âWeâll crash!â Jim Foy cried out

Copyright Â© 1988, 1960 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

All rights reserved. Published by Grosset & Dunlap, Inc., a member of The Putnam &
Grosset Group, New York. Published simultaneously in Canada. S.A.
THE HARDY BOYSÂ® is a registered trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
GROSSET & DUNLAP is a trademark of Grosset & Dunlap, Inc.

eISBN : 978-1-101-07652-1

2008 Printing

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CHAPTER I

Hong Kong Junk

âJOE, look out! That launch will hit you!â shouted Frank Hardy from the beach.

A split second before, his brother Joe had surfaced after a dive off a float. Now the launch was almost on top of him!

âThatâs Clams Daggetâs boat!â Frank cried to two companions, Tony Prito and Biff Hooper. All stared ahead in horror.

A third boy, plump Chet Morton, who had been bobbing like a cork in the cool, blue water, had seen the oncoming launch and dived under the float with Joe Hardy. The craft roared off, the pilot paying no attention to the two swimmers. In a moment they came to the surface and swam ashore to join the others.

âWhew! That was close!â Chet gasped. âThought I was a goner. Clams must be going blind!â

âHeâs as absent-minded as they come!â Joe stormed, panting.

âHe sure is,â Tony agreed. âI donât see why the town of Bayport lets him run a ferry service to Rocky Isle.â

âProbably because no one else has a boat big enough or wants the job,â Biff suggested.

Suddenly Frank grinned. âMaybe we fellows can run a service of our ownâin a Chinese junk from Hong Kong. I know where one is for sale cheap.â

The dark-haired boy, a year older than his blond brother, said that their Chinese-American friend, Jim Foy, had told him only the day before about the boat.

âJimâs cousin lives in New York City,â Frank explained, âand works as a salesman at a place in Staten Island where the junks are sold. New ones cost plenty, but the company isnât even advertising this secondhand boat. Theyâre asking only a fraction of its original value.â

âSay, that sounds neat,â Joe broke in. âAnd a ferry business would solve our summer work problem.â

It was a bright June afternoon, a few days after Bayport High had closed for vacation. The five boys had gathered for a swim and to make plans for earning money during the next two months.

âYou mean weâd charge passengers for picnic excursions to Rocky Isle?â Biff asked.

As Frank nodded, Tony remarked, âGood idea, if we could raise enough money to buy the junk, and provided itâs seaworthy.â

âIt might have an interesting history,â Frank said, not at all discouraged by Tony. âThe junk may once have belonged to a Chinese pirate and have jade treasure hidden aboard!â

âHow can we lose?â Biff declared with a grin.

âA real Chinese junk would sure attract attention here on Barmet Bay,â Chet remarked.

The price of the junk was several hundred dollars, but after much figuring, all the boys except Chet decided that they could raise equal shares from their savings.

âGosh, fellows, Iâm sorry,â said Chet. âBut you know Iâve just bought all that spelunking equipment and Iââ

Joe grinned. âYou can take out your share in work,â he said, whereupon the stout boy groaned. The last thing Chet ever wanted to do was work!

âItâs more fun exploring caves than swabbing decks,â he mumbled. âBut I can put in fifty dollars. Whoâs going to make up the difference in the amount we need?â

âJim Foy might, if he got a share of the profits,â Tony suggested.

âOkay. Whatâs stopping us?â said Joe eagerly. âIs it a deal?â

The five high school chums shook hands solemnly, then pulled on their slacks and T shirts.

It was decided that the boys would get their parentsâ permission for the trip first, then Frank would contact Jim Foy and ask him to telephone for an option to buy the secondhand junk from Hong Kong. If everything was in order, the boys would leave the next morning by bus for New York City.

Tony and Biff went off with Chet Morton in his fire-engine-red jalopy. Hopping into their own yellow convertible, the Hardys drove back to their pleasant, tree-shaded home at the corner of High and Elm streets.

As Frank and Joe came in the kitchen door, they were greeted by Miss Gertrude Hardy, their fatherâs tall, angular sister, who now lived with him and his family.

âSupper will be on the table in a minute,â Aunt Gertrude said, lifting a flaky-crusted beef pie from the oven.

âMm! Does that smell good!â Joe exclaimed. âDouble helping for me, please!â

âSame here!â Frank added, sniffing the delicious aroma.

âNever mind the flattery about the food.â Miss Hardy waved them off, but Frank and Joe observed a pleased expression on her face. âItâs a wonder this crust isnât burnt to a crisp with you two getting home so late,â she scolded.

The boys, chuckling, went to wash their hands. Although their aunt was sometimes peppery in manner, the brothers were as fond of her as she was of them.

When they came to the table, Frank and Joe each found an extra-large serving on his plate and exchanged knowing grins. Aunt Gertrude poured milk into their glasses, then said with a sigh:

âDonât know what ails me today. I just seem to ache in all my joints.â

âThatâs too bad, Aunty,â Frank said sympathetically as he held her chair and she sat down. âYou rest after supper. Joe and I will wash the dishes.â

âAnd break half of them most likely!â Miss Hardy retorted. But her face softened. âStill, itâs a kind offer. I may accept.â

As the brothers ate, they asked Aunt Gertrude if she had heard from their parents, who were now in California. Fenton Hardy, once a crack detective on the New York City police force, had retired to the thriving seaside town of Bayport, where clients from all over the country sought his services as a private investigator. At present, he was at work on a case in Los Angeles, seeking to track down an international thief known as the âChameleon.â Mrs. Hardy had flown to the West Coast with her husband for a vacation.

âYour father,â Aunt Gertrude replied, âphoned this afternoon. He said to tell you boys that if you want to help him out on this case, keep your eyes open for a pair of rare gold cuff links with a bluish amber tiger set in them. Theyâve been reported stolen in Hong Kong and smuggled into this country. In your fatherâs sleuthing he learned that the Chameleon, who collects priceless jewelry, is trying to get hold of such a pair. If you find them, you may also find the Chameleon.â

âIt sounds like hunting for a needle in a haystack,â Frank remarked, âbut if we should come across either the cuff links or the Chameleon, weâll certainly let Dad know.â

Though amateur detectives, the brothers had solved many mysteries, and hoped to follow careers similar to that of their father. From The Tower Treasure through their latest adventure in Alaska, The Mystery at Devilâs Paw, Frank and Joe had experienced many exciting and dangerous adventures.

Suddenly Frank clapped a hand to his head. âAunt Gertrude, I almost forgot. Joe and I have another project.â

The brothers outlined their scheme for purchasing the Chinese junk. Then, with quickened pulses, they awaited Miss Hardyâs reaction.

âWell,â she said finally. âIf itâll keep you boys occupied this summer, I guess itâs all right. By the way, where is the money for your share coming from?â

âWe have some in Dadâs safe up in his study,â

Joe replied. âItâs the reward money Frank and I got for finding that lost child. A brand-new one-hundred-dollar bill for each of us.â

Frank got up and hurried to the telephone. After learning that Biff, Tony, and Chet were also set for the trip to buy the junk, Frank called Jim Foy. The Chinese-American boy was amazed to hear the proposal and excused himself for a few minutes to speak to his parents. Returning, he said:

âMy good parents say I may go. I will phone my cousin at once and have him place an option on the junk. When shall I meet you fellows?â

âJust before ten oâclock tomorrow. Bus terminal.â

âIâll be there. This is a terrific break for me.â

Frank returned to the table to find Joe urging his aunt to retire. She agreed, adding that she was disgusted with herself for not feeling as strong and vigorous as she generally did.

âAnything else we can do for youâbesides wash the dishes?â Frank asked.

âYes. Try to be quiet. Noise makes my head hurt. If you want to watch TV or do anything else, please go to the recreation room in the basement.â

The brothers quickly washed the dishes, then went downstairs. They laid plans for the Staten Island trip, then Frank went to make a call to Chet Morton on the cellar extension.

Joe, meanwhile, hurried upstairs, dialed the combination on his fatherâs safe, and opened it. While locating the money for the Chinese junk, he noticed a Manila packet marked Secret File on Chameleon.

The young sleuth took out the two crisp one-hundred-dollar bills with the picture of Benjamin Franklin on the face and Independence Hall on the back. Joe closed the safe and turned the tumblers. As he walked downstairs, he looked at the bills. Having worked on a counterfeit case, he knew a good deal about currency.

âFederal reserve notes, one from the eighth district, St. Louis, and the other from the fifth, Richmond,â he mused, noticing the green seal, and the letters H before one serial number and E in front of the second. âAnd what do you know? This one starts with H18 and ends with F. Hmm. HardyâFrankâeighteen years old.â

Joe studied the second bill. âAnd this one begins E1015 and ends with A. E for Elm Street on our corner.â He chuckled. âAnd JO are the tenth and fifteenth letters in the alphabet! That means me. The Aâwell, that could be for Aunt Gertrude.â

Joe went to his motherâs desk in the living room and obtained an envelope printed with the Hardy name and address. He slipped the bills inside. Just then, Joe thought he heard a car stop in front of the house. Laying the envelope on the mantel, he went to look out the window. No automobile was in sight. âGuess I was wrong,â Joe told himself and hurried down to the basement.

Ten minutes later, just as Frank finished the conversation with Chet on the phone, he suddenly gasped and pointed to one of the basement windows. A fearsome-looking Oriental face was pressed against the paneâthe manâs teeth bared in an evil grimace!

For a moment the boys were too startled to act. Before they could make a move, the lights went out, plunging the basement into darkness!

âA prowler!â Joe exclaimed. âAnd we forgot to turn on the alarm!â The warning system automatically rang a bell in the house and flood-lighted the Hardy grounds when anyone approached.

âToo late now,â Frank said. âLetâs get that man! Iâll go out the cellar door. You run upstairs and find out if everythingâs okay.â

The boys dashed to the landing and Frank hurried outside. Joe continued to the top of the steps and put his hand on the doorknob.

âItâs locked!â he murmured, rattling the knob and pounding on the door panel.

After a few tense moments Joe heard slippered feet enter the kitchen. Then Aunt Gertrude unlocked and opened the door.

âMercy, whatâs all the racket about?â

âSomeone locked us in after turning off the switch here in the kitchen,â Joe explained. He pointed to the wall button, which was in Off position. âYou didnâtââ

âOf course not,â Aunt Gertrude replied tartly. âThere must be a burglar in the houselâ

âA burglar!â Joe echoed. The next second he raced into the living room and stared at the mantel.

The envelope containing the two new hundred dollar bills was gone!

CHAPTER II

Mysterious Engine Trouble

JOE, sure the burglar had made his escape from the house, dashed to the front door. He switched on the porch light. Out on the lawn he could see two figures struggling on the ground. One was Frank.

Before Joe could reach his brother, he recognized the other fighter. âJim Foy!â he cried out.

The two boys separated and grinned sheepishly.

âGee, I didnât mean to scare you guys so much that youâd tackle me,â Jim said, panting.

âYou mean that was you staring at us through the basement window?â Frank exclaimed.

Jim nodded. He screwed his face into a horrible grimace. âThe Oriental Avengerâthatâs me!â

Frank laughed, but Joe said quickly, âJim, weâve been robbed! Frank, our two hundred dollars are gone!â

Frank looked amazed, and Jim said, âFellows, I saw a man run out your back door, just after the cellar light went out.â

âLetâs hunt for him!â Joe urged.

The trio made a quick search of the grounds and adjoining streets, but the thief had eluded them.

âDid you get a look at him?â Joe asked Jim.

âNot a good one. It was too dark in the yard. The guy was tall and thin. Say, come to think of it, he made no noise. Probably was carrying his shoes.â

âSo there wonât be anything but sock footprints,â Frank commented. He went for a flashlight and found this to be the case. They were of no use in identifying the thief.

The searchers returned to the house. Aunt Gertrude had checked to find out what the burglar might have taken and how he had entered the house. She had found a cut in a screen at an open window, but reported nothing missing. Joe now told her about the stolen money.

Miss Hardy sucked in her breath. âTwo hundred dollars!â she cried out. âJoe, why did you leave it on the mantel? Go tell the police right away. But youâll never get those bills back. Moneyâs too hard to trace.â Then, seeing the crestfallen look on her nephewâs face, she added,

âNever mind. Iâll lend you boys two hundred dollars for your share in buying the junk. You can repay me from your profits.â

Frank and Joe relaxed, gave their aunt a tremendous hug, then urged her to go back to bed. âIâll turn on the prowler alarm,â Frank told her, and immediately went to do this.

Meanwhile, Joe had picked up the phone and was giving Police Chief Collig, an old friend of the Hardys, a report on the stolen money, including the letters and first few serial numbers on the bills.

âGood clues, Joe,â the officer said. âIâll send out word right away.â

When the excitement subsided, Jim Foy informed the brothers he had come to tell them that he could not go to New York after all. âSo I brought you my share of the money for the junk,â he explained, pulling several bills from a pocket.

âToo bad you canât go,â said Joe. âBy the way, what is your cousinâs address in New York?â

âHe lives in Chinatown with his parents. My uncle Dan Foy owns a restaurant there called the Canton Palace.â Jim wrote down the address and telephone number and handed the paper to Joe.

The next morning, before Frank and Joe were dressed, the prowler alarm sounded, then the front doorbell began to ring persistently.

âWho can that be?â Frank asked, puzzled.

He slipped on a robe and hurried downstairs, with Joe at his heels. When Frank opened the door, he found himself face to face with Clams Dagget. The wiry, stooped old pilot thrust his way inside. As usual, he was wearing a striped jersey, dungarees, and a squashed-down yachting cap.

Joe said, âClams, if youâve come to apologize about nearly running me down yesterdayââ

âApologize!â Clams roared in a hoarse voice. âNothinâ to apologize for. Now listen. I heard that pal oâ yours, Biff Hooper, talkinâ on the dock last night about how you fellers are buyinâ a Chinese junk and startinâ a passenger service to Rocky Isle!â

âWhat about it?â Frank asked coolly.

âItâs a blamed outrage! Takinâ bread out oâ an old manâs mouth, cuttinâ in on my business! I wonât stand for it!â

âNow just a minute,â Frank said. âNo oneâs trying to take away your business. Thereâll be plenty for both our boats.â

âWhat do you know about it?â Clams shook his fist at the Hardys. âIâm warninâ you young snips you wonât get away with this!â

Suddenly a voice in back of them called, âHow dare you threaten my nephews!â Aunt Gertrude, coming from the kitchen, bore down indignantly on the visitor.

âYou wonât get away with cuttinâ in on my
business!â Daggett roared

Clams stepped backward. Aunt Gertrude pressed her advantage by inching him out of the house and closing the door. Then she put her hand to her head.

âIâI feel faint. Iâd better lie down.â

Joe helped his aunt to the living-room couch, while Frank rushed off to get her some tea. As she sipped it, her nephews ate the breakfast she had prepared. Presently Miss Hardy declared that she was feeling fine again. Nevertheless, the boys insisted that she relax while they washed the dishes.

âAunt Gertrude, promise me youâll call a doctor if you donât feel well,â Frank urged, when the brothers were ready to leave.

âI promise.â Miss Hardy then handed Frank a check for two hundred dollars. âYou can cash it on your way to the bus,â she said.

Both boys thanked her and gave their aunt resounding kisses on the cheek. Then they drove downtown, and after cashing Aunt Gertrudeâs check, went to the Bayport bus terminal. Frank left the car in an adjoining parking lot. Chet, Biff, and Tony were waiting for them.

âHi, fellows!â they exchanged greetings. Ten minutes later their bus pulled out.

They rolled at a fast clip through the country-side, but it was late afternoon before the travelers reached New York.

âWhatâs first on the schedule?â Biff asked as they paused in the terminal waiting room.

Frank suggested that they register at a hotel, then do some night sight-seeing. He telephoned the Canton Palace but learned that neither Jimâs uncle nor cousin would be there during the evening, so the boys decided not to go to Chinatown. Instead they strolled along Broadway, and were fascinated by the crowded theater district, with its huge lighted signs, restaurants, and hotels.

The next morning the boys checked out of their hotel and took an early ferry to Staten Island. A short bus ride along the waterfront brought them to the pier where the Hong Kong Trading Company had its warehouse and office.

âHot dog! There they are!â Tony exclaimed. Two of the Chinese junks were tied up at dockside, while three more could be seen resting in cradles inside the warehouse, with their masts unstepped. The five boys entered the office.

âSomething I can do for you?â a bald-headed man asked, rising from his desk.

âWeâve come to see about the secondhand junk,â Frank told him. âIs Mr. Foy in?â

âIâll get him.â

Ben Foy was a pleasant-faced young man. He gave the callers a friendly smile and said he was sorry that Jim had not been able to come.

âIâll show you the junk you took the option on,â Ben said. âI think itâs a rare buy.â

Even with its sails furled, the craft had a romantic, adventuresome look. The boys seethed with excitement as they jumped aboard. The junk was a thirty-foot two-master, carrying two large sails and a jib. Amidships there was a round-roofed cabin.

âBoy! What a dream boat!â Joe exclaimed.

âItâs the biggest, most seaworthy craft you can get for the money,â Ben Foy boasted. âThese jobs are shipped by freighter from Hong Kong. Normally we just sell new craft. This used one got into our consignment by mistake, so weâre letting it go at a sacrifice.â

He added that the junk was built of Borneo ironwood with one-inch-thick mahogany deck planking. âItâll last for years.â

âLook at that figurehead up front!â Biff exclaimed. Leaning over the prow, he pointed to the painted figure of a stern-looking, slant-eyed Chinese mandarin holding a scroll in his hands.

âWhat are those eyes up at the bow?â Tony asked. He pointed to two realistic-looking eyes, made of glass, one on each side of the prow.

Ben Foy laughed. â âBoat with no eyes cannot see!â Thatâs an old proverb,â he explained.

Other decorations, such as Oriental dragons and banners, were painted in bright colors at various points around the junk. At the stern was the name Hai Hau.

âThatâs Chinese for âQueen of the Sea,â â Ben Foy translated.

He showed the boys the junkâs equipment, which included awnings to cover the afterdeck in bad weather, a euloh or sweep oar, to assist the ship in light wind or against the current, and a thirty-five-horsepower auxiliary outboard engine.

âPart of the stern area can be used as galley space,â Ben added. âHereâs a charcoal stove, and thereâs a small icebox compartment in the port-side locker.â

âThatâs for Chet!â Tony laughed.

The boys were highly satisfied and declared they were ready to purchase the junk. In answer to questions from Frank and Joe, Ben gave them a number of tips on handling and sailing the craft. Then they all went into the companyâs sales office to sign the purchase papers.

âBefore sailing the junk home,â Ben said, âyouâll have to go to the Coast Guard office and obtain a Certificate of Award of Number.â

âHow long will that take?â Frank asked.

âIt could be several days.â

At this announcement the boys sighed. âSay, whatâs going on outside?â Biff asked suddenly.

Through the open window they could see four Chinese gesturing as they examined the Hai Hau. A moment later the men crowded into the office. One was tall, the others short. All had cruel, calculating expressions.

âWe wish to buy the Hai Hau,â the tall Oriental declared. He took out a bulging wallet.

âSorry.â Ben shook his head. âYouâre too late to buy that junk. But we have some brand-new ones which I can show you.â

The tall man snarled, âI said we wish to buy the Hai Hauâthat is the one we prefer!â

âWell, youâre out of luck. These fellows have just purchased it.â

The four Chinese glared at the youths and burst into angry chattering, but Ben repeated firmly that the deal was closed. He finally managed to usher the obnoxious men outside.

Chet looked worried. âWhy do you think they only wanted our boat?â he asked.

âYes. Why?â Tony echoed. âIt wasnât advertised. This could mean trouble for us.â

âOh, stop stewing,â Biff scoffed. âThey may have seen it being unloaded here.â

The boys went to the Coast Guard office, and told a clerk what they wanted. He asked them to sit down and wait.

Half an hour went by. One hour. The boys fidgeted and walked around.

âWe may have to sit here for days,â Chet said aloud, following his statement with a loud groan. The other boys looked glum.

A commander, standing nearby, overheard Chetâs remark. With a smile he walked over and said, âBoys, I think we can take care of you now.â

All of them jumped up. He laughed and said, âOne will doâthe one with the receipt for the purchase of the junk.â Frank followed him and in a short time the transaction was finished. The boys hurried off. They ate lunch, then stowed their gear and some food aboard the Hai Hau. Frank revved the motor and they shoved off.

âGood junking!â Ben Foy waved a smiling farewell from the dock.

It was a hot, dead-calm day, so there was no point in hoisting the sails. They traveled southward along the Staten Island shoreline. Biff handled the tiller while Frank studied a chart on which he had plotted their course. Part of the homeward trip would be along inland waterways.

âHey, the engineâs missing!â Joe exclaimed suddenly.

âSounds like the plugs are fouled,â Tony said.

âMaybe itâs the oil film from storage.â

Before the boys could check, the outboard began to cough and vibrate alarmingly.

âThatâs more than just the plugs!â Frank declared. He shut off the motor hastily and Tony removed the cowling. As Frank had predicted, the ignition system was not at fault. Evidently the trouble was more serious.

Chet groaned. âAnd Ben Foy guaranteed the motor!â

âSo how do we get back to port?â Tony asked. âNo wind, no sail.â

âUse the sweep oar, I guess,â Frank replied gloomily.

The boys unshipped the long, heavy euloh and fitted it onto the stern peg. Each of the chums took turns working as oarsman. At first they found the euloh clumsy to handle, but after a little practice they were able to keep the junk moving steadily.

The water was dotted with vessels moving through the Narrows, in and out of New York Harbor. Gulls screeched and wheeled overhead. Presently the Hai Hau returned to the Staten Island pier. After tying up, the boys hurried to inform Ben Foy of their plight. He frowned with surprise, but upon checking the motor himself, promised to have a new engine installed immediately.

âWeâll live up to our guarantee,â he assured the boys. âBut it beats me what made that motor conk out! We overhauled it completely.â Ben Foy said that he was leaving the office shortly but would give orders to have the work done. âIf you boys decide to stay over, come to the Canton Palace as my guests,â he urged.

As the Bayport group waited for a new engine to be installed, the four Chinese who had tried to buy the junk suddenly appeared at the dock. âFor Peteâs sake, why are they here again?â Tonv muttered.

The tall leader walked up to the boys and offered to buy the junk from them at a price far higher than they had paid. Frank, as spokesman for his group, refused, but the Chinese and his friends continued to pester the youths.

âNo dealâthatâs final!â Frank said.

The Orientals exploded into angry phrases in their native language but finally walked away. Chet said under his breath, âWhatâs eating those guys, anyway?â

âI wish I knew,â Frank replied, puzzled.

By the time the new engine was installed, it was too late in the day to start for Bayport. They decided to leave the junk moored at the dock and sleep on it overnight.

Tony, feeling uneasy about the safety of the junk if left unguarded, offered to stay aboard while the others visited the Canton Palace in Chinatown. âThose mystery men may even come back here and help themselves to it!â

Biff, Chet, and the Hardys took the ferry to Manhattan. Alighting at the Battery, they asked directions from a policeman. Frank suggested they walk to the restaurant.

âSuits me!â Chet said. Joe and Biff nodded.

