Part 5 (2/2)
Worried at this unexpected turn of events, the boys went downstairs. As they were about to step out the front door, the receptionist called to them.
”You're the Hardy boys, aren't you?”
When Frank nodded, she added, ”Chief Collig just called. He wants to see you at police headquarters.”
52 When the boys arrived there, the officer ushered them into the line-up room. Standing on a dais were three men. A bright light shone into their faces.
”We've had a dragnet out for the man who shot your father,” the chief told the brothers.
”My men rounded up these suspects today. I've questioned each one at length, but these fellows all have airtight alibis, and they don't know a thing about archery. I was going to let them go, but I thought maybe you'd like to look at them and ask a few questions.”
Frank asked the men if any of them traded at Slow Mo's garage in Pleasantville; also if any of them kept white chickens or turkeys. All said no.
”Sorry,” Chief Collig said. ”We'll round up some more men.”
The brothers drove home. After Mrs. Hardy telephoned from the hospital that their father was somewhat improved, but that she was remaining there, the boys ate dinner and went to bed.
Next morning their mother telephoned that Mr. Hardy was much better, which buoyed the boys' spirits.
”Joe,” said Frank, putting his arm around the younger boy's shoulder, ”we'll have to take a new tack today to locate our crook. We got exactly nowhere yesterday.”
53 ”You're right,” Joe agreed. ”Tell you what. Let's stop every stranger in town and ask what time it is. Perhaps we can spot another wrist watch with a crooked arrow.”
Together the brothers drove to the busy downtown area and parked their car. Then they began the tedious task of asking the time of every man they saw who was not familiar to them. As the hours wore on, the answer was a polite ”eleven-thirty,” ”one-fifteen,”
”three-forty-five.” Still the boys persisted.
About four o'clock, Frank, across the street from where Joe was working, stopped a husky fellow, who wore a cap pulled low on his forehead. Instead of giving the boy the time, the man clasped his hand over his wrist watch and growled: ”Get out of my way!”
CHAPTER VII.
An Amazing Discovery.
frank stepped toward the man who had refused to let him see his wrist watch.
Suddenly the fellow c.o.c.ked his left arm. A heavy fist flashed. Before Frank could move, the blow caught him flush on the point of the chin! Frank staggered backward against a building, stunned by the unexpected blow.
”Stop him!” Joe shouted, as the man dashed down the street.
But the people who had witnessed the scene merely stared, letting the stranger make a clean getaway.
”I'll catch him!” Joe gritted, racing across the street to his brother's side. ”Meet you at the car,” he told Frank, who by this time had recovered his equilibrium.
The man was a block ahead when Joe spotted him snaking among the pedestrians. But the boy, fired 55 by determination to nab Frank's attacker and perhaps find a new clue to the mystery of the crooked arrow, doggedly sprinted after the man.
Joe gained yard after yard, leaving a trail of gaping onlookers. Presently he found himself in a section of the water front that seemed strangely familiar. The man was running down the street which claimed the dubious distinction of having Al's Tobacco Shop on it!
Hearing Joe's footsteps close behind, the man glanced over his shoulder and put on an extra spurt of speed. A moment later he dashed into the tobacco shop.
When Joe ran through the doorway, his quarry was leaning against the counter, puffing like a locomotive.
”What's the idea of hitting my brother?” the boy asked defiantly.
He clenched his fists in readiness, not wanting to be caught off guard if the stranger should lunge at him.
”Your-your brother's a wise guy,” the man wheezed. ”Tried to look at my watch when I don't even have one on.”
Joe glanced at the man's wrists. There was no watch. But the boy noted a section of slightly un tanned skin on his left arm as if a watch had been worn recently.
56 ”You had a watch on,” Joe retorted. ”What did you do with it?”
Al, who was standing behind the counter, looked at Joe. ”That fresh kid again,” he said menacingly. ”You got an unhealthy interest in watches. Why don't you chase along home and keep out of trouble?”
Joe had all he could do to refrain from taking a punch at both men. But he knew that he would be no match for Al and the stranger.
”Okay,” he said, and walked out.
But Joe had no intention of dropping the matter. The fact that the chase had led to the tobacco shop was too good a clue not to follow up.
Joe was eager to get back to his brother and tell him of this new angle. He trotted off to the place where they had parked their car. Frank was waiting.
”Find out anything, Joe?” he asked. ”I thought maybe something had happened to you.”
His brother quickly related what had taken place.
”We've got to investigate Al's place thoroughly,” he said. ”I have a feeling he's connected in some way with the Bayport crooks.”
”It's a sure bet Al won't give us any information,” Frank reasoned.
”How about Sam Radley?” suggested Joe. ”Maybe he could case the place for us.”
57 ”Don't think so,” Frank replied. ”Sam's too busy trying to find Dad's a.s.sailant. Besides, if Al's mixed up with crooks, he's probably been told Sam is a detective.”
”I've got it!” Joe exclaimed, snapping his fingers, ”Chet can help us!”
”Good idea,” Frank agreed. ”Chet might go ir* and ask some questions. Al wouldn't suspect him. He looks too innocent.”
In a few minutes the telephone rang at the Morton farm. Chet himself answered it.
”h.e.l.lo, Frank,” he said cheerfully. ”All ready to start out West?”
”Not yet.” Frank laughed. ”First we want you to help us on a case.”
”Oh, oh!” said Chet. ”I knew this was coming!”
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