The Secret of the Caves Read Online Free

hardly keep from imitating the peculiar walk as he fell in behind him.
    Frank nudged his brother, and as they stepped past the man, Joe could not restrain himself from taking a backward glance at the fellow’s intelligent, round face.
    Quickly finding Shelly Row, the boys made their way to Number 19 and rang the doorbell. They were so intent on listening for someone inside that they did not hear a person walking up behind them. “Looking for me?” asked a cheerful voice.
    Frank and Joe whirled about to face the bouncy fellow with the sporty clothes. “Are you Cadmus Quill?” Frank asked.
    â€œYes, I am. May I help you?”
    The boys introduced themselves, and Quill ushered them into his room. Frank quickly told all that they had learned about the case and asked Quill if he knew anything further.
    â€œI do indeed,” he replied, “but the local police think it isn’t important!”
    â€œDo you have more facts?” Joe asked eagerly.
    â€œNot exactly,” Quill replied. “You might say it’s confidential information.” He motioned the boys to be seated, then drew up a chair close to them. “Todd was going to be married soon. Did you know that?”
    Taken by surprise, the Hardys said No.
    Quill told them that Todd had confided in him that he was going to return to Europe to marry a girl he had met while studying in the unfriendly country. “He didn’t even tell his sister for fear she might object.”
    â€œThen you don’t believe he lost his memory,” Frank said.
    Quill shook his head. “Not at all.”
    The graduate assistant had no further information to offer, whereupon the Hardys asked if he would show them to Todd’s quarters.
    â€œIndeed,” Quill said with an officious little smile. “Right next door.”
    He produced a key and entered the adjoining apartment.
    â€œYou see? Everything is neat and orderly,” he pointed out. “It’s very obvious to me that Morgan deliberately planned to leave.”
    â€œWhat’s this?” Frank asked, bending down to look at some mimeographed sheets on Todd’s desk.
    â€œI put those there,” Quill replied, “—a few of the examination papers which were left over the day after Morgan disappeared.”
    The young sleuths scanned the room, but did not wish to examine it closely with Quill present.
    â€œThank you,” Frank said. “Guess that’s all for now. May we come back later and check the room further?”
    â€œIndeed, yes, be my guests,” Quill said, and he handed the key to Joe.
    As they returned to their car, Frank teased his brother. “Joe, you nearly made a faux pas when we first saw bouncy Quill walking across campus.”
    Joe laughed. “He’s kind of odd, but I suppose a very smart cooky.”
    The boys stopped for supper at an inn near the campus, then returned to their motel. Frank opened the door and gasped. Inside was an elderly couple. The man was reading a newspaper while the woman primped her hair before the mirror on the dresser.
    â€œExcuse me!” Joe said. “We must be in the wrong room!”
    â€œNo, we’re not,” said Frank. “This is ours—Number Seven.”
    The woman turned and smiled. “Oh, you must be the Hardy brothers,” she said. “The manager moved your baggage out.”
    â€œWhat for?” Frank asked, puzzled and annoyed. “We’re registered here overnight.”
    Then he realized there was no use in arguing. It apparently was not the couple’s fault. Frank and Joe hastened to the manager’s office. The man smiled broadly. “Well, I’ve done as you asked. You have a very nice little bungalow and I know you’ll enjoy it.”
    â€œWh-what?” asked Joe.
    â€œYour college friends relayed your message,” the man said, stroking his bald head.
    The Hardys were dumfounded but listened to the