Dusk was shadowing the city when they reached the outskirts of Chinatown. Presently Joe gave his brother a nudge.

âDonât look now, but I think weâre being followed! Probably by those four guys who want the Hai Hau!â

CHAPTER III

Shadowy Attackers

FRANK sneaked a swift glance over his shoulder. The men were coming up behind the boys, hats pulled low over their faces.

âLetâs go faster!â Frank hissed. âThen we can find out if theyâre really following us.â

The boys quickened their pace and turned at the next corner.

âTheyâre still with us!â Joe reported.

Unfortunately, there was no policeman in sight; only pedestrians, who were, in the main, Orientals.

âWeâd better shake those men off!â Frank decided.

The four youths broke into a sprint, ducking in and out among the sidewalk strollers. The pace got hotter as the pursuit continued. The boys cut through an alley, crossed a street, and turned at the next corner. For several minutes they dodged and doubled back through the narrow streets. Finally they were sure they had shaken their pursuers.

âMan, Iâm bushed!â Chet panted as they paused for breath in front of a Chinese grocery. Then his expression changed. âHey, look at all this chow!â

He pointed to the store window. Shark fins, pressed ducks, and dried squid were displayed along with Chinese herbs and vegetables.

âInteresting,â said Frank, âbut weâd better find the Canton Palace before those men spot us again!â

By this time, colored electric signs were blinking on all over the neighborhood, many in Chinese. Store windows were crammed with Oriental merchandise, including carved Buddhas, jade trinkets, and Chinese silk pajamas.

âHereâs the restaurant!â Joe exclaimed presently.

When they entered the dimly lighted restaurant, the headwaiter came forward and with a polite smile showed them to a booth. Frank asked for Jim Foyâs uncle and cousin.

âAh, yes, I bring them right away,â the headwaiter promised.

A few moments later Mr. Dan Foy approached. He was a pleasant, round-faced man with gold-rimmed spectacles. He said that Ben had had to go on an errand.

âYou are friends of my esteemed nephew, I understand.â

âThatâs right, sir.â Frank introduced himself, Joe, and their two chums. âJim is a good friend and heâs one of our partners in buying the junk.â

âSo happy to hear that.â

Mr. Foy chatted with the boys awhile and took personal charge of ordering their dinner. Soon the four youths were enjoying birdâs-nest soup, roast duck, egg rolls, and almond cakes.

Suddenly a deep singsong voice said, âI understand you are owners of a junk called the Hai Hau.â

The boys looked up, startled. The speaker was a giant Chinese, with a long melon-shaped head and jutting ears. He had glided out of the shadows to their booth.

âHow do you know that?â Frank asked sharply.

âDid you not say so to honorable restaurant owner?â The man smiled. âAllow me to introduce myself. My name is Chin Gok. I would like to buy the Hai Hau.â

âIâm sorry, but the boat is not for sale.â

The huge Chinese smiled. âDo not decide too hastily. I will pay much more than it cost. Let us say, a profit of one hundred dollars?â

Frank glanced at the others, then shook his head. âNo, thanks. Weâre keeping the junk.â

Chin Gokâs face went pale with rage, but he did not speak. Bowing, he walked away.

âWow! A hundred bucksâ profit!â Biff muttered. âMaybe we should have taken it!â

âNothing doing,â Joe declared in a whisper. âIf that junk is so valuable, weâre hanging on to it.â

Worried by the strange events of the afternoon and evening, the boys were anxious to get back to the Hai Hau. They finished their meal, thanked Mr. Foy for his hospitality, and left the restaurant.

âLetâs take a taxi,â Chet suggested nervously.

âGood idea, if we can find one,â Frank said.

The boys hurried toward Chatham Square. As they passed a darkened doorway, Joe heard a shuffling noise. Before he could turn, someone grabbed him.

âLook out!â Joe yelled to the others.

The boys whirled to find themselves facing four masked assailants! The assault had come so suddenly there was no time to plan a defense. Fists swung wildly in the darkness as the youths fought off their attackers.

Bam! Frank landed a terrific right that sent one thug reeling back against the wall. Biff was swinging like a windmill, while Chetâs beefy strength was slowly wearing down another opponent.

Joe, whose arms had been pinioned from the back, was having the roughest time of all. But he fought tigerishly, kicking his opponentâs legs.

Suddenly one of the masked men barked out something in Chinese. The boys assumed it was a warning that a policeman was coming, for they saw one in the distance. The next moment all four attackers went racing down a nearby alley in the darkness.

âLet âem go,â Frank advised as the others started after the thugs. âThis might even be a trap.â

âThose sneaking rats!â Biff panted. âI wonder if they were the same guys who were following us? And whatâs the big idea, anyhow?â

âMaybe thisâll prove something,â Joe said. He picked up a torn-off piece of newspaper. âWhen I was scrapping with that guy who jumped me, this fell out of his pocket.â

âLetâs see.â

Frank held the paper up to the light from a nearby store. It was printed in Chinese.

âWhat goodâll that do us?â Chet asked. âNone of us can read Chinese.â

âMr. Foy can. Letâs go back and ask him,â Frank suggested.

The boys retraced their steps to the restaurant. Mr. Foy was shocked to hear about the attack. He took the boys into a back room and read the article to them in English.

It was a story about a smuggling plot, which had just been uncovered by the United States customs authorities. It stated that while Chin Gok was a suspect, nothing had been definitely proved against him and he had been released.

âWhatâs his game now?â Biff puzzled. âI mean, where does the junk come in?â

Frank frowned thoughtfully. âRemember, Ben Foy told us that the Hai Hau had been shipped to his company by mistake. Actually, it might have been a put-up job. Chin Gok may have used it to smuggle contraband into this country.â

Chetâs eyes bugged. âYou mean there was treasure hidden aboard and not by some old pirate either?â

Frank nodded. âThat would explain why all these guys are so eager to get hold of our boat. Itâs full of nooks and crannies where it would be easy for a smuggler to sneak stuff through customs.â

Joe shot his brother a worried glance. If the Hai Hau did contain contraband, the boys might find themselves in real trouble. But neither of the Hardys wished to alarm their chums by pointing this out.

âPerhaps it would be safer if I called a taxi to take you back to the ferry,â Mr. Foy suggested. The boys agreed to this, and the restaurant owner added, âPlease be careful!â

The chums arrived at the pier on Staten Island without further incident. Tony reported that nothing had happened while they were gone, and listened to their nightâs adventures with keen interest.

âLetâs get away from here early,â he urged.

The next morning, as the boys prepared to embark for Bayport, a little after six oâclock, a short, slender Chinese approached them on the dock.

âGood grief, another one?â Chet muttered.

Their visitor was dapperly dressed in a summer suit and straw hat. âGood morning, boys. May I introduce myself? George Ti-Ming. The Hai Hau is most pleasing to me. It is exactly like one owned by my family in China. I was disappointed to learn that you young gentlemen had purchased it, because I should like to have it. Perhaps you would be willing to sell for a suitable price?â

The boys exchanged suspicious glances. Was he another member of a large gang determined to get the boat, or were there three separate groups interested in it? And why?

âWe do not wish to sell,â Frank told Mr. Ti-Ming.

The man shrugged. âThere is an old Chinese saying that bad luck follows those who will not be reasonable. You may regret your decision.â

The youthful owners of the Hai Hau began to suspect the same thing. But they rejected any thought of giving up the junk, and cast-off as George Ti-Ming stood watching them, his eyes slitted with annoyance.

The sky was overcast, with a brisk breeze chopping up the gray-green sea. The Bayport crew hoisted sail to take advantage of the wind.

âBoy, at last we get a chance to enjoy ourselves!â Chet lolled back in the stem, lacing his hands behind his head.

âYou said it,â Frank agreed. âBut weâd better keep an eye on the weather.â

The outer harbor was alive with shipping, but gradually they left this scene of activity behind. As the Hai Hau proceeded along during the late afternoon, the wind gradually died down and mist gathered over the water. Sails flapping, the junk had to depend on its motor.

âThat fogâs building up,â Tony remarked. âWeâd better hug the shoreline.â

Joe, who was handling the tiller, nodded. âLooks as though itâs going to be a real peasouper.â He cut speed as the fog became thicker.

The hooting of foghorns reached their ears. Frank began sounding their own power whistle, a blast every minute. Bit by bit, the fog closed in. Soon they were blanketed by a thick curtain.

âThink we should drop anchor?â Joe asked.

His question was answered as they felt a sudden bump from the bottom. The motor churned uselessly.

âWeâre aground!â Biff exclaimed.

Joe cut the outboard hastily, hoping that no damage had occurred.

âN-now what?â said Chet nervously.

Frank shrugged. âWait it out till the fog lifts. Itâs about all we can do.â

It was an eerie sensation, lying still on the water, cut off from the outside world. The boys took turns ringing the junkâs bell. From time to time, muffled sounds drifted through the swirling mist.

Chet had taken charge of the galley. As he prepared to heat up cans of beans for supper on the charcoal stove, he accidentally spilled several red-hot embers onto the wooden deck.

âWatch it!â Tony yelled.

Joe doused the embers with a splash of water. âTake it easy, Chet!â

âThis junk must be jinxed!â Biff grumbled.

The fog did not lift until morning. Biff and Tony pried the junk loose with the euloh oar and a boat hook, while Frank reversed the engine. Fortunately, no damage had occurred.

The boys resumed their voyage, making good time. They slept on board again that night and at noon the next day, Saturday, triumphantly sailed into Bayport Harbor. A crowd gathered as the junk approached the public dock.

âBoy, look at the reception!â Chet exulted.

âAll we need is a brass band,â Tony agreed with a pleased grin. âThisâll get our boat business off to a flying start!â

The boysâ satisfaction dimmed considerably when they found themselves greeted by laughs and joking comments. Clams Dagget was in the forefront of the crowd, spurring on the spectators with jeering remarks.

âHere comes the âHee Hawâ! I told you they was buyinâ a real junk!â he hooted. âIâd sooner put to sea in a bathtub!â

Joe scrambled up on the dock, ready to blast Clams angrily. But Frank laid a restraining hand on his brotherâs arm.

âLet him have his little joke.â Calling out to Clams, he said, âItâs pronounced âHay How.â â

After arranging for space at a dock that had day and night guards, the chums left the Hai Hau tied up, planning to get in touch with one another by phone. Frank and Joe hurried home. They found Aunt Gertrude pale and upset.

âIâm glad youâre back!â she said, as they each gave her a hug. âThere was a prowler here again last night!â

CHAPTER IV

Chetâs Dilemma

âA PROWLER!â Frank echoed. âWhat happened, Aunt Gertrude?â

âThe alarm bell went off in the middle of the night,â Miss Hardy reported. âI jumped out of bed and looked down at the lawn. The floodlights were on and I could see a man dart off through the bushes!â

âWhat did he look like?â Frank asked.

âI could see only his back, but he seemed tall. Fortunately, all the doors were bolted.â Upset by the recollection, Miss Hardy sank into an armchair. âGave me a dreadful fright! I thought for a while I might faint!â

âNot a brave person like you!â Joe patted her shoulder affectionately. âDid you call the police?â

His aunt sniffed. âCertainly not! What good would that have done? The man was gone.â

After fixing lunch for the boys, Aunt Gertrude went upstairs to lie down. Frank and Joe ate with zest, discussing the case between mouthfuls of tomato soup, cold roast chicken, and angel cake.

âIf that prowler was tall, he might have been the same guy who stole our two hundred dollars,â Joe conjectured.

Frank nodded. âSounds that way. Weâd better report it to Chief Collig. Iâd like to know if he has any leads on the thief.â

âAfraid not, boys,â the officer said. âItâs my opinion the burglar has left town. But your report, Frank, sheds a new light on the matter.â

After putting down the phone, Frank got paper and pencil and jotted down four objectives for him and Joe to accomplish. From their father, the boys had learned that thinking with a pencil often helped to clarify a case. Joe grinned wryly as he read what his brother had written:

1. Find out who the prowler is.

2. Solve the mystery behind the Hai Hau.

3. Learn more about Chin Gok, George Ti-Ming, and the other four Chinese.

4. Get going with our boat business!

âIâd say we have our hands full!â

âDitto!â Frank agreed. âFirst, letâs check the grounds.â

The brothers looked around the house for footprints, but the prowler seemed to have left none, although the soil was soft.

âIf youâre looking for that prowlerâs marks, itâs no use,â Aunt Gertrude informed them from an upstairs window. âIt rained here last night.â

Frank and Joe spent the rest of the afternoon replacing the old alarm system with a new type to warn of anyone approaching. They tore out the wiring in the shrubbery and substituted an electric-eye âsnooperscopeâ arrangement, as Joe dubbed it. Next, the boys disconnected the outdoor floodlights and the shrill alarm bell in the house. Instead, they hooked up a series of buzzers on all floors. By this setup, the Hardys hoped to lure intruders close enough to be captured, rather than frighten them away.

âIt should do the trick if that thief pays us another visit,â Frank said when the job was finished.

âThereâs only one thing I wish weâd done differently; fix the system so it would work with the doors open,â said Joe. âBut itâs too late to change it. We must remember to keep them closed.â

Remembering that they had not yet reported to Jim Foy, Frank telephoned him. The Chinese-American lad was thrilled to hear he was part owner of the Hai Hau, but mystified by the boysâ strange adventures on the Staten Island pier and in Chinatown.

âIs there any way your uncle or cousin could help us check up on George Ti-Ming?â Frank asked.

âSure,â Jim replied. âUncle Danâs a member of the Chinese Benevolent Association. It has information on everybody connected with Chinatown. Iâll ask him to find out.â

âSwell!â

Before hanging up, Frank told Jim the brothers would meet him at the Hai Hau after church the next morning. The three gathered at twelve-thirty and Jimâs eyes sparkled as he walked around the junk.

âSheâs a beauty,â he said enthusiastically. âI guess sheâs pretty old, but in good shape. When do we begin business?â

âAs soon as we find out what the law requires to carry passengers,â Frank replied.

Monday morning, when the Hardys were eating breakfast, Tony Prito stopped by in one of his fatherâs construction companyâs pickup trucks.

âHey, you know my cousin Ralph whoâs a Coast Guard officer?â Tony said. âWell, I got all the dope from him yesterday about operating a passenger boat for hire.â

âNeat. What is it?â Frank asked.

âWell, we canât carry more than six passengers without going to a lot of trouble in keeping to regulations.â

âThatâs okay,â said Joe cheerfully. âWeâll make two or three round trips each day.â

âFrank,â Tony went on, âyou and I will have to get pilotâs licenses.â

âWhat about the rest of us?â Joe put in.

âCanât. You have to be eighteen.â

âWhatâs involved in getting the licenses?â Frank inquired of Tony.

âA written test and a physical exam by our family doctors or the Public Health Service,â Tony replied. âBring along a letter from your doctor.â

âOkay, Iâll make an appointment this morning. Whatâs the test on?â

âNavigation lawsâand first aid, fire prevention, buoys, sanitation, etc.â

âYou fellows had better pass or we wonât be in business,â Joe warned with a grin.

Frank winked at Tony and clutched his stomach. âOh, Iâve developed a horrible pain. Afraid I have appendicitis.â

âToo bad,â said Tony. He got up from the chair on which he had been sitting and limped across the room. âNo use, Joe. Canât run a junk with a bad leg.â

âOkay, you guys.â Joe laughed. âGet going!â

Frank promised to meet Tony on the Hai Hauâs dock at two oâclock and called the Hardysâ family physician, Dr. Bates, as soon as Tony had left. The brothers spent the next hour composing an advertisement announcing their boat business, to be turned in at the Bayport Times office as soon as the licenses to run the Hai Hau were granted.

The doctorâs nurse had given Frank an appointment at one oâclock sharp. After getting his checkup and a letter from Dr. Bates reporting a perfect score, Frank drove to the pier. Tony was already there and reported that he too had been given a clean bill of health. He showed Frank several life jackets.

âRalph advised me to get these,â Tony said. âWe can split the cost later. Did you bone up on your rules and regulations, Frank?â

âSure did. I think I know âem okay.â

Frank and Tony went off to the Coast Guard inspectorâs office, and passed the written test without any trouble. The boys were given papers showing they had licenses to operate the Hai Hau. They then parted and Frank drove to the Hardy home.

âNow we can run the ad,â said Joe, relieved. He and Frank took it to the newspaper office.

âWhatâs next?â Joe asked.

Frank suggested that the brothers inform their other partners they were now ready for business. âLetâs start with Chet.â

He drove the car to the Morton farm on the outskirts of Bayport. Only Chetâs mother was at home. She said that Chet had gone to practice something to do with spelunking at the abandoned Tyler farm, a mile down the road.

âI didnât know that place had a cave on it,â Joe remarked as he and Frank drove off.

Frank pulled into the rutted dirt drive of the Tyler farm and stopped in front of the weather-beaten, deserted house. The boys got out.

âHey, Chet!â Joe shouted, cupping his hands.

The brothers began scouting the fields, which were overgrown with weeds and brush.

Suddenly a shrill whistle came as if from nowhere, followed by a ghostly voice calling, âHey, you guys! Help!â

âItâs Chet!â Frank exclaimed. âWhere is he?â

A further search revealed an old dry well. Attached at the top of the well to a tree was a broken length of rope. At the bottom of the gloomy shaft they could make out the round face of their chum looking up at them pitifully.

âFor Peteâs sake, what happened?â Joe called down. âYou all right?â

âYes, Iâm all right, but get me out of here!â

Joe ran back to the car and returned with a rope. After much tugging and hauling, the Hardys finally succeeded in pulling Chet to safety.

âThanks, fellows!â he panted.

The Hardys eyed in amazement the strange-looking garb of their friend, who was perspiring heavily.

âGood grief!â Joe burst out laughing. âWhatâre you dressed up forâa moon flight?â

The stout youth was wearing large, one-piece green coveralls. They fitted snugly at wrists and ankles, and had leather patches at the knees and shoulders. The opening at the neck revealed two heavy red-plaid wool shirts underneath, which made Chetâs oversize figure bulge more than ever. Cotton work gloves, huge hiking boots with sweat socks, and a hard hat topped with a minerâs lamp completed Chetâs costume.

He also carried a police whistle on a lanyard around his neck, a waterproof plastic bag over one shoulder, and a length of nylon rope wrapped around his plump midriff.

âAll that in this weather?â Frank shook his head. âHeat mustâve gone to your brain, Chet.â

âYou just donât know about spelunking,â Chet defended himself, adding proudly, âThe name comes from the Latin word for cave, spelunca.â

âDo you need this much gear for exploring caves?â Joe put in.

âSure, itâs dangerous. You have to be prepared for emergencies,â Chet replied.

He opened his shoulder bag and took out a compass, a special watertight flashlight with a plastic lens, extra bulbs, batteries, matches, and candles in a small waterproof container. There were also plastic reflecting tape, several strips of which he had already pasted on his helmet, a cigar-shaped first-aid kit, a small knife, extra carbide and a repair kit for the lamp, and two canteens.

âOne holds drinking water and the other extra water for the lamp,â Chet explained.

The Hardys stared at the heaped-up assortment. Chet beamed with pride as he stuffed the various objects into his kit bag.

âIf all that equipmentâs for exploring caves,â said Joe, âwhat were you doing inside the well?â

Chet reddened slightly. âWellâuhâI thought Iâd try chimneying. Thatâs a way of climbing up a narrow passage by pushing your feet against the opposite side and inching up. I let myself down by the rope and it broke. Then when I tried to chimney up, I found the well was too wide. So there I was. Good thing I heard you guys talking.â

Joe grinned. âAnd itâs a good thing our rescue rope didnât break. You put enough of a strain on it yourself, without adding that ton of hardware youâre carrying!â

Chet was undaunted. âGo ahead, laugh. Spelunkers find some terrific sights underground.â

âIâll bet it is interesting,â Frank conceded. âMaybe we can all take a crack at cave exploring this fall after our Chinese junk trips are over.â

âNow youâre talking!â Chet exclaimed. âThere are some swell caves right around Bayport.â

Frank then told him about getting the license and running the ad. âTomorrow letâs take the Hai Hau on a trial run around Barmet Bay and over to Rocky Isle,â he suggested. âWe can figure out how much itâs going to cost us, so weâll know what to charge our passengers.â

Chet hesitated. âI half promised a couple of people to take them spelunking,â he said, grinning mysteriously. âThought you fellows might even come along. I didnât know youâd be ready to start our ferry service so soon. Iâll come if I can, but donât wait for me.â

âOkay.â

The Hardys took Chet home, then drove to their own house. The brothers found Aunt Gertrude entertaining a club friend, Mrs. Witherspoon, a widow. They greeted her, then went on to the kitchen for lemonade and cookies.

Mrs. Witherspoon had a piercing voice, and the boys could plainly hear the conversation. â... must tell you, Gertrude, about the most wonderful new doctor whoâs just opened an office here in Bayport! Dr. Montrose, his name is.â

âIndeed? What is he like?â Aunt Gertrude asked.

âSimply amazing! Heâs already helped Cora with her sciatica, and Mrs. Pritchard says heâs calmed her nerves no end. You ought to try him.â Mrs. Witherspoon went on to say that the wealthy Dr. Montrose also advised his patients in financial deals. He had already sent several women to a stockbroker friend of his to make investments.

After the visitor had left, Aunt Gertrude came into the kitchen to prepare supper.

âHumph!â she said. âItâs my opinion that fellow Montrose is a fraud! Probably every woman patientâand theyâre all widowsâwill lose her money! I think itâs my duty to expose him.â

âYouâll need proof,â Frank reminded her.

âThen Iâll get proof!â Miss Hardy declared. âIâll turn detective and ask him here to treat me. Iâll soon find out what heâs up to!â

CHAPTER V

A Strange Warning

THAT evening Frank and Joe went over their list of equipment on the Hai Hau. âGuess nothingâs missing,â said Joe.

At that moment Frank snapped his fingers. âSomething very important is missing,â he said. âOur junk has no short-wave radio, and we might need one to get in touch with the Coast Guard. Letâs fix up that portable set in the basement.â

âYou mean the one Dad just took out of the old car he soldâthe set with the Coast Guard, the police, and the Hardy frequencies on it?â

Frank nodded. Two years ago the boysâ father had had a two-way set rigged up in their basement, so that he could have quick communication not only with the Bayport police, but with the cars of his operative Sam Radley and his sons.

âSwell idea!â said Joe. âLetâs get started.â

The brothers worked until nearly midnight getting the portable sending-and-receiving set ready for the Hai Hau. Then, yawning, they climbed the stairs to bed.

The next morning Aunt Gertrude telephoned Dr. Montrose early and asked him to call at the house. He arrived before nine oâclock, just as the boys were ready to leave. Mrs. Witherspoon was with him.

âI was in the doctorâs office, Gertrude, when you phoned,â the widow explained, âso I thought Iâd come along and introduce you two. Believe me, you can have every faith in Dr. Montrose!â

The physician smiled confidently. He was tall and thin, with a small head perched on a long stringy neck. His eyes were sharp and piercing.

âAnd these are Miss Hardyâs nephews, Frank and Joe,â Mrs. Witherspoon went on.

