Read Online The Prime-Time Crime by Franklin W. Dixon - Free Book Online Page B

them,” Frank said. “They can’t be too far.”
    â€œTurn that way,” Joe said, pointing in the direction the limousine had gone. “Maybe we can still pick up the trail.”
    Frank steered around the corner, but there was no sign of Whalen’s car. He made a few more turns without sighting the limousine.
    â€œI’ve got an idea,” Joe said suddenly. “Marcy told us that Whalen came from an old, rich family. Ten to one he lives in Bayside Estates, where all the most expensive houses are.”
    â€œRight,” Frank said. “And Bayside Estates is up here.” He turned the van down a street lined with trees and huge lawns.
    â€œThere sure are some awfully big houses around here,” Debbie said as they passed several mansions.
    â€œThere,” Joe said, pointing toward the driveway of a mansion on the left. “Isn’t that the limo Ted Whalen was in?”
    A black limousine like the one Frank had been following was parked in the driveway. The drive curved in front of a large house that had white columns in front of its redbrick facade.
    â€œYou’re right, Joe,” Frank said. “Look at that mailbox. It’s got the name Whalen on it.”
    Frank drove past the house, parked the van about a hundred feet down the road, and turned the motor off.
    â€œWell, what do we do now?” Joe asked. “We’ve found out where Ted Whalen lives, but I don’t see any guys in black suits with guns hanging around the yard.”
    â€œI think we ought to get a closer look,” Debbie said.
    â€œThat might not be such a hot idea,” Frank said.
    â€œIt’s a great idea,” Steve said, climbing out the back door. Debbie quickly climbed out of the passenger door.
    â€œMaybe we should just drive off and let those two get into trouble all by themselves,” Joe suggested.
    â€œBad idea,” Frank said, opening his door and climbing out of the van. “If they get in trouble, we get in trouble, too. Remember, Whalen thinks they’re working with us.”
    â€œLet’s just hope Whalen and his pals don’t see us,” Joe said. He climbed to the front of the van and jumped out the passenger door. “Let’s go.”
    Steve and Debbie were already halfway across the lawn and running toward the mansion as Frank and Joe started after them. For a moment the Hardys could hear the two would-be detectives squabbling over which side of the house to look at first. Then they saw the twosome disappear into a small grove of trees next to the house. By the timeFrank and Joe reached the grove, Steve was halfway up a tree, trying to get a look through one of the first-floor windows.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Frank asked, looking up at Steve as the red-haired teen climbed out on a limb.
    â€œChecking out the house,” Steve said. “Maybe I’ll see something that’ll give us a clue.”
    â€œMaybe you’ll get us all arrested as prowlers,” Joe said.
    â€œI think we should sneak into the basement,” Debbie said. “There’s a door just down there.” She pointed at the wall of the house.
    â€œIf you get caught, you could be charged with breaking and entering,” Frank said.
    â€œWe’re just trying to save poor Clarence Kellerman,” Debbie insisted. “That’s no crime.”
    â€œHey,” Steve whispered, clinging tightly to the far end of the limb. “I can see somebody inside. It looks like Ted Whalen—”
    â€œIt is Ted Whalen,” said a new voice. The Hardys and Debbie turned to see the short muscular man who’d been in Whalen’s car standing next to the corner of the house. He had thick black hair slicked straight back from his forehead and wore a dark suit and tie. He glared at the four teenagers.
    â€œAnd you kids are trespassing on Mr. Whalen’s property,” he continued. “I’m afraid this is the end of