Read The Sinister Signpost Online
Authors: Franklin W. Dixon
The Sinister Signpost (11 page)
“Sounds like Jack Wayne,” Joe said. “He must be at the cabin.”
Frank sprinted down the brush-covered trail. Reaching the clearing, he saw the pilot and two state troopers standing near the cabin.
“Jack!” Frank shouted as he ran to greet them.
“Am I glad to see you!” Jack said with a sigh of relief. “I jumped the gun a bit. Didn't quite wait out a full two hours. Thought you'd call me long before that. I began to worry and notified the State Police.”
“Glad you did.” Frank told Jack and the officers what had happened, then led them to the van.
“You're under arrest!” one of the troopers announced as the boys pulled the door of the vehicle down. Dodson and his henchmen staggered out and were handcuffed.
“There was a fourth man with them,” Joe put in. “He went to make a call.”
“Where's the nearest telephone?” Frank asked the officers.
“There's a public booth about a mile and a half down the highway,” one of them replied.
Frank checked his watch. “Let's drive in that direction,” he suggested. “Beaver was on foot. He should be on his way back by now.”
“We'll use the patrol car,” one of the troopers said, and added, “I'll have to radio headquarters for more help.”
Leaving Jack and the other officer behind to guard the prisoners, the Hardys and their companion hurried to the highway. Soon they were cruising in the patrol car.
Minutes later, Joe pointed to a wiry figure trekking back along the highway. “There he is! That's Beaver!”
The officer brought the car to an abrupt halt and leaped out, with the boys close at his heels.
“Whatâwhat's this?” Beaver shouted as he was placed under arrest. “How did you kids escape?”
“Save your breath,” Joe snapped. “You'll soon have enough talking to do.”
It was not long before more troopers arrived on the scene. Two grooms from a nearby stable were summoned to take charge of Topnotch until his owner could claim him.
Dodson and his cohorts were driven to Haversville Police Headquarters. There Frank telephoned Alden's plant.
“Sorry,” said the executive's secretary, “but Mr. Alden and Mr. Hardy left a few minutes ago on urgent business. I don't know when they'll return.”
“They're probably on their way to pay the ransom money,” Frank remarked as he hung up.
“The guy named Kurt is in for a surprise when he arrives at the bus terminal tonight,” Joe commented with a grin. “He'll have quite a reception party waiting for him.”
“You can say that again,” Frank said. He then turned to their pilot. “Jack, fly back to Bayport and keep trying to contact Dad and Mr. Alden. When you do, bring them here.”
“Okay.”
The Hardys interrogated the prisoners but without success. After an early dinner at a restaurant in town they returned to police headquarters. They were elated to find their father waiting for them.
“Just got here,” Mr. Hardy said. “Heard you boys cracked the horsenapping case. Good work.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Frank answered. “Where's Mr. Alden? Didn't he come with you?”
“He intended to. But just as we were leaving his office, he received word that Roger was involved in an automobile accident,” the detective explained. “Jack went back to Bayport and will fly Mr. Alden here in the morning if Roger isn't seriously hurt.”
“What about the ransom?” Joe asked.
“Mr. Alden decided to pay it,” his father replied. “He received a call precisely at noon today and was instructed to leave the money in a public locker at the Clayton railroad station. I wanted to stick around and try to nab the pickup man, but Mr. Alden wouldn't hear of it. He was afraid of losing Topnotch if anything went wrong.”
The boys told him about Kurt.
“This is a great piece of luck!” Mr. Hardy exclaimed.
Frank glanced at his watch. “If Kurt picked up the money and departed from Clayton by one oâclock this afternoon, he should reach Haversville about ten or eleven o'clock tonight.”
As the hour neared, the three Hardys posted themselves across the street from the bus terminal. Several plainclothesmen were assigned to accompany them.
The time ticked by slowly. It was almost midnight before a car approached and parked in front of the terminal building. A burly man climbed out.
“That could be our man,” Mr. Hardy whispered.
“Trouble is, we don't know what Kurt looks like,” Joe muttered.
Frank was struck with an idea. He stepped out of the shadows and nonchalantly walked toward their suspect. “Hi, Kurt!” he said.
