ cor$iall>. ;4oo@s oo$= bo>s=; sai$ the re$-Aace$ man= whose name was 4o!. ;Most oA !s are h!n r> eno! h to eat two s!ppers.; B> the time the last cr!mb ha$ $isappeare$= the men ha$ warme$ !p to 2ran@ an$ <oe an$ willin l> answere$ their seemin l> cas!al B!estions abo!t -hant>town. .one oA the men= however= @new what the Ai hts were abo!t= nor ha$ the> seen two stran e bo>s. ;5e:ll @eep o!r e>es open Aor :em=; 4o! vol!nteere$. He too@ some $riAtwoo$ Arom a b!shel bas@et besi$e him= an$ threw two pieces on the Aire. Then he tosse$ a piece oA $ar@ cloth aAter it. ;5hat:s that?; 2ran@ as@e$ sharpl>. He rabbe$ a lon stic@ an$ hoo@e$ the cloth Arom the blaCe. ;,t:s E!st some E!n@ , pic@e$ !p=; 4o! answere$. 2ran@ $roppe$ it to the piece. ro!n$ an$ the brothers ea erl> examine$ the orilla o!tAitD; <oe whispere$ excite$l>.
;,t:s a sleeve Arom Chet:s
;, tho! ht it loo@e$ Aamiliar=; 2ran@ sai$. To 4o! he sai$= ;,t:s part oA a cost!me. 5here $i$ >o! Ain$ this?; ;Behin$ -!tton:s shac@=; the man replie$. ;,s it important?; AlA as@e$ the bo>s. ;,t $eAinitel> lin@s o!r missin Arien$s with -hant>town=; 2ran@ replie$= as he p!t the sleeve in his b!rlap ba . ;Come on= <oeD 4et:s o bac@ to -!tton:s place.; AAter than@in the $ar@ness. the men Aor their hospitalit>= the bo>s h!rrie$ oAA into
;Be careA!l=; AlA calle$ aAter them. ;1ell iA >o! nee$ help.; The Har$>s Ao!n$ the shant> $ar@ an$ pa$loc@e$. The> circle$ it ca!tio!sl>= b!t there was no one aro!n$. <oe @noc@e$ on the $oor. ;ChetD BiAAD; 2ran@ calle$. .ot a so!n$ Arom insi$e. A ain <oe po!n$e$ an$ both bo>s calle$ repeate$l>. ;,t:s no !se=; <oe sai$ Ainall>. ;,A the> are insi$e= the>:re probabl> bo!n$ an$ a e$.; ;4oo@ Aor an openin between the boar$s=; 2ran@ instr!cte$. The bo>s p!lle$ o!t pencil Alashli hts an$ examine$ the si$e oA the shac@. ;,:ve Ao!n$ a @nothole=; sai$ <oe. ;An$ here:s a chin@. ,:ll shine m> li ht in while >o! loo@ thro! h the hole.; <oe watche$ the slen$er beam shiAt aro!n$ the $ar@ room. ;#mpt>=; he $eclare$= $isappointe$. ;4et:s loo@ Aor more oA Chet:s or BiAA:s belon in s.; The> searche$ the san$ aro!n$ the shant>= b!t Ao!n$ nothin . ;4et:s hi$e in the $eserte$ shac@ a ain=; 2ran@ s! este$. ;,A -!tton comes bac@ with an> oA his pals= we ma> overhear somethin important.;

Patientl> the >o!n $etectives waite$ an$ watche$= b!t their B!arr> $i$ not ret!rn. 2ran@ cons!lte$ his watch. ;,t:s almost mi$ni ht. Ma>be-; ;-hD; <oe interr!pte$. ;4istenD; The> hear$ Aootsteps an$ saw a $ar@ Ai !re approachin -!tton:s shant>. The stran er @noc@e$ several times. 2inall> a nei hbor opene$ his $oor. ;1o! loo@in: Aor -!tton?; he as@e$. ;1es=; replie$ the !n@nown caller. ;All , @now is he went oAA in a car with a $ar@-haire$ Aellow. , hear$ -!tton sa> he wo!l$n:t come bac@ toni ht.; 5itho!t a wor$ the caller $isappeare$ into the $ar@ness. The $oor to the shac@ slamme$ sh!t. ;That:s that=; 2ran@ sai$ in $isappointment. ;4et:s o bac@ to town an$ report to hea$B!arters.; ;1o! bet. 2ran@= $o >o! s!ppose Chet an$ BiAA were here b!t have been ta@en awa>?; ;,t:s a oo$ !ess.; The bo>s covere$ the mile oA beach to their boat= B!ic@l> p!lle$ oAA the improvise$ camo!Ala e= an$ la!nche$ her. 2ran@ hea$e$ $own the coast towar$ Ba>port an$ the Har$> boatho!se. 5hen the bo>s ha$ $ebar@e$= the> $onne$ their street clothes a ain. Carr>in their b!rlap ba s= the> emer e$ Arom the boatho!se an$ mo!nte$ their motorc>cles. ,t was well past mi$ni ht. 5hen the Har$>s reache$ police hea$B!arters= the> were amaCe$ to see ChieA Colli in his oAAice. He loo@e$ tire$ an$ somewhat $eEecte$. ;,:ve been wor@in ni ht an$ $a> on the ban@ robber> case an$ the m>ster> oA >o!r Arien$s=; he sai$. ;,:m aArai$ that the bo>s have been @i$nape$.; ;That:s what we Aear=; 2ran@ sai$. He showe$ the orilla hea$ mas@ an$ sleeve oA Chet:s cost!me an$ tol$ oA the bo>s: r!n-in with -!tton. ;,:ll sen$ men o!t there to ma@e a thoro! h search=; Colli ;5e:ll o with themD; <oe vol!nteere$ ea erl>. sai$.
;5e:$ better not=; 2ran@ co!ntere$. ;7nce the men at -hant>town see !s with the police= we won:t be able to wor@ !n$er cover there.; "e retA!ll>= <oe a ree$. ChieA >o!n Airst BiAA= Colli rose= stro$e aro!n$ the $es@= an$ clappe$ each oA the sle!ths on the sho!l$er. ;Than@s= bo>sD 1o!:ve bro! ht in the two lea$s ,:ve ha$ on this case=; he sai$. ;,A we Ain$ Chet an$ ,:ll call >o! at once.;
2ran@ an$ <oe h!rrie$ home thro! h the silent streets. 5hen the> let themselves into the ho!se= the> saw a li ht in 2enton Har$>:s !pstairs st!$>. 2ran@ @noc@e$. ;Come in=; calle$ the $etective. 5hen his sons entere$= he p!she$ asi$e some papers on his $es@. ;5hat $i$ >o! Ain$ o!t to$a>?; He leane$ bac@ in his bi leather chair an$ listene$ careA!ll> as his

sons ave an acco!nt oA their $a>:s pro ress.
5hen it was Ainishe$= their Aather sai$= ;,A Colli $oesn:t Ain$ Chet an$ BiAA in -hant>town toni ht= an$ the> were @i$nape$= their parents sho!l$ receive ransom notes soon.; ;Perhaps the> will come tomorrow=; 2ran@ s! este$. He t!rne$ to his Aather. ;6o >o! thin@ Chet an$ BiAA:s $isappearance co!l$ have an>thin to $o with the ban@ robber>?; ;,t:s possible.; ;,n that case= ma>be >o!:$ let !s case= 6a$.; ive >o! a han$ on the ban@ robber>
;As a matter oA Aact=; the $etective replie$= ;iA Colli ha$n:t oAAere$ >o! the -hant>town problem= , wo!l$ have as@e$ >o!r help on this one.; 2ran@ an$ <oe loo@e$ perplexe$. ;B!t the ban@ robber> ha$n:t happene$ thenD; <oe proteste$. Mr. Har$> smile$ brieAl>. ;2or some time , have been wor@in secretl> to ro!n$ !p a certain rin oA ban@ robbers who operate on a national scale.; ;, see=; sai$ 2ran@. ;An$ the> committe$ the Ba>port hol$!p?; ;, believe so. ,t loo@s li@e their wor@. ,:ve learne$ that the an is bro@en !p into a n!mber oA teams=; Mr. Har$> explaine$. ;-omewhere on the 5est Coast is the rin lea$er who assi ns each :team: to rob a local ban@ in a $iAAerent part oA the co!ntr>. The scheme is ver> well or aniCe$.; The bo>s went to be$= hopin to be $ist!rbe$ b> a call Arom the police= tellin them oo$ news= b!t none came. ,n the mornin <oe calle$ hea$B!arters= then rela>e$ a $isappointin report to his Aamil>. ;The police $i$n:t Ain$ Chet an$ BiAA= b!t the> pic@e$ !p pieces oA their cost!mes on piles oA halA-charre$ paper trash in $iAAerent parts oA -hant>town. -omeone $i$n:t @now the o!tAits were AireprooA an$ trie$ to b!rn them.; ;Then o!r pals were ta@en there an$ later move$ somewhere else=; 2ran@ $eclare$. ;B!t where?; He an$ <oe were so !pset the> co!l$ har$l> eat brea@Aast. The other Har$>s= who also were Aon$ oA Chet an$ BiAA= were reatl> sobere$. ;7h= , almost Aor ot somethin =; sai$ Mrs. Har$>. ;A letter came Aor >o! bo>s in this mornin :s earl> mail.; -he han$e$ 2ran@ a plain white envelope. ;,t:s postmar@e$ .orthport= >ester$a>.; 2ran@ loo@e$ at it. ;The writin there:s no ret!rn a$$ress.; is Aamiliar=; he remar@e$= ;b!t
He tore open the envelope= too@ o!t a pict!re postcar$= an$ scanne$ the messa e. 2ran@:s e>es wi$ene$. ;4isten to thisD; he exclaime$. ; :Havin a won$erA!l time. 6on:t worr> abo!t !s.: An$ it:s si ne$ :Chet an$ BiAA:D;

The rest oA the Aamil> stare$ in amaCement. A!nt /ertr!$e snorte$ in$i nantl>. ;Havin = a won$erA!l time= in$ee$D #ver>one worrie$ sic@= police searchin all over the map Aor them= an$ the>:re havin a won$erA!l timeD; ;B!t what a relieAD; Mrs. Har$> sai$ warml>. ;,:ll call Mrs. Morton an$-; ;5ait a min!te=; Mr. Har$> ca!tione$. ;,t ma> not reall> be Arom the bo>s.; ;This is Chet:s han$writin =; 2ran@ sai$. <oe ha$ E!mpe$ Arom his chair to examine the car$. ;1es= it is=; he aAAirme$. ;The pict!re is oA 5aterAront -treet in .orthport. 4oo@s li@e an ol$ car$=; he a$$e$= passin it to his Aather. ;5h> $o >o! thin@ it was maile$ in an envelope?; Mrs. Har$> as@e$= p!CCle$. ;-o no one wo!l$ rea$ the messa e !ntil it ot here=; s! este$ <oe.
;5h> $i$n:t the> telephone?; A!nt /ertr!$e as@e$ tartl>. ;,t:s even B!ic@er.; ;, thin@ the> wo!l$ iA the> co!l$= A!ntie=; 2ran@ replie$. ;Chet an$ BiAA @now better than to worr> ever>bo$> this wa>. The>:re prisonersD; ;An>wa>= we @now the>:re alive=; sai$ his mother. ;That in itselA is oo$ news.; ;5ill >o! call Mrs. Hooper an$ Mrs. Morton an$ tell them?; 2ran@ reB!este$ his mother. -he no$$e$. ;An$ ,:ll notiA> the police=; Mr. Har$> a$$e$. ;B> the wa>= the> loo@e$ Aor the thieves: Ain erprints on Chet:s Ealop> an$ >o!r motorboat= b!t $i$n:t Ain$ an>.; ;, s!ppose the robbers wore loves=; 2ran@ remar@e$.
As <oe went bac@ to his chair= he sai$= ;, thin@ we o! ht to r!n !p to .orthport an$ see iA we can trace this car$.; Mr. Har$> loo@e$ tho! htA!l. ;The ban@ robbers stole their in .orthport.; etawa> car
;An$ the Aellow who trie$ to ram the -le!th=; 2ran@ a$$e$= ;ma> have come $own Arom there aAter watchin the re atta.; ;6on:t Aor et=; sai$ <oe= ;he:s a pal oA -!tton:s.; ;.orthport mi ht provi$e cl!es to Chet an$ BiAA= the ban@ robber>= an$ the -hant>town tro!ble=; 2ran@ concl!$e$. The bo>s Ainishe$ their brea@Aast an$ ro$e to the Har$> boatho!se. As <oe steppe$ into the -le!th= he @ic@e$ oAA his moccasins. The next moment he crie$= ;7!ch-he>D Bro@en lassD; He liAte$ the Aloor rac@.

;There:s a whole mess oA it in the bottom. 4oo@s li@e a so$a bottle.; ;That:s A!nn>=; sai$ 2ran@. ;5e $i$n:t notice an> >ester$a>.; ;That:s beca!se the lass was all hi$$en !n$er the rac@=; <oe pointe$ o!t. ;This piece was Aorce$ !p between the slats overni ht b> the roc@in oA the boat.; 5hile he in erl> extracte$ a sliver oA lass Arom his toe= 2ran@ pic@e$ !p the Ea e$ Ara ments. ;These weren:t here the $a> beAore the robber>=; he bro@e in excite$l>. ;5e too@ o!t the rac@ an$ emptie$ the boat completel>. ,t:s a cl!e= <oeD 5e:ll p!t these pieces to ether at home.; He Ao!n$ some cheesecloth in the $ashboar$ compartment= athere$ all the lass Ara ments into it= an$ p!t the little b!n$le in his poc@et. <oe= meanwhile= st!c@ a small ban$a e on his Aoot an$ p!t on his shoes. AAter Aillin the tan@ with A!el= the bo>s hea$e$ Aor .orthport. The motorboat strea@e$ across the ba>= with 2ran@ at the wheel. -@illA!ll> he throttle$ $own a bit as his craAt move$ into the lon = $ar@ swells oA the Atlantic. -tea$il> the -le!th plowe$ northwar$. <oe sha$e$ his e>es with his han$ as $ots oA lan$ appeare$ oAA the coast ahea$. ;There are the islan$s where Chet an$ BiAA wante$ to camp=; he note$. ;-a>D The>:re prett> isolate$-an$ wo!l$ be li@el> spots Aor hi$in @i$nap victimsD 5e o! ht to search them iA we $on:t Ain$ some cl!e to the bo>s in .orthport.; ;,:ll pass them as close as , can=; 2ran@ oAAere$. ;Ma>be we:ll see somethin .; 7ne b> one the line oA islets co!l$ be seen. Tho! h the Har$>s watche$ careA!ll>= the> saw onl> san$= pines= an$ h! e stone Aormations. -ome oA the islan$s were s!rro!n$e$ b> $an ero!s halA-s!bmer e$ roc@s. ;5e:re ettin close to <a e$ "eeA=; <oe remin$e$ his brother. ;Better ta@e her o!t. Those roc@> teeth can bite the bottom oA a boatD; 2ran@ t!rne$ the -le!th:s prow seawar$. As he revve$ !p the en ine= however= he was startle$ b> a sho!t Arom <oe. ;Hol$ itD There-s!bmer e$ E!st oAA those roc@s-; <oe pointe$ to a little islan$. ;,t loo@s li@e the wrec@ oA a motorboatD; ,mme$iatel> 2ran@ throttle$ $own an$ hea$e$ towar$ the spot. 2inall> he let the en ine i$le. ;, $on:t $are o an> closer=; he sai$. ;Can >o! see her Arom here?; ;7nl> the o!tline=; reporte$ <oe= who was stan$in !p now with one Aoot on the !nwale. ;4oo@s as iA she hit a roc@ close to shore an$ san@. -he:s a oo$ siCe.; ;Those Ara ments on the roc@ loo@ blac@=; <oe notice$. ;-o $oes the o!tline. -a>= $o >o! s!ppose it:s the boat that nearl> hit !s-the Blac@ Cat?;

;5e can Ain$ o!t=; 2ran@ sai$ promptl>. ;7!r !n$erwater eB!ipment is in the loc@er. Ta@e the wheel. , want to et a loo@.; F!ic@l> 2ran@ $onne$ a Aace mas@ with a wi$e lass plate. 4eanin over= he p!t his hea$ in the water an$ straine$ to see the wrec@ more clearl>. 4iAtin his Aace= he exclaime$= ;,t is blac@D , can:t tell iA it:s the Blac@ Cat at this $istance. 3eep her in close= <oe. 5h> are we $riAtin awa>?; ;Can:t help it.; 6esperatel> <oe >an@e$ at the wheel. ;5e:re ca! ht in the c!rrentD; he exclaime$ Aranticall>. 5hile the bo>s ha$ been intent on the s!n@en h!ll= the swiAt= stron c!rrent ha$ ca! ht their craAt. The -le!th was bein r!she$ towar$ the $ea$l> roc@s oA <a e$ "eeAD
CHAPT#" ,%
The 7l$ -alt:s -tor> B022#T#6 b> the c!rrent= the -le!th pl!n e$ o!t oA control towar$ the line oA white explo$in spra>= where the sea:s swell smac@e$ a ainst the barrier reeA. <oe bore $own har$ on the wheel as the ch!rne$-!p waters= Aallin bac@ Arom the roc@s= seethe$ !n$erneath. The $in oA crashin waves was terriAic= b!t above it co!l$ be hear$ the powerA!l throb oA the -le!th:s en ine. ;,A , co!l$ onl> t!rn herD; <oe tho! ht. 2or an instant the motorboat seeme$ to stan$ still in the mi$st oA the boilin waters. The en ine an$ treachero!s c!rrent p!lle$ with eB!al stren th in a Aierce t! oA war. Then= slowl>= the st!r$> craAt inche$ her wa> seawar$ !n$er <oe:s !i$ance. ;-he $i$ itD; 2ran@ whoope$ in relieA. ;5hat a boatD An$ nice pilotin = <oeD; The -le!th athere$ spee$ an$ <oe too@ the boat o!t a saAe $istance Arom the reeA. ;Too ba$ we co!l$n:t Ain$ o!t iA that s!n@en boat was the Blac@ Cat=; he remar@e$. ;B!t ma>be we can learn somethin abo!t the wrec@ when we et to .orthport.; ;2irst we sho!l$ trace the postcar$=; 2ran@ sai$. He p!lle$ it Arom his poc@et an$ loo@e$ at it a ain careA!ll>. ;This is so ol$= it probabl> was bo! ht in a place that $oesn:t sell man>=; he commente$. ;The e$ es are >ellow an$ the pict!re is o!t oA $ate. There haven:t been trolle>s on 5aterAront -treet Aor >ears. As soon as we et there=

let:s loo@ Aor a little hole-in-the-wall store.; 2ran@ st!$ie$ the car$ Arom all an les. ;<oe= loo@D; he exclaime$= an$ pointe$ to the thin e$ e. There was a bl!e stain. ;,n@=; 2ran@ E!$ e$. ;,A it was spille$ on the whole batch oA car$s= the others will have similar blots. 5e:ll loo@ Aor that.; ,t was well past noon when the bo>s si hte$ .orthport on their leAt. Passin between a pair oA entrance b!o>s= the -le!th came oAA the swellin ocean onto the calm s!rAace oA a small= well-protecte$ harbor. 7n one si$e a Aorest oA thic@ masts rose Arom a Aleet oA st!r$> Aishin boats. At the Aar en$ oA the ba>= bri ht-colore$ pleas!re craAt ro$e at anchor. -len$er= pencilli@e masts mar@e$ the sailboats. 7n the shore nearb> were the >ellow woo$en s@eletons oA boats !n$er constr!ction. <oe !i$e$ the -le!th towar$ a lar e $oc@ with exten$e$ into the water Arom the boat>ar$. asoline p!mps= which
;This m!st be the >ar$ that sponsore$ the re atta=; 2ran@ commente$. ;Brin her in= <oe.; 5ithin min!tes the >o!n $etectives ha$ ma$e their craAt sec!re an$ scramble$ onto the $oc@. The> h!rrie$ $own the woo$en plan@in an$ t!rne$ onto 5aterAront -treet. There were resta!rants= so!venir shops= an$ boat-s!ppl> stores. All oA them were well @ept an$ b!s>. The bo>s stoppe$ in a l!ncheonette Aor a snac@= then h!rrie$ on. The> pa!se$ to loo@ $own the Airst intersectin street. ,t was narrow an$ shabb>. ;4et:s tr> the stores on this street=; <oe s! este$.
HalAwa> $own the bloc@= the> Ao!n$ a small conAectioner> sB!eeCe$ between a E!n@ shop an$ an empt> store. There was a si n HA""1:- on the win$ow. As the bo>s went in= a m!st> smell hit them. 5hen their e>es a$E!ste$ Arom bri ht s!nli ht to the $ar@ interior= the> saw a lass case oA can$> an$ a so$a Ao!ntain with a bro@en stool. There was no one in the store. ;4oo@D; 2ran@ sai$= pointin the can$> case. to a rac@ oA postcar$s on a shelA behin$
As <oe steppe$ behin$ the co!nter to peer at them= a $oor opene$ in the rear oA the store. ;6on:t to!ch itD; sai$ a $eep voice. The bo>s t!rne$ to see a bi man l!mberin towar$ them. He ha$ a swarth> Aace with h! e $ar@ e>es an$ a heav> blac@ m!stache. ;1o! want a postcar$?; he as@e$ shortl>. ;1es= please=; <oe replie$. The shop@eeper too@ the car$ rac@ Arom the shelA an$ place$ it on the co!nter. ;Pic@ o!t=; he or$ere$. 2ran@ showe$ the man Chet:s postcar$. ;5e want one li@e this. -ome

