HB 009 The Great Airport Mystery-1930

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C:\Sweta\ebooks\hardy boyz1\Hardy Boyz1\HB 009 The Great Airport Mystery-1930 pdb !"B #a$e: HB 009-The_Great_A rport_!"ster Creator %": #$A% !"B Type: T$&t &ersio': 0 ('i)*e %" Seed: 0 Creatio' "ate: '/()/(9*+ Modi+i,atio' "ate: '/()/(9*+ -ast Ba,k*p "ate:: (/(/(9*0 Modi+i,atio' #*$ber: 0 -: Converte% b" , le!erl n :HA#-. B/.0 !.0T$#. 0T/#1$0 TH$ G#$AT A1#P/#T !.0T$#. B" ,#A23412 5. -1&/2 Har%" Bo"s no. 9 Th s s the or 6 nal (9+0 vers on7 not one o8 the vers ons.
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The Har%" Bo"s thwart a ma l robber" attempt b" the r enem"7 %r9n:en ma l p lot G les -9cro". The (9); vers on s completel" % 88erent. The Har%" Bo"s ser es b" ,ran:l n 5. - xon7 the 8 rst ;' t tles. The 8 rst "ear s the or 6 nal "ear. The secon% s the "ear t was rev se%. 0( 0< 0+ 0= 0; 0) 0* 0' 09 (0 (( (< (+ (= (; () (* (' (9 <0 <( << <+ The Tower Treas9re (9<*7 (9;9 The Ho9se on the Cl 88 (9<*7 (9;9 The 0ecret o8 the /l% ! ll (9<*7 (9)< The ! ss n6 Ch9ms (9<*7 (9)< H9nt n6 8or H %%en Gol% (9<'7 (9)+ The 0hore #oa% !"ster" (9<'7 (9)= The 0ecret o8 the Caves (9<97 (9); The !"ster" o8 Cab n 1slan% (9<97 (9)) The Great A rport !"ster" (9+07 (9); 5hat Happene% at ! %n 6ht (9+(7 (9)* 5h le the Cloc: T c:e% (9+<7 (9)< ,ootpr nts >n%er the 5 n%ow (9++7 (9)< The !ar: on the -oor (9+=7 (9)* The H %%en Harbor !"ster" (9+;7 (9)( The 0 n ster 0 6n Post (9+)7 (9)' A , 69re n H % n6 (9+*7 (9); The 0ecret 5arn n6 (9+'7 (9)) The Tw ste% Claw (9+97 (9)= The - sappear n6 ,loor (9=07 (9)= The !"ster" o8 the ,l" n6 $xpress (9=(7 (9)' The Cl9e o8 the Bro:en Bla%e (9=<7 (9)9 The ,l c:er n6 Torch !"ster" (9=+7 (*( The !elte% Co ns (9==7 (9*0
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<= <; <) <* <' <9 +0 +( +< ++ += +; +) +* +' +9 =0 =( =< =+ == =; =) =* =' =9 ;0 ;( ;< ;+ ;= ;; ;) ;* ;' The 0hort 5ave !"ster" (9=;7 (9)) The 0ecret Panel (9=)7 (9)9 The Phantom ,re 6hter (9=*7 (9*0 The 0ecret o8 0:9ll !o9nta n (9='7 (9)) The 0 6n o8 the Croo:e% Arrow (9=97 (9*0 The 0ecret o8 the 4ost T9nnel (9;07 (9)' The 5a l n6 0 ren !"ster" (9;(7 (9)' The 0ecret o8 5 l%cat 0wamp (9;<7 (9)9 The Cr sscross 0ha%ow (9;+7 (9)9 The .ellow ,eather !"ster" (9;=7 (9*( The Hoo%e% Haw: !"ster" (9;=7 (9*( The Cl9e n the $mbers (9;;7 (9*< The 0ecret o8 P rates? H ll (9;)7 (9*< The Ghost o8 0:eleton #oc: (9;*7 (9)) The !"ster" at -ev l?s Paw (9;97 (9*+ The !"ster" o8 the Ch nese @9n: (9)0 The !"ster" o8 the -esert G ant (9)( The Cl9e o8 the 0creech n6 /wl (9)< The A : n6 0"mbol !"ster" (9)+ The !"ster" o8 the ABtec 5arr or (9)= The Ha9nte% ,ort (9); The !"ster" o8 the 0p ral Br %6e (9)) The 0ecret A6ent on ,l 6ht (0( (9)* The !"ster" o8 the 5hale Tattoo (9)' The Arct c Patrol !"ster" (9)9 The Bomba" Boomeran6 (9*0 -an6er on the Aamp re Tra l (9*( The !as:e% !on:e" (9*< The 0hattere% Helmet (9*+ The Cl9e o8 the H ss n6 0erpent (9*= The !"ster o9s Caravan (9*; The 5 tch-!aster?s 3e" (9*) The @9n6le P"ram % (9** !"ster" o8 the , reb r% #oc:et (9*' 0t n6 o8 the 0corp on (9*9
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C/2T$2T0 CHAPT$# 1 Per l ,rom the 0:" 11 The Crash 111 A Prom se o8Tro9ble 1A An Attac: A Anx o9s -a"s A1 The Cab n n the 5oo%s A11 A !"ster o9s Conversat on A111 P9BBle% 1& ! ss n6 !a l & 4oo: n6 ,or Cl9es &1 2ews 8rom the C t" &11 >n%er Arrest &111 C rc9mstant al $v %ence &1A Hel% 8or Tr al &A /n the Tra l o8 /ll e @acobs &A1 !"ster o9s Plans &A11 -an6ero9s B9s ness &A111 The 5arn n6 !essa6e &1& The Twent"-$ 6hth && That 2 6ht &&1 5est o8 Bacon H ll &&11 Capt9re% &&111 Bac: 1n Ba"port &&1A A n% cate%
CHAPT$# 1 Per l 8rom the 0:" D1t?s certa nl" 6reat to have an a rport so close to Barmet Ba"7D sa % ,ran: Har%". D1 w sh we co9l% 6o 9p n an a rplane some t me7D ret9rne% @oe7 h s brother. D5o9l%n?t "o9 he scare%ED D!eF 5o9l% "o9ED D2o.D DThen 1 wo9l%n?t be scare% e ther. 4oo: at the recor% hol%ersE 5here wo9l% the" be now 8 the"?% been a8ra % to 6o 9p n an a rplaneED DThat?s r 6ht7D sa % ,ran:. DA rplanes are prett" sa8e nowa%a"s. Almost as sa8e as th s car o8 o9rs.D The two Har%" brothers were %r v n6 on the 0hore #oa%7 lea% n6 o9t o8 Ba"port an% s: rt n6 Barmet Ba"7 n the r new roa%ster. 1t was spr n6t me. 0now ha% % sappeare% 8rom < The Great A rport !"ster" h lls %es an% the bl9e waters o8 the ba" spar:le% n the s9nl 6ht. The r %est nat on th s a8ternoon was the new a rport7 a 8ew m les o9t o8 the c t". D1?m 6la% w nter s over7 even 8 we % % have a lot o8 89n on Cab n 1slan%7D sa % @oe. D1t won?t be lon6 now be8ore we?re thro96h school.D D18 we pass o9r exams7D ,ran: rem n%e% h m7 calml". D.o9?ll pass all r 6ht. 1?m not so s9re abo9t m"sel8. 1 ha% to wor: m 6ht" har% to catch 9p to "o9.D

D.es7 b9t 1 lost a term that "ear 1 was s c:. An"wa"7 o9r mar:s have been 6oo% th s "ear. 5e sho9l% 6et thro96h. 1sn?t t 89nn"-when we?re 6o n6 to h 6h school we w sh we were o9t o8 t an% now that we are n o9r last term 1?m rather sorr" to leave.D D!e7 too7D sa % @oe. D5on%er where we?ll be next 8allFD DColle6e7 1 69ess.D D!other has her m n% set on a colle6e co9rse 8or both o8 9s. 0o 8ar as 1?m concerne% 1?% rather 6o nto %etect ve wor: w th %a%.D D1t wo9l% certa nl" be more exc t n6. 0t ll7 we?% have a 6oo% t me at colle6e7 1 ma6 ne7D observe% ,ran:. He t9rne% the car nto a roa% that branche% Per l 8rom the 0:" + o88 the ma n h 6hwa". Th s roa% le% towar% the a rport that ha% been constr9cte% bac: o8 Ba"port the prev o9s s9mmer. D5on%er wh" the" b9 lt the a rport so 8ar o9t7D @oe sa %. DThe" have to have plent" o8 6ro9n%. 1t was the onl" place ava lable. Then7 there?s a ra lwa" s % n6 near b" an% a tra n alwa"s meets the ma l planes7D ,ran: expla ne%. D-a% was tell n6 me all abo9t t the other even n6. The" 9se the port 8or commerc al 8l" n6 too7 an% 1 hear the" %o a lot o8 b9s ness an% hope to %o more.D DAn a rma l p lot m9st have lots o8 nerve. 1t?s marvelo9s that the" nearl" alwa"s br n6 the ma l thro96h on t me. An% lots 8aster than tra ns. 1 w sh we :new one o8 the p lots. He m 6ht ta:e 9s 9p 8or a 8l 6ht.D DChet !orton an% the rest o8 the 8ellows wo9l% be 6reen w th env"7D reGo ne% ,ran:. The roa%ster bo9nce% alon6 the r9tte% roa% towar% the a rport. A s 6npost near b" conve"e% the n8ormat on that the 8l" n6 8 el% was three m les awa". A l ttle later7 as the car came over the brow o8 a h ll the Har%" bo"s co9l% see the 6reat 8lat 8 el% l" n6 n the valle" below. 1n 8ront o8 a han6ar the" co9l% see a plane w th s lver w n6s. DChances are we?ll both have a plane o8 = The Great A rport !"ster" p9r own n abo9t ten "ears7D @oe sa %. D$ver"bo%" w ll be 8l" n6 then7 an% th n: noth n6 o8 t.D ,ran: appl e% the bra:es as the roa%ster %escen%e% the steep 6ra%e. 1n a 8ew m n9tes the" ha% reache% the 8oot o8 the h ll. The car race% alon6 the level roa% towar% the a rport. The bo"s ha% o8ten seen the a rplanes 8l" n6 over the c t"7 b9t the" ha% never been n close prox m t" to one o8 the mach nes an% now the" were exc te% over the prospect. DPerhaps7D sa % ,ran:7 Dwe?ll even meet one o8 the p lots an% have a chance to tal: to h m an% hear abo9t some o8 h s a%vent9res.D @oe t9rne% n h s seat an% loo:e% bac:. D5h"7 there?s a plane nowED he excla me%. D5e?ll be able to see t lan%.D Above the roar o8 the car the bo"s co9l% hear the h9m o8 an approach n6 a rplane. 1t came swoop n6 %own o9t o8 the s:" be"on% the h ll. D0eems to be 8l" n6 m 6ht" H9eerl"7D commente% ,ran:. D>s9all" the" 6o alon6 as smoothl" as a b r%.D D2oth n6 smooth abo9t that one. !a"be the p lot?s n tro9ble.D The 8l 6ht o8 the plane was n%ee% errat c. 1t was 6o n6 8rom s %e to s %e n a Ger:" 8ash on an% t seeme% to be 8l" n6 m9ch closer to the 6ro9n% than sa8et" warrante%. Per l 8rom the 0:" ; DHe?ll never reach the a rport at that rate7D sa % ,ran:7 loo: n6 bac: a6a n. DHe sho9l% be h 6her 9p than that. 4oo:E He?s com n6 stra 6ht

%own7 an% the a rport s a co9ple o8 m les awa" 1D D1 hope he %oesn?t lan% on the roa%. He m 6ht h t 9s.D D18 he lan%s on the roa% he?s n 8or a nast" crash. A plane has to have plent" o8 room to move aro9n% n.D Between steer n6 the roa%ster an% e" n6 the plane7 ,ran: Har%" was well occ9p e%. @oe :ept loo: n6 bac: an% star n6 at the %escen% n6 mach ne. D1 bel eve that 8ellow s n tro9ble7D he sa %. DHe?s com n6 %own r 6ht th s wa".D The" co9l% see the a rplane H9 te clearl" now. The" co9l% even see the 8 69re o8 the p lot n the coc:p t. The mach ne was %escen% n6 at terr 8 c spee% n a lon6 6l %e that ma%e t seem nev table that the plane wo9l% 8all 8ar short o8 the a rport. ,ran: steppe% on the accelerator. The car leape% 8orwar%7 ra s n6 a clo9% o8 %9st. B9t the spee% o8 the car was as noth n6 compare% w th the spee% o8 the plane. The % stance between them % m n she%7 an% the plane was stea% l" near n6 the 6ro9n%. DGreat CaesarE That 8ellow s com n6 %own on top o8 9sED sho9te% @oe7 n alarm. ) The Great A rport !"ster" ??2ot 8 1 can help t7D ret9rne% ,ran: 6r ml". @oe loo:e% 9p. He co9l% even % st n69 sh %eta ls o8 the 9n%erstr9ct9re o8 the a rplane now. The roar o8 ts en6 ne was %ea8en n6. 4ower an% lower t came. ,or a moment the plane 8lew level. 1ts nose ra se% an% t 6a ne% alt t9%e. @oe breathe% a s 6h o8 rel e8. Then the b 6 mach ne % ppe% a6a n. He co9l% see the propeller bla%es 8lash n6 n the s9n. The roa%ster was travel n6 at s xt" m les an ho9r. ,ran: % % not %are ra se h s e"es 8rom the roa%. He cro9che% over the wheel. D5here s he nowFD he snappe%. D# 6ht beh n% 9sE An% com n6 %own ever" m n9teED @oe was reall" 8r 6htene%. There was no hope that the plane wo9l% ever reach the a rport7 8or t was 8l" n6 too close to the 6ro9n%. He won%ere% 8 the p lot was merel" tr" n6 to scare them. B9t the plane was % v n6 towar% them n s9ch hea%lon6 8ash on that he H9 c:l" aban%one% th s explanat on. Power89l tho96h the roa%ster was7 the spee% o8 the plane was m9ch 6reater. 1t was scarcel" two h9n%re% 8eet 8rom the 6ro9n% now an% ts nose was po nt n6 %own at a %an6ero9s an6le. 1n a 8ew more secon%s there wo9l% be a crash7 an%7 8rom the an6le o8 8l 6ht7 t seeme% Per l 8rom the 0:" * almost certa n that the heav" mach ne wo9l% crash % rectl" on top o8 the roa%sterE The car roare% ahea%7 the no se o8 ts en6 ne %rowne% n the 6 6ant c throbb n6 o8 the a rplane?s motor. The plane came nearer an% nearer7 % v n6 at almost ncre% ble spee%. D5e?re %one 8orED 6roane% @oe. >nless a m racle ntervene% the plane wo9l% crash % rectl" on top o8 the Har%" bo"s? carE CHAPT$# 11 The crash 8ran: har%" co9l% scarcel" :eep the car on the roa%. He 6lance% at the spee%ometer. The" were travel n6 at sevent" m les an ho9r. 1t was certa n that the a rplane wo9l% crash on the h 6hwa". 09%%enl" @oe leane% 8orwar%. D4oo:E The s %e roa%EDhe sho9te%. DTa:e the s %e roa%ED A short % stance ahea% ,ran: saw a ro96h % rt roa% lea% n6 o88 the h 6hwa" to the a rport. 18 he co9l% onl" reach t n t meE The roar o8 the %escen% n6 a rplane was %ea8en n6 now. The" co9l% even hear the

w n% scream n6 n the str9ts. @oe saw the p lot7 n helmet an% 6o66les7 wav n6 h s arm w l%l". ,ran: slac:ene% spee% sl 6htl" as he neare% the % rt roa%7 bore %own on the wheel7 an% ma%e the t9rn. The rear wheels s: %%e% w l%l"7 there was a screech o8 bra:es7 the car teetere% per lo9sl"7 then r 6hte% tsel87 an% shot %own the ro96h lane. At the same moment the a rplane roare% past. 1t was so close that the w n6 t p came w th n a 8ew 8eet o8 the rear o8 the car. ' The Crash + Then t crashe%. ,ran: was hav n6 h s own tro9bles an% he % % not see the crac:-9p. /n the b9mp" % rt roa% the car s: %%e%7 throw n6 9p a clo9% o8 san% an% %9st7 then shot across a % tch7 th9mpe% an% l9rche% over some roc:s7 an% 8 nall" came to a stop at a ra l 8ence. @oe came close to 6o n6 thro96h the w n%sh el% an% then h t the %oor w th a th9%. D5owED he h9rst o9t. D0ome w l% r %e7 1?ll tell the 9n verseED ,ran: ha% been thrown t 6htl" a6a nst the wheel7 otherw se he7 too7 m 6ht have 6one nto the 6lass. As t was7 he h9rt h s r bs a l ttle. D5ell7 1?m 6la% we % %n?t overt9rn7D he remar:e%7 as soon as he co9l% catch h s breath7 D/r ta:e %own the 8ence.D D5on%er who that craB" 8ellow wasFD D!a"be someth n6 went wron6 w th h s a r b9s.D D5ell7 1?m 6la% we mana6e% to 6et 8rom 9n%er. 1t was a m 6ht" close call.D @oe7 loo: n6 bac:7 saw the a rplane as t crashe%. 2ose-%own7 t came7 then 8lattene% o9t G9st be8ore t reache% the 6ro9n%. 1ts 9n%erstr9c-t9re crashe% nto the earth. The plane seeme% to bo9n% h 6h n the a r7 then came %own a6a n w th a snapp n6 an% crac:l n6 o8 woo%7 an% b9r e% ts nose n the %9st o8 the roa%. Then (0 The Great A rport !"ster" ts ta l cante% 9p an% the plane t9rne% a somersa9lt over on ts bac:. 1t was a wrec:E 5h le the Har%" bo"s are scrambl n6 o9t o8 the r roa%ster an% hasten n6 bac: to the scene o8 the a rplane crash that ha% so nearl" cost them the r own l ves7 the opport9n t" w ll be ta:en to ntro%9ce them more %e8 n tel". ,ran: an% @oe Har%" were the sons o8 ,en-ton Har%"7 an nternat onall" 8amo9s %etect ve7 late o8 the 2ew .or: pol ce 8orce. !r. Har%" ha% ma%e s9ch a name 8or h msel8 as a %etect ve w th the 2ew .or: 8orce that he ha% res 6ne% to 6o nto b9s ness 8or h msel8 as a pr vate %etect ve an% h s serv ces were 8reH9entl" so96ht n mportant cases. H s sons7 ,ran: an% @oe7 were ea6er to 8ollow n h s 8ootsteps. The Har%"s l ve% n Ba"port7 a thr v n6 c t" on Barmet Ba"7 on the Atlant c coast. Here ,ran: an% @oe atten%e% the Ba"port h 6h school7 where the" were n the r 8 nal "ear. Altho96h ,ran:7 a tall7 %ar:7 han%some la%7 was a "ear ol%er than h s c9rl"-hea%e% brother @oe7 both bo"s were n the same 6ra%e beca9se o8 an llness that ha% ca9se% ,ran: to lose t me. !r. an% !rs. Har%" were anx o9s that the r sons sho9l% 6o to colle6e a8ter 8 n sh n6 h 6h school7 !rs. Har%" w sh n6 them to st9%" lavI an% me% c ne. B9t the bo"s were o8 % 88erent The Crash (( w n%. The r 8ather?s pro8ess on appeale% to them. The" wante% to be %etect ves. As a matter o8 8act7 the la%s ha% a nat9ral bent towar% %etect ve wor:

an% the" ha% alrea%" prove% the r ab l t" so thoro96hl" that ,enton Har%" was % spose% to bel eve that the" wo9l% be s9ccess89l 8 the" 8ollowe% n h s 8ootsteps. The Har%" bo"s ha% solve% a n9mber o8 m"ster es that ha% p9BBle% the pol ce o8 Ba"-port an% v c n t"7 an% alrea%" the people o8 the c t" :new o8 them as bo"s possess n6 more than the 9s9al share o8 n t at ve7 reso9rce89lness7 an% %e%9ct ve ab l t". ,ran: an% @oe were ntro%9ce% n the 8 rst vol9me o8 th s ser es7 ent tle%: DThe Har%" Bo"s: The Tower Treas9re7D n wh ch the" solve% the m"ster" o8 the % sappearance o8 a treas9re 8rom Tower !ans on7 on the o9ts: rts o8 Ba"port. 1n s9ccee% n6 vol9mes o8 the ser es the r a%vent9res wh le see: n6 to 9nravel other m"ster o9s cases n wh ch the" became nvolve% have been %escr be% at len6th. -9r n6 the w nter prev o9s to the t me th s present stor" opens7 ,ran: an% @oe Har%" ha% spent a vacat on on Cab n 1slan%7 n Barmet Ba"7 where the" ha% cleare% 9p the m"ster" o8 a stolen stamp collect on o8 6reat val9e7 % scover n6 the prec o9s stamps a8ter man" thr ll n6 events. These a%vent9res have been relate% n (< The Great A rport !"ster" DThe !"ster" o8 Cab n 1slan%7D the vol9me mme% atel" prev o9s to th s stor". As the Har%" bo"s ran bac: %own the % rt roa% towar% the wrec:a6e o8 the a rplane the" ha% l ttle hope that the" wo9l% 8 n% the p lot al ve. DHe?ll be smashe% to p ecesED 6aspe% @oe. DThe plane sn?t b9rn n67 an"wa"7D sa % ,ran:. DThere ma" be a chance 8or h m "et.D @9st then the" hear% a cr" 8or help. 1t came 8rom beneath the G9mble% wrec:a6e o8 the plane. 1n a 8ew moments the Har%" bo"s reache% the scene. Altho96h the crash ha% been w tnesse% 8rom the a rport an% people were alrea%" procee% n6 towar% the spot7 the Har%" bo"s were the 8 rst to arr ve. The" co9l% hear 6roans an% sho9ts 8rom beneath the plane. D5e?ll have to l 8t 9p some o8 that wrec:a6e to 6et the poor 8ellow o9t7D sa % ,ran: H9 c:l". He loo:e% aro9n%. 1t was 89t le to attempt ra s n6 the wrec:a6e b" han%. He saw a heav" ra l l" n6 at the base o8 the near-b" 8ence. DHere we are. Th s w ll %o as a lever.D The bo"s se Be% the ra l an% carr e% t over to the wrec:a6e. The" nserte% one en% o8 the ra l beneath the bo%" o8 the plane7 roll n6 a b 6 roc: 8orwar% as a s9pport. The 6roans an% sho9ts cont n9e%. DAll r 6ht thereED calle% ,ran:. D5e?re The Crash (+ 6o n6 to pr" some o8 th s wrec:a6e awa" 8rom "o9. Are "o9 ba%l" h9rtFD D1?m nearl" : lle%7D 6roane% the p lot. DH9rr" 9p an% l 8t th s plane o88 me.D DTr" to crawl o9t when we ra se t7D a%v se% ,ran:. The bo"s bore %own on the r mprov se% lever. There was a clatter n6 an% crac:l n6 o8 the wrec:a6eJ then the mass be6an to move. The bo%" o8 the 9pt9rne% plane rose sl 6htl". @oe ca96ht a 6l mpse o8 the p lot scrambl n6 o9t o8 the coc:p t. The man?s 8ace was scratche% an% blee% n67 b9t he seeme% to be crawl n6 o9t o8 h s precar o9s pos t on H9 c:l"7 bo ev %entl" no bones were bro:en. The bo"s mana6e% to hol% 9p the plane b" means o8 the stron6 ra l 9nt l the p lot crawle% o9t. DAn"one w th "o9FD %eman%e% ,ran:. The p lot7 str966l n6 to h s 8eet7 shoo: h s hea%. The bo"s release% the r 6rasp on the ra l an% the wrec:a6e s9bs %e% a6a n w th a crash.

The p lot came 8orwar%. The bo"s not ce% that he l9rche% sl 6htl" as he wal:e% an% that he sta66ere% as he came 9p to them. H s 9n 8orm was torn an% he ha% a 8ew scratches across h s 8ace7 b9t otherw se he % % not appear to be ba%l" h9rt. DHow are "o9 8eel n6FD @oe as:e% h m. (= The Great A rport !"ster" 0wa" n6 8rom s %e to s %e7 the p lot con8ronte% them n s lence. H s 8ace was 8l9she%. D2arrow escape7D he m9ttere%. D! 6ht" narrow escape.D He t9rne% an% loo:e% at the wrec:e% plane7 an% h cc9ppe%. D5hat happene%FD as:e% ,ran:. D$n6 ne tro9bleF /r % % "o9 r9n o9t o8 6asFD D1 %9nno7D answere% the p lot th c:l". D1 %9nno what happene%. 1t wasn?t m" 8a9lt. All the 8a9lt o8 them 8ellows n the car.D D,ellows n a carFD D.es. Co9ple o8 8ools n a car ahea% o8 me. 1 wante% ?em to stop an% the" wo9l%n?t. The" r9she% r 6ht ahea% an% 6ot n m" wa". Tho96ht 1?% scare ?em an% ma:e ?em stop7 b9t the" :ept on 6o n6. Then 1 8o9n% 1 co9l%n?t 6et bac: n the a r a6a n-8l" n6 too low- t was all the 8a9lt o8 those 8ools n the car.D ,ran: an% @oe 6lance% at one another s 6n 8 cantl". Clearl"7 the man was re8err n6 to them. An% t was G9st as clear that the p lot ha% been %r n: n6. D5e were n a car7D sa % ,ran:. D18 "o9 th n: we?re to blame 8or "o9r acc %ent "o9?re ba%l" m sta:en. .o9 m 6ht" near cost 9s o9r l ves. 5e ha% to 6et o88 the roa% or "o9 wo9l% 4ave crashe% on top o8 o9r car.D The p lot t9rne% an% loo:e% at the bo"s7 an 96l" express on n h s bloo%shot e"es. D.o9 were n the car7 ehFD he sho9te%. The Crash (; D.o9?re the 8ellows that are to blame 8or th s crac:-9pE?? D1t was "o9r own 8a9lt.D D5asn?t m" 8a9lt. .o9 8ellows wo9l%n?t stop. 1 was a8ra % 1 was 6o n67 to h t "o9. That?s wh" 1 lost control o8 the plane.D The p lot was wor: n6 h msel8 9p nto a temper. D.o9?ll pa" 8or th s7 let me tell "o9. !" plane s wrec:e% an% 1 was m 6ht" near : lle% G9st beca9se a co9ple o8 8ool bo"s % %n?t :now eno96h to stop.D ,ran: an% @oe Har%" stare% at the man n amaBement. The nG9st ce o8 the char6e passe% bel e8. The" were G9st abo9t to repl" an6r l" when the" hear% vo ces an% saw men h9rr" n6 %own the roa% towar% them. A n9mber o8 8armers n the a%Gacent 8 el%s ha% w tnesse% the acc %ent an% ha% lost no t me n hasten n6 to the scene. D5hat happene%F An"bo%" : lle%FD %eman%e% one man7 as the" came 9p. DThe plane s wrec:e%. The p lot escape%7D expla ne% ,ran:. D2o than:s to "o9 "o9n6 8ools7D snarle% the p lot. He t9rne% to the 8armers. D1?m l9c:" to be al ve. 1 was tr" n6 to ma:e a lan% n6 on the roa% an% these "o9n6 % ots n the r car :ept rac n6 ahea% o8 me so 1 co9l%n?t come %own. 1 lost control o8 m" mach ne an% t?s wrec:e%.?? () The Great A rport !"ster" The 8armers loo:e% 6ravel" at the Har%" bo"s. ,ran: la96he%. D1 th n: "o9?% better wa t 9nt l "o9 sober 9p7D he tol% the p lot7 Dbe8ore "o9 ma:e an" char6es l :e that. .o9 haven?t an" b9s ness be n6 n an a rplane when "o9?re %r9n:.D D5ho sa"s 1?m %r9n:FD %eman%e% the p lot bell 6erentl". He clenche% h s 8 sts an% steppe% 8orwar%. D!" a rplane s wrec:e% an% 1?m 6o n6 to hol% "o9 "o9n6 8ools respons ble.D CHAPT$# n A prom se op tro9ble

D.o9 can?t blame 9s 8or th s smash-9pED ex-cla me% ,ran: Har%". D5h"7 that?s abs9r%s 5e were on the roa%7 where we belon6e%. 18 "o9 wante% to lan%7 "o9 sho9l% have lan%e% n a 8 el%. There?s plent" o8 room.D D1?ll lan% m" plane wherever 1 please7D ra6e% the p lot. ?? 5h" p c: on 9sFD as:e% @oe. D 5e % % o9r best to 6et o9t o8 "o9r wa". 1 th n: "o9 %el beratel" tr e% to r9n 9s %own.D D2ever m n%. .o9?ll hear more abo9t th s a88a r. 1?m 6o n6 to report th s to the a r ma l serv ce an% the"?ll come on "o9 8or %ama6es.D DTr" to 6et ?em7D ret9rne% ,ran:. A lan:" 8armer steppe% 8orwar%. D1 saw the whole th n6 8rom the top o8 the h ll7D he sa % slowl". D18 1 was "o97 !r. A rplane !an7 1 wo9l%n?t tr" to collect no %ama6es 8rom these la%s.D D5h" notFD DBeca9se the" wasn?t to blame 8or the acc <* (' Tl e Great A rport !"ster" %ent. The whole th n6 was "o9r own 8a9lt. An%7 b" G n67 8 "o9 %o tr" to blame them the" can co9nt on me 8or a w tness to prove that the" % % the r best to 6et o9t o8 "o9r wa". The" was r % n? peace89ll" alon6 the roa%7 an% then "o9 come swoop n? an% bo9nc n? o9t o8 the s:" an% come slap %own on the roa% where "o9 sho9l%n?t be. .o9 a rplane 8ellows 6 ve me a pa n. .o9?ve 6ot the whole s:" to move aro9n% n7 an% "et "o9 th n: "o9 have a r 6ht to chase people o88 the earth too.D D1s that soFD sneere% the p lot. D5ell7 "o9?ll have a chance to 6 ve "o9r ev %ence7 see n6 "o9 :now so m9ch.D D1?m 6la% o8 that7 G les -9cro"7D sa % the 8armer. D1?m 6la% 1?ll have a chance to 6 ve ev %ence7 8or then 1 can tell ?em how %r9n: "o9 were when "o9 crawle% o9t 8rom 9n%er the plane.D Th s shot tol%. D1?m not %r9n:7D storme% -9cro". D1?m nervo9s.D D.o9 m9st have a prett" ba% case o8 nerves to ma:e "o9r breath smell so stron67D reGo ne% the 8armer calml". D1?ll bet the a r ma l serv ce won?t :eep "o9 on ver" lon6 a8ter th s7 when the" hear what 1?ve 6ot to sa".D The p lot t9rne% h s bac:. D1 haven?t 6ot t me to bother w th "o9. 1t?s these bo"s 1?m %eal n6 w th. 1 warn "o97D l e A Prom se o8 Tro9ble (9 sa %7 6lar n6 at the Har%" bo"s7 D"o9 haven?t hear% the last o8 th s. There?s 6o n6 to be plent" o8 tro9ble 8or "o9.D @9st then there was a roar n6 an% clatter n6 as a h96e tr9c: l9mbere% %own the roa%7 bo9n% 8rom the a rport. The %r ver stare% at the scene n amaBement. 0ome o8 the 8armers move% the wrec:a6e o8 the plane o9t o8 the roa% to enable the tr9c: to pass. G les -9cro" stro%e 8orwar% arro6antl". D-r verED D.eahFD DThere are some ba6s o8 a r ma l n m" plane. 1 want "o9 to br n6 them to Ba"port.D D5ho sa"s soFD as:e% the %r ver calml". D1 %o. 1?m p lot o8 th s plane.D The %r ver re6ar%e% the wrec:a6e. D4oo:s l :e "o9 ma%e a prett" 6oo% Gob o8 the crac:-9p7D he sa % 8 nall". 0ome o8 the b"stan%ers 6r nne%. G les -9cro" 8l9she% an6r l". D2o nonsense abo9t th s7D he snappe%. D1t?s m" %9t" to see that the

ma l ba6s reach the c t".D The tr9c: %r ver s 6he%. D5h" % %n?t "o9 br n6 ?em to the a rport n "o9r planeFD he nH9 re%. DCan?t "o9 seeF 1?ve ha% an acc %ent.D D.o9 p c:e% a n ce %a" 8or t7D observe% the %r ver7 6lanc n6 9p at the s:". <0 The Great A rportJ !"ster" G les -9cro" lost pat ence. He went over to the wrec:a6e o8 the plane an% b9rrowe% amon6 the %ebr s 9nt l he 8o9n% the ma l ba6s. These he ha9le% 8orth an% tosse% nto the tr9c:. ??ThereED he sa %. ?? Get them to Ba"port as H9 c: as "o9 can.D D.es7 Comman%erED sa % the tr9c: %r ver7 w th an elaborate sal9te. DThe a r ma l m9st arr ve on t me. 18 1 r9n o9t o8 6as 1?ll come %own n a parach9te.D An% the b 6 tr9c: l9mbere% o88. Th s exchan6e o8 w tt c sms7 n wh ch G les -9cro" ha% come o9t secon% best7 G9%6 n6 b" the sn c:ers o8 the 8armers who were now crow% n6 abo9t7 % % not leave the p lot n a ver" 6oo% temper. He storme% nto the m %%le o8 a 6ro9p o8 men who were exam n n6 the wrec:a6e7 or%ere% them to stan% bac:7 an% prom se% all sorts o8 % re penalt es 8 an"one to9che% the a rplane 9nt l he ret9rne% 8rom the a rport. DAs 8or "o97D he sa %7 t9rn n6 to ,ran: an% @oe Har%" be8ore he stal:e% awa"7 D"o9?ll hear more abo9t th s. .o9?re to blame 8or the whole b9s ness an% 1?m 6o n6 to see that "o9 s988er 8or t.D He went awa"7 wal: n6 rather 9nstea% l" %own the roa%. The lan:" 8armer who ha% be8r en%e% the bo"s came over to them. A Prom se o8 Tro9ble <( DA man l :e that o96htn?t to be allowe% n char6e o8 a plane7D he sa % 6ravel". D1?ll bet 8 the a r serv ce people :new abo9t h m be n6 %r9n: he wo9l%n?t hol% h s Gob two secon%s.D D-o "o9 th n: he can ma:e tro9ble 8or 9sFD as:e% ,ran:. D1t wasn?t o9r 8a9lt that he crashe%. 5e % % o9r best to 6et o9t o8 h s roa%7 an% t was G9st b" l9c: that he % %n?t smash r 6ht on top o8 9s. 1 nearl" wrec:e% o9r roa%ster 6ett n6 o9t o8 the wa".D D1 saw t7D sa % the man. D1 saw t all 8rom the top o8 the h ll. An% t?s G9st l :e 1 tol% -9cro". 1?ll be a w tness 8or "o9 8 there?s an" tro9ble. !" name s @ m Perr n an% people aro9n% here :now m" wor% s as 6oo% as m" bon%. .o9 la%s were no more to blame 8or that smash-9p than 1 was7 an% 1?ll tell ?em so.D D1t?s m 6ht" 6oo% o8 "o97 !r. Perr n7D sa % ,ran: 6rate89ll". D18 we have an" tro9ble abo9t th s matter we?ll certa nl" call on "o9.D DBe s9re "o9 %o. 1?ll help "o9 all 1 can.D The 8armer went bac: towar% the wrec:a6e. ,ran: an% @oe %ec %e% that the r tr p to the a rport m 6ht as well be calle% o88 8or the t me be n67 as the" ha% no %es re 8or a 89rther enco9nter w th G les -9cro". 0o the" went bac: to the roa%ster an% extr cate% t 8rom ts pos t on amon6 the roc:s7 bac:e% t o9t nto the h 6hwa" an% hea%e% towar% Ba"port a6a n. << The Great A rport !"ster" 1n sp te o8 @ m Perr n?s reass9r n6 wor%s7 the la%s were % st9rbe%. The" ha% no %ea how 8ar G les -9cro" m 6ht 6o an% the" real Be% that the man wo9l% certa nl" stretch the tr9th n or%er to clear h msel8 w th the a rport o88 c als. 4 :e most bo"s7 the" bel eve% that a man n 9n 8orm was veste% w th powers be"on% that o8 the avera6e c t Ben an% the" re8lecte% that the o88 c als m 6ht be more ncl ne% to bel eve G les -9cro"?s wor% than the rs. D1 th n: we?% better tell %a% abo9t th s7D sa % ,ran:. D5e :now we aren?t to blame7 b9t th s th n6 m 6ht be ser o9s 8 -9cro" ma:es an"

