HB 016 A Figure in Hiding-1937

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C:\Sweta\ebooks\hardy boyz1\Hardy Boyz1\HB 016 A Figure in Hiding19 !"#db $%B &a'e: HB 016-A_F !"re_ n_H # n!-1$%& Creator (%: '(A# $%B )y#e: )(*t *ersion: 0 +ni,ue (% Seed: 0 Creation %ate: +/16/1$&% -odi.i/ation %ate: +/16/1$&% 0ast Ba/ku# %ate:: 1/1/1$&0 -odi.i/ation &u'ber: 0 -: Converte# b, F le-erl n :A F./0'( .1 H.2.1/ B, F'A134.1 5. 2.*61 1o. 16 n the HA'27 B678 ser es )h s s the or ! nal 1$%& text. .n the 1$%& or ! nal. the Har#, Bo,s 9o l the 9a:e e,e s"r!er, ;(,e 8,n# cate; o9 <"ac: 2r. /ra9ton. .n the 1$6= rev s on> )he Har#, Bo,s smash the ;(v l (,e; ?a:a ;)he /o!!ler /an!;@ the9t r n!. )he Har#, Bo,s ser es b, Fran:l n 5. 2 xon> the 9 rst =+ t tles. )he 9 rst ,ear s the or ! nal ,ear. )he secon# s the ,ear t was rev se#. 01 0A 0% 0B 0= 06 0& 0+ 0$ 10 11 1A 1% 1B 1= 16 1& 1+ 1$ A0 A1 AA A% AB )he )ower )reas"re 1$A&> 1$=$ )he Ho"se on the Cl 99 1$A&> 1$=$ )he 8ecret o9 the 6l# - ll 1$A&> 1$6A )he - ss n! Ch"ms 1$A&> 1$6A H"nt n! 9or H ##en /ol# 1$A+> 1$6% )he 8hore 'oa# -,ster, 1$A+> 1$6B )he 8ecret o9 the Caves 1$A$> 1$6= )he -,ster, o9 Cab n .slan# 1$A$> 1$66 )he /reat A rport -,ster, 1$%0> 1$6= 5hat Happene# at - #n !ht 1$%1> 1$6& 5h le the Cloc: ) c:e# 1$%A> 1$6A Footpr nts 0n#er the 5 n#ow 1$%%> 1$6A )he -ar: on the 2oor 1$%B> 1$6& )he H ##en Harbor -,ster, 1$%=> 1$61 )he 8 n ster 8 !n Post 1$%6> 1$6+ A F !"re n H # n! 1$%&> 1$6= )he 8ecret 5arn n! 1$%+> 1$66 )he )w ste# Claw 1$%$> 1$6B )he 2 sappear n! Floor 1$B0> 1$6B )he -,ster, o9 the Fl, n! (xpress 1$B1> 1$6+ )he Cl"e o9 the Bro:en Bla#e 1$BA> 1$6$ )he Fl c:er n! )orch -,ster, 1$B%> 1&1 )he -elte# Co ns 1$BB> 1$&0 )he 8hort 5ave -,ster, 1$B=> 1$66
ABC Amber Palm Converter http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html

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*... )he Fa:er........... $& *.... A Chan!e o9 Heart........ 106 *.E. A Do"rne, b, A r......... 11B *E. )he 'e# 1oteboo:......... 1AB *E.. A Crash............ 1%% *E... A Cr, 9or Help......... 1B0 *E.... 8 !nal n! ........... 1B+ *.*. A 2 sappearance......... 1=6 **. A F !"re n H # n!........ 16B **.. )he 4ost /ran#ch l#........ 1&0 **... )he 8earch (n#e#........ 1+1 **.... )he -,ster o"s Cellar....... 1+$ **.E. )he Ho"se o9 Per l........ 1$6 **E. 8"ccess............ A0B
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CHAP)(' . )H( H642-0P )hree bo,s clattere# #own the 9ront steps o9 a han#some stone res #ence n the c t, o9 Ba,port. ;/et a move on> ChetH; sa # Fran: Har#,> a tall> #ar: bo, who was n h s sen or ,ear at the local H !h 8chool. ;5eCll be late.; ;.9 thereCs an,th n! . # sl :e>; sa # h s brother Doe> ; tCs com n! nto a mov e an# 9 n# n! .Cve m sse# abo"t two reels o9 the p ct"re.; ;All r !ht> all r !ht>; #rawle# the other member o9 the tr o> a 9at> slow-mov n! ,o"th w th a !oo#-nat"re# 9ace. ;.9 thereCs an,th n! . hate tCs arr v n! an,where an# hav n! to spen# the 9 rst ten m n"tes !ett n! m, breath.; ;7o"Cll be late 9or ,o"r own han! n!> Chet -orton>; sa # Fran:. ;)hen the,Cll I"st have to wa t. .C# l :e to A A F !"re n H # n! see them hol# t w tho"t meH; !r nne# the sto"t la#. )he bo,s h"stle# #own the street. 0n#er the corner l !ht the, enco"ntere# a tall> neatl,-#resse# man w th shrew# 9eat"res. ;5hatCs all the h"rr,J; he as:e#. ;Hello> 2a#H; Fran: sa #. ;5eCre n a h"rr,. 5eCre !o n! #own to the ( altc to see a m,ster, 9 lm. )he 9ellows sa, tCs a wow.; ;.tCs calle# CA F !"re n H # n!C-a real thr ller>; contr b"te# Doe. Fenton Har#,> 9ather o9 the bo,s an# one o9 the most 9amo"s #etect ves n the co"ntr,> la"!he# #er s vel,. ;)hat st"99H . won#er that ,o" 9ellows havenCt more sense.; ;.tCs a !reat p ct"re> -r. Har#,>; sa # Chet. ;. saw the sta!e pla,>; ret"rne# the #etect ve. ;.tCs a prepostero"s p ece o9 rot. 5ell> r"n alon!> b"t . canCt see where ,o" can !et an, : c: o"t o9 that : n# o9 a m,ster,. .Cm wor: n! on a case r !ht now that has ,o"r CF !"re n H # n!C loo: n! l :e a pr mar, !ra#e lesson.; ;5 sh ,o"C# tell "s abo"t t>; Chet remar:e#> :now n! per9ectl, well

that the !reat #etect ve sel#om # sc"sse# an, problem on wh ch he was wor: n!. ;-a,be some #a,>; sm le# Fenton Har#,. At that moment a la# o9 abo"t s xteen> a )he Hol#-"p % stran!er to the Har#, bo,s> r"she# o"t o9 the sha#ows an# ran "p to the r 9ather. CC 8a,> -r. Har#,H; he !aspe#> !rabb n! the #etect ve b, the sleeve. ;)he sco"n#rels are n town. . saw them. . h"rr e# to tell ,o".; H s 9ace was pale an# h s e,es shone w th exc tement. ;)hat soJ; as:e# Fenton Har#,> s"##enl, alert. ;5here are the,J; ;8ta, n! at the Ba,port Hotel>; pante# the bo,. ;)hatCs 9 ne> Fre#. 4etCs !et !o n!. .Cm !la# ,o" 9o"n# me. Come onH; Fenton Har#, wheele# awa,> wav n! to h s sons. ;8o lon!> bo,s. 2onCt let that mov e ! ve ,o" heart 9a l"re>; he calle#. )hen he van she# nto the #ar:ness w th the stran!e bo,. Chet> Fran: an# Doe stare# a9ter the pa r. ;. won#er whatCs "pJ; <"er e# the ,o"n!er Har#, bo,. ;4etCs 9ollow them an# 9 n# o"t>; s"!!este# h s brother. ;Aw> sh"c:s>; sa # Chet> ;the m n"te ,o" 9ellows smell a m,ster, ,o" 9or!et all abo"t ever,th n! else. D"st a wh le a!o ,o" were hopp n! all over me beca"se ,o" were a9ra # we C# be late 9or the mov es. 1ow ,o" want to m ss the show alto!ether. Come on. . want to see that p ct"re.; B A F !"re n H # n! (el"ctantl, the Har#, bo,s !ave "p the #ea o9 9ollow n! the r 9ather> altho"!h the, were overwhelme# w th c"r os t,. ;All ver, well to 9ollow n ,o"r #a#Cs 9ootsteps.; Chet !r nne# as the, res"me# the r wal: towar# the theatre> ;b"t ,o" #onCt have to #o t all the t me.; )h s was a # ! at the Har#, bo,sC talent 9or #etect ve wor:> a ! 9t the, ha# nher te# 9rom Fenton Har#,. )he, were n#ee# 9ollow n! n the r 9atherCs 9ootsteps> as a host o9 solve# m,ster es test 9 e#. )he mot on p ct"re> ;A F !"re n H # n!>; ha# #rawn a b ! crow# to the ne !hborhoo# mov e ho"se that even n!> b"t the bo,s reache# the theatre I"st be9ore the 9eat"re 9 lm was to be presente#. )he, were 9ort"nate n 9 n# n! !oo# seats-#o"bl, 9ort"nate> n Fran:Cs op n on at least> s nce the, 9o"n# themselves next to Call e 8haw an# lola -orton> the latter ChetCs s ster. ;/osh>; !rowle# the 9at bo, n # s!"st> ;canCt a 9ellow !o an,where w tho"t 9 n# n! ,o" par:e# bes #e h mJ; H s s ster wr n:le# her nose at h m. )he ! rls sh 9te# seats so that Call e> a brown-e,e#> brown-ha re# ! rl who was espec all, a#m re# b, Fran:> was s tt n! between the Har#, bo,s> w th .ola bes #e Doe> an# Chet on the o"ts #e. Doe was no la# esC man> b"t he alwa,s a#m tte# )he Hol#-"p = that .ola was all r !ht ;as a ! rl>; wh ch was no small tr b"te> com n! 9rom h m. CC )he ' alto s #o n! a b ! b"s ness ton !ht>CC Fran: remar:e# to Call e. ;)h s p ct"re has been r"nn n! 9or three #a,s an# st ll #raws a 9"ll ho"se.; Altho"!h Fenton Har#, ha# terme# the mov e ;prepostero"s>; h s sons an# the r 9r en#s 9o"n# t absorb n! an# thr ll n!. )he act n! was !oo#> an# there was plent, o9 s"spense thro"!ho"t. )he plot concerne# the #astar#l, #ee#s o9 a m,ster o"s ;9 !"re>; an# the a"# ence was le9t n #o"bt as to the #ent t, o9 the cr m nal> who event"all, was certa n to be one o9 the lea# n! characters o9 the 9 lm. Call e 8haw> )ola an# the bo,s ma#e man, !"esses as to the sol"t on> b"t when the ;9 !"re n

h # n!; was 9 nall, bro"!ht to I"st ce an# h s #ent t, reveale#> the, 9o"n# the r #e#"ct ons all wron!. (ven the Har#, bo,s ha# !"esse# 9ar w #e o9 the mar:. ;8ome #etect vesH; Ieere# Chet> conven entl, 9or!ett n! that he ha# ma#e the most r # c"lo"s conIect"re o9 the lot. ;7o" wo"l#nCt have been so hot 9 ,o" ha# been t"rne# loose on that case.; ;. s"ppose not>; Fran: a!ree#. ;Are ,o" !o n! nowJ; he as:e# Call e. ;1ot I"st ,et. lola an# . want to see the newsreel an# come#,.CC 6 A F !"re n H # n! As the bo,s ha# seen the m,ster, 9 lm wh ch ha# been the r onl, reason 9or atten# n!> the, prepare# to leave. )he other patrons o9 the ( alto> however> were ev #entl, #eterm ne# to !et the r mone,Cs worth> so the three bo,s were the onl, ones who emer!e# nto the lobb, at the concl"s on o9 the 9eat"re. ;(ven 9 2a# # #nCt !et m"ch : c: o"t o9 t> . tho"!ht t was a !oo# p ct"re>; #eclare# Doe. ;-e> too>; sa # Fran:. ;. co"l#nCt !"ess the sol"t on.; ;.Cm be! nn n! to th n: that hal9 the m,ster es ,o" two have solve# have been I"st sheer #"mb l"c:>; observe# Chet -orton. ;As lon! as we 9 !"re Cem o"t> who caresJ; Doe ch"c:le#. ;'es"lts co"nt> m ster.; ;5hat sa, we #r 9t aro"n# to the Ba,port Hotel JCC n<" re# Fran: nnocentl,. ;8t ll !ot that on ,o"r m n#> ehJ; Chet sa #. ;5ant to po:e ,o"r nose nto ,o"r 2a#Cs latest case> . see.; ;.C# certa nl, l :e to :now whatCs !o n! on. He sa # t wo"l# ma:e CA F !"re n H # n!C loo: l :e a pr mar, !ra#e lesson> so t m"st be a h"m# n!er.; ;1o harm n !o n! aro"n# b, the hotel>; Doe sa #. ;.9 we r"n nto 2a# he ma, as: "s to help h m.CC ;An# he ma, as: ,o" to r"n alon! home an# m n# ,o"r own b"s ness>; #eclare# Chet -or)he Hol#-"p & ton. ;However> tCs st ll earl,> so 9 thereCs an, exc tement n s !ht . #onCt m n# see n! what t s.; )he bo,s were I"st pass n! the box o99 ce o9 the theatre. Doe cast a cas"al !lance over h s sho"l#er at the w n#ow. 8"##enl, he halte# an# !rabbe# Fran: b, the arm. CC Fellows-loo:H; he !aspe#. ;5hatCs the matterJ; ;)hereH .n the l ttle bac: room>; repl e# Doe> trembl n! w th exc tement. )he box o99 ce tsel9 was n #ar:ness> w th the w n#ow close# 9or the n !ht. Be,on# th s room a # m l !ht was sh n n! n the pr vate o99 ce o9 the theatre mana!er. .n there the bo,s co"l# see the ' alto cash er stan# n! w th h s bac: to the wall> h s arms ra se# above h s hea#. -ot onless> the bo,s stoo# n the lobb,> star n!. 1o one was aro"n#. (ven the #oorma ha# #eparte# 9rom h s c"stomar, place b, the t c:et chopper. ;.tCs a hol#-"pH; sa # Fran: tensel,. As the bo,s watche#> 9asc nate#> the, saw a #ar: 9 !"re emer!e nto the l !ht. )he 9ace was h ##en 9rom them> b"t the, :new t was that o9 a man. H s coat collar was t"rne# "p an# h s hat was p"lle# low over h s 9orehea# .n one han# he !r ppe# a revolver wh ch was po nte# # rectl, at the 9r !htene# cash er. 0n#er the other arm he carr e# a blac: t n box. + A F !"re n H # n!

;5e m"st #o someth n!H; snappe# Fran:> l"n! n! 9orwar#. As he # # so> the hol#-"p man #ashe# o"t o9 s !ht. )he cash er rema ne# mot onless> h s arms st ll n the a r. ;A9ter h mH; ,elpe# Doe. )he Har#, bo,s an# Chet -orton #arte# bac: "p the lobb,> thro"!h the sw n! #oors> an# nto the theatre a!a n. Fran:> lea# n! the wa,> hea#e# 9or the entrance to the mana!erCs o99 ce. CHAP)(' .. 1.1( H012'(2 264.AB8 9ran: ,an:e# open the #oor. A startle# "sher saw h m an# calle# o"t> CC He,H 7o" canCt !o n there.CC ;CanCt .J; Fran: r"she# ns #e> w th Doe an# Chet at h s heels. )here was a lo"# slam I"st as the, entere# the o99 ce. )he cash er> wh te-9ace#> was lower n! h s arms. He po nte# a trembl n! 9 n!er at a close# #oor. ;He went o"t-that wa,H; stammere# the man. Fran: 9l"n! h msel9 a!a nst the #oor> b"t t wo"l# not b"#!e. .t ha# loc:e# a"tomat call, as t close#. .n the meant me the "sher was h"rr, n! n# !nantl, nto the o99 ce. ;5hatCs !o n! on hereJ; he #eman#e#. ;)h s room s pr vate. 7o"Cre not allowe#-----; ;A hol#-"p man has I"st st"c: "p ,o"r cash er an# stolen all the mone,>; Chet sho"te# at h m. ;7o"C# better !et b"s, an# call the pol ce.; 10 A F !"re n H # n! )he "sherCs mo"th 9lew open. )he cash er !rabbe# the telephone 9ever shl,. ;He !ot ever, cent>; he !aspe#. ;)wo #a,sC ta: n!s. 6peratorH K" c:H /et me pol ce hea#<"artersH; ;5here #oes that #oor lea#H; Fran: #eman#e# o9 the exc te# 9ellow. ;6"t to a s #e alle,. /oo# !osh> th s s aw9"l H 5here # # the th e9 !oH_ Chet an# Doe were alrea#, t"mbl n! o"t o9 the o99 ce> w th Fran: close beh n#. Chet wo"l# have le9t b, wa, o9 the lobb, an# thence aro"n# to the s #e o9 the b" l# n!> b"t Doe was more <" c:-w tte#. He race# towar# one o9 the s #e ex ts. ;Come onH -a,be weCll catch h m ,etH; )he three bo,s #ashe# o"ts #e> to the won#er an# aston shment o9 some o9 the theatre patrons n the s #e seats. Doe was n the lea#> an# emer!e# nto the alle, n t me to see a #ar: 9 !"re 9lee n! towar# a lane at the rear o9 the b" l# n!. ;. see h mH; whoope# the la#. He pl"n!e# 9orwar# b"t tr ppe# over a box that la, h ##en n the #ar:ness o9 the narrow alle,. He went sprawl n!> an# Fran: p tche# over the top o9 h m. )he, p c:e# themselves "p an# res"me# the chase> w th Chet -orton p"99 n! alon! beh n#. )he #ar: 9 !"re ha# van she#H 1 ne H"n#re# 2ollars 11 )he bo,s r"she# o"t nto the lane that ran beh n# the theatre> n t me to see a man #art thro"!h a patch o9 l !ht that 9ell 9rom the : tchen w n#ows o9 a resta"rant next to the ' -alto. As the 9ellow cast a !lance bac: over h s sho"l#er> the, ha# a br e9 !l mpse o9 h m. He was tall an# #ar:. .n one han# he cl"tche# a th c: roll o9 c"rrenc,. )he man # sappeare# nto the #ar:ness o9 the lane. )he Har#, bo,s an# Chet r"she# n p"rs" t o9 h m> b"t be,on# the l !ht 9rom the resta"rant w n#ows the, 9o"n# themselves at a stan#st ll. )he th e9 ha# van she# as completel, as 9 the earth ha# opene# "p an# swallowe# h m. )he, stoppe# an# l stene#> b"t co"l# hear no so"n# o9 retreat n! 9ootsteps.

5hen the, str"c: matches an# explore# the lane> the, 9o"n# a #oFen places where the 9"! t ve m !ht have escape#. .n the # stance a pol ce s ren set "p a wa l n! scream as a hea#<"arters car spe# towar# the theatre n response to the cash erCs report o9 the hol#-"p. A 9ew moments later a "n 9orme# o99 cer appeare# at the en# o9 the lane an# came po"n# n! towar# the bo,s> h s n !htst c: n h s han#. ;5hatCs !o n! on hereJ; he #eman#e# !r"99l,. CC Hol#-"pHCC Fran: tol# h m br e9l,. CC A 9ellow hel# "p the B alto cash er. 5e chase# h m 1A A F !"re n H # n! #own th s wa, an# lost h m. He ma, have !one n between some o9 the b" l# n!s.; )he pol ceman remove# a 9lashl !ht 9rom h s h p poc:et an# too: np the search. A 9ew m n"tes later two more constables came #own the alle,. )o!ether the !ro"p combe# the ne !hborhoo#> b"t w tho"t s"ccess. At the en# o9 hal9 an ho"r the, were 9orce# to a#m t that the th e9 ha# ma#e a clean !etawa,. )he Har#, bo,s an# Chet ret"rne# to the theatre o99 ce. A b ! crow# ha# !athere#> an# there was cons #erable exc tement> 9or a #ar n! cr me o9 th s nat"re was an "ncommon th n! n the <" et c t, o9 Ba,port. Ch e9 o9 Pol ce Col-l ! h msel9 ha# arr ve# to ta:e char!e o9 the nvest !at on w th h s tr"ste# r !ht-han# man> 2etect ve 8m"99. )he, were ta: n! n"mero"s notes. ;1 ne h"n#re# #ollars the v lla n !ot awa, w th>; Ch e9 Coll ! tol# the bo,s. He # # not seem an, too well please# to 9 n# that the Har#, la#s ha# been on the scene o9 the a99a r be9ore he co"l# learn o9 t. CC5eCll !et h m> never 9ear. )oo ba# ,o" # #nCt act a l ttle more smartl, when the hol#-"p was r !ht "n#er ,o"r noses> so to spea:.; CC 4ots o9 people wo"l# have been scare# even to have !one nto the o99 ce>; #eclare# Chet -orton. ;1o #o"bt>; a!ree# Coll !. ;However> the 1 ne H"n#re# 2ollars 1% 9ellow !ot clear awa, so now weCll have to !et b"s,.; H s tone mpl e# that the Ba,port pol ce 9orce wo"l# have no tro"ble at all n s"ccee# n! where the Har#, bo,s ha# 9a le#. ;Awa, ,o" !o now> la#s>; or#ere# 2etect ve 8m"99 pon#ero"sl,. ;5eCve wor: to #o.; )h"s the bo,s were !nom n o"sl, shooe# o"t o9 the theatre. 2etect ve 8m"99 ha# no !reat re!ar# 9or the Har#,s. As tr"e sons o9 a 9amo"s #etect ve who ha# ma#e a rep"tat on 9or h msel9 w th the 1ew 7or: pol ce 9orce an# ha# later !one nto pr vate pract ce> Fran: an# Doe ha# nher te# a talent 9or solv n! m,ster es. )he r 9 rst s"ccess> as reco"nte# n ;)he )ower )reas"re>; ha# occ"rre# when the, locate# some val"able loot wh ch a #, n! cr m nal con9esse# to them ha# been h ##en ; n the tower.; )he s"ccess9"l o"tcome o9 th s case enco"ra!e# the Har#, bo,s to tac:le a## t onal problems> ncl"# n! the one abo"t a s n ster s !n post> when Fran: an# Doe "n#ertoo: to solve the m,ster, s"rro"n# n! the # sappearance o9 a val"able race horse. .n the co"rse o9 t me the bo,s ha# earne# env able rep"tat ons 9or themselves as amate"r #etect ves. )he, ha# enco"ntere# man, thr ll n! a#vent"res> an# ha# nc #entall, earne# s"bstant al s"ms o9 mone, n the 9orm o9 rewar#s 9or the r !oo# wor:. 1B A F !"re n H # n! -rs. Har#, o9ten became alarme# b, her bo,sC pass on 9or tac:l n! ever, m,ster, that presente# tsel9 n Ba,port. )he r 9ather was not ncl ne#

to # sco"ra!e them> prov # n! the, # # not let these o"ts #e nterests nter9ere w th the r school wor:. A"nt /ertr"#e> on the other han#> was cont n"all, pre# ct n! #eath an# #estr"ct on as the 9 nal o"tcome o9 these a#vent"res. 8he was a sharpton!"e# sp nster who ma#e len!th, v s ts at the Har#, home. )he bo,s> however> ha# lon! s nce learne# that her bar: was a !oo# #eal worse than her b te> an# the, :new that she reall, ha# a !reat a99ect on 9or her nephews> tho"!h t was h ##en b, a 9orb ## n! manner. 8omehow or other her # re prophes es ha# never come to pass> an# the bo,s were well aware that A"nt /ertr"#e was pro"# o9 them. At one t me -r. an# -rs. Har#, ha# hope# that the r sons wo"l# atten# the "n vers t, an# become pro9ess onal men> b"t the r #evot on to #etect ve wor: an# the r prono"nce# talent 9or solv n! m,ster es le9t l ttle #o"bt that Fran: an# Doe wo"l# some #a, 9ollow n the 9ootsteps o9 the r 9ather an# a#opt #etect on as the r l 9e wor:. ;5 th th s plan Fenton Har#, was well content> 9or he re!ar#e# the solv n! o9 cr mes as one o9 the most absorb n! an# 9asc nat n! o9 all p"rs" ts an# co"l# thoro"!hl, "n#erstan# the spell t ha# cast over h s sons. 1 ne H"n#re# 2ollars 1= )he bo,s le9t the ' alto theatre a l ttle crest9allen b, the manner n wh ch Ch e9 Coll ! an# 2etect ve 8m"99 ha# sh"nte# them o"t o9 the hol#-"p nvest !at onL b"t the, too: the r # sm ssal l :e !oo# sports. ;. won#er>; sa # Fran:> ; 9 there s an, connect on between that hol#"p an# the case 2a# s wor: n! on I"st nowJ )hat stran!e bo, tol# h m Cthe sco"n#rels are n town.C ; ;4etCs !o on to the Ba,port Hotel an# see 9 we can locate 2a# there>; Doe s"!!este#. ;-a,be heCll be ntereste# n hear n! abo"t the hol#"p.CC CC Co"nt me o"t>CC sa # Chet promptl,. ; . Cve ha# eno"!h o9 cr me 9or one even n!. .Cm !o n! home to be#.CC Chet l ve# on the o"ts: rts o9 Ba,port> an# ha# a lon! wal: ahea# o9 h m> so the Har#, bo,s sa # !oo#n !ht an# parte# 9rom h m at the next corner. 5hen the, reache# the Ba,port Hotel an# n<" re# 9or the r parent at the #es:> the cler: tol# them that Fenton Har#, ha# been there #"r n! the even n! b"t ha# I"st #eparte#. ;5ent o"t not 9 ve m n"tes a!o> bo,s>; he sa #. ;He canCt be 9ar awa,. -a,be 9 ,o" h"rr, ,o" C11 catch "p w th h m #own the street.CC Fran: an# Doe #ashe# o"t o9 the lobb,. )he, ha# scarcel, steppe# 9rom the #oorwa, be9ore Fran: sp e# the 9am l ar tall 9 !"re o9 16 A F !"re n H # n! the r 9ather n the sha#ows o9 a store entrance abo"t two #oors awa,. CC )hereCs 2a# nowH; he excla me#. )hen the, saw that Fenton Har#, was not alone. ;5 th h m was the stran!e bo, who ha# spo:en to h m earl er n the even n!. CHAP)(( H. B66- B1A ;hello> 2a#H; sa # Fran:. Fenton Har#, t"rne# aro"n#. As he # # so> the stran!e bo, hast l, st"99e# some mone, nto h s poc:et> sa, n!> ;)han:s> -r. Har#,. .Cll see ,o" a!a n soon>; an# then move# on. He h"rr e# #own the street an# # sappeare# aro"n# a corner. ;5here # # ,o" 9ellows come 9romJ; the bo,sC 9ather n<" re# !en all,. ;5eCve I"st been tr, n! to catch a hol#-"p man>; Doe sa #. ;A hol#-"p manH; excla me# Fenton Har#, n s"rpr se. ;5hen # # all th s happenJ; ;At the ' alto. 5e were I"st com n! o"t a9ter the show when we saw

someone hol# n! "p the cash er n the mana!erCs o99 ce. He !ot awa, w th n ne h"n#re# #ollars.; ;5e chase# h m>; Fran: expla ne#> ;b"t he was too <" c: 9or "s. 5e lost h m n the lane beh n# the theatre.; ;2 # ,o" !et a !oo# loo: at h mJ; CC 1ot ver,> b"t . th n: we C# be able to #ent 9, 1& 1+ A F !"re n H # n! h m 9 we were to see h m a!a n. Ch e9 Coll ! an# 8m"99 are wor: n! on the case now.; Fenton Har#, wh stle# so9tl,. ;.t snCt o9ten we have a hol#-"p n Ba,port> espec all, not one as #ar n! as that. 1 ne h"n#re# #ollars> tooH )hatCs a real ha"l.; D"st then a tax sl there# to a stop n 9ront o9 the hotel. Fenton Har#, t"rne# abo"t sl !htl, an# watche# the car w th narrowe# e,es. )he #r ver #escen#e#> opene# the #oor> an# two men !ot o"t. )he, were well-#resse# b"t slee: an# s n ster n appearance. 6ne o9 them> sto"t an# th c:-set> w th heav, 9eat"res> pa # the cabman. As he # # so the l !ht 9rom the hotel entrance 9ell "pon h s 9ace. ;B p 8 n#erH; excla me# -r. Har#, w th s"ppresse# exc tement. CC An# 8pott, 4em"elHCC he a##e# as the secon# man> th n> sharp-9eat"re# an# w th a c"r o"sl, mottle# 9ace move# awa, 9rom the tax . )he two men ha# not seen the #etect ve> who #rew bac: a l ttle nto the sha#ows. ;5ho are the,> 2a#J; as:e# Fran: <" etl,. ;5hatCs "pJ; ;1ot a wor#H; wh spere# Fenton Har#,. ;.Cve been loo: n! 9or that pa r. . was hop n! the, wo"l# come here.CC ' p 8 n#er an# 8pott, 4em"el stro#e sw 9tl, across the pavement an# went nto the hotel. Boom B1A 1$ ;5hat l"c:H; the #etect ve excla me#. ;. was be! nn n! to ! ve "p hope. An# now .Cve 9o"n# them.; He t"rne# <" c:l, to h s sons. ; .tCs 9ort"nate ,o" came I"st now. . want ,o" to help me.; ;How> 2a#J; the, as:e# ea!erl,. ;)hereCs no t me to tell ,o" what tCs all abo"t. .Cm !o n! to ta:e a room here at the hotel> an# . want ,o" bo,s to ta:e another. 5eCll wa t a 9ew m n"tes "nt l 8 n#er an# 4em"el have t me to re! ster.; He move# o"t awa, 9rom the store an# steppe# towar# the hotel entrance. He peere# thro"!h the revolv n! #oor 9or a moment b"t #rew bac: sw 9tl,. ;)he,Cre I"st s !n n! the re! ster>; he sa #. ;. hope weCre l"c:, eno"!h to !et the rooms . want.; )he Har#, bo,s wa te# w th hearts beat n! 9ast. )he, ha# not #are# hope 9or s"ch a p ece o9 !oo# 9ort"ne. )he, ha# been sh"nte# o"t o9 one case> onl, to lan# r !ht n the m ##le o9 one o9 the r 9atherCs m,ster es. 5ho was the bo, to whom Fenton Har#, ha# been spea: n! n the sha#ows J 5ho were 3 p 8 n#er an# 8pott, 4em"elJ 5h, was the r 9ather watch n! the movements o9 the pa rJ .n what wa, # # he want h s sons to help h mJ )hese tho"!hts race# thro"!h the r m n#s. Fenton Har#, s"##enl, t"rne# an# bec:one# A0 A F !"re n H # n! to h s sons. ;Come on>; he sa #. ;)he,Cve !one "p n the elevator.; )he bo,s 9ollowe# the r 9ather nto the hotel an# crosse# the lobb,. Fenton Har#, steppe# "p to the cler:> whom he :new well. ;)wo men I"st re! stere# here> /al>; he sa #. ;5hat room # # the, ta:eJ;

;B10>; ret"rne# the cler: won#er n!l,. CCAn,th n! wron! w th them> -r. Har#,H; ;Are rooms B0+ an# B1A occ"p e#J; )he cler: cons"lte# h s rac:. He shoo: h s hea#. ;Both vacant> -r. Har#,>; was the repl,. ;.C# l :e to en!a!e them 9or the n !ht> 9 ,o" #onCt m n#. -, bo,s w ll ta:e Boom B1A an# .Cll ta:e the other.; )he cler: cast the #etect ve a s !n 9 cant !lance> b"t he :new the man well eno"!h to as: no <"est ons as to h s mot ves. Cal> on the #es: at n !ht at the Ba,port Hotel> was the so"l o9 # scret on an# co"l# be rel e# "pon to sa, noth n!. ;Eer, well> -r. Har#,. 'e! ster here> please.; )he 9ather an# h s bo,s s !ne# the r names. Cal was I"st abo"t to s"mmon a bellhop when the #etect ve chec:e# h m. ;5eCll !o "p alone. D"st let "s have the :e,s>; he sa #. H s p"rpose was to avo # an, no se that 'oom B1A A1 m !ht be occas one# b, an,one show n! them to the r rooms. Bes #es> the bellhops m !ht tal: amon! themselves 9 the, sho"l# learn o9 the a99a r. ;. can #epen# on ,o"> CalJ; )he cler: p"t a 9 n!er to h s l ps. )he three Har#,s went across the lobb, an# wa te# 9or an elevator. .n a 9ew moments the, were wh s:e# towar# the 9o"rth 9loor. As the, wal:e# #own the carpete# corr #or Fenton Har#, sa # to h s sons: ;Eer, l :el, there w ll be a connect n! #oor between ,o"r room an# the one ' p an# 8pott, have ta:en. 1ow . w sh ,o" to l sten n on that pa r. . want to :now wh, the, have come here an# what the, are "p to. )h n: ,o" can mana!e tJ; ;8"reH; the, #eclare# n one vo ce. CC How abo"t -other JCC as:e# Fran:. CC 5onCt she worr, 9 we 9a l to show "p at home ton !htJ; ;.Cll 9 x that>; sa # the r 9ather> stopp n! at the entrance to Boom B0+. K" etl, he "nloc:e# the #oor an# the, steppe# ns #e. Fenton Har#, went to the telephone> an# n a low vo ce !ave the n"mber o9 the Har#, home. A 9ew moments later he was tal: n! to h s w 9e. ;)he bo,s are w th me> 4a"ra>; he tol# her n a vo ce that co"l# scarcel, be hear# across the room. ;5eCre at the Ba,port Hotel an# AA A F !"re n H # n! ma, sta, here over n !ht.- 7es.- 7es> .Cm on a case.- Fran: an# Doe are help n! me.- All r !ht. /oo#n !ht> #ear.; He h"n! t p the rece ver. ;)hatCs settle#>; he sa #> ! v n! h s sons the :e, to 'oom B1A. ;699 ,o" !o now. 3eep ,o"r ears open.; Fran: an# Doe <" c:l, sl ppe# o"t an# ma#e the r wa, past the #oorwa, o9 1"mber B10 to the r own room be,on#. )he, let themselves n <" etl, an# sw tche# on the l !ht. 5hen the, ha# sat s9 e# themselves that there was a connect n! #oor to the a#Io n n! chamber the, t"rne# the l !ht o"t a!a n. Fran: cro"che# #own n 9ront o9 the #oor. 5hen he p"t h s e,e to the :e,-hole he co"l# !et a sl !ht !l mpse o9 part o9 the room be,on#. He saw the man :nown as ' p 8 n#er s tt n! at the telephone #es: bes #e the be#. 8 n#er was ev #entl, tal: n! to the cler: #ownsta rs. CC )here sn Ct an, wr t n! stat oner, here>CC he was compla n n! n a lo"#> harsh vo ce. CC 8en# some "p r !ht awa,. 7es-plent, o9 paper an# envelopes.; Fran: co"l# not see the other man b"t he hear# 8pott, 4em"el !rowl>CC

)ell h m to ma:e t snapp,> too. 5eCve !ot plent, o9 wor: to #o.; .n a short t me there was a :noc: at the #oor. 8 n#er answere# t an# came bac: to 'oom B1A A% the wr t n! table w th a <"ant t, o9 stat oner,. ;6.3.>; he sa # to h s compan on. ;5eCre all set now. /-et b"s,.; )he man w th the mottle# 9ace sat #own at the oppos te s #e o9 the table an# p c:e# "p a pen. He #rew a sheet o9 paper towar# h m. ;5hatCs the 9 rst a##ressJ; he as:e#. ' p 8 n#er reache# nto h s coat poc:et an# too: o"t a noteboo:. He 9l ppe# the pa!es an# then sa # someth n! wh ch Fran: 9a le# to catch. 8pott, 4em"el # ppe# h s pen nto the n:-well an# be!an to wr te. ' p 8 n#er> a9ter a 9"rther !lance at the noteboo:> # # l :ew se. )he r letters were not lon!> 9or a9ter scrawl n! a 9ew l nes on the pa!e the, wo"l# blot what the, ha# wr tten an# 8 n#er wo"l# re9er a!a n to the noteboo:. (ach man then wo"l# ta:e a 9resh sheet o9 paper an# be! n to wr te. )he, sel#om spo:e b"t wor:e# b"s l, an# hast l,> scr bbl n! letter a9ter letter. 6ccas onall, 8 n#er wo"l# r"99le the pa!es o9 h s boo: an# m"mble a 9resh a##ress. ;5eCre not learn n! m"ch>; wh spere# Doe Har#, a9ter a wh le. )he bo,s alternate# at the :e,-hole an# watche# the pa r n the next room 9or abo"t 9 9teen m n"tes. )he letter-wr t n! cont n"e# w tho"t nterr"pt on. )he Har#,s> who ha# expecte# someth n! more exc t n!> were # sappo nte# AB A F !"re n H # n! 8"##enl, there was a :noc: at the #oor o9 Boom B10. )he two men loo:e# "p !" lt l,. 8 n#er be!an to sweep the letters an# envelopes nto a #rawer. ;.Cll answer t>; he sa # an# arose> pass n! o"t o9 Fran:Cs ran!e o9 v s on. )he bo,s co"l# hear h m open the #oor. )hen came an aston she# exclamat on: ;How # # ,o" !et hereJ; #eman#e# 8 n#er. )hro"!h the :e,-hole Fran: saw a ! rl r"sh nto the room. CC Father .CC she excla me#. CC 7o" m"st come homeH; CHAP)(' .E 8)A()4.1/ 1(58 ;v r! n aH; excla me# 8 n#er> apparentl, st"nne# b, the arr val o9 the ! rl. )hro"!h the :e,-hole Fran: !ot a !l mpse o9 a prett, ,o"n! woman abo"t seventeen ,ears o9 a!e. 8 n#er was star n! at her ncre#"lo"sl,. CC How # # ,o" :now where to 9 n# me . 5hat #o ,o" want J; he #eman#e#. ;. want ,o" to come home>; the ! rl cr e# an!r l,. ;7o"Cve no b"s ness crash n! n here l :e th s>CC #eclare# 8pott, 4em"el n a ro"!h tone. ;5hatCs the #ea o9 b"tt n! n when ,o"r 9ather an# . are p"tt n! thro"!h a #eal JCC ;2ealH; excla me# the ! rl scorn9"ll,. ;. can ma! ne what sort o9 #eal t s. .Cve never l :e# ,o"> 8pott, 4em"el> an# . th n: m, 9ather wo"l# be better o99 9 he sta,e# awa, 9rom ,o".; ;1ow loo: here> E r! n a-; be!an ' p 8 n#er wea:l,. ;7o" :eep o"t o9 o"r a99a rs> #o ,o" hearJ; 4em"el storme# at the ! rl. ;5e too: th s A= A6 A F !"re n H # n! hotel room so we co"l# wor: <" etl, an# w tho"t an, nter9erence. 8o ta:e ,o"rsel9 o99 an# leave "s alone. . #onCt "n#erstan# how ,o" :new where to 9 n# "s. 8p, n! aro"n#> . s"ppose.;

