Read Online The Vanishing Thieves by Franklin W. Dixon - Free Book Online

microphones had been planted in them.
    â€œThe place is clean,” Frank declared finally.
    â€œWhen do we have to relieve Joe and Vern?” Chet asked.
    â€œWe won’t. We’ll just pick them up about five. I figure that’s when the gang’ll close down for the day. If the big boss hasn’t appeared by then, he probably won’t show up at all. There’s no point in staking out the warehouse all night. We’ll start again in the morning.”
    â€œSuits me,” Chet said, flopping down on his bed.
    â€œI’m going to take a shower,” Frank announced, and walked through the connecting bathroom into his own room.
    His suitcase lay on a small bench against the wall. Deciding to take out some clean clothes before showering, he opened the bag. Instantly there was a puff of smoke, a blinding flash, and a thunderous explosion!

10 Captured
    Chet rushed in and saw Frank sitting on the floor with a stunned expression on his face.
    â€œAre you hurt?” the boy asked anxiously.
    Frank climbed to his feet. “No, I’m fine.” He went over to look into the suitcase. “It was just a scare tactic, I think. All noise and no damage.”
    Picking up a note that was lying next to the remains of the fake bomb, he read it, then passed it on to Chet. In block letters was printed: GO BACK TO BAYPORT, OR THE NEXT ONE WILL BE REAL!
    â€œThey mean business,” Chet said nervously.
    â€œSo do we,” Frank stated in a grim tone. “We won’t be going back to Bayport. We’ll just make them think we did.”
    â€œHow can we do that?” Chet inquired.
    â€œAfter we pick up Joe and Vern, we’ll check out of here and go to another hotel.”
    At five o‘clock the two friends drove to the warehouse and Frank gave the code honk. Parking down the street, they waited. When Joe and Vern did not appear, Frank walked back to check the refrigerator carton. It was empty, but his camera was lying underneath the wooden crate.
    Frank was about to leave when he heard a car drive up. Peering through the view hole, he saw a distinguished-looking man getting out of a Lincoln Continental. Frank took his camera and snapped a picture through the view hole as the man let himself into the warehouse. Then he pocketed the camera.
    He returned to their rental car, leaned in the window, and said to Chet, “Joe isn’t there, but a guy I’m betting is the kingpin of this operation just went into the place.”
    â€œWhere do you suppose Joe is?” Chet asked.
    â€œProbably back in the shed with Vern.”
    Chet got out of the car and they sneaked around to the alley. An eighteen-wheel truck was parked next to the sliding door, but no one was in the shed.
    â€œMaybe they got hungry and went to the deli,” Chet suggested.
    â€œWe’ll check,” Frank said with a frown. “But I don’t think they’d both take off.”
    They hurried to the delicatessen, but Joe and Vern were not there. Frank described the two boys to the Chinese proprietor, but the man couldn’t remembering seeing anyone who resembled Joe and Vern.
    Outside Chet asked, “What do you think?”
    â€œI think they’re in trouble, maybe being held prisoner in the warehouse.”
    â€œWe can’t go in there.”
    â€œWhy not?” Frank asked, heading back up the alley. “Joe and I got in there this morning.”
    â€œYou got into trouble, too,” Chet said. “That place is full of hoods.”
    Frank stopped next to the warehouse’s restroom window. “You stay in the shed, then,” he suggested. “I’ll go in alone.”
    The window was already open. Frank made sure the room was empty, then climbed inside. Stealthily, he crept over to the door that opened into the main room.
    Hearing a grunting noise behind him, he spun around. Chet was just pulling himself over the sill.
    â€œI thought you didn’t want