The Secret of the Caves Read Online Free Page B

before we could find a good clue.”
    â€œThen you think Todd could have been kidnapped?”
    â€œLet’s not rule out that possibility,” Frank said.
    As the truck approached the Palm Court grounds, Joe suddenly chuckled. “If Chet and Biff wanted excitement—they should’ve been with us tonight. Honeycomb Caves must be pretty tame compared with the Kenworthy capers.”
    Frank grinned widely. “Chet would’ve lost ten pounds from fright.”
    The truck swung over and stopped. The Hardys hopped out, thanking the trucker for the lift.
    â€œSure thing, fellows. So long.”
    The brothers made a beeline for the office.
    â€œNow to question Baldy,” Frank said. He stabbed the buzzer beside the door repeatedly until a light shone inside. The manager, sleepy-eyed and holding up his trousers with one hand, opened the door. He was not in a good mood.
    â€œWhat do you mean waking me up at this hour?” he asked crossly. “If you’re going to check out, wait till morning, for Pete’s sake.”
    â€œSomebody else checked us out,” Frank said. “We’d like to ask you some questions.”
    Alarmed by the boys’ determination, the manager let them in. There the Hardys learned that the instigator of the room switch was a member of a local fraternity at Kenworthy College.
    â€œI thought these college kids were just going to have some fun with you,” the man said.
    â€œThe police might give it a different label,” Frank replied grimly. “Now what’s this fellow’s name and where does he live?”
    After the man had jotted down the information, Frank and Joe drove directly to the Delta Sigma fraternity house. Dawn lay like a pink halo on the eastern horizon, but the Hardys’ thoughts were anything but heavenly as they rapped on the fraternity-house door. No one answered. Joe rang the bell while Frank continued banging.
    Finally a young fellow in pajamas opened up and yawned in Frank’s face. “Whatever it is, we don’t want any,” he said, then started to close the door.
    Frank reached for his shoulder and whirled him about. “This isn’t any joke,” he said. “We’re looking for Jack Hale.”
    â€œOh, the president,” the youth said, stifling another yawn. “I can’t wake him up—he’s special.”
    â€œI’ll say he is,” Joe declared.
    â€œBut you fellows don’t understand.” The college boy regarded the Hardys earnestly with his pale-blue eyes. “We don’t wake the fraternity president until eight o‘clock. He doesn’t have his first class until nine.”
    â€œHe’s going to have a lesson right now,” Frank said sternly. “Get him up!”
    The youth shrugged, and padded off in bare feet to the second floor. Listening below, the boys heard shouts and angry words, preceding the appearance of a thick-set youth several years older than the Hardys. In red-and-white striped pajamas he thumped down the stairs. When he saw Frank and Joe, he stopped with a startled expression.
    â€œIsn’t it kind of early—” Jack Hale started to say.
    â€œNot for a punch in the jaw,” Joe declared hotly, and stepped forward with fists cocked.
    â€œWait a minute, Joe,” Frank said. “Let’s get some questions answered before you start swinging.” He walked over to Hale, who backed away nervously. “I’ll put it on the line,” Frank said. “What’s the idea of leaving us on the railroad track? And why did you switch our motel room?”
    â€œWait a minute, fellows! Hold it!” Hale said. “We thought you’d guess it was just a little pretesting job. Anyway, why are you working up such a head of steam—”
    â€œYes, why?” the blue-eyed youth put in.
    Hale continued, “You two were never in any real danger. We had a lookout posted to keep an eye on