020-The Mystery Of The Flying Express by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon [Dixon, Franklin W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-08-07T14:27:09+00:00

Frank threw down the bags and darted off.

A Daring Rescue 111

Holding his breath, lie dodged through a doorway. He fumbled blindly until his hand touched what felt like a crib. There was a feeble cry. Through the smoke he saw the infant's eyes blinking and the tiny chest heaving.

In a jiffy he had the child tucked under his coat. As he turned to go there was an ominous splintering sound above him. With a cry Frank charged toward the nearest fire escape just as the ceiling of the room thundered down.

In a matter of seconds the Hardy lad found himself drinking in the fresh, open air of the street, with the child's mother clinging frantically to him. A roar of astonishment went up from the crowd of onlookers as the lad opened his coat and disclosed the infant.

"Oh, my baby!" the woman sobbed. "How can I ever thank you, dear boy!'' She took her tiny daughter in her arms, smiling gratefully at her rescuer.

At this moment firemen warned people away. There was no chance to save the old structure-its flimsy wooden walls suddenly collapsed. A§ Frank gazed at the smoking ruins, realizing his clothes and those of his brother were gone, he wondered what to do next.

"Neither Joe nor Dad will know how to get in touch with me," he said to himself.

His disconsolate look must have been noticed, for a voice at his elbow said, "Howdy, stranger, is anything wrong?"

Frank whirled around to see a lanky, middle-112 The Mystery of the Flying Express aged man, attired in full cowboy regalia, smiling at him.

'' Y-yes, no," replied the Hardy boy. '' Lost my clothes in there."

"I'm shore sorry t' hear that," said the friendly native. "Glad t' lend you some o' mine," he smiled, "only I ain't got another whole outfit."

Frank liked the man at once and asked his name. He was startled to be told "Weather-Eye."

"I jest go along givin' advice on what the heavens is gonna do,'' the cowboy said breezily. "I kin shoot as straight on that as I kin with a gun! Well, so long, pal," he added, "let me know ef you need my help."

Humming a song of the prairie he wandered off up the street. Frank watched the carefree Westerner a moment, then his thoughts turned to his brother. His face took on a determined look.

" I '11 have to look for Joe,'' he said to himself. "He should have been back here long ago. Something must have happened to him. But I better not go alone," he decided. "Maybe I can get a deputy sheriff to ride with me."

He walked rapidly up the street and climbed the steps into the sheriff's office. As he entered a sudden thought came to him. He had almost forgotten one of his missions.

"Well, what's on your mind?" inquired a A Daring Rescue 113

red-faced individual wearing a tin star on his shirt.

"I want to inquire about a Professor Morse who disappeared around here a few years ago. He was last heard from at Saddler.

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