The Melted Coins Read Online Free Page B

Frank. “The charge is careless driving. The judge will be receiving guests tonight between eight and nine.”
    â€œYou mean our whole day’s shot?” Frank exclaimed. “We’ll have to wait around?”
    â€œI didn’t make the rules,” the policeman replied. While he held up traffic, Frank started the car. It groaned and scratched as it finally cleared the abutment. The officer acted as escort while the damaged car crossed the median strip and pulled into the opposite flow of traffic.
    Joe was furious. “Boy, just let me get my hands on that creepy character and he won’t recognize himself when I’m through with him!”
    â€œHe sure got us into a first-class jam,” Frank agreed. “And obviously for a reason.”
    â€œI can’t figure it out,” Chet put in. “If he wanted to get rid of us, why didn’t he just let us go? We were leaving Cleveland.”
    â€œHe probably figured we’d go upstate and have a look at the college,” Frank said. “And they’ve got something to hide!”
    For the rest of the day the boys went from one body shop to another, getting estimates on the repair work. They did not leave the car to be fixed, however.
    â€œWe’d better wait till tomorrow and see what happens in court tonight,” Frank decided.
    â€œThat’s right,” Chet said glumly. “We might not even have enough money left to continue the trip.”
    At eight o’clock the boys reported to court and sat on a bench waiting for their turn. Fines were meted out to several drivers before their case came up.
    The judge was a man in his middle thirties with a touch of gray at the temples and a severe mouth. He examined the summons, then reached for another piece of paper. After studying it, he said, “You Bayporters are really up to high jinks. Don’t you know it’s unsafe to cut in and out along the highway?”
    â€œI don’t know what you mean,” Frank said.
    â€œI have received no less than three complaints from motorists in this area today.” He read Frank’s license plate number. “That’s you?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œThese drivers,” the judge went on, “said you were cutting in and out of traffic endangering their lives!”
    â€œThat’s a lie!’ Joe said hotly. ”Somebody is trying to frame us!”
    The judge frowned. Unimpressed by Joe’s protest, he announced, “I sentence you to a fine of fifty dollars and three days in jail!”

CHAPTER IV
    Treasure Below
    â€œBUT that’s not fair! You can’t do this to my brother!” Joe declared. “He’s innocent!”
    â€œSilence!” the judge replied. “Something has to be done to make an example of young people using our highways to play games!”
    â€œBut, Your Honor, those complaints are faked!” said Frank. “Won’t you please give us a chance for an investigation of our own?”
    The judge studied the three boys for a moment, then said, “I’ll give you four days of grace before you start to serve your sentence. You are not allowed to leave this area. Next case!”
    Frank hurried to the nearest public telephone. With Joe and Chet crowding around him, he dialed their home in Bayport. No one was there.
    â€œTry Radley,” Joe advised. Sam Radley was Mr. Hardy’s operative. He was home.
    Frank explained his predicament and said, “Sam, this is a real SOS. If I can’t prove I was framed I’ll be spending some time in the cooler.”
    â€œOkay. Where are you staying?”
    â€œIn the Ohio Motel. We stayed there before and I’m sure we’ll get another room.”
    â€œI’ll catch the next flight out and meet you there,” Sam said.
    Radley arrived at the motel early the next morning. “Good thing I was home,” he said with a grin. “Your father’s out of town on his