The boys shook hands, then said they were about to leave the house for several hours.

âMrs. Witherspoon, would you be able to stay here and answer the door or phone while my aunt is consulting Dr. Montrose?â Frank requested. He did not like the idea of leaving Miss Hardy alone on her detective mission!

âOh, Iâll keep house while the doctorâs here,â Mrs. Witherspoon promised good-naturedly.

Frank and Joe thanked her. Before starting off Joe hurried to the basement to turn on the short-wave set.

âIâd like to call Aunt Gertrude later and hear what she found out from that âstock swindler,ââ Joe confided to his brother as they hurried to the dock. Frank grinned.

At the pier the Hardys found Biff and Tony polishing woodwork on the Hai Hau. Frank and Joe pitched in to help them, and a few minutes later Jim Foy showed up.

âWelcome aboard, honored guest,â Joe said solemnly, bowing low in Oriental manner.

The Chinese-American lad chuckled. âBoy, thatâs corny enough for a Grade D movie about China! Which reminds me, I wrote my uncle about George Ti-Ming.â

âFine,â said Frank. âLet us know as soon as you hear anything.â

Jim Foy scrambled down from the dock to join the others. Frank reminded them of the Chinese newspaper item concerning Chin Gok and the smuggling plot. âLetâs search this junk and see if anythingâs still hidden aboard.â

âRight!â Tony agreed.

The boys began a search of every crack and crevice. They were about to give up when Joe gave a shout from the bow.

âHey, someone bring a screw driver!â

Frank grabbed one from the tool locker and hurried to join his brother in the bow. The other boys watched as Joe carefully pried loose a tiny silvery object which had become wedged between two deck planks.

âWhat is it?â Biff asked, staring with wide-eyed interest. Then he exclaimed, âA bullet!â

âGood night!â said Tony. âI wonder when that missed someone and landed here!â

Frank and Joe examined the bullet. âMy guess is that it came from quite a distance,â Frank said. âProbably a stray intended for a practice target.â

âI hope youâre right,â Biff said with an uncomfortable feeling.

Tony urged that they stop searching and set sail. But the Hardys told Biff and Tony they needed time to install the two-way radio set they had brought along.

âI figured we could use it for ship-to-shore communication with that radio setup in our basement,â Frank explained, âand also call the Coast Guard if we need to.â

The job of installing the short-wave equipment was soon completed. Tony started the outboard and they put-putted away from the dock. Once clear, the sails were hoisted and the centerboard lowered.

âWind on the port beam,â Frank observed.

Soon they were scudding over the water at a brisk clip. It was a bright sunny day and Rocky Isle was clearly outlined on the horizon beyond the mouth of Barmet Bay.

âLetâs try calling Aunt Gertrude,â Joe suggested presently. âOver an hour has gone by since Dr. Montrose came to the house. Iâd like to know how she made out with her detective work.â Speaking into the mike, he said, âHardy boys to Elm Street. Come in, please!â

There was no response, except a faint sputter of static. Repeated calls were not answered.

âAunt Gertrude must have gone out,â said Joe.

Suddenly a hissing voice broke in, âHardys, I warn you. Do not sail the Hai Hau!â

The boys were electrified. âGood night! Where did that come from?â Tony exclaimed. âYour house?â

Frank became grim. âIf it did, that voice might have been a prowlerâs. Aunt Gertrude may have run into trouble!â

âYouâre right,â said Joe. âWeâd better get back there pronto!â

The Hai Hau was turned in a wide sweep, then headed back to Bayport. Biff tried to ease the Hardysâ worries by suggesting that the warning had not come from the boysâ home after all. âSomeone who knows your frequency may just be spoofing you,â he said.

Frank and Joe were not convinced and listened carefully for any further message. Halfway back through the bay, Joe gave the radio call signal again. To everyoneâs amazement a familiar voice crackled over the junkâs speaker.

âHi, fellows! This is Chet Spelunker!â

âChet! For Peteâs sake, where are you operating from?â Joe cried out.

âYour place,â the stout boy replied. âThe front door was open, so I walked in. Hope you donât mind. Just then I heard your signal and hustled down to the basement.â

Joe asked, âWere you the wise guy who sent us that warning before?â

âWhat warning? What are you talking about?â

Chet was dumfounded when he heard of the mysterious threat received over the junkâs radio. âIt sure wasnât my voice you heardâI just got here,â he said. âI only stopped by toâwell, to see if your aunt had any spare cake for a picnic.â

âWhereâs Aunt Gertrude?â Joe asked.

âSheâs not around, worse luck. I guess she must be out. Didnât answer when I called her,â Chet replied.

âAnd no one else is there?â

âNot a soul. And the house looks okay.â Chet chuckled. âAbout that picnic. Callie and Iola are going on the spelunking trip with me.â

Callie Shaw, an attractive blonde, was Frankâs favorite date. The couple usually double-dated with Iola and Joe.

âSome guys have all the luck,â Joe remarked.

âWell, see you later!â Chet called. âIâll close the door.â

The plump youth signed off, leaving Frank and Joe more mystified than ever. Where was Miss Hardy? Who had left the door open? And who had sent the strange radio threat, and from where?

Biff spoke up. âSince everything is okay at your house, Frank and Joe, letâs continue our trip to Rocky Isle.â

The Hardys agreed, though they would have preferred going home to be sure nothing had happened. Once more the junk was turned and the boys tacked out of the bay and emerged onto the open sea. Rocky Isle lay about five miles distant. The northern end of the small island was a tumbled mass of rock, rising to a sheer cliff, on which stood a white lighthouse. The southern portion of the land was flat and sandy. The only home on it, which was near the shore, was occupied by the park keeper, Dave Roberts.

âMight be a good idea to practice landing at the public wharf,â Frank suggested.

Tony laughed. âYou mean weâd better look good when we bring our first load of passengers?â

The wind continued while they crossed the stretch of open water. As they neared the southern end of the island and approached the boat landing, Frank told Biff to cut the engine.

âLetâs try it under sail,â he said.

Frank swung the junkâs nose around into the wind to lose headway and ordered the others to slacken off on the sheets. As they did, the wind shifted. A sudden gust sent the junk straight toward the quay!

âWeâll crash!â Jim cried.

Acting quickly, Joe shoved the fenders over the side, grabbed a bamboo boat hook, and staved off the shock of impact. With a creaking scrunch the junk swung into position alongside the stone pier!

âWhew! Letâs not do that again!â he gasped.

âNice going, boy!â Tony clapped Joe on the back. âWith you aboard, what is there to worry about?â

The boys practiced several more landings, both with and without the motor. All went off smoothly. Satisfied, they headed back toward Barmet Bay.

Two miles from the island, a motorboat came racing up astern and pulled alongside the junk. Aboard were two men in Coast Guard uniforms. One, wearing the insignia of a chief petty officer, hailed them in a loud voice.

âHeave to! Weâre coming aboard!â

CHAPTER VI

Coastal Search

THE boys aboard the Hai Hau were surprised at the unexpected order. The Coast Guard officerâs scowling manner hinted at trouble.

âAnything wrong?â Frank called across the water as Tony cut the outboard.

âWeâre checking on all private craft in the Bayport area!â the man shouted back. âThat junk isnât properly documented and youâre subject to a fine. The Hai Hau will have to be taken back to the base in tow!â

Biff reddened angrily. âWhat do you mean? We have everything required.â

âWe got our Certificate of Award of Number in New York,â Tony called.

âTell that to the warrant officer!â the man retorted. âWeâre still taking you in! Youâll have to prove what youâre saying.â

He poised in the stern, ready to leap aboard the junk as his mate steered closer to the Hai Hau.

âWait a second!â Joe ordered. With sharp eyes he had looked over the other craft. âThatâs no Coast Guard boat youâre in,â he said. âWhereâs your official ensign?â

The burly pilotâs expression became ugly. âDonât get smart with us, kidl Weâll ask the questions!â

âIâll bet theyâre phonies!â Frank cried out.

The men heard him. âShut up or weâll clap you all in irons!â one threatened. As the boats touched sides, he vaulted over the gunwale.

Joe greeted him with a stiff-hand jab before the man could find solid footing on the Hai Hauâs deck. Taken off balance, he toppled backward into the water. He came up spluttering and cursing. The helmsman shouted dire threats at the boys.

âNowâs our chance!â Joe yelled. âGive âer the gun, Tony!â He threw the helm hard over.

Tony revved the outboard and the junk spurted away from the speedboat. Its wheelsman was too concerned with rescuing his partner to give chase.

Biff chuckled and pumped Joeâs hand. âNice going, pal!â

The boys hooted with laughter as they watched the man in the water being hauled into the speedboat, drenched and dripping. He looked balefully at the boys.

âYou wonât get away with this!â

His angry bellow carried across the water. He and his pal made no attempt to go after the boys, evidently realizing that they stood little chance against the Hai Hauâs husky and determined crew.

âWow! This is more excitement than I bargained for!â Jim Foy said. âAre you fellows sure those guys werenât real coastguardmen from the Bayport station?â

âWeâll soon find out!â Biff declared.

He warmed up the transmitter again and tuned in the Coast Guard station frequency. All of the crew were much relieved when the baseâs radio operator assured them that no harbor patrol boats had been ordered to pick up unregistered craft. He also said that the lieutenant in charge would send out a launch at once to hunt for the trouble-makers.

âI wonder where those fakers got their uniforms?â Tony mused.

Frank shrugged. âStole them probably. What Iâd like to know is why everyoneâs so anxious to get hold of this junk.â

âMaybe all the guys weâve had run-ins with are members of the same gang,â Joe conjectured.

Biff offered another theory. He suggested that the two fake coastguardmen might be cronies of Clams Dagget. âMaybe Clams hired them to keep us from starting our boat business,â Biff said. âYou told us, Frank, that he sure was mad when he came to your house.â

âThatâs right.â

The Hai Hau returned to Bayport without further incident, and was tied up at the pier. Jim Foy said he must leave as he had a job to do for his father. The other four boys remained for a while, talking over their plans. Tomorrow was to be the opening day of their passenger service to Rocky Isle.

âLetâs keep our fingers crossed!â Tony said with a grin as the meeting broke up.

âDonât worry,â Frank replied confidently. âIâll bet we get a full boatload every trip!â

Biff and Tony, who had chores to attend to, drove off in Biffâs jeep. âSee you tomorrow, fellows!â

âWhatâll we do now?â Joe asked his brother.

âLetâs grab a hamburger,â Frank said. âIâm starved.â

âSo am I. But first I want to phone the Coast Guard and find out if theyâve picked up those two fakers.â

The brothers went into a nearby restaurant which had a pay telephone booth and made the call. The two men had not been caught.

As the Hardys perched themselves on stools, Joe suggested, âWhat say you and I try to trace those phony coastguardmen? Maybe we can spot their boat. After all, we got a good look at it.â

âSmart idea! Weâll take the Sleuth.â

The boys finished their hamburgers and hurried to the boathouse where they kept their motorboat. Minutes later, they were cruising along the shore of Barmet Bay. They went the full length of the three miles, first inspecting the north side, then the south. There was no sign of the speedboat anywhere.

âLetâs try the ocean,â Frank urged.

Leaving the harbor mouth, the Hardys turned northward along the coast. The ocean was as quiet as a pond. From time to time the brothers hailed fishing boats and other small craft to inquire about the speedboat. None of the skippers they questioned had sighted it, and the boys did not spot the craft hidden anywhere along the rocky, indented shoreline.

âLooks as if weâre out of luck,â Joe grumbled.

Frank was keeping binoculars trained along the coast. âLetâs try south of the bay,â he suggested.

âOkay. Letâs go!â Joe swung the Sleuth around, leaving a frothing wake.

As it passed Rocky Isle to starboard, a small cabin cruiser crossed their bow. The man at the wheel waved to them. Frank shouted a description of the speedboat and asked if he had seen it.

âSure, about ten minutes ago,â the yachtsman called back. âHeading over that way!â

He indicated a sandy stretch of beach half a mile beyond the harbor mouth.

âThanks!â The boys waved back.

âA break at last!â Joe muttered. He increased speed and the Sleuth lunged ahead, its bow lifting clear of the water.

As they neared the beach which the yachtsman had pointed out, the boys switched places. Frank took the wheel.

âHey, this is where Clams Dagget lives!â Joe remembered suddenly. He trained the binoculars on the shore, picking out Daggetâs shack. âFrank!â he yelled excitedly. âI see those two men who pretended to be coastguardmen. Theyâre standing in front of the shack, talking to Clams!â

Frank gunned the motorboat shoreward. As it beached in the shallows of an inlet the boys leaped out and ran toward the shack.

At that instant their quarry sighted them. Breaking off the conversation with Clams, the two men dashed into the tall cattails behind the shack.

âAfter those fakers!â Joe shouted to Frank.

The marshy ground sloped upward into scrubby underbrush, willows, and sumac. Frank and Joe could hear the men plunging forward, but soon lost sight of them. The boys were finally forced to give up.

âWhat luck!â Joe growled. âWe almost had âem!â

âLetâs see what Clams has to say about them,â Frank suggested grimly.

Dagget was lounging in front of his shack, whittling a piece of wood. He appeared unconcerned as the two boys walked up to him.

âWho were those guys?â Frank demanded.

âWhat guys?â

âThe ones we were chasing.â

Clams shrugged. âHow should I know?â He began whistling airily as he continued work with his pocketknife.

âYouâd better think hard!â Frank warned him. âThose fellows areââ

He broke off as a motor roared in the distance. A second later the boys saw their quarryâs speedboat race from a nearby cove. It headed northward.

Joe clenched his fists in futile rage. âNo hope of catching them with that kind of a start! But I can notify the authorities on the Sleuthâs radio. Wait here,â he told Frank, and dashed back to the motorboat.

The young detective pressed the button for the Coast Guard frequency. He reported having seen the impersonators and that they had taken a northerly route in their escape.

âLetâs go after those fakers!â Joe urged

Meanwhile, Frank had been quizzing Clams Dagget. When he found him unwilling to talk, Frank flushed with anger.

âListen, ClamsâIâm warning you. Those two guys you were talking to just committed a federal offense.â

âWhat!â

The old beachcomberâs mouth dropped open in a look of alarm.

âYou heard me. Theyâre impersonating members of the United States Coast Guard. Whatâs more, they tried to board our junk and take over,â Frank added. âThat could be attempted piracy.â

âI donât know nothinâ about âem,â Clams Dagget whined. âNever even seen âem before. Thatâs the truth!â

âThen what were you talking to them about? You were sure acting chummy!â

âThey said they wanted me to do a job forâem,â Clams replied. âI donât know what. You and your brother came along and scared âem off before they got a chance to explain.â

Presently Joe returned and questioned Clams further, but finally both boys decided he was telling the truth. Boarding the Sleuth, they returned to Bayport.

It was almost seven oâclock when Frank and Joe arrived home. They found a note from Aunt Gertrude on the hall table. It said:

I feel much better and am going out. Dr. Montrose is a good physician. He did not talk about stocks and I had no chance to bring up the subject.

Phone Chet Mortonâs mother as soon as you get in. She has called twice.

Frank frowned. âI wonder whatâs up?â

He dialed the Mortonâs number. A womanâs voice answered almost immediately.

âThis is Frank Hardy, Mrs. Morton. Iââ

âOh, thank goodness you got my message!â Mrs. Morton sounded frantic. âChet and the two girls havenât returned from their cave trip! They were due hours ago! Please help us find them!â

CHAPTER VII

Missing Spelunkers

FRANK tried to calm Chetâs excited mother. âIâm sure thereâs nothing to be alarmed about, Mrs. Morton,â he said soothingly. âJoe and I will start looking right away. Did Chet tell you where he and Callie and Iola were going?â

âThatâs just itâhe didnât say exactly!â Mrs. Morton replied. âHe did mention taking the West Road, but I donât know where. Oh dear, I never should have let them go!â

âPlease donât worry,â Frank said. âWeâll find them.â

As he hung up, Joe flashed him a questioning look. âWhatâs wrong?â

âChet and the girls are missing. Come on! Weâll have to work fast before it gets too dark!â

The boys dashed out to their convertible and sped through the outskirts of town. Frank took the West Road. Outside Bayport, the road ran through a stretch of barren, rocky hillsides.

âSlow down,â Joe said as they came to a turnoff. âLetâs check this road. There might be a cave around here.â

Frank braked the convertible and swung off onto the dirt shoulder. Joe leaped out, hoping to find the tire tracks of Chetâs jalopy. He came back a moment later, shaking his head.

âNo luck.â

Most of the area was uncultivated, with scraggy brush and timber growing up the hillsides. As the boys rode along they passed a rock quarry and several gravel pits. Here and there, dirt lanes branched off, leading to scattered farms or other roads.

The Hardys checked several of these rutted paths. On the fifth try, Joe shouted:

âHey! This may be it!â

Frank hurried to join him. His brother pointed out a set of narrow tire tracks with a worn, old-fashioned tread pattern.

âThose are Chetâs, all right!â Frank confirmed. âI noticed the treads that time we helped him change one of his tires.â

Hurrying back to their car, the boys turned up the lane. The convertible jounced and jolted so badly that Frank shifted into low gear.

Moments later, Joe gave a cry of relief. Chetâs red jalopy was parked ahead. It had been pulled off the lane into a bordering clump of poplars. Beyond the trees, the ground rose steeply.

âThere must be a cave entrance nearby,â said Frank. âWeâd better take our flashlights.â

Joe grabbed them from the glove compartment and the brothers hopped out. Daylight was fading, but a clear trail of crushed undergrowth plainly showed which direction the spelunkers had taken.

The brush finally thinned out amid tumbled rocks and boulders. A few minutesâ search, however, revealed an opening in the hillside.

Joe cupped his hands and yelled into the yawning darkness. âHey, Chet! ... Iola!â

No answer.

âLetâs go in!â Frank urged. âThe cave probably runs in a long way. They canât hear us.â

Crouching, the boys entered. Once inside, they were able to straighten up. Frank and Joe stabbed the darkness with their flashlights. The yellow glow revealed a fair-sized cavern, at least thirty feet in width. Straight ahead, the darkness closed in again beyond range of their flashlight beams.

âItâs deep, all right,â Joe muttered.

The boys pressed forward. Eventually the cave narrowed, then forked in two directions. The right-hand opening dwindled into a crawlway of pitch blackness. The left-hand fork, though a cramped tunnel, was high enough for a person to walk through.

âWhich way?â Joe asked, hesitating. The floor of the cave was too hard to show footprints.

âLetâs go left,â Frank decided. âChet and the girls probably took the easiest route if theyâd never explored here before.â

Joe nodded. âI sure canât see how Chet could squirm through a hole that size,â he added with a nervous chuckle, gazing at the small opening.

Frank went first. The tunnel sloped downward, and gradually broadened out.

âThere they are! Butâoh!â

Frankâs cry was wrought with fear. A few yards ahead, Iola, Callie, and Chet lay motionless on the floor of a small, dead-end chamber!

The Hardys ran forward and anxiously bent over their three coverall-clad friends. To the boysâ relief, all were still breathing.

âWhat happened to âem?â Joe asked, bewildered.

âPassed out, I guess. We must revive them!â

âWe could use more light,â said Joe. âBut we ought to save our batteries.â

Chetâs carbide lamp was empty of water. Rather than waste time refilling it, Joe lighted a candle taken from the stout youthâs kit bag. As the chamber brightened with the soft glow of candlelight, Frank and Joe began working over the trio. They chafed their wrists and bathed their faces with water from Chetâs canteen. Presently Iola moaned, and the other two showed signs of regaining consciousness.

âWhew! Iâm getting a headache,â Joe sighed.

âSame here.â

As the boys paused, they realized that their eyesight was becoming affected. Vision grew blurred and they began to pant.

âJoe, this place is short of oxygen and that candleâs burning up whatâs left!â Frank gasped. âWe must get out of hereâfast!â

Frank lifted Callie to her feet and Joe did the same with Iola. The girlsâ knees buckled.

âBe simpler to carry âem!â Joe said.

âOkay, but weâll have to speed it up fast!â

Frank swung Callie over one shoulder, while Joe picked up Iola. Nightmarish moments followed as the brothers wormed their way back through the tunnel to the mouth of the outer cave. Perspiring and panting, the boys gulped in lungfuls of fresh air, as they placed the girls on the grass. Then they hurried back to the dead-end chamber.

With lightning speed they gathered up Chetâs spelunking equipment, stuffing most of it into their pockets. Then Frank put his hands under Chetâs shoulders while Joe grabbed the stout boyâs legs. Each held his flashlight clamped under one arm.

âMan! Chetâmust weigh three hundred pounds!â Joe gasped out.

By the time the rescue mission was completed, Frank and Joe were so woozy from the bad air that they were nearing collapse themselves. Both dropped to the ground to catch their breath. In a few minutes Chet and the girls had revived enough to be able to tell their story.

âI knew we shouldnât stay in that dead-end cubbyhole too long,â Chet moaned. âBut when we started to come out through the tunnel, we heard some men talking, so we stopped.â

The Hardys looked puzzled, and Joe asked, âIs that any reason for asphyxiating yourselves?â

âWaitâll you hear the rest!â Chet said. âThey were talking about you two!â

âThatâs right!â Iola chimed in. âWe heard one of them say, âWeâll have to take care of those Hardy boys before they spoil everything!â â

âThey sounded plenty tough, too!â Chet said. He added plaintively, âI sure wish you guys wouldnât get mixed up in mysteries!â

Frank and Joe exchanged troubled glances. âWhat else did they say?â Frank asked.

Chet shrugged. âDonât know. They talked too low, but they started to come in farther. So we figured it would be safer to lie low till the men were gone, and we went back to the inner chamber. Then we blacked out.â

Callie, who was trying to smooth her rumpled hair, flashed a grateful smile at Frank. âWeâd still be thereâand maybe dead by this timeâif it hadnât been for you Hardys. Thanks a million for saving us!â

âShe means you, naturally,â Joe quipped to his brother. Then he blushed as Iola said:

âWell, I think youâre wonderful, too! So there!â To back up her words, Iola planted a quick kiss on Joeâs cheek, which left him gulping in surprise.

Before leaving the area, the Hardys decided to look for any clues that might lead to the men whom the spelunkers had overheard. They checked the ground carefully outside the cave and found several sets of menâs footprints which differed from their own and Chetâs.

âAnd notice this. The prints leading away from the cave are deeper than the ones leading toward it,â Frank observed.

Joe nodded with keen interest. âYouâre right. Those guys must have been carrying something plenty heavy!â

âWe didnât see anything in the cave when we entered,â Chet spoke up.

âWhich means,â said Frank, âthat it must have been taken out some time before you cameâprobably only a little while before.â

âOh!â Callie caught her breath. âYou mean we just missed meeting those awful men!â

The two boys made an effort to trace the footprints to learn the direction the Hardysâ enemies had taken, but lost them where the tracks connected with tire marks.

âWeâd never catch those men now, anyway,â Frank said as they gave up. âLetâs go back to the cave and see if we can find any clues.â

He went on to say that if something large and heavy had been hidden inside, the cave might have other chambers, perhaps purposely blocked from view by piled-up rocks.