The man whirled. “Hi! Erâwho are you?” he responded with a startled expression.
“You're under arrest!” the young detective declared.
The man tried to make a break for it, but Frank seized him. Plainclothesmen closed in from all sides.
“What is this?” their captive shouted. “I ain't done nothin'.”
“We know who you are!” Frank shot back
“Where's the ransom money?” Mr. Hardy demanded.
“What money?” Kurt sputtered.
“It's probably in his car,” Joe put in. He quickly searched the vehicle and found a package stuffed underneath the front seat.
“That's it,” Mr. Hardy observed.
The prisoner was taken to police headquarters. There he was brought face to face with Dodson.
“Gosh, Boss,” Kurt began, “I ...”
“Shut up!” Dodson screamed. “Idiot! You walked straight into a trap!”
“But nobody warned me! How was I supposed to know?”
“As long as you're in the mood for talking,” Frank spoke up, “suppose you answer a few questions.”
“I told you before,” Dodson retorted, “you're not getting anything out of me.”
“Is there someone else in this with you?” Mr. Hardy inquired.
A smirk spread across Dodson's face. “Why don't you ask Alden's son?”
CHAPTER XV
Plea for Help
“WHAT do mean by that remark?” Frank demanded.
“You guys think you're so smart,” Dodson snapped. “Figure it out for yourselves.”
After the prisoners were escorted to their cells, the Hardys went to a local hotel to spend the night. The next morning Mr. Alden and Jack Wayne arrived just as the boys and their father were finishing breakfast.
“You've done a terrific job,” Alden said. “And I'm glad to know that Topnotch is all right.”
“We've recovered the ransom money too,” Joe announced.
“What!” Alden exclaimed. “That's incredible.”
After a pause Mr. Hardy inquired, “How's your son?”
“Fine, thank you. It was just a minor car accident, and I was happy to hear it wasn't his fault. Fortunately Roger escaped injury and reported for work at the stable this morning.”
Frank said quietly, “We're sorry that your cousin is one of the thieves.”
Alden also expressed some remorse for Dodson. He hinted that he might drop the charges against him.
“But you can't let him go free,” Mr. Hardy objected. “We've reason to suspect that your cousin is involved with someone who is trying to steal your experimental motor. He might turn out to be our only link.”
Alden finally agreed.
Then the detective said, “We're going to take another crack at questioning Dodson before we fly back to Bayport. You'd better come to headquarters with us. The police will want a statement.”
“All right.” Alden sighed. “But please don't ask me to be at the interrogation. You understand. Anyway, I want to arrange to take Topnotch home today.”
When Dodson was grilled by the Hardys, he continued to be uncooperative.
“You were the one who fired the smoke grenade into our father's study, weren't you?” Frank said.
“I don't know what you're talking about,” Dodson insisted.
“No use denying it,” Joe interjected. “We have evidence to prove that the grenade was fired from your rifle.”
The prisoner nervously gripped the arms of his chair. “You're lying!” he screamed.
“Who's trying to steal Mr. Alden's experimental motor?” Mr. Hardy demanded.
“I don't know anything about a motor!” Dodson shouted. He jumped to his feet. “I want to go back to my cell!”
Shortly he was ushered out of the room. The Hardys then questioned each of the other prisoners in turn. But they too refused to talk. Obviously Dodson had frightened the men into remaining silent.
After lunch Jack Wayne flew the Hardys back to Bayport. When they arrived, Frank suggested that they drive to the stable near Alden's plant and tell Roger about Dodson's remark.
“I'd like to see what his reaction will be,” Frank added.
“You boys go ahead. I must get back to another case,” Mr. Hardy told them. “I'll take a taxi home.”
The boys hurried to the airport parking lot and climbed into their car. Soon they were at the stable confronting Roger with Dodson's insinuation.
“I barely know my father's cousin,” the young man yelled. “He's crazy!”
“Then what reason would Dodson have for trying to involve you?” Frank asked.
Roger grew pale. “Don't ask me!” he retorted. “Maybe he's trying to get back at my father through me.”
“Then you've nothing to worry aboutâif you're not involved,” Joe said.
