Read Online Danger on Vampire Trail by Franklin W. Dixon - Free Book Online

already.”
    Mungo’s initials!
    Frank and Joe backed up quietly. When they were certain they were out of earshot, Frank said, “We’ll call Chet and Biff to detain Mungo.”
    They crept back to the boat, reached for the radio, and switched it on. “Chet. Biff. This is Joe calling.”
    A sleepy voice replied. “Chet here. What’s up?”
    â€œGrab Mungo and don’t let him get away!”
    Suddenly lights shone not twenty feet from where they crouched. An angry voice boomed out, “We’re being spied on!”
    Cries went up from the gang near the cruiser. Shouting and cursing, the men raced along the shore, their flashlights bobbing.
    The man closest to the Hardys made a lunge for them as they slipped into their boat. Would they get away?

CHAPTER IX
    Sanctuary
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    IN feverish haste Frank and Joe shoved off from the shore. Their pursuer made one last desperate lunge with a knife, half falling into the water as the tip of the blade dug into the rubber boat!
    Joe started the outboard, giving it full power. Their escape was painfully slow. They felt the cold water slowly seeping through the rent in the rubberized fabric.
    Their pursuer pulled himself out of the water and raced back to his confederates. Joe saw them launch a small motorboat into the reservoir. It started with a roar.
    â€œFrank, I don’t think we can make it!” Joe said, keeping their little craft close to shore and seeking the sanctuary of the small cave.
    â€œIt must be up ahead,” Frank said anxiously.
    Joe brought the boat so close to shore that they could nearly touch the rocks.
    The speedboat, meanwhile, whined angrily as it cut across toward them.
    Finally Frank spotted the cave. “Joe, there it is! Right up ahead!”
    They ducked and eased into the safety of the cave. Seconds later the motorboat flashed past and droned out of earshot.
    â€œWhew!” Frank felt the side of the boat until his fingers found the cut. “Joe, reach in for the first-aid kit, will you?”
    â€œWhat for?”
    â€œAdhesive. I think I can fix the tear with it.” Frank patched the tape firmly over the rip. “Now it’ll hold tight. But we’ve got to get the water out of here.”
    Joe took off his sweat shirt and sopped up the water in the bottom of the boat. After wringing out the shirt a number of times, the floor was fairly dry.
    As the boys sat waiting for their pursuers to return, Frank said, “Boy, am I hungry!”
    â€œHey!” Joe exclaimed. “The chocolate cake!”
    He pulled out a package from under his seat. The cake was slightly damp, but tasted delicious to the two hungry boys.
    â€œBless that Barbie,” Frank said, after swallowing the last crumb.
    Again they heard the motorboat. It crisscrossed the water not far from shore, then headed for the marina.
    â€œI guess they think we sank,” Joe said.
    Frank nodded. “Let’s start now,” he said. “Keep that motor at low speed until we’re far out.”
    The sky was velvety blue and the wind had abated completely. Stars could be seen briefly above the cover of cirrus clouds.
    With a burping cough the outboard came to life and propelled the craft out into the lake. It crept along for ten minutes until Joe gave it more power. He aimed straight for the opposite shore. An hour later they reached the other side, slightly north of where their car was parked.
    â€œEasy now, Joe,” Frank warned as they edged along the shore. “We don’t want to bang into Mungo’s boat!”
    They came to the spot where the suspect’s car had stood. It was gone, and so was his boat!
    â€œFrank!” Joe exclaimed after he had scanned the area. “Our car’s not here, either!” Only the camper remained, dimly silhouetted against the eastern sky.
    â€œChet and Biff might have parked it somewhere else. Come on.”
    The boys climbed out of