;7o" canCt 9r !hten me>; the ! rl answere# w th sp r t. ;1o nee# o9 scol# n! her> 8pott,>; vent"re# 8 n#er. CC A 9 ne partner ,o" areHCC sneere# the other. ;.9 weCre !o n! to have th s ! rl nterr"pt n! "s ever, t me we !et #own to wor: .Cll 9 n# somebo#, else. 5h, #onCt ,o" ma:e her sta, at homeJ 8heCs !ot no b"s ness here. )ell her to !et o"t an# sta, o"t.CC ;E r! n a> . th n: ,o" sho"l# not have come here>CC 8 n#er sa # m l#l,. ;5h, notJ; ;5ell-a9ter all- tCs a b"s ness a99a r-----; ;6h> ,o" ma:e me s c:H; explo#e# 4em"el. ;7o" tal: to her as 9 she reall, was ,o"r #a"!hterH; ;8pott,-stop-----; ;5h, #onCt ,o" tell her the tr"thJ; the other man cont n"e# remorselessl,. CC 8he a nCt ,o"r #a"!hter an,wa, an# ,o" :now t. )ell her that an# see 9 she C11 be so smart abo"t 9ollow n! ,o" aro"n# an# tell n! ,o" what to #o.CC ;FatherH; cr e# the ! rl n a #espa r n! vo ce. ;.t snCt tr"e> s tJ )ell me t snCt tr"e.; 8tartl n! 1ews A& ;7o" sho"l#nCt have sa # that> 8pott,>; m"ttere# ( p 8 n#er. ;5h, notJ .tCs a 9act> a nCt tJ 5h, sho"l#nCt she :nowJ 8erves her r !ht 9or b"st nC n here the wa, she # #. 8he bro"!ht t on hersel9.CC E r! n a !raspe# ' p 8 n#erCs arm mplor n!l,. ;5hat #oes he mean b, tJ; she as:e#. ;5hat #oes he mean b, sa, n! .Cm not ,o"r #a"!hterJ; ;D"st what . sa,H; #eclare# 4em"el w th a coarse la"!h. CC He a n Ct ,o"r 9ather> no matter what ,o" th n:. )ell her the tr"th> 8 n#er.; .n a low vo ce the other man be!an an explanat on. ;.-. !"ess . m !ht as well. .tCs the tr"th> E r! n a. .Cm not ,o"r real 9ather.; ;B"t-. alwa,s tho"!ht-nobo#, ever tol# me-; stammere# the ! rl. ;7o" were an orphan> E r! n a> when m, w 9e an# . a#opte# ,o". 5hen she was #, n! she as:e# me to loo: a9ter ,o" I"st as 9 ,o" were m, own #a"!hter.; )here was a lon! s lence. )hen 8pott, 4em"el la"!he# harshl,. ;. !"ess ,o" wonCt be so smart abo"t b"tt n! nto ' pCs a99a rs 9rom now on> ,o"n! la#,>; he !loate#. CC 8 nce ,o" :now the tr"th> !et o"t o9 here an# sta, o"tHCC A+ A F !"re n H # n! ;An orphanH; excla me# the ! rl blan:l,> as 9 she ha# not hear# h m. ;An a#opte# orphanH; ;1ow E r! n a>; 8 n#er sa # coax n!l,> ; 9 ,o"Cll I"st r"n alon! home an# let 8pott, an# me !o on w th o"r b"s ness-----; ;B"s nessH; the ! rl cr e#. 8"##enl, she #arte# towar# the #es: an# be!an loo: n! at the notes the two men ha# been wr t n!. ;Here> ,o"H; !rowle# 4em"el. ;4eave those letters alone. 4eave Cem aloneH; CC 7o" cheatsHCC snappe# the ! rl. ;P"t #own those lettersH; 4em"el reache# o"t an# tore one o9 them 9rom her han#. He !ave the ! rl a p"sh an# she sta!!ere# bac:. CC 1ow ,o" !et o"t o9 th s room or . C11 throw ,o" o"t.; ;/o eas,H; sa # 8 n#er. ;7o"Cre schemers> both o9 ,o"H; E r! n a cr e# pass onatel,. ;)h s b"s ness ,o"Cre n s not honest.; 8he covere# her 9ace w th her han#s an# bro:e nto a sob. ;.Cm !la# ,o"Cre not m, real 9ather> ' p 8 n#er. . alwa,s tho"!ht ,o" were honest> at least. )h s s horr ble.; CC 1ow l sten here> E r! n a-----CC

;2onCt tal: to me>; she wa le#. ;.9 ,o" were m, 9ather .C# be so ashame#-oh> . #onCt want to l ve "n#er s"ch a # s!race.; 8"##enl, she tw ste# aro"n#> r"she# across 8tartl n! 1ews A$ the room> 9l"n! open the #oor> an# #arte# nto the corr #or be9ore e ther man co"l# ma:e a move to stop her. )he #oor slamme# v olentl,. ( p 8 n#er I"mpe# 9orwar#. CC E r! n aH; he sho"te#. CC Come bac: hereH E r! n aH; He reache# the #oor at a bo"n# an# was I"st abo"t to open t> when 8pott, 4em"el spran! across the room an# p"she# h m as #e. ;4et her !o> ,o" 9oolH; !rowle# 4em"el. CC 4et her !o. 2o ,o" want to start a row that C11 have "s : c:e# o"t o9 the hotel JCC ;. canCt let her !o awa, l :e thatH; the other man proteste#. He str"!!le# to reach the #oor:nob. CC 4et me !o a9ter her> 4em. 8heCs l :el, to #o someth n! #esperate.; ;4et her>; reIo ne# the other cooll,. )here were so"n#s o9 a sc"99le. Apparentl, 8pott, 4em"el was bloc: n! s"ccess9"ll, h s compan onCs attempts to !et the #oor open. )he Har#, bo,s hear# h m sa,: ;.9 ,o" !o o"t a9ter her thereCll be a r"mp"s> an# we #onCt want an, sort o9 9"ss r !ht now. 8how some senseH 7o"Cll have the whole hotel ro"se# "p. .tCs a !oo# th n! sheCs !one> an,how. 8ta, where ,o" are.; At th s moment the bo,s hear# a <" c:> <" et :noc: on the #oor o9 the r own room. Doe spran! "p to answer t. Fenton Har#, was %0 A F !"re n H # n! stan# n! n the corr #or. He sl ppe# hast l, ns #e. ;Come <" c:l,>; he or#ere# tersel,> ;an# 9ollow that ! rl. 7o" o"!ht to be able to catch s !ht o9 her be9ore she !ets ver, 9ar 9rom the hotel.; )he #etect ve spo:e n a low vo ce so that he wo"l# not be hear# n the next room. ;.Cm a9ra # she ma, harm hersel9>; he went on> as h s sons hastene# to obe,. ;2onCt spea: to her or let her :now sheCs be n! 9ollowe#. B"t :eep her n s !ht 9 ,o" can. .Cll hol# the 9ort here wh le ,o" Cre !one. K" c:l,> now.CC Fran: an# Doe sl ppe# o"t o9 the room as <" etl, as the r 9ather ha# entere# t. As the, passe# the #oor o9 Boom B10 the, co"l# hear ' p 8 n#er an# 8pott, 4em"el st ll ar!" n!. From what the, ha# seen o9 the pa r the, tho"!ht t was prett, certa n 8pott, 4em"el wo"l# w n o"t an# ' p 8 n#er wo"l# #o as he was tol#. )he bo,s 9le# #own the corr #or. From the r 9atherCs "r!ent vo ce an# anx o"s 9ace the, :new that he was !en" nel, a9ra # that the ! rl> n her !r e9 an# #espa r> m !ht #o someth n! rash. )here was ever, nee# 9or haste. Fran:> a l ttle n the lea#> bolte# aro"n# a corner o9 the hallwa, on the r wa, to the elevator. 0n9ort"natel,> at that same moment a Ba ter was bo"n# 9or one o9 the rooms on the 8tartl n! 1ews %1 9loor> carr, n! a tra, o9 san#w ches an# bottles o9 ! n!er ale. )he bo, crashe# 9"ll-t lt nto the man. 8an#w ches> plates> !lasses> an# bottles went t"mbl n! to the carpet. )he wa ter st"mble# bac:war# an# 9ell. Fran: tr ppe# over the 9ellow Cs le!s an# sprawle# o"t. Doe p tche# across both o9 them> an# n an nstant all three la, on the 9loor. )he wa ter sat "p> spl"tter n!. Fort"natel, there ha# been no brea:a!e. B, a m racle> not even the !lasses were bro:en> altho"!h the san#w ches were scattere# all over the carpet. ;8orr,H; !aspe# Fran:> scrambl n! to h s 9eet> CC 5e Cre n a h"rr,.CC

;8o t seems>; !r"nte# the wa ter wrath9"ll,. )he Har#, bo,s helpe# the man to r se. )hen the, a #e# h m n p c: n! "p the # shes an# ! n!er ale bottles> cha9 n! at the #ela,. )he wa ter #ec #e# the, were !"ests o9 the hotel an# # # not sa, what he tho"!htL ,et h s resent9"l express on betra,e# onl, too pla nl, h s op n on o9 people who !o rac n! thro"!h hotel corr #ors at s"ch ho"rs. )he moment some semblance o9 or#er was restore#> Fran: sa #: ;5e canCt wa t. .9 ,o" have to !et 9resh san#w ches see -r. Har#, n B1A an# heCll pa, ,o". Come on> Doe.; )he, tore #own the corr #or a!a n. )he #ela,> br e9 tho"!h t was> ca"se# them to m ss %A A F !"re n H # n! a #escen# n! elevator> 9or ts l !ht bl n:e# o99 I"st as the, reache# the t"rn at the en# o9 the hallwa,. Frant call, Doe presse# the b"tton a!a n an# a!a n. .t seeme# a lon! t me be9ore the car h"mme# bac: to the 9o"rth stor, an# ts #oor clashe# open. ;2 # a ! rl !o #own to the !ro"n# 9loor a 9ew m n"tes a!oJ; Fran: as:e# the atten#ant. ;7ep. 8eeme# n a b ! h"rr,> too. 8he ran across the lobb, an# went o"t to the street.; )he elevator pl"n!e# #ownwar#. 5hen t reache# the !ro"n# 9loor the Har#, bo,s #ashe# 9rom t> race# across the lobb,> an# r"she# o"t onto the pavement. )he, loo:e# "p an# #own the street. )here was no s !n o9 the ! rl. 5h ch # rect on ha# E r! n a 8 n#er ta:enJ ;7o" !o one wa, an# .Cll !o the other>; sa # Fran:. ;-a,be weCll catch a !l mpse o9 her then. .9 ,o" see her> wh stle 9or me.; He ran to a corner an# loo:e# "p an# #own the cross thoro"!h9are> b"t the street was empt,. Crest9allen> Fran: t"rne# an# retrace# h s steps to the hotel entrance. Doe ret"rne# at the same moment an# t was obv o"s that he> too> ha# 9a le# to catch s !ht o9 the r <"arr,. ;5e m"st 9 n# herH; #eclare# Fran:. ;)hereCs a tax par:e# across the roa#>CC Doe sa #. ; )hatCs o"r best bet.; 8tartl n! 1ews %% He wh stle# shr ll, an# s !nalle# to the #r ver. )he man sat "p an# wave# ac:nowle#!ment o9 the s !nal. )he en! ne roare#. )he cab l"rche# 9orwar#> then sw"n! aro"n# an# #rew "p to the c"rb. CHAP)(' E H(A2.1/ F6' 2(8)'0C).61 ;where to> bo,sJ; as:e# the tax #r ver. Fran: ha# an #ea. ;7o"Cve been par:e# across the street>; he sa #. ;2 # ,o" see a ! rl r"n o"t o9 the hotel #"r n! the past 9ew m n"tesJ; )he #r ver !lance# at them c"r o"sl,. ;8"re>; he sa #. ;8he wasnCt wast n! an, t me> e ther. D"mpe# nto her car an# roare# o"t o9 here as 9 there were a h"n#re# cops a9ter her.; ;5h ch wa, # # she !oJ; )he man !est"re#. ;8tra !ht ahea#>; he sa #. ;5o"l# ,o" :now the car 9 ,o" sho"l# see t a!a nJ; ;. th n: so. 5ant me to tr,J; ;7es. An# 9 ,o" spot t> #r ve "p beh n# an# :eep t n s !ht.CC CC 6.3.HCC )he tax -#r ver release# h s cl"tch an# the cab I"mpe# 9orwar#. At the 9 rst corner he swerve# sharpl, to the r !htL at the secon# one he slowe# #own an# !lance# sharpl, both to le9t an# to r !htL then ma#e a %B Hea# n! 9or 2estr"ct on %=

le9t-han# t"rn an# spe# awa, n p"rs" t o9 a bobb n! ta l-l !ht 9ar ahea#. ;. th n: thatCs the car>; he sa #. ;8tep on the !asH; cr e# Doe. )he 9ellow obe,e#. )here was ver, l ttle tra99 c on Ba,portCs #owntown streets at that t me o9 n !ht an# he ha# a clear thoro"!h9are ahea# o9 h m. )he mach ne roare# alon! n p"rs" t. 8"##enl, the re# ta l-l !ht ahea# veere# to the le9t an# # sappeare#. ;)"rne# #own ( ver 8treet>; !r"nte# the #r ver. ;4oo:s to me l :e sheCs hea# n! 9or the br #!e.; He sw"n! the tax nto ( ver 8treet> a #ar: thoro"!h9are exten# n! thro"!h the o"ts: rts o9 Ba,port an# lea# n! to a co"ntr, roa#. Be,on# the c t, was the 5 llow ( ver> wh ch was spanne# b, a br #!e I"st past the Ba,port l m ts. )he car ahea# was travel n! at a 9ast cl p> b"t the cab #r ver :ept t n s !ht "nt l t reache# the e#!e o9 the c t,. )hen the roa# !rew w n# n!> an# as t was 9lan:e# b, aven"es o9 trees the p"rs"ers soon lost s !ht o9 the 9lee n! car alto!ether. )here were 9ew s #e roa#s> however> an# the man at the wheel was sat s9 e# that the other a"tomob le was hea# n! towar# the 5 llow ( ver. )he 9"! t ve car ha# been o"t o9 s !ht 9or some t me when the tax 9 nall, sw"n! aro"n# %6 A F !"re n H # n! a ben# an# came n s !ht o9 the stream> w th the br #!e r s n! l :e a #ar: h"l: n the !loom. Bes #e the roa# there was a r"b, !leam> the ta l-l !ht o9 a par:e# car. CC 8low "pH; cr e# Fran: <" c:l,. )he #r ver obe,e#. )h"s 9ar> the bo, bel eve#> no harm ha# come to the ! rl. He real Fe# that t wo"l# be poor pol c, to st r "p an, !oss p an# on that acco"nt #ec #e# that t wo"l# be best to # sm ss the cha"99e"r. ;Better stop an# t"rn aro"n#>; Fran: sa #. ;5eCll !et o"t r !ht here.; )he man showe# no s"rpr se. ;6.3. w th me> bo,s.; He :new the, were the Har#,s> an# was aware that the r #etect ve a#vent"res o9ten too: them on stran!e m ss ons. He bro"!ht the tax to a stop an# as:e# no <"est ons. Fran: pa # h m 9or the tr p an# the two la#s !ot o"t o9 the car. ;/oo# l"c:>; !r nne# the cabb,> as he sw"n! h s mach ne aro"n#. A 9ew moments later he was spee# n! on h s wa, bac: to Ba,port. )he Har#, bo,s e,e# the ta l-l !ht o9 the a"tomob le par:e# near the br #!e. ;-a,be the ! rl snCt n the car>; Doe s"!!este#. ;5e ha# better ma:e s"re>; respon#e# h s brother. As the, h"rr e# #own the roa#> t occ"rre# Hea# n! 9or 2estr"ct on %& to them then that the, m !ht be too late a9ter all. However> when the, #rew near the par:e# a"to the, were rel eve# to see a #ar: 9 !"re at the wheel. As the, came closer the r rel e9 chan!e# to bew l#erment. )he 9 !"re was <" te mot onless. -oreover> t seeme# to be h"##le# over the wheel n a stran!e 9ash on. ;8ometh n! s n ster abo"t th s>; remar:e# Fran: n a low vo ce. Ca"t o"sl, the, came "p to the s #e o9 the a"tomob le. CC 5h,> t sn Ct E r! n a at allH .tCs a manHCC Doe excla me#. CC 0nconsc o"sHCC cr e# Fran:. )he #r ver was sl"mpe# across the wheel> bent 9orwar# n a l mp h"##le. )he w n#ow was #own> an# when Fran: t"rne# the han#le that opene# the

car #oor the manCs bo#, sh 9te# an# almost 9ell o"t onto the r"nn n! boar#. )he bo,s ca"!ht h m. ;.s he #ea#J; as:e# Doe. Fran: thr"st the 9 !"re bac: n the seat. )hen he too: a 9lashl !ht 9rom h s poc:et an# sw tche# t on. )he br ll ant !leam 9ell on the 9ace o9 the st ll 9orm. )he man was not #ea#. He was breath n! re!"larl,> b"t h s 9ace was ba#l, mar:e# an# br" se# as 9 he ha# rece ve# a har# blow. ;3noc:e# "nconsc o"s>; sa # Fran:> as he %+ A F !"re n H # n! not ce# an "!l, b"mp on the v ct mCs 9orehea#. )here seeme# to be someth n! va!"el, 9am l ar abo"t the 9ellowCs 9ace. He was tall> w th th n 9eat"res an# blac: ha r. ;8eems to me>; Fran: sa # slowl,> ;that .Cve seen th s man be9ore> b"t . canCt I"st remember where t was.; ;Fran:H; excla me# Doe exc te#l,. ;5hatJ; ;. remember. 5eCve seen h m be9ore> all r !ht. )h s ver, even n!.; ;5hereJ; ;.n the alle, beh n# the theatre. )h s s the man who hel# "p the ' alto cash erl; ;/oll,> . bel eve ,o"Cre r !htH; cr e# h s brother> a!a n st"#, n! the 9ace o9 the "nconsc o"s man n the car. ;.tCs the same person> .Cm s"re. . ca"!ht a !l mpse o9 h s 9ace when he t"rne# n the lane. .C# remember h m an,where.; ;)hen letCs loo: an# see 9 he has the theatre mone, on h m. Bo,> wonCt we p"t Ch e9 Coll !Cs nose o"t o9 Io nt 9 we 9 n# that mone,H; )he, searche# the manCs poc:ets> an# 9o"n# an a"tomob le l cense n the name o9 1 c: Cor#oFa> to!ether w th a b"nch o9 :e,s> b"t the, # scovere# not one cent o9 mone,. )he Har#, bo,s carr e# the r search to the a"tomob le tsel9. )he, explore# the bac: Hea# n! 9or 2estr"ct on %$ seat> loo:e# beneath the "pholster,> 9elt n the s #e-poc:ets. )he r h"nt was n va n. CC 1o l"c:>CC #eclare# Fran: 9 nall,. CC )hereCs not m"ch #o"bt as to what happene#. 8omeone sl"!!e# th s man Cor#oFa an# stole the stolen mone, 9rom h m.; ;5hat shall we #oJ 2r ve the car bac: to Ba,port an# han# h m over to the pol ceJ; ;.9 we t"rn h m over to an,one t sho"l# be to a #octor. .C# l :e to :now who too: the mone,> tho"!h.; )he bo,s were "n#ec #e# as to the best co"rse o9 act on. For all the, :new> Cor#oFa m !ht be ser o"sl, nI"re#. )he, w she# heart l, that the, ha# not been n s"ch a h"rr, to # sm ss the r cab #r ver. Fran: !ot o"t o9 the mach ne> an# w th the 9lashl !ht he be!an explor n! the roa#wa, an# the # tch near b,. ;5e m !ht 9 n# some : n# o9 cl"e>; he sa #. D"st then> 9rom o"t o9 a s #e roa# abo"t 9 9t, ,ar#s awa,> an a"tomob leCs hea#l !hts c"t thro"!h the #ar:ness. A car s: ##e# o"t onto the roa# that le# towar# the br #!e. 5 tho"t slac:en n! spee# t r"she# towar# the bo,s. Fran: sw tche# o"t the 9lashl !ht. )he brothers cro"che# n the sha#ow o9 Cor#oFaCs car. Perhaps the manCs assa lants were ret"rn n! to the scene. B0 A F !"re n H # n! )he mach ne> a small co"pe> spe# on. .t ha# almost reache# them when

the #r ver sw"n! the wheel s"##enl, an# #rove the car nto a r"tte# lane that c"t o99 9rom the ma n roa# an# #escen#e# across a 9 el# towar# the r ver ban:. Fran: sw tche# on the 9lashl !ht. .ts beam 9ell # rectl, "pon the #r ver. )hen both bo,s "ttere# a ,ell o9 s"rpr se. ;E r! n aH; the, cr e#. )he a"to was l"rch n! #own the "neven lane> bo"n# stra !ht 9or the r ver. Apparentl, the ! rl at the wheel ha# no ntent on o9 stopp n!. ;8heCll be : lle#H; sho"te# Doe. 6w n! to the ro"!hness o9 the lane the co"pe ha# slowe# #own a l ttle. Both bo,s leape# across the # tch an# tr e# to ntercept the mov n! car. )he, were I"st n t me to leap onto the r"nn n! boar#. ;8topH; Fran: sho"te#. ;7o"Cll #r ve stra !ht nto the r ver.; ;5hether or not the ! rl ma#e an attempt to appl, the bra:es the Har#,s # # not :now. B, th s t me the co"pe was be! nn n! to sl ther #own the slope. 4"rch n! an# swa, n!> t p c:e# "p spee#. )he ! rlCs han#s seeme# 9roFen to the wheel. Doe leane# thro"!h the w n#ow an# tr e# to reach the emer!enc, bra:e. Hea# n! 9or 2estr"ct on B1 )he car was completel, o"t o9 control. As t shot #own the ncl ne> the blac: waters o9 the 5 llow ( ver seeme# to be r"sh n! "p to meet t. E r! n a 8 n#er screame#. A!a n Doe tr e# to !rab the emer!enc, bra:e b"t he co"l# not reach t. )he ! rl seeme# paral,Fe# b, the tra!e#, that la, ahea#. Bo"nc n! an# Io"nc n! w l#l,> the co"pe pl"n!e# #own the emban:mentH CHAP)(' E. )H( '(8C0( there was no hope o9 br n! n! E r! n a 8 n#erCs car to a stop now. Both the Har#, bo,s real Fe# that. )he, co"l# eas l, have I"mpe# to sa9et, an# le9t the ! rl to her 9ate> b"t the, rema ne# cl n! n! to the co"pe> Doe st ll ma: n! #esperate e99orts to !et the #oor open n the hope that he m !ht p"ll on the bra:e be9ore t was too late. .n another secon#> however> the mach ne p tche# hea#lon! over the emban:ment. E r! n aCs w l# scream o9 terror ran! thro"!h the n !ht as the car pl"n!e# nto the water w th a tremen#o"s splash. .t str"c:> nose #own> then t"rne# over. Fran: was 9l"n! clear b, the mpact. He rose to the s"r9ace an# loo:e# abo"t 9or the co"pe. .t ha# lan#e# n abo"t 9 ve 9eet o9 water> an# he co"l# see the rear wheels loom n! above the r ver. )hen he hear# DoeCs vo ce. ;Fran:H; ;.Cm all r !ht>; h s brother sho"te#. ;K" c:. 5e m"st !et that ! rl o"t o9 there.; B% )he 'esc"e B% 2 ml, Fran: co"l# see Doe on the other s #e o9 the car. He splashe# thro"!h the water> swam a 9ew stro:es> an# reache# the wrec:a!e. )hen he # ve# an# 9o"n# an open w n#ow. Beach n! n> he !rabbe# bl n#l,. H s han# enco"ntere# an arm o9 the ! rl who was str"!!l n! 9rant call,. E r! n a se Fe# the bo,Cs coat n a !r p so #esperate that Fran: was a9ra # the, m !ht both be #rowne#. He mana!e#> however> to p"ll her 9rom beh n# the steer n! wheel an# hal9wa, thro"!h the open w n#ow. )hen he was able to brea: her hol# on h m. He ha# to r se to the s"r9ace> an# !asp 9or a r. .n a moment he was #own a!a n. At the secon# attempt he #ra!!e# the ! rl o"t o9 the car. B, th s t me Doe was at h s s #e an# to!ether the two bo,s bro"!ht the sem -consc o"s E r! n a to shore.

;. hope she hasnCt #rowne#>; !aspe# Doe. ;Another m n"te or so an# she certa nl, wo"l# have>; h s brother repl e#. )he, carr e# E r! n a 8 n#er "p the r ver ban:. Her p"rse> wh ch ha# been loope# aro"n# her wr st> 9ell 9ree an# #roppe# nto the m"#. 8he be!an to co"!h an# cho:e as she rev ve#. )hen> h"##le# on the !rass o9 the emban:ment> she starte# to cr, 9 t9"ll, an# h,ster call,. ;5h, # # ,o" save meJ; she excla me#. BB A F !"re n H # n! ;. #onCt want to l ve. . #onCt want to l ve.; Her bo#, was sha:en b, sobs. 8"##enl, she b"rst nto a 9 t o9 w l# la"!hter> covere# her 9ace w th her han#s> an# wept a!a n. ;. wante# to en# ever,th n!H 4 9e snCt vrorth l v n!. 5h, # #nCt ,o" leave me aloneJ; she #eman#e#. ;7o" m"stnCt tal: l :e that> E r! n a>; Fran: sa #. ;How #o ,o" :now m, nameH 5ho are ,o" JCC the ! rl as:e#. ;.Cm Fran: Har#,> an# th s s m, brother Doe. 5e 9ollowe# ,o" o"t here to ma:e s"re that no harm wo"l# come to ,o". . !"ess tCs a l"c:, th n! we # #> too.CC ;.t snCt. . wante# to # e.; ;7o"Cre I"st a b t h,ster cal. 5e want to be ,o"r 9r en#s.; ;. havenCt an, 9r en#s>; she wa le#. ;. havenCt a 9r en# n the worl#. )hatCs wh, l 9e #oesnCt seem worth l v n!.; ;5hat nonsense. 7o" have more 9r en#s than ,o" real Fe.; )he ! rl sat "p> sh ver n!> an# #abbe# at her e,es w th a han#:erch e9 resc"e# 9rom her #r pp n! #ress. ;. # #nCt :now an,one care# eno"!h even to stop me 9rom #r v n! nto the r ver>; she sa #. ;5ell> we care#>; sa # Doe> ;an# !ot o"r)he 'esc"e B= selves !oo# an# wet #o n! t>; he a## n! r"e9"ll,. ;How # # ,o" :now what . was !o n! to #oJ; she as:e#. ;7o" have never seen me be9ore.CC ;5e have been loo: n! 9or ,o" ever s nce ,o" le9t the Ba,port Hotel>; Fran: tol# her. )he ! rl seeme# p"FFle#. ;B"t wh,J . canCt "n#erstan#. An# hovr #o ,o" :now m, nameJ; )he Har#, bo,s # # not enl !hten her> however> as the, # # not want her to :now the, ha# overhear# her ar!"ment w th her 9oster 9ather n the room at the hotel. ;5e havenCt t me to tell ,o" now>; Fran: sa #> ;b"t weCre ,o"r 9r en#s an# weCre #eterm ne# to help ,o".; ;. bel eve that now>; the ! rl answere# !rate9"ll,. 8he loo:e# at the r ver an# sh"##ere#. ;. m !ht be #ea# now 9 t ha#nCt been 9or ,o". . m"st have been craF, to have #one s"ch a th n!.; ;5eC# better see abo"t ta: n! ,o" home>; remar:e# Doe. ;7o"Cll catch col#.; D"st then the, hear# a we r#> w l# so"n# 9rom 9ar "p the roa#. .t was an "nearthl, wa l n! that rose an# 9ell. ;5hatCs thatJ; cr e# E r! n a> spr n! n! to her 9eet. A pa r o9 !leam n! hea#l !hts sw"n! B6 A F !"re n H # n! aro"n# a ben# n the roa#. )he ha"nt n! so"n# rose to a shr e:. ;Pol ce s renH; excla me# Fran:. )he mach ne spe# towar# the r ver. ;Cor#oFaH; Fran: !"esse#. )he s ren was sh"t o99. )he hea#l !hts o9 the approach n! pol ce car

were now sh n n! # rectl, on the one n the # tch. ;Pol ce> # # ,o" sa,J; excla me# E r! n a> 9r !htene#. ;2onCt worr,. .t snCt ,o" the,Cre a9ter>; Fran: ass"re# her. ;)here was a robber, n town ton !ht an# #etect ves have been wor: n! on the case. 5a t here "nt l we spea: to them. 5eCll come bac: 9or ,o" n a 9ew m n"tes.CC )he Har#, bo,s le9t E r! n a on the r ver ban: an# ran towar# the roa#. )he, reache# the par:e# car n wh ch Cor#oFa was st ll l, n! "nconsc o"s I"st as the pol ce a"tomob le approache#. Doe ran nto the roa# an# wave# h s arme. )he mach ne came to a stop w th a s<"eal o9 bra:es. 2etect ve 8m"99 a#vance# nto the !lare o9 the hea#l !hts> peer n! closel, at the bo,s. ;How # # ,o" 9ellows !et hereJ; he #eman#e# w tho"t enth"s asm. ;5hatCs !o n! onJ .s that ,o"r mach neH; )he Har#, bo,s shoo: the r hea#s. )he 'esc"e B& ;.t snCt o"rs>; Fran: tol# the #etect ve> ;b"t ,o"Cll be ntereste# n the man who #rove t here.CC ;5here s heJ; ;8t ll at the wheel. Come alon! an# have a loo: at h m.; )he, le# 8m"99 over to the a"tomob le. Ch e9 Coll ! cl mbe# o"t o9 the pol ce car an# came "p p"99 n!. ;5hatCs !o n! on> 8m"99J 5hatCs the tro"bleJ; he as:e#. ;6h-the Har#, bo,sH -an canCt t"rn aro"n# w tho"t r"nn n! nto ,o" 9ellows. 5ho owns that mach neJ 5ho s n tJ; Fran: sw tche# on h s 9lashl !ht an# # recte# the beam towar# the h"##le# 9 !"re. ;5hoCs thatJ; !r"nte# 8m"99. ;A #ea# manH; Coll ! !aspe#. ;. th n: h s name s 1 c: Cor#oFa>; remar:e# Fran:. ;5e 9o"n# h m here a 9ew m n"tes a!o. HeCs the 9ellow who hel# "p the ( alto )heatre cash er ton !ht> b"t somebo#, else m"st have hel# h m "p beca"se we canCt 9 n# a cent o9 the mone, n the car.; Ch e9 Coll ! an# 8m"99 were st"nne#. )he, ha# #r ven o"t towar# the r ver on the stren!th o9 a t p that a car> the l cense n"mber o9 wh ch was the same as that o9 a mach ne par:e# near the ( alto that even n!> ha# bees seen on the r ver roa#. B"t to 9 n# the Har#, B+ A F !"re n H # n! bo,s ahea# o9 them> rea#, to #ent 9, the "nconsc o"s #r ver as the robber the, were see: n!-th s too: all the Io, o"t o9 the capt"re. ;How #o ,o" :now h s nameJ; #eman#e# the Ch e9 !r"99l,. ;5e 9o"n# h s #r verCs l cense.; 8m"99 an# Coll ! exam ne# the "nconsc o"s Cor#oFa. ;/"ess weC# better !et th s !", to a hosp tal r !ht awa,> Ch e9>; sa # 8m"99. ;He loo:s to be n ba# shape.; ;5eCll ta:e h m bac: at once. Are ,o" 9ellows s"re he s the man who hel# "p the B alto cash erJ; ;4oo:s m !ht, l :e h m>; Doe sa #. 2etect ve 8m"99 an# Ch e9 Coll ! were not prepare# to ta:e the bo,sC wor# 9or t that the stolen mone, was !one. )he, searche# the car thoro"!hl, an# ma#e a 9"rther h"nt thro"!h Cor#oFaCs poc:ets> b"t were 9 nall, 9orce# to a#m t that 9 he ha# ta:en the cash he ha# e ther h ##en t or else been robbe# o9 t. 5 th the help o9 the Har#, bo,s the two pol ce o99 cers too: Cor#oFa o"t o9 the mach ne an# l"!!e# h m over to the r own a"tomob le where he was place# n the rear seat. Fran: an# Doe> see n! a wa, o9 !ett n! E r! n a bac: to Ba,port> vol"nteere# to #r ve Cor#oFaCs car nto the

c t,. Ch e9 Coll ! !rac o"sl, accepte# the r o99er. )he 'esc"e B$ ;Follow "s n>; he or#ere# w th a wave o9 h s 9at han#> an# clambere# bac: nto the pol ce car. 8m"99> s tt n! at the wheel> sw"n! the a"tomob le aro"n# an# n a 9ew moments the worth, pa r were hea# n! towar# Ba,port w th the r st ll "nconsc o"s pr soner. Fran: an# Doe ran bac: to the r ver ban: where the, ha# le9t E r! n a. 8he was not m s !ht. ;E r! n aH; Fran: calle# o"t. )here was no answer. ;/oshH . hope she # #nCt I"mp nto the water>; #eclare# Doe. Fran: too: o"t h s 9lashl !ht a!a n. He 9o"n# the pr nts o9 a pa r o9 h !h-heele# shoes n the so9t earth lea# n! awa, 9rom the emban:ment. ;8he m"st have been 9r !htene# when she saw the pol ce car stop>CC he sa #. )he, searche# 9or abo"t 9 ve m n"tes> call n! E r! n aCs name> b"t the, # # not 9 n# her nor # # she answer the r sho"ts. Doe # scovere# the p"rse that ha# sl ppe# 9rom the ! rlCs wr st l, n! n the m"# close to the waterCs e#!e> an# n t the, 9o"n# a car# "pon wh ch E r! n aCs name an# a##ress ha# been scr bble#. ;5e canCt a99or# to sta, aro"n# here an, lon!er>; Fran: #ec #e#. ;Ch e9 Coll ! an# 8m"99 w ll be !ett n! s"sp c o"s. . !"ess the =0 A F !"re n H # n! ! rl m"st have #ec #e# to !o across the 9 el#s an# 9 n# her wa, home b, hersel9.; ;At least we wonCt lose trac: o9 her> now that we have her a##ress.; Accor# n!l, the bo,s !ave "p the r search 9or E r! n a 8 n#er an# cl mbe# nto Cor-#oFaCs car. .t was n !oo# r"nn n! or#er an# the, ha# no tro"ble #r v n! t. )hen the, t"rne# an# starte# bac: towar# the c t,. )he, arr ve# at the pol ce stat on I"st n t me to meet Ch e9 Coll ! an# 2etect ve 8m"99 ret"rn n! 9rom the hosp tal. .n answer to the Har#, bo,sC n<" r, Coll ! wa!!e# h s hea#. ;He !ot a ba# beat n!. He was st ll "nconsc o"s when we le9t h m. )he #octor sa,s heCll l ve> tho"!h.; ;An# when heCs able to tal:>; #eclare# 2etect ve 8m"99> ;weCll have plent, o9 <"est ons 9or h m to answer.; )he Har#, bo,s went bac: to the Ba,port Hotel. )he, wo"l# have pre9erre# !o n! home where the, co"l# !et nto #r, paIamas> b"t the, :new that there m !ht be 9"rther wor: 9or them to #o. Accor# n!l,> be9ore the, went bac: to the r own room the, rappe# at the r 9atherCs #oor. )here was no answer to the r :noc:. ;)hatCs o##>; Doe sa #. ;. tho"!ht he nten#e# to sta, here an# watch B p 8 n#er an# 8pott, 4em"el.; )he (esc"e =1 ;-a,be the, went o"t an# he 9ollowe# them>; was Fran:Cs s"!!est on. )he brothers wal:e# on to the r own room an# let themselves n <" etl,. Fran: t ptoe# to the #oor connect n! w th the one ta:en b, the s"sp c o"s men. He :nelt an# l stene# 9or a moment at the :e,-hole. )here was no l !ht n the chamber be,on# b"t so"n#s o9 meas"re# snor n! co"l# be hear#. ;)he,Cre asleep>; he sa # <" etl,. ;5e ma, as well !et some rest too. .Cm all n.; ;.Cm t re#> too>; Fran: con9esse# as he be!an to "nlace h s shoes. ;.t has been a b ! even n!.CC CC A b !!er one than we tho"!ht t was !o n! to be when we set o"t 9or the mov es.;

