Part 2 (1/2)
Frank asked, ”The detectives you mentioned - do they work for you all the time?”
”Yes, I have engaged these two private investigators for quite a while, but for a different reason. They are searching for a priceless collection of antique medals which were stolen from my wall safe two years ago.”
”Athletic medals?” Joe asked.
”Oh, no. These were commemorative medals from many lands, made by the world's finest craftsmen.
They had been presented by kings and potentates to those who had served with greatness in war and peace.”
”An odd hobby,” Frank commented.
”And expensive. That's why I'm still continuing the search privately. The police have all but given up.”
Upon further questioning by Frank and Joe, Mr Jefferson revealed that his collection comprised twelve medals, kept in a handsome rosewood box. ”And when you open it, what a dazzling sight!” the man went on. ”Some are set with gems, which sparkle in the burnished metal. And apart from their great beauty, what stories behind each of those medals!” He sighed deeply.
Joe asked, ”Could they have been fenced somewhere - or perhaps sold to a disreputable coin dealer?”
”I think not,” came the reply. ”My collection was so famous, any dealer would recognize the pieces.” He added that all the important dealers knew about the theft.
The Hardys were more fascinated than ever. ”Did anything else unusual happen at the time your medals were taken, Mr Jefferson?” Frank asked.
”Amazing. How did you guess? As a matter of fact, something odd did occur then. One of my servants, the houseman John Paul Sparewell - dropped out of sight and nothing has been heard of him since.”
”Quite a coincidence,” Joe said. ”You think Sparewell may be the thief?”
”I don't like to suspect anyone without proof,” Mr Jefferson replied. ”But at this point, the detectives and I feel that he probably is. Indeed, it's a most baffling crime. However, you boys aren't to concern yourselves with it.”
”But there may be some connection between the missing medals and your grandson's disappearance,”
Frank suggested.
”The only connection is Johnny's silly notions,” Mr Jefferson a.s.serted. ”I suppose it was because he heard the detectives discussing the theft of the medals so often at the house here. The boy began to think he could solve the mystery, and started seeing clues everywhere. Ridiculous.”
”Then Johnny may be working on the case right now!” Joe exclaimed. ”Perhaps that's his secret mission.”
”You could be right.” Mr Jefferson looked very despondent. ”And who knows what harm may come to him! Johnny can be stubborn. When he sets his mind on something, he doesn't give up easily.”
The old man sighed wearily and the Hardys felt that further questions might be unwise.
”We must get back now,” Frank announced. ”Thanks again for your invitation, Mr Jefferson.”
Their host smiled wanly, crossed the room, and opened the drawer of a small, ornate table. From it he took a key which he handed to Frank. ”Have a fine vacation, all of you!”
”We'll do our best to find Johnny,” Joe added, ”and let you know of our progress.”
They all shook hands, then the boys retrieved their coats and said goodbye.
As the brothers drove away from the Jefferson home, Joe turned to Frank, his eyes gleaming with excitement. ”A big a.s.signment!” he declared.
”Just the kind we like!” Frank grinned. ”One thing I have a hunch about Johnny is not in Texas! At least, not now. If he doesn't want to be found, he'd never let on where he really is.”
”You're probably right,” Joe conceded. ”Wow! I wish it were the day after Christmas!”
Frank drove silently for a few minutes, seemingly intent on threading his way through the pre-holiday traffic. But Joe guessed from his brother's expression that the mystery was in Frank's thoughts.
”Give you a penny for 'em,” Joe said with a grin.
Frank smiled. ”I've been thinking about Mr Jefferson's idea that there are no dangerous individuals involved in this case. I don't agree.”
”Why not?” Joe looked puzzled and frowned.
”Joe, two years ago a man disappeared, probably because of those medals. Now a boy who was interested in them is gone. Then Hanleigh turns up, trying to force Mr Jefferson to sell the island.”
”I see what you mean. Sounds like the old case is still plenty hot.”
Frank nodded. ”And with a priceless treasure at stake, we'd better watch out for danger.”
CHAPTER IV.
A Christmas Visitor As the Hardys drove on towards the bay area, they continued to discuss the missing boy.
”Mr Jefferson appears to be very strict with his grandson,” Joe observed. ”I'm not surprised that Johnny wanted to go off and prove he's old enough to be on his own.”
Frank frowned. ”Could be. But he's also old enough to realize fully the grief he's causing his grandfather.”
Upon reaching their boathouse, Frank parked behind a green car which the Hardys recognized as belonging to the Hoopers. Biff and Chet hopped out to greet their pals.
Joe and Biff unlocked both car boots, and they all looked over the gear each had brought. ”It'll take some engineering to stow all this on the Seagull,” Joe said with a groan.
”And don't forget, we have to leave some s.p.a.ce for food,” Chet reminded him.
Biff scratched his head. ”It's all necessary, including my snowshoes. Chet has his, too.”
”You're lucky,” Frank replied. ”Ours gave out last winter and we haven't had the money to get new ones.”
The four boys hauled their gear into the boathouse. The streamlined hull of the Seagull had been designed with plenty of s.p.a.ce for cargo. Nevertheless, they repacked it three times before they found places for everything. When they had finished, there remained only a few niches for boxes of food.
”That took at least an hour!” Biff exclaimed. ”We'd better get going.”
Joe locked the boathouse. The friends wished one another a Merry Christmas, and Frank called out, ”See you on Sat.u.r.day!”
At dinner Frank and Joe told their family about Mr Jefferson's mysteries. Mr and Mrs Hardy and Aunt Gertrude expressed concern about Johnny and hoped the missing boy would be found soon.
Frank and Joe went upstairs early in the evening to wrap their gifts before going to bed. In the morning the brothers awakened soon after the sun was up.
”Merry Christmas!” Joe called.