Hardy Boys Mystery Series by 8

Author:8 [8]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2010-08-22T23:31:16.049000+00:00

CHAPTER XII

An Ice-yacht Clue

"IT's a coded message, all right!" Joe declared as the four boys continued to stare at the mysterious

letters in the tattered notebook.

"How will we ever figure it out?" Chet asked.

"There are several methods of deciphering," Frank replied. "Dad has told Joe and me something about it,

and we've read a few of his books on cryptography."

"Can you make anything out of this message?" Biff asked.

"Not right off," Frank replied. "It's some kind of substitution system, at any rate."

"The first thing to look for is transposition," Joe explained. "All the letters of the actual text - what's really

meant - may be present, but reversed or scambled."

"There must be countless possibilities," remarked Biff, "once you start putting one letter in place of

another."

"Yes, which makes deciphering very difficult," Frank agreed. "But I remember several of the standard

patterns. I'll use some of the blank pages in the notebook and try them."

Frank worked for more than half an hour, while the others looked on and made various combinations of

the letters he jotted down.

"I'm stymied," Frank admitted finally.

Biff frowned. "How did Hanleigh get hold of this notebook? Does he know Sparewell?"

"Hanleigh might have swiped it," Joe said.

The Hardys pondered their next move. Joe suggested they take the ice-yacht model and the photo of the

turbaned prowler to Mr Jefferson for possible identification.

"And on the way show Amos Grice the picture, too," Frank added.

A stop at the Hardy home also was included in the day's plans, in case the boys' father had any more

information on the "alley" cat.

Chet heaved a huge sigh. "Which means Biff and I stand guard here."

Joe grinned. "How'd you guess?"

After a quick lunch the Hardys put on their parkas and boots. "I'm taking the camera along," Joe said. "It

may come in handy again."

The Hardys climbed into the Seagull and headed for Surfside. At the dock, Joe tied up while Frank

braked and slackened sail. Then they strode off to the general store.

Amos Grice, seated by the stove, slapped his knee when Frank and Joe walked in. "Glad to see you

two. Thief steal your food again?"

"No, sir," Frank said. "We came to show you this." He handed the snapshot to Mr Grice. The

storekeeper stared at it, then handed the picture back without comment.

"Mr Grice," Joe inquired, "is this the man who asked you about Mr Jefferson's medals?"

Amos Grice drew his lips into a thin, firm line.

"Yep. It's him. But there's some spooky business goin' on, and I don't want any part of it."

"Did this man say something to frighten you?" Joe persisted. "Did he threaten you?"

Mr Grice looked grim. "No. But I'm not mixin' in with any scary masqueraders."

The Hardys could see that the storekeeper would say no more on the subject. They thanked him and

returned to the Seagull. A brisk wind sped them towards Bayport. They tied up outside their boathouse

and drove home.

Mrs Hardy greeted her red-cheeked sons with big hugs, while Aunt Gertrude looked on apprehensively,

as if trying to find something wrong with her nephews. Noting their excellent health, she turned her

worries to their companions.

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