The Secret Agent on Flight 101 Read Online Free

him and his gang,” Joe remarked. “Do you think he’ll continue with his tour?”
    â€œProbably not,” Frank answered. “But right now it’s our only chance to find him.”
    When they returned to their car, the Hardys were surprised to see a pencil-printed note attached to the steering wheel. Frank removed it and read the contents aloud:
    â€œâ€˜Mind your own business! Or you’ll never see your father again!’ ”

CHAPTER IV
    Cryptic Message
    â€œBLEEKER must have left the warning here!” Joe exclaimed.
    â€œThat’s for sure,” Frank agreed. “And it’s no idle threat. Besides, I have a hunch Dad wasn’t taken to South Africa. Otherwise, Hexton wouldn’t be so determined to keep us off the trail.”
    The Hardys were more eager than ever to get their investigation under way. Upon arriving home, they examined the playbill which listed the cities on the magician’s tour.
    â€œAccording to this list,” Frank observed, “Hexton is scheduled to appear at the Tivoli Theater in Darville tomorrow.”
    Joe paged through the atlas and pinpointed the location of the city. “Here’s Darville. It’s about four hundred miles from here.”
    The boys telephoned Jack Wayne, pilot of Mr. Hardy’s twin-engine plane, and arranged to fly to Darville the following day. Frank and Joe had private pilot licenses, but thought it wise to have Jack along. “He’s a tough man in a fight,” Joe said.
    When they invited Chet, he eagerly accepted. “I’ll meet you at the field.”
    The next morning Mrs. Hardy and Aunt Gertrude nervously prepared breakfast for the young detectives.
    â€œNow don’t do anything foolish,” their mother cautioned. “This Hexton fellow sounds terribly dangerous to me.”
    â€œI fear the worst!” Aunt Gertrude said, shaking her head. “Detective work involves taking too many chances. No good will come of this. I can feel it in my bones.”
    â€œDon’t worry about us,” Joe assured them. “Hexton might be a clever magician, but we have a few tricks of our own.”
    After receiving more admonitions at the doorway, the boys drove to the airport. Jack Wayne, the tanned, lean-faced pilot, was waiting for them at the plane. Chet came puffing up a few moments later. Soon they were airborne and streaking toward Darville. Two hours later they circled it and set down.
    Frank rented a car and they drove directly to the theater where Hexton was scheduled to appear. As they approached the Tivoli, the boys were amazed to see a man standing on a tall ladder against the marquee, removing the big black letters which spelled out the magician’s name.
    Frank pulled up in front of the theater, and Joe called out, “What’s going on? Hexton’s first show is scheduled for tonight!”
    The man on the ladder shrugged. “I only follow orders. Sorry.”
    He pointed to the box-office window. A cancellation notice was spread across a large poster advertising the show.
    â€œLet’s have a talk with the theater manager,” Frank suggested. He parked and they hastened to a door marked “Manager L. Sardella.” Joe rapped loudly.
    â€œCome in!”
    When the four entered, a small, thin man with a waxed mustache removed his feet from a desk and glowered. “Yes?”
    â€œMr. Sardella, where is Hexton?” Joe asked tensely.
    The man arose and eyed them sharply. “You want refunds?”
    â€œNo. We’re private detectives,” Chet said importantly. “Where is he?”
    â€œHexton? That’s what I’d like to know. The skunk! I’ll spend the rest of the day giving refunds on my advance ticket sale, and still have no show tonight.”
    â€œWhy didn’t he come?” Frank asked.
    â€œSearch me. He phoned long-distance. Gave no reasons. I’ll sue him!”
    Sardella said that the