The Secret of Wildcat Swamp Read Online Free

landing gear. “But I can’t understand why. A cotter pin holds the collar tight and that keeps the wheel on the axle. I checked the plane this morning. There wasn’t anything wrong with that wheel!”
    Frank, Joe, and Cap looked at one another, the same question in each one’s mind. Had someone tampered with the plane because of them?
    â€œJack, would it be hard for a person to loosen one of these wheels?” Frank asked.
    â€œAny good mechanic would know how,” the pilot answered. “Why?”
    Frank told him of the attack on Cap. It was entirely possible that someone had taken this method of trying to stop the trio from making the trip.
    A determined gleam came into Jack Wayne’s eyes. “I’ll get another plane. I’m sure that the airport manager will let me borrow his. We shan’t be delayed more than fifteen minutes.”
    Upon hearing of their plight, the manager readily offered the use of his private plane. The travelers transferred their equipment at once.
    This time the plane rolled smoothly down the runway, rose, and headed for Green Sand Lake.
    The Hardys admired the unlimited view below. Joe noticed another plane, a mere dot on the horizon behind them. Ten minutes later the plane was still there, exactly the same distance away.
    â€œFrank, do you think that pilot could be following us?” he asked.
    Frank scanned the horizon to their rear.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, boys?” Cap asked.
    Joe explained, then told Jack. “How about slowing down and letting him pass?” he suggested. “Maybe we can identify him.”
    Jack throttled back but so did the pursuer, remaining far to the rear. All the boys could discern was that the plane was a low-winged, single-engine type similar to their own.
    Soon Jack Wayne eased off his power and slanted down for a flawless landing at the small Green Sand Airport. The plane behind them made no attempt to land, and continued on its course.
    â€œGuess we were mistaken about that fellow,” Cap observed as they unloaded the baggage. A few minutes later the pilot wished his passengers good luck and started back for Bayport.
    Green Sand Airport was a desolate spot in rough country several miles from town. It boasted one large frame building, which was a combination hangar and administration shack.
    â€œI’ll try to arrange for transportation to the fossil area,” Bailey said.
    He walked into the building, leaving the Hardys in charge of the luggage. A few seconds later Frank, peering upward, said:
    â€œHere comes a plane. It looks like the one that was following us.”
    The trim, low-winged craft droned around the field, making its traffic pattern, and floated in to a fast landing.
    The pilot taxied in front of the boys, whirling his ship around and blasting them with a dusty slipstream. He cut the switch, and without so much as a nod, walked off to the hangar.
    The stranger was a tall man with smooth black hair. But his eyebrows were surprisingly light, which made his eyes seem like black marbles. His nose looked like a bony blade stuck on his thin face.
    â€œDon’t like him,” Frank said crisply. “Did you notice his walk?”
    â€œQueer,” Joe agreed. “He slithers like a snake. I wonder who he is.”
    â€œYou couldn’t find out from his plane,” Frank observed, walking closer to it. “The identification numbers are practically weathered off.”
    â€œOr rubbed off on purpose,” Joe remarked. “And, say, look at that little insignia on the cowling.”
    â€œA snake,” Frank whispered. “A snake eating a bird! It fits the fellow all right.”
    A fuel truck rolled toward them. As it drew closer, the boys discovered that the beak-nosed pilot was riding with the driver. He alighted and strode up to the Hardys.
    â€œWhat’s the idea of snooping around my ship?”
    â€œWe were just looking it over,” Frank said