Arien$s oA o!rs bo! ht it here >ester$a>= we thin@.; The man loo@e$ at them stonil>. ;Co!l$ beD; He pointe$ at the rac@ to some Aa$e$ car$s i$entical to the one 2ran@ hel$. <oe liAte$ them o!t= hel$ them !p to ether= an$ sB!inte$ at the e$ es. There was the bl!e in@stainD ;6o >o! remember the Aellows who bo! ht this one?; 2ran@ as@e$ cas!all>= hol$in o!t the car$ Arom Chet an$ BiAA. ;1o! b!>in or as@in B!estions?; the man inB!ire$.
;Both=; 2ran@ tol$ him with a smile. ;, !ess >o! $on:t recall=; <oe sai$. ;Two bo>s o!r a e-one oA them prett> ch!bb>?; The man loo@e$ anno>e$. ;, remember who comes in m> place=; he sai$ hotl>. ;.o @i$s. ,t was a bi = bal$ Aellow with a lo!$ voice. He bo! ht a lot oA 2iCCle so$a. -econ$ time in a wee@.; 2ran@ an$ <oe exchan e$ lances. Both ha$ the same recollection: the h! e= bal$-hea$e$ man in the Blac@ Cat. Co!l$ he be the postcar$ p!rchaser? 0nable to learn more= the bo>s than@e$ the proprietor an$ p!rchase$ three postcar$s. 7!tsi$e= the> t!rne$ towar$ 5aterAront -treet. ;<!st as we s!specte$D; <oe b!rst o!t. ;The postcar$:s a phon>. -omebo$> Aorce$ Chet an$ BiAA to write itD; ;An$ that somebo$> ma> be the bal$ man. B!t what:s his ame? An$ is his b!$$> who pilote$ the Blac@ Cat in on it too? 5hat:s their connection with -hant>town= an>wa>?; ;,:$ s!re li@e to et m> han$s on those two m!st @now where BiAA an$ Chet are.; !>sD; <oe $eclare$. ;The>
The Har$>s stoppe$ at a nearb> resta!rant= where 2ran@ telephone$ Ba>port police hea$B!arters. He ave a report oA their Ain$in s to ChieA Colli . ;/oo$ lea$=; sai$ the oAAicer. ;That bal$ Aellow mi ht have a connection with >o!r pals: $isappearance. ,:ll sen$ o!t a $escription oA him. 3eep !p the oo$ wor@.; The Har$>s then went to the boat>ar$ where the> ha$ leAt the -le!th. ;Ma>be someone here @nows abo!t the Blac@ Cat=; <oe sai$. ;4et:s as@.; As the bo>s wal@e$ o!t on the $oc@s= a wir> man b!stle$ !p to them. He ha$ a livel>= r!$$> Aace an$ !nr!l> blac@ hair. reet
;Hello= matesD; he calle$ o!t. ;,:m 5illiam Caine-, mana e this $oc@. .ee$ an> as? "epairs?; 2ran@ spo@e !p. ;5hat we reall> want= Mr. Caine= is some inAormation.;

The mana er smile$. ;5e:v ot plent> oA that= too. Come alon .;
The Arien$l> man le$ the Har$>s to his oAAice= an ol$ $ec@ cabin= at one en$ oA his $oc@. ,nsi$e= 2ran@ an$ <oe loo@e$ abo!t them c!rio!sl>. The room was Aille$ with all sorts oA ol$ sea articles-a barometer= a binnacle= an$ a h! e pilot wheel. ,n a$$ition= there were a $es@= a Ailin cabinet= a t>pewriter= an$ a telephone. ;Prett> sn! = eh?; Mr. Caine ch!c@le$. ;,t:s m> little bit oA sea on shore= now that m> sailin $a>s are over.; 5hile <oe rinne$ appreciativel>= 2ran@ note$ a limp obEect l>in on top oA the Ailin cabinet. ;#xc!se me= Mr. Caine=; he sai$. ;5hat:s that?; The seaAarin man Aollowe$ 2ran@:s tosse$ it over. ;A mas@D; 2ran@ exclaime$. ;A orilla mas@D; <oe a$$e$. ;5here $i$ >o! et this= Mr. Caine?; aCe. ;7h= thatD; Carelessl> he
;3in$ oA scar>= ain:t he?; The ol$-timer ch!c@le$. ;5e ha$ a bi masB!era$e part> the last ni ht oA the re atta. , went as a orilla.; The >o!n sle!ths st!$ie$ the r!bber Aace intentl>. ;Coinci$ence=; <oe m!rm!re$. ;-!re was a bi over.; re atta=; the mana er went on. ;People came Arom all oo$-siCe$
<oe no$$e$. ;5hat we want to as@ >o! abo!t= Mr. Caine= is a inboar$= painte$ all blac@= name$ the Blac@ Cat=; ;The Blac@ Cat?; Caine raise$ his e>ebrows. ;5h>= , own herD; ;1o! $o?; 2ran@ exclaime$. ;-!re. .ice Aast boat= too. 5here:$ >o! see her?;
;At Ba>port= $a> beAore >ester$a>=; <oe replie$. ;-he trie$ to ram !s.; Caine loo@e$ astonishe$. ;5hat happene$?; ;5e p!lle$ awa> Arom her.; ;1o! Aellows m!st have a prett> ;5ho was pilotin her?; oo$ boat >o!rselvesD;
the Blac@ Cat= Mr. Caine?; 2ran@ as@e$. ;6i$ he wrec@
;, sho!l$ sa> notD -he:s tie$ !p to the $oc@ ri ht this min!te.; ;5e saw the s!n@en h!ll oA a blac@ boat oAA one oA the islan$s=; <oe explaine$. ;7h= >es= the poor ol$ F!een oA -pa$es; Mr. Caine replie$. ;Too ba$ she

was wrec@e$. 4i@e to have a loo@ at m> boat?; ;5e s!re wo!l$D; <oe $eclare$. Caine obli in l> le$ the wa> o!t on the lon pier. As he wal@e$= the ol$ salt ramble$ on abo!t the Blac@ Cat. ;-he:s a Aast boat= all ri ht. 4et:s see-$a> beAore >ester$a>-that was the last $a> oA the re atta. Three men Arom -an 2rancisco hire$ her.; ;Three?; <oe ca! ht him !p. ;There were onl> two men aboar$ when the> trie$ to ram o!r boat.; ;5ell= three hire$ her= b!t onl> two went o!t in her. 4et:s see-there were the -tar@ brothers= Ben an$ 2ritC= , thin@ their names were= an$ a thir$ Aellow-bi an$ bal$. He an$ Ben went o!t in the boat. The men sai$ the> came all the wa> here on their vacations= especiall> to see the re atta.; ;Are the> still aro!n$?; 2ran@ as@e$. ;The>:re bac@ in CaliAornia b> now= , !ess=; Caine replie$. ;-ai$ the> were ta@in a plane.; He stoppe$ at the e$ e oA the $oc@ an$ motione$ $ownwar$. ;There she is=; he sai$ pro!$l>. 2ran@ an$ <oe Ao!n$ themselves loo@in into the same slee@= blac@ powerboat which ha$ nearl> ramme$ them. <oe steppe$ into the boat an$ loo@e$ aro!n$ careA!ll>. ;-!re the> $i$n:t leave an>thin behin$?; ;1ep. , alwa>s clean m> boats o!t oo$ aAter people brin :em in.;
;5ell= the Blac@ Cat s!re is a nice boat=; <oe $eclare$ as he climbe$ bac@ onto the $oc@. ;5hich one oA the renters was $rivin her? A $ar@ Aellow= with blac@ hair combe$ strai ht bac@?; ;1es=; Caine replie$. ;That wo!l$ be Ben -tar@.; ;5e reporte$ the attac@ to the Coast /!ar$=; 2ran@ tol$ the mana er. ;An$ ri ht >o! wereD; sai$ Mr. Caine. ;<!st let them t!rn !p here a ain= an$ ,:ll have :em arreste$.; ;,A >o! sho!l$ hear an>thin abo!t them= please let !s @now=; 2ran@ reB!este$= an$ ave his name an$ a$$ress. ;/la$ toD; exclaime$ Caine. ;.ow can , ;5e:$ better ive >o! some as?;
et some=; 2ran@ replie$= ;an$ start Aor home.;
B> the time the bo>s were rea$> to leave= the s!n was settin . 2ran@ revve$ !p the -le!th:s power plant an$ sent the craAt @niAin thro! h the swells. -oon the bo>s passe$ o!t the narrow mo!th oA .orthport harbor. 2ran@ t!rne$ the -le!th so!thwar$ towar$ Ba>port.

The sea was calmer than it ha$ been $!rin the $a>. 7n the ocean:s horiCon the $ar@ness athere$ slowl>= an$ Ainall> a Aew stars were be innin to p!sh thro! h when the coastal islan$s came into view on the -le!th:s starboar$ si$e. AAter passin <a e$ "eeA saAel>= 2ran@ ran in closer to the islan$s. Ahea$ the> saw a tall= limp white sail. As the -le!th $rew nearer= the bo>s ma$e o!t the masts an$ h!ll oA a trim-loo@in schooner= anchore$ Aor the ni ht oAA one oA the islets. ;.ice lines=; commente$ <oe. ;Pass close to her= will >o!= 2ran@?; F!ietl>= with her en ine throttle$ $own= the motorboat $rew abreast oA the lar er vessel. ,t was now $!s@ an$ a li ht shone in her cabin Arom which came the so!n$ oA activit>. 2ran@ aCe$ in a$miration at the tall masts an$ shipshape ri in -!$$enl> <oe:s Ain ers cl!tche$ his brother:s sho!l$er. ;4oo@D 7n the $ec@D; As the -le!th passe$ the schooner= 2ran@ ca! ht a B!ic@ Ai !re oA a bo> leanin over the rail. <oe crie$ o!t= ;That was ChetD; limpse oA the
CHAPT#" %
A .arrow #scape ;,T:- either Chet or his $o!bleD; <oe exclaime$. ;B!t ,:m s!re m> e>es weren:t pla>in tric@s.; ;6o >o! s!ppose he:s a prisoner on that schooner?; 2ran@ as@e$. ;5ell= we:ll soon Ain$ o!tD; He t!rne$ the wheel sharpl> an$ the -le!th sw!n close to the anchore$ vessel. abo!t. ,t circle$
;ChetD; crie$ <oe= ma@in a tr!mpet oA his han$s. ;Chet MortonD ,t:s 2ran@ an$ <oeD Are >o! all ri ht?; ;Che-e-tD; both bo>s >elle$ to ether. ;Che-e-t Mo-or-tonD; A momentar> h!sh Aollowe$= as the Har$>s pa!se$ Aor breath. All so!n$s oA activit> aboar$ the schooner cease$. Abr!ptl> a b!rl> sailor in white $!c@ tro!sers appeare$ on $ec@. ;5hat:s all the holler?; he bar@e$. ;Clear o!t oA here= or >o!:ll in plent> oA tro!bleD; As <oe stoo$ !p to retort= 2ran@ >an@e$ him $own a ain. ;5e sho!l$ he whispere$. ;4et him thin@ he scare$ !s oAA.; et oD;

The -le!th:s en ine roare$ lo!$er= an$ the boat move$ alon oA the islan$ !ntil the white sails were o!t oA si ht. the shore
;,t:ll be blac@ ni ht o!t here in halA an ho!r=; 2ran@ explaine$. ;Then we:ll o bac@ an$ see what:s !p.; 6a>li ht Aa$e$ awa>= leavin in its place broa$l> sprin@le$ stars. A calm ocean swa>e$ their boat entl>. "oc@s alon the shore h!mpe$ !p= massive shapes in the $ar@ness. ;.owD; 2ran@ sai$ soAtl>. <oe too@ the wheel an$ throttle$ the smooth-r!nnin en ine so low that its so!n$ was onl> a Aaint h!m. 3eepin as close to shore as possible= the -le!th crept towar$ the anchore$ schooner. 5hen the vessel loome$ E!st ahea$= <oe c!t the throttle completel> an$ the motorboat li$e$ noiselessl> !n$er her stern. 2ran@= hol$in o!t his han$s to war$ oAA the h!ll= s!$$enl> Aelt ro! h Aibers. ;A rope la$$erD; he whispere$. ;,:m ;,:ll Aollow=; sai$ <oe. AAter sec!rin their own boat with a loose hitch= 2ran@ ca!tio!sl> $rew his bo$> !pwar$= r!n b> r!n . <oe was ri ht behin$ him. 2ran@ slippe$ !n$erneath the rail an$ crawle$ alon the empt> $ec@. <oe reache$ the top oA the la$$er an$ steppe$ Aorwar$. -!$$enl>= Arom o!t oA the $ar@ness= two powerA!l arms seiCe$ him in a viseli@e rip= an$ a man:s san$paper voice calle$ o!t: ;HereD , ca! ht one oA themD; <oe tense$ in s!rprise= then sp!n aro!n$= brea@in the 5ith all his stren th he $rove !pwar$= his hea$ hittin oA his attac@er li@e a batterin ram. rip. He $!c@e$. the mi$section oin !pD;
As the man Aell bac@= aspin = <oe leape$ to his Aeet. ;2ran@D; he crie$ hoarsel>. There was no repl>= b!t a wil$ clamor rose Arom the Aore part oA the $ec@. ;Here he isD; someone crie$ o!t. ;.o= hereD; another raspe$. ;That:s me= >o! AoolD; -omeone be an rin in Aeet an$ the r!ntin the $ec@ bell. There came the sh!AAle oA r!nnin oA men short oA breath. o!t= ;.o !se= <oeD 7verboar$D;
Then 2ran@:s clear voice san
Both bo>s va!lte$ the rail. As <oe hit the water= another e>ser oA spra> rose several Aeet Arom him. The Har$>s poppe$ to the s!rAace= then $isappeare$ !n$er the $ar@ water a ain.

;Harbor thievesD; came sho!ts Arom the $ec@. ;/et themD; The bell clan e$ on. There were two s!$$en b!rsts oA li ht= accompanie$ b> sharp explosions. -omeone was shootin wil$l>D 2ran@ an$ <oe s!rAace$ near the rope la$$er an$ B!ic@l> !ntie$ the -le!th. -wimmin with swiAt= silent stro@es the> p!she$ their craAt awa> Arom the schooner into the protectin $ar@ness. ;5hewD; breathe$ <oe as he t!mble$= pantin = into the motorboat. ;The> m!st have been on $ec@= watchin .; ;An>how= , Ao!n$ o!t what we wante$ to @now=; 2ran@ reporte$. ;That wasn:t Chet= b!t a bo> who loo@s a lot li@e him.; ;How $o >o! @now?; ;He tac@le$ me. , sai$= :Chet= it:s 2ran@D: b!t he h!n That:s when , >elle$ Aor >o! to o over the si$e.; on ti htl>.
<oe starte$ the motor an$ opene$ the throttle all the wa>. As the -le!th aine$ power= the prow liAte$ an$ the boat leape$ Aorwar$. -aAel> awa> Arom the >acht= <oe switche$ on the r!nnin li hts. Alon the shore= the> co!l$ see a solitar> li ht here an$ there. Presentl> the bri ht low oA beach Aires tol$ them the> were passin -hant>-town. ;.o more stops toni ht=; 2ran@ sai$ with a ch!c@le. The -le!th crosse$ the B!iet expanse oA Ba>port harbor an$ Ainall> entere$ their boatho!se. Twent> min!tes later the> reache$ the Har$> ho!se. Their mother an$ a!nt were anxio!sl> waitin . ;/oo$ness racio!sD; scol$e$ A!nt /ertr!$e. ;,s this a time to come home-; -he stoppe$ an$ aspe$. ;7hD 4oo@ at themD -oa@in wet-li@e a pair oA $rowne$ ratsD; ;5e:re almost $r>= A!ntie=; <oe replie$ with a la! h. ;5e Aell in over an ho!r a o.; ;2ell inD; their mother exclaime$. ;5e can:t wait to hearD B!t Airst >o!:$ better o !pstairs an$ chan e= then have some s!pper.; -oon 2ran@ an$ <oe= comAortable in Aresh= $r> clothes= were seate$ at the @itchen table beAore a late b!t steamin $inner. ;5here:s 6a$?; 2ran@ as@e$. ;He leAt town this aAternoon=; Mrs. Har$> replie$. ;He:s chec@in an o!t-oA-state cl!e on the ban@ robber>. .ow tell !s what happene$ to >o! bo>s.; ;5ell= we tho! ht we saw Chet on a schooner=; 2ran@ be an= as he c!t into a enero!s slice oA roast beeA. ;7nl> it wasn:t Chet . . .; <oe sai$= an$ helpe$ himselA to a ba@e$ potato. ;The> tho! ht we were thieves . . .; 2ran@ trie$ a ain.

