THE ARCTIC PATROL MYSTERY

PRIVATE investigator Fenton Hardy enlists the aid of his teen-age detective sons in a search for a missing man being sought by an insurance company. All leads to the sailorâ€™s whereabouts have petered out and the boys fly to Iceland, the manâ€™s native land, hoping to find a new clue.

From the moment Frank and Joe arrive in Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland, they are in constant danger. They are shadowed by a mysterious blond man who is later responsible for the crash landing of their chartered plane on a vast glacier. Stranded in a fierce blizzard, the detective brothers narrowly escape death. Other perils confront them when their friends Chet Morton and Biff Hooper vanish under alarming circumstances.

In the spine-chilling pursuit that follows, Frank and Joe uncover a diabolical espionage plot that threatens the life of a U.S. astronaut and NASAâ€™s moon project.

Copyright Â© 1997, 1969 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. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 69-12164

eISBN : 978-1-101-07661-3

2008 Printing

http://us.penguingroup.com

CHAPTER I

Icelandic Secret

âHow would you boys like to fly to Iceland?â Mr. Hardy asked his sons.

Frank and Joe, seated in their fatherâs study on the second floor of the Hardy home in Bayport, looked stunned.

âIceland? Up near the Arctic Circle?â asked blond-haired, seventeen-year-old Joe.

Frank, dark-haired and a year older, had the same incredulous look as his brother, but he realized that his famous detective father was not joking. âOf course, Dad! Whatâs the pitch? Another mystery?â

Fenton Hardy rocked slightly in his high-backed swivel chair. âI would call it a mild mystery compared with some others youâve handled. But it could develop into the most dangerous one yet, provided...â Frowning, he paused for a moment.

Joe queried excitedly, âProvided what, Dad?â

âThat depends on another assignment Iâm not at liberty to reveal. Itâs top secretâfor the moment at least. Your job is to find a man named Rex Hallbjornsson. An insurance company wants to pay him fifty thousand dollars.â

Frank smiled. âThatâs not hard to take. Who left him that tidy little fortune?â

âA person whose life he saved at sea.â

âThen this Hallbâwhatâs his nameâis a sailor?â Joe asked.

âRight. Probably one reason why Hallbjornsson hasnât been found. And I have a hunch his long Scandinavian name might have something to do with it, too.â

Mr. Hardy quickly outlined the important facts. The missing manâs last known address was a London steamship company. That was before his ship was sunk by a drifting mine off the coast of France. European detectives tracked him to a family on the coast of Brittany, but Hallbjornsson had long since gone from there. He did leave a clueâa scrap of paper which bore the word âIsland.â

âIsland is the Icelandic word for Iceland,â Mr. Hardy explained. âHallbjornsson would be in his sixties by now. My guess is that he returned to his native land. Your missionâtrack him down. Thereâs a direct flight from New York to Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.â

âWhat about Chet?â Joe asked. âCan he come With us?â

Chet Morton was the Hardysâ best friend. He was a stout boy, great as a lineman on the Bayport High football team, but less than enthusiastic as a sleuth. Chet would side-step danger, if possible. However, when the chips were down, he always proved to be a true pal. He was fond of food and hobbies, the latter changing as often as the weather.

Mr. Hardy pondered the question about Chet in silence for a few moments. âYes,â he said finally, âChet might be of assistance as well as good company. But you must warn him to be silent. Premature disclosure of our plans could prove disastrous.â

Frank and Joe made careful note of their fatherâs warning, because Fenton Hardy was an expert in detective work and security. He had been a crack member of the New York Police Department, and his superiors hated to lose him when he left to start his own agency. Now he was world-famous and his sons were following in his footsteps.

Their first case, known as The Tower Treasure, had whetted the boysâ appetite for mysteries, and they had solved one after another, their latest being Mystery of the Whale Tattoo.

âGreat, Dad!â Frank said, jumping to his feet. âWith spring vacation coming up we wonât miss any time at school!â

âAre your passports up to date?â his father asked.

âSure, we always keep them that way.â

A telephone call brought Chet Morton and his old jalopy backfiring to a halt in front of the Hardy home on Elm Street. Chet lived on a farm several miles out of town. He had a sister, Iola, who was Joeâs girl friend.

Frankâs special date was Callie Shaw. But girls were far from the minds of the young detectives as they ran out to greet their friend.

Chet hopped out of the car, his round face beaming. âHi, fellows. Another mystery? By the way, howâs your Aunt Gertrude fixed for pie?â

âCome in. Weâll find out.â

Laura Hardy, the boysâ mother, had gone marketing, leaving Aunt Gertrude in sole charge of the kitchen. Miss Hardy, their fatherâs sister, was tall, spare, and decisive.

She often looked askance at the mysteries in which her nephews became involved. Nonetheless, Frank and Joe were very special to her as was Chet Morton, chief connoisseur of her excellent culinary abilities.

âWell! You sound like a bunch of elephants tramping in here!â Aunt Gertrude said.

âChetâs hungry again,â Frank declared with a wink.

âWhat else?â Joe joked. âThatâs a permanent condition with him.â

âAw, cut it out, fellows,â said Chet, pulling out a kitchen chair and sliding his ample frame into it. âWhatâs your latest in pies, Aunt Gertrude?â

Miss Hardy pursed her lips in a mock look of annoyance, yet she was secretly pleased with her reputation as a baker.

âRhubarb pie, Chester. Itâs chilling in the refrigerator.â

A sly smile spread over Chet Mortonâs face. He leaned forward, elbows on the table. âMy favorite! You must have known I was coming!â

âCut out the baloney, Chet,â said Joe. âYouâd eat anything.â

Chetâs hurt look vanished when a large wedge of pie was placed before him, along with a tall glass of milk.

âThank you, thank you,â he said as Aunt Gertrude left to take care of other household chores. Then he turned to his friends. âNow whatâs this latest proposition?â

âWeâre going to Iceland,â Frank said seriously, âand would like to take you with us.â

Chet grinned broadly. âGood thought!â

âBut you must keep this absolutely mum,â Joe warned. âNot a word of it to anyone.â

âYou can trust me to be quiet,â Chet stated between mouthfuls.

âAnd we mean quiet!â Frank added emphati cally.

âOkay, Iâm with you.â Chet savored a long swig of milk. âAnd what are we going to do there?â

Briefly the Hardys told of their mission, and Chet seemed delighted with the idea. âFinding somebody doesnât seem too dangerous,â he said. âBesides, Iâd like to see some real Eskimos.â

As he finished speaking, Chet banged the side of his hand on the kitchen table, making the pie plate jump.

âWhat are you trying to do?â Joe demanded.

âJust practicing my karate chop.â

âYour latest hobby?â Frank asked.

âSure. The art of self-defense. Got to get the old hands toughened up. Never can tell when you need it.â

âYouâre a nut,â Joe said, grinning, as the boys stood up and walked to the front door.

âThanks for the pie,â Chet said to Gertrude Hardy whom they met in the hall. âItâll give me lots of strength for our next case.â

âQuiet!â Joe said. âYouâre spilling the beans already.â

Aunt Gertrude sniffed, as if scenting a danger, and her eyebrows raised above the rim of her glasses. âAnother case?â she asked, looking from Frank to Joe. âWhat is it?â

âSomething simple,â Frank assured her. âAn easy investigation. Donât worry.â

âJust practicing my karate chop,â Chet said

âHumph! I worry all the time about you.â

âWeâre only going to Iceland,â said Joe.

âIceland?â Aunt Gertrude made a face as if the entire country were run by wild, long-haired Vikings. âYouâll freeze to death up there, if youâre not eaten by a polar bear!â

âOr lost on the stormy seas,â Joe added.

âDonât get smart, young man,â his aunt replied, and marched into the kitchen, where she put the remaining pie and the milk back into the refrigerator.

Frank remembered studying about Iceland in school and knew that the weather should be mild in April, although there were occasional storms in the area at that time of year. âBring some heavy clothes just in case,â he told his friend.

âHow about skis and snowshoes?â

âForget it, Chet. I didnât say the North Pole!â

âWhat about the rest of the gang? Shall I tell them?â asked Chet.

Frank hesitated. âDad cautioned us not to say anything to anybody.â

âWell, Tony and Biff will know the next day that weâre gone,â Joe put in. âSuppose we tell them weâre going away on a secret mission without saying where.â

âOkay,â Frank agreed. âMaybe we can have a get-together before we leave.â

âGood idea.â Chet said good-by and chugged off. He made a stop at the Bayport Hardware Store for some farm supplies before heading back home.

As Chet hefted a bale of peat moss to his shoulder and carried it to his jalopy, he nearly bumped into Fred Marney, who broadcast the news on the Bayport TV channel. Marney was well acquainted with the exploits of the Hardys and their friends.

âHi, Chet. Getting the garden ready?â he greeted the boy.

âNot me. This is for my motherâs roses. No time for gardening.â

âWhat? With spring vacation coming up?â

âOh, Iâll be busy,â said Chet and moved toward the car.

âBusy with what?â Marney persisted. âAnother Hardy boysâ case?â

Chet tossed the bale to the back of the car and turned to frown at the broadcaster.

âSo I hit the nail on the head, eh?â the news-man persisted.

âI didnât say anything!â Chet said, sliding behind the wheel. âThe trip to Iceland is nobodyâs business exceptââ

Chet could have bitten off his tongue as Marney smirked and turned away. He had broken his promise! What would the Hardys say now? Well, maybe it was of so little importance that Fred Marney would forget it.

That evening, just before the TV newscast, Chet got a phone call from Tony Prito. âListen, Chet, big doings at our place tonight. My motherâs giving a pizza feast. The whole bunch will be here. I told Iola already. Come with your appetite.â

âThen you know about the trip?â Chet asked.

âBiff and I do, but thatâs all. Frank and Joe want to keep it a secret.â

âYeah, I know about that,â Chet said limply. âIâll be there, but I donât know about my appetite.â

Tony Prito laughed as he hung up, and Chet tuned in the evening report. His eyes were glued to the TV screen. National news came first, then other reports of statewide importance, and finally an item about the Bayport city council. Chet breathed a sigh of relief. His secret had not been violated!

In the Hardy home Frank, Joe, and Mr. Hardy were watching the same program while the boysâ mother and Aunt Gertrude were preparing supper. After the council report Fred Marney smiled at his viewers and said, âAnd now a little juicy tidbit for fans of the famous Hardy boys.â Frank and Joe froze and Mr. Hardy frowned deeply.

The reporter went on, âThis time itâs a trip to Iceland for Frank and Joe and, of course, their pal Chet Morton, too. Since this is not a junket for fun in the sun, we wonder what the detectives are up to now.â

âHoly crow!â Joe exclaimed and flicked off the set. âHow did he find out about that?â

âIâm afraid this means trouble,â Mr. Hardy said, thumping a fist into the palm of his hand. âWell, whatâs done is done!â

âDo you suppose it was Chet?â asked Frank.

The answer came with the ringing of the telephone. Joe grabbed it. The voice on the other end was so low that he could hardly hear it. âWhat? ... Oh, itâs you, Chet.... Yes, we heard.â There was a long silence while Chet explained.

Then Joe went on, âNo, I donât think itâll wash out the trip, but Dadâs very much upset. See you later.â

Joe told the others what had happened, which was not of much comfort to his father. After supper Mr. Hardy announced that he was leaving for an important secret meeting.

Frank and Joe showered and dressed for the party in the Pritosâ rumpus room. Chet was bringing his sister Iola, and Frank was to pick up Callie Shaw at her home. Just as the boys started out to their car, they heard the phone ring.

Aunt Gertrude answered. After listening for a few moments, she said, âYou shouldnât play pranks like this, Callie Shawl What is it youâ?â Then she turned to the boys with an astonished expression on her face. âGoodness, she hung up on me!â

âThat couldnât have been Callie,â Frank said. âShe wouldnât do a thing like that!â

âWhat did the caller say?â Joe asked.

âShe claimed it was the White House calling Fenton Hardy.â

The boys climbed into their convertible, uneasy about the strange call. Had it been a joke?

âWeâd better not mention this to anyone,â Frank said. Joe agreed.

A few minutes later they pulled up at the Shawsâ house, and Frank hurried to pick up his pretty blond date.

When they arrived at Tony Pritoâs place, Frank parked in front of the house, and the three entered. Chet and his vivacious, dark-haired sister were already there. They all trooped down to the basement, where brawny Biff Hooper and good-looking Tony were playing a game of Ping-Pong.

Their dates were shouting encouragement to the two, when Tony sent a sizzling backhand shot which nicked the end of the table.

âYou win!â Biff said and put down his paddle. âHi, Frank, Joe! The news is all over town!â

When Frank remained silent, Tony said, âHey, you guys, whereâs your bounce tonight?â

âThe news shouldnât have gotten out,â Joe explained. âWell, letâs forget about the whole thing and have some fun.â

The boys grabbed billiard cues and went to the large table which occupied one end of the basement. Callie, meanwhile, put on some dance records, and as the evening progressed, the fun increased until Mrs. Prito appeared carrying a large tray of red-hot pizza.

Frank touched Callieâs arm. âIâd like to get out for a little fresh air before we tackle the goodies.â

âMe, too,â Callie replied. âItâs stuffy in here.â

The couple stepped out into the star-studded evening. As they walked toward the front of the house, Frank noticed a car parked five feet from the curb, almost directly behind his convertible. All its doors were open.

Three men approached Frank as he walked forward. Callie lingered behind. When the man in the lead had almost reached Frank, he suddenly commanded, âCome with us!â

Callie stifled a scream and ran back into the house!

CHAPTER II

Thug for Hire

FRANK sized up the situation in a split second. The doors of the car stood open, and its motor was running. All prepared, Frank thought, to receive the kidnap victim.

The young detective dodged the man in front of him, raced through the clutching hands of the other two, and dived into the car. In a twinkling he had it in gear and floored the accelerator.

Whoosh! Tires screeched as the car bolted ahead. It zigzagged wildly, its doors flying, until Frank gained control and spun around the corner. Now to get back to the thugs as quickly as possible !

Frank circled the block and returned to the Prito house, where everyone was standing on the front lawn.

Only one thug was in evidence, flat on his back, with Tony kneeling on his chest. Moments later two police cars, blinkers flashing, raced up. Bayportâs Chief Collig jumped out, followed by his driver. Patrolman Riley leaped from the other car.

âWhatâs going on?â Collig asked crisply. He was a portly, middle-aged man, a close confidant of the Hardys.

âA kidnap attempt,â Frank said.

âHereâs the one we caught!â Tony said. âThe other two got away.â He pulled the man to his feet. He was thin and of medium height with sunken cheeks and bulging eyes. Tonyâs hand twisted the thugâs shirt front, until the man winced.

âWho are you?â Tony demanded.

âAnd your pals?â Joe added.

But the captive would not talk.

âWe probably have a file on him,â Chief Collig said. He handcuffed the prisoner and turned him over to Riley. Then he went to his car and radioed headquarters. Returning, the police chief stated, âWeâll search for the other two men, donât worry.â

âThanks,â Frank said, and the young people went back to their party.

After refreshments, Frank and Joe dropped Callie off, then drove home. Mr. Hardy was not back yet, and Frank told their mother what had happened.

He had just finished when the lights of the detectiveâs car swept the front windows as it pulled into the driveway. Mr. Hardy entered through the back door, looking serious.

When he heard about the kidnapping attempt, he shook his head. âIâm sorry I got you involved in this whole nasty business.â

âDonât worry, Dad,â Joe said. âWe can take care of ourselves.â

Mr. Hardy seemed lost in thought for a moment, then asked, âAnyone telephone while I was gone?â

âNo, dear,â his wife replied, but added quickly, âOh, yes, someone did call. Gertrude thought it was a joke.â

Mr. Hardy glanced at her in alarm. âWhere was the call from?â

âThe White Houseâat least thatâs what the girl said.â

The detective gave a low whistle and shook his head again.

âWhatâs wrong, Dad?â Frank asked sympathetically. He had never seen his father so dejected.

The detective managed a smile and looked at his sons. âI canât tell you now,â he said. âLater, perhaps.â He gave each boy a pat on the back, then climbed the stairs to his study.

Frank and Joe went to bed, wondering what it was all about. A little later they heard their father go to his bedroom and then make a telephone call on the upstairs hall extension. He spoke in low tones and they could not hear what he was saying.

In the middle of the night, both boys were awakened by Mr. Hardyâs footsteps going downstairs. Joe leaped up and opened the door a crack. He heard his father greet two men in whispered tones. Then he led them upstairs to his study.

âHoly crow!â Frank whispered. âThis is regular cloak-and-dagger stuff, Joe!â

âYou can say that again!â

They returned to bed and slept fitfully until morning. At breakfast no mention was made of the mysterious callers.

Finally Mr. Hardy said, âBoys, Iâm going on a special mission to Texas. Thereâs something I want to give you to take to Iceland.â

Frank and Joe followed him to his study. He unlocked one of the drawers of his desk and pulled out what looked like a small transistor radio.

âWhatâs that?â Joe asked.

âItâs the latest in decoders,â Mr. Hardy replied, âand it works on the decibel principle.â

He explained that the high peaks of sound in any conversation were the keys to the code. âOnce you have established these,â he said, âthe message can be decoded by using this special book.â

He reached down again and handed Frank a small black codebook and a miniature tape recorder. âThe recorder can be attached to a telephone or radio,â he concluded.

Father and sons went over the principles of the decibel machine. When they had finished, the detective said, âBoys, you must guard this machine and the codebook carefully. These may be a lot more important on the second case Iâm investigating.â

âIs it connected with Iceland?â Joe asked.

âVery possibly. I want you to leave on tonightâs Loftleidir flight to Reykjavik.â

Frank made reservations immediately. After their father had left, Joe telephoned Chet.

âWeâre leaving for Kennedy International Airport at six,â he said. âSo bring your gear over to the house at five oâclock.â

By four all was ready at the Hardy home. As the boys were locking their suitcases, a call came from police headquarters. Frank talked to the chief, and when he had finished, relayed the information to his brother. The prisoner had been identified. He was from New York City, a thug for hire, and seemed fearful about mentioning his employer.

âThe other two made a getaway,â Frank said. âTheyâre probably in New York. Police there have been alerted.â

Half an hour later Frank and Joe were amazed to see Chetâs car pull up in front quietly and without backfiring. âOh, oh, thereâs the reason,â Joe said with a big grin. Frank looked out the window to see Iola at the wheel with Callie Shaw sitting beside her.

The Hardys ran out to greet them. Chet occupied the rear seat along with his suitcase, a flight bag, an extra heavy overcoat, and a small camera and a radio slung around his neck.

âI thought Iâd better drive,â Iola said with a dimpled smile, âbecause we wanted Chet to start his trip in good health.â

âI just came along to say good-by,â said Callie, looping her arm through Frankâs.

âChet, bring the stuff over here,â Joe suggested. âWeâll put it all in our car. Iola can drive it back and pick up the jalopy here.â

Perspiring under the load of all his equipment, Chet deposited his baggage beside the Hardysâ car.

When good-bys had been said to Mrs. Hardy and Aunt Gertrude, he reached down to pick up a black box. âHere, Iola, take this home. I wonât need it. Frank and Joe have their short-wave radio.â

Iola put the instrument aside, and the three boys loaded their belongings into the convertible.

âGot everything?â Joe asked.

âYes,â Frank replied.

The girls drove them to Bayport Airport in a matter of minutes. There they boarded a plane that arrived at Kennedy International Airport in ample time to sign in for the Icelandic trip.

After they had checked in with Loftleidir, Chet asked the ticket clerk, âDo you serve dinner on this flight?â

âYes, sir. About an hour after youâre airborne.â

Chet rolled his eyes with a pleased expression. They headed for Gate 18, where a sleek jetliner was taking on passengers. The boys entered through the front and walked toward the rear. Three seats were on either side of the aisle. Joe sat next to the window, while Chet slipped into the aisle seat, leaving Frank the place in the middle.

Then the planeâs door was shut and it taxied to a runway. Buzzing like a bottled bumblebee, the huge craft lifted off and headed out across the sea toward the north.

Soon seat belts were removed and the boys tilted their seats back to enjoy the flight. By this time darkness had settled over the ocean beneath them.

The attractive stewardesses began bringing trays of food. Frank and Joe, being on the inside, were served first.

âWhat, no more food left?â Chet asked with a worried expression.

The stewardess smiled down at him. âIâll be right back,â she said.

When she returned, Chet started a conversation. âWeâre going to Iceland to see the Eskimos.â

âOh, really?â The dark-haired girl repressed a laugh. âBut there arenât any Eskimos in Iceland.â

âWhat?â Chet was perplexed.

Touching her fingers one at a time, the stewardess explained, âThere are no Eskimos, no frogs, and no snakes in Iceland.â

Joe grinned. âThen what is there in Iceland, Missâ?â

âJust call me Steina. You wouldnât remember my last name, itâs too long.â

The girl went on to say that there were glaciers and hidden people and night trollsâand, of course, ghosts. Then, before the boys could ask any other questions, she moved off to serve their fellow passengers.