)he bo,s remove# the r wet cloth n!> ran! 9or a bellhop> an# sent the r s" ts #own to be #r e# an# presse#. )hen the, crawle# nto be#. 4ess than a m n"te a9ter Fran: sw tche# o"t the l !ht the, were both 9ast asleep. .t seeme# scarcel, a m n"te a9ter that when a sharp :noc: at the #oor aro"se# them. )he, awa:ene# to # scover that t was broa# #a,l !ht. ;/oll,> what t me s tJ; cr e# Doe> r"bb n! h s e,es. ;.t seems as 9 . I"st !ot nto be#.; )he :noc: was repeate#. Fran: snatche# =A A F !"re n H # n! "p a blan:et> wrappe# t aro"n# h msel9> an# went to the #oor. )he caller was Fenton Har#,. ;/oo# morn n!>; sa # the r 9ather as he steppe# nto the room. B"t h s "s"al !en al sm le was lac: n!. ;. have news 9or ,o">; he cont n"e#. ;8er o"s news.; CHAP)(' E.. CH() .1 )'60B4( ;what has happene#J; as:e# the bo,s. ;Chet -orton has been arreste#.; )he la#s were #"mb9o"n#e#. A9ter a 9ew secon#s Fran: 9o"n# h s vo ce. ;Arreste#H; ;5hat 9orJ; #eman#e# Doe. ;For steal n! the B alto )heatre rece pts last n !ht>; Fenton Har#, #eclare#. )h s p ece o9 news was so abs"r# that 9or a moment the bo,s tho"!ht the r 9ather was Io: n!. ;7o" #onCt mean t> 2a#>; sa # Fran:. ;. #o. .tCs ser o"s. Chet was arreste# earl, th s morn n!.; ;B"t tCs r # c"lo"s. 5h,> we were w th h m when the hol#-"p happene#. 5e can prove he ha# noth n! to #o w th t. .9 the a"thor t es ha# to arrest an,one the, co"l#nCt have p c:e# on a person w th a better al b .; Fenton Har#,Cs 9ace was !rave. ;-a,be tCs not so r # c"lo"s as t seems>; he sa # !ravel,. ;)he pol ce have arreste# Chet on the stren!th o9 certa n statements =% =B A F !"re n H # n! ma#e b, a man name# 1 c: Cor#oFa n Ba,port /eneral Hosp tal #"r n! the n !ht. . "n#erstan# Cor#oFa has been #ent 9 e# as the man who comm tte# the act"al hol#-"p.; ;7es. 5e 9o"n# h m n a stalle# car at the 5 llow ' ver br #!e>; Fran: repl e#. ;5e ran across h m when we went to loo: 9or E r! n a 8 n#er.; -r. Har#, was ntereste#. ;. havenCt hear# abo"t ,o"r a#vent"res ,et. An# 9 ,o" ha# an,th n! to #o w th the capt"re o9 1 c: Cor#oFa> the Ba,port pol ce havenCt sa # m"ch abo"t t.; ;)he, wo"l#nCt>; !r"nte# Doe. )he bo,s then tol# the r 9ather ever,th n! that ha# happene# 9rom the t me the, le9t the r hotel room the prev o"s n !ht> ncl"# n! the r # scover, o9 Cor#oFa sl"mpe# "nconsc o"s n the carL the r pl"n!e nto the r ver when tr, n! to save E r! n aL the arr val o9 Coll ! an# 8m"99> an# the ! rlCs s"bse<"ent # sappearance. ;.t s r # c"lo"s> o9 co"rse>CM sa # Fenton Har#,> ;to th n: that Chet s a th e9> b"t .Cm a9ra # he s n a ba# Iam.; ;5e can prove he ha# noth n! to #o w th the hol#-"pH; Fran: #eclare#. ;.t wonCt ta:e "s two m n"tes to clear h m.;

;)hat snCt the po nt. Can ,o" prove that ne # #nCt attac: 1 c: Cor#oFa an# ta:e the Chet n )ro"ble == stolen mone, a9ter :noc: n! h m senselessJ; )h s threw another l !ht on the matter ent rel,. )he bo,s were nonpl"sse#. ;)hatCs # 99erent>; Doe a#m tte#. ;Chet # #nCt #o that> o9 co"rse>; a##e# Fran:. ;.9 the pol ce have an, sense the, sho"l# real Fe that o"r pal> o9 all people-----; ;5e :now Chet a !oo# #eal better than the pol ce #o>; Fenton Har#, po nte# o"t. ;)here has certa nl, been some terr ble m sta:e. Accor# n! to what . hear> tho"!h> 1 c: Cor#oFa came o"t o9 h s trance 9or a wh le earl, th s morn n! an# !ave a #escr pt on that 9 tte# Chet m !ht, closel,. 8o the pol ce have hel# h m 9or <"est on n!.; ;Cor#oFa co"l#nCt have ! ven the pol ce ChetCs name. )he, canCt hol# o"r ch"m on ev #ence as 9l ms, as that.; Fenton Har#, shoo: h s hea#. ;As a matter o9 9act> thatCs the ver, worst part o9 the whole b"s ness. Cor#oFa ns ste# on m"mbl n! that the 9ellowCs name was Chet.; Fran: collapse# n a cha r. ;5ell> .Cm 9labber!aste#H; he m"rm"re#. ;-e too>; sa # Doe. ;5eC# better !et b"s, an# see 9 we canCt #o someth n! abo"t th s.; Hast l, the bo,s be!an to scramble nto the r clothes. D"st then there was a :noc: at =6 A F !"re n H # n! the #oor. -r. Har#, opene# t to a#m t one o9 the hotel wa ters. ;.Cve been :eep n! an e,e on those men ,o" po nte# o"t to me> -r. Har#,>; he sa #. ;)he,Cre !ett n! rea#, to !o o"t. . h"rr e# "psta rs to tell ,o".; ;)han: ,o"> Alphonse. )he, havenCt le9t the hotel ,et> have the,J; ;1ot ,et> s r> b"t the,Cll be leav n! at an, moment.CC ;/oo# wor:> Alphonse.; Fenton Har#, p"t on h s hat. ;.tCs ,o"r 9r en#s 9rom next #oor. )he,Cve been hav n! brea:9ast n the # n n! room an# . as:e# Alphonse to watch them wh le . came "p here.; ;B n#er an# 4em"elJ; sa # Doe. H s 9ather no##e#. ;. #onCt want to lose s !ht o9 them th s morn n! 9 . can help t. 1o nee# 9or ,o" chaps to han! aro"n# here an, lon!er. 7o" !o home now 9 ,o" l :e. .Cve pa # the hotel b ll at the #es:>; he a##e#> van sh n! h"rr e#l, on the heels o9 Alphonse. )he Har#, bo,s 9elt a l ttle ashame# o9 themselves when the, real Fe# that ha# t not been 9or the alertness o9 the r more exper ence# 9ather> 3 p 8 n#er an# 8pott, 4em"el co"l# have ! ven them the sl p eas l,. However> there was more wor: ahea# 9 the, hope# to help the "nhapp, Chet o"t o9 the Iam he Chet n )ro"ble =& was n> so the, lost no t me n ma: n! themselves presentable. A phone call to the valet serv ce bro"!ht a bellhop to the room w th the r clothes> an# soon the, were rea#, to leave. ;. !"ess we ha# better !o home 9 rst>; Doe #ec #e#. ;-other ma, be worr, n!.; -rs. Har#,> the, # scovere# when the, reache# the r ho"se> was not worr, n! abo"t them> b"t the r pepper, A"nt /ertr"#e was n a state o9 !reat anx et,. )hat la#, ha# been tr, n! her best to conv nce -rs. Har#, that the bo,s ha# certa nl, come to !r e9 #"r n! the n !ht an# that the r l 9eless bo# es wo"l# be #el vere# to the 9ront entrance b,

one o9 the Ba,port mort c ans at some ho"r #"r n! the morn n!. .t was # 99 c"lt to tell whether she was rel eve# or # sappo nte# when the, appeare# n the # n n! room I"st n t me 9or brea:9ast. ;5hat n the worl# has been !o n! onJ; #eman#e# A"nt /ertr"#e. ;)h s #etect ve nonsense s ba# eno"!h> what w th allow n! la#s o9 ,o"r a!e to sta, o"t all n !ht w tho"t !ett n! other bo,s m xe# "p n t too. )hat telephone has been r n! n! s nce seven oCcloc: th s morn n!.; ;For "sJ; as:e# Fran:> help n! h msel9 to ham an# e!!s. ;5hat s wron! at the -orton placeH =+ A F !"re n H # n! )he, have been phon n! here ever, ten m n"tes as: n! 9or ,o" bo,s. . have <"est one# them> ver, pol tel, an# c v ll,> 9 there s an,th n! wron! an# whether there s an,th n! . can #o to help them. B"t no> not a wor# w ll the, tell me. 7o"C# th n: . was I"st be n! n<" s t ve> the,Cve been so short w th me.; )he bo,s :new all abo"t the r a"ntCs cons"m n! c"r os t, an# ha# a prett, 9a r #ea o9 the #oFens o9 <"est ons w th wh ch she m"st have pl e# the -ortons n her e99orts to learn what was a9oot. ; 5hatever possesse# ,o" to sta, at the hotel all n !ht when ,o" have a per9ectl, !oo# be# at homeJ; she #eman#e#. ;Fenton wante# them to help h m on a case>; expla ne# -rs. Har#, m l#l,. ;CaseH; snorte# A"nt /ertr"#e. ;Ha# t an,th n! to #o w th Chet -ortonJ .s he n tro"bleJ; )he sp nster ha# a wa, o9 !"ess n! "ncom9ortabl, close to the mar: at t mes. )he bo,s were save# 9rom ma: n! explanat ons b, the telephone. Fran: answere# the call. Chet -ortonCs 9ather was on the l ne. ;Fran:>; he sa #> ;can ,o" tell me an,th n! abo"t th s terr ble m x-"pJ Chet was w th ,o" 9ellows last n !ht> wasnCt heJ; ;69 co"rse. .tCs all a ba# m sta:e. Doe an# . I"st !ot n. 5eCre com n! r !ht "p.; Chet n )ro"ble =$ ;)hatCs 9 ne> Fran:. -rs. -orton an# . are worr e# an# weC# l :e to :now whatCs beh n# all th s. 5e :now Chet s nnocent> o9 co"rse> b"t we canCt "n#erstan# how he came to be m xe# "p n the a99a r at all.; ;5eCll be r !ht over.; 5hen Fran: t"rne# awa, 9rom the telephone A"nt /ertr"#e sa #: ;5ho was thatJ -r. -ortonJ; ;Correct the 9 rst t"ne> A"nt /ertr"#e.; ;5hat #oes he wantJ; ;6h> he I"st wants to have a l ttle chat w th "s>; ret"rne# Fran: a r l,. ;H"rr, "p> Doe.; ;7o"Cll !et n# !est on 9 ,o" bolt ,o"r 9oo#>; observe# the r a"nt w th a sn 99> as the bo,s h"rr e# thro"!h the rema n#er o9 the r brea:9ast. 5hen Fran: an# Doe #rove "p to the -orton 9armho"se on the o"ts: rts o9 Ba,port that morn n! the, 9o"n# the bo,Cs parents n a state o9 !reat # stress an# anx et, over the r sonCs pl !ht. )he pol ce ha# calle# 9or Chet earl, that morn n!> ha# ma#e h m !et o"t o9 be#> #ress an# !o w th them to the stat on 9or <"est on n!. -r. an# -rs. -orton ha# been !rante# ver, l ttle n9ormat on. ;5e :now o"r son was at the mov es w th ,o" bo,s last n !ht 9or he tol# "s so. He came n late> b"t-well> Chet # #nCt have an,th n! 60 A F !"re n H # n! to #o w th an, robber,H; #eclare# -r. -orton. ;)hat s"re !oes w tho"t sa, n!>; la"!he# Fran:.

)he bo,s !ave ChetCs parents a 9a rl, complete acco"nt o9 the events o9 the prece# n! even n! altho"!h the, # # not relate the r own a#vent"res enco"ntere# n the Ba,port Hotel. ;.tCs a case o9 m sta:en #ent t,> .Cm s"re>; Doe sa #. ;Perhaps the 9ellow who reall, h t Cor#oFa act"all, loo:e# l :e Chet.; ;)he tro"ble s that o"r bo, reall, hasnCt m"ch o9 an al b >; -rs. -orton po nte# o"t. ;A9ter he le9t ,o" he wal:e# home alone. .tCs a hal9 ho"rCs h :e an# he # #nCt meet an,one. CC ;Chet sho"l#nCt nee# an al b . (ver,bo#, :nows he wo"l#nCt comm t a robber,. .Cm !o n! to call "p Ch e9 Coll ! an# see what he has to sa, abo"t t.; Fran: went to the telephone an# calle# Ba,port Pol ce Hea#<"arters. .n a 9ew moments he was tal: n! to the man he wante#. ;5hatCs the #ea o9 hol# n! Chet there> Ch e91J; he as:e#. ;He ha# no more to #o w th ta: n! that mone, than we # #.; ;. #onCt th n: he too: t> Fran:>; ret"rne# Coll !> rea# l, eno"!h. ;B"t when Cor#oFa !ave "s h s name we ha# to <"est on h m. Chet s at home now.; Chet n )ro"ble 61 ;At homeH; ;5ell> he starte# 9or home at an, rate>; sa # the Ch e9. ;He tol# "s h s stor, an# . # #nCt th n: there was an, nee# o9 o"r :eep n! h m here. He prom se# to be on han# 9 we #ec #e to ma:e an, more n<" r es.; ;An# ,o" sa, he le9t 9or h s own placeJ; ;Abo"t an ho"r a!o. He wasnCt wast n! an, t me> e ther. 8a # he was late 9or brea:9ast.; ;)han:s> Ch e9.; Fran: replace# the rece ver. ;)hatCs stran!e>; he m"se#. ;Coll ! sa,s Chet le9t 9or home an ho"r a!o.; Doe spran! to the w n#ow an# loo:e# o"t. B"t there was no s !n o9 the r ch"m an,where on the roa# 9rom the town. ;. hope th s snCt !o n! to be another m,ster,>; he sa #. CHAP)(' E... )H( 8)64(3 6AB> ;. hope he snCt a9ra # to come home>; sa # -rs. -orton anx o"sl,. ;He :nows that we bel eve h m nnocent.; ;.t snCt l :e Chet to #o s"ch a th n!>; Fran: #eclare#. ;. sho"l# th n: heC# ret"rn as <" c:l, as poss ble> so that ,o" wo"l#nCt be worr, n! abo"t h m.At least he m !ht have telephone#.; ;5eC# better !et b"s, an# loo: 9or h m>; Doe sa #. )he bo,s were !reatl, "pset b, the news b"t not hal9 as pert"rbe# as were ChetCs parents. Fran: tr e# to alla, the r 9ears. ;Probabl, he went to 9 n# a law,er. 6r he ma, have !one loo: n! 9or "s>; he sa #. ;. sho"l#nCt worr, abo"t t. .9 we 9 n# h m weCll telephone to ,o" r !ht awa,.; )he Har#,s le9t the ho"se an# cl mbe# nto the r roa#ster. ;. #onCt l :e the loo:s o9 th s at all>; Fran: m"ttere#> obv o"sl, worr e#. ;.9 Chet )he 8tolen Car 6% -orton le9t the pol ce stat on an ho"r a!o he sho"l# be here b, th s t me.; ;5hat co"l# have happene# to h mJ; ;. #onCt :now. .t seems to me that we became nvolve# w th more than one ro!"e when we !ot nto that hol#-"p a99a r last n !ht.; )he Har#, bo,s #rove bac: towar# Ba,port. )he, :ept a care9"l loo:-o"t 9or Chet b"t the 9am l ar 9 !"re o9 the r 9at ch"m was nowhere to be seen. )he, #rove to the pol ce stat on an# there ha# a tal: w th Ch e9

Coll !> who re9"se# to attach an, mportance to the 9a l"re o9 the -orton la# to ret"rn home # rectl,. ;He sa # he was !o n! stra !ht to h s ho"se when he le9t here>; anno"nce# Coll !> ;b"t that #oesnCt mean an,th n!. 2o ,o" 9ellows alwa,s !o # rectl, home when ,o" sa, ,o" w llJ; ;5e arenCt carte# o99 to the pol ce stat on ver, o9ten>; !r nne# Doe. ;HeCll show "p>; sa # Ch e9 Coll ! com9ortabl,. ;2onCt worr,.; ;B"t we are worr, n!>; ns ste# Fran:> as he an# h s brother went o"t to res"me the r search. F rst the, went home> b"t 9o"n# that Chet ha# not calle# there. )he, saw Call e 8haw on the street. 8he ha# not seen the sto"t la#. )he, met )on, Pr to> Ph l Cohen an# B 99 6B A F !"re n H # n! Hooper. 8t ll no news o9 Chet. )he, patrolle# the ma n streets o9 #owntown Ba,port an# v s te# all ChetCs 9avor te ce cream> can#, an# 9r" t stores. )he r ch"m> who ha# more than an avera!e 9on#ness 9or 9oo#> ha# not been seen at an, o9 these places. ;Perhaps he has reache# home b, now>; Doe s"!!este#. Fran: telephone# the -orton ho"se 9rom a conven ent pa, stat on. ;1o> he snCt here ,et>; #eclare# ChetCs 9ather. ;2o ,o" mean to sa, ,o" havenCt 9o"n# an, trace o9 h mJ; ;HasnCt he calle# "pJ; as:e# Fran:. ;1o. Have ,o" tr e# the hosp talsJ -a,be he !ot :noc:e# #own b, a h tan#-r"n #r ver.CC -r. -ortonCs vo ce was trembl n! w th anx et, now. Fran: an# Doe calle# "p Ba,port /eneral Hosp tal> where Chet was well :nown to the sta99. )he bo,s har#l, :new whether the, were rel eve# or sorr, when the, learne# that Chet ha# not been bro"!ht n as an acc #ent v ct m. ;2o ,o" th n: he co"l# have !one "p to the 5 llow ( ver br #!eJ; Fran: s"!!este#. ;5h, n the worl# wo"l# Chet !o thereJ; #eman#e# Doe. ;)hatCs where we 9o"n# Cor#oFa> snCt tJ )hatCs where Cor#oFa s s"ppose# to have )he 8tolen Car 6= been beaten an# robbe#. Perhaps Chet tho"!ht he m !ht #o a l ttle #etect ve wor: on h s own an# h"nt 9or ev #ence to clear h msel9.; ;)hatCs a real tho"!htH; Doe #eclare# a#m r n!l,. ;.t wo"l#nCt have occ"rre# to me n a #oFen ,ears.; ;.tCs a ! 9t>; ret"rne# h s brother w th moc: mo#est,. ;5ell> shall we #r ve o"t to the br #!eJ .tCs worth tr, n!.; ;4etCs ta:e the boat.; Doe nee#e# no 9"rther "r! n!. )he most pr Fe# possess on o9 the Har#, bo,s was the r h !h-spee# motorboat> )he 8le"th> wh ch the, ha# p"rchase# w th the rewar# mone, the, ha# rece ve# 9or solv n! one o9 the r 9 rst b ! m,ster es. .9 t was to be a cho ce between !o n! to the 5 llow ' ver br #!e b, car or b, motorboat the 8le"th wo"l# w n the ver# ct han#s #own. .t wo"l# be an eas, r"n on Barmet Ba, 9rom the r boat-ho"se to the mo"th o9 the r ver an# thence "pstream to the br #!e. )he bo,s #rove the r car past the r own home to the boat-ho"se at the 9oot o9 H !h 8treet an# there "nloc:e# the #oor. .n a 9ew m n"tes the tr m> smoothl,-r"nn n! motorboat was p"rr n! !entl, as t nose# ts wa, amon! the cra9t n the harbor. 66 A F !"re n H # n! 5l en the, were n open water Doe p"t on 9"ll spee#> an# the 8le"th sl # sw 9tl, 9orwar#> the p"rr o9 the en! ne chan! n! to a roar as the power9"l boat race# #own the ba,. .t #r"mme# thro"!h the water an# ma#e a spee#, r"n to the r ver-mo"th. )he bo,s not ce# that t was low t #e.

;-a,be weCll be able to !et E r! n aCs car o"t o9 the r ver>; Fran: remar:e#. ;.t sho"l# be h !h an# #r, now.; ;5eCll see what we can #o abo"t t when we !et there.; )he 5 llow was a pleasant stream w th h !h ban:s an# bl"99s th c:l, over!rown w th the trees that !ave the r ver ts name. At low water> however> t was not so nv t n! nor as eas, to nav !ate as at other t mes. Doe> at the wheel o9 the 8le"th> ha# to r"n the boat at slow spee# an# watch the channel care9"ll,. (vent"all, the bo,s ro"n#e# a ben# an# came n s !ht o9 the br #!e that ha# been the scene o9 the r a#vent"re the prev o"s n !ht. )he small co"pe that E r! n a B n#er ha# #r ven so rec:lessl, over the r ver ban: la, n the m"# b, the waterCs e#!e. ;2onCt see an, s !ns o9 Chet>; remar:e# Doe. )he br #!e was #eserte#. )here was no one near the nlace where 1 c: Cor#oFaCs car ha# ;been #r ven nto the # tch the n !ht be9ore. 1Che 8tolen Car 6& )he bo,s ran the 8le"th "p bes #e a p er an# 9l"n! a rope aro"n# one o9 the t mbers. )hen the, went ashore. .9 Chet ha# been at the 5 llow ( ver br #!e that morn n! he ha# le9t no n# cat ons o9 h s v s t. Fran: an# Doe h"nte# aro"n#> pa, n! spec al attent on to the place where the, ha# 9o"n# 1 c: Cor#oFaCs car> b"t co"l# see noth n! n the wa, o9 a cl"e that m !ht help them solve e ther the m,ster, o9 the -orton bo,Cs # sappearance or the p"FFle o9 the stolen theatre 9"n#s. ;/"ess we better ! ve "p>; sa # Doe. ;.C# l :e to tr, mov n! E r! n aCs car be9ore we !o.; )he, 9o"n# that the co"pe was not ba#l, #ama!e#. )he water an# the so9t m"# o9 the r ver bottom ha# bro:en the 9orce o9 ts crash. Be,on# a bent m"#!"ar# an# 9en#er the, co"l# see l ttle wron! w th the car. ;.9 we can !et t bac: on shore an# clean t "p a b t t w ll be as !oo# as ever>; remar:e# Doe. ;4etCs see 9 we can mana!e t.; )he bo,s ha# a !oo# s"ppl, o9 tools n the r motorboat> ncl"# n! a co l o9 sto"t rope an# some hoo:s an# p"lle,s. A9ter cons #erable 9 !"r n! on the bas s o9 what the, ha# learne# at school abo"t the law o9 ph,s cs the, r !!e# "p a p"lle, arran!ement to a telephone post 6+ A F !"re n H # n! b, the roa#s #e. )hen> w th a hoo: attache# to the car an# another to the rear o9 the 8le"th> the, be!an the tas: o9 ha"l n! the co"pe "p onto h !her !ro"n#. Doe wor:e# n the motorboat wh le Fran: s"perv se# operat ons on lan#. 5hen the hoo:-"p was cons #ere# sat s9actor, Doe threw n the cl"tch o9 the 8le"th. )he en! ne roare#> then slowl, the boat e#!e# ts wa, o"t nto the r ver. )he p"lle,s crea:e#> the ropes move#> an# 9 nall, the car l"rche# over on ts 9o"r wheels. .t rolle# slowl, bac:war# thro"!h the m"#> an# at last was #ra!!e# "p the ban:. )here was a cheer 9rom Doe when he saw that the salva!e 9eat ha# been a s"ccess. ;8mart pa r o9 en! neers> "sH; he sho"te#. Fran: "nhoo:e# the rope. ;4etCs see how smart we are as car-cleaners>; he s"!!este#. )he, too: #own the r !! n! an# nspecte# the co"pe. )he "pholster, was ba#l, water-soa:e#> o9 co"rse> an# the car was smeare# w th m"#> b"t the #ama!e was 9or the most part s"per9 c al. Doe l :e# noth n! better than a mechan cal problem o9 th s : n#. 8oon he ha# the hoo# "p an# was t n:er n! w th the en! ne> wh le Fran: !ot b"s, w th a ra! 9rom the 8le"th an# a pa l o9 water 9rom the r ver an# washe# the m"# o99 the

bo#, o9 the a"tomob le. )he 8tolen Car 6$ .t too: some t me be9ore the car was #ra ne# an# #r e#. 6nce hav n! set themselves to the tas: the, were #eterm ne# that the car sho"l# be n r"nn n! or#er be9ore the, were 9 n she#. Fort"natel, t was a hot> s"nn, morn n!. 1at"re helpe# w th the #r, n!-o"t process. F nall,> w th the car scr"bbe# "nt l t shone> Doe sl ppe# n beh n# the steer n! wheel an# presse# h s 9oot on the starter. At 9 rst there was no response. )he bo, tr e# a!a n an# a!a n. F nall,> #ec # n! water ha# become m xe# w th the !as> he empt e# the tan:> an# re9 lle# t w th some 9rom an extra s"ppl, n the 8le"th. )he en! ne showe# s !ns o9 ret"rn n! l 9e. Another attempt> an# the motor be!an to throb. Doe release# the cl"tch an# bac:e# the car slowl, over to the roa#. ;8"ccessH; cr e# Fran:. ;. #onCt :now wh, we sho"l# be #o n! th s when we o"!ht to be loo: n! 9or Chet>; sa # Doe> ;b"t ma,be E r! n a w ll apprec ate t when she comes bac: 9or her car.; ;5e canCt leave t here>; Fran: po nte# o"t. ;8omeone w ll steal t. 5e ha# better #r ve t to that a##ress we 9o"n# n the ! rlCs p"rse. .Cll ta:e the 8le"th bac: to the boat-ho"se. 7o" #r ve the co"pe aro"n# an# p c: me "p there.; ;6.3.; Doe I"mpe# o"t. ;5e ha# better &0 A F !"re n H # n! p"t these tools bac: n the boat be9ore we 9or!et them>; he a##e#. )he, !athere# "p the rope> hoo:s> p"lle,s> an# all the paraphernal a the, ha# "se# on the salva!e Iob. A9ter a 9ew tr ps the, ha# them all bac: to the 8le"th an# were stow n! them neatl, awa, when the, hear# a so"n#. ;5hatCs thatJ; Doe loo:e# "p. ;D"st another car com n!.; Doe "ttere# a howl. He ha# sp e# a 9 !"re seate# beh n# the wheel o9 E r! n a 8 n#erCs co"pe. )he en! ne was roar n!. At the same nstant the car bac:e# "p an# t"rne#. ;He,H 8topH; ,elle# Doe. )he bo, sh 9orm at the wheel # # not obe,. )he car l"rche# ahea# an# shot #own the roa#. )he Har#,s leape# o"t o9 the 8le"th an# ran "p on the ban:. )he, were too late to #o an,th n!. Alrea#, the co"pe was # sappear n! aro"n# a ben#. CHAP)(' .* )H( -(().1/ P4AC( ;6r all the # rt, tr c:sH; storme# Doe. ;5ho was tJ 2 # ,o" !et a !oo# loo: at h m) He m"st have been watch n! "s all the t me we were 9 x n! "p the car.; ;. I"st ca"!ht a !l mpse o9 h m. He wasnCt a man> tho"!h. D"st a bo,.; ;.Cve a h"nch t was a ! rl wear n! bo,CB clothes>; sa # Doe. ;-a,be E r! n a hersel9.; ;5h, sho"l# she steal her own carJ; ;-a,be she came bac: here to 9 n# o"t 9 the co"pe was ba#l, #ama!e#. )hen> when she saw "s ta: n! t o"t o9 the r ver> she #ec #e# to wa t. 5hen she !ot her chance she I"mpe# nto the car an# #rove o99.; ;8he m !ht have stoppe# lon! eno"!h to than: "s>; !r"nte# Fran:. ;-a,be she # #nCt want to tal: to "s. A9ra # weC# as: a lot o9 <"est ons she wo"l#nCt care to answer.; ;)here ma, be someth n! n that>; a!ree# &1 &A A F !"re n H # n!

Pran:> ;tho"!h . th n: ,o"Cre on the wron! trac:. Perhaps the person was Chet.; ;ChetJ; ;8"re. 7o" :now what a han# he s 9or pla, n! pract cal Io:es. He ma, have been o"t here at the br #!e a9ter all> an# when he saw "s wor: n! so har# he co"l#nCt res st the temptat on to ma:e "s loo: 9ool sh.; ;Perhaps>; sa # Doe #"b o"sl,. ;8omehow . th n: t was not Chet> tho"!h. . bel eve E r! n a too: her own car.; ;5hat was that a##ress ,o" 9o"n# n her p"rseJ; ;. wrote t #own somewhere.; )he bo, searche# thro"!h h s poc:ets an# pro#"ce# an ol# envelope on the bac: o9 wh ch he ha# scr bble# E r! n a B n#erCs a##ress. ;Care o9 -rs. Ba:er> Broc:ton>; t rea#. ;Broc:ton. 5h,> thatCs the l ttle v lla!e "p the r ver> abo"t three m les 9rom here. Perhaps that was where E r! n a was !o n! n the car last n !ht. -a,be she # #nCt r"n the co"pe nto the r ver on p"rpose at all.; ;5hat #o ,o" sa, to o"r !o n! "p thereJ -a,be weCll 9 n# her an# the car too>; Doe s"!!este#. ;)here are a lot o9 <"est ons .C# l :e to as: that ! rl>; m"se# Fran:. ;4etCs !o. .t wonCt ta:e lon!.; )he Har#, bo,s scramble# nto the motor)he -eet n! Place &% boat an# cast o99. )he 8le"th ch"!!e# slowl, beneath the br #!e an# then roare# nto h !her spee# as t entere# a broa#er reach o9 the r ver. )he Io"rne, # # not ta:e them ver, lon!. Broc:ton was a p ct"res<"e l ttle place that exten#e# 9or abo"t hal9 a m le alon! the r ver ban:. )he bo,s t e# "p the 8le"th at the v lla!e whar9 an# approache# a sleep,-loo: n! ,o"n!ster who was 9 sh n! 9rom one o9 the #oc:s. ;Can ,o" tell "s where -rs. Ba:er l vesH; as:e# Fran:. ;' !ht "p at the top o9 the h ll> the wh te b" l# n! w th the !reen sh"tters. 8he r"ns a boar# nC ho"se>; repl e# the bo,. )he la#s eas l, # scerne# the wh te str"ct"re w th the !reen sh"tters 9rom where the, stoo#. )he, than:e# the ,o"n!ster> who merel, wr !!le# h s bare toes> sh 9te# h msel9 nto a more com9ortable pos t on> !ave h s 9 sh n! ro# a tw tch> an# settle# #own a!a n. A pleasant-9ace#> m ##le-a!e# la#, answere# the #oor when the Har#, bo,s ran! the bell at the Ba:er place. ;2oes - ss B n#er l ve hereJ; as:e# Fran: pol tel,. ;E r! n aJ 8he # # l ve here> b"t ,o"Cre abo"t an ho"r too late.; ;)oo lateJ; ;E r! n a has !one awa,. 8he le9t th s morn n!.CC ;For !oo#J; as:e# Doe. CC 8he too: her belon! n!s. . th n: she never plans to come bac: to Broc:ton.; ;2 # she leave an, 9orwar# n! a##ressJ; -rs. Ba:er shoo: her hea#. ;1o. . as:e# her where she was !o n! b"t she sa # she co"l#nCt tell me. 8he m !ht wr te later on> tho"!h. 1o> . havenCt an, #ea where she went.; ;2 # she #r ve awa, n a carJ; ;1o. 8he wal:e#.; -rs. Ba:er # # not vol"nteer an, 9"rther n9ormat on abo"t the ! rl an# the Har#, bo,s # # not want to aro"se her c"r os t, b, as: n! her too man, <"est ons. 8"99 c ent t was 9or them to :now that E r! n a ha# van she#> as t were> w tho"t leav n! a trace o9 an, : n# beh n# her. )he bo,s than:e# the woman an# t"rne# to !o #own the wal:. )o the r s"rpr se> str # n! <" c:l, towar# them was ( p 8 n#er.

)he bo,s were startle# b, th s enco"nter b"t the man pa # no attent on to them. He br"she# past> a scowl on h s 9ace> an# h"rr e# "p the wal: as the Har#,s # recte# the r steps towar# the street. ;. won#er what heCs #o n! hereJ; sa # Fran:> p"FFle#. )he -eet n! Place &= ;-a,be he came to loo: 9or E r! n a. Perhaps he #oesnCt :now she has le9t the boar# n! ho"se.; )hen t was that the bo,s ha# the r secon# s"rpr se. From aro"n# a corner there came a 9am l ar 9 !"re-the bo, who ha# accoste# the r 9ather on the street the prev o"s n !ht> an# who later ha# been tal: n! w th Fenton Har#, n the sha#ows o9 a shop oppos te the Ba,port Hotel a9ter the theatre hol#-"p. )he 9ellow was sa"nter n! alon! n an a mless wa,> as 9 he ha#nCt a care n the worl# an# was !o n! nowhere n part c"lar. ;1ow what s he #o n! hereJ Follow n! 8 n#erJ; m"ttere# Fran:. )he bo, #le# to a stop. ;1 ce #a,>; he remar:e# conversat onall,. ;F ne>; a!ree# Fran:. ;7o" 9ellows are 9rom Ba,port> arenCt ,o"J; ;7es. Har#, s the name>; Doe ret"rne#. )he la# no##e#. ;. :now>; he answere#. ;-, name s 5are. Fre# 5are.; 5h le he was spea: n! he # # not loo: at the bo,s be9ore h m. H s e,es were on ' p B n#er> now on the veran#a o9 the boar# n! ho"se tal: n! to -rs. Ba:er. ;2o ,o" l ve n Broc:tonJ; as:e# Doe. ;1o. D"st happene# o"t th s wa, th s morn n!. Po:, l ttle place> snCt tJ; &6 A F !"re n H # n! ;-a,be tCs more exc t n! than t loo:s>; Fran: remar:e#. CC)hat wo"l#nCt have to be m"ch>; sa # Fre# 5are w th a ,awn. ;5hat #o ,o" th n: o9 the Amer can 4ea!"e th s seasonJ; ;)he 7an:ees o"!ht to w n the pennant n a wal:.; 5are no##e#. ;)hatCs what . th n:>; he sa #. ;An# the,Cll !o on an# w n the 5orl# 8er es> too> I"st ,o" wa t an# see. 1o matter who w ns the 1at onal 4ea!"e> the 7an:ees w ll l c: Cem.; He cont n"e# to !oss p abo"t baseball 9or a wh le. 8"##enl, ' p 8 n#er came #own the steps> h"rr e# alon! the wal: an# #ashe# "p the street. Fre# 5are lo"n!e# awa,. ;8o lon!>; he #rawle#. ;-a,be .Cll see ,o" a!a n some t me.; )h"s he #r 9te# awa,> apparentl, as a mless as ever> ,et the Har#, bo,s not ce# that when ( p 8 n#er t"rne# to the le9t at the next corner> Fre# 5are t"rne# to the le9t too. ;HeCs sha#ow n! 8 n#er> all r !ht>; Fran: remar:e#. ;. won#er 9 he s wor: n! 9or 2a#.; Doe was a l ttle p"t o"t b, th s #ea. ;5h, # #nCt 2a# as: "s to #o t 9 he wante# an,one sha#owe#J; ;-a,be he co"l#nCt 9 n# "s.; Doe a!ree# that th s m !ht be the reason. )he -eet n! Place && Both bo,s were <" te conv nce# that Fre# 5are was watch n! 8 n#er at the nst !at on o9 Fenton Har#,> an# 9or a moment Doe was tempte# to s"!!est that the, tra l alon! an# 9ollow Fre# 5are also. However> he #ec #e# 9 nall, that the r 9ather m !ht not apprec ate an, s"ch nter9erence on the r part. ;. !"ess we better !o bac: to Ba,port>; was h s remar:. At that moment a colore# ! rl came o"t o9 the Ba:er ho"se. 8he !lance# 9rom s #e to s #e n an anx o"s manner> then h"rr e# #own the wal:. 8he

crosse# the roa# an# procee#e# <" c:l, alon! the street n the # rect on o9 the r ver. ;8he seems nervo"s>; remar:e# Fran:. ;-a,be weCll learn someth n! 9 we sha#ow her nstea# o9 watch n! Fre# 5are.; ;.tCs worth tr, n!>; ret"rne# h s brother. )he two bo,s :ept the ! rl n s !ht. )he, s"rm se# that she was emplo,e# as a ma # n the Ba:er ho"sehol#> an# s"specte# b, her act ons that th s h"rr e# Io"rne, was ver, l :el, the res"lt o9 8 n#erCs v s t to the ho"se. )he ! rl went #own a street that le# to the o"ts: rts o9 the v lla!e. )he bo,s> 9ollow n! at a # screet # stance> saw her leave the s #ewal: an# enter a path that le# on thro"!h the shr"bber, towar# the r ver. )he, lost s !ht o9 her 9or a wh le as the tra l t"rne# an# &+ A F !"re n H # n! tw ste# thro"!h> the trees. As the, came ca"t o"sl, aro"n# a heav, cl"mp o9 b"shes the, saw her a!a n-th s t me stan# n! on the r ver ban:. 8he :ept !lanc n! mpat entl, at her wr st-watch> as 9 she were wa t n! 9or someone who ha# 9a le# to :eep an appo ntment w th her. )he Har#, bo,s sta,e# where the, were> 9or the, co"l# watch the ! rl "nobserve# 9rom the r h # n! place. )he, # # not have lon! to wa t 9or 9"rther #evelopments. A motorboat came ch"!! n! slowl, "p the r ver> an# 9or a moment the, tho"!ht t m !ht be the 8le"th. Ha# someone stolen the r cra9tJ 5hen t appeare# n 9"ll v ew the, saw that t was a slow> c"mbersome loo: n! boat> vastl, # 99erent 9rom the r own slee: la"nch. )he cra9t nose# n towar# the ban:> an# a man leape# o"t. ;' p 8 n#erH; wh spere# Fran:. )he man 9l"n! a rope aro"n# a nearb, st"mp> t e# "p the la"nch> an# then wal:e# towar# the colore# ! rl. ;5here # # E r! n a !oJ; he as:e# her ro"!hl,. ;7o"-all prom se# ,o"C# ! ve me some mone, e9 Ah tol# ,o"> - stah 8 n#er>; the ! rl answere#. ;6h> all r !ht>; he sa #> an# #"! a han# nto h s poc:et. ;HereCs ten #ollars. 1ow tal:.; )he -eet n! Place &$ )he ! rl cast a 9r !htene# loo: aro"n#> then leane# towar# 8 n#er an# wh spere# someth n! to h m. ;8oH; !rowle# the man. ;7o"Cre not l, n! to me> are ,o"J; ;1o s"h. AhCm not tell nC ,o" no l e>; she ass"re# h m. 8 n#er t"rne# awa, 9rom her an# wal:e# to the boat. He "nt e# the rope> leape# nto the cra9t> an# p"she# o99 9rom the ban:. A9ter he ha# t n:ere# w th the en! ne a 9ew moments t b"rst nto a roar. )he man sat #own at the wheel an# hea#e# the boat "p the r ver. ;Come onH; sa # Doe to h s brother. ;5eCll !o bac: an# !et the 8le"th an# 9ollow h m. 5e havenCt an, t me to lose.; )he colore# ! rl> n the meant me> ha# thr"st the ten-#ollar b ll nto her p"rse an# 9le# #own another path that le# awa, 9rom the clear n!. ;.Cm rea#,>; sa # Fran:. ;4etCs ma:e t snapp,.CC )he bo,s t"rne# to leave. As the, # # so> each o9 them rece ve# a reso"n# n! slap on the bac: wh ch ma#e them ,elp w th s"rpr seH CHAP)(' * )H( (7( 8712.CA)( 9ran: an# Doe wheele# aro"n#. A s n!le tho"!ht ha# 9lashe# thro"!h the m n# o9 each o9 them-that ' p B n#erCs compan on> 8pott, 4em"el> ha# ca"!ht them eaves#ropp n!. B"t t was not 8pott, 4em"el who stoo# beh n# them> sm l n! at the r aston shment. .t was Fenton Har#,. ;/osh> 2a#H; !aspe# Fran:> as soon as he co"l# !et h s breath. ;7o"

