Part 3 (2/2)
”Nearly two months ago. It seems that the pharmaceutical house wasn't ready to use the drugs until now, so hadn't opened the package.”
”Then,” said Joe, ”the drugs could have been removed right on the premises, and have had nothing to do with smugglers.”
”You're right,” Mr. Hardy agreed. ”Each time drugs are reported missing, there's a new angle to the case.
Although I'm convinced Snattman is back of it, how to prove this is really a stickler.”
Mr. Hardy went on to say that the tip he had received about 'Snattman being in the Bayport area had been a very reliable one. He smiled. ”I'll tell you all a little secret. I have a very good Mend down on the waterfront. He picks up many kinds of information for me. His name is Pretzel Pete.”
”Pretzel Pete!” Frank and Joe cried out. ”What a name!”
”That's his nickname along the waterfront,” Mr. Hardy told them. He laughed. ”During the past few years I've munched on so many of the pretzels he sells, I think I'm his best customer.”
By this time the boys' father had finished his dessert, and he suggested they leave at once for the Kane farmhouse. He brought his black sedan from the garage and the boys hopped in. It did not take long to cover the six miles to the place where Jones was spending the night.
”Why, the house is dark,” Frank remarked, puzzled.
”Maybe everyone's asleep,” Joe suggested.
”This early?” Frank protested.
Mr. Hardy continued on down the lane. There was no sign of anyone around the place. Frank remarked that perhaps the farmer and his wife had gone out for the evening. ”But I'm surprised that they would leave Jones alone in his condition,” he added.
”I'm quite sure they wouldn't,” his father averred. ”If they're asleep, I'm afraid we'll have to wake them.”
He pulled up in front of the kitchen entrance. Frank was out of the car in an instant, the others followed.
He rapped on the door. There was no answer.
”Let's try the front door,” Joe suggested. ”Maybe that has a knocker on it.”
The boys walked around to the ocean side of the house. Although they banged loudly with the bra.s.s door knocker, there was still no response.
”The Kanes must have gone out,” said Joe.
”But what about Jones? Surely he's here.”
”And too weak to come to the door,” Frank surmised. ”But he could call out. I can't understand it.”
The brothers returned to the back door and i reported to their father. Then, as Joe rapped several more times without response, a sinking feeling came over the brothers.
”I guess Jones recovered fast and has gone,” Joe said dejectedly. ”We've goofed.”
”Try the k.n.o.b. The door may not be locked,” Mr. Hardy ordered. From his tone the boys knew that he shared their fears.
Frank turned the k.n.o.b and the door swung open. Mr. Hardy felt around for a light switch on the wall.
”We'll go in,” he murmured. ”If Jones is here we'll talk to him.”
By this time the detective had found the switch. As the kitchen became flooded with light, the boys gasped, thunderstruck. On their previous visit they had been impressed by the neatness of the room.
Now the place looked as though an earthquake had shaken it.
Pots and pans were scattered about the floor. The table was overturned. A chair lay upside down in a corner. Shattered bits of cups and saucers were strewn on the floor.
”What happened?” Frank exclaimed in bewilderment.
”There's been a fight-or a struggle of some kind,” said Mr. Hardy. ”Let's see what the rest of the house looks like.”
The boys opened the door to the adjoining living room. Frank snapped on the wall switch.
There a horrifying sight met the Hardys' eyes.
The farmer and his wife, bound and gagged, were tied to chairs in the middle of the room!
Swiftly Frank, Joe, and their father rushed over to Mr. and Mrs. Kane. They had been tied with strong ropes and so well gagged that the couple had been unable to utter a sound. In a minute the Hardys had loosened the bonds and removed the gags.
”Thank goodness!” Mrs. Kane exclaimed with a sigh of relief, stretching her arms.
Her husband, spluttering with rage, rose from his chair and hurled the ropes to one side. ”Those scoundrels!” he cried out.
Frank hastily introduced his father, then asked, ”What happened?”
For several moments Mr. and Mrs. Kane were too upset to tell their story. But finally the farmer staggered over to the window and pointed down the sh.o.r.e road.
”They went that way!” he roared. ”Follow them!”
”Who?”
”Those thugs who tied us up! They took Jones!”
CHAPTER VI.
The Strange Message ”How long ago did those kidnapers leave?” Frank asked the Kanes quickly.
”About ten minutes,” replied the farmer. ”Maybe you can catch them if you hurry!”
”Come on, Dad!” Frank cried. ”Let's go after them!”
Mr. Hardy needed no further urging. He and his sons ran out of the house and jumped into the car.
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