Read Online The Desert Thieves by Franklin W. Dixon - Free Book Online

mind,” Frank said. “It must have been Diane’s doing.”
    When the truck came abreast of them, Townsend scowled and said, “Are you three stranded?”
    â€œYes, sir, we are,” Frank said. “We—”
    â€œWhat happened to your vehicle?” Townsend demanded. “Is it broken down somewhere?”
    â€œYes, sir,” Frank repeated. “As a matter of fact, it’s a mile or so up that way. It appears that someone—”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with it?” Townsend said, interrupting again.
    â€œSomeone,” Frank began, “or rather something happened to the fuel line. We have to go back for some tubing to fix it.”
    Townsend drew a deep breath and looked ahead into the distance. “Get in the back,” he said. “All three of you. I’ve got some tubing that might be the right size, and some duct tape you can put around it if it’s too big.”
    â€œYes, sir,” Frank said, waving to Joe and Perez to get into Townsend’s truck. “The car is by the side of the road. You can’t miss it. It’s the tan Toyota.”
    â€œI know what it looks like,” Townsend said. “Get in, though I don’t know why I should help you, after all the damage you’ve done.”
    Frank went to the back and climbed in with Joe and Perez. They sat on the floor of the truck bed as Townsend started off down the road. The truck had metal shelves built along the front and sides, and the shelves were filled with transparent plastic boxes containing tools, spare parts, and various kinds of measuring instruments.
    â€œLooks like a laboratory on wheels,” Joe said. “I wonder what his project is all about.”
    â€œWell, if we ever get on speaking terms with him, we can ask,” Frank said.
    â€œThat might be easier said than done,” Joe said.
    â€œBoy,” Perez said, “isn’t that the truth! He really doesn’t like you guys, does he?”
    â€œNope,” Joe said.
    â€œWhat did you do, tell him he was a suspect or something?” Perez said. “Does he know about the cactus thefts?”
    â€œWe don’t know,” Frank said. He started to say more but felt a slight push from Joe’s foot. At the look in Joe’s eye, he shut up.
    After a few minutes the truck slowed down and pulled off onto the shoulder of the road. Diane and her father walked around to the back as the Hardys and Perez piled out.
    The professor asked, “What size tubing do you need?”
    Joe said, “I’m not sure. This is a rental car, and we don’t have any tools with us. Maybe half-inch tubing will do.”
    Townsend frowned for a moment, then said, “Don’t think I have any. I’ve got a better idea.”
    He climbed into the truck as Diane asked, “Have you guys been walking long?”
    â€œNot long,” Frank said. “Maybe ten or fifteen minutes.”
    â€œIt’s a good thing this isn’t July,” she said. “It gets awfully hot out here in the summer.”
    â€œThat’s what we heard,” Joe said. “We—”
    Townsend came out with a roll of gray duct tapeand a small toolbox. “Here,” he said, handing them to Joe. “See what you can do with that.”
    Joe took the tape and the toolbox and scrambled under the car.
    â€œLet’s go, Diane,” Townsend said. “We’ve got work to do.”
    â€œThanks a lot,” Frank said.
    â€œDon’t mention it,” Townsend said stiffly. “I’ll get my tools back later in the day.” He started off, then turned back. “And next time you think I’m doing something wrong, talk to me first, before you call in the rangers.”
    â€œI tried to, Professor,” Frank said. “You wouldn’t—”
    â€œAah!” Townsend exclaimed with a wave of his hand. “Never mind.” He got into the truck, started it up,