Part 13 (1/2)
”When I called control tower, I asked if they knew about the stretch of fog north of them,” Weber explained. ”They did, and said it was only two or three miles across, with clear air on the other side.”
”And since Marr's plane was equipped with radio,” Frank interrupted, ”the pilot would have received the latest weather reports. He knew he could fly through the fog bank and be in the clear again within a few minutes.”
”Do you think Marr knew he was being followed?” Joe asked.
”My guess is that he didn't,” Weber said. ”At least his pilot wasn't attempting any evasive action.”
”Sorry about your plane,” Joe said sympathetically.
”It was a great s.h.i.+p,” Weber declared sadly. ”But I have enough parts to rebuild another one. That's some consolation.”
Chet dropped off Weber and the Hardys at Bayport field, where the pilot made arrangements to fly home. After expressing their thanks to him for his help and saying good-bye, the boys walked towards their car.
”We'd better call Agent Keith before we go home,” Joe suggested, and they went inside to telephone.
”Too bad Marr got away,” the agent said when Frank told him about their recent adventure. ”But I'm glad you and your brother are safe.”
Frank drew a notebook from his pocket and opened it. ”I have the registration number of the getaway plane.”
”Good!” Keith said. ”Let's have it. I'll check it out with the Federal Aviation Agency.”
Frank gave it and hung up. The boys went to the parking lot. In a moment Frank frowned. ”I thought I left our car here.”
”You did,” Joe said with a sinking feeling. ”It - it's been stolen!”
The Hardys were momentarily paralyzed. Not only their fine convertible, but also Mr Wright's highly secret invention was gone!
Frank spoke first. ”Come on, Joe! We must call the police.”
The boys ran to the administration building and telephoned. They were told by the sergeant on duty that state troopers had picked up a car fitting the convertible's description. ”Will you Hardys go out to the end of Pleasantdale Road and look at it?” the officer requested.
Frank hailed a taxi which took them to the spot, then back to Bayport. The convertible was a sorry sight.
Every bit of the upholstery had been slashed and the contents dumped out. Articles had been removed from the front compartment and the boot. The spare tyre had been ripped open.
”Too bad, fellows,” a trooper said.
”Yes,” Frank answered, testing the rack.
It was still bolted in place, but he winked at Joe, a signal that he wanted to be alone for a further search.
On a pretext Joe got the trooper round to the front of the car. Quickly Frank looked under the tyre well.
The box and invention were still there.
Frank slammed the lid shut. He called out, ”Joe, if this baby still runs, let's go home.”
The engine started promptly and the steering mechanism was undamaged. Frank signed a paper for the police, saying he was the owner of the car, then the boys rode off. As soon as they reached home, Joe carried the invention to the boys' room and hid it.
”I'm afraid that next time the gang's going to find this,” he told his brother.
”I agree,” Frank answered. ”What do you say we ask Mother to put it in her safe-deposit box? I'm sure Dad would agree.”
Mrs Hardy and Aunt Gertrude approved this idea and as soon as the bank was open the next morning, took the invention downtown. A little later the phone rang. Mrs Hardy was calling to a.s.sure her sons of its safety.
A few moments later Agent Keith telephoned. ”We've lost Marr again,” he said. ”The FAA looked up the registration number of his plane. It belongs to a fixed base operator at a small airport in Connecticut.
Marr's pilot rented the plane for the day.”
”Did the owner see the pilot's flying licence?” Frank inquired.
”Yes,” Keith replied. ”The name listed was Harold Clark. It's a forgery! Such a licence was never issued!”
”What about the plane?”
”It was returned some time last night. The owner found it tied down on his ramp when he went to the airport early this morning.”
The Hardys were downcast by the situation. Marr had vanished and they did not have the slightest lead on him. Furthermore, their car was a wreck. They reported the damage to the insurance company and waited for an investigator to come.
”We'll have to rent a car while ours is being repaired,” Frank said.
He made the arrangements by phone and within half an hour a car stood in the driveway.
The boys had just sat down to lunch in the dining room when the telephone rang. Aunt Gertrude went to the kitchen to take the call.
”Yes, they're at home,” the others heard her say. Presently she darted into the room. ”It's about Mr Bickford!” she said quietly.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Outsmarting the Enemy MRS HARDY and her sons lowered their eyes. They were sure Aunt Gertrude was about to announce that the kindly jeweller had died because of Marr's beating.
”Mr Bickford is-is-?” Frank asked.
”He wants to see you at the hospital,” his aunt replied.
”Then he's alive!” Joe exclaimed.
”Of course he's alive,” Aunt Gertrude said. ”Very weak naturally, so I don't think you boys should stay long.”
”When are we to go?” Frank asked.
”Mr Bickford got permission for you to come any time. He has something urgent to tell you.”
Curious as to why they were being summoned, Frank and Joe left immediately to see the elderly man. Mr Bickford was partially propped up in bed. He looked ill, but he gave his visitors a warm smile.
”I'm so glad you came,” he said in a voice barely above a whisper. ”The doctor said a ten-minute visit so I'll get right down to business. Sit down, please. I feel it my duty to warn you boys.”