The Sting of the Scorpion

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division has already laid the keel of one even larger than Quinn’s. It’ll be called the Globe Girdler to indicate its worldwide flight range. So naturally I’m pretty angry over what happened yesterday.”
    â€œYou mean,” Frank said, “the bad publicity?”
    â€œExactly. Anything harmful to his dirigible is bound to affect my project, too. That’s why I want to do anything I can to help nab these filthy terrorists. And that’s why I contacted you two.”
    â€œBelieve me, sir,” Frank declared, “we’re as anxious to round up the Scorpio gang as you are. And we’ll be happy to follow up any leads you can provide.”
    â€œGood. Then I’ll instruct my security department to pass along any clues they uncover.”
    â€œWhat got you interested in the lighter-than-air field, Mr. Jarman?” Joe inquired.
    â€œThe tremendous future I see for it. Matter of fact, we’ve been building blimps, which are non-rigid airships, for several years.”
    The Hardys exchanged surprised grins.
    â€œThose little ones we saw this morning wouldn’t be yours by any chance, would they?” Joe inquired.
    â€œYou bet they would!” Eustace Jarman replied with a pleased smile. “I keep them berthed right here on the roof of this skyscraper.”
    He got up from his desk again and strolled across the room to gaze out the huge floor-to-ceiling window of his penthouse office.
    â€œHere they come now!” he said.
    Frank and Joe both joined the industrialist. Looking east, they could see the two little craft over Manhattan.
    â€œI got the idea of sending them up on the spur of the moment, when the Safari Queen appeared over New York,” Jarman related proudly. “Then I had my public-relations department phone all the news agencies and TV networks.”
    â€œIt made a terrific spectacle,” Frank said, genuinely impressed.
    â€œI knew it would,” the tycoon boasted. “Unless I miss my guess, that scene will show up in news photos clear across the country. I expect it to generate as much publicity as those dirigible explosions yesterday morning.”
    Jarman glanced at his watch, and the boys got the impression they were politely being dismissed. “I wish I could have lunch with you fellows, but I’m booked with some European manufacturers. You’ll have to excuse me. This is a high-pressure schedule I work under.”
    He strode to his desk and picked up a pen. “Let me write you a check, though, to cover your time in coming here today.”
    When the Hardys declined, Jarman promised to take them for a ride personally in one of his baby blimps on Thursday, and asked them to meet him at Bayport Airport at noon.
    â€œWe’ll really enjoy that, Mr. Jarman,” Frank said, shaking hands.
    After leaving the tycoon’s office, the Hardys went down to the lobby.
    â€œThere are phone booths up ahead.” Joe pointed. “Maybe we ought to call home and see if anything’s happened.”
    â€œGood idea. I hope they’ve heard from Dad!” Frank found enough coins in his pocket to cover the call and dialed the Hardys’ area code and home number. After depositing the amount of money requested by the operator, he was put through.
    Aunt Gertrude’s voice came on the line. “Hardy residence,” she said crisply.
    â€œThis is Frank, Aunt Gertrude. We’re still in New York.”
    â€œWell, make it brief. These long-distance calls cost money!”
    â€œYou’re telling me.” Frank grinned as he looked at his depleted stock of coins. “We just wanted to find out if anything has come up while we were gone.”
    â€œYes. You had a call from Sam Radley. It sounded important. He wants you boys to phone him right away!”

CHAPTER X
    Mole Mystery
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    â€œOKAY, Aunt Gertrude, I’ll ring Sam as soon as I hang up.” Frank hesitated

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