;-o we E!mpe$ overboar$D; <oe a$$e$. ;A ver> clear acco!nt=; A!nt /ertr!$e commente$ tartl>. As soon as the brothers Ainishe$ eatin !p= an$ hea$e$ Aor the bac@ $oor. the> exc!se$ themselves= E!mpe$
;7h= noD; crie$ A!nt /ertr!$e in alarm. ;5here are >o! oAA to now?; ;<!st o!t to the laborator>= A!ntie=; 2ran@ reass!re$ her. ;5e Ao!n$ somethin to$a> we m!st wor@ on.; The bo>s ran !p the ara e stairs an$ <oe !nloc@e$ the $oor at the top. 2ran@ switche$ on the Al!orescent li ht over a clean table. 7n it he lai$ the cheesecloth b!n$le oA lass Ara ments Arom the -le!th. ;5e:ll nee$ somethin to hol$ these to ether=; he note$= !nwrappin reen shar$s. As the brothers examine$ them= 2ran@ reache$ Aor a container oA p!tt>. ;This will be better than l!e.; Treatin the Ara ments li@e pieces in a Ei saw p!CCle= the >o!n sle!ths reb!ilt a twelve-o!nce= reen-tinte$ pop bottle. ;2iCCle=; <oe rea$ Arom the raise$ lass letters. ;2iCCle-where-; the
;Harr>:s conAectioner> in .orthportD; 2ran@ bro@e in excite$l>. ;The owner sai$ that the bal$ man bo! ht several bottles oA 2iCCleD; ;1o! mean he mi ht have been the one who leAt the bro@en -le!th?; ;1esD .ot onl> that-he mi ht have $one it while helpin boat.; lass in the to steal o!r
;5ait a min!teD; <oe:s tho! hts race$ as he Aollowe$ his brother:s line oA $e$!ction. ;,A that:s tr!e= he co!l$ be one oA the ban@ robbersD The> stole a car in .orthportD; ;An$ $on:t Aor et the postcar$ b!siness= which ma> tie him in with the @i$napin oA Chet an$ BiAAD; <oe no$$e$. ;Then there:s Ben -tar@= the pilot oA the Blac@ Cat= which b> the wa>= came $own Arom .orthport the $a> oA the ban@ robber>. ,s he lin@e$ with both cases? An$ is his pal -!tton? An$ where $o the Ai hts at -hant>town Ait in?; ;That:s Aor !s to Ain$ o!t=; 2ran@ sai$ $etermine$l>. ;#speciall> since the answer mi ht lea$ !s to Chet an$ BiAA. 5e:re prett> s!re the> were in -hant>town-since we Ao!n$ Chet:s orilla mas@ oAA the coast there= an$ his sleeve was pic@e$ !p behin$ -!tton:s shac@.; The excitement s!$$enl> Aa$e$ Arom <oe:s Aace. ;Ma>be o!r h!nches are on the wron trac@. AAter all= 2iCCle co!l$ be sol$ in other places besi$es .orthport-an$ we have no prooA the bal$ !> leAt the bottle in the -le!th;

;6on:t be a pessimist=; 2ran@ be e$. ;"emember what 6a$ sa>s: :Persistence is E!st as important as cleverness in $etective wor@.: ; ;1es= an$ a little l!c@ helps= too. 6on:t worr>. ,t:s E!st that we have so man> m>steries to solve. 5hich one $o we tac@le next?; The rin in oA Gthe telephone interr!pte$. 2ran@ answere$. ;/la$ to Ain$ >o! home=; came ChieA Colli :s Aamiliar voice. ;Ma>be >o! can help me. 5e have a man $own here-been bro! ht in Aor stealin . He seems to thin@ >o! an$ <oe can clear him.; ;<oe an$ ,?; repeate$ 2ran@= astonishe$. ;5h> . . . what:s his name? 5hat $oes he loo@ li@e?; ;He:s a bi = stron Aellow-a steve$ore. Calls himselA Alt;
CHAPT#" %,
Mi$ni ht Caller ;A42 4!n$bor a thieAD; 2ran@ exclaime$. ;, can:t believe itD 5e:ll be ri ht $own= ChieA Colli =; he promise$. ;, $on:t b!> it=; <oe sai$ Alatl> as the> starte$ o!t. ;5hat:s the pitch?; 2ran@ shr! e$ an$ h!rrie$ oAA to inAorm his mother oA the erran$= while <oe loc@e$ the laborator>. Then the brothers r!she$ $owntown on their motorc>cles to ChieA Colli :s oAAice. ;5here:s AlA?; as@e$ <oe= loo@in ;5e:re hol$in explaine$. aro!n$ as he entere$.
him in a cell !ntil , tal@ to >o! bo>s=; the oAAicer
;He:s the man we tol$ >o! abo!t >ester$a>=; 2ran@ remin$e$ the chieA. ;The one who helpe$ !s in -hant>town. ,A it ha$n:t been Aor him= -!tton wo!l$ have crac@e$ m> s@!ll with a blac@Eac@.; ;, remember=; the chieA replie$. ;-!tton:s the ca!se oA his arrest.; BeAore the s!rprise$ bo>s co!l$ spea@= he a$$e$= ;,:ll let 4!n$bor tell >o! himselA.; 7ver his intercom he or$ere$ the s!spect bro! ht in. ;, $on:t believe AlA:s a thieA=; 2ran@ sai$. ;B!t he $oes have a recor$ Aor pett> theAt an$ $ist!rbin the peace=; ChieA Colli sai$ soberl>. ;That ma@es it loo@ ba$ Aor him.; ;How lon a o was that?; <oe as@e$. replie$. ;He
;AlA:s last br!sh with the law was Aive >ears a o=; Colli claims he was E!st a wil$ @i$ at the time.;

The $oor opene$ an$ AlA stoo$ on the threshol$. His iant Arame almost hi$ the ser eant behin$ him. 5hen he saw the Har$>s= his tro!ble$ Aace li hte$ !p instantl>. ;, @new >o! Aellows wo!l$n:t let me $own=; he b!rst o!t. ;Tell the chieA , $i$n:t ta@e itD; ;Ta@e what= AlA?; sai$ 2ran@. ;The police Ao!n$ a transistor ra$io in m> @napsac@=; the bi explaine$= ;b!t , $i$n:t p!t it thereD; man
;-!tton reporte$ it stolen=; the oAAicer sai$. ;5e sent o!t 4ie!tenant 6ale> to investi ate= an$ he Ao!n$ it in 4!n$bor :s ba .; ;,s 4ie!tenant 6ale> still here?; 2ran@ as@e$. ;5o!l$ >o! have him come in?; Colli no$$e$. A Aew min!tes later a tall= thin-Aace$ oAAicer entere$. He an$ the Har$>s ha$ @nown one another Aor >ears an$ exchan e$ reetin s. ;4ie!tenant 6ale>=; 2ran@ sai$= ;when >o! were h!ntin that >o! loo@ in AlA:s @napsac@?; ;-!tton=; the oAAicer answere$. 2ran@ no$$e$. ;,t loo@s li@e a plant= ChieA.; ;-!re it is=; <oe $eclare$. ;AlA scare$ -!tton oAA when he attac@e$ 2ran@. He probabl> plante$ the ra$io to et even.; ;That:s ri htD That:s E!st what , tol$ themD; AlA boome$. ;Than@s a lot Aor stic@in b> me= Aellows. ,:ll et -!ttonD; ;Hol$ on thereD; comman$e$ ChieA Colli . ;1o!:ll be bac@ here Aor assa!lt iA >o! tr> that. -ince the Har$>s bac@ !p >o!r stor>= ,:ll let >o! o. B!t iA -!tton prosec!tes= we:ll have to brin >o! in a ain.; ;7@a>.; AlA wr!n the bo>s: han$s= than@e$ them= an$ leAt. Aor the ra$io who s! este$
2ran@ pointe$ to a ra$io on Colli :s $es@ an$ as@e$= ;,s this the stolen propert>?; ;That:s it=; 4ie!tenant 6ale> spo@e !p. ;Ta@e a loo@=; the chieA invite$= an$ 2ran@ pic@e$ !p the compact= heav> little set. ;<apanese ma@e. 1o@ohama -!per-%.; ;4et:s see=; <oe reB!este$. He ave a low whistle as his brother passe$ it to him. ;5hat a little bea!t>D Bran$ new= too. 4oo@ at that nic@elan$-ivor> caseD; ;,t:s an expensive= rare set=; 4ie!tenant 6ale> commente$. ;.ot man> people can aAAor$ one.;

;That:s tr!e=; 2ran@ sai$. ;Han@ -!tton seems to be E!st a see$>loo@in character who lives in -hant>town. B!t <oe an$ , have a h!nch as to how he co!l$ aAAor$ a ra$io li@e this.; ;1o! mean he stole it?; ChieA Colli as@e$.
;5e thin@ he belon s to a rin oA thieves=; 2ran@ tol$ him. ;,A the> Ai ht amon themselves= it wo!l$ explain the tro!ble in -hant>town.; 4ie!tenant 6ale> loo@e$ $o!btA!l. ;,A -!tton stole the ra$io= wh> wo!l$ he plant it on AlA? That wo!l$ onl> call the attention oA the police to himselA.; 2ran@ rinne$. ;,A >o!:$ seen -!tton Airst an$ thin@s later.; ;Then he:s probabl> re rettin 6ale> ret!rne$. o aAter me= >o!:$ @now he acts
4!n$bor :s arrest ri ht now=; 4ie!tenant
;That:s not all he:ll re ret=; <oe promise$ riml>= ;iA he:s ha$ an>thin to $o with Chet an$ BiAA:s $isappearance.; ;That remin$s me=; the chieA sai$. ;The bo>s: parents receive$ postcar$s Arom .orthport= too. 5e:re loo@in Aor the bal$= lo!$-voice$ man >o! tol$ me abo!t= b!t that isn:t m!ch to o on.; ;.o=; 2ran@ a$mitte$= ;b!t we:re wor@in on a new cl!e.; He tol$ oA the $iscover> oA the 2iCCle so$a bottle an$ the p!rchase oA a similar one b> the bal$-hea$e$ man in .orthport. ;That:s wh> we thin@ he:s connecte$ with stealin the -le!th as well as Chet an$ BiAA:s $isappearance.; ;Then=; <oe p!t in= ;we learne$ that the $oc@ mana er !p there owns the Blac@ Cat an$ rente$ it the $a> oA the ban@ robber> to the bal$ Aellow an$ Ben -tar@-the one we saw tal@in to Han@ -!tton in -hant>town.; ChieA Colli loo@e$ at the bo>s @eenl>. ;, see what >o!:re $rivin atthat -!tton ma> be more than a pett> thieA-he an$ the other two mi ht be involve$ in the robber>D; As 4ie!tenant 6ale> stare$ at the Har$>s in amaCement= 2ran@ replie$= ;1o!:re ri ht= ChieA. B!t we have no soli$ evi$ence >et to bac@ !p o!r h!nch. <oe an$ , will chec@ stores in town tomorrow to see where the ra$io came Arom.; ;/oo$. 5e:ll $o some chec@in Aor comin $own.; oA o!r own too. Than@s= 2ran@ an$ <oe=
5hen the Har$>s reache$ home= their ho!se was $ar@. The> let themselves in B!ietl>= went to be$= an$ Aell asleep at once. -ome time later <oe was awa@ene$ b> a noise. He sat !p= listenin . ,t came a ain-a soAt @noc@in . ;2ran@D; he whispere$= sha@in $oor.; his brother. ;-omeone:s at the Aront

,nstantl> 2ran@ was awa@e. The bo>s h!rrie$ $ownstairs. As the entle @noc@in be an a ain= 2ran@ switche$ on the porch li ht. <oe sw!n open the Aront $oor. BeAore them stoo$ a tall= thin= worrie$-loo@in man. ;Mr. 2renchD; crie$ <oe in s!rprise. The cost!me $ealer:s mo!th $roppe$ open in astonishment. ;1o!->o!:re not->o!:re hereD; he stammere$ incoherentl>. ;1es= oA co!rse= we are=; 2ran@ respon$e$. ;5h> are >o! so s!rprise$ to see !s?; ;5h>-ah-,:m terribl> sorr>= bo>sD; Mr. 2rench loo@e$ nervo!sl> over his sho!l$er. ;,-, see ,:ve come to the wron street-loo@in Aor Hi h Aven!e= an$ this m!st be Hi h -treet. -o sorr>D /oo$ ni htD; The tall man h!rrie$ $own the steps to a car at the c!rb an$ $rove awa>. <oe t!rne$ to his brother. ;There isn:t an> Hi h Aven!e in Ba>port. Mr. 2rench m!st @now that. He:s been in b!siness here Aor >ears.; As 2ran@ close$ the $oor= the> hear$ Aootsteps at the top oA the stairs an$ their mother:s voice as@e$ soAtl>= ;5hat is it= /ertr!$e?; ;B!r larsD; hisse$ their a!nt. ;, hear$ them tal@in .; -he calle$ $own in a lo!$ b!t sha@> voice= ;The police are comin D /o or ,:ll call m> nephewsD 2ran@D <oeD; ;5e:re $own here= A!ntieD; 2ran@ inAorme$ her= stiAlin are no b!r lars.; a la! h. ;There
AAter a secon$:s pa!se there came a wea@ ;5ellD; Aollowe$ b> ;H!mphD , mi ht have @nownD; ;5hat:s the matter= bo>s?; Mrs. Har$> as@e$. ;-omeone here who sai$ he ha$ the wron switche$ oAA the porch li ht. street=; <oe tol$ her= an$
The next mornin the bo>s ate an earl> brea@Aast. AAterwar$= 2ran@ s! este$= ;4et:s tr> all the appliance stores to see iA -!tton $i$ b!> the -!per-% ra$io. 5e can see Mr. 2rench later.; <oe a ree$ an$ the> set oAA. The> went Arom shop to shop= b!t the stor> was alwa>s the same: The merchants $i$ not stoc@ the 1o@ohama -!per-% ra$io-it was too costl> to sell man> sets. At last= however= a >o!n cler@ in a hi-Ai eB!ipment store sai$= ;1es= we have them. ,:ll be la$ to show >o! one.; ;5e:re not here to b!>=; 2ran@ sai$. ;5e E!st want to @now iA >o!:ve sol$ an> recentl>.; ;.o=; the $isappointe$ cler@ a$mitte$. ;5e $on:t sell man>. 5e tho! ht we wo!l$-$espite the hi h price-beca!se the -!per-% transistor has so man> extra Aeat!res-2M= short wave- name itD;

;5here $o >o! et them?; <oe as@e$.
;5e import $irectl> Arom the 1o@ohama "a$io Compan>:s $istrib!tors in <apan. The ra$ios come in b> ship an$ are !nloa$e$ on the Ba>port $oc@s.; ;Have >o! misse$ an> Arom >o!r stoc@ latel>?; 2ran@ B!erie$. The cler@ loo@e$ s!rprise$= b!t answere$ rea$il>= ;.o= b!t we were short one crate on the last shipment. M> boss wrote to the $istrib!tor in <apan abo!t it= b!t there hasn:t been time Aor a repl> >et.; The bo>s than@e$ the >o!th an$ ret!rne$ to the street. The> won$ere$ abo!t the cler@:s remar@s concernin the Aorei n-ma$e ra$ios. ;,A -!tton bo! ht the ra$io= he $i$n:t b!> it in Ba>port=; <oe $eclare$. 2ran@ sai$= ;He ma> have stolen the whole crate that was s!ppose$ to o to the hi-Ai store. 4et:s c>cle o!t to -hant>town. Ma>be we can learn more abo!t -!tton.; The brothers h!rrie$ home an$ p!t on their beachcomber clothes. Then the> hoppe$ onto their motorc>cles an$ spe$ alon -hore "oa$. The> hi$ their c>cles in a rove oA short= scr!bb> pines near the sB!atter colon>. ;5e:$ better wal@ the rest oA the wa>=; <oe sai$= ;an$ act as cas!al as possible.; 2ran@ an$ <oe entere$ the camp ca!tio!sl>. ,t was noontime an$ pale smo@e rose Arom a Aew coo@in Aires near the water. The villa e was nearl> $eserte$ an$ the bo>s E!$ e$ that -!tton:s shac@ was empt>. The $oor was pa$loc@e$. As 2ran@ an$ <oe wan$ere$ amon the h!ts= the> notice$ that each one ha$ a trash heap oA its own in the rear. -!$$enl> <oe $arte$ to a pile in which somethin linte$ in the s!nli ht. ;5hat $i$ >o! Ain$?; 2ran@ calle$= an$ ran Aorwar$ to loo@. ;Pop bottlesD; <oe ex!lte$= hol$in one aloAt. :2iCCle so$aD;
CHAPT#" %,,
The 6esolate ,slan$ <7# pic@e$ !p another bottle Arom the r!bbish heap. ;,t:s exactl> li@e the one we piece$ to ether last ni ht=; he $eclare$. ;These prove the ban@ robbers are lin@e$ !p with -hant>townD; ;,t loo@s that wa>=; 2ran@ conce$e$. ;B!t- 2iCCle so$a ma> be sol$ aro!n$ Ba>port. As >o! sai$= we $on:t @now Aor certain that the robbers !se$ the -le!th. -omebo$> ma> E!st have :borrowe$: it Aor a Eo> ri$e.;

;5ell= the bottles ma@e it li@el> that the robbers are connecte$ to this place=; <oe amen$e$. ;B!t let:s sco!t aro!n$ some more.; The two bo>s= han$s in poc@ets= strolle$ cas!all> amon the shac@s. Altho! h the> loo@e$ closel> at the Aew sB!atters han in aro!n$= the> saw no one the> reco niCe$. 6isappointe$= the brothers circle$ bac@ to the trash heap. ;5e:re ettin nowhere=; sai$ <oe= $isheartene$.
-!$$enl> 2ran@:s bo$> tense$. ;-hD 4istenD Hear that?; ;All , hear is the ocean.; ;-omeone is roanin D;
-till listenin intentl>= 2ran@ t!rne$ an$ loo@e$ all aro!n$ him. The nearest b!il$in was a ra>= win$owless shac@ with a close$ $oor. Abr!ptl> he stro$e towar$ it= <oe behin$ him. "eachin the han$leless $oor= 2ran@ ave a tentative p!sh an$ it sw!n open. 5aril> he steppe$ insi$e an$ blin@e$ Aor a moment in the $ar@ness. ;<oeD F!ic@D; A man la> h!$$le$ on a cot. His Aace an$ the blan@et he cl!tche$ were smeare$ with $rie$ bloo$= an$ he moane$ an$ heave$ Aor breath. ;The man:s !nconscio!s=; sai$ 2ran@ as he too@ the limp wrist Aor a p!lse. ;2in$ water= <oe. Ma>be there:s some in the E! on the table.; <oe loo@e$ into the container. ;5e:re in l!c@D; He soa@e$ his han$@erchieA an$ bathe$ the inE!re$ man:s Aace. As the bloo$ an$ $irt came awa>= the bo> ave a asp oA s!rprise. Han@ -!ttonD ;He:s ba$l> h!rt=; 2ran@ observe$. ;C!ts an$ br!ises on the hea$= an$ shoc@. Mi ht be Aract!res= too=; ;,:ll call the police amb!lance=; <oe vol!nteere$. ;5e passe$ a ho!se abo!t a mile $own the roa$. The> m!st have a phone.; ;H!rr>D; 2ran@ !r e$. ;,:ll sta> here.; <oe sprinte$ Aor his motorc>cle. 5hile he was one= 2ran@ searche$ the $im h!t Aor cl!es to an assailant= b!t Ao!n$ nothin . -oon an amb!lance= its re$ li hts blin@in = was spee$in towar$ -hant>town. A police car Aollowe$. 5hen the> passe$ the ho!se where <oe ha$ telephone$= he Coome$ aAter them. At -hant>town he le$ an intern an$ two stretcher-bearers across the san$ to the h!t where 2ran@ waite$ with the inE!re$ -!tton. ;How is he?; as@e$ the $octor B!ic@l> on enterin . ;,s he conscio!s

>et?; ;.o= he:s $elirio!s=; 2ran@ sai$. ;He @eeps m!mblin over-a man:s name.; somethin over an$
;5hose?; as@e$ <oe ea erl>. He ha$ appeare$ in the $oorwa>= with ChieA Colli behin$ him. 2ran@ loo@e$ !p at them with a Arown. ;AlA 4!n$bor :s= ,:m aArai$.; ;-o he too@ his reven e on -!tton=; the chieA concl!$e$. ;That:s ba$.; The intern h!stle$ ever>one o!t oA the wa>. #xpertl> the inE!re$ man was transAerre$ to the stretcher an$ borne across the san$ to the waitin amb!lance. ChieA Colli an$ the bo>s traile$ alon . ;5e:ll have to pic@ !p AlA=; the chieA remar@e$. ;He ha$ the perAect motive Aor assa!ltin -!tton.; ;<!st the same , $on:t believe he $i$ it=; <oe $eclare$ sto!tl>. ;-orr>= Aellows=; the chieA sai$ re retA!ll> as the> reache$ the roa$= ;b!t re ar$less oA the s!spicions a ainst -!tton= , have no choice.; 2ran@ an$ <oe wal@e$ sa$l> bac@ to the pine rove= mo!nte$ their motorc>cles= an$ ro$e home. The> ate l!nch B!ietl>= p!CClin over the case. ;5hat now?; <oe as@e$ in tro!ble.; l!ml>. ;All we $i$ this mornin was to et AlA
;/reat $etectives we areD; sai$ 2ran@= $is !ste$. ;How abo!t wal@in $owntown? , have another i$ea.; ;Abo!t what?; ;The 2iCCle so$a. -ince the person who ha$ a bottle oA it was in o!r boat-the bal$ Aellow or someone else-he was in Ba>port. Ma>be he $i$ b!> some here.; The two set oAA an$ stro$e bris@l> alon the si$ewal@. At the Airst rocer> store the> t!rne$ in. ;6o >o! carr> 2iCCle so$a?; 2ran@ as@e$. ;.o= , $on:t.; The >o!n $etectives went into all the $r! stores= mar@ets= an$ l!nch co!nters alon their wa>. Alwa>s the> as@e$ the same B!estion= an$ receive$ the same answer. .obo$> sol$ 2iCCle so$a. At last the> entere$ a $owntown sweetshop which was a meetin place Aor man> oA their Arien$s. ;HiD; calle$ Ton> Prito Arom a booth where he was seate$ with <err> /ilro>. ;Hello= Aellows=; 2ran@ reete$ them. ;5e:ll be over in a min!te.;
Meanwhile= he as@e$ the so$a cler@ abo!t 2iCCle= b!t receive$ a ne ative answer. ;7nl> place ,:ve ever seen it an>where aro!n$ these

parts is .orthport. , live near there.; .orthport a ainD 2ran@ an$ <oe wal@e$ over to their Arien$s. ;An> news oA Chet an$ BiAA?; Ton> as@e$. ;.othin b!t a postcar$=; 2ran@ answere$.
;5hat $o >o! thin@ reall> happene$ to them?; <err> as@e$ worrie$l>. ;6i$ the> o oAA on a mission oA their own? 7r were the> @i$nape$?; ;5e $on:t @now=; 2ran@ conAesse$. ;B!t there haven:t been an> ransom notes.; ;,t:s $!ll aro!n$ here witho!t the Aellows.; Ton> si he$. ;5e were oin on a nice campin trip.; ;Chet an$ BiAA tol$ !s abo!t it=; sai$ <oe. ;2ran@ an$ , have an i$ea ma>be the>:re bein hi$$en on one oA the coast islan$s.; ;Co!l$ be=; Ton> sai$. ;, remember BiAA mentione$ Hermit ,slan$-the one owne$ b> a B!eer ol$ recl!se who lives on it.; ;He mentione$ that to !s= too=; <oe recalle$. ;, won$er iA that ol$ man has seen an> si n oA Chet an$ BiAA?; ;-a>D; Ton>:s Aace s!$$enl> li hte$ !p. ;5h> $on:t we et >o!r boat an$ o o!t Aor a loo@ at Hermit ,slan$? ,t:s earl> eno! h >et. How abo!t it?; ;/oo$ i$eaD; <err> exclaime$. ;"i htD; 2ran@ sai$ enth!siasticall>. <oe was alrea$> on his Aeet. ;Come onD 4et:s oD; To 2ran@ he sai$= ;The m>ster> oA Mr. 2rench:s mix-!p last ni ht can wait.; <err> an$ Ton> pai$ Aor their ice cream= an$ the Ao!r h!rrie$ o!t to <err>:s car. A short $rive bro! ht them to the Har$> boatho!se. ;4et:s ta@e both o!r boats=; Ton> propose$. ;5e mi ht nee$ them-iA we Ain$ Chet an$ BiAA.; The> pile$ into the -le!th an$ 2ran@ steere$ the craAt $own to the $oc@ where Ton> @ept the .apoli. <!st as the two boats were rea$> to cast oAA= Callie -haw an$ ,ola Morton wal@e$ o!t onto Ton>:s $oc@. ;7h= are >o! bo>s oin Aor a ri$e?; Callie as@e$. ;Ma> we come alon ?;
;/osh= Callie=; 2ran@ sai$ $o!btA!ll>= ;this isn:t exactl> a pleas!re cr!ise. 5e:re bo!n$ Aor Hermit ,slan$ to loo@ Aor Chet an$ BiAA.; ;7h= then >o! have to ta@e !s=; plea$e$ ,ola. ;AAter all= Chet:s m> brother.; Her e>es Aille$ with tears. ;Please= 2ran@.; ;,ola:s ri ht=; <oe a ree$. ;The m!ch as we $o.; irls want to Ain$ Chet an$ BiAA as
;7@a>=; sai$ 2ran@. ;Pile in= thenD; ,ola cheere$ !p at once an$ the