âHey, this is going to be an interesting trip!â Chet remarked, slicing through a juicy piece of steak.

âWeâll have to learn more about those ghosts and night trolls,â Frank said with a chuckle.

Steina returned later to remove their trays, but could not tarry to chat.

âShe sure is good-looking,â Chet whispered to Frank.

But Frankâs mind was on the special equipment his father had supplied. He reached down into his flight bag tucked under the seat. The tape recorder was there in place. So was the codebook, slipped in tightly beside it. For no special reason, Frank pulled out the decibel counter. Suddenly a curious expression crossed his face.

âHoly crow, Joe, whatâs this?â

His brotherâs head was buried in a magazine. Now he turned to look at the object in Frankâs hand. âItâs the decibel counter Dad gave us toââ He stopped short and his eyes grew wide. âWait a minuteâitâs a radio!â

âSure, itâs mine,â Chet put in. âI wonder how it got into your bag. Just before we left I gave it to Iola!â

CHAPTER III

An Ancient Custom

THE brothers stared at the radio they had brought by mistake. Without the decibel counter, the codebook was of no use! If Mr. Hardy had an urgent secret message, they could not receive it!

Frank shook his head. âWhew! This Icelandic case is starting off like a disaster! First the attempted kidnapping and now this!â

âIâm to blame for the whole thing,â Chet muttered, crestfallen.

âNo youâre not,â Joe said. He tried to console his friend. âIt could have happened to anybody. The two cases look very much alike.â

Frank realized that they had to get a message back home as soon as possible. He beckoned to the stewardess, who hastened up the aisle and bent over the seat.

âSteina,â Frank said, âwe have an emergency on our hands. We must get a radio message back home.â

âEmergency?â

âYes,â Joe added. âThis is serious.â

âAll right. Come with me. Weâll go to the captain.â

Frank followed the pretty stewardess down the long aisle. When they reached the door of the crewâs cabin, Steina knocked lightly and they entered. In the dim glow Frank saw four men who seemed to blend into the console of dials and instruments, which reached clear to the roof of the pilotâs cabin.

The captain turned his eyes from the windshield and spoke to Steina in Icelandic. Then he switched to English and addressed Frank. âSo you have an emergency, young man? ... Yes, I can send a message by radio. What is it?â

The copilot handed Frank a pad and pencil. Quickly he printed the message to be delivered to his home in Bayport. He asked his parents to please get the black box from Iola Morton and send it to them at Keflavik Airport on the same flight next day.

Then Frank thanked the captain and the stewardess and returned to his seat. Soon the cabinâs main lights were switched off and the passengers settled back for a short nap before the early dawn which would come about two oâclock.

The boys dozed fitfully until the lights came on again and stewardesses busily went up and down the aisles serving breakfast. Frank looked out the window and gasped in amazement.

âJoe, Chet! Look at that!â

On the portside, rising out of the sea like a strange white world, loomed the snow-covered mountains of Greenland.

âWow! That gives you the chills, doesnât it?â said Chet.

As the view of the great peaks inched by the wing tip, the boys talked about the huge island of Greenland, which seemed to spell adventure. Frank knew it was owned by Denmark, populated by Eskimos, and that there were several air bases on its shores.

âThereâs a Danish one called Narssarssuaq,â he stated. He pulled a map from the seat pocket in front of him and opened it. âHere it is, look!â

âBoy, Iâm glad Iâm not an Eskimo,â said Chet. âI could never spell a word like that!â

Their banter was interrupted by Steina, who brought them breakfast. Not long after they had eaten, the captainâs voice crackled over the loudspeaker.

âWe are on our descent to Keflavik. Please fasten your seat belts.â

As the plane glided lower, the boys craned for a look at the country below. It had been born of volcanoes, and much of its surface was covered with lava and volcanic ash. Steaming hot springs lay next to its glaciers, and geysers spouted steam high into the air.

When the huge aircraft touched down, Frank swallowed hard to release the pressure in his ears.

âExit through the front,â Steina said. âGood-by, and have a good time in Iceland.â

âWeâre on business,â Chet said importantly. âBut weâll try to have fun.â

Lugging their hand baggage, Frank, Joe, and Chet climbed down the steps, breathing deeply of the crisp fresh air. Snow covered the airfield.

âPretty bleak,â Joe remarked as they hastened into a long, low building to be checked through customs.

An official stamped their passports and directed them to the back of the building, where a bus and taxis were waiting.

Frank talked to the driver standing beside the bus, and learned that Reykjavik was approximately thirty miles away. The bus would leave in twenty minutes.

The trio put their bags by the side of the building, then looked about the unusual landscape. A wide, black, barren valley swept off into the distance before rising abruptly to a bald, snow-clad mountain ridge.

âThatâs probably all made of lava,â Joe declared, moving off a few paces to get a better look. Not far away an open jeep was parked on the side of the roadway, its hood lifted. A boy about their own age was tinkering with the motor.

Frank, Joe, and Chet casually walked over to him. âFind the trouble?â Frank asked.

The youth smiled at them. With a slight accent he replied, âSomethingâs wrong with the carburetor.â

âLetâs take a look,â Joe said. âMaybe we can help.â

âSure, be my guest.â

The American colloquialism surprised the Hardys. âOh, youâve been in the States?â asked Frank.

âYes, just got back a couple of days ago. My name is Gudmundur Bergsson.â The boy wiped his hands on a piece of cloth and shook hands with the three. âJust call me Gummi.â He told them that he was a student at a flying school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was learning to be a mechanic. âNow Iâm home for spring vacation,â he concluded.

Before Frank and Joe could examine the stalled motor, the loudspeaker blared: âPaging Frank and Joe Hardy!â

The boys looked up in surprise.

âPaging Frank and Joe Hardy,â the announcer said again.

Joe started into the building, but Frank restrained him. âNot so fast, Joe. Nobody was to meet us here. Maybe itâs another kidnapping attempt!â

âThatâs right,â Chet chimed in. âWe canât be too careful.â

Gummi looked on, bewildered by the unusual conversation. âSomebody is trying to catch you guys?â he asked.

Frank nodded and said to Chet, âJust stroll inside and see whoâs paging us.â

Chet left, returning a few minutes later. âA short, heavy-set guy with long blond hair and a mustache. Look, here he comes now!â

A square-looking man, his hair flowing, walked from the building. Frank and Joe ducked behind the jeep. The fellow looked right and left before climbing into a small foreign car. Then he drove off.

Frank glanced around for a taxi, but they had all gone. âI wish we could have followed him,â he said disappointedly.

Gummi looked at the boys dubiously. âHey, whatâs all this? Are you a couple of spies or something?â

Frank grinned. âWeâre detectives.â

âNo kidding.â

âLook, itâs a long story. Weâll tell you later.â

Gummi went to his tool kit without asking further questions, and before long, he and Frank had disassembled the carburetor.

âThereâs your trouble,â Frank said, and wiped a piece of sludge from the intake.

Gummi laughed. âI can get you a mechanicâs job in Reykjavik any time you want,â he said and started the engine. âWhere are you fellows staying?â

âThe Saga Hotel in Reykjavik,â Joe replied.

âWant a ride into town?â

âGreat!â

The boys got their bags and climbed into the jeep. On the way, they told Gummi about their search for Rex Hallbjornsson.

âSeems like looking for a needle in a haystack,â the Icelandic boy commented. âThere are two hundred thousand people on this island.â

âHow big is it?â Frank wanted to know.

âEast to west about three hundred miles. Larger than Ireland, but we have not nearly as many inhabitants.â

âWhat do people do for a living here?â Joe asked.

âMost of our income is derived from fishing,â Gummi explained as he drove along a curving road hugging the rugged coastline. Not a tree was in sight. Only black lava formations.

Frank pointed to small piles of stone along the road. âWhat are these for?â

âThey guided winter travelers in the olden days,â Gummi replied. âAnd that village over there to the left is Hafnarfjordur.â

As they entered the outskirts of Reykjavik, Gummi said, âWhen the first settlers came to this harbor, called a âvik,â they saw steam coming from the ground in the distance. Thinking it was smoke, or âreykja,â they called the place Reykjavik.â

Gummi drove along a wide street lined with buildings which were faced with corrugated iron. The roofs were gaily painted in apple green, white, blue, or yellow.

âQuite a colorful place,â Chet commented as he banged the side of the car with his right hand.

âAre you practicing karate, too?â Gummi asked. âItâs the craze in our school right now. But Icelanders like wrestling better.â

Finally they reached the center of town, where a small plaza was decorated with red-white-and blue bunting and American flags.

Joe grinned. âBoy, they must have known we were coming!â

âIf I didnât know better, Iâd believe it.â Gummi chuckled. âThis is in honor of three U.S. astronauts who came here to study our lava surface, which is very similar to the terrain on the moon.â He rounded a corner and pulled up in front of a modern white hotel located at the hub of three radiating roads. âHere you are.â

The boys jumped out, unloaded their baggage, and thanked Gummi. He gave them his address and phone number. âCall me any time if you need help,â he said. âIâll take you around in my jeep.â

Frank and Joe occupied one room, and Chet an adjoining one. After unpacking, they took the elevator to the eighth-floor restaurant for lunch.

âWell, masterminds,â Chet asked between mouthfuls of broiled trout, âhow are you going to find your boy Rex?â

âAs soon as weâre finished, letâs look in the telephone book,â Frank suggested.

When they consulted the directory, however, they stared at each other in confusion. âI canât make heads or tails of this,â Joe stated. âIt looks as if everything with âsonâ at the end is a first name!â

âWeâll give Gummi a call. Maybe he can explain,â said Frank, and dialed their new friendâs number. âHey, whatâs all this crazy name business in Iceland?â he asked Gummi. âWe canât find anybody by the name of Hallbjornsson under H.â

Gummi laughed loudly. âPeople are listed by their first names in the telephone book,â he said, and explained that the last name changed with every generation.

âTake me, for example,â he said. âMy fatherâs name is Bergs Anderson. That makes my last name Bergsson. If I have a son, heâd be called Gudmundurson, and my daughter Gudmundurdottir. Itâs a holdover from the ancient Scandinavians. We still use it here.â

âSo we have to look under Rex, is that it?â

âRight. Good luck.â

The boys thumbed through the directory. No Rex was listed.

âIt looks as if weâll have to scan each page in search of Hallbjornsson,â Joe said. âRex might be a nickname.â

About a half hour later Frank said, âLook! Hereâs an Ingrid Hallbjornsdottir. Maybe sheâs his sister.â

They called Gummi again, who picked them up ten minutes later and drove them to the address. It turned out that the woman had no brothers and had never heard of Rex Hallbjornsson.

âBack to the phone book,â Joe grumbled.

âTell you what,â Gummi said. âIâll help you look, and if we come up with any more leads, Iâll call them from your hotel. This way we might save ourselves a few trips.â

âGreat idea, Gummi,â Frank agreed. âYou can question those people in Icelandic.â

The boys drove back to the hotel and divided the work by getting three telephone directories. Each boy checked a different section. When they finished they had found two more Hallbjornsdottirs and one Hallbjornsson. Gummi called him. The man knew nobody by the name of Rex. Calls to the two women proved to be equally futile.

Since it was getting late, the Hardys said good night to Gummi. âWould you take us to the airport tomorrow morning?â Frank asked. âWeâll have to pick up a package arriving on the early flight.â

âSure thing. Iâll be here on time.â

Next morning after breakfast the boys went to the lobby. Gummi was just coming through the revolving door. âHowâs this package coming? By air express?â he asked.

Frank said he did not know. They would inquire after the plane had landed.

At the airport the boys went to the waiting room and watched the passengers stream in to claim their baggage.

Suddenly Joe grabbed Frankâs arm and turned him toward the door. âLook whoâs here!â

âCan it be?â Chet blurted.

âSure it is,â Frank said excitedly. âHey, Biff Hooper!â

CHAPTER IV

AstronautsâSalute

GRINNING broadly, Biff Hooper greeted the Hardys and Chet, then handed Frank a little black box which he carried under his arm.

âOh boy, am I glad to see this!â Frank said. âThanks, Biff.â

âYour dad phoned me,â Biff said. âHe didnât want to send it by air express.â Then he squared his broad shoulders. âBesides, he thought you might need me!â

âThat sounds ominous,â Joe stated. âDoes Dad think thereâll be any trouble?â

âCouldnât say,â Biff replied, glancing about the airport building.

Frank beckoned to Gummi, who had been standing in the background. After introductions were made, Biff claimed his baggage and the five went out to the jeep. On the ride back to Reykjavik, Frank asked Biff if he had noticed anyone following him.

âNo, I didnât see anybody.â

Back at the hotel, Biff moved into Chetâs room. After he had freshened up, Gummi suggested lunch at the Hotel Borg. âIt is in the center of town on the plaza,â he said, âand if you like seafoodââ

âThatâs for me!â Chet said quickly.

âOkay, letâs go.â

They were downtown in no time at all, and after Gummi parked the car, they entered the ground-floor restaurant, which looked old-fashioned by American standards. The waiters were young, no older than the Hardys, and they moved about with ease and aplomb. Gummi ordered a seafood tray and mentioned something else to the waiter in Icelandic.

âYow, yow!â the waiter replied, grinning.

âWhatâs yow, yow?â Chet wanted to know.

âIt means yes, yes, spelled ja,â Gummi told him.

âI knew Iâd learn Icelandic eventuallyâyow, yow, yow!â

âAnd donât forget, no is nei.â

The waiter brought a small plate of yellowish dried fish, cut into small bits.

âItâs hardfisk,â Gummi explained, âand a specialty of Iceland. You put butter on it and eat it like this.â

Chet put a piece in his mouth and started to chew. âTastes like wood splinters,â he complained.

âKeep chewing,â Gummi advised.

âHm! Now it tastes goodâit melts in your mouth.â

When everyone had tried the hardfisk, the waiter arrived with a platter of ten different kinds of seafood; sild herring, small shrimps, caviar and other delicacies.

âIceland is not a bad place for a detective case,â Joe remarked. Just then they heard the sound of horns. The boys looked out the window.

âI think the astronauts are driving by,â Gummi said.

Half rising from the seats of their booth, they looked out onto the street. A car came by, with two small American flags fluttering at the front fenders.

âTheyâre our astronauts, all right,â Frank said. âI recognize them.â

Three men were riding in the back seat. The one in the middle held his head low, with his cap well down over his eyes.

âThat one must be Major Kenneth McGeorge,â Frank said. âTheyâre probably on their way back to Keflavik for their trip home, now that they know what the moon looks like.â

âNext trip for them the moon,â Joe said.

âI know theyâll make it,â Gummi said. âTheyâre great guys.â

Chet Morton, as usual, ate more than anyone else. When he had finished the last morsel of shrimp, Gummi Bergsson said, âIn regard to your insurance case, I have a suggestion. You should see Anders Sigurdsson at the Foreign Office. Tell him your problem. He might be able to help.â

The Foreign Office was located on a small hill near the center of town. The two-story building looked like an oversized bungalow. Gummi waited outside with Chet and Biff while the Hardy boys entered. They were ushered to an office on the second floor, where a short, smiling, gray-haired man greeted them. The boys told him their problem.

âSo youâre looking for Rex Hallbjornsson,â the man mused. âI have never heard of him, but thatâs not unusual. I would suggest that you put an advertisement in our five daily newspapers.â

âFive newspapers in a city of seventy-five thousand?â Frank asked in amazement.

âThatâs right. Icelanders like to read. In fact, there is no illiteracy in our country. Also, these papers are sent to other towns on the island.â

âWeâll follow your suggestion, Mr. Sigurdsson,â Frank said. âThank you very much.â

âNot at all. Come back if I can be of more help.â

Frank and Joe left the building, stopping at the front door to survey the small city which lay before them. Traffic kept to the right side of the road, as in America, and the narrow streets were filled mostly with European-made autos.

Frank scanned the view from left to right, where the road led down to the waterfront. Suddenly he backed into the doorway. âJoe, duck!â

A German-made Taunus car drove slowly toward the front of the building. Its driver had long blond hair and a flowing mustache ! The man pulled to the side of the road and scanned Gummiâs jeep.

âThatâs the fellow who had us paged at the airport!â Frank whispered.

âHe must have found out what hotel weâre staying at and is trailing us,â Joe said.

The manâs eyes went up the long walk to the door of the Foreign Office, but he could not see the Hardys.

âSomethingâs fishy,â Frank stated. âMaybe he has something to do with the guys who were trying to kidnap me.â

âNever can tell,â Joe replied. âWeâd better be careful until we find out who he really is.â

As they watched, the Taunus moved off slowly, turned the corner into Austur Straeti, and disappeared.

The Hardys hurried to the jeep.

âDid you see that guy?â Joe asked Gummi.

âSure did. Come on. Weâll follow him.â

Traffic was heavy, and soon the Taunus was out of sight. âHe might have driven down to the harbor area,â Gummi said. âLetâs try that.â He made a few turns but could not pick up the manâs traiL

âHe gave us the shake,â Gummi said in American lingo. âWhere do you want to go now?â

âI saw a newspaper office at the head of Austur Straeti,â Frank replied. âLetâs go back. I want to place an ad in all the local newspapers.â

âOkay, Iâll take you to each one of them. Hey, this detective stuff is great!â

It took the rest of the afternoon to place the ads in the five dailies. Frank kept it short. Will Rex Hallbjornsson please contact the Hardy boys at the Saga Hotel and collect insurance money due him. Gummi translated it into Icelandic.

âDo you think itâs wise to mention money?â Biff Hooper asked.

Frank shrugged. âIt might be the only way to get him to reply.â

âSure, what have we got to lose?â Joe said.

On the way back to the hotel, Biff pointed to a cluster of huge tanks sitting on the hill in the center of Reykjavik. âWhat a place to put gas tanks!â

Gummi laughed. âGas tanks? Those are filled with hot water.â

âWhat for?â

Gummi explained that the tanks were located over boiling springs of water, which surged up from the depths of the earth. âThe hot water is stored and piped into every home in Reykjavik,â he said. âWe donât have any heating problem here.â

âQuite a system!â Biff remarked.

âAnd youâre always in hot water!â Chet quipped.

âThrow him out!â said Biff.

âCareful of me,â Chet replied, and banged his seat with a karate chop.

âWhat a clown!â Biff said, laughing.

Gummi had some chores to do for his father and left the Bayporters at the hotel. That evening after dinner the Hardys unlimbered their radio, because they expected a message from their father.

âDonât forget thereâs a four-hour difference in time,â Frank said. âI have a hunch Dad wonât transmit until night, when the atmosphere is clear.â

The boys fiddled with the set, tuning in various stations. They were rewarded at midnight when they received a coded broadcast from Mr. Hardy. Frank quickly attached the decibel unit to the radio and started the conversation.

Mr. Hardy talked about the opening baseball game in the major leagues. âThe Yankees scored three in the ninth to win their game,â he said. âWith good pitching they should have a great season.â

It sounded casual enough. The boys had decided not to reveal their suspicions concerning the blond stranger. They would wait until they had some constructive evidence.

When Mr. Hardy signed off, Frank went to work on the decibel counter. The peaks, visibly recorded on the tape of the machine, were transposed into letters.

Then Joe took out the codebook. âHere, give me a pencil, Frank!â

Frank pulled one out of his pocket, and his brother began to decode the message word by word. At the end of the first sentence, Frank and Joe gasped in amazement. One of the U.S. astronauts missing! It couldnât be true. But there were the words: Ken McGeorge has been lost in Iceland!

CHAPTER V

The Boiling Pit

THE news of Ken McGeorgeâs disappearance hit the boys like an avalanche. Their hearts beat wildly as they continued to decode Mr. Hardyâs message:

Keep your eyes open for any clues to McGeorge. Chet and Biff must be sworn to complete secrecy. Space program at stake.

Mr. Hardy added that he had obtained clearance from Washington for his sons and their friends to help.

Chet had been standing with his mouth open. Now he blurted, âButâbutâwe just saw the three astronauts on their way to Keflavik!â

Frank snapped his fingers. âRemember the fellow in the middle? He had his hat pulled down low over his face. Iâll bet he was a stand-in for McGeorge!â

âThatâs right,â said Joe. âObviously the government doesnât want the news to leak out. It might jeopardize the whole NASA program.â

âWhat a mystery you got yourselves into this time!â Biff Hooper exclaimed.

âNow the pieces fall into place,â Frank said. âDad must have been working on this case before we left. Remember, Joe, the mysterious call from the White House?â

âRight. And those two men who visited him in the middle of the night were probably government officials!â Joe briefly told Biff and Chet about the occurrences in the Hardy home.