Callie and Iola, and even Chet, showed signs of their recent ordeal, so Frank and Joe decided to call off their sleuthing for that evening. The group piled into their cars and drove to the farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Morton hurried out onto the front porch as soon as they heard the automobiles arrive. âThank goodness youâre all safe!â Mrs. Morton exclaimed, throwing her arms around her son and the two girls.

Chet and Iolaâs father said little, but smiled his relief, and gave Frank and Joe each a warm hand-clasp. âWeâre mighty grateful to you boys!â he murmured.

Mrs. Morton served a hot dinner for everyone while Callie Shaw telephoned her parents. Later, as the whole group sat in the living room, Iola exclaimed:

âOh, I almost forgot! Look what I found this afternoon. It was on the ground just outside the cave.â

Iola reached into the pocket of her coveralls and took out a gold cuff link. In it was set a bluish fluorescent amber, cut in the shape of a tiger.

The Hardys stared at each other, then Joe cried out, âOne of the cuff links Dad told us to try to find!â

CHAPTER VIII

Stolen Evidence

ONLY the Hardy boys knew the significance of Iolaâs find. She asked innocently, âYou mean your father lost this cuff link?â

âNo, but it has something to do with a case heâs working on,â Frank revealed. âIâm afraid I canât tell you any more than that.â

Iola had turned the cuff link over. âHereâs some Oriental wording on the back,â she said. âLetâs ask Jim Foy to come out and decipher it.â

Frank and Joe telephoned their friend at once. He said he would drive over. When the Chinese-American boy arrived, he gazed at the cuff link in amazement.

âThese symbols are Cantonese and mean Hong Kong,â he translated. âAnd this beautiful bluish amber is highly prized by the Chinese. It is often used for carving little figures of Buddha-sitting-in-the-lotus.â

Jim went on to relate that amber was called âtiger soulâ in old Chinese legends. It was believed that when a tiger died, its spirit penetrated the earth and turned to amber.

âI donât know whether thereâs a spirit in this,â Chet spoke up, âbut I do know it came from Hong Kong and so did the Hai Hau. Iâll bet this cuff link was part of the smugglersâ contraband on it!â

âYou could be right,â Frank said reflectively. âWell, one thingâs sure. They wonât be back to the cave. Whatever they had hidden in there theyâve taken away.â

âOne guess,â said Joe. âBoxes of smuggled goods.â

âI donât like this,â Chet grumbled. âSounds to me as if all of us are getting mixed up with a gang of smugglers!â

Frank and Joe themselves felt a little worried. They had been suspicious that members of the Chinese factions interested in the Hai Hau might trail them to Bayport. The cave incident would seem to prove they had. But how did the Chameleon fit into the picture of the smuggling racket?

âDid those men you heard at the cave sound like Chinese?â Frank asked Chet and the girls.

Iola and Callie debated this. Neither had noticed a foreign accent, they said.

Chet shrugged. âWe couldnât tell for sure. We caught only a few words.â

Frank asked Iola if he might take the cuff link with him. She said yes, and Joe slipped the piece of jewelry into an envelope she gave him and put it in his pocket.

When the excitement died down, Mr. Morton picked up a copy of the evening newspaper and began turning the pages. Suddenly he remarked, âThatâs quite an ad you fellows dreamed up.â He chuckled. âAlmost makes me want to take a ride on your junk!â

âLetâs see, Dad!â Iola exclaimed excitedly. She sprang up and went to perch on the arm of her fatherâs easy chair. Chet and Callie looked over her shoulder. The announcement read:

Have fun sailing to Rocky Isle aboard a fabulous Chinese junk. Itâs the oldest in sailing, yet the newest in todayâs exciting boat age. Made to order for Bayport swashbucklers. The exotic Hai Hau brings an exciting glimpse of the mysterious Orient to Barmet Bay. The boating adventure of a lifetime. Three round trips a day!

âWow!â Chet said. âThat ought to bring us business!â He beamed with anticipation.

âWhat do you mean us?â Joe winked at the others. âYouâll probably be off spelunking somewhere.â

âHow did you guess?â Chet admitted, grinning. âIâve made up my mind to explore the right-hand fork of that tunnelâif I can squeeze through, that is. But donât worry, fellows. Iâll serve on the crew later.â

When the gathering finally broke up, Frank and Joe took Callie Shaw home. Then they drove directly to their own home. The Hardy house lay dark and silent in the moonlight.

âGuess Aunt Gertrudeâs asleep,â said Frank. âWhat say we test the cuff link for fingerprints?â

The boys went down to the basement, where Frank took out their kit of detective equipment. He dusted the jewelry for fingerprints, then examined the results under a magnifying glass.

âThis has Iolaâs prints on it, âJoe announced, after comparing them with an inked set on a card. The Hardys had built up a sizable fingerprint file, including records on all their family and acquaintances. âIf there were any other prints, Iolaâs have blurred them out.â

âLetâs phone Dad just the same,â Frank proposed and put in the call to Los Angeles.

To the boysâ disappointment, neither Mr. nor Mrs. Hardy was in the hotel, so Frank requested that his parents call back early in the morning.

Joe yawned. âLetâs hit the hay, Frank.â

The next morning at the breakfast table Joe asked his aunt what she had found out about Dr. Montrose. âDo you still think heâs in cahoots with that broker pal of his to swindle people?â

In response Miss Hardy did a rare thingâshe blushed! âIâm ashamed to tell you boys I didnât learn a thing. Instead, I went to sleep!â

âWhat!â

âDr. Montrose gave me a pill to take, then he kept talking about how I felt, so I couldnât get started on the other topic.â

âWhere was Mrs. Witherspoon all this time?â Frank put in.

âOh, wandering around the house. Sheâsâuhâkind of an inquisitive person,â Miss Hardy replied. âPretty soon my head began to nod. I remember the doctor saying, âWhy donât you go upstairs and take a good sleep? Weâll leave now, Mrs. Witherspoon.â They left and I started upstairs. The next thing I knew I woke up in my room. The clock said ten minutes past noonâI could scarcely believe my eyes!â

Frank told his aunt that Chet had come there and found the door open. âI guess itâs my fault,â she said, and berated herself for such carelessness. âAn invitation to sneak thieves!â She hurried to check the silver in the buffet drawer. It was intact.

âAnd of course the alarm didnât go off and alert you that Chet was approaching the house,â Joe remarked.

âIt certainly wonât happen again,â Miss Hardy declared. âBut you know I do feel betterâin fact, Iâm fine.â

At that moment the telephone rang. Joe answered. âItâs Dad!â he exclaimed. Frank hurried to join his brother in the front hall. âHeâs calling long distance from the West Coast,â Joe added.

Both boys shared the phone during the conversation that followed. They told their father eagerly about the Hai Hau and the exciting events following its purchase. Joe also mentioned the two visits by mysterious prowlers and finally the finding of the one cuff link.

âAmazing!â the detective exclaimed. âI probably should come home to pursue this cuff-link clue. On the other hand, it may tie in with a new lead I haveâthat the Chameleon has recently had some business with certain Chinese in California. I believe Iâll stay here, since he may be in this vicinity.â

Frank asked, âHowâs your case coming along, Dad?â

âNot much luck yet,â Fenton Hardy reported. âI need certain data from my safe. Get out all the top-secret records on Balarat and shoot them to me here in Los Angeles by airmail special delivery. Youâll find them in a Manila packet labeled The Chameleon.â

âWeâll send it right away, Dad.â

âFine! See you later, boys! Good-by.â

The brothers hurried upstairs to their fatherâs study. Joe dialed the secret combination of the safe, then opened the safe door.

He stared inside, gulped, and cried out in dismay, âThe file on the Chameleon is gone!â

Frank nodded, grim-lipped. âThisâll be a blow to Dad. That envelope contained all his private evidence against the Chameleon.â He grabbed his brotherâs arm. âDo you know what this means? One of the Chameleonâs henchmen must be watching this house. When he saw the front door open, he walked in without the alarm going off.â

âRight. And, Joe, he must be an expert at safe-cracking! I think weâd better notify Dad at once.â

âFirst, letâs see if anything else is missing,â Joe suggested.

On the inside of the safe door the boysâ father had pasted a printed list of the contents. As Joe read each item, Frank checked. Finally he said, âEverythingâs here. That burglar only wanted the Chameleon file.â

Frank placed the call to his fatherâs hotel in Los Angeles. Fenton Hardy took the bad news with little comment, but said he was disturbed for the safety of the boys and his sister.

âYouâd better be extra careful from now on,â the detective warned. âAnd call the police to investigate.â

âRight, Dad!â Frank said.

Within five minutes after the young sleuth had phoned headquarters, a police car arrived at the house. Chief Collig hurried inside, accompanied by two plain-clothes men, Hanley and Darkle.

âNow then, what happened?â Chief Collig demanded.

Frank gave the details of the robbery, then led the men upstairs to the study. Joe followed.

Collig and Hanley examined the safe. The latter dusted it for prints, but found none.

âSmart operator,â he remarked. âWiped off all traces clean as a whistle!â

Chief Collig nodded shrewdly. âHeâd have to be smart to open this job without blowing it.â Turning back to the boys, the chief said, âI didnât have time to check my files on the Chameleon. Whatâs the story on him?â

Frank explained that he was an international thief and confidence man, whose real name was Arnold Balarat. Originally from New York, Balarat had operated all over the United States and in Europe, as well as on ocean liners.

âThe Trans-Ocean Lines engaged Dad to find him after he swindled a number of their passengers,â Frank concluded. âThe FBI is certain that Balarat is now in this country. Dadâs been hunting for him out on the West Coast after some clues turned up in Los Angeles. But so far the Chameleon is still at large.â

Together the police and the Hardy boys looked for clues to the identity of the burglar. They found none and Chief Collig shook his head, perplexed. âThat man left no fingerprints. Well, weâll talk to the neighbors about seeing any prowlers and find out what they have to offer.â

After the officers left, Frank said, âI suggest we call Mrs. Witherspoon and Dr. Montrose. They may have seen someone.â

He spoke to Mrs. Witherspoon first. âOh, how dreadful! A robbery!â she said.... âNo, Frank, I didnât see anyone. I hope you catch him soon. Iâm too weak to talk any more. Iâll have to see Dr. Montrose. Good-by.â

Frank now called the doctor himself. His line was busy. In a few minutes Frank tried again. Still busy. After a third try he proposed that he and Joe stop at Dr. Montroseâs office on their way to the dock.

âGood enough,â his brother agreed.

They said good-by to Aunt Gertrude, then hurried off in their convertible. Frank parked in front of Dr. Montroseâs downtown office. Entering, they found themselves in a comfortable waiting room. Apparently the doctor employed no receptionist.

âHey, take a look at some of these,â Joe murmured in a low voice.

He pointed to a number of framed letters hanging on the walls. They were glowing testimonials from former patients. An ornate diploma stated that Hubert Montrose had been awarded the degree of Doctor of Medicine from Ardvor College.

Frank grinned. âMighty impressive!â

The brothers seated themselves in two of the leather chairs. Presently Dr. Montrose came from a rear room. A look of surprise flickered across his face, but this was quickly replaced by a smooth professional smile.

âAh, good morning!â He shook hands with his two visitors. âTell me, how is your aunt?â

âMuch better, thanks,â Frank said.

Dr. Montrose did not invite the boys into his consulting room. He evidently had a patient inside. âJust what can I do for you?â he inquired.

Frank explained about the robbery and asked if the physician had noticed anything unusual during his visit to the house.

Dr. Montrose frowned thoughtfully. âNow that you mention it, I did hear a noise upstairs just as I was leaving,â he replied. âHowever, I assumed it was a maid or one of the family moving about.â

âThat was the robber!â Frank cried.

âOh, Iâm sorry,â said Dr. Montrose. âBut Iâm afraid I canât help any. And now, if youâll excuse meââ

The Hardys left and started for the pier. A block from the waterfront they saw Biff Hooper coming from a market, his arms loaded with cartons of fruit drink. They stopped and he hopped into the car.

âHey, what kept you guys?â Biff asked. âWe have a full load of passengers.â

âSwell!â Joe told him.

âSure is,â Frank added.

The Hardys found a gay crowd gathered on the dock to watch the Hai Hau leave. The passengers were already aboard.

âHow about that?â said Tony proudly as he came up and showed Frank and Joe the cash receipts. âFull the first trip!â

Frank beamed, slapped his friend on the back, and climbed aboard. The Hai Hauâs owners took their places. Jim Foy cast off amid shouts and waves from the spectators. Biff revved the outboard and Frank steered out across Barmet Bay.

It was a fine sunny morning, promising a most enjoyable voyage to Rocky Isle. Joe and Tony hoisted the sails to take advantage of the slight breeze. The passengers called out in delight as the junk rode the waves.

Presently Frank noticed that the stern was riding low in the water. Setting the wheel, he went to open the afterdeck hatch, then gave a low cry of alarm. The shallow compartment below was awash with water!

âHey, fellows! Come here!â When they arrived, he whispered hoarsely, âWeâve sprung a leak!â

The boysâ faces filled with alarm. Could they possibly make the island safely with their boatload of passengers?

CHAPTER IX

Wharf Chase

âWEâRE shipping water too fast!â Joe said, peering into the compartment. âAt this rate weâll capsize before we get to Rocky Isle!â

âWhatâll we do?â Biff gasped.

âWeâd better come about and try to make it back to Bayport,â Frank said. âIâll start the bilge pump!â

As the boys shifted sail and brought the junk around, the passengers plied them with anxious questions. Consternation spread when they learned the Hai Hau was leaking.

âWe should have known better than to trust ourselves in a crazy boat like this!â a stout woman stormed.

âYouâre right, dear,â agreed her husband, a very thin man in a flowered sports shirt. âWe shouldâve listened to Clams Dagget when he said this junk was nothing but junk!â

Joe stifled the angry retort that rose to his lips, and Frank said, âPlease be calm, everyone. Weâll get you safely back to Bayport.â

âYouâd better!â the stout woman snapped.

Meanwhile, the action of the bilge pump had stemmed the flood of water pouring into the compartment. The source of the leak was now visibleâa gaping hole several inches in diameter.

âHey!â a man in the bow called out. âYou mentioned Clams Dagget. Isnât that his boat over there?â

A motor launch was speeding toward them. âThatâs Clams, all right!â a high school youth confirmed.

The girl beside him clutched his arm happily. âThank goodness!â She sighed. âNow weâll all be saved!â

The other passengers cheered.

The crew of the Hai Hau felt too disgusted and heartsick to comment. Joe and Tony had crawled down into the compartment below the afterdeck and were plugging the leak with socks and sweaters.

âThat hole was no accident,â Tony muttered between clenched teeth. âLook!â He picked up a round piece of wood floating on the water in the compartment.

âCheck,â Frank replied, disturbed. âSomeone made it with a keyhole saw from the outside. After a while the wood gave way.â

âPlease be calm,â Frank said. âWeâll get you
safely back to Bayport.â

By the time the leak was stopped, Clams Daggetâs motor launch, the Sandpiper, had arrived within hailing range of the Hai Hau. In response to shouts from the junkâs passengers, he pulled alongside.

âWhatâsa matter, boys? Havinâ trouble keepinâ that Chinese bathtub afloat?â Clams taunted with a sneering grin. To the others aboard, he added, âJust climb over into my launch, folks. Iâll get you to Rocky Isle safe and sound. I coulda told you that old hulk wasnât seaworthy!â

âYou did tell them!â Tony said angrily. âMaybe you had something to do with this leak, too!â

âYou tryinâ to say I caused it?â Clams roared.

âI sure wouldnât be surprised!â

The rest of the exchange was drowned out by the passengers clamoring for their money back. The boys refunded all fares, then assisted the people to climb over into the motor launch.

As it sped away, the Hai Hauâs crew looked at one another in deep chagrin. Biff revved the outboard to top speed and they headed back to Bayport.

Reaching a repair dock, the junk was hoisted out of water and thoroughly examined. The boys spent the next few hours pounding in a plug, covering it with a steel plate, and calking the patch securely. When they finished, the Hai Hau was as seaworthy as ever.

âNeat job,â said Biff, wiping his hands on a rag. âBut Iâd sure like to know if Clams did saw that hole.â

âWe canât prove heâs the guilty party,â Frank reminded the others. âIf those Chinese we tangled with in New York are here in Bayport, they might have done it.â

Late that afternoon, after Frank and Joe had returned home, Jim Foy stopped at the house. He said he had brought a letter from his uncle in Chinatown. It contained information not only about George Ti-Ming, but Chin Gok as well, gleaned through the Chinese Benevolent Association.

âBetter read it yourselves,â Jim advised.

The report stated that Chin Gok and Ti-Ming were the New York agents for two rival Chinese export firms based in Hong Kong. Both firms had been in trouble with United States and British authorities on smuggling charges. During the past few years, however, Ti-Mingâs group seemed to have stayed within the law.

âTi-Ming became a traveling salesman, so far as anyone knows, and is rarely in New York any more,â Mr. Foy concluded in his letter.

The Hardys thanked him, and Jim left. That evening, the brothers were discussing the report in their room when Joe jumped up impetuously.

âWhatâs eating you?â Frank asked.

âHunch. Plain hunch that someone may try tampering with the Hai Hau again. Iâd feel better sleeping there tonight.â

âYou have a point,â Frank agreed. âBut what about the dock watchman?â

âHe doesnât have eyes in the back of his head,â Joe said cryptically.

âThatâs right,â Frank agreed. âWeâll tell Aunt Gertrude.â

When the brothers relayed their idea to her, she nodded assent. âIf you decide to come back here any time during the night, phone first, or call on the radioâIâll turn it on,â she directed, âbecause if the burglar alarm goes off, Iâll certainly call the police at once.â

Frank and Joe kissed her good night and drove to the dock.

âLetâs look up Mike the watchman and tell him our plan,â Frank said.

They hunted around but could not find Mike. Frank, indicating a nearby warehouse, remarked, âDoesnât he guard that too? Maybe heâs inside. Letâs look.â

They found the great sliding door to the pitch-black building part way open. Frank snapped on his light and entered, then stepped back in con. sternation.

Mike lay on the floor unconscious, bleeding from a deep gash in his head!

Frank leaned over and began counting the pulse beat in Mikeâs wrist. âPretty feeble,â he announced.

Seeing a wall telephone, Joe put in a call to police headquarters. Meanwhile, Frank was using thumb pressure to stop the bleeding. A few minutes later a police car and an ambulance arrived. Mike was lifted onto a stretcher and carried away as the two officers, Hanley and Darkle, began to question the Hardys.

Frank was busy giving them full details when Joe, who had gone outside, exclaimed suddenly, âFrank, I just spotted two guys sneaking around the cabin of the junk! Letâs see what theyâre up to!â

As he spoke, the shadowy figures reappeared, scrambling to the dock.

âThere they are!â Joe cried out.

His voice must have carried. With a glance in the boysâ direction, the intruders raced off along the wharf. The Hardys and the two policemen sped after them. The fugitives darted past parked cars and piled-up freight cartons, and disappeared into an old warehouse.

âWe have âem trapped!â Joe exulted.

âMaybe!â Frank muttered.

When the four pursuers reached the warehouse, Hanley tried a small door, which yielded to his push. A faint scuffle of footfalls reached the ears of the four as they entered.

âIâll use my pocket flash,â Joe whispered, reaching for it.

Frank grabbed his arm. âNo sense making targets of ourselves.â

Hanley was groping along the wall. Finding a light switch, he clicked it on. Dim illumination flared from bulbs on the rafters overhead. The warehouse was stacked with bales and crated goods.

âNow what?â Joe murmured.

âStay behind Darkle and me,â Hanley ordered, as the officers began a search among the piled-up merchandise.

The next moment a faint bang came from the farthest corner of the warehouse. The Hardys and the police converged toward the source of the sound.

âA trap door!â Frank exclaimed, pointing to the floor. âAnd no ring to pull it open.â

Hanley pried it up and Joe pointed his flashlight down the hole. A slime-covered ladder led downward to dark, oily water. Evidently this part of the warehouse jutted out on pilings. The next moment the group heard a splash of oars dwindling in the distance.

âWhat a break!â Joe groaned. âThose men must have had a rowboat hidden under here!â

The boys rushed out of the warehouse with the police and down to the waterfront. They peered out, straining their eyes for a glimpse of the rowboat, but it had disappeared.

âWeâve lost âem!â Frank muttered. âAnd Iâll bet theyâre the ones who slugged Mike.â

âIâll ask the harbor patrol to look for them,â Hanley said.

âIn the meantime, Joe and I will go aboard the Hai Hau and see what those fellows were up to.â

A fresh shock awaited the Hardys when they went aboard. The cabin was in wild disorder, with bunk cushions pulled out and accessories strewn about the deck.

âThose men must have been searching for something!â Frank said worriedly.

A brief check indicated that no serious damage had been done to the junk and nothing was missing. Relieved but baffled, the boys restored order, all the while speculating on what the intruders had been looking for.

âProbably contraband,â Frank guessed. âWonder if they found any.â

âI doubt it,â said Joe. âEvery place they tore up weâd already examined.â

Hanley and Darkle came aboard. They too were puzzled by the mysterious search.

âYou fellows may as well go home,â Hanley told them. âThe police will look after your junk from now on.â

âSwell,â said Frank.

He and Joe went to their car and at once turned on the short-wave radio. In a moment they were talking to Aunt Gertrude.

When she heard that they planned to return home, she remarked, âGood! Youâll be much safer in your own beds! Iâll watch out the window for you.â

As soon as they reached the house, the brothers used the second-floor extension to call first one, then another, of the co-owners of the Hai Hau to tell them what had happened. Tony was angry, Biff annoyed, Chet a little scared.

Only Jim Foy seemed genuinely alarmed. âI do not like this,â he said. âThe junk must be most carefully guarded. Some evil influence is at work.â

âI sure agree,â said Joe, who was talking to him. âWell, see you in the morning.â

The Chinese boy had just said good-by when the alarm buzzer sounded throughout the house.

âOhâoh!â Joe exclaimed. âThe prowler again?â He and Frank dashed downstairs to nab him. When the doorbell rang almost instantly, the boys relaxed. Evidently the caller was friendly.

Aunt Gertrude was already answering the ring. She gasped as a huge Chinese towered in the doorway.

âChin Gok!â Frank murmured, as he and Joe came down the steps.

âWell, what is it you want?â Miss Hardy demanded, a trifle shakily.

The Chinese bowed low. âI wish to speak to the young men,â he answered.

âAunt Gertrude, this is Mr. Chin Gok,â Frank spoke up. Miss Hardy nodded.

âI would not trouble you at this time, but it is a matter of the utmost importance,â Chin Gok went on. His voice was polite but insistent.

âAll right. Step inside.â Frank held the door open and Chin Gok entered, ducking his melon-shaped head. The Hardys ushered him into the living room and they all sat down.

âWhat have you come to see us about?â Joe opened the conversation.

âAbout the junk which you purchased in New York. Once again I beg you most earnestly to sell it to my humble self. Name your own price!â

The boys glanced at each other but remained silent. Chin Gok went on, âI will admit to you certain interests in Hong Kong are most anxious to obtain the Hai Hau.â

âWhat interests?â Frank challenged.