Har$>s helpe$ the irls into the stern oA the -le!th.
The boats move$ swiAtl> o!t the harbor= with 2ran@ lea$in the wa> in the sli htl> Aaster -le!th. BeAore lon = the shore islan$s came into si ht= with their white= $riAte$ san$= scr!bb> ve etation= an$ h! e= barren roc@s. Hermit ,slan$= a bi cra > pile= loome$ o!t oA the water hi her than all the others. ,t was attractive b!t wil$ loo@in . ;Too ro! h on this si$e to lan$=; 2ran@ calle$ over to the .apoli. ;/oo$ beach on the lee shore= tho! h= , believe. 2ollow meD; The search part> ro!n$e$ the islan$. AAter the irls ha$ steppe$ onto Airm san$= the Ao!r bo>s tie$ their moorin ropes to trees at the e$ e oA the beach. All went ashore an$ aCe$ at the lonel> spot. ;This is a spoo@> place=; commente$ ,ola= loo@in ;,t $oes ive one the creeps=; Callie a ree$. aro!n$ her !neasil>.
The bo>s la! he$ b!t Aelt the> sho!l$ procee$ careA!ll>. 5ith 2ran@ an$ <oe in the lea$= the> set oAA on a Aaint path that wo!n$ alon the shore at the base oA the steep= roc@> hill which Aorme$ the heart oA the islan$. Above the searchers loome$ Ea e$ cliAAs= c!t here an$ there b> $eep ravines= thic@ with pines an$ coarse rass. At times <oe c!ppe$ his han$s an$ sho!te$= ;Hallooo . . . Bi-iAA . . . Che-e-tD; There was no answer. ;4oo@s hopeless=; <oe commente$. At last the path be an to rise steepl>. The Ao!r bo>s move$ !pwar$ m!ch Aaster than ,ola an$ Callie. 2inall> the irls $roppe$ behin$. The bo>s contin!e$ on= clamberin an$ p!AAin = Aor etA!l oA ever>thin b!t the to! h terrain the> were Ai htin . -!$$enl> a sharp scream ran whirlin . o!t Arom below. ;CallieD; crie$ 2ran@=
CHAPT#" %,,,
The Threatenin
2i !re
T0MB4,./ an$ sli$in = the Ao!r bo>s r!she$ pell-mell $own the steep path to ,ola an$ Callie. The irls cl!n to ether in Ari ht. ;5hat is it= Callie?; crie$ 2ran@. -peechless= the irl pointe$ !pwar$. 2rom the top oA the bl!AA a wil$loo@in ol$ man with a lon = $irt> white bear$ was pointin a shot !n at them.

His clothes were torn= an$ he wore a battere$ Aelt hat. The weir$ Ai !re stoo$ motionless= silho!ette$ a ainst the bl!e s@>. The aAternoon s!nli ht leame$ on the barrels oA his weapon. ;He m!st be the hermit=; m!ttere$ <oe. ;/it oAA m> islan$D; came the stron = $eep voice oA the ol$ man. The shot !n Eer@e$ threatenin l>. ;/it= , sa>D; ;5e:$ better $o as he sa>s=; 2ran@ a$vise$. He too@ Callie:s arm. <oe Aor the beach. rabbe$ ,ola:s. The six >o!n people scoote$
As the> Aollowe$ the path= the Har$>s an$ their Arien$s co!l$ see the stran e man $artin Arom roc@ to roc@ alon the top oA the bl!AA above them. He $i$ not let them o!t oA his si ht. 5hen the> reache$ the boats= 2ran@ an$ <oe B!ic@l> helpe$ the irls saAel> aboar$ the -le!th. <oe too@ the wheel while 2ran@ cast oAA. The -le!th an$ the .apoli were r!n E!st o!t oA shot !n ran e= then throttle$ $own while their passen ers too@ another loo@ at their a$versar>. The ol$ man stoo$ in the same threatenin attit!$e on the hilltop. ;1o! @now=; 2ran@ note$= ;Aor an ol$ Aellow he has a powerA!l voice.; ;He:s plent> spr>= too=; <oe a$$e$. ;6i$ >o! see how he E!mpe$ across those roc@s? He:s nimble as a oatD; ;An$ $i$ >o! notice his shot !n?; 2ran@ as@e$. ;,t was ver> well care$ AorH not li@e his bear$ an$ clothesD; ;There was no nonsense abo!t that !n=; <oe a ree$. ;,:$ li@e to @now what the man:s tr>in to @eep !s awa> AromD; ;Ma>be he E!st wants to be leAt alone=; Callie s! ;AAter all= he is a hermit=; a$$e$ ,ola. ;5hatever he is=; $eclare$ <oe= ;,:$ li@e to sometime.; et a closer loo@ at him este$.
<oe p!t on power an$ the -le!th shot Aorwar$ over the water. The .apoli traile$ close behin$. As the islan$ $roppe$ astern= 2ran@ remar@e$= ;, can still ma@e o!t the hermit. He:s stan$in motionless on that hilltop.; The two spee$boats crosse$ the wi$e expanse oA Ba>port harbor an$ came to rest at Ton>:s $oc@. ;-a>= >o! Aellows $on:t have an> transportation $own here=; <err> recalle$. ;-hall , pic@ >o! !p at >o!r boatho!se?; ;.o= than@s=; 2ran@ replie$. ;<oe an$ , came o!t to $o some sle!thin . 5e:ll wal@. 5e have a Aew stops to ma@e.;

;7@a>= we:ll ive ,ola an$ Callie a liAt= then.; The> helpe$ the ashore an$ 2ran@ an$ <oe wave$ oo$-b>. irls
AAter loc@in the -le!th in her berth= 2ran@ an$ <oe wal@e$ to the center oA town. ;4et:s stop at hea$B!arters=; 2ran@ s! este$ as the> approache$ the Aamiliar stone b!il$in . ;Ma>be there:s some new wor$ on -!tton.; The bo>s Ao!n$ ChieA Colli in conAerence with 4ie!tenant 6ale>.
;,t:s all ri ht. Come in= Aellows=; the chieA invite$. ;6ale>:s been over at the hospital. -!tton has re aine$ conscio!sness.; ;5hat $i$ he sa>?; 2ran@ inB!ire$ ea erl>. ;He claims he $oesn:t @now who beat him !p=; replie$ 4ie!tenant 6ale>. ;-a>s he was hit Arom behin$ an$ never saw his attac@er.; ;B!t that can:t be tr!eD; 2ran@ proteste$. ;The br!ises , saw were mostl> on his Aace.; ;7h= he @nows who $i$ it= all ri ht=; 4ie!tenant 6ale> a ree$. ;7nl> he:s coverin !p Aor somebo$>. 5h> sho!l$ he tr> to protect that bi Aellow he trie$ to Arame last ni ht?; ;How abo!t AlA?; <oe bro@e in. ;5hat:s his stor>?; ;5e have 4!n$bor in a cell=; 4ie!tenant 6ale> answere$. ;7A co!rse he $enies an> part in the beatin .; ;5e can:t hol$ him m!ch lon er=; p!t in ChieA Colli . ;There:s no evi$ence a ainst him.; ;7A co!rse notD AlA wo!l$n:t beat !p a Aellow halA his siCe=; <oe $eclare$. ;Then wh> $i$ -!tton m!mble 4!n$bor :s name in his $eliri!m?; the chieA co!ntere$. ;-!tton ha$ a s! este$. r!$ e a ainst AlA. ,t m!st have been on his min$=; 2ran@
;That co!l$ be=; ChieA Colli conce$e$. ;How have >o! two bo>s been ma@in o!t? An> new $!es on Chet or BiAA? 5e have none.; ;.o= we haven:t=; 2ran@ answere$. ;5e went o!t to Hermit ,slan$ on a h!nch this aAternoon= b!t ha$ no l!c@ there= either.; ;6o >o! @now an>thin abo!t that hermit= ChieA?; <oe inB!ire$.
;A little=; the chieA ret!rne$. ;"emember him= 6ale>? F!eer ol$ bir$. -omebo$> leAt him the whole islan$ in a will. He sai$ it was E!st the place he wante$= to et awa> Arom the craC> worl$D; ;1es.; The tall lie!tenant ch!c@le$. ;He move$ o!t there Aor >ears a o. .ever let an>bo$> lan$ on his islan$.; oo$ some

;5e Ao!n$ that o!t. He chase$ !s oAA prett> Aast this aAternoon=; <oe sai$. ;5ha-a-t?; $rawle$ the lie!tenant= t!rnin ;5ho are >o! @i$$in ?; ChieA Colli Aor a oo$ loo@ at the bo>.
rinne$.
;5hat:s so A!nn>?; <oe as@e$. ;He threatene$ !s with a shot !n.; ;That:s impossible=; ChieA Colli sai$ Alatl>. ;He:s $ea$D;
2ran@ an$ <oe loo@e$ at each other in astonishment. ;Then he:s a mi ht> spr> $ea$ man=; <oe $eclare$. ChieA Colli shoo@ his hea$. ;The hermit $ie$ last Aall an$ the Coast /!ar$ bro! ht him bac@ to the mainlan$ Aor b!rial. He ha$ no one to leave the islan$ to= so it belon s to the state.; ;5owD; <oe crie$ o!t. ;Then the man we saw isn:t the real hermit an$ ha$ no ri ht to or$er !s oAA.; ;"i ht=; ChieA Colli a ree$. ;,t:s state propert>. An>one can o there. M> E!ris$iction $oesn:t cover it. "eport this man to the Coast /!ar$.; ;5e will= iA he bothers !s a ain=; 2ran@ state$. AAter leavin the police station= the >o!n $etectives wal@e$ alon Ba>port:s main street towar$ Mr. 2rench:s cost!me store. ;That phon> hermit wasn:t Eo@in =; 2ran@ sai$. ;He wante$ !s oAA the islan$ an$ no Aoolin . 5hat $o >o! thin@ he:s !p to?; <oe stoppe$ short an$ sai$ excite$l>= ;5hat iA Chet an$ BiAA were ta@en to Hermit ,slan$?; ;Then this Aa@er mi ht @now abo!t the @i$napin . ,s he in on the too?; ame=
;The ol$ !> co!l$ be hol$in them prisoner=; <oe went on. ;That:s wh> he chase$ !s awa>D He $i$n:t $are ris@ havin !s loo@in aro!n$.; ;Hermit ,slan$ isn:t ver> Aar awa> Arom -hant>town=; 2ran@ sai$. ;The r!bber mas@ we Ao!n$ co!l$ have Aloate$ o!t Arom one place as well as Arom the other= $epen$in on the ti$e.; ;B!t how abo!t the pieces oA the bo>s: cost!mes the police Ao!n$ amon the shac@s?; <oe as@e$= perplexe$. ;How $o the> Ait in with the Hermit ,slan$ theor>?; ;Chet an$ BiAA co!l$:ve been transporte$ to the islan$ Arom -hant>town=; reasone$ 2ran@. As he spo@e= the brothers came to the cost!me shop. ;, hope Mr. 2rench is here=; 2ran@ sai$. ;5e:ll as@ him wh> he-; The bo>s s!$$enl> aspe$ an$ stare$ in amaCement at the bi $ispla>

win$ow oA the store. ,n it were a orilla an$ a ma ician cost!meD the ni ht BiAA an$ Chet
;The same @in$ oA s!its we were wearin $isappeare$D; 2ran@ crie$ o!t.
;1es=; <oe a ree$ in hi h excitement. ;An$ that was the ni ht oA the ban@ robber>D;
CHAPT#" %,8
-i nal Three ;TH#"#:- somethin B!eer abo!t this cost!me store=; 2ran@ sai$ positivel>. ;Ma>be the ban@ robbers ot their mas@s hereD; ;An$ Mr. 2rench came to o!r ho!se in the mi$$le oA the ni ht to tell !s abo!t it= then lost his nerve=; <oe a$$e$. ;5h> are the same cost!mes in this win$ow as those we wore?; 2ran@ won$ere$. ;Are the> a si nal to somebo$>?; ;There:s one wa> to Ain$ o!t=; <oe replie$. ;5e:ll as@ Mr. 2rench himselA.; He p!she$ the heav> lass $oor. ,t was loc@e$. Peerin insi$e the store= the bo>s saw that it was $eserte$. A shaAt oA li ht Arom the bac@ room pierce$ the lateaAternoon sha$ows within. <oe ban e$ on the heav> lass with his @n!c@les b!t no one came. ;4et:s tr> the bac@ entrance=; 2ran@ m!ttere$. An alle> separate$ the cost!me store Arom the next b!il$in . The bo>s slippe$ alon this cobble$ passa ewa> to a $in > >ar$ behin$ the shop. F!ietl> the> steppe$ !p to the rear $oor. 8oices co!l$ be hear$ insi$e. As <oe raise$ his Aist to @noc@= 2ran@ rabbe$ his arm. ;5aitD 4istenD;
A man:s voice $rone$ on in$istin !ishabl>= then snappe$ o!t a sin le= sharp wor$. ;3i$napD; Breathless= 2ran@ an$ <oe straine$ to hear more. ;1o! AoolsD; sai$ a new voice $erisivel>. A thir$ spea@er bro@e in harshl>. The phrase ;no secon$ mista@e; raspe$ o!t clearl>. ;. . . si nal three . . .; came another snatch. The Har$>s listene$ intentl> b!t were !nable to catch an> more oA the conversation.

-ilentl> 2ran@ bec@one$ <oe into the alle>. ;, have a h!nchD; he sai$. ;Chet was wearin a orilla s!it E!st li@e mine. 5hat iA he an$ BiAA were @i$nape$ in place oA >o! an$ me?; <oe:s e>es wi$ene$ with excitement. ;Then the @i$napers are the ban@ robbers-an$ the> wo!l$ still be o!t to et !sD; he exclaime$. ;That:s what the> meant b> :no secon$ mista@e:D; 2ran@ no$$e$. ;The>:re probabl> hol$in aArai$ to let them oD; Chet an$ BiAA beca!se the>:re
;B!t wh> were the> aAter !s in the Airst place?; <oe as@e$= p!CCle$. ;, $on:t @now=; 2ran@ a$mitte$. ;B!t , have a plan. Come onD 5e m!st act AastD; The bo>s ran Arom the alle> an$ haile$ a passin taxi. 5hen the> reache$ home= the brothers Ao!n$ that their Aather ha$ E!st ret!rne$ an$ was in his st!$>. 2enton Har$> listene$ in concern an$ amaCement to his sons: $iscover>. ;How ,:$ li@e to pic@ !p those th! s an$ B!estion themD; he exclaime$. ;B!t that wo!l$ onl> tip them oAA.; ;An$ we haven:t eno! h evi$ence to hol$ them=; 2ran@ a$$e$. Mr. Har$> Arowne$. ;The best we can $o is p!t a police tail on them an$ hope to Ain$ o!t more that wa>.; He reache$ Aor the phone. ;5ait= 6a$D; 2ran@ plea$e$. ;, have a scheme. <oe an$ , will o bac@ to the shop. 5e:ll let them @i$nap !s. Then Colli :s men will reall> have somethin on the an an$ can nab them.; ;, $on:t @now=; their Aather consi$ere$. ;,t:s plent> ris@>.; ;Please= 6a$=; <oe !r e$. ;The Aaster we crac@ the case= the sooner we:ll Ain$ Chet an$ BiAA.; 2enton Har$> was concerne$ Aor his sons: saAet>= b!t was pro!$ oA their willin ness to ris@ capt!re Aor the sa@e oA their missin ch!ms. ;All ri ht=; he a ree$. ;,:ll alert the police. 5e:ll station o!rselves o!tsi$e the store. As soon as the an tries to ta@e >o! awa>= we:ll close inD; ;/oo$=; sai$ 2ran@= satisAie$. As their Aather $iale$ hea$B!arters= he chec@e$ his watch an$ sai$ to 2ran@ an$ <oe= ;/ive Colli an$ me twent> min!tes Arom now to et set. Then o into the store.; The bo>s spe$ $owntown on their motorc>cles= par@e$ near the cost!me shop= an$ slippe$ $own the alle>. The men were still tal@in insi$e the bac@ room oA the store. The brothers waite$= e>es Aixe$ on their wrist watches.

