Part 4 (1/2)
”You're the kind we like,” he said. ”Plenty of sand!”
”Thanks for the invite,” Joe said coolly. ”We'll keep it in mind if you tell us who put you up to that low-down trick last night.”
Jack looked at the floor and the Hardys could see that he was torn between loyalty to the unknown perpetrator and regard for them.
”Really, I can't tell,” he said finally. ”You wouldn't want me to rat on a pal.”
”No hard feelings,” said Frank, though he thought the youth was foolish to protect such a person. Then he introduced Biff and Chet.
”Wow!” said one of the college boys. ”We could use you two on the Kenworthy football team.”
With that, the Delta Sigmas left.
Frank drove the Bayporters to the post office, located beside the town hall. A helpful clerk pa.s.sed the postal directory over the counter and Frank thumbed through its pages.
”Hey, look at this,” he said. ”There are only three Rockaways-one in Oregon, one in New Jersey, and the other on the coast down from Bayport.”
”It's a cinch we won't go to Oregon or New Jersey first,” Chet said. ”You fellows will investigate the closest one or I miss my bet.”
”O genius of a treasure hunter I” declaimed Joe as he placed the right palm of his hand on his forehead and bowed low. ”We, your humble servants, salaam!”
The others guffawed at the sudden look of embarra.s.sment that swept over Chet's face as he cast his eyes quickly around the post office to see if anybody was watching. Seeing no one, Chet joined in the laughter.
Frank handed back the directory to the grinning clerk and thanked him. The boys, still laughing, trooped out of the post office.
”Well, our next destination-Rockaway!” Frank said. He added thoughtfully, ”You know, this isn't a bad move. We'll leave here as if we've been stymied on our investigation.”
”That's right,” Joe said. ”So if anyone has been tracking us, they'll think we've given up.” As an afterthought he added, ”We ought to thank Cadmus Quill and the dean before we leave.”
”Let me go, too. Maybe I won't see the inside of a college again,” Chet quipped.
The four drove to the campus, parked, and entered the administration building.
Dean Eastland, as before, was courteous to his callers. After thanking Frank and Joe for their interest in the case, he promised to relay any new information to them.
”By the way, Dean Eastland,” Frank said, ”would you send us the roster of Delta Sigma fraternity?”
”Of course,” the dean replied, and jotted down their Bayport address.
As the boys walked into the hallway they met Cadmus Quill.
”We're going back to Bayport,” Frank told him. ”I'm sorry we couldn't find your friend Todd.”
”Anyhow,” said Joe, ”thanks for your help, Mr. Quill.”
”Not at all,” replied the instructor as he shook hands with the two boys. ”I'm sure there's no need to worry. I feel strongly that he's in Europe-probably already married.”
”It's possible,” Frank said. ”Well, perhaps we'll see you again.”
”Come on, fellows,” Biff said as they left the building. ”If I hang around this college campus any longer I'll be as smart as you are ”
”I'm itching for Honeycomb Caves,” Chet bantered. ”I feel in the need for some ready doubloons.”
As the boys hastened back to the Hardy car, Frank had the feeling that Cadmus Quill had followed them out of the building. When he slid behind the wheel he glanced into his rear-view mirror.
There stood Quill on the steps, gazing at them intently. Then he turned back to the door.
Suddenly, above the sound of the starting motor, Chet let out an Indian war whoop and yelled, ”On to Rockaway!”
Frank, with his eyes still on the rear-view mirror, saw Quill stiffen and spin around.
CHAPTER VI.
The Toppled Tower CADMUS QUILL stood on the steps and stared at the boys with a startled look on his round face.
”That remark hit home!” Frank thought. He got out of the car, and ran up to Quill before he had a chance to retreat. ”You seem interested in Rockaway,” Frank said bluntly, hoping to catch him off guard. ”Do you know somebody there?”
Quill smiled. ”I thought for a moment,” he replied casually, ”that your friend had said Far Rockaway, in New York. I have an uncle who lives there.”
Frank was momentarily at a loss about how to pursue his line of questioning. This gave Quill time to turn on his heel. He strode off, saying, ”I have a lecture to prepare. Good luck to you!”
Frank returned to the car, and as the boys drove back to the motel, he discussed with them Quill's peculiar actions.
Joe spoke up. ”That uncle bit doesn't ring true. Quill is keeping back something, I'll bet.”
”Why should the name Rockaway strike him?” Chet wondered.
”Who knows?” Joe said. ”Maybe he discovered the Rockaway clue in Todd's exam.”
”I don't get it,” Frank said as he parked in front of the cottage. ”Quill knows we're detectives. If he did find the Rockaway clue, why didn't he tell us?”
”Maybe he wants to follow it himself,” Joe replied.
”This Cadmus Quill will bear watching,” remarked Biff, now thoroughly caught up in the excitement of the mystery.
Chet suggested that while the Hardys were packing, he and Biff would take his jalopy to a service station. ”We want to check it out before starting the trip to Rockaway,” Chet said.
The brothers entered their quarters. While Joe tossed his belongings into his suitcase, Frank telephoned Bayport. Mr. Hardy answered.
”Frank,” he said, ”I'm glad you called!” The boy was surprised at his father's clipped tone.
”What's the matter, Dad?” he asked.
”I'm afraid you and Joe will have to come home right away. It's urgent, and I'd rather not take time to explain it.”
”Okay, Dad. But just one thing,” Frank added quickly. ”We're suspicious of a fellow named Cadmus Quill. Will you get us a confidential report on him, please?” Mr. Hardy promised and Frank hung up. ”Something's gone haywire in Bayport,” he said to his brother, then repeated their father's message.