The Sting of the Scorpion by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon [Dixon, Franklin W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Mystery & Detective, Detective and mystery stories, Juvenile Fiction, Mystery and detective stories, Mysteries & Detective Stories, Boys & Men
ISBN: 9780448089584
Publisher: Penguin
Published: 1978-12-31T05:00:00+00:00

Green Shadow

Frank had the same foreboding as his brother about the strange inscription chalked on the door. “Who do you suppose wrote it?” he wondered aloud.

“That’s easy,” Joe said. “It’s got to be that moustached guy you spotted in the parked car last night.” !

“I think so, too, which makes me more certain he must’ve been Raman. He could have sneaked back here after we left for Wild World.”

“Right. It was dark when we got home, and we went in the back door after you pulled into the garage, so we wouldn’t have noticed.”

“Maybe we can find some professor at Ardvor College who can translate it for us,” the older Hardy boy suggested.

“Smart thinking, Frank. Here I’ve got some paper. Let’s copy it down.”

It was nine fifteen when they arrived at the down- [ town offices of the real estate firm of which Clyde Bohm was the local manager. He eyed them suspiciously as they were shown into his office, and, without rising, gestured curtly for the boys to sit down.

“What is it you want to see me about?”

Frank decided blunt frankness was the best policy.

“About the Wild World animal park,” he said in a clear, firm voice.

His words seemed to take Bohm by surprise. The manager snuffled nervously and retorted, “What about it?”

“We’d like to know why you’ve tried so hard to buy Mr Carter out.”

“What business is that of yours?” Bohm demanded, blinking and squinting rapidly through his steel-rimmed glasses.

“Mr Carter’s been having certain troubles at Wild World,” Frank replied. “We’re investigating them for him, and we’re trying to get an overall picture of the situation. You seem to be part of the picture.”

Bohm fiddled with his glasses and squinted at the boys more suspiciously than ever. “Exactly what is that remark supposed to mean?”

“You’ve tried desperately to buy Wild World. Do you mind telling us why?”

“Certainly not. I’ve made no secret of that. My company believes that land could be more profitably developed into an industrial site, or perhaps a shopping plaza.”

Bohm suddenly rose to his feet and sniffed again. “You’ll have to excuse me a moment,” he said and went abruptly out the door.

The Hardys looked at each other. Joe rolled his eyes, and, pointing to his head, twirled his forefinger rapidly. Frank grinned.

Presently Clyde Bohm returned, still squinting and snuffling. He made no move to sit down, as if to make it clear to the boys that the interview was over. “Now then, I’m a busy man,“ he said. ”If you’ve nothing more important to talk about, I’m afraid I have other things to do.“

“Just one more question, Mr Bohm,” Frank persisted. He was determined to apply more pressure in the hope of extracting a possible clue from Bohm’s reaction. “Can you suggest any reason why someone might harass Pop Carter and try to drive him out of business?”

“I’ve no idea,” snapped the real estate man. “But you’d better not make any such charges against this company, if that’s what you’re implying, or you may find yourself facing legal action!”

Frank rose from his chair calmly.

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