âA group of religious worshipers,â the huge Chinese replied. âYou see, the Hai Hau is a sacred boat to my people. Once it was used to transport a large statue of Buddha from Singapore to Hong Kong. I repeatâwe will pay any price you ask, within reason!â

The Hardys were more mystified than ever. Also, they were tempted by the chance to realize a large profit. In view of all the difficulties they were having, it might be wiser to sell the junk. On the other hand, Frank and Joe hated the thought of giving up an unsolved mystery, and besides, they would have no summer job.

Just then the telephone rang and Frank went to the instrument in the hall. A moment later he gasped. Putting down the phone, he beckoned Joe to join him.

âWow! Wait till you hear this!â he whispered.

CHAPTER X

Shore Pirates!

âWHATâS up?â Joe asked his brother excitedly.

Frank shot a quick glance toward the living room from which Chin Gok was eying the boys with intense curiosity, then replied in a low voice:

âThat was a telegram from Ti-Ming. It said, âDonât sell the Hai Hau at any price or the curse it carries will descend on you!â â

Joe was startled, but was careful to show no outward sign of this, since Chin Gokâs eyes were still fastened on the Hardys.

âLooks as if Ti-Mingâs trying to throw a scare into us,â Joe murmured.

âCould be,â Frank replied. âBut why? Anyway, letâs not give Chin Gok any encouragement about buying the Hai Hau.â

âCheck.â

The brothers rejoined Aunt Gertrude and the Chinese caller. Frank addressed Chin Gok. âWeâll think over your offer, but we donât plan to sell.â

Chin Gok dropped his air of exaggerated polite-ness. A look of rage twisted his features. Losing his temper completely, he stood up and shrilled, âYouâyou foolsââ and burst into a torrent of Chinese.

Aunt Gertrude drew herself up. âYou cannot talk to my nephews that way!â she said icily. âYou will leave immediately.â She gestured toward the front door.

Chin Gok, although still muttering angrily, retreated slowly. The instant he was on the front porch, Miss Hardy shut the door firmly.

Joe looked at his aunt admiringly. âWow! You really convinced him you meant business!â

Aunt Gertrude frowned. âYes. But I almost wish you boys had sold him that junk. I have a feeling it will only bring more trouble.â

Frank spoke up. âJoe and I canât give up work on this mystery now.â Joe nodded vigorously.

The next morning the Hardys and their partners assembled at the Chinese junk. Although only four passengers bought tickets for the trip to Rocky Isle, the boys refused to let their spirits be dampened.

âHeave ho!â Tony sang out as he cast off.

Several people on the dock made sarcastic comments as the Hai Hau pulled away from the pier.

âYou got plenty of life rafts aboard?â called one man derisively.

âDonât need âem,â Biff called back, unruffled. âWe just had a swell repair job on the hull.â

His confident manner and words allayed any qualms the junkâs passengers might have had. Everyone relaxed, and soon were laughing and singing as the Hai Hau glided across the bay.

Once on Rocky Isle, the four travelers enjoyed a refreshing swim and leisurely picnic. The boys returned for a second group. This time there were five.

When the Hai Hau returned to its pier on the last trip back, the owners felt that it had been a most successful day, even though there had not been a capacity number of passengers on either excursion.

âSimply thrilling!â a pleasant-faced woman exclaimed as she disembarked. âIâve always wanted to sail in one of these Chinese ships and I enjoyed every minute of it!â

The other passengers added their delighted comments, which could be clearly heard by the group of spectators on the dock.

âWeâre over the hump!â Tony chuckled, and his companions grinned happily.

After the onlookers had dispersed, Frank said to his partners, âWhat say we give the junk another going-over tonight and hunt for hidden smugglersâ loot?â

âYou donât have to ask me twice,â Tony answered.

âSame here,â the others spoke up. Biff added, âBut letâs not make our search at the dock.â

The boys arranged to meet after supper and sail to some secluded spot up the bay where they could conduct their investigation undetected.

When the Hardy group, including Chet, gathered on the pier at the appointed time, Biff remarked wryly, âBoy, we sure could have picked a better evening!â

Tony glanced at the overcast sky. âYou said it ! Weâd better keep a weather eye out for a storm.â

The humidity had risen steadily since late afternoon, making the air hot and muggy. Not a breath of wind stirred.

Frank started the outboard and they set off. As the Hai Hau pulled away from the dock, lightning flecked the horizon.

âOhâoh! Hope thatâs just heat lightning,â Chet muttered.

The boys cruised offshore and finally picked a hidden cove several miles from Bayport to drop anchor. The Shore Road ran close to the beach at this point, but a row of large willows partially screened the junk from anyone using the road.

For over an hour the Hardys and their chums searched the Hai Hau from stem to stern. But no hidden cache was revealed. By now the stormy-looking sky had become very dark.

Frank lighted a pair of lanterns, quipping, âOkay, team. Night shift coming up.â

Chet wiped his perspiring forehead. âSay, boss, donât we get time out for a snack? Iâm hungry.â

The plump youthâs eyes had fallen on a bag of cookies which Jim Foy had brought along. Jim chuckled and passed the bag around. âThought these would come in handy.â

Biff bit into one of the crisp cookies. The next moment he said, âHey! Whatâs this little paper inside?â

âPull it out and learn your future.â Jim grinned. âThese are Chinese fortune cookies.â

Biff extracted the tiny strip of paper. He read aloud:

âGREAT WEALTH Is IN STORE!â

âWeâd better keep looking for that smugglersâ loot!â Biff exclaimed in glee. âMaybe itâs pirate gold!â

Laughing, the other boys examined their own fortunes. Frankâs warned, âYOUR BEAUTIFUL EYES SPELL TROUBLE,â and the others roared with laughter. Joeâs advised him not to trust a certain red-haired girl he would meet.

âGood advice,â Biff remarked. âIola wouldnât like her, anyway.â

Tonyâs fortune told of an impending discussion with a stocky, dark man. âMy dad probably,â Tony joked. âHeâll have a few things to say if I get home late!â

Chet was looking indignantly at his paper. âHuh! Mine says, BEWARE! You EAT TOO MUCH!â

His friends burst out laughing. âBetter not finish that cooky,â Frank said with mock gravity.

âYou guys donât understand,â the stout boy asserted. âI just need lots of food energy for all the work I do!â

His words were greeted with fresh merriment. âListen! Iâll bet youâre too out of condition to balance on the rail of this junk!â Joe dared him.

âIs that so? Just watch!â Chet boasted.

Before anyone could advise caution, the chunky lad climbed up on the gunwale. He teetered precariously, arms outstretched. The next moment Chet gave a wild yell and toppled overboard. Feet first, he hit the water with a mighty splash and disappeared beneath the surface. His friends held their sides and quaked with merriment.

âFor Peteâs sake!â Joe said. âI didnât think heâd really try that stunt.â

Chet bobbed to the surface. Sputtering, he pulled himself up, grabbed the Hai Hauâs bowline, then to his comradesâ complete astonishment, swam rapidly to shore. Dashing up onto the beach, Chet hitched the line around a gnarled old tree stump.

âOkay, thisâll show you guys!â he shouted. âIf you want to get back to Bayport, youâll either have to untie this end of the rope or leave it behind.â

âThat ropeâs valuable,â Frank commented, and added, grinning, âLooks as if the jokeâs on us!â

Joe started to doff his T shirt and slacks in order to swim ashore. Just then a carâs headlight beams swept off the road and blazed between the trees. It was a jeep which plunged across the sandy beach. A moment later it ground to a halt and four masked men leaped out!

âHey, whatâs going on?â Tony exclaimed, utterly astounded.

The crew of the Hai Hau stared dumfounded for a moment as the men raced toward Chet.

âThey must be after the junk!â Frank gasped. âIf theyâre armedâgood night! Chet!â he shouted. âRun!â

The stout boy did not run away, but he suddenly spun into action and untied the bowline.

âDonât wait for me!â he yelled, and hurled the line out into the water.

As the four assailants closed in on Chet, Joe declared he was going to jump overboard and help Chet.

Biff deterred him. âThose men are after the boat. If they donât get it, theyâll let Chet go.â

Although the Hardys were skeptical, they listened to their friendâs advice. Frank immediately began issuing orders.

âWeâll leave, then sneak back and pick up Chet.â

While the other boys hauled in the anchor and the dripping bowline, he ran aft and gunned the outboard into life. Two of the masked men plunged into the water and swam swiftly toward the junk. But the Hai Hau was already backing speedily out of the cove, beyond their reach. An unintelligible snarl echoed across the water, and the two swimmers returned to shore.

âPut out the lanterns!â Frank directed Tony.

Once clear of the cove, he rounded a spit of land, cut the motor gradually, and let the junk drift through the darkness toward a concealing clump of trees and shrubbery.

âNow what?â Jim Foy asked in a whisper.

âYou stay aboard and guard the junk!â said Frank, grabbing a waterproof flashlight. âThe rest of us will go over the side and rescue Chet!â

Swiftly but silently the Hardys, Biff, and Tony lowered themselves into the water. A few quick strokes brought them to shore. Then they plunged through the trees like darting shadows, hoping to circle around and take the masked assailants from the rear, if they were still there.

As the boys emerged in sight of the beach, they saw the four men dragging Chet, still kicking and squirming, toward their car.

âTheyâre kidnaping him to hold as a hostage!â Joe exclaimed.

âMake plenty of noise,â Frank whispered to his companions. Out loud he shouted, âTake âem, gang!â

Yelling like Indians on the warpath, the boys burst from cover. Chetâs captors whirled around. The stout lad seized his chance, pulled himself free, and unleashed a flurry of blows.

A second later Frank, Joe, Biff, and Tony waded in, fists swinging! A brief but wild melee followed. Confused and taken off guard, the masked men turned and fled toward the jeep.

Biff made a flying tackle and grabbed one by the ankle, but the fellow kicked himself free and went tearing after his companions.

âStop âem!â Joe yelled as the jeepâs engine roared.

At that moment a vivid bolt of lightning arced across the cove. Simultaneously a deafening crack split the air. The boys halted in their chase as a single thought struck their mind.

Had the Hai Hau been struck by lightning?

CHAPTER XI

A Peculiar Theft

âCOME on!â Frank urged the others. âLetâs check on the Hai Hau!â

The boys darted back across the beach. They were about to take a short cut through the grove of trees when Frank suddenly halted. He grabbed Joeâs arm and pointed to the waterâs edge.

âLook! Thereâs what was hit!â

By his flashlight he showed the others where a tree had been split apart by the bolt of lightning.

Tony shuddered. âWhew! If the lightning had hit just the other side of the coveâno more Hai Hau!â

Relieved, the five companions made their way across the narrow spit of land enclosing the cove. When they emerged through the cluster of trees and brush, they saw the junk lying safely offshore.

âOh, you beauteous doll!â Tony gave a mimicking hugging gesture.

Jim Foy hailed the boys as they swam back and climbed aboard. âNice going, fellows! You were a real hero, Chet!â he added, slapping the stout youth on the back.

âHe sure was,â Frank agreed. âUntying that line gave us a chance to save the Hai Hau.â

âShucks, it was nothing,â Chet said, beaming modestly but enjoying the praise. âAny of you fellows would have done the same.â

âExcept that we wouldnât have tied the junk up in the first place.â Biff grinned.

Frank asked seriously, âHow do you suppose those men knew where we had taken the Hai Hau?â

No one ventured an answer but Joe. âThey may be part of a gang and have spies dotted here and there along the shore to help them.â

Chet whistled. âYou mean smugglers?â

âCould be. Or boat thieves.â

Tony spoke up. âFellows, letâs get back to Bayport and then talk this over. The skyâs going to fall in any second.â

Frank started the motor. A stiff breeze had sprung up suddenly and to increase speed Biff and Tony hoisted sail.

âWow! Weâre in for a real blow, mates!â Joe cried, as the junk raced before the wind.

The boys shivered in their wet clothes. Suddenly a jagged streak of lightning illumined the heavens. It was followed by a crashing boom of thunder. A second later the rain poured down in gusty sheets.

A heavy swell was running. As the waves increased in height, Frank shouted, âDouse the sail!â

The crew hastened to comply. Soon the junk was rolling and pitching wildly amid mountainous breakers. One moment the bow would shoot up as the craft raced toward the crest of a wave; the next moment it would plunge into the trough with the stern lifted and the propeller racing out of water.

âO-o-oh! IâI feel sick!â Chet groaned, bracing himself against the cabin.

âDonât think about it. Help us get this centerboard down!â Tony commanded.

Frank clung to the tiller while the other boys made their way forward. The centerboard had swelled and jammed. Biff tried to force it clear with a boat hook.

Suddenly a wave smacked the junk on her port quarter. The boat yawed and started to broach to! A second later the Hai Hau was heeling far over in the trough as water poured across the deck.

Just in time the centerboard dropped. Tony immediately plunged aft to Frankâs assistance. Between them, they righted the tiller and brought the junk back on course.

âTh-anks, pallâ Frank gasped, blinking the water out of his eyes.

The boys were drenched to the skin. They huddled in the stern, hearts pounding, as the junk plowed forward through the storm. When the lights of Bayport came into view, the weary sailors gave a grateful shout.

âHome, sweet home!â Biff exclaimed.

The storm had slackened considerably, and the Hai Hau was moored at the pier without difficulty.

âBoy, what a night!â Chet heaved a sigh as he climbed onto the dock. âWe didnât find any pirate goldâbut we sure found plenty of trouble!â

âHow about you fellows coming up to the house and drying off?â Frank suggested. âYou can call your folks from there.â

âLetâs do it,â Chet urged the others and they agreed.

Fortunately, Frank had raised the top of the brothersâ convertible after parking, so the interior was dry. Biff and Tony got in. Jim Foy said he would ride with Chet in his jalopy.

Aunt Gertrude greeted the sodden group at the door. âGracious!â she gasped. âWhere have you boys been? You didnât go sailing in that junk on a night like this?â

âIâm afraid we did,â Joe confessed.

Without waiting for further explanation, Miss Hardy said, âGo upstairs and put on dry clothes. Frank and Joe have enough extra for all of you,â Aunt Gertrude added, although she eyed Chetâs stout form askance. âIâll make some hot cocoa right away.â

Later, after cups of steaming hot chocolate and chicken sandwiches, the boys felt revived. The four visitors had called their homes, and Aunt Gertrude had heard the story of the eveningâs adventures.

âMasked kidnapers!â she gasped. âOh, what next. Did you call the police?â

Frank sprang up. âGood night! I forgot all about it! Shouldâve done that first thing. My brain must be waterlogged.â

Chief Collig was astounded at Frankâs report, and said he would put men immediately on the assailantsâ trail. âIt looks as if they might be henchmen of one of those Chinese whoâs determined to get the Hai Hau,â he stated.

Frank returned to his friends and relayed this idea. âJim, how about keeping your eyes open for any Oriental strangers in town?â

âIâll do that,â the Chinese-American agreed.

âBut those men tonight didnât have Oriental accents,â Chet spoke up. He suddenly snapped his fingers. âSay, they sounded like the guys that Callie and Iola and I heard talking in the cave,â Chet declared.

Tony groaned. âThis gets more complicated all the time! I sure hope you Hardys can dope it all out. I canât!â

Before the boys said good night, they made plans for the following day. It was decided that Tony, Biff, and Jim would sail the Hai Hau to Rocky Isle. The Hardys would join Chet in exploring the right-hand fork of the cave tunnel.

âThey may even have left other clues in the cave that will help us crack this whole mystery!â

The next morning the sky was clear and the sun shone brightly. Frank and Joe had offered to pick up Chet at the Morton farm. They found their chum fully equipped with his spelunking gear, in spite of the summer heat. Joe teased him about it as they headed out the West Road.

âNever mind,â Chet retorted. âThis stuff may come in handy if we get in any tight spots.â

âTight spots are just what Iâm worried about,â Joe said with a grin. âWeâll probably need a shoe-horn to pry you out in that getup!â

Frank pulled the convertible off the dirt road, and the boys climbed the hillside to the cave. Entering, they made their way to the fork in the tunnel.

âA tight squeeze, all right,â Frank muttered, eying the tiny crawlway. âWell, here goes!â

Dropping to his hands and knees, he squirmed into the opening.

âYou next.â Joe grinned wryly at Chet. âIâll go last, so I can pull you out by the feet if you get stuck!â

One by one, the boys wriggled through the cramped, pitch-black passageway. The trio emerged finally into a sizable cavern. Here the glow of their flashlights and the illumination from Chetâs helmet lamp enabled them to take in the whole chamber. From its roof hung stalactites, giving a fairyland appearance to the setting.

Suddenly Joe gave a cry. âLook! Someoneâs been here recently.â

His eye had fallen on something lying on the floor of the cave. He snatched it upâa partially burned white envelope. Evidently the dampness had put out the flames.

âFrank!â Joe exclaimed, straightening the envelope and staring at it. âItâs one from our house with a return name and address!â

His brother took one glance, and said tensely, âIt must be the envelope you put the two hundred dollars in!â

âYou mean this is that thiefâs hide-out?â Chet asked nervously. âMaybe heâs one of the smugglers?â

Frank and Joe did not reply. Instead, they began a frantic search, thinking the two one-hundred-dollar bills might be cached away in the cave. They did not find them, but under a fallen stalactite Chet pounced on another scrap of paper.

âHey! Hereâs something else, fellows!â

It was part of a half-burned letter typed on business stationery. The torn-off fragment bore the following lines:

would advise you to get in on the ground floor while the stock shares can still be purchased cheaply. The mining deposit is a rich one and the company is bound to realize tremendous profits during the next few

âIâll bet that thief uses his stolen money to buy stock,â Chet guessed.

âCould be,â Frank commented. âChet, this is a real find. It could be our best clue so far to that burglar.â

Joe mused aloud, âTypewriters all have distinguishing characteristics. If we can trace the machine this was written on, it may give us a real lead!â

âDo you think the burglar is part of some gang interested in the Hai Hau?â Chet asked.

âI wonder,â Frank replied. âIf so, they know this cave well. The sooner we get busy on this stock-letter clue the better. Letâs go.â

âLetâs talk to Sam Radley about the case if heâs back,â Frank suggested as he started the convertible. âHeâs an expert on typewriter clues.â

Sam Radley was Fenton Hardyâs best operative. He had gone to Chicago recently to collect evidence needed in another case which Mr. Hardy was handling.

âNeat idea,â Joe agreed.

Frank dropped Chet off at the farm, then drove home. He telephoned Radley and learned that the detective had flown in to Bayport late the previous day. He promised to come over to the Hardy house at four oâclock that afternoon.

In the meantime, the brothers made fingerprint tests on the two pieces of paper. Only their own prints were revealed!

âThat burglar is a slick article,â Joe remarked. âHe must wear plastic finger tipslâ

âItâs not hard for me to believe that heâs also the safecracker,â said Frank thoughtfully.

When Sam Radley arrived, the boys briefed the wiry, sandy-haired detective on developments in their mystery to date. Then Frank showed him the torn scrap of letter.

âYouâre a typewriter expert, Sam. Can you tell us what kind of machine this was written on?â

The operative studied the typewritten characters with a practiced eye, then nodded. âThis was done on a German-make machine, called the Zeus. Should be easy to trace. This particular style of type was used only on the first model which was imported to this country three years ago.â

Radley asked to use the hall telephone and placed a call to the New York distributors for the Zeus typewriter. Within minutes he had the information he sought.

âTheyâre sold locally through the Bayport Office Supply,â Sam reported to the Hardys.

âOkay, letâs go talk to them,â Joe said.

Radley drove the boys downtown to the Bayport Office Supply Company. In answer to their questions, the proprietor consulted his records and informed them that he had sold only four typewriters of that make and model.

âThe Zeus is a fine machine,â he said, âbut it wasnât well known at that timeâthree years ago. I sold the four all in one batch to the Regent Hotel.â

After thanking him, Radley and the two boys went to the hotel. Frank explained to the manager, Mr. Irwin, that they were working on a case and would like to see the four Zeus typewriters which the hotel had purchased three years before.

âCertainly,â Mr. Irwin agreed. The manager led the three sleuths into the hotelâs business office. Several women clerks were at work, typing or running accounting machines.

Radley, Frank, and Joe examined samples of typing from each of the three Zeus typewriters in the office, and compared them with the letter.

âThe âsâ and the â1â are both out of line in the letter and the tail of the âeâ is worn away,â Sam observed. âNone of these samples matches.â

Frank turned to the manager. âWe were told at the Bayport Office Supply Company that you bought four Zeus typewriters. May we see the other one?â

âWe had that one assigned for the use of our guests,â Irwin replied. âBut Iâm afraid youâre out of luck so far as checking it goes.â

âWhy?â Joe asked.

âThe typewriter,â Mr. Irwin explained, âwas stolen a month ago.â

âStolen!â the Hardys chorused.

The identical thought raced through the brothersâ minds. Was the typewriter thief the same person who had stolen their two hundred dollars, Mr. Hardyâs file on the Chameleon, and perhaps owned the cuff link Iola had found?

CHAPTER XII

The Vanishing Visitor

FRANK suddenly snapped his fingers. âMaybe the typewriter was stolen by someone staying here,â he said to the hotel manager. âMay we look at the register?â

âOf course.â

Mr. Irwin led the Hardys and Sam Radley downstairs to the lobby and requested the clerk at the desk to show them the registration book. Frank and Joe flipped back the pages and began checking the names of guests who had registered at the motel a month previous.

âOhâoh!â

Joe gave a surprised gasp and pointed to a signature written with a flourishâDr. Hubert E. Montrose. Frank was equally intrigued.

âFind something?â the manager asked.

âAn acquaintance of ours,â Frank replied cautiously. âWe didnât know heâd ever lived at this hotel.â

âLet me see.â Mr. Irwin glanced at the name on the register. âOh, yes. Dr. Montrose stayed here for a week or so when he first arrived in town.â He looked at the brothers curiously, but they did not voice their suspicions.

Frank, instead, added nonchalantly, âDr. Montrose found a house here in Bayport?â

Mr. Irwin nodded. âYes, heâs renting the old Varney mansion out on the Shore Road. Quite a show place in its day, but now itâs rather rundown.â

The sleuths thanked the manager for his cooperation and left. As soon as the three were seated in the car, Sam asked, âWhoâs this fellow Montrose?â

âA doctor who just started practicing here in town,â Frank explained. âMost of his patients seem to be elderly widows. Dr. Montrose advises them on financial as well as medical matters, and refers them to a friend of his who deals in stocks.â

The detective grinned as Joe told how Aunt Gertrude had vowed to prove the doctor a swindler but had gone to sleep instead.

Sam pulled away from the curb and started for the Hardy house.

âThis stock business is why I was interested in finding out where Dr. Montrose lives,â Joe went on. âItâs just possible he can help us locate the person who wrote the stock-selling letter and even stole our money!â

âI see,â said Sam. âAnd that man in turn might point out the thief.â

âExactly. Letâs call on the doctor at his house after supper.â

Sam Radley said he would not be able to go, but Frank and Joe determined to make the call, anyway. Sam had supper with Aunt Gertrude and the boys. Later, as the operative was leaving, Tony Prito stopped at the Hardysâ to report on the dayâs boat trip to Rocky Isle. He told Frank and Joe that the Hai Hau had carried six passengers on each round trip. It had been an enjoyable excursion, with smooth sailing both ways.