char6e a6a nst 9s.D DGoo% %ea7D repl e% @oe. 5hen the" reache% home the" ran the roa%ster nto the 6ara6e7 then went nto the ho9se. ,enton Har%" was wor: n6 n h s st9%"7 b9t he p9t as %e h s papers when the bo"s came n an% loo:e% 9p at them w th an nH9 r n6 sm le. D5hat?s the matterFD he as:e%. D.o9 both loo: as 8 "o9 have someth n6 on "o9r m n%s.D D5e have7D sa % ,ran:. DBeen n an acc %ent w th the carFD DThere was an acc %ent7 b9t we weren?t n t. 5e saw an a rplane crash an% we?re blame% 8or t.D A Prom se o8 Tro9ble <+ !r. Har%" loo:e% ser o9s. DHow on earth co9l% "o9 be blame% 8or an a rplane smash when "o9 were n "o9r roa%sterFD ,ran: then expla ne% the c rc9mstances an% tol% how the" ha% been obl 6e% to ta:e re896e n a lane n or%er to avo % the %escen% n6 plane. D1t certa nl" wasn?t o9r 8a9lt7D he concl9%e%. D5e m 6ht have been : lle% 8 we ha%n?t reache% the lane n t me.D D.o9 sa" -9cro" was %r9n:FD DHe ha% been %r n: n6. 5e co9l% smell l H9or on h s breath.D D1 %on?t th n: he?ll 6et ver" 8ar 8 he tr es to la" an" char6es a6a nst "o97D sa % the 6reat %etect ve. DThe post o88 ce a9thor t es won?t be ver" eas" on h m 8 the" % scover he ha% been %r n: n6. An%7 then7 "o9 have th s w tness7 !r. Perr n. 1?m ncl ne% to th n: the"?ll accept h s wor% abo9t how t happene%.D D1 s9ppose we?ll G9st have to wa t an% see what -9cro" %oes7D sa % @oe. DPerhaps 1 can 8 x th n6s 9p7D sa % !r. Har%". D1 happen to have a 6oo% man" 8r en%s n the postal %epartment. 1 cleare% 9p a b 6 ma l robber" here a 8ew "ears a6o an% the" apprec ate% t. 1?ll 6o %own r 6ht awa" an% have a tal: w th some o8 the o88 c als <= The Great A rport !"ster" an% 1?ll tr" to expla n th n6s to them. -on?t worr" too m9ch abo9t t.D DThat?s m 6ht" 6oo% o8 "o97 -a%7D sa % ,ran:. D1?ll sa" t sED ch me% n @oe. D5ell7 1 certa nl" can?t see m" sons acc9se% o8 wrec: n6 an a rplane when the" % %n?t have an"th n6 to %o w th t7D sa % !r. Har%" warml". He 6ot 9p an% reache% 8or h s hat. D1?ll 6o an% see what can be %one abo9t t r 6ht awa".D CHAPT$# 1A an attac: the a rplane crash was a 8ront-pa6e 8eat9re n the newspapers o8 Ba"port 8or several %a"s therea8ter7 an% the Har%" bo"s learne% that the post o88 ce %epartment was con%9ct n6 an nvest 6at on nto the ca9se o8 the a88a r. 0everal reporters calle% on ,ran: an% @oe Har%" to learn the r vers on o8 the acc %ent7 an% altho96h the bo"s tol% exactl" how the crash occ9rre%7 the" were % st9rbe% to 8 n% that cons %erable space was 6 ven to G les -9-cro"?s acco9nt. -9cro" was not bac:war% n la" n6 the blame 9pon the Har%" bo"s. D!" plane crac:e% 9p s mpl" beca9se 1 was tr" n6 to avo % h tt n6 the car7D he sa %7 n an nterv ew. DThe bo"s %el beratel" %rove the r roa%ster ahea% so that 1 was 9nable to 8 n% a lan% n6 place 9nt l t was too late. The" con89se% me so m9ch that the acc %ent was the res9lt.D All th s loo:e% ver" ba% n col% pr nt7 an% one o8 the newspapers

h nte% that the post o8K 0; <) The Great A rport !"ster" 8 ce %epartment m 6ht ta:e act on a6a nst the bo"s 8 -9cro"?s stor" was 9phel%. D-on?t worr" abo9t t7D ,enton Har%" a%v se%. D-on?t let t be on "o9r m n%s wh le "o9 are wr t n6 exam nat on papers.D Th s co9nsel was so9n%. The la%s were b9s" wr t n6 the r 8 nal exam nat ons an% 9pon the res9lt wo9l% %epen% the r 6ra%9at on 8rom the h 6h school that "ear. 18 the" 8a le%7 t wo9l% mean another term7 an% a "ear?s wor: waste%. Both ,ran: an% @oe ha% st9% e% har% an% were well 9p n the r wor:. >n%er or% nar" c rc9mstances the" wo9l% have ha% l ttle %o9bt o8 the o9tcome7 b9t w th the -9cro" a88a r on the r m n%s the" co9l% not concentrate on the r st9% es as well as the" m 6ht have %one otherw se. ,ran: shoo: h s hea% mo9rn89ll" when the bo"s le8t school the a8ternoon o8 the 6eometr" exam nat on. DHow %o "o9 th n: "o9 ma%e o9tF?I he as:e% @oe. D2ot so 6oo%.D D1?m s9re 1 8a le%. D1t was a to96h exam. $ver"bo%" sa"s so.D D1 :now t was to96h7 b9t 1 co9l%n?t help th n: n6 o8 the tro9ble we?ll be n 8 the post o88 ce people %ec %e we?re to blame 8or that acc %ent.D D1t was n m" m n% too7D @oe a%m tte%7 D0t ll we :now t wasn?t o9r 8a9lt.D An Attac: <* D/8 co9rse t wasn?t. B9t the chances are that the"?ll bel eve -9cro"7 see n6 he?s one o8 the r own p lots.D D18 the" blame 9s7 we?ll 8 6ht t. 5e?ll tell them -9cro" was %r9n:.D DPerhaps the" won?t even l sten to 9s7?D sa % ,ran:. The bo"s went on %own the street towar% the %owntown sect on. @oe ca96ht s 6ht o8 a 8am l ar name n a newspaper hea%l ne. DTh s loo:s nterest n67D he remar:e%. 5hen he bo96ht the paper7 the two stoo% on the corner to rea% t. DPost /88 ce -epartment - schar6es G les -9cro"7D rea% the hea%l ne. DA r !a l P lot #elease% ,ollow n6 Crash 2ear 4ocal A rport.D @oe wh stle% so8tl". The bo"s rea% 89rther: D1t was anno9nce% to-%a" at post o88 ce hea%H9arters that the res 6nat on o8 G les -9cro"7 p lot n char6e o8 the ma l plane that crashe% on the a rport roa% last 0at9r%a"7 ha% been reH9este% b" the %epartment. -9cro" han%e% n h s res 6nat on earl" th s a8ternoon an% s no lon6er w th the serv ce. 1t was state% that n8ormat on ha% come nto possess on o8 the %epartment to the e88ect that -9cro" ha% beep. <' The Great A rport !"ster" %r n: n6 heav l" on the %a" o8 the crash an% that he ha% been %r n: n6 8or several %a"s prev o9s. Accor% n6 to o88 c als7 the p lot ha% been warne% several t mes that h s ba% hab ts wo9l% 6et h m nto tro9ble7 an% altho96h he prom se% to men% h s wa"s he ha% ev %entl" 8a le% to %o so. /ther av ators cla me% that -9cro" was a menace to the a r serv ce an% that he sho9l% not be perm tte% to han%le a plane. H s 8l" n6 l cense has been cancele%.D The Har%" bo"s loo:e% at one another n s lence. D1 69ess that w ll clear 9s7D sa % ,ran: 8 nall". D1t %oesn?t sa" so.D DThe" can?t ver" well blame 9s a8ter that.D A 8am l ar vo ce bro:e n:

DH 7 thereE Hear the newsFD The Har%" bo"s loo:e% 9p to see Chet !orton7 one o8 the r ch9ms7 approach n6. Chet7 too7 ha% a newspaper 9n%er h s arm. D5e were G9st rea% n6 t7D sa % @oe. D1t was com n6 to h m7D %eclare% Chet warml". D1 was tal: n6 to one o8 the men at the a rport "ester%a"7 an% he sa % -9cro" o96ht to be 8 re%. He was alwa"s %r n: n6. 2one o8 them were s9rpr se% when he ha% that crash.D D1?m sorr" he has lost h s Gob7D sa % ,ran:. An Attac: <9 Db9t 1 69ess he %eserve% t. 18 the" let h m sta" on he m 6ht 6et nto a ser o9s acc %ent an% : ll somebo%".D DHe m 6ht" nearl" : lle% 9s7D @oe rem n%e% h m. D18 1 onl" :new that th s meant we were clear o8 blame 1 co9l% wr te the rest o8 m" exams w th an eas" m n%.D D-on?t worr"7D a%v se% Chet. DThe" won?t blame "o9 chaps. The ver" 8act that -9cro" has been let o9t means that the" % %n?t bel eve h s stor".D 09%%enl" ,ran: n9%6e% h s brother. DHere he comes now.D D5hoFD D-9cro"7D wh spere% ,ran:. @oe loo:e% aro9n%. Com n6 %own the street he saw the 8ormer a r p lot. -9cro"?s 8ace wore an an6r" loo: an% he appeare% not to not ce the stares an% the comments o8 the people near b". D-on?t pa" an" attent on to h m7D sa % @oe. DThere?s no 9se loo: n6 8or tro9ble.D B9t7 8 the Har%" bo"s were not 6o n6 to pa" an" attent on to G les -9cro"7 t soon became apparent that the p lot nten%e% to pa" some attent on to them. He chan6e% h s co9rse an% came over towar% the three bo"s. D2ow what?s the b 6 %eaFD m9ttere% Chet. -9cro" bl9stere% towar% them. He 8ace% +0 The Great A rport !"ster" ,ran: an% @oe an6r l"7 br9sh n6 Chet to one s %e. D5ell7D he sneere%7 D1 s9ppose "o9?re sat s8 e% nowFD D5hat %o "o9 meanFD as:e% ,ran:. D1 s9ppose "o9?re sat s8 e% now that "o9?ve lost me m" GobFD %eman%e% -9cro". D.o9 lost t "o9rsel87D ret9rne% ,ran:. D5e % %n?t have an"th n6 to %o w th t.D D.o9 % %n?t7 he"F 1t was "o9r 8ool %r v n6 that ca9se% the crash7 an% t was beca9se o8 the crash that 1 6ot 8 re%.D DThe paper sa"s someth n6 % 88erent7D sa % @oe calml". D1t sa"s 1 6ot 8 re% beca9se 1 was %r9n:7 an% 1 was as sober as 1 am now.D DAn% "o9?re not an" too sober now7 e ther7D Chet rem n%e% h m sweetl". -9cro" t9rne% to h m. D.o9 :eep o9t o8 th s7D he snappe%. DTh s s none o8 "o9r b9s ness. 1?ll than: "o9 to :eep "o9r mo9th sh9t.D D0ee n6 "o9 as: me so n cel"7 1 w ll.D -9cro" t9rne% to the Har%" bo"s a6a n. D1?m not thro96h w th "o9 two "et7D he sa %. D1 ma" have lost m" Gob7 b9t 1?m 6o n6 to 6et some sat s8act on7 an"wa".D DHowFD as:e% ,ran:. B" wa" o8 repl"7 -9cro" %rew bac: h s r 6ht arm an% lashe% o9t s9%%enl". H s 8 st str9c: An Attac: +( Pran: n the 8ace an% sent the "o9th sta66er n6 bac:. The blow ha% come

so abr9ptl" that he ha% no chance to %e8en% h msel8. B9t @oe7 when he saw h s brother attac:e%7 lost no t me n 6ett n6 nto act on. He pl9n6e% at -9cro" w tho9t hes tat on an% plante% a sw n6 n6 blow on the p lot?s r 6ht e"e7 com-7 pletel" clos n6 t. -9cro" 6ave a "ell o8 pa n7 an% str9c: at @oe7 b9t the blow was w l%. ,ran: recovere% h msel8. D4et me han%le th s7D he sa % to h s brother. An% w th no 89rther a%o he a%vance% on -9cro". The p lot sw9n6 at h m7 b9t ,ran: %9c:e%7 came n7 an% st9n6 -9cro"?s 8ace w th an 9p-perc9t. -9cro" was b 66er than ,ran: an% cons %erabl" heav er7 b9t he was 8ar 8rom be n6 a sc ent 8 c 8 6hter7 rel" n6 ch e8l" on b9ll-l :e r9shes an% pon%ero9s sw n6 n6 blows that wo9l% have %one %ama6e ha% the" lan%e%7 b9t sel%om % %. -9cro" r9she% ,ran: bac: across the pavement7 h s heav" 8 sts sw n6 n67 b9t ,ran: bac:e% awa"7 %9c: n6 an% %o%6 n67 watch n6 8or an open n6. 1t soon came. -9cro" sw9n6 so w l%l" that he le8t h msel8 completel" 9nprotecte%. ,ran:?s 8 st shot o9t. The blow ca96ht -9cro" % rectl" on the po nt o8 the Gaw7 an% he went %own n a heap. D1s that eno96hFD as:e% ,ran:. +< The Great A rport HT"ster" A crow% ha% collecte%7 an% Con # le" o8 the Ba"port pol ce 8orce hastene% 8orwar%. ??5hat?s all th sF D he %eman%e%. ??, 6ht n? on the streetsF 5hat?s the tro9bleFD ,ran: t9rne% awa". D@9st a l ttle ar69ment7D he expla ne%. DTh s man h t me 8 rst an% 1 ha% to h t h m bac:.D DThat?s r 6ht7D ch me% n Chet !orton. D1 saw t all. 1 can prove t.D G les -9cro" 6ot slowl" to h s 8eet an% $ le" se Be% h m b" the collar. D1 6ot a 6oo% m n% to r9n "o9 n7D sa % the o88 cer. D5hat b9s ness have "o9 6ot h tt n? a la% hal8 "o9r s BeFD D1 %on?t want to la" an" char6e a6a nst h m7D sa % ,ran:. DBetter let h m 6o.D Con # le" loo:e% %9b o9s. Then he release% h s 6r p on -9cro"?s collar. D5ell7 see n? "o9 as: t7D he sa %. Then he 6lare% at -9cro". DTa:e "o9rsel8 o9t o8 hereED he or%ere% sharpl". D18 1 catch "o9 ma: n? an" % st9rbance on the street a6a n t won?t 6o so eas" w th "o9.D G les -9cro" l9rche% awa"7 m9tter n6 an% %e8eate%. Con # le" then t9rne% h s attent on to the crow% an% % sperse% the b"stan%ers w th a wave o8 h s st c:. D!ove onED he or%ere%. ?D!ove on o9t o8 here.D The crow% scattere%. The Har%" bo"s an% Chet !orton cont n9e% An Attac: ++ the r Go9rne" %own the street. Chet was warm n h s pra se o8 the art st c manner n wh ch ,ran: ha% %ealt w th the b9ll". D1?ll bet h s Gaw s sore 8or a wee:ED he %eclare%. D1 hate a row l :e that7D sa % ,ran:. D-a% wo9l% be an6r" 8 he :new we were m xe% 9p n a common street 8 6ht.D D.o9 co9l%n?t help t. .o9 % %n?t start the 8 6ht. 1t was all -9cro"?s 8a9lt7D sa % Chet. DHe str9c: "o9 8 rst. Bo"7 that was a n ce past n6 "o9 han%e% h mED B9t ,ran: remembere% the v n% ct ve loo: n -9cro"?s 8ace as the beaten man sl9n: awa". D1 %on?t th n: we?ve hear% the last o8 th s7 b" 9n" means7D he ea %. CHAPT$$ A anx o9s %a"s t was not 9nt l the next even n6 that the res9lt o8 the nvest 6at on nto the a rplane crash was o88 c all" anno9nce%. Then7 to the Go" o8

the Har%" bo"s7 the" learne% that the a9thor t es hel% them blameless 8or the acc %ent The report ran7 n part: DA thoro96h nvest 6at on o8 the c rc9mstances s9rro9n% n6 the crash has le% 9s to %ec %e that the respons b l t" rests wholl" w th the p lot7 G les -9cro". 5e 8 n% that -9cro" ha% been %r n: n6 on the %a" o8 the acc %ent an% that7 accor% n6 to rel able w tnesses7 he was st ll 9n%er the n8l9ence o8 l H9or a8ter the wrec:. 1n h s con% t on7 -9cro" was 9nable to ma:e a proper lan% n6. He has ma%e a cl9ms" attempt to la" the blame on two bo"s %r v n6 an a9tomob le n the roa% near the scene o8 the crash7 b9t th s s man 8estl" abs9r%. The motor sts7 on the other han%7 ha% a narrow escape 8rom %eath beca9se o8 -9Anx o9s -a"s Co cro"?s rrespons ble han%l n6 o8 h s plane7 an% certa nl" no blame can be attache% to them.D ,ran: %ance% an mprompt9 G 6. DH9rrahED he sho9te%. DThat ta:es a loa% o88 m" m n%.D D1?ll bet %a% p9t n an oar 8or 9s7D sa % @oe happ l". D0ho9l%n?t be s9rpr se%. 4et?s 6o an% as: h m.D 5hen the" entere% ,enton Har%"?s st9%"7 the %etect ve sm le% at the r ev %ent %el 6ht. D5hat?s happene%FD he as:e%. DHave "o9 8allen he r to a 8ort9neFD DBetter than that. The post o88 ce people have anno9nce% that we aren?t to blame 8or that plane wrec:7D %eclare% ,ran:. D5e?ve been worr" n6 o9r hea%s o88 abo9t t.D D- % "o9 help7 -a%FD as:e% @oe. D/h7 1 ma" have sa % a 8ew th n6s to the nspector7D observe% !r. Har%". DHe s an ol% 8r en% o8 m ne an% 1 have %one h m a 8ew 8avors n m" t me. 1t reall" wasn?t necessar"7 beca9se 1 %on?t th n: the" wo9l% have blame% "o9 n an" case. B9t t prevente% them 8rom be n6 8oole% b" -9cro"7 an"wa".D DThat was certa nl" m 6ht" 8 ne o8 "o97 -a%ED excla me% ,ran:. D1 %on?t :now how we can than: "o9.D D1 :now7D sa % the r 8ather. D.o9 can 6o +) The Great A rport !"ster" bac: to school to-morrow an% % 6 nto those exam nat ons an% 6ra%9ate th s "ear.D D5e?ll %o o9r best7D the" prom se%. DThe exams won?t be so ba%7 now that th s worr" s o88 o9r m n%s7D a%%e% @oe. ,or the rest o8 the wee: the Har%" bo"s attac:e% the r 8 nal exam nat ons w th s9ch %eterm nat on an% enth9s asm7 9nmarre% b" an" worr es abo9t the a rplane acc %ent7 that when the" han%e% n the r 8 nal papers the" :new that 8 the" ha% obta ne% pass n6 mar:s on the papers wr tten earl er n the wee: there was l ttle %o9bt o8 the 8 nal o9tcome. DB9t that?s G9st the tro9ble7D 6roane% @oe. D1 was so worr e% when 1 wrote those 8 rst papers that 1?m s9re 1 % %n?t 6et b".D D,or6et t7D a%v se% ,ran:. DThe exams are over an% we can?t chan6e the papers now. 5e?ll G9st have to be pat ent an% wa t 8or the res9lts.D D1 w sh 1 :new them now7D sa % Chet !orton. D18 1 %on?t pass th s "ear7 m" %a% w ll 8la" me al ve. 1 m 6ht as well pac: 9p an% hea% 8or Alas:a 8 1 %on?t 6et thro96h. 5hat are "o9 8ellows 6o n6 to %o7 now that school s overFD D5a t 8or the res9lts7D ret9rne% ,ran:. D18 we pass7 1 th n: %a% wants 9s to 6o to colle6e an% we?ll have to start ma: n6 o9r plans D Anx o9s -a"s +*

@err" G lro"7 another ch9m o8 the Har%" Bo"s7 sa9ntere% 9p. DHow abo9t "o97 @err"FD as:e% ,ran:. D5hat are "o9 6o n6 to %o nowFD D1 have a Gob7D anno9nce% @err" calml". DAlrea%"FD the others excla me% env o9sl". D1 start wor: !on%a" as a reporter 8or The Banner.D @err" st9c: o9t h s chest an% p9lle% h s hat br m %own over one e"e. DThat?s a 6oo% Gob7D sa % Ton" Pr to7 who Go ne% the 6ro9p at that moment. D.o9?ll be able to 6et nto all the shows n town 8or noth n6 an% 6et thro96h the pol ce l nes at all the 8 res.D D5ell7D sa % @err" %o9bt89ll"7 DG9st at 8 rst the"?re p9tt n6 me at wor: wr t n6 9p ob t9ar es an% real estate %eals. B9t 1?ll soon wor: m" wa" 9p7D he a%%e% hast l". Ton" Pr to anno9nce% that h s parents ha% %ec %e% on a colle6e co9rse 8or h m an% that Ph l Cohen was bo9n% n the same % rect on. D4oo:s as 8 the ol% 6an6 w ll be bro:en 9p b" next 8all7D sa % @oe 6l9ml". DThat?s tr9e7D a6ree% Chet. D1 th n: we all o96ht to 6et to6ether as soon as we :now the res9lts o8 the exams an% have one b 6 part" to celebrate.D DA p cn cED excla me% ,ran:. DGoo% %eaED %eclare% @err" G lro". D1?ll wr te t 9p 8or the paper.D +' The Great A rport !"ster" D5here shall we have the p cn cFD as:e% Ton". DBeach GroveFD DBeach Grove s the onl" place 8or a p cn c. 5e?ll have the whole 6ra%9at n6 class7D ,ran: sa %. DThe 6 rls7 too.D D1 %on?t :now abo9t that7D %em9rre% Chet7 who % % not care 8or 6 rls. DGo on w th "o9. 18 we have a class p cn c we can?t leave the 6 rls o9t. An"wa"7 the"?ll be s9re to br n6 alon6 lots o8 eats.D D/h7 1 8or6ot abo9t that7D sa % Chet7 who ha% a wea:ness 8or 8oo%. DB" all means7 we m9st have the 6 rls alon6.D D1n the meant me7 @err"7 :eep "o9r e"es open aro9n% "o9r newspaper o88 ce an% see 8 "o9 can?t 6et a loo: at the exam nat on res9lts when the"?re sent n 8or p9bl cat on7D ,ran: s966este%. DThe"?ll appear n the paper 8 rst7 an% 8 "o9 6et on the 6oo% s %e o8 the c t" e% tor he ma" let "o9 have a loo: at them.D DAn% phone 9s r 6ht awa"7D a%%e% Chet. @err" prom se% to :eep on the loo:o9t 8or the exam nat on res9lts. ,ran:?s s966est on o8 a p cn c met w th the nstant 8avor o8 the other members o8 the 6ra%9at on class who were enth9s ast c over the %ea. The" all real Be% that w th n the next 8ew months the class wo9l% be scattere% 8ar an% w %e an% that t wo9l% probabl" be the r last opport9n t" o8 be n6 all to6ether. Anx o9s -a"s +9 Then the" settle% %own to the te% o9s b9s ness o8 awa t n6 the allmportant res9lts77 Two %a"s passe%7 w th no wor% 8rom @err" G lro"7 who ha% extracte% a prom se 8rom h s c t" e% tor that he wo9l% be shown the l st as soon as t reache% the o88 ce. The Har%" bo"s an% the r ch9ms b %e% the r t me w th s9ch pat ence as the" co9l% m9ster. ,ran: an% @oe Dwent o9t on Barmet Ba" n the r motorboat7 The 0le9th7 an% explore% the co9ntr"s %e n the r roa%ster. /n Th9rs%a" morn n6 the bo"s were n the 6"mnas 9m n the barn bac: o8 the Har%" home. Chet !orton was s tt n6 n a w n%ow m9nch n6 at an apple7 as 9s9al. B 88 Hooper was %r9mm n6 awa" at the p9nch n6 ba6. Ton" Pr to was pract c n6 some compl cate% nane9vers on the parallel bars7 wh le Ph l Cohen an% @oe Har%" were en6a6e% n a sp r te% wrestl n6 match. ,ran: was b9s" tr" n6 to repa r a bro:en baseball bat7 w th small s9ccess.

D0omebo%" call n6 "o97 ,ran:7D sa % Chet7 6lanc n6 o9t the w n%ow. ,ran: loo:e% o9t. A9nt Gertr9%e was stan% n6 n the bac: %oor7 bec:on n6 to h m. D.o9?re wante% on the telephone7D she calle%. D1t m9st be 8rom @err"ED sho9te% ,ran:. T e others stoppe% the r act v t es nstantl". ?=0 The Great A rport !"ster" ,ran: almost t9mble% %own the sta rs n h s anx et" to reach the ho9se n the H9 c:est poss ble t me. The other bo"s crow%e% to the w n%ow. The" saw h m % sappear nto the ho9se. He seeme% to be awa" 8or a lon6 t me. DBa% news7 1?m s9re o8 t7D moane% Chet. DGoo% news7 1?ll bet a coo: e7D sa % @oe7 tr" n6 to be cheer89l. A8ter a wh le the" saw ,ran: come o9t o8 the ho9se. H s sho9l%ers %roope%. He wal:e% slowl". D5hat?s the ver% ctFD clamore% Chet. ,ran: loo:e% 9p7 shoo: h s hea% mo9rn89ll"7 an% s 6he%. The" hear% h m com n6 9p the sta rs. D1 :new t7D Chet 6roane%. D5e?ve all 8a le%.D 5hen ,ran: came 9p nto the 6"mnas 9m the" crow%e% aro9n% h m. He loo:e% as tho96h he ha% lost ever" 8r en% he ha% n the worl%. D,or the love o8 Pete7 %on?t :eep 9s n s9spenseED %eman%e% Ton". D5as t @err"T 5hat % % he sa"FD D1t was 8rom @err"7D a%m tte% ,ran: heav l". D5ell7 8ellows7 1 %on?t :now how "o9?re 6o n6 to 8eel abo9t t7 b9t as 8or me------D he shoo: h s hea% a6a n. DBac: to the h 6h school 8or another "ear7 s tFD as:e% @oe solemnl". D-on?t ta:e t too ba%l"7 8ellows. /8 co9rse7 A Anx o9s -a"s =( we all :new the exams were har%er than 9s9al.D D.es7 the" were to96h7D a%m tte% Chot. DB9t7 han6 t all7 % %n?t some o8 9s 6et thro96hF 1 was s9re 1?% 8a le%7 b9t 1 tho96ht the rest o8 "o9 wo9l% ma:e t.D DThe res9lts are o9t7D sa % ,ran:. D1 :now "o9?re 6o n6 to 8eel ba% abo9t t7 b9t ever" one o8 9s-ever" one7 m n% "o9- passe%ED D5hatFD the" roare%. ,ran: t9rne% a han%spr n6. D5e all passe%ED he "elle%7 n %el 6ht. Then he sat %own on the 8loor an% la96he% at the express on on the r 8aces. DBo"E % %n?t T throw a scare nto "o9FD B 88 Hooper h9rle% a box n6 6love at h m. Ph l Cohen ee Be% Ton" Pr to aro9n% the wa st an% %ance% abo9t n 6lee. Chet threLv awa" the core o8 h s apple an% stoo% on h a hea%. @oe va9lte% over the parallel barC Pan%emon 9m re 6ne%. 0chool was over at lastE DAn% now7D sho9te% ,ran:7 D8or thsI p cn cED CHAPT$# A1 the cab n n the woo%s preparat ons 8or the p cn c at Beach Grove on the 8ollow n6 0at9r%a" were n 89ll sw n6 %9r n6 the next 8ew %a"s. All the members o8 the 6ra%9at on class at Ba"port H 6h were enth9s ast c7 an% the 6 rls were b9s" ba: n6 coo: es an% ca:es. ,rom the stan%po nt o8 Chet !orton7 at an" rate7 the s9ccess o8 the o9t n6 was there8ore ass9re%. DAs lon6 as there?s plent" o8 8oo%7 t w ll be a 6oo% p cn c7D he sa %. Call e 0haw7 who was ,ran: Har%"?s part c9lar 8avor te amon6 the 6 rls o8 the class7 a%m tte% that she 8elt sa% at the prospect o8 see n6 Dthe

crow%D bro:en 9p at last. D5e ha% some 6oo% t mes at H 6h. 0omehow7 1 w sh now that we ha% all 8a le% so we 9o9l% 6o bac: 8or another "ear.D D.o9 % %n?t 8eel l :e that when "o9 were wr t n6 the math exam7D lola !orton7 Che8s .Daster7 rem n%e% Call e. D2o. 1 s9ppose 8 1 % % 6o bac: 1?% be =' The Cab n 1n the 5oo%s =+ 6ro9ch n6 abo9t the wor: all over a6a n7D la96he% Call e. D1?m 6la% we?re 6o n6 to have the p cn c7 tho96h. 1t w ll be n ce to be all to6ether a6a n 8or once be8ore the class s scattere%.D DThere won?t be man" o8 the 6an6 le8t aro9n% town b" next 8all7D sa % ,ran:. D5hat w th some 6o n6 to colle6e an% others 6o n6 to wor:7 the class w ll be prett" well bro:en 9p b" then.D D1 hope we?ll 6et 6oo% weather 8or the p cn c7D vent9re% @oe. DThe class ha% 6oo% l9c: on the exams7D 1ola rem n%e% h mJ Dso we sho9l% have 6oo% l9c: w th the weather.D lola?s opt m sm was G9st 8 e%. D5hen the %a" 8or the p cn c %awne% the s:" was clo9%lessM the %a" was warm an% clear. !rs. Har%" ha% prepare% a b 6 bas:et o8 6oo% th n6s 8or the Har%" bo"s to ta:e w th them7 an% the" stowe% the bas:et n the roa%ster alon6 w th the r bath n6 s9 ts an% baseball 6loves. The" ha% arran6e% to call 8or Call e 0haw n the car7 wh le lola was to 6o w th Chet n h s roa%ster. 1t was to be a real p cn c-Dnot one o8 these a8ternoon teas7D as Chet expresse% t. All members o8 the class ha% been not 8 e% to meet at Beach Grove b" ten o?cloc: n the morn n6 an% when Call e an% the Har%" bo"s reache% the 6rove the" 8o9n% a %oBen others alrea%" on == The Great A rport !"ster" han%. Chet arr ve% a 8ew m n9tes later w th lola an% B 88 Hooper7 whom he ha% p c:e% 9p on the roa%7 an% b" hal8 past ten the crow% was complete. Beach Grove was G9st o88 the 0hore 3oa% an% exten%e% to a san%" beach on the shore o8 Bar-met Ba". There were man" paths thro96h the woo%s7 a 6rass" mea%ow wh ch was %eal 8or baseball 6ames an% races7 an% the par: :eeper ha% 6rante% them perm ss on to 9se a l ttle b9 l% n6 n the 6rove where a stove an% : tchen 8ac l t es were nstalle%. The bo"s l t a 8 re an% b9s e% themselves br n6 n6 9p %r 8twoo% 8rom the beach7 wh le some o8 the 6 rls settle% %own to prepar n6 l9nch an% open n6 9p the n9mero9s bas:ets at the r % sposal. The Har%" bo"s an% the other la%s went %own to the beach 8or a sw m be8ore l9nch7 an% ha% some 8 ne sport on an mprov se% ra8t wh ch the" too: t9rns n %e8en% n6 a6a nst all comers. Chet !orton became 9n%9l" amb t o9s an% tr e% to mprov se a sa lboat o9t o8 a plan: an% an ol% p ece o8 tarpa9l n he 8o9n% on the shore7 b9t the sa lboat came to 6r e8 an% t ppe% Chet nto the water7 to the h lar o9s %el 6ht o8 h s compan ons. B" the t me the sw m was over an% the bo"s ret9rne% to the Grove the" ha% %evelope% l9st" appet tes 8or l9nch7 an% there were lo9% cheers when Call e. as ch e8 coo:7 hammere% a t9ne The Cab n n the 5oo%s =; on a t n plate w th a po:er7 anno9nc n6 that the meal was rea%". There was hot co88ee7 heap n6 bowls o8 ba:e% beans7 stac:s o8 san%w ches7 plates o8 potato sala%7 an% ca:e an% 8r9 t w tho9t en%. The bo"s an% 6 rls sat beneath the trees an% ate 8rom t n plates 9nt l the" co9l% eat no more. % et7 alone7 loo:e% % scontente% when l9nch was over. D5hat?s the matter w th "o9FD as:e% Ton" Pr to. D- %n?t "o9 l :e tF 1

tho96ht t was the best meal 1 ever taste%.D DThe meal was all r 6ht7D sa % Chet %ole89ll". DThen wh" are "o9 loo: n6 so 6l9mFD D1 never have an" l9c:7D con8esse% Chet. D0ometh n6 alwa"s 6oes wron6.D D- %n?t "o9 6et eno96h to eatFD as:e% Call e anx o9sl". DThere s a lot more potato sala%.D D2o7 than:s. 1 %on?t th n: 1 co9l% eat an" more potato sala%-not G9st now7 at an" rate. 1t was ver" 6oo% potato sala% b9t 1 co9l%n?t eat an" more r 6ht now. !a"be n an ho9r or so-oh7 well7 t %oesn?t matter.D D18 the meal was all r 6ht an% "o9 6ot eno96h7 what?s all the tro9bleFD as:e% ,ran: Har%". D1 saw "o9 ta:e three help n6s o8 beans7D a%%e% @oe. DThat?s wh" 1 8eel so ba%l".D =) The Great A rport !"ster" DGot a t9mm"-acheFD as:e% lola sol c to9sl". D2o. B9t7 "o9 see7 1 l :e% the beans so well that 1 too: two help n6s a8ter the 8 rst one7 an% 1 l :e% the potato sala% so well 1 too: two help n6s o8 that7 extra7 an% then 1 saw some san%w ches 1 l :e% real well an% 1 ate abo9t a %oBen o8 them7 an% then somebo%" passe% aro9n% an6el 8oo% ca:e so 1 ate that7 an% then 1 % %n?t have an" room 8or an"th n6 else.D D1 th n: "o9 % % ver" well7D remar:e% @err" G lro". D1 %on?t see where "o9 have an" : c: com n6.D D1 l :e chocolate ca:e. 1t?s m" 8avor te ca:e7D %eclare% Chet 6loom l". DThere was plent" o8 chocolate ca:e7D sa % h s s ster. DThere are two chocolate ca:es le8t r 6ht now.D D0ave ?em 8or s9pper7D a%v se% Chet. DThat was the b 6 tro9ble. 1 l :e chocolate ca:e so well that 1 8eel ba% beca9se 1 was so 89ll b" the t me t reache% me 1 co9l%n?t eat an".D The others loo:e% at one another helplessl". D5hat can "o9 %o w th a 8ellow l :e thatFD %eman%e% Ph l Cohen. DHe?s never sat s8 e%.D D1 th n: he nee%s exerc se7D sa % lola threaten n6l". D2ow7 %on?tED plea%e% Chet7 who ha% 8o9n% The Cab n n the 5oo%s =* a so8t spot beneath a sha%" tree an% was prepar n6 to 6o to sleep. D!a"be "o9 bo"s %on?t :now t7D sa % lola7 Db9t 1 %o. Chet s t c:l shED D-on?t7 lolaED clamore% the v ct m. B9t lola a%vance% on her brother an% t c:le% h m 9nt l he "elle% 8or merc"7 whereat the others7 %el 6hte% at the expos9re o8 th s secret7 po9nce% on the l9c:less Chet an% r9bbe% h s r bs 9nt l he was 8orce% to ma:e h s escape. The" chase% h m thro96h the mea%ow7 sho9t n6 w th la96hter7 an% bac: an% 8orth amon6 the trees 9nt l he co9l% r9n no lon6er. D1t?ll help h m % 6est those three help n6s o8 beans an% potato sala%7?;sa % lola7 w tho9t s"mpath". Hav n6 concl9%e% the r attent ons to Chet" the classmates or6an Be% an mprompt9 pro6ram o8 sports7 w th races7 a ball 6ame an% a bl n%8ol% box n6 match between B 88 Hooper7 @err" G lro"7 Ph l Cohen an% Ton" Pr to7 wh ch en%e% w tho9t cas9alt es. B 887 who pr %e% h msel8 on h s box n6 ab l t"7 wan%ere% awa" 8rom the others an% tac:le% a lar6e tree7 9n%er the mpress on that t was @err". A8ter %eal n6 a %oBen terr 8 c blows w tho9t :noc: n6 o9t the enem" he tore o88 the bl n%8ol% an% then loo:e% ver" sheep sh. !ost o8 the others went sw mm n6 %9r n6 the =' The Great A rport !"ster"

a8ternoon7 b9t the Har%" bo"s ha% %ec %e% to ta:e a%vanta6e o8 the opport9n t" an% nvest 6ate a m"ster o9s l ttle cab n at the 8ar en% o8 the 6rove. The" ha% o8ten been c9r o9s abo9t the place7 an% t was ,ran:?s s966est on that perhaps the cab n was 9se% as a h % n6 place 8or sm966lers that prompte% the r %ec s on to v s t the place. D!a" we come7 tooFD as:e% Call e 0haw7 as the two bo"s were start n6 o88 to6ether. 0he an% lola ha% rema ne% beh n% to clear 9p the last o8 the p cn c % shes wh le the other 6 rls went sw mm n6. DGla% to have "o97D answere% ,ran:. DCome on7 lola.D The two 6 rls went r9nn n6 across the 6rass7 an% the 8o9r "o9n6 people set o9t %own a w n% n6 path beneath the trees. D5here are "o9 6o n67 ,ran:FD Call e nH9 re%. D5e tho96ht we?% ta:e a wal: over to that l ttle cab n at the east en% o8 the 6rove. @oe an% 1 have o8ten been c9r o9s abo9t that place7 b9t we?ve never been near tJ so we tho96ht th s was as 6oo% a chance as an".D D/h7 th s s thr ll n6ED %eclare% lola. D-o "o9 th n: there?s an"th n6 s9sp c o9s abo9t tFD @oe shr966e%. DPerhaps. 1t w ll be 89n to The Cab n 1n tl e 5oo%s =9 loo: the place over7 tho96h. 5e tho96ht t m 6ht be 9se% b" sm966lers.D D0m966lersED excla me% Call e7 stopp n6. D1?m 8r 6htene%. 1 %on?t th n: 1 care to 6o a8ter all. 1 %on?t want to meet an" sm966lers.D D2onsenseED la96he% ,ran:. DThera wo9l%n?t be an" sm966lers aro9n% at th s t me o8 %a"7 an"wa". 5e?re not s9re abo9t the sm966lers n an" case. Perhaps t?s G9st a per8ectl" nnocent t9mble%own ol% shac:7 w th noth n6 stran6e abo9t t at all.D Call e 6athere% 9p co9ra6e an% the" went 8orwar% a6a n. The l ttle cab n was at the extreme en% o8 the 6rove7 an% t was some t me be8ore the" came w th n s 6ht o8 t. , nall"7 ro9n% n6 a ben% n the path7 the" ca96ht a 6l mpse o8 the place amon6 the trees. The cab n ha% been b9 lt n the woo%s7 several h9n%re% "ar%s bac: 8rom the water. D! 6ht" % n6" loo: n6 cab n7 t seems to me7D remar:e% lola. D5h"7 there are some sm966lers nowED excla me% Call e7 w %e-e"e%. D-on?t "o9 see them7 ,ran:F -own n the b9shes. 4oo:7 the"?re 6o n6 9p towar% the cab nED ,ran: calle% a halt. D@9st a m n9teED He co9l% see three men ma: n6 the r wa" 9p ;0 The Great A rport !"ster" a path n the % rect on o8 the cab n. The tr o were apparentl" 9naware that the" were be n6 watche%7 8or the" % % not loo: aro9n%. ,or a moment the" were h %%en b" the nterven n6 branches. Then the" appeare% n v ew a6a n. /ne o8 the men halte% n 8ront o8 the cab n7 remove% a :e" 8rom h s poc:et7 an% 9nloc:e% the %oor. The tbree men % sappeare% ns %e. ,ran: t9rne% to the others. D1 th n: we?% better 6o bac:7D he sa % H9 etl". D5ere the" sm966lersFD %eman%e% Call e. D4et?s 6et7 o9t o8 here. The" m 6ht start some tro9ble.D The" t9rne% an% retrace% the r steps towar% the p cn c 6ro9n%s. /nce @oe sa %: D-o "o9 :now7 1?m s9re 1 reco6n Be% one o8 those chaps.D ,ran: 8lashe% h m a warn n6 loo:. He % % not want to alarm the 6 rls7 so he 9a% sa % noth n6. B9t ,ran:7 too7 ha% reco6n Be% one o8 the men7 an% he was none other thaG G les

