No Way Out (14 page)

“He stole the gauntlet from the trunk in my study,” Alan told Joe. “I caught him up there the night before. Remember? Frank was sneaking around that night and said he saw someone at the top of the stairs. Then, when I wanted to show you the gauntlet, it wasn't there. I knew that it had been stolen—and I was sure it was MacLaren.”

“Is he the one who called while I was there?” Joe asked.

“No, that was a business call,” Alan said.

“Don't be modest, Alan,” MacLaren said. “This young man deserves to know how you make your living, how you solve puzzles for other people.”

“I already know all about it,” Joe said. “Is that why you kidnapped him?”

“Of course,” MacLaren said. “Alan should fetch me quite a lot of money—either from the people he works
for
… or from the people he works
against
. I'll just auction him off to the highest bidder.”

“How did you find out about the house, and the hidden study, and the elevator into the mine?” Alan asked MacLaren.

“I have my sources.”

“We know all about
him
, too,” Joe said. He explained to Alan about the baron's brother and how he was now working with the police. He could tell he had struck a nerve by the way MacLaren's eyes narrowed and glared at him.

“I think you're going to be too much baggage,” MacLaren said to Joe. “I have a feeling there's no way the ransom you'd bring me will be worth the problems you'll cause me.” He walked over to Joe. “Let's just take a little walk. I'm sure we can find a room for you and you alone down here—one that no one else will ever find. Stand up.”

Joe wriggled up to his feet—not an easy task with his hands behind his back and the sharp pains jabbing through his calf. He wiggled his right hand free and waited until MacLaren was just close
enough. Then he brought his fist around from behind his back and delivered a sledgehammer blow up into MacLaren's chin.

“Nice shot,” Frank declared as he ran into the room.

MacLaren stumbled back a few feet, then seemed to regain his balance. He hurled his huge body into Frank with a vicious head-butt into his gut. Frank slammed against the marble with a groan. Joe reached into the stack of wood and yanked out a plank. With one well-aimed blow to MacLaren's kidneys, he dropped the man to his knees. Frank delivered a two-fisted wallop to the side of MacLaren's head, and the man toppled onto the floor like a felled tree.

When John Brighthall finally brought Officer Chester and his deputy into the room, MacLaren had regained consciousness, but was tied up with both Alan's and Joe's ropes. There was no need for handcuffs.

The two police officers, Brighthall, and MacLaren took the first elevator ride up. Then they sent the little car back down for the Hardys and Alan.

By the time Frank, Joe, and Alan arrived downstairs in the Horton house, Brighthall and MacLaren were on their way to the police station, and Officer Chester and Shorty had brought Penny and the twins back to the house.

Alan poured goblets of mulled cider for everyone.
“Here's a toast to Frank Hardy and Joe Hardy,” he announced, “and I hereby proclaim them Gallant Knights of EagleSpy.”

The Hardys gently bowed their heads and smiled. Then they caught the others up to speed.

“That reminds me, Joe,” Officer Chester said. “I asked Brighthall how he got into the maze last night. He says he didn't—he was in Newfoundland rounding up money to give to MacLaren.”

Reluctantly, Joe told the others about his three
A.M
. trip through the maze.

“But if Brighthall was in Newfoundland, who did you see in the maze?” Ray asked Joe.

“Wait a minute,” Frank said. “Are you saying Joe really did see a
ghost?”

“Well, it wouldn't be the first time I got a report of a ghost on Cape Breton, that's for sure,” Officer Chester said.

“You and Frank have set the baron free, Joe,” Kay said matter-of-factly. “Now that you've unmasked his brother, the baron won't have to wander around, haunting the estate. He finally is free—he has a way
out. “

“Well, before he leaves completely,” Ray said, turning to Joe, “maybe you can ask your new friend where the buried treasure is!”

“I'll see what I can do,” Joe said, winking at his brother.