âSwell,â Frank commented. âJoe and I were just going out to do a little sleuthing. Want to come along?â

âSure. Whatâs up?â After hearing the plan, he said, âLetâs go!â

The three boys piled into the Hardysâ convertible. Frank drove through the outskirts of town, then took the Shore Road. Their headlights slashed through the gathering dust.

By the time they reached the old Varney mansion it was nearly dark. The house stood on a wooded promontory overlooking Barmet Bay. Frank slowed the car as they neared their destination and stopped at the entrance to the grounds. A heavy chain barred the way.

âWeâll have to hike in,â he murmured.

The boys found a footpath, which wound amid trees and underbrush, fully screening their approach. On the boysâ right, the hillside sloped down steeply toward a sandy beach.

Presently they came in sight of the mansion. Built many years before, the house was designed in ornate Victorian style with gabled roof and outjutting turrets. It was surrounded by large hemlock and cypress trees.

âSort of a spooky-looking place,â Joe remarked.

âYou said it!â Tony agreed.

As if to confirm their words, an owl hooted mournfully from the trees.

âI think he heard you,â Frank joked.

Most of the mansionâs windows were hung with dilapidated shutters, but a single light gleamed through an unshuttered window on the first floor. Frank suggested that they knock on the rear door which was nearest. Apparently this part of the grounds had once been a formal garden, but it was now clogged with waist-high weeds and undergrowth.

âTake it easy,â Frank advised.

But Joe, impetuous as usual, pressed forward without watching his step. Tripping on a vine, he went sprawling. He gave a slight groan.

âHey! Hurt yourself?â Tony asked.

âWrenched my shoulder a bit, I guess. Gave me a twingeâitâll ease up, though.â

Joe got to his feet, and followed the others, this time with caution. A moment later all three froze as a figure ahead loomed out of the shadows at one side of the house. Apparently he had come from the front, which faced the bay.

Tall and stooped, the figure glided away from the mansion, losing itself among the trees and shrubbery on the hillside. His rather furtive manner instantly aroused the boysâ suspicions.

âLetâs go see what heâs doing,â Joe urged.

Tony asked if the doctor lived alone.

âHeâs supposed to, according to what Mrs. Witherspoon told Aunt Gertrude,â Joe confided. âShe says he has no relatives and no house-keeper.â

âMaybe that manâs a patient,â Frank offered.

âOr a guard,â Tony added.

Joe was unconvinced. âIf he is, he wonât mind talking to us. But if heâs a burglar, Dr. Montrose would thank us for nabbing him.â

âYou win,â said Tony.

The trio moved forward quickly. Reaching the edge of the promontory, they could make out their quarry picking his way down the slope toward the bay.

âEasy does it, Joe,â Frank warned, as his brother plowed ahead.

Fortunately, the hillside was covered with tall grass and scrub, which afforded good footing. The boys managed to descend without turning their ankles or falling. As they reached the bottom, they could see the stooped man hurrying across the beach.

âWeâd better speed up or weâll lose him,â Joe exclaimed, as the man went up a hillock of rock and sand.

He looked back for a moment, then darted down the opposite side and was lost to view.

âHe may leave in a boat,â Joe remarked worriedly.

The boys sprinted forward. But by the time they reached the top of the hillock, the man was nowhere in sight.

âHeâs disappeared!â Tony groaned. âBut where?â

âNo! There he is!â Joe exclaimed, pointing off to the right.

A stooped figure had appeared near the waterâs edge, some yards away. Turning, he started back up the hillside toward the Shore Road.

âHey! Wait a minute!â Joe yelled, and the boys raced after him. Surprisingly, the man made no effort to flee.

âWal, what is it?â he demanded in a familiar harsh, cracked voice.

âClams Dagget!â Joe gasped as the boys caught up to him.

âYou pests botherinâ me again?â Clams showed no signs of discomposure at being detected. âWal, what do you want now?â

âWeâd like to know why you were prowling around Dr. Montroseâs house,â Frank said forth-rightly.

Clams snorted. âYouâre plumb crazy! Havenât been near that old mansion. Been down here on the beach all eveninâ!â

CHAPTER XIII

A Cryptic Threat

âDONâT give us that story!â Tony Prito said hotly to Clams Dagget. âWe followed you all the way down the hill!â

The beachcomber flew into a rage. âOh, you did, did you? Wal, let me tell you young scamps a thing or two!â

In salty language, he informed the boys that they were wrong. Besides, they had no business poking their noses into his affairs. If he ever caught them trying to shadow him, he would have the law on them so fast it would make their heads spin.

âAnd while Iâm at it, Iâm going to give you Hardys some advice,â Clams ranted. âFrom now on, youâd better stay away from Rocky Isle! That place is dangerous!â

âWhatâs dangerous about it?â said Joe, a note of doubt in his voice.

Clamsâ eyes narrowed. âSome mighty queer things been goinâ on there. Iâve seen lights blinkinâ at night, and they werenât beinâ flashed by the park guard on the island. Heâd âaâ been in bed, and nobody else is supposed to be on Rocky Isle after nine oâclock. It stands to reason, anybody tryinâ to snoopââ Clams paused significantly, âmight find that place real unhealthy night or day!â

Somewhat surprised by Clamsâ revelation, the young sleuths tried to elicit further information from him. But the elderly pilot only muttered, âTold you all I knowâdonât say I didnât warn you.â He strode off in the dusk.

The boys trudged back up the hill and again approached the mansion. They rapped on first the front door, then the rear. There was no answer.

âI guess the doctorâs out,â Frank said resignedly.

During the drive home, Frank remained thoughtful, mulling the eveningâs events over in his mind. Who was the tall, stooped man the boys had followed from Dr. Montroseâs house? And, if the old beachcomberâs claims were true, could the mysterious lights be connected with the junk and the cave hide-out on the hillside?

The next morning when the Hardys arrived at the pier, they found their shipmates already on board the Hai Hau, preparing for the dayâs voyage. Tony was tuning up the outboard, while Biff and Jim were busy polishing woodwork. Chet was talking to prospective passengers.

âHi, slowpokes!â the chunky lad greeted the Hardys. âYou fellows just get out of bed?â

The Hardys laughed and climbed aboard. Tony looked up from the motor and wiped an oil smear off his cheek. âHey, Biff!â he called. âSee if you can find my feeler gauges so I can check these breaker points. I think I left âem in the cabin.â

âOkay.â

Biff disappeared into the junkâs cabin. A moment later he reappeared, then the boys heard a cry of amazement. Frank saw Biff reach down and pick up a piece of paper.

âHey, look at this! Another threat!â

Frank, Joe, and the others gathered around tensely to examine his find. The note was badly typed on cheap pad paper, with two words misspelled. It said:

Keep youre nose out of my busines or else!

âWhereâd you find this, Biff?â asked Tony, who had not seen him pick it up.

âIt was lying on the deck wrapped around a stone. Someone must have thrown it up here last night!â

âClams Dagget probably!â Tony growled. âThis sounds just like him!â

âHave you found out who sent the threat?â
Sam Radley asked

âYou may be right,â Frank said. âWeâd better compare this with the mining-stock letter and see how the typing checks out.â

After a hurried conference, the Hardys decided to take the note back to their crime laboratory for immediate study. The other four boys would man the Hai Hau on its daily cruise to Rocky Isle.

Frank and Joe sped home. While Frank set up the magnifying camera and lights in their basement laboratory, Joe telephoned Sam Radley to report the latest find. The operative promised to come over at once and assist in analyzing the typed specimens.

When he arrived ten minutes later, Radley asked, âFound out yet who sent the threat?â

âWeâve just started photographing it,â Joe reported. âWe think they were both written on the same typewriter.â

The detective examined the threatening note for a few moments. âOffhand, Iâd say youâre right. The three key letters check out at first glance, but weâll need precise measurements to prove it.â

With Radleyâs help, the boys shot a number of magnified close-ups of the typing. Then Frank took the films into the darkroom which the Hardys had rigged in one corner of the basement.

While he was busy with the developing, the radio crackled.

âHai Hau calling Hardyslâ Chetâs voice came over the loud-speaker.

Joe hastily flicked on the transmitter. âHardys to Hai Hau! Come in, please! ... Whatâs up?â he added.

âWe just left the pier!â Chet reported excitedly. âAnd guess whoâs on board?â

âSkip the games!â Joe said. âWho?â

âTi-Ming! Heâs one of our passengers!â

Joe was startled. Had the Chinese decided to make their next move out in the open? And if so, did this forebode trouble aboard the junk?

âDoes he know youâre calling?â Joe asked.

âI doubt it,â Chet replied. âHeâs up in the bow, acting like a sight-seer.â

âOkay. Keep a watch on him. And remember, we have the safety of the passengers to think aboutâso donât let him pull any fast ones!â

âRoger!â the plump ladâs voice acknowledged. âOver and out.â

Frank and Joe worked closely with Sam Radley in analyzing and comparing the threatening note and the mining-stock letter. Microscopic details and measurements proved that the typed characters were identical in both.

âNo doubt about it. These were written on the same machine,â Radley concluded. âHowever, they must have been typed by different people, judging from the way the keys were struckânot to mention these two misspelled words.â

âThat mightâve been intentional to throw us off the track,â Frank pointed out.

The investigator nodded. âCould be. But itâs not easy for a typist to disguise his touch.â

âMaybe Tony was right about Clams writing the threatening note,â Joe put in, âalthough I doubt that heâs the one who stole the typewriter from the hotel.â

âBut it means he knows the thief,â Frank speculated.

âNot necessarily,â Radley said. âThe machine could have been sold to an innocent buyer.â

The Hardys heaved great sighs. âWeâre just going in circles,â Joe remarked. âAll the same, Iâm going to check further on Clams Dagget.â

âLetâs radio the Hai Hau and find out if the fellows have seen his boat,â Frank suggested.

âGood idea.â

Joe soon made contact with the junk, which had not yet left Rocky Isle on its return trip to Bayport.

âIs Clamsâ boat around?â he asked.

âYes, he reached here right after we did,â Chet reported. âHad a full load of passengers, too. I donât know why heâs so worried about business!â

âWell, keep an eye on him too, while youâre at it,â Joe ordered. âFrank and I want to ask him some questions when he lands.â

âOkay, pals,â Chet promised and signed off.

During the afternoon, while waiting for the junk to return, Frank and Joe phoned Dr. Montroseâs office and house. There was no answer either place.

âMust be out on calls,â Frank determined. âBut what say we go out to his house again this evening?â

âIâm with you.â

The boys sat down in the kitchen to chat with Aunt Gertrude while she gathered together the ingredients for a strawberry shortcake. They asked her what she knew about Clams Dagget.

Miss Hardy frowned. âClams Dagget? Humph! Heâs an old curmudgeon!â With her usual honesty, she added, âBut Iâm sure heâs harmless.â

Joe immediately got out the dictionary to look up curmudgeon. He chuckled wryly as he read the definition. âJust an old crab, eh? We think heâs that all right, Aunt Gertrude!â

Suddenly the short-wave radio speaker in the basement blared out. Frank dashed down to answer. Chetâs voice came over loud and excited. âFrank! Joe! Youâd better get down to the dock pronto! Weâll land in a few minutes. Ti-Mingâs causing troubleâhurry up!â

âBe right there!â Frank signed off. A minute later he and Joe were speeding toward the pier. They arrived just as the Hai Hau was mooring.

To their amazement, Biff and Chet led Ti-Ming off the junk with his hands tied behind his back!

CHAPTER XIV

The Newspaper Clue

âWHATâS this all about?â Frank demanded as he and Joe reached the Hai Hau.

The dapper Ti-Ming seemed more amused than angry at his being a captive. âI am afraid you will have to ask your friends,â he replied with a bland smile. âThe whole situation is quite beyond my humble understanding.â

âOh yes? We caught him snooping around the junk!â Chet Morton declared furiously.

Biff, Tony, and Jim vouched for this. But Ti-Ming appeared unconcerned. âI feared I had lost something,â he said.

By now a crowd of curious spectators had gathered on the dock to stare at the proceedings. A policeman walked up.

âMind if we search you?â Joe asked the Chinese.

Ti-Ming shrugged. âOne can hardly resist with oneâs hands tied,â he answered nonchalantly. âGo ahead.â

Frank untied him and requested the policeman to make the search, explaining the reason. Ti-Mingâs pockets contained nothing unusual and held no object belonging to the Hai Hau.

âWeâre sorry this happened, Mr. Ti-Ming,â Frank apologized. âIf thereâs any way we can make it upââ

âPlease do not trouble yourselves,â the Chinese assured him. âI had, otherwise, a most enjoyable boat trip.â

Ti-Ming smiled suavely, bowed, and walked off the pier. Now that the excitement was over, the crowd quickly dispersed. The Hardys and their friends stared at one another, nonplused.

âPretty slick!â Chet burst out. âBut I still think that guy was looking for something on this boat.â

âMaybe so,â Joe said, âbut we canât have him hauled in on just suspicion. He could sue us for false arrest.â

Meanwhile, Clam Daggetâs motor launch, the Sandpiper, had pulled up alongside the dock. The Hardys waited until his passengers had disembarked, then went over to speak to him.

Clams scowled. âYou two again?â

âWeâd like to ask you a question,â Frank said.

âThat ainât sayinâ Iâll answer it.â

Frank ignored the retort and went on, âDo you own a typewriter?â

Clamsâ face took on a belligerent look. âMebbe. What if I do?â

âWeâd like to see it,â Joe said.

âOh, you would, would you? And what if I tell you Hardys to go jump in the bay!â the old man stormed. âIâve had about enough oâ your pesterinâ and pryinâ! What business is it oâ yours whether I got a typewriter or not?â

âJust take it easy,â Frank said evenly, âand read this.â He handed Clams the threatening note.

âDid you write it?â Joe asked bluntly.

Clamsâ eyes widened as he scanned the message. âMe!â he croaked indignantly. âI never wrote no such thing!â

âAll right. But maybe someone else used your typewriter.â Frank paused, then added, âUnless youâd rather have the police take over.â

Clamsâ belligerence seemed to melt away. He glanced from one to the other of the Hardys with a worried expression. âWal, all right,â he grumbled. âBut youâre wastinâ your time.â

Frank and Joe motioned their friends not to wait for them, then climbed aboard the Sandpiper. Clams pushed off and sailed up the bay toward his shack. When they arrived, the boat-man inserted a key in a rusty padlock to open the front door, and led the Hardys inside.

As Clams lighted a kerosene lamp, Frank and Joe stared about the shack curiously. It was crammed with knickknacks and salvage items picked up during years of beachcombing. There were a boat anchor with a broken fluke, coils of hemp line, and numerous carvings of driftwood. The only furniture consisted of a cot, a potbellied stove, and a rickety table and chairs.

Joe reflected that the kerosene lamp was certainly needed, since the tiny windows were patched with cardboard, shutting out most of the daylight. Evidently the old salt was a voracious reader. Stacks of back-issue magazines lay piled about the floor.

âWal, you wanted tâ see my typewriter,â Clams snorted. âThere it is!â

He pointed to a battered machine standing on an upended orange crate in one corner of the shack. Frank and Joe walked over to examine it. Their faces fell after one glance at the rusty antique. Not only was it much more ancient than a three-year-old modelâit was not a Zeus!

The two boys stared at each other in chagrin. A moment later both burst out laughing.

Frank turned to Clams. âGuess we did draw a blank,â he admitted.

Clams had listened in amazement, but gradually his face broke into a grin. Chuckling, he said, âMade a mistake, did you? Wal, I reckon we all do, now and then!â

Relaxing, he sank down on the cot and invited the boys to make themselves at home.

âUnderstand, I got nothinâ personal agin you two,â the old beachcomber said. âBut I still think youâre goinâ to ruin my business with that Chinese junk.â

Frank and Joe tried to reassure him. They pointed out that the Hai Hau was a good attraction for publicizing Rocky Isle as a picnic spot. In the long run this would bring them all more customers.

âHmm. Never thought oâ that,â Clams confessed. âMight be somethinâ to it. I had a full boatload today, sure enough.â

The Hardys offered to hike to town or catch a bus, but Clams insisted upon taking them back to the pier in the Sandpiper.

âReckon we may as well bury the hatchet,â he told the boys as they shook hands on parting.

âThat suits us!â Joe replied with a grin. Frank agreed heartily.

Driving home, the Hardys puzzled over the reason for Ti-Ming making the trip on the junk that day. Like their chums, Frank and Joe felt that the Chinese had a definite reason for being aboardâand it was not just to admire the scenery!

First Chin Gok had appeared in Bayport, and now the second Oriental. Certainly this was no coincidence. If the two men were rival leaders, they probably were transferring their war front to Bayport. But why? Was the Hai Hau the sole reason?

Thoughtfully the Hardys continued to High and Elm Streets. Reaching there, Joe remarked:

âYou know, Frank, the solution to this whole mystery is probably right in front of our eyes, if we could only see it.â

Next day was Sunday. After attending church, Frank and Joe sat in the living room, and once more speculated on the different angles of the case. Gradually the boys became aware of an appetizing aroma wafting out from the kitchen.

âMm, boy! Roast beef!â Frank exclaimed.

Joe perked up hungrily. âI could eat the whole piece!â he declared. âLetâs see what else is on the menu!â

The boys strode out to the kitchen. Aunt Gertrude, in an apron with her sleeves pushed up, was beating whipped cream to top two large chocolate pies. On the stove were pots of simmering vegetables and fluffy mashed potatoes. A bowl of crisp salad stood ready for the table.

âHey! A real feast!â Joe cried. âAll for us?â

âAny objection?â Aunt Gertrude retorted mysteriously.

âIâll say not. Butââ

Joeâs unspoken thought was drowned out by the alarm buzzers, followed almost immediately by the ringing of the doorbell. Frank and Joe rushed to the front hall and opened the door to find Chet, Tony, Biff, and Jim assembled on the porch.

âWhatâs this? A convention?â Frank asked in surprise.

âSureâa starving one. Your aunt invited us,â Chet announced. âWow! Do I smell roast beef?â

The boys crowded inside, laughing and joking. Aunt Gertrude poked her head into the living room to greet the newcomers. Her eyes twinkled behind her spectacles as she added to Frank and Joe:

âYou two can have your little mysteries, so I thought Iâd arrange one myself!â

âYouâre tops, Aunty!â Frank said, hugging her.

The boys ate heartily of the delicious dinner, Chet finishing off half of one chocolate pie. Then the brothers and their friends, in assembly-line fashion, helped Miss Hardy clear the table and wash the dishes.

When they returned to the living room, Biff picked up the comic section of the Sunday newspaper. As he chuckled over a series on Psycho the Cat, Frankâs eyes were narrowing on a headline in a report from Fremont, a town not far away.

Safe Cracked as Women Sleep

Quickly the young sleuth read the story. Dr. Montrose of Bayport had treated an elderly widow, Mrs. Velman, and her unmarried sister, Miss Anker, at his office. They had returned home and fallen into a deep sleep.

âAccording to the story told by Mrs. Velman and Miss Anker,â the newspaper article went on, âthe women had slept for several hours.

ââWhen we awoke,â Mrs. Velman said, âthe safe was open, and our securities stolen!â â

Frank whistled and read the account aloud to Aunt Gertrude and the other boys. âAunty, that sounds like your experience!â

âAre you implying,â Biff spoke up, âthat Dr. Montrose may be the thiefâor at least is in league with one?â

âIâm not accusing anyone,â Frank replied, âbut itâs all mighty funny.â

Chet spoke up. âBoy, I wish Iâd come here soon enough that day to catch him!â

âI am confused,â said Jim Foy. âDo you mean that Dr. Montrose is paid by the burglar to put people to sleep?â

âIt could be figured that way.â Frank nodded.

âIâm going to find out!â Joe declared, as he jumped from his chair and dashed to the hall telephone.

CHAPTER XV

Hunting an Intruder

JOE consulted the telephone directory, then dialed Mrs. Velmanâs house. After explaining who he was and saying that his aunt had fallen asleep under similar circumstances, he found the elderly widow very co-operative.

âDid Dr. Montrose give you and your sister sleeping pills?â Joe asked.

âWhyâuhâyes, he did. Said we were to take them as soon as we got home. We felt fine when we woke upâthat is, until we discovered the robbery.â

âIs there anything else you can tell me?â the young sleuth prodded.

âIâm afraid not.â

Joe said that he hoped the police would soon recover the securities, thanked her, and said good-by. He returned to the living room and reported what he had learned. At once Aunt Gertrude said, âDr. Montrose certainly looks suspicious.â

âThere are lots of reasons for talking to the doctor,â said Frank. âFirst, he was staying at the hotel when the Zeus typewriter was stolen; second, he could be a thief, or in league with one; next, he advises patients, mostly elderly widows, on stock investments; and last, for a doctor who ought to be on the job heâs a pretty elusive personâdoesnâ t have a nurse or an answering service.â

âI agree one hundred per cent,â said Joe. âLetâs call on him right now!â

Aunt Gertrude held up her hand. âNot yet,â she said. âI guess youâd forgotten that the Forsythes, our new neighbors, are coming over to tea.â

The brothers groaned, then apologized. The other boys left and in a short time Mr. and Mrs. Forsythe arrived with two children, a boy of ten and a girl of eight. Frank and Joe, though chafing under the delay, were polite and friendly.

A light supper was served at six. As soon as the meal of sandwiches and ice cream was over, and the Forsythes had left, Frank and Joe set off for Dr. Montroseâs house. They would surprise the man and not give him time to hide any telltale evidence.

âIf heâs not at home,â Frank said, âweâll look around the grounds and see if we can learn anything to connect him with the mystery.â

As on their previous call, the Hardys found the chain across the entrance driveway, so they parked on the public road. The boys walked up the path through the wooded approach and rang the doorbell. No one answered.

After ringing several more times, with no response, Frank muttered, âLooks as though heâs not at home.â

âOr else just not seeing callers,â Joe added.

Disappointed, the boys made their way around the outside of the house, looking for discarded letters or other possible incriminating clues. As they passed a pair of tall French windows opening off the first floor, Joe seized his brotherâs arm.

âWait!â he whispered. âI think someoneâs in there!â He pointed to one of the windows.

Frank also caught a fleeting glimpse of a tall figure moving about inside. The two boys silently went up and peered through the glass. The next instant both stiffened as a steely voice behind them rang out:

âWhy are you two spying here?â The boys whirled about. There stood Dr. Montrose, wearing a hat and scowling accusingly. But his harsh look turned to a smile of welcome as he recognized them.

âWhy, Frank and Joe Hardy!â he exclaimed. âThis is a surprise! What brings you here? Is your aunt ill again?â

âOh, no, sheâs better, thank you,â Joe replied. âWe came here to ask you about something. When you didnât answer the bell, we decided just to look around.â

âI see. Well, come inside,â the doctor urged cordially.

As the two boys accompanied him into the house, they glanced at each other, thinking, âHeâs not acting like a guilty person!â

Dr. Montrose clicked on a light and laid his hat on the table in the wide hall. He invited them to follow him into a parlor and sit down.