-9cro"l CHAPT$# AH A m"stee o9s conversat on when the Har%" bo"s an% the 6 rls 6ot bac: to the p cn c 6ro9n%s7 the bo"s exc9se% themselves an% %rew awa" to one s %e7 wh le the 6 rls went %own to Go n the sw mmers. D1 th n: we o96ht to 6o bac: there7D sa % ,ran: H9 etl". D5h"F - % "o9 reco6n Be an" o8 themFD D- % "o9FD D1 tho96ht one o8 them loo:e% m 6ht" l :e /ll e @acobs7D sa % @oe. DHe?s a prett" sha%" c9stomer7 as "o9 :now. 1?ve hear% o8 more than one ba% b9s ness he has been m xe% 9p n aro9n% Ba"port.D D/ll e @acobs7 was tF Then the other 8ellow m9st have been 2ewt P ppsE He s alwa"s han6 n6 aro9n% w th @acobs. The"?re a ba% pa r.D D5ho was the other 8ellowF 1 % %n?t 6et a 6oo% loo: at h m.D D1 % %7D ret9rne% ,ran:. DHe was G les -9cro".D ;( ;< (?he Great A rport !"ster" @oe wh stle% n amaBement. D0o that?s who G les -9cro" s m xe% 9p w th nowE 1 won%er what the"?re %o n6 %own n that ol% cab nFD D5e?% better 6o an% 8 n% o9t. 5e can 6et 9p to the bac: o8 the place w tho9t be n6 seen7 an% perhaps we can overhear what the"?re sa" n6.D DCome on. 1t?s worth tr" n67 an"wa". 1?m ntereste%.D The bo"s h9rr e% o88 %own the path. /nce @oe 6lance% 9p at some lower n6 clo9%s that ha% 6athere% above the trees. D4oo:s l :e ra n7D he remar:e%. D1t ma" hol% o88 8or a wh le. 1t won?t stop me 8rom 8 n% n6 o9t what that 6an6 s 9p to.D D2ot 8 1 :now t7D %eclare% @oe. 5hen the bo"s came w th n s 6ht o8 the cab n the" procee%e% more ca9t o9sl". The" % % not come o9t nto the open7 b9t e%6e% the r wa" aro9n% thro96h the trees 9nt l the" came to the rear o8 the l ttle b9 l% n6. DThere?s an ol% roa% near here7D wh spere% ,ran:. DPerhaps that?s how the" reache% the place.D D1 can see t 8rom here. An% loo:-there?s a carE 1t?s par:e% 9n%er the trees.D DThat expla ns how the" come to be here. The"?ve probabl" arran6e% a meet n6. There?s some 89nn" b9s ness on 8oot7 1?ll be bo9n%.D A !"ster o9s Conversat on ;+ Ca9t o9sl" the brothers went on thro96h the 9n%er6rowth. 1t was 8ort9nate that b9shes 6rew w th n a 8ew 8eet o8 the bac: o8 the cab n7 so the bo"s were able to ma:e the r wa" near eno96h to overhear the conversat on o8 an"one who m 6ht be w th n w tho9t %an6er o8 be n6 seen themselves. As the" presse% close a6a nst the lo6s o8 the cab n the" co9l% hear a m9rm9r o8 vo ces. The" soon 8o9n% a conven ent ch n: n the lo6s where the" co9l% peep thro96h. There7 n the % ml" l 6hte% nter or o8 the b9 l% n67 the" saw G les -9cro"7 /ll e @acobs7 an% 2ewt P pps seate% abo9t a r9%e table7 w th a bottle an% 6lasses be8ore them. D1 tell "o97D -9cro" was sa" n67 D1 :now what 1?m tal: n6 abo9t. 1?m 6 v n6 "o9 8ellows a chance that lots o8 other men wo9l% G9mp at.D D1t so9n%s 6oo%7D a%m tte% @acobs7 a short7 ll-8avore% man w th sH9 nt e"es. DB9t t?s m 6ht" r s:".D D2oth n6 vent9re7 noth n6 6a n7D sa % -9cro"7 ta: n6 a sw 6 8rom the bottle. DThat?s tr9e7D sa % 2ewt P pps. DB9t 1?m not anx o9s to 6et a b9llet

thro96h me.D DB9llets7 noth n6ED sco88e% -9cro". D5e?ll 6et aAva" w th th s as smooth as s l:.D D!a"be7D %em9rre% @acobs. D.o9 sa" the mone" s s9re to be there7 all r 6htFD ;= The Great A rport !"ster" D1 :now t w ll be there7 1 wo9l%n?t tell "o9 8ellows abo9t t 8 1 wasn?t s9re.D 2ewt P pps shr966e%. D5ell7 1?m as brave as the : ext man7D he sa %7 Db9t th s s a m 6ht" b 6 Gob. 1t?s b 66er than an" 1?ve ever tac:le% "et7 an% 1 can?t sa" 1 l :e t.D DThe b 66er the Gob7 the b 66er the pro8 t7D remar:e% -9cro". D.es7 an% the b 66er the r s:s7 too.D /ll e @acobs loo:e% aro9n% 9neas l". D-on?t tal: so lo9%7D he sa %. D18 an"bo%" hears 9s7 we?re %one 8or.D D5ho co9l% hear 9sFD %eman%e% -9cro"7 who was ev %entl" hal8 ntox cate%. DThat?s wh" 1 p c:e% th s cab n 8or a meet n6 place. There?s nobo%" w th n m les.D D/h7 "es there s7D @acobs answere%. DA b9nch o8 h 6h school : %s are hav n6 a p cn c over n Beach Grove7 an% that?s not ver" 8ar 8rom here.D D1 tho96ht 1 saw somebo%" over amon6 the trees when we were com n6 n here7D sa % 2ewt P pps. D.o9 % %FD sa % -9cro". D5h" % %n?t "o9 Gpea: 9pFD D1 m 6ht have been m sta:en.D D18 "o9 th n: there?s an"one aro9n%7 6o an% ta:e a loo: aro9n% the cab n. A person wo9l% ave to be m 6ht" close to the place to hear as tal: n6.D A !"ster o9s Conversat on 9 Then7 to the horror o8 the Har%" bo"s7 2ewt P pps 6ot 9p 8rom h s cha r7 rather 9nstea% l". DThat a n?t a ba% %ea7D he remar:e%. 1?ll G9st %o that.D He move% over to the %oor7 opene% t7 an% steppe% o9ts %e. ,ran: an% @oe ha% no t me to lose. The" :new that n another moment 2ewt P ppa m 6ht come wal: n6 aro9n% to the bac: o8 the cab n. The" %rew bac: H9 c:l"7 "et ca9t o9sl"7 see: n6 the shelter o8 the 9n%er6rowth near b". The b9shes were small an% a88or%e% l ttle cover7 "et the" % % not %are move bac: 8arther 8or 8ear o8 be n6 hear%. 0o the" cro9che% %own as 8ar as poss ble. The" were not a secon% too soon. 0carcel" ha% the" 8lattene% themselves n h % n6 than the" hear% heav" 8oot8alls 8rom the s %e o8 the cab n. The" were so poorl" h %%en that the" co9l% pla nl" see 2ewt P pps as he came aro9n% the corner. B9t P pps ha% been %r n: n6 an% he ha% ev %entl" l ttle expectat on o8 see n6 an"one aro9n%. He % % not search n the r % rect on7 b9t contente% h msel8 w th a cas9al 6lance7 then t9rne% an% went bac: a6a n. ,ran: breathe% a s 6h o8 rel e8. DThat was closeED he wh spere%. D1?ll sa" t was7D a88 rme% @oe. The Har%" bo"s wa te% 9nt l the" hear% the cab n %oor slam a6a n. 2ot 9nt l then % % the" ;) The Great A rport !"ster" emer6e an% creep 8orwar% to the rear o8 the cab n once more. 2ewt P pps was s tt n6 %own at the table. D0at s8 e%FD as:e% G les -9cro" c9rtl". DThere?s no one aro9n%. 0t ll "o9 can?t be too care89l7D sa % P pps.

DThat?s tr9e7D a6ree% @acobs. D2ever :now when somebo%" ma" be han6 n6 aro9n%.D D5ell7D snappe% -9cro"7 D1 can?t sta" here all %a". 1?ve ma%e a propos t on to "o9 men an% 1 want to :now what "o9?re 6o n6 to %o abo9t t.D /ll e @acobs an% 2ewt P pps loo:e% at one another. D5hat %o "o9 sa"7 /ll eFD D1 %on?t :now. There?s a lot o8 mone" n t 8or 9s7 all r 6ht. An% 1 co9l% 9se some cash r 6ht now. 1?m prett" near bro:e.D G les -9cro" leane% 8orwar% an% po9n%e% h s 8 st on the table. DThere?s ten tho9san% %ollars or more ap ece n t 8or 9s7D he %eclare%. D5here else co9l% "o9 ma:e ten tho9san% %ollars as eas l"7 1?% l :e to :now.D D1t?s eas" mone"7D a%m tte% 2ewt. DB9t t?s %an6ero9s.D DAn% we m 6ht 6et shot7D a%%e% /ll e. D1?m ta: n6 that chance the same as "o97D -9cro" answere%. D5ell7 h9rr" 9p. 1 can?t wa t hero all %a".D A !"ster o9s Conversat on ;* DTen tho9san% loo:s m 6ht" 6oo% to me7D sa % 2ewt P pps. DB9t 1 a n?t anx o9s to 6et shot earn n6 t7 8or then t wo9l%n?t be an" 9se to me.D D0ame here7D %em9rre% /ll e @acobs. @9st then there was a low 6rowl o8 th9n%er overhea%. $a n%rops be6an patter n6 on the cab n roo8. ,ran: an% @oe Har%" loo:e% 9p an% saw that t:e broo% n6 storm was alrea%" brea: n6. D1t?s start n6 to ra n7D sa % -9cro". D( want to 6et bac: to the c t" be8ore the storm t9rns that roa% nto a m9%-hole. Can?t "o9 ma:e 9p "o9r m n%sFD D1?ll tell "o9 what we?ll %o7D sa % /ll e @acobs7 8 n sh n6 the bottle. D2ewt an% me o96ht to tal: th s over a l ttle more. There?s a lot o8 mone" n th s Gob7 b9t there?s a lot o8 r s: too7 an% 1 want to ma:e s9re t?s sa8e.D D/8 co9rse t?s sa8eED ra6e% -9cro". D.o9?ll never ma:e an eas er ten tho9san% n "o9r l 8e.?? DThat?s lett n6 "o9 tell t.D D1 th n: /ll e s r 6ht7D sa % 2ewt. D5e?ll tal: t over an% let "o9 :now later.D D5henF 1 can?t wa t lon67 "o9 :now. 1?ve 6ot m" own plans to ma:e "et.D D5e?ll let "o9 :now to-n 6ht7D %eclare% @acobs7 6ett n6 9p. DAll r 6ht7D 6r9mble% G les -9cro". DB9t ;' The Great A rport !"ster" %on?t ta:e an" lon6er. Come on7 now. 1t?s start n6 to po9r. 1 want to 6et bac: to town.D The three men le8t the cab n. $a n was now 8all n6 on the roo8 n a stea%" %ownpo9r. The Har%" bo"s loo:e% at one another7 p9BBle%. D1 won%er what m sch e8 those three are 9p toFD sa % ,ran:7 as the brothers h9rr e% bac: nto the shelter o8 the 6rove. CHAPT$# A14$ p9BBle% the clo9%s were blac: overhea% an% the ra n Dwas po9r n6 stea% l" as the Har%" bo"s hastene% bac: 9p the path towar% the p cn c 6ro9n%s. /nce 9n%er the trees the" were partl" sheltere% 8rom the ra n b9t n the open spaces the" were thoro96hl" %renche%. Th9n%er rolle% cont n9o9sl"7 l 6htn n6 8lashe%7 an% the ra n came n sheets. DTh s en%s the p cn c7D pante% @oe7 as the" ran bac:. D1t s9re %oes. $ver"bo%" w ll be soa:e%.D The trees were thresh n6 an% s 6h n6 n the w n%. There was a v v % 8lash o8 l 6htn n6 8ollowe% mme% atel" b" a crash an% a clap o8 th9n%er.

D!9st have h t a tree7D sa % ,ran:. 5hen the" came n s 6ht o8 the p cn c 6ro9n%s7 ,ran: saw that he ha% 69esse% correctl". /nl" a 8ew "ar%s awa" 8rom the coo:ho9se7 a 6reat oa: la" prone on the 6ro9n%7 a Ga66e% 8ra6ment o8 the tr9n: st c: n6 9p o9t )9 )0 The Great A rport !"ster" o8 the earth. The tr9n: ha% been s9n%ere% b" the l 6htn n6 an% the 6reat tree ha% been str9c: to earth. 1ns %e the coo:-ho9se7 the bo"s an% 6 rls o8 the 6ra%9at n6 class were h9%%le% to6ether. !an" o8 them were ba%l" 8r 6htene%7 8or the l 6htn n6 8lash ha% come 9npleasantl" close7 an% the 8all n6 tree ha% m sse% the r re896e b" a scant 8ew 8eet. As ,ran: an% @oe came rac n6 across the slopp" 6ro9n%7 a cheer went 9p. DHere the" areED DHere come the Har%" bo"sED DAt lastED D5here have "o9 two beenFD sho9te% Chet !orton7 as the" %ashe% 9p onto the veran%a7 the r clothes %r pp n6 wet. D5e?ve been worr e% s c:. Tho96ht "o9?% 6ot str9c: b" l 6htn n6.D D4oo:s as 8 "o9 people were nearer to be n6 str9c: than we were7D repl e% ,ran:7 loo: n6 r9e89ll" at h s %renche% 6arments. D5e?ve been aw89ll" worr e%7D sa % Call e 0haw7 press n6 8orwar%. D5hen the storm be6an7 ever"bo%" 6athere% here except "o9 an% @oe7 an% we ha% no %ea where "o9 were.D D/h7 we were G9st explor n6 aro9n%7D sa % ,ran:. D2o harm %one7 except that we?re m 6ht" wet.?? D2o harm %oneED excla me% lola !orton. P9BBle% )( DHow abo9t o9r n ce p cn cE 1t?s all spo le% nowED D5ell7 we were nearl" rea%" to 6o home an"wa"7D observe% Chet. He t9rne% to the Har%" bo"s. D5ell7 "o9 two chaps m sse% the best % spla" o8 8 rewor:s 1?ve seen s nce last ,o9rth o8 @9l".D D4oo:s as 8 "o9 ha% a m 6ht" narrow escape7D sa % @oe. D5e certa nl" ha%. There was a 8lash o8 l 6htn n6 that seeme% to m ss 9s all b" abo9t two nches7 then the lo9%est crash o8 th9n%er 1 ever hear% n m" l 8e7 then a tear n6 an% crac:l n67 an% we saw that b 6 tree topple over.D D1t seeme% to be com n6 r 6ht %own on top o8 the ho9se7D sa % Call e. D5e tho96ht we were %one 8or. 18 that tree ha% ever h t the roo8 we wo9l% have been cr9she% to %eath. An% that wo9l% have spo le% the p cn c 8or s9re7D a%%e% Chet. The ver" real %an6er the" ha% been n an% the storm ha% %ampene% the sp r ts o8 the 6ra%9at n6 class7 an% when the ra n 8 nall" be6an to % e %own there was not a % ssent n6 vo ce when ,ran: Har%" s966este% that the" ma:e a %ash 8or the cars. Hast l" pac: n6 9p the bas:ets7 the" le8t the r re896e an% ran across the 6rass to the cars par:e% o9t b" the 6ate. $ver"one 8o9n% a place7 an% w th n a 8ew m n9tes the p cn c 6ro9n%s were %eserte%. )< The Great A rport !"ster" The l9ll n the storm ha% been onl" temporar". $a n came %own n torrents be8ore the" ha% 6one more than hal8 a m le alon6 the 0hore #oa%7 an% some o8 those n open cars who ha% not ta:en the preca9t on o8 p9tt n6 9p the tops7 rece ve% a secon% %rench n6. ,ran: an% @oe7 n the r roa%ster7 accompan e% b" Call e 0haw an% lola !orton7 were more 8ort9nate7 an% the" soon arr ve% on the o9ts: rts o8 Ba"port w tho9t m shap.

The p cn c part" bro:e 9p w tho9t 89rther ceremon"7 the cars scatter n6 n var o9s % rect ons as the bo"s o8 the class %rove the 6 rls home. ,ran: an% @oe %rove Call e to her a9nt?s store n Ba"port an% lola %ec %e% that she wo9l% wa t there 8or Chet7 who was to %r ve her home that even n6. 1n the r wet clothes7 the p cn c:ers presente% a sorr" s 6ht7 b9t all n all the" a6ree% that the" ha% ha% a 6oo% t me wh ch even the th9n%erstorm co9l% not spo l. 5hen ,ran: an% @oe Har%" reache% home an% chan6e% the r clothes7 the r mother was s"mpathet c. D1t?s too ba%7D she sa %7 as she prepare% a hot s9pper 8or them. D.o9 ha% all been co9nt n6 on that p cn c.D D5ell7 we ha% hal8 a p cn c7 at an" rate. 5e can be than:89l 8or that m9ch7D ,ran: observe%. An% then7 when the r mother was n P9BBle% )+ the : tchen7 he a%%e% to h s brother: D1 %on?t call the %a" waste%.D D.o9 mean -9cro"FD D.es. 5e learne% that he?s 9p to some 89nn" b9s ness. 1?% l :e to :now what t?s all abo9t.D D0ometh n6 croo:e%7 1?ll be bo9n%7D %eclare% @oe. DTen tho9san% %ollars ap ece7 he sa %. That?s a lot o8 mone". 1?m s9re G les -9cro" an% h s two prec o9s 8r en%s co9l% never earn that m9ch mone" honestl".D D1t m9st be croo:e%. The b 6 reason /ll e @acobs an% 2ewt P pps obGecte% to the scheme was beca9se there was %an6er n t an% the" m 6ht be shot.D D!a"be the" nten% to rob a ban:7D vent9re% ,ran:. D1 w sh we :new. 0t ll7 perhaps t was all G9st tal:. The" were hal8 %r9n:7 "o9 :now.D D.es7 1 tho96ht o8 that.D ,ran: shoo: h s hea%. D0t ll7 now that G les -9cro" s o9t o8 wor:7 he m 6ht be t9rn n6 h s han% to some : n% o8 th ever".D D-o "o9 th n: we o96ht to tell %a%FD @oe s966este%. D2ot "et. A8ter all7 those men were %r n: n6 an% t m 6ht have been noth n6 more than %r9n:en chatter. Perhaps -9cro" was onl" )= The Great A rport !"ster" bra66 n6 an% tr" n6 to ma:e a b 6 8ellow o8 h msel8 b" tell n6 them he co9l% help them ma:e so m9ch mone". 5e %on?t :now what the" were tal: n6 abo9t n the 8 rst place. 5e?% G9st loo: 8ool sh 8 we went to %a% w th o9r stor" an% noth n6 came o8 t.D ?? He co9l%n ?t %o an"th n67 an"wa". 2o more than we can.D DAll we can %o7D sa % ,ran:7 ?D s to watch an% wa t.D D5e?ll watch7 all r 6ht. 5e?ll tr" to chec: 9p on G les -9cro" an% 8 n% o9t what he?s 9p to. 5e have one b 6 a%vanta6e-he %oesn?t :now we overhear% what the" were sa" n6 n the cab n.D DHe %oesn?t :now we were w th n m les o8 the place.D D1?m p9BBle% abo9t that conversat on. 18 there was noth n6 n t7D sa % @oe7 Dwh" % % the" p c: s9ch an o9t-o8-the-wa" spot to have the r meet n6FD D1t ma" have been beca9se o8 the l H9or. 1t?s a6a nst the law to have t7D ,ran: po nte% o9t. DPerhaps we were onl" l sten n6 n on a %r n: n6 part" a8ter all.D D1 %on?t th n: so. 1 have a prett" stron6 bel e8 that there was more than that beh n% t. G les -9cro" an% that other pa r are a ba% comb nat on. 5hen "o9 see those three toP9BBle% ); 6ether t means there s some tro9ble be n6 hatche%.D The r mother came n G9st then w th the tea th n6s7 so the bo"s t9rne%

the conversat on to other matters. !rs. Har%" wante% to :now what was next on the r pro6ram7 now that school was over an% the class p cn c a th n6 o8 the past. DGra%9at on exerc ses7D sa % ,ran: promptl". D2ext wee:7 at the h 6h school.D D1 m9st 6et a new %ress7D !rs. Har%" %eclare%. D.o9?ll certa nl" have to 6et all %olle% 9p to come an% see "o9r sons step 9p 8or the r % plomas7D a6ree% @oe la96h n6l". D1t onl" happens once n a l 8et me7 "o9 :now.D D1?m 6la% to see "o9 6ra%9ate7 b9t n a wa" 1?m sorr"7D con8esse% the r mother. D1t means "o9?re 6row n6 9p an% "o9 soon won?t be m" bo"s an" lon6er.D D5e?ll alwa"s be "o9r bo"s7 even 8 we l ve to be a h9n%re%7D %eclare% ,ran:7 p9tt n6 an arm abo9t h s mother?s wa st. DHave "o9 %ec %e% what "o9 want to %o a8ter the hol %a"s are overFD she as:e%. D.o9 :now 1?ve been co9nt n6 on hav n6 "o9 botb 6o thro96h colle6e.D The bo"s loo:e% ser o9s. D5e?ll have to th n: abo9t that7D @oe sa % )) The Great A rport !"ster" D0t ll7 there?s lots o8 t me. A whole s9mmer ahea% o8 9s.D DBe s9re an% th n: ser o9sl" abo9t t7D the r mother warne%. D1t s a ser o9s matter. .o9r whole 89t9re w ll %epen% on "o9r %ec s on.D D!a"be b" the en% o8 the s9mmer we?ll 8eel % 88erent abo9t 6o n6 to colle6e7D sa % ,ran:. D@9st now 1?m so 6la% to be o9t o8 school that 1 never want to see another st9%" boo: a6a n as lon6 as 1 l ve.D D!e7 too7D %eclare% @oe. The r mother sm le% n%9l6entl"7 an% the matter o8 the bo"s? 89t9re plans reste% at that. CHAPT$# 1& m ss n6 ma l the n 6ht o8 the 6ra%9at on exerc ses at the Ba"port h 6h school arr ve%7 % 88er n6 l ttle 8rom s m lar events n past "ears b9t o8 pro8o9n% mportance to the members o8 the 6ra%9at n6 class an% the r parents. !r. an% !rs. Har%" were there7 ver" pro9% o8 the r two bo"s7 an% !rs. Har%" beame% w th pleas9re when ,ran: an% @oe7 %resse% n the r 8 nest clothes an% loo: n6 ver" 9ncom8ortable7 steppe% 9p to rece ve the r % plomas. Chet !orton was so nervo9s an% embarrasse% that he st9mble% on the wa" to the plat8orm an% en%e% b" %ropp n6 the % ploma when t was han%e% to h m. All the 6 rls loo:e% the r prett est7 the bo"s loo:e% the r han%somest7 the pr nc pal o8 the school excelle% h msel8 n the speech he ha%. ma%e at ever" 6ra%9at on 8or the past 8 8teen "ears7 var o9s prom nent c t Bens expresse% the r pr %e n the "o9n6 people7 an% Call e )* )' The Great A rport !"ster" 0haw7 as class vale% ctor an7 won the hearts o8 all b" her vale% ctor" a%%ress. There were other n9mbers on the pro6ram7 ncl9% n6 a v ol n solo b" lola !orton7 an excee% n6l" v 6oro9s rec tat on b" B 88 Hooper7 an accor% on solo b" Ton" Pr to an%-to cap t all-the ant cs o8 a b9rlesH9e orchestra or6an Be% b" Chet. 1n th s7 Chet was n h s element7 wear n6 a 8 reman?s hat an% a h96e 8alse m9stache. ,ran: an% @oe Har%"7 wear n6 stovep pe hats an% re% w 6s7 alternate% at a bass %r9mJ @err" G lro"7 n a coat that reache% to h s heels7 per8orme% 9pon a saxophone that wo9l%n ?t wor: an% 8rom wh ch Chet pro%9ce% a str n6 o8 sa9sa6e at the cr t cal momentJ Ph l Cohen tort9re% a 8l9te that was

capable o8 b9t one note. The b9rlesH9e orchestra assa9lte% the ears o8 the a9% ence 8or some t me7 w th no m9s c whatever7 b9t w th s9ch earnestness that the hearers were %o9ble% t p w th la96hter. Th s was the h 6h spot o8 the pro6ram7 so 8ar as the bo"s were concerne%7 an% t en%e% the 6ra%9at on exerc ses. 5hen the" le8t the school that n 6ht the" all 8elt a l ttle sa%7 as the" :new the" were leav n6 t 8or all t me7 D9nless7D Chet !orton sa %7 Dthe" nv te 9s bac: some %a" when we?re ver" 8amo9s to a%%ress the st9%ents on ?The 0ecret o8 09ccess.? D ! ss n6 !a l )9 D1n the meant me7D sa % ,ran:7 Dwhat are we 6o n6 to %o th s s9mmerFD D1?% l :e another o9t n67D @oe vol9nteere%. DToo m9ch exc tement 8or me7D ret9rne% Chet. D4ast s9mmer we were 6o n6 to have a n ce H9 et tr p %own the coast7 an% loo: what happene%. 5e 6ot m xe% 9p w th a 6an6 o8 sm966lers an% ha% no en% o8 tro9ble.D D1t 8 n she% 9p happ l" eno96h7 % %n?t tFD na % ,ran:. D$ven 8 "o9 % % 6et lostED DTh s s9mmer7 1?% l :e to have a n ce H9 et hol %a" n a n ce H9 et cab n7 w th a 6oo% beach7 where we can sw m an% loa8 aro9n% an% eat nn% sleep an% not have an"th n6 to worr" abo9t.D D0o9n%s attract ve7D @oe a%m tte%. D5here are "o9 6o n6 to 8 n% th s place7 an% how can we 6et thereFD DHow abo9t Cab n 1slan%FD s966este% B 88 Hooper. The others were tho96ht89l. D.o9?ve ha% worse %eas7 B 887D sa % Chet !orton. D-o "o9 th n: !r. @e88erson w ll let 9s 6o thereFD ,ran: la96he%. D5h" notF - %n?t we 8 n% h s m ss n6 stamp collect onF - %n?t he sa" we co9l% have the 9se o8 the slan% an% the cab n an" t me we w she%F There won?t be an" tro9ble so 8ar as that?s concerne%.D *0 The Great A rport !"ster" D1 th n: an o9t n6 to Cab n 1slan% wo9l% be the real th n67D @oe %eclare%. D5hat %o "o9 sa" to or6an B n6 a tr pF 5e can ta:e the motorboats7 9se Cab n 1slan% as o9r hea%H9arters7 then wor: o9t 8rom there so we can 6o wherever we w sh.D D.o9 have a hea% on "o9r sho9l%ers7D Chet approve%. D5hen we 6et t re% o8 camp n6 we can 6o explor n6. 5hen we 6et t re% o8 the motorboats we can loa8 aro9n% Cab n 1slan%.D D@oe an% 1 have the s9mmer 8ree7D sa % ,ran:. DA8ter that7 we?ll e ther 6o to colle6e or 6o nto b9s ness w th o9r 8ather.D D-on?t "o9 :now "etFD D5e want to 6o n w th %a%7D sa % @oe promptl". DB9t he an% mother seem bent on hav n6 9s 6o to colle6e. 1 th n: we?ll have a lot o8 ar69 n6 "et.D D1n the meant me7 %on?t let t spo l "o9r s9mmer7D a%v se% Chet. D5ell7 8 "o9 want to 6o on th s o9t n67 be s9re an% co9nt me n. 5e can % 6 9p some o8 the other 8ellows an% we o96ht to have a ban6-9p 6oo% t me.D D.o9 can?t % 6 9p man" o8 them7D came 8rom @oe. D5h" notF An" 8ellow o96ht to G9mp at a chance l :e that.D D5ell7 some o8 them wo9l%n?t be allowe% to leave home-6ot to wor: an% all that. An% some are on the ball team an% have to pract ce ! ss n6 !a l *( when the" aren?t pla" n6 a 6ame. An% - c: 3o"let an% h s crow% are 6o n6 on an a9to to9r.D D5ell7 we?ll 6et somebo%"- 8 we 6o7D p9t n ,ran:. 2ext %a" when the Har%" bo"s tol% the r parents abo9t the o9t n6 the" ha% planne%7 !r. an% !rs. Har%" 6lance% at one another.

D-on?t "o9 th n: "o9 ha% better be ma: n6 "o9r preparat ons 8or 6o n6 to colle6eFD s966este% !r. Har%". D18 "o9 wa t too lon67 perhaps "o9 ma" not be able to 6et n7D the r mother vent9re%. D-o we have to 6o to colle6eFD as:e% ,ran:. !r. Har%" loo:e% %9b o9s. D.o9 :now7 "o9r mother an% 1 have alwa"s ha% that n m n% 8or "o97D @oe 6roane%. D1?ll ma:e a rotten law"er.D DAn% 1?m s9re 1?ll be a prett" p9n: %octor7D %eclare% ,ran:. D-a%7 won?t "o9 let 9s 6o nto b9s ness w th "o9F 5e l :e %etect ve wor:. 1t?s the onl" th n6 we?ll ever be happ" at. Haven?t we %one 8a rl" well w th the cases we?ve ha% so 8arFD D.es7 "o9?ve %one well. 1?ll a%m t that. 0t ll-1 th n: 1?% rather see "o9 6o n 8or someth n6 else.D D5o9l% "o9 want 9s to 6o n 8or someth n6 8re wo9l%n?t enGo"FD sa % @oe. DA person F< The Great A rport !"ster" can?t be a s9ccess n h s wor: 9nless l e reall" l :es t.D DThat?s tr9e7D ret9rne% !r. Har%"7 wea:en n6 a l ttle. D5ell7 1 m9st have t me to th n: t over.D ,ran: o88ere% a s966est on. D4et 9s 6o on o9r o9t n6 8 rst7 an% b" the t me we come bac: we can settle the whole th n6. 5e?ll be bac: n plent" o8 t me to 6o to colle6e7 8 "o9 reall" ns st that we 6o.D !rs. Har%" no%%e%. D1 th n: that?s 8a r eno96h7 ,enton7D she sa % to her h9sban%. DAll r 6ht7 then7D a6ree% the %etect ve. D5e?ll let the matter rest 8or the t me be n67 an% as soon as "o9 bo"s ret9rn 8rom "o9r tr p we?ll 6o nto t thoro96hl". B9t "o9 m9st prom se to ab %e b" m" %ec s on. 1 %on?t want to sen% "o9 to colle6e a6a nst "o9r w ll7 b9t 1 %o want to %o what?s best 8or "o9r 89t9re.D D5e 9n%erstan% that7D sa % the bo"s. D1t?s 8or o9r own 6oo%. B9t we %o want to be %etect ves.D !r. Har%" sm le%. D.o9 seem to have "o9r m n%s ma%e 9p7 at an" rate. 5ell7 let t 6o at that. Have "o9r o9t n6 an% enGo" "o9rselves. Then we?ll settle the whole matter7 once an% 8or all.D However7 the la%s ha% l ttle t me n wh ch to procee% w th the r plans 8or the o9t n6. The" % % not see Chet !orton that a8ternoon an% the ! ss n6 !a l *+ tr p was not % sc9sse% w th an" o8 the other la%s the" met. 2ext morn n67 as the" were hav n6 brea:8ast7 the r 8ather came nto the % n n6 room. DA8ter brea:8ast s over7D he sa %7 Dcome nto m" st9%". 1 want to have a l ttle tal: w th "o9.D D5e?(( be there.D 5hen the r 8ather ha% 6one7 the" 8ell to won%er n6 wh" he wante% to see them. D1 can?t th n: o8 an" m sch e8 we?ve beeN nto-except brea: n6 that pane o8 6lass n the 6ara6e7D sa % @oe. DHe wo9l%n?t scol% 9s 8or that. 1 nten%e% to p9t n a new pane o8 6lass to-%a".D DThere?s someth n6 n the w n%.D The" h9rr e% thro96h the rema n%er o8 the meal7 anx o9s to learn the reason 8or the s9mmons. 5hen the" went nto the st9%"7 !r. Har%" was rea% n6 a lon6 t"pewr tten letter wh ch he place% to one s %e.

D1?ve been as:e% to han%le a case7D he expla ne% at once7 Dan% 1 tho96ht ma"be "o9 co9l% help me a l ttle. 0omet mes "o9 hear o8 th n6s that 1 m 6htn?t learn abo9t. Th s s a ser o9s case an% G9st now 1?m tr" n6 to ma:e 9p m" m n% how to 6o abo9t t.D D5hat has happene%7 -a%FD as:e% ,ran:7 D1 rece ve% th s letter th s morn n6 8rom the postal a9thor t es7 expla n n6 the c rc9mstanceM *= The Great A rport !"ster" 1t seems that several ba6s o8 val9able ma l have % sappeare% 8rom one o8 the han6ars at the a rport near here.D D0tolenFD DThe" co9l%n?t have % sappeare% an" other Kra". The ma l7 as "o9 :now7 s ver" care89ll" 69ar%e%. 1n th s nstance7 the tra n that was to ta:e the ma l nto the c t" was a 8ew m n9tes late an% the sac:s were acc %entl" le8t 9n69ar%e%. 5hen the tra n arr ve% t was 8o9n% that the ma l ha% % sappeare%. The matter s be n6 :ept H9 et 8or the t me be n67 n the hope that we ma" 6et a cl9e. B9t so 8ar the whole b9s ness seems to be a complete m"ster".D DHaven?t the" an" %ea who stole tFD as:e% @oe. D2o %ea at all. The onl" men aro9n%7 so 8ar as the" :now7 were the 9s9al a rport o88 c als an% p lots. Pract call" all o8 them are above s9sp c on. ,rom the loo:s o8 the case7 1?m ncl ne% to th n: some o9ts %er ma" have been h % n6 near b"7 watch n6 h s chance7 an% when he saw the sac:s le8t 9n69ar%e% he s mpl" se Be% them an% cleare% o9t.D ,ran: leane% 8orwar% n exc tement. D1 th n: we can help "o9 a l ttle7D he %e-%are%. D5e ma" :now someth n6 abo9t that ver" robber".D DAlrea%"FD excla me% ,enton Har%"7 aston she%7 ! ss n6 !a l *; ,ran: an% @oe there9pon tol% the r 8ather abo9t the r a%vent9re n Beach Grove on the %a" o8 the p cn c. The" tol% that the" ha% seen G les -9cro" an% h s two compan ons near the ol% cab n7 how the" ha% 8ollowe% the men an% l stene% to the r conversat on. D-9cro" was tr" n6 to 6et these other chaps to 6o n w th h m on some croo:e% %eal7 an% the" were a8ra % beca9se the" sa % t was too %an6ero9s7D expla ne% ,ran:. D-9cro" tol% them the"?% ma:e ten tho9san% %ollars ap ece o9t o8 t. Perhaps that was what he meant. He planne% to steal some o8 the ma l ba6s.D ,enton Har%" was ntereste%. DCerta nl" a s9sp c o9s conversat on7D he a%m tte%. D0t ll7 the ma l ba6s weren?t worth an" th rt" tho9san% %ollars7 8 what the post o88 ce people tell me s correct. The" were worth abo9t two tho9san% %ollars at the most. Bes %es7 G les -9cro" s alrea%" 9n%er s9sp c on.D DHas he been arreste%FD as:e% @oe. ,enton Har%" shoo: h s hea%. D5hen the the8t occ9rre%7 the a9thor t es 8 rst tho96ht o8 -9cro"7 beca9se the" :new he ha% been % schar6e% an% was probabl" loo: n6 8or a chance o8 reven6e. 0o the r 8 rst act on was to nvest 6ate h s movements on the %a" ol the robber".D DAn% what % % the" 8 n%FD T) The Great A rport !"ster" DHe wasn?t near Ba"port at all. He was n Ph la%elph a-at least7 he has s9ch an al b .I? DCan he prove tFD as:e% ,ran:. DHe ha% two w tnesses to prove t. 0o noth n6 co9l% be %one a6a nst -9cro".D D1?% l :e to :now who those w tnesses were7D sa % ,ran:. D1 %on?t

bel eve he was n Ph la%elph a at all.D The bo"s were openl" %9b o9s abo9t -9cro"?s al b . DHe?s a sl c: one7 -a%7D %eclare% @oe. DHe ma" loo: %9mb7 b9t he?s not as %9mb as he loo:s.D CHAPT$# & loo: n6 8ob cl9es the news that G les -9cro" ha% a proves al b to clear h msel8 o8 s9sp c on n the a88a r o8 the stolen ma l sac:s % sconcerte% the Har%" bo"s 8or a t me. 5hen the r 8ather tol% them abo9t the robber" the r 8 rst tho96ht was that -9cro" an% h s two compan ons were the 69 lt" part es7 8or the the8t seeme% to be l n:e% 9p n some manner w th the conversat on the la%s ha% overhear% n the cab n at Beach Grove. However7 there now rema ne% the 8act that -9cro" ha% an al b 7 an% also the 8act that the ma l sac:s were b" no means worth the amo9nt the 8ormer p lot ha% ment one% to h s compan ons. D@9st the same7D %eclare% ,ran: that a8ternoon7 D1?m conv nce% that -9cro" ha% someth n6 to %o w th the a88a r7 al b or no al b .D DPerhaps the ma l sac:s weren?t stolen b" -9cro"7D s966este% @oe. DPerhaps he went to Ph la%elph a7 so he wo9l% be able to prove an *' The Great A rport !"ster" al b 7 an% le8t 2ewt P pps an% /ll e @acobs to comm t the act9al robber".D D1t co9l% have been wor:e% that wa". 1?ll tell "o9 what we?ll %o7 @oe. 4et?s ta:e the roa%ster an% %r ve bac: %own to Beach GroveI 1?% l :e to ta:e another loo: at that cab n. Perhaps we?ll 8 n% a 8ew cl9es there that ma" help 9s.D @oe was mpresse% b" th s s966est on7 an% n a short t me the Har%" bo"s were spee% n6 %own the 0hore #oa% n the r car. 5hen the" reache% the 6rove the" le8t the roa%ster an% ma%e the r wa" thro96h the woo%s %own the path towar% the l ttle cab n. D5e % %n?t have the opport9n t" to loo: thro96h the place when we were here be8ore7D ,ran: po nte% o9t. ?? The" ma" have le8t someth n6 beh n%7 a 8ew notes or plans 8or nstance7 that w ll 6 ve 9s a better %ea o8 what the" were tal: n6 abo9t.D D1t?s a m 6ht" s9sp c o9s th n6 that a robber" sho9l% occ9r at the a rport so soon a8ter G les -9cro" an% h s 8r en%s were tal: n6 abo9t some croo:e% scheme.D DThat?s the wa" 1 8eel abo9t t.D The bo"s entere% the cab n. The %oor was 9nloc:e% an% the place was %eserte%. 1t was sparsel" 89rn she% w th onl" a small woo%en table7 two bro:en cha rs an% a 8ew boxes. D2oth n6 m9ch here7D ,ran: remar:e%. @4oo: n6 8or Cl9es *0 D0t ll7 t won?t %o an" harm to loo: aro9n% care89ll".D @oe came 9pon an empt" bottle over n a corner7 perhaps the bottle 8rom wh ch the men ha% been %r n: n6 on the a8ternoon o8 the p cn c. ,ran:?s attent on was attracte% b" a n9mber o8 c 6arette st9bs on the table. D0omet mes a l ttle th n6 l :e a c 6arette t9rns o9t to be a m 6ht" val9able cl9e7?? he observe%7 exam n n6 the st9bs. !ost o8 them were Aer" short7 b9t on one7 a7 tr 8le lon6er than the rest7 he 8o9n% the letters D#$.D The rest o8 the wor% ha% been obl terate% w th the b9rn n6 o8 the c 6arette. D1 won%er what ma:e o8 c 6arettes the" were smo: n67D he sa %. He searche% the cab n thoro96hl" an% at last he 8o9n% what he was loo: n6 8or. Beneath one o8 the boxes he saw a cr9mple% paper pac:a6e. He p c:e% th s 9p7 9n8ol%e% t7 an% exam ne% t care89ll".