âHe went to Texas just before we flew to Iceland,â Frank concluded. âProbably checking out McGeorgeâs co-workers and friends.â

âIf weâre going to find the major in Iceland,â Joe said, âweâd better work fast. If he was kidnapped, they might force information from him.â

âNow weâre all going to take a pledge of secrecy,â Frank said. He slapped his hand on the table. Chet came forward with his, then Joe, and finally Biff.

âNot a word to anybody, through thick and thin,â Frank said.

âGosh, who knows whatâll happen to us!â Chet said worriedly.

âWhatever does,â Biff stated with a grim jaw, ânobody will ever learn anything from us!â

Suddenly the radio crackled again, and another message came from Mr. Hardy, saying that the astronaut had disappeared on the lava plain near Reykjavik.

âWeâll go there tomorrow,â Frank said. âMaybe weâll find a clue.â

The four companions were up early the next morning, and Frank phoned Gummi. He tried to conceal his excitement. âHow would you like to take us around today, Gummi?â

âSure. Where to?â

âThe tour the astronauts made on the lava plain near here sounds interesting.â

âOkay. Iâll check the newspapers to find the exact route. It was well publicized.â

An hour later he arrived outside the hotel, beeped his horn, and the Americans climbed into the jeep.

A smooth highway led south out of town, but soon the Icelandic youth turned onto a rugged road leading into a valley of breath-taking desolation. Gaunt, snow-capped mountains rose on either side, and the valley was black with oddly shaped chunks of lava.

âDid the astronauts get out and walk around here?â asked Frank as the jeep bounced along.

âThatâs what they came for,â Gummi replied. âThis place is said to resemble the moonâs surface.â

âI can just see moon people hiding out there now,â Biff quipped.

âWe have our own hidden people in Iceland,â Gummi replied.

âHidden people?â Biff asked.

Frank recalled Steinaâs remark on the plane. âNot to mention ghosts!â

Gummi turned in surprise. âYou know about the ghosts?â

âNot much,â Frank admitted.

âIâve got my special ghost,â Gummi declared. âHe travels with me all the time.â

âWhoâs he?â Joe asked.

âMy grandfather.â

âWhat superstition!â Chet said, and Gummi did not look pleased.

âItâs a fact!â

âNo offense,â Chet muttered.

The road meandered to avoid large black masses of lava. Gummi fought the wheel to keep the jeep on course over the rugged terrain.

âThis looks as if it leads to nowhere,â Frank commented.

âWhat about these hidden people?â Joe asked.

Gummi explained the Icelandic belief. âThey live in little green hillocks, and if you look carefully, you might see them peering out at you. They wear bright-colored clothes, and their faces are pale and peaceful.â

Chet shuddered a little bit and looked about the eerie valley. Suddenly he leaned forward and gripped Gummiâs shoulder.

âHey-y-y! I just saw one!â

âSaw what?â asked Frank.

âSomething moved behind one of those rocks!â

Gummi hit the brakes, and the boys jumped down onto the road.

âChet, youâre letting your imagination run away with you,â Joe said with a grin.

âIâm not kidding!â the stout boy replied. âI really saw someone.â

Frank and Joe exchanged glances. Maybe there was something in Chetâs story! They could not afford to take any chances, knowing that the blond man had been trailing them.

âOkay. Letâs see where the ghost appeared,â Frank suggested.

The boys followed Chet over the abrasive surface toward a large chunk of lava which looked something like a troll bent over.

Gingerly Chet stepped around it. Nobody was there!

âMaybe he went over that way!â Chet said, pointing to the next hiding place behind another rock fragment.

The boys continued their search, circling half a dozen lava rocks. Suddenly Joe cried out as he stepped into a crevice. Wincing, he pulled his right leg out and danced around in pain.

âWow! I scraped my shin!â

âYou must be careful climbing around here,â Gummi warned.

Joe stepped into a crevice

âAll right, Chet, are you satisfied now?â Joe asked, annoyed by the accident.

âOkay, but I reallyââ

âBaloney!â Joe replied, hobbling back to the jeep.

Gummi smiled to himself as he started off again. As the road wound higher along the mountain, it grew soggier because of the recent melted snow. Soon they passed a broad lake which lay gray and forbidding in a small pass.

âThis whole place gives me the creeps,â Biff said. âI wish I could see some trees!â

âThatâs what I like about Oklahomaâthe trees,â Gummi declared. âThere were trees in Iceland centuries ago, but the early settlers cut them down.

âWell, here we are,â he said finally as he pulled off the road onto a small trail with several inches of snow.

âSomebodyâs been here before,â Joe observed, pointing to tire tracks which led in and out.

Soon they came to the place where the other vehicle had stopped. Footprints led from the spot over the brow of a small rise, but they did not come back!

Beyond the rise a jet of steam, hissing like a gigantic snake, rose high into the air.

âThatâs coming from the sulfur pit over there,â Gummi explained, âand the steam hole, too.â

Joe leaped out first and ran up over the brow of the hill.

âCareful!â GummÃ® warned. âYou donât want to be cooked in sulfur!â

Frank jumped down from the jeep and surveyed the terrain. He lingered behind the others so he could look for clues without being questioned.

Several thoughts ran through his mind, âHow could one astronaut have disappeared? No doubt the three were accompanied by government officials. Major McGeorge must have separated from the rest and been waylaid. But how could he have been carried off without anyone noticing it, and by whom and where to?â

Finding no clues, Frank trailed after the other four. When he reached the rise, he looked down at the pit. It was about six feet across, bubbling and burping from the bowels of the earth.

The atmosphere was filled with the smell of sulfur, some of which came from the steam shooting out of a huge pipe with an earsplitting roar.

Frank suddenly noticed that only Gummi, Biff, and Chet were in sight. He raced toward the trio, standing beside the pit. No use shouting, nobody could hear. Frank glanced about wildly. A black leather glove lay close to the edge of the bubbling sulfur. Footprints were nearby.

A chill ran down Frankâs spine as he looked from the glove to his friends. Gummi suddenly caught on. His face took on a look of terror. He gestured at Frank and the other boys, and all had the same thought. Where was Joe? Had he fallen into the pit?

CHAPTER VI

Tricked in the Sky

FRANTICALLY the boys searched for Joe. Each shouted at the top of his lungs, but the thundering steam bursting out of the pipe like a hundred roaring jet engines muted every other sound.

Frank suddenly gesticulated toward the standpipe, with an expression of utter relief on his face. Joe Hardy emerged from behind it. He hastened over to them as Chet picked up the glove from the snow, and they all moved off to a distance where they could hear each other.

âHoly crow!â Frank sighed. âJoe, you had us scared to death. We thought youâd fallen into the pit.â

âSorry about that,â Joe replied. He had bent down to examine the rusted bolts at the foot of the standpipe. âThe sulfur in that steam is corroding everything,â he said. âSomeday the whole pipe is going to blow right up into the air.â

âI wonder whom the glove belongs to,â Gummi mused.

The Hardys and their two friends were thinking the same thought, but did not speak out in front of the Icelander. Did Ken McGeorge drop it while being kidnapped?

The brothers lagged behind to talk in private, while the others returned to look at the sulfur pit. Frank said, âIt stands to reason, Joe, that this place has been searched thoroughly by the authorities.â

âThatâs right. They would have found the glove long before we did.â

âThe only answer,â Frank went on, âis that the glove was dropped recently.â

âBy Major McGeorge?â Joe asked.

âItâs a puzzler,â Frank admitted. He walked over to Gummi and asked when it had snowed last.

âEarly yesterday morning,â Gummi replied.

The split-second glance that Frank exchanged with his brother was significant. If it were the astronautâs glove, he must have returned to the pit the night before. But why?

The boys stayed a few minutes longer to look at the sulfur pit and the steam blowhole.

Gummi explained that there were many such phenomena over the entire island. âIceland probably popped out of the sea just like Surtsey,â he said, referring to the underwater volcano which had boiled up out of the sea a few years ago, causing the formation of a small island off the south coast.

Frank took the leather glove from Chet and put it in his pocket. It was a clue that might prove significant, but they could not give it to the police without tipping their hand.

First thing to do now, Frank thought, was to check the lone set of footmarks, which did not return to the spot where they had started. He and Joe followed them for a way, and realized that they were double prints, leading in a roundabout way to the road about two hundred yards distant. Apparently two men had approached the sulfur pit, one behind the other, the second one stepping in the first oneâs footprints.

âThis is fantastic,â Joe remarked. âMaybe we should tell the police about this right away.â

âNo,â Frank replied. âLetâs first examine this glove and find out if itâs GI.â

âAnd how are we going to do that?â

âWeâll have to get another one from the U.S. base in Keflavik. Then we can compare the leather under a microscope.â

The Hardys trudged back to the jeep, where the others were already waiting. As they drove back over the bumpy road toward the highway south of Reykjavik, fear gnawed at Frank. Had the astronautâs captors disposed of him in the sulfur pit?

Gummi dropped them at their hotel and left for home. At lunch the Hardys talked about their plans with Chet and Biff.

âListen, fellows,â Frank said. âYou two stay here and watch out for any suspicious characters, while Joe and I take a taxi to Keflavik. Weâd like to let Gummi in on this, but weâd better not.â

After explaining that they would try to find a glove of similar manufacture, Frank and Joe left.

Arriving at Keflavik, they obtained permission to enter the base. Frank spoke to a captain in charge of general issue and asked if he might borrow a leather glove used by officers. The captain was amazed at the request, but after the Hardys identified themselves as American detectives working on an insurance case, the officer gave them a glove.

âWeâll return it,â Frank promised.

âThatâs all right. You can keep it.â

âThanks, Captain.â

Back at the hotel, Frank asked the desk clerk if he could direct them to a medical laboratory.

âAnybody sick?â the man asked in surprise.

âNo,â Joe replied. âWe have another reason.â

The clerk looked at them curiously, riffled through a sheaf of addresses, and came up with one.

Although it was late in the afternoon, Frank and Joe took a chance. They called the lab and found that it was still open. âWe would like to borrow a microscope,â Frank explained. He was told that no instruments could be taken from the premises, but was invited to come over and use one.

âWe close at six,â the man said in perfect English.

âWeâll be right there,â Frank replied.

The Hardys took a taxi to the laboratory, which was located at the center of town, not far from the Foreign Office. A courteous technician greeted them and directed the boys to a small room. A microscope stood on a table to the left. The man asked if they would be examining germ cultures.

âOh no,â Joe said with a smile. âWeâre just comparing two pieces of leather.â

âGo ahead,â said the technician and left.

The research did not take long. First they examined the outside leather. Each glove proved to be of the same general quality. The stitching was made by similar machines, and the woolen linings were identical.

âThat does it,â Frank said. âThis was lost by a military man.â

âShould we tell the police now?â Joe asked.

But Frank was adamant about following their fatherâs instruction. âNot yet, Joe. Not yet.â

The Hardys thanked the lab technician and left. Returning to the hotel, they found Biff and Chet eagerly waiting for them in the lobby. Biff waved a letter in his hand.

âFrank, Joe, you got an answer to your ad!â

Frank took the envelope and tore it open. It was from Reykjavikâs leading newspaper, and inside was another letter. He read the message. It had come from Akureyri, a city on the north coast.

A man signing his name Rex Hallbjornsson said that he was the one they were looking for. He requested that the boys come to see him.

âThat was easy,â Chet commented. âOur first swingâs a home run!â

âToo easy,â Joe replied.

âI think youâre right,â his brother said. âWeâve got to be careful about this.â

Chet scratched his head. âAlways suspicious.â

âJust cautious,â Joe said.

Biff agreed with the Hardys. âAfter all, itâs kind of fishy that the guy wonât come here. If somebody offered me money, I wouldnât mind picking it up myself!â

It was agreed that Frank and Joe would fly to Akureyri the next day, leaving Chet and Biff at the hotel to guard their radio and decoding equipment.

âIâm going to Flugfelag Islands,â Frank announced after breakfast the next morning.

âWhat?â asked Chet.

Frank handed him a travel folder which he had picked up at the desk.

âFlugfelag Islands,â Chet read. âI wonder where they are.â

âListen, dummy,â Biff Hooper said, giving Chet a mock stiff-arm, which his buddy parried with a karate chop. âFlugfelag Islands means Iceland Airlines.â

âAttaboy, Biff!â Joe grinned. âYouâre learning the language.â

The Hardys recalled seeing a Flugfelag office in the hotel lobby. Joe had noticed a dark-haired woman behind the desk the day before, but when the Hardys went to the office, it was empty. A few seconds later a man came in and sat down.

Frank approached him. âWeâd like to take a plane to Akureyri,â he said. âToday.â

âSorry,â the man replied with a slight accent. âThere are no scheduled flights to Akureyri until tomorrow. I would suggest that if you want to go today, you take a small private planeâit is cheaper, too.â

âWill you make the arrangements?â Joe asked.

âOf course. What are your names?â

When the boys had given him all the information, the man said, âBe at the Flugfelag terminal at twelve noon. It is quite near the hotel, you know.â

âOkay,â Frank said. âPlease charge it to our room.â He gave the man the number. Then the boys hastened to the elevator and went back upstairs.

Chet was sprawled on Frankâs bed, while Biff sat looking out the window. âIâd like to see Akureyri, too,â he grumbled. âCanât we just leave Chet here to guard the equipment?â

âWhatâs the big idea?â the stout boy said, rising. âI can tackle two, perhaps three guys, but no more. And they might send half a dozen here, you know!â He cleaved the air with a couple of karate strokes.

âAll right, Iâll stay,â said Biff. âBut get back soon!â

âSure.â Frank grinned. âAnd just so your job wonât be too demanding, Iâll put this in the safe!â He took the codebook and went down to the lobby.

At eleven-thirty Frank and Joe stood in front of the Saga, where a taxi drove up to get them. Ten minutes later they reached the airfield. As they stepped inside the terminal building, they were met by the agent.

âI thought I would be here to help,â he said. âFollow me.â He led them out onto the field, where they saw a small twin-engine plane warming up.

âThe pilot does not speak very good English,â the agent explained, pulling open the cabin door against the propellerâs slipstream. âBut he will bring you to Akureyri in less than an hour.â

Frank and Joe climbed in, fastened their seat belts, and glanced toward the pilotâs cabin. The door was shut. Outside, the agent waved to them, then the plane taxied for take-off. Soon they were airborne, and the boys looked down on the bright-colored roofs of Reykjavik.

âWell, letâs find out where Akureyri is, exactly,â said Frank after a while and pulled a map of Iceland from his pocket. Both studied it, then sat back to watch the mountainous terrain unfolding before them.

Frank, who was sitting next to the window on the starboard side, glanced up at the sun.

âHey, Joe, this is funny. Weâre supposed to be heading north, arenât we?â

âSure,â Joe replied. âThatâs where Akureyri is.â

âBut look! Weâre going east. See the position of the sun?â

According to the boyâs reckoning, they were flying in the wrong direction. Frankâs fears were confirmed when he glanced down and saw the jagged south coast of Iceland far beneath them.

âWhatâs going on with that pilot?â Joe asked, annoyed.

âWeâd better find out.â

The boys slipped from their seats and approached the cabin. Joe opened the door and cried out in alarm. The pilot was their blond enemy!

âWhere are you taking us?â Joe demanded.

The man motioned the boys away. âNo speak!â

âOf course you speak English!â Frank said angrily, realizing that every pilot had to be versed in that language.

Joe pulled his brother out of the cabin so they could speak without being overheard.

âFrank, what are we going to do about this guy? You know whatâs happeningâweâre being kidnapped.â

âWeâll have to take over,â Frank replied tersely.

Both boys were skillful pilots. Although they did most of their flying in single-engine planes, they felt sure they could handle the twin-engine job.

âWhereâll we land?â Joe asked.

âOnce we have control of the plane, we can radio Reykjavik for instructions,â Frank stated, glancing out the window. Below, a huge glacier came into view. The boys had studied the map carefully and realized that they were over Vatnajokull, the largest and most forbidding glacier in all of Iceland.

âWeâll go in and Iâll drag him from behind the wheel,â Frank said. âYou grab the yoke on the copilotâs side. Okay?â

âLetâs go!â

They approached the pilot. Frank reached forward to get a headlock on him, but the man swung a quarter way around and clipped him on the chin. As Frank staggered back, the portside engine began to sputter. Seconds later the starboard engine conked out. And all at once the pilot spoke perfect English!

âLet me handle this!â he said. âWe are going to have to land on the glacier!â

CHAPTER VII

A Harrowing Blizzard

STILL groggy from the blow on the chin, Frank dropped into the copilotâs seat. He grasped the wheel as Joe, his eyes flashing anger over the brazen kidnapping, swung a hard right at the pilot. The fist caught him at the side of the jaw, and the man slumped unconscious.

Wind whistled eerily over the wings as the plane glided toward the gigantic sheet of white ice beneath them.

Closer and closer it angled down toward Vatnajokull. Now the boys saw that much of the glacier was serrated with jagged knife-edged ridges. Small hills of ice and crevasses came into sharp focus.

âFrank, weâll never make it!â Joe cried out.

His brother sat grim-lipped and silent. Skillfully he guided the descent so as not to lose flying speed. His feet firmly on the rudder bar, Frank banked the plane and headed for what appeared to be a smoother spot in the sloping glacier about half a mile away.

Landing on the slope would be tricky enough for the most skilled pilot. With the wheels now inches above what proved to be bumpy ice, Frank pulled back on the yoke.

The whiteness rushed up to meet them! Their plane bounced with a terrifying crunch, lifted into the air, and settled again with tires squealing.

The aircraft slid back a few feet before finally coming to a halt. Joe felt limp. âThanks, Frank,â was all he could say. âThat was the greatest!â

Both boys felt lucky to come out of the crash landing alive, but were furiously angry with the man responsible for their dire predicament.

The pilot was now conscious. He lifted his head and looked about dazedly.

âOkay now,â Joe said, shaking him by the shoulder. âWho are you? And whatâs your racket?â

âHelpâwe need help,â was the weak reply.

âYou know the ropes!â Frank said impatiently. âGet on the radio and call for aid!â He climbed out of the copilotâs seat and looked about the plane.

Meanwhile, the man picked up the microphone and slowly transmitted their position. There was silence for a minute or two, then he signed off.

âSomeone will come for us,â he reported.

âOkayâbut that doesnât explain who you are!â Frank resumed their interrogation. But the man remained mute, shaking his head as if still in a stupor.

The Hardys were both aggravated and frightened. âHere we are, wrecked on top of the world,â Joe muttered, âand this dummy wonât tell us anything!â

He pulled the man from his seat and pushed him to the planeâs door. Frank frisked the pilot to make sure he had no weapons.

The icy air blanketing the glacier hit them like a bucket full of cold water as they stepped onto the slippery surface. They looked the plane over. Both propellers were bent, and even if the engines could have been repaired, a take-off looked impossible.

Despite continued questioning by the Hardys, the pilot remained silent. As they were about to give up, they suddenly heard the distant sound of a helicopter.

âWow! That chopper came pretty fast!â Joe said, shielding his eyes to watch the craft hover over the glacier.

âGood night!â Frank exclaimed. âItâs only a two-seater job!â

âWell, you know who goes out firstâin hand-cuffs. Old blondie here is getting a ride to jail!â

Frank looked at their sullen kidnapper, whose shifty eyes glanced up at the rescue craft. âYouâll talk when the Reykjavik police get hold of you,â he said. âTheyâll find out whatâs behind all this hocus-pocus.â

The helicopter landed close to the airplane, and a man of medium height hopped down. He had black hair, rugged features, and a long nose which looked anything but Scandinavian. He began speaking immediately in a foreign tongue.

âCan you speak English, sir?â Frank interrupted.

âA little.â

âThis joker tried to kidnap us, but the engines failed. You donât happen to have a pair of hand-cuffs, do you?â

âNo. But I have some rope.â

The man reached into the seat of the helicopter and produced a length of stout twine. Frank bound the wrists of their captive.

âWeâll press charges when we get to Reykjavik ourselves,â Frank went on. âPlease turn this man over to the police and come back for us as soon as you can.â

With a smart salute, the chopper pilot pushed the prisoner into the helicopter, then climbed into his seat and took off.

âAm I glad to get rid of blondie!â Joe said. âThat guy gave me the creeps.â

âPretty evil-looking character,â his brother agreed, then added, âJust to double-check, Iâm calling Reykjavik on the radio and tell them the helicopterâs coming back.â

The boys climbed back into the plane, closing the door to keep out the glacier air.

Then Frank tried to activate the radio. No luck! âHey, Joe, look at this!â

âWhatâs the matter?â his brother asked, coming forward along the sloping cabin.

âThe radioâs conked out!â

All at once a chill of realization surged over the Hardys. The pilot had sabotaged the set! Frank quickly examined it. The frequency crystal was missing.