Frank and Joe glanced around, trying not to appear too curious. The atmosphere was musty, as if the whole house needed an airing, and the gilt-trimmed plush furniture looked old and very worn. The windows were hung with heavy red draperies.

âI suppose youâre wondering why we were looking in the windows,â Frank said to the doctor. âThe fact is, when no one answered our ring we assumed you were out. But we thought we saw someone inside.â

âIt surprised us,â Joe added, âbecause we understood you live alone.â

âThatâs right.â Dr. Montrose nodded. âNo one else is here.â

Joe purposely put on a puzzled look. âThatâs strange,â he insisted. âIâm positive I caught a glimpse of a person moving around. You donât suppose it was a burglar?â

The doctor laughed, evidently undisturbed. âIt was probably only an illusion caused by the shadows. Well, perhaps Iâd better look aroundâjust to make sure.â

Frank seized the opening. âWeâll help,â he offered. âIt might be safer with three of us, if there is an intruder.â

âHmm, certainly. Thatâs very kind.â

Both boys thought they now detected a certain reluctance in the doctorâs manner. Nevertheless, he led them through the various rooms on the first floor. Apparently the mansion had not received a thorough house cleaning in a long time. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling and much of the furniture was still draped with white dust covers. The once-expensive carpeting was threadbare and soiled.

After checking the huge, old-fashioned kitchen and peering into the butlerâs pantry, Montrose led them back to the sweeping spiral staircase in the main hallway.

âWeâll take a glance upstairs,â he murmured.

The dried-out wooden steps creaked underfoot.

âBoy, this place seems a million years old!â Joe whispered to his brother.

The searchers looked into all the bedrooms, one by one, and then into two enormous antique bathrooms with tubs mounted on ball-claw feet. The white tile floors were chipped.

Next the doctor mounted a narrow rickety staircase that led upward to the attic storage rooms. Frank and Joe followed. The musty staleness that assailed their lungs caused them to cough.

âI dare say we could do with some air conditioning up here,â Dr. Montrose apologized with an affable smile as they reached the hot, stifling loft.

Frank and Joe agreed wholeheartedly. Dr. Montrose switched on an overhead bulb, revealing an assortment of discarded articles. There were several battered trunks, a rusty bird cage, and piles of yellowing newspapers. Everything was coated with a thick layer of dust.

âNo intruder has been up here or weâd see his footprints.â The doctor chuckled.

Although the brothers had to agree, Frank and Joe still looked behind every piece big enough to conceal a personâor a typewriter. They found nothing suspicious.

When they returned to the second floor, Frank pointed to a latched door at one end of the hall.

âWe havenât looked in there,â he said.

âJust a small closet,â Dr. Montrose replied casually. âNo one could hide in it.â

He proceeded down the spiral stair well to the first floor, with Joe following. Frank, lingering behind, determined to check the closet himself.

Moving quickly down the hall, he opened the door and peered inside. The next instant a tall figure loomed up out of the pitch-dark space.

Before Frank could take action, he was seized by powerful hands. The boy started to yell, then the sound was choked off by his assailantâs crushing grip. The man was almost a head taller than Frank, and in the dim light of the hallway it was impossible to see his face.

Frank fought furiously to free himself. The locked pair swayed and stumbled in a wordless struggle. Then one hand of Frankâs opponent grasped the boyâs throat and banged his head against the closet door jamb.

The impact sent a flash of pain shooting through Frankâs skull. With a groan, he blacked out!

CHAPTER XVI

Signals

MEANWHILE, Joe and Dr. Montrose had reached the first floor. It was a moment before they realized that Frank was not behind them. Then they heard sounds of a commotion upstairs.

âHey! Whatâs going on?â Joe cried. He ran back to the staircase and dashed up two steps at a time. The doctor followed, pantingly urging caution.

By the time they reached the second floor, the scuffling noises had ceased. Frank was nowhere in sight.

âFrank!â Joe yelled. âHey, Frank! Where are you?â

The closet door stood ajar. Dr. Montrose switched on the hall light and Joe peered inside. The place was empty.

âHe must be up here somewhere!â Joe exclaimed frantically.

They peered into every bedroom and both bathrooms, but found no trace of the other Hardy boy. Then Joe noticed a clothes chute in one wall of the hallway and yanked it open.

âIt leads down to the cellar,â Dr. Montrose explained. âBut surely he didnâtââ

Without waiting to hear more, Joe dashed downstairs again. âWhich way to the cellar?â he shouted over his shoulder.

âThrough the kitchen!â Dr. Montrose answered, hastening down the steps behind him.

Joe sped on and descended the cellar steps, pausing only long enough to flick on the light switch. The basement was like a huge cobwebby tomb.

Only a single light bulb was working, but Joe noticed a wooden partition at one end of the basement with the words, LAUNDRY ROOM, in faded paint on the door. He struggled with the latch a moment, then yanked the door open.

âFrank!â he cried in mingled relief and alarm.

His brother lay stunned at the bottom of the clothes chute. Joe slipped one arm under Frankâs shoulders and raised him to a half-sitting position. In doing so, Joe felt a sizable bump on the back of his brotherâs head.

Dr. Montrose had arrived on the scene by this time and hastily examined Frank.

âFrankâs had a nasty blow,â he murmured, âbut I think heâs coming around.â

After the doctor and Joe had chafed the victimâs wrists for a few moments, Frank opened his eyes and groaned.

âO-oh, my head! ... Wh-where am I?â

âDown in the cellar, pal,â Joe replied. âTake it easy for a bit, and then tell us what happened.â

After collecting his wits, Frank related how he had looked into the closet and been taken off guard by his huge assailant. âWhere is he now?â

âNot upstairs, thatâs sure,â Dr. Montrose pointed out.

Joe pointed to an open window above the laundry tubs. âThatâs how the guy escaped. After he dumped Frank into the chute, he must have slid down behind him and ducked out.â

The doctor looked at the boys blankly. âBut what did he want? There is nothing of great value in the house.â

The Hardys exchanged puzzled glances. They were wondering the same thing. It occurred to both boys that the intruder evidently had some knowledge of the layout of the house.

Dr. Montrose and Joe assisted Frank upstairs and made him comfortable in a lounge chair. Here the doctor gave him a whiff of spirits of ammonia and a glass of water. In a few minutes the young sleuth felt fully recovered, except for a throbbing bump on his head.

âI think youâd better call the police, Dr. Montrose,â Joe suggested.

âYes, Iâll do that, but it seems foolish if the fellow didnât take anything. Probably he was just a tramp who broke in to get some food. Iâll take a look.â

The physician hurried off to the kitchen but returned in a minute. âThat was the answer, all right. The fellow took a lot of food.â

Dr. Montrose dismissed the subject, then asked why the boys had come.

âOn several counts, but weâll make it brief,â Frank replied. âFirst, a friend of ours is looking for a certain kind of typewriter that isnât for sale around here. We heard that you have one.â

âA typewriter?â The doctorâs piercing eyes glinted with surprise. âWhy, noâno indeed. Iâve never thought of having one.â

âNext,â Frank went on, âweâve been tremendously interested in what happened at Mrs. Velmanâs home. Weâd like to hear your theory on it.â

Dr. Montrose smiled. âIâm afraid that I havenât any,â he replied.

âBut you did tell Mrs. Velman and her sister to take sleeping pills right before the robbery!â

The doctor frowned. âI do not like your insinuations,â he said darkly. âI know nothing about the robbery.â He suddenly arose, indicating the interview was at an end. The boys said good night and left.

As soon as their convertible was rolling homeward, Frank said, âWell, do you think our suspicions about the doc should be washed out?â

âNo indeed,â Joe declared. âIâm sure heâs mixed up in this mystery somehow.â

âYou found something?â Frank asked.

For answer Joe reached into his pocket. âLook at this. It was on the floor in the laundry room.â

He held out a gold cuff link, set with a bluish amber tiger, and on the reverse side were the Oriental characters meaning Hong Kong.

âItâs the mate to the one Iola found at the cave!â Frank exclaimed. âYou think this is Dr. Montroseâs?â

âCould be,â Joe answered. âOr at least it belonged to the man who attacked you, and he was no housebreaker. Heâs a pal of Dr. Montrose!â

âA long guess,â Frank replied, then smiled. âBut a good one. That guy could even be the safecracker!â

âThe question is, could he be Chinese and whatâs Dr. Montroseâs part in all this?â Frank queried.

âAnd Iâd like to know,â Joe put in, âis he one of the people interested in the Hai Hau? Or, if Dr. Montrose owns the cuff links, is he tied up in any way with one or another of the rival groups and why?â

âAnd, Joe, donât forget that Dad said the Chameleon was looking for cuff links like those we have. That could mean the owner might lead us to that man Balarat.â

âFirst we must prove who the owner is,â said Joe.

âI think we should check on the doctorâs credentials,â Frank declared.

Joe concurred. âFor a starter, letâs find out if that fancy diploma in his office is on the level. Letâs see. It was Ardvor College.â

The next morning there was just time enough for Joe to write a letter of inquiry to Ardvor College. Frank, meanwhile, phoned Chief Collig to brief him on all the Hardysâ suspicions up to date regarding Dr. Montrose.

âIâll put a detail on the doctor at once,â the officer promised. âYour story is amazing. And Iâll get in touch with your father if youâre in a hurry.â

âThanks.â

Joe licked the envelope of his letter and applied an airmail and a special-delivery stamp.

âHey, come on! Itâs almost ten oâclock!â Frank urged, with a glance at his wrist watch. âWe can drop the letter off on our way to the pier!â

The Hai Hau was ready to pull out as the Hardys arrived on the dock. They climbed aboard and Joe went forward to help Chet with the bowlines.

Two last-minute passengers, a husband and wife, showed up a moment later, breathless and clutching picnic bags. Biff and Frank took their fares and assisted them to embark.

âAnother full boatload!â Biff beamed.

Frank grinned with satisfaction. âNice going. Well, letâs shove off!â

The dayâs cruises went off without a hitch. Secretly Frank and Joe kept wishing that they could have worked on the mystery, and radioed Aunt Gertrude several times for news. None came and finally the brothers arrived home at suppertime.

Later that evening they were talking to Aunt Gertrude about Dr. Montrose when the alarm buzzers sounded. The visitors proved to be Biff Hooper and Tony Prito. Both were highly excited.

âWhatâs up?â Joe demanded.

âPlenty!â Tony was panting for breath. âYou remember that yarn Clams Dagget told us about seeing lights on Rocky Isle?â

âSure. What about them?â Frank said. âTheyâve been seen again?â

âYes. This time by Biff and me. We were out in my Napoli and spotted those lights ourselves! They were blinking on and off, as if someone was sending a message in secret code!â

CHAPTER XVII

The Cliffside Cave

âWow!â Joe cried. âLetâs get going, fellows! Nowâs our chance to find out whoâs sending secret signals from Rocky Isle!â

âWeâll have to wait for Chet and Jim,â Biff put in. âTheyâll be right over.â

âOkay. We can all go in the Sleuth,â Frank said.

Chetâs noisy jalopy pulled up outside a few moments later. Jim was with him. The other boys rushed out, some sliding into the Hardysâ convertible, the others into Chetâs âhot rod.â They drove to the town pier.

âLetâs make sure the Hai Hauâs all right before we leave,â Frank suggested.

The boys found that Detective Smuff and Patrolman Con Riley had been assigned as police guards for the junk. Seeing the pair, Joe and Frank looked at one another. The two officers were not known as the most astute men on the force.

âGuess Chief Collig didnât have any others to spare,â Joe remarked with a shrug.

The junkâs owners went on and hurried to the boathouse where the Sleuth was berthed. Within minutes the craft was kicking up a frothy wake in the moonlight as the group sped out the bay and neared Rocky Isle. It loomed up as a black mass on the horizon, with its lighthouse beacon sweeping the darkness at one-minute intervals. At the moment there was no sign of the blinking signals on the opposite side of the island.

âMaybe weâve missed the senders,â Frank said glumly to his boatmates. He was at the wheel of the Sleuth.

A second later a light suddenly gleamed from the western cliff!

âThere it goes!â Joe exclaimed, watching intently so he could translate the message. The light shone steadily for a few moments, then winked on and off rapidly. âThat wasnât Morse codeâor International!â Joe added tensely.

Jim Foy nodded. âIt must be a secret one!â His companions agreed.

The light disappeared as they approached closer. Frank had fixed its approximate position in mind, and steered toward the jumbled mass of rock that sheered upward from the islandâs northern shore.

âItâs starting again!â Biff exclaimed. Once, twice, three times the blinking signal stabbed the darkness. Still it made no sense to the boys.

âIf only we can get close enough to see whoâs sending!â Joe muttered.

He broke off as the group became aware of the sudden drone of a powerful boat engine. The sound was coming from the direction of the island, but the boys could detect no running lights. Seconds later, they could make out the dim form of a large speedboat. It was zooming straight toward the Sleuth!

âItâll ram us broadside!â Chet cried.

âNo, it wonât!â Frank said grimly, setting his jaw.

He tooted the Sleuthâs horn, which echoed back from the cliff. Still the darkened boat aimed for the boys. Frank turned the wheel to give the other craft plenty of room. It veered, still obstructing the Sleuth.

âThat pilotâs crazy!â Tony cried out, then yelled, âLook where youâre going!â

The oncoming speedboat continued to change course whenever Frank did. Finally he decided on a daring move to outwit the person determined to crash into them.

Frank steeled his nerve and held course and speed as the other boat bore down on the Hardy craft. Then, at the very last second, he gunned the Sleuthâs engine and threw the wheel hard over!

With an earsplitting din, the big powerboat hurtled past, missing them by inches! The Sleuth heeled crazily aport in its wake.

Chet was trembling like a leaf. Biff, Tony, and Jim gave weak gasps of relief. Joe felt cold trickles of perspiration run down his back.

âTerrific, Frank! You rate a medal for fast thinking!â Joe called, as his brother sped on. This time the speedboat did not come in pursuit.

âWhat was that guyâs idea?â Biff asked. âIn fact, there were two men in that boat. Wonder who they were.â

âI think they have something to do with the signaling and were trying to scare us away from Rocky Isle,â Frank suggested.

âThen thatâs all the more reason for going there,â Joe determined.

âIâll say,â Tony broke in angrily. âHow about our finding those guys and asking what their murderous scheme was all about?â

âOh, no!â Chet spoke up. âI aim to stay in one piece now that theyâre gone. Letâs just take a look at the cliff and call it quits.â

âThat seems wise,â Jim Foy said softly.

Frank headed toward the cliff once more, watching intently for any sign of another attack. But the place was quiet.

Suddenly lights flashed again high up on the cliff. They seemed to be coming from some recessed ledge, just below the craggy outthrust of the cliffâs overhanging brow. Then the signals blacked out abruptly.

âSlow down!â Joe called. âThink that speedboat could be luring us into a trap?â

âMaybe. Fellows, get out your flashlights and beam them around.â

His companions did as directed. No boat or waiting figures showed up. The signaling had stopped. The boys held a hurried conference and concluded that by the time they could climb the cliff the mysterious signal sender would have vanished.

âLetâs go home,â Chet pleaded, yawning, but still sweeping the cliff with his light. âIââ The sleepy boy suddenly jumped up and cried out, âHey, that looks like the entrance to a cave up there!â

His friends stared at the spot on which the beam of his flashlight was trained. âOh, man, am I ever going spelunking in there! ... No, not tonight,â Chet added quickly as he saw the look of amazement on the other boysâ faces.

Since there seemed to be no reason for remaining longer, Frank headed the Sleuth toward Bayport. Conversation revolved around the lights and the cave. âThere might be a connection,â Chet offered.

âAnd,â Biff drawled, âthose signals might just be on the level and have something to do with the Coast Guard.â

Joe grinned. âMore likely those phony coastguardmen.â

The Sleuth plowed on. As it came in sight of the Hai Hau, Jim Foy cried out, âGood night! Whatâs up?â

The dockâs floodlight illumined a strange scene. Figures could be seen in wild commotion on the junkâs fore- and afterdecks!

Frank brought the Sleuth to the dock in a hurry and leaped out.

âItâs the Chinese!â Tony cried out, as he and the others raced aboard the Hai Hau.

In the junkâs stern, George Ti-Ming was exchanging fisticuffs with two other Chinese, while Officer Con Riley fought to separate them. The Hardys recognized Ti-Mingâs opponents as two of the men who had wanted to buy the Hai Hau in Staten Island.

Up forward, another hand-to-hand battle was going on. Frank made out the huge figure of Chin Gok locked in combat with two smaller adversaries. The face of one was contorted with pain. Detective Smuff was trying to pry them apart, and in doing so, was catching the brunt of their blows.

Frank waded into the fray on the foredeck. He yanked Chin Gok around by one arm and dealt him a smashing right to the jaw. Chin Gokâs eyes went glassy and he reeled back against the cabin wall.

Tony, meanwhile, had shot a short, jarring left chop to the ribs of another of the battlers, who had not yet recovered from the surprise of this new and unexpected intervention. Jimâs fists, too, were dealing out equal punishment to the other Chinese.

Joe, Biff, and Chet were busy with the fighters in the stern sheets. Within minutes, the battle of the Hai Hau had been brought under control and all six of the bruised and panting Chinese were only too willing to subside.

âWhat was this fracas all about? And why here on the Hai Hau?â Frank demanded.

Smuff and Riley looked shamefaced, and the latter said, âThis guyââhe pointed to Ti-Ming ââcame aboard to look around with a couple of friends. I didnât see any harm in that.â

âRileyâs telling you right,â Smuff spoke up. âThen these other guys arrived with the same story. First thing we knew a fight started.â

At that moment a police car raced up to the pier. Chief Collig and two other officers stepped out and raced onto the junk.

âItâs all right, Chief,â Smuff spoke up. âRiley and I have the situation under control. Pretty bad fight.â

The chief looked hard at his men and said that a bystander had telephoned headquarters about the fight. To the Chinese, Chief Collig said:

âYouâre all under arrest. Do you want to talk here or down at headquarters?â

Chin Gok and his two henchmen sullenly made it plain they would talk neither place. But Ti-Ming said he welcomed the chance to clear himself.

âI am not guilty of any lawbreaking,â he began. âI am a private detective. I go from place to place to get evidence on smuggling.â

Frank and Joe were thunderstruck. A detective! And he solved smuggling cases!

Would Ti-Mingâs story clear up the mystery of the Chinese junk?

CHAPTER XVIII

Legend of Treasure

To VERIFY his story, Ti-Ming produced a New York private detectiveâs license and several letters from Hong Kong. They identified not only him without a doubt, but the friends with him as well.

âWhy didnât you tell the police all this when you came here?â Chief Collig demanded.

âBecause I was not yet sure whether the Hai Hau was the stolen junk I was looking for; whether Chin Gokâs gang or someone else had smuggled goods into this country on it; and whether he had learned of a certain secret hidden aboard the junk. Until I was, I thought it wiser to keep my true identity under cover.â

Ti-Ming explained that six junks similar to the Hai Hau had been stolen in Hong Kong, probably by Chin Gok, painted, and given new figure-heads and names. It was thought they had been shipped to various ports of the world, all with smuggled goods aboard. One of these boats belonged to a friend of Ti-Mingâs.

âIn Hong Kong,â the Chinese detective went on, âa story was told by a workman that on one of the junks an ancient clue to a great fortune could be found. This workman was injured and before dying told this much but could never finish the story. So far as known, no one has learned the secret.â

Ti-Ming smiled. âNaturally my friend hoped the secret was hidden in his boat.â

âWhat is the fortune?â Joe asked eagerly.

Ti-Ming did not reply.

âYou neednât answer that question now,â Collig said. âGo on with your story.â

The detective bowed slightly. âMy friend heard that a shipment of boats had gone from Hong Kong to New York and asked me to investigate. The Hai Hau was the only used junk among them, and I am sure from certain features and other marks that it is my friendâs boat. To avoid confusion and publicity, I offered to buy it. When these honorable boys refused to sell, I followed them to Bayport and tried to continue my search without their suspecting me. But they are very wise young men.â

Despite the compliment to them, the Hardys and their friends exchanged worried glances. âThen it is true we bought stolen property!â Frank remarked solemnly.

âI am afraid so,â Ti-Ming replied. But smiling, he added, âThe rightful owner authorized me, after I notified him of my find, to say that you may keep the Hai Hau until fall, but in the meantime I am to be permitted to continue my hunt for the clue to the fortune.â

The Hardys looked toward Chief Collig, who gave the Chinese a quick answer. âYou may search only with a police escort, Mr. Ti-Ming, and anything you find will be kept by me until we have further proof of ownership.â

Ti-Ming nodded. âThat is very fair. And now, if you will excuse me, my friends and I will say good evening to you gentlemen. I will return in the morning, when I will search for the valuable clue to the fortune.â

Chin Gok and his two henchmen glared in hate after the departing Chinese. Still refusing to admit anything, they were led off to the Bayport jail. Chief Collig asked Frank and Joe to follow. Surprised and wondering, they said good night to their friends and followed in the convertible.

At police headquarters Chief Collig attempted once more to make his prisoners talk. But he was unable to extract any information from the three men.

âEmpty their pockets,â he ordered a guard.

Aside from knives carried by two of the men, nothing incriminating was found until they searched Chin Gok. A turnout of his pockets revealed a blue amber tiger gem!

Joe pounced on it. âChief! This is like the jewels in the cuff links!â

Colligâs eyes narrowed. âSo you were the man who threw Frank Hardy down the clothes chute! All right, speak up! What have you got to say for yourself?â

Chin Gokâs long face twisted into a sneer, but he said nothing.

âOkay, if they wonât talk, lock âem all up!â Collig growled. âChin Gok, weâll hold you for assault on Frank Hardy. The others will be charged with disturbing the peace while we make a further investigation.â

After the three Chinese had been led away, Chief Collig took the brothers into his office. âGet ready for a bombshell,â he said. âDr. Montrose has disappeared!â

âWhat!â

âAfter you gave us the tip on him, my men went to call on him. When they found his office locked, we became suspicious and broke in. Everything but the heavy furniture was gone.â

Joe whistled, and Frank said, âYes, go on. Then you went to his house?â

âRight away. Same thing there.â Collig smiled. âI guess you boys broke the case of a fake-doctor thief.â

âYou mean there werenât two men working together?â Joe exclaimed.

Chief Collig rubbed his chin. âOn that score Iâm not sure. Montrose may have returned to the victimâs houses himself and stolen their securities, or he may have had a pal take them.â

âChin Gok, perhaps?â Frank suggested.