The pac:a6e ha% once hel% c 6arettes7 an% across the 8ront he saw the name7 D#e% # bbon C 6arettes.D D2ot m9ch o8 a cl9e there7D la96he% @oe. DAll 6one 9p n smo:e.D D.o9 never can tell7D ret9rne% h s brother7 poc:et n6 the pac:a6e. DBetter be care89l. 18 mother 8 n%s that pac:a6e n "o9r poc:et she?ll th n: "o9?ve been smo: n6.D '0 The Great A rport !"ster" D!other :nows 9s well eno96h to :now we %on?t smo:e7D ,ran: sa %. D1 have a h9nch that th s l ttle pac:a6e ma" come n han%" some %a".D Altho96h the bo"s searche% the bare l ttle 8 ab n h 6h nn% low7 the" 8o9n% noth n6 else that m 6ht help them. The r search 8or cl9es appeare% to have been a 8a l9re. D-9cro" an% h s 8r en%s were too w se to leave an" notes that m 6ht ncr m nate them7D @oe sa %7 as the" went awa". D1 69ess we?ll have to tac:le the case 8rom another an6le.D D-a%?s han%l n6 t to the best o8 h s ab l t"7 an% 1 69ess he w ll be n a pos t on to 6et n8ormat on that we?ll never r9n across. All we can %o s to :eep o9r ears open an%7 8 we hear an"th n67 let h m :now.D The bo"s ret9rne% to Ba"port7 somewhat % sappo nte%J b9t when the" were near the r home the" % sm sse% the ma l ba6 m"ster" 8rom the r m n%s7 8or the" met Chet !orton an% B 88 Hooper. D@9st who we were loo: n6 8orED excla me% Chet. D5e calle% at the ho9se7 b9t "o9r mother sa % "o9 ha% 6one o9t.D D5hat?s 9pFD as:e% @oe. D5h"7 B 88 an% 1 tho96ht t wo9l% be a 8 ne a8ternoon to ta:e a l ttle boat tr p. 1 tho96ht we co9l% 6o %own to Cab n 1slan% an% see that ever"th n6 s n shape. 5e can 8 n% o9t what 4oo: n6 8or Cl9es '( we nee% to ta:e %own there 8or o9r o9t n6. 1 :now we le8t some : tchen % shes an% other th n6s there last w nter7 b9t the" ma" be 6one b" now. 5e can loo: the place over an% ma:e a l st o8 what we?ll have to br n6 alon6.D D.o9?re 6o n6 on the tr p7 aren?t "o9ED as:e% B 88. D09re7 we?re 6o n6. 1 69ess t sn?t too late n the %a" to 6o %own to the slan%7 Chet. Come on w th 9s an% we?ll ta:e the car bac: to the 6ara6e.D The Har%" bo"s %rove bac: to the ho9se w th the other la%s7 tol% the r mother that the" were 6o n6 %own to Cab n 1slan% n the boat7 an% starte% o88 8or the boatho9se. The la%s % % not ta:e an" 8oo% w th them7 8or the Har%" bo"s? motorboat7 The 0le9th7 was a spee%" cra8t an% was H9 te capable o8 ta: n6 them to Cab n 1slan% an% bac: b" even n6. 1t was a warm7 s9ltr" a8ternoon7 an% the la%s were 6la% to be o9t on the cool ba"7 awa" 8rom the swelter n6 heat o8 the c t". 1t ha% been an 9n9s9all" close %a"7 an% there ha% been occas onal r9mbles o8 % stant th9n%er. D5e?re 6o n6 to have a th9n%erstorm ton 6ht7 1?ll bet7D sa % B 887 as the boat nose% %own the ba". D1 %on?t th n: t?ll brea: be8ore we 6et bac:7D sa % ,ran:. D 1t?s a lon6 wa" o88 "et.?? The 0le9th %r9mme% alon6 smoothl"7 an% '< The Great A rport !"ster" @oe lolle% at the wheel. /nce the" le8t the narrow en% o8 the ba" 9pon wh ch the c t" nestle% n the 6lar n6 s9nl 6ht7 there was a st 88 breeBe7 v 6oro9s an% re8resh n6. ??/h7 bo"ED 6loate% Chet. DTh s s the l 8eE?? D1t s9re sED the others a6ree%.

B" the t me the" came w th n s 6ht o8 Cab n 1slan%7 leav n6 Ba"port 8ar beh n%7 the" co9l% see roll n6 blac: clo9%s n the east7 an% the m9rm9r o8 th9n%er ha% become more cont n9o9s. D5e shan?t be able to sta" lon67 1?m a8ra %7D remar:e% ,ran:. DThat storm s com n6 9p more H9 c:l" than 1 tho96ht t wo9l%.D D/h7 t?s ho9rs awa" "et7D sco88e% Chet. D.o9?ll see.D D4et?s hope so. An"wa"7 we won?t lose t me. 5e?ll G9st 6o 9p to the cab n an% ta:e a H9 c: loo: aro9n%. 1 %on?t want to 6et ca96ht o9t n a ba% storm. The 0le9th s a 6oo% l ttle boat7 b9t the waves r9n m 6ht" h 6h n the open ba" aro9n% here.D Those who 8ollowe% the a%vent9res o8 the Har%" bo"s n DThe !"ster" o8 Cab n 1slan%7D are aware that the slan%7 wh ch was owne% b" $lro" @e88erson7 a wealth" ant H9e %ealer o8 Ba"port7 la" 8ar %own Barmet Ba" n a l ttle cove. There was a lar6e cab n7 b9 lt b" !r. @e88erson7 89ll" eH9 ppe% an% 89rn she%7 b9t 4oo: n6 8or Cl9es '+ not occ9p e% b" the owner beca9se t ha% been b9 lt 8or the 9se o8 h s w 8e an% son. The" ha% % e%7 an% the assoc at ons o8 the slan% ha% been so pa n89l to h m that he ha% never 6one near the place a6a n. However7 6rate89l to the Har%" bo"s beca9se the" ha% recovere% h s stolen a9tomob le an% beca9se the" ha% solve% the m"ster" o8 a val9able stamp collect on that ha% been p9rlo ne% 8rom h m7 he ha% t9rne% over the :e" o8 the cab n to them w th 89ll perm ss on to ma:e 9se o8 the place on an" o8 the r o9t n6s. The" ran the motorboat nto the l ttle boat-ho9se an% ma%e t sec9re7 then clambere% 9p the 8am l ar path towar% the cab n. The" ha% last been on the slan% n the w nter t me7 when ever"th n6 was blan:ete% w th snow. 2ow t was %o9bl" bea9t 89l w th ts 6rass"7 woo%e% slopes an% ts tall trees7 amon6 wh ch the cab n stoo%. D!a:e t snapp"7D ca9t one% ,ran:. DThat storm loo:s worse ever" m n9te.D He opene% the cab n %oor an% the" steppe% ns %e. The ch mne"7 wh ch ha% been %ama6e% %9r n6 a storm the prev o9s w nter7 ha% been repa re% b" some wor:men whom $lro" @e88erson ha% sent to the slan%7 an% the place ha% been thoro96hl" cleane%. 0ome new 89rn t9re ha% been nstalle%7 an% on 6o n6 to the : tche$ 7'= The Great A rport !"ster" the bo"s 8o9n% a 89ll s9ppl" o8 % shes7 :ettles7 8r" n6 pans7 c9tler"ever"th n6 the" co9l% poss bl" nee% except prov s ons. DHe m9st have expecte% 9s to come here %9r n6 the s9mmerED excla me% @oe7 n %el 6ht. DHe certa nl" hasn?t overloo:e% an"th n6.D D! 6ht" 6oo% o8 h m7 1?ll sa"ED Chet %e-clare%7 an% h s sent ment was echoe% b" the others. D5e have noth n6 to worr" abo9t n the wa" o8 : tchen eH9 pment7 at an" rate. 5e?ll nee% onl" blan:ets an% 6r9b.D D1 th n: we?ll have a 8 ne o9t n6 here.D ,ran: loo:e% o9t the w n%ow. D5ell7 we?ve 8o9n% that we %on?t have to worr" abo9t the : tchen en% o8 t. 2ow let?s be 6o n6. The storm s r 6ht overhea%.D 5hen the bo"s steppe% o9ts %e a6a n7 all saw that ,ran:?s %es re 8or haste was well-8o9n%e%. There were wh te caps roll n6 on the ba" an% the s:" was 6row n6 blac:. $ven as the" starte% %own the path there was a 8lash o8 l 6htn n6 an% an ear-spl tt n6 crash o8 th9n%er. Then 8ollowe% a 69st" shower o8 ra n. The trees were ben% n6 be8ore the r s n6 w n%. D5e?ll never ma:e tED sho9te% ,ran:. D2o 9se tr" n6 to 6et bac: to Ba"port now.D D5hat?llwe %oFD as:e% Chet. D1 69ess we?% better 6o bac: to the cab n.D

D5e haven?t an" 8oo%7 no blan:ets7 no o l n loo: n6 8or Cl9es '; the l 6hts. 5e?ll probabl" be stran%e% here all n 6ht.D DTh s s a 8 ne loo:-o9t7D 6r9mble% B 88. D1 w sh 1 ha%n?t come.D As the bo"s loo:e% o9t over the ba" the" co9l% see a sweep n6 wall o8 ra n approach n6 above the storm" waters. H s compan ons real Be% that ,ran: Har%" was r 6ht. The" co9l% not hope to brave the per ls o8 that storm b" vent9r n6 a ret9rn to Ba"port that n 6ht. /n the other han%7 the prospect o8 be n6 stran%e% on the slan% w tho9t 8oo% was 8ar 8rom pleas n6. $a n was po9r n6 now. Another l 6htn n6 8lash B 6Ba66e% ts wa" thro96h the clo9%s. Another th9n%erclap crashe% 8orth. D-o "o9 th n: we can reach the v lla6eED sho9te% @oe. ,ran: ha% almost 8or6otten abo9t the l ttle v lla6e on the ma nlan% not 8ar awa" wh ch the" ha% v s te% several t mes %9r n6 the w nter. Amos Gr ce7 the store:eeper7 was a 6oo% 8r en% o8 the rs an% h s hosp tal t" was pre8erable to spen% n6 a n 6ht n a %ar: cab n7 w tho9t 8oo% or blan:ets. D5e?ll tr" t7 an"wa". 18 we 6et nto the shelter o8 the shore 1 th n: we can ma:e t all r 6ht. Come on 8ellowsED The others 8ollowe% ,ran: %own the steep path to the boatho9se. where all clambere% nto ') The Great A rport !"ster" The 0le9th. The en6 ne roare% as the boat spe% o9t nto the roll n6 waves7 th s t me Pran: ta: n6 the wheel. 0mashE A 6reat wave bro:e over the bow7 %rench n6 the bo"s to the s: n. The 89ll 8orce o8 the w n% ca96ht them as the" ro9n%e% the po nt o8 the slan%. The" were pl9n6 n6 o9t nto a ra6 n6 waste o8 waters. D5e?ll never ma:e tlD 6roane% Chet. CHAPT$# &T news peom the c t" 8ran: har%" set h s Gaw w th 6r m %eter- n t at on as he %rove the motorboat nto the storm. 1t was too late to t9rn bac:. The storm ha% swept 9p w th s9ch spee% that ,ran: real Be% now that he ha% 9n%erest mate% t. The w n% was terr 8 c an% the waves were h 6h. The" battere% a6a nst the sta9nch l ttla boat7 %rench n6 the bo"s w th 8l" n6 spra". ,ran: hea%e% towar% the ma nlan%7 b9t then he saw that he co9l% not hope to 8 n% shelter 8rom the w n% alon6 the shore. The waves were roll n6 n an% %ash n6 a6a nst the roc:s. The motorboat wo9l% have no chance there. 1t wo9l% be 8l9n6 h ther an% th ther an% battere% to p eces. D2oth n6 8or t b9t to hea% r 6ht nto the w n%7 1 69ess7D he sho9te%7 above the howl o8 the storm. The other bHvs were cro9ch n6 n the bot'* '' The Great A rport !"ster" tom o8 the boat7 o9t o8 the 8l" n6 spra". The boat seeme% to H9 ver w th s9ccess ve shoc:s as t b9c:e% the waves. The ra n was %r v n6 nto the r 8aces. Thro96h the %ownpo9r ,ran: co9l% not even see the l ttle v lla6e towar% wh ch the" were bo9n%. He w she% the" ha% rema ne% on Cab n 1slan%. The 0le9th7 altho96h small7 was a stron6 an% weell-b9 lt cra8t. The en6 ne throbbe% 8a th89ll". 2one o8 them %are% th n: o8 the conseH9ences sho9l% the en6 ne 8a l. The bow o8 the cra8t c9t thro96h the roll n6 Dwaves l :e a :n 8e.

Th9n%er rolle% overhea%. The s:" was blac:. The bo"s co9l% scarcel" see the shore. -r v n6 a6a nst the w n% an% the t %e7 the boat co9l% ma:e l ttle spee%7 an% hea%wa" seeme% sl 6ht. 2evertheless The 0le9th was e%6 n6 slowl" %own the ba"7 com n6 ever closer to the l ttle v lla6e. ,ran: peere% thro96h the ra6 n6 storm7 hop n6 to catch s 6ht o8 the l ttle h9%%le o8 ho9ses on the shore. 4 6htn n6 8lare% n the %ar: s:". ,ran: hel% the boat stea% l" nto the w n%. The" were all %renche% to the s: n. Altho96h no one sa % a wor%7 ,ran: co9l% see that the others were 8r 6htene%. As a matter o8 8act7 he was none too con8 %ent o8 the o9tcome h msel8. 2ews 8rom the C t" '9 D1t all %epen%s on the en6 ne7D he m9ttere%. D18 that 8a ls7 we?re %one 8or.D B9t the en6 ne ha% been thoro96hl" overha9le% G9st the prev o9s wee:. He was 6rate89l 8or the 8ores 6ht that ha% enable% h m an% @oe to ta:e th s preca9t on. @oe crept to the s %e o8 h s brother. D-o "o9 th n: we?ll 6et there7 ,ran:FD he sho9te%. ,ran: no%%e%. D1t?s % rt" weather7 b9t we o96ht to ma:e t all r 6ht.D @9st then he ca96ht s 6ht o8 the l ttle brea: n the shorel ne that n% cate% the cove where the v lla6e was locate%. The" were st ll 8ar o9t7 an% to reach the v lla6e the boat m9st r9n % a6onal to the waves. Th s was the har%est test. The b988et n6 The 0le9th ha% prev o9sl" rece ve% was as noth n6 to what she now s988ere%. T me an% a6a n the bo"s hel% the r breaths7 certa n that the boat was abo9t to caps Be. Great waves wo9l% crash a6a nst t7 the boat wo9l% cant 8ar over on her s %e7 her bow wo9l% be b9r e% n the water. Then7 l :e a l ve th n67 The 0le9th wo9l% sha:e hersel8 8ree7 r se above the waves7 an% 6o pl9n6 n6 on. The bo"s cl9n6 to ever" ava lable hol%7 8ear89l o8 be n6 washe% overboar%. 09%%enl" @oe 6ave a sho9t o8 warn n6: 90 The Great A rport !"ster" D5atch o9tED A 6reat roller was bear n6 %own on them. The" %9c:e%7 wa te%-----CrashE A h96e sea o8 6reen water en69l8e% them. ,or a moment the boat was completel" b9r e% beneath the wave. 1t sl ppe% 8ar over. ,ran: 8elt h s 8eet washe% 8rom beneath h m. He cl9n6 to the wheel w th all the stren6th at h s comman%7 hel% h s breath thro96h what seeme% an etern t" o8 wa t n6. Then the motorboat labore% 8ree o8 the wave7 slowl" r 6hte% tsel8. The water rece%e%. The cra8t was we 6hte% %own b" the water that st ll rema ne% n t7 b9t all the bo"s were sa8e. Chet was s988er n6 8rom a c9t across the 8orehea%7 where he ha% been 8l9n6 a6a nst one o8 the seatsJ B 88 was cl9tch n6 h s wr st7 wh ch ha% been wrenche% n h s %esperate e88ort to reta n h s 6r p on an ron r n6J @oe was 6asp n6 8or breath a8ter h s mmers on n the waterJ ,ran: 8elt a %9ll pa n n h s s %e7 where he ha% been %ashe% a6a nst the wheel. A8ore %ea% than al ve7 the bo"s hel% on. B9t the v lla6e was now n pla n v ew. The" ha% 6one thro96h the worst o8 the storm7 an% the waves were now h9rl n6 the boat n towar% the cove. ,ran: steere% towar% a l ttle %oc:7 where the an6r" waters were %ash n6 themselves an2ews 8rom the C t" 9(

6r l" a6a nst the t mbers. He saw a man cla% n o ls: ns r9nn n6 o9t on the %oc:7 6est9r n6 to them an% po nt n6 towar% the shore. There was a l ttle boatho9se n the cove7 an% then the man ran 8rom the %oc: over towar% the boatho9se7 st ll 6est9r n6. There was shelter 8or them. The motorboat wo9l% have been %ashe% to p eces ha% the" t e% 9p to the %oc:. ,ran: saw the %oor o8 the boatho9se open an% he %rove % rectl" towar% t. A 6reat wave ca96ht the cra8t an% t shot 8orwar%. A t9rn o8 the wheel an% he was hea%e% nto the narrow open n6. He sw tche% o88 the en6 ne7 an% then The 0le9th sl % 6entl" nto the sl p. T re%7 exha9ste%7 %renche%7 the bo"s clambere% o9t o8 the boat. The man n o ls: ns was wa t n6 8or them. He se Be% a rope ,ran: 8l9n6 to h m an% sn9bbe% t aro9n% a post. D5ell7 now7 that was a narrow sH9ea:7 8 ever 1 saw oneED he %eclare% n a 8am l ar7 nasal vo ce. D59st storm we?ve ha% on th s ba" 8or ten "ears7 an% "o9?% be ca96ht n t. .o9?re m 6ht" l9c:"7 m" la%s.D The" loo:e% 9p. The" :new that vo ce wel4 DAmos Gr ceED excla me% ,ran:. At the so9n% o8 h s name7 the man loo:e% Kro9n%. Then he reco6n Be% the re896ees. D5ell7 8 t a n?t the Har%" bo"sED he 9< The Great A rport !"ster" sho9te% n welcome. DAn% Chet an% B 88E?I D.o9 certa nl" % % 9s a 6oo% t9rn that t me7D %eclare% @oe. Amos Gr ce was soon sha: n6 han%s w th them7 as: n6 a score o8 H9est ons. How ha% the" come to be o9t on the ba" n the storm T Ha% the" been at Cab n 1slan%F Ha% the" been 8r 6htene%F How % % the boat 6et hal8 89ll o8 waterF An% so on an% so 8orth. He was a : n%l" ol% man7 th s v lla6e store:eeper. He now le% the wa" o9t o8 the boatho9se. DCome 9p to the store7D he sa %. DCome 9p an% p9t on some %r" clothes. .o9?re soa:e% to the h %e7 all o8 "o9. Come 9p an% tell me how t happene%.D D2oth n6 m9ch to tell7 !r. Gr ce7D expla ne% ,ran:. D5e were on Cab n 1slan% th s a8ternoon when we saw the storm com n6 9p. D5e :new there was no chance o8 6ett n6 bac: to Ba"port n t me7 so we tho96ht we?% r9n over here7 b9t the storm bro:e too s9%%enl" 8or 9s.D D1t % % brea: s9%%en7D a%m tte% the store:eeper. D1t bro:e s9%%en an% 8 erce. 1?ve never seen a worse storm n ten "ears.D He too: them 9p to the store7 an% n a warm : tchen at the bac: he ba%e them %r" themselves b" the 8 re wh le he h9stle% abo9t an% proc9re% %r" cloth n6. Amos Gr ce was a bachelor7 an% wh le h s l v n6 H9arters were cr9%e7 the" were neat an% com8ortable. He was 6en9 nel" %e2ews 8rom the C t" C l 6hte% to see the bo"s7 an% he soon b9s e% h m-sel8 at the stove prepar n6 s9pper. A8ter a heart" meal the la%s were 8eel n6 more com8ortable an% the r haBar%o9s a%vent9re on the ba" % % not seem H9 te so per lo9s as the" loo:e% bac: on t. D1 69ess we won?t be able to 6et bac: to the c t" to-n 6ht7D sa % ,ran: re6ret89ll". Amos Gr ce snorte%. D1 wo9l%n?t hear o8 tED he %eclare%. DCo9l%n?t th n: o8 tE @9st s9 c %e to tr" t. 2o7 s r7 "o9 la%s have 6ot to spen% the n 6ht w th me7 an% 6la% 1 am to have "o9. 1t?s sel%om eno96h 1 have compan" here.?? DAs lon6 as "o9 have room 8or 9s-----D D/8 co9rse 1 have room 8or "o9. There?s two b 6 be%s n the spare room7

an% "o9?re more than welcome.D A bell occas onall" t n:le% o9t n the store7 an% Amos Gr ce b9stle% awa" to wa t on a c9stomer. However7 there were 8ew people n the l ttle v lla6e an% the n 6ht was so w l% an% storm" that nearl" ever"one was sta" n6 n%oors7 so the nterr9pt ons were 8ew. The" chatte% w th the ol% man all that even n67 s tt n6 b" the 8 re7 an% event9all" he showe% them to a b 6 room where the be%s were alrea%" ma%e. D2ow7D he sa %7 Dsleep as lon6 as "o9 w sh an% 1?ll have some brea:8ast 8or "o9 n the 9= The Great A rport !"ster" morn n6. 2o %o9bt "o9r parents s -worr" n6 abo9t "o97 an% 1?% phone ?em 8 1 co9l%7 to let ?em :now "o9?re all sa8e an% so9n%. B9t the telephone w res s %own somewhere alon6 the l ne. The"?ll l :el" be 8 xe% b" morn n6.D D-a% an% mother w ll certa nl" be worr" n6 abo9t 9s7D sa % @oe. DCan?t be helpe%7D ret9rne% Amos ph losoph call". DThe"?ll 8eel all the better when the" :now "o9?re sa8e.D The bo"s were t re% an% the" 8ell asleep H9 c:l". 1n the morn n6 when the" awa:ene% the s9n was sh n n6 n the w n%ow. The storm was over. /9t n the : tchen a 8 re crac:le% n the stove an% the co9l% hear Amos Gr ce mov n6 abo9t. There was a savor" aroma o8 bacon an% e66s an% co88ee. DHe?s certa nl" a 6oo% sco9tED %eclare% Chet7 as the" %resse%. DCan?t be beat7D a6ree% B 88. 5hen the bo"s were washe% an% %resse%7 the" went o9t nto the : tchen. D0leep wellFD nH9 re% Amos7 D.o9 betED DThat?s 6oo%. Brea:8ast s rea%". P9ll "o9r cha rs 9p to the table an% 6et on the o9ts %e o8 some bacon an% e66s. There?s plent"7 so %on?t be a8eare% to as: 8or secon% help n?s.D D1s the telephone wor: n67 !r. Gr ceFD as:e% 2ews 8rom the C t" 9; ,ran:. D1?% l :e to call them 9p at home 8 1 can.D D.ep7 the phone s wor: n? a6a n7D the store:eeper ass9re% them. D1 :now7 beca9se 1 Dwas call n? the operator th s morn n6. B 6 %o n?s n Ba"port last n 6ht.D D5hat was thatFD as:e% @oe7 ntereste%. DB 6 robber" at the a rport. /ne o8 them a rplanes was robbe% o8 a lot o8 ma l worth more?n twent" tho9san% %ollars7 so the telephone operator was tell n? me.D The Har%" bo"s loo:e% at one another n amaBement. A secon% robber" at the a rportE 1mp9ls vel"7 ,ran: excla me%: D-9cro" a6a nED @ CHAPT$# &H 9n%er arrest E Dwhat?s thatFD %eman%e% the store:eepe8 abr9ptl"7 n response to ,ran: Har%"?s na%vertent exclamat on. D2oth n67D answere% ,ran:. D1 was s9rpr se%-that?s all. .o9 see7 there was a robber" at the a rport onl" a %a" or so a6o.D DAnother one7 ehF 5ell7 the" o96hta watch that place more care89l7 that?s all 1 can sa". People won?t be sen% n? the r letters b" a rplane 8 the" th n: the"?re 6o n? to be stolen all the t me.D DThat?s a case 8or "o9 8ellows7D sa % B 88. 2e ther B 88 nor Chet were aware o8 the %epth o8 the Har%" bo"?s nterest n the a rport robber es.

D- % the operator tell "o9 an"th n6 more abo9t that a88a r7 !r. Gr ceFD as:e% ,ran:7 a8ter a pa9se. D2oth n? more than what 1?ve tol% "o9. 0he G9st sa % there was a b 6 robber" an% twent" >n%er Arrest 9* tho9san% %ollars? worth o8 ma l ha% been stolen last n 6ht.?? @oe went to the telephone. A8ter some %ela" he mana6e% to 6et the Har%" home n Ba"-port on the w re. H s mother?s vo ce answere%. DHello7 !otherE Th s s @oe tal: n6.D Her vo ce ha% an 9nm sta:able note o8 rel e8 as she answere%: D@oeE /h7 1?m so 6la% to hear "o9r vo ce a6a n. .o9r 8ather an% 1 have been 6reatl" worr e% abo9t "o9. 5here are "o9F 5hat happene%F 5h" % %n?t "o9 come home last n 6htFD D-on?t worr"7 !other. 5e were ca96ht n the storm an% we co9l%n?t 6et bac:. 5e?re H9 te sa8e. 5e?re at !r. Gr ce?s place7 %own below Cab n 1slan%.D D5ell7 1?m 6la% to hear that. 5hen are "o9 com n6 homeFD D5e?re com n6 bac: to-%a". 5o9l% "o9 m n% telephon n6 to !rs. !orton an% !rs. HooperF Tell them that Chet an% B 88 are w th 9s an% that the"?re all r 6ht too.D D1?ll %o that7 @oe. @9st a m n9te. .o9r 8ather wants to spea: to "o9.D @oe wa te% a moment. Then he hear% h s 8ather?s vo ce. DHello7 0on. .o9?ve 6 ven 9s a prett" ba% scare.D 9' The Great A rport !"ster" D5e?re sorr"7 -a%7 b9t we 6ot ca96ht n the storm.?? D4et me n on th s7 @oe7D be66e% ,ran:J an% when @oe ha% p9t the telephone n h s brother?s han% the ol%er Har%" bo" cont n9e%: DHello7 -a%E 5orr e% "o9 an% mother7 % % we F 0orr". B9t we?re all r 6ht. 5 ll tell "o9 abo9t t when we 6et bac:.D D5ell7 1?m 6la% "o9?re all r 6ht. 2ow l sten. 1 want "o9 an% @oe to come home at once.?? D09re. 5e are G9st 6o n6 to leave.D DCome bac: to Ba"port at once. 0ometh n6 has happene%.D D5hat?s wron67 -a%FD D 1 ?(( tell "o9 when "o9 reach here. B9t %on?t lose an" t me.D D1s t abo9t the a rport robber"FD as:e% ,ran:. DHow % % "o9 :now there was a robber" at the a rportFD %eman%e% h s 8ather n an anx o9s tone. D5e hear% t th s morn n6 thro96h !r. Gr ce.D D5ell7 t?s connecte% w th the robber"7 b9t t?s a l ttle worse than that. Come r 6ht home7 m n% now.D DAll r 6ht7 -a%. 5e?ll leave r 6ht awa".D ,ran: h9n6 9p the rece ver an% t9rne% to the others. He was p9BBle% >n%er Arrest 99 D1 69ess we can?t han6 aro9n% here th s morn n6. -a% wants 9s bac: r 6ht awa". He seems aw89ll" anx o9s.D DAn"th n6 wron6 at homeFD as:e% @oe H9 c:l". D!other % %n?t sa" so.D D$ver"th n6?s all r 6ht there7 1 69ess. B9t -a% has someth n6 on h s m n%. He sa % he?% expla n t when we 6ot home.D D0h9c:sED 6r9mble% Amos Gr ce. DAn% 1 co9nte% on ta: n? "o9 la%s o9t 8 sh n? th s morn n6.D D1 69ess we?ll have to call t o887 !r. Gr ce. 0ome other t me7 perhaps.D Chet !orton s 6he% an% ate another sl ce o8 bacon. D1 69ess we?ll all catch t when we 6et home. 5as "o9r -a% sore7 ,ran:FD D2o7 he % %n?t seem an6r". 1 can?t ma6 ne what?s wron6. 5ell7 1 69ess

we?ll have to ba l o9t the boat r 6ht a8ter brea:8ast an% start 8or home.?? A8ter the" ha% eaten7 Amos Gr ce helpe% them ba l o9t the motorboat. 1t ha% stoo% the storm well7 n sp te o8 the terr 8 c batter n6 t ha% rece ve%. The ol% store:eeper was % sappo nte% beca9se h s "o9n6 69ests co9l% not rema n w th h m lon6er7 an% when the" than:e% h m heart l" 8or h s : n%ness he wave% the r 6rat t9%e as %e. DA pleas9re7D he tol% them. D1?m alwa"s (00 The Great A rport !"ster" 6la% to see "o9. An" t me "o9?re %own th s wa"7 be s9re an% %rop n.D D5e?ll p c: better weather next t me7 !r. Gr ce7D la96he% Chet. D1n 8a r weather or 8o9l7 "o9?re alwa"s welcome.D The" 6ot nto the boat an% starte% o88. The store:eeper stoo% on the %oc: an% wave% to them as the" %eparte%. Then he t9rne% an% wal:e% slowl" 9p towar% h s store. @oe came 9p an% sat bes %e ,ran:7 who was at the wheel. D5hat %o "o9 th n: has happene%7 ,ran:FD D1 can?t ma6 ne. 1t has someth n6 to %o w th the robber" last n 6ht7 1?m s9re.D DB9t wh" sho9l% %a% want 9s bac: r 6ht awa"FD @oe ns ste%. ,ran: shr966e%. D1t beats me. Perhaps he has some wor: 8or 9s to %o7 help n6 h m trace the th eves.D D!a"be that?s t. 1 s9re hope so.D ,ran: was s lent 8or a wh le. Then he sa %: D1 won%er 8 G les -9cro" an% h s 8r en%s w ll have an al b th s t me.D D1t w ll have to be a m 6ht" 6oo% one. @9st th n: o8 tE Two ma l the8ts n a row. 5hoever % % last n 6ht?s Gob m9st :now the r9n o8 the a rport prett" well.D D5hoever comm tte% the 8 rst robber" :new >n%er Arrest (0( the la" o8 the lan% too. 18 we solve the 8 rst one we?ve solve% them both.D D5eFD sa % @oe. D1 %on?t th n: we?ll have m9ch chance to solve t. Th s s %a%?s case. 1?ll bet t won?t ta:e h m ver" lon6 to clear t 9p7 e ther.D B9t7 w th all the r conGect9res7 the Har%" bo"s ha% no s9sp c on o8 the real reason 8or the r s9mmons bac: to Ba"port. Ha% the" :nown what ha% ca9se% that note o8 9r6enc" an% anx et" n the r 8ather?s vo ce7 the" wo9l% have bee . %9mb8o9n%e%. A st9nn n6 s9rpr se awa te% them. The" passe% Cab n 1slan% an% hea%e% o9t o8 the cove nto the open ba". The water was st ll ro96h 8rom "ester%a"?s storm7 b9t there was l ttle w n%. A8ter a wh le the c t" came n s 6ht 8ar n the % stance7 sh n n6 n the s9nl 6ht7 beneath a pall o8 smo:e 8rom the 8actor" ch mne"s. 1t was a 8ew m n9tes be8ore twelve o?cloc: when the bo"s 8 nall" arr ve% at Ba"port an% ran The 0le9th nto the boatho9se. To the r s9rpr se the" saw that a man was lo9n6 n6 n the %oorwa". He was a b 6 man7 w th a 8at7 stol % 8ace7 an% he was chew n6 at an 9nl 6hte% c 6ar7 h s th9mbs n h s vest poc:ets. DGoo% morn n?7 bo"s7D he r9mble%. The" reco6n Be% h m as -etect ve 0m9887 o8 (0< The Great A rport !"ster" the Ba"port pol ce %epartment7 a worth" 8 9n ntell 6ent o88 cer. ,ran: co9l% not ma6 ne wh" 0m988 sho9l% be n the boatho9se7 apparentl" wa t n6 8or them7 b9t he 6r nne% am abl" at the %etect ve. DHello7 !r. 0m988E 1t s an 9nexpecte% s9rpr se to 8 n% "o9 here.?? 0m988 no%%e% portento9sl". D1t sFD he as:e%.

D4ast person n the worl% we ever tho96ht wo9l% come %own to welcome 9s7D %eclare% Chet. D1 tell "o97 !r. 0m9887 we s9re appre- ate th s. 1t sn?t o8ten we have a recept on comm ttee on the Gob when we come bac: 8rom a l ttle o9t n6.D D5ell7D sa % 0m9887 D1?m on the Gob th s t me.D He t9rne% to the Har%" bo"s. D1?ve been sent %own here to 6 ve "o9 a messa6e as soon as "o9 6ot n7D he n8orme% them. DA messa6eED excla me% @oe. D5ho 8romFD DThe ch e8. He wants to see "o9 %own at hea%H9arters.D The Har%" bo"s stare% at the %etect ve n amaBement. DThe ch e8F 5ants to see 9sFD eGac9late% ,ran:. D.ep.D D5hat abo9tFD %eman%e% @oe. 0m988 loo:e% ver" m"ster o9s. D.o9?ll :now all abo9t t when "o9 6et there7?? he sa %. TTn%er Arrest (0+ D.o9?re 6o n6 to be p nche% 8or sta" n6 o9t all n 6ht7D la96he% Chet. DThat?s a 8 ne th n6 to %o7 0m988-p nch o9r ch9ms the m n9te we 6et bac: to town. A 8 ne recept on comm ttee "o9 areED D1 % %n?t sa" an"bo%" was p nche%7D ret9rne% 0m988 ca9t o9sl". D5ell7D sa % ,ran:7 Dth s s a s9rpr seE 5on?t "o9 tell 9s what t?s all abo9tFD 0m988 shoo: h s hea%. D!" or%ers7D he expla ne%7 Dwas to come %own here an% wa t 8or "o9 an% to tell "o9 to come 9p an% see the ch e8 r 6ht awa".D D5h" not let 9s wa t 9nt l a8ter l9nchF 5e want to 6o home an% eat an% chan6e o9r clothes.D D/r%ers s or%ers7D ns ste% 0m988 8 rml". DThe ch e8 wants to see "o9 r 6ht awa".D DAll r 6ht7D s 6he% @oe. D1 s9ppose we?ll have to 6o. B9t 1 w sh 1 :new what t was all abo9t.D D!e7 too7D reGo ne% h s brother. B 887 who ha% been t" n6 9p the boat7 came 8orwar%. DHe probabl" wants to 8 re 0m9887 here7 an% 6 ve "o9 Gobs on the %etect ve 8orce7D he s966este%7 w th a 6r n. 0m988 6lowere%. D!" Gob s 6oo% 8or a lon6 t me "et7D he observe% pompo9sl". DCome on7D sa % ,ran:. DThere?s no 9se (0= The Great A rport !"ster" stan% n6 here ar69 n6 abo9t t. 5e?ll 6o w th "o97 0m988.D D1 have m" car r 6ht here at the %oor7D sa % the %etect ve. DThat?s serv ce7D ch rpe% Chet. DB 88 an% 1 w ll r9n alon6 home. /9r parents w ll be worr" n6 themselves s c: 8 we %on?t show 9p. 0o lon67 8ellowsE 18 0m988 claps "o9 nto a cell7 we?ll come an% ba l "o9 o9tED Chet an% B 88 hastene% o88 %own the street wh le the Har%" bo"s clambere% nto 0m988 ?a car. The %etect ve we%6e% h msel8 n beh n% the wheel an% the" %rove the 8ew short bloc:s to pol ce hea%H9arters. Here the" were 9shere% nto the pr vate o88 ce o8 Ch e8 Coll 6 h msel87 a 89ss" l ttle man w th a vast sense o8 % 6n t". The ch e8 waa s tt n6 at a h96e %es:7 scann n6 a lar6e n9mber o8 photo6raphs o8 cr m nals7 b9t he stac:e% these to one s %e as -etect ve 0m988 bro96ht the bo"s n. DGoo% %a"7 Ch e87?? sa % ,ran: eas l". ??-etect ve 0m9887 here7 sa % "o9 wante% to see 9s.D D1 % %7D snappe% Ch e8 Coll 6. D5ell7 here we are.D D.o9?re wante%7D sa % Coll 6 br e8l".

