enough,â his brother agreed.
They said good-by to Aunt Gertrude, then hurried off in their convertible. Frank parked in front of Dr. Montroseâs downtown office. Entering, they found themselves in a comfortable waiting room. Apparently the doctor employed no receptionist.
âHey, take a look at some of these,â Joe murmured in a low voice.
He pointed to a number of framed letters hanging on the walls. They were glowing testimonials from former patients. An ornate diploma stated that Hubert Montrose had been awarded the degree of Doctor of Medicine from Ardvor College.
Frank grinned. âMighty impressive!â
The brothers seated themselves in two of the leather chairs. Presently Dr. Montrose came from a rear room. A look of surprise flickered across his face, but this was quickly replaced by a smooth professional smile.
âAh, good morning!â He shook hands with his two visitors. âTell me, how is your aunt?â
âMuch better, thanks,â Frank said.
Dr. Montrose did not invite the boys into his consulting room. He evidently had a patient inside. âJust what can I do for you?â he inquired.
Frank explained about the robbery and asked if the physician had noticed anything unusual during his visit to the house.
Dr. Montrose frowned thoughtfully. âNow that you mention it, I did hear a noise upstairs just as I was leaving,â he replied. âHowever, I assumed it was a maid or one of the family moving about.â
âThat was the robber!â Frank cried.
âOh, Iâm sorry,â said Dr. Montrose. âBut Iâm afraid I canât help any. And now, if youâll excuse meââ
The Hardys left and started for the pier. A block from the waterfront they saw Biff Hooper coming from a market, his arms loaded with cartons of fruit drink. They stopped and he hopped into the car.
âHey, what kept you guys?â Biff asked. âWe have a full load of passengers.â
âSwell!â Joe told him.
âSure is,â Frank added.
The Hardys found a gay crowd gathered on the dock to watch the Hai Hau leave. The passengers were already aboard.
âHow about that?â said Tony proudly as he came up and showed Frank and Joe the cash receipts. âFull the first trip!â
Frank beamed, slapped his friend on the back, and climbed aboard. The Hai Hauâs owners took their places. Jim Foy cast off amid shouts and waves from the spectators. Biff revved the outboard and Frank steered out across Barmet Bay.
It was a fine sunny morning, promising a most enjoyable voyage to Rocky Isle. Joe and Tony hoisted the sails to take advantage of the slight breeze. The passengers called out in delight as the junk rode the waves.
Presently Frank noticed that the stern was riding low in the water. Setting the wheel, he went to open the afterdeck hatch, then gave a low cry of alarm. The shallow compartment below was awash with water!
âHey, fellows! Come here!â When they arrived, he whispered hoarsely, âWeâve sprung a leak!â
The boysâ faces filled with alarm. Could they possibly make the island safely with their boatload of passengers?
CHAPTER IX
Wharf Chase
âWEâRE shipping water too fast!â Joe said, peering into the compartment. âAt this rate weâll capsize before we get to Rocky Isle!â
âWhatâll we do?â Biff gasped.
âWeâd better come about and try to make it back to Bayport,â Frank said. âIâll start the bilge pump!â
As the boys shifted sail and brought the junk around, the passengers plied them with anxious questions. Consternation spread when they learned the Hai Hau was leaking.
âWe should have known better than to trust ourselves in a crazy boat like this!â a stout woman stormed.
âYouâre right, dear,â agreed her husband, a very thin man in a flowered sports shirt. âWe shouldâve listened to
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