142 Lost In Gator Swamp by Franklin W. Dixon

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

10 Live Robbers and Lost Gold

* * *

“You’re right! One of the robbers who drowned must have been a safecracker,” Chet said.

“What if the robbers didn’t drown?” Frank asked his companions.

“If their stolen airboat was found at the bottom of Florida Bay,” Joe pointed out, “it’s safe to assume they drowned.”

“And if they survived, what would they be doing back in Gator Swamp?” Chet asked.

Frank was ready with a hunch. “The robbers knew they were being pursued. What if they ditched the evidence? What if they hid the coins in the swamp?”

“Then they wouldn’t have to search,” Joe said. “They could have gone right back to the spot and recovered them, unless—” Joe stopped midsentence as an idea struck him. “With the wind and rough water of the winter storm, the coins could have been knocked overboard!”

“Little brother, sometimes your hunches surprise even me,” Frank said, slapping Joe on the shoulder.

“Wait a second,” Chet argued. “What makes you think Randy’s telling the truth about his coin being stolen? We’re pretty sure he’s lied to us about everything else.”

“Chet’s right, Frank,” Joe admitted.

“Hmm.” Frank thought it over. “If anyone would know who Randy Stevens is, I’m looking at him,” he said, eyeing a card player at the back of the bunkhouse. Joe turned to look. It took him a moment to recognize Barney Quick, the rodeo clown, without his white makeup and red ten-gallon hat.

“Mr. Quick?” Frank said, approaching the table. “We’re sorry to interrupt your game, but we were interested in one of the rodeo contestants. What can you tell us about Randy Stevens?”

“Nothing,” Quick replied.

“Nothing?” Chet repeated.

“Well, I know an Ernie Stevens,” Quick recalled, playing a card. “He moved to Frog’s Peninsula a year ago. Runs the all-night service station. He has a boy at the junior high, I think. But the boy wouldn’t be old enough to ride rodeo.”

“Randy must have ridden rodeo somewhere,” Joe insisted.

“I’d say no,” Quick replied. “But if you don’t believe me, check the book.”

“The book?” Chet asked.

“The rodeo book. Mr. Deeter’s got it,” Quick explained. “It’ll have names and statistics on any rodeo in America.” Quick tossed his cards on the table. “If you’ll excuse me, boys, I have to get into my makeup.”

The boys thanked Barney Quick as he headed out through the side door.

“I’ll ask Mr. Deeter about that book,” Frank suggested. “You and Chet better get into the grandstands. We don’t want to miss Dusty’s ride.”

“But we still haven’t found Reuben,” Joe said.

“Maybe he’s afraid to show up,” Chet reasoned.

“Reuben, afraid?” Joe shook his head. “No way. He’s got to be around here someplace. Go ahead, Chet, and save us some good seats.”

The three boys split up. Frank caught Melvin Deeter just as he was leaving his trailer and asked about looking at the rodeo book.

“I have to get to the announcer’s booth at the main ring,” Deeter replied. He saw the concerned look on Frank’s face. “Is it something connected to that bank robbery?”

“I’m afraid it is,” Frank replied.

Deeter paused.

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