;.owD; 2ran@ whispere$ at last. ;4et:s ta@e the chance that :si nal three: means @noc@ three timesD; The bo>s wal@e$ to the bac@ $oor an$ 2ran@ ave three har$ raps.
,mme$iatel> the voices became silent. A loc@ clic@e$ an$ the $oor sw!n a Aew inches inwar$. A man:s Aace peere$ o!t at the bo>s. He was the spee$boat pilot with the slic@e$-bac@ hair-the one Mr. Caine ha$ i$entiAie$ as Ben -tar@D 2ran@ an$ <oe ave no si n oA reco nition. -tar@:s e>es= however= wi$ene$ in astonishment. ;, @now the store is close$=; 2ran@ sai$ to him= ;b!t we nee$ somethin $esperatel>. 5e:re the Har$> bo>s. Ma> we come in?; -tar@:s expression chan e$ Arom amaCement to oil> politeness. ;7A co!rse= bo>sD; he answere$= an$ sw!n the $oor wi$e. ;Come ri ht insi$eD; 2ran@ an$ <oe passe$ into a $im storeroom= li hte$ b> a sin le b!lb overhea$. 7n one si$e= two to! h-loo@in men the> ha$ never seen beAore e>e$ them in st!nne$ silence. Ben -tar@ close$ the $oor an$ stoo$ with his bac@ a ainst it. ;-o >o! are the Aamo!s Har$> bo>sD; he sai$= smilin wi$el>. ;7A co!rse ,:ve hear$ oA >o!= b!t , $on:t thin@ we:ve met beAore.; -tar@ loo@e$ har$ at them= b!t the bo>s: expressions betra>e$ nothin . He in$icate$ his companions. ;This is Mr. Moran an$ Mr. 6!@e=; he sai$. Moran no$$e$. 6!@e= a lan@>= pale-Aace$ man= merel> stare$. ;Haven:t , hear$ that >o!:ve been wor@in on a new case?; -tar@ as@e$. ;5hat $o >o! s!ppose has happene$ to >o!r missin Arien$s?; "eco niCin the attempt to p!mp them= the >o!n sle!ths pla>e$ alon .
;The> m!st have $rowne$=; 2ran@ replie$ sa$l>. He ma$e no reAerence to the postcar$ in Chet:s han$writin . 2or a moment -tar@ loo@e$ p!CCle$. Then he sai$ with exa erate$ s>mpath>= ;,sn:t it stran e there:s been so m!ch excitement in town latel>? #ven a ban@ robber>D; ;That won:t be a m>ster> Aor lon =; 2ran@ boaste$ to test the man:s reaction. ;M> Aather= 2enton Har$>= has it practicall> solve$. The robbers ha$ better watch o!tD; Ben -tar@:s oil> smile Aa$e$. He loo@e$ har$ at his two companions b> the wall. Catchin the si nal= the men leAt their places an$ cas!all> $rew nearer to 2ran@ an$ <oe. Both bo>s sense$ the comin attac@ an$ s!mmone$ all their will power to appear nonchalant. ;B> the wa>= where:s Mr. 2rench?; <oe as@e$= the room. There was no answer. lancin cas!all> aro!n$
The next instant the three men l!n e$ Aorwar$ an$ leape$ on the

brothersD Boxes t!mble$ Arom shelves in the str! le= an$ the sin le li ht b!lb sw!n craCil> Arom the ceilin . 2ran@ preten$e$ to be Ai htin oAA his assailants= b!t Ainall> he allowe$ his arms to be pinione$. <oe= meanwhile= ha$ been thrown a ainst a ban@ oA shelves an$ ha$ Aallen to the Aloor as tho! h st!nne$. Pantin = the men B!ic@l> bo!n$= a e$= an$ blin$Aol$e$ the two >o!n $etectives. ;.ow=; loate$ -tar@= ;iA >o!r ol$ man an$ the police $on:t call oAA the h!nt Aor the ban@ robbers= the>:ll never see >o! a ainD; 2ran@ an$ <oe listene$ intentl>= hopin nothin A!rther. to learn more= b!t the men sai$
A $oor slamme$. There was a short= silent wait. Then the> hear$ a car en ine r!nnin in the >ar$ behin$ the store. ;7@a>D; came -tar@:s voice. ;Coast is clearD; 2ran@ an$ <oe were liAte$ !p= carrie$ a little wa>= then $roppe$ on the Aloor oA the a!tomobile. Tensel> the two bo>s waite$ to hear police whistles an$ ChieA Colli bar@in or$ers. B!t the car be an to move= rollin swiAtl> o!t the alle>= an$ awa>. ;5hat happene$ to o!r plan?; 2ran@ won$ere$. ;5here:s 6a$?; ;5e m!st have one in too soon=; <oe tho! ht= $isma>e$. ;The police co!l$n:t et here in timeD; As the car $rove on= 2ran@ an$ <oe reco niCe$ the so!n$s oA heav> traAAic all aro!n$ them. /ra$!all> the vehicle pic@e$ !p spee$. The en ine p!rre$ stea$il>= an$ the tires whine$ alon on what co!l$ onl> be open hi hwa>. Presentl> the car swerve$= b!mpe$ over !neven ro!n$ a short $istance= an$ stoppe$. ,n the s!$$en silence the blin$Aol$e$ >o!ths co!l$ hear the so!n$ oA s!rA on the beach. ;5e:re near the shore=; 2ran@ reasone$. ;-hant>town perhaps. The time it too@ ettin here seems abo!t the same as when we came beAore.; The car $oors were opene$. A ain the bo>s were liAte$ an$ carrie$. A min!te later each oA them Aelt a Earrin pain as he was $roppe$ on a woo$en Aloor. "o! h han$s rippe$ awa> their blin$Aol$s. Altho! h ti htl> bo!n$= the Har$>s str! le$ to sittin positions. The> were in a small boar$ shac@. A little li ht came thro! h a tin> win$ow hi h !p in one oA the walls. Ben -tar@ an$ Moran were oin o!t the $oor. -tar@ loo@e$ bac@. ;3eep >o!r e>es open= 6!@e=; he or$ere$ sharpl>. ;Those @i$s are slipper>.; ;6on:t worr>=; the pale-Aace$ man replie$ insolentl>.

AAter his two companions ha$ leAt= he went to a water b!c@et in one corner= $ippe$ in a tin c!p= an$ $ran@ thirstil>. Then he sat $own in a woo$en chair an$ tilte$ bac@ laCil> a ainst the wall. 2ran@ an$ <oe listene$ anxio!sl> Aor so!n$s oA resc!e. The> co!l$ hear the sea= b!t nothin else. CareA!ll> the> loo@e$ over their prison. The shac@ was cr!$el> b!ilt o!t oA bro@en crates an$ ol$ two-b>-Ao!rs. 4on = sharp points oA nails st!c@ thro! h the wall near 6!@e:s chair. At the rear oA the room was a little sB!at woo$-b!rnin stove. Crampe$ an$ helpless= the bo>s co!l$ onl> wait. As ni ht came on= 6!@e stoo$ !p an$ li hte$ a @erosene lantern han in on the wall. Then he sat $own an$ tilte$ bac@ his chair a ain. ;Mi ht as well Aace it=; tho! ht 2ran@. ;"esc!e isn:t comin .; He loo@e$ at <oe with silent !r enc>= an$ his e>es sai$ plainl>= ;,t:s !p to !sD;
CHAPT#" %8
7!twittin
a -!spect
A4TH70/H bo!n$ an$ a e$= the Har$>s exchan e$ messa es. 2ran@:s lance sli$ to their !ar$= tilte$ bac@ in his chair a ainst the wall. Then he loo@e$ at his brother. <oe no$$e$ sli htl> to show he !n$erstoo$ an$ loo@e$ towar$ the lantern. The lass was t!rnin blac@ with soot an$ the room was in $eep sha$ow. ;4!c@> it:s $ar@ in here=; he tho! ht= ;beca!se we:ll have to ropes oAA witho!t bein seen.; et these
2ran@:s e>es Aastene$ on the lon nails he ha$ seen stic@in thro! h the wall near the chair le s. ,A onl> he co!l$ et his bac@ to those sharp points , Ca!tio!sl> he inche$ towar$ the wall. 6!@e= who appeare$ to be asleep= $i$ not stir. <oe also move$. Bit b> bit= the brothers wor@e$ their wa> closer to the protr!$in nails. At last 2ran@ sat with his bac@ a ainst the wall= not Aar Arom the !ar$:s chair. Har$l> $arin to breathe= he Aelt behin$ him !ntil a tenpenn> spi@e pric@e$ his wrist. ,A he was l!c@>= his scheme wo!l$ wor@D 2ran@ e>e$ his captor. The man was still asleep. F!ic@l> 2ran@ r!bbe$ the rope a ainst the sharp point. He co!l$ Aeel the stran$s separate= one at a time. His arms an$ bac@ ache$= b!t he @ept on $o e$l>.

2inall> the rope was severe$. His han$s Aree$= he remove$ the a = then p!lle$ o!t his poc@et-@niAe an$ c!t the ropes aro!n$ his an@les. "eachin over= he c!t <oe:s bon$s. Then 2ran@ seiCe$ a le oA 6!@e:s tilte$ chair an$ Eer@e$ it o!t Arom !n$er the !ar$. -lamD 6!@e Aell on his bac@ an$ crie$ o!t. 2ran@ an$ <oe leape$ on him to ether= b!t he rolle$ awa>. As he bo!nce$ to his Aeet= <oe bro! ht him $own with a tac@le. 2i htin $esperatel>= the !ar$ @ic@e$= bit= scratche$= an$ Ainall> bro@e awa>. /aspin = he bac@e$ into a corner. As 2ran@ went aAter him= 6!@e rabbe$ the @erosene lantern an$ h!rle$ it. The bo>s $!c@e$. CrashD The lass shattere$ an$ @erosene $renche$ the opposite wall. A Alame lic@e$ !p the si$e oA the shac@. ;5aterD; <oe >elle$. ;The b!c@etD; He tore oAA his shirt an$ trie$ to beat o!t the Alames. At the same time= 2ran@ an$ 6!@e rapple$ Aor the pail. 6!@e Eer@e$ it awa> an$ Al!n it at <oe. The b!c@et narrowl> misse$ him= slammin a ainst the wall. The water splashe$ over onto the Alames with a hissin so!n$. ;1o! >o!n AoolsD ,:ll et >o! Aor thisD; 6!@e pic@e$ !p the chair an$ raise$ it over his hea$. B!t 2ran@ sw!n a ri ht-han$ ha>ma@er. ,t ca! ht 6!@e in the solar plex!s an$ he went $own in a heap. ;He:s o!t col$D; <oe crie$= whippe$ oAA his shirt= an$ Ainall> smothere$ the Alames. ;5hat a soc@ that wasD; 6!@e moane$ an$ stirre$. -wiAtl> the bo>s Aelt aro!n$ !ntil the> Ao!n$ the c!t ropes. Pantin = the> bo!n$ their prisoner:s han$s an$ Aeet. ;That sho!l$ hol$ him=; sai$ <oe as the bo>s stoo$ !p. ;.ow= let:s see where we are=; 2ran@ s! este$.
Ca!tio!sl> he opene$ the shac@ $oor an$ the brothers slippe$ o!tsi$e. ;,t:s the e$ e oA -hant>town=; <oe whispere$ aAter a B!ic@ loo@ aro!n$. Across a whitish stretch oA san$ the> co!l$ see the $ar@ shac@s an$ be>on$ them a re$ lare Arom beach Aires. A nearl> A!ll moon saile$ in an$ o!t oA heav> clo!$s. -!$$enl> a Ai !re $etache$ itselA Arom the sha$ow oA the shanties an$ li$e$ B!ic@l> across the san$ towar$ them. 2ists rea$>= 2ran@ an$ <oe set themselves Aor a Ai htD ;P!t !p >o!r han$sD; came a Airm comman$. ;1o!:re !n$er arrestD; At the same moment= moonli ht Aell !pon a Aamiliar Aace. ;Pat M!sterD; 2ran@ exclaime$ Eo>A!ll>. ;Are we la$ to see >o!D; Pat M!ster was a plain-clothes man on the Ba>port police Aorce. The brawn>= re$-haire$ man t!rne$ his Alashli ht on the br!ise$= $ishevele$

bo>s. ;-o >o! Ao! ht >o!r wa> o!t= eh?; he sai$= p!ttin awa> his revolver. ;Too ba$ >o! $i$n:t >ell Aor help. M> men an$ , were sta@e$ o!t b> the shac@s= @eepin an e>e on this place.; 2ran@ rinne$ r!eA!ll>. ;, wish we:$ @nown that. 5e $i$n:t call o!t= beca!se we were aArai$ oA brin in more oA the an .; ;5here:s o!r Aather?; <oe as@e$. ;He too@ a sB!a$ oA police an$ Aollowe$ -tar@ an$ the other Aellow. The chieA went bac@ to hea$B!arters.; ;, see=; sai$ 2ran@. ;5hen >o! $i$n:t close in at the store= we tho! ht the plan ha$ bac@Aire$.; ;1o!r Aather s! este$ that we Aollow >o!= on the chance oA locatin the rest oA the an . -orr> , leAt >o! in the shac@ so lon =; he a$$e$. ;, was hopin some more oA these to! h bir$s wo!l$ t!rn !p an$ we:$ ma@e a bi er ha!l.; ;5e have one oA them Aor >o!=; <oe sai$= ;all tr!sse$ !p an$ rea$> to o.; Pat M!ster ch!c@le$. ;,:ve alwa>s $eliver the oo$sD; ot to han$ it to >o!= bo>s=; he sai$. ;1o!
He t!rne$ towar$ the shanties an$ ave a low whistle. Here an$ there a halA $oCen Ai !res appeare$ Arom the sha$ows an$ crosse$ to Eoin the bo>s an$ M!ster at the shac@. ;5ait here=; the oAAicer or$ere$ his men. He an$ the Har$>s entere$ the shant>. The $etective beame$ his Alashli ht on the prone Ai !re oA 6!@e= who blin@e$ an$ scowle$. ;.ow that >o!:re awa@e=; 2ran@ sai$= ;>o!:$ be smart to tell !s where o!r missin ch!ms are.; The man lare$ an$ $i$ not answer.
;6on:t waste time on him=; <oe a$vise$. ;4et:s search this place. Ma>be the ban@ loot is hi$$en here.; 2ran@ an$ <oe borrowe$ Alashli hts Arom two oA the men o!tsi$e an$ be an to help 6etective M!ster. The> inspecte$ the cr!$e walls an$ Aloorin . 2inall>= the> stoo$ !p= $isappointe$. ;.othin =; 2ran@ sai$= ;an$ there:s no other place to hi$e an>thin except in the little stove.; At this= 6!@e $arte$ an apprehensive loo@ at the stove. ,n two B!ic@ stri$es 2ran@ reache$ it= liAte$ the stove li$= an$ pl!n e$ his han$ insi$e. ;There:s somethin hereD; he exclaime$. He p!lle$ o!t a limp obEect. ;A r!bber mas@D , thin@ there are morel; he a$$e$ B!ic@l>= reachin in a ain. 7ne aAter another= he bro! ht o!t Ao!r a$$itional Aalse Aaces.

<oe whistle$. ;The ban@ robbers: mas@sD 5hat a Ain$D This shac@ m!st have been their hea$B!arters-Aor a time= at leastD; ;/reat wor@= 2ran@D; 6etective M!ster con rat!late$ him. ;There:ll probabl> be plent> oA Ain erprints on those mas@s.; He p!lle$ a lar e Aol$e$ paper sac@ Arom his poc@et an$ opene$ it. ;6rop them in here.; The $etective s!mmone$ two oA his men to !nbin$ the prisoner Then the> han$c!AAe$ 6!@e an$ le$ him to the police cars hi$$en in the pines on the other si$e oA -hore "oa$. M!ster an$ the bo>s Aollowe$. 5hen the> reache$ hea$B!arters= ChieA Colli sent the r!bber mas@s to his lab Aor imme$iate Ain erprint anal>sis. 2inall> he t!rne$ to the Har$>s. ;4ettin >o!rselves be @i$nape$ was a $arin st!nt= bo>s. B!t >o! ot res!lts.; He loo@e$ at 6!@e= who sat besi$e him= scowlin . 2ran@ $rew the chieA asi$e an$ as@e$ B!ietl>= ;How abo!t 6a$ an$ his men? Have the> locate$ Chet an$ BiAA?; The chieA shoo@ his hea$. ;The> sho!l$ have ra$ioe$ in b> now=; he replie$. ;4et:s see what we can et o!t oA the prisoner.; He wal@e$ over an$ stoo$ in Aront oA 6!@e. ;,A >o! @now what:s oo$ Aor >o!-; he be an b!t was interr!pte$ b> a clatter oA Aeet o!tsi$e. The next moment Ben -tar@ an$ Moran= han$c!AAe$ to ether= entere$ the chieA:s oAAice= Aollowe$ b> 2enton Har$> an$ two policemen. ;6a$D; crie$ <oe. ;6i$ >o! Ain$ Chet an$ BiAA?; ;.o=; sai$ his Aather B!ietl>. ;Are >o! bo>s all ri ht? 1o! loo@ as iA >o!:$ ha$ a ro! h time.; ;5e:re o@a>=; 2ran@ ass!re$ his Aather B!ic@l>. ;Tell !s >o!r stor>.; ;5e Aollowe$ -tar@ an$ Moran Arom -hant>-town=; his Aather explaine$. ;The> $rove $own to the $oc@s an$ sat there= apparentl> waitin Aor a boat. 5hen it $i$n:t show !p= the> hea$e$ bac@ to -hant>town. -o $i$ we. As soon as , saw that Pat was missin Arom his station= , @new >o! bo>s an$ >o!r !ar$ ha$ been bro! ht here. 5e arreste$ these two ri ht in the shac@.; ;6o -tar@ an$ Moran @now where BiAA an$ Chet are?; <oe as@e$. ;, thin@ the> @now all ri ht=; 2enton Har$> sai$ not tal@in .; 2ran@ an$ <oe loo@e$ $isappointe$. ;Cheer !p=; ChieA Colli a$vise$ them. ;1o!:ve $one a terriAic Eob. 5e can hol$ these three on a char e oA @i$napin >o!. AAter we:ve chec@e$ the prints on the mas@s >o! Ao!n$= we:ll probabl> be able to i$entiA> them concl!sivel> as the ban@ robbers.; AAter the s!llen prisoners were ta@en awa>. 2ran@ an$ <oe tol$ their Aather an$ the police what ha$ happene$ to them. Then the Har$>s leAt the station an$ pile$ into the $etective:s car. ;5e:ll pic@ !p o!r motorc>cles tomorrow=; 2ran@ sai$. riml>. ;B!t the>:re

5hen the> reache$ home= the three share$ a late s!pper oA col$ chic@en= mil@= an$ apple pie. Then the> went strai ht to be$. The next mornin = as the bo>s were comin $ownstairs to brea@Aast= the telephone ran . ;,:ll et it=; sai$ Mr. Har$>= pic@in !p the receiver. A Aew min!tes later he Eoine$ the bo>s in the $inin room. ;That was ChieA Colli =; the $etective anno!nce$. ;The Ain erprints oA Ben -tar@= 2ritC -tar@= 6!@e= an$ Moran-all wante$ b> the police-were on the mas@s. 7ne set oA prints is !ni$entiAie$.; ;The> probabl> belon Caine mentione$.; to the bi bal$ Aellow=; sai$ 2ran@. ;The one Mr.
;CaineD; exclaime$ their Aather. ;,n all the excitement , Aor ot to tell >o! that Mr. Caine phone$ >ester$a> E!st aAter >o! leAt Aor the cost!me shop. He wants >o! to call him.; At this news the bo>s h!rrie$ to the hall an$ 2ran@ $iale$ the lon $istance call to .orthport. ,n a Aew secon$s 2ran@ was spea@in to the Arien$l> $oc@ mana er. ;1o! remember those Aellows who rente$ the Blac@ Cat Arom me?; he as@e$. ;5ell= one oA :em leAt an empt> envelope in his hotel room. , own the hotel= that:s how , Ao!n$ it. Tho! ht it mi ht help >o! to trac@ :em $own. 2ritC -tar@:s a$$ress is on it.; ;That:s won$erA!l= Mr. CaineD; 2ran@ crie$ o!t= an$ sai$ to <oe= ;He has what mi ht be the -tar@s: a$$ress.; T!rnin bac@ to the telephone= 2ran@ as@e$= ;5here was the letter Arom?; ;4et me see . . .; the $oc@ mana er sai$. ;,t:s Arom 5orl$wi$e "a$io 6istrib!tors= 1o@ohama= over in <apanD;
CHAPT#" %8,
-@eleton ->mbol ;M". CA,.#=; sai$ 2ran@ in a p!CCle$ tone= ;ma> , have the a$$ress on the letter?; AAter Eottin $own the inAormation= 2ran@ than@e$ him an$ sai$ oo$-b>. He tol$ <oe= ;<!st a -an 2rancisco hotel. B!t the sen$er was the $istrib!tor Aor ra$ios in 1o@ohama.; ;-!tton ha$ a 1o@ohama ra$ioD; <oe exclaime$. ;An$ we saw him tal@in to Ben -tar@ that $a> at -hant>town.; ;The ra$io seems to be a connection between them=; 2ran@ pointe$ o!t. ;, thin@ we:$ better o bac@ to the hi-Ai shop= an$ Ain$ o!t more abo!t the i$entit> oA 1o@ohama -!per-% p!rchasers.; AAter eatin brea@Aast= the bo>s h!rrie$ oAA= Airst to pic@ !p their

motorc>cles= then to o to the hi-Ai shop. 5hen the> entere$ the store= the >o!n cler@ was la$ to see them. ;Chan e >o!r min$s= Aellows?; he as@e$ hopeA!ll>. ;4i@e to b!> one oA those sets?; ;5e wo!l$ li@e to loo@ at them=; 2ran@ replie$. ,mme$iatel> the cler@ b!stle$ oAA an$ ret!rne$ with Ao!r oA the compact little ra$ios. ;/o ahea$=; he invite$. ;Tr> them.; 5hile <oe Alic@e$ the b!tton on one set= the >o!n man sai$= ;These are neat. As , tol$ >o! the other $a>= we b!> them Arom a $istrib!tor in <apan.; ,n response to 2ran@:s B!er> abo!t who ha$ p!rchase$ them= the cler@ ave the c!stomers: names= all Aamiliar to the Har$>s. .one oA them co!l$ be s!spect. ;Three oA these ra$ios came in >ester$a> aAternoon. , co!l$ bo>s a oo$ price= since we bo! ht them at a bi $isco!nt.; ;How come?; 2ran@ as@e$. ;5ell= we $i$n:t b!> these Arom the $istrib!tor=; the cler@ a$mitte$. ;These were bro! ht in b> a Aellow who wante$ to sell them at a secon$han$ price= even tho! h the>:re bran$ new. M> boss snappe$ !p all three. He @nows a bar ain.; ;, see.; 2ran@ no$$e$. ;.o B!estions as@e$.; ;7h= it:s not an>thin ille al=; the cler@ hastene$ to sa>. ;The> were bro! ht in b> a respectable b!sinessman= Mr. 2rench= who owns the cost!me store $own the street.; ;Mr. 2renchD; the bo>s echoe$ in amaCement. ;1es. 5hat:s so stran e abo!t that?; ;7h= nothin = , !ess=; 2ran@ replie$. ;1o! E!st remin$e$ !s that we m!st see Mr. 2rench o!rselves ri ht awa>. The ra$ios will have to wait. Come on= <oeD; 5hile the m>stiAie$ cler@ stare$ aAter the Har$>s= the> bolte$ Arom the shop an$ h!rrie$ alon the si$ewal@ towar$ the cost!me shop. ;Mr. 2rench a ain=; <oe m!ttere$= sha@in an ?; his hea$. ;,s he one oA this ive >o!
;-omehow , tr!st him=; 2ran@ replie$. ;Ma>be the robbers are Aorcin him to pla> alon with them= an$ have threatene$ harm to his Aamil> !nless he $oes.; ;He $i$n:t loo@ ver> happ> the aAternoon we pic@e$ !p o!r cost!mes=; <oe recalle$. ;Those men in his shop were threatenin him. An$ when he came to o!r ho!se in the mi$$le oA the ni ht= it was no mista@eD; ;He @nows 6a$:s a $etective=; 2ran@ sai$. ;, thin@ he wante$ him an$ was conA!se$ when we answere$ the $oor.;

