Read Online What Happened at Midnight by Franklin W. Dixon - Free Book Online Page B

passengers were just beginning to file up the ramp to the waiting room. Chris had not yet appeared, so the brothers, shielding their faces, made their way quickly to the exit gate.
    â€œI don’t see any police,” Frank remarked, disappointed.
    â€œNo,” Joe replied. “I guess we’ll have to take over.”
    The boys emerged into the concourse. There, in the enormous, high-vaulted station, booming with hollow echoes, they waited for Chris to appear.
    He stalked through the gate, looking neither to right nor left. The boys quickly fell in behind him. He towered above the throng, and they had little difficulty following him. Despite the crowds that jostled them, the Hardys managed to keep Chris in view and pursued him out into the street.
    â€œWhat’ll we do if he hops into a taxi?” Joe asked.
    â€œHop into one ourselves and hope we can trail him,” Frank said.
    â€œI’d feel better if we had more money with us,” Joe mumbled.
    The man they were trailing still seemed unaware that he was being followed.
    â€œIt’s going to be mighty hard for one taxi to follow another in this traffic,” Frank remarked.
    â€œMaybe we won’t need one,” his brother suggested. “Anyhow, these New York taxi drivers are pretty clever. I think if we tell one to follow a car we point out and make it worth his while, he could do it.”
    â€œGoing to cost a lot of moolah,” Frank said.
    They were relieved when their quarry continued walking.
    â€œCome on!” Frank called.
    The two sleuths had a twofold problem: to follow Chris and be careful he did not suspect they were after him. Twice he swung around while they hurried along the crowded sidewalk, and it seemed as if he were suspicious.
    On these occasions the boys dodged back of passers-by. After two momentary surveys, Chris hastened on again.
    â€œI don’t believe he saw us,” Frank murmured as they again took up the chase.
    â€œNo, evidently not. But we’re coming to heavy congestion. Look at the crowd and there are traffic signals. If he gets across the street ahead of us and you and I are held up by a red light, we’ll lose him.”
    The boys were anxious as they approached a busy corner where a policeman was directing the flow of automobiles and pedestrians.
    â€œShall we ask his help?” Joe asked.
    â€œI doubt he could leave his post,” Frank answered.
    Just what Joe had feared took place. Chris was among the last to slip across the thoroughfare before the lights flashed from green to red and the officer blew his whistle sharply. Joe groaned.
    â€œJust our luck!” he cried.
    â€œLook!” Frank exclaimed. “We’re in luck!”
    Chris was speaking to a man on the other side of the street. Evidently the stranger had asked directions and Chris had halted to explain and point out the location of a certain street. He took such pains with the man that by the time he finished, the traffic light had again flashed green.
    â€œLet’s go!” Joe cried.
    They trailed Chris along the street for several blocks, then he turned into a large office building. Inside was a row of elevators opposite the entrance. Frank and Joe hesitated a few seconds about following Chris.
    â€œCome on!” Joe urged. “If he gets in an elevator, and we aren’t there, we won’t know what office he’s going to.”
    â€œYou’re right!” Frank agreed.
    They hurried into the lobby just as Chris stepped into one of the cars. The door closed and he shot upward. Fortunately he was the only passenger and the boys watched the dial. The car stopped at the tenth floor.
    â€œI hope he doesn’t get away,” Joe murmured excitedly.
    â€œWe never would have dared get into the same elevator with him,” Frank said. “He’d have recognized us.”
    The boys stepped into the next car. It soon filled and shot up leaving passengers off at various