âI donât believe he sent a rescue message at all,â Frank stated. âWeâve really been had, Joe!â

âYou mean the helicopter was following us all the time?â

âIâm afraid so. Now weâre in a real pickle!â

Perspiration stood out on Joeâs forehead. âWhatâll we do, Frank?â

âLook for the part. Our blond Viking might have dropped it onto the ice when we werenât looking.â

The boys hopped out of the plane again and searched the icy surface, but in vain! Dark clouds sped in from the south, dropping lower and lower.

âNow weâre in for it!â Joe muttered. He looked up to see snowflakes land on the disabled plane.

âLooks as if it might be a bad storm,â Frank said, and the boys climbed back inside the cabin.

Before long, the snow fell so thickly that they could not see three feet ahead. The wind rose, and by nightfall the Hardys were caught in a howling glacial blizzard. At the same time, the temperature dropped sharply.

âWe didnât come dressed for anything like this,â Frank said, shivering. He glanced about for some extra clothing. Joe found a repair locker. In it were some tools and a greasy overall.

âYou put that on,â Frank said.

âWhat about you?â

âDonât worry. Weâll have to start a fire to keep us warm.â

âAnd burn the plane up?â

âWeâll have to take that chance.â

Although the remaining fuel in the tank might have provided the much-needed heat, Frank and Joe decided against using the highly volatile gasoline. Instead, they opened the door a crack for ventilation, then tore off bits of interior woodwork with which they built a small fire on the floor of the aircraft.

The resultant warmth proved to be adequate. âAt least we wonât freeze to death now,â Joe said with a wry grin.

âWeâll take turns tending this fire all night,â Frank suggested, glancing out the window. Nothing could be seen but the thick covering of snow and the crack in the door revealed only the blackness of the stormâs fury.

The boys agreed to sit up in shifts, feeding the fire with whatever material they could find to burn.

Near dawn, the howling winds abated, and Joe tore one of the passengerâs seats apart for fuel. Suddenly he let out a cry of delight.

âFrank, I found it!â

CHAPTER VIII

Something Fishy

ROUSED from a fitful sleep, Frank sat up groggily and rubbed his eyes. âWhat did you say, Joe? You found something?â

âSure, look at this!â Joe held up a square-shaped metal piece about the size of a nickel. âThe frequency crystal for the radio. It was thrown behind one of the seats!â

The news electrified Frank into direct action. Stepping over the glowing embers of their fire, he hastened to the front of the plane. After he had replaced the part, the radio was in perfect condition. Within seconds, Frank made contact with the radio tower at Reykjavik.

After he had told his story, the dispatcher said that an Icelandic coast guard helicopter would come to their aid.

Frank sent another message to be relayed to Chet and Biff at the Saga Hotel, saying everything was okay.

Despite the cold, the boys jumped from the plane into the deep snow. They trudged about, packing down a place for the helicopter to land. An hour later it came zooming low over the glacier.

The Hardys waved furiously to attract the pilotâs attention. In minutes he had the craft on the glacier and stepped out to meet them.

âAre you hurt?â he asked.

âNo, weâre all right,â Frank said.

âPretty nasty accident. You were lucky to come out alive. Did you rent your plane in Reykjavik?â

Briefly Frank related what had happened, and how their kidnapper had gotten away.

âThat was not one of our rescue copters,â the airman stated.

âWe figured that,â Joe replied.

The pilot got into the copter, with the Hardys following.

âCan we ask you a favor?â Frank said when the craft was airborne.

âWhat is it?â

âCould you take us directly to Akureyri?â

The man frowned. âWhy Akureyri?â

Joe explained that they were American detectives on the trail of a Rex Hallbjornsson who had answered their ad with a letter postmarked Akureyri.

The pilot grinned. âI suppose our government can do a favor for American detectives.â With that, he wheeled the craft northward.

Soon the glacier gave way to rolling meadows, with patches of green showing through the light covering of snow.

âLook sharp,â the pilot said, âand let me know if you see any polar bears.â

âPolar bears?â Frank asked. âI didnât know there were any in Iceland.â

âUsually not,â the man replied. He explained that the winter had been severe, causing a huge tongue of ice to extend from Greenland around the north coast of Iceland. It curved down along the eastern shore of the country.

âSeveral polar bears were carried down on the ice and they climbed onto our island. One has been caught, but some are still roaming around, as far as the west coast. They have killed sheep, and one farmer had to flee for his life.â

Frank and Joe kept looking for bears, but all they saw were several small settlements with sod huts and flocks of sheep grazing on the greening pastures.

Every now and then the boys spotted small ponies. When they questioned the pilot, he said, âPonies used to be our chief means of transportation. We still use them a lot here. Icelandic ponies are strong and durable.â

The north coast came into view and the airman pointed to a bay that cut deep inland. âThereâs Akureyri!â

Shortly afterward, he landed the craft in a field not far from the center of town, and the boys got out.

âGood luck to you,â the pilot said, waving good-by. âIâll make a report to the coast guard in Reykjavik.â

First, Frank and Joe found a drugstore where they purchased shaving equipment. The next stop was a small hotel, where they registered, cleaned up, and had breakfast in their room.

Tired out from their harrowing experience, they decided to sleep for a couple of hours. But when they awakened, it was already growing dark.

Frank was annoyed with himself. âWe should have had the clerk buzz us earlier,â he said.

âWell,â Joe replied, stretching luxuriously, âRex Hallbjornsson probably works, and wouldnât have been home anyhow.â

The boys ate supper in the hotel dining room, then set out to find the elusive Icelander. His address was a small one-family house, made of aging brick and plaster, with a steep corrugated roof. It was located on a side street, across from a fish factory.

As they approached, Frank held his nose. âPhew!â he said. âThey must be making fertilizer in there!â

Joe knocked and the door was opened by a middle-aged woman, who spoke fairly good English. Yes, Hallbjornsson lived there, she said, adding that another American had been looking for him, too.

âAnother?â Frank asked, perplexed.

âYes, come this way,â the landlady said, disregarding his query, and ushered the boys down the hall into a small room. Seated in a well-worn easy chair beside a small cot was a man, completely bald. His blue eyes blinked as he stared at the callers.

âWeâre Frank and Joe Hardy,â Frank said. âAre you Rex Hallbjornsson?â

âJa.â In halting English, Hallbjornsson said he was both excited and glad to see the boys. He motioned for them to sit on his cot, then made a quick phone call in a foreign tongue.

When he returned, Frank said, âWe understand youâre a seaman.â

âYou were shipwrecked, too,â Joe added. âPretty lucky man to be alive.â

Hallbjornsson nodded and proceeded to tell them a long story about his travels to Europe. None of the details agreed with the information their father had given them. And the man did not have the weather-beaten face of a sailor.

âI was shipwrecked in Spain,â he went on, âand hit my head on the gunwale of the rescue boat. Then I hadâwhat do you say?âamnesia. For five years I wandered, until one day in Turkeyââ

âThat was when you worked for the Greek shipping company,â Joe put in, embroidering the manâs false tale.

âJa. You know about that?â

Frank nodded and pursued Joeâs tack. âThen you went to Syria, and finally back to Iceland, right?â

âGood. I am glad you know the details,â Hallbjornsson said. âThat will make it easier for me to collect. How much money do I get?â

âFifty thousand dollars,â Frank replied.

The manâs eyes bulged greedily. âDo you have it with you?â

âNo, we donât have any money with us,â Frank replied. âNaturally, weâll have to make a report to the insurance company first. But if youâre the right man, youâll get what youâre entitled to receive.â

âJa, ja,â the man murmured. âMake it soon. You see how I am living here in this cheap room. And I am getting old.â

The boys said good-by, stepped out into the hall, and made their way to the front of the house. They tried to find the landlady to question her about the other American, but she was nowhere in sight.

It was pitch dark when they stepped out into the street. Then there was an explosion of light, and darkness again, as Frank and Joe crumpled under blows to their heads!

They awakened to the pungent smell of fish. How much time had passed neither boy knew. Joe looked up, glassy-eyed, into the face of Biff Hooper, who was bending over them.

âTake it easy,â Biff said. âJust a bad bump on the nogginâboth of you!â

Joe raised up on one elbow and winced. He had a splitting headache. Then he looked about. Both he and Frank were on a conveyor belt.

âWhereâwhere are we?â asked Frank.

âIn a fish factory. Donât you smell it?â Biff replied. âRight across the street from Rex Hallbjornssonâs.â

âThat faker!â Joe muttered. He swung into a sitting position and slid off the conveyor belt, rubbing his head gingerly.

Frank followed suit. âFor Peteâs sake,â he said, âtell us what happened, Biff! How did we get here, and where did you come from?â

âLetâs get out of here first, and Iâll give you the whole story,â Biff suggested. Walking the Hardys to their hotel, he explained that he had become worried about their trip to Akureyri. âI had a feeling you might be dry-gulched there. So I got a regular flight this morning and followed you.â

âYou must have left before our message arrived,â Frank said. âWhen you didnât find us here, then what?â

Biff had gone to Hallbjornssonâs address, but he was not in. âThe landlady told me the guy had come there only recently,â he explained, âand she thought he was a foreigner.â

Biff said he had wandered around town, watching the fishing boats and talking to American tourists. Then he had returned to Hallbjornssonâs in the evening.

âI guess we arrived before you,â Joe put in.

âRight. When I got here, I saw two men lurking in front of the house. I decided to play it by ear and stepped into an alley to see what would happen. A few minutes later you came out, and these fellows blackjacked you.â

Frank gave a low whistle. âNow I know why Hallbjornsson got on the phone as soon as we came in!â

âThen,â Biff continued, âa siren sounded, and you should have seen those fellows go to work. They dragged you into the fish factory. I was hoping it would be the police, but it was only an ambulance going past.â

âSo you followed the guys?â Joe asked.

Biff said that when the men did not come out of the building, he stole in to find the Hardys lying on the conveyor belt. âThey must have scrammed out a side door,â he concluded. âNow tell me, what happened to you?â

Frank gave him a brief report, and soon they reached the hotel. Frank and Joe got ice packs to apply to the lumps on their heads, and ordered a cot to be put in their room for Biff.

Next morning after breakfast the trio caught a plane back to Reykjavik. When their taxi arrived at the Saga Hotel, a strange sight greeted them. Chet was in front of the hotel, wandering about aimlessly.

âHey, Chet!â Frank called out. The stout boy turned slowly and stood still. âHi,â he said listlessly.

âHe sure looks funny,â Frank stated. He said to Chet, âCome here!â

Chet obeyed, childlike.

Biff looked closely at him. âHe isnât right. Look, Frank, his eyes are dilated.â

Chetâs head lolled as if he was in a stupor.

âIâll bet heâs been drugged!â Joe cried out. âHoly toledo! Maybe somebodyâs upstairs fooling around with our radio and decoder!â

âBiff, take Chet to the front desk and get a doctor for him,â Frank said quickly. âJoe and I will go upstairs.â

The Hardys hastened into the hotel, dashed to an elevator, and let themselves out on their floor. Tiptoeing down the carpeted hall, they came to their room.

Someone was inside, moving about!

Frank silently inserted the key in the lock, turned it, and swung the door open.

Two men, taken by surprise, whirled aroundâthe blond pilot and his phony rescuer!

CHAPTER IX

Man of the Sea

CAUGHT red-handed, the two men glared hate-fully at the Hardys before diving for the door. Frank and Joe were bowled over and a furious melee ensued. Punching and cursing, the intruders bulled their way past the two boys.

Joe made a plunge for the blond man and got a firm grip on his wavy hair. But suddenly he was holding a wig in his hand! The thug was utterly bald!

Rex Hallbjornsson!

âGet him, Frank!â

The Hardys dashed along the hall, but the intruders made the elevator ahead of them.

âDown the stairway, Joe!â

The boys leaped three steps at a time in an effort to beat the elevator to the lobby. At the second floor the elevator doors opened. Out rushed the two men and raced down an adjacent corridor into a huge ballroom filled with tables and chairs.

Grabbing chairs as they ran, the thugs flung them into the path of the pursuers.

Frank hit one and fell flat. Joe stumbled over his brother. By the time they picked themselves up, the men had vanished down a back stairway and out of the building!

Disappointed, the Hardys limped upstairs. In Biffâs room a doctor was examining Chet, a stethoscope to his ears.

âYou say you had a cup of coffee with two strangers?â he asked as Frank and Joe walked in.

âThatâs right, Doc,â replied Chet, who seemed much improved.

The Hardys introduced themselves, and the physician said, âYour friend will get over it all right. He was drugged. Do you have enemies?â

âPerhaps.â Frank did not want to reveal their mission.

âWell, be careful. I am sorry such a thing had to happen to you in Iceland.â

âThanks for coming over so soon, Doc,â said Biff. âWhat do we owe you?â

The doctor waved them off with a smile. âNothing. Glad to help visitors.â He put away his stethoscope and picked up his bag. âI would advise some exercise for you, young man. How about a swim in one of our warm water pools?â

âThatâd be great!â Chet said, a big smile returning to his round face. âWhere?â

âI suggest Sundholl. It is indoors, and not far from here.â

The boys thanked the doctor again, and he left. Frank picked up the codebook from the safe, and they all went to the Hardysâ room.

âLooks as if a cyclone hit it,â Biff stated. âAre you sure one of them was Hallbjornsson?â

âNo doubt about it,â Joe replied. âFirst he looked for us at Keflavik Airport, then he followed us around the downtown area and finally kidnapped us in that plane.â

âI feel kind of silly,â Frank replied. âThe blond wig and mustache disguise had us completely fooled.â

The young detectives were relieved to find that the radio had not been damaged, nor had the intruders had time to locate the black box hidden in a comer of the clothes closet.

As Frank smoothed out two crumpled shirts, the telephone rang.

âOkay,â he said. âQuiet, fellows. I have a hunch that these are our phony friends.â Quickly he attached the recording device to the telephone and picked up the receiver. âHello?â The boy made a wry face as he said, âYes, sir. Thank you,â and hung up.

âWhat was it?â

âThe hotel manager. Asked us to cut down on the noise. Somebody complained.â

Frank hit a chair and fell flat

They all laughed, and Chet quipped, âSure, weâll be quiet, if the crooks promise, too.â

The phone rang again, and this time Joe scooped it up. The voice on the other end was harsh. âHardys, get out of Iceland!â This was followed by heavy breathing into the mouthpiece, then the caller hung up.

âWhyâthose dirty bums!â Joe said hotly. âTheyâre trying to scare us out of this country!â

âFat chance!â Chet said bravely.

âDid you recognize the voice?â asked Biff.

âThe phony Hallbjornsson! Who else?â

With the room set to rights again, the four boys had lunch, then sprawled on the beds and the two chairs, trying to find a logical answer to all that had happened.

Why did the phony Hallbjornsson want to kidnap Frank and Joe? Obviously he had impersonated Hallbjornsson only for that purpose. Who was he really?

Finally Chet Morton stood up and stretched. âWell, Frank and Joe, youâre the brains department. Try to figure it out while Biff and I go for a warm water swim!â

âIâm for it!â said Biff.

âYou can get the address at the desk,â Joe advised. âCall a taxi, but be careful about drinking coffee with strangers!â

A few minutes later there was a light tap on the Hardysâ door. Frank opened it. Gummi stood outside.

âCome on in,â Frank invited. âWhatâs new?â

âPlenty!â Gummi took a chair, wet his lips, and settled back with a great air of satisfaction. âIâve been busy with some detective work to help you.â

âAny luck so far?â Joe asked.

âIâll say! I tried to get in touch with you yesterday, but you were always out. Iâve found your man Rex!â

âNo kidding!â

Gummi leaned forward and gestured with his hands. âNow, I wonât guarantee that this is the guy you really want. Heâs an old seaman whoâs out on a fishing trawler called the Svartfugelâit means blackbird.â

âHow do we get in touch with him?â Frank asked.

Gummi explained that the trawler was at sea but that he had found out where the Svartfugelâs skipper lived. âHis name is Rensson. Perhaps his wife can tell us something about this Rex,â he added.

âWhat are we waiting for? Letâs scram!â Joe said excitedly. They hastened down to the lobby, hopped into Gummiâs jeep, and drove to a neat yellow house near the waterfront.

Gummi knocked, and a tall blond woman answered. The youth questioned her in Icelandic. âJa, ja,â she replied. âRex Mar.â

âTack, tack,â Gummi said and continued the interrogation. After they had left, Frank said, âWhatâs the pitch, Gummi?â

The boy explained that Rexâs name was Mar.

âLike the sea?â Joe recognized the word.

âRight. Rex is supposed to be an old salt, and full of sea stories.â

âAnd where is he now?â Frank questioned.

âSomewhere off the northwest coast.â

âWe canât overlook any possible clue,â Joe mused. âMaybe he changed his last name because it was too long.â The boys had learned from their detective father that even the slightest clue can sometimes solve a difficult case.

Gummi dropped the boys off at the hotel and said good-by. He would see them later.

Frank checked the desk for any messages. There were none. Then he and Joe went up to their room.

âIâm really getting worried,â Frank said. âJoe, I think we ought to contact Dad and tell him what happened.â He unlimbered the radio and began to send out signals. As he did, someone pounded on the door.

âGood night!â Joe jumped up. âWhatâs going on?â He opened the door.

Chet Morton burst in, his face flushed with excitement. âGuess who we met?â

âWe canât guess!â Frank said.

âCome with meâdownstairsânow!â

âChet, have you gone wacky?â Joe asked.

Frank turned off the radio, and the Hardys followed their friend. When they stepped into the elevator, Frank tried to question his excited buddy. âDid you catch the phony Hallbjornsson?â

âYouâll see!â

A few seconds later they arrived in the lobby. There was Biff Hooper chatting gaily with Steina the stewardess!

CHAPTER X

The Arctic Patrol

âHELLO, Steina. How are you?â Frank said, extending a hand to the smiling black-haired girl.

Joe, meanwhile, glanced about the lobby. âChet, I thought you found Hallbjornsson.â

âNo, it was Steina we found, and guess whereâat the swimming pool!â

âI was glad to meet them on my day off,â said Steina. Then she turned to Chet with a wink. âTell me, have you found any Eskimos yet?â

âNo, but weâve had our adventures,â the stout boy replied. But this time he kept his secrets to himself. They moved to the side of the lobby and took comfortable seats around a coffee table.

Biff Hooper spoke to Frank in a low voice. âDo you think Steina might be able to help us? She probably knows lots of important people in Iceland.â

âYes, she might,â Frank replied and looked at the stewardess. âSteina, weâd like to contact a man named Rex Mar on the fishing trawler Svartfugel. Do you know how we can get in touch with him?â

âOf course,â the girl answered with a wave of her hand, as if the request were an easy one.

Joe had his doubts. âYouâre not kidding, are you?â

âNo. My uncle Oscar will help you, Iâm sure.â

âYour uncle Oscar?â Chet raised his eyebrows. âWhoâs he?â

âHead of the Icelandic coast guard,â Steina replied, cocking her head coyly.

âGreat!â Joe exclaimed. âWill you give us an introduction?â

Without a word the girl rose, went to a wall telephone nearby, and dialed a number. After chatting in Icelandic, she hung up and returned to the boys. âUncle Oscar Sigtryggsson is in his office. Heâs expecting you.â

âThanks a million, Steina,â Frank said. âCan we see him in half an hour?â

âSure. I must be going along now,â the girl replied. Waving good-by, she left in her small car which she had parked in front of the hotel.

The boys went directly to the Hardysâ room, where Frank and Joe clued their buddies in on the Mar information. Then Joe flicked on their radio and began sending signals. Fifteen minutes later they received an answer. The conversation was amiable and casual. Frank told his father that the only Hallbjornsson they had found so far proved to be the wrong one, but that they had had some trouble getting rid of him.

Afterward, Joe rapidly figured out their fatherâs message. Mr. Hardy said that the high Icelandic officials now knew that his sons were working on the astronaut case. He also warned them to beware of a Felix Musselman.

The description of this man fit the phony Hallbjornsson to a T. Originally a Rumanian, Musselman had fake passports for several countries. âHe may be tied in with the astronaut case. Exercise extreme caution!â Mr. Hardy ended.

Frank returned the radio to the hiding place in the closet.

âWow!â Joe said. âSo Hallbjornsson-Musselman may be an agent of a spy network mixed up in the astronaut case!â

âThatâs probably his primary mission,â Frank reasoned. âWhen he found out we were coming to Iceland, his second mission was capturing us in order to get us out of the way. He must have been afraid we would get involved with the case.â

âNow what?â Biff asked.

âWell, weâd better go see Steinaâs uncle. You and Chet stay here and stand guard. Okay?â

Soon Frank and Joe arrived at the Icelandic coast guard headquarters, called by the almost unpronounceable name of Landhelgisgaezlan. Its offices were located on Seljaveg, close to the waterfront.

âThe Hardy boys?â a male clerk asked as they entered.

âRight. Frank and Joe, from Bayport, U.S.A.â

âCaptain Sigtryggsson is waiting for you. This way, please.â

He ushered the visitors into an office with nautical decorations and closed the door. They were greeted by a tall gray-haired man who rose from his chair behind a long desk.

