Part 6 (1/2)

Frank quickly outlined what he wanted his friend to do. Chet did not sound too enthusiastic at the prospect.

”What's the matter?” Frank asked. ”You aren't afraid, are you?”

”Those are pretty tough guys hanging around that part of town,” Chet protested.

”You can handle 'em,” Frank came back. ”What about those judo lessons you're taking?”

”You bet,” Chet burst out. ”I'll throw 'em over my shoulder.” Frank could imagine Chet swelling with pride on the other end of the line.

58 ”Good,” Frank replied. ”See you tomorrow morning at ten at our house. We'd make it earlier, but we want to stop at the hospital to see Dad.”

Chet arrived at the Hardy home a little late, and insisted upon a second breakfast before his visit to Al's Tobacco Shop.

”You're supposed to be reducing,” Frank reminded him.

Chet grimaced. ”I need energy if I have to fight any tough guys,” he declared. ”By the way, how's your father?”

”Much better,” Frank replied. ”He sure gave us a scare, though.”

As the three boys started off a few minutes later, Frank outlined their plan of operation.

”Joe will keep an eye on the front door,” he said. ”I'll station myself in the delivery alley at the back of the place.”

”What do I do?” Chet asked nervously.

”You go inside,” Frank continued, ”and see if you can spot anything resembling a crooked arrow; watch, tie clip, or other jewelry. Meanwhile, try to find out if Al sells anything to his regular customers besides tobacco.”

”Maybe you'd better go in,” Chet said, looking at Frank apprehensively, ”while I stand at the back of the place.”

”Why, Chet,” Joe said, keeping a straight face, 59 ”you know a lot more about judo than we do!”

”Oh, well, all right,” Chet agreed finally. ”But I've got a feeling I'm running right smack into trouble.”

Frank parked the coupe a block from the scene, and the boys started work according to plan. Joe stood in the doorway of an old house almost directly across the street from the shop. Frank concealed himself behind three tall ash cans in the back of the store. Chet, s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g up his courage, entered the store. All had agreed to meet ten minutes later in a diner down the street.

But they did not have to wait that long. Frank heard the back screen door of Al's shop bang shut. Poking his head around one of the cans to get a better view, he saw a rough-looking man stop momentarily, look up and down, then quietly slip down the alley.

Hardly had the man departed when the sound of angry words and scuffling issued from the shop. Frank could hear Al growl in a low tone and Chet reply in a high-pitched voice.

”Leggo of me!” Chet cried. ”If you don't, I'll-I'll-”

A crash followed and the screen door flew open. A blurred figure bounced into the alley, rolling nearly to the ash cans.

At first Frank had thought Chet, using his newly 60 learned judo, had tossed Al from the store. But the figure that struggled to its feet was not the shop owner!

”Chet!” Frank whispered, standing up from his hiding place. ”What happened?”

”Tell you later,” Chet puffed. ”Let's get out of here!”

Frank led the way, with Chet limping behind. They made their way to the diner, where Joe was waiting. He told of having seen a man enter the store just before Chet did.

”That's right. Al was waiting on him when I stepped in. Called him Bearcat. They didn't notice me.”

”Did you hear anything?” Frank asked quickly.

”The fellow said 'Got any arrows?' Chet related. ”Al handed him something, but I didn't get a good look at what it was.”

”Arrows!” Joe gasped. ”Go on. What happened next?”

”Bearcat said, 'I'll be at Mike's,' and went out the back door,” Chet replied. ”Then Al saw me. When I said I wanted some cigars for my dad, he got mad and threw me out. Said I was a pest and a sneak and-well, I think he didn't like my coming in so suddenly. Guess I interrupted something that made Al sore.”

6S ”It's something to do with arrows, that's sure,” Frank declared.

”Whatever arrows are, they're small,” Chet said. ”And where is Mike's?”

”I know!” Frank declared. ”I saw it on the way here. It's a cheap restaurant two blocks down the water front; the place where Dad's recorder picked up the words 'crooked arrow.' ”

”Let's go!” Joe exclaimed.

”No,” Frank warned. ”I'll go alone. Too many of us would arouse suspicion. But if I'm not back in fifteen minutes, come after me.”

Joe and Chet agreed to stay at the diner until Frank completed his trip to Mike's. He strode down the street, determined to find the man he had seen in the alley behind Al's Tobacco Shop.

It was not long before the boy was standing in front of Mike's Place. Several rough-looking men walked in and out through the swinging doors.

”Guess I'd better act the part,” Frank thought with a smile.

Taking off his necktie, he put it in his pocket and unb.u.t.toned his collar. Then, trying to look as tough as Mike's clientele, he mussed up his hair.

Frank walked boldly into the restaurant. At first he could see almost nothing in the place, which was dimly lighted and filled with cigarette smoke that 62 hung like a pall over the old-fas.h.i.+oned wooden tables.

As his eyes became accustomed to the gloom, Frank looked eagerly at the faces of the men in the place. None resembled the one he sought.

Disappointed, Frank worked his way toward the back of the restaurant. He spotted a booth at the extreme rear. In it sat Bearcat!

Frank slipped into the seat opposite him. The man hardly noticed the boy as he scanned the menu, written in pencil. When he finally glanced at Frank, the boy leaned forward.

”Say, Al ain't got no more arrows,” he whispered. ”How about lettin' me have one?”

The man's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

”You in the racket, too, eh?” he said. ”Nuttin' like startin' when you're young.”

He reached into his pocket and drew out a cigarette. Frank opened his wallet and laid a ten-dollar bill on the table. With no idea of its price, he was sure this would amply cover the cost. To his amazement the man gave him no change.

”Al sure is a gyp,” whined Frank. ”A guy can't get far with one Arrow.”