!ave me a startH; ;. nearl, I"mpe# o"t o9 m, shoes>; con9esse# Doe. ;-, heart s st ll n m, mo"th.; He !"lpe#> as 9 to swallow that or!an bac: nto ts proper place a!a n. ;How # # ,o" !et hereJ; ;How # # ,o" !et hereJ; co"ntere# the r 9ather> sm l n!. ;5e were sha#ow n! someone who met ( p 8 n#er>; Fran: con9esse#. ;8eems to me that 8 n#er ha# plent, o9 sha#ows th s morn n!>; sa # Doe. ;How abo"t Fre# 5areJ; +0 )he (,e 8,n# cate +1 ;.nstea# o9 stan# n! here tal: n!>; -r. Har#, remar:e#> ;we ha# better be on o"r wa, be9ore 8 n#er !ets too 9ar "p the r ver. 2 # . hear ,o" sa, ,o" came to Broc:ton n ,o"r boatJ; ;.tCs t e# "p at the town whar9>; repl e# Doe. CC Come on> 2a#.CC )he Har#,s lost no t me reach n! the 8le"th. Eer, soon the, were spee# n! "p the r ver past the place where the, ha# watche# B n#erCs meet n! w th the colore# ma # 9rom the boar# n! ho"se. From then on the, watche# the shores closel, 9or the manCs boat. )he three saw t 9 nall,> abo"t two m les "pstream> ch"!! n! stea# l, ahea#. Doe c"t #own the 8le"thCs spee# an# 9ollowe# at a respect9"l # stance 9or another hal9 m le or so "nt l 8 n#er co"l# be seen hea# n! h s cra9t n towar# the r ver ban: at a place where a small 9arm la, bes #e the stream. Fort"natel, a ben# n the r ver protecte# them 9rom v ew> an# Doe was able to r"n the cra9t "p w tho"t be n! seen. He hea#e# the boat nto a sheltere# cove amon! the trees that overh"n! the waterCs e#!e> an# all !ot o"t. Fenton Har#, le# the wa, as the, scramble# "p the ban: an# too: a tra l lea# n! thro"!h th c: shr"bber, to the 9arm clear n!. )he, reache# a 9ence an# h # amon! a cl"mp o9 b"shes I"st n t me to see 8 n#er wal: across +A A F !"re n H # n! the 9 el# an# spea: to a bo, who was wee# n! a potato patch. ;5here s E r! n aJ; the man as:e#. )he la# stra !htene# "p an# stare# at h s nterro!ator blan:l,. ;5hoJ; ;E r! n a>; sa # the man mpat entl,. ;E r! n a 8 n#er. 8he came here> # #nCt sheJ 5here s she nowJ . want to tal: to her.; At that moment a #oor o9 the 9armho"se opene# an# a woman came o"t. ;5hat #o ,o" wantJ; she #eman#e# shr ll,. ;. want to tal: to E r! n a 8 n#er. 8he came here th s morn n!.; ;7o" !et o"t o9 hereH; snappe# the ho"sew 9e. ;. #onCt :now an,th n! abo"t an, E r! n as. )hereCs no ! rl at th s place.; ;B"t . "n#erstan# she came here I"st a short wh le a!o.; CC 8he # # noth n! o9 the sort. . never hear# o9 the ! rl n m, l 9e. 8he a nCt here. 1ow ,o" clear o"t o9 th s place or .Cll set the #o! on ,o".; 8 n#er was pla nl, nonpl"sse#. ;.Cm s"re sheCs hereH; he #eclare#. ;An# .Cm s"re sheCs not>; retorte# the woman. ;5hatCs more> . #onCt l :e the loo:s o9 ,o". 7o"Cre "p to no !oo# an# .Cll than: ,o" to ta:e ,o"rsel9 awa, 9rom m, 9arm. 1ow !et o"tH; )he (,e 8,n# cate +% -"tter n! to h msel9> B n#er retreate#. A v c o"s-loo: n! #o! cha ne# to a corner o9 the ho"se be!an creat n! a tremen#o"s rac:et> bar: n! 9"r o"sl, as he stra ne# at h s leash n h s e99ort to !et at the ntr"#er. 8 n#er ha# no cho ce b"t to ret"rn to h s boat. Be9ore he cast o99>

however> he shoo: h s 9 st at the an!r, woman. ;7o"Cre l, n!H; he sho"te#. ;)hat ! rl s here an# . :now t. 7o"Cre h # n! her.; ;.Cm not l, n! abo"t th s #o!>; the woman sho"te# bac: at h m. CC He C11 tear ,o" to p eces 9 . let h m loose. 8o ,o"C# better !et !o nC.; 8 n#er apparentl, too: th s warn n! to heart> 9or he starte# the motor o9 h s boat wh ch #rew awa, 9rom shore an# sw"n! aro"n# n m #stream> hea# n! bac: n the # rect on o9 Broc:ton. ;. won#er what heCll #o nowJ; m"se# Fran:. ;)hatCs I"st what weCre !o n! to 9 n# o"t>; h s 9ather repl e#. ;.t o"!ht to be eas, eno"!h to :eep s !ht o9 h m.; )he three Har#,s hea#e# #own the tra l to the cove> be n! care9"l to :eep themselves well h ##en "nt l 8 n#er sho"l# !o b,. )hen the, !ot nto the 8le"th an# res"me# the r p"rs" t o9 the man. 8 n#er> however> ev #entl, ha# #ec #e# to ! ve "p the search 9or the t me be n! beca"se +B A F !"re n H # n! he # # not stop at Broc:ton a!a n. .nstea#> he procee#e# #ownstream towar# Barmet Ba, an# 9rom there on n the # rect on o9 Ba,port. Fran: an# Doe ha# lon! s nce learne# that t was "nw se to <"est on the r 9ather abo"t an, case on wh ch he m !ht be wor: n!. .9 he #eeme# t w se to ! ve them an, n9ormat on he wo"l# #o so n h s own !oo# t me. )he, were ver, c"r o"s abo"t the 8 n#er a99a r> however> an# were cons"me# w th ea!erness to pl, h m w th <"est ons. )he r c"r os t, was somewhat appease# when the r 9ather be!an to tal:. CCHow #oes t happen that ,o" are tra l n! 8 n#erJ; Fenton Har#, as:e# h s sons. ;5e were loo: n! 9or E r! n a>; Fran: expla ne#. )he bo,s then tol# o9 the search 9or Chet that morn n!> an# expla ne# how the, ha# happene# to h"nt 9or the 8 n#er ! rl nstea#. ;5ere ,o" see: n! E r! n a> 2a#J; as:e# Doe. ;1o>; repl e# -r. Har#,> ;as a matter o9 9act> . was sha#ow n! onl, her 9ather. . ha# no #ea where he was !o n!> nor wh,. He an# th s 9ellow 4em"el are a pa r o9 rascals. . s"ppose ,o" won#er wh, . as:e# ,o" to watch them at the hotel last n !ht.; ;5eCve been tr, n! to 9 !"re o"t what the,Cre "p to>; Doe a#m tte#. )he (,e 8,n# cate += CC )he, are operat n! a ver, cr"el an# heartless rac:et wh ch . call the C(,e 8,n# cate.C 5hen . !et the ev #ence . nee# .Cm !o n! to see that the r act v t es are stoppe#.; ;5hat #o the, #oJ; Fran: as:e#> ntereste# at once. ;)he, h"nt "p people who are s"99er n! 9rom e,e tro"bles. )o some the, wr te> wh le others the, contact personall,. )he, prom se a c"re> no matter how ba# the case ma, be. As a matter o9 9act> . "n#erstan# the, even prom se to e99ect c"res n people who are totall, bl n#-all 9or a han#some s"m o9 mone,> o9 co"rse.; ;An# snCt there an,th n! to the r metho# o9 heal n!J; as:e# Doe. ;69 co"rse not. B n#er an# 4em"el are merel, the sco"ts who h"nt "p pat ents. )he real hea# o9 the s,n# cate s a croo: who calls h msel9 2octor /ra9ton. He s a # st n!" she# loo: n! !entleman b"t a heartless 9ellow. )he pat ents nterv ew h m> where"pon he per9orms some sort o9 hoc"s-poc"s w th a prom se to c"re them. 5hen the mone, has been collecte# he e ther moves to a new local t, or else #en es that he ever # # prom se a c"re.; ;8o thatCs wh, 8 n#er an# 4em"el were wr t n! all those letters last n !htH; Fran: excla me#. ;7es. )he, sec"re l sts o9 persons w th e,e

+6 A F !"re n H # n! tro"ble an# wr te to them> as: n! them 9 the, wo"l# be ntereste# n 2octor /ra9 tonCs !reat new c"re. .9 an, poor v ct m s 9ool sh eno"!h or #esperate eno"!h to repl,> the n<" r, s 9ollowe# "p> an# be9ore lon! the sel9-st,le# ph,s c an has another pat ent.; Fenton Har#, remove# a cr"mple# envelope 9rom h s poc:et. ;)he chamberma # who cleane# "p the hotel room a9ter 8 n#er an# 4em"el went o"t th s morn n! 9o"n# th s n the wastebas:et>; he cont n"e#> "n9ol# n! the paper> "pon wh ch was wr tten a name an# a##ress. ;-r. Henr, Natta> BA P ne 8treet> Ba,port>; rea# Doe. ;5ho s -r. NattaJ; ;. #onCt :now>; ret"rne# h s 9ather> ;b"t . nten# to 9 n# o"t. .t loo:s l :e a ver, !oo# lea#. .Cm prett, s"re t s the name o9 one o9 the (,e 8,n# cateCs prospect ve v ct ms. 7o"Cll not ce that the n: has been smeare#. 8 n#er an# 4em"el m"st have thrown the envelope nto the wastebas:et beca"se o9 the blot an# a##resse# another one n ts stea#. .9 th s -r. Natta w ll cooperate w th me . th n: . can !et ev #ence a!a nst /ra9 ton an# h s !an!.; ;HowJ; ;7o"Cll see.; ;5 sh ,o" co"l# tell "s now.; )he 8le"th was slowl, approach n! the boat-ho"se. 8 n#er ha# reache# shore> b"t )he (,e 8,n# cate +& Fenton Har#, sa # there wo"l# be no p"rpose n 9ollow n! the man 9arther> now that he :new the reason 9or the croo:Cs v s t to Broc:ton. ;5eCll !o an# loo: "p -r. Natta>; the #etect ve #ec #e#. CHAP)(' *. A 8)'A1/( -(88A/( henb, NattaCs #well n! on P ne 8treet was a h"mble 9rame b" l# n! n cons #erable nee# o9 repa r. )he owner was a 9eeble> wh te-ha re# ol# man who wore #ar: spectacles. ;5h, ,es>; he a#m tte#> when Fenton Har#, as:e# h m 9 he ha# rece ve# a letter n<" r n! 9 he m !ht be ntereste# n a c"re 9or h s 9a l n! s !ht. ;. !ot a letter th s morn n!. Here t s.; ;2o ,o" nten# to answer tJ; ;. certa nl, #o>; #eclare# the ol# man. ;.t m"st be a won#er9"l c"re> I"st what .Cve been loo: n! 9or beca"se .Cve ha# a lot o9 tro"ble w th m, e,es n the past 9ew ,ears. .Cm hal9-bl n# now an# .Cm a9ra # o9 los n! m, s !ht ent rel,. .9 th s 2octor /ra9ton can #o all th s letter sa,s he can> . #onCt care how m"ch t costs me.; ;.Cm sorr, to have to # sappo nt ,o"> -r. Natta>; sa # the #etect ve !entl,> ;b"t ,o" m"st be prepare# 9or a shoc:. . have ever, reason to bel eve that 2octor /ra9ton cannot ++ A 8tran!e -essa!e +$ e99ect a c"re. .n short> m, content on s that he s noth n! b"t a sw n#ler who ma:es mone, v ct m F n! "n9ort"nate people l :e ,o"rsel9.; ;)hen there s no c"re 9or meH; excla me# the ol# man> appalle#. CC 8ometh n! m !ht be #one 9or ,o" 9 a !oo# #octor sho"l# ta:e "p ,o"r caseL . canCt sa, 9or s"re>; ret"rne# -r. Har#,. ;B"t . :now ,o" cannot expect a c"re 9rom 2octor /ra9ton. All he wants s ,o"r mone,> w tho"t help n! ,o".; ;)hen . wonCt answer the letter an# .Cm !rate9"l to ,o" 9or warn n! me>; was the repl,. ;.C# l :e ,o" to answer the letter> nevertheless>; sa # -r. Har#,. ;5h, sho"l# .J; as:e# the ol# man> a!hast.

;7o" wonCt lose a cent. .Cm a #etect ve>; expla ne# -r. Har#,. ;A me# cal assoc at on has as:e# me to br n! 2octor /ra9ton an# h s !an! to I"st ce. )hatCs wh, .Cm here. . want ,o" to answer the letter an# as: the so-calle# spec al st to call on ,o". .9 we can !et h m here an# prove that h s alle!e# c"re s noth n! b"t a 9a:e .Cll have eno"!h ev #ence to ta:e h m nto co"rt.; ;. see>; sa # -r. Natta. ;A man l :e that sho"l# be sent to pr son> o9 co"rse.; He rea# l, a!ree# to wr te the letter. )he one he ha# rece ve# that morn n! ha# state# $0 A F !"re n H # n! that 2octor /ra9 tonCs 9ee wo"l# be 9 ve h"n#re# #ollars. -r. Natta sa # that th s amo"nt wo"l# cons"me ever, cent he ha# n the worl#L ,et he ha# been 9"ll, prepare# to pa, s"ch a s"m 9 t wo"l# restore h s e,es !ht to h m. ;699er h m the mone,>; nstr"cte# -r. Har#,. ;)he ent re s"m. )hat sho"l# br n! h m.; 0n#er the !" #ance o9 the bo,sC 9ather the ol# man !ot o"t pen> n:> an# paper. He promptl, sat #own to wr te a repl, to the letter 9rom the (,e 8,n# cate. 5hen t was complete# to the #etect veCs sat s9act on> -r. Har#, too: t> prom s n! to #rop t nto the nearest ma l-box. ;.9 we can trap those rascals>; he sa # !r ml,> ; t ma, be a means o9 prevent n! a lot o9 people 9rom los n! the r har#-earne# sav n!s.; )he next two #a,s the Har#, bo,s hear# noth n! 9"rther 9rom the r 9ather concern n! the (,e 8,n# cateL nor # # the, ma:e an, pro!ress w th the m,ster, o9 Chet -ortonCs # sappearance. )here ha# been no wor# 9rom the r ch"m an# not the sl !htest cl"e as to h s whereabo"ts. )he Ba,port pol ce ha# 9a le# to 9 n# an, trace o9 h m> an# -r. an# -rs. -orton were almost 9rant c w th anx et,. At the Ba,port H !h 8chool the # sappearance o9 Chet was the ma n top c o9 converA 8tran!e -essa!e $1 sat on. 1o one co"l# be 9o"n# who recalle# hav n! seen the bo, a9ter he ha# le9t the pol ce stat on. -r. -orton> who at 9 rst ha# hel# the op n on that h s son ha# been : #nape#> !ave "p th s #ea when no #eman# 9or ransom arr ve#> an# came to the more !loom, concl"s on that Chet was #ea#-that he ha# e ther been #rowne# or str"c: b, an a"tomob le. He re9"se# to bel eve that h s son ha# r"n awa, beca"se he 9eare# # s!race on acco"nt o9 h s arrest. .t was the th r# morn n! a9ter the v s t to ol# -r. Natta> as the Har#, bo,s were eat n! brea:9ast> when a messen!er bo, arr ve# w th a tele!ram a##resse# to Fran:. )he la# tore open the envelope> !lance# at the messa!e> an# "ttere# a whoop o9 Io,. ;.tCs 9rom ChetH; he sho"te#. ;From ChetH; cr e# Doe. ;)hen heCs al ve a9ter allH 5here s heJ 4et me see t.; He leane# over h s brotherCs sho"l#er an# rea# the messa!e> wh ch ha# been sent 9rom the P oneer Hotel n Boston. ;8t ll wa t n! here b"t have "se# "p all the mone, stop 5hen are ,o" com n!J Chet.; )he Har#, bo,s stare# at each other blan:l,. $A A F !"re n H # n! ;0se# "p all the mone,H; excla me# Doe. ;5hat mone,J 5hat #oes he meanJ; ;An# he sa,s he s st ll wa t n!> as 9 we :now all abo"t t.; ;An# he wants to 9 n# o"t when weCre com n!. How can we when we #onCt

:now where he sJ; )he la#s were completel, m,st 9 e# b, ChetCs stran!e messa!e. Fran:Cs 9 rst move was to #ash 9or the phone an# call the sto"t la#Cs home. .n as 9ew wor#s as poss ble he tol# -r. -orton abo"t the tele!ram. ;At least we :now ,o"r son s al ve an# well>; sa # Fran: n rel e9. ;)hatCs the ma n th n!. .Cll call h m on a lon! # stance w re at once an# !et to the bottom o9 th s b"s ness.; ;Call me bac: as soon as ,o" hear 9rom h m>; sa # -r. -orton n exc tement. ;How n the worl# # # he !et to BostonJ An# wh,J An# what prevente# h m 9rom wr t n! to "sJ; ;5eCll soon 9 n# o"t>; prom se# Fran:. .t # # not ta:e ver, lon! to p"t thro"!h the call to Boston. )he bo,s ha# a #rea#9"l s"sp c on> 9or a wh le> that the messa!e m !ht be a hoax. .t wo"l# be a terr ble # sappo ntment to them 9 the, were to 9 n# Chet was not at the hotel a9ter all. )here was no hoax> however. Fran: rea# l, reco!n Fe# h s ch"mCs vo ce on the w re. COHello> ChetH; he excla me#. CC 5hat n the A 8tran!e -essa!e $% worl# are ,o" #o n! n BostonJ 5h, havenCt ,o" let an,one :now where ,o"Cve been sta, n!J An# what #oes ,o"r tele!ram meanJ; ;7o" sho"l# :now>; sa # h s 9r en# n an a!!r eve# tone. ;.Cve a 9ew <"est ons o9 m, own. 5hat was ,o"r #ea n sen# n! me here n the 9 rst placeJ 5h, # #nCt ,o" !et n to"ch w th meJ .Cve been han! n! aro"n# here expect n! to !et wor# 9rom ,o" an# now m, mone, s !one an# .Cm n a 9 ne Iam.; ;5e # #nCt sen# ,o" "p thereH; Fran: #eclare#. ;. #onCt :now what ,o"Cre tal: n! abo"t. 5eCve been h"nt n! h !h an# low 9or ,o"> an# # #nCt :now where ,o" were "nt l ,o"r tele!ram arr ve# th s morn n!. 5e canCt ma:e hea# nor ta l o9 t> e ther.; ;5hatCs th sJ; sho"te# Chet> p"FFle#. ;2o ,o" mean to tell me ,o" # #nCt sen# me some mone, an# a note nstr"ct n! me to !o to the P oneer Hotel n Boston an# wa t here "nt l ,o" arr ve#J; Fran: was 9labber!aste#. ;7o" m"st be #ream n!H; was all he co"l# sa,. ;.Cm not #ream n!>; ret"rne# Chet> who was not n a ver, !oo# h"mor. ;. have the note r !ht here n m, poc:et. A messen!er !ave t to me on the street I"st a9ter . le9t the pol ce stat on n Ba,port the other morn n!. .t was s !ne# w th ,o"r names. 5hatCs more> t sa # . wasnCt to tell an,one . was !o n! $B A F !"re n H # n! an# that . was to !et o"t o9 town as <" etl, as . co"l#.; ;7o" certa nl, # # thatH; ;69 co"rse . # #. )he messen!er !ave me 9 9t, #ollars w th the note> wh ch sa # that . wasnCt even to sa, !oo#-b,e to m, 9ol:s at home-that ,o" wo"l# tell 2a# an# -other where . ha# !one. .Cve p"t n a co"ple o9 the lonesomest #a,s o9 m, l 9e "p here>; concl"#e# Chet pla nt vel,. ;)he messa!e sa # ,o" wo"l# meet me at th s place as soon as ,o" co"l#.; ;5eCve #one ever,th n! b"t #ra! the r ver 9or ,o"r bo#,>; Fran: expla ne#> ;5e ha# noth n! to #o w th the note.; ;2onCt tell me all th s has been a Io:eH; explo#e# Chet wrath9"ll,. ;1ot m"ch o9 a Io:e. 8omebo#, m"st have wante# ,o" o"t o9 the wa, prett, ba#l,. 7o"r 9ather an# mother have been nearl, craF, w th worr,.CC ;/oo#n !htH; excla me# Chet. 7o"Cll tell them> wonCt ,o"J B"t how am . !o n! to !et o"t o9 hereJ . havenCt eno"!h mone, le9t to ta:e me two bloc:s on a street car.; ;5eCll see that ,o" !et some. 8ta, r !ht at the hotel "nt l ,o" hear

9rom "s.; ;2onCt worr,. . canCt move 9ar>; was ChetCs sa# reIo n#er. ;)he hotel cler: has a nast, loo: n h s e,e as t s. He th n:s .Cm A 8tran!e -essa!e $= !o n! to tr, to s: p o"t w tho"t pa, n! 9or the brea:9ast . ha# th s morn n!.; )he Har#, bo,s h"rr e#l, le9t the ho"se an# !ot nto the r roa#ster> !reatl, rel eve# to :now that Chet was sa9e an# well> b"t an!ere# an# p"FFle# b, h s revelat on that the r names ha# been "se# on the 9a:e note wh ch ha# sent Chet all the wa, to Boston. )he, h"rr e#l, #rove o"t to the -orton place> where the, expla ne# the c rc"mstances to the r ch"mCs parents. ;5ell> o9 all the craF, th n!sH; -r. -orton eIac"late#. ;He went to Boston an# h"n! aro"n# a hotel 9or three #a,s I"st beca"se he tho"!ht he !ot a messa!e 9rom ,o" as: n! h m to #o t.; ;He bel eve# we were ! v n! h m a chance to help "s w th some #etect ve wor:>; Doe expla ne#. ;7et we canCt "n#erstan# wh, the tr c: sho"l# have been pla,e# on h m. .tCs pla n eno"!h that someone wante# h m to !et o"t o9 town-an# wante# t ba#l, eno"!h to spen# 9 9t, #ollars.; ;5ell> . want h m bac:> an# . want h m bac: eno"!h to spen# some mone, too>; #eclare# -r. -orton. He went to the phone> calle# the tele!raph o99 ce> an# !ave nstr"ct ons 9or w r n! Chet s"99 c ent mone, to pa, h s 9are bac: to Ba,port an# clear "p the balance o9 h s hotel b ll. $6 A F !"re n H # n! ;)here>; sa # -r. -orton> ret"rn n! 9rom > the phone> ;Chet o"!ht to be n Ba,port on ton !htCs tra n.; ;5eCll be #own at the stat on to meet h m>; Fran: prom se#. )he Har#, bo,s met w th a s"rpr se when the, reache# the stat on plat9orm that even n!. Har#l, ha# the, steppe# 9rom the r roa#ster when the, saw two 9am l ar 9 !"res emer! n! 9rom the wa t n! room. ;' p B n#er an# 8pott, 4em"elH; excla me# Doe. ;5hatever br n!s them hereJ; CHAP)(' *.. )H( FA3(' the Har#, bo,s ha# ver, l ttle t me n wh ch to spec"late on the erran# wh ch ha# bro"!ht B n#er an# 8pott, 4em"el to the stat on> 9or the tra n roare# n I"st a 9ew m n"tes later. 6ne o9 the 9 rst passen!ers to leap #own onto the plat9orm was Chet -orton> a broa# !r n on h s 9ace that le9t no #o"bt whatsoever as to h s rel e9 at be n! bac: n Ba,port. ;ChetH; sho"te# Fran: an# Doe> each p"mp n! one o9 the r 9at ch"mCs han#s. ;.tCs !reat to see ,o" a!a n.; ;An# tCs !reat to be bac:H; Chet #eclare#. ;5hat a t me .Cve ha# han! n! aro"n# that hotel> won#er n! wh, n the worl# ,o" sent me to Boston an# when ,o"C# show "pH; ;5ell> !et nto the car an# weCll #r ve ,o" home>; sa # Doe. ;5e can hear all abo"t ,o"r a#vent"res on the wa,.; ;D"st a m n"te>; sa # Fran:> who was watch n! 8 n#er an# 4em"el. ;2onCt tell me tCs more #etect ve wor:>; $& $+ A F !"re n H # n! Chet sa #. ;. #onCt want to !et m xe# "p n an, more o9 that sort o9 th n! as lon! as . l ve.; A pompo"s> # !n 9 e#-loo: n! man was !reet n! the two s"sp c o"s n# v #"als. He wore a c"tawa, coat> a st 99-bosome# sh rt an# w n! collar. A blac: r bbon #an!le# 9rom h s e,e!lasses. He carr e# a !ol#-

hea#e# cane. ;. won#er 9 he s 2octor /ra9 ton>; sa # Fran:. ;He loo:s l :e an actor n the role o9 a ph,s c an>; Doe remar:e#. )he man shoo: han#s w th 8 n#er an# 8pott, 4em"el. )hen the, escorte# h m to a tax an# the three !ot n. ;Come on>; sa # Chet> ;. want to !et home. A9ter eat n! noth n! b"t hotel 9oo# . can har#l, wa t to # ! nto one o9 -aCs !oo# ol#-9ash one# meals. .Cm starv n!.; ;7o"Cll l ve>; retorte# Fran: "ns,mpathet -call,. ;.Cll bet that hotel n Boston # #nCt ma:e m"ch pro9 t o"t o9 ,o"r v s t.; ;5ell> there wasnCt an,th n! else to #o b"t eat>; h s ch"m con9esse#. )he bo,s cl mbe# nto the roa#ster> w th Fran: at the wheel. He sw"n! the car aro"n#L as he # # so> the tax wh ch ha# I"st been en!a!e# b, 8 n#er bac:e# "p sharpl,. )here was a lo"# crash 9ollowe# b, the t n:le o9 bro:en !lass as the rear o9 the cab )he Fa:er $$ Iamme# har# a!a nst the h"mper o9 the roa#ster. Fran: bro"!ht h s car to a stop. Doe 9l"n! open the #oor an# I"mpe# o"t. )he cab #r ver an# h s three passen!ers be!an p l n! hast l, 9rom the other a"to. A w n#ow n the tax ha# been bro:en> b"t other than that there ha# been no #ama!e. ' p 8 n#er an# h s compan ons were 9r !htene# an# exc te#> however. ;2octor /ra9 ton> are ,o" h"rtJ; as:e# 8pott, 4em"el anx o"sl,. ;. m !ht have been : lle#H; came the repl,. CC 8t"p # t,H Cl"ms nessHCC He t"rne# on the Har#, bo,s. ;7o" rascalsH; he shr e:e#. ;. m !ht have nI"re# m, han#s. .Cm a 9amo"s s"r!eon> an# m, han#s are worth tho"san#s an# tho"san#s o9 #ollars. . sho"l# have ,o" arreste#.; ;.t was ,o"r #r verCs 9a"lt>; sa # Fran:. ;He sho"l# have loo:e# aro"n# be9ore bac: n! 0p h s car.; ;(ow# esH; snarle# the man. ;Come on>; sa # the tax #r ver> who :new he was to blame an# ha# no ntent on o9 ma: n! tro"ble over the shattere# !lass. ;1obo#, s h"rt. 4etCs !et !o n!.; 2octor /ra9ton #arte# a mal c o"s !lare at the Har#, bo,s an# !ot nto the cab a!a n> 9ollowe# b, ' p 8 n#er an# 4em"el. )he car Iolte# awa,. 100 A F !"re n H # n! ;8o that>; sa # Doe> ; s the !reat e,e spec al st. . #onCt l :e h m.; ;1e ther #o .. Famo"s s"r!eonH; Fran: sco99e#. ;Famo"s bl"99H; ;5hatCs t all abo"tJ; as:e# Chet. Fran: an# Doe> n #e9erence to the r 9ather> p"t o99 Chet w th an evas ve answer an# mana!e# to chan!e the s"bIect. )he, #rove h m home> where h s parents were so rel eve# at see n! h m sa9e an# so"n# that the, 9or!ot to scol# h m 9or all the worr, he ha# ca"se# them. )he -ortons !ave a part, that even n! n celebrat on o9 ChetCs ret"rn. At the he !ht o9 the 9"n> however> the !a et, was spo le# b, the arr val o9 a constable 9rom Ba,port pol ce hea#<"arters. ;Chet -ortonJ; he <"er e#. ;BoshH; !roane# the 9at bo,. ;2onCt tell me .Cm n tro"ble a!a n.; ;.Cm a9ra # ,o"Cll have to come w th me. 6ne o9 the #etect ves wants to see ,o" at hea#<"arters>; sa # the o99 cer. CC 5e C11 !o alon! w th ,o"> Chet>CC vol"nteere# Fran:. ;)h s t me> when the, let ,o" !o weCll see that ,o" #onCt en# "p n Boston.; At the pol ce stat on the sto"t la# was ta:en nto a pr vate room where a sharp-e,e# #etect ve was wa t n! 9or h m. )he man !lance# at a photo!raph an# a t,pewr tten letter he )he Fa:er 101

ha# n h s han#> then scr"t n Fe# the -orton bo, care9"ll,. ;5hatCs the tro"ble th s t meJ; as:e# Chet mee:l,. )he #etect ve shoo: h s hea# an# p"t the photo!raph bac: n a #rawer. ;1o tro"ble>; he sa #. ;7o" #onCt 9 t th s #escr pt on. 7o" ma, !o now.; ;)o th n: that . ha# to leave a per9ectl, !oo# part, I"st so ,o" co"l# have a loo: at meH; sa # Chet n# !nantl,. ;4"c:, 9or ,o" that ,o" can !o bac: there>; was the n# 99erent repl,. As t was late> the Har#, bo,s went home as soon as the, ha# #r ven the r 9r en# to h s ho"se. )he part, ha# been bro:en "p b, ChetCs abr"pt an# m,st 9, n! s"mmons to pol ce hea#<"arters. .t was not "nt l next morn n! at the brea:9ast table that Fran: an# Doe were able to tell the r 9ather abo"t the nc #ent. -r. Har#,> altho"!h p"FFle#> ha# no s"!!est on to o99er b, wa, o9 explanat on. ;. have someth n! more mportant on m, m n# than the tro"bles o9 ,o"r 9r en# Chet>; he sa #. ;.Cve been n to"ch w th ol# -r. Natta.; ;6h-we 9or!ot to tell ,o">; sa # Fran:> ;that 2octor /ra9 ton s n town. 5e saw h m w th ( p 8 n#er an# 8pott, 4em"el ,ester#a,.; 10A A F !"re n H # n! ;)hatCs wh, . want to spea: to ,o">; expla ne# -r. Har#,. ;He s here n response to -r. NattaCs letter. /ra9 ton th n:s Natta s !o n! to be 9ool sh eno"!h to pa, h m 9 ve h"n#re# #ollars 9or h s 9a:e e,e c"re.; ;How are ,o" !o n! to prove that the #octor s a croo:> 2a#J; as:e# Fran:. ;)hatCs where ,o" an# Doe come n. . nee# ,o"r help.; ;/oo#l; excla me# Doe. )he bo,s l stene# ea!erl, as Fenton Har#, o"tl ne# the plan n wh ch the, were to be a part. ;. want ,o" both to !o o"t to -r. NattaCs ho"se th s morn n! so that ,o"Cll have t me n wh ch to !et ac<"a nte# w th the s"rro"n# n!s. Fran:> wear ,o"r shabb est clothes- a pa r o9 overalls> too. 7o"Cre to pla, the part o9 a chore bo, n the ho"sehol#. As 9or Doe> . want h m to h #e somewhere n -r. NattaCs room so he can be a w tness to an,th n! that happens #"r n! /ra9 tonCs v s t.; -r. Har#, went nto h s o99 ce an# opene# a #es: #rawer. He "nloc:e# a cash box an# too: o"t a th c: roll o9 paper mone,. ;)h s s mar:e#. . have ta:en the n"mbers o9 the b lls an# have also mar:e# them w th n#el ble n:. )h s s the 9 ve h"n#re# #ollars -r. Natta s to pa, over to /ra9ton. 5hen we can prove that the 9a:er prom se# a c"re )he Fa:er 10% an# act"all, too: mone, 9or a treatment> wh ch s not one at all> .Cll have eno"!h ev #ence to brea: "p that !an! an# p"t the so-calle# ph,s c an an# h s crow# where the, belon!.; ;Beh n# the bars>; sa # Fran:. ;(xactl,.; )he bo,s lost no t me !ett n! rea#,. B, ten oCcloc: that morn n! the, reporte# to ol# -r. Natta. ;7es>; ch"c:le# the man> peer n! at them> ;th s s the #a, 2octor /ra9 ton s s"ppose# to ! ve m, e,es !ht bac: to me. )he sw n#lerH At least> ,o"r 9ather sa,s heCs a cr m nal. . w sh he wasnCt> tho"!h. .t wo"l# be worth 9 ve h"n#re# #ollars to me to !et m, s !ht bac:> the wa, t "se# to be.; ;.Cm a9ra # /ra9 ton canCt #o that 9or ,o"> #esp te all h s prom ses>; sa # Doe. ;.9 he sho"l# be prosec"te# an# sent to Ia l a lot o9 poor people w ll be save# 9rom be n! robbe# o9 the r mone,.; ;)hatCs tr"e>; a!ree# Natta. ;. canCt "n#erstan# how an,one can be as

heartless an# croo:e# as he s.; )he ol# manCs 9ace became sa#. ;2 shonest, never pa,s n the lon! r"n. 6nce . ha# a son. . !ave h mthe best e#"cat on . co"l# a99or#L ,et n sp te o9 ever,th n! . tol# h m he !ot the #ea that t was smart to be croo:e#. He alwa,s sa # 10B A F !"re n H # n! that no one co"l# ma:e mone, b, be n! honest. 5ell-he has 9o"n# o"t # 99erent.; ;2 # he !et nto tro"bleJ; as:e# Doe s,mpathet call,. CC69 co"rse. He wasnCt as smart as he tho"!ht he was> an# 9a le# to real Fe that tCs onl, the st"p # people who are croo:e#. He was arreste# an# sent to pr son an# a9ter a 9ew ,ears escape#. . #onCt :now where he s now an# . #onCt s"ppose .Cll ever see h m a!a n.CC ;A 9 !"re n h # n!>; m"rm"re# Fran:. ;. was so ashame#>; con9 #e# -r. Natta n a trem"lo"s vo ce> ;that . move# awa, 9rom the town where . ha# alwa,s l ve#. . even chan!e# m, name. )he # s!race o9 hav n! a son who was an escape# conv ct was more than . co"l# bear.; )he Har#, bo,s 9elt sorr, 9or the ol# !entleman> 9ac n! alone the tra!e#, o9 9a l n! e,es !ht> an# sm t n! "n#er the # s!race bro"!ht on h m b, h s worthless son. )he, # # the r best to cheer h m "p> an# Fran: expla ne# how the, planne# to trap 2octor /ra9ton. -r. Natta was ! ven the mar:e# b lls an# a h # n! place was prepare# 9or Doe n a clothes closet n the a99l cte# manCs be#room. ;1ow> -r. Natta>; sa # Fran:> ; 9 ,o"Cll !o to be# weCll p"ll #own the w n#ow sha#e an# #ar:en the room. 5e want to ! ve the )he Fa:er 10= #octor the mpress on that ,o" are a prett, s c: man.; )hese preparat ons ha# I"st been concl"#e# when a tax #rew "p n 9ront o9 the ho"se. )he #oor opene# an# the 9a:e e,e spec al st> loo: n! ver, mpress ve n h s 9roc: coat an# wh te wa stcoat> steppe# o"t onto the pavement. ;)he trap s set an# ba te#> 2octor /ra9-ton>; sa # Doe> peer n! o"t o9 the w n#ow> be9ore he sc"rr e# bac: to h s h # n! place. CHAP)(' *... A CHA1/( 6F H(AB) 9ran:> a pa r o9 overalls cover n! h s shabb, clothes> answere# /ra9 tonCs :noc: at the 9ront #oor. ;.s th s where -r. Natta l vesJ; as:e# the man n a br"s<"e vo ce as he e,e# the bo, sharpl,. ;7es. 7o"Cre the #oc> a nCt ,o"J; ret"rne# Fran:. ;-r. NattaCs expect n! ,o". HeCs prett, s c:.; /ra9ton entere# the ho"se. He loo:e# :eenl, at Fran: a!a n> an# scowle#. ;.Cve seen ,o" be9ore>; he sa #. ;Ah- now . remember. 7o"Cre one o9 the ,o"n! row# es who ran h s car nto m, tax at the stat on ,ester#a,. 2onCt #en, t. . reco!n Fe ,o".CC Fran: shr"!!e#. ;. was r # nC n a car that ,o"r tax ran nto> 9 thatCs what ,o" mean>; he repl e#. ;5hat are ,o" #o n! hereJ; #eman#e# /ra9ton ro"!hl,. ;Are ,o" a relat ve o9 -r. NattaJ; 106 A Chan!e o9 Heart 10& ;1ope. D"st help nC Cro"n# the ho"se. 5ell> #o ,o" want me to show ,o" to h s roomJ HeCs wa t nC 9or ,o".; Fran: waste# no co"rtes, on the v s tor. ;All n !oo# t me. All n !oo# t me>; sa # /ra9 ton. ;)hereCs no h"rr,> bo,. An# . hope -r. Natta "n#erstan#s that . wonCt operate "nless .Cm

pa # n a#vance.; ;/oshH How m"chJ; ;)he ent re amo"nt. F ve h"n#re# #ollars. He s prepare#> . hope.; ;5ell> . :now heCs !ot some mone,. B"t what 9 the operat on #onCt c"re h mJ 5 ll ,o" ! ve h m h s mone, bac:J; ;69 co"rse notH; snappe# /ra9 ton. ;. never ret"rn an,bo#, h s 9ee 9or the s mple reason that m, operat ons are alwa,s s"ccess9"l.; ;5h, #onCt ,o" ta:e hal9 now an# !et the rest laterJ; ;.9 . were to #o that> the moment .C# c"re# a pat ent . wo"l# be le9t to wh stle 9or the rest o9 m, 9eeH 7o" #onCt :now m"ch abo"t h"man nat"re> bo,. 5ell> show me to the pat ent an# #onCt have so m"ch to sa,.; Fran: le# the wa, to -r. NattaCs room. )he w n#ow sha#es were #rawn an# the place was n s"ch #eep sha#ow that the ol# man co"l# scarcel, be seen. ;HereCs the #octor> -r. Natta>; sa # Fran:. 10+ A F !"re n H # n! ;He sa,s he wonCt operate on ,o"r e,es "nless he !ets the mone, 9 rst.; ;(ver, cent o9 t>; #eclare# /ra9 ton 9 rml,. ;F ve h"n#re# #ollars n cash.; ;. have the mone,>; repl e# the ol# man n a <"aver n! vo ce. He reache# beneath h s p llow an# w th#rew the pac:et o9 mar:e# b lls. ;. th n: ,o"Cll 9 n# the co"nt correct> #octor. / ve h m the mone,> Fran:.; )he la# too: the b lls 9rom -r. Natta an# han#e# them to /ra9ton. .n h s exc tement> however> he let them #rop on the 9loor I"st as the man reache# 9or them. ;Cl"ms,H; snappe# the <"ac:. He an# Fran: bent to p c: "p the mone, s m"ltaneo"sl,> w th the res"lt that the latter Iostle# a!a nst /ra9ton an# :noc:e# h m #own. )he rate 9ellow spran! to h s 9eet> st"tter n! w th an!er. ;7o"-,o" 9oolH; he sho"te# at Fran:. ;5h, canCt ,o" be more care9"lJ; .n h s ra!e he #rew bac: h s han# an# !ave the bo, a v olent slap on the s #e o9 h s hea#. ;.Cm sorr,>; m"ttere# Fran: h"mbl,> s"ppress n! an mp"lse to ret"rn the blow. 5hen he tr e# to p c: "p the b lls a!a n he scattere# some o9 them on the 9loor. )h s ma#e /ra9ton more an!r, than be9ore. 5 th a m"ttere# mprecat on he shove# the la# as #e an# snatche# "p the mone, h msel9. )hen he A Chan!e o9 Heart 10$ too: the !reenbac:s over to the w n#ow an# co"nte# them care9"ll,> b ll b, b ll. ;F ve h"n#re# #ollarsH; he excla me# at last n a tone o9 sat s9act on. ;)hatCs correct. .tCs all here.; He sw"n! aro"n# towar# Fran:. ;/et me a :ettle o9 hot water an# some towels> bo,H; he or#ere# sharpl,. ;Be <" c: abo"t t.; He p"t h s nstr"ment case on the table an# opene# t. Fran: hast l, le9t the room an# went to the : tchen 9or hot water an# towels. 5hen he ret"rne#> however> he st"mble# as he was po"r n! the bo l n! l <" # nto a I"! on the wash-stan# an# 2octor /ra9ton mpat entl, snatche# the :ettle awa, 9rom h m. ;. never saw s"ch a st"p #> cl"ms, ,o"n! row#, be9ore n all m, l 9eH; he snarle#. ;/et o"t o9 here. /et o"t o9 th s room.; ;B"t #onCt ,o" want me to help ,o" wh le ,o"Cre operat nCJ; as:e# Fran:.

