The Secret Agent on Flight 101 Read Online Free Page A

magician had mentioned he was canceling the remainder of his tour with the exception of one last performance.
    â€œWhere?” Frank asked.
    â€œSome little place called Granton. Don’t ask me what state, because I don’t know. Said they pushed up the date to tonight to accommodate him. Accommodation—bah!”
    The Hardys and their friends thanked the manager and hurried back to the car. They returned to the airport and hastened to the operations room to consult a large aeronautical chart mounted on the wall.
    â€œHere’s Granton,” the pilot said, pointing. He quickly plotted a course. “It’s a little bit more than a thousand miles from here.”
    â€œGood grief!” Chet exclaimed. “We’ll never get there in time.”
    Frank glanced at his watch. “We ought to be able to make the trip in under seven hours, wouldn’t you say, Jack?”
    The pilot manipulated a small flight computer, which he had taken from a jacket pocket. “With the present winds, I’d say we could do it in seven hours easily.”
    â€œIf we take off right now,” Frank said, “we can be in Granton before Hexton’s show ends.”
    â€œI’m game, fellows,” Chet piped up, “if you’ll let me get some chow for the trip.” He trotted toward the airport cafeteria and returned a few minutes later with a bag of sandwiches and milk.
    Soon the four companions were in the air, speeding toward Granton. They set down late that evening at an airport thirty miles from the town, rented a car, and started off. Fortunately, the speed limit was generous. Also, Granton had only one theater, which Frank found easily.
    It was nearly time for the show to end. Frank parked the car across the street from the lighted marquee.
    Joe walked down an alley to the rear and reported that there was only one other exit besides the front. “It’s on the side.”
    â€œKeep a sharp lookout for Hexton and his men after the performance,” Frank instructed the others. “Also, remember that they mustn’t spot us or our chance to follow them might fail.”
    Twenty minutes later the show ended and people spilled out through the doors. Presently a green sedan drove up in front of the theater.
    â€œLook!” Joe said in a loud whisper. “The driver is Stony Bleeker!”
    Four men appeared from the alley exit. “There’s Hexton!” Chet whispered.
    â€œAnd Vordo with two short men!” Frank observed.
    â€œThey look like twins!” Joe exclaimed.
    â€œI’ll bet that’s how Hexton works the vanishing bit,” said Chet. “One twin disappears in the box and the other appears from the wings! From the audience, who could tell they weren’t the same man?”
    The magician and his assistants got into the car and sped off. Frank and his companions followed at a safe distance. Several blocks farther on, the green car passed a high wall surrounding a garden back of a hotel, then pulled around the corner and stopped in front of the Granton Inn. The men got out and entered, while a doorman drove the car into the hotel’s underground garage.
    Frank parked a short distance from the entrance. “Let’s stay out here and see what happens,” he said. “We’ll take turns keeping watch. Good thing there are no exits except to this street or the garden.” The foursome settled down for a long vigil.
    As they waited, Joe noticed that Chet seemed preoccupied. His stout friend was staring at something high on the side of the hotel.
    â€œWhat are you looking at?” Joe asked.
    â€œThat window up there near the top. The room light is going on and off.”
    The young sleuths watched the light for a time before noticing that it was following a definite pattern.
    â€œDit-dit-dit dah-dah-dah dit-dit-dit,” mumbled Frank in tempo with the light.
    â€œAn SOS!” Joe cried. “In Morse