D5ante%FD as:e% ,ran:. D5hat %o "o9 mean F?? D.o9?re wante% b" the postal a9thor t ea. 1 have or%ers to place "o9 9n%er arrest.D >n%er Arrest (0; The la%s were so aston she% that the" co9l% scarcel" spea:. >n%er arrestF Th s was the last th n6 e ther ha% expecte%. D5hat 8orFD 6aspe% @oe. D5hat?s the %eaFD D.o9 :now abo9t the a rport robber"7 %on?t "o9FD %eman%e% Ch e8 Coll 6. D.es7 we :now abo9t t. B9t-----D D5ell7 the" sa" "o9 % % t. 1 have or%ers to arrest "o9 both.D CHAPT$# &111 8 c rc9mstant al ev %ence the Har%" bo"s were absol9tel" %9mb8o9n%e%. The char6e o8 the8t seeme% so abs9r% that the" were at 8 rst tempte% to la96h. B9t the" saw that Ch e8 Coll 6 was n %ea%l" earnest. H s 8ace was ser o9s an% h s e"es re6ar%e% them sternl". DThe postal people have ev %ence a6a nst "o9 la%s7D he sa %. DA ma l sac: w th abo9t twent" tho9san% %ollars? worth o8 ma l was stolen. The" too: o9t a warrant a6a nst "o9 th s morn n6.D D5h"7 th s s the craB est th n6 1 ever hear% o8ED %eclare% ,ran: hotl". D>sF ! xe% 9p n that ma l robber"F 5h"7 we weren?t even near Ba"port when t happene%.D DHow %o "o9 :now so m9ch abo9t when t happene%FD as:e% the ch e8 H9 c:l". D5e were awa" %own the ba" all last n 6ht an% we hear% t over the telephone th s morn n6.D DPrett" 6oo% al b 7D sa % the ch e8. DAn% (0) C rc9mstant al $v %ence (0* what t me %o "o9 th n: the robber" occ9rre%FD D4ast n 6ht.D D5ell7 t % %n?t happen last n 6ht. 1t happene% "ester%a" a8ternoon7 earl". An% "o9 bo"s % %n?t leave here n "o9r motorboat 9nt l late n the a8ternoon. The robber" wasn?t % scovere% 9nt l last n 6ht. 5here were "o9 "ester%a" a8ternoonFD D5h"7 we went n o9r roa%ster %own to-D be6an @oe7 b9t a warn n6 : c: 8rom ,ran: s lence% h m. 1t wo9l% not %o to tell Ch e8 Coll 6 that the" ha% been n Beach Grove7 see: n6 cl9es a6a nst -9cro" an% h s 8r en%s n the %eserte% cab n. D5here % % "o9 6o n "o9r roa%sterFD as:e% Ch e8 Coll 6. D5e went 8or a %r ve7D a%m tte% @oe lamel". D5here toFD D5ell7D sa % @oe7 Dwe went %own the 0hore $oa%.D DTo the a rportFD D2o.D The ch e8 p9rse% h s l ps. D.o9 par:e% "o9r car n Beach Grove7D he sa %. D1 have a w tness to prove t. An% 8rom there "o9 wal:e% thro96h the b9sh to the a rport.D D5e % %n?tED snappe% ,ran:. D5here % % "o9 6o7 thenFD D5e G9st too: a wal: thro96h the 6rove.D DCan "o9 prove tFD as:e% the ch e8. (0' The Great A rport !"ster" D.o9?ll have to ta:e o9r wor% 8or t7 that?s all 1 can sa".?? The ch e8 shoo: h s hea%. D1 can?t ta:e "o9r wor% 8or t7D he ret9rne%. DThe ev %ence a6a nst "o9 s too stron6.D

DAre "o9 6o n6 to loc: 9s 9pFD ,ran: as:e%. D.o9?re 9n%er arrest. That?s m" %9t".D D5on?t "o9 let 9s 6o home 8 rstF 5e?% l :e to tal: th s over w th o9r 8ather.D DHe :nows abo9t t7D sa % Coll 6. DB9t we want to see h m7 an"wa". .o9 come w th 9s7 Ch e8. 5e won?t tr" to r9n awa".D The ch e8 cons %ere% th s 8or a moment. D1 69ess there a n?t an" harm n that7D he %ec %e% 8 nall". He 6ot 9p7 p9t on h s 9n 8orm cap7 an% le% the wa" o9t o8 the o88 ce. A %epartment a9tomob le was wa t n6 at the c9rb an% Ch e8 Coll 6 or%ere% the cha988e9r to %r ve to the Har%" home on H 6h 0treet. D5hat ma:es "o9 th n: we?re m xe% 9p n th s b9s nessFD @oe nH9 re%. D1s t G9st beca9se we were o9t on the 0hore #oa% "ester%a"FD The ch e8 shoo: h s hea%. D5e % %n?t :now that 9nt l later7D he sa %. DA8ter we be6an chec: n6 9p on "o9 two la%s we 8o9n% that "o9 ha% been on the 0hore #oa%.D ,ran: was s9rpr se%. D5hat ma%e "o9 chec: 9p on 9sF 5h" C rc9mstant al $v %ence (09 sho9l% "o9 s9spect 9sE 5e have never been n tro9ble be8ore.D ??1 :now that7?? ret9rne% Ch e8 Coll 6. ??.o9 wo9l% never have been s9specte% ha%n?t t been 8or the cl9es.D DCl9esFD DThere were cl9es 8o9n% a8ter the robber". 1 th n: "o9?ll have a har% t me expla n n6 them.D Be"on% that7 Ch e8 Coll 6 wo9l% vol9nteer no 89rther n8ormat on. The bo"s were p9BBle% an% apprehens ve. The ch e8?s m"ster o9s re8erence to cl9es ma%e the r pos t on seem more ser o9s than the" ha% at 8 rst ma6 ne%. Consc o9s tho96h the" were o8 the r own nnocence7 the" real Be% that the r v s t to Beach Grove ma%e t almost mposs ble 8or them to prove an al b an% the" rea% l" saw that the" m 6ht 8 n% themselves n a ba% pl 6ht. At the Har%" home the" 8o9n% ,enton Har%" awa t n6 them. !rs. Har%" seeme% anx o9s an% 8r 6htene%7 part c9larl" when she saw Ch e8 Coll 67 b9t her h9sban% mana6e% to alla" her 8ears. D1t?s all a ba% m sta:e7 4a9ra7D he ass9re% her. DThe bo"s have %one noth n6 wron6. 5e?ll 6o nto the matter thoro96hl" an% see where the tro9ble l es.D He 9shere% Ch e8 Coll 6 an% h s sons nto the st9%"7 then close% the %oor. ?((0 The GPreat A rport !"ster" D5ell7 Ch e87D sa % the 6reat %etect ve eas l"7 Dth s seems to be a ba% m x-9p. 1 % %n?t meet the bo"s when the" arr ve% th s morn n6 beca9se 1 :new "o9 wante% to have a tal: w th them an% 1 % %n?t w sh to nter8ere. How %o th n6s stan% nowFD DThe"?re 9n%er arrest7D ret9rne% Coll 6. DThe" wante% me to br n6 them home so the" co9l% see "o97 an% 1 consente%.D D>n%er arrest7 are the"F 5ell7 that?s ba%. 1 tho96ht the" wo9l% be able to prove an al b .?? DThe" can?t7D sa % the ch e8. D1t sn?t m" %o n67 !r. Har%". The post o88 ce people too: o9t th s warrant an% 8 1 % %n?t arrest them7 somebo%" else wo9l%.D D1 H9 te 9n%erstan% that7 Ch e8.D !r. Har%" t9rne% to h s sons. D5ell7 bo"s7 th s loo:s prett" ba%. 5hat have "o9 to sa"FD D1t?s a b 6 s9rpr se to 9s7 -a%7D sa % ,ran:. DThe 8 rst we hear% o8 the robber" was over the telephone th s morn n6. 5e %on?t :now an"th n6

more abo9t t than that. 1 th n: "o9 :now well eno96h that we ?re nnocent.?? !r. Har%" no%%e%. D1?m H9 te s9re o8 that. The 8act s7 however7 that there s some %ama6 n6 ev %ence a6a nst "o9. 1t w ll have to be expla ne%. 5hen were "o9 at the a rport last F?? D5e?ve never been at the a rport7 -a%.D D.o9?ve never been there at an" t meFD D2o7D sa % ,ran:. D5e starte% o9t to v s t C rc9mstant al $v %ence ((( the a rport one %a"7 b9t that was the t me G les -9cro"?s plane crashe% when we were st ll some % stance awa". 5e t9rne% hac: an% ret9rne% to town.D D5here were "o9 "ester%a" a8ternoonFD D5e too: the car an% went 8or a %r ve o9t the 0hore #oa%7 to Beach Grove.D D- % an"one see "o9F Can an"one prove tFD nH9 re% !r. Har%"7 ea6erl". ,ran: shoo: h s hea%. D2o one saw 9s7 so 8ar as 1 :now. .o9?ll G9st have to ta:e o9r wor% 8or t.D DThat?s H9 te eno96h 8or me7D a%m tte% !r. Har%". DB9t the pol ce reH9 re someth n6 more s9bstant al than that.D D5hat?s all th s abo9t cl9esFD %eman%e% @oe. DCh e8 Coll 6 sa"s the" 8o9n% some cl9ea at the a rport that seeme% to connect 9s w th the robber". 5hat were the"FD D5e 8o9n% a sweater7 8or one th n67D %eclare% Ch e8 Coll 6. D1t was a bl9e sweater7 w th wh te tr mm n6s.D D1 ha% a bl9e sweater w th wh te tr m- 9 n6s7D sa % ,ran: promptl". D5here s t nowFD as:e% the ch e8. D1 lost t.D Ch e8 Coll 6 no%%e% 6r ml". D.o9 lost t at the a rport. That?s where t was 8o9n%.D D!" sweaterF ,o9n% at the a rportFD excla me% ,ran:7 %9mb8o9n%e%. J. ((< The Great A rport !"ster" DThere are plent" o8 bl9e sweaters l :e ,ran:?s7D sco88e% @oe. DHow %o "o9 :now t was h sFD DBeca9se7D ret9rne% the ch e87 Dh s name was n t. 1t was on a ta6 ns %e the collar.D ,ran: was s lent 8or a moment. He real Be% how %ama6 n6 the % scover" o8 the sweater m 6ht be. D1 % % have a ta6 w th m" name on t7 st tche% ns %e the collar o8 m" sweater7D he a%m tte%. D1 69ess t m9st be m ne7 all r 6ht. B9t 1 % %n?t leave t there. 1 lost the sweater more than a wee: a6o. 1 le8t t o9t n the barn one n 6ht an% 1 haven?t seen t s nce.D D5ell7D sa % Ch e8 Coll 67 Dthe sweater has been 8o9n%. 1t was l" n6 n the a rport7 n a place where "o9-where the th eves la" n h % n6 9nt l the ma l ba6s were le8t 9n69ar%e%.D DAn"one co9l% have p9t the sweater there7D %eclare% !r. Har%". DThe person who too: ,ran:?s sweater 8rom the barn co9l% have %one that.D D5e have more ev %ence than that7D ns ste% the ch e8. He t9rne% to @oe. D4et me see the soles o8 "o9r shoesFD !"st 8 e%7 @oe elevate% h s 8eet. The ch e8 loo:e% at the soles7 then re8erre% to a paper wh ch he remove% 8rom h s poc:et. D.o9?ll 8 n% t har% to expla n that7D he sa %7 an% place% the paper on ,enton Har%"?s %es:. C rc9mstant al $v %ence ((+ @oe?s shoes ha% been bo96ht at an excl9s ve sport n6 6oo%s store n Ba"port G9st a 8ew %a"s prev o9sl". The" were new7 an% o8 an or 6 nal %es 6n7 the r9bber soles were stampe% n a pec9l ar manner. Probabl" no

more than a 8ew pa rs ha% been sol% s nce the sh pment arr ve%. The paper wh ch Ch e8 Coll 6 pro%9ce% ha% a penc le% %raw n6 wh ch correspon%e% to the stampe% %es 6n on the soles o8 @oe?s shoes. DThat %raw n67D expla ne% the ch e87 Dwas ma%e 8rom the 8ootpr nts 8o9n% at the scene o8 the robber". 5hat s Be o8 shoe %o "o9 wearED D0 Be s x7D ret9rne% @oe. DThese 8ootpr nts were ma%e b" a s Be s x shoe. 1 went to the shoe %ealers n town an% 1 8o9n% that onl" one merchant han%les shoes o8 that t"pe. He sa"s the" are a new : n% o8 shoe an% that he has sol% onl" one pa r o8 s xes s nce the" arr ve%. An% he sol% that pa r to "o9. How %o "o9 expla n thatFD D1 % %n?t leave the 8ootpr nts there7D ns ste% @oe %o66e%l". D0omeone else m9st have a pa r o8 those shoes7 same s Be as m ne.D D.o9 are wear n6 the onl" pa r o8 those shoes ever sol% n Ba"port7D %eclare% Ch e8 Coll 6. DThe 8ootpr nts were 8o9n% at the a rport n the m9%. An% there?s someth n6 else.D He too: an obGect 8rom h s poc:et an% hel% t o9t n the palm o8 h s han%. D-o "o9 reco6n Be thatFD ((= The Great A rport !"ster" D!" :n 8eED excla me% ,ran:. D.o9 a%m t t7 ehFD The ch e8 6r9nte% w th sat s8act on. D.o9 see the n t als on t. @. H. to ,. H.FD D@oe 6ave t to me 8or Chr stmas7 an% he ha% the n t als en6rave% on t.D D1 s9ppose7D sneere% the ch e87 D"o9 lost the :n 8e at the same t me "o9 lost "o9r sweaterFD DTo tell the tr9th7 1 % %.D ,enton Har%" was pale an% % stresse%. DTh s loo:s ver" ba%7D he sa % to h s sons.. DHave "o9 an" %ea how the sweater an% the :n 8e came to be there7 ,ran:FD D2one at all7 -a%7 9nless the person who stole them 8rom me le8t them at the a rport.D ?? An% "o97 @oe F How abo9t the 8ootpr nts F?? DAll 1 can sa" s that somebo%" else m9st have a pa r o8 shoes l :e m ne. 2e ther ,ran: nor 1 ever went near the a rport.D D1 th n:7D sa % ,enton Har%"7 D t wo9l%n?t be a ba% %ea 8 we went o9t to the a rport now. 5e?ll have to loo: over the 6ro9n%.D CHAPT$# &1A hel% 8ob tr al ch e8 collG6 accompan e% ,enton Har%" an% the two bo"s o9t to the a rport7 ta: n6 them there n h s own car. The roa% enter n6 the 6ro9n%s was 9n%er 69ar%7 an% the b 6 han6ars were closel" watche%7 the a9thor t es ev %entl" ta: n6 no chances on a repet t on o8 the robber". However7 Ch e8 Coll 6 was rea% l" a%m tte% an% the part" procee%e% to a han6ar where a newspaper photo6rapher was b9s" ta: n6 p ct9res. D1?% l :e to see those 8ootpr nts7 Ch e87 8 "o9 %on?t m n%7D sa % !r. Har%". DThe" haven?t been to9che%7D sa % Ch e8 Coll 6. D1 6ave str ct or%ers the" weren?t to be % st9rbe%.D Close b" the han6ar wall a 8ew boar%s covere% the 6ro9n%. The ch e8 ra se% them7 an% n the 6ro9n% beneath the" co9l% see the clear mpr nt o8 a 8oot. The mar:s o8 the r9bber( sole were %ent cal w th those ma%e b" @oe?s shoes. ((; (() The Great A rport !"ster" D4et?s see how "o9r 8oot 8 ts that7D s966este% the ch e87 t9rn n6 to @oe. 5 tho9t hes tat on7 @oe steppe% 8orwar%. He place% h s r 6ht 8oot n

the pr nt. 1t 8 tte% exactl". 5hen he remove% h s 8oot there ha% been not the sl 6htest chan6e n the or 6 nal pr nt n the 6ro9n%. D.et "o9 sa % "o9 were never here be8oreED excla me% the ch e8. D1 st ll sa" t7D @oe ns ste%. DThen how %o "o9 acco9nt 8or that 8ootpr ntF 0ame s Be7 same mar:s7 same ever"th n6.D D0omebo%" m9st have ha% a shoe G9st l :e m ne. That?s all 1 can sa".D The ch e8 sn 88e% %9b o9sl". Then ,enton Har%"7 who ha% been exam n n6 the 8ootpr nt7 ma%e a s966est on. D@oe7D he sa %7 D1 want "o9 to stan% n the earth r 6ht bes %e that other 8ootpr nt. @9st val: across there7 stan% 8or a moment7 an% ove awa".D 5on%er n67 @oe obe"e%. 5hen he ha% %one as h s 8ather as:e%7 there were several new 8ootpr nts n the so8t earth. !r. Har%" loo:e% at them closel". D5hat %o "o9 th n: o8 that7 Ch e8FD he as:e%. Ch e8 Coll 6 loo:e% %own at the 8ootpr nts. Hel% 8or Tr al ((* D2ot m9ch % 88erence7 so 8ar as 1 can see7D he 6r9nte%. D2ot m9ch. B9t there s a % 88erence7 sn?t thereFD DThe 8ootpr nts @oe G9st ma%e %on?t seem as heav" as the other one7D a%m tte% the ch e8. DThe" certa nl" aren?t. .o9 can see how l 6ht the mpress ons are n the earth. That 8 rst 8ootpr nt s presse% %own H9 te heav l". .o9 co9l%n?t help b9t see t7 an% 1 th n: t was meant to be seen. @oe?s nat9ral 8ootpr nts7 on the other han%7 are scarcel" v s ble.D D5hat o8 tFD %eman%e% the ch e8. D1 mean7D sa % ,enton Har%"7 Dthat the 8ootpr nt "o9 8o9n% here s not @oe?s nat9ral 8ootpr nt at all. 1t?s all ver" well to sa" that the s Be an% the sole mar: n6s are %ent cal7 b9t there s more to a 8ootpr nt than that. The 8 rst 8ootpr nt was ma%e b" a ver" heav" person7 as "o9 can see b" compar n6 t w th the 8ootpr nts @oe ma%e G9st now.D He t9rne% to h s son. DHow m9ch %o "o9 we 6h7 @oeFD D/ne h9n%re% an% twent"-8 ve po9n%s7D @oe answere% promptl". DThat?s not ver" heav". B9t that 8 rst 8ootpr nt was certa nl" ma%e b" a person we 6h n6 cons %erabl" more than that. The earth here s no har%er now than t was at the t me o8 the robber"7 beca9se t has been covere% over b" ((' The Great A rport !"ster" the boar%s7 so 1 th n: the test proves tsel8. Then7 to 6o 89rther7 wasn?t there another 8ootpr nt7 Ch e8F .o9 have shown 9s onl" one7 the concl9s on be n6 that the th e8 was a one-le66e% man.D DThere?s another 8ootpr nt7?? %eclare% Coll 6. DHere t s.D He po nte% to an mpress on n the earth a short % stance awa". ,enton Har%" too: a small 8ol% n6 meas9r n6 r9le 8rom h s poc:et an% meas9re% the % stance between the two or 6 nal pr nts. Then he meas9re% @oe?s 8ootpr nts. ??!ore proo87?? he sa % 8 nall". ?? The % stance between these 8 rst two pr nts s a 6oo% seven nches more than the % stance between @oe?s act9al 8ootpr nts. That proves that the man who wore those shoes was a 6oo% %eal taller than @oe7 w th a lon6er str %e. 1t also proves that when he ma%e that heav" pr nt n the m9% he was not s mpl" stan% n6 st ll7 wh ch m 6ht have ca9se% the pr nt to be heav er b" reason ?o8 h s we 6ht. /therw se h s 8eet wo9l% have been close to6ether. He was wal: n67 G9st as @oe was wal: n6 a moment a6o.D Ch e8 Coll 6 was p9BBle%. ,enton Har%"?s %e%9ct ons came as a r9%e shoc:7 8or the ch e8 ha% alrea%" ma%e 9p h s m n% that the Har%" bo"s

were 69 lt" an% the ev %ence ha% seeme% concl9s ve to h m. He was not a man who a%Hel% 8or Tr al ((9 m tte% a m sta:e rea% l" an% l e cl9n6 obst natel" to h s or 6 nal bel e8. D1 %on?t care how "o9 8 69re t o9t7D he sa % ro96hl". D.o9r bo"s can?t expla n how that sweater an% the :n 8e 6ot here. An% the" can?t prove an al b . 1?m not 6o n6 to let them 6o 69st beca9se one 8ootpr nt s a l ttle b t heav er than the other.D D.o9 mean we?re st ll 9n%er arrestFD as:e% ,ran: anx o9sl". The ch e8 no%%e%. D.o9?re 9n%er arrest7D he sa %. D5e?% better be start n6 bac: to the c t".D ,enton Har%" patte% ,ran:?s sho9l%er. D2ever m n%7 0on7D he sa %. D1?m a8ra % 1 can?t conv nce Ch e8 Coll 6 G9st now7 b9t at an" rate 1?m s9re o8 "o9r nnocence. An% we?ll prove t "et.D There was noth n6 more the %etect ve co9l% %o. The" le8t the a rport an% 6ot bac: nto the ch e8?s car. Gloom l"7 the" %rove bac: to the c t". That a8ternoon7 ,ran: an% @oe Har%" were arra 6ne% be8ore a ma6 strate an%7 a8ter the ev %ence ha% been presente%7 the" were hel% 8or tr al on the ser o9s char6e o8 robb n6 the a r ma l. DHel% 8or the robber"ED cr e% @oe7 a6hast. D1t?s the most r % c9lo9s th n6 1 ever hear% (<0 The Great A rport !"ster" o87D %eclare% h s brother. D5hat wo9l% we rob the ma l 8orFD DGee7 ,ran:7 th s w ll 6 ve 9s a blac: e"e all r 6ht.D D-on?t 1 :now tF B9t 1 %on?t th n: o9r real 8r en%s w ll bel eve a wor% o8 t.D D@9st wa t t ll the newspapers come o9t. The" won?t %o a th n6 b9t sp ll t all over the 8ront pa6eED DThat?s the worst o8 t. 1t w ll ma:e mother 8eel prett" ba%.D D.es7 an% when A9nt Gertr9%e hears o8 t she?ll sa" ?1 tol% "o9 so.? D D1t?s a blame% shame7 that?s what t s. 1?% l :e to 6et bac: at the Ch e8 8or th s.D D0o wo9l% 1.D Th s %evelopment ca9se% a sensat on n Ba"-port. 5hen the a8ternoon papers came o9t w th hea%l nes7 D2ote% -etect ve?s 0ons Hel% ,or A r !a l The8t7D 8r en%s o8 the bo"s an% o8 ,enton Har%" co9l% scarcel" bel eve the news. /n ever" han% people sa %7?? There m9st be some m sta:e. The Har%" bo"s wo9l% never %o a th n6 l :e that.D 0cr.rcel" an"one o9ts %e the pol ce %epartment co9l% be 8o9n% who act9all" bel eve% the la%s were 69 lt". 2evertheless7 th s % % not ma:e the s t9at on an" eas er 8or ,ran: an% @oe Har%". The" were n Ga l7 an% the prospect o8 release Hel% 8or Tr al (<( seeme% remote7 beca9se ba l ha% been set n the heav" s9m o8 8 8t" tho9san% %ollars. ,enton Har%" was not at all r ch7 an% altho96h he wo9l% have place% h s ent re 8ort9ne at the % sposal o8 h s sons7 he was 8 n% n6 t % 88 c9lt7 8 not mposs ble7 to ra se the b 6 s9m reH9 re% 8or ba l. He calle% on the bo"s late that a8ternoon an% v s te% them n the r cell7 r9e89ll" con8ess n6 that he ha% been 9nable to ra se the mone". D1?m sorr"7 bo"s7D he sa %. D1 hate to set. "o9 sta" here n Ga l7 part c9larl" when 1?m s9re "o9?re nnocent. B9t "o9 won?t be here lon6. 1?ll %o m" best to borrow the mone" tomorrow. ?? D-on?t worr" abo9t 9s7 -a%7D 9r6e% ,ran:. D, 8t" tho9san% %ollars s a

lot o8 mone".D D! 6ht" sl m ev %ence the"?re hol% n6 9s on7D compla ne% @oe. D18 the" wo9l% onl" br n6 9s to tr al r 6ht awa"7 we?% be acH9 tte% s9re.D @9st then the" hear% a % st9rbance n the corr %or. Two men were ar69 n6 w th one o8 the 69ar%s. DB9t 1 tell "o97 we m9st see them r 6ht awa"ED %eman%e% a 8am l ar vo ce. D1t?s an o9tra6eE A scan%alED D.o9?ve 6ot to have a perm t 8rom the ch e87D expost9late% the 69ar%. (<< The Great A rport !"ster" DPerm tE BahE Here?s "o9r perm tE 2ow can we 6et pastFD D39r% Apple6ateED excla me% ,ran:7 n aston shment. Two el%erl" men came hasten n6 %own the corr %or towar% the cell7 a 69ar% 8ollow n6 close beh n%. /ne o8 them was n%ee% H9r% Apple-6ate7 the wealth" an% eccentr c man whose 8am l" treas9re ha% been recovere% b" the Har%" bo"s7 as relate% n the 8 rst vol9me o8 th s ser esJ DThe Tower Treas9re.D The other man was none other than $lro" @e88erson7 the owner o8 Cab n 1slan%. DTh s7D %eclare% $lro" @e88erson7 stan% n6 n 8ront o8 the cell an% bran% sh n6 a newspaper7 D s a shameE 2oth n6 less than a shameED DA scan%alED 89me% H9r% Apple6ate. DA shame an% a scan%alED D.o9?re r 6ht7 $lro"ED %eclare% !r. Apple-6ate. D1t s a shame an% a scan%al. 1 never hear% o8 an"th n6 so % s6race89l. The Har%" bo"s n Ga lE 1mposs bleE An% ba l set at 8 8t" tho9san% %ollarsE An o9tra6eED D1% ot cED ra6e% !r. @e88erson. He bowe% to !r. Har%". DHow %o "o9 %o7 !r. Har%". !r. Apple6ate an% 1 were G9st tal: n6 abo9t o9r stamp collect ons when the bo" came w th the a8ternoon paper. 5e rea% t. 5e saw the Hel% 8or Tr al (<+ %ea%l nes. ?Har%" Bo"s n @a l.? An% at once 1 sa %: ?Th s s an o9tra6eE? D ??.o9 % %7 $lro"7D a88 rme% H9r% Apple6ate. ?An% 1 sa %: ?Th s s a scan%al.?D D.es7 H9r%7 "o9 sa % t was a scan%al. An% t s a scan%al. 0o we p9t on o9r hats an% came %own here mme% atel".D D1t?s m 6ht" 6oo% o8 "o9 to v s t 9s. .o9 are-D be6an ,ran:7 when $lro" @e88erson n-ter9pte% h m mpat entl". DGoo% o8 9s to v s t "o9ED he storme%. ??-o "o9 th n: we came %own here G9st to v s t "o9E -o "o9 th n: we?re 6o n6 to let the Har%" bo"s sta" n Ga lF Are we 6o n6 to let them sta" n Ga l7 H9r%FD D5e are notED sa % !r. Apple6ate 8 rml". $lro" @e88erson %rew two sl ps o8 paper 8rom to s poc:et. D5hen we rea% n the paper that ba l ha% been set n the o9tra6eo9s amo9nt o8 8 8t" tho9san% %ollars7 what % % 1 %o7 H9r%FD D.o9 wrote a chec:7D sa % !r. Apple6ate. D1 wrote a chec:. ,or twent"-8 ve tho9san% %ollars. An% what % % "o9 %o7 H9r%FD D1 wrote one too. 1 ns ste% on t.D D.o9 ns ste% on t. .o9 wo9l%n?t let me 6o ba l 8or the bo"s m"sel8. The sent ment %oes "o9 cre% t7 H9r%7 b9t 1 wo9l% 6la%l" have 6one ba l 8or the 89ll amo9nt.D (<= The Great A rport !"ster" ,ran: an% @oe spran6 to the r 8eet. D5e can?t let "o9 %o thatED excla me% ,ran:. DThat s aw89ll" 6oo% o8 "o9------D DGoo% o8 9sED snorte% !r. @e88erson. D-o "o9 hear that7 H9r%F The" sa" t?s 6oo% o8 9s. A8ter what the"?ve %one 8or 9sED

D1t?s a pleas9re7D %eclare% H9r% Apple6ate. DAn% now7D concl9%e% !r. @e88erson 6ran%l"7 ?? 8 "o9 w ll come w th 9s we ?(( 6o 9psta rs an% t9rn over these chec:s as ba l. The %eaE The Har%" bo"s n Ga lE !ost senseless th n6 1 ever hear% o8E 5h" % %n?t "o9 call me 9p on the telephoneE 1 wo9l% have been %own here ns %e 8 ve m n9tes.D D!e too7D ch me% n H9r% Apple6ate. D1 wo9l% have ma%e t n three m n9tes7 beca9se 1 l ve closer.D ??Come alon67?? sa % $lro" @e88erson. ?? 4et ?a all 6et o9t o8 here.D The two ol% 6entlemen7 89m n67 le% the wa" %own the corr %or7 $lro" @e88erson wav n6 the two chec:s that were to 6a n the Har%" bo"s the r release. CHAPT$# &A on the tba l op oll e Gacobs than:s to the 6eneros t" o8 $lro" @e88erson an% H9r% Apple6ate7 the Har%" bo"s were H9 c:l" release% on ba l. The two ol% stamp collectors sco88e% when the la%s so96ht to than: them. D5e?re not 6 v n6 awa" 8 8t" tho9san% %ollars7D %eclare% H9r% Apple6ate. D5e :now "o9 won?t r9n awa". An% we :now that when "o9r case comes to tr al "o9?ll be able to prove "o9r nnocence. 0o wh" sho9l% we let "o9 sta" n Ga l when "o9 %on?t %eserve tFD D$spec all" a8ter what "o9 % % 8or 9s n the past7D sa % !r. @e88erson. D5e?re 6la% we can ret9rn the 8avor.D That n 6ht7 at home7 the bo"s % sc9sse% the case w th the r 8ather. /w n6 to the arrest o8 h s sons7 ,enton Har%" ha% been tol% b" the a9thor t es that h s serv ces n the a rport m"ster" wo9l% no lon6er be reH9 re%. Th s was a b tter blow7 altho96h he real Be% that the o88 c als were G9st 8 e% n the r act on. B9t he (<; (<) The Great A rport !"ster" resolve% to cont n9e the nvest 6at on on h s own acco9nt. D1?ll %o all 1 can to clear "o97D he prom se%. DAn% "o9 m9st %o all "o9 can to clear "o9rselves. As t stan%s7 the" haven?t a ver" stron6 case a6a nst "o97 b9t t?s stron6 eno96h to be 9npleasant. /9r b 6 chance l es n capt9r n6 the real robbers.D D1?m s9re that ev %ence was plante% b" G les -9cro"7D %eclare% ,ran:. D@9st wa t 9nt l 1 6et m" han%s on that s:9n:ED a%%e% @oe. D1?m a8ra % "o9 won?t la" "o9r han%s on h re ver" eas l"7D sa % the r 8ather. D1 wante% to have a 8ew wor%s w th h m m"sel87 b9t he seems to have % sappeare%.D D- sappeare%ED excla me% ,ran:7 n s9rpr se. !r. Har%" no%%e% assent. DHe hasn?t been seen aro9n% Ba"port 8or several %a"s.D DHow abo9t 2ewt P pps an% /ll e @acobsFD as:e% ,ran:. DAre the" st ll n townFD ,enton Har%" seeme% somewhat s9rpr se% at ment on o8 these two names. D1s that who -9cro" has been han6 n6 aro9n% w thFD he as:e%. DA ba% 6an6E 2o7 now that "o9 ment on t7 P pps an% @acobs have cleare% o9t too. The" haven?t been seen n Ba"port 8or more than a wee:.D DThat loo:s ba%7D sa % @oe. D18 the" /n the Tra l o8 /ll e @acobs (<* weren?t 9p to someth n6 H9eer the" wo9l%n?t have cleare% o9t.D D1?ll tell "o9 where "o9 ma" be able to 8 n% that pa r7D sa % !r. Har%". D-o "o9 :now the $aven 3oa%ho9se o9t on the Cla"more #oa%FD D1?ve hear% o8 the place7D a%m tte% ,ran:. D1t?s s9ppose% to be a m 6ht" to96h han6o9t7 sn?t tFD DBa% eno96h. 5ell7 1?ve been chec: n6 9p on /ll e @acobs an% 2ewt P pps an% 1?ve learne% that the" ma:e that place the r hea%H9arters. 18 "o9

ma:e nH9 r es there "o9 ma" be able to 8 n% someth n6 abo9t them.D D5e?ll ma:e the nH9 r es7 all r 6htED %eclare% ,ran:. D1?m s9re the" :now someth n6 abo9t th s b9s ness. 5hat %o "o9 sa"7 @oeF 4et?s 6o o9t there r 6ht now an% see what we can learn.D D1?m w th "o9.D DBetter be care89l7D a%v se% ,enton Har%". DTh s roa%ho9se s a to96h place an% @acobs an% P pps w ll l :el" have some 8r en%s there7 so %on?t 6 ve "o9rselves awa".D D5e?ll watch o9r step7D prom se% ,ran:. D-on?t worr". 5e?ve 6ot to clear 9p those ma l robber es to clear o9rselves7 an% 1 th n: the H9 c:est wa" to 6o abo9t t s to 8ollow 9p the -9cro" 6an6. 18 the"?re not m xe% 9p n t 8rom the start 1?m a m 6ht" ba% 69esser.D (<' The Great A rport !"ster" The Har%" bo"s lost no t me prepar n6 8or the r Go9rne" o9t to the $aven #oa%ho9se7 wh ch was locate% some 8 ve m les 8rom Ba"-port. 5 th n hal8 an ho9r the" ha% sa % 6oo%b"e to the r parents an% ha% clambere% nto the r roa%ster. The" %rove %own H 6h 0treet7 on thro96h the b9s ness sect on o8 Ba"port7 an% o9t to the h 6hwa". ,ran: was at the wheel. D1t was certa nl" m 6ht" wh te o8 !r. @e88erson an% !r. Apple6ate to 6o ba l 8or 9s7D he sa %. DThe"?re real 8r en%s7D @oe a6ree%. DThe least we can %o now s to clear 9p th s b9s ness an% show them that the r con8 %ence n 9s wasn?t m splace%.D D5e?ll %o the best we can7 altho96h t %oesn?t loo: ver" eas" r 6ht now. That 6an6 % %n?t m ss an" bets n plant n6 the ev %ence a6a nst 9s.D DAll the more reason wh" we sho9l% 6et them7 an% 6et them r 6ht. A8ter what we hear% n the cab n7 1 %on?t th n: there?s m9ch %o9bt that -9cro" an% h s crow% ha% someth n6 to %o w th the robber es.D D5ell7D sa % ,ran:7 Dwe?ll 6o eas"7 an% w th an" l9c: we o96ht to 6et some cl9es that we can 8ollow 9p.D The" tho96ht the" wo9l% 6et to the roa%-ho9se H9 c:l"7 b9t a H9arter o8 a m le on came /n the Tra l o8 /ll e @acobs (<9 to a %eto9r s 6n. The roa% ahea% was close% 8or repa r. D@9st o9r l9c:7D 6r9mble% ,ran:. D1 :now th s roa% was open "ester%a".D D5e?ve 6ot to 6o aro9n% the ol% #9n%le 8arm7D answere% h s "o9n6er brother. DThat?s a % rt roa%7 too7 all the wa".D DHope t sn?t m9%%". 1t 9se% to have some prett" ba% m9% holes n t when t ra ne%.D ,ort9natel" 8or the Har%" bo"s7 the %eto9r roa% prove% %r". The worst o8 the holes ha% been 8 lle% w th crac:e% stone7 so the" 6ot thro96h w tho9t m9ch % 88 c9lt". 1n %9e t me the Har%" bo"s approache% the #aven #oa%ho9se. 1t was a lon67 rambl n6 b9 l% n67 set bac: some % stance 8rom the roa% an% approache% b" a w n% n6 %r vewa". D1 69ess the best plan s s mpl" to 6o n an% as: abo9t them7D sa % ,ran:. He %rove 9p to the 8ront o8 the roa%ho9se. There were no 69ests present at th s ho9r o8 the %a". A 8at man was lo9n6 n6 n%olentl" a6a nst a veran%a p llar. The bo"s 6ot o9t o8 the car. ??Too earl"7?? 6r9nte% the 8at man. ??The 89n %oesn?t start here 9nt l a8ter %ar:.D D5e?re not 69ests7D ret9rne% ,ran:. D5e?re loo: n6 8or somebo%".D A 69ar%e% express on crosse% the 8at man?s 8ace.

