The Mystery of Cabin Island Read Online Free Page A

observed. “I’m not surprised that Johnny wanted to go off and prove he’s old enough to be on his own.”
    Frank frowned. “Could be. But he’s also old enough to realize fully the grief he’s causing his grandfather.”
    Upon reaching their boathouse, Frank parked behind a green sedan which the Hardys recognized as belonging to the Hoopers. Biff and Chet hopped out to greet their pals.
    Joe and Biff unlocked both car trunks, and they all looked over the gear each had brought. “It’ll take some engineering to stow all this on the Sea Gull,” Joe said with a groan.
    â€œAnd don’t forget, we have to leave some space for food,” Chet reminded him.
    Biff scratched his head. “It’s all necessary, including my snowshoes. Chet has his, too.”
    â€œYou’re lucky,” Frank replied. “Ours gave out last winter and we haven’t had the money to get new ones.”
    The four boys hauled their gear into the boathouse. The streamlined hull of the Sea Gull had been designed with plenty of space for cargo. Nevertheless, they repacked it three times before they found places for everything. When they had finished, there remained only a few niches for boxes of food.
    â€œThat took at least an hour!” Biff exclaimed. “We’d better get going.”
    Joe locked the boathouse. The friends wished one another a Merry Christmas, and Frank called out, “See you Saturday!”
    At dinner Frank and Joe told their family about Mr. Jefferson’s mysteries. Mr. and Mrs. Hardy and Aunt Gertrude expressed concern about Johnny and hoped the missing boy would be found soon.
    Frank and Joe went upstairs early in the evening to wrap their gifts before going to bed. In the morning the brothers awakened soon after the sun was up.
    â€œMerry Christmas!” Joe called.
    â€œSame to you!” Frank shouted as he leaped out of bed. The boys dressed and ran downstairs.
    â€œI can smell the turkey roasting already!” Joe exclaimed as he reached the bottom step.
    Aunt Gertrude bustled out of the kitchen and scolded cheerfully, “I should hope you do! That gobbler weighs thirty pounds! Now, I’ve made pancakes and sausage, and I want you both to eat properly before the confusion begins. Oh, Merry Christmas!”
    The boys ate the tasty breakfast with zest.
    Mrs. Hardy looked at her sons. “Mr. Jefferson was so kind to make your outing possible,” she mused, “it’s sad to think of him being alone on Christmas. Why don’t we invite him to join us at dinner?”
    Joe grinned and said, “Mother, that’s a great idea!”
    â€œI’ll phone him!” Frank hurried off to make the call.
    He returned shortly to announce that Mr. Jefferson had accepted the invitation. “I said Joe and I would pick him up on our way back from church.”
    â€œNow for our presents!” Joe urged impatiently.
    The Hardys went into the living room where the lights and ornaments shone brilliantly on the tall balsam. The boys were thrilled to discover that their mother had bought each of them a pair of snowshoes. Mr. Hardy gave his sons a self-developing camera.
    The brothers were overjoyed. “It’s terrific! But what’s this?” Joe asked, holding up an object that resembled a gunstock.
    His father explained that the attachment was a gun-type mounting to use in conjunction with the camera’s high-powered telescopic lens. “You should find it very useful for long-range shots,” he added. “A number of private investigators have purchased them.”
    â€œThanks!” they chorused, and Frank added, “We’ll take it to Cabin Island.”
    From her sons Mrs. Hardy received a colorful skirt and blouse set, Mr. Hardy was the happy recipient of handmade doeskin slippers, and Aunt Gertrude beamed over a tan cardigan sweater presented by her nephews.
    As for Frank and Joe, they were amused to