The Phantom Freighter Read Online Free Page B

Hardys, walked in. He was a blond six-footer and had muscles like steel.
    â€œHi!” Joe called. “You’re just the guy I’m looking for. I need a bodyguard. Want to give a big tough guy a good sock?”
    â€œSince when have you stopped doing that yourself?” Biff grinned as the two boys went out the door. On the way to the dock Joe explained what had happened.
    Although he had superior strength, Biff Hooper never picked fights, and by the time they had reached the Hawk he had almost convinced Joe that the whole affair might have been an unavoidable accident. “There’s no point in starting trouble,” Biff advised.
    â€œJust the same, I’m going aboard,” declared Joe, “and finish what I started to do, namely see the captain.”
    The two mounted the ladder. This time no loading was going on. The sailor the Hardys had encountered before was not in sight. Two of the crew lounged on deck, and one man rose as the boys approached.
    â€œWhat do you want?” he asked.
    â€œTo see your captain,” Joe replied.
    â€œWhat about?”
    â€œI’ll talk to him.”
    â€œYou will, eh? Not if you don’t find him. And I say you won’t.”
    â€œDon’t bully me!” Joe said fiercely and Biff cocked his right fist in anticipation. A fight might have started if the captain himself had not appeared. Skipper Sharp lived up to his name. He was a tall, narrow-jawed, thin-featured man with piercing eyes.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” he boomed, striding forward.
    â€œI’m trying to book passage on a freighter for three people,” Joe explained.
    â€œYou’re on the wrong ship. Can’t accommodate you,” the captain replied shortly.
    â€œYou don’t carry passengers?”
    â€œWe used to. But not any more. It didn’t work out. There’s no point in discussing it.”
    â€œWe’re willing to pay well—” Joe’s attempt to continue the conversation was cut off.
    â€œNo passengers at any price. Get lost!”
    Disappointed, Joe started down the ship’s ladder. Biff followed.
    As they left the dock, Biff expressed his indignation at their rude reception. “I don’t see why