??(+0 The Great A rport !"ster" D5hoFD he as:e% abr9ptl". ,ran: loo:e% at @oe. ?? 1 %on?t :now whether we sho9l% tell h m or not.D @oe7 ta: n6 h s c9e7 loo:e% %9b o9s. D5e weren?t s9ppose% to tell. 0t ll7 t m 6htn?t %o an" harm.D ,ran: loo:e% aro9n% m"ster o9sl". Then he lowere% h s vo ce: DHave "o9 seen 2ewt or /ll e aro9n% latel"FD The 8at man re6ar%e% h m shrew%l". D5h" %o "o9 want to :nowFD D5e have a messa6e 8or h m.D D5ho 8romFD ,ran: shr966e%. D5h" sho9l% we tell "o9FD The 8at man was s lent. Then he sa %: D1s t 8rom 0amFD D!a"be. 1?m not tal: n6.D The 8at man seeme% mpresse%. D5ell7 "o9 :now how to :eep "o9r mo9th sh9t an"wa"7D he sa %. DAn% that?s more than lots o8 people :now. 1 69ess "o9?re re69lar7 all r 6ht. 5ell7 1 can p9t "o9 n to9ch w th /ll e @acobs.D DHow abo9t 2ewtFD DHe?s not here. 1 %on?t :now where he s r 6ht now.?? D5here s /ll e7 thenFD D-own the roa%. .o9 :now where Green8 el% v lla6e s7 ehFD >n the Tra l o8 /ll e @acobs (+( ,ran: no%%e%. DAbo9t two m les 8arther %own the roa%.D D5ell7 that?s where "o9?ll 8 n% /ll e. He?s at the hotel. The cler: w ll 8 n% h m 8or "o9.D DThan:s. 5e?ll 6o on to Green8 el%7 then.D D18 "o9?% l :e to wa t here7D s966este% the 8at man7 D/ll e sho9l% be bac: n an ho9r or so.D The Har%" bo"s ha% no %es re to wa t. The" were on the tra l o8 the el9s ve /ll e @acobs an% t % % not s9 t the r p9rpose to meet h m 8ace to 8ace at the $aven $oa%ho9se. The" than:e% the 8at man7 6ot bac: nto the car an% %rove awa". 5 th n a 8ew m n9tes the" reache% Green8 el%. 1t was a mea6re l ttle v lla6e w th a 8ew >nprospero9s-loo: n6 stores an% a ramshac:le hotel. D5e?ll have to 6o eas" here7D sa % ,ran:. D1t won?t %o to have /ll e @acobs see 9s.D D5hat sho9l% we %oF 5a t o9t n 8ront o8 the hotelFD DHe wo9l% probabl" see 9s 8 rst. 2o7 1 th n: t wo9l% be better to 6o ns %e an% ta:e a loo: aro9n%. /nce we locate h m we can :eep o9t o8 s 6ht an% then 8ollow h m later.D The" par:e% the roa%ster n 8ront o8 the hotel an% went ns %e. The Cler:7 a see%" l ttle man w th sh 8t" e"es7 re6ar%e% them w th s9sp c on. B" wa" o8 expla n n6 the r presence. (+< The Great A rport !"ster" the Har%" bo"s bo96ht some newspapers an% a 8ew chocolate bars7 then sat %own n the lo9n6 n6 cha rs n the ma n o88 ce. D5e?ll G9st s t t 6ht 8or a wh le7D wh spere% ,ran:. D18 /ll e @acobs s n the hotel7 he?ll probabl" pass thro96h here on h s wa" o9t.D The wor%s were no sooner o9t o8 h s mo9th than @oe 6ave h s brother a sharp n9%6e an% hast l" be6an to 9n8ol% one o8 the newspapers. ,ran: 6lance% 9p. Com n6 %own the sta rs was /ll e @acobs. The man % % not see the bo"s7 or at least % % not reco6n Be them7 8or ,ran: H9 c:l" lowere% h s hea%7 then he7 too7 sprea% o9t a newspaper so that t conceale% h m 8rom v ew. Th9s7 to the man %escen% n6 the

sta rwa"7 the two la%s appeare% ntent on the papers7 an% the r 8aces were completel" h %%en. Another man was com n6 %own the sta rs a 8ew steps beh n% /ll e @acobs. 5hen the pa r reache% the o88 ce7 nstea% o8 6o n6 towar% the %oor7 the" sa9ntere% over an% sat %own a 8ew 8eet 8rom the Har%" bo"s. ,ran: an% @oe were trembl n6 w th exc tement. Beh n% the newspapers the" were sa8e 8rom observat on. D1 won?t 6o a cent over e 6ht tho9san%7 an% that?s 8 nal7D the" hear% /ll e @acobs sa" n6. D5e?ll spl t the % 88erence7D ret9rne% the /n the Tra l o8 /ll e @acobs (++ other man7 n a whee%l n6 tone. D!a:e t n ne tho9san% %ollars cash.D D2oth n6 %o n6E 1?ll 6 ve "o9 e 6ht tho9san% %ollars. Ta:e t or leave t.D DAn a rplane 8or e 6ht tho9san% %ollarsED excla me% the other. D1 can?t %o t. 1?% be los n6 mone".D /ll e @acobs la96he%. D$ven at e 6ht tho9san%7 "o9?ll be ma: n6 a 6oo% pro8 t.D D$ 6ht"-8 ve h9n%re%7D plea%e% the bar6a ner. D1?ve ma%e m" o88er an% 1 won?t ra se t a n c:el. 1?ll 6 ve "o9 e 6ht tho9san% %ollars n cash the moment the a rplane s t9rne% over to 9s. .o9 have the mach ne w th n 8 ve m les o8 here7 "o9 sa". 5ell7 1 can have the mone" w th n hal8 an ho9r an% we?ll close the %eal. 0o ma:e 9p "o9r m n%7 8or 1 can?t be wast n6 t me. 18 1 can?t b9" "o9r a rplane 1 can eas l" 8 n% another one.D /ll e @acobs 6ot 9p 8rom h s cha r. The other man rose H9 c:l" an% se Be% h m b" the arm. DAll r 6ht. All r 6ht7D he sa % hast l". D1t?s G9st %ownr 6ht robber"7 b9t 1?ll sell "op the plane 8or e 6ht tho9san%. 1 won?t be ma8o n6 a cent.D DThat?s "o9r loo:o9t7D ret9rne% @acobs cooll". D.o9 %on?t have to sell t.D D1?ll have the plane rea%" 8or "o9 at m" (+= The Great A rport !"ster" 8arm. As soon as "o9 t9rn over the mone"7 the mach ne s "o9rs.D DThe mone" w ll be n "o9r han%s w th n hal8 an ho9r. Are "o9 6o n6 to the 8arm nowFD sa % @acobs. D1?ll 6o there r 6ht awa" an% 6et the plane n shape.D DBe s9re "o9 have the tan:s 89ll o8 6as. 1 want ever"th n6 to be n per8ect r9nn n6 or%er. That?s the onl" con% t on o8 sale. 1 want the plane to be n rea% ness.D D.o9 can step r 6ht n t an% start 8l" n6 the m n9te "o9 b9" t7D ns ste% the other man. DAn% "o9?re 6ett n6 a bar6a n7 let me tell "o9. There sn?t a better mach ne on the mar:et. 18 "o9 bo96ht that plane 8rom the 8actor" t wo9l% cost "o9 8 8teen or twent" tho9san% %ollars.D DA new plane wo9l% cost that m9ch. .o9rs sn?t worth 8 ve. 1t?s an ol% crate7 almost 8all n6 to p eces. .o9?ve been 8l" n6 t 8or more than 8o9r "ears now. 5ell7 the %eal s ma%e. .o9 6o to the 8arm an% 6et the mach ne rea%". 1?ll be over to ta:e possess on n hal8 an ho9r.D The two men went o9t the %oor an% %escen%e% the steps. Apparentl" /ll e @acobs % % not not ce the roa%ster belon6 n6 to the Har%" bo"s7 8or7 a8ter halt n6 8or a moment on the s %ewal:7 he stro%e br s:l" %own the street n a % rect on oppos te to that ta:en b" h s compan on. /n the Tra l o8 /ll e @acobs (+; ,ran: lowere% h s newspaper an% loo:e% at @oe. D5hat %o "o9 ma:e o8 thatFD he %eman%e%. D/ll e @acobs b9" n6 an a rplaneE That 8ellow never ha% e 6ht tho9san%

%ollars o8 h s own n all h s l 8e.D DHe seems to have t now7D sa % ,ran: DThere?s someth n6 n the w n%.D D1 th n: we?% better 8ollow h m.D The" spran6 to the r 8eet. DThere?s no t me to lose7D ,ran: a6ree%. D1?% l :e to :now what /ll e @acobs s plann n6 to %o w th that planeED CHAPT$# &A1 m"ster o9s plans when the Har%" bo"s le8t the hotel the" saw /ll e @acobs abo9t a bloc: awa"7 wal: n6 H9 c:l" %own the street towar% the o9ts: rts o8 the v lla6e. As 9nobtr9s vel" as poss ble7 the" 8ollowe% h m. The" soon 8o9n% that there was l ttle nee% 8or ca9t on7 as /ll e @acobs ev %entl" ha% no s9sp c on that he was observe%7 an% not once % % he loo: bac:. 4eav n6 the s %ewal:7 the r H9arr" str9c: o9t alon6 a co9ntr" roa% n the % rect on o8 an aban%one% ho9se. Here7 nstea% o8 pass n6 b"7 he va9lte% the 8ence7 crosse% the 9n:empt "ar%7 an% % sappeare% nto the b9 l% n6. D5e?ll have to 6o care89ll"7D sa % ,ran:. D1?ll bet he?s meet n6 the others there.D DThat?s where he nten%s to 6et the e 6ht tho9san% %ollars7 1 s9ppose.D DChances are7 the"?re watch n6. 5e?% better 6o aro9n% b" the bac: wa".D At the en% o8 the street7 there8ore7 the Har%" :e"s % % not 8ollow the roa%7 b9t nstea% ma%e (+) !"ster o9s Plans (+F a %eto9r thro96h the 8 el%s7 com n6 aro9n% at the rear o8 the ol% ho9se. There the" ma%e the r wa" care89ll" across the "ar%. The" :new that the" r s:e% %etect on n so %o n67 b9t the" were obl 6e% to ta:e th s chance. 49c: was w th them. The" crosse% the "ar% n sa8et"7 ev %entl" 9nobserve% b" an"one n the ho9se. The" cro9che% beneath a w n%ow an% l stene%. ,rom ns %e the ho9se the" co9l% hear h9man vo ces. ,ran: ra se% h msel8 sl 6htl" an% peepe% thro96h the w n%ow. The room was empt". The vo ces seeme% to be 8rom the 8ront o8 the ho9se. He 6est9re% to @oe7 an% s lentl" the" crept on to the next w n%ow. Here the" ha% better l9c:. The w n%ow was partl" open an% the" co9l% clearl" hear the vo ces o8 the men n the room be"on%. The 8 rst vo ce the" hear% was that o8 /ll e @acobs. D5ell7D he was sa" n67 D1 69ess we can each ch p n an% ma:e 9p that mone". The plane s wa t n6 8or 9s.D A 8am l ar vo ce answere%: D$ 6ht tho9san% %ollars s a lot o8 %o96h7 B9t t w ll be worth t n the lon6 r9n.D ,ran: an% @oe exchan6e% 6lances. The" reco6n Be% the vo ce. G les -9cro"E (+' The Great A rport !"ster" DAre "o9 s9re the plane s all r 6htFD %eman%e% the th r% man-2ewt P pps. D1t?s ol%7 b9t t?s plent" 6oo% eno96h 8or o9r p9rpose7D ret9rne% @acobs. D0he?ll hol% 8o9r or 8 ve men.D D1 %on?t want to 6o 8l" n6 n some ol% rattletrap that?ll b9st all to p eces n m %-a r an% : ll 9s all7D %em9rre% 2ewt. D-on?t worr". 1?ll be n char6e o8 the plane7D %eclare% -9cro". D1 co9l% 8l" a bab" carr a6e 8 t ha% w n6s. .o9r prec o9s nec: s sa8e eno96h.D D5ell7 here?s twent"-8 ve h9n%re% %ollars7D sa % @acobs. DThat?s m" share.D

DAn% here?s m ne7D sa % 2ewt. DAn% 1?ll ma:e 9p the other three tho9san%7D sa % -9cro". D.o9 never spent mone" an" better. 18 th s pans o9t all r 6ht t w ll br n6 9s 8 8t" tho9san% %ollars at least.D D.o9 sa" t?s the twent"-e 6hth or twent"-n nthFD as:e% /ll e @acobs. D.es7D answere% -9cro". DPa" %a" s on .the 8 rst o8 the month7 an% the" alwa"s sen% the mone" a %a" or two ahea%.D D1t?ll be a b 6 ha9l 8 we 6et awa" w th t7D %eclare% 2ewt P pps. DB9t t?s certa nl" r s:".D D.o9?ve 6ot to ta:e chances to ma:e b 6 mone"7D -9cro" answere%. D, 8t" tho9san% %ollars sn?t to be sneeBe% at.D !"ster o9s Plans (+9 D1?m sat s8 e%7D sa % /ll e @acobs. D1 th n: we can 6et awa" w th t. , 8t" tho9san% %ollars loo:s m 6ht" 6oo% to me. 1 th n: we o96ht to 6o r 6ht over to the 8arm7 b9" th s plane7 an% start o9t.D D5here %o we 6o 8 rstFD as:e% 2ewt. DThere?s an a rport abo9t th rt" m les 8rom here7D -9cro" sa %. D1t?s G9st a small 8l" n6 8 el%-the # vers %e , el%7 the" call t. 5e can ta:e the plane there an% wa t 9nt l ever"th n6 s rea%".D ?? 5hat 8 we ?re ca96ht F?? as:e% 2ewt. ?? The pol ce n Ba"port are on the loo:o9t 8or 9s7 "o9 :now that. 18 the" 8 n% o9t where we are7 t w ll r9 n ever"th n6.D D5e have the plane7 haven?t weF 18 the" 8 n% oat where we are7 we?ll s mpl" 8l" somewhere else7 an% %o%6e them. 1 have ever"th n6 all 8 69re% o9t. 5e?ll be H9 te sa8e.D DThen let?s 6et 6o n67D sa % /ll e @acobs mpat entl". D5e?re G9st wast n6 t me b" ar69 n6 here.D There was a sc988l n6 o8 8eet7 then the slam o8 a %oor. A8ter a 8ew moments the Har%" bo"s peepe% aro9n% the s %e o8 the ho9se an% saw the three men 6o n6 %own the roa% n the % rect on o8 the v lla6e. D1t loo:s as 8 we?ve st9mble% on someth n67D sa % @oe7 D1 won%er what the"?re 6o n6 to %o w th that7 (=0 The Great A rport !"ster" a rplane. /ne th n6 s certa n-there?s someth n6 n the w n% 8or the twent"-e 6hth or twent"-n nth o8 th s month.D D5hat %ate s th sFD DThe twent"-s xth.D ,ran: watche% the rece% n6 8 69res o8 the men. D1 s9ppose we o96ht to 8ollow them.D @oe %em9rre%. D5h" sho9l% weF There?s no chance o8 los n6 them now. 5e :now the name o8 the a rport the"?re bo9n% 8or7 an% we can 6o there n the car an% wa t 8or them.D DThat?s r 6ht. 5e?ll 6o on to $ vers %e , el% an% :eep an e"e on them 8rom there. B9t 8 rst o8 all7 1 th n: we o96ht to call 9p %a% an% let h m :now what we?ve learne%.D @oe a6ree% that th s was a so9n% s966est on. The bo"s wa te% 9nt l the tr o were o9t o8 s 6ht7 then hastene% on towar% the v lla6e. The r 8 rst concern was a telephone7 an% as the" % % not want to 6o to the hotel7 n case some o8 /ll e @acobs? 8r en%s m 6ht be w th n earshot7 the" lost some t me see: n6 the telephone exchan6e7 wh ch the" 8 nall" locate% n the rear o8 the post o88 ce. There the" p9t thro96h a call to the r 8ather n Ba"port. A8ter a wa t o8 abo9t ten m n9tes7 the call was answere%. The operator t9rne% to them. !"ster o9s Plans (=( D!r. Har%" s not at home. 5 ll an"oneI else %oFD DAn"one at that n9mber7D assente% ,ran:.

He p c:e% 9p the rece ver an% hear% h s mother?s vo ce. DHello7 !other. Th s s ,ran: call n6.D D.es7 ,ran:. 5here are "o9FD D5e?re at a l ttle v lla6e G9st o9ts %e the c t". 5here s -a%FD DHe le8t 8or 2ew .or: an ho9r a6o7D answere% !rs. Har%". DHe G9st rece ve% a tele6ram call n6 h m to 2ew .or: on spec al b9s ness.D ,ran: was % sappo nte%. DThat?s to96h l9c:. 5e ha% ome news 8or h m. 5ell7 we?ll G9st have to cJ rr" on alone. 18 we?re not home to-n 6ht7 %on?t worr" abo9t 9s. 5e?ve p c:e% 9p some n8ormat on that ma" clear 9p all th s 8 x we?re n.D D-on?t sta" awa" too lon67 ,ran:7D sa o" !rs. Har%". DThe pol ce were ma: n6 n-O H9 r es a l ttle wh le a6o.D DThe pol ceF 5h"FD DThe" th n: "o9 ma" have r9n awa". The"?re a8ra % "o9 have G9mpe% ba l.D Th s news came as a st9nn n6 shoc: to ,ran:. D5h"7 that?s nonsenseED he excla me% hotl". D5e?ll be bac: as soon as we can7 an% 8 the" (=< The Great A rport !"ster" ma:e an" more nH9 r es "o9 can tell them so. An% when we %o come bac:7 the" won?t have an" 89rther exc9se 8or hol% n6 9s7 8or we?ll have the real ma l robbers w th @ s.D ?? 1 hope "o9 are r 6ht7 ,ran:. 18 "o9r 8ather somes bac:7 1?ll tell h m "o9 calle%.D DAll r 6ht7 !other. An% %on?t worr" abo9t ns. 5e?ll be bac: home as soon as we can 6et awa".D ,ran: h9n6 9p the rece ver an% pa % the cost o8 the call. 5hen he t9rne% towar% @oe7 however7 he 8o9n% h s brother stan% n6 n the %oor7 6aB n6 9p at the s:". DThe"?re awa" alrea%"ED excla me% @oe exc te%l". D4oo:ED ,ran: ran to the %oor. @oe was po nt n6 9p at the clo9%s. H 6h above them soare% an a rplane7 %r9mm n6 ts wa" towar% the so9th. D1 saw t r se7D sa % @oe. D1t too: o88 8rom one o8 those 8arms bac: o8 the v lla6e. 1t?s -9cro"?s crow%7 s9re as 69ns.D D/n the r wa" to the 8l" n6 8 el% alrea%". 5ell7 we?% better be mov n6.D The" h9rr e% %own the street towar% the hotel7 where the" ha% le8t the roa%ster. /n the wa"7 ,ran: tol% @oe the res9lt o8 h s telephone call. @oe too was % sappo nte% that the" ha% not been able to 6et n to9ch w th ,enton Har%". D1t means we have to pla" a lone han%7 that?s !"ster o9s Plans (=+ all. 5hat %o "o9 th n: we sho9l% %o next7 ,ran:FD D1 th n: we o96ht to tell the a9thor t es.D D5e?ll warn them to watch the a rplane han6ars on the twent"-e 6hth an% twent"-n nth7D sa % @oe. DB9t we m9stn?t lose s 6ht o8 -9cro" an% h s cron es.D The" loo:e% bac:. The a rplane was merel" a bl9r n the % stance. The bo"s real Be% that the" ha% no t me to lose. The" scramble% nto the roa%ster. ,ran: threw n the cl9tch an% the car shot 8orwar%. 5 th n a 8ew m n9tes the" were spee% n6 %own a roa% towar% the so9th n the % rect on o8 the # vers %e , el%. CHAPT$# &A11 %an6ero9s b9s ness when the Har%" bo"s arr ve% at # vers %e , el% the" loo:e% n va n 8or G les -9cro" an% h s 8r en%s. B9t the tr o were not n s 6ht7 an% there was b9t one a rplane on the 8l" n6 8 el%. 1t was a small two-seater. D1t can?t be the r plane7D sa % ,ran:. D/ll e @acobs sa % t wo9l% hol%

8o9r or 8 ve men.D DPerhaps the" haven?t arr ve% "et7D @oe s966este%. DThe" ha% onl" th rt" m les to 6o. The" sho9l% have been here lon6 a6o.D D5e can 6o 9p to one o8 the han6ars an% as: what planes have come n.D ,ran: was %9b o9s. D18 -9cro" or an" o8 the others are han6 n6 aro9n%7 we?ll be spotte%. /9r 6ame s to :eep o9t o8 s 6ht.D The" sa9ntere% over to the sol tar" l ttle a rplane n the m %%le o8 the 8l" n6 8 el%. A mechan c n 6r m" overalls was b9s" t n:er n6 at the 9n%erstr9ct9re o8 the mach ne. -an6ero9s B9s ness (=+ D1s th s the onl" plane hereFD as:e% ,ran: pol tel". The mechan c loo:e% 9p. D1t?s the onl" one o9t on the 8 el%.D he answere%. D18 "o9 can see an" more7 let me :now.D He 6r nne%7 an% then wave% towar% one o8 the han6ars. DAn ol% crate G9st 8lew n a 8ew m n9tes a6o.D D5here 8romFD DHow sho9l% 1 :nowF A rplanes7 9nless the"?re on the ma l r9n7 aren?t l :e tra ns. 4oo:e% to me l :e a pr vatel" owne% mach ne.3 The Har%" bo"s 6lance% s 6n 8 cantl" at one another. The" ha% no %o9bt that th s wasI -9cro"?s plane. D1s the p lot n there nowFD The mechan c no%%e%. DH m an% two other 69"s.D ,ran: an% @oe than:e% the r n8ormant an% ma%e a w %e %eto9r across the 8l" n6 8 el% so as to approach the han6ar at the 8ar s %e. The" ha% no %es re to meet G les -9cro" an% h s 8r en%s G9st now. The" came aro9n% to the rear o8 the han6ar w tho9t be n6 observe% an% wh le the" were loo: n6 abo9t 8or a means o8 entrance other than b" the 8ront7 @oe % scovere% a small %oor at the s %e. He tr e% the %oor. 1t was 9nloc:e%. @oe e%6e% t open an% peepe% n. There was the plane7 at rest n the han6ar7 an% stan% n6 bes %e t were G les -9cro"7 2ewt (=) The Great A rport !"ster" P pps7 an% /ll e @acobs. The" were tal: n6 rn low tones. $ven as the bo"s watche% the" saw /ll e @acobs move awa" 8rom the others. D1t won?t ta:e lon67D he sa %. D1?ll %o some telephon n6 an% 8 n% o9t all 1 can.D D!a:e s9re o8 the %ateED a%v se% -9cro". /ll e @acobs le8t the han6ar. ,or a moment the Har%" bo"s were pan cstr c:en at the tho96ht that he m 6ht loo: bac: an% see them presse% a6a nst the s %e o8 the b9 l% n67 b9t @acobs stro%e awa" w tho9t once 6lanc n6 beh n%. D1 w sh we co9l% learn someth n6 %e8 n te7D wh spere% @oe. DTh s th n6 o8 8ollow n6 them aro9n% s be6 nn n6 to 6et on m" nerves. The" are bo9n% to catch s 6ht o8 9s7 sooner or later.D D5e certa nl" can?t 8ollow them aro9n% l :e th s7D a6ree% ,ran:. D18 the" %on?t see 9s7 we?re l able to lose them an"wa". 18 we can onl" 8 n% o9t what 6ame the"?re 9p toED The" peepe% thro96h the open n6 n the %oor a6a n. B9t -9cro" an% 2ewt P pps ha% w th%rawn a l ttle wa" to one s %e an% were tal: n6 n 9n%ertones7 the r wor%s na9% ble. 1n abo9t ten m n9tes7 /ll e @acobs ret9rne%. He hastene% nto the han6ar7 an% -9cro" loo:e% at h m expectantl". D5ell7D the bo"s hear% -9cro" sa" n67 D% % "o9 learn an"th n6FD -an6ero9s B9s ness (=* D1 s9re % %7D ret9rne% /ll e @acobs. D1t?s all settle%. An% we %on?t have to wa t as lon6 as we tho96ht we m 6ht.D

DThat?s 6oo%7D %eclare% -9cro"7 r9bb n6 h s han%s to6ether w th sat s8act on. D5hat % % he sa"FD DThe sh pment w ll come on the n 6ht o8 the twent"-e 6hth.?? DAs soon as thatED excla me% 2ewt P pps. D5e?ll be rea%" 8or t7D snappe% -9cro". D5e?ll 8orce h m %own not 8ar 8rom here.D D1t w ll be at n 6ht7 ehFD sa % P pps. D/8 co9rse. All the better7 too. 1?% th n: tw ce be8ore 1?% tr" th s tr c: n %a"l 6ht.D D1 69ess "o9?re r 6ht7D a%m tte% 2ewt 8eebl". DAltho96h 1 %on?t l :e the %ea o8 t at an" t me. .o9?re s9re we?ll have onl" one man to han%leFD D/nl" one man. An% there are three o8 9s. 5e?re not ta: n6 a chance o8 8a l n6.D DHow are we 6o n6 to 8orce h m %ownFD as:e% /ll e @acobs. D4eave that to me7D answere% -9cro" con8 %entl". DThere?s more than one wa" o8 %o n6 that.D D4et?s 6o an% eat7D 2ewt s966este%. D1?m hal8 starve%.D DThat?s a 6oo% %ea7?? /ll e a6ree%. ??There?s a l ttle resta9rant near here. 5hat %o "o9 (=' The Great A rport !"ster" 8 69re on %o n67 G les F -o "o9 th n: we sho9l% sta" r 6ht here at the a rport 9nt l the twent"-e 6hthFD D2o7D sa % -9cro" 8 rml". D1 %on?t. The a9thor t es are apt to 8 n% 9s 8 we sta" n one place 8or an" len6th o8 t me. 5e?ll have to :eep 6o n6. 5e?ll move aro9n% 8rom one place to the other 9nt l the t me comes. 5e can?t a88or% to be nabbe% now. An% a8ter the twent"-e 6hth we?ll clear o9t 8or 6oo%.D The three men move% 9p towar% the 8ront o8 the han6ar7 le8t the b9 l% n67 an% went on across the 8l" n6 8 el% towar% a small resta9rant n the % stance. There was a l ttle l9nch co9nter near b" b9t the men 6nore% t 8or the more pretent o9s eat n6 place. ,ran: an% @oe Har%" sl ppe% H9 c:l" nto the han6ar thro96h the s %e %oor. 1nstea% o8 clear n6 9p the m"ster" that p9BBle% them7 the conversat on the" ha% G9st overhear% con89se% them more than ever. That some cr m nal co9p was n the w n% 8or the n 6ht o8 the twent"-e 6hth was no lon6er n %o9bt7 b9t what t was an% where t was to ta:e place st ll rema ne% 9nreveale%. D1 %on?t 9n%erstan% what?s happen n67D sa % ,ran:7 as he loo:e% at the a rplane n the han6arJ Db9t 1 :now we?ve 6ot to be on han% 8 we can poss bl" mana6e t.D -an6ero9s B9s ness (=9 DHow can we be on han% 8 the"?re 6o n6 to :eep 8l" n6 8rom place to place 8or the next two %a"sFD as:e% @oe. D5e?ve 6ot to :eep trac: o8 them somehow.D ,ran: move% abo9t7 nspect n6 the a rplane. D1?% G9st l :e to reserve a bac: seat n th s plane 8or the next 8ort"-e 6ht ho9rs.D DThat %ea sn?t as s ll" as t so9n%sED %eclare% @oe. D5h" can?t weFD ,ran: la96he%. DHow can weF The"?% s mpl" : c: 9s o9t7 8or we?% certa nl" be seen.D D2ot 8 we went abo9t t r 6ht.D @oe was exc te% as the poss b l t es o8 h s %ea became more apparent. D5h" can?t we be stowawa"sF -on?t "o9 remember the t me we h % o9rselves n the bac: o8 the a9tomob le when we solve% the 0hore #oa% m"ster"F 5e co9l% h %e here too. 1?ve hear% o8 a rplane stowawa"s be8ore.D D1t?s a nerv" %ea7D sa % ,ran:. D1 won%er where we co9l% h %eFD He move% %own towar% the rear o8 the plane. 09%%enl" he halte%. D@9st what

we want7 @oeE Here?s an open n6.D He thr9st the sl % n6 %oor as %e an% loo:e% nto the %ar: nter or. The ta l o8 the plane was hollow an% he co9l% see a s9bstant al h % n6 place. Cons %erable space was ava lable 8or 8re 6ht or ba66a6e an%7 nasm9ch as -9c-ro" an% h s 8r en%s were travell n6 l 6ht7 there was plent" o8 room 8or the two bo"s. DHow abo9t tED as:e% @oe. ?(;0 The Great A rport !"ster" D1?m 6ame. B9t how abo9t 8oo%F 5e?ll bP n there 8or H9 te a wh le7 "o9 :now77D D5e?ll 6et san%w ches an% water. 0ome Han:ets too7 8or that matter. 5e?ll s mpl" stow awa" n there an% ma:e o9rselves com8ortable. Then7 8 an"th n6 happens7 we?ll be r 6ht on han%.D D5e?ll be r 6ht on han% too 8 the plane crashes7D ,ran: rem n%e% h s brother. DPerhaps we?ll we 6ht t %own too m9ch.D D1 %on?t th n: so. Th s plane s %es 6ne% to carr" ba66a6e7 an% 8 that space s empt"7 we?ll never be not ce%. 1 th n: we can 6et awa" w th t7 prov %e% we have an" l9c: at all. 1t?s eas l" o9r best chance o8 :eep n6 n to9ch w th -9cro" an% h s 6an6. 18 the"?re 6o n6 to be 8l" n6 aro9n% the co9ntr" tr" n6 to %o%6e the a9thor t es7 we shan?t have m9ch chance o8 :eep n6 o9r e"es on them n o9r car.D DThat?s r 6ht7 too.D ,ran: ma%e 9p h s m n%. D1?m w th "o97 @oe. An% now?s o9r chance. 4et?s 6et water an% san%w ches an% 6et nto the plane wh le we have t me.D 1t seeme% a ma% scheme7 b9t the brothers :new the mportance o8 :eep n6 close to -9cro" an% h s 8r en%s. 0ome cr me ha% been planne% 8or the n 6ht o8 the twent"-e 6hth7 an% the Har%" bo"s :new the" m9st not lose trac: o8 the r H9arr" 8or a mome9t. 1t wo9l% have been -an6ero9s B9s ness (;( obv o9sl" mposs ble to 8ollow the mean%er n6s o8 the a rplane 8rom the 6ro9n%. The" hastene% over to the l ttle l9nch co9nter an% la % n a stoc: o8 prov s ons. 0everal bottles o8 m l:7 a h96e bottle o8 water7 some ca:e an% a stoc: o8 san%w ches const t9te% the r s9ppl es. At the l9nch co9nter the" sp e% two heav" a9tomob le robes7 an% as t was too late to ret9rn to the r own roa%ster7 the" bo96ht the robes an% entr9ste% the l9nch co9nter man w th the %9t" o8 %r v n6 the r own car to a 6ara6e 8or sa8e-:eep n6. Th s he prom se% to %o. -o9btless he won%ere% the reason 8or the bo"s? p9rchases7 b9t he was a man who bel eve% n m n% n6 h s own b9s ness an% he exh b te% no s9rpr se or c9r os t". ,ran: an% @oe h9rr e% bac: nto the han6ar. The" tosse% the robes nto the r h % n6 place n the plane7 arran6e% them com8ortabl"7 then stowe% awa" the 8oo% an% water. DAll setFD as:e% ,ran: 8 nall". DAll set.D @oe be6an to scramble nto the plane. D@9st n t me7 too7D sa % the brother. D5h"FD as:e% @oe7 n a m988le% vo ce7 as he cro9che% bac: on one o8 the a9tomob le robes. DG les -9cro" an% h s 8r en%s are com n6 bac: across the 8l" n6 8 el%.D ,ran: 6ot nto the plane. Q9 c:l" he close% (;< The Great A rport !"ster" the %oor. The two bo"s wa te% apprehens vel". Ha% the r presence been %etecte%E 5o9l% the l9nch-co9nter man ment on hav n6 seen themF 5o9l% -9cro" 6lance nto the ba66a6e compartment be8ore leav n6F B9t noth n6 happene%. The" hear% the three men come nto the han6ar. The" hear% them mov n6 abo9t7 ev %entl" prepar n6 8or %epart9re. , nall"7 the" hear% -9cro"?s vo ce:

DGet n. 5e?re awa" a6a n.D The plane was tr9n%le% o9t on the 8 el%. A moment later the motor roare%7 the mach ne b9mpe% ts wa" across the 8 el%7 then the b9mp n6 mot on cease% an% the Har%" bo"s :new that the" were n the a r. CHAPT$# &A111 the warn n6 messa6e altho96h the r 8l 6ht as stowawa"s n the a rplane was one o8 the most %an6ero9s an% per lo9s a%vent9res that ha% ever be8allen the Har%" bo"s7 t was at the same t me the most monotono9s. Bac: there n the %ar:ness the" co9l% see noth n6 an% the" co9l% hear ver" l ttle except the roar o8 the en6 ne. The" were not 9ncom8ortable an% the" % % not s988er 8rom lac: o8 a r7 b9t t was not a pleasant sensat on to re8lect that the" were h 6h above the earth7 wholl" at the merc" o8 the rascals 9p n the 8ront o8 the plane. The plane % ppe% an% rose7 ban:e% an% t9rne%. There were rac:s7 pres9mabl" 8or the accommo%at on o8 ba66a6e7 to wh ch the la%s cl9n67 so that at no t me were the" thrown o88 balance. D18 we 6et to toss n6 aro9n% n here7 the"?ll not ce someth n6 wron67D sa % ,ran:. The r we 6ht was evenl" % str b9te% an% pre(;+ (;= The Great A rport !"ster" s9mabl" G les -9cro" % % not see that h s plane was somewhat ta lheav". 18 he % %7 t s probable that he blame% the a rplane tsel87 8or t was stran6e to h m. A8ter abo9t an ho9r n the a r7 the bo"s were obl 6e% to se Be the rac:s7 8or the nose o8 the mach ne t lte% %ownwar% an% the" were almost 8l9n6 ahea% as the plane %escen%e%. , nall" there was a sl 6ht shoc:7 an% the plane b9mpe% ts wa" over a 8 el%. The" co9l% hear men?s vo ces7 then the en6 ne was sh9t o88. The" G9%6e% that -9cro" an% the others were clamber n6 o9t. D2ow7D the" hear% -9cro" sa" n67 D1 69ess t?s sa8e eno96h 8or me to 6o an% telephone.D D5ho are "o9 6o n6 to telephone toFD as:e% 2ewt P pps. D1?m 6o n6 to call 9p @e%. He?s at the Ba"-port a rport. 1?ll tell h m to be rea%" 8or the n 6ht o8 the twent"-e 6hth so he can call 9s 9p when the t me comes.D D1 %on?t l :e the %ea o8 hav n6 so man" o9ts %ers n on th s7D 2ewt 6r9mble%. D1t means we?ll have to spl t the loot too man" % 88erent wa"s.D D/9ts %erED snappe% -9cro". D@e% sn?t an o9ts %er. How co9l% we 6et alon6 w tho9t h mF 5e?re 6o n6 to ma:e a : ll n6 be8ore lon67 an% a lot o8 the cre% t w ll be %9e to h m.D D . o9?re r 6ht7?? a6ree% /ll e @acobs. ??0h9t DThe 5arn n6 !essa6e (;; 9p7 2ewt. 5e can?t 6et alon6 w tho9t @e%. 18 "o9 were hal8 as m9ch help as h m we?% 6et alon6 8 ne7 .o9?re alwa"s : c: n6 abo9t someth n6.D Th s repr man% s lence% 2ewt P pps 8or the t me be n6. The Har%" bo"s7 l sten n67 hear% the three men move awa". 5hen the 8ootsteps an% vo ces co9l% no lon6er be hear%7 @oe hear% ,ran:?s vo ce 8rom the %ar:ness: D1 w sh 1 :new how lon6 the"?re 6o n6 to be awa". 1?% l :e to 6et o9t o8 here an% stretch m" le6s.D D0o wo9l% 1. 1t?s m 6ht" crampe% n here. B9t 8 the"?ve G9st 6one to telephone 1 %on?t th n: we sho9l% ta:e the chance.D ,ran: opene% the %oor n the s %e o8 thK plane an% loo:e% o9t. D1 can see them now. The"?re wal: n6 across the 8 el% towar% one o8 the han6ars.D

