The Secret of the Open Grave by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon [Dixon, Franklin W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Young Adult, Hardy Boys, Fiction
Published: 2011-03-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER VII - Trailing the Suspect

After school let out the next day the three boys again gathered in their loft to plan a course of action.

“Now we have some proof to back our theory up, but we still need something that concretely points to Janus as the man responsible for these crimes.”

Joe immediately suggested they stakeout the cemetery that night.

“We could camp in the woods on the back side of the cemetery. That’s all public property back through there.”

After some further discussion all three had decided upon this as their best course of action. Frank complicated the plan by suggesting that they bring Chet along to help them.

“Good luck with that!” Peter exclaimed. “It’s going to be hard enough to get this plan past Aunt Gertrude, let alone talk Chet into camping in the cemetery, at night , and on Halloween!” “I think I may know how to present this in such a way as to solve bot h problems at once,” Frank declared, winking at his brothers. They eagerly followed him into the house to see if he could make good on his boast.

Frank waited until after they had cleared the table after dinner. While Peter was washing the dishes Joe prepared their Aunt a cup of her favorite tea.

Choosing that moment to try his luck Frank told her, “Joe, Peter and I were talking with Chief Collig yesterday when he mentioned that he was worried about pranksters causing trouble at the cemetery tonight. We thought it might be helpful if we went out there and kept an eye on things, to make sure nothing happens.” Breathless in anticipation the three boys waited to see what her reaction might be.

Surprisingly, she began talking very positively about the Chief, and all the work he had done for the city. She was obviously skeptical of the boy’s story but Frank insisted that they wouldn’t be there to confront anyone by themselves, as they were only there to notify the police if anything happened.

Gertrude finally relented, announcing that, “A little community service might do you youngsters some good.”

Frank explained further that they wouldn’t be there all night, “Only until we see that nothing is going to occur.”

Their Aunt finally said yes to the request. The boys hurriedly packed some warm clothes and rain jackets into small overnight bags. Each included a flashlight in with their clothing. Gertrude had cooked three delicious smelling pumpkin pies. Hearing that Chet would be joining her nephews on their outing she insisted on wrapping all three for them to take with them.

Once they had taken them up to their room and carefully placed he pies wit h their bags Frank announced, “Now we have the bait to lure Chet along!”

Joe was given the unenviable task of convincing their friend to come along on the outing. He called the Morton farm from an upstairs phone as Peter and Frank carried the bags to the car. When they had returned upstairs Joe was just lightly hanging up the phone.

“Well, it’s a go!” He announced.

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