Read Online Eye on Crime by Franklin W. Dixon - Free Book Online

few jiggles, the lock mechanism yielded to Frank’s expert touch. Joe immediately began searching through the locker while Frank went to work on Wingfoot’s lock.
    â€œFind anything?” Frank asked as he began his search of Wingfoot’s possessions.
    â€œJust a goofy picture,” Joe replied. “Here, look at this.”
    Frank glanced over to see what his brother was holding.
    â€œÂ â€˜To some great performers. You’re the best, Monty Andrews,’ ” Frank read. Joe had found a picture of Rojas and Wingfoot posing with the host of Monty Mania. “Looks like they were picked from the audience at one of the tapings.”
    Frank stuck his head inside Wingfoot’s locker. Joe replaced the picture on the inside of the door to Rojas’s locker. Then he closed the door and latched the lock.
    â€œBingo,” Frank exhaled. Joe kneeled down to get a look at what had gotten Frank’s attention.
    â€œWhat have we here?” Joe asked with a smile.
    â€œGee,” came a booming voice from behind the brothers, “we were just going to ask the same thing!”

8 Wanted Men
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    Frank and Joe stood up slowly. Frank still held the object that had riveted his attention before they were startled by the booming voice behind them. Joe gave his brother a what-do-we-do-now look as they calmly turned to face the guy, who was backed up by the Shoreham High School baseball team.
    There was a moment of tense silence. Frank counted the number of people they faced—thirteen to two, not very good odds.
    â€œI’ll ask again,” said a tall, lanky boy with dark skin and an angular face. “What do we have here?”
    â€œLooks like a couple of thieves!” shouted a voice from the back of the pack of boys.
    â€œLooks like a couple of Bayport bums, come here to sabotage us,” another voice said.
    â€œYeah, I recognize them,” said the dark-skinned teen. “You two play for Bayport High’s baseball team. The Hardy brothers.”
    â€œAnd you’re Pepper Wingfoot, and it looks like you’re guilty,” Joe responded. He pointed to what was clenched in Frank’s hand. The older Hardy dangled a bright gold necklace between two fingers. The necklace had a heart-shaped charm that bore a small, sparkling diamond.
    â€œHey!” Wingfoot spat. “Where’d you get that necklace?” Wingfoot lunged forward to swipe the necklace from Frank’s hand, but Frank clenched his fist and pulled the bauble out of reach.
    â€œThe real question should be, where did you get it?” Frank said. “Been doing some after-hours shopping?”
    â€œDon’t answer that,” said the boy next to Pepper. He was as tall as Wingfoot but much more muscular. “We don’t have to answer any questions about that.”
    â€œWhat are you hiding, Rojas?” Joe asked as he realized who the other boy was.
    â€œEnough with the talk!” shouted another ballplayer. “Let’s teach these Bayport goons a lesson.”
    â€œYeah!” grumbled some of the other players as they descended on Frank and Joe. The brothers both put their hands in front of them.
    â€œCome on, now,” Frank said. “We didn’t come here for a fight.”
    â€œWell, it looks like you found one,” Rojas responded. He raised his fist, aiming it at Joe, who crossed his arms in front of his body in a defensive posture.
    The punch, however, was halted by a loud voice instead.
    â€œWhat are you guys all crowded around for?” asked a man in a Shoreham baseball uniform as he pushed through the crowd.
    â€œThese guys from Bayport broke in here and ransacked our lockers, Coach,” Wingfoot explained.
    The coach glared at Frank and Joe. Then he glanced at Rojas, who still had his fist cocked.
    â€œRelax, Roberto,” the coach said. “You don’t need any more trouble.”
    â€œThat’s what we’re here