022 The Flickering Torch Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon [Dixon, Franklin W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XII

Jam Session

THEIR conversation finished, Seymour and Mudd turned to Chet again. Seymour tossed the medal at him.

Chet caught it on the fly and pulled it quickly over his head, vastly relieved that Seymour had not examined the medal closer.

“Chet’s heading back for the car,” Joe observed through the crack in the fence.

“Good. We’ve made some headway,” Frank said. “Let’s join him.”

The Hardys assembled their receiving apparatus, slipped quickly around the fence, and made tracks for their convertible.

Chet arrived shortly afterward. “Did you see? I almost got conked!” he began excitedly.

“We saw,” Joe said. “You were great, Chet!”

“We also heard everything,” Frank added. “Our little bug worked like a charm. And Seymour couldn’t have done us a bigger favor!”

“When he picked it up I thought I was sunk!” Chet declared, rolling his eyes. “What did they say?”

Joe repeated the conversation.

“Interesting, but what does it mean?”

“We don’t know,” Frank said.

“That talk about rocks,” Chet went on. “Suppose they meant the Marlin Crag Cliffs?”

“No. Precious stones, perhaps. Remember, Mudd asked for hard cash—another kind of payment.”

“And what about Wednesday and Saturday?”

“Well, something’s going on then, but we don’t have any idea what or where.”

“The Flickering Torch is my guess,” Chet said with a professional air.

“Possible,” Joe agreed. “We’ll have to watch the place.”

The trio returned to Bayport, still puzzled about the overheard clues. Next afternoon Tony Prito and Bernie Marzi showed up at the Hardy house.

After a hearty welcome by Frank and Joe, Bernie asked, “What can I do for you? Tony mentioned a case you’re involved in, but didn’t give me any details.”

“We can’t tell you too much either,” Frank said. “But you could help us by telling us everything you know about the Torch employees. Something suspicious may be going on there. We’ll have to check out the place. How about starting out with the musicians?”

“Sure,” Bernie said and gave a short summary of everyone’s background. “I know very little about the waiters and the kitchen personnel,” he concluded. “As far as the band goes, I trust everybody with the possible exception of Seymour Schill. I can’t tell you why, it’s just a hunch.”

Frank nodded slowly. “Your intuition and ours are surprisingly alike.”

“What’s the next step?” the drummer asked.

“We’d like to case the Flickering Torch,” Joe stated.

“Listen, I’ve got a great idea!” Bernie exclaimed. “Why don’t one of you join the combo Saturday night? Who handles the lead guitar?”

“I do,” Joe said. “What about your regular guitarist? Won’t he be jealous?”

“He wants the day off, Joe. We were going to hire another pro. But I’m sure you can fit the bill, so why should we look for anyone else?”

“I’ll take you up on that, Bernie. When do I have to be there?”

“First you’ll have to attend our practice session tomorrow. Let the gang see how you do.”

“Suits me fine,” Joe said. “I’ve always wanted to play with pros.”

Tony grinned at Bernie. “That means Joe’ll have a jump on the rest of us in the Bayport combo.”

“Never fear, we’re not that good,” Bernie said modestly.

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