The chief shrugged. âI hadnât thought of that until the cuff-link angle came up. The point now is to find Dr. Montrose. Well, boys, thanks for your help. And if you get any leads, let me know.â

âWe sure will,â Frank promised and with a grin added, âIf Chin Gok talks, call us, please.â

âIâll do that. By the way, I never did get in touch with your father. He was always out.â

The Hardys left for home, conversing on the way about each detail of the mystery. âIâm beginning to reconstruct things this way,â said Frank. âWhen Dr. Montrose left our house, after Aunt Gertrude was getting sleepy, he slipped the lock on the front door. He took Mrs. Witherspoon home and returned to open Dadâs safe. Something frightened him and he ran off in a hurry, leaving the front door open. Then Chet came along.â

âSounds good,â Joe remarked. âBut if he steals securities whenever he gets a chance, why didnât he take the ones in our safe?â

âHe didnât want that particular job to look like a robbery,â Frank answered. âAll he wanted was Dadâs file on the Chameleon.â

Joeâs eyes opened wide. âAre you trying to tell me you think Montrose is the Chameleon?â

âI am.â Frank gave a loud sigh. âAnd we let him slip right through our fingers. The Chameleon is sure a perfect name for that guy! He managed to fool other doctors in town evidently.â

Joe said he thought they should phone their father at once, so as soon as the boys reached home, Frank put in the call. His brother, meanwhile, gave Aunt Gertrude an account of the eveningâs adventures.

âDr. Montrose!â she cried out. âAnd he seemed like such a gentleman! So heâs not, eh? Then he ought to be tarred and feathered when they catch him. The idea of giving people sleeping pills and then robbing them!â

âTake it easy, Aunty,â Joe advised. âRemember, we havenât proved a thing yet.â

By this time Frank had made the connection to California and in a moment his father came on the phone. Mr. Hardy listened in amazement to the story and his sonsâ deductions. Then he said:

âOne of my secret findings contained in the Chameleonâs files was that he had read a great deal about medicine and learned enough to pose as a doctor. But the last place Iâd expect to find him practicing would be Bayport ! At the time the file on Balarat was taken from my safe, I had just received a good lead that he was out here, and I figured some cohort of his had opened the safe.â

Mr. Hardy went on to say that the ex-convict might remain in hiding for some time, now that he knew his latest role as a doctor had been detected. âBut keep your eyes open, Frank, and Joe too,â the ace sleuth advised. âI will fly home tomorrow with Mother to take up the hunt.â

After Frank put the phone down, Aunt Gertrude looked hard at him, then said crisply, âNot one more bit of mystery tonight for either of you boys. You both look as white and tired as if youâd been through an epidemic!â

âAn epidemic of clues,â Joe quipped, but he and Frank were glad to climb into bed and were asleep in a few minutes.

The following morning was bright and warm and the Hardys looked forward to a full passenger list for the Hai Hau. They found Aunt Gertrude busy in the kitchen taking muffins from the oven.

âWow! What a breakfast!â said Joe. âHereâs a kiss for the cook.â He planted one on her cheek.

âGood morning, Aunty,â Frank added, putting an arm around her.

The wall phone in the kitchen rang. Joe picked it up and listened a moment, then burst out:

âWhat! Chin Gok and the other two prisoners have escaped, you say, Chief?â

CHAPTER XIX

Sleuths in Danger

FRANK, Joe, and Aunt Gertrude were stunned by Chief Colligâs report that the three Chinese prisoners had broken out of jail.

âSomebody helped them,â Aunt Gertrude declared firmly.

âHe sure did,â Joe agreed. âThe chief said someone slugged the jailer and opened the cell they were in. The fellow was masked and as slick as they come. Nobody saw him sneak in.â

Frank gazed into space. âI wonder where the bunch of escapees went. They must be in hiding. Maybeââ

âMaybe what?â Aunt Gertrude asked.

Her nephew merely smiled and she knew his idea was still in a nebulous state. He would tell her later when it was fully formulated. As the brothers drove down to the Hai Hau to help with the dayâs run, Frank said:

âJoe, I was thinking of that cave on Rocky Isle and those blinking lights. Itâs just possible Dr. Montrose is hiding out there.â

âAnd perhaps Chin Gok and his pals?â Joe queried.

âYes. Letâs take a look and if we see any of them weâll radio the police.â

At the pier Frank and Joe found Chet with his spelunking gear, ready to explore the cave. But when the stout boy heard of the jail break and Frankâs supposition that the wanted men might be hiding there, he looked worried.

âI donât know that Iâll explore, fellows. You canât move fast in this gear and I sure couldnât run if I had to.â

âWell, suit yourself,â said Joe.

Several picnickers had already gathered. Among them were Callie Shaw and Iola Morton. The girls had brought a basket of food, a portable record player, and a beach bag containing towels and bathing suits.

âHey! Look whoâs here!â Joe cried out.

âBe our guests!â Frank invited. âWeâll reserve deluxe seats right here with the crewâno charge!â

The two girls dimpled into pleased smiles but insisted upon paying their own fares.

Laughter and banter continued as the junk cruised out of the harbor. Then Iola turned on a new hit record.

âToo bad thereâs not enough room to dance.â she sighed. âLetâs all sing instead!â

Everyone joined in the chorus, drowning out the crooning voice on the record. Biff sang slightly off key.

âHey! Those pipes of yours are rusty!â Tony joked and held up an oilcan. âTry some.â

Presently the radio connected with the Hardy home signaled and Aunt Gertrudeâs voice came on. Frank put it down to low volume so only the young sleuths and their friends could hear her.

âA phone message just came from Ardvor College,â she said. âDr. Montrose was never a student there and the president is very upset by his claims. Iâve notified Chief Collig. Anything else you want me to do?â

âNot now. And thanks a million, Aunty,â said Frank. âOver and out.â Turning to his friends he added, âIf we need extra proof about that phony, we have it now!â

As soon as the junk tied up at the wharf, its passengers trooped ashore and headed for the beach. Frank told the girls that he and Joe were going to the cave, but did not give the reason. Chet decided to don his spelunking helmet and accompany them. Tony, Biff, and Jim would go back to Bayport for the second load of passengers.

The Hardys and their stout chum tramped across the island. Reaching the park guardâs house, they stopped to ask Dave Roberts if he had seen any blinking lights or cliff climbers on the northern end of Rocky Isle.

âNo,â he replied, and the boys went on.

The trio skirted the rocks along the shore and half an hour later started up the cliffside. Twenty minutes of scaling brought them to the mouth of the cave.

âIf those jailbirds climbed up these rocks, they sure made it hard for themselves,â said Chet, puffing. âI donât believe theyâre here.â

âJust the same, weâd better talk in whispers,â Frank recommended.

The three boys pressed forward into the gloomy cave. They had barely entered when several rocks near the opening went clattering down the hillside. The vibration loosened a massive chunk of limestone hanging from the cave ceiling.

It plunged straight toward Joeâs head!

âLook out!â Chet yelled.

Joe dived clear in the nick of time, aided by a lightning grab from Frank. The huge chunk of limestone smashed on the spot where Joe had just been standing! All three boys were showered with whitish dust and rock fragments.

âWhew! Itâit was almost curtains that time!â Joeâs voice came in a weak whisper. He lay sprawled full length on the cave floor.

Frank helped him to his feet. âAre you all right?â

The massive chunk of limestone plunged
toward Joe

âI guess soâthanks to you two!â Joe gulped. âBoy, if you hadnât yelled, Chetââ

âNow you know why I wear this minerâs hat!â Chet replied.

Suddenly Frank said, âWe certainly made a noisy entrance. If anyoneâs hiding, we probably alerted him.â

Joe nodded. âThat gives him the advantage. Weâd better proceed with the utmost caution and not get trapped.â

As they advanced, the boys beamed their flashlights in every direction. Presently they found themselves in an enormous room.

Pearly terraces rimmed the walls, extending far back into the cliff. Glittering calcite icicles hung from the ceiling.

âThis is a living cave,â Chet whispered. âThat means thereâs always water seepage going on. It builds these queer, shiny formations. When the seepage dries up, the rock gets dull and crumbly, and the cave becomes dead.â

Chet now lighted his helmet lamp and the boys proceeded deeper into the cave. The floor became more rugged, forcing them to pick their way along cautiously.

The path they were taking gradually sloped upward. Another branch of the cavern, opening on their right, seemed to lead down toward the base of the cliff. The boys hesitated, uncertain which way to go.

âIn the daytime those men would be more likely to hide down below the top of the cliff,â Frank suggested.

The others nodded, and the boys pushed on into the right-hand cavern. Here, the âiciclesâ increased in size to huge spearlike stalactites. Here and there similar-shaped stalagmites reared upward from the floor. Sometimes the twin formations joined in glistening pillars or columns.

âJust think! This was all done by water dripping slowly for hundreds of years,â Chet marveled.

âWhat a spectacle!â Frank whispered. âThis place ought to be opened up to the public.â

Most eye-stopping of all was a frozen cascade that had formed over a ledge, like a miniature Niagara of stone. It glistened with a fairylike brilliance in the glow of the flashlights and lamp.

âChet, this is super. Iâll never make fun of your spelunking again!â Joe declared in a low, awed voice.

To add to the beauty, some of the deposits were tinted orange, red, and brown. Chet explained that this was due to iron oxide and other minerals in the dripping water.

As the boys continued downward into the cliff, their body heat caused wispy fog to form in the cool, damp air. Suddenly Frank halted and listened.

âI thought I heard a voice.â

The boys tiptoed ahead and presently the twisting passageway opened into a larger cavern. In the middle lay a huge pool, its surface covered with a thick scum of green algae and slime. A slight movement of the water indicated that the pool was being fed from some underground source. The ocean?

âLook!â Frank whispered excitedly, pointing across the pool.

Joe and Chet swung their lights toward the spot. Revealed was a typewriter with the name Zeus on it. No doubt the stolen one! Next to it was a low table on which stood stacks of what looked like bonds or other financial certificates. On top of these was a foot-square bamboo box with Oriental characters on it.

âWeâve found it!â Joe gasped. âThis is the thievesâ and smugglersâ hiââ

His words ended in a groan as a hard object crashed against his skull! Before Frank and Chet could turn around, they too were struck down from behind. All three sank into blackness.

When the Hardys and Chet regained consciousness, it was like waking to a flickering nightmare. The boys could feel ropes biting into their wrists and ankles. They were bound and propped against one wall of the cavern, now lighted by carbide lamps. Frankâs watch revealed that three hours had gone by since the boys had left the dock.

Frank was first to collect his wits fully. Then Joe and Chet slowly brought their eyes to a focus on four figures leering down at them; Dr. Montrose, Chin Gok, and two rough-looking men in seamenâs dungarees.

âThe phony coastguardmen!â Frank said grimly.

âYes,â one of them replied, âbut youâll never live to report where we are.â He laughed scornfully.

Frank took a deep breath. âIn that case, you wonât mind clearing up the mystery first,â he said, sparring for time. âDr. Montrose, we know youâre Balarat, the Chameleon. Youâre wanted on various charges, including the display of a fake diploma. But what is your connection with Chin Gok?â

âIâll answer that,â the Chinese spoke up and gave a harsh, leering laugh. âBalarat and I are new in our acquaintance but already very good friends. He helped us slip out of jail. The doctor and I thank the Hardy boys for our first meeting. It was at your house.â

âOur house!â Frank and Joe gasped.

Chin Gok grew voluble. âIt was quite by accident,â he confessed. âI entered your home one morning to search for any data you might have picked up regarding the Hai Hau. Incidentally, it was my esteemed self who spoke that warning over the radio. That was between the doctorâs first and second visits that day. I followed him upstairs and watched him open your fatherâs safe.â The Chinese smiled. âI might have blackmailed him, but when Montrose saw the unusual cuff links I was wearing, he recognized them as part of a smuggled shipment of amber. As payment for his silence, I gave them to him. Then we decided to join forces and outwit the Hardy family!â

âChin Gok,â Joe said, âdid you steal all six junks in Hong Kong and secrete smuggled goods aboard, part of it bluish amber tigers? And did you have the junks shipped to foreign ports where you picked up the loot and sold it?â

âTrue,â Chin Gok replied. âI have sold everything, except the valuable bluish ambers in the bamboo box, with the help of Dr. Montrose.â A self-satisfied smile played over the smugglerâs face. âFriends took care of five junks. I came to New York because I was particularly interested in the boat I repainted and put the mandarin figurehead on, and gave the name Hai Hau.â

Chin Gok spoke proudly. After a pause he went on, âI had some of my men ruin the junkâs engine and later attack you boys in Chinatown. After that, they put a hole in the junk to discourage you from keeping the Hai Hau.â

âDid they also slug the dock watchman and make a search aboard?â Joe asked.

Chin Gok nodded. âThey almost got the Hai Hau away from you one night out on the Shore Road. And they did scare you with a warning note.â

Frank looked hard at the man. âYouâre the one who pretended to be stooped like Clams Daggett when we saw you leave Montroseâs house.â

âYes.â

Frank turned to Dr. Montrose. âAnd you lost one cuff link when you met Chin Gok at the cave and dropped the other in your basement.â

âYou are right. It must have dropped out of my shirt pocket when I bent down to get something out of a toolbox. Incidentally, I was a prowler at your house twice.â

âDid you ever shoot at the Hai Hau?â Joe asked.

Butler said, âI took a practice shot once.â

Chin Gok broke in. âBut our work is not finished. For my part, I havenât yet found the clue to the Hai Hauâs treasure, but I will! You will not stop me!â

âWhat do you mean? What are you going to do to us?â Chet quavered.

âButler and Burns,â Dr. Montrose spoke up, looking toward the two sham coastguardmen, âyou tell them.â

The one named Butler burst into harsh, mocking laughter. âSee that pool? Well, thatâs where youâre headinâ. Weâre goinâ to throw all three oâ you boys, tied up just like you are, into this bottomless hole!â

CHAPTER XX

Underground Battle

UNAWARE of the grim happenings under the cliff, two groups of the Hai Hauâs passengers were thoroughly enjoying themselves. To pass the time, Biff, Tony, and Jim began searching the junk again for a clue to the treasure. After a dip in the surf, Iola and Callie strolled back to the wharf.

âFind anything?â Iola asked.

âNo,â Biff replied.

âLetâs all look,â Callie suggested. âMaybe we can surprise Frank and Joe with a clue!â

The five friends joined in the hunt. Tony perched himself in the bow, with one leg swung over the side. He scowled thoughtfully as his eyes roved the hull of the Hai Hau.

Could the clue to the fortune be hidden somewhere on the outside of the junk? Absent-mindedly he pressed one of the glass eyes in the figurehead. To his surprise, it pushed inward! Tony gave a yell that brought the others running.

A secret panel had slid open on the inner side of the bulwark!

âIâve found something!â Excitedly he reached into the small compartment and pulled out a bamboo tube. He peered inside it and, as everyone watched breathlessly, extracted a parchment scroll. When unrolled, it proved to be a faded, yellow map labeled with Cantonese characters.

âA treasure map!â Jim Foy exclaimed. âIt tells where there are rich mines of bluish amber!â

A hasty conference followed. Both Tony and Biff felt that they should inform the Hardys and Chet at once. The girls agreed, but asked Jim to remain with them and help guard the treasure map.

Iola tucked the scroll into her swimming bag. âLetâs radio the Coast Guard to come over here,â she said. âIâll feel much safer.â

âOkay! Letâs go!â Tony urged Biff.

The two set off across the island, scrambled up the cliff, and made their way into the cave. In spite of the wonders revealed by their flashlights, both were too intent on finding their chums to appreciate the cavernâs beauty.

Presently they came to the point where the passage branched. While trying to decide which path to follow, they heard angry voices coming from the right fork.

âSounds like trouble ahead,â Biff whispered. âCome on!â

The boys hurried through the downgrade passage, which seemed endless.

Suddenly Tony grabbed Biffâs arm. âHold it!â he hissed. âDo you hear what I hear?â

Biff nodded grimly. Both recognized Chin Gokâs voice. Switching off their flashlights, the two crept forward stealthily. Their jaws tightened in horror at the lamplit scene that met their eyes in the huge, subterranean chamber just ahead!

Frank, Joe, and Chet were propped against the wall, their arms and legs bound with ropes. Chin Gok, Dr. Montrose, and the two Coast Guard impostors were standing a short distance away.

âAs Butler has just informed you,â Chin Gok was saying with evil relish, âall three of you will be tossed into this pool as soon as Dr. Montrose and I put these securities and jewels in our pockets.â

Biff and Tony clenched their fists. They must do something! There was no time to go for help. Conferring in tense whispers, they settled on a plan of action.

âItâs a long shot,â Tony muttered, âbut it may work. Weâll have to chance it.â He took out his jackknife and switched open the blade to cut the prisonersâ bonds.

âOkayânow!â

Like sprinters taking off at a track meet, the two boys burst into the open! Dr. Montrose and Chin Gok, who had not yet picked up the loot, were standing by the green pool. Biff and Tony let out wild war whoops and charged!

Before the startled men knew what was happening, Biffâs sudden assault pushed Chin Gok head-first into the pool! Tonyâs hard jab toppled Dr. Montrose after him.

Burns and Butler let out roars of rage. Biff, who was rangy and powerful, sent Burns sprawling and started to tackle the other.

Meanwhile, Tony had begun to slash the ropes that held the Hardys and Chet. Frank surged into action the instant he was free.

Just in time! His first punch made Butlerâs knees buckle as he was about to land a finishing blow on Biff. But the fight was far from over! Burns was up and now all four tangled in a fierce slugging match. Then Joe waded in and the tide of battle began to turn.

âQuick!â Chet gasped as Tony sawed frantically at his ropes. He had just spotted Chin Gok crawling out of the pool. The enraged Chinese was dripping from head to foot with greenish slime.

A knife flashed in his right hand just as the last strands of Chetâs rope parted. The chunky boy moved with unexpected rapidity. Head down, he rammed into the huge Chinese, butting him in the solar plexus. With a gurgle, Chin Gok collapsed in a heap, moaning. Chet took his knife away and threw it into the pooL

By now Butler and Burns were reeling and giving ground swiftly. Minutes later they went down, begging for quarter.

âWhereâs Dr. Montrose?â Frank asked suddenly. âStill in the pool?â

âThere he goes!â Joe cried, seeing a slimy green figure just disappearing from the cavern. âTony! Biff! Chet! Take care of these prisoners!â he requested. âCome on, Frank! Weâll get the Chameleon!â

The Hardysâ chums began tying their captives with the ropes which had bound their friends a few minutes earlier. After gathering up the loot, they marched the men out of the cave and down the cliff. Dave Roberts could take charge of them until the Coast Guard sent over officers to look after the prisoners.

Meanwhile, Frank and Joe had raced after the Chameleon. Upon reaching the fork in the tunnel, the young sleuths noticed that the path they had not explored had wet footprints in it.

âThat phony doctor went this way!â Joe exclaimed, and they sped through the zigzag opening.

The tunnel was fairly short and rose sharply to the top of the cliff. The exit was so narrow, Frank and Joe had to squeeze through it. Once outside they looked around for Dr. Montrose. They spotted him jumping from rock to rock down the far side of the cliff.

âI see a boat down there!â Frank cried out. âHeâll escape in it!â

The Hardys descended the treacherous hillside as fast as they dared but felt that the chase was hopeless. But as Montrose reached the foot of the cliff, the brothers suddenly spied Clams Dagget on the shore.

âClams!â Frank shouted. âGrab that man! Heâs a thief!â

The beachcomber-pilot looked up. Recognizing the Hardys, he did not hesitate. Before the fleeing Chameleon knew what was happening, he had been tripped and thrown face down to the sand. By the time Frank and Joe reached him, Clams was seated astride the doctorâs shoulders, thwarting the manâs efforts to rise. When Montrose saw the Hardys, he ceased to struggle and the beachcomber let him get up.

âNow sâpose you fellows tell me what this is all about,â Clams demanded.

The boys gave him an account of everything they knew, including the prime clue of the cuff links.

Clams frowned and said, âIf we search this jerk, mebbe we can find out more.â

Montrose objected, but Frank and Joe held him as the beachcomber began going through the manâs pockets. As he looked over the contents of the doctorâs wallet, Clams exclaimed:

âQuite a bunch oâ dough. Hm. A hundred-dollar bill! By crickey, if there ainât two of âem!â

âLet me see them!â Joe cried out. As soon as they were removed from the wallet he said excitedly, âFrank, these bills belong to you and me! I remember the letters and numbers. Federal reserve notes from the eighth and the fifth districts. The first starts with H18 and ends with F. Thatâs yours. And the other, starting E1015 and ending with A, is my bill!â

The Chameleonâs face went white. âYou kids are smart,â he growled, âbut dumb sometimes. I saw you put the money in the envelope and lay it on the mantel while I was casing your house preparatory to opening the safe, so I came in and took it.â

âThat was dumb of me,â Joe agreed. âWell, get marching. Weâre going to hand you over to the Coast Guard.â

As the group of four neared the bathing beach, they could see a Coast Guard cutter docking next to the Hai Hau. Officers jumped from the craft and hurried toward the boys and their prisoners. They got further confessions from the men, including the fact that Butler and Burns were the ones who had signaled to Montrose on shore to tell him and Chin Gok when it was safe for them to visit the island cave.

âWe tried to scare you guys away that night you came snoopinâ around in your boat,â Butler told the Hardys. âWe hired two men to do it.â

The brothers learned, too, that Burns had acted as Montroseâs âstockbrokerâ friend.

Clams had been quiet up to this point. Now he burst out, âIf Iâd knowed you two was such low-downs, Iâd never âaâ sold you one mouthful oâ clams all those times you come pesterinâ me for âem. And you never did tell me what that job was you wanted me to do. Guess it was somethinâ crooked and you found out Iâm an honest guy!â

With the Coast Guard in charge of the prisoners and the loot, the Hardys and their pals said good-by to Clams and headed for the Hai Hau. Biff now revealed the news about the finding of the treasure map.

âWow-eeâ Joe cried out and hugged Tony exuberantly.

Frank followed, grinning from ear to ear. âSuper!â he exclaimed. âSay, look whoâs coming!â

At this moment Ti-Ming, evidently waiting for the boys, walked forward to add his congratulations on the capture of the two slick thieves and their pals. He said he had come to the island in a private launch to tell the boys that Chief Collig and his men had caught the other Chinese who had escaped from jail with Chin Gok.

Upon hearing of the finding of the scroll, he remarked, âVery fine work! The whole gang in custody, and the mystery of the Chinese junk solved! I came prepared to search and help. Instead, all I can do is offer you a reward.â

âReward?â the boys chorused.

Ti-Ming smiled. âThe rightful owner of the Hai Hau instructed me to tell the finder of the clue to the fortune that he would receive a ten per cent interest in it.â

âGuess youâre elected, Tony,â said Frank.

âHope you make a million,â Joe added.

Tony Prito reddened, then said, âAnything that comes to Bayport from those mines of blue amber will be shared, and shared in equal amounts, among the six of us. We all bought the Hai Hau together, didnât we?â

Ti-Ming beamed in pleasure. âAnd you solved the mystery together. Now I must leave, but first I apologize for the telegram about the curse to keep you from selling the Hai Hau.â

As they waved good-by to George Ti-Ming, Frank and Joe wondered what new mystery would rise up to challenge them. They had no way of knowing that very soon a most unusual case, THE MYSTERY OF THE DESERT GIANT, would test their sleuthing abilities to the limit.

Frank went aboard the Hai Hau and rang the junkâs melodic bell, calling the picnickers aboard.

âItâs a little early,â Frank confessed to his pals, âbut I want to be at the airport when Mother and Dad arrive.â

âYes,â said Joe. âAnd what a home-coming theyâre going to getlâ