Read Online The Sinister Signpost by Franklin W. Dixon - Free Book Online

visitors without interrupting his work. “It’s you guys again!” he snapped. “Haven’t you got a home? Get lost! I don’t have time to answer any of your stupid questions.”
    â€œCome off it!” Joe shot back angrily. “You must know your father’s horse was stolen last night. That’s what we want to ask you about.”
    There was a momentary pause. Roger nervously fingered his paintbrush and kept his face turned away from the Hardys. “Yes, I heard about it,” he muttered defiantly. “But you’ve come to the wrong guy for information. And even if I did know something about it, I wouldn’t tell you.”
    â€œWhere were you last night?” Frank demanded.
    â€œWhy don’t you try looking into a crystal ball to find out?” the young man retorted.
    â€œCut the comedy!” Joe exclaimed. “This is serious. A theft has been committed, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be among the suspects.”
    â€œOkay! If you have to know, I was working on my dragster all evening,” Roger snapped.
    â€œWhere?” Frank questioned.
    â€œAt home!”
    â€œCan you prove it?” Joe asked. “I mean, was there anyone with you who can back up your statement?”

    â€œYou want fifty thousand dollars’ ransom?” Alden shouted
    â€œNo. I was alone,” Roger answered.
    â€œWhat about your father?” Frank put in. “Didn’t he see you?”
    â€œHe was visiting friends till late. I was already in bed when he got home.”
    â€œFor your sake,” Joe remarked, “I hope you’re telling the truth.”
    Roger suddenly hurled his paintbrush to the ground. His face was flushed with anger. “I’ve had enough of you two!” he rasped. “What I do is none of your business!”
    â€œWe’re making it our business,” Joe told him.
    Frank wanted to avoid a scene. “Simmer down,” he said calmly. “We’ll have to take your word for what you told us. But if you should run across any information concerning the theft, I advise you not to keep it to yourself.”
    The Hardys walked back to the convertible and returned to Bayport. Their mother and aunt were disappointed to see that the boys’ father had not come with them.
    â€œI suppose he’s chasing after some horrible criminal!” Aunt Gertrude remarked. “Your father won’t remember where he lives if he keeps up this sort of thing.”
    â€œNow calm down, Gertrude,” Mrs. Hardy pleaded in a soft voice.
    Joe playfully sniffed the air. “Smells like roast turkey for supper.”
    â€œAnd coconut-custard pie for dessert,” announced Mrs. Hardy.
    â€œLet’s hope your sons can stay put long enough to eat it,” said Aunt Gertrude.
    The boys went to bed early that night. They spent the next day puttering around their crime lab and mulling over the case. It was midafternoon when their father telephoned with an urgent message.
    â€œMr. Alden just received another call from the thieves,” said the detective. “He was told that the proof he had asked for would be found in a book entitled Famous Horses of the World, at the Clayton Library. Meet us there just as soon as you can.”
    The boys started out immediately. At the library they found their father and Alden seated at one of the reading tables examining a large book.
    Mr. Hardy handed his sons a photograph. “This was tucked in between the pages,” he whispered.
    The boys’ eyes widened with surprise. “It’s a picture of Topnotch,” Frank said.
    â€œAre you absolutely sure?” Joe asked.
    â€œNo doubt about it,” Alden replied in a low voice.
    â€œAnd it’s a cul-de-sac when it comes to getting a line on who placed the photograph in the book,” Mr. Hardy said. “I questioned the librarian, but she has been too busy to take note of any