;A lot o9 help ,o" wo"l# beH; #eclare# /ra9ton sarcast call,. ;1o> . #onCt want ,o". Bes #es> . never allow an,one to watch me wor:. /o awa,H; He stampe# h s 9oot. ;/et o"t o9 here an# #onCt come bac: "nt l . call ,o".; 'el"ctantl, Fran: le9t the room. ;.9 that 9ellow s a !reat s"r!eon> .Cm the (mperor o9 ) mb"ctoo>; he m"ttere# to h msel9. 110 A F !"re n H # n! Fran: was ver, c"r o"s abo"t the ;operat on; wh ch the man was to per9orm n ret"rn 9or the 9 ve h"n#re# #ollars> b"t the 9a:e ph,s c an ha# close# the #oor o9 the be#room. However> Doe> sa9el, h ##en n a closet> was n a !oo# pos t on to v ew the s"bse<"ent procee# n!s. He was <"a: n! w th apprehens on lest /ra9ton sho"l# search the room an# # scover h s h # n! place. B"t the s"ppose# s"r!eon was ev #entl, sat s9 e# w th the tho"!ht that n !ett n! r # o9 Fran: he ha# #r ven awa, the onl, poss ble e,ew tness. ;5ell> -r. Natta>; he sa #> as he approache# the manCs be#s #e> ;,o"Cll never re!ret spen# n! 9 ve h"n#re# #ollars on th s operat on> . ass"re ,o".; ;.9 . !et m, e,es !ht bac: . #onCt care how m"ch t costs>; repl e# the v ct m. Doe> who was watch n! 9rom the shelter o9 the closet> saw 2octor /ra9ton stra !hten "p s"##enl,. )hen the bo!"s s"r!eon stro#e <" c:l, to the w n#ow an# ra se# the sha#e a tr 9le to a#m t more l !ht nto the room. 'et"rn n! to the be#s #e> he stare# #own at -r. NattaCs 9ace. An exclamat on o9 s"rpr se bro:e 9rom h s l ps. ;5hat # # ,o" sa,> #octorJ; as:e# the pat ent. ;1oth n!. 1oth n!>; ret"rne# /ra9ton hast l,. He sw"n! aro"n# an# went bac: to A Chan!e o9 Heart 111 the w n#ow> #raw n! the sha#e #own a!a n. )hen Doe hear# h m m"tter: ;7es. .t s he. 1o m sta:e abo"t t.; /ra9ton snatche# "p a towel an# <" c:l, place# t over the ol# manCs e,es. He loo:e# #own "ncerta nl, at h s arra, o9 s"r! cal nstr"ments. 8"##enl, he shoo: h s hea# an# be!an to pac: the paraphernal a bac: n the case. Doe was p"FFle#. (v #entl, /ra9ton was not !o n! to operate a9ter all. )h s s"sp c on became a certa nt, when he saw the man loc: the nstr"ment case an# reach 9or h s hat an# coat. ;5hat s the matter> #octorJ; as:e# -r. Natta presentl,. ;ArenCt ,o" !o n! to be! n the operat onJ; ;1ot to#a,. 1ot to#a,. 7o"Cre n no shape 9or t>; m"ttere# /ra9ton. Doe not ce# that the man p"rposel, altere# h s vo ce. ;. #onCt care to r s: t. 8ome other t me.; He h"rr e#l, 9l"n! open the #oor an# r"she# o"t o9 the room. Fran:> who was stan# n! n the hall> was aston she# when /ra9ton bl"n#ere# hast l, o"t o9 the be#room. ;7o" a nCt 9 n she# alrea#,> are ,o"J; he #eman#e#. ;6"t o9 m, wa,> bo,H; or#ere# the man n a harsh vo ce. He tr e# to p"sh the la# as #e 11A A F !"re n H # n! b"t Fran: stoo# h s !ro"n# an# barre# the path. ;1ot so 9ast> #octor>; he snappe#. ;7o" been pa # 9or an operat on. A nCt ,o" !o n! to !o thro"!h w th tJ; ;)he pat ent s too s c:. . canCt wor: on h m to#a,. .Cll have to come bac: later.; ;5ell> how abo"t ret"rn n! the 9 ve h"n#re# #ollarsJ How #oes -r. Natta :now ,o"Cll ever come bac:J;

/ra9 tonCs onl, repl, was an "!l, la"!h. H s arm sw"n! o"t an# he :noc:e# Fran: bac: a!a nst the wall. ;. tol# ,o" to !et o"t o9 m, wa,H; he storme#> then h"rr e# #own the hall towar# the 9ront #oor. )he bo, was a9ter h m at a bo"n#. He tr e# to hol# /ra9ton bac: b"t the man was stron! an# power9"l. )he moment Fran: !rabbe# h m he t"rne# an# smashe# the la# over the hea# w th h s nstr"ment case. )he bo, cl"n! !r ml, to the manCs arm b"t he :new that the 9ellow was too stron! 9or h m to han#le alone. )hen help came. )here was a r"sh o9 9ootsteps n the hall as Doe> hear n! the so"n#s o9 str"!!le> ran o"t o9 the be#room an# race# to h s brotherCs a #. 2octor /ra9ton was I"st wrench n! open the 9ront #oor as the ,o"n!er Har#, h"rtle# thro"!h the a r n a 9l, n! tac:le that bro"!ht the mpostor to the 9loor. A Chan!e o9 Heart 11% ;)hatCs the st"99> DoeH; whoope# Fran:. ;Han! onto h m.; ;/et that mone,H; sho"te# Doe. 3 c: n! an# str"!!l n!> /ra9ton be!an 9 !ht n! h s wa, towar# the open #oor. He lashe# o"t w th the nstr"ment case> br n! n! t #own on Fran:Cs hea#. A clenche# 9 st smac:e# Doe on the ch n. CHAP)(' *.E A D60'1(7 B7 A.' the battle was short an# 9 erce. /ra9ton was a b !> well-b" lt man> b"t the Har#,s were ,o"n! an# stron!. )he bo!"s #octor 9o"!ht h s wa, across the threshol# an# onto the wal:L b"t Fran: !rabbe# h m b, the wa st an# 9l"n! h m to the !ro"n#. )he two bo,s wo"l# have overwhelme# the man> ha# not /ra9ton s"##enl, wrenche# a sh n, obIect 9rom h s poc:et. ;4oo: o"t> Fran:H; ,elle# Doe. ;HeCs p"ll n! a !"nH; Doe l"n!e# at the weapon> b"t m sse#. At the same nstant /ra9ton snappe# the tr !!er. B"t there was no sp"rt o9 9lame> no lo"# reportH .nstea#> a th n stream o9 p"n!ent l <" # shot 9rom the noFFle o9 the weapon. )he next moment Doe was !asp n! an# cho: n! 9or breath. H s nostr ls t n!le# an# tears 9 lle# h s smart n! e,es. A stron! o#or o9 ammon a 9 lle# the a r. Fran: !ot a wh 99 o9 the vapor> an# he> too> be!an to co"!h an# !a!. )he bo,s> str"!!l n! 11B A Do"rne, b, A r 11= 9or breath> 9ell bac:> almost bl n#e# b, the rr tat n! !as. /ra9ton scramble# to h s 9eet. Fran: ma#e a !rab 9or the manCs le! b"t co"l# scarcel, see what he was #o n!. )he next moment the #octor was r"nn n! #own the street. 8ome t me elapse# be9ore Fran: an# Doe recovere# 9rom the e99ects o9 the ammon a. 5hen the, # # so> /ra9ton was o"t o9 s !ht. -oreover> ne ther o9 the bo,s ha# not ce# a sl m la# #art o"t 9rom between two ho"ses an# 9all nto step beh n# the man as he ro"n#e# the corner. ;A 9 ne pa r o9 #etect ves we areH; !r"mble# Fran:> #abb n! at h s re##ene# e,es w th a han#:erch e9. ;5e let that sco"n#rel !et clear awa,.; ;. was prepare# 9or almost an,th n! b"t a !as attac:>; co"!he# Doe. ;. co"l#nCt see at all when that ammon a !ot n m, e,es.; ;An# /ra9ton has escape# w th the 9 ve h"n#re# #ollarsH; ;He wonCt !et 9ar>; Doe sa # con9 #entl,. ;2a# w ll ma:e s"re that he s p c:e# "p.; )he bo,s ret"rne# to the ho"se an# h"rr e# to -r. NattaCs room. )he ol# man was !ett n! #resse#. He seeme# # sappo nte# that Fenton Har#, ha#

been r !ht n bran# n! /ra9ton a croo:. ;. was hop n! that ,o"r 9ather m !ht have 116 A F !"re n H # n! been wron!> an# that the man co"l# #o someth n! 9or m, e,es a9ter all>; he <"avere#> ;b"t he # #nCt even tr, to operate. HeCs a croo:> all r !ht.; ;D"st as well he # #nCt to"ch ,o">; sa # Fran:. ;He m !ht have #estro,e# what l ttle e,es !ht ,o" have.; )he Har#, bo,s tol# -r. Natta abo"t the r str"!!le w th /ra9ton n the #oorwa, an# o9 the 9a:e #octorCs escape a9ter he ha# "se# the ammon a !"n. 5h le the, were tal: n! the, hear# a sharp :noc: at the #oor. Doe hastene# to answer t. Fenton Har#, steppe# nto the ho"se. ;5hat happene#J; he as:e# <" c:l, o9 h s sons. ;He !ot awa,>; Doe con9esse# re!ret9"ll,. ;He # #nCt tr, to operate at all> tho"!h he ns ste# on be n! pa # be9ore he saw -r. Natta. 5e ha# a 9 !ht w th h m b"t he p"lle# o"t an ammon a !"n-----; ;2 # he !et awa, w th the mone,J; ;7es.; Fenton Har#, # # not seem !reatl, # st"rbe# b, the news o9 /ra9 tonCs escape. ;/oo#H; he sa #. ;.9 he s ca"!ht w th those mar:e# b lls heCll !o to Ia l.; ;5e #onCt :now where he went.; -r. Har#, sm le#. ;. too: care o9 that>; he repl e#. ;. was a9ra # /ra9ton m !ht be A Do"rne, b, A r 11& too sl, 9or ,o" so . arran!e# to have Fre# 5are wa t #own the street. He s sha#ow n! the man now.; )he Har#, bo,s were rel eve# to hear th s p ece o9 newsL ,et the, 9elt that the, ha# not # st n!" she# themselves n the a99a r. ;/ra9ton w ll probabl, meet 8 n#er an# 4em"el at the hotel>; cont n"e# -r. Har#,. ;.Cm !o n! #own there now> an# as soon as . !et a report 9rom Fre# 5are .Cll ta:e act on.; He h"rr e# awa,. )he bo,s> a l ttle crest9allen b, the :nowle#!e that /ra9ton wo"l# have ma#e a clear !etawa, ha# t not been 9or the r 9atherCs 9ores !ht> prepare# to leave. Fran: # scar#e# h s overalls an# the brothers sa # !oo#-b,e to the ol# man. ;. co"l# not see the #octor ver, well>; sa # Natta> ;b"t there was someth n! 9am l ar abo"t h s speech-ver, 9am l ar.; He shoo: h s hea# sa#l,> wr n:l n! h s brow as 9 tr, n! to recall where he ha# once hear# a vo ce s m lar to that o9 the croo:. )he moment the bo,s were o"ts #e the #oor Doe sa #: ;. th n: . :now wh, /ra9 tonCs vo ce so"n#e# 9am l ar to h m.CC ;5h,J; ;. ma, be wron!> b"t the tho"!ht str"c: me as . was watch n! /ra9ton n the be#room. He seeme# s"rpr se# when he saw -r. NattaCs 11+ A F !"re n H # n! 9ace an# appeare# anx o"s to !et o"t o9 there as <" c:l, as he co"l#. 2o ,o" :now> Fran:> .Cve a h"nch that /ra9 ton s -r. NattaCs sonH; Fran: stare# at h s brother. CC 7o" Cre not ser o"sH; he cr e#. CC 7o" #onCt mean the escape# conv ctHCC ;.Cm onl, !o n! b, the wa, /ra9 ton acte# the moment he saw the ol# manCs 9ace. He went over to the w n#ow an# . hear# h m m"tter> C 7es> t s he. 1o m sta:e abo"t t.C )hen he pac:e# "p h s nstr"ments an# le9t. He reco!n Fe# -r. Natta> .Cm s"re o9 that.;

CC 7o" ma, be r !ht> Doe. . tho"!ht there was someth n! m !ht, <"eer abo"t t when he # #nCt even ma:e an attempt to operate-whatCs th sJ; Fran: bent #own> an# h s han# #arte# towar# someth n! that la, on the !ro"n# b, the s #ewal:. .t was a th c: roll o9 b lls> hel# sec"rel, b, a r"bber ban#. CC -one,HCC excla me# Doe. ;/ra9tonCs 9 ve h"n#re# #ollarsH; ;Are ,o" s"reJ; Fran: 9l ppe# o99 the elast c an# exam ne# a 9ew o9 the b lls. )he, were mar:e#. He co"nte# the mone, n the roll> wh ch came to 9 ve h"n#re# #ollars. ;.t m"st have 9allen 9rom /ra9 tonCs poc:et wh le we were 9 !ht n!. ArenCt we l"c:,J; he a##e#. A Do"rne, b, A r 11$ ;7es. B"t #o ,o" real Fe what t meansJ .9 2a# has /ra9 ton arreste# an# the man hasnCt the mar:e# mone, on h m> then 2a#Cs whole case w ll blow "p. .t w ll ma:e h m loo: 9ool sh. 5h,> /ra9ton m !ht even have the law on h m 9or 9alse arrestH; cr e# Doe n exc tement. ;5e m"st tell 2a# abo"t th s be9ore he steps nto a lot o9 tro"ble.; ;/oll,H . # #nCt th n: o9 that. 5eC# better h"stle #own to the Ba,port Hotel as 9ast as we can an# warn h m.CC ;5eCre o99H; Fran: st"99e# the mone, nto h s poc:et> an# the two bo,s #ashe# #own the street. At the oorner the, ca"!ht a b"s. )he, were almost bes #e themselves w th mpat ence as the conve,ance stoppe# at corner a9ter corner on ts wa,. )he r # scover, o9 the mone, was an extraor# nar, p ece o9 !oo# l"c:> 9or the, real Fe# that a ser o"s s t"at on m !ht #evelop sho"l# Fenton Har#, !o ahea# w th h s plans 9or /ra9 tonCs arrest n the absence o9 the onl, ev #ence that co"l# conv ct the bo!"s #octor. )he b"s 9 nall, came to a stop n 9ront o9 the hotel. Fran: an# Doe scramble# o99 an# #ashe# across the pavement. .n the lobb, the 9ormer sp e# h s 9ather stan# n! b, the elevator. He was I"st abo"t to !et nto t when Fran: calle# o"t: ;2a#H; 1A0 A F !"re n H # n! )he #etect ve t"rne# aro"n#> b"t steppe# bac: 9rom the l 9t when he saw h s sons. ;5hatCs the tro"bleJ; he as:e#. ;/ra9ton hasnCt the mone,H; pante# Fran: as the, h"rr e# "p. ;4oo:H 5e 9o"n# t. (ver, cent. .t m"st have 9allen o"t o9 h s poc:et when we were tr, n! to stop h m 9rom leav n! NattaCs ho"se.; He thr"st the th c: roll o9 b lls nto h s 9atherCs han#. An express on o9 :een # sappo ntment swept over Fenton Har#,Cs 9ace when he saw the mone,. ;.tCs a l"c:, th n! that ,o" reache# me when ,o" # #. . was I"st !o n! "p to acc"se /ra9ton> an# then .C# have been n a ba# 9 x. .t loo:s as 9 o"r whole plan has 9allen to p eces.; ;)here m"st be someth n! we can #o>; a##e# Doe> "nw ll n! to be #e9eate#. )he #etect ve tho"!ht 9or a moment> then sa #: ;/ra9ton s meet n! 8 n#er an# 4em"el n the room ,o" :ept watch over the other even n!. /o "psta rs an# l sten to the meet n! 9 ,o" can.; /la# to be o9 help> Fran: an# Doe steppe# nto the elevator an# were promptl, wh s:e# alo9t to the 9loor where the, ha# sp e# on 8 n#er an# 4em"el the n !ht o9 the ( alto hol#-"p. )he tas: the r 9ather ha# ! ven them was more # 99 c"lt th s t me beca"se the, # #

A Do"rne, b, A r 1A1 not care to r s: be n! ca"!ht eaves#ropp n! I the hotel corr #or. Doe> however> stoo# at on" en# o9 the hall wh le Fran: t ptoe# ca"t o"sl, towar# the #oor o9 the room n wh ch the sco"n#rels were sta, n!. ;5ell> .Cm !o n! o"t to 2oev lle r !ht awa,>; he hear# 2octor /ra9 ton sa,. ;-a:e ha, wh le the s"n sh nes-thatCs m, motto.; ;2oev lleJ; sa # 8 n#erCs vo ce. ;)hatCs the 4"nberr, case> snCt tJ; ;7es. An ol# woman wants the #oc to 9 x "p her e,es so sheCll have the s !ht o9 a s xteen-,ear-ol# ! rl>; la"!he# 4em"el. ;6l# -rs. 4"nberr, has prom se# to ra se two h"n#re# b"c:s 9or that Iob> #onCt 9or!et>; /ra9 ton #eclare#. ;.Cm not !o n! to pass "p that : n# o9 eas, mone,. 5ell> .Cm on m, wa, now an# .Cll call n an# see ,o" 9ellows as soon as . !et bac:.; /ra9ton steppe# to the #oor so <" c:l, that Doe was ca"!ht b, s"rpr se. He swerve# as #e an# loo:e# aro"n# h m w l#l, 9or some wa, o9 escape. 8ee n! the #oor o9 a nearb, room hal9 open> he #o#!e# <" c:l, nto t. He was I"st n t me> 9or a moment later the w l, #octor stro#e nto the corr #or. Ha# the room been occ"p e#> Doe wo"l# have ha# some expla n n! to #o. Fort"natel, t was #eserte# at the moment. He hear# /ra9ton wal: past an# hope# that Fran: wo"l# be able 1AA A F !"re n H # n! to escape be9ore the bo!"s ph,s c an sho"l# see h m. .n a l ttle wh le he hear# the clash o9 the elevator #oor an# the low h"m as t #escen#e#. Doe sl ppe# o"t o9 the room an# h"rr e# #own the corr #or. )he #oor o9 a l nen closet near the l 9t stoo# open. .ns #e someone was ben# n! over a !reat heap o9 sheets an# p llowcases. )he 9 !"re !lance# "p ca"t o"sl,> an# !r nne#. .t was Fran:. ;)hat was prett, close>; sa # the la# as he steppe# o"t o9 the c"pboar#. ;. I"st #"c:e# n here n the n c: o9 t me or he s"rel, wo"l# have seen me.; ;An# we m"st !et o"t o9 here prett, <" c:>; sa # Doe> r n! n! 9or the elevator. ;5hatCs "pJ; ;Plent,. /ra9 tonCs on h s wa, to per9orm another o9 those 9a:e operat ons an# collect some more mone,.; 5hen Fenton Har#, hear# that the #octor was on h s wa, to 2oev lle to perpetrate an a## t onal sw n#le he sa # #eterm ne#l,> ;5eCll have to protect th s 4"nberr, woman 9 we can. 0n9ort"natel, . have an mportant en!a!ement n hal9 an ho"r. -a,be ,o" bo,s can han#le t. /et o"t to 2oev lle n t me to warn th s -rs. 4"nberr, be9ore /ra9 ton arr ves there.; ;5eCll have to travel 9ast>; sa # Fran: #o"bt9"ll,. ;5e havenCt m"ch t me.; A Do"rne, b, A r 1A% ;/rab a tax an# !et o"t to the a rport>; sa # h s 9ather. ;.n the meant me .Cll #o some phon n! so a plane w ll be rea#, 9or ,o". 7o" sho"l# !et o"t to 2oev lle at least 9 9teen or twent, m n"tes be9ore /ra9 tonH; CHAP)(' *E )H( B(2 16)(B663 #oev lle was a small town abo"t 9 9t, m les 9rom Ba,port b, roa#. )he aer al ro"te> however> was cons #erabl, less. 5hen the Har#, bo,s reache# the a rport on the o"ts: rts o9 the c t, the, 9o"n# that -r. Har#,Cs telephone messa!e ha# prece#e# them an# that a small plane was

alrea#, warm n! "p n rea# ness 9or the short 9l !ht. CCCl mb n> bo,sH; nv te# the p lot. ;.Cll have ,o" n 2oev lle be9ore ,o" can 9 n# t me to catch ,o"r breaths.; Fran: an# Doe settle# nto the r seats> a mechan c !ave the propeller a tw rl> an# the motor roare#. )he plane starte# tr"n#l n! across the level 9 el#> !a ne# spee#> then sl ppe# awa, 9rom the !ro"n#. .t soare# h !her rap #l,> ban:e#> c rcle#> an# then str"c: o"t to the north. A rplanes were no stran!ers to the Har#, bo,s> ,et the, never 9a le# to be thr lle# b, a 9l !ht. Far below an# beh n# them the, co"l# see the c t, o9 Ba,port an# the bl"e waters o9 the ba, where boats 9l tte# over the s"r9ace l :e 1AB )he 'e# 1oteboo: 1A= so man, swans. Far to the east la, the m st, Atlant cL beneath them was the w n# n! 5 llow ' ver> w th 9 el#s an# 9arms loo: n! l :e a ! !ant c chec:erboar# n !reen an# ,ellow. )he plane #r"mme# alon! smoothl, at an ncreas n! rate o9 spee#. .t seeme# onl, a matter o9 a 9ew m n"tes be9ore the nose o9 the mach ne # ppe# an# t be!an to #escen#. 4ower an# lower t swoope# n !reat c rcles> po nt n! towar# a 9lat 9 el# on the o"ts: rts o9 a l ttle town. )he earth seeme# to r"sh "p sw 9tl, to meet them. )hen the a rcra9t stra !htene# o"t> s: mme# above the 9 el#> settle# #own w th a b"mp an# a l"rch> r"she# across the !ro"n#> an# slowl, came to a stop. ;Here ,o" are> bo,s>; !r nne# the p lot. ;7o"r #a# sa # . was to wa t 9or ,o". 5 ll ,o" be !one lon!J; ; . #onCt th n: so>; ret"rne# Fran:. CC 5e C11 be bac: as soon as we can.CC A car was stan# n! n the roa# bes #e the 9 el#. A man cl mbe# the 9ence an# came over to them. ;. !ot a phone messa!e 9rom Ba,port to meet th s plane>CC he sa #. ; . Cm to #r ve ,o" 9ellows nto 2oev lle.CC ;F ne>; sa # Fran:. ;)hatCs serv ce. 2a# certa nl, :nows how to smooth the wa, 9or "s.; ;2o ,o" :now where a -rs. 4"nberr, l ves 1CC as:e# Doe. D.A6 A F !"re n H # n! )he #r ver no##e#. ;.Cll have ,o" there n 9 ve m n"tes>; he sa #. He :ept h s wor#. )he bo,s al !hte# n 9ront o9 a mo#est l ttle cotta!e n the heart o9 the town. )he r :noc: was answere# b, -rs. 4"nberr,> an ol# la#, wear n! #ar: spectacles> to whom the Har#,s expla ne# the r erran#. ;Are ,o" expect n! a man name# 2octor /ra9 ton to#a,J; as:e# Fran:. )he la#, n <"est on sm le#. ;.n#ee# . am. HeCs !o n! to operate on one o9 m, e,es. . canCt see o"t o9 the r !ht one. 4"c: l, . hear# o9 th s won#er9"l man an# he has prom se# to help me.; ;-rs. 4"nberr,>; sa # Fran:> ;weCre sorr, to have to # sappo nt ,o"> b"t we have come here to warn ,o" a!a nst th s #octor. He canCt a # ,o". HeCs a 9a:e.CC ;. #onCt bel eve ,o">; snappe# the ol# woman. CC B"t tCs tr"e. All he wants s ,o"r mone,. He canCt help ,o"r e,e.; ;5hat r !ht have ,o" to sa, that he canCtJ; #eman#e# the ol# la#,. ;He has per9orme# some won#er9"l c"res. .9 thatCs all ,o" have come to tell me ,o" m !ht as well clear o"t o9 here r !ht now.; ;B"t -rs. 4"nberr,> weCve !one to a lot o9 tro"ble to reach here an# warn ,o" a!a nst th s man>; obIecte# Doe. ;C5eCre tr, n! to )he 'e# 1oteboo: 1A& :eep ,o" 9rom spen# n! ,o"r mone, 9ool shl,. 2octor /ra9 ton s a croo:.;

;2onCt ,o" come here call n! h m a croo:H; excla me# the woman. ;. wonCt have t. He s !o n! to save m, e,es !ht an# nobo#, can sa, a wor# a!a nst h m wh le . Cm aro"n#. 1ow ,o" two bo,s !et o"t o9 here.; 8he stampe# her 9oot. ;He canCt c"re ,o"H; ns ste# Fran:. ;He w llH; #eclare# -rs. 4"nberr,> an# slamme# the #oor. )he bo,s were crest9allen. CC)hatCs what we !et 9or help n!>; sa # Fran: morosel, as the, went #own the wal:. ;8he bel eves what she wants to bel eve.; ;All that tr p 9or noth n!. .Cll bet /ra9 ton wo"l# la"!h 9 he :new.CC )he, !ot nto the car an# tol# the #r ver to par: hal9wa, "p the bloc:. )here the, wa te#> watch n! -rs. 4"nberr,Cs ho"se. .n abo"t 9 9teen m n"tes the, were rewar#e# when a b ! car sw"n! aro"n# the corner an# p"lle# "p at the c"rb. /ra9ton> h s nstr"ment case n h s han#> al !hte#> stro#e "p the wal:> an# # sappeare# nto the 4"nberr, ho"se. ;5e ma, as well wa t. .9 he #oesnCt c"re her an# sho"l# ta:e her mone, I"st the same she ma, 9eel # 99erent abo"t h m a9ter a wh le. -a,be 2a# w ll be able to "se her as a w tness>CC Fran: s"!!este#. 1A+ A F !"re n H # n! Hal9 an ho"r later the man emer!e# 9rom the 4"nberr, ho"se. As soon as he ha# #r ven awa, the bo,s went bac: an# :noc:e# at the #oor. )he woman> a ban#a!e over her r !ht e,e> scowle# when she saw them. ;5ell> what #o ,o" want nowJ; she #eman#e# "n!rac o"sl,. ;5as the operat on s"ccess9"l> -rs. 4"nberr,J; as:e# Fran:. ;69 co"rse t was>; snappe# the woman. ;)here was a !rowth over m, e,e as b ! as a twent,-9 ve cent p ece. He too: t o99. 4oo: here.CC 8he hel# o"t her han# an# on her palm the, saw a th n wh te scrap o9 membrane or transparent s: n. ;8eeH; cont n"e# the ol# la#, tr "mphantl,. ;)hatCs wh, m, r !ht e,e was ba#. He too: that awa, an# now ever,th n! w ll be all r !ht a!a n. .t was worth ever, cent o9 the two h"n#re# #ollars t cost me. An# ,o" bo,s ha# the nerve to come here an# sa, mean th n!s abo"t 2octor /ra9 ton beh n# h s bac:.; ;Can ,o" see o"t o9 the e,e nowJ; as:e# Doe. ;1ot now . canCt. .tCs too soon a9ter the operat on. B"t m, r !ht e,e w ll be as !oo# as ever n a wee: 9rom now> the #octor tells me.; .n tr "mph the ol# la#, close# the #oor on )he Be# 1oteboo: 1A$ them. Doe was p"FFle# as the bo,s retrace# the r steps to the car. ;/oll,> ma,be /ra9 ton #oes :now someth n! abo"t e,e s"r!er, a9ter all>; he sa #. ;2onCt tell me he 9oole# ,o" too>; ret"rne# Pran:. ;)hatCs an ol# tr c:.; ;B"t the scrap o9 membrane-----; ;.tCs ta:en 9rom the ns #e o9 an e!!shell. /-ra9ton ha# t n h s han# all the t me. A9ter preten# n! to per9orm the operat on he showe# t to -rs. 4"nberr, an# sa # he remove# t 9rom her e,e. 1at"rall, she th n:s her tro"ble s over. He has tol# her to :eep the e,e ban#a!e# 9or a wee:. 5hen she ta:es o99 the !a"Fe she w ll 9 n# that she has been 9oole#> b"t /ra9-ton w ll be 9ar awa, b, that t me.CC 5hen the, arr ve# at Ba,port the, 9o"n# a messa!e awa t n! them at the a rport to the e99ect that Fenton Har#, ha# been calle# o"t o9 town "nexpecte#l,. ;)a:e a room at the hotel> as ,o" # # prev o"sl,>; ran the r 9atherCs wr tten nstr"ct ons> ;an# :eep close watch on the !an!. .t wo"l# be a b ! help 9 ,o" co"l# !et a l st o9 the r v ct ms.CC ;)hatCs eas er sa # than #one>; remar:e# Doe. CC )hose 9ellows #onCt

leave m"ch ev #ence n wr t n!.; )he bo,s went bac: to the Ba,port Hotel> where the, ma#e # screet n<" r es o9 the cler: 1%0 A F !"re n H # n! re!ar# n! a room a#Iacent to the one occ"p e# b, 8 n#er an# 4em"el. )o the r # sappo ntment the, learne# that both a#Io n n! rooms alrea#, were en!a!e#. )he cler:> however> real Fe# that someth n! was on 9oot beca"se he w n:e# con9 #ent all, an# sa # n a low vo ce: ;How abo"t the r 9r en# on the secon# 9loorJ )he #octorJ -a,be ,o"C# l :e to have a room next to h s.; CC Can ,o" 9 x t "p J; the, as:e# ea!erl,. ;(as l,.; He too: a :e, 9rom the rac: an# sl # t across the #es:. ;2octor /ra9 ton s o"t I"st now so ,o"Cll have a !oo# chance o9 !ett n! settle# be9ore he ret"rns.; )he bo,s went "p to the room on the secon# 9loor. )he, wo"l# !a n I"st as m"ch> the, tho"!ht> b, watch n! the 9a:e #octor as the, wo"l# b, :eep n! chec: on 8 n#er an# 4em"el> perhaps more. An ho"r elapse# be9ore /ra9ton entere# h s room. )he Har#, bo,s were watch n! at the #oor o9 the connect n! room> an# saw that the bo!"s ph,s c an was accompan e# b, 8 n#er an# 4em"el. )he three were <"arrel n! b tterl,. ;7o" canCt !et awa, w th a tr c: l :e thatH; the, hear# 8 n#er sa,. ;8pott, an# . #o o"r share o9 the wor: an# we expect to !et pa # o"r share o9 the mone,.CC ;B"t . lost t> . tell ,o">; #eclare# /ra9ton. )he (e# 1oteboo: 1%1 ;4ost tH; sneere# 4em"el. ;7o" poc:ete# t. 7o" Cre hol# n! o"t on "s> thatCs what ,o" Cre #o n!. People #onCt lose 9 ve h"n#re# #ollars so eas l,.CC ;. # #nCt :now . ha# lost t "nt l I"st a 9ew m n"tes a!o>; /ra9 ton ns ste#. ;. !ot pa # two h"n#re# #ollars b, that woman at 2oev lle> an# here t s. )he 9 ve h"n#re# . rece ve# 9rom Natta s !one.CC ;.Cll bet t hasnCt !one ver, 9ar>; 8 n#er !rowle#. ;. #onCt want an, o9 ,o"r sl"rsH; sho"te# /ra9 ton. ;.9 ,o" ns n"ate that . stole that mone, .Cll wash m, han#s o9 the pa r o9 ,o" an# !o on alone.CC ;7o"Cll be the loser>; repl e# 4em"el. ;How m"ch mone, w ll ,o" ma:e w tho"t someone to # ! "p cases 9or ,o"J ; He #rew a small re# noteboo: 9rom h s poc:et an# wave# t n 9ront o9 /ra9 tonCs 9ace. ;)hat l ttle l st s worth tho"san#s o9 #ollars to "s. .t conta ns the names an# a##resses o9 the people who want e,e treatments 9rom ,o" an# are w ll n! to pa, 9or them. ' p an# . have #one a lot o9 har# wor: to pers"a#e them. 0nt l we ! ve ,o" the r names ,o" wonCt :now where to !o. 8o pla, 9a r w th "s> /ra9 ton> or weCll !et o"rselves a new e,e #octor.CC He p"t the noteboo: bac: nto h s poc:et. ;Bo,s>; sa # /ra9 ton n a !entler tone> ;. 1%A A F !"re n H # n! ass"re ,o" that . am pla, n! 9a r w th ,o". 1 have never ta:en a #ollar that hasnCt been honestl, spl t "p amon! the three o9 "s.; ;C5eCll ta:e ,o"r wor# 9or t>; !r"nte# ' p 8 n#er. CHAP)(B *E. A C'A8H ;5e m"st !et that noteboo:H; .t was late that n !ht. )he Har#, bo,s ha# telephone# home to n9orm the r mother that the, wo"l# probabl, rema n at the hotel "nt l morn n!. 1ow> 9rom the room a#Iacent to the r own came the so"n# o9

