The Secret Agent on Flight 101 Read Online Free Page B

code!”
    â€œNo doubt about it!” Frank exclaimed. “Maybe it’s from Dad! He could be a prisoner in Hexton’s room!”
    Throwing caution to the winds, the Hardys dashed into the hotel. Chet and Jack Wayne remained in the car to watch the exit. The desk clerk was startled when the boys rushed in.
    â€œWhich is the Incredible Hexton’s room?” Frank asked.
    The man automatically answered, “He’s in Suite 924. What are your names? I’ll announce you.”
    â€œNever mind,” Joe said.
    â€œBut I have to announce all visitors,” the clerk insisted. “It’s a hotel rule.”
    As he scooped up the house phone, Frank and Joe darted into an elevator. They burned with impatience while the car rose slowly. When it reached the ninth floor, the boys hopped out and rushed to Hexton’s suite. To their surprise, the door was partly open. On it hung a sign: DO NOT DISTURB.
    â€œCareful!” Frank warned. “It might be a trap.”
    Cautiously they entered and hurriedly glanced into each of the rooms of the suite.
    â€œNobody here!” Joe declared.
    â€œThey were warned by the desk clerk’s call,” Frank said. “Let’s go after them! They must have escaped by a stairway.”
    The boys ran along the corridor toward an exit sign and bounded down the staircase. Reaching the lobby, they asked the clerk if he had seen Hexton or his assistants pass through.
    â€œI’ve seen no one,” was the response. “What’s this all about?”
    â€œNo time to tell you now,” Frank said. “How do we get to the underground garage?”
    â€œBy the elevator or the back stairs,” the clerk answered.
    â€œQuick! Outside!” Frank shouted to Joe. “Maybe we can cut them off!”
    They raced from the hotel and headed for the driveway leading to the underground garage. Just then the green sedan roared out.
    â€œWatch it!” Joe yelled. They fell backward as the speeding car grazed their jackets. Scrambling to their feet, the boys ran for their own car. It was gone!
    â€œChet and Jack must have recognized Hexton,” Frank surmised, “and followed him.”
    He and Joe hurried back to the hotel to search the magician’s rooms for clues.
    â€œCome here!” Frank called softly to Joe as he opened the door to an adjoining bedroom. “This is where the SOS was sent from!” The electrical plug to a lamp was only part way in the wall outlet.
    â€œThe signal must have been sent by manipulating the plug,” Frank said.
    â€œWhat’s that?” Joe exclaimed, pointing to something written near the base of the wall. The pair bent down to examine the faint scribbling. It read:
    441810682300 Am all right—
    â€œThat’s Dad’s writing!” Joe exclaimed. “He was trying to tell us something!”
    â€œThe ‘Am all right’ is clear enough,” Frank remarked as he carefully studied the writing. “But the numerals—what do you make of them?”
    Joe rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Nothing—yet. But I’ll bet they’re mighty important.”
    Frank took a notebook from his pocket and jotted down the cryptic message. The boys then went downstairs and walked out of the hotel just as Chet and Jack Wayne drove up.
    â€œWe chased ’em!” Chet said.
    â€œAny luck?” Frank asked.
    â€œNo! Only their license number. Lost ’em in traffic,” Jack answered.
    â€œBut,” Chet continued eagerly, “we did get close enough to see that there were six men in the car.”
    Frank nodded. “I’m sure the sixth was Dad!”
    After phoning a description and the license number of the green car to the police, Jack and the boys decided to return to the theater.
    â€œHexton must have left his stage equipment behind,” Frank said. “Perhaps he gave instructions where he wanted it sent.”
    At the