âSo,â he said, after shaking hands and offering the boys two chairs, âyou are American detectives!â

âYes,â said Joe. âI know weâre still young, butââ

âNot at all,â the captain replied. âOur best men in the coast guard are young fellows like you. We start them at fifteen, and by the time they are eighteen or nineteen, believe me, they are excellent seamen. Your father is a world-famous detective and I gather he has trained you well in his profession.â

Frank and Joe felt much at home in the presence of Captain Sigtryggsson. âYou have a very fine niece in Steina,â said Frank, returning the compliment.

âThatâs what the boys tell me,â the captain said with a smile. âJa, ja. Now tell me, what is your question?â

âWe wish to speak to a man named Rex Hallbjornsson,â Frank began. âHe may be Rex Mar, sailing on the trawler Svartfugel.â

âI think I can help you,â the captain said. He rose from his chair and went to a map hanging on the wall. âThe Svartfugel is probably fishing in waters near Snaefellsjokull.â

âThe glacier?â asked Joe.

âJa. Right here. Perhaps ten miles offshore. We will send you up there.â

The boys were thunderstruck. âReally?â asked Joe. âHow?â

âOn the Thor. Are you good seamen?â

âPretty good,â Frank replied.

The Icelander walked over to the model of a ship sitting on a table beside the boys.

âThis is the Thor,â he explained. âYou know, we donât have a large navy, but it is a good one.â He said that the Thor was setting out the next day on a fourteen-day tour of duty in Icelandic waters.

âYour Arctic Patrolâisnât that what you call it?â Frank remarked.

The captain nodded and continued. âNaturally, I donât think it will take fourteen days to find the Svartfugel.â

âThen howâll we get back?â Joe asked.

âWeâll arrange that later. Perhaps on the Albert. It is a smaller boat on its way back to Keflavik from a two-week tour.â The captain sat down at his desk again and looked straight at the boys. âYou are working on the McGeorge case, too!â

Frank and Joe were startled. âYes. Itâs top secret,â Frank managed to reply.

âOf course. It is most unusual to have civilians involved. But perhaps you can be of help.â

âWe already have a clue,â Frank said, and told about the leather glove. âIt matches a similar one we got at the base in Keflavik.â He explained how they had found it, and when.

âExcellent. But Major McGeorge disappeared earlier than that. We searched the area of the sulfur pit.â

âPerhaps he came back,â Frank offered. âMaybe his captors threatened to throw him in if he didnât tell his NASA secrets.â

âA good possibility,â the captain admitted. âWeâll look into this.â

The boys rose and thanked him, promising to be at his office at two oâclock the next afternoon.

âCaptain Carl Magnusson, the skipper of the Thor, will be here to meet you,â their host said as he ushered the Hardys to the door.

When they returned to their hotel, they found Chet and Biff brimming with excitement. âHereâs another letter answering your ad in the paper,â Biff said.

Frank opened it. A Hallbjornsson living in Hafnarfjordur thought that he might be a relative of the man called Rex.

Frank shook his head. âNow weâve got two leads to follow.â

âWhat did the coast guard chief have to say?â

âWeâre leaving on one of their boats tomorrow.â

âThat was fast. Well, suppose Chet and I go down to Hafnarfjordur and investigate the other guy?â

âGreat idea!â

Chet and Biff departed the next morning, and at two oâclock the Hardys, traveling as lightly as they could, appeared at Captain Sigtryggssonâs office.

There they met a tall, handsome man in his late thirtiesâCarl Magnusson, the skipper of the Thor. After hard handshakes, Captain Magnusson said, âCome with me, men. Weâre on our way.â

He took them down the harbor where the Thor, a spotless white cutter, was waiting.

âSheâs a big ship,â Frank observed.

âTwo hundred and six feet longânine hundred and twenty tons,â the captain explained.

As they stepped from the dock down a ladder to board the cutter, Frank and Joe noticed a 57 mm gun mounted on the front of the boat. Behind the gun deck, at a lower level, lay a large rubber raft. Two pontoons on either side were bullet-shaped.

âWe use that for transfers in rough weather,â said Captain Magnusson, who had noticed the boysâ inquisitive looks.

They followed the skipper up and down a maze of companionways to his quarters. A comfortable wardroom was located forward, and the captainâs bunk was to the left. On the right side were quarters for the visitors.

âMake yourselves at home,â Captain Magnusson said.

âDo you suppose you can find the Svartfugel for us?â Joe asked, putting down his bag.

âI think so, if we donât run into any foreign poachers.â The skipper explained that recently some ships of foreign registry had been sneaking through the twelve-mile limit. âBut we spot them on radar,â he continued, âand get them!â

âThen what do you do?â Frank asked.

âBring them back to port and fine them. They cannot get away with our codfish!â

Frank and Joe looked about the ship. Several seamen, about their own age, were busy hosing and swabbing the decks. Some of them spoke English, and the boys chatted with them about their training and their ambitions.

Then they strolled about, looking at the colorful Icelandic coastline slipping past.

âYou know,â Joe said to his brother, âIâm beginning to enjoy our trip!â

âWell, letâs hope weâre successful,â Frank replied with a grin.

About sundown, Snaefell Glacier came into view, its bare, rugged peaks bathed in orange light. Suddenly Captain Magnusson, who stood on the bridge, beckoned to the Hardys. They hastened up a ladder and were at his side a moment later.

âLook over there!â the skipper said tersely, peering through his binoculars. âA poacher! Sheâs in our territorial waters!â

He handed Frank the binoculars, so high-powered that they brought the fishing trawler seemingly close enough to touch. She was about forty-five feet long and bore the name Tek.

Frank surveyed her from stem to stern. Five crewmen could be seen on deck. Suddenly he gasped. âJoe, there he is!â

âWho?â

âMusselman. Iâll bet anything!â

CHAPTER XI

Over the Waves

JOE took the glasses to confirm Frankâs suspicion. No doubt about it! The face was that of the bogus Hallbjornsson!

âCaptain Magnusson,â Frank said, âthereâs a wanted man on the Tek!â

âThe entire trawler is wanted,â the captain replied with a grim smile. âSheâs poaching in Icelandic waters.â

He dispatched a radio message commanding the Tek to stop. Then he took the binoculars and watched. Suddenly he gave an exclamation in Icelandic. The trawler was turning about and racing toward the open sea!

âSheâs trying to get away!â Frank cried out.

If Captain Magnusson was startled by the poacherâs action, he did not show it. Calmly he gave the order for full speed ahead.

Much to the surprise of Frank and Joe, the fleeing boat had exceptional speed. Churning up a greenish-white wake, it high-tailed straight west. But it was no match for the Thor. The cutter gained with every minute.

Finally the ships came side by side. Captain Magnusson, using a bullhorn, ordered the fleeing boat to stop for boarding. âYou are under arrest!â he thundered.

Beckoning to the Hardy boys and two seamen, he boarded the poacher and was met by her irate skipper, who declared in broken English, âYou cannot stop us. It is illegal!â

âYou are in Icelandic fishing waters,â Captain Magnusson replied evenly. âAnd you are not Icelandic.â

âI am thirteen miles off your shore!â

âOnly ten by my calculations. And my calculations are what count.â Magnussen asked curtly, âWhy did you flee when I radioed for you to stop?â

âI did not hear your message.â

âThen you should get your radio repaired. What you did was dangerous; you could have been shot.â

The captain accompanied the poacher to his bridge, where he obtained the fishing boatâs registration and other vital details. Then Magnusson said, âI think you are harboring a fugitive from Iceland and will conduct a search.â

The poacher glared at him in rage. âHow dare you! You cannot do this!â

âBut we will,â Magnussen retorted. He motioned to Frank and Joe, along with his two crewmen. The four conducted a painstaking search for the fugitive, expecting to see Musselman pop out of a closet or jump out of a locker at any moment. But the baldheaded spy could not be found.

âMaybe heâs hiding in some kind of a container,â Frank said.

âYou mean under the boat?â Joe asked.

âItâs possible.â

Although they searched the sides of the boat for any telltale line leading under the water, their efforts were fruitless.

âCome on. Weâll give the crewâs quarters one more look,â Frank said.

The bunks were thoroughly checked to see if anyone was hiding under a false mattress. Each mattress was thumped, but all were genuine. No Musselman!

The crewmen left. Frank and Joe gave the last bunk one more look. A small bit of paper stuck between the wall and the blanket caught Frankâs eye. He plucked it from its hiding place.

âHoly crow! Joe, look at this!â It had been torn from an Icelandic newspaper.

âItâs our ad!â Joe exclaimed. âThe one Musselman answered!â

âSee, we were right!â Frank said. âHe was on this boat!â

âOne thing is sure,â Joe muttered. âThat crook isnât here now, and if he is, he certainly is well hidden.â

The boys decided not to tell Captain Magnusson about their clue. When they returned to the bridge, the skipper asked, âAny luck?â

âNo. We couldnât find him.â Frank observed the poaching captain all the while. He did not twitch a muscle, and his eyes remained cold and angry. If he knew of Musselmanâs presence, he gave no indication.

Magnusson called for his first lieutenant, who vaulted over the rail.

âHjalmar, take this boat to Reykjavik. We will follow!â

After admonishing his prisoners not to do anything rash, Magnusson returned to the Thor, with the Hardys at his heels. The coast guard cutter and its captive turned about and were under way toward the Icelandic capital city.

In the captainâs cabin Frank and Joe talked with the skipper. âWhatâll happen to these fellows now?â Frank asked.

âThey will be fined, and their fish confiscated.â

âBut what about our search for Rex Mar?â Joe asked.

A broad smile came over the captainâs face. âI knew you would ask that question. Everything has been taken care of.â

âHow?â

âWe will pass the Albert about two oâclock this morning. We will transfer you for the continuation of your search for Rex Mar.â

âGreat!â Frank said. âThank you, sir.â

âBut it will not be as easy as boarding the poacher,â the skipper went on. âYou see how rough it is getting? We will have to transfer you by raft.â

The Thor had begun to pitch and yaw. As night settled over the sea, the wind blew harder.

âWe may be in for a little rough weather,â the captain declared. âBut you are good sailors, right?â

Joe hoped that neither of them would get seasick. But he felt a little queasy already. Dinner with the crew, however, settled Joeâs stomach. The boys joined the young crewmen in a hearty meal of roast lamb and boiled potatoes. The coffee was black and piping hot.

When they returned to the deck again, the swell was even greater, and the ship rolled and rocked.

âGet some sleep now,â the captain advised them. âWe will wake you when the Albert comes in sight.â

Frank and Joe slipped into their bunks and the rolling sea lolled them to sleep in no time at all. The next thing Frank knew, there was a hand on his shoulder.

âCome. We have the Albert in sight,â Captain Magnusson said. âYou have your gear ready?â

âYes, weâre all packed,â Frank replied as Joe rose sleepily from his bunk.

On deck the fresh wind with the bite of glacier snow assailed the Hardysâ nostrils, and they were instantly wide awake.

In the distance the lights of the Albert bobbed up and down. Captain Magnusson gave an order, and a searchlight atop the mast shone down on the sea in a brilliant yellow cone.

âThere comes the raft now,â the skipper said, pointing over the sea. At first it looked like a cork; then, as it drew closer, Frank and Joe saw that it was identical to the one lashed on the forward deck of the Thor. Three seamen, using long oars as paddles, propelled the raft toward them.

On the Thor a section of rail was lifted up, and as the raft drew alongside, one of the sailors hurled a line aboard.

âEverything is perfectly safe,â Captain Magnusson assured the boys.

Frank wondered. The raft rose and fell on each wave, coming even with the deck of the Thor, then dropping ten feet into the trough.

Clutching their bags, the Hardys waited. Up came the raft. Joe stepped in, and went down like an elevator. Up it came again for Frank. Then the line was cast off, and they were gliding over the frigid sea.

The raft resembled a small bug struggling in the rolling waves. Overhead, a silver moon illuminated the snow-capped mountains along the shore.

The young seamen paddled hard. Their oars flashed as they dug deep into the brine.

Frankâs eyes scanned the ocean. Suddenly he leaned over to Joe. âSomething else is out there!â

âWhere?â asked Joe, looking about in the stiff breeze.

âI saw a wake!â

Joe peered intently, but could spot nothing. âWhat do you suppose it was?â

âA small boat, or a raft, maybe with a motor!â

Presently the Albert loomed up black beside the raft. A section of its deck rail also had been lifted, but Frank Hardy was not ready to board yet. Crouched in the raft, he looked up at the captain and shouted, âI think I saw another small boat out there, skipper. Iâd like permission to look for it!â

âWhat? Speak slower, please. I am not too good with English.â

Frank repeated his request, and the captain called back, âWait. I will try first to find it on my radar.â He went into the control room, while the raft, banging against the side of the Albert, rose and fell with a dizzying motion.

The seamen did their best to hold everything steady, and two more aboard the Albert clung to the line which had been thrown to them.

Then suddenly it happened. A huge wave bore down on them. It hit the raft while it was in a deep trough, and after it had passed over the clinging occupants, Frank Hardy was gone!

CHAPTER XII

A Mysterious Offer

A HEAD bobbed to the surface beside the Albert, then disappeared beneath the sullen waves again. Instantly two of the crewmen sprang overboard, while the third restrained Joe from diving in after his brother.

Someone on the deck flashed a powerful light on the turbulent waters and Joe saw Frank in the firm grasp of the two seamen. His face was pale, his eyes shut.

Frank was pushed into the raft, then hoisted quickly to the deck of the Albert. Seconds later, on a rising wave, Joe stepped safely aboard.

The Albertâs captain, a square-jawed man named Holmquist, immediately applied artificial respiration to Frank, and finally the boyâs eyes fluttered open. The captain helped him to his feet. âYou tried to swallow all of the North Atlantic, but it cannot be done!â

âI sure did go under, like a sinker,â Frank said, shivering from the icy water.

âCome down below and change into some dry clothes,â Captain Holmquist said.

Still groggy, Frank followed him and Joe into a warm cabin. There he was supplied with seamenâs clothes, while his own were hung up to dry. Then the three sat down at the table in the skipperâs quarters.

âDid you see the other raft?â was Joeâs first question.

âSomething was out there,â said Captain Holmquist. âBut a raftâI doubt that. Probably a whale. We have them in these waters, you know.â

âWe canât look for it any more, then?â Frank asked.

The skipper shrugged. âThereâs nothing on our radar now. Anyhow, our mission is to find the Svartfugel, right?â

âThatâs what we came for.â Frank managed a grin. âYou think you can find her?â

âI found her already. She is located on our chart. In the morning you will have your trawler served up for breakfast!â

Frank and Joe laughed at the captainâs good humor and thanked him again for his help. Then they retired to their bunks and fell fast asleep.

The Albert was alive with the sound of shipâs noises when the Hardys awakened. Footsteps sounded on gangways, and the smell of ham and hot coffee drifted into their cabin.

By this time Frankâs clothes had dried. The boys dressed hurriedly and found their way to the breakfast table. The seamen joked about Frankâs dunking.

âHe went down like a seal!â said one of his rescuers with a chuckle.

âMore like a walrus I would say,â Frank replied, and took his place at the square table beside Captain Holmquist.

âNow you will have something to tell back home,â the skipper said.

The Hardys had soft-boiled eggs, cereal, and milk. In the center of the table stood a tall can of cod-liver oil. After watching the seamen help themselves, Frank and Joe each took a large spoonful, washed down by a second glass of milk.

âNow youâre all set for the Svartfugel,â Captain Holmquist said. âSheâs off our port bow, if youâd like to take a look.â

The boys hastened to the deck and looked across the leaden waters toward a tubby little trawler. The captain followed with his bullhorn. In Icelandic he asked if Rex Mar was aboard.

âJa, ja,â came the answer.

The ocean was calm enough for the two boats to pull alongside and soon Frank and Joe dropped to the deck of the Svartfugel.

âTake your time,â Captain Holmquist said. âWe will wait for you.â

The small boat had only a crew of five, and its skipper called below decks for Rex Mar. The man appeared, wearing a brown sweater. Its turtleneck set off a square, weather-beaten face, topped by a patch of flowing gray hair beneath a seamanâs cap.

Frank Hardy extended a hand in greeting. Rex Marâs looked like a bear paw in comparison.

âIâm Frank Hardy. Do you speak English, Mr. Mar?â

âYes.â

Joe introduced himself and said, âThereâs something we would like you to do.â

âNo, I wonât do it!â Mar said and turned down the narrow gangway.

âWait a minute!â Frank called out. âYou wonât do what?â

The old fellow regarded them grimly through watery blue eyes. âI wonât do what you want me to do. I was asked before. The answer is still No!â

Frank and Joe exchanged puzzled glances. Finally Frank said, âMr. Mar, we only want you to identify yourself.â

Rex Mar closed one eye suspiciously. âRex Mar is the name, and thatâs all.â

From the rail of the Albert, Holmquist looked down with a slight smile of amusement on his face. In rapid-fire Icelandic he spoke with the old seaman. Instantly Mar seemed more ready to cooperate.

âWhat is it you want to know?â

âWe are looking for Rex Hallbjornsson,â Frank said.

âWhy?â

âSomebody left him some insurance money.â

The manâs face lit up like the aurora borealis. âRex Hallbjornsson. Ja, I am the one!â

Frank and Joe beamed at each other and shook hands vigorously. âFrank, weâve done it!â said Joe. âWe found our man!â

But the elder Hardy boy was not convinced that the man standing before them was the real Rex Hallbjornsson.

âTell us,â he said, âhow, why, and when did you change your name?â

The old seaman took a pail, turned it upside down, and used it for a seat. Frank and Joe leaned against the capstan and listened to his tale.

Mar said that he once was shipwrecked off the coast of France. After he had been rescued, his name Hallbjornssonâhard to spell for foreigners âhad been recorded incorrectly.

âI went to Spain,â he said, âwhere my name was spelled wrong again. What a mess it was! The b, j, and the lâs were all mixed up. I donât think anybody could sneeze the name!â

Joe chuckled at the description. âSo you changed it?â

âYes. I chose the name Mar because it means sea. You see, I had to do it. In Spain they thought I was a spy since all the names on my papers were spelled differently. And you know,â he said, rubbing the side of his nose, âsomebody still thinks Iâm a spy.â

âWho?â asked Frank.

âTwo men. They came to see me.â

âAbout what?â Joe wanted to know.

âAbout a job.â Mar explained that someone wanted the help of a man who knew the coast of Iceland intimately. âBut I didnât take it!â

The Hardys were immediately alerted by the strange request. Frank said, âIf they ever come to you with that proposal again, will you let me know?â

âAll right,â Mar replied, glancing up at Captain Holmquist.

Convinced that Mar was indeed Rex Hallbjornsson, Frank told him that he had been named the beneficiary in a life insurance policy paying fifty thousand dollars. The old fellowâs jaw dropped, and he stood up, looking bewildered.

When the name of the policyholder was given, a faraway look came into his eyes. He told the Hardys that it was a man he saved from drowning. âNow he will make my old age a comfortable one,â Mar said with feeling.

Frank suggested that he come with them, leaving the trawler at once. âYouâll have to sign some papers in Reykjavik, and then weâll try to get your money as soon as possible, Mr. Mar.â

The Svartfugelâs skipper gave permission for his crewman to leave, and Rex Mar and the boys boarded the Albert.

It was late in the afternoon when the coast guard boat pulled into Reykjavik Harbor. The Hardys thanked Captain Holmquist and his crew, then stepped onto the dock. The old seaman followed. A taxi took them into town. Mar was let off at his rooming house, with instructions to await word from the boys, and Frank and Joe continued on to their hotel.

After hastening upstairs, they rapped on the door of Chetâs room. No answer. They went to their own room and phoned the desk. Had Biff and Chet left any message?

The answer nearly floored them. Their friends had checked out of the hotel the day before.

âWhatâs going on?â Frank asked the clerk.

The man did not know, except that he had observed the pair talking with Gummi shortly before they signed out.

Instantly Joe got on the phone to their Icelandic friend. âGummi, where are Chet and Biff?â

âYou should know! They left after getting your message!â

CHAPTER XIII

Eavesdroppers

âWE didnât send any message!â Joe exclaimed, holding the receiver so that Frank could follow the conversation.

âOh no!â Gummi said that Chet and Biff had returned from an unsuccessful visit to Hafnarfjordur and shortly afterward received word ostensibly from Frank and Joe to meet them somewhere.

âGood night! That was a hoax! Tell me, where were they to meet us?â

âThey didnât say. Chet only told me it was a secret.â

The Hardys were worried. Obviously this was an attempt by Musselman to split the ranks and deal with them individually.

Frank took the phone from Joe. âIf we only had a clue! A single clue! Think hard, Gummi. Didnât Chet or Biff drop some kind of hint where they were going?â

âYes, Chet did,â Gummi said after a thoughtful pause. âHe mentioned that he had better get some seasick pills.â

âThatâs all?â

âYes.â

âWell, if you remember anything else, Gummi, give us a ring, will you?â

âSure thing.â

Frank hung up.

