The Mystery of Cabin Island Read Online Free Page B

discover that each had given the other a handsome leather watchband. “I thought you’d like it, because it appealed to me,” Joe explained.
    â€œSame here,” Frank replied.
    â€œTime for you to open my presents,” said Aunt Gertrude as she handed each nephew a brightly wrapped package. “Now you won’t catch your death of cold on this foolish winter vacation!”
    Joe opened his box first and drew out a pair of full-length red ski underwear! “Well—uh—thanks!” he managed to blurt out.
    Frank’s gift was a duplicate. “Aunty, I can’t wait to wear this!” he said, grinning. He unbuttoned the bright crimson suit and pulled it on over his clothes. Joe did the same, and the boys clowned until even Aunt Gertrude was laughing hard.
    When Frank and Joe drove up to the Jefferson home later, the elderly man greeted them with “Merry Christmas, boys!” But there was an agitated ring in his voice.
    â€œHas anything happened, Mr. Jefferson?” Frank asked quickly.
    The reply was startling. “This morning I found a package on the doorstep. It’s a present from Johnny.” The old man held up the gift card bearing his grandson’s name. “This is Johnny’s printing.”
    The Hardys were astounded. “Is there any clue to where it came from?” Joe asked.
    â€œThere’s no postmark, so the package wasn’t mailed,” Mr. Jefferson answered, “and none of my neighbors lives close enough to have seen the person who left it, but there is a clue in the gift itself.”
    From the hall table he took a round box and opened it.
    â€œA can of plum pudding!” exclaimed Joe.
    â€œMy favorite dessert,” said Mr. Jefferson. “But this is the significant thing,” he added, pointing to a cluster of fir cones tied clumsily onto the can with red ribbon. “These are blue spruce cones and Cabin Island has many trees of that variety. More than ever, I feel sure my boy is—or was—there.”
    â€œPerhaps your housekeeper could tell us when and how the parcel was delivered,” Frank suggested.
    â€œNo,” Mr. Jefferson replied. “Mrs. Morley is away on a week’s vacation.”
    Mr. Jefferson donned his coat and locked the house. Then the three got into the car and Frank started for home. On the way he tried to reassure the distraught man. “Perhaps the gift is a sign that Johnny plans to come home soon. He probably wanted to get back into your good graces before returning.”
    Mr. Jefferson frowned. “That boy won’t be back as long as he has the detective bug.”
    Mr. and Mrs. Hardy and Aunt Gertrude welcomed their guest warmly, and he soon appeared to relax and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
    By the time Frank and Joe drove their visitor home that evening, he was smiling. As Frank brought the convertible to a stop in front of the Jefferson house, Joe said, “Sir, I have a strong feeling that Johnny is in this area. Will you describe him in detail?”
    â€œI’ll do better than that. Come into the house and I’ll give you a recent snapshot.”
    The Hardy boys followed Mr. Jefferson up the walk. He unlocked the door, stepped into the hall, turned on the light, then cried out in alarm.
    Frank and Joe gasped. Furniture had been overturned and drawers hung open, their contents scrambled and strewn about the floor. The antique wall ornaments had been ruthlessly torn down.
    The three hurried into the living room. It, too, was completely disordered. The thick rug was littered with articles that had been in drawers or displayed on shelves. The rich red draperies hung at crazy angles, and one of the crystal chandeliers had been shattered.
    Mr. Jefferson’s face was white and his hands trembled. Frank suggested anxiously, “You’d better sit down, sir. Joe and I will see if the person who did this is still on the premises.”
    â€œNo,