The Tower Treasure Read Online Free

others, he dashed through the doorway into the store and toward the front entrance.
    He could vaguely see someone waiting to be admitted. But the stranger gave one look at the leaping, out-of-shape skeleton and disappeared in a flash. At the same moment Frank tripped and fell headlong.
    Mr. Schwartz and Joe, hearing the crash, rushed out to see what had happened. Frank, hopelessly tangled in the skeleton attire, was helped to his feet. When he told the others why he had made his unsuccessful dash to the front door, they conceded he might have a point.
    â€œBut you sure scared him away in that outfit,” Joe said, laughing. “He won’t be back!”
    The boys stayed for over half an hour helping Mr. Schwartz, then said good-by and went home.
    â€œMonday we’ll tackle those other two wig shops,” said Frank.
    The following morning the Hardy family attended church, then after dinner Frank and Joe told their parents they were going to ride out to see Chet Morton. “We’ve been invited to stay to supper,” Frank added. “But we promise not to get home late.”
    The Hardys picked up Callie Shaw, who also had been invited. Gaily she perched on the seat behind Frank.
    â€œHold on, Callie,” Joe teased. “Frank’s a wild cyclist!”
    The young people were greeted at the door of the Morton farmhouse by Chet’s younger sister Iola, dark-haired and pretty. Joe Hardy thought she was quite the nicest girl in Bayport High and dated her regularly.
    As dusk came on, the five young people gathered in the Mortons’ kitchen to prepare supper. Chet, who loved to eat, was in charge, and doled out various jobs to the others. When he finished, Joe remarked, “And what are you going to do, big boy?”
    The stout youth grinned. “I’m the official taster.”
    A howl went up from the others. “No workee, no eatee,” said Iola flatly.
    Chet grinned. “Oh, well, if you insist, I’ll make a little side dish for all of us. How about Welsh rabbit?”
    â€œYou’re elected!” the others chorused, and Chet set to work.
    The farmhouse kitchen was large and contained a group of windows in one corner. Here stood a large table, where the young people decided to eat. They had just sat down when the telephone rang. Chet got up and walked out in the hall to answer it. Within a minute he re-entered the kitchen, his eyes bulging.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Iola asked quickly.
    â€œI—I’ve been th-threatened!” Chet replied.
    â€œThreatened!” the others cried out. “How?”
    Chet was so frightened he could hardly speak, but he managed to make the others understand that a man had just said on the telephone, “You’ll never get your jalopy back. And if you don’t lay off trying to find me or your car, you’re going to get hurt!”
    â€œWhew!” cried Joe. “This is getting serious!”
    Callie and Iola had clutched their throats and were staring wild-eyed at Chet. Frank, about to speak, happened to glance out the window toward the barn. For an instant he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. But no! They were not. A figure was sneaking from the barn and down the lane toward the highway.
    â€œFellows!” he cried suddenly. “Follow me!”

CHAPTER IV
    Red Versus Yellow
    BY THE time the Hardy boys and Chet had raced from the Mortons’ kitchen, the prowler was not in sight. Thinking he had run across one of the fields, the three pursuers scattered in various directions to search. Joe struck out straight ahead and pressed his ear to the ground to listen for receding footsteps. He could hear none. Presently the three boys met once more to discuss their failure to catch up to the man, and to question why he had been there.
    â€œDo you think he was a thief?” Joe asked Chet. “What would he steal?”
    â€œSearch me,” the stout boy replied. “Let’s