Hardy Boys Mystery Series by 24

Author:24 [24]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2010-08-22T23:30:42.502000+00:00

CHAPTER XIV

MR. ZETTER's STORE

NOT long after Frank explained his hunch, he and Joe were standing in the electrical store next to

Roundtree 's taxidermy shop.

"This old radio of ours has been acting up lately, Mr. Zetter. Could you fix it for m>?" Frank asked the

proprietor, setting the box on the counter.

The man scowled at them over his spectacles. "I got more work than I can handle now," he said

ungraciously. "Leave it here if you like, but I probably won't be able to get around to it for a week or

more."

"We'll leave it, anyway," said Frank.

While he was explaining what he thought was wrong with the radio, Joe ambled toward the rear of the

store, innocently examining every detail of the place. He was close to the basement steps when Zetter

called out sharply:

"Stay away from there!"

"You mean the steps?" asked Joe in surprise.

"Yes." The proprietor came around the counter and kicked shut the trap door above the stairway. "All

right, if you boys haven't any more business here, I'll get on with my work.

I've got a lot to do."

"'What you need is a helper," said Frank.

"I don't want any man around here," replied Zetter; then added quickly," I could use a young boy

part-time, though."

"We may be able to get you one," offered Frank quickly. "He could watch the store and make deliveries

for you."

"Send him around. I'll talk to him."

The Hardys left. Their visit to Zetter's place Iliad been the outcome of Frank's hunch that by some long

chance Chet's stolen bear cub might be in the cellar of the store. The boys found the alley door to it

locked, so-they were not able to prove whether Frank's theory was right or not. They agreed that Zetter

was not a very pleasant individual and would bear watching.

"What did you mean by telling him we could get him a boy to help in the store!" Joe asked his brother.

"Maybe Jimmy Gordon would like that job. And while he's working for Zetter, he can have a look at that

basement-for us!" said Frank with a grin.

"Good idea, unless there should be a connection between Zetter and Jimmy's Uncle Elly Batter,"

observed Joe shrewdly.

"You're right, I hadn't thought of that. Let's go to the Gordons' and broach the subject to them. Maybe

we'll find out something."

When they called at the Gordon flat and told Jimmy they had found a job for him, the youngster was

delighted.

"Is it all right with you, Dad?" he asked.

"Somebody will have to make a living for the family," said Mr. Gordon, who was lying on the couch with

his ankle swathed in bandages* I 'Where is it?"

As Frank replied, the Hardys watched the three Gordons narrowly. At the word Zettor, they showed no

change of expression, however, so the boys concluded Joe had been wrong in his supposition that there

might be a connection between him and Elly Batter.

"Can I start work right away?" asked Jin any enthusiastically.

"Sure can," smiled Frank, following the lad to the hall. He whispered to him, "Be careful you don't run

into any wolves in the cellar, though."

Jimmy recalled the incident of the stuffed wolf and chuckled.

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