Read Online The Twisted Claw by Franklin W. Dixon - Free Book Online

things you won’t like aboard this ship.”
    The Hardys exchanged glances. Then they stowed their gear and followed the crewman to the cargo hold.
    â€œLook!” Joe whispered. He pointed to a pile of logs tied down at the far end of the hold. “They’re just like the ones we saw hoisted aboard the Black Parrot.”
    â€œStart checking this stuff!” Evans yelled. “Make sure it’s all battened down!”
    The boys did as they were told. Gradually, during the course of their inspection, they edged their way toward the pile of logs. Frank began to examine them closely.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Evans shouted in annoyance.
    â€œChecking the cargo,” Frank answered.
    â€œThen keep moving!”
    â€œYou want us to do a good job, don’t you?” Joe retorted.
    â€œNone of your back talk!” Evans gave Joe a hard shove.
    Frank stepped in and the crewman lashed out with his fists. The young detective grabbed his opponent’s left wrist, and with a lightning move, pinned the man’s arms behind his back.
    â€œLet go of me!” Evans yelled.
    â€œNot unless you calm down.”
    â€œOkay! Okay!”
    Frank released him. “Now I suppose you’re going to report us to the captain.”
    Evans was embarrassed by having been overpowered. “Naw,” he growled. “I’ll get even with you two later. Go to your quarters and wait for further orders.”
    â€œThis should be a pleasant voyage with him around,” Joe said, shaking his head.
    â€œWe’ll just try to stay out of his way,” Frank replied. “Trouble is what we don’t want.”
    When they arrived at their quarters, Frank spotted a note on his bunk. He snatched it and a cold chill quivered down his spine as he read aloud:
    â€œ ‘Get off this ship before it’s too late! ’ ”

CHAPTER X
    Deck Watch
    â€œWHO could have written this note?” Joe exclaimed.
    â€œI don’t get it!” Frank said. “I’m sure none of the crew knows who we are. Yet someone’s trying to warn us.”
    The ship’s engines started and the hull vibrated.
    â€œWe’re getting underway,” Joe observed. “That was a pretty quick repair job.”
    Frank stuffed the note into his pocket. “Too late to worry about this now. We’ll have to take our chances.”
    â€œYou kids!” came Evans’s voice. “Get up on deck and help haul in the lines!”
    The Hardys hastened topside, where they saw the bow of the Yellow Parrot swerving away from the pier.
    â€œCome on! Come on!” Evans barked. “Get working!”
    Frank and Joe assisted the other crewmen. Soon the heavy lines were pulled aboard and stacked in neat coils.
    The job was hardly finished when Evans began shouting orders again. “Now get below and report to the ship’s carpenter. Ask him to give you some paint. There are a few vents around here I want redone.”
    â€œWe won’t have time to do any investigating with him around,” Joe said under his breath.
    â€œWe’ll have to be patient and hope for a break,” Frank replied.
    The Hardys were kept busy painting. Later that day Joe was high on a ladder daubing the top of a door when his paint can slipped.
    Splat! It hit the deck with a thud, spattering a gray mess in all directions.
    What was worse, Rawlin walked past the spot at that very moment. He was decorated with gooey blobs.
    Enraged, he looked up and shouted at Joe. “Hey, you! Come here!”
    Joe quickly climbed down the ladder. Frank, who had been working nearby, ran over to see what had happened.
    â€œWhat’s the meaning of this?” Rawlin roared.
    â€œIt was an accident,” Joe said.
    The man’s face reddened. “I don’t believe you! I think you saw me coming and dropped that can on purpose. You’ll—!”
    â€œNow wait a minute,” Frank