âAt least we know they were going somewhere by boat,â Joe said.

âDonât jump to conclusions, Joe. The deduction might be true, and it might not.â

âIf it were,â Joe reasoned, âperhaps Chet and Biff went somewhere off the coast of Snaefell Glacier where you saw the mysterious raft!â

âThereâs only one thing to do nowâinform the police and the coast guard,â Frank said crisply. âIâll call them right away.â

After he had notified the authorities about their missing friends, Frank telephoned Captain Magnusson. The skipper told him that the poachers had been heavily fined. The Tek was also fine-combed again, but the only thing found was a coil of fine nylon line attached to an underwater hook. No sign of a man fitting the description of Musselman.

Then Frank told the captain about Chet and Biff.

âThe Thor is going on patrol again tonight, Frank,â Magnusson said. âIf they are anywhere in the Icelandic waters, weâll find them!â

âThanks, Captain.â Frank hung up and turned to Joe. Quickly he told him the news. âObviously the nylon line was for towing something,â he concluded.

âYes, but we didnât see any boat behind the Tek,â replied Joe.

âI know. Itâs a puzzler all right.â

âWhatâs next?â

âLetâs have something to eat, then weâll radio Dad.â

After a quick supper the boys contacted their father. They got through to Texas immediately.

Frank reported that they had found Rex Mar, and Mr. Hardy congratulated them. Then he spelled out in detail an affidavit, which Frank was to prepare for the man to sign. The boy copied down the document, then told about Chet and Biffâs mysterious disappearance.

Mr. Hardy expressed his worry, and casually switched to code. He was sure that the boysâ disappearance was tied in with the astronaut case.

âIf you find Musselman, you will probably find Biff and Chet,â Mr. Hardy advised.

After their father signed off, the boys tried to map out a plan of action.

âWeâre really stuck,â Joe muttered. âThe only clue is that Chet and Biff may be on a boat, and we canât chase them on the ocean.â

âThe coast guardâll have to do it,â Frank admitted. âBut where to find Musselman? As far as heâs concerned, we donât have any clues at all!â

Joe sighed. âHow about going over to Rex Mar with the affidavit? Thereâs not much else we can do tonight.â

âOkay.â

The boys walked the short distance to the sailorâs place. He occupied a large room on the first floor.

Mar greeted them cordially, putting down his pipe on a small table to shake hands with them. He offered them chairs, then sank back onto a sofa and sent ringlets of smoke from his pipe.

âYou look pretty happy, Mr. Mar,â Frank said jovially.

âI am a rich man.â

âYou will be, after a few formalities,â Joe agreed as Frank produced the affidavit.

Rex Mar held it at armâs length, scrutinizing every word, then he took the pen proffered by Frank in his gnarled fingers and scratched his name at the bottom of the paper.

âAfter this is processed in the States,â Frank said, âyou will receive your money.â

âFine,â Mar replied. Then he looked at the Hardys seriously. âI have something to tell you,â he said as Frank returned the affidavit to his pocket. âThey were here again to see me.â

âWho was?â

âThe men who think I am a spy. You asked me to tell you.â

âThanks for the tip,â Frank replied, leaning forward in his chair. âWhat did they say?â

âThey want me to get a boat and help them take something out of the country illegally!â

âWhat did you tell them?â

âI said I wanted to think it over. They will return in an hour for my answer. I was about to call you when you rang my bell.â

âMr. Mar, what did these fellows look like?â Joe queried.

âOne was bald, short, and heavy-set. The other was black-haired with a rather long nose. They are due here any minute.â

Frank and Joe exchanged glances. There was no doubt in their minds that the men were Musselman and his pal.

âWhat do you want me to do?â Mar asked.

âGo along with their proposition,â Frank said.

âBut it is illegal!â

âThatâs just it. We might be able to uncover a nefarious scheme.â

âAll right. I will do as you say. You go now and Iâll tell you later exactly what they want me to do.â

Joe looked around. âI have a better idea. Weâll listen in.â He pointed to a small closet. âCan we both get in there?â

Mar sucked on his pipe, sending out a billow of smoke. âI think so.â

He opened the closet, which was rank with the odor of old clothes. A few tools were stacked in one corner. The boys squeezed in. A narrow crack between the floor and the bottom of the door would allow enough air to keep them from suffocating.

âWhen they come, I will get them to leave as soon as possible,â Rex Mar said.

Frank coughed a bit, and Joeâs throat burned, as he inhaled the pipe smoke which drifted over the room like an early-morning heavy fog.

The doorbell rang. As Mar went to answer it, Frank and Joe ducked into the closet. Seconds later they heard Mar return with a visitor. The voice was unmistakable. Musselman!

Frank and Joe hardly dared to breathe, lest any sound give away their eavesdropping hideout.

âAll right now,â said Mar. âTell me just what do you want me to do?â

âHow many times must I tell you?â the caller replied impatiently. âI want you to rent a small fishing boat.â

âAnd then what?â

âAre you absolutely daft, old man?â snapped Musselman. âGo to the coast near Snaefellsjokull and Iâll be waiting for you there. Look, hereâs the spot.â

Frank and Joe heard the crinkling of paper as a map was spread out on the table.

âYes. I see it,â said Mar. âBut I cannot sail such a boat all alone.â

âThen get yourself a crew. I will pay you well.â

âHow many will you pay for?â

âThree good men. It may be a rough trip.â

Joe could not resist whispering to his brother. Putting his lips close to Frankâs ear, he said, âLetâs turn the tables on this goon! Weâll go with Mar, and at the same time we can hunt for Biff and Chet!â

There came the scraping sound of chairs pushed back from the table as the caller prepared to leave.

âIâm leaving Reykjavik early tomorrow morning,â Musselman said, then added, âI can trust you to take care of this assignment?â

âJa.â

âThen here is an advance payment. Get a seaworthy boat and do it as quickly as possible.â

Joe longed for the man to depart. The stuffy air in the closet and the tobacco smoke filled his lungs. How good it would be to inhale some fresh air!

âGood-by,â Mar said, and the boys heard the door close. But before they could open the closet, the lock clicked shut.

Frank tried to turn the knob and stifled a gasp. They were trapped!

Frank and Joe ducked into the closet

CHAPTER XIV

A Perfect Disguise

âJOE, weâre locked in!â

âHoly crow! Were we ever suckered by Rex Mar! Frank, what are we going to do?â

The boys talked in hushed whispers.

âLetâs not panic. Weâll get out. Easy does it, Joe.â

âYes. But suppose theyâre out there waiting for us?â

âThatâs the chance weâll have to take,â Frank replied, feeling about the dark closet.

âWhat are you looking for?â Joe asked.

His brother said that he had seen some tools. Maybe one of them would be of use. By this time it had become insufferably hot. Perspiration began to drip from their faces.

âIf we had only carried a flashlight!â Joe muttered. He pressed his ear close to the door. There was no sound outside. If Mar was in league with the criminals, perhaps he had left with Musselman.

âJoe, I found something!â

âWhat is it?â

âA jack.â

âGood. Now if we had a two-by-fourââ With both hands Joe rummaged the floor of the closet. âHereâs somethingâa block of wood!â

âHow long?â

âNot long enough.â

Frankâs hand touched a large hammer. âNow I think we have it, Joe!â

Pushing the old clothes to one side, he placed the base of the jack against the rear wall of the closet. Joe held the block of wood and the hammer end to end between the door and the head of the jack. They fit loosely.

Using an old wrench handle, Frank activated the jack. Click! Click! Click! Their improvised battering ram was wedged tightly between the back of the closet and the door. Frank applied more pressure. The door creaked a little. Could their device spring the lock?

Click! Click! Crash! The lock was forced and the door sprang open.

The room was not empty after all. There sat Rex Mar, puffing on his pipe and smiling.

Slack-jawed, Frank and Joe looked at him in amazement. âWhatâwhatâ? Why did you do that?â Frank asked.

Joeâs fists were clenched in anger. âYou nearly suffocated us. Is this your idea of fun?â

The old sailor motioned the boys to simmer down. âYou proved yourselves,â he said. âI wanted to see what you would do in a difficult situation.â

âThen you knew the jack was in the closet?â Frank asked.

Mar nodded. He went to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of cold water. Frank and Joe each gulped down a glassful.

Now calm after their ordeal, Frank asked, âWas that the blond man you spoke to?â

âRight. Did you see him through the keyhole?â âHow could we! The key was in it,â Joe said caustically.

âYes. I forgot.â

âWhat was his name?â

âHe did not tell me.â

âHow about your crew?â Frank went on.

âYou two, of course,â Mar replied. âI told you, you proved yourselves.â

Frank and Joe nodded to each other. They would have to level with Mar.

âWeâll need disguises,â Frank said.

âWhat for?â The old seaman looked surprised.

âJudging from the voice of your visitor, he might be a member of a gang weâre after. Weâll get the third crewman, too, an Icelandic friend of ours by the name of Gudmundur. You can depend on him.â

âGood.â Mar asked no further questions. âI will look for a suitable boat. When I find one, I will call you at your hotel.â

The boys agreed and bid the seaman good-by. Even though it was very late, they stopped at police headquarters to find out if any word had been received about the missing Biff and Chet. The report was negative.

Glum and disappointed, Frank and Joe returned to the Saga Hotel. They sat quietly in their room for a while, mulling over the entire situation.

âI must confess,â Frank said, âthat Iâm still not thoroughly convinced about Rex Mar.â

âI know,â Joe said. âWeâre putting ourselves in his hands. If he turns out to be one of Musselmanâs guys, weâre really in for it.â

âOn the other hand, if heâs in league with Musselman, why did he tell us about this âillegalâ job to begin with? Why did he let us know that he knew Musselman, and why did he let us overhear their conversation?â

âSearch me.â

âWell, with Gummi itâll be three against one on that trawler. I think we can handle the situation.â

A phone call brought the Icelandic boy to the hotel early the next morning. âAny word from Biff and Chet yet?â he asked as he came in the door.

âNo. But it seems we found the right Hallbjornsson.â

âGreat! Now your official mission is over, and once you find Chet and Biff you can have some fun in Iceland.â

âWell, thereâs a complication,â Joe replied, âThe fake Hallbjornsson is trying to get the real Hallbjornsson involved in a smuggling job andââ

Gummi interrupted the boy with a gesture of his hand. âNow look, fellows! You gave me that story about being detectives on an insurance case, and I bought it. Now youâre overdoing it. Iâm not exactly stupid, you know. Either you level with me, or Iâll exit right here and now!â

âCalm down, Gummi,â Frank said. âWe are American detectives on an insurance case, and everything we told you is true. But we got involved in something elseââ He exchanged a quick glance with Joe, who nodded his agreement.

âWell?â Gummi still had a suspicious look on his face.

âWill you promise to keep it to yourself? Itâs a top-secret affair concerning both the American and the Icelandic governments.

âIâll keep quiet.â

Frank and Joe revealed everything to their friend. When the Icelander heard the story, he eagerly pledged his support as a crewman.

âI might be able to help my country, too,â he said enthusiastically. âAre you going to tell the coast guard?â

âYes. Iâll phone Captain Sigtryggsson and clue him in on our plans. He knows we are working on the case,â Frank said.

âWhen do we start?â Gummi asked.

âAs soon as Rex Mar finds a boat,â Joe replied.

âAnd you and I will have to work up disguises,â Frank put in. âWeâll go down to the barbershop right now and have our hair dyed. Gummi, can you get us some old seamenâs clothes?â

âSure. I have some at home. Come on over when youâre finished.â

The boys parted at the elevator in the lobby, and Frank and Joe went to the barbershop in the basement, where they had their hair dyed a reddish color. False eyebrows and cheek pads completed their disguise. Grinning contentedly, they took a taxi to Gummiâs house.

âBoy, if I didnât know better, you could have fooled me,â he said admiringly. âHere, put these on!â He handed them well-worn work clothes.

âLetâs go down to the harbor and see if we can spot our friend Mar,â Frank suggested when they had changed.

âGood idea. We can try our disguise on him,â Joe said.

All three scrambled into Gummiâs jeep. On the way, the Icelandic boy said, âOne more thing. Donât speak English when those thugs are around!â He taught them a few Icelandic words, which, if muttered repetitively, would fool any foreigner.

They parked the car in the busy harbor area and strolled along the waterfront.

âLook!â Joe said said after a while. âIsnât that Rex Mar over there?â

âRight. Heâs checking out a trawlerlâ Frank exclaimed.

Mar was dickering with a sailor aboard a small fishing boat. Then he turned, smiled, and stepped back onto the dock.

âLetâs go!â Frank said, and they walked directly toward the approaching seaman. Mar showed no sign of recognition. When they passed him, Frank deliberately stumbled into him. The man teetered back. Frank mumbled a few Icelandic words, and the boys walked on.

Out of earshot, Joe let out a muted whoop. âWe did it, Frank! That old salt didnât recognize us at all!â

The boys turned to see Mar sizing up the trawler. She was about thirty-five feet long, broad of beam, with a squat, sturdy look. As the old fellow turned to go, the boys accosted him.

Marâs eyebrows nearly raised to the peak of his cap as Frank revealed their identity. Then Gummi was introduced. They shook hands.

âWe saw you make a deal,â Frank said. âWhen do we set sail?â

âThis afternoon, if youâre ready.â

âWe are. Okay, Gummi?â

âRight.â

âWe will meet on board at five oâclock,â Mar said, then hastened off to lay in supplies.

At five-thirty that afternoon the little boat named Asdis churned out of Reykjavik Harbor and along the coast in the direction of Snaefellsjokull. Once safely at sea, Frank and Joe removed their cheek pads and eyebrows and fell to helping skipper Mar with chores on the deck.

By eight oâclock a stiff wind kicked up white-caps on the sea, and the boat began to rock. On the bridge, Mar regaled Frank and Joe with stories of Iceland.

On the wall behind the wheel was the Icelandic coat of arms. It showed a shield, which Frank recognized as the insignia on Icelandic coins. Standing on the right side of the shield was a giant, holding a staff. On the left side was a bull. Over the top loomed a dragon and a huge bird.

âWhat does it mean?â Frank asked.

âThereâs a legend behind it,â Mar said, and Gummi nodded. As the storm worsened, the Hardys were told the story of a bad Viking king named Haraldur Gormsson, who wanted to conquer Iceland.

âBut he realized he must send a scout to look the place over,â the old seaman explained, âso he sent his lieutenant, who turned himself into a whale to swim around the island.â

âLike a spy submarine,â Joe said.

Leaning against the side of the cabin for balance, Gummi laughed. âThere was plenty of magic in those times. Same as today.â

âDo you expect us to believe that?â asked Frank.

Rex Mar made a face. âBelieve what you want, but that whale was met on the east shore by a furious dragon, breathing poisoned fire. The dragon was also accompanied by giant worms and snakes, so the whale withdrew.â

Gummi took up the yarn. âNext he went to the north shore. There he found a huge bird, like a falcon, whose wings touched the mountain on both sides of a fjord. With him were other birds, big and small.â

âAnd they scared the whale?â asked Joe.

âWhat else?â Mar chuckled. âOn the west side, the whale was met by a bull, who came snorting and charging into the seas.â

âAll alone?â Joe asked.

âOh no,â said Gummi. âWith him were other guardians of the islandâthe trolls and the hidden people. Naturally he scrammed out of there!â

Rex Mar scratched his head at the colloquial English which he had not heard before.

âOn the south shore,â Gummi continued, âthe whale saw a giant with an iron staff in his hand. This guy was taller than a mountain, and with him were many other giants. Nothing was left on the shore now but sand, glaciers, and heavy seas. So the whale withdrew and reported what he had seen to King Gormsson.â

âDid the king tackle Iceland after that?â Joe asked.

âNot on your life! Today these four creatures are known as the defenders of Iceland.â

The sea had become so rough by now that the skipper suggested everyone go below. He throttled back the engine and headed into the wind. But suddenly the gale shifted and the Asdis rocked violently.

Marâs face was impassive and showed no sign of fear, but Gummi was worried. âIâve never seen a storm like this before,â he said. He had barely finished speaking when the Asdis pitched forward. The entire crew was thrown to the deck!

CHAPTER XV

A Bad Break

WAVES crashed over the deck, nearly swamping the Asdis. The boys battened down the hatches while Rex Mar switched on the pump motor.

âI could do with some of Chetâs seasick pills now!â Frank shouted above the howling gale.

The little trawler endured the buffeting by the elements for two hours before the storm let up a bit. Then the winds tapered off gradually, giving the crew time for catnaps before dawn lighted up the jagged coastline.

After a breakfast of cold lamb, bread, and milk, the boys joined Rex Mar at the wheel. âWeâll spell you for a while, sir,â Frank said. âYou need some rest.â

The Icelander accepted the offer, but would not go below. Instead, he stretched out on a bench and fell fast asleep.

While Frank held the wheel, Gummi read the chart spread out on a table. âX marks the spot where weâre to put ashore,â he said.

Frank checked the coordinates. âWow! Look here!â he called to Joe. âThis is right near the place where we transferred to the Albert!â

The sturdy Asdis rode the waves for another hour, then Gummi awakened the skipper. âI think this is where we take her in,â he said.

The old man stood up stiffly, looked at the map, then peered over the water at the sullen coastline. âJa. Thereâs the inlet.â

Frank spun the wheel and guided the trawler toward shore. Near the mouth of the stony inlet, Joe exclaimed, âHey, Frank! A rubber raft!â He reached for the binoculars on a shelf and whipped them to his eyes. âAnd it has a small outboard!â

âI didnât see a whale after all!â Frank said.

Joe moved toward the radio. âShall I contact Captain Magnusson right now?â

âNo. If Musselman is listening in on our wave length, it would give us away,â Frank replied.

Mar made the Asdis fast to the makeshift dock in the inlet and said, âNow we will have to wait until the man contacts us.â

âMeantime Iâm going to check on that raft,â Frank said.

While Gummi scrambled up a low ridge near the shore to keep a lookout, Frank and Joe climbed around the jagged shore to where the raft bobbed in a small rock-strewn inlet.

Joe was first to step into the craft. âIt has a watertight canopy!â he exclaimed. âIâve never seen one like this before. And look, Frank, these pontoons arenât metal. Theyâre rubber, with valves like ballast tanks.â

âYouâre right. See these little compressed air containers?â

Joe grew even more excited. âOf course! This is the underwater gimmick we suspected. Musselman was towed by the Tek until they came near this landing spot. Then he surfaced and beat it for shore!â

âAt the same time we were transferring to the Albert. That was a close call for him!â

Frank and Joe left the raft as they had found it and returned to Gummi with their information.

âThose guys are no amateurs,â the Icelandic boy said. âWeâd better be careful.â

They had to wait almost all day for their rendezvous. When dusk began to settle over the ocean, the skipper took his binoculars and scanned the shore. âHere comes our man now,â he said, and handed the glasses to Frank. A jeep came bouncing over the rough ground. Musselman was at the wheel.

âIn your disguises, quick!â Mar ordered.

Frank and Joe hastened below, attached their false eyebrows and padded out their cheeks. When they came on deck again, Musselman was there to greet them. Beneath his jacket bulged a pistol in a shoulder holster.

Frank chuckled inwardly at the confrontation. Disguise versus disguise! Obviously Musselman wore his to mislead Icelandic authorities, but the Hardys knew his secret. They hoped he would never discover theirs!

Now the man leaped nimbly on deck. Smooth-spoken, he complimented Mar for bringing the boat through such a fierce storm.

âYou wanted a seaworthy boat, and I got one, Mr.âââ

Musselman grinned. âCall me Chief, thatâs all you have to know.â He glanced at the three boys, and his eyes returned to the skipper. âYou will sail to Greenland for me, but we must avoid the Arctic Patrol.â

âWe are carrying contraband? What kind?â

A sly smile crossed Musselmanâs lips. âAre all Icelanders so inquisitive? Well, Iâll tell you. I have three boxes of rare metal ore. A new find in this part of the world. But the Icelandic government will not let me take it out.â He shrugged. âSo we do it anyway. Bring your crew and follow me!â

The four leaped ashore and walked to the jeep with Musselman. It was an open-top vehicle, much like Gummiâs. Mar sat in front, while the youths squeezed into the back.

The jeep banged and jounced over the rough ground, heading for the interior. Presently a trail came in sight. It was nothing more than tire tracks which curved and undulated over the barren ground.

The driver increased his speed, and as they came to a bend around a small gully, the jeep slewed to the right and a rear wheel teetered over the edge.

âLook out!â Joe shouted.

The jeep banged on its rear axle before regaining the trail again. Musselman half turned his head toward the back seat.

âDid someone speak English?â he asked.

âNei,â Gummi replied.

