10. What Happened At Midnight by Franklin W. Dixon

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

CHAPTER XI

Discovered !

JOE pretended to be searching for something he had dropped and quickly ducked his head underneath the table as the fair-haired man approached. Frank snatched up a menu and held it in front of his face.

There was a tense moment as Chris drew nearer. To the boys’ relief, he brushed past without noticing them and walked directly to the cashier’s counter. The Hardys got ready to pursue him, but he only stopped to glance at a newspaper lying there, then returned to his own table.

“Whew, that was close!” Joe murmured as he raised his head.

“It sure was,” Frank agreed. “But we have one thing in our favor. We’re the last persons in the world Chris would expect to find trailing him in New York City.”

The Hardys watched as a waiter walked up to the big man’s table. Apparently Chris was well known in the restaurant, for the two exchanged a few words laughing all the while. Presently a slim, sharp-featured man emerged from a door to the kitchen and went directly to Chris. He sat down, then began to talk.

“I think,” Joe whispered, “it’s time for some action. How about my going outside and looking for a policeman?”

“Good idea, Joe. I have a feeling the man with Chris should be investigated, too. He may be one of the smugglers.”

Joe slid from the booth and went outside. No officer was in sight, but there was a public-telephone booth nearby. “I’ll call headquarters from here,” Joe decided and dialed the number.

He was connected with a lieutenant, who said they had been alerted by Chief Collig, but the boys’ message to him had been delayed, and the call to New York had come too late for the police to meet the train from Bayport. “I will send two officers to the restaurant. If this man Chris hasn’t started to eat yet, he’ll be there a while. By the way, we got a message that you are to phone your home at once.”

“Thank you,” said Joe and hung up.

He immediately dialed the Hardy house. Aunt Gertrude answered. “My, you boys certainly take off fast! You ought to be right here taking care of the secret radio mystery.”

“What do you mean, Aunty?”

“I mean that I can’t understand your father. He sent a telegram saying, ‘Inventor will phone. Do as directed.’ Well, the inventor called and said we should leave the radio on the front steps at ten o‘clock tonight.”

Joe was astounded. After a moment’s thought he said, “I think the telegram was a hoax. Dad would never do such a thing. Somebody may be listening in on this call, but I’ll take a chance. Put a package on the steps but not the radio. Then ask the police to shadow the house and pick up this fake inventor. I have to say good-by now. Frank and I have one of the gang almost nabbed. Give my love to Mother. Tell her we’re sorry we couldn’t call before this.”

Joe returned to the restaurant and in whispers repeated his whole conversation.

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