D5here are weFD as:e% @oe. ,ran: shoo: h s hea%. D1 %on?t :now. There seems to be a 8a r-s Be% town close b"7 b9t 1?ve never seen the place be8ore. 1 can see 8actor" ch mne"s an% ch9rch steeples.D D4et?s have someth n6 to eat.D @oe opene% the r pac:a6e o8 san%w ches7 a bottle o8 m l:7 an% the bottle o8 water. $ach ete o8 the 8r96al meal w th enth9s asm7 8or the" were h9n6r" b" now. 5hen the" ha% eaten (;) The Great A rport !"ster" the" 8elt better7 an% n sp te o8 the % scom8ort o8 the r H9arters the" be6an to enGo" the novelt" o8 the a%vent9re. D18 onl" Chet an% the other 8ellows co9l% see 9s nowED sa % @oe. DThe"?% be 6reen w th env".D D1?m not s9re o9r pos t on?s env able.D D5e?re not o9t o8 the woo%s "et7 b" an" means7D a6ree% ,ran:. D-9cro" an% the others are apt to 8 n% 9s at an" t me. 5e?ll have to s t m 6ht" t 6ht.D D18 onl" we :new what the"?re 9p toE 1t m9st have someth n6 to %o w th the Ba"port a r 8 el%. The"?ve ev %entl" 6ot a con8e%erate there7 :eep n6 n to9ch w th h m b" telephone.D D1 th n:7D sa % ,ran:7 D1?ll 6et o9t an% stretch m" le6s a b t.D He opene% the %oor a l ttle w %er an% was G9st abo9t to scramble o9t when he 6ave an exclamat on an% hast l" %rew bac: a6a n7 clos n6 the %oor. D5hat?s the matterFD wh spere% @oe. DThe"?re com n6 bac:ED Both bo"s were s lent. The" co9l% hear vo ces7 6ra%9all" 6row n6 lo9%er. ,ran: won%ere% 8 he ha% been seen. -9cro"7 2ewt P pps an% /ll e @acobs ha% not been more than a h9n%re% "ar%s awa" when he opene% the %oor. DThere?s no room n the han6ars7D -9cro" was sa" n67 Db9t we?ll sta" here overn 6ht G9st the same. There?s a hotel not 8ar 8rom the The 5arn n6 !essa6e (;* 8 el%. Then7 n the morn n67 we?ll 6et 9n%er wa" a6a n.D D5hat t meFD as:e% @acobs. DAbo9t e 6ht o?cloc:. 5e?ll have brea:8ast an% then start a6a n.D D1 %on?t see wh" we can?t sta" r 6ht here 9nt l we?re rea%" 8or the b 6 Gob7D 6r9mble% 2ewt P pps. D5hat 6oo% %oes t %o 8l" n6 aro9n% 8rom place to placeFD D18 the pol ce p c: 9s 9p "o9?ll w sh we ha% :ept 6o n67D %eclare% -9cro". D5e can?t a88or% to be nabbe% now. 5e?ve s mpl" 6ot to :eep clear o8 the cops 9nt l the n 6ht o8 the twent"-e 6hth. A8ter that we?ll scatter7 an% each ta:e h s own chance. The pol ce w ll be loo: n6 8or 9s hot eno96h then.D DThe" s9re w ll7D a6ree% /ll e. D5ell7 let?s 6o on over to the hotel. The plane s all r 6ht here7 a n?t tFD D09re. 1t?s sa8e eno96h overn 6ht. 5e?ll come bac: a8ter brea:8ast an% 6et 9n%er wa" a6a n.D The men move% o88. A8ter a wh le7 when ,ran: Har%" peepe% o9t a6a n7 he saw them 6o n6 thro96h a 6ate on the 8ar s %e o8 the 8l" n6 8 el%7 ev %entl" hea% n6 towar% the town. He breathe% a s 6h o8 rel e8. DThat?s a b t o8 l9c:7D he sa % to @oe. D5e %on?t have to sta" coope% 9p n here all n 6ht. As lon6 as we 6et bac: here well be8ore the" (;' TA- Great A rport !"ster" show 9p n the morn n6 ever"th n6 w ll be 8 ne.D D5here can we sta"F 5e can?t 6o to the hotel. 1 %on?t th n: t?s even w se to 6o nto the town at all. 18 the" ever catch s 6ht o8 9s t w ll spo l ever"th n6.D

,ran: scramble% o9t o8 the plane. He wal:e% abo9t7 enGo" n6 the 8eel o8 sol % 6ro9n% beneath h s 8eet a6a n. @oe 8ollowe%7 an% mme% atel" t9rne% a han%spr n6 to express h s %el 6ht. D!a:es "o9 8eel 6oo%7 %oesn?t tFD sa % h s brother7 6r nn n6. D1?ll tell the worl% t %oes7 ,ran:E Gee7 ( 8eel as crampe% as a sar% ne n a t n.D D0o %o 1.D ,ran: stretche% h msel8. D0a"7 we were m 6ht" l9c:" the" % %n?t % scover 9s.D D$ 6ht "o9 are. 18 the" ha%-well7 there s no tell n6 what the" wo9l% have %one.D DThe" m 6ht have : lle% 9s7 @oe.D D/h7 ma"be not as ba% as that. B9t the" m 6ht have t e% 9s 9p n the woo%s an% le8t 9s there.D DThe" are a ba% crow%.D D1 a6ree w th "o9.D The brothers too: a loo: at the r s9rro9n%-Gn6s 8rom ever" s %e. D5e?% better move awa" 8rom the plane7D a%v se% ,ran:. D0ome o8 the mechan cs at the The 5arn n6 !essa6e (;9 han6ars ma" see 9s an% tell -9cro". 1 th n: o9r best bet s to 6o to that 8armho9se on the other s %e o8 the 8 el%.D DPerhaps we can 9se the telephone there7 8 the" have one.D ? 1n the 8a% n6 l 6ht7 the bo"s crosse% the 8 el%7 cl mbe% over the 8ence an% ma%e the r wa" towar% the 8armho9se. As the" entere% the? barn"ar%7 a coll e %o6 ran towar% them7 bar: n6. He was a 8r en%l" an mal7 however7 an% as he approache% he wa66e% h s ta l an% 8awne% on them. A sto9t7 cheer"-loo: n6 man was stan% n6 n the %oorwa" o8 the ho9se. DHello7 bo"s7D he sho9te%. D5hat can 1 %o 8or "o9FD DHave "o9 a telephoneFD as:e% ,ran:. The 8armer no%%e%. D.o9?re welcome to 9se t7D he sa %7 then a%%e%: DAs lon6 as "o9 pa" the char6es.D D5e?ll %o that all r 6ht.D The 8armer le% them nto the ho9se an% n% cate% the telephone n the hall. DTal: awa"7D he sa %. D1 saw "o9 com n6 over 8rom the 8l" n6 8 el%7D he remar:e% shrew%l". D5h" % %n?t "o9 9se the telephone thereFD DPr vate reasons7D repl e% @oe. The 8armer % % not move awa" wh le ,ran: p9t n a call 8or Ch e8 Coll 6 at Ba"port. At ()0 The Great A rport !"ster" ment on o8 the ch e8?s name he seeme% ntereste%7 an% when ,ran: 8 nall" 6ot the ch e8 on the w re7 he l stene% w th all h s ears. DCh e8 Coll 6ED as:e% ,ran:. DTh s s ,ran: Har%" spea: n6.-2o7 we haven?t G9mpe% ba l.-5hat?s thatF-5e?ll be bac: n 6oo% t me.-The reason 1?m call n6 "o9 s to warn "o9 to :eep a 6oo% watch on the a rport on the n 6ht o8 the twent"-e 6hth.-1 can?t tell "o9 wh".-There s 6o n6 to be some tro9ble.- 1 %on?t :now an"th n6 more abo9t t than that. -1t w ll be worth "o9r wh le to ma:e 9se o8 th s warn n6.-5here am 1 spea: n6 8romF 1 can?t tell "o9. An% l sten7 Ch e87 w ll "o9 call 9p m" mother b" telephone an% let her :now that 1 calle% "o9 an% that @oe an% 1 are all r 6htF-Than:s. Goo%-b"e.D 5hen ,ran: ran6 o887 he saw that the 8armer was re6ar% n6 h m c9r o9sl". D4oo:s as 8 "o9 bo"s are smarter than "o9 seem7D he remar:e%. D5hat are "o9F -etect vesFD D1 s9ppose "o9 m 6ht call 9s that7D a%m tte% ,ran:. DB9t we?% be obl 6e% 8 "o9 wo9l% sa" noth n6 to an"one at the a rport abo9t 9s.D

D.o9 can tr9st me7D ret9rne% the man. D1 Dcan :eep m" mo9th sh9t. 5here are "o9 sta" n6 to-n 6htFD D5e %on?t :now "et7D sa % @oe. D18 "o9?% l :e to sta" here7 we have a spare The D5arn n6 !essa6e ()( room7 an% "o9?re welcome to t7D the 8armer vol9nteere%. DThat?s m 6ht" 6oo% o8 "o9. 5e were G9st won%er n6 where we wo9l% 8 n% a place to sleep. 5e have to be 9p an% o9t b" seven o?cloc:7 tho96h.D D1 6et 9p at 8 ve7 m"sel87D la96he% the 8armer. DCome on nto the : tchen an% 1?ll have m" w 8e 8 x 9p someth n6 to eat. .o9?re more than welcome to sta" w th 9s overn 6ht. 1?m %" n? to :now what "o9 la%s are 9p to7 b9t 1 69ess 1?% better not as: too man" H9est ons.D D.o9?ll rea% all abo9t t n the papers7D la96he% ,ran:7 D 8 ever"th n6 wor:s o9t the wa" we want t to.D CHAPT$# &1& the twent"-e 6hth the next %a" was the twent"-seventh an% the Har%" bo"s :new that the" ha% another %a" to p9t n be8ore -9cro" an% h s 8r en%s wo9l% be rea%" 8or the m"ster o9s co9p 8or wh ch the" ha% la % so man" plans. ,ran: an% @oe were 9p earl"7 an% a8ter a s9bstant al brea:8ast at the 8armho9se the" sa % 6oo%-b"e to the 6oo%-nat9re% 8armer an% h s w 8e7 then hastene% across the 8 el%s towar% the a rport a6a n. There were a 8ew s 6ns o8 l 8e abo9t the han6arsJ some mechan cs were b9s" at a plane o9t n the 8 el%J a new mach ne Dwas prepar n6 8or a ta:e-o88. B9t the -9cro" plane was %eserte% an% the la%s saw that the" were n 6oo% t me to conceal themselves a6a n. 5 th a 8resh s9ppl" o8 water an% san%w ches wh ch the" ha% obta ne% at the 8armho9se7 the" went cas9all" over to the plane7 loo:e% aro9n% to see that the" were not observe%7 an% then7 when the coast seeme% clear7 the" sl ppe% H9 etl" nto the r h % n6 place. ()< The Twent"-$ 6hth ()+ DAnother %a" ahea% o8 9sED sa % ,ran:. D1 w sh th s was the morn n6 o8 the twent"-e 6hth nstea% o8 onl" the twent"-seventh.D D5e?ll 6et thro96h somehow. 1 hope the" %on?t :eep 8l" n6 aro9n% all %a". 1t 6ets m 6ht" monotono9s be n6 coope% 9p l :e th s n here.D ,ran: ma%e h msel8 more com8ortable on h s a9tomob le robe. D5e co9l% be worse o88. 5e have lots to eat an% %r n:7 an% we %on?t have to worr" abo9t steer n6 the plane.D D1 l :e to see where 1?m 6o n67D sa % @oe %9b o9sl". DAs lon6 as -9cro" sta"s sober he sn?t a ba% p lot7D ret9rne% ,ran:. D1 69ess the othe.v pa r w ll see that he?s 8 t to ta:e the controls be8ore the"?ll 8l" w th h m. The r nec:s are G9st as prec o9s to them as o9rs are to 9s.D DG9ess we?% better :eep H9 et now. The" ma" be alon6 an" m n9te.D The la%s lapse% nto s lence. 1n abo9t hal8 an ho9r the" co9l% hear vo ces an% then came 8ootsteps. D@9st a short G9mp to-%a"7D the" hear% -9cro" sa" n6. D@9st a short G9mp7 an% then we?ll la" low 9nt l to-morrow n 6ht.D D5here are we 6o n6FD as:e% 2ewt P pp6 H9 c:l". D.o9?ll :now when we 6et there.D ()= The Great A rport !"ster" D1 w sh we co9l% have sta"e% here7D ns ste% 2ewt. D1 co9l% have stoo% another two ho9rs? sleep eas l".D D18 we st c: aro9n% here we?ll be l able to 8 n% o9rselves sleep n6 n Ga l7D sa % /ll e @acobs. D1 6ot the scare o8 m" l 8e when that cop came 9p an% spo:e to 9s.D D1 tho96ht we were s9n:7D a%m tte% -9cro". DHe ha% been e" n6 9s 8or

H9 te a wh le an% 1 was 6ett n6 nervo9s. 1 was s9re he ha% spotte% 9s.D D.o9 stoo% h m o88 all r 6ht. That was prett" 6oo%7 tell n6 h m we were st9nt p lots on o9r wa" to Holl"woo%. He swallowe% t7 hoo:7 l ne7 an% s n:er.D D@9st the same7D observe% -9cro"7 D"o9 see how eas" t s to r9n nto tro9ble. 18 that cop ha% been a l ttle w ser we m 6ht have been n the G96 r 6ht now. An% 8 he starts tal: n6 to some other cop an% %escr bes 9s7 we ma" 8 n% o9rselves n tro9ble "et. 0o the sooner we 6et o9t o8 here the better.D Th s sent ment seeme% to 8 n% 8avor w th the others7 8or there was cons %erable b9stl n6 aro9n% as the" prepare% to ta:e o88 a6a n. 1n %9e t me the propellor be6an to wh rl7 the en6 ne b9rst nto a roar the plane H9 vere%. The bo"s hear% a sho9t 8rom -9cro"7 an% then the a rplane move% slowl" o88 across the 8 el%. 1t b9mpe% an% roc:e% alon67 ts pro6ress The Twent"-$ 6hth (); becom n6 smoother as t 6athere% spee%J then t le8t the 6ro9n%7 the bo%" o8 the plane t lte% a l ttle as t be6an to cl mb. A8ter a wh le t ban:e%7 c rcle% abo9t7 then7 stra 6htene% n sw 8t 8l 6ht. 1t was hot an% st988" bac: n the compartment where the Har%" bo"s ha% h %%en themselves7 b9t the" com8orte% themselves b" remember n6 that -9cro" ha% sa % th s was to be onl" a short G9mp. A8ter that7 the rascals ev %entl" planne% to l e n h % n6 9nt l the n 6ht o8 the twent"-e 6hth. The plane %r9mme% alon6 at a 6oo% spee% 8or some t me. Then the nose % ppe% so s9%%enl" that the la%s were 8l9n6 8orwar%. The r we 6ht be n6 thrown ahea%7 the ta l was s9%%enl" l 6hter an% the plane went nto a s9%%en % ve. The" hear% a "ell o8 alarm 8rom one o8 the men n the 8orwar% part o8 the mach ne7 b9t the plane stra 6htene% o9t as sw 8tl" as t ha% lost balance. ,ran: an% @oe ha% been 8r 6htene% 8or the moment b9t the" soon re6a ne% the r acc9stome% pos t ons a6a n an% cl9n6 t 6htl" to the rac:s wh le the plane %escen%e% n sweep n6 c rcles. 1t went nto a lon6 6l %e 8 nall"7 then the wheels b9mpe% a6a nst the 6ro9n%. 1t rose nto the a r7 b9mpe% a6a n7 then tax e% across a 8 el% 9nt l t 6ra%9all" came to a stop. The motor was s9%%enl" sh9t. o88. ()) The Great A rport !"ster" D5hat happene%FD the" hear% 2ewt P pps sho9t7 n alarm. D4ost control there 8or a m n9te7D -9cro" answere%. D0he went nto a % ve a lot 8aster than 1 ha% 8 69re% on.D D1 tho96ht we were 6o n6 to crash7D %eclare% 2ewt sha: l". D2ot w th me at the controls7D boaste% -9cro". D1 %on?t :now what went wron67 b9t t % %n?t ta:e me lon6 to stra 6hten her o9t.D D1t was G9st as 8 we ha% some ba66a6e n the bac: an% t sh 8te% 8orwar%7D sa % /ll e @acobs. The Har%" bo"s were breathless w th apprehens on. Perhaps -9cro" wo9l% be tempte% to nvest 6ateE D5ell7 there?s no ba66a6e7D ns ste% -9cro"7 D1t?s G9st the plane. 1?m not H9 te 9se% to t "et.D D1?ll be 6la% when th s b9s ness s over7D sa % 2ewt. D1 %on?t l :e th s 8l" n6 b9s ness7 an"wa". 0ol % earth s 6oo% eno96h 8or mH an" %a". 5hen th s Gob s over an% 1 6et m"D share o8 the mone" t?ll be a lon6 t me be8ore an"one tempts me nto an a rplane a6a n.D ? D5here are we nowFD as:e% /ll e. DTh s sn?t a 8l" n6 8 el%.D D1t?s better7D ret9rne% -9cro". DTh s s an aban%one% 8arm. 5e?re H9 te sa8e here. 18 an"one comes to nvest 6ate7 we?ll G9st sa" The Twent"-$ 6hth (0T

we ran o9t o8 6as an% have to wa t here 8or a ?wh le 9nt l -we 6et a 8resh s9ppl".D D5e?ll sta" here 9nt l to-morrow n 6ht7 thenFD as:e% 2ewt. DThere?s a l ttle v lla6e abo9t a m le awa". 5e can 6o there an% sta" overn 6ht an% loa8 aro9n% to-morrow. 1t?s a lot better than han6 n6 aro9n% a 8l" n6 8 el% where people are apt to as: H9est ons.D DTh s s9 ts me all r 6ht7D sa % /ll e @acobs77 D1 % %n?t l :e the %ea o8 hopp n6 aro9n% 8rom place to place the wa" we were %o n6. The plane s sa8e eno96h here7 1 69ess.D DA 8ew 8armers ma" %rop aro9n% to have a loo: at t7 b9t 1 %on?t th n: there?s an" %an6er o8 an"one steal n6 t7D sa % -9cro". D5e m 6ht as well 6o on nto the v lla6e.D D1?m h9n6r"7D %eclare% 2ewt. DTh s 8l" n6 6 ves me an appet te. 4et?s 6o an% 6et someth n6 to eat.D The Har%" bo"s l stene% as the vo ces % m n she% n the % stance. 5hen the" co9l% no lon6er hear the tr o7 ,ran: opene% the s %e %oor an% peepe% o9t. He co9l% see -9cro" an% the others cl mb n6 over a 8ence at the other s %e o8 a w %e 8 el%. The men went o9t to the roa% an% then tr9%6e% on towar% a l ttle v lla6e l" n6 n a hollow abo9t a m le awa". The bo"s breathe% s 6hs o8 rel e8 as the" scramble% o9t. .-R T)' The Great A rport !"ster" DTh s s l9c:ED sa % ,ran:. D2o more 8l"- n6 9nt l to-morrow n 6ht.D D1 hope we %on?t have to sta" ns %e the plane 9nt l then. Those 8ellows are apt to come hac: at an" m n9te.D D1 %on?t th n: so. .o9 hear% what the" sa %. The" nten% to sta" here 9nt l to-morrow n 6ht. As lon6 as we show 9p here n 6oo% t me to h %e o9rselves be8ore the" leave7 we?re all r 6ht.D ,ran: stro%e 9p an% %own the 8 el%7 ta: n6 the : n:s o9t o8 h s le6s. D4et?s ta:e o9r san%w ches an% 6o over to that aban%one% 8armho9se. 5e can sta" there H9 te com8ortabl" 9nt l t?s t me to leave.D @oe a6ree%. D5e?ll have to :eep an e"e on the roa%. 5e can?t a88or% to let them see 9s 6ett n6 nto the plane an% we can?t a88or% to let them start w tho9t 9s.D D5e?ve sta"e% w th them so 8ar an% we?ve 6ot to sta" w th them to the 8 n sh7D %eclare% ,ran:. D1 onl" w sh we :new where th s b9s ness s 6o n6 to en%.D The" too: the r pac:a6e o8 8oo% 8rom the plane an% went across the 8 el% towar% the 8armho9se. 1t ha% been aban%one% 8or some "ears an% was n a ba% state o8 repa r7 b9t t s988 ce% 8or the r p9rpose. The bo"s spent the 6reater part o8 the %a" explor n6 the place7 an% towar% m %-a8ternoon ,ran: s966este% that the" m 6ht as well sleep there that n 6ht. The Twent"-$ 6hth ()9 The" went bac: to the plane7 wh ch ha% been 9n% st9rbe%7 an% remove% the a9tomob le robes7 br n6 n6 them bac: to the ho9se. D5e?ll have to sleep on the 8loor to-n 6ht7D la96he% ,ran:. D1 %on?t care where we sleep7 as lon6 as we 6et these rascals where we want them.D The" 8o9n% a spr n6 %own n the orchar%7 an% the col% spr n6 water serve% to ma:e more palatable the san%w ches the 8armer?s w 8e ha% ma%e 8or them that morn n6. Towar% even n6 the" went nto one o8 the 9pper rooms o8 the ho9se an% loo:e% o9t over the 8 el% towar% the plane. There the" saw three 8 69res wal: n6 across the 8 el%. D1 hope the"?re not 6o n6 to start o88 a6a n7D ea % @oe7 n alarm. DThe"?ve probabl" G9st come bac: to see 8 the plane s all r 6ht.D The three men were G les -9cro" an% h s compan ons7 an% the r erran% was ev %entl" as ,ran: ha% s966este%. -9cro" went over the plane ver"

care89ll". Then he went towar% the bac: an% s9%%enl" p9lle% open the %oor n the s %e. The bo"s saw h m peer nto the nter or o8 the plane. DBo"7 sn?t t l9c:" we % %n?t sta" thereED excla me% @oe. D1 hope he %oesn?t 8 n% that water bottle. 5e le8t t there. #ememberED (*0 The Great A rport !"ster" B9t -9cro"?s nspect on was br e8. He %rew bac:7 close% the %oor a6a n an% t9rne% to the others w th an express ve 6est9re. ,ran: an% @oe real Be% that he ha% merel" ma%e the nspect on to sat s8" the others that there was no ba66a6e n the plane. $v %entl" the water bottle ha% 6one 9nnot ce%. The tr o sta"e% onl" a 8ew m n9tes7 then went bac: across the 8 el% a6a n towar% the v lla6e. DThat?s thatED sa % ,ran:. D5e?re all r 6ht now 9nt l to-morrow n 6ht. 5e?ll 6o over some t me n the a8ternoon7 h %e o9rselves an% then wa t 8or th n6s to happen.D The bo"s sta"e% n the empt" 8armho9se that n 6ht7 an% the" slept so9n%l" n the a9tomob le robes7 %esp te the har%ness o8 the 8loor. The 6ra" l 6ht o8 %awn was G9st sh n n6 thro96h the w n%ow when ,ran: hear% a so9n% that awa:ene% h m w th a start. 1t was the throbb n6 roar o8 an a rplane en6 neE He 6ot 9p an% scramble% over to the w n%ow. 5hen he loo:e% o9t he was G9st n t me to see a 8 69re clamber n6 nto the coc:p t o8 the plane o9t n the 8 el%. Then the mach ne be6an to move across the past9reJ ts spee% ncrease%J t rose 8rom the 6ro9n%7 s: mme% above the 8e9ce7 rose h 6her an% h 6her nto the a r an% then hea%e% 8ar o88 be"on% the v lla6e. The Twent"-$ 6hth (*( @oe7 n the meant me7 ha% been aro9se% b" the no se o8 the en6 ne7 an% he too w tnesse% the a rplane?s 8l 6ht. - sheartene% an% % sco9ra6e%7 the bo"s loo:e% 6l9ml" at one another. D1 69ess that means we?re l c:e%7D sa % @oe7 at last. CHAPT$# && that n 6ht apte: all the r preca9t ons7 the sa l n6 awa" o8 the a rplane w tho9t them was a b tter p ll to swallow. The Har%" bo"s ha% been so con8 %ent that the men wo9l% rema n n th s place 9nt l the n 6ht o8 the twent"e 6hth that th s earl" morn n6 8l 6ht too: them completel" b" s9rpr se. D5e?ve lost them now7D sa % ,ran:. D5e %on?t :now where the"?re 6o n6 or where th s hol%-9p7 or whatever t s7 s 6o n6 to ta:e place. An% we %on?t even :now where we are o9rselves.D D1t?s to96h l9c:. A8ter all the tro9ble we went toED D1 69ess the onl" th n6 we can %o now s 6o bac: to Ba"port an% %o o9r best to warn the post o88 ce a9thor t es. 1 have a prett" 6oo% h9nch that the 6an6 are plann n6 another a r ma l robber". 5h" else wo9l% the" 9se a planeFD D2ot m9ch 9se sta" n6 here7D a6ree% @oe7 (*< That 2 6ht (*+ DThe" certa nl" stole a march on 9s that t me.D The" 6ot %resse% an% le8t the empt" ho9se. 2e ther sa % ver" m9ch7 8or the" were % sco9ra6e% be"on% meas9re. All the r % scom8ort o8 the past two %a"s seeme% to have 6one 8or noth n6. The" real Be% that the %e8eat was not the r 8a9lt7 beca9se the" co9l% not ant c pate that -9cro" an% h s cron es wo9l% leave that morn n6 when the" ha% %e8 n tel" planne% to rema n n the v c n t" all %a"J b9t there rema ne% the 9nescapable 8act that the H9arr" ha% el9%e% them. DPerhaps the pol ce n the v lla6e reco6n Be% them an% the" ha% to clear o9t7D s966este% @oe7

D1 69ess that?s the reason. 1 can?t th n: o8 an" other.D The" tr9%6e% %own the lane that le% o9t towar% the v lla6e roa%. The r mme% ate plan was to reach the v lla6e7 8 n% o9t where the" were7 an% then ret9rn to Ba"port as soon as poss ble. DThere?s G9st a sl m chance we ma" be able to catch them "et 8 we tell the post o88 ce a9thor t es all we :now7D 1 Tan: po nte% o9t7 DB9t we haven?t m9ch t me to wor: n.D The s:" was overcast an% clo9%" that morn n67 n harmon" w th the moo% o8 the Har%" bo"s. The" 8o9n% t % 88 c9lt to be cheer89l a8ter the reverse the" ha% G9st s988ere%. (*= The Great A rport !"ster" D1?ll bet there sn?t even a ra lwa" here7II 6r9mble% @oe. DAn% o9r roa%ster s m les awa".D D5hat a 8 ne 8 x we?re nED DPerhaps the"?ll come bac:7D remar:e% ,ran:7 tr" n6 to be opt m st c. DThe"?re 6one 8or 6oo%.D The Har%" bo"s crosse% a r9st c br %6e over a stream an% went 9p the %9st" roa% nto the v lla6e. 1t was onl" a small 8arm n6 town an% there were 8ew people n s 6ht. 0everal cars were par:e% n 8ront o8 the small hotel. D5e m 6ht as well 6o n here an% have brea:8ast7D s966este% @oe. D/9r san%w ches are all 6one.D The" went nto the hotel an% entere% the % n n6 room. 1n sp te o8 the % sappo ntment the" ha% s988ere%7 the r appet tes st ll hel% 6oo% an% the" mana6e% to ma:e awa" w th a 6oo%l" s9ppl" o8 ham an% e66s7 8lapGac:s an% s"r9p7 toast an% co88ee. The meal over7 the" 8elt better. A8ter pa" n6 the chec: at the %es:7 the" sat %own to cons %er 89t9re plans. The cler: tol% them that the v lla6e was abo9t one h9n%re% m les 8rom Ba"port7 an% that the nearest ra lwa" was 8o9r m les % stant. 18 the" h re% a man 8rom the 6ara6e to %r ve them to the stat on the" co9l% catch a tra n that wo9l% br n6 them to Ba"port late that a8ternoon. That 2 6ht (*; D1 69ess t?s the best we can %o7D sa % ,ran:. D! 6ht" 8lat en% n6 to o9r a%vent9re.D DPerhaps t sn?t over "et.D @oe was loo: n6 o9t nto the street. 09%%enl" he cl9tche% h s brother?s arm. D4oo:7 ,ran:E -o "o9 see what 1 seeFD ,ran: loo:e% o9t. He 6aspe% w th aston shment. Across the street7 loll n6 n the %oorwa" o8 a 6rocer" store7 was a 8am l ar 8 69re. There was no m sta: n6 the battere% hat7 the shabb" clothes7 the mo9rn89l an% 9nshaven 8eat9res. D2ewt P ppsED DHe?s st ll here.D At that moment the Har%" bo"s were perhaps the most %el 6hte% an% amaBe% la%s n the >n te% 0tates. DThe" le8t h m here7D sa % ,ran:. D5h"7 th s means the others w ll be com n6 bac:ED D>nless the"?ve % tche% 2ewt alto6ether.D DThe" wo9l%n?t %o that7D sa % ,ran:7 meet n6 @oe?s obGect on. DHe :nows too m9ch. He :nows all abo9t th s cr me the" have been plann n6. -9cro" an% /ll e @acobs wo9l% be a8ra % to 6et r % o8 h m now.D DThat?s r 6ht7 ,ran:. 5e 6ave 9p hope too H9 c:l". The other pa r w ll probabl" be com n6 bac: to the 8arm to-%a".D D5e?% better 6et bac: there G9st as H9 c:l". (*) The Great A rport !"ster" as we :now how. D5e %on?t want to be ca96htJ napp n6 now.D

2ewt P pps was st ll stan% n6 n 8ront o8 he 6rocer" store. Apparentl" he ha% no ntent on o8 mov n6 on. The Har%" bo"s :new the" were r s: n6 % scover" 8 the" went o9t the 8ront entrance7 so the" sco9te% aro9n% 9nt l the" 8o9n% a bac: %oor to the hotel an% %eparte% 9nobtr9s vel". The" c9t across the "ar%7 went %own a lane7 an% soon 8o9n% themselves on the roa% lea% n6 bac: to the 8arm. The" were abo9t hal8 wa" bac: to the 8arm when the" hear% a % stant %ron n6 no se. ,ran: loo:e% 9p. DHere comes the planeED A spee% n6 sha%ow n the s:" H9 c:l" resolve% tsel8 nto the shape o8 an a rplane7 wh ch 6ra%9all" approache% an% be6an to %escen% n w %e sp rals. The bo"s le8t the roa% an% too: to the sha%ow o8 the trees7 8or altho96h the" :new there was l ttle chance o8 be n6 reco6n Be% 8rom the a r7 the" were ta: n6 no r s:s. The plane came lower an% lower7 then s: mme% across the 8ences7 com n6 to rest n the 8 el% near the ol% 8armho9se. D18 th s sn?t l9c:ED excla me% ,ran:. DThe" probabl" went awa" to 6et 6as an% o l. 2ow7 8 the"?ll onl" 6 ve 9s a chance to 6et bac: n o9r h % n6 place a6a n ever"th n6 w ll .be all r 6ht.D ? That 2 6ht (**? The" went on ca9t o9sl"7 towar% the 8 el% The" ha% G9st come to the entrance o8 the lane lea% n6 %own towar% the 8arm when the" hear% vo ces. ,ran: an% @oe scramble% nto the he%6e an% h % themselves. The" were not a moment too soon. G les -9cro" an% /ll e @acobs clambere% over the 8ence7 onl" a 8ew "ar%s awa". D$ver"th n6 s all set now7D -9cro" was sa" n6. D5e?re all 89ele% 9p7 the plane s n 8 rst-class shape7 an% we?re all rea%" 8or the b 6 Gob.D D5e?ll 6o bac: an% p c: 9p 2ewt now7D sa % /ll e @acobs. DHe 6 ves me a pa n7D 6r9mble% -9cro". D18 t wasn?t that he has been w th 9s 8rom the start 1?% be tempte% to %rop h m r 6ht now. 1ma6 ne be n6 too 8r 6htene% to 6o on that 8l 6ht w th 9s th s morn n6.D D2ewt s "ellow.D DHe certa nl" s. 5ell7 as lon6 as he comes w th 9s to-n 6ht an% %oes h s part7 1 %on?t care how "ellow he s abo9t 8l" n6.D D0hall we come bac: here r 6ht awa"FD D2o. 0ome o8 these v lla6ers m 6ht 6et s9sp c o9s. 5e?ll han6 aro9n% town 9nt l t 6ets %ar:. Then we?ll set o9t. 1 :now the exact t me an% place we can co9nt on meet n6 th s 8ellow an% the whole th n6 o96ht to be over n twent" m n9tes.D (*' The Great A rport !"ster" DGoo%7D sa % @acobs. The two men went on %own the lane. The" ha% not seen the Har%" bo"s h % n6 n the he%6e. 5hen the" reache% the roa% the" t9rne% n the % rect on o8 the v lla6e an% n a 8ew moments were lost to v ew. ,ran: an% @oe crawle% o9t o8 the he%6e. D/n the tra l a6a n7D sa % ,ran:. D5e shan?t have to sta" h %%en n the plane7 a8ter all. Th s s l9c:.D The" hastene% %own the lane to the 8armho9se. >nw tt n6l"7 the rascals ha% pla"e% nto the r han%s. The" now :new that -9cro" wo9l% not start on the m"ster o9s m ss on 9nt l a8ter %ar:ness ha% 8allen7 an% the" resolve% to be n rea% ness. D@9st when we ha% 6 ven 9p hope7D sa % ,ran:7 Dever"th n6 6ets clear a6a nED DClear eno96h so 8ar7D a6ree% @oe. D5e won?t ta:e an" chances on

sl pp n6 9p a6a n. 5e?ll be h % n6 n that plane at s9n%own.D The bo"s went bac: to the ho9se an% there the" rema ne% 8or the rest o8 the %a". The" 8o9n% that 8rom one o8 the 9pper w n%ows o8 the b9 l% n6 the" co9l% have an 9n nterr9pte% v ew o8 the roa% lea% n6 to the v lla6e7 an% the" ma%e 8reH9ent v s ts to th s w n%ow n or%er to ma:e s9re that -9cro" an% h s compan ons wo9l% not steal a march on them. However7 the a8ternoon %ra66e% past w th no s 6n o8 the That 2 6ht (*9 tr o7 an% t was ev %ent that the" were 8ollow n6 the r or 6 nal pro6ram o8 loa8 n6 abo9t the v lla6e. The a rplane7 wh ch ha% ev %entl" escape% not ce7 reste% alone n the 8 el%. Towar% the latter part o8 the a8ternoon the clo9%s wh ch ha% been 6ather n6 all %a" 6athere% overhea% an% there was a l 6ht shower o8 ra n. 1t passe% over7 b9t the weather became cool an% bl9ster". DA ba% n 6ht 8or 8l" n67D remar:e% ,ran:. D18 -9cro" can chance t7 so can we.D DThat?s r 6ht. 1 hope the" %on?t call t o88.D D2ot a8ter wa t n6 th s lon67D sa % @oe. D-9cro" has set h s heart on th s a88a r. 1t?ll ta:e a m 6ht" storm" n 6ht to ma:e h m H9 t at the last moment.D The a8ternoon seeme% en%less7 b9t at last ,ran: t9rne% to h s brother. D5e ma" have H9 te a wh le to wa t7 b9t 1 th n: we o96ht to 6o over to the plane now.D D1 %on?t m n% wa t n6. 1?% rather wa t an ho9r or so than be le8t beh n%7 as we tho96ht we were th s morn n6.D D4et?s 6o7 then.D The bo"s le8t the ho9se an% went over to the 8 el%. The a rplane was apparentl" G9st as -9cro" an% @acobs ha% le8t t. There was no s 6n o8 an"one on the v lla6e roa%. The Har%" bo"s cl mbe% nto the r h % n6 ('0 The Great A rport !"ster" place an% ma%e themselves as com8ortable as poss ble. ,or the t me be n67 the" le8t the %oor open 8or the sa:e o8 8resh a r. ! n9tes went b". The s:" 6rew %ar:er an% the w n% rose. /nce n a wh le a 69st o8 ra n spattere% a6a nst the w n6s o8 the mach ne. At last @oe cro9che% 8orwar%. DHere the" comeE 1 see a l 6ht %own the roa%.?? He reache% o9t an% close% the %oor. Breathlessl"7 the Har%" bo"s awa te% the next move n the r per lo9s a%vent9re. CHAPT$# &&1 west o8 bacon h ll the Har%" bo"s soon hear% 8ootsteps as the three men approache% the plane. D1 w sh the weather was better7D 2ew P pps compla ne%. D1?m a8ra % someth n6 w ll happen.D D1 w sh "o9?% :eep H9 et7D snappe% -9cro". D18 "o9?re so scare%7 wh" % % "o9 come n w th 9s at allFD D1 nee% the mone".D DAn% "o9 %on?t want to earn t. 1?m %o n6 all the wor:. All "o9 an% /ll e have to %o s throw the ropes over the s %e when 1 6 ve the wor% then 6et "o9r 69ns rea%" 8or the hol%-9p.D L D5e ma" lose h m n the %ar:7D wh ne%? P pps. D1 :now ever" 8oot o8 h s ro9te7D ret9rne% -9cro". DHe?ll come r 6ht over the two ch9rch steeples n @asonv lle7 then str :e west o8 the l 6ht on Bacon H ll.D These places were new to the Har%" bo"s.