âI have one bad ear,â Musselman said. âI must have heard wrong.â

Joe kicked himself mentally for the slip of the tongue and determined to be more careful in the future. One false move now, and all would be ruined!

Presently the ground became even rougher, and soon the jeep stopped. A hundred yards farther and halfway up the edge of a stony slope stood five ponies. The rugged little horses had shaggy coats and waited patiently as the five travelers approached.

The ponies were saddled and the party mounted Musselman took the lead. They trudged along and rounded a bend in the valley, then turned into a partially hidden glen, shielded by towering chunks of lava.

Behind one of these stood a large sod hut built into the hillside. A long thin antenna stuck out of the roof.

Musselman stopped, and after they dismounted led the quartet inside. The interior was sparsely furnished, yet warm and comfortable. The table, chairs, stove, and other accessories were modern.

The Hardys looked around for the three boxes. None were in sight.

âPretty elaborate setup, Joe,â Frank murmured to his brother out of Musselmanâs earshot.

Just then the door opened and another man appeared. Musselmanâs palâthe helicopter pilot who had lifted him off the glacier! Now for the first time they heard his nameâDiran. He, too, glanced at the Hardys without recognition, then spoke in low tones with his accomplice.

After a meal of beans, bread, and cold meat, Musselman dragged out some folding cots and directed the boys to turn in for the night.

Then he and his confederate slipped out into the darkness.

âCome on, Joe! Now is our chance!â Frank said.

They hastily pulled on trousers and shoes, crept across the earthen floor, pushed open the door and went out into the night.

As they rounded a large lava boulder, they heard voices. Both boys ducked down. About ten feet ahead stood the two suspects. The men spoke in a language that neither one of the Hardys had ever heard before.

Suddenly a chill of fear struck them when Musselman mentioned the name âHardy.â

Was the boysâ presence known? Had their cover been blown?

CHAPTER XVI

The Boxes

AT hearing the name âHardy,â Frankâs heart sank. No doubt the men were well armed. Making a break for it now would be foolhardy. The boys crept back into the sod house and whispered their discovery to Gummi and Mar.

âI wonder what they intend to do,â Gummi said.

âWell, we have no choice but to play it by ear,â Joe muttered glumly.

Only Musselman returned to the hut that night. His confederate remained outside. The boys concluded that he was guarding the door.

Shortly after daybreak Diran stepped in and began to prepare breakfast. He gave no sign of recognition and the boys were relieved. Perhaps everything was all right, after all.

Breakfast was a makeshift affair, with everyone eating eggs and bread in tin plates wherever they could find a place to sit.

Sidling up to Rex Mar, Frank murmured, âAsk them about those boxes.â

The seaman spoke in English. âThe boxes with the contraband, ChiefâI do not see any. Where are they?â

Musselman put down his plate and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. âNot so fast, Mar. They are not here.â

âOh?â

With a crooked smile Musselman motioned to his accomplice. âDiran and I are leaving for a while. All of you stay here until we come back,â he ordered. âMore of my men are outside.â

After they had left, Frank looked out the small window. Musselman and Diran disappeared be. hind a big volcanic boulder. âCome on,â Frank said tersely to the others. âLetâs search this place.â

âRight,â Joe added. âWe might come up with a clue!â

The three boys, assisted by Rex Mar, left nothing untouched. They looked into every utensil, pounded the thin mattresses, and pulled out the cots to look beneath them.

Joe was about to replace Musselmanâs bed when his eyes caught a thin crack in the earth floor. âHey, Frank, look at this!â

The boys dropped to their hands and knees. Frank pulled out his pocketknife and worked it into the crack, which grew wider.

Following its course, the knifepoint outlined a square, between two and three feet wide.

âItâs a trap door of some kind,â Gummi declared.

Rex Mar stood by fascinated as the young detectives worked feverishly. Frank asked him to stand guard at the window in case the two thugs should return.

The boys prodded until they found a ring, which they pulled hard.

Up came the trap door!

A ladder led into the dark cellar. No light switch was in evidence. âDo you have a cigarette lighter, Mr. Mar?â Joe called out.

The man reached into his pocket and tossed a lighter. Joe flicked it on and descended.

âHoly crow, Frank! Come down and take a look at this!â

Frank climbed down the ladder, and the two found themselves standing in a small room, one side of which was literally covered with radio and electronic equipment.

âWhat a sending-and-receiving station!â Joe exclaimed.

Frank gasped as his eyes roved over the elaborate setup. âThis is a top-quality spy center, Joe!â

The Hardys were skilled at radio transmission, and knew how to operate much of the equipment which gleamed in the glow of the flickering lighter.

âFrank, I wonder what this is,â Joe said, and lightly touched the edge of a highly polished metal box.

Suddenly there was a sizzing sound, accompanied by blue sparks. Without a word, Joe sank to the ground. The lighter fell from his hand and was extinguished.

An icy chill ran down Frankâs spine as he stood in the pitch blackness. He dropped to his hands and knees and searched about until he found the lighter. Flickâit failed to respond. Flickâflick. Finally it burst into flame again, sending its feeble light over Joeâs ashen face.

Frank felt for his brotherâs pulse. He was breathing. âIâve got to get him out of here, and quick!â Frank thought.

Just then Gummi leaned over the trap door. âWhatâs going on down there, fellows? Is everything all right?â

âNo, Joeâs been shocked,â Frank replied. âCome on down and give me a hand. Weâve got to get him up.â

Gummi descended, and together they lifted Joeâs limp body from the floor. Gummi climbed the ladder first, tugging at the boyâs arms. Frank stood beneath his brother, shoving as hard as he could. Soon the unconscious Joe was lying on the earth floor.

Frank rolled him quickly out of the way. Gummi replaced the trap door and patted the earth so that the cracks did not show. Then he put the cot back into place.

Frank, meanwhile, administered artificial respiration to his brother. Suddenly Rex Mar called out, âHere they come!â

âHow far away?â Gummi asked.

âA hundred yards.â

Frank worked like fury. Joeâs eyes opened and Frank and Gummi pulled him to his feet. âSnap out of it, Joelâ Frank hissed, but his brother was still groggy.

Half dragging, half walking Joe to his cot, the boys put him down, tucked his hands in behind his head, and crossed his feet, making it look as if he were napping.

By now Joe was fully conscious but still weak and his left forefinger bore a slight burn.

âThey stopped to talk,â Mar reported.

Frank wondered what the discussion was about. The boxes, no doubt. A thought, half submerged in his subconscious, now came to the surface strong and clear.

Three boxes and three missing people!

Frank whispered his suspicion to Joe and Gummi. Joe looked sick with fear. Were Major McGeorge, Chet, and Biff âthe rare metal oreâ sealed in those boxes?

Gummi was more optimistic. âWe havenât seen the boxes yet,â he said. âMaybe theyâre only small ones!â

Joe had a plan. He wanted to break out of the door just as the others were entering, grab one of the ponies, and race back to the Asdis. âI could radio for help,â he said. âIâm certain these fellows have something to do with the missing astronaut.â

âNo doubt,â Frank agreed, but cautioned against any rash move. âGummiâs right,â he said. âWe have to get a look at those boxes before we do anything.â

âQuiet!â Mar ordered. âThey are coming now.â

The door opened and the two men stepped inside.

Gummi, who stood beside Frank, quickly stepped to the other end of the room. In doing so, his foot accidentally banged into Diranâs leg. The fellow cursed and hit the Icelandic boy with the back of his hand. Gummi staggered before regaining his balance, but said nothing.

âOutside, all of you!â Musselman commanded. He spoke in English, and the Hardys pretended not to understand. The chief jerked his thumb toward the door. Frank and Joe walked out behind Gummi and Mar.

Waiting behind a boulder were three carts with ponies harnessed in readiness. The two men hopped into the first one and beckoned the others to follow. Mar got in one cart with Frank.

âThat fellow Diran didnât curse in Icelandic,â the seaman whispered.

âWhat was it?â

âSome kind of Balkan language. I heard it when I was shipping in the Black Sea.â

The lead pony cart wound in and out among the boulders on a trail which slanted up the hillside. Finally the boys realized what their destination was when the yawning blackness of a cavern appeared before them.

Flashing powerful lights, Musselman and Diran drove right into the cave, beckoning the others to follow. Then Musselman stopped and everyone jumped down.

âFollow me!â ordered the chief.

They walked deeper until the light revealed three rectangular boxes in one corner of the volcanic cave. They were made of fresh wood and stood against the wall like oversized coffins!

CHAPTER XVII

Shut In

THE sight of the three boxes propped against the wall of the cave struck fear into the hearts of the boys. Joe gulped and looked about for a possible clue. His eyes lighted upon a khaki jacket crumpled on the hard floor. It bore the U.S. insignia of majorl

No doubt any more. The astronaut must have been here! Frank also spied the jacket and glanced at Joe. Both had the same plan in mind. With Gummi and Mar they would make a break out of the cave at any cost, and try to get back to the Asdis.

Joe signaled Gummi, and Frank motioned to Rex Mar. Then Joe let out a bloodcurdling war whoop and made a dash toward the daylight at the mouth of the cave.

Frank and Gummi raced after him, but Mar had no chance to escape. Musselman had blocked his way the very instant Joe let out his cry.

Just as the three youths dashed into the open, the cave echoed to the crack of a pistol shot. Two men, lying in wait outside, reacted to the signal.

They jumped Frank and Gummi and sent them flying. Joe whirled around to join the fierce fracas which followed. Fists flew. Gummi was downed by a blow to the head, but Frank staggered his opponent with a right cross to the jaw.

Then Musselman and Diran plunged into the fray. A swinging pistol butt sent Joe Hardy to the ground. Frank was seized, and it was all over.

Pulling stout cords from their pockets, the men tied the boysâ hands behind their backs.

Just then Rex Mar, looking bewildered, walked out of the cave. âWhat are you doing to my crew?â he demanded.

âQuiet!â Musselman snapped.

The three were dragged to their feet, still reeling under the impact of the assault.

âThese boxes will be of good use after all,â Musselman said and nodded toward the cave. Then he laughed loudly.

âThe major and that fat kid would have been awful heavy anyway,â one of his henchmen said.

âSo would his buddy, the tall one,â said the other.

Musselman looked grim. âThat is not the point. Bring the boxes out. We will go back to the hut and await instructions.â

The two fellows went inside and carried the boxes out one by one. Then they stacked them on one cart. Musselman ordered the three boys into the second cart, which he drove himself, while Diran and Mar took the third.

Soon they were back at the sod hut. Frank, Joe, and Gummi were pushed inside and shoved onto the cots. Mar followed and fell into a chair.

Musselman and Diran sat down also, while the other two men lifted the trap door and disappeared into the radio room below.

âSo we have captured the Hardy boys at last!â Musselman sneered.

âHow did you recognize us?â Frank demanded.

âYour brother spoke English in a moment of danger. It was not very smart!â

Joe gritted his teeth. You wonât get away with this, Musselman!â

His captor merely smiled and went on quietly, âWe have gotten away with it already. And it was not easy. You slipped through our net in Bayport, but we caught the little sardines in Iceland!â

âLet us go!â Gummi hissed. âIâm an Icelander. My countrymen will find us and youâll pay for it, you finky foreigners!â

Color rose to Musselmanâs face. He pointed to Diran. âMr. Ionescu and I happen to have Icelandic passports.â

âFake ones, of course,â Joe said sarcastically.

âWhy did you try to get rid of us?â Frank asked.

âWe knew your father was working on the astronaut case and suspected he sent you up here to help.â

Frank stiffened. So the spies had known all along that his father was involved in the case. Would they try to capture him, tooâor perhaps had done so already?

âThen you tried to pose as Rex Hallbjornsson to get the fifty thousand dollars,â Frank went on.

Their captor snapped his fingers. âFifty thousand dollars! It is nothing compared to our real prize. We wanted youâas a ransom to get your father off the case, but now it is too late. You are expendable.â

Diran Ionescu pointed a finger at his superior. âBut you almost did not catch them. They slipped away at the airport, and they got off the glacier, too!â He laughed.

Musselman snarled, âQuiet! If you had had that planeâs engines tuned up, I could have flown them to the east coast and then to ourââ

He was interrupted by one of his henchmen, who poked his head through the trap door. âI just made contact. Plan B is in operation. They are on their way.â

Musselman smiled. âExcellent. We are ready.â

âReady for what?â Frank thought frantically. He tried to stall further action by taunting their enemies. In a sarcastic voice he said, âYou think youâre clever. But we know you got Major McGeorge and threatened to throw him into the sulfur pit unless he gave you NASA secrets. And the Icelandic authorities know it, too!â

Musselman looked startled, and Frank went on, âBut he wouldnât talk, would he?â

âHeâll talk when we get him out of this country,â Ionescu boasted. âThen we will have the facilities to make him talk!â

âAnd what is your Plan B?â Gummi spoke up.

Musselman shook his head and said, âYou will never know.â

Just then the sounds of a radio broadcast issued from the trap door. It was from the American base in Keflavik. In terse, short sentences the newscaster broke the big story:

âMajor McGeorge has vanished on his trip to Iceland. A force of Marines is prepared to comb every nook and cranny of the island....â

âShut it off!â Musselman screamed and went below. The boys heard him send a message. When he reappeared, he said, âInto the boxes with them!â

The three boys were led outside. Despite the pleading of Rex Mar, they were roughly tossed into the boxes. They struggled, but it was of no use. The criminals shut the lids and secured the latches. Frank, Joe, and Gummi were sealed inside to meet their fate!

The boys were roughly tossed into the boxes

Mar was forced to help move the boxes onto the carts and the ponies started off. Joggling and bouncing, Frank looked about the dark interior of his prison. He detected a thin crack of light. At least there was enough air coming in to keep him alive, for the present.

He judged that they were halfway to the place where the jeep had been left. Suddenly he heard Ionescu cry out in fright. âThere it is! Itâs coming for the ponies!â

âOr us!â Musselman shrieked.

Frank heard Rex Mar shout the Icelandic word isbjorn.

Ice bearâpolar bear! Several of the beasts were known to be in the area. If they were hungry, they would attack anything!

Frank pressed his eye to the crack and saw a large white form advancing. The horses reared and his box was almost jerked off the cart.

There was the crack of a rifle, then another, followed by a fierce growl and a snarl amidst the panicked neighing of the ponies.

âIonescu, you fool!â came Musselmanâs voice. âYou only wounded him. Runârun for your life!â

Rapid footsteps could be heard as the men ran for cover. Frank hoped his frantically galloping pony would not throw off the box and braced himself during the short but violent ride.

Then all was silent. Suddenly Rex Marâs voice sounded above Frankâs box. âThe bear is after them!â he said hoarsely and opened the lid.

Frank jumped out and helped the seaman free Joe and Gummi.

âWhy didnât you run away?â he asked Mar.

âThe bear jumped over me and knocked me down. When I came to, they had already fled, and the beast was after them.â

âIf they escape the bear, theyâll come back for us,â Joe said. âWeâd better scram.â

âBut then weâll never catch those spies!â Frank said. âI say we fill the boxes with rock. Would you be willing to stay and pretend weâre still in there, Mr. Mar? Meanwhile, weâll make a run for the trawler and radio for help.â

Mar nodded grimly. âThey will not get away with this. I will stay!â

Quickly they collected chunks of lava, wrapped them in their jackets and put them into the boxes. Then they shut the lids. The men were still out of sight.

One had dropped his gun. Mar picked it up. âJust in case the bear comes back,â he muttered. Then he lay down on the ground about ten yards away from the carts. âI will pretend to be unconscious,â he declared. âThis way they will not be suspicious. Now run and radio for help, quick!â

CHAPTER XVIII

Divide and Conquer!

THE trio set off at a fast trot. If they could reach the Asdis before Musselman and his gang, they had an outside chance of trapping the spies.

Frank took the lead for a while. The three ran, Indian file, dodging in and out behind the grotesque volcanic formations. Then Gummi took the lead until they came in sight of the jeep.

âNow we can ride the rest of the way,â Gummi panted jubilantly. He sprinted and leaped into the driverâs seat. But before he could start the motor, Frank ran up to him. âNo, Gummi, that wonât do!â

âWhy not?â

âIf the jeepâs gone, theyâll know someone took it.â

âFrankâs right,â Joe stated. âWe donât want to alert them.â

âBut when they reach the jeep, theyâll overtake us,â Gummi protested.

âI think not,â Frank replied. âDonât forget theyâre carrying those three big boxes, and they wouldnât fit on the jeep, along with four men!â

Gummi reluctantly admitted that the Hardys were right. He hopped out of the vehicle and lifted the hood.

âWhat are you going to do?â asked Joe.

âDisconnect one spark plug. That ought to give them a little more trouble.â

Then the three set out again. The short rest had relieved their aching muscles, and the smooth rhythm of their bodies carried them swiftly toward the shore.

Finally they came to the crest of a small rise, and halted to gaze down at the sea, churning and foaming on the rocks below. There, at the crude dock, bobbed the Asdis.

âWhat a welcome sight!â Frank called out.

The boys raced down the hill and onto the trawler. Joeâs first reaction was to radio the Icelandic coast guard for help, but Frank opposed the move.

âIf Musselmanâs crew has a radio, they might intercept our call.â

âThen theyâd have to change their plans again,â Gummi said, adding, âThat would be the end of poor Rex Mar.â

âThen ambush is our only choice,â Joe declared.

Frank grinned. âDivide and conquer!â

âHow will we work it?â

âLetâs talk about it over some chow, Iâm starved,â Frank suggested.

The boys quickly refreshed themselves with food and water, all the while discussing the best way to seize the enemy. By the time they had finished their snack, a basic plan had been worked out.

Frank was to hide in the lifeboat, which swung gently on its davits. Joe would secrete himself in a locker on the bridge, while Gummi would hide in the captainâs quarters.

âItâs going to be mighty rough,â Frank said. âWeâll have to take them one at a time.â

âSuppose one of us gets into troubleâmore than he can handle?â Gummi asked.

âThen weâll give a rebel yell,â Joe suggested.

âItâll be all for one,â Frank said. âLetâs each get some rope so we can tie up our friends.â

They found rope in a locker, then gathered on the bridge. Gummi took the binoculars and scanned the forbidding coastline.

âWhat if they donât come?â he asked nervously.

âDonât worry,â Frank replied. âThis caper is too big for them to drop it now.â

âSo we catch them. Then what?â

âWeâll go back and search the cave. I have a hunch that someone is still there.â

âLike who?â Gummi put the question without removing the glasses from his eyes.

âIt could be thatââ

âHere they come!â Gummi interrupted.

On the brow of the hill appeared a strange-looking caravan. In the lead was the jeep, occupied by four men. Tied to the back of the jeep were the pony carts. Two boxes were laid across one of them, the remaining box was in the second cart, along with Rex Mar.

âOkay, fellows, to your places!â Frank said.

Joe remained on the bridge. He opened a vertical locker, which contained only the captainâs coat, squeezed in, and closed the metal door until only a crack remained.

Gummi hastened to the captainâs quarters, where he hid behind the washroom door. Then Frank, making sure to keep himself shielded from view, lifted one end of the lifeboat cover.

He crept inside and peered out from beneath the canvas. Musselmanâs caravan jounced along.

âWeâve got them fooled so far,â Frank thought as he watched Diran Ionescu brake the jeep to a halt by the dock.

Musselman turned to address the boxes behind him. âHere we are! Ready for the big ride?â He laughed and turned to his lieutenant. âThey are not talking!â

âI suppose they know when they are defeated,â Ionescu said. âAll right, men, onto the boat with them!â

The three boxes were lugged onto the deck and placed alongside the rail. Then Musselman ordered his crew to cast off. The engine was started and a low throbbing vibrated through the Asdis.

âOnto the bridge, Mar!â Musselman commanded.

âWhat do you want me to do?â Mar protested as Musselman shoved him roughly toward the wheel house.

âHead for Greenland! Once we are past the twelve-mile limit, over go the boxes.â

âYou are going to kill them?â Mar asked as he steered the boat out of the little cove.

Taking in every word, Joe Hardy shuddered at the thought of the fate that might have overtaken them.

âBut what about me?â The old seaman sounded frightened.

âWe will take care of you when we get to Greenland.â

The spy stepped backward. Should Joe attack now? He could fling open the door hard, but before he could act, Musselman quickly left the bridge.

Joe opened the door wider. âPsst! Captain Mar!â

The skipper whirled around in astonishment, then an expression of relief came over his face.

Joe put a finger to his lips. Quickly he told where the other boys were stationed and added, âThe next guy who comes onto the bridge will get it!â

Mar nodded and smiled.

Frank, meanwhile, peered out from beneath the lifeboat cover. One of the two henchmen walked casually past and leaned on the rail to look over the sea. Silently Frank crept out of his hiding place. The davit rocked and squeaked, causing the thug to turn around. But Frank had already launched himself. He collided with the man in midair and together they sprawled on the deck.

The thug wore a look of complete amazement as he scrambled to his feet. Frank got in the first blow, a crushing right hand to the solar plexus!