lo"# snores. 8 n#er an# 4em"el> who ha# been as:e# b, /ra9ton to sta, n h s <"arters all n !ht> were 9ast asleep. )he 9a:e #octor ha# #eparte#. ;7es>; repeate# Doe. ;5e m"st !et that noteboo:.; CC 5e co"l# prevent a lot o9 people 9rom be n! sw n#le# 9 we co"l# la, o"r han#s on that l st o9 names an# a##resses>; sa # Fran:. ;B"t how are we !o n! to #o tJ; Doe went to the w n#ow> opene# t> an# loo:e# o"t. ;.Cve been th n: n!>; he sa #> ;that t m !ht not be ver, # 99 c"lt to !et nto the next room. Come an# ta:e a loo:.CC Fran: Io ne# h m> an# Doe po nte# o"t a le#!e 1%% 1%B A F !"re n H # n! that ran alon! the s #e o9 the b" l# n! mme# atel, beneath the r own w n#ow. ;.9 . co"l# wor: m, wa, alon! that e#!e>; he s"!!este#> ; t wo"l# br n! me to the w n#ow o9 the next room. )hen . co"l# crawl ns #e> ta:e the noteboo: o"t o9 the #es:> an# leave b, the #oor. .t wo"l#n Ct ta:e me 9 ve m n"tes.CC Fran: # # not l :e the #ea> however. CC .9 ,o" sho"l# ever sl p 9rom that he !ht ,o" wo"l# s"rel, brea: ,o"r nec:.; CC . wonCt sl p>CC repl e# Doe con9 #entl,. ; . Cm !o n! to tr, to reach t.; Be9ore Fran: co"l# ra se an, 9"rther obIect ons Doe ha# 9l"n! one le! over the s ll an# crawle# o"t. Care9"ll, he lowere# h msel9 onto the le#!e> wh ch was narrow> b"t he was able to hol# onto the w n#ow s ll. )he # 99 c"lt part now wo"l# be to ne!ot ate the br e9 # stance between one w n#ow s ll an# the next. 5 th bate# breath Fran: watche# h s brother wor: h s wa, slowl, an# ca"t o"sl, alon! the le#!e. 5hen he !ot be,on# the w n#ow s ll> Doe :ept h s han#s presse# 9lat a!a nst the br c: wall 9or s"pport. ;Be care9"l>; breathe# Fran: anx o"sl,. .nch b, nch Doe e#!e# h s wa, alon!> "nt l 9 nall, he was almost w th n reach o9 the other w n#ow s ll. H s han# !rope# 9or t. He cl"tche# t> b"t the concrete was ol# an# weatherbeaten. )he e#!e bro:e n h s !rasp. A Crash 1%= )he bo, l"rche#> ma#e another 9rant c !rab> m sse# h s hol#> an# lost h s balance. He teetere# precar o"sl, on the le#!e> then s"##enl, topple# bac:war#s. Fran: "ttere# a sho"t o9 horror as Doe t"mble# nto the #ar:ness. )here was a lo"# crash an# the shatter o9 bro:en !lass. A !lass canop, exten#e# over the resta"rant entrance to the hotel> one 9loor below. 0pon th s Doe ha# 9allen. Ha# t not been there he wo"l# have shot stra !ht #own to the pavement beneath. As t was> he la, sprawle# across one o9 the s"pports 9or a moment> then t"mble# over an# 9ell to the pavement n a heap o9 !lass 9ra!ments. )he terr 9 c crash aro"se# the ent re hotel. )here was a roar o9 exc te# vo ces 9rom the lobb,. 4 !hts be!an to 9lash n several rooms. 8omebo#, opene# a w n#ow on an "pper 9loor an# loo:e# o"t. Fran:> "tterl, a!hast> was rel eve# to see Doe crawl to h s 9eet. A moment later> be9ore an,one ha# t me to emer!e 9rom the hotel> the ,o"n!er Har#, ha# #arte# nto the #ar: sha#ows. Fort"natel, he ha# not been st"nne# b, h s 9all. Ha# that been the case he wo"l# have been #ent 9 e# b, the hotel o99 c als who promptl, r"she# o"t to

nvest !ate the a99a r. )hen the Har#, bo,s wo"l# have 9o"n# themselves nvolve# n a !reat #eal o9 embarrass n! explanat on. Altho"!h Doe was ba#l, c"t b, bro:en !lass 1%6 A F !"re n H # n! he was able to !et to h s 9eet an# st"mble aro"n# to an alle, bes #e the hotel I"st n the n c: o9 t me. )here he 9o"n# an open #oor> ran ns #e> saw a sta rwa, be9ore h m> an# hast l, ascen#e# to the next 9loor. 4ess than two m n"tes a9ter the crash he was bac: n h s own room. )he la# was blee# n! pro9"sel, 9rom a c"t across h s chee:> a nast, !ash below the r !ht :nee> as well as 9rom a n"mber o9 smaller wo"n#s. )he next hal9 ho"r Fran: was so b"s, tear n! "p p llow cases an# ban#a! n! h s brother that he pa # b"t l ttle attent on to the "proar the brea: n! o9 the canop, ha# create# n the hotel. ;. certa nl, ma#e a mess o9 that attempt>; m"ttere# Doe. ;4"c:, ,o" werenCt : lle#. . hope the hotel people #onCt come "p here as: n! a lot o9 aw:war# <"est ons>; sa # Fran:. ;.Cm !la# 8 n#er an# 4em"el # #nCt 9 n# o"t. An# we can re mb"rse the owners 9or the #ama!e a9ter the a99a r o9 2octor /ra9 ton s settle#.; )he mana!ement # # not bother them> an# event"all, the "proar # e# #own. )hen the Har#, bo,s went to be#. .n the morn n! Fran: calle# the o99 ce an# as:e# 9or a newspaper. 6n the 9ront pa!e o9 the Ba,port #a l, there was a 9"ll acco"nt o9 the m,ster o"s a99a r at the hotel "n#er the capt on: A Crash 1%& H6)(4 )H.(F (8CAP(8 AF)(' FA44 F'6- 4(2/( )he a"thor t es ha# I"mpe# to the concl"s on that a prowler> see: n! to rob hotel !"ests> ha# been respons ble. )he acco"nt went on to sa, that Ch e9 Coll ! an# 2etect ve 8m"99 ha# nvest !ate# the a99a r an# were 9ollow n! "p cl"es that wo"l# soon res"lt n the arrest o9 the c"lpr t. CC 5hewHCC excla me# Fran:. OO.9 Coll ! ever 9 n#s o"t weCll be n tro"ble "p to o"r nec:s.; )here was no so"n# 9rom the next room. )he Har#, bo,s #ec #e# that the, ha# better chec: o"t be9ore an, o9 the cl"es "pon wh ch Coll ! an# 8m"99 were wor: n! sho"l# lea# to the r room. Doe sta,e# o"t o9 s !ht wh le Fran: went #own to the #es:. )he hotel cler: !r nne#. ;5ell> # # the b ! crash wa:e ,o" "p last n !htJ; ;. was scare# o"t o9 m, w ts>; sa # Fran: tr"th9"ll,. ;)he th e9 certa nl, 9r !htene# those men ,o" are ntereste# n clear o"t o9 the hotel.; CC .s that so J ; sa # Fran: alertl,. ;8"re. )he, chec:e# o"t earl, th s morn n!.; Fran: t"rne# awa, tho"!ht9"ll,. 8 n#er an# 8pott, 4em"el ha# ev #entl, become 9r !htene# b, the p"bl c attent on that ha# been t"rne# on 1%+ A F !"re n H # n! the hotel an# ha# promptl, #ecampe#. )he problem o9 trac n! the act v t es o9 the !an! was now !reater than ever. )he Har#, bo,s ha# a # 99 c"lt t me at brea:9ast that morn n! n the r own home parr, n! the n<" s t ve remar:s o9 A"nt /ertr"#e> who ha# rea# all abo"t theCC hotel th e9CC n the newspaper. 8he ha# a #e9 n te #ea that her nephews were concerne# n some wa, an# became ver, peev sh when the, #ecl ne# to vol"nteer an, n9ormat on. .mme# atel, a9ter the, ha# eaten the bo,s escape# 9rom the ho"se. ;2o ,o" :now what . th n: weC# better #oJ; sa # Fran:. ;.C# l :e to !o bac: to that 9armho"se "p the r ver be,on# Broc:ton.CC ;)he place where ( p 8 n#er came loo: n! 9or E r! n aJ 5h,J;

;Beca"se . have a not on that h s #a"!hter s h # n! there. 8 n#er wasnCt sat s9 e# w th what the 9arm woman tol# h m. He C11 be bac:.CC ;.t wonCt #o an, harm to ma:e s"re. 5e seem to be at sort o9 a stan#st ll here. 4etCs !o.; 6n the r wa, to the boat-ho"se the, met Chet -orton> who be!!e# 9or perm ss on to !o alon!. ;A9ter all>; plea#e# the sto"t la#> ;. h"n! aro"n# that hotel n Boston on ,o"r acco"nt> even 9 ,o" # #nCt :now an,th n! abo"t t. Have a heart an# let me n on the 9"n.CC ;.t snCt l :el, that thereCll be an, 9"n>CA Crash 1%$ ret"rne# Fran:. ;5eCre I"st !o n! on a tr p "p the r ver. 7o"Cre m !ht, welcome to come alon!> tho"!h> Chet.; 5hen the, reache# the 9arm above Broc:ton late that morn n! the bo,s moore# the 8le"th n the l ttle cove where the, ha# h ##en the boat on the occas on o9 the r prev o"s tr p. )hen the, ma#e the r wa, "p thro"!h the shr"bber, an# 9 nall, reache# the 9ence s"rro"n# n! the potato patch. )he same bo, who ha# been there on the r 9 rst v s t was st ll at h s tas: o9 wee# n!. Another overalle# 9 !"re was n the 9 el# as well. Prom the shelter o9 the b"shes be,on# the 9ence 9ran: watche# the pa r narrowl,. ;. won#er-----; he m"se#. ;.Cm not won#er n!>; sa # Doe> tense w th exc tement. ;)hat snCt a bo,. .tCs E r! n a b n#erH; CHAP)(' *En A 6(7 F6( H(4P CC !osh> wh, #onCt ,o" call her over an# spea: to herJ; as:e# Chet. ;.t m !ht ca"se tro"ble>; Fran: answere#. ;8heCs h # n! here.; At that moment E r! n a 8 n#er> loo: n! o##l, l :e a bo, n her shapeless overalls> her ha r h ##en b, a bo,Cs cap> stra !htene# "p 9rom the wee# n! an# r"bbe# her bac:. 8he sa # someth n! to her compan on> then sa"ntere# thro"!h the potato rows towar# an apple tree that !rew b, the 9ence where the bo,s were h # n!. ;. was I"st 9 !"r n! on p c: n! one o9 those apples 9or m,sel9>; wh spere# Chet h"n!r l,. ;)he, loo: !oo#.; 5hen the ! rl arr ve# beneath the tree she reache# "p an# p c:e# a r pe re# b t o9 9r" t. D"st as she was abo"t to t"rn awa,> Pran: sa # n a low vo ce.;E r! n aC; )he ! rl starte#. 8he sw"n! aro"n#> her e,es 1B0 A Cr, 9or Help 1B1 w #e w th 9ear an# s"rpr se. 5hen she saw the three bo,s cro"ch n! beh n# the 9ence she p"t her han# to her mo"th as 9 to st 9le a scream. ;2onCt be a9ra #>; sa # Fran: reass"r n!l,. ;5e want to help ,o".; ;B"t ,o"Cll tell m, 9ather where . am>; the ! rl <"avere#. ;1o> we wonCt. 5h, are ,o" h # n! heret 5h, # # ,o" leave Broc:tonJ; Fran: spo:e ver, <" etl,> an# the bo,s :ept themselves h ##en so as not to attract the attent on o9 the ,o"n!ster n the potato 9 el#. E r! n a be!an to cr,. ;. le9t Broc:ton beca"se . # #nCt want ' p 8 n#er to 9 n# me>; she sobbe#. ;.Cm a9ra # o9 h m. He snCt m, real 9ather an,how. .-.Cve chan!e# m, name> even. . call m,sel9 -ar, For# now.CC ;2 # ,o" #r ve awa, n the car a9ter we too: t o"t o9 the r verJ; E r! n a h"n! her hea#.

CC .t was a mean tr c:>CC she a#m tte#. CC B"t -. ha# !one bac: thereto see 9 . co"l# recover the co"pe-. was h # n! n the b"shes near the br #!e when ,o" came alon!-----; ;7o" m !ht have spo:en to "s>; sa # Doe. ;5e werenCt tr, n! to :eep ,o"r car.; ;2onCt be cross w th me> please>; sa # the ! rl mplor n!l, as she be!an to weep a!a n. ;. was a9ra # ,o" wo"l# stop me an# as: a lot 1BA A F !"re n H # n! o9 <"est ons> an# perhaps tell m, 9ather abo"t me.; ;)hatCs all r !ht>; Fran: ass"re# her. ;5eCre not an!r,> b"t rel eve# to :now someone else # #nCt steal ,o"r car.; ;5h, are ,o" so a9ra # o9 ' p B n#erJ; as:e# Doe. ;.Cm not a9ra # o9 h m>; the ! rl retorte#> ;b"t . never want to see h m a!a n. He preten#e# to be m, 9ather> b"t he snCt. HeCs I"st a croo:. 6h> . w sh . co"l# 9 n# m, real parentsH . #onCt even :now m, r !ht name.; ;.Cm sorr,>; sa # Fran:. ;4 stenH; sa # Chet s"##enl,. )he, were s lent. )hro"!h the st ll a r came the <" c: throbb n! o9 a motor. A boat was com n! "p the r ver. ;DoeH H"rr, #own to the cove an# ta:e a loo: at that boat>; sa # Fran: <" c:l,. ;8 n-#er ma, be com n! here a!a n.; ;8 n#erH; excla me# the ! rl> t"rn n! pale. ;6h> he m"stnCt 9 n# meH He m"stnCt 9 n# me. . wonCt !o bac: home w th h m.; ;.t probabl, snCt 8 n#er at all>; sa # Fran: as Doe #arte# awa,. ;7et thereCs no harm n ma: n! s"re.; Doe ret"rne# n a 9ew m n"tes> scrambl n! "p the path to the 9ence. CC 8 n#er an# 4em"elH; he !aspe#. CC )he, Cre n a motorboat> hea# n! towar# the 9arm.CC A Cr, 9or Help 1B% )he ! rl became wh te-9ace# an# terror-str c:en. ;He m"stnCt 9 n# meH; she wa le#. ;He m"stnCt.; ;4oo: here> E r! n a>; sa # Fran:. ;5eCll han#le ' p 8 n#er an# see that he #oesnCt ta:e ,o" bac:.; B"t the ! rl ha# wh rle# abo"t an# was strea: n! across the 9 el#. ;. wonCt let h m ta:e me bac:H; she cr e# #esperatel,. )he bo,s # # not 9ollow her> as the, # # not want to reveal themselves to the 9arm la#> who stra !htene# "p 9rom h s wee# n! an# stare# a9ter the 9lee n! ! rl w th an express on o9 !reat aston shment. E r! n a reache# the other s #e o9 the 9 el# an# ran nto the woo#s. ; . C11 never come bac:HCC she cr e#. CC 1everHCC )hen she van she# amon! the trees. ;. th n: sheCs !oo9,H; remar:e# Chet. ;1 ce-loo: n! ! rl> b"t a b t so9t n the hea#.; D"st then the nose o9 the motorboat appeare# aro"n# the ben#> as the cra9t hea#e# towar# shore. )he roar o9 the en! ne # e# awa,. )he bo, n the 9 el# watche# the boat 9or a moment> then ran to the ho"se. He ret"rne#> accompan e# b, the woman whom the bo,s ha# seen on the r 9ormer v s t. 8he stro#e across the potato patch as ' p 8 n#er an# 4em"el cl mbe# o"t o9 the boat an# 1BB A F !"re n H # n! steppe# on shore. Her e,es 9 lle# w th 9 re. ;8o ,o"Cre bac: a!a nH; she cr e# shr ll,. ;5ell> tCs not !o n! to #o ,o" an, !oo#.; ;5eCre loo: n! 9or E r! n a 8 n#er>; #eclare# ' p. ;5eCre s"re sheCs here an# we want her.; ;5ell> .Cm certa n thereCs no one b, that name on th s 9arm.;

;5eCll see abo"t that>; !rowle# the ! rlCs 9oster 9ather. ;8earch 9 ,o" l :e>; nv te# the owner o9 the 9arm. ;7o" wonCt 9 n# her here.; 8 n#er an# -s compan on went nto the ho"se> then h"nte# aro"n# the stable an# the nearb, 9 el#s> b"t 9 nall, were 9orce# to a#m t that the r search ha# been n va n. )he woman cac:le# tr "mphantl,. ;2 #nCt . tell ,o"J 1ow> w ll ,o" bel eve meJ; CC 1o>CC !rowle# 8 n#er peev shl,. CC )hat ! rl #own at Broc:ton tol# me she was here. 7o" Ee !ot her h ##en somewhere.; ;F n# her> thenH; ; 5e w llH; #eclare# 8pott, 4em"el. CC 5e C11 come b, here some t me when ,o"Cre least expect n! "s.; ;D"st tr, com n! onto th s 9arm w tho"t m, perm ss on an# .Cll have ,o" arreste# 9or trespass n!.; ;6h> come on> 8pott,>; !rowle# 8 n#er n A Cr, 9or Help 1B= # s!"st. ;)hereCs no "se wast n! t me tal: n! to th s woman.; )he two men ret"rne# to the r boat n ba# h"mor wh le the woman stoo# w th her han#s on her h ps an# watche# them. )he clatter o9 the en! ne 9 nall, #rowne# o"t her part n! remar:s> as the boat bac:e# nto the r ver. )he 9arm owner then ret"rne# to the ho"se. ;. never hear# s"ch a lot o9 9"ss abo"t a mere ! rlHCC remar:e# Chet. ;)hereCs !o n! to be even more 9"ss>; Fran: ass"re# h m. CC 1ow we m"st 9 n# her.CC He str"c: o99 aro"n# the 9ence an# pl"n!e# nto the woo#s at the place where the, ha# last seen E r! n a. A tra l le# thro"!h the b"shes. Here an# there n the so9t earth Fran: 9o"n# mpr nts o9 the ! rlCs shoes. Doe an# Chet 9ollowe# h m> the latter !r"mbl n! that he wo"l#nCt have come on the expe# t on at all ha# he :nown there was !o n! to be so m"ch exerc se attache# to t. ;2o ,o" !oo#>; ret"rne# Doe "ns,mpathet -call,. CC .t w ll ta:e a l ttle o9 that extra we !ht o99 ,o".; ; 8 n#er # #nCt have m"ch l"c: on th s tr p>; ch"c:le# Fran:. ;.t was m !ht, 9ort"nate we saw h m com n! n t me to warn E r! n a> or heC# have 9o"n# her th s tr p.; )he tra l thro"!h the woo#s 9 nall, petere# o"t as the shr"bber, became #eep an# heav,. 1B6 A F !"re n H # n! Chet s"##enl, # st n!" she# h msel9 b, 9 n# n! a torn scrap o9 overall cloth on a thorn branch. ;/oo# wor:>; pra se# Fran:. ;5eCll :eep on n th s # rect on.; A l ttle 9arther alon! the bo,s reache# a swamp, clear n! where the 9ootmar:s a!a n were # st nct. )he, crosse# the spot> then c rcle# aro"n#> tr, n! to p c: "p the tra l. 8"##enl, the, hear# a scream. .t was the 9r !htene# cr, o9 a ! rl> clear an# terr 9, n!. )he bo,s loo:e# at one another. CC E r! n aHCC excla me# Doe. ;8heCs n tro"ble.; ;)h s wa,H; clamore# Chet> pl"n! n! nto the woo#s. )he bo,s bl"n#ere# thro"!h the heav, "n#er!rowth n the # rect on o9 the cr,. A9ter 9 ve m n"tes o9 har# !o n! the, won#ere# 9 the, were on the r !ht trac:> 9or the, hear# noth n! more. F nall, the, came to a stop an# l stene# ntentl,. )hen sharpl,> 9rom over to the le9t o9 the place where the three bo,s were stan# n!> the scream o9 terror ran! o"t a!a n an# a!a n. )h s t me t so"n#e# ver, near> an# 9rom the 9ear that <"avere# n ever, note the bo,s real Fe# that E r! n a m"st be n ver, real #an!er or # stress.

8"##enl, the cr es were c"t o99. 2eep s lence #escen#e# over the woo#s once more. A Cr, 9or Help 1B& ;Come onH; snappe# Fran:. )he bo,s pl"n!e# thro"!h the matte# !rowth. 8"##enl,> n the #epth o9 the 9orest> the, came "pon a small clear n! n wh ch stoo# a two-stor, homestea#. CHAP)(' 8./1A4.1/ A #oor o9 the ho"se slamme#. From aro"n# a corner o9 the b" l# n! there came the o##> m sshapen 9 !"re o9 a man. He was ver, short> w th h"!e sho"l#ers an# ver, lon! arms. 5hen he saw the bo,s he ran towar# them threaten n!l,. )he la#s stoo# the r !ro"n#> where"pon the 9ellow p c:e# "p a heav, cl"b 9rom the !ravel. As he a#vance# towar# them the, saw that h s mo"th was wor: n! stran!el,> as 9 he were tr, n! to spea: to themL ,et onl, a horr ble moan n! so"n# came 9rom h s l ps. He !est"re# menac n!l, w th the heav, st c: 9or them to !o awa,. Chet t"rne# an# 9le# nto some b"shes. A9ter a momentCs hes tat on the Har#, bo,s bac:e# awa,. )he #"mb man came across the clear n! sw n! n! the cl"b. From h s manner the bo,s # # not #o"bt b"t that he wo"l# "se the weapon 9 he co"l# !et close eno"!h to them. 8lowl, the la#s retreate# 9rom the clear n!> 9or the r assa lant loo:e# "!l,. F"rthermore> the, co"l# hear so"n#s 9rom the ho"seL so"n#s 8 !nal n! 1B$ n# cat n! that there was another man n the b" l# n!. )hen the, hear# someone call o"t. Fran: an# Doe #"c:e# bac: nto the woo#s. As the, # # so a man emer!e# 9rom the ho"se> sho"t n! an!r l,: ;Neb> ,o" 9oolH Come bac: here. 5hatCs the matter w th ,o"J; )he servant pa # no attent on to what was be n! sa #> so the other h"rr e# across the clear n!. )he Har#, bo,s> who were watch n! 9rom the shelter o9 the trees> reco!n Fe# the newcomer. 2octor /ra9tonH )he mpostor apparentl, ha# not seen them. He ran over to the #war9 an# !rabbe# h m b, the arm. CC 7o" # otH; he !rowle# an!r l,. CC /o bac: to the ho"seH; )he #"mb man po nte# towar# the woo#s> tr, n! to ma:e h msel9 "n#erstoo#. /ra9ton> however> was mpat ent. He b"n#le# Neb bac: across the clear n!. ;7o"r Iob s to sta, here an# watch that ! rl. 8ee that she #oesnCt escape. . #onCt care what ,o" saw. /et bac: nto the ho"se.; He tore the weapon 9rom NebCs han# an# 9l"n! t hal9wa, across the open space. )hen he !ave the man a p"sh that almost sent h m sprawl n!. .n a moment the pa r # sappeare# nto the ho"se. 1=0 A F !"re n H # n! As the #oor close# beh n# h m there came the so"n# o9 brea: n! !lass. 6ne o9 the "pper w n#ows was shattere# nto a tho"san# p eces. )h s was 9ollowe# b, a w l# scream. )hen 9or a spl t secon# the bo,s saw the 9ace o9 E r! n a 8 n#er 9rame# n the open space. CC HelpH; she shr e:e#. CC HelpH; Her cr es ran! thro"!h the 9orest. 8"##enl, the b"rl, 9orm o9 2octor /ra9ton appeare# beh n# her. He clappe# h s han# over her mo"th an# s lence# her cr es. )hen he #ra!!e# her str"!!l n! 9rom the w n#ow. Doe wh stle# solemnl,. ;/oshH; he sa #> ;now we have st"mble# nto a s t"at on. 5e m"st #o someth n! abo"t t prett, <" c:> too.; ;. :now what weC# better #o>; sa # Chet w th a !"lp. CC 4etCs !allop

r !ht bac: home an# tell the pol ce. . #onCt want to !et m xe# "p w th that pa r 9 . can help t.CC ;Pol ce noth n!H; sn 99e# Fran:. ;.9 we canCt !et that ! rl o"t o9 here o"rselves weCre not m"ch !oo#.; ;5e wonCt be m"ch !oo# 9 we !et cl"bbe# over the hea# tr, n! t>; obIecte# Chet. ;. # #nCt l :e the loo:s o9 that #ea9-m"te a b t. He seeme# l :e a whole lot o9 ba# news to me.CC D"st then the bo,s hear# vo ces. ;8omeone com n!>; wh spere# Doe> peer n! o"t 9rom beh n# a cl"mp o9 b"shes. Amon! the trees on the other s #e o9 the 8 !nal n! 1=1 clear n! were two 9 !"res p"sh n! the r wa, thro"!h the "n#er!rowth. A moment later the 9aces o9 the pa r became v s ble to the watch n! bo,s. ' p 8 n#er an# 8pott, 4em"el were pa, n! a v s t to 2octor /ra9 tonCs h #eo"tH CC )h s s the place>CC the la#s hear# the 9ormer sa,. ;HeCs as sa9e here as 9 he were h # n! n Alas:a.CC CC )he pol ce w ll h"nt a lon! t me be9ore the, ever 9 n# th s ho"se>; 8pott, 4em"el repl e# a#m r n!l,. He ra se# h s vo ce an# calle# o"t> ;2ocH He,> 2ocH; )he #oor opene#. )he 9a:e ph,s c an appeare# loo: n! a tr 9le # shevelle#> h s sh rt torn an# h s collar awr,. CC HelloH; he pante#. CC 5e Cve a v s tor here. )h s w ll be a b ! s"rpr se to ,o"> 8 n#er.CC ;E s torJ 5ho s tJ; ;)hat ! rl o9 ,o"rs. E r! n a.; /ra9 ton la"!he# harshl,. CC 8he came here a l ttle wh le a!o> :noc:e# on the #oor an# as:e# Neb to let her h #e here. 8a # some men were chas n! her. Can ,o" beat that 9or l"c: JCC ;)hen she was at that 9armH; sho"te# ' p 8 n#er. CC )he woman l e#. E r! n a m"st have r"n awa, when she saw "s com n!.CC ;5ell> she bl"n#ere# r !ht 9rom the 9r, n! pan nto the 9 re when she came here>; sa # /ra9 ton. ;8he wonCt !et o"t o9 th s place n a h"rr,. Come n.; 1=A A F !"re n H # n! )he men went "p the steps an# entere# the ho"se. )hen the #oor ban!e# beh n# them. )he Har#, bo,s an# Chet hel# a co"nc l o9 war. )he latter> never note# 9or h s braver,> was n 9avor o9 !ett n! as 9ar awa, as poss ble 9rom the s n ster h #eo"t n the woo#s n as short a t me as the, co"l#. Fran: an# Doe> however> # # not l :e the #ea o9 r"nn n! awa, 9rom #an!er. ;.9 weCre sens ble weCll !o bac: to Ba,port an# tell the pol ce>; ns ste# Chet. ;4et them han#le t.; ;)he Ba,port pol ce havenCt an, power o"ts #e o9 Ba,port>; ret"rne# Fran:. ;Bes #es> . #onCt l :e to <" t> now that weCre be! nn n! to !et somewhere.; ;Be! nn n! to !et o"rselves "p to o"r nec:s n more tro"ble>; #er #e# Chet. ;5e m"st 9 !"re o"t some metho# o9 !ett n! E r! n a awa, 9rom that ho"se>; Doe state# 9 rml,. ;. #onCt :now how tCs to be mana!e# b"t t m"st be #one. .9 we 9a l> then we can call n the pol ce> b"t we o"!ht to be able to mana!e t o"rselves.; Fran: st"# e# the h #eo"t ntentl,. A9ter a wh le he sa #: ;E r! n a s n that room on the secon# 9loor> the one w th the bro:en pane n the w n#ow. . can see her mov n! bac: an# 9orth. 1ow> 9 one o9

"s co"l# cl mb "p that b ! tree near the 8 !nal n! 1=% s #e o9 the ho"se he co"l# reach a branch on a level w th the w n#ow an# s !nal to E r! n a. )hen she wo"l# :now weCre here tr, n! to resc"e her.CC ;5hoCll cl mb the treeJ; as:e# Chet w tho"t enth"s asm. ;. w ll. An# .Cll #o t r !ht now>; repl e# Fran:. ;.Cll stan# !"ar# at the bottom n case an,one comes o"t>; vol"nteere# Doe. ;Chet can sta, here.; ;)hat s" ts me>; the r ch"m #eclare# heart l,. Fran: an# Doe ma#e the r wa, thro"!h the "n#er!rowth "nt l the, reache# the b ! tree. .t was abo"t twent, 9eet 9rom the ho"se. Fran: sh nne# "p the tr"n: an# p"lle# h msel9 9rom branch to branch "nt l he was on a level w th the bro:en w n#ow. From h s lo9t, perch he co"l# loo: nto the room. E r! n a was st ll there> s tt n! bes #e the w n#ow sobb n!. Fran: ha# been reso"rce9"l eno"!h to p"t some pebbles nto h s poc:et. 1ow he tosse# one o9 them. .t 9ell short. He threw another. )h s one str"c: the !lass sharpl, an# E r! n a loo:e# "p> startle#. As she peere# o"t the w n#ow she saw Fran:. He presse# a 9 n!er to h s l ps as a s !nal 9or s lence lest she call o"t n her s"rpr se. )he ! rl "n#erstoo#. B, s !nal n! to her the 1=B A F !"re n H # n! Har#, bo, tr e# to ass"re her that he an# h s compan ons wo"l# stan# b, an# loo: 9or a chance to resc"e her. )he opport"n t, came sooner than the, expecte#. 5h le Fran: was st ll n the tree> the #oor o9 the ho"se opene# an# Neb> the #ea9-m"te> emer!e#. )o the s"rpr se o9 the watchers he hea#e# stra !ht across the clear n! to the place where Chet was h # n!. (v #entl, he ha# ca"!ht s !ht o9 the sto"t la# 9or the o## man was wav n! h s arms an# seeme# to be n a state o9 w l# exc tement. )h s was too m"ch 9or Chet. He appeare# 9rom beh n# a b"sh> "ttere# a cr, o9 terror> an# 9le#. Neb wheele#> ran bac: to the ho"se> an# ban!e# at the #oor. 2octor /ra9ton opene# t. ;5hatCs the matter w th ,o"J; the latter #eman#e# test l,. ;5hatCs all the no s, 9"ss abo"tJ; Neb 9a rl, #ance# n h s e99orts to ma:e the man "n#erstan# h m. ( p 8 n#er an# 8pott, 4em"el crow#e# across the threshol#. 8"##enl, the 9ormer let o"t a sho"t. ;8omeoneCs r"nn n! thro"!h the woo#sH; he cr e#. ;4oo:H . see h m. )hatCs what Neb s tr, n! to tell "s.; ;A9ter h mH; roare# /ra9ton. Chet was bolt n! thro"!h the tan!le# br"sh l :e a scare# rabb t. )he 9o"r men r"she# 8 !nal n! 1== across the clear n!. )hen the, tore nto the shr"bber, w th a !reat crash n! o9 tw !s an# "n#er!rowth. ;1ow s o"r chanceH; cr e# Fran: as he #escen#e# the tree. ;5eCll !et E r! n a o"t o9 that ho"se be9ore the, come bac:.; He #roppe# to the !ro"n#. As the two Har#,s #ashe# across the clear n!> the, co"l# hear sho"ts 9rom the men chas n! Chet. ;E r! n aH H"rr,H; calle# Doe as he an# h s brother pl"n!e# thro"!h the open #oorwa, nto the ho"se. CHAP)(' *.* A 2.8APP(A'A1C( v r! n a # # not appear on the sta rs. .nstea#> the bo,s hear# so"n#s

o9 ban! n! an# th"## n! n the "pper part o9 the ho"se. ;8heCs loc:e# nH; excla me# Fran:. He race# "p the steps. At the top o9 the lan# n! he was con9ronte# b, a close# #oor. Fort"natel, ts :e, ha# not been remove# 9rom the loc:> so Fran: <" c:l, release# the mpr sone# ! rl. ;6h> than: ,o"H )han: ,o"H; she !aspe# !rate9"ll,> as she 9l"n! hersel9 thro"!h the #oorwa, an# h"rr e# #ownsta rs w th the bo,s. ;5here # # the men !oJ; she m"rm"re#. CC )he, Cre n-the woo#s. ;5e C11 have to h"rr,> beca"se the,Cll be bac: an, m n"te>; Doe tol# her. )he three #ashe# o"t the 9ront #oor. Fort"natel, none o9 the men ha# ret"rne# as ,et. )he commot on !o n! on n the woo#s le# the bo,s to bel eve the chase was st ll on an# that Chet was eva# n! capt"re st ll. 1=6 A 2 sappearance 1=& )he bo,s were t n!l n! w th apprehens on lest Neb or one o9 the other men m !ht ret"rn an# catch s !ht o9 them be9ore the, sho"l# have t me to !a n the shelter o9 the woo#s. However> the, hastene# across the clear n! n sa9et, an# ran nto the th c: "n#erbr"sh w tho"t be n! seen. 1C 5hat o9 ChetHCC as:e# Doe. ;)he, wonCt catch h m. For all h s we !ht> Chet can r"n l :e a #eer when he has to. ( !ht now heCs so 9r !htene# that he s probabl, spro"t n! w n!s to help h m alon!.; E r! n a was pathet call, !rate9"l 9or the bo,sC help. Cr, n! an# la"!h n! b, t"rns> she tol# them how she ha# 9o"n# the ho"se n the woo#s an# ha# so"!ht re9"!e there> onl, to # scover to her horror that 2octor /ra9ton was the ownerL how she ha# been ma#e pr soner an# then loc:e# n an "psta rs roomL o9 her tremen#o"s rel e9 when she ha# ca"!ht s !ht o9 Fran: s !nal n! to her 9rom amon! the branches o9 the b ! tree. ;5eC# better !et bac: to the r ver. Chet w ll ma:e h s wa, towar# the 8le"th> .Cm s"re>; sa # Fran:. Doe> however> 9elt that the, ha# better wa t 9or a wh le n case the r ch"m m !ht have been ca"!ht> n wh ch event the Har#, bo,s wo"l# 9ace the p oblem o9 ma: n! a secon# resc"e. H s brother a!ree#> so the three ,o"n! 1=+ A F !"re n H # n! people h # themselves n the woo#s. )he bo,s went bac: to reconno tre. )he, came n s !ht o9 the clear n! a!a n I"st n t me to see /ra9 ton an# h s compan ons emer!e 9rom the shr"bs. ;5ell> he !ot awa,> whoever he was>; the, hear# the #octor sa,. )he Har#,s wa te# to hear no more> 9or the, :new that the # st"rbance occas one# b, the p"rs" t o9 Chet wo"l# be as noth n! compare# to the "proar that wo"l# 9ollow the # scover, o9 the 8 n#er ! rlCs 9l !ht. )he, hastene# to the place where the, ha# le9t her. E r! n a was !oneH Fran:Cs sharp e,es ca"!ht a 9leet n! !l mpse o9 her> 9ar awa, amon! the trees. He #are# not call o"t lest he be hear# b, /ra9ton an# h s compan ons. E r! n a !lance# bac: an# saw the bo,s b"t # # not stPHQp. .nstea#> she #arte# to one s #e an# # sappeare# be,on# a #ense th c:et. ;5hatCs wron! w th that ! rl> an,wa,J; #eman#e# Doe wrath9"ll,. ;5e save# her 9rom #rown n! n the r ver an# she ran awa,L we 9 she# her car o"t o9 the water an# she stole t an# ran awa,L now we resc"e her 9rom that ho"se an# she leaves "s the 9 rst chance she !ets.; ;4et her !o>; sa # Fran:> who was also an!ere# b, E r! n aCs apparent n!rat t"#e. ;.9 she #oesnCt apprec ate what weCve #one 9or her>

A 2 sappearance 1=$ weCre 9ool sh to bother. 8he o"!ht to :now b, th s t me that we have onl, been tr, n! to help her.; )he Har#, bo,s were n#ee# n# !nant. E r! n a 8 n#er ha# p"t them to a !reat #eal o9 tro"ble ever s nce the n !ht o9 the theatre hol#-"p an# t provo:e# them to 9eel that the r e99orts ha# been apprec ate# so l ttle. )he bo,s 9o"n# a tra l wh ch appeare# to lea# n the !eneral # rect on o9 the r ver. )he, 9ollowe# the w n# n! path "nt l the, ca"!ht s !ht o9 the bl"e !leam o9 water be,on# the trees> then h"rr e# #own the r ver ban: an# on past the 9arm. F nall, the, hea#e# # rectl, towar# the cove where the, ha# le9t the 8le"th. )o the r rel e9 the, 9o"n# the boat sa9e an# so"n#> exactl, as the, ha# le9t t. ;1ow>; sa # Fran:> ; 9 Chet w ll onl, show "p we can !et bac: to Ba,port.; A tarpa"l n n the bottom o9 the cra9t move# s"##enl, an# a hea# appeare# 9rom "n#erneath the cover n!. Fran: an# Doe b"rst nto la"!hter when the, saw the 9am l ar ro"n# r"##, 9ace o9 Chet -orton. ;. #onCt see an,th n! to la"!h at>; !r"mble# the r 9at ch"m> crawl n! o"t 9rom beneath the tarpa"l n. ;7o"Cre not stan# n! where we are>; Doe ch"c:le#. ;7o"C# have h ##en> too>; sa # Chet warml,. 160 A F !"re n H # n! ; 9 ,o"C# been chase# b, three c"t-throats an# a craF, man. .Cm l"c:, to be al ve. . never be9ore ran so 9ast n m, l 9e. As 9ar as th s #etect ve b"s ness o9 ,o"rs s concerne#> .Cm thro"!h-washe# "p9 n she#. .tCs the s ll est : n# o9 wor: . ever hear# o9.CC ;B"t tCs exc t n!>; !r nne# Fran:. ;7o"Cre welcome to all the exc tement>; Chet ret"rne# warml,. ; . Ee ha# as m"ch o9 t as . can stan#. An, more o9 t wo"l# be #ownr !ht "nhealth,. 4etCs !et th s boat starte# be9ore that !an! comes alon!.; )he bo, ha# been scare# w th n an nch o9 h s l 9e. )he Har#,s were sha: n! w th la"!hter as the r 9at 9r en# #escr be# h s 9l !ht thro"!h the woo#sL ,et Chet co"l# see no h"mor at all n the s t"at on. ;)h s #etect ve nonsense has bro"!ht me noth n! b"t tro"ble>; he #eclare#. ;. tr, to help ,o" o"t on that theatre hol#-"p case an# . !et thrown n Ia l. )hen . 9 n# m,sel9 stran#e# n Boston. 1ow> when . tr, to len# a han# n th s a99a r> .Cm chase# thro"!h a 9orest "nt l .Cm hal9 #ea#. 1o more o9 t 9or me.; Fran: an# Doe tol# h m how the, ha# ta:en a#vanta!e o9 the opport"n t, o9 resc" n! E r! n a 8 n#er 9rom the ho"se. Chet snorte# when he hear# abo"t t. CC 0s n! me 9or a #eco,> eh J . see t all now.CC A 2 sappearance 161 5hen the bo,s tol# h m how E r! n a ha# 9le# nto the woo#s Chet sa # t serve# them r !ht. ; . C11 bet sheCs la"!h n! hersel9 s c: r !ht now. 8heCs ma#e 9ools o9 ,o" a secon# t"ne. .C# la, o99 tr, n! to help that ! rl 9 . were ,o".; Fran: an# Doe were # spose# to 9eel the same wa, abo"t t. )he r e99orts to a # E r! n a 8 n#er ha# been rewar#e# w th noth n! b"t tro"ble. )he, spe# bac: to Ba,port n the 8le"th> an# then hea#e# 9or home. ;.t s ba# eno"!h>; sa # -rs. Har#, when the bo,s entere# the ho"se> ;to have ,o"r 9ather awa, 9rom home all the t me> b"t ,o" bo,s seem to be I"st as b"s, as he s. 5here have ,o" been all morn n!J; ;5eCve been "p the r ver> -other> wor: n! on a case.CC ;An# o"t all n !ht> too. . #o w sh ,o" wo"l# sta, at home 9or a chan!e.