('( ('< The Great A rport !"ster" The" ha% never hear% o8 e ther @asonv lle or Bacon H ll. The" l stene% wh le the tr o ma%e the 8 nal preparat ons 8or 8l 6ht. 1t % % not ta:e lon6. 1n a 8ew m n9tes the" hear% the propeller wh rr n6. The en6 ne roare%7 there were a 8ew sho9ts as the men too: the r places7 an% then the plane b9mpe% o88 over the 9neven 6ro9n%. 1t 6athere% spee%7 then the b9mp n6 cease% as the plane rose. 1t cleare% the 8ence at the en% o8 the 8 el%7 c rcle% somewhat slowl"7 an% rose h 6her. ,or a t me the plane 8lew a % rect co9rse7 then t ban:e% an% c rcle%. There was no %o9bt n the m n%s o8 the Har%" bo"s now that -9cro" an% h s compan ons meant to hol% 9p another a rplane7 b9t how th s hol%-9p was to be mana6e% the" ha% not the least %ea. 1t was ver" con8 n n6 ns %e the bo%" o8 the plane7 8or the n 6ht was hot an% s9ltr" %esp te the ra n. The roar o8 the en6 ne %rowne% o9t all other so9n%s. 09%%enl" the plane % ppe%. @oe7 who ha% rel nH9 she% h s 6r p on the rac:7 was thrown 8orwar%. The mach ne lost balance an% nose% %own accor% n6l". -9cro" H9 c:l" stra 6htene% t o9t an% @oe tr e% to e%6e bac: towar% h s brother n the %ar:ness. He 8o9n%7 however7 that h s wr st was t 6htl" hel%. Pan c-str c:en7 he 6rope% 8orwar%. H s sh rt 5est o8 Bacon H ll ('+ Gleeve ha% been ca96ht n the steer n6 6ear r9nn n6 8rom the controls bac: to the r9%%er at the ta l o8 the plane. 5h le he tr e% to extr cate h msel8 the plane be6an to b9c: an% swa" n the w n%. ,ran:7 real B n6 that someth n6 was wron67 sw tche% on a small 8lashl 6ht he ha% w th h m7 an% move% slowl" 8orwar%. The beam o8 l 6ht 8ell on @oe?s sh rt sleeve. 5hen the bo"s saw what was wron6 the" ma%e %esperate attempts to release the sleeve7 b9t t was now 8 rml" entan6le% n the 6ear. 09%%enl" the roar o8 the motor % e%. -9cro" ha% sh9t o88 h s en6 ne. The plane was nos n6 %own towar% the earth n a thr ll n6 % ve. 5 n% san6 n the str9ts. D5hat?s the matterFD sho9te% 2ewt P pps7 n terror. D0teer n6 6ear Gamme%ED answere% -9cro" so9rl". D5e?ll be : lle%ED DHol% stea%"7 "o9 8oolED 6rowle% /ll e @acobs. D5hat?s the matter7 G les7 can?t "o9 6et her o9t o8 tFD -9cro" was wor: n6 8rant call" at the controls. D0ometh n6 wron6 somewhere. Th s ol% b r%?s ta l s as heav" as lea%. 1 can?t move the r9%%er.D The 6ear was mov n6 n response to h s e8@ '= The Great A rpo 8 !"ster" 8orts at the controls. ,ran: se Be% @oe?s sleeve an% 6ave a H9 c: wrench. The movement o8 the 6ear ha% loosene% the sleeve somewhat an% t abr9ptl" came loose. At the same moment there was a sho9t o8 sat s8act on 8rom G les -9ero". D0he?s wor: n6 a6a n. 0a"7 next t me 1 lan% 1?m 6o n6 to see 8 we haven?t some ballast aboar%. There?s someth n6 ra% call" wron6 bac: there.D D5e won?t nee% the plane a8ter th s ha9l7D %eclare% @acobs. D18 we 6et thro96h th s tr p all r 6ht we?ll be set 8or l 8e.D The Har%" bo"s scramble% bac: to the r 7places. The nose o8 the plane s9%%enl" ra se%. The en6 ne be6an to roar a6a n. -9ero" then bro96ht the mach ne o9t o8 ts breath-ta: n6 % ve. 1t 8lattene% o9t an% race%

on a6a n. ,ran: an% @oe were pant n6 w th exc tement. $ach real Be% how near the" ha% been to %eath. 5 th the r9%%er 9seless7 the plane wo9l% have crashe% nose %own nto the earth an% the" wo9l% have per she% nstantl". ,rom then on7 the bo"s cl9n6 to the rac: w th ever" movement o8 the plane. That one haBar%o9s exper ence ha% been s988 c ent warn n6. 09%%enl"7 above the no se o8 the en6 ne7 the Har%" bo"s hear% a sho9t 8rom one o8 the men. Then the" became aware o8 a new so9n%. A stea%"7 % stant %r9mm n6 was apparent. 5est o8 Bacon H ll ('; DThe other planeED the" re8lecte%. The mach ne ban:e%7 swept abo9t n a 6reat c rcle. The b 6 moment was at han%. The %r9mm n6 o8 the other plane became clearer. D0tan% b"ED the" hear% -9cro" "ell. The plane b9c:e% as t was ca96ht n a 69st o8 w n%7 then t shot 8orwar% an% be6an to cl mb. The %r9mm n6 o8 the other plane was now H9 te a9% ble7 m n6l n6 w th the roar n6 o8 the r own mach ne. 1t seeme% to be below them an% n 8ront o8 them. -9cro" was ev %entl" Goc:e" n6 8or a strate6 c pos t on7 8or the plane roc:e% an% swa"e%7 ban:e% an% t9rne%7 % ppe% an% rose a6a n. D#ea%"ED There was an answer n6 sho9t 8rom /ll e @acobs. D/ver she 6oesED The bo"s hear% a rattl n6 so9n% 8rom the 8orwar% part o8 the plane. 5hat t was the" co9l% not ma6 ne. An nstant later7 the %r9mm n6 o8 the plane below cease% abr9ptl". The r own plane sw9n6 aro9n%. -9cro" c9t o88 h s en6 ne an% went nto a % ve. D5e?ve 6ot h mED the" hear% /ll e @acobs sho9t n6. DThere he 6oes. 4oo:E He?s % v n6.?? D-on?t lose s 6ht o8 h mED sho9te% -9cro"7 (') The Great A rport !"ster" DHe?s hea% n6 8or a 8 el%. 2ose her %own. 5e?re r 6ht beh n% h m7 G lesED The plane % ve% sw 8tl". ,rom below7 the bo"s hear% a % stant crash. DHe?s on the 6ro9n%. 5atch o9t7 -9cro". Come 9p beh n% h m.D The plane ban:e%7 8l n6 n6 the two bo"s v olentl" to one s %e. 1t l9rche%7 % ve% a6a n 9nstea% l". DGet rea%"ED or%ere% -9cro". D-on?t let h m 6et awa". Can "o9 see h m7 /ll eFD D1 can?t see h m7 b9t 1 can see the plane. 1t?s r 6ht ahea%. Get "o9r 69n7 2ewt.D D1?m rea%"7D H9avere% 2ewt P pps. Gra%9all"7 the plane settle% %own. There was a b9mp as the wheels to9che% the earth. The plane rebo9n%e% h 6h nto the a r7 8or -9cro" ha% sl 6htl" m scalc9late% n the %ar:ness. The en6 ne roare% a6a n. The wheels once more to9che% the 6ro9n%7 .n% the plane roc:e% on over the 9neven s9r8ace. , nall" t came to a stop. The Har%" bo"s hear% a scrambl n6 8rom the 8ront o8 the mach ne. DAll o9tED -9cro" was sho9t n6. D2ow7 bo"s7 ma:e H9 c: wor: o8 th s. Grab the ba6s an% 6et bac: here as H9 c:l" as "o9 can. -on?t waste an" t me. Get nto the plane a6a n an% wa t 8or me. 1?ll 6et bac: an% start her a6a n. 5e?ll be n the a r be8ore he :nows what t?s all abo9t.D 1 5est o8 Bacon H ll (0T

The Har%" bo"s co9l% hear them r9nn n6 across the 8 el%. ,ran: reache% 8or the catch7 8l9n6 the %oor open. He an% @oe scramble% o9t o8 the plane. The scene was ll9m nate% b" a clo9%" moon. There was G9st s988 c ent l 6ht 8or them to see a wrec:e% an% cr9mple% a rplane n the 8 el% some % stance ahea%. A p lot was pa n89ll" extr cat n6 h msel8 8rom the wrec:a6e. -9cro" an% the others were r9nn n6 towar% h m w th %rawn revolvers. The Har%" bo"s7 too7 were arme%. #eal B n6 that the r anta6on sts were %esperate men7 the" ha% ta:en the 8oretho96ht to prov %e themselves w th revolvers be8ore leav n6 Ba"-port. $ach la% 6r ppe% h s weapon. D1t?s the hol%-9pED sa % ,ran: H9 c:l". D4et?s brea: t 9p.D D@9st a m n9teED %eclare% @oe. DThe" want to 6et awa" n th s plane. 18 we can?t han%le them the"?ll ma:e a 6etawa" n sp te o8 9s. 4et?s 8 x t so the" can?t.D He ran towar% the 8ront o8 the plane7 scramble% 9p nto the coc:p t. @oe :new someth n6 o8 mach ner"7 an% t too: h m onl" a 8ew secon%s to brea: an mportant w re connect on that ren%ere% the en6 ne 9seless 8or the t me be n6. DThat?ll 8 x ?em7D he sa % G9b lantl"7 as he 8an bac: to ,ran:7 who was wa t n6 mpa('' The Great A rport !"ster" t entl". D2ow we can ta:e a han% n th s l ttle 6ame.D The" ran towar% the wrec:e% plane G9st as -9cro" an% h s cron es levele% %rawn revolvers at the p lot. DP9t 9p "o9r han%s or we?ll shootED or%ere% -9cro". CHAPT$# &&11 capt9re% ca9t on prevente% the Har%" bo"s 8rom 6o n6 closer to the 8allen plane. The" ha% not been seen b" -9cro" or the others7 an% the" now real Be% that t wo9l% be 8oll" to pla" nto the r han%s at th s moment. The" were o9tn9mbere% an% the" saw that the" m 6ht eas l" be % sarme% 8 the" too: rec:less chances. ,ran: s9%%enl" halte% an% 6raspe% @oe b" the arm. D5e?re 8ool sh to come o9t n the open l :e th s. 5e?re G9st as l able to be shot.D DThat?s what 1?ve been th n: n67D repl e% @oe. D5hat %o "o9 th n: we?% better %oFD DThe"?ll be com n6 bac: to the plane. 1 th n: we o96ht to wa t here 8or them an% hol% them 9p when the" come bac:. The"?ll be o88 the r 69ar% then an% probabl" the" ?(( be loa%e% %own w th st988 8rom the other plane.D 5 tho9t 89rther parle"7 the la%s t9rne% an% ran bac:. 1n the 6loom the" ha% not been seen. 1he" cro9che% n the sha%ow o8 the % sable% ('9 (90 The Great A rport !"ster" plane an% watche% the act v t es o8 the others. The p lot7 a8ter h s 8 rst shoc: o8 s9rpr se7 ha% H9 c:l" thrown 9p h s han%s. -9cro" an% the others a%vance% towar% h m. D5hat?s the %eaFD the la%s hear% the p lot sa" n6. D5e haven?t t me to tal: to "o97D 6rowle% -9cro"7 hol% n6 a revolver a6a nst the man?s bo%". D5e want those ma l ba6s "o9 have here.D DBan% ts7 are "o9FD snappe% the p lot. D.o9?ll s988er 8or th s. .o9 tr e% to : ll meED D.o9?re not %ea% "et7D sa % /ll e @acobs callo9sl". D.o9 8l9n6 a rope %own 8rom "o9r plane an% t tan6le% 9p n m" propeller sha8t. 1t?s G9st b" l9c: that 1 wasn?t : lle% n the crac:-

9p. @9st wa t. .o9?ll pa" 8or th s n 6ht?s wor:.D D5e?ll 6et pa %7D ch9c:le% -9cro". DGet n there7 2ewt7 an% heave o9t those ma l ba6s.D The p lot was helpless 9n%er the menace o8 the %rawn revolvers. He was 8orce% to stan% b" wh le 2ewt P pps scramble% nto the plane7 8o9n% the ma l ba6s7 an% be6an throw n6 them o9t to the 6ro9n%. D1?ll ta:e care o8 th s 8ellow7D sa % -9cro". D/ll e7 "o9 can start br n6 n6 those ba6s 9p to the other plane. 5or: 8ast. 0ome o8 these 8armers aro9n% here ma" have hear% the plane Capt9re% (9( crash an% the" m 6ht be alon6 an" m n9te to nvest 6ate.D /ll e @acobs7 poc:et n6 h s revolver7 spran6 8orwar% an% se Be% two o8 the heav" ma l ba6s7 He 8l9n6 them over h s sho9l%er an% hastene% bac: towar% the plane7 where the Har%" bo"s awa te% h m. 2earer an% nearer he came. The bo"s cro9che% n rea% ness. @acobs reache% the plane. He % % not see the l9r: n6 sha%ows. He was G9st reach n6 8orwar% to open the %oor o8 the ba66a6e compartment 8or the recept on o8 the stolen ma l ba6s when ,ran: Har%" steppe% o9t an% sw 8tl" presse% a revolver a6a nst h s s %e. D>p w th "o9r han%s7 @acobsE 2ot a wor% o9t o8 "o9ED /ll e @acobs 6ave a stran6le% exclamat on o8 s9rpr se. Then he %roppe% the ma l ba6s. H s arms shot nto the a r. D5ho-who are "o9FD he stammere%. D3eep H9 etE /ne wor% o9t o8 "o9-----DI? ,ran: pro%%e% h m w th the revolver to emphas Be h s comman%. /ll e @acobs was 8r 6htene% nto s lence. ,rom where the" were stan% n67 the scene co9l% not be observe% b" -9cro". ,ran: an% @oe bac:e% the r capt ve 9p a6a nst the s %e o8 the plane an% ba%e h m be H9 et7 (9< The Great A rport !"ster" A moment later the" hear% -9cro" sho9t n6. D/ll eE 5hat?s :eep n6 "o9F H9rr" bac: here an% 6et these other ba6s.D @acobs st rre% restlessl"7 b9t ,ran: Gamme% the revolver a6a nst h s r bs. He was helpless7 an% he :new t. D/ll eED -9cro" was becom n6 an6r". D5hat on earth has happene% to h mF Here7 2ewtE 3eep th s man covere% wh le 1 6o an% see what?s the matter.D A moment later the Har%" bo"s hear% -9cro" r9nn n6 towar% the plane. He came aro9n% the s %e7 m9tter n6 to h msel8. @oe was wa t n6 n rea% ness. He leape% o9t an% thr9st h s revolver a6a nst -9cro"?s chest. DHan%s 9p7 -9cro"ED -9cro" 6ave a sho9t o8 % sma"7 steppe% bac:7 b9t when he saw the revolver he ra se% h s arms. DGet bac: over here bes %e @acobs.D #el9ctantl"7 -9cro" % % as he was tol%. ,ran: went sw 8tl" thro96h the poc:ets o8 each man an% % sarme% them both. D2ow7D he sa % to @oe7 D 8 "o9?ll :eep th s pa r covere%7 1?ll 6o bac: an% atten% to 8r en% 2ewt.D @oe7 w th a revolver n each han%7 e"e% h s capt ves war l". B9t -9cro" an% @acobs7 9narme%7 ha% too m9ch respect 8or the menac n6 Capt9re% (9+ weapons an% the %eterm ne% bo" who hel% them7 to ma:e an" rash brea: 8or l bert". ,ran:7 h s revolver n rea% ness7 went ove towar% the other plane where 2ewt P pps was hol% n6 the p lot at ba". At the so9n% o8 h s

8ootsteps7 2ewt calle% o9t: D5hat?s the matter7 -9cro"F 1 tho96ht 1 hear% "o9 sho9t.D D$ver"th n6?s all r 6ht7D 6rowle% ,ran:. Apparentl"7 2ewt was %ece ve%7 8or he % % not loo: aro9n%. 1t s certa n that he 6ot the shoc: o8 h s l 8e when he 8elt a revolver m9BBle presse% a6a nst h s bac: an% hear% a stern vo ce sa": D>p w th "o9r han%s7 2ewtE -rop that 69n mme% atel"ED 5 th a sH9eal o8 amaBement7 2ewt P pps wh rle% aro9n%7 lower n6 h s weapon as he % % so. At the same moment the p lot7 who ha% been watch n6 h s chance7 spran6 8orwar%7 se Be% the 8ellow?s wr st an% wrenche% the weapon 8rom h m. There was a br e8 str966le7 an% 2ewt P pps was overpowere%. DThe others are bac: at the other plane/? ,ran: tol% the p lot. D!" brother has thera covere%.?? DGoo%ED sa % the av ator7 %eal n6 2ewt a heart" : c:. D2ow 6et alon6 there7 "o9ED The" propelle% the l9c:less 2ewt ahea% o8 them across the 8 el% 9nt l the" reache% the (9= The Great A rport !"ster" other plane7 where the" 8o9n% @oe st ll on 69ar% over h s capt ves. DTr" to rob the a r ma l7 wo9l% "o9FD 6loate% the p lot7 as 2ewt was l ne% 9p bes %e the others. D.o9 m 6ht" nearl" 6ot awa" w th t7 too. B9t not th s t meED -9cro" leane% 8orwar%7 peer n6 at h s captors n the 6loom. 1t was then that he reco6n Be% the Har%" bo"s. ?? 1 tho96ht soED he m9ttere% b tterl". ?? The Har%" bo"sE Altho96h how on earth the two o8 "o9 6ot here s be"on% me.D DTh s means Ga lED moane% 2ewt P pps. D/h7 wh" % % 1 ever let m"sel8 be ar69e% nto th sE 1 :new we ?% never 6et awa" w th tE 1 sa % so 8rom the startED D0h9t 9p7D snarle% /ll e @acobs. D0h9t 9p an% ta:e "o9r me% c ne l :e a man. 5e?re l c:e%J b9t we wo9l% have been well awa" 8 t ha%n?t been 8or those Har%" bo"s.D D.o9 la%s certa nl" came alon6 n the n c: o8 t me7D sa % the p lot o8 the ma l plane. D.o9 co9l%n?t have 6ot here better 8 "o9 ha% planne% t 8rom the start. There s abo9t 8 8t" tho9san% %ollars n cash n those ma l ba6s. That?s what th s 6an6 were a8ter. The" c rcle% m" mach ne an% %roppe% a tan6le o8 ropes over the propeller. 1 ha% to ma:e a lan% n67 an% nearl" lost m" l 8e n the bar6a n.D D5e % % plan t 8rom the start7D ,ran: tol%. Capt9re% (9; h m H9 etl". D5e have been 8ollow n6 these men 8or three %a"s7 tr" n6 to 8 n% what the" were 9p to.D ??,ollow n6 9sED cr e% -9ero". ?? How co9l% "o9 8ollow 9sF 5e?ve 8lown h9n%re%s o8 m les n the last three %a"s.D DAn% we 8lew w th "o9. 5e?ve been H9 te com8ortable bac: n the ta l o8 the plane.D A sta tle% exclamat on b9rst 8rom -9ero". D0o that?s what was wron6E 1 tho96ht there was someth n6 m 6ht" H9eer abo9t the wa" that mach ne was act n6. An% 1 never even loo:e%E The two o8 "o9 r 6ht on o9r tra l 8rom the startED H s eGac9lat ons o8 s9rpr se an% % s69st were echoe% b" /ll e @acobs an% 2ewt P pps. As 8or the p lot7 he was h lar o9s n h s a%m rat on o8 the Har%" bo"s. D.o9 were tra l n6 them all the wa"ED he excla me%. D5ell7 that?s the best 1?ve ever hear%. An% the" th n: n6 the"?% ma:e a neat clean-9pE Bo"s7 when 1 report th s to the post o88 ce %epartment "o9?ll hear some

8 ne th n6s sa % abo9t "o9rselves 8or th s n 6ht?s wor:.D @oe r9mma6e% abo9t n the plane an% 8o9n% a len6th o8 rope. He c9t th s nto conven ent p eces7 an% wh le ,ran: covere% the three ban% ts w th h s revolver7 @oe an% the p lot ma%e H9 c: wor: o8 b n% n6 them han% an% 8oot. The tr o ha% G9st been sa8el" tr9sse% 9p when (9) The Great A rport !"ster" the" hear% the clatter o8 an a9tomob le n a roa% near b"7 saw the beam o8 hea%l 6hts7 an% then the" hear% a hoarse vo ce: D5hat?s 6o n6 on over thereFD D5ho are "o9FD sho9te% the p lot. D1?m the sher 88 o8 th s here co9nt"7 an% 1 want to :now what mon:e"sh nes are 6o n6 on over there. 1 have a shot69n w th me7 an% 1?m rea%" to 9se tJ h9rr" 9p an% answer.D D.o9?re as welcome as the 8lowers n !a"7 sher 887D "elle% the p lot G9b lantl". DCome alon6 w th "o9r shot69n. 5e?ve 6ot some pr soners here 8or "o9.D CHAPT$# &&111 bac: n ba"port be"on% an occas onal robber" o8 a hen ho9se the worth" sher 88 ha% exper ence% 8ew cases o8 cr me n the co9nt" %9r n6 h s t me o8 o88 ce7 an% when he % scovere% who the pr soners were an% wh" the" ha% been capt9re% he was one o8 the most asto9n%e% an% bew l%ere% men n the worl%7 D#obb n? the a r ma lED he stammere%7 D5h"7 these 8ellers m9st be %esperate cr m nalsED DThe"?re not ver" %esperate now7 sher 887D la96he% the p lot. D5hat %?"o9 want me to %o w th ?emFD as:e% the man o8 the law %o9bt89ll". D4oc: ?em 9p.D D1 %on?t :now as 1?m respons ble.D The sher 88 was not anx o9s to be 6 ven char6e over three ma l robbers. D.o9?re respons ble7 all r 6ht7 9nt l the 6overnment ta:es them o88 "o9r han%s7D ret9rne% the p lot abr9ptl". D.o9 ta:e these men an% (9* (9' The Great A rport !"ster" loc: them 9p n "o9r v lla6e Ga l7 an% ma:e m 6ht" s9re the" %on?t 6et awa" 8rom "o97 e ther. Th s cr me too: place n "o9r co9nt"7 bo "o9 can G9st 6et b9s" an% %o "o9r %9t".D The sher 88 loo:e% ver" 9nhapp" abo9t t7 an% :ept -9cro" an% h s compan ons care89ll" eovere% w th the shot69n7 as tho96h 8ear n6 the" m 6ht brea: loose at an" moment. Ass stance soon arr ve%7 when a n9mber o8 8armers an% people 8rom the v lla6e7 attracte% b" the crash o8 the ma l plane7 came clamber n6 over the a%Gacent 8ences. 1n a remar:abl" short space o8 t me a crow% ha% collecte%. $ver"bo%" tal:e% at once7 ever"bo%" as:e% H9est ons7 an% 6eneral exc tement preva le%. D5hat?s the exc tementFD DA rplane b9ste%7 ehFD DAn"bo%" : lle%FD DGosh7 @e%7 loo: at the sher 88E 5hat?s he 9p to7 an"howFD D-on?t :now noth n? ?bo9t t7 Asa. B9t someth n? s pl9mb wron67 that?s certa n.D D-on?t 6o too close to the sheban67 B ll"7 she m 6ht b9st 9p on "o9.D D, rst t me 1 ever % % see an a rplane come %own l :e that.D D!e7 too. Gla% 1 come alon6 G9st n t me. 1 wo9l%n?t 6o 9p n one o8 ?em 8or a m ll on %ollars.D D2or me.D Bac: n Ba"port (99?

The sher 887 becom n6 bol%er7 anno9nce% to all an% s9n%r" that he ha% G9st capt9re% three ma l robbers at 6reat r s: o8 h s own l 8e an% calle% on h s 8ellow v lla6ers to help h m ta:e the tr o sa8el" to Ga l. -9cro"7 /ll e @acobs7 an% 2ewt P pps were conseH9entl" s9rro9n%e% an% le% o9t o8 the 8 el%7 b9n%le% nto an a9tomob le where the" were 69ar%e% b" the sher 887 arme% w th h s shot69n7 an% two h9s:" v lla6ers arme% w th cl9bs7 then h9stle% o88 to town. The p lot t9rne% to the Har%" bo"s. A n9mber o8 people ha% rema ne% at the scene an% were b9s" nspect n6 the wrec:e% plane an% as: n6 H9est ons. The maGor t" o8 the v lla6ers7 however7 ha% hastene% n the wa:e o8 the sher 88 an% h s pr soners. D5here are "o9 bo"s 8romFD DBa"port7D ,ran: tol% h m. The p lot was s9rpr se%. D5h"7 that?s where 1?m bo9n% 8or.D D1 69ess "o9 won?t 6et there to-n 6ht7D sa % @oe pess m st call". D1?ve 6ot to 6et there to-n 6ht. 1?m carr" n6 the a r ma l7 an% t m9st 6et thro96h somehow.D The p lot loo:e% at -9cro"?s plane. D1 won%er 8 th s ol% crate w ll ma:e t.D D1t was r9nn n6 8a rl" smoothl" to-n 6ht7D sa % ,ran: ea6erl". D-o "o9 th n: "o9 co9l% la:e o88 an% reacn Ba"port to-n 6htFD <00 The Great A rport !"ster" D5h" notE Here7 ta:e those ma l ba6s an% p9t them n the plane. 5e?ll ma:e a tr" at t7 an"wa".D 5h le ,ran: stowe% awa" the ma l ba6s7 @oe showe% the p lot the w re connect ons he ha% bro:en n or%er to prevent -9cro" 8rom 6ett n6 nto the a r. The p lot la96he%. DPrett" smart7D he sa % approv n6l". D$ven 8 "o9 ha%n?t s9ccee%e% n hol% n6 them 9p7 the" wo9l%n?t have 6ot ver" 8ar.D He H9 c:l" repa re% the bro:en connect on. D2ow7D he sa %7 D1 %on?t see an" reason wh" we sho9l%n?t be able to ta:e o88 8rom here an% reach Ba"port n 6oo% t me to-n 6ht. An% won?t m" ch e8?s e"es pop o9t when 1 tell h m the stor" o8 th s tr pED ,ran: ran aro9n% to the 8ront o8 the plane an% 6ave the propeller a 8l p. The motor be6an ts clamor a6a n an% the p lot wave% h s arm Go"o9sl". DCl mb nED he sho9te%. D5e?re awa"ED The Har%" bo"s lost no t me Dcl mb n6 n7D an% wh le the c9r o9s v lla6ers scattere% n all % rect ons7 the p lot D6ave her the 69nD an% the plane be6an to move slowl" o88 across the 8 el%. Altho96h t was a clo9%" n 6ht7 the p lot ha% some nst nct wh ch tol% h m the r 6ht % rect on7 an% he bro96ht the plane o88 the 6ro9n% G9st n t me to avo % a 8ence that seeme% Bac: n Ba"port <0( to r se s9%%enl" be8ore them. He cleare% the 8ence7 cleare% the telephone w re be"on% the roa%7 G9st s: mme% over the tops o8 some trees7 an% then cl mbe% sw 8tl" be"on% the %an6er level. The bo"s enGo"e% th s r %e cons %erabl" more than the" ha% enGo"e% the r 8l 6hts n the ta l o8 the plane. The col% a r st9n6 the r 8aces. The" 8o9n% 6o66les an% 8l" n6 helmets n the seats7 an% when the" %onne% them the" Dwere more com8ortable. 4 6hts o8 the v lla6e 8lashe% 8ar beneath them7 an% as the plane rose h 6her n the a r the" saw l 6hts n the %ar:ness man" m les on all s %es. ,ar to the north the" co9l% see a %9ll haBe o8 l 6hts 8rom a % stant c t". /ver to one s %e the" co9l% see a spee% n6 beam o8 l 6ht 8ollowe% b" a l ttle str n6 o8 tw n:l n6 stars7 wh ch the" %ent 8 e%

as a tra n7 rac n6 across the co9ntr"s %e. The plane roare% on sw 8tl" an% the thr ll o8 that n 6ht 8l 6ht was s988 c ent rewar% to the Har%" bo"s 8or all the % scom8orts the" ha% 9n%er6one. The" were r % n6 h 6h above the worl%7 wh ch seeme% to have % sappeare% alto6ether save 8or the tw n:l n6 beams an% blobs o8 l 6ht scattere% over ts blac: s9r8ace. The" saw the p lot 6est9re. He was po nt-1n6 ahea%. The Har%" bo"s co9l% see a w %en n6 penc l <0< The Great A rport !"ster" o8 l 6ht wh ch c9t thro96h the blac:ness o8 the n 6ht. 1t was the beacon l 6ht o8 the Ba"port a r 8 el%7 st ll man" m les ahea%7 b9t v s ble 8rom the r 6reat he 6ht. Be"on% that the" co9l% see the tw n:l n6 8lash o8 a l 6htho9se at the mo9th o8 Barmet Ba". 1n %9e t me the l 6hts o8 Ba"port came nto v ew7 a "ellow 6low7 an% to the west the" co9l% see the a rport7 clearl" ll9m nate%7 a h96e 6low n6 rectan6le. The p lot G966le% w th the controls. The nose o8 the plane t lte% %ownwar%. The mach ne % ve% n a breathless r9sh. Then t ban:e%7 an% the plane c rcle% the a rport7 %ropp n6 stea% l" %ownwar% as tho96h %escen% n6 an nv s ble sp ral. The 8l" n6 8 el% seeme% to r se 9p to meet them. The han6ars7 the other planes7 the t n" 8 69res o8 men on the 8 el%7 all became v s ble. There seeme% to be an 9n9s9all" lar6e n9mber o8 people abo9t7 an% the p lot t9rne% an% sho9te% someth n6 to the bo"s7 b9t the" co9l% not % st n69 sh what he sa %7 beca9se o8 the roar o8 the en6 ne. , nall" the plane stra 6htene% o9t7 then 6l %e% sw 8tl" %own towar% the 8 el%. 1t str9c: the 6ro9n% w th a shoc:7 then bo9nce% an% bo9n%e% on towar% the han6ars. There was a b 6 crow% at the a rport. People were r9nn n6 %own the 8 el% towar% the Bac: n Ba"por8 Bo+ plane. B" the t me the p lot c9t o88 h s en6 ne7 b" the t me the propeller stoppe% t9rn n6 an% the plane came to a stop7 a mob ha% s9rro9n%e% the mach ne. ,ran: an% @oe loo:e% won%er n6l" at one another. D4oo:s l :e a recept on comm tteeED sa % the p lot. DThe sher 88 m9st have telephone% to Ba"port abo9t h s pr soners.D The Har%" bo"s stoo% 9p. The" hear% sho9ts: DThere the" areED DThat?s themED DT9rn aro9n% a l ttle-let?s 6et a p ct9reED The Har%" bo"s an% the p lot ha% a con89se% mpress on o8 hal8 a %oBen cameras levele% at them. ,lashl 6ht pow%er be6an to explo%e 9nt l the whole scene was as br 6ht as %a". An enterpr s n6 reporter scramble% 9p over the s %e o8 the plane. D1nterv ewED he clamore%. DG ve me the stor"7 bo"sE 5hat happene%FD The p lot br9she% h m as %e. D.o9 bo"s w ll have "o9r stor" n a m n9te7D he prom se%. D18 "o9?ll all come 9p to the o88 ce we?ll tell "o9 the whole "arn.D Ch e8 Coll 67 at the hea% o8 a %eta l o8 o88 cers7 appeare% G9st then an% mana6e% to 6et the crow% 9n%er control7 so that the p lot an% <0= The G8reat A rport !"ster" the Har%" bo"s were able to 6et o9t o8 the plane. 0everal a rport o88 c als ran 9p. The p lot sal9te%. DHa% a 8orce% lan% n6 near @asonv lle7 s r7D he reporte% to one o8 these o88 c als7 an el%erl" man. DThe ma l s sa8e.D DGoo% wor:7 Benton7D sa % the other. DCome 9p to the o88 ce an% tell 9s

what happene%. 5e?ve been m 6ht" c9r o9s 8or the past hal8 ho9r7 s nce we hear% abo9t th s hol%-9p.D The Har%" bo"s never 8or6ot the short Go9rne" to the o88 ce b9 l% n6 o8 the a rport. 1t ha% all the aspect o8 a tr 9mphal process on. 0cores o8 people ha% nva%e% the 8l" n6 8 el%7 an% the pol ce were :ept b9s" :eep n6 the crow%s bac:. 0eem n6l"7 the news o8 the hol%9p ha% sprea% H9 c:l" n Ba"port an% the 8l" n6 8 el% s9%%enl" became the !ecca o8 ever"one who co9l% ma:e h s wa" to the a rport. 1n the o88 ce7 s9rro9n%e% b" reporters7 photo6raphers7 pol ce o88 cers7 an% a rport o88 c als7 Benton7 the p lot7 br e8l" tol% h s stor" o8 the hol%-9p. DAs "o9 :now7D he sa %7 Dthe ma l to-n 6ht was espec all" val9able. Cash 8or a n9mber o8 pa"rolls was be n6 sent to one o8 the Ba"-port ban:s 8rom ts hea% o88 ce n 2ew .or:. 0omehow7 these men m9st have 6ot w n% o8 t7 so the" 8lew o9t to meet me7 tosse% a tan6le o8 ropes %own on m" propeller sha8t7 then hel% Bac: 1n Ba"port <0; me 9p when 1 crashe%. The" were G9st clear n6 o9t w th the ma l ba6s when these bo"s appeare% on the scene an% t9rne% the tables. 18 t ha%n?t been 8or them7 the rascals wo9l% have ma%e a clean 6etawa". The r stor" s m9ch more nterest n6 than m ne.D Pran: an% @oe Har%" were then as:e% to tell the stor" o8 the r a%vent9res. 5h le the newspapermen scr bble% hast l" an% ma%e 8reH9ent %ashes to the telephones to n8orm the r c t" e% tors o8 the 8acts7 the bo"s H9 etl" tol% how the" ha% %ec %e% to 8ollow /ll e @acobs7 how the" ha% learne% o8 the p9rchase o8 the a rK plane7 an% how the" ha% conceale% themselves n the mach ne an% accompan e% the rascals n the r Go9rne"s abo9t the co9ntr"s %e. 5hen the" ha% 8 n she%7 a veteran post o88 ce nspector steppe% 8orwar% an% shoo: han%s w th them. D1 har%l" nee% sa" that "o9r 6oo% wor: w ll be reco6n Be% b" the %epartment7D he sa %. D.o9r pers stence an% co9ra6e certa nl" averte% a ser o9s robber"7 an% 1 am 6o n6 to recommen% that "o9 be s9 tabl" rewar%e%.D DThe onl" rewar% we want7D ret9rne% ,ran:7 D s to be cleare% o8 the char6es a6a nst 9s. .o9 :now7 we?re o9t on ba l on a char6e o8 robb n6 the ma l several %a"s a6o.D D5h"7 % %n?t "o9 :now that "o9 were cleare% o8 thatFD excla me% the nspector. <0S; The Great A rport !"ster" D.o9r 8ather7 ,enton Har%"7 came to the a rT port to-n 6ht7 shortl" be8ore the news o8 the hol%-9p was reporte%7 an% arreste% two mechan cs. 1t seems the" ha% been n to9ch w th -9cro" an% h s compan ons b" telephone7 t pp n6 them o88 to the t me th s mone" sh pment was expecte%. 5hen "o9r 8ather too: them awa" the" con8esse% that the" ha% helpe% -9-cro" mana6e the other two the8ts here7 an% that -9cro" ha% %el beratel" plante% ev %ence a6a nst "o9 bo"s.D DChar6es a6a nst them have been w th%rawn7D bro:e n Ch e8 Coll 6 abr9ptl". DThe Har%" bo"s have been cleare% o8 all s9sp c on. 0o 8ar as 1?m concerne%7 1 never bel eve% them 69 lt" n the 8 rst place.D CHAPT$# &&1A v n% cate% the Har%" bo"s ha% cleare% t p the 6reat a rport m"ster"7 wh ch ha% been a n ne %a"s? won%er n Ba"port. 2ewspapers carr e% man" col9mns %escr b n6 the a%vent9res o8 the bo"s n tra l n6 the a r-ma l th eves an% the ent re c t" 9n te% n pra s n6 them 8or the r 6oo% wor:. B9t the bo"s 8elt that no pra se co9l% eH9al the %el 6ht the" 8elt when the" :new the" ha% been cleare% o8 the

9nG9st char6es that ha% been la % a6a nst them. D1 :new tE 1 :new t all alon6ED %eclare% H9r% Apple6ate7 as he sat n ,enton Har%"?s st9%" the next morn n6. D1t was absol9tel" r % c9lo9s to arrest them n the 8 rst place. 5asn?t t7 $lro"FD $lro" @e88erson7 who ha% come to the Har%" home w th !r. Apple6ate7 no%%e% a88 rmat vel". DQ9 te r % c9lo9s7D he a6ree%. D1 am n%ee% 6la% that the whole a88a r has been cleare% 9p so thoro96hl". The bo"s have been v n% <0* <0' The Great A rport !"ster" cate%7 the a r ma l has been save%7 an% the raaI cals are n Ga l. $xcellent.D D5hen 1 arreste% those two con8e%erates at the a rport last n 6ht7D sa % ,enton Har%"7 D t % %n?t ta:e lon6 to 6et the whole stor" o9t o8 them. The" saw that the 6ame was 9p. The" tol% me that -9cro" ha% en6 neere% the whole b9s ness. As 8or plant n6 the ev %ence a6a nst the bo"s7 he 6ot 2ewt P pps to steal a sweater an% a :n 8e 8rom the 6ara6e an% he le8t those near the scene to ncr m nate ,ran:.D DHow abo9t the 8ootpr ntsFD as:e% @oe. DHow % % he mana6e thatFD DHe not ce% that "o9 were wear n6 the new shoes7 so he 6ot a s m lar pa r7 o8 the same s Be7 n another town. A8ter all7 "o9 can har%l" blame the pol ce7 w th all that ev %ence7 part c9larl" when "o9 ha% no al b .D DThe reason we co9l%n?t expla n o9r al b 7D sa % ,ran:7 Dwas beca9se we ha% been o9t to a cab n n Beach Grove that a8ternoon loo: n6 8or ev %ence a6a nst -9cro" an% the others. 5e tho96h we?% :eep H9 et abo9t that 9nt l we learne% a l ttle more abo9t them.D D.o9 too: a 6reat man" chances7D sa % !r. Har%" 6ravel". D18 1 ha% :nown "o9 were 8l" n6 aro9n% the co9ntr" n the ta l o8 an a rplane operate% b" three ma l robbers. 1 wo9l%n?t have been ver" eas" n m" m n%.D D2ow7 ,enton7 %on?t start worr" n6 abo9t A n% cate% <09 that now7D a%v se% $lro" @e88erson. DThe bo"s have %one excellent wor: an% the"?ve come thro96h t H9 te sa8e an% so9n%7 wh ch s all that matters.D D5e want to than: "o9 an% !r. Apple6ate 8or 6o n6 ba l 8or 9s7D sa % @oe. D18 "o9 ha%n?t p9t 9p the mone" we wo9l% have ha% to sta" n Ga l an% the ma l robbers wo9l% probabl" be at lar6e "et.D D-on?t than: 9s7D snappe% 39r% Apple-6ate. D5e % %n?t r s: an" mone". 5e :new "o9 were nnocent. 1 th n: 1?m s988 c ent G9%6e o8 character to :now a croo: when 1 see one.D The bo"s soon wo9l% nee% to :now th s to learn D5hat Happene% at ! %n 6ht.D DThe ba l mone" was ret9rne% to 9s th s morn n67D sa % $lro" @e88erson. DThe pol ce were H9 te apolo6et c.D DThe postal %epartment has been apolo6et c too7D sa % ,enton Har%". DAs "o9 remember7 when the bo"s were arreste% the" rel eve% me o8 m" ass 6nment to wor: on the case7 so that when 1 went o9t to the a rport last n 6ht7 8ollow n6 9p the n8ormat on the bo"s ha% sent on here b" telephone wh le 1 was awa"7 1 was reall" excee% n6 m" a9thor t". However7 the post o88 ce people now a%m t the" were m sta:en an% have as:e% me to hol% m"sel8 n rea% ness to accept other cases 8 the" sho9l% ar se.D D$xcellentE $xcellentED sa % H9r% Apple6ate. D$ver"th n6 has t9rne% o9t won%er89ll" 8or all concerne%.D D$xcept 8or G les -9cro" an% h s 6an67D remar:e% ,ran:.

DToo ba% abo9t themED 6rowle% H9r%. DThe"?re sa8el" loc:e% 9p n Ga l7 where the" belon6. 0erves ?em r 6ht. -on?t "o9 th n: so7 $lro"FD DAbsol9tel"ED a6ree% $lro" @e88erson. D1t s a 8 tt n6 en% to the 6reat a rport m"ster".D
TH$ $2TH$ G#$AT A1#P/#T !.0T$#. b" ,#A23412 5. -1&/2 2o. 9 n the Har%" Bo"s ser es7 the or 6 nal (9+0 vers on

HB 009 The Great Airport Mystery-1930

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