âUmph!â His opponent doubled up, just as Frank delivered a stiff left to his chin. The man went down like a sack!

Quickly Frank bound his hands and feet. Then, struggling with all his might, he lifted him up and dropped him into the lifeboat. One down, three to go!

The boy stalked the deck, then ducked behind a stanchion as the second henchman came by. Swiftly Frank put his foot forward. The man tripped, landed on the deck, and turned, wild-eyed.

Frank grappled with him, but the wiry henchman wriggled from his grasp and ran along the deck, shouting, âTheyâre out! Musselman, theyâre out!â

Instantly the chief and his lieutenant appeared. Musselman reached for his gun, but Frank bulled into him, head lowered. At the same time, he let out a bloodcurdling rebel yell.

Hearing, it, Joe dashed out of the locker and down the deck. Gummi came out of hiding and raced up the deck. The melee that followed was a bone-crushing battle. Each of the boys took an opponent.

Frank struggled to subdue Musselman, while his brother exchanged blows with Ionescu. Gummi had his hands full with the third man. They rolled over on the deck, scrambled up, and fought along the rail.

Suddenly Gummi was seized by the shirt front and lifted halfway over the rail. Another few inches and he would be cast into the cold sea!

Just then Rex Mar raced over and grasped the thug around the throat with his huge paw of a hand. Together, he and Gummi tossed the man over the rail. With a splash he hit the water and screamed for help.

Gummi grabbed a life jacket and threw it to him. The fellow clung to it, then disappeared far behind the boat in the wake.

Joe, meanwhile, was near exhaustion, battling the powerful Ionescu. Gummi came to his aid, distracting the spy for a split second. It took Joe only a moment to deliver a chop to the forehead. Ionescu went down.

Now Mar and the boys turned their full attention to Frankâs fight. But Frank needed no help. He had Musselman on the rail, flailing him with rights and lefts.

The manâs knees sagged and Rex Mar rushed over to seize him. He lifted Musselman overhead like a sack of grain, and threatened to drop him into the sea. Musselman screamed for mercy and Mar dropped him to the deck.

âSo you were going to murder these boys!â he shouted. âFrank, Joeâtie him up. The captain is in command of his boat again!â

Mar went back to the bridge and radioed the coast guard for help. Then he turned the boat around. A few minutes later they picked up the man bobbing in his life jacket.

With all the criminals safely tied, Mar headed for the old dock. When he pulled up, Frank and Joe jumped ashore.

âCaptain Mar, will you and Gummi wait here for us?â Frank asked. âWeâll go back to the cave and search the place thoroughly.â

âWe sure will,â Gummi replied, grinning. âThe coast guard should be here shortly to take care of these jerks!â

âWe should put them into the boxes and drop them in the ocean,â Mar growled.

âWeâd better leave their punishment up to the authorities,â Joe said. âWell, keep your fingers crossed that we find Major McGeorge and the fellows!â

The boys waved, disengaged the pony carts, and set off in the jeep. Soon they reached the place where the ponies had been left. Each mounted one of the rugged little horses and rode to the sod hut.

Reaching it, they cautiously looked about in case any of Musselmanâs men were around. There were none. Joe found a flashlight in the hut, then they hastened to the cave. Inside, it was dark and gloomy.

âThis is much bigger than I thought,â Frank murmured as they made their way cautiously into the farthest recess. At the end, their beam illuminated a figure, bound and gagged, lying face down.

âMajor McGeorge! Is that you?â Frank cried out as he raced ahead and bent over the man. There was no reply. âHere, letâs roll him over, Joe!â

They grabbed the shoulder of the husky figure and rolled him face up. Their light shone upon a pale face with eyes closed.

It was Biff Hooper!

CHAPTER XIX

Hijackers!

WORKING speedily, Frank and Joe untied Biff, then carried him out of the cave into the daylight.

âHeâs in bad shape,â Joe said worriedly as he glanced at the peaked countenance of their once-rugged friend.

âCome on. Weâll give him a good massage,â Frank suggested.

After the Hardys had stimulated Biff Hooperâs circulation, their pal opened his eyes. He tried feebly to rise, but fell back onto the ground.

âEasy now,â Frank said. âYouâre very weak, Biff. Where are Chet and Major McGeorge?â

With a blank expression, Biff looked straight ahead, as if not seeing the Hardys at all. Joe patted his face vigorously.

âBiff! Wake up! Tell us whatâs been going on!â

Biffâs lips moved wordlessly. Finally, with great physical effort, he whispered, âBombâbomb set toââ

âGood night, Joe! Letâs get out of here before the cave blows up!â

Frank and Joe lifted Biff upright, with an arm over each shoulder and ran as quickly as possible.

Well away from the cave entrance, the boys stopped and glanced back. They had reached their ponies, but needed another one to carry the injured Biff.

âLook, Joe,â Frank said, pointing to the side of the cave, âthereâs another pony grazing.â The boys called to the animal, but it paid no attention to them.

âIâll go get him, Frank!â

âNo! The whole place might blow up in your face! Weâd better wait untilââ

But Joe had already dashed toward the pony. If this had been the running track at Bayport High, he thought grimly, he would have set a new record for the 440!

He reached the pony, grabbed its tether, and pulled. The little horse responded instantly, running by Joeâs side as he hastened with eyes half shut, anticipating the bomb explosion.

Perspiration streaming down his face, he returned to the others. Frank had helped Biff onto one of the ponies, but he leaned forward groggily over the animalâs neck.

âWeâd better tie him on,â Joe panted as he pulled some rope from his pocket. Frank helped him, then they mounted their own ponies and rode on either side of Biff.

They set off at a brisk pace, but their backs were turned to the cave no more than a minute when a terrific boom shook the ground.

The concussion nearly knocked the three boys off their ponies, and Frank and Joe struggled hard to keep Biff upright. The animals reared in fear, but finally the Hardys regained control.

Joe glanced back over his shoulder to see a gaping, smoking hole where the small knoll once had been. âI hope Biff can explain everything,â he thought as they plodded on.

Once they were in the jeep, their task was easier. Joe, at the wheel, gave it the gun, while Frank clung to Biff to keep him from bouncing out.

Joe handled the wheel like a race driver, cutting in and around the volcanic boulders. Finally he came to the rise of ground which overlooked the sea.

There, below them, lay two boats! The Asdis had been joined by the coast guard ship Thor. There was much activity on both decks. By the time the jeep reached the dock, Captain Magnusson and his men were there to meet the arrivals.

âWe got Biff Hooper!â Frank called out. âHe canât talk. Here, give me a hand with him!â

Crewmen from the Thor raced for a stretcher and carried Biff below deck where a first-aider worked to revive him. The skipper, meanwhile, lauded the Hardys for their catch.

âThe president of Iceland should give you a medal for this!â he said, pumping their hands. âThat Musselmanâs a bad one. Gummi told us how you bagged all four of them!â

Captain Magnusson had just finished telling the boys that the prisoners were now secured in chains on the Thor, when a helicopter appeared out of the blue. Moments later it landed neatly on the Thorâs afterdeck. The door opened, and out stepped Mr. Hardy.

âDad!â Joe cried out as the boys ran to greet their father.

âAm I glad to see you two alive!â the famous detective said. âYou were playing with dynamite. Musselman is known to be a ruthless international spy!â

âDynamite is right,â Joe said. âHe nearly blew the three of us to kingdom come!â

The helicopter pilot, who had stayed with his craft, waved good-by and the chopper slid into the brisk air.

After introductions had been made all around, Captain Magnusson led the Hardys and their friends to his quarters. Everyone sat down, and conversation crackled with vital news.

Mr. Hardyâs quest in Texas had turned up a clue which had led to the unmasking of one of Musselmanâs cohorts.

âThis man actually had an important job with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,â the detective reported. Interrogation had led to information that Frank and Joe were in grave danger.

âI hurried here as quickly as possible,â Mr. Hardy continued, then added with a grin of satisfaction, âBut you fellows got the job done before I arrived.â

âIt isnât finished yet, Dad,â Frank spoke up. âAnd Biff may have the key to the riddle, if we could only get him to talk.â

Just then the Thorâs first lieutenant came in with the news that the American boy was regaining full consciousness.

Frank and Joe went to Biffâs room and found him greatly improved. But he still seemed unable to give a coherent story.

Captain Magnusson, who had followed the boys, suggested they let Biff rest for a while and have dinner. Soon everyone was seated around the large table, enjoying a hearty meal. Everyone but Rex Marâwho had been assigned three of the Thorâs men to bring in the Asdis.

After supper, Mr. Hardy grilled the four prisoners. They refused to answer even the simplest questions. Meanwhile Frank, Joe, and Gummi sat at Biffâs side, trying hard to stimulate his memory. It was well after midnight when Biff cried out, âFrank, Joe, I think Iâve got it now!â

The boys, who had fallen asleep on makeshift bunks near their friend, jumped up excitedly and Frank ran for his father. Then everyone crowded around Biff.

âHow about starting at the beginning,â Mr. Hardy suggested.

Frank put in, âGummi told us you got a message to meet us somewhere.â

âRight,â Biff began. âWe received a telegram from Akureyri, saying you needed help and instructing us to take a private plane from Reykjavik which would be waiting for us.â

âWe thought youâd gone by boat!â Joe interrupted. âChet mentioned something to Gummi about seasick pills!â

âWell, Chet had eaten a lot for lunch that day and his stomach was upset, so he bought some for the plane trip.â

Joe grinned ruefully. âThatâs what you call a mis-clue!â

âOn the plane,â Biff continued, âwe were socked and tied up. It landed on a small strip near the cave. Obviously they wanted us out of the way, so Frank and Joeâd be easier to handle.â

âThen what happened?â Gummi inquired.

âWe were supposed to be shipped to Greenland in three big boxes, together with Major McGeorge. In case they had difficulties, there was an alternate solution which they called Plan B.â

Frank and Joe exchanged excited glances.

âWhat was that?â Frank asked.

âMcGeorge was to fly out together with Chet,â Biff went on. âThe astronaut and I are about the same size, and even look somewhat alike. He would travel under my name.â

âIs that what finally happened?â Joe asked, his nerves on edge.

âI guess so. They took McGeorge and Chet away, and planted a bomb to blow up the cave. Musselman wanted to do it right away, but the guy he called Diran has a sadistic streak in him. He was going to give me a little more time!â

Frank clenched his fists when he heard of the devilish scheme of their enemies. âThat animal!â

âWell,â Biff concluded, âit didnât really make much difference to me. They hadnât given me any food or water, so I was in no shape to worry about anything.â

âHow were McGeorge and Chet to fly to Greenland?â Mr. Hardy wanted to know.

âI have no idea. I told you everything.â

Everyone went back to sleep again until Captain Magnusson called them for breakfast. They had hardly finished eating when the Thor pulled into Reykjavik Harbor. The Hardys thanked the captain and his crew, then hopped into a taxi and sped directly to the airport. Gummi took Biff to the hotel.

At the airfield the Americans hastened to passport control. Mr. Hardy talked to an official who confirmed that Chet Morton and Biff Hooper had already passed through the gate.

âBut that wasnât Biff Hooper at all!â Joe blurted out.

âWho was it, then? A criminal?â the man asked, perplexed.

âAnything but,â Mr. Hardy said. He quickly told about the spiesâ plan.

âWeâll have to stop the plane!â the official declared. âI hope they have not taken off yet. I think the flight to Scotland is scheduled to leave at eight-thirty.â

âScotland?â Frank cried out. âWerenât they going to Greenland?â

âNo,â the man replied. He led the Hardys into his office. There he quickly relayed a message to the tower.

âPrevent plane to Scotland from taking off! Abort take-off. Urgent!â

Instantly the request was relayed to the plane. No reply!

The Hardys and the airport official ran out to the field. The jet stood at the end of a runway, ready to speed down the white line.

âDad, we have to stop it!â Frank yelled. Just then an airport jeep drove past. Frank flagged it down. He looked at the official, who nodded and barked an order in Icelandic to the driver. The man jumped out. Frank and Joe instantly hopped in and raced down the runway.

As Frank sped toward the plane, the big aircraft moved forward, its engines thundering. Car and plane were on a collision course!

CHAPTER XX

Cool Hand Chet

FRANK realized that a crash was imminent. He swerved to the left just as the craft became airborne. It whizzed overhead, its hot jet blasts barely missing the speeding car.

The plane virtually stood on its tail, reaching for altitude as fast as possible.

Frank drove the jeep back toward the airport buildings. The official waved them in the direction of the tower. When the boys reached the airportâs nerve center, they found Mr. Hardy listening to the radio report from the Scotland-bound plane.

âIf anyone follows us,â the voice said, âwe will shoot the pilot!â

âGood night!â Frank said. âThey mean business.â

âBut they will not get away with it!â the tower dispatcher stated angrily.

Mr. Hardy followed the plane with binoculars until it was out of sight, then watched on radar as the blip continued in an easterly direction.

âMaybe theyâre going to Scotland after all!â Joe said.

âNot likely,â his father replied. âThe planeâs veering north.â After a 180-degree turn the craft headed west.

By this time, government officials had arrived in the tower, and a plan was evolved within a few minutes. Both the United States authorities in Keflavik and the Danish Air Force in Greenland were notified. Within minutes, a dozen planes were launched from both bases.

Frank spoke up. âWeâd like to be in on the chase.â

âThereâs not much you can do now,â an American officer replied. He stood next to Frank and introduced himself as Colonel S. P. Smith of the U.S. Air Force. âBut weâll need you in Narssarssuaq.â

âIs that the place where they are going to land?â Joe asked.

âIâm sure they donât plan to land there, but weâll try to force them down. We have them covered with an umbrella of planes.â

The colonel led the Hardys out of the tower and onto the field, where they boarded a speedy military jet.

âWe should be in Greenland in about half an hour,â he explained.

No sooner had the Hardys fastened their seat belts than they were thrust backward by the terrific take-off speed of the jet. It whistled into the air, banked sharply, and headed west. Now relaxed in their seats, the trio chatted with Colonel Smith.

âSo far everything is going like clockwork,â he said. âThat plane is a fish in our net.â

âBut what if the hijackers should get desperate and wreck the plane?â Joe asked.

âWeâll just have to play it by ear,â the colonel replied.

Now a voice crackled over the planeâs P.A. system. âThey are closing in,â their American pilot said.

He had hardly spoken when the pilot in the hijacked plane snarled, âStay away from us! If you try to force us down, we will crash the plane!â

Presently another of the pursuing pilots reported that the airliner suddenly had gone into a steep dive.

Colonel Smith barked a brisk order. âEase off, but keep them in sight!â

âThey must be madmen!â Mr. Hardy said gravely. âThe lives of all those people are in jeopardy.â

As the colonel pondered over what action to take, another voice came suddenly from the passenger plane.

âThis is Major McGeorge. Do you read me?â

Colonel Smith and Mr. Hardy exchanged suspicious glances, before the colonel took the microphone.

âYour tricks wonât accomplish anything!â

âItâs no trick. This is really McGeorge. Chet Morton and I have everything under control. We will see you at Narssarssuaq! Over and out!â

Excitement ran high in the Hardysâ plane. Soon the mountains of Greenland came into view and shortly afterward their pilot circled over the airfield at Narssarssuaq. It touched down and taxied to one side of the field.

Before the pilot could turn off the engines, Frank and Joe saw the hijacked airliner. It flew around the field once, then came in for a landing.

Two military planes followed directly behind and escorted the jetliner to the loading area. The portable stairway was quickly rolled to the rear door, and excited passengers streamed down the steps.

After all had debarked, the three Hardys and Colonel Smith dashed up the stairs and into the plane.

Along the aisle stumbled two men, their hands tied behind their backs. One had a bruised swelling on his forehead. The other, with a puffed right eye, glared out the window.

Behind them strode Chet Morton. âCome on there, out! Both of you!â he ordered. But when he saw the Hardys, he asked anxiously, âHey, fellows, did you find Biff?â

âYes. Heâs fine,â Frank called out.

The prisoners were hustled out of the plane and taken into custody by military police. Then the crew and Major McGeorge stepped off the jetliner.

Introductions were made, hands clasped, and backs slapped. Then Colonel Smith led the Hardys, Chet, and the astronaut into an airport office. Here the incredible story of Major McGeorgeâs kidnapping was pieced together.

âIâm sure glad the government put such able detectives on my tracks,â the tall, handsome astronaut said, and thanked Mr. Hardy and the boys for saving his life.

âWell, the last step you did yourself,â Frank said with a grin. âHowâd you manage to take over the plane?â

âI was recovering from the drug they had given me,â the major explained, âand signaled Chet that I was all right.â

âThen I did it,â Chet put in, blushing. âOne of those jerks who boarded the plane with us was up front and kept a gun on the pilot. I gave the other one an elbow in the ribs and finished him off with a karate chop to the forehead. Pow! Like this!â Chet made a fast motion with his right hand, and the Hardys chuckled.

âYour hobby really paid off!â Frank patted his friend on the back.

âAfter that,â McGeorge went on, âwe used the fellow as a screen and marched him up to the cabin. The other guy was completely taken by surprise.â

âAnd Major McGeorge took care of him real fast,â Chet concluded.

âWell, thank goodness itâs all over,â Mr. Hardy said. âNow tell us, Major, how did they ever get hold of you in the first place?â

âI was seized at gunpoint by three men after I had separated from our group at the sulfur pit to inspect the area. They put me into a helicopter and flew me to a cave.â

âThatâs not there any more,â Joe told him. âThey blew it up.â

âI know. A time bomb was set when they took Chet and me out. Good thing you found Biff Hooper before it went off!â The major went on to say that he was interrogated for hours, but would not reveal any NASA secrets.

âThen they took me back to the sulfur pit and threatened to throw me in,â he reported.

âThatâs where we picked up your trail,â Frank spoke up.

âWell, those devils circled around the pit, and when I still would not talk, they drove me away again.â

The Hardys learned that in the early confusion following the disappearance of the major, the helicopter had made a clean getaway.

âA chopper was found abandoned on the east coast,â Mr. Hardy put in. âIâm sure it was the same craft.â

Frank snapped his fingers. âEast coast! I bet thatâs where we were headed when Musselman kidnapped us in his plane.â

âCould be,â Mr. Hardy replied. âThey had a speedboat hidden in a cove. I think they planned to take you out and dump you in the Atlantic.â

By midafternoon Major McGeorge, the Hardys, and Chet Morton had returned to Reykjavik. At the Foreign Office they learned that Musselman and Ionescu still were tight-lipped. One of their men, however, was telling all he knew about the spies to save himself from a life behind bars.

It was revealed that the thugs were spies for hire. A foreign power had set up the diabolic plan to kidnap an American astronaut, then take him to their country, claiming that he had defected.

âIceland proved to be an effective place to carry out the kidnapping,â Anders Sigurdsson told them. âOur country is entirely law-abiding and nobody would ever suspect such a thing could happen here.â

âBut how could such elaborate preparations have been made so far in advance?â Frank asked, recalling the sod hut with all its sophisticated equipment.

âThe agents have been here for a long time,â Mr. Sigurdsson explained. âThey were spying on your military base and knew far ahead of time that the astronauts were scheduled to visit Iceland.â

Biff flooper, meanwhile, had recovered enough to have supper with his pals and Mr. Hardy in the Sagaâs beautiful rooftop restaurant. They looked down over the harbor, now blinking with light, and while dining on a delicious dish of hot smoked lamb, talked with their guest Major McGeorge.

In the middle of the meal, Captain Sigtryggsson of the coast guard entered with his niece Steina. They were escorted to the Hardysâ table, where introductions were made.

After complimenting the astronaut and Chet on their escape, Captain Sigtryggsson said, âIâm so pleased to meet you, Mr. Hardy. Your sons and their friends have been of great service to Iceland.â

As the waiter pulled up a chair for the two newcomers, the door opened again and in strode Rex Mar. He was neatly dressed in a dark suit and joined the Hardysâ table.

The detective shook the old manâs hand vigorously and thanked him for all he had done for the American boys.

âThey have done something for me, too,â Mar replied with a smile. âThey made me rich!â

âWhat are you going to do now, Mr. Mar?â Joe asked. âBuy yourself a fishing trawler?â

âSure,â Frank added. âYou can go into businessââ

âWith me, for instance,â came a voice from the door. Everyone cheered as Gummi walked toward the table.

âWill you be my lieutenant?â Rex Mar asked him.

âWhy not?â

They laughed and chatted about their adventure, little knowing that a new one, Mystery of the Bombay Boomerang, was soon to come their way.

Finally Frank rose and requested everyone to be silent.

âThereâs one more thing,â he said. âWe found something near the sulfur pit which we should return to its owner!â With that he pulled a black glove from his pocket and handed it to Major McGeorge.

The astronautâs eyes opened wide. âWhat detectives!â he exclaimed.

âYow! Yow!â Chet agreed.