)hereCs a messa!e here 9or ,o" tell n! ,o" to !o #own to Pol ce Hea#<"arters as soon as ,o" come n.; )he bo,s loo:e# at each other n s"rpr se. ;5hat can that meanJ; as:e# Doe. ;5eCll have to 9 n# o"t>; repl e# h s brother. -rs. Har#, s !he#. ;. s"ppose t means . wonCt see an,th n! o9 ,o" two the rest o9 the #a,. 5ell> r"n alon!.CC ;Eer, l :el, the pol ce want to arrest them 9or some m sch e9 the,Cve !otten nto>; sn 99e# 16A A F !"re n H # n! A"nt /ertr"#e> enter n! the room at that moment. )he bo,s escape# be9ore the !oo# la#, co"l# !et nto her best 9orm n comment n! on the r prolon!e# absences 9rom home. )he, bac:e# the roa#ster o"t o9 the !ara!e an# #rove to Pol ce Hea#<"arters> where the, state# the r erran#. )he, were sent 9orthw th to 2etect ve 8m"99Cs o99 ce. ;5ell> bo,s>; sa # that o99 c o"s n# v #"al> r"bb n! h s 9at han#s to!ether complacentl,> ;. I"st tho"!ht ,o"C# be ntereste# to :now that . have solve# the ( alto )heatre hol#-"p a99a r.; 8m"99 seeme# to be mmensel, please# w th h msel9;)hatCs 9 ne>; sa # Fran:. ;2 # ,o" !et the ev #ence on 1 c: Cor#oFaJ; 8m"9 9 shoo: h s hea#. ;7o" were wron!> la#s. 7o" were wron!. 1 c: Cor#oFa # #nCt !et that mone,.; ;B"9c we saw h m>; #eclare# Doe. ;-a,be ,o" # #. 1 c: Cor#oFa was well eno"!h to tal: th s morn n!> an# he tal:e#. He tol# "s a0 abo"t t. A9ter . have arreste# a certa n person the case w ll be all cleare# "p.CC ;. : ope ,o"Cre not !o n! to arrest Chet -ortor" a!a n>CC sa # Fran:. CC )hat wasn Ct s"ch a clever move on ,o"r part.CC 8nm8 re##ene#. CC1ever m n# that. 1 c: A 2 sappearance 16% Cor#oFa #ec #e# to tal:. He tells me that t was a ! rl who reall, !ot the mone,.; ;A ! rlH; the, excla me#. ;7ep> a ! rl name# E r! n a 8 n#er. 8he !ot the n ne h"n#re# #ollars stolen 9rom the theatre. Cor#oFa # #nCt !et t a9ter all.; )he bo,s were asto"n#e#. Ha# the, been help n! a cr m nal all th s t meJ CHAP)(' ** A F./0'( .1 H.2.1/ ;what # # Cor#oFa sa,J; as:e# Fran:. ;5ell> tCs a lon! stor,>; 2etect ve 8m"99 answere# com9ortabl,. ;He a#m ts he stole the cash> o9 co"rse.; ;)hen heCs the th e9>; Doe repl e#. ;5ell> ,es. He comm tte# the act"al hol#-"p> b"t he hasnCt the mone,. )he ! rl !ot awa, w th that.; ;8he stole t 9rom Cor#oFaJ; CC )hatCs what he sa,s. Accor# nC to h s stor,> he ma#e a !etawa, an# I"mpe# nto h s car> wh ch was par:e# on a s #e street. )hen he #rove o"t towar# the 5 llow ' ver br #!e.; ;)hatCs where we 9o"n# h m>; sa # Fran:. ;He ran nto a # tch tr, n! to avo # a coll s on w th a par:e# a"to. .t belon!e# to th s ! rl-E r! n a 8 n#er.; ;5ellJ; ;8he was stran#e#. 2 #nCt have an, !as. 8o Cor#oFa o99ere# to !o bac: to the nearest serv ce stat on an# !et some. He # # so.CC CC B"t how co"l# the ! rl !et the mone, JCC

16B A F !"re n H # n! 16= ;.Cm com nC to that. 2onCt h"rr, me>; reb"99e# 8m"99. CC He !ot the !asol ne an# po"re# t n the tan:> b"t st ll she co"l# not start her car> so he !ot nto her mach ne bes #e her to ass st.; ;5hat happene# thenJ; ;5ell> he starte# the motor> an# then she o99ere# h m mone, 9or the new !as. B"t . !"ess he wante# to show o99 an# 9la"nte# h s b ! roll o9 b lls be9ore her.CC ;7es>; sa # Fran:> ntent on the stor,. ;Cor#oFaCs a b t haF, abo"t what happene# n the next 9ew m n"tes> b"t . bel eve the ! rl !rabbe# the mone,> p"she# h m o"t o9 her co"pe> an# #rove o99.; ;. see>; no##e# Doe. ;From h s con# t on later he m"st have ha# a ba# 9all.CC ;He # #. He p c:e# h msel9 "p 9rom the roa#> barel, consc o"s> an# sta!!ere# to h s own car. )hen he 9a nte# at the wheel. A wh le later ,o" 9ellows came alon! an# 9o"n# -m.; ;-a,be Cor#oFa ma#e all that "p> h # the b lls somewhere> an# nvente# the stor, so he wo"l#nCt have to han# over the mone,>; concl"#e# Fran: tho"!ht9"ll,. ;8a,> whatCs the #eaJ; #eman#e# 8m"99 n# !nantl,. ;Are ,o" 9ellows tr, n! to ma:e o"t that . #onCt :now what .Cm tal: n! abo"tJ (ven the #octors at the hosp tal tol# me Cor166 A F !"re n H # n! #oFa :ept rav n! abo"t a ! rl who ha# stolen all h s mone,. )hatCs how . :new what <"est ons to as: h m.; ;How # # he learn her nameJ; ;He as:e# her when he o99ere# to !o bac: to !et the !as.CC 2etect ve 8m"99 !lance# shrew#l, at the Har#, bo,s. ;1ow>; he sa #> ;. won#er 9 e ther o9 ,o" :nows a ! rl b, the name o9 E r! n a B n#er.; ;5hat ma:es ,o" th n: we m !htJ; Doe as:e# nnocentl,. ;5ell> ,o"Cve met lots o9 people. .Cm !o n! to arrest her 9or steal n! the 9"n#s an# . tho"!ht ,o"C# be !la# to help me.; ;8orr,>; repl e# Fran: evas vel,> ;.Cm a9ra # we canCt #o that> -r. 8m"99.; ;5ell> 9 ,o" sho"l# happen to hear o9 a ! rl b, that name> come an# let me :now.; 5hen the Har#, bo,s le9t the pol ce stat on the, scarcel, :new what to th n:. )he, a!ree#> however> that the, ha# been r !ht n vol"nteer n! no n9ormat on to 2etect ve 8m"99. ;)he ! rl ma, be a th e9> as he sa,s>; Fran: remar:e#> ;b"t . #o"bt t. .9 we tell 8m"99 ever,th n! we :now he C11 I"st !o o"t an# arrest E r! n a. .9 she snCt !" lt, t w ll mean terr ble tro"ble 9or her. .9 she s> 8m"99 w ll ta:e ever, b t o9 cre# t 9or clear n! "p the ( alto )heatre m,ster,.; ;A9ter we have #one all the har# wor:.; A F !"re n H # n! 16& ;( !ht. . th n: we ha# better wa t "nt l 2a# comes home. )hen we can as: h s a#v ce.CC ;2o ,o" th n: the ! rl reall, stole that mone,> Fran:J; CC )he ev #ence seems to be a!a nst her. 8heCs a stran!e person. 5eCve 9o"n# that o"t. -a,be tCs beca"se o9 the mone, that she s n h # n!.; ;A 9 !"re n h # n!-l :e Chet>; sa # Doe. ;D"st the same> .Cm !la# we # #nCt tell 8m"99 an,th n! abo"t her. . th n: he ha# a not on we wo"l# be able to len# h m a han#.CC ; .9 he onl, :new how m"ch we #o :now abo"t E r! n a 8 n#erH 8t ll> we

canCt sa, where she s now.; )he bo,s #rove home an# p"t the r roa#ster bac: n the !ara!e. )he, were I"st !o n! nto the ho"se when a tax p"lle# "p at the 9ront #oor. Fenton Har#,> carr, n! a heav, s" tcase> steppe# o"t o9 the cab. CC 5h,> tCs 2a#H; ,elle# Doe. )he brothers r"she# #own the wal: to meet the r 9ather. ;5ell> ,o"Cre st ll sa9e an# so"n#> . see>; remar:e# the #etect ve as he went towar# the ho"se w th h s sons. ;Have ,o" ro"n#e# "p the /ra9 ton !an! n m, absenceHCC ;1ot ,et> 2a#> b"t we have plent, to tell ,o".; Doe !rabbe# h s 9atherCs s" tcase. ;.Cll carr, th s>; he sa #> lea# n! the wa,. 16+ A F !"re n H # n! ;5here have ,o" been> 2a#J; n<" re# Fran:. ;6h> chec: n! "p on o"r 9r en# /ra9 ton. . ha# a t p that he once serve# t me n a pen tent ar, abo"t a h"n#re# m les 9rom here so . went over there to have a loo: at the recor#s. A9ter . ta:e a shower an# chan!e m, clothes .Cll tell ,o" all abo"t t.; ;5eCve been b"s,> too. Doe 9ell o99 a le#!e at the Ba,port Hotel an# nearl, bro:e h s nec:. He crashe# r !ht thro"!h a !lass canop,. 7o" co"l# hear the no se 9or bloc:s.; ;H"rtJ; as:e# -r. Har#, <" c:l,. ;D"st a 9ew c"ts>; sa # Doe. CC How on earth # # ,o" come to 9all thro"!h the canop,J 5hat were ,o" #o n! on the le#!eJ; ;5eCll tell ,o" all abo"t that a9ter ,o"Cve tol# "s abo"t /ra9 ton>; prom se# Doe. He carr e# the s" tcases nto the ho"se an# starte# "p the sta rs. ;Be care9"l w th that !r p>; warne# -r. Har#,. ;-, revolver s n tst ll loa#e#.; At that moment A"nt /ertr"#e appeare# on the "pper lan# n! an# be!an to #escen# the sta rs. ;5hatCs that abo"t a revolverJ; she #eman#e# sharpl,. ;5here s the revolverJ; ;.n th s s" tcase> A"nt,>; sa # Doe. He e#!e# to one s #e to ! ve the la#, room A F !"re n H # n! 16$ n wh ch to pass. 0n9ort"natel, A"nt /ertr"#e st"mble#> br"she# a!a nst the s" tcase> an# :noc:e# t o"t o9 DoeCs han#. )he !r p 9ell heav l, on the sta rs. .nstantl, there was a shot. ;6h> helpH; shr e:e# A"nt /ertr"#e. 8he topple#> lost her balance> an# t"mble# #own the sta rs. CHAP)(' **. )H( 468) /'A12CH.42 Ioe was almost paral,Fe# w th horror. ;6h> !oll,H; he cr e#. ;.Cve shot A"nt /ertr"#eH; )he la#, n <"est on la, n a heap at the 9oot o9 the sta rs. ;.Cm shotH; she moane#. ;.Cm wo"n#e#. /et a #octor. .Cm #, n!. 6h> ,o" w c:e# bo,H; -r. Har#, an# Fran: r"she# to her a #. -rs. Har#, came r"nn n! 9rom the : tchen> as A"nt /ertr"#e screame# that she ha# been shot thro"!h the heart. 1ext she ns ste# that the b"llet was embe##e# n her sho"l#er. 5hen a care9"l search 9a le# to reveal an, ev #ence o9 a wo"n# she sw tche# the local t, to her r !ht le!. -rs. Har#, co"l# 9 n# no n# cat on o9 an, tro"ble> where"pon A"nt /ertr"#e loo:e# # sappo nte# an# anno"nce# that her bac: ha# been bro:en b, the 9all #ownsta rs. /reatl, to the rel e9 o9 ever,one>

however> th s pos1&0 )he 4ost /ran#ch l# 1&@ s b l t, was r"le# o"t when the !oo# la#, wa R-able to !et to her 9eet. A 9ew m n"tes later she !ave Doe a ton!"e-lash n! 9or be n! ;a careless> cl"ms,> rrespons ble bo,.; )he 9am l, now 9elt s"re that A"nt /ertr"#e wo"l# l ve> that the b"llet ha# m sse# her> an# that she was s"99er n! ma nl, 9rom shoc:. However> she resente# the 9act that she ha# escape# a revolver b"llet an# a 9all #ownsta rs w tho"t apparent nI"r,> an# #ec #e# to ta:e to her be# 9or the rest o9 the #a,. 8he was ass ste# ten#erl, bac: to her room> 9rom wh ch she ss"e# so man, or#ers an# nstr"ct ons n her role o9 nval # that the ho"se was thrown nto a t"rmo l. As soon as th n!s ha# settle# #own somewhat Fenton Har#, an# the bo,s a#Io"rne# to the st"#,. )here Fran: an# Doe !ave the r 9ather an acco"nt o9 the a#vent"res the, ha# exper ence# #"r n! h s absence. ;8o /ra9 ton s n h # n! nowJ; sa # -r. Har#, slowl, a9ter he ha# hear# the r stor,. ;8ometh n! m"st have 9r !htene# h m. Perhaps one o9 h s v ct ms compla ne# to the pol ce. .Cve learne# a !oo# #eal abo"t that 9ellow n the past twent,-9o"r ho"rs.; ;5hat # # ,o" 9 n# o"t> 2a#J; ;He has spent a n"mber o9 ,ears n one o9 the 5estern states. Accor# n! to h s recor# he 9l"n:e# n me# cal school-that s> he has 1&A A F !"re n H # n! no r !ht to call h msel9 a #octor> altho"!h he # # start o"t to become one. However> the 9act that he 9a le# to pass h s exam nat ons an# !et h s # ploma # # not bother the 9ellow. He starte# a san tar "m 9or the treatment o9 nervo"s a lments. )h s was I"st a 9a:e nst t"t on. CC 8everal o9 h s wealth, pat ents # e# "n#er m,ster o"s c rc"mstances> "nt l 9 nall, the pol ce !ot s"99 c ent ev #ence to sen# /ra9ton to pr son 9or a lon! term. He serve# abo"t two ,ears an# then mana!e# to escape b, mpersonat n! one o9 the nst t"t onCs ph,s c ans.; ;Are ,o" s"re he s that /ra9 ton .; as:e# Fran:> s"rpr se# b, th s 9orm #able recor#. ;. stron!l, s"spect that he s the man. He s ba#l, wante# b, the pol ce an# there s a b ! rewar# o"t 9or h s arrest.; CC 6h> bo,HCC excla me# Doe. CC -a,be we can cash n on th s.; ;2onCt 9or!et>; Fenton Har#, rem n#e# the bo,s w th a sm le> ;that th s s m, case. 5e ma, be on the wron! trac: a9ter all. 8t ll> tCs m !ht, nterest n! to :now abo"t the h #eo"t n the woo#s. . th n: weCll all !o o"t there tomorrow an# #o a l ttle nvest !at n!.; ;5h, not to#a,J; as:e# Fran:. ;. have another Iob 9or ,o">; remar:e# h s 9ather> !lanc n! at h s watch. ;.C# l :e to )he 4ost /ran#ch l# 1&% have ,o" !o to 2oev lle a!a n an# loo: "p ol# -rs. 4"nberr,.; ;F ne. 5hat shall we as: herJ; ;. want to :now 9 /ra9 ton has been bac: to see her. )hen> o9 co"rse> .C# l :e to 9 n# o"t 9 th s c"re o9 h s has wor:e# or not. -rs. 4"nberr, ma, be a val"able w tness 9 she has been sw n#le# o"t o9 two h"n#re# #ollars b, th s !an! o9 rascals.; ;5eCll !o r !ht awa,>; sa # Fran:. ;8he w ll probabl, snap o"r hea#s o99 when we as: her abo"t /ra9ton> tho"!h. 8he was 9 rml, conv nce# that he s a m racle man.CC ;Perhaps sheCs not so s"re abo"t t now>; Fenton Har#, remar:e#. )he bo,s le9t the ho"se> ran the roa#ster o"t o9 the !ara!e> 9 lle# t "p w th !as at the corner serv ce-stat on> an# then set o"t 9or

2oev lle. ;1ot <" te as 9ast as travel n! b, plane>; remar:e# Doe as the car s: mme# over the h !hwa,. ;An# not as expens ve> e ther>; Fran: po nte# o"t. )he r 9ears that -rs. 4"nberr,Cs con9 #ence n /ra9ton m !ht ca"se her to resent the r v s t were !ro"n#less. )he, 9o"n# the ol# la#, n a p t 9"l state o9 anx et, an# bew l#erment. Her e,es !ht was as ba# as everL there ha# been no mprovement as the res"lt o9 /ra9 tonCs ;operat on.; B, th s t me she real Fe# that 1&B A F !"re n H # n! she ha# been the v ct m o9 a callo"s sw n#le. ;6h> 9 onl, . ha# l stene# to ,o" bo,sH; she wept. ;B"t that man an# h s propos t on so"n#e# so pla"s ble> an# . want so m"ch to have m, e,es !ht bac: a!a n> I"st as !oo# as ever. . :now now that he was onl, a9ter m, mone,. )he operat on # #nCt #o me a b t o9 !oo#.; ;7o"Cre not the 9 rst person /ra9 ton has sw n#le#>; Fran: tol# her. ;5e tho"!ht that 9 we co"l# warn ,o" n t me ,o" wo"l#nCt lose ,o"r sav n!s.CC ;. s"ppose . #eserve to lose them 9or be n! so st"p # an# st"bborn. A man l :e he s sho"l# be sent to pr son.; ;)hatCs exactl, where we hope to sen# h m. Can we co"nt on ,o"> -rs. 4"nberr,> to ! ve ev #ence a!a nst /ra9ton 9 he sho"l# be arreste#J; ;7o" certa nl, canH; that la#, ass"re# them warml,. ;.9 t w ll prevent other people 9rom be n! robbe# b, that sco"n#rel .Cll ! ve ,o" all the help n m, power. . canCt see how a man can be so heartless. He :new that . have less than a tho"san# #ollars le9t n the worl#. .Cve spent pract call, all m, mone, search n! 9or m, !ran##a"!hter. . lost her when she was I"st a l ttle ! rl an# .Cve p"t o"t h"n#re#s o9 #ollars tr, n! to locate her.; )he bo,s were ntereste# n the ol# la#,Cs )he 4ost /ran#ch l# 1&= stor,. 8he ha# been le9t a com9ortable l ttle ncome "pon the #eath o9 her h"sban# ,ears be9ore. 8he ha# "n#erta:en the care o9 her orphane# !ran##a"!hter> who ha# m,ster o"sl, # sappeare#. 1ow> n the later ,ears o9 her l 9e she m sse# the compan, o9 the ! rl who m !ht have been a help to her n her ol# a!e. 5 th 9a l n! e,es !ht an# her l ttle store o9 mone, #w n#l n! rap #l,> she was an obIect o9 compass on. Her stor, aro"se# the s,mpath, o9 the Har#, bo,s> whose resentment a!a nst the rascall, /ra9ton !rew 9 ercer. .t seeme# almost "nbel evable that he sho"l# have v ct m Fe# one #eserv n! o9 s,mpath, rather than ll-treatment. ;5e canCt help ,o" 9 n# ,o"r !ran##a"!hter> .Cm a9ra #> -rs. 4"nberr,>; sa # Fran:> ;b"t weCll #o the best we can to !et ,o"r mone, bac: 9rom /ra9ton. .t w ll not be lon! be9ore he s beh n# bars.; At that moment Doe> who was s tt n! b, a w n#ow> saw an a"tomob le p"ll "p n 9ront o9 the cotta!e. ;8omeone to see ,o"> -rs. 4"nberr,>; he anno"nce# cheer9"ll,. )hen> w th a !asp> he presse# closer to the pane an# peere# o"t. ;Fran:H; he sa #. ;.tCs 8pott, 4em"elH; Fran: leape# to h s 9eet. He too saw ' p 8 n#erCs partner !ett n! o"t o9 the car. ;He m"stnCt 9 n# "s here>; sa # Fran: 1&6 A F !"re n H # n! <" c:l,. ;-rs. 4"nberr,> 9 ,o" #onCt m n#> weCll leave b, the bac: wa,. Come on> Doe.; 5 tho"t 9"rther explanat on to the aston she# woman the bo,s h"stle# o"t o9 the room an# r"she# #own the hall. )he, ha# I"st reache# the : tchen when 4em"el ran! the #oorbell.

;4etCs wa t an# hear what he has to sa,>; s"!!este# Fran: <" c:l,. ;-a,be the croo: s act"all, !o n! to tr, to pers"a#e the woman to pa, 9or a secon# operat on.; H ##en n the : tchen> the bo,s hear# 4em"el ntro#"ce h msel9 to -rs. 4"nberr,. H s 9 rst wor#s amaFe# them. ;-rs. 4"nberr,>; he sa #> ;. "n#erstan# that ,o" have spent a !reat #eal o9 t me an# mone, search n! 9or ,o"r lost !ran##a"!hter.; ;5ell-,es>; a#m tte# the ol# la#, hes tantl,. CC How # # ,o" :now J 5ho tol# ,o" JCC ;5asnCt there a #octor hereJ A 2octor /ra9 ton who operate# on ,o"r e,esJ 2 #nCt ,o" tell h m abo"t ,o"r searchJ; CC .n#ee# . # #. Please come n an# s t #own. 5h, #o ,o" v s t meJ; as:e# -rs. 4"nberr, n a vo ce that <"avere# w th anx et,. ;2o ,o" :now someth n! abo"t m, !ran##a"!hterJ .s that wh, ,o"Cre hereJ; ;. canCt be pos t ve "nt l . have a l ttle more n9ormat on>CC 4em"el sa # cooll,. CC From what the #octor tol# me> . th n: that . ma, be able to help ,o" 9 n# th s ! rl. 1ow . have some photo)he 4ost /ran#ch l# 1&& !raphs here. 6ne o9 them s a p ct"re o9 her when she was ver, ,o"n!. )he other shows her as she s now. Perhaps ,o" ma, be able to #ent 9, the 9 rst one.; )he Har#, bo,s> l sten n!> hear# a cr, o9 amaFement an# Io, 9rom the ol# la#,. ;5here # # ,o" !et th s photo!raphJ; she cr e#. ;.tCs a p ct"re o9 m, !ran##a"!hter. . remember t well. 6h> please-please tell me where she s now. 5here can . 9 n# herJ )hereCs no #o"bt o9 t. )h s s her p ct"re.; ;.Cm m !ht, !la# to hear t>; answere# 4em"el. ;.Cm more than #el !hte# to tell ,o" that . :now where the ! rl can be 9o"n#. )h s s a p ct"re o9 a ! rl :nown as E r! n a 8 n#er 1CC Fran: an# Doe co"l# har#l, bel eve the r ears. 5as th s a hoaxJ 6r was E r! n a reall, the m ss n! !ran##a"!hterJ ;B"t that snCt her real nameH; cr e# -rs. 4"nberr,. ;. can #ent 9, her b, that photo!raph> 9 ,o"Cre s"re tCs one o9 the same person.; ;)h s ! rl has been bro"!ht "p b, a 9am l, name# 8 n#er>; sa # 4em"el. ;)he, :new noth n! o9 her earl, h stor,. .Cm <" te s"re there has been no m sta:e.; CC 5here s she J 5hen can . see her JCC as:e# -rs. 4"nberr,> her vo ce trembl n! w th ea!erness. 4em"el co"!he# pol tel,. 1&+ A F !"re n H # n! ;. am a9ra # there s !o n! to be a certa n amo"nt o9 expense attache# to t>; he sa #. ;(xpenseJ 5hat #o ,o" meanJ 5h, sho"l# t cost me mone, to have m, !ran##a"!hter ret"rne# to meJ; ;)he 8 n#er 9am l, s not wealth,. )he, have spent a !oo# #eal o9 mone, br n! n! "p the ! rl> an# w ll expect to be pa # someth n! be9ore E r! n a can be t"rne# over to ,o".; ;.Cll pa, t !la#l,H; cr e# -rs. 4"nberr,. ;How m"ch #o the, wantJ; ;F ve h"n#re# #ollars>; repl e# 8pott, 4em"el 9latl,. -rs. 4"nberr, seeme# ta:en abac:. ;F ve h"n#re# #ollarsH; she echoe# 9a ntl,. ;)hatCs a lot o9 mone,.; ;.tCs the amo"nt the, as:. 69 co"rse> 9 ,o"Cre not ntereste#-----; ;B"t . am ntereste#. . want m, !ran##a"!hter bac:. B"t 9 ve h"n#re# #ollars wo"l# ta:e nearl, ever, cent . have> an# 9 t sho"l#nCt be the r !ht ! rl-----; ;)ell ,o" what .Cll #o>; sa # 4em"el br s:l,. ;.9 ,o" want the ! rl

bac:> ! ve me hal9 the mone, now an# the rest later. / ve me a chec: 9or two h"n#re# an# 9 9t, #ollars now an# .Cll !"arantee that ,o" !ran##a"!hter w ll be here w th ,o" ns #e o9 twent,-9o"r ho"rs.; Between the : tchen an# the l v n! room o9 -rs. 4"nberr,Cs home there was a small room )he 4ost /ran#ch l# 1&$ w th boo:cases an# a wr t n! #es:. Fran:> peer n! 9rom the : tchen #oorwa,> sp e# a chec:boo: on the #es:. ;Eer, well>; he hear# -rs. 4"nberr, sa,. ;.Cll wr te ,o" hal9 the amo"nt.; Fran: acte# <" c:l,. He #o#!e# o"t o9 the : tchen an# nto the other room. 5 th one rap # mot on he snatche# the chec:-boo: 9rom the #es: an# thr"st t nto h s poc:et. )hen he sl # nto the : tchen a!a n. )he s t"at on was save# 9or the moment. -rs. 4"nberr, came o"t an# loo:e# 9or her chec:-boo:> search n! the #es: thoro"!hl,. P"FFle#> she went over to 4em"el. ;7o"Cll have to come bac: ton !ht>; the la#, tol# h m. ;.Cve lost m, chec:-boo:.; )he man was pla nl, # sappo nte#> b"t sa # that he wo"l# ret"rn later that even n! 9or the mone,. Fran: was #el !hte# h s r"se ha# save# -rs. 4"nberr, 9rom part n! w th the s"m the rascal ha# #eman#e#. As soon as the 9ront #oor ban!e# beh n# the #epart n! 4em"el he an# Doe starte# o"t o9 the : tchen to tell the woman all the, :new abo"t her "nscr"p"lo"s v s tor. 8"##enl, the bac: #oor opene#. )he bo,s wh rle# aro"n#> to 9 n# a sto"t> bewh s:ere# man n overalls stan# n! on the threshol#. ;7o" steal-a #a boo:H; he th"n#ere#> po nt n! an acc"s n! 9 n!er at Fran:. 1+0 A F !"re n H # n! At that moment the woman hersel9 appeare# n the hall. ;5hatCs th sJ 5hat has happene#J; she #eman#e#. ;2 s-a bo,> he steal-a 9rom ,o"r #es:H . loo:a thro"!h #a w n#owH; sho"te# the man. CHAP)(' **.. )H( 8(A(6H (12(2 CC loo: hereHCC cr e# Fran: an!r l,. CC 7o" C;Q a ma#e a m sta:e. . was onl, tr, n! to help -rs. 4"nberr,.; ;7o" steal-a #a boo:H; cr e# the man. ;. wor:-a here on #a !ar#en 9or # s-a la#,. 1obo#, can-a steal 9rom her. /eev-a h m bac:.; He a#vance# on Fran: an# se Fe# h m. )he bo, wrenche# h msel9 9ree> where"pon the !ar#ener :noc:e# h m #own w th a heav, blow. ;4et h m aloneH; sho"te# Doe> an# I"mpe# nto the 9 !ht. As he p"lle# the 9ellow awa,> -rs. 4"nberr, screame#> 9or thro"!h the open #oor #ashe# a h"!e> snarl n! pol ce #o!. )he an mal h"rle# tsel9 on Doe. )he : tchen was n a t"rmo l as the bo, tr e# to 9 !ht o99 the br"te wh le the man at the same t me po"nce# on Fran: an# snatche# the chec:-boo: 9rom the la#Cs poc:et. ;8eeH; he sho"te# tr "mphantl,. ;He steal-a t. . see h m.; He hel# "p the art cle. 8"##enl, the #o! leape# at t> t"rn n! 9rom Doe as he # # so> an# 1+1 1+A A F !"re n H # n! snappe# the boo: 9rom the !ar#enerCs han#. )hen the an mal bolte# 9rom the room. -rs. 4"nberr, was !reatl, "pset. )he exc table man honestl, bel eve# he ha# capt"re# a co"ple o9 #an!ero"s th eves an# was creat n! an "proar that co"l# be hear# a bloc: awa,. Fran: an# Doe> at the same t me> were

va nl, tr, n! to expla n th n!s. ;P etroH; cr e# -rs. 4"nberr, to the !ar#ener. CC Be <" etH / ve these bo,s a chance to tell the r stor,.; ;5e too: ,o"r chec:-boo:> -rs. 4"nberr,>; pante# Fran:> !ett n! "p 9rom the 9loor. ;)hatCs tr"e eno"!h. B"t we # # t so ,o" wo"l#nCt be able to wr te o"t 9or 4em"el the amo"nt he wante#.; ;An# wh, notJ; #eman#e# -rs. 4"nberr, st 99l,. CC 8"rel, tCs m, own b"s ness 9 . w sh to ! ve the man a chec:.; ;B"t heCs a croo:> as b ! a one as 2octor /ra9 ton. HeCs a member o9 the same !an!. He #oesnCt :now where to 9 n# E r! n a. .9 ,o" ! ve h m the mone, ,o"Cll never see h m a!a n.; ;5e can 9 n# her 9or ,o" an# t wonCt cost ,o" a cent>; #eclare# Doe. -rs. 4"nberr, was ncre#"lo"s. ;2o ,o" :now m, !ran##a"!hterJ; she <"est one#. ;5e :now E r! n a 8 n#er b"t we # #nCt :now she was ,o"r !ran##a"!hter.; )he 8earch (n#e# 1+% ;5here s sheJ 5hen can ,o" br n! her hereJ; )he Har#, bo,s loo:e# crest9allen. ;5ell>; a#m tte# Fran:> ;we #onCt :now where she s r !ht now-----; ;HaH; snorte# the !ar#ener. ;)hese bo,s bl"99-a ,o"> -rs. 4"nberr,. )he, steal-a #a boo:. )he, not :now where to 9 n#-a #a ! rl.CC -rs. 4"nberr, loo:e# s"sp c o"s. .t was obv o"s that she was won#er n! 9 Fran: ha# nvente# the stor, so he co"l# expla n h s act on n ta: n! the chec:-boo:. ;-rs. 4"nberr,>; plea#e# Fran: #esperatel,> ;#onCt ! ve 4em"el an, mone, "nt l we have a chance to 9 n# E r! n a o"rselves. 5e #onCt :now where she s I"st at the moment b"t we #o :now where she was. 5e have tal:e# w th her. 5eCll !et b"s, r !ht awa, an# tr, to 9 n# her 9or ,o".; ;.Cll ! ve ,o" "nt l tomorrow>; sa # -rs. 4"nberr, rel"ctantl,. ;.9 ,o" havenCt 9o"n# her b, that t me . C11 accept -r. 4em"elCs propos t on. A9ter all> . have onl, ,o"r wor# that he s # shonest. .Cm not to pa, h m the other hal9 o9 the mone, "nt l m, !ran##a"!hter s ret"rne#.; CC 7o" wonCt have to pa, "s an,th n!>CC Fran: tol# her. ;5eCll 9 n# her 9or ,o".; )he bo,s were !la# to escape 9rom 2oev lle> real F n! that 9 P etro the !ar#ener sho"l# be 1+B A F !"re n H # n! allowe# to have h s own wa, the, wo"l# be t"rne# over to the pol ce on a the9t char!e. (ven ,et> the, real Fe#> -rs. 4"nberr, was not ent rel, conv nce# o9 the r !oo# ntent ons. )he r onl, wa, o9 prov n! the r s ncer t, wo"l# be to carr, o"t the r prom se to locate E r! n a 8 n#er an# ta:e her to her !ran#mother. ;An# that>; #eclare# Doe> ; s eas er sa # than #one.; CC B"t t has to be #one>CC ret"rne# h s brother. 5orst o9 all> the, # scovere# on the r arr val home that Fenton Har#, wo"l# be "nable to carr, o"t h s plan o9 v s t n! the /ra9ton h #eo"t the next #a,. An mportant cl ent o9 the !reat #etect ve ha# w re# a messa!e to the e99ect that he wo"l# be n Ba,port 9or a con9erence wh ch co"l# not be postpone#. 5hen the bo,s expla ne# the r pre# cament> however> the r 9ather ma#e a s"!!est on. ;Call "p -rs. 4"nberr, an# see 9 ,o" can !et her to as: 4em"el where he s sta, n!. .9 he #oes :now where to locate E r! n a ,o" ma, be able to sha#ow h m.; )he #ea bore 9r" t. 6ver the telephone the woman sa # that 4em"el ha# ret"rne# an# !one awa, a!a n> !reatl, # sappo nte# beca"se she ha# not

! ven h m the prom se# chec:. He ha# tol# her> however> that he wo"l# awa t a telephone call 9rom her at the 5ests #e Hotel n Ba,port the 9ollow n! #a,. )he 8earch (n#e# 1+= )h s cl"e prove# to be val"able. )he bo,s ma#e a po nt o9 watch n! the hotel> a shabb, l ttle place o9 "nsavor, rep"tat on. (arl, the next morn n! the, were rewar#e# b, see n! 8pott, 4em"el emer!e 9rom the hotel. )he Har#,s sha#owe# h m 9or several bloc:s. F nall, he lo tere# on a street corner> !lanc n! at h s watch occas onall, as 9 wa t n! 9or someone. )he two la#s> preten# n! to be ntereste# n a shop w n#ow # spla, a 9ew ,ar#s awa,> :ept the r sharp e,es on h m. Presentl, a secon# 9am l ar 9 !"re came h"rr, n! #own the street. Fran: co"l# see h s re9lect on n the plate !lass w n#ow. ;' p 8 n#erH; sa # the la# <" etl,. )he two men be!an tal: n! abo"t someth n!> b"t the bo,s co"l# catch onl, snatches o9 the r conversat on. )he, # # not w sh to r s: # scover, b, vent"r n! closer. )he, per:e# "p the r ears> however> when the, hear# 4em"el sa,: ;B, the wa,> ' p> . #onCt s"ppose ,o"Cve 9o"n# E r! n a ,etJ; ;1o> . havenCt>; !rowle# 8 n#er. ;B"t 9 she th n:s sheCs !o n! to sta, clear o9 me sheCs m sta:en. .Cll !et her.; ;HowJ; ;.Cve 9o"n# o"t where she le9t her car. .tCs at the H !hwa, /ara!e n Broc:ton. 5h, are ,o" so ntereste# n E r! n a all o9 a s"##enJ; 1+6 A F !"re n H # n! 4em"el !ave an evas ve answer. )hen the pa r move# o99 #own the street. )he Har#, bo,s # # not 9ollow> 9or the, ha# obta ne# the exact n9ormat on the, wante#. ;(v #entl, 4em"el hasnCt tol# ' p 8 n#er an,th n! abo"t h s l ttle scheme 9or collect n! 9 ve h"n#re# #ollars 9rom. -rs. 4"nberr,>; remar:e# Doe as the brothers h"rr e# awa,. ;He plans to 9 n# E r! n a h msel9> ta:e her to 2oev lle> an# !et the mone,. 5ell> ma,be we can thwart that. .9 the ! rlCs car s at the H !hwa, /ara!e weCll watch that place "nt l she shows "p.; )he 9a th9"l 8le"th bro"!ht the bo,s across Barmet Ba, an# "p the 5 llow ' ver to Broc:ton n recor# t me. )here the, 9o"n# the place the, so"!ht w tho"t an, tro"ble. .t was the lar!er o9 the two !ara!es n the v lla!e. )here were hal9 a #oFen cars n the place as the bo,s entere#. )he, reco!n Fe# E r! n aCs co"pe the moment the, saw t. )he propr etor> cla# n overalls> crawle# o"t 9rom beneath a battere# se#an. ;4oo: n! 9or a IobJ; he as:e# the Har#,s. ;-, man <" t th s morn n! an# .Cm "p a!a nst t. Can ,o" wash a carJ; Fran: n"#!e# Doe sharpl,. ;7o" bet we can>; he sa #. ;How m"ch #o ,o" pa,J; ;)wo #ollars each 9or the rest o9 the #a,> )he 8earch (n#e# 1+& an# thereCs eno"!h wor: to :eep ,o" !o n! "nt l m #n !ht. 7o" can start n r !ht th s m n"te. .Cve a co"ple o9 spare overalls n the o99 ce.; Doe was ncl ne# to !r"mble a l ttle at the state o9 th n!s. However> he an# h s brother were prov #e# w th wor: clothes an# starte# wash n! a car that loo:e# as 9 t ha# travelle# 9 ve tho"san# m les thro"!h swamps an# marshes. ;)h s snCt m, #ea o9 #etect ve wor:>; Doe sa #. ;5e came o"t here to 9 n# that ! rl> not to spen# the rest o9 the #a, scr"bb n! cars.; ;.9 E r! n a comes n here 9or her co"pe weCll be r !ht on han# to meet her> thatCs the po nt>; remar:e# Fran:. ;/et b"s, an# earn that two