“Leave me alone!” The young man nervously fumbled with a bucket he was carrying. “Get out of here! I have work to do!”
“Okay,” Frank replied. “But don't forget this. When Dodson and his gang are put on trial, your name is likely to pop up again. If so, the prosecutor will have you subpoenaed.”
When the boys returned home, Chet Morton was waiting in the driveway with his bicycle.
“Hi, fellows!” Their friend was bubbling with excitement. “Long time no see!”
“Hello, Chet!” Frank said. “What's with the bicycle? Car break down?”
“No,” the plump youth answered. “Remember the rocket cycle I told you I was going to design? Well, this is it!”
Frank and Joe noticed a square canister attached underneath the seat of the bicycle. A long, funnel-shaped nozzle protruded from it.
“Don't tell us it works,” Joe said.
“I don't know yet,” Chet admitted. “I wanted to wait until you masterminds could be on hand to witness the supreme test.”
“Forget it,” Frank advised. “That thing looks dangerous.”
Chet shrugged off the warning. He leaped onto the seat of the bicycle and flicked a small toggle switch mounted on the handle bar. A crackling sound came from the canister. Then suddenly a long tongue of flame shot out from the nozzle. Chet was carried off with a roar. He maneuvered the bicycle through several wide circles as its speed rapidly increased.
“Cut off the motor!” Joe cried anxiously.
“IâI can't!” their friend stammered.
In the next instant Chet steered on a straight course and vanished down the street in a trail of smoke. The Hardys jumped into their car and took off in pursuit.
“Where did he go?” Joe said anxiously after they had traveled about half a mile.
“Look! Over there!”
Frank pointed to a bicycle, minus its rider, turned over on a spacious lawn. The wheels were still spinning.
“There's no sign of Chet,” Joe muttered worriedly.
“I see him!” Frank declared.
He led his brother to a thick hedge a short distance away. Chet's legs were protruding from the top.
“Are you all right?” Joe yelled.
“Yes, I'm okay! Get me out of here!”
The boys pulled their chum free of the hedge. He was badly shaken by his experience, but other than a few scratches he had suffered no injuries.
“Better stick to the old-fashioned way of propelling a bike,” Frank urged.
“Guess you're right.” Chet sighed. “It wasn't such a good idea, anyway.”
The Hardys drove their friend and his rocket bike to the Morton farm. Then they returned home in time to enjoy a delicious dinner. The meal was interrupted by the telephone. Frank answered it.
“This is Roger,” the caller announced. He seemed frightened. “I've got to see you right away. But I don't want to come to your home. Meet me at the municipal parking lot in Bayport.”
The boys quickly finished eating, then drove off to rendezvous with Alden's son. They found him seated in his car. At Roger's request the boys climbed into the rear seat.
“What's this all about?” Frank demanded.
“You must help me,” the young man pleaded.
“Help you?” Joe snapped. “Why should we?”
“I'm in terrible trouble,” Roger said shakily. “I
was
in on the theft of Topnotch. But I didn't know the horse was to be held for ransom.”
was
in on the theft of Topnotch. But I didn't know the horse was to be held for ransom.”
“Then why did you get involved?” Frank asked.
“I wanted revenge for the way my father has been treating me.”
“How did you get mixed up with Dodson?” Joe questioned.
Roger stated that he met his father's cousin one night in Clayton. “I realize now that it was not a chance meeting. He must have followed me there after work. Said he'd heard I wasn't on friendly terms with my father. I never thought to ask him how he knew that.”
“Hm! Interesting,” Frank muttered.
“Dodson then told me that he also had a grudge against my father,” Roger continued, “and asked me if I would like to play a joke on him.”
Other books
The Rancher Takes a Bride by Brenda Minton
Finding Home by Rose, Leighton
Separate Beds by Lavyrle Spencer
Treasure Sleuth by Amy Shaw
El general en su laberinto by Gabriel García Márquez
Marysvale by Jared Southwick
The Heroines by Eileen Favorite
A Gentlewoman's Pleasure by Portia Da Costa
Hidden Obsession (The Club #2) by Missy Johnson