;5ell= we:ll soon Ain$ o!t=; <oe sai$ as the> neare$ the shop. ;,t loo@s close$=; 2ran@ remar@e$. The heav> $oor was sh!t an$ the blin$s $rawn. /oin closer= the bo>s saw a si n in the win$ow: C47-#6 ,.6#2,.,T#41 ;, won$er wh>=; sai$ <oe. ;Has Mr. 2rench one o!t oA b!siness?;
;He>=; 2ran@ crie$ o!t= ;where are the orilla an$ ma ician o!tAits that were in the win$ow >ester$a> aAternoon?; 7nl> one cost!me was now on $ispla>-a s@eleton s!it= which stoo$ !p with o!tsprea$ arms= li@e a scarecrowD ;, hate to thin@ what that cost!me means= iA it:s a si nal=; <oe sai$. ;.ever min$=; 2ran@ sai$. ;5e m!st Ain$ Mr. 2rench. Perhaps he lives over the store.; 2ran@ stro$e to a $oor at one si$e oA the b!il$in . ;1es= here:s his name on the bell plate.; ,mpatientl> the >o!n $etective Eabbe$ with his th!mb at the b!tton. The bell so!n$e$ lo!$l> b!t no one answere$. ;He>D; came a sharp voice. ;5hat are >o! two $oin here?;
2ran@ an$ <oe whirle$ to Aace their two ch!ms <err> /ilro> an$ Ton> Prito. ;5e:re sle!thin Aellows !p to?; aro!n$=; <oe replie$= an$ rinne$. ;5hat are >o!
Ton> explaine$ that he an$ <err> were on an erran$ Aor Mr. Prito= then as@e$= ;Have >o! Ao!n$ o!t an>thin more abo!t Chet an$ BiAA?; ;5e Ao!n$ o!t plent>D; <oe explo$e$. ;Chet an$ BiAA were @i$nape$ b> the ban@ robbers= who mistoo@ them Aor 2ran@ an$ me.; ;5hatD; crie$ Ton> an$ <err>. 5hile the> listene$ intentl>= 2ran@ an$ <oe ave the $etails oA their a$vent!re the ni ht beAore. ;B!t where is the Hermit ,slan$?; an hol$in them?; <err> won$ere$. ;Co!l$ it be
;Co!l$ be=; 2ran@ sai$. ;5e Ao!n$ o!t the hermit we saw is a Aa@e. The real one:s $ea$.; ;An$ when 6a$ traile$ -tar@ an$ Moran last ni ht=; <oe p!t in= ;the> went to the $oc@ an$ waite$ Aor a boat. That co!l$ mean the rest oA the an -an$ Chet an$ BiAA-are some place onl> accessible b> water.; ;Then what are we waitin ,slan$D; Aor?; !r e$ <err>. ;4et:s hea$ Aor Hermit
;1es-an$ no irls this time=; Ton> a$$e$. ;That phon> hermit carries a shot !n= an$ iA the robbers are there= the $an er is $o!ble.;

;"i ht=; 2ran@ sai$. ;5e:$ better ta@e both boats= Ton>. ,n case oA tro!ble= we:ll be able to split !p= or help each other.; Ton> a ree$ ea erl>. ;Then we:ll meet >o! at >o!r $oc@ at one-thirt>=; 2ran@ tol$ him. As their two Arien$s h!rrie$ oAA= 2ran@ an$ <oe wal@e$ to their motorc>cles an$ ro$e home. As the> $ismo!nte$ in Aront oA their behin$ the bac@ screen $oor= wrin in ara e= A!nt /ertr!$e appeare$ her han$s nervo!sl>.
;Hi= A!ntieD; <oe calle$ cheerA!ll>. ;5here are Mother an$ 6a$?; ;1o!r mother has one shoppin an$ >o!r Aather:s oAA on some more $etective wor@D There:s a iant in the livin room waitin Aor >o!.; ;A what?; <oe as@e$= enterin A!nt /ertr!$e ma$e a sweepin ;a reat bi manD; the ho!se. motion with her arms. ;A man=; she sai$= room. This m!st be AlA
4a! hin = 2ran@ le$ the wa> into the livin 4!n$bor D
The visitor:s h! e Arame certainl> $warAe$ the Har$>s: A!rnit!re. /rinnin = he shoo@ each brother:s han$ in his cr!shin rip. ;,:m o!t oA Eail a ain=; he tol$ them. ;-!tton wo!l$n:t sa> , attac@e$ him= so the> Ainall> let me o.; ;, @new >o! $i$n:t $o it= AlA=; sai$ <oe. The steve$ore:s oo$-nat!re$ Aace clo!$e$. ;.o= , wo!l$n:t to!ch a little weasel li@e -!tton=; he a ree$. ;B!t it ma@es me sore to be acc!se$ oA $oin itD 5hat , came to tell >o!= tho! h= is this-, @now who $i$ beat him !p. ,t was one oA his own palsD; ;Ben -tar@?; 2ran@ as@e$ c!rio!sl>. ;.o= a Aellow the> call Pops. "emember , tol$ >o! abo!t the b!nch who were alwa>s Ai htin with one another? 5ell= -!tton an$ Pops $o most oA it. Pops Ainall> ave it to him oo$= b!t -!tton won:t tell the police.; ;That m!st mean the>:re in somethin ille al to ether=; 2ran@ reasone$. ;How abo!t this Pops= AlA-is he an ol$ man?; ;.o. Altho! h he:s bal$= he:s >o!n er than -!tton-bi er an$ stron er. Tal@s lo!$= too. , $on:t @now wh> the> call him Pops.; 2ran@ an$ <oe loo@e$ at each other excite$l> Both imme$iatel> tho! ht oA Ben -tar@:s pal who was still at lar e. Co!l$ Pops be the 2iCCle so$a $rin@er? ;Than@s Aor tellin !s= AlA=; sai$ <oe. ;5e:re la$ >o!:re o!t oA Eail.

1o!:ve been in twice an$ both times beca!se oA !s.; ;1o! co!l$n:t help it=; replie$ their bi me both times. , appreciate that.; Arien$= ;an$ >o! spo@e !p Aor
AAter AlA ha$ leAt= the brothers ha$ some l!nch= then hea$e$ Aor the waterAront on their motorc>cles. Ton> an$ <err> were alrea$> in the .apoli when the -le!th came alon si$e the Prito $oc@. 5ith serio!s= $etermine$ Aaces the Ao!r Arien$s hea$e$ Aor Hermit ,slan$. As soon as the> reache$ the ocean= the bo>s were conAronte$ b> a Aast$ar@enin s@> an$ chopp> sea. 5ith incre$ible swiAtness= blac@ clo!$s= with chains oA li htnin snappin !n$erneath them= move$ in Arom the so!th. 4ar e rain$rops be an to pelt the bo>s. ,n another moment the $ar@ness close$ aro!n$ them li@e ni htAall. 4i htnin Alashe$ on the heavin ocean an$ the rain smac@e$ $own on them almost painA!ll>. ;5h> $i$n:t we brin slic@ersD; <oe exclaime$.
Thro! h it all= <oe @ept the -le!th:s nose pointe$ northwar$. Presentl>= ill!minate$ b> the li htnin = a roc@> mass came into view. ;There:s the islan$=; 2ran@ calle$ o!t. ;A motorboat:s E!st p!llin awa>= <oeD; ;4et:s chase itD; <oe crie$. ;-ome oA the escapin .; an ma> be aboar$ an$ are
;.ot now=; 2ran@ ca!tione$. ;Chet an$ BiAA come AirstD; As the bo>s watche$= the $ar@-brown craAt $isappeare$ in the $istance. As s!$$enl> as it ha$ come !p= the blac@ sB!all passe$ over. The -le!th an$ the .apoli circle$ towar$ the islan$:s beach. B> this time the rain ha$ stoppe$. The clo!$s parte$= bl!e s@> appeare$= an$ the s!n beat $own a ain. 0n$er its b!rnin heat the bo>s: clothes be an to $r> o!t. ;The storm:s probabl> $riven that phon> hermit !n$er cover=; <oe sai$. ;4et:s et ashore beAore he spots !s.; The bo>s Ao!n$ a small cove Arin e$ with small= scr!bb> oa@ trees. F!ic@l> concealin their boats in this cover= the> $ebar@e$ an$ set o!t on the path aro!n$ the islan$. This time no one $ist!rbe$ them. The trail climbe$ an$ then $roppe$ $own to the level oA the shore a ain. 7verhea$ loome$ the wet bl!AA. -!$$enl> 2ran@ stoppe$ an$ pointe$ to a $ar@ openin ahea$. ;A caveD; he sai$ B!ietl>. in the ra> roc@
The bo>s crept nearer. <!st o!tsi$e the cave:s entrance= 2ran@ liAte$ a warnin han$. ;8oicesD; he whispere$.
CHAPT#" %8,,
Hermit:s Hi$eo!t H746,./ themselves ri i$ a ainst the $amp roc@= the Ao!r bo>s straine$ to listen. -omewhere insi$e the cave a man was tal@in rapi$l>= b!t his wor$s were m!AAle$ an$ in$istinct. ;5hat:s he sa>in ?; whispere$ Ton>. 2ran@ motione$ Aor the others to hol$ their places. Then he la> on his stomach an$ inche$ ca!tio!sl> Aorwar$ !ntil his hea$ was E!st o!tsi$e the cave openin . 2rom this position he co!l$ hear what was oin on insi$e. ;5ell= what:s happenin ?; <err> whispere$ impatientl>. ;T! an@le= <oeD; at his
B!t E!st then 2ran@ came wri lin bac@war$. He E!mpe$ to his Aeet= an$ cl!tchin his si$es= hastene$ some $istance $own the path. <oe= Ton>= an$ <err> ran aAter him. ;2ran@-what:s the matter?; his brother as@e$. ;5hat was he sa>in ?; 2ran@ trie$ to spea@= b!t his chest heave$ with s!ppresse$ la! hter. 2inall> he mana e$ to tell them: ;The Aellow was sa>in . . . :B-b!> Bb-b!tterAl> Bab> 2oo$s:D; ;5ha-a-tD; The three bo>s loo@e$ at one another= completel> m>stiAie$. ;5e were listenin to a ra$io=; 2ran@ bl!rte$ o!t. ;The anno!ncer was ivin a commercialD; ;1o! mean the hermit:s in there= listenin to the ra$io?; <oe as@e$.
;, co!l$n:t see=; 2ran@ replie$. ;Ma>be Chet an$ BiAA are thereD ,t:s li@el>= an>how= that their !ar$ went in to avoi$ the rain. .ow that it:s over= he:ll probabl> come o!t a ain. 7!r best move is to Ain$ a oo$ spot to lie in wait Aor him.; .ear the cave mo!th the bo>s Ao!n$ a lar e= br!sh-protecte$ bo!l$er an$ hi$ themselves behin$ it. 2or some time the> waite$. 2rom insi$e the cave= snatches oA m!sic alternate$ with the anno!ncer:s voice. At last <oe co!l$ stan$ it no lon er. ;Ma>be there:s nobo$> insi$eD; he b!rst o!t impatientl>. ;,:m oin to have a loo@D; ;CareA!lD; 2ran@ whispere$= as his brother slippe$ o!t oA hi$in . <oe $arte$ to the path= la> $own= an$ inche$ himselA Aorwar$ !ntil he co!l$ see into the cavern. 2or several min!tes he peere$ insi$e= then

scramble$ bac@ behin$ the bo!l$er. ;-omebo$> is in thereD; he reporte$. ;He:s asleep an$ Aor ot to t!rn oAA his ra$io.; ;An> si n oA Chet an$ BiAA?; 2ran@ as@e$. <oe shoo@ his hea$. ;.o.; ;6o >o! thin@ it:s the hermit?; <err> as@e$. ;, $on:t @now=; <oe replie$. ;An>wa>= he:s alone.; ;5e co!l$ s!rprise this Aellow while he:s asleep=; Ton> sai$. 2ran@ no$$e$. ;B!t Chet an$ BiAA ma> be somewhere else on the islan$. 4et:s search while the Aellow in the cave is asleep.; ;/oo$ i$ea=; <oe a ree$. ;4oo@ Aor a h!t or shelter where the bo>s mi ht be prisoners.; A brieA examination oA the ra> bl!AA reveale$ a narrow cleAt lea$in to the top oA the precipice. <oe= ascen$in Airst= Ao!n$ himselA on another path which seeme$ to rim the islan$ Arom the top oA the bl!AAs. ;Here:s the trail the hermit !se$ to @eep !s in si ht >ester$a>=; he tol$ the others. AAter Below miles scr!b which scramblin !p= 2ran@= Ton>= an$ <err> pa!se$ Aor a loo@ abo!t. them spar@le$ the bri ht ocean= exten$in to the mainlan$ a Aew awa>. Behin$ la> a little platea!= over rown with small pines an$ oa@s. ,n the center oA the Alat area rose a steep= roc@> hill ave the islan$ its h!mpin silho!ette
;A h!t wo!l$ be eas> to camo!Ala e amon those trees=; 2ran@ remar@e$. ;5e:ll have to sprea$ o!t an$ comb ever> Aoot oA the woo$s.; Tho! h the >o!ths wor@e$ careA!ll> aro!n$ the platea!= the> Ao!n$ no si n oA an> shelter. 7n the islan$:s seawar$ si$e= where the rowth was sparse= the bo>s chec@e$ the si$es oA the steep hill Aor caves. The> saw none. ;,t $oesn:t loo@ ver> hopeA!l=; <oe sai$ at last. ;,A BiAA an$ Chet were bro! ht here= the>:ve probabl> been carrie$ oAA b> now.; ;The robbers mi ht still be !sin perAect hi$eo!t.; this place=; <err> insiste$. ;,t:s a
;The> co!l$ have come here with the loot Arom the ban@=; Ton> a$$e$= ;an$ !se$ the phon> hermit to scare oAA intr!$ers.; ;Perhaps the an is !sin the islan$ merel> as a stoppin -oAA place=; 2ran@ s! este$. ;5ith this hill ri ht in the mi$$le= a loo@o!t co!l$ spot boats approachin Arom miles awa>.; ;7A co!rseD; <oe too@ him !p ea erl>. ;That:s how the hermit happene$ to be waitin Aor !s >ester$a>. To$a> is $iAAerent. 6on:t Aor et that

boat we saw p!llin awa>. Chet an$ BiAA ma> have been p!t aboar$D;
;"i ht=; sai$ <oe. ;4et:s climb to the top oA the hill an$ $etermine how Aar we can see.; -par@e$ b> the new i$ea= the Ao!r bo>s attac@e$ the steep hill at the center oA the islan$. The> wor@e$ their wa> amon the roc@s an$ p!lle$ themselves !pwar$ b> means oA the short= to! h br!sh. ;5hat a ro! h climbD; <err> aspe$.
As the> climbe$ hi her= the ve etation became too Alims> to !se as s!pport= an$ the hill:s cone became even steeper. -till the bo>s presse$ !pwar$= pantin = with 2ran@ in the lea$. 2inall> he clambere$ onto a Alat= win$-swept area at the top-abo!t twent> Aeet across-an$ threw himselA $own to rest. <oe:s hea$ poppe$ into view over the e$ e= an$ then <err>:s. -!$$enl>= Arom below them= came a sharp cr>. ;Ton>D; >elle$ <oe an$ <err> to ether. -ittin !p= 2ran@ saw a clo!$ oA $!st an$ stones t!mblin an$ bo!ncin $own the hill. A whole section oA ro!n$ sli$ li@e a carpet alon the steep slope= with Ton> in the mi$$le oA itD 2ran@= <oe= an$ <err> sli$ in p!rs!it= bracin the slope li@e s@iersD their Aeet har$ a ainst
Partl> covere$ b> loose earth= Ton> Prito la> on his bac@ where the hillsi$e levele$ oAA. He rinne$ !p wea@l> at his three ch!ms. ;1o! o@a>= Ton>?; <oe crie$ anxio!sl>. ;Thin@ so. Can:t seem to et !p= tho! h.;
;5here are >o! h!rt?; 2ran@ as@e$. ;An@le=; Ton> answere$= risin to one @nee.
,mme$iatel> a wince oA pain crosse$ his Aace an$ he san@ bac@ a ain. F!ic@l> 2ran@ an$ <oe liAte$ their comra$e to a stan$in position. ;Tr> now= Ton>=; <err> !r e$. ;P!t E!st a little wei ht on it.; Tho! h Ton>:s leAt le an> press!re. appeare$ st!r$> eno! h= the ri ht one b!c@le$ at et >o! to a $octor= Ton>.;
;,t mi ht be a Aract!re=; 2ran@ sai$. ;5e:ll
5hile <err> stea$ie$ the inE!re$ bo>= 2ran@ an$ <oe ma$e a chair Aor him b> interloc@in their han$s. Then the> liAte$ Ton>= who brace$ himselA with one arm across each brother:s sho!l$er. -lowl> the little procession ma$e its wa> $own to the level oA the platea!. Movin more rapi$l> now= the> Aollowe$ the path aro!n$ to the mainlan$ si$e oA the islan$.