#ollars.; )he bo,s to le# all a9ternoon> b"t E r! n a 8 n#er # # not show "p. From the !ara!e-man the, learne# that the co"pe ha# been le9t n h s ;9Iare a 9ew #a,s be9ore. He sa # the owner m !ht be n to cla m t an, t me. Doe was # st nctl, !loom, over the prospect o9 wash n! cars "nt l s"ch a t me as the ! rl sho"l# choose to p"t n her appearance. ;5e ma, be here 9or a wee:>; he !roane#. Fran: was more opt m st c. ;. have a 9eel n! we wonCt have to wa t ver, lon!>; he sa #. H s h"nch was r !ht. )he two Har#,s were 1++ A F !"re n H # n! complet n! the r last Iob at eleven oCcloc: that n !ht when the sl !ht 9 !"re o9 a ! rl sl ppe# nto the !ara!e. 8he was E r! n aH ;.Cve come 9or m, co"pe>; she tol# the propr etor. ;How m"ch #o . owe ,o"J; )he bo,s peere# 9rom beh n# the car the, were wash n! an# saw her pa, the man. )hen she as:e# h m 9or a roa# map> wh ch she st"# e# 9or a 9ew moments. ;How 9ar s t>; she n<" re#> ;9rom here to - am > Flor #aJ; )h s was the last straw as 9ar as Fran: an# Doe were concerne#. E r! n a 8 n#er ha# el"#e# them 9or the last t me. 8he wasn Ct !o n! to leave 9or Flor #a 9 the, co"l# prevent tH ;Be9ore ,o" !o> E r! n a>; sa # Fran:> stepp n! be9ore her> ;how abo"t tell n! "s o9 the n ne h"n#re# #ollars 1 c: Cor#oFa sa,s ,o" stole 9rom h mJ; CHAP)(' **m )H( -78)('.608 C(44AB v r! n a starte# bac: w th a cr,. )hen ;w tho"t repl, n! she #arte# <" c:l, towar# her co"pe. 5rench n! open the #oor> she leape# ns #e be9ore the bo,s co"l# prevent her. )he !ara!e-owner stoo# open-mo"the#. ;8top herH; ,e0e# Fran:. He leape# onto a r"nn n! boar# I"st ate E r! n a presse# the starter. )he motor roare#> then bac:-9 re#. )here were hal9 a #oFen sharp reports that so"n#e# l :e p stol shots. Doe pl"n!e# 9orwar# an# h"rle# h msel9 nto the seat bes #e the ! rl. )he car l"rche# 9orwar# across the !ara!e 9loor an# o"t nto the roa#. )he motor bac:9 re# a secon# t me. From across the street a belate# v lla!er m stoo: the so"n#s 9or those o9 a p stol. ;.tCs a hol#-"pH ;he ,elle#. ;Pol ceH HelpH Pol ceH; E r! n a presse# #own on the accelerator pe#al. Alon! the h !hwa, race# the co"pe> ts bac:-9 r n! an# the sho"ts o9 the passers-b, 1+$ 1$0 A F !"re n H # n! aro"s n! the v lla!e. A h !hwa, pol ceman who was hav n! a san#w ch an# a c"p o9 co99ee n a l"nch room across the street r"she# o"t> saw the spee# n! car> an# I"mpe# onto h s motorc,cle. Broc:tonCs ch e9 o9 pol ce> who was I"st leav n! the stat on ho"se ma#e a stan# n! broa# I"mp 9or h s a"tomob le. )wo men ran 9rom the a#Iacent 9 re ho"se> ,ell n!: ;5a t 9or "s> Ch e9H; E r! n a too: the next corner on two wheels. )he co"pe rattle# onto a # rt roa# that le# north o9 Broc:ton alon! the r ver. ;Have ,o" !one craF,J; sho"te# Fran:> tr, n! to reach the wheel. ;8top the car be9ore ,o" have "s all : lle#.; )he ! rl # # not answer> 9or she was n too m"ch o9 a pan c over the the9t o9 wh ch she ha# been acc"se#. 8he cl"n! to the wheel more !r ml,

than ever. Fran: an# Doe saw that an, attempt to nter9ere w th her wo"l# res"lt n a terr ble acc #ent. )he spee#ometer showe# that the car was travel n! at more than 9 9t, m les an ho"r> p tch n! an# bo"nc n! precar o"sl, on the r"tte# roa#. From beh n# them the, co"l# hear the clatter o9 the p"rs" n! motorc,cle. )he bo,s !lance# bac: an# saw the hea#l !ht o9 the spee# n! mach ne. Ban!H Ban!H )he o99 cer was 9 r n! h s revolver. B"llets )he -,ster o"s Cellar 1$1 wh stle# thro"!h the a r> one o9 them shatter n! the rear w n#ow o9 the co"pe. (ven then the ! rl ma#e no move to stop. .nstea#> she ncrease# the spee# "nt l the nee#le o9 the spee#ometer crept above s xt,. A 9ew secon#s later the car s: ##e# #an!ero"sl, on a c"rve> b"t E r! n a was a !oo# #r ver an# p"lle# the mach ne o"t o9 t> then shot aro"n# a ben#. A 9or: n the roa# loome# mme# atel, ahea#. )he ! rl I"!!le# the wheel> an# w tho"t a momentCs hes tat on t"rne# to the le9t. )hen she bore #own on the wheel a!a n an# race# aro"n# another sharp c"rve. )he move ha# the e99ect o9 throw n! the p"rs" n! posse o99 the trac: 9or the moment. )he bo,s co"l# hear the motorc,cle an# the pol ce car roar #own the r !ht-han# 9or:. )he motorc,cle o99 cer> however> :new what he was #o n!. 5 th the cho ce o9 two roa#s be9ore h m he ha# chosen the r !ht-han# t"rn> :now n! that t wo"l# Io n w th the other 9arther on. H s p"rpose was to meet the 9lee n! co"pe at the next 9or:. Doe ha# ma#e several attempts to :noc: E r! n aCs 9oot o99 the acceleratorL each e99ort ha# onl, ca"se# the ! rl to Iam #own har#er towar# the 9loor. )h s ca"se# a l"rch n! o9 the car that nearl, sent t crash n! nto the # tch. 5 sh n! heart l, that the, ha# never 1$A A F !"re n H # n! tr e# to 9 n# the #esperate ! rl> the Har#, bo,s h"n! on> hop n! 9or the best wh le ant c pat n! the worst. At the next c"rve the expecte# happene#. D"st as the car sw"n! aro"n# the ben# there came an explos ve report. A rear t re ha# blown o"tH )he co"pe sw"n! craF l, an# went nto a 9ear9"l s: #. Frant call, E r! n a cl"n! to the wheel an# tr e# to re!a n control o9 the mach ne> b"t t shot across the roa# at terr 9 c spee#. )he bo,s saw trees> roc:s an# b"shes r se sw 9tl, nto the !lare o9 the hea#l !hts. )hen there was a bl n# n! crash. )he car p tche# over an# h"rtle# #own an emban:ment. )he Har#,s ha# an mpress on o9 #ea9en n! no se an# #aFFl n! l !hts. )he, were :noc:e# senseless as the co"pe bo"nce# an# careene# #own the slope. .t lan#e# a!a nst a tree an# came to a stop> noth n! now b"t a tw ste# heap o9 wrec:a!e. E r! n a an# Fran: ha# been thrown clear an# la, on the !ro"n# n the #ar:ness> mot onless: Doe was p nne# "n#er the #ebr s. For a lon! t me there was not a so"n#. F nall, a harsh vo ce came 9rom the n:, blac:ness. ;6ver th s wa,> Neb. 5a t-.Cll sw tch on the 9lashl !ht.; )he -,ster o"s Cellar 1$% A br ll ant beam stabbe# the #ar: n !ht. )wo men crept closer to the wrec:. ;A ba# b"s ness>; !r"mble# one o9 them. ;. #onCt want the pol ce com n! aro"n# here nvest !at n!.CC )he vo ce was that o9 /ra9tonH He was carr, n! a 9lashl !ht. .ts beam pla, n! on the wrec: p c:e# o"t

the st ll 9orm o9 E r! n a l, n! bes #e the man!le# car. )he other man spran! nto the ra# ance o9 the electr c torch an# cro"che# bes #e the ! rl. He was Neb> the #ea9-m"te. H s contorte# 9ace loo:e# nh"man an# !hastl, n the !lare as h s mo"th tw ste# an# h s wr th n! han#s ma#e stran!e mot ons n the a r. ;5h,> tCs that ! rlH; excla me# /ra9ton. ;2ea#H; H s <"eer servant ca"!ht s !ht o9 Fran:. He leape# 9orwar# an# #ra!!e# Fran:Cs l mp bo#, bes #e that o9 E r! n a. ;5hatJ AnotherJ; excla me# /ra9ton. 5hen he t"rne# the l !ht on the Har#, bo,Cs 9ace he sho"te#> ;HaH .tCs one o9 those : #sH 6ne o9 the ,o"n! row# esH; 8 lentl,> !est"r n! we r#l,> Neb capere# over to the car. He ha# to l 9t "p the mach ne to reach Doe> b"t the #ea9-m"te was nh"manl, stron!. 8oon the three mot onless 9 !"res were l, n! s #e b, s #e on the ro"!h !ro"n#. ;2ea#> ehJ; snappe# /ra9ton. ;5ell> .Cm 1$B A F !"re n H # n! not !o n! to !et m xe# "p n an, pol ce nvest !at on 9 . can help t. 5eCll have to !et r # o9 these bo# es> Neb.; He sw"n! aro"n#. )he power9"l beam o9 h s 9lashl !ht reveale# h s h #eo"t n the woo#s. )he s n ster retreat where E r! n a ha# been hel# pr soner stoo# abo"t twent, ,ar#s awa,. ;Carr, the bo# es to the ho"seH; or#ere# /ra9ton> ll"strat n! h s comman# b, a !est"re to the #ea9-m"te. ;.nto the cellarH; 6ne b, one the servant bore the three nert 9orms #own a 9l !ht o9 steps nto the basement o9 the b" l# n!. ;H"rr,H; or#ere# /ra9ton. ;)hereCs !o n! to be a stormH; )he a r was hot an# oppress ve. 4 !htn n! 9lare# n the s:,. )he w n# be!an to r se> howl n! mo"rn9"ll,. 2rops o9 ra n splattere# a!a nst the w n#ows. ;H"rr,H; "r!e# /ra9ton a!a n. He r"she# nto the ho"se> to ret"rn a moment later w th two battere# a"tomob le l cense plates wh ch he too: to the wrec:. ;5or: n! sw 9tl,> he remove# the or ! nals 9rom the smashe# co"pe an# s"bst t"te# the ol# ones. CC )hereH; he snarle# 9 nall,. CC .9 the pol ce come nos n! aro"n# here .Cll tell them that wrec: has been l, n! n the b"shes 9or wee:s. )he,Cll never :now t was the ! rlCs car.; )he -,ster o"s Cellar 1$= )he w n# moane#. A l v # 9lash o9 l !htn n! threw a bl n# n! !lare on the scene> wh ch was 9ollowe# b, a crash n! roar o9 th"n#er. )hen came the ra n. )he s: es seeme# to open as the storm bro:e an# torrents po"re# 9rom the 9ceavens. )he scene n the cellar o9 /ra9 tonCs s n ster h #eo"t was even we r#er than that o"t-o9-#oors. B, the l !ht o9 a 9l c:er n!> !"tter n! can#le the #ea9-m"te to le# w th a spa#e. He was # !! n! a w #e !rave n the #amp earth. )he spa#e rose an# 9ell. From somewhere "psta rs n the ho"se there so"n#e# the #eep notes o9 a cloc: str : n! the ho"r o9 twelve> the om no"s stro:es r s n! above the clamor o9 the storm. ;8hovel 9asterH; sho"te# /ra9 ton. )he can#lel !ht shone on h s cr"el 9ace as he mot one# exc te#l, to the #ea9-m"te. CHAP)(' **.E )H( H6)D8( 6F P('.4 9ran:Cs han# move# sl !htl,. He ha# not ,et re!a ne# h s senses> b"t consc o"sness was slowl, assert n! tsel9. Neb> the #ea9-m"te> saw the movement. He loo:e# nervo"sl, over towar#

/ra9ton. )he bo!"s #octor> who ha# not even tro"ble# to ma:e s"re that the v ct ms o9 the car smash were reall, #ea#> !est"re# mpat entl,. ;H"rr,H; he sho"te#. Neb res"me# h s tas:. )he blac: earth 9lew 9rom h s spa#e as the cr"#e !rave became w #er an# w #er. ;5eCll b"r, Cem here>; ch"c:le# the #octor. ;5eCll b"r, Cem here an# the r bo# es w ll never be seen a!a n.; )he servant pante# as he #"! 9"r o"sl, at the earth. He tho"!ht he saw s !ns o9 ret"rn n! consc o"sness n Doe as well. H s nervo"sness ncrease#> b"t he was so thoro"!hl, "n#er the #om nat on o9 /ra9ton that he #are# not # sobe, h s masterCs or#ers. F nall, the !rave was 9 n she#. 5 th an 1$6 )he Ho"se o9 Per l 1$& abr"pt !est"re /ra9ton s !nalle# 9or the man to stop wor:. ;B"r, them> NebH; he sho"te# w th a man acal la"!h. CC B"r, them an# cover them "p w th earth. )he pol ce can h"nt "nt l 2ooms#a,> b"t the,Cll never 9 n# them.; )he #ea9-m"te #ra!!e# the three bo# es over to the shallow hole an# topple# them> one b, one> nto the !rave. As he # # so> the man was more certa n than ever that the ,o"n! people were be n! b"r e# al ve. 5hen he tr e# b, s !ns to expla n h s 9ear to /ra9ton> the bo!"s #octor c"rtl, or#ere# h m to h"rr, w th the wor: o9 cover n! the three v ct ms 9rom v ew. ;5hat are ,o" ! bber n! abo"tJ; he #eman#e# an!r l,. ;/et b"s, w th that spa#e.; )he storm was at ts he !ht. )here was an almost cont n"o"s roll an# r"mble o9 crash n! th"n#er> an ncessant pla, o9 9l c:er n! l !htn n!. Neb se Fe# the spa#e a!a n an# 9l"n! earth nto the !rave. .t 9ell across the bo#, o9 Fran: as he sprawle# nertl, n the trench. ;)hatCs tH; sho"te# /ra9ton> wav n! h s arms n the !"tter n! can#lel !ht> h s vo ce r s n! above the roar an# crash o9 the storm. As he spo:e there came a terr 9 c> #ea9en n! crash. A bolt o9 l !htn n! ha# str"c: the ch mne,H .t 9ollowe# the ch mne, to the cellar. 8"##enl, the !loom, cavern was ll"m nate# b, a #aFFl n!> l v # 9lash. 1$+ A F !"re n H # n! 2octor /ra9ton "ttere# a cr,> 9l"n! h s arm n 9ront o9 -s 9ace as 9 tr, n! to #e9en# h msel9 9rom th s terror> an# then topple# 9orwar#. )he l !htn n! bolt ha# :noc:e# h m senseless> Neb> the #ea9-m"te> was sha: n! w th 9ear> an# w th !oo# reasonL two o9 the 9 !"res n the !rave were be! nn n! to move. Fran: an# Doe> stran!el, rev ve# b, the shoc: o9 the electr c c"rrent that ha# passe# thro"!h the cellar> sat "p slowl,. Neb stare# at them> appalle#. )hen he #"! 9rant call, nto the heap o9 # rt w th h s spa#e an# be!an to h"rl earth at the two bo,s. Fran:> # FF, an# wea:> str"!!le# to h s 9eet. He # # not :now where he was nor what ha# happene#> b"t the s !ht o9 the open !rave> the "nconsc o"s 9 !"re o9 /ra9ton> an# the eer e 9orm o9 the #ea9-m"te tol# h m that he an# h s brother were 9ac n! some h #eo"s #an!er. ;DoeH; he sa # hoarsel,. ;.Cm all r !ht> Fran:>; !aspe# h s brother. He be!an to scramble o"t o9 the p t. Neb was n a ver table 9renF,. )he Har#,s real Fe# that the, wo"l# have to overpower the #ea9-m"te be9ore the, co"l# hope to escape 9rom th s s n ster place. Arme# w th a spa#e the man was a 9orm #able opponent. )he bo,s starte# to close n on h m. Neb bac:e# awa,> hol# n! the spa#e n a threaten n! manner. Fran: #arte# n s"##enl, an#

)he Ho"se o9 Per l 1$$ ma#e a move as 9 to !rab the #ea9-m"te> who sw"n! v c o"sl, w th the heav, tool. )he weapon passe# harmlessl,> where"pon Fran: an# Doe r"she# n s m"ltaneo"sl, 9rom each s cle. )he, h"rle# themselves on Neb be9ore he co"l# ra se the spa#e a!a n. )he 9ellow was ver, stron! an# str"!!le# #esperatel,> b"t the Har#, bo,s were 9 !ht n! 9or the r l ves. )he, overpowere# h m 9 nall,> an# b"n#le# h m towar# the open #oor o9 a closet b" lt nto the cellar wall. )he man 9o"!ht l :e a w l#cat when he real Fe# the r ntent ons> b"t was helpless n the r !rasp. )he, thr"st h m nto the closet an# slamme# the #oor on h m. )he bo,s brace# the r bo# es a!a nst t as Neb h"rle# h msel9 t me an# a!a n n va n e99orts to escape. )hen Fran: snappe# the pa#loc: an# the #ea9-m"te was a pr soner. ;5here are weJ; as:e# Doe> peer n! aro"n# the # ml,-l t room. ;. th n: we m"st be n the cellar o9 /ra9 tonCs h #eo"t> b"t . #onCt :now how we !ot here>; sa # Fran:. He ha# reco!n Fe# the bo!"s #octor l, n! on the 9loor bes #e the !rave. ;Probabl, we were carr e# here 9rom the wrec:.; ;4oo:H )hereCs E r! n aH; cr e# Doe> see- n! the ! rlCs bo#, l, n! n the open !rave. A00 A F !"re n H # n! ;/ra9ton m"st have nten#e# b"r, n! "s al veH_ excla me# Fran:. A ch ll o9 horror passe# thro"!h h m as he real Fe# the aw9"l 9ate the, ha# escape# so narrowl,. Fran: I"mpe# nto the trench. E r! n a was st ll al ve> b"t "nconsc o"s. As 9ar as he co"l# I"#!e> she ha# s"99ere# no bro:en l mbs n the a"tomob le crash> ,et obv o"sl, was n nee# o9 me# cal care. ;5e m"st !et her o"t o9 here.; Doe helpe# h s brother l 9t "p the l mp 9orm. )hen the bo,s t"rne# the r attent on to the problem o9 escap n! 9rom th s "n#er!ro"n# pr son. Neb was batter n! an# ban! n! at the #oor o9 the closet n wh ch he was loc:e#. )he om no"s roll o9 th"n#er cont n"e# thro"!ho"t t all. Fran: saw a #oor at the 9ar s #e o9 the cellar an# ran towar# t. D"st as he # # so the can#le !"tte# o"t. )he bo,s !rope# n the r poc:ets 9or matches. )he, ha# none. Doe recalle# see n! a 9lashl !ht n /ra9 tonCs han#. He bl"n#ere# across the cellar n the #ar:ness> almost 9all n! nto the !rave n h s e99orts to 9 n# the "nconsc o"s #octor. At last he locate# the electr c torch. .ts br !ht beam c"t the #ar:ness. Doe ran bac: to h s brotherCs s #e. Fran: opene# the #oor> wh ch # # not lea# to the "pper part o9 the ho"se as the, ha# )he Ho"se o9 Per l A01 hope# t wo"l#. .nstea#> t opene# nto a c"pboar#> 9rom the nter or o9 wh ch the bo,s exper ence# a shoc: that wo"l# have "nsettle# the nerves o9 most bo,s. .ns #e the enclos"re were two s:eletonsH )he !r nn n! s:"lls an# empt, e,e-soc:ets were horr ble n the wh te beam o9 l !ht. Fran: <" c:l, slamme# the #oor. ;;5hewH; !aspe# Doe. ;)hat !ave me a scare.; ;2 #nCt ma:e me 9eel an, too !oo#> e ther>; a#m tte# Fran:. ;/ra9ton m"st "se them 9or some o9 h s 9a:e me# cal exper ments.; 5 th the a # o9 the 9lashl !ht the, ma#e a 9"rther search o9 the cellar. .n a 9ew m n"tes the, 9o"n# a #oor that opene# on a 9l !ht o9 steps lea# n! nto the "pper part o9 the b" l# n!.

;5eCll have to carr, E r! n a>C;C sa # Fran:. CC 5e canCt leave her here. /ra9 ton m !ht come to h s senses s"##enl,.; )he, ret"rne# to the place where the, ha# le9t the "nconsc o"s ! rl. 1e ther o9 the Har#, bo,s was 9eel n! an, too : n#l, towar# E r! n a I"st then> altho"!h the, were concerne# abo"t the extent o9 her nI"r es. Her own rec:lessness an# 9oll, ha# le# them nto all th s tro"ble> an# t was onl, b, the sheerest !oo# 9ort"ne that an, o9 them ha# s"rv ve# the a"tomob le smash-"p. A0A A F !"re n H # n! )he beam o9 the 9lashl !ht reveale# the ,o"n! woman l, n! where the, ha# le9t her. D"st then Fran: saw a .9a nt movement o"ts #e the ran!e o9 l !ht. He t"rne# the beam n that # rect on. .t shone 9"ll on the 9 !"re o9 /ra9ton> who was str"!!l n! to h s 9eet. )here was an express on o9 wol9 sh #e9 ance on h s 9ace. H s l ps were #rawn bac:> h s teeth bare# n a snarl. H s e,es !l ttere#. 5 th a harsh cr, he l"n!e# to one s #e an# van she# n the #ar:ness. ;/et E r! n a> <" c:H; sho"te# Fran:. ;-a:e 9or the #oorH; )o!ether the brothers ra se# the l mp bo#, o9 the ! rl. )he, bl"n#ere# across the 9loor o9 the cellar> #ra!! n! her to the 9oot o9 the sta rs. ;7o"Cll never !et o"t o9 here al veH; /ra9-ton screeche# 9rom somewhere n the #ar:ness. Fran: sw"n! the 9lashl !ht aro"n#. He saw the man cro"ch n! at a shel9 that ran the len!th o9 the cellar wall. .t was l ne# w th bottles an# v als o9 all shapes an# s Fes. )he #octor snatche# one o9 the !lass receptacles 9rom the shel9. ;)he #ea#l est ac # n m, collect onH; he screame#. ;.Cll teach ,o" 9ellows to nter9ere w th me. 6ne #rop o9 th s w ll : ll an, man t to"ches.; )he Har#,s l"n!e# n 9ront o9 E r! n a to )he Ho"se o9 Per l A0% protect her n case /ra9ton sho"l# carr, o"t h s ma# threat. )here was a man acal screech o9 la"!hter> as the 9a:e ph,s c an #rew bac: h s arm. C.)hen he h"rle# the bottle o9 ac # # rectl, at the bo,sl CHAP)(' **E 80CC(88 ha# t not been 9or the s"##en an# "nexpecte# nter9erence on the part o9 Neb> the #ea#l, ac # wo"l# have 9o"n# ts mar:. As the bottle 9lew thro"!h the a r> the #oor o9 the closet n wh ch the #ea9-m"te ha# been loc:e# opene# v olentl,. )he man t"mble# o"t onto the 9loor> an# the #oor ntercepte# the co"rse o9 the conta ner> wh ch smashe# nto a tho"san# p eces. )he cellar was mme# atel, 9 lle# w th the p"n!ent 9"mes o9 the ac #. Neb spran! 9ear9"ll, awa,> claw n! at h s clothes> on wh ch some o9 the po son ha# spattere#. ;K" c:H; "r!e# Fran:. )he bo,s> carr, n! E r! n a> hast l, ran "p the steps. /ra9ton an# Neb were bl"n#er n! abo"t n the #ar:ness o9 the !as-9 lle# cellar> tr, n! to 9 n# the r wa, to the 9oot o9 the sta rs. )he Har#,s s"ccee#e# n reach n! the "pper 9loor n sa9et, an# slamme# the #oor sh"t. Doe t"rne# the :e, n the loc:. A0B 8"ccess A0= Fran: sw tche# on the 9lashl !ht an# exam ne# the room n wh ch the, 9o"n# themselves. .t was a : tchen. 6n a table stoo# a lamp v9h ch he l t. 0nconcerne# b, the r s n! "proar n the cellar> the bo,s t"rne# the r attent on to E r! n a. )he, r"bbe# her han#s an# wr sts> #ashe#

col# water n her 9ace> an# ma#e ever, e99ort to rev ve her. Doe r"mma!e# abo"t n a c"pboar# an# 9o"n# t 9 lle# w th me# c nes an# chem cals. A bottle o9 ammon a ca"!ht h s e,e. ;)he ver, th n!H; he excla me#. )he sharp> p"n!ent smell rev ve# the "nconsc o"s ! rl. Color ret"rne# to her chee:s> an# she st rre# restlessl,. )hen her e,es opene#. 8he !aspe# an# cho:e# as the 9"mes cleare# her hea#. At that moment a heav,> clamoro"s po"n# n! co"l# be hear# at the bac: #oor> an# a #eep vo ce sho"te#: ;6pen "pH 6pen "p thereH; 6ne tho"!ht 9lashe# thro"!h the m n#s o9 the Har#, bo,s: ' p 8 n#er an# 8pott, 4em"elH CC 6pen n the name o9 the lawH; calle# a lo"# vo ce. ;)he pol ceH; cr e# Fran:> rel eve#. He spran! "p an# r"she# to the : tchen #oor. .t was the wor: o9 b"t a moment to throw bac: the bolt. Across the threshol# there stro#e a 8tate trooper> ra n #r pp n! 9rom h s o ls: ns. A06 A F !"re n H # n! Hal9 a #oFen men crow#e# beh n# h m. )he posse 9rom Broc:ton ha# # scovere# the wrec:a!e o9 the co"pe. ;5hatCs !o n! on hereJ; #eman#e# the trooper. ;5eCve been loo: n! 9or ,o" three. A 9 ne chase we ha# a9ter ,o"H An,one h"rt JCC Footsteps th"##e# on the sta rs lea# n! "p 9rom the cellar. CC 4et me o"tH 4et me o"t o9 hereHCC sho"te# /ra9ton> ban! n! at the #oor w th h s 9 sts. )he pol cemen crow#e# nto the room. ;5hoCs thatJ; #eman#e# the trooper. ;C5hoCs loc:e# n the cellarJ; ;A man who calls h msel9 2octor /ra9ton>; ret"rne# Fran:. ;He s an escape# conv ct. )hereCs a rewar# o99ere# 9or h s capt"re an# we Cre cla m n! t. HeCs a 9a:e e,e s"r!eon an# sw n#ler. Bes #es> he I"st tr e# to b"r, the three o9 "s al ve.; )he trooper #rew h s !"n. C CAll r !ht> men>CC he sa # to the others. ;. C11 cover h m when he comes o"t. .9 he tr es an, nonsense> ,o" :now what to #o.; He "nloc:e# the #oor. /ra9ton pl"n!e# o"t> h s 9ace contorte# w th ra!e. 5hen he saw the o99 cer an# all the #rawn !"ns levele# at h m> h s ra!e !ave wa, to 9ear. He threw "p h s arms. ;2onCt shootH 2onCt shootH; he screame#. ;. s"rren#er.; 8"ccess A0& ;7o"Cre w se>; !rowle# the man o9 the law> as he steppe# 9orwar#. -etal 9lashe# n the lampl !ht as a pa r o9 han#c"99s snappe# abo"t /ra9 tonCs wr sts. )he pol cemen 9o"n# Neb l, n! "nconsc o"s at the 9oot o9 the sta rs. He ha# been overcome 9rom the 9"mes o9 the ac # h"rle# b, h s master. )h"s en#e# one phase o9 the m,ster, n wh ch the Har#, bo,s ha# been en!a!e# s nce the 9ate9"l n !ht when the, w tnesse# the theatre hol#-"p n Ba,port. 5 th the arrest o9 /ra9ton> the e,e s,n# cate was bro:en "p. )he sw n#ler was lo#!e# n Ia l that n !ht. B, morn n! h s two assoc ates> ( p 8 n#er an# 8pott, 4em"el> ha# also been p c:e# "p b, the pol ce on n9ormat on 9"rn she# b, the bo,s. )he two men were arreste# n the secon#-rate hotel where Fran: an# Doe ha# locate# 4em"el the prev o"s #a,. 5 th the apprehens on o9 the tr o an# p"bl cat on o9 the 9act n the newspapers> #oFens o9 v ct ms o9 the e,e s,n# cate be!an to come 9orwar#> o99er n! to ! ve ev #ence a!a nst the sw n#lers an# tell abo"t the cr"el tact cs the men ha# "se#. .n ts e# tor al col"mn the lea# n! Ba,port newspaper state# that the Har#, bo,s ha# per9orme# a p"bl c

serv ce b, the r clever wor: n ro"n# n! "p th s "nscr"p"lo"s !an!. A0+ A F !"re n H # n! )he brothers planne# to ta:e E r! n a to her !ran#mother at 2oev lle the 9ollow n! a9ternoon. 8he ha# been p"t to be# n the Har#, home "n#er the care o9 A"nt /ertr"#e> to recover 9rom the shoc: o9 the "nnerv n! events o9 the n !ht. 8he ha# tol# the stor, o9 that even n! when Cor#oFa ha# 9o"n# her stran#e#. Her vers on co nc #e# w th h s n ever, #eta l except that she ha# not ta:en the mone, he ha# shown herL an# that she was amaFe# he ha# been nI"re# ba#l, when she ha# shove# h m 9rom the r"nn n! boar# beca"se he was becom n! too 9r en#l,. 2"r n! the morn n! the bo,s #ec #e# to ret"rn to the scene o9 the thr ll n! events o9 the prev o"s n !ht. )he, ea!erl, exam ne# the wrec:a!e o9 E r! n aCs car> wh ch the, 9o"n# to be smashe# be,on# all hope o9 repa r. ;Co"l#nCt sell t even 9or I"n:>; sa # Fran:> peer n! thro"!h one o9 the shattere# #oors. ;.Cll never :now how we !ot o"t o9 that # saster w tho"t brea: n! o"r nec:s. 1o won#er /ra9 ton tho"!ht we were : lle#.CC 5 th a note o9 exc tement n h s vo ce he cr e#> ;Doe .; ;5hatCs wron!J; CC . see someth n!. 6ver there. .tCs mone,.CC Fran: l"n!e# nto the wrec:a!e at mm nent r s: o9 tear n! h s clothes. ;5h,> tCs a wa# o9 b lls b ! eno"!h to cho:e a cowHCC Fran: emer!e# w th a th c: roll o9 mone,. 8"ccess A0$ ;)he cash 9rom the ' alto )heatre hol#-"pH; sho"te# Doe. )he, co"nte# t> n ne h"n#re# #ollars n all. )h"s was another phase o9 the #o"ble m,ster, solve# b, the Har#, bo,s. 7et ts sol"t on presente# a new problem. Ha# E r! n a reall, stolen the mone, 9rom 1 c: Cor#oFaJ 5hen the bo,s ret"rne# home the, 9o"n# the ! rl "p an# #resse#> n sp te o9 A"nt /ertr"#eCs protests. E r! n aCs "nbo"n#e# aston shment when the, tol# her o9 the # scover, o9 the mone, conv nce# them that she ha# no :nowle#!e o9 t be n! n her car. ;5h,> t m"st have 9allen o"t o9 the manCs han#>; she excla me#. ;B"t where t was h ##en n the car w ll alwa,s rema n a m,ster,>; sa # Fran:> not #o"bt n! an, lon!er the ! rlCs tr"th9"lness. Doe !r nne#. ;)o th n: o9 "s !ett n! the mach ne o"t o9 the r ver an# clean n! t "p w tho"t # scover n! the mone, ma:es me 9eel prett, small.; ;Perhaps tCs I"st as well t happene# as t # #>; sa # E r! n a> ;9or otherw se ,o" wo"l#nCt have helpe# me>; she a##e# !rate9"ll,. )he b lls were ret"rne# to the ' alto )heatre mana!ement that a9ternoon> !reatl, to the resentment o9 2etect ve 8m"99> who 9elt that t sho"l# have been entr"ste# to the a"thor t es. A10 A F !"re n H # n! .n that wa, the Ba,port Pol ce 2epartment m !ht have rece ve# the cre# t 9or restor n! the s"m to the owner. 1 c: Cor#oFa was st ll "n#er arrest an# wo"l# be char!e# w th the hol#"p. Coll ! an# 8m"99 were <" te ecl pse# b, the !lor, that ha# come to the Har#,s as the res"lt o9 the arrest o9 the e,e s,n# cate members an# the :nowle#!e that the bo,s sho"l# collect a rewar# o9 9 ve h"n#re# #ollars 9or the capt"re o9 /ra9-ton. .nc #entall, part o9 that was ! ven b, the brothers to the hotel as pa,ment 9or the bro:en !lass canop,. )hat a9ternoon E r! n a> scarcel, able to bel eve her !oo# 9ort"ne> was restore# to her !ran#mother> -rs. 4"nberr,. )he ol# la#, wept tears o9 Io,. )he ! rl was pathet call, happ, at 9 n# n! a home o9 her own at last a9ter the man, ,ears she ha# spent n the "npleasant atmosphere o9

( p B n#erCs c"sto#,. )he bo,s #rove bac: home a9ter leav n! E r! n a at 2oev lle. )he ! rl prom se# them that she wo"l# be ;a 9 !"re n h # n!; no lon!er. )he la#s were met b, Fenton Har#,> who tol# h s sons the 9"ll stor, o9 the nvest !at on he ha# con#"cte# nto the act v t es o9 the e,e s,n# cate w th the help o9 h s ,o"th9"l-loo: n! ass stant> Fre# 5are. ;/ra9tonCs real name>; he tol# them> ; s Pa"l Nane> an# -r. NattaCs real name> o9 co"rse> 8"ccess A11 s Nane> too. B n#er an# 4em"el were merel, tools. )he, sco"te# 9or prospects an# wrote letters. /ra9ton per9orme# the 9a:e operat ons an# collecte# the mone,. .n t me . m !ht have been able to ro"n# "p the !an!> b"t . th n: t wo"l# not have been accompl she# nearl, so <" c:l, 9 ,o" two ha#nCt steppe# nto the case.; ;.Cm !la# tCs all over>; s !he# -rs. Har#,. ;-a,be weCll be able to have o"r meals on t me a!a n.; ;-eals on t meH .n th s ho"seJ; snorte# A"nt /ertr"#e scorn9"ll,. ;7o" mar: m, wor#s> th s a99a r ma, be all cleare# "p> b"t I"st as s"re as e!!s s e!!s------; ;Are e!!s> A"nt,>; ch"c:le# Doe. CC D"st as s"re as ,o" Cre an mp"#ent bo,> another m,ster, w ll pop "p an# thereCll be no peace aro"n# here "nt l tCs solve#.; 8he was r !ht. (xc tement awa te# her nephews n ;)he 8ecret 5arn n!.; ;Chet -orton calle# "p th s morn n!>; sa # -rs. Har#,. ;He sa # he tho"!ht ,o" bo,% o"!ht to tr, an# 9 n# o"t who pla,e# that tr c: on h m an# sent h m to Boston.; ;6ne o9 Cor#oFaCs pals> more than l :el,>; sa # Fenton Har#,. ;)he, # #nCt want Chet on han# to ! ve ev #ence an# #ent 9, h m as the hol#"p man.; ;-a,be>; sn 99e# A"nt /ertr"#e> ;b"t . #o"bt t. . th n: Chet -orton snea:e# o99 to Boston all b, h msel9 beca"se he was a9ra # he wo"l# be ta:en bac: to Ia l. He pre9erre# to be a 9 !"re n h # n!> the same as ever,bo#, else n th s m,ster,.; )he contempt"o"s snort w th wh ch A"nt /ertr"#e term nate# her statement expresse# more v v #l, than wor#s co"l# her op n on o9 bo,s n !eneral an# Chet -orton n part c"lar.
)H( (12 A F./0'( .1 H.2.1/ B, F'A134.1 5. 2.*61 1o. 16 n the HA'27 B678 ser es )h s s the or ! nal 1$%& text.

HB 016 A Figure in Hiding-1937

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