096 Wipeout by Franklin W. Dixon

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

By midnight the villa was dark and quiet. Joe took a last look out the window before going to bed. It was a still night, and the sky was clear. The moon, just rising, cast a jagged yellow path across the waters of the bay. He couldn't imagine a more peaceful scene. By listening hard, he could even hear the louder shushing sound of the waves on the beach at Almanarre.

Suddenly he stiffened. Between the crash of waves he could hear a set of footsteps moving stealthily along the gravel path right below him.

He leaned out and peered into the shadows. At first he couldn't see anything, then he made out a dark form that flitted across a patch of moonlight and vanished in the direction of the equipment shed. A moment later he was sure he heard the shed door open.

Frank was already half-asleep, but he sat up instantly when Joe touched his shoulder. "Quick," Joe whispered. "Someone's in the shed."

They pulled on jams and crept down the stairs. At the door, Frank said, "We'll split up, circle the house in different directions, and meet in front of the shed."

Joe nodded and started to the left, walking carefully on the grass. He didn't want to make any noise that might scare off the intruder. As he picked his way around the chairs scattered about the lawn, he was grateful that the moon was high enough and bright enough to help him see his way.

He turned the corner of the house. Directly ahead, the black shape of the equipment shed loomed against the sky. He thought he saw a dim light flicker in the window, but it was gone before he could be sure.

Where was Frank? Joe stood very still and peered into the shadows. Suddenly he heard a faint noise and saw a darker rectangle in the dark front wall of the shed. The door was opening!

He held his breath. Was that a movement in the shadows? Just as he was taking a cautious step forward, there was a loud clatter and a suppressed cry from the far side of the house.

Instantly he heard running footsteps and saw a dark form dart across the moonlit terrace. As Joe sprang into motion, the pale oval of a face glanced back at him. The intruder seemed to hesitate for a moment, then swerved to run toward the path that wound down the side of the cliff to the beach.

Was there a boat waiting below? Joe put on a new burst of speed. The moon was just bright enough to show him the white posts of the guardrails on either side. He ran headlong, letting the steep slope carry him until he felt as if he were barely touching the ground.

The fleeing form was just a few yards ahead now, almost within reach. Boat or no boat, he couldn't possibly get away. Joe was nerving himself to make a flying tackle when the shadowy form veered to the right and vanished into a patch of darkness.

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