Read Online The Secret Panel by Franklin W. Dixon - Free Book Online Page A

the Mead place with us! Maybe you’ll spot something important that we overlooked.”
    â€œOkay. But let’s do it right away. I have a couple of important things to do later.”
    The three set off immediately after they had eaten. Frank and Joe followed their father’s car in the convertible. When they arrived at the mysterious mansion, it looked deserted. They parked their cars in the back so they would not be seen by any visitor. Mr. Hardy walked around the grounds before entering the house. He found no one on the premises.
    When Frank opened the front door, Mr. Hardy was fascinated by the concealed hardware. “You’re to be congratulated,” he praised the boys. “These locks are quite a puzzle.”
    Joe felt for the wall switch and clicked it, but no light came on.
    â€œCurrent’s still off,” he remarked.
    The boys showed their father through the house, using their flashlights when necessary. They admired their father’s careful search, even though it netted no clues to the man who called himself John Mead.
    Presently the three returned to their cars.
    â€œI’m off to see Chief Collig,” Mr. Hardy said. “Are you going straight to Bayport Salvage?”
    â€œYes,” Joe replied. “Maybe they can look for Chet’s boat today.”
    The detective wished them luck and drove away.
    A few minutes later Frank and Joe reached the salvage company. When they entered the front office, a man working on some ledgers looked up.
    â€œMr. Redfield?” Frank inquired.
    â€œYes. May I help you?”
    Frank stated their business. As he described the sunken dory, Mr. Redfield looked startled. “What’s going on here?” he asked. “Do you own that boat?”
    â€œNo,” Joe replied. “It belongs to a friend.”
    â€œOh, well, that makes sense, then. Your friend has already gone out on one of our boats to look for it.”
    â€œOur friend?” Frank was perplexed. “What did he look like?”
    â€œStocky and dark. Said he was the owner and he’s out in the bay right now!”
    The Hardys turned to each other. “That isn’t Chet!” Frank cried. “That’s the guy who tricked us!”
    â€œCome on,” Joe urged. “Let’s get the Sleuth and go after him!”
    They quickly explained the situation to Mr. Redfield, then raced outside, hopped into their car, and not long afterward parked near the boathouse where they kept the Sleuth.
    Joe had the engine going in no time, and sped out into Barmet Bay. He headed for the spot where Chet’s dory had sunk. No salvage boat was in sight. To the boys’ dismay, they could see no sign of the Bdoodhound, though they circled round and round the vicinity, peering down through the water.
    â€œThey must have raised it!” Frank concluded.
    â€œNow what’ll we do?” Joe asked in disgust.
    â€œLet’s go back to the salvage company.”
    Joe headed the Sleuth in that direction. They had gone only a mile when they spied the salvage boat ahead. Hoping that Chet’s dory was aboard, and that they could nab the man who had ordered it raised, they drew up alongside and hailed the captain. He came to the rail.
    â€œWhat did you say?” he called down.
    Frank repeated his question.
    â€œYes, I raised a sunken dory, but I haven’t got ’er aboard,” the man replied.
    â€œWhere is it?”
    â€œI put ’er down on the beach where the fellow told me to.”
    â€œBut he didn’t own it!”
    â€œWhat?” The captain was astounded upon hearing the story. He told the Hardys where he had left the Bloodhound.
    The boys thanked him and Joe swung the Sleuth toward the north shore of the bay. The bow cut clearly through the water, churning a white wake as it picked up speed.
    â€œWe’re sure running into some bad luck,” Joe said, gripping the wheel.
    â€œMaybe we can still capture