7nce amon the scr!b oa@s an$ pines= the trail became too narrow Aor three persons to move abreast. 2ran@ an$ <oe ha$ to @ic@ their wa> thro! h the br!sh on each si$e as the> a$vance$. 5hen the> neare$ the beach at last= a small pine cl!mp hin$ere$ 2ran@:s pro ress. He @ic@e$ o!t $etermine$l>. ;He>= what:s that?; crie$ Ton> Arom his perch. A $ar@ arment= str!c@ b> 2ran@:s Aoot= Aloppe$ into the pathD $own. ;An$ here are
;A sailor:s pea Eac@et=; <err> reporte$= stoopin some more= !n$er this pine br!sh.;
;Pea Eac@ets?; 2ran@ exclaime$. ;That:s what the ban@ robbers woreD;
CHAPT#" %8,,,
Hi$$en 5atchers ;TH# ban$its have been hereD; 2ran@ exclaime$. ;2ellows= we:re on the ri ht trac@ aAter allD; ;5ait till ChieA Colli sees these pea Eac@etsD; <oe ex!lte$. ;Pic@ :em !p= <err>. Bo>= what a b!n$le oA cl!esD; <err> athere$ the Aive b!l@>= $amp Eac@ets in his arms an$ sta ere$ Aorwar$. Almost imme$iatel> a low-han in oa@ branch sna e$ one oA the coats an$ p!lle$ it Arom his rasp. ;5e:ll never et to the boats at this rate=; he $espaire$.
2ran@= however= was more intereste$ at this moment in the n!mber oA Eac@ets. ;There were onl> Ao!r robbers=; he pointe$ o!t. ;5ho wore the AiAth coat?; ;The $river oA the etawa> car= probabl>=; <oe sai$. ;Here= <err>D 5e:ll p!t Ton> $own Aor a min!te. 5h> $on:t each oA !s p!t on a coat an$ >o! can carr> the other one. That:ll ma@e it easier.; -wiAtl> the bo>s $onne$ the Eac@ets. .ow <err> move$ ahea$ witho!t $iAAic!lt>= an$ the Har$>s Aollowe$ with Ton> as Aast as the> co!l$. 5hen the> reache$ the top oA the bl!AA that overloo@e$ the cove where the boats la> hi$$en= the part> pa!se$ Aor breath. Here was a Aresh obstacleD Ton> ha$ to be lowere$ $own the steep slope to the level oA the beachD ;5e:ll sli$e him $own=; 2ran@ $eci$e$. ;<oe= >o! sta> E!st below Ton>= an$ @eep his inE!re$ an@le Arom stri@in an>thin . <err> an$ , can ma@e

a slin oA o!r belts an$ lower him Arom one level to another.;
-lowl> the inE!re$ bo> was bro! ht Arom Aoothol$ to Aoothol$= $own to the san$. 5hen the> reache$ the boats= Ton>:s Aace was $rawn an$ pale. ;/osh= Ton>-$i$ we b!mp >o! too m!ch comin solicito!sl>. $own?; 2ran@ as@e$
;.o= it:s not >o!r Aa!lt= Aellows=; their Arien$ proteste$ bravel>. ;M> an@le:s E!st startin to throb a little.; ;-wellin = too=; 2ran@ note$ with a Arown. ;Here= <oe= let:s et him into the -le!th. ,:ll hea$ it Aor the Coast /!ar$ $oc@ as Aast as , can. 1o! an$ <err> Aollow in the .apoli.; ,n another moment the -le!th:s powerA!l en ine roare$ to liAe. Hastil> strippin oAA the pea Eac@et= 2ran@ bent over the wheel. Ton> sat besi$e him= s!AAerin in silence. The slee@ craAt spe$ across open water towar$ Ba>port. Meanwhile= <oe an$ <err> threw the other pea Eac@ets into the .apoli. -tartin her en ine= <oe pilote$ the slower spee$boat o!t oA the cove an$ alon the islan$ shore. ;<oeD; <err> pointe$ to a boat comin aro!n$ the islan$ towar$ them. onD;
;7h= bo>= this is tro!bleD; <oe exclaime$. ;Han
He bro! ht the wheel aro!n$ har$. The .apoli swerve$ an$ ran in strai ht towar$ shore. <err> aspe$. ;1o!:re r!nnin a ro!n$D;
<oe $i$ not answer. He ha$ notice$ a narrow Aiss!re which c!t thro! h the bl!AAs= ma@in a tin> 8-shape$ openin in the shoreline. He ran the .apoli strai ht into the small slot oA water= crashin thro! h lowrowin br!sh at its e$ es. ;F!ic@= <err>=; he $irecte$= sh!ttin oAA the motor= ; rab some oA these pine branches an$ p!ll them $own on top oA !sD; Cl!tchin the stic@>= sweet-smellin limbs= the bo>s cro!che$ low an$ waite$. -oon the slow= re !lar throb oA a boat:s motor co!l$ be hear$. The stran e brown boat= carr>in two men= came into view. The craAt seeme$ to move with ma$$enin slowness. 4!c@il> the two men in it @ept loo@in Aorwar$. 2rom his place oA concealment= <oe st!$ie$ them careA!ll>. The one in the stern was a short= m!sc!lar Aellow= whose shoc@ oA white-blon$ hair leame$ in the s!nshine. ;<err>=; <oe hisse$= ;,:ve seen those !>s beAoreD The> were in Mr. 2rench:s shop when we pic@e$ !p o!r cost!mesD; He a$$e$ in a whisper= ;The blon$ one m!st be 2ritC -tar@. He loo@s E!st li@e Ben= except Aor the $iAAerent-colore$ hair.; <err> rippe$ <oe:s arm. ;He:s stan$in !pD He:ll see !sD;

B!t 2ritC -tar@ pointe$ strai ht ahea$ oA him an$ calle$ o!t to the man at the wheel= ;.ic@= ta@e her to the hi$$en inletD; The bo>s cro!che$ tensel>= watchin the two men cr!ise slowl> past them. 5hen at last the $ar@-brown craAt was o!t oA si ht= the bo>s too@ in $eep breaths oA relieA. B!t the res!lt was $isastro!s to <err>. ;3erchooD 3erchooD; The so!n$s echoe$ oAA the bl!AAs behin$ them an$ carrie$ Aar over the water. ;7h= oll>= ,:m sorr>=; <err> whispere$. ;,:m aller ic to pine.;
;-hD 3eep $own=; <oe warne$. ;Ma>be the> hear$ >o!= an$ ma>be the> $i$n:t.; 5ith hearts po!n$in = the bo>s waite$. The entle p!t-p!ttin so!n$ oA the motorboat rew lo!$er an$ Aaster= risin in crescen$o to an an r> roar. ;5e:re in Aor it=; <oe roane$.
,n another moment the prow oA the brown boat @niAe$ bac@ into view. This time the men aboar$ scanne$ the shoreline s!spicio!sl>D The bo>s cl!tche$ the pine branches in Aront oA them. B!t it was no !se. The .apoli:s h!ll was clearl> visible to their p!rs!ers. ;There the> areD; 2ritC -tar@ sho!te$. ;,n that boatD; As the ban$its: craAt swerve$ sharpl> an$ ran strai ht !p on the conceale$ bo>s= <oe whispere$= ;"!n Aor it= <err>D; The thic@- rowin br!sh= which ha$ helpe$ to conceal them= now became an obstacle to their Ali ht. -eiCin the pith> branches= <oe p!lle$ an$ sB!irme$ !ntil he co!l$ Aeel soli$ ro!n$. B!t when he E!mpe$ !p an$ wal@e$= the thic@ rowth clawe$ at his le s. Th!mpD The robbers: boat crashe$ into the .apoli. Then the br!sh be an to sha@e as the men Ao! ht their wa> towar$ the bo>s. ;/rab themD; -tar@ >elle$. <err> ca! ht !p to <oe an$ Aor an instant the bo>s hesitate$. All aro!n$ rose the ra>= roc@> bl!AAs. <!st in Aront oA them= however= was a narrow ravine which <oe ha$ notice$ earlier. ;Come onD , thin@ we can ma@e itD; <oe !r e$. The bo>s scramble$ ma$l> !phill= their p!rs!ers onl> >ar$s behin$D Han$ over han$= the> clambere$ !pwar$. 7nce <err> st!mble$ an$ <oe pa!se$ to help him re ain his balance. The short= m!sc!lar -tar@ was now ainin rapi$l>. <oe !proote$ a small pric@l> b!sh an$ Aire$ it bac@. The b!sh hit -tar@ in the Aace. He crie$ o!t in an er= b!t @ept sta erin !pwar$. ,n a moment he ma$e a leap Aor <oe:s an@lesD ;,:ve ot >o!D; he crie$ as the bo> sli$ bac@war$ on his stomach.

;3eep oin = <err>D; <oe sho!te$ beAore t!rnin anta onist. to rapple with his
At the same time the secon$ man s@irte$ them both= an$ $isappeare$ over the top oA the ravine= p!rs!in <err>. Tho! h <oe Ao! ht sava el>= -tar@:s wei ht Ainall> won o!t an$ soon the bo>:s arms were pinne$ behin$ him an$ bo!n$ to ether with a belt. Then <err> appeare$ at the top oA the ravine= his arms hel$ sec!rel> b> -tar@:s henchman. ;/et $own thereD; his captor or$ere$ ro! hl>. 5hile he an$ the bo> $escen$e$= -tar@ e>e$ <oe with an !npleasant smile. ;He>= .ic@=; the blon$ man calle$= ;loo@ who:s hereD; The henchman rinne$ as he reco niCe$ <oe. ;7ne oA the real Har$> bo>sD;
;5hat:ll we $o with him an$ his Arien$?; ;4oa$ :em in the boat. 5e:ll ta@e :em to the cave.; ;5e haven:t m!ch time=; .ic@ warne$ him. ;6on:t worr>=; -tar@ sai$ in a har$ voice. ;5e:re wor@ oA :emD; oin to ma@e B!ic@
CHAPT#" %,%
"oc@> Prison 2#A" showe$ in <err>:s e>es an$ his Aace pale$. <oe stoicall> hi$ his emotions at -tar@:s omino!s threat. The same tho! ht race$ wil$l> thro! h the bo>s: min$s. 5hat wo!l$ these men $o to them? 5hile the two men Aorce$ <oe an$ <err> into the brown boat= 2ran@ was sen$in the -le!th A!ll spee$ towar$ Ba>port harbor. 4oo@in behin$ him= he Arowne$= p!CCle$. ;5here:s the .apoli= Ton>?; he as@e$. ;Can >o! see it?; Ton> t!rne$ his hea$ Aor a loo@. ;.o=; he answere$. ;The> sho!l$n:t be so Aar behin$ !s=; 2ran@ sai$. 2rom time to time he ba> towar$ the Coast lance$ bac@ !neasil>= an$ as the> spe$ across the
/!ar$ station= he spo@e !p worrie$l>= ;The .apoli isn:t that m!ch slower than the -le!th= Ma>be the boat ha$ motor tro!ble.; ;6on:t thin@ so=; Ton> sai$= ti ht-lippe$. ;<!st ha$ her chec@e$.;

2ran@ throttle$ $own his en ine as the -le!th sli$ in besi$e the pier. Ma@in a line Aast to a pile= he leape$ onto the la$$er an$ climbe$ !p. ;Ta@e it eas>= Ton>. ,:ll et help=; he sai$= an$ sprinte$ alon wharA to the Coast /!ar$ hea$B!arters. the
;, have a Aellow in m> boat with an inE!re$ an@le=; he tol$ 4ie!tenant Par@er breathlessl>. A Aew moments later Ao!r Coast /!ar$men= two with a stretcher between them= were r!nnin with 2ran@ to the en$ oA the pier. #xpertl>= the resc!e team carrie$ Ton> !p the la$$er an$ lai$ him on the stretcher. ;7@a>= Ton>?; 2ran@ inB!ire$. ;-!re=; came the pl!c@> repl>. ;1o!:$ better Aor et me= 2ran@= an$ thin@ abo!t <oe an$ <err>. -omethin m!st have happene$ to themD; ;5e m!st et Ton> to a $octor=; 2ran@ tol$ 4ie!tenant Par@er= as both h!rrie$ alon besi$e the stretcher. ;7!r men will ta@e him=; the >o!n oAAicer sai$. ;5e have an emer enc> vehicle rea$> at all times. B!t what was he tal@in abo!t= 2ran@? ,s somethin else wron ?; ;,:ll tell >o! in a min!te=; the bo> replie$. ;5e mi ht nee$ a c!tter an$ some men soon. Ma> , !se >o!r phone?; 2ran@ went into the Coast /!ar$ station an$ calle$ police hea$B!arters. ;ChieA Colli ?; he be an !r entl>. ;This is 2ran@ Har$>. ,:m at the Coast /!ar$ pier. <!st ot bac@ Arom Hermit ,slan$. 5e:ve Ao!n$ the Eac@ets the ban@ robbers were wearin . , have two oA them. <oe o! ht to be here with the others an> min!te.; ;5hatD; Colli sai$. crie$ in amaCement. ;-ta> there. ,:ll be ri ht $own=; he
AAter han in !p= 2ran@ $ashe$ o!t oA the station an$ ran to the en$ oA the pier a ain. 2rownin = he scanne$ the waters oA the ba>. He co!l$ not see the .apoli= an$ he ret!rne$ to the station. ;7!r men have ta@en Ton> to a $octor=; 4ie!tenant Par@er tol$ him. ;Have >o! Ao!n$ some new cl!e to the ban@ robbers or >o!r missin ch!ms= 2ran@? ,A there:s oin to be tro!ble= we want to help.; 2ran@ B!ic@l> <err>.; ave $etails an$ en$e$ with= ;,:m worrie$ abo!t <oe an$
;5hat $o >o! thin@ happene$ to them?; ;, $on:t @now. There was one member oA the an on the islan$ when Ton> an$ , leAt. Ma>be more oA them came bac@. The bo>s ma> have been trappe$.;

;,:ll or$er the c!tter at once=; 4ie!tenant Par@er sai$. ;Than@s=; 2ran@ replie$. ;,A we $on:t see the .apoli b> the time ChieA Colli ets here= we:$ better move AastD; .ervo!sl> the bo> pace$ abo!t the pier with his e>es Aixe$ on the harbor mo!th. -till no .apoli. 2ran@ hear$ a siren wail an$ a blac@ police car spe$ !p to the Coast /!ar$ station. ;<oe hasn:t come >et=; he tol$ the chieA. ;,:m aArai$ somethin wron o!t at the islan$.; ;Then we:$ better et there AastD; Colli snappe$. went
The powerA!l en ines oA a Coast /!ar$ c!tter were r!mblin impatientl> besi$e the pier. 2ran@= ChieA Colli = an$ the two policemen he ha$ bro! ht alon h!rrie$ aboar$. Alrea$> a sB!a$ oA seamen arme$ with riAles ha$ ta@en their places. At a si nal Arom 4ie!tenant Par@er the c!tter rowle$ o!t into the ba>. 7n Hermit ,slan$ the two robbers ha$ ha!le$ <oe an$ <err> alon the path towar$ the cave. 5hen the> reache$ the entrance= the> note$ that the ra$io insi$e was still pla>in . -tar@:s Aace ti htene$ with an er. ;Hol$ them here with >o!r !n= .ic@=; he or$ere$= an$ $isappeare$ into the cavern. The m!sic stoppe$ s!$$enl>= an$ -tar@ came o!t a Aew moments later= p!shin a heav>= bal$-hea$e$ man= who blin@e$ in the late-aAternoon s!nli ht. ;,t:s the Aellow we saw with Ben -tar@ in the Blac@ CatD; <oe tho! ht. He also note$ that the man was wearin the same clothin the Aa@e hermit ha$ ha$ on the $a> beAore. B!t this man was clean shaven an$ in his thirtiesD ;He m!st have been wearin a Aalse bear$ >ester$a>=; <oe $eci$e$. 2ritC -tar@ lowere$ at the bal$ man. ;4isten= Pops=; he $eman$e$= ;how $i$ these @i$s et on the islan$? 1o!:re s!ppose$ to be @eepin people awa>-not sleepin D; ;PopsD; sai$ <oe to himselA. ;This is the Aellow AlA tol$ !s abo!t who beat !p -!ttonD; The bal$ man answere$ -tar@ lamel>. ;, !ess , was in the cave an$ $i$n:t hear them. , Ai !re$ nobo$> wo!l$ be nosin aro!n$ $!rin the storm.; ;1o! AoolD; -tar@ ret!rne$ harshl>. ;These @i$s Ao!n$ three oA o!r Eac@ets-, saw them in their boat. 5hat iA the> ha$ ma$e it to the police?; ;5ell= we:ve ot :em now=; Pops sai$. oo$ Aor an>thin
;.o than@s to >o!D; .ic@ p!t in an ril>. ;1o!:re no b!t $rin@in so$a an$ ettin into Ai htsD; ;/ive him cre$it Aor b!>in
postcar$s in .orthport=; -tar@ sai$

sarcasticall>. Pops bristle$. ;, $i$ m> shareD 5e wo!l$n:t have stolen the crate oA 1o@ohama ra$ios so eas>= iA , ha$n:t Airst ma$e the $eal with -!tton.; ;5e:$ have been better oAA witho!t that hothea$=; .ic@ $eclare$. ;He @new the $oc@s=; Pops retorte$. ;Than@s to him we ha$ insi$e help. ,A >o! !>s ha$n:t been so slow we co!l$:ve ta@en more crates.; ;7h= he was helpA!l=; -tar@ sneere$. ;He wasn:t satisAie$ with o!r ban@ loot. He bro! ht the Har$>s an$ the police $own on o!r nec@s b> plantin a stolen ra$io on that bi steve$ore an$ ma@in the whole b!nch hot.; ;An$ Ai htin with >o! over his c!t ever> ni ht in -hant>town. 6i$ that help?; .ic@ as@e$ so!rl>. ;1o! were all prett> careless=; <oe e e$ them on. ;5e hear$ that an envelope Arom the 1o@ohama ra$io $istrib!tors was Ao!n$ in the -tar@s: hotel room.; Pops snorte$ in tri!mph. ;1o! leAt that= 2ritCD; he acc!se$. ;,t was >o! who wrote preten$in to be a p!rchasin a ent to Ain$ o!t where their -!per-% ra$io shipments came in.; ;B!t Pops leAt his bro@en so$a bottle in the -le!th; <oe pro$$e$. ;That:s eno! hD; the bal$ man or$ere$. "o! hl> he shove$ the captives towar$ the apin cavern. ;Hol$ itD; -tar@ raspe$. ;2irst , have a bone to pic@ with this nos> @i$.; Then he c!AAe$ <oe on the ear an$ la! he$ wic@e$l>. ;5hat was that Aor?; <oe complaine$= tr>in to $raw the man o!t more.
;1o!:$ li@e to @now= wo!l$n:t >o!?; -tar@ sneere$ an$ p!she$ <oe so har$ that he Aell to the ro!n$. ;C!t it o!tD; <err> proteste$= an$ l!n e$ Aorwar$ to help his Arien$. .ic@ seiCe$ the bo> an$ hel$ him Aast. -tar@ >an@e$ <oe !p b> the sho!l$ers an$ >elle$ at him= ;1o! an$ >o!r pes@> brother-alwa>s interAerin with o!r plansD , ha$ thin s all wor@e$ o!tD; ;,:ll bet >o! $i$=; <oe retorte$. ;5ho stole the car in .orthport?; ;.ic@ $i$=; -tar@ replie$= ;while Ben an$ Pops too@ the Blac@ Cat Aor a spin. Ben Ao!n$ o!t where >o!r boat was @ept= an$ later Pops too@ it.; ;He bro@e into o!r boatho!se while the rest oA >o!r the ban@=; <oe e e$ him on. an was robbin
;That:s ri ht= smart bo>.; 2ritC -tar@ sneere$. ;Ben was with !s. Pops ha$ the -le!th waitin . 5e were oin to hea$ strai ht Aor Hermit ,slan$.;

6espite their pre$icament= <oe an$ <err> co!l$ not help b!t loat. ;,nstea$= >o! lan$e$ hi h an$ $r> miles !p the coast=; <oe sai$. -tar@:s Aace $ar@ene$. ;1eah. 5ell= that $i$n:t stop !s. 5e hotAoote$ it bac@ to -hant>town= pic@e$ !p Ben:s car there= an$ $rove aro!n$ loo@in Aor another Aast boat. 5e Ao!n$ one an$ :borrowe$: it.; ;Ben ran the boat !p the coast to -hant>town while , $rove bac@. ,:$ hear$ over the ra$io >o!r Aather was wor@in on the ban@ robber> case. -oon as Ben ot bac@ to -hant>town= , tol$ him abo!t it an$ that ,:$ seen >o! Har$>s in the cost!me store.; ;-o=; .ic@ bro@e in= ;Ben ot the i$ea oA @i$napin >o!r ol$ man $rop the case.; >o! two to ma@e
;5e tol$ him what cost!me >o!r brother was wearin =; 2ritC went on. ;An$ he sent two b!n lers to $o the Eob=; .ic@ interr!pte$ resentA!ll>. ;Moran an$ 6!@eD The> $rove to 2rench:s place an$ ma$e him tell where the part> was. Then the> nabbe$ the wron bo>sD; ;5here are the> now?; <oe $eman$e$. 2or answer their captors merel> la! he$. ;5hen $i$ >o! $iscover who the> were?; <oe as@e$. ;AAter >o! too@ them to -hant>town?; -tar@ shot him a har$ loo@. ;1o! @now that= too?; ;5hoever trie$ to b!rn the cost!mes an$ hi$ the robber> mas@s $i$n:t $o a ver> oo$ Eob=; the >o!n sle!th commente$. ;The> were Ao!n$.; ;6!@e:s carelessness a ain=; Pops m!ttere$.
.ic@ c!t in. ;1o! Aellows won:t ever Ain$ >o!r two Arien$s. An$ nobo$> will Ain$ >o!D; The bo>s learne$ the croo@s ha$ spotte$ the -le!th an$ preten$e$ to ram her to Ain$ o!t her A!ll power. ;5e nee$e$ a Aast boat Aor o!r etawa>=; -tar@ sai$= ;an$ we @new >o!rs wo!l$ $o.; <oe now sai$= ;5e saw >o! leavin the islan$ $!rin the storm. 5h>?;
-tar@ smile$ brieAl>. ;.ic@ an$ , ha$ !r ent b!siness to chec@ on in Ba>port an$ no time to loseD 5e:ve ot one more Eob to $o toni ht an$ then we:re clearin o!t.; ;An$ we nee$ a Aast boat to p!ll it=; Pops sai$. ;1o! mean >o!:ll leave >o!r own brother in EailD; <oe ta!nte$ -tar@. ;1o!:re a real palD; The man:s Aace twitche$ with ra e. ;4isten= @i$= , $on:t leave m> brother in the l!rch.; He t!rne$ to Pops an$ snarle$= ;/et these !>s in the caveD 5e:ll ta@e care oA :em laterD;

The th! reinAorce$ the belt which hel$ <oe:s han$s with sto!t Manila rope. He tie$ <oe:s an@les too= an$ then move$ on to bin$ <err>. All the while <oe tho! ht over what he ha$ learne$. ;-tar@ sa>s the>:re $oin one more Eob= an$ he won:t aban$on his brother. That m!st mean the> went to Ba>port to plan a Eail brea@= which the>:re oin to p!ll toni ht. Then the>:ll all Alee to etherD; ;All ri ht-insi$eD; Pops or$ere$ r!AAl>. e$ Aar bac@ into the
-t!mblin in the loom= <oe an$ <err> were $ra cave. The place smelle$ m!st> an$ $amp. -tar@ threw them to the ro!n$ an$ wal@e$ awa>.
The bo>s waite$ in silence !ntil their e>es became more acc!stome$ to the $ar@ness. Then <oe Aelt a chill !p an$ $own his spine as he $iscerne$ the shape oA someone l>in besi$e himD Co!l$ it be Chet or BiAA? 5ri lin over= <oe n!$ e$ the !n@nown prisoner. He moane$= as tho! h $aCe$= an$ t!rne$ his Aace !pwar$. ;<!mpin catAishD; <oe whispere$ hoarsel>. ;,t:s Mr. 2renchD;
CHAPT#" %%
Amb!shin
the #nem>
;M". 2"#.CH= what happene$?; <oe as@e$ in amaCement. PainA!ll> the cost!me $ealer $rew himselA to a sittin position. ;,t was terrible=; he answere$ sha@il>. ;5here am ,? , was blin$Aol$e$ b> the men who bro! ht me here.; ;1o!:re in a cave on Hermit ,slan$=; <oe tol$ him. ;How are >o! mixe$ !p in this= Mr. 2rench? , won$ere$ once iA >o! belon e$ to the an .; ;.oD; the man proteste$. ;1o! m!st believe me= bo>. The mental an !ish ,:ve one thro! h since , sol$ those men the mas@s Aor the robber> , , ne lecte$ m> b!siness entirel>-$i$n:t even chec@ m> stoc@. ;2ritC -tar@ an$ .ic@ /laser were in the shop when >o! stoppe$ in Aor >o!r cost!mes that aAternoon. The> ha$ come to pic@ !p the mas@s the>:$ or$ere$. , as@e$ iA the> were oin to a part>. /laser la! he$ an$ sai$= :1es-a bi s!rprise part>D: 5hen , went in the bac@ to et the mas@s= , hear$ them la! h a ain an$ mention the ban@.; ;-o >o! p!t two an$ two to ether=; <err> sai$. ;That:s ri ht. , !esse$ the> were croo@s.; o to the
;1o! sho!l$ have tippe$ !s oAA=; <oe sai$. ;5h> $i$n:t >o!

police?; Mr. 2rench sai$ bro@enl>= ;, ha$ ma$e the mista@e oA tellin them m> s!spicions an$ who >o! were. The> sai$ the>:$ @ill me an$ harm m> Aamil> iA , tal@e$. , sent m> Aamil> awa> Aor saAet>.; ;5h> $i$ >o! come to o!r ho!se that ni ht?; <oe as@e$ s>mpatheticall>. ;The other mornin the> be an to !se m> store as one oA their meetin places an$ tol$ me to ive m> assistant a short vacation. , hear$ them bra in the> were oin to @i$nap >o! an$ >o!r brother. 4ater somethin snappe$ insi$e me. "obber> is ba$ eno! h= b!t , co!l$n:t let them et awa> with @i$napin no matter what the> $i$ to me. -o , went to tell >o!r Aather ever>thin .; ;B!t 2ran@ an$ , answere$ the $oor=; <oe prompte$. ;1es=; 2rench a ree$. ;5hen , saw >o! were saAe= it conA!se$ me. Besi$es= , ha$ a stran e Aeelin , was bein Aollowe$. , $i$n:t @now what to $o= so , came awa> witho!t tellin m> stor>.; ;5hat happene$ then?; <oe as@e$. ;5ell= when 2ritC -tar@ an$ .ic@ /laser came to the shop earl> >ester$a> aAternoon= , ot m> nerve bac@ an$ tol$ them ,:$ spill ever>thin iA the> $i$n:t let me alone.; ;5hat $i$ the> $o?; <err> as@e$. ;-tar@ sai$ the>:$ let me alone iA ,:$ $o two thin s Aor them. 2irst he ma$e me p!t the orilla an$ the ma ician s!its in the win$ow. The> were a si nal to the rest oA the thieves to @noc@ three times at the bac@ $oor. The an was oin to have a meetin abo!t somethin .; <oe la! he$ riml>. ;1es= to plan to @i$nap 2ran@ an$ me. , that:s wh> the> !se$ o!r cost!mes in the win$ow.; !ess
;There was onl> one cost!me-a s@eleton s!it -on $ispla> this mornin =; <err> remembere$. ;2ritC -tar@ p!t it there last ni ht. He too@ m> @e>. , overhear$ him sa> a sin le cost!me meant :6an er. -ta> awa>=:; 2rench explaine$. ;-tar@ p!t !p the warnin si nal too late. He $i$n:t @now then that halA the an was in Eail.; ;That:s ri ht=; the man sai$. ;,t was aAter he leAt the s@eleton warnin that he Ao!n$ o!t Ben an$ the others were capt!re$.; ;,:ll bet the secon$ thin the> wante$ >o! to $o= Mr. 2rench= was to sell three ra$ios to the hi-Ai shop=; <oe !esse$. ;1es=; sai$ the man= s!rprise$= ;an$ imme$iatel>. /laser wal@e$ $own to the shop with me an$ waite$ on the si$ewal@. As , came o!t= -tar@ $rove !p in their car= Aorce$ me to et in= an$ blin$Aol$e$ me. The last thin , remember beAore , came to in this cave was tr>in to brea@ loose an$ E!mp o!t.;

;The> m!st have sl! e$ >o!=; <oe sai$. ;B!t what oo$ will it $o >o! to @now all this?; Mr. 2rench sai$ $espairin l>. ;5e:ll never et o!t oA here alive. These men mean b!sinessD; ;-o $o we=; <oe promise$ riml>. ,n rapi$ whispers he tol$ the $espon$ent man how he an$ 2ran@= b> oAAerin themselves as bait= ha$ trappe$ Ben -tar@ an$ his two henchmen. ;B!t we haven:t been able to Ain$ Chet an$ BiAA. 6o >o! @now where the> are?; The cost!me $ealer shoo@ his hea$ helplessl>. ;.o. 1o! can see Aor >o!rselA the>:re not in here. , wante$ to loo@ Aor the stolen mone>= b!t nat!rall> , $i$n:t $are. This is the en$ Aor !s= ,:m aArai$.; <oe trie$ to reass!re him. ;M> brother is Aree. 5hen <err> an$ , Aail to show !p= he:ll brin help.; ;, onl> hope he:s in time=; sai$ Mr. 2rench. ;, hear$ these men plannin to leave here in a little while. The> sai$ the>:$ $ispose oA me beAore the> p!sh oAA.; <err> loo@e$ riml> at <oe. ;That oes Aor !s too= , !essD;
As $!s@ Aell= the prisoners waite$ anxio!sl>. 5hile <oe trie$ to @eep Mr. 2rench:s spirits !p= <err> watche$ -tar@ an$ Pops passin an$ repassin beAore the entrance. ;<oe=; he sai$ aAter a while= ;, haven:t seen those two Aor the last ten min!tes. 6o >o! thin@ somethin :s !p?; The three prisoners stiAAene$= all senses alert. ;-hD; <oe hisse$ s!$$enl>. ;4istenD; ,n the $istance the> hear$ a motorboat. ;That:s a bi one=; <err> whispere$ excite$l>. ;-o!n$s li@e a c!tter.; !>s o!tsi$e
;,t:s comin hereD; <oe sai$ as the so!n$ rew lo!$er. -!$$enl> it cease$ an$ the> hear$ sho!ts in the $istance= then closer. ;,t:s 2ran@D; <oe exclaime$. ;-in ;HallooD 2ran@D HelpD ,n hereD; Their voices ran an$ echoe$ hollowl> a ainst the roc@ walls. BeAore lon = the beam oA a Alashli ht pierce$ the cave openin . ;<oeD <err>D; came an anxio!s= Aamiliar voice. ;1o! o@a>?; ;Bac@ here= 2ran@D; <oe calle$ ea erl> to his brother. -econ$s later= 2ran@ an$ two >o!n ropes that bo!n$ the prisoners. Coast /!ar$men were c!ttin an the o!t= ever>bo$>D;
;Mr. 2renchD; crie$ 2ran@ in reco nition. ;-o the Are Chet an$ BiAA here?;
ha$ >o!= tooD

;.oD; his brother replie$ worrie$l>. ;An$ neither are the ban@ robbers.; Alrea$> the cave was Aille$ with men. 2lashli ht beams Alic@ere$ !p an$ $own the $amp walls. -eamen an$ policemen stoo$ b> with !ns rea$>. ChieA Colli an$ 4ie!tenant Par@er h!rrie$ into the cave. ;1o! bo>s all ri ht?; he $eman$e$. ;5e:re o@a>=; <oe answere$= ;b!t we m!st o aAter the robbers. Two oA them-2ritC -tar@ an$ Pops-were here twent> min!tes a o. An$ .ic@ /laser= who $rove the etawa> car= was here too.; ;The> probabl> spotte$ the c!tter an$ hea$e$ Aor their boat or the .apoli=; sai$ <oe. F!ic@l> he $escribe$ the location oA the hi$$en inlet where the .apoli an$ the robbers: stolen craAt were conceale$. 4ie!tenant Par@er imme$iatel> $ispatche$ men to the spot. ;5ith a twent>-min!te hea$ start=; <oe sai$= ;2ritC -tar@ an$ the other two probabl> will et awa>.; ;B!t the c!tter co!l$ pic@ them !p easil>=; <err> p!t in. ;"i ht=; sai$ 2ran@. ;Those men @now the> haven:t a chance a ainst the Coast /!ar$. , thin@ the>:re hi$in here.; ;5here?; as@e$ Mr. 2rench. ;5e:ll comb the islan$=; 4ie!tenant Par@er sai$. ;4et:s search this cave Airst=; 2ran@ s! este$. ;There:s a sli ht $raAt comin Arom the bac@. That mi ht mean there:s another chamber.; -lowl> 2ran@ pla>e$ the beam oA his Alashli ht over the rear wall !ntil he spotte$ a narrow crevice. He steppe$ B!ic@l> over an$ shone his beam into it. ;4oo@D; he exclaime$ soAtl>. <oe= ChieA Colli = an$ 4ie!tenant Par@er crow$e$ aro!n$. ,n Aront oA them= well insi$e the openin = h!n a piece oA b!rlap. 2ran@ slippe$ into the crevice an$ p!lle$ the ro! h c!rtain asi$e. A lon roc@ passa e was reveale$. ;Come onD; <oe exclaime$. ;4et:s oD;
As <oe steppe$ Aorwar$= ChieA Colli clampe$ a han$ on his sho!l$er. ;Hol$ it=; the chieA or$ere$. ;4et the arme$ men o Airst. Those croo@s are $esperate an$ won:t hesitate to !se their !ns.; "el!ctantl>= all three bo>s hee$e$ the or$er. At Colli :s si nal= Par@er $rew his service revolver an$ le$ the men into the narrow roc@ corri$or. The chieA an$ his two policemen Aollowe$= with 2ran@= <oe= an$ <err> impatientl> brin in !p the rear. The narrow passa e twiste$ an$ t!rne$. 7nl> one @in$ oA so!n$ co!l$ be hear$-the heav> breathin oA the p!rs!ers. -!$$enl> there came an earsplittin crac@D A !nshot Arom !p ArontD

;HaltD; 4ie!tenant Par@er:s voice ran o!t. ;6o not ret!rn AireD;
The Aile oA men Alattene$ a ainst the roc@s. The bo>s crane$ to see what was happenin . ,n a chamber at the en$ oA the passa e= their han$s tie$= stoo$ Chet an$ BiAAD Behin$ them were -tar@ an$ Pops= a clo!$ oA !n smo@e above them. Tho! h the two men were !sin the captives as shiel$s= an$ the sit!ation was $esperate= 2ran@= <oe= an$ <err> were E!bilant. The> ha$ Ao!n$ their missin ch!msD The not the the Coast /!ar$men an$ the police were Aorce$ to stan$ b> helplessl>= $arin to en$an er Chet an$ BiAA. B!t <oe saw a chance to chan e sit!ation. At a si nal= he motione$ 2ran@ an$ <err> to bac@ o!t oA passa e B!ietl>. The three $ashe$ Arom the cave.
;-tar@ an$ Pops ot in there= somehow=; <oe sai$. ;The> $i$n:t come past !s. There m!st be another entrance o!t here.; Hastil>= in the atherin twili ht= the bo>s examine$ the irre !lar Aace oA the bl!AA. -!$$enl> 2ran@ pointe$ to a bi $ar@ crac@ in the roc@. As the> neare$ it= a man:s Ai !re loome$ in the openin . 5itho!t hesitation the three bo>s h!rle$ themselves on the man an$ bore him to the ro!n$. He hit with a th!$= the Ai ht @noc@e$ o!t oA him. ;,t:s .ic@ /laser=; <oe whispere$ as <err> whippe$ oAA the man:s belt an$ bo!n$ his arms sec!rel> with it. ;7@a>=; <err> replie$= ;,:ll watch him. 6on:t worr>= he won:t et awa>.;
The Har$>s slippe$ into the $ar@ crac@ Arom which the man ha$ emer e$. -nappin o!t his Alashli ht= 2ran@ rope$ Aorwar$ as Aast as he $are$. -oon he co!l$ ma@e o!t the >ellow lare oA the resc!ers: Alashli hts= an$ the bac@s oA Pops an$ 2ritC -tar@= stan$in behin$ BiAA an$ ChetD ;2or the last time= , tell >o! throw $own >o!r ;iA >o! $on:t want these @i$s h!rtD; !ns=; -tar@ or$ere$=
5itho!t pa!sin = 2ran@ an$ <oe char e$ Aorwar$. To ether the> let $rive with two br!isin tac@les. The le s oA the criminals b!c@le$ !n$erneath them. The revolvers Alew Arom their han$s an$ the men lan$e$= $aCe$= on the Aloor oA the cave. The police an$ seamen were !pon them in a secon$. ;2ran@D <oeD; crie$ Chet= overEo>e$. As soon as his han$s were !ntie$= the sto!t bo> rabbe$ his pals an$ h! e$ them in his excitement. ;7-oAD He>= $on:t cr!sh !sD; <oe proteste$= la! hin . ;5e tho! ht >o!:$ never Ain$ !s in this placeD; BiAA p!t in= r!bbin his chaAe$ wrists. ;5e were plent> worrie$ o!rselves=; 2ran@ a$mitte$.

;The> too@ !s to -hant>town Airst in -tar@:s car.; Chet spille$ o!t the stor>. ;5ere the> ma$ when the> Ao!n$ o!t we weren:t >o! an$ <oeD; ;B!t the> were aArai$ to let !s o=; BiAA went on= ;so the> too@ awa> o!r cost!mes an$ bro! ht !s here in a small boat.; ;7n the wa>= the> threw o!r mas@s overboar$=; Chet sai$= ;hopin thin@ we $rowne$.; ;5e Ao!n$ >o!rs=; 2ran@ tol$ him. ;Beca!se it was ma$e oA r!bber=; BiAA p!t in. ;Mine was onl> paper= so it was lost.; ;An$ the $a> we ot here= Pops went Aor the postcar$s=; Chet contin!e$. ;2ritC -tar@ $ictate$ what we ha$ to write.; ;5e tol$ them >o! wo!l$n:t be Aoole$=; BiAA a$$e$= ;b!t Pops too@ the car$s bac@ to .orth-port an$ maile$ :em= an>how.; ;5e Ao!n$ o!t a lot=; Chet contin!e$. ;This o!tAit is part oA a national rin oA ban@ robbers. 6!@e= Moran= an$ /laser were sent Airst to :case: the ban@s aro!n$ here an$ $eci$e$ on Ba>port.; ;6o >o! @now where the loot is?; <oe as@e$. ;"i ht here= ,:ll betD; Chet pointe$ at his Aeet. ;, notice$ loose earth the Airst $a>.; ,mme$iatel> 2ran@ an$ <oe= ai$e$ b> the two policemen= be an to scoop awa> the earth with poc@et@nives an$ their bare han$s. ,n a Aew min!tes the> ha$ $ra e$ o!t the canvas sac@s Aille$ with mone>D ;.ow= one more thin =; <oe sai$. ;4et:s search Aor the rest oA the 1o@ohama ra$ios.; ;The>:re ri ht sha$ow> corner have been tie$ at -!tton-sai$ over here=; BiAA vol!nteere$= an$ le$ the others to a oA the cave where an opene$ crate stoo$. ;Chet an$ , !p next to them all the time. Those croo@s were s!re ma$ it was his Aa!lt the> onl> $are$ sell three.; >o!:$
;<err> has the last member oA the an o!tsi$e= ChieA Colli =; 2ran@ concl!$e$. ;7nce >o! han$c!AA him= we can all o bac@ home.; 4ie!tenant Par@er sai$ he wo!l$ ta@e char e oA the stolen boat an$ ret!rn the craAt to its owner. A seaman was assi ne$ to brin in the .apoli. The evenin sha$ows were len thenin as the rest oA the part> boar$e$ the c!tter. 2irst oA all= 2ran@ tol$ <err> an$ <oe abo!t Ton>. The> were relieve$ he ha$ not been serio!sl> inE!re$. B> the time the boat entere$ the wi$e mo!th oA the ba>= the harbor li hts were twin@lin . .ews oA the capt!re ha$ been ra$ioe$ ahea$= so the Morton an$ Hooper Aamilies were on the pier to embrace their sons. 2enton Har$>= too= came Aorwar$ to con rat!late 2ran@ an$ <oe an$ their ch!ms.

;A Aine Eob=; he sai$. ;An$ >o!:ll be la$ to hear=; he went on= ;that the ban@ robber> rin has been p!t o!t oA b!siness nationall> as well as locall>. The lea$er:s arrest this aAternoon at a secret hi$eo!t in CaliAornia clinche$ matters.; A cheer arose Arom the whole ro!p. .o$$in mo$estl>= Mr. Har$> explaine$= ;The robbers we ro!n$e$ !p here tal@e$= hopin Aor clemenc>= so that ma$e the Eob simple.; 5hen Mr. Har$> Ainishe$ spea@in = Colli boome$ o!t= ;, con rat!late >o!= bo>s. 1o! solve$ three m>steries at once. An$ >o! even helpe$ !s ro!n$ !p two croo@e$ $oc@men.; 2or a moment the Har$>s were silent= won$erin how soon another case mi ht come their wa>. The> were to Ain$ o!t in the near A!t!re while H!ntin Aor Hi$$en /ol$. ;There:s one B!estion ,:$ li@e to have answere$=; <oe sai$= comin bac@ to the present. ;5ho were -tar@ an$ Moran waitin Aor on the pier the ni ht 6a$ traile$ them?; ;2or Pops=; 4ie!tenant 6ale> replie$. ;He was s!ppose$ to meet them there in a small boat an$ help p!ll oAA another theAt-this time val!able ra$ios Arom /erman>.; Pat M!ster chortle$. ;B!t the weather was !ncertain an$ the bi = bol$ ban$it sai$ he was aArai$ to ma@e the tripD; 2ran@ spo@e !p. ;7ne last B!estion. 5h> was Pops calle$ Pops= an>how?; ;Beca!se he $rin@s so$a pop all the time=; replie$ Chet. ;His Aavorite is some st!AA name$ 2iCCle.; ;, won$er=; sai$ <oe with a EailD; rin= ;iA he:ll be serve$ an> 2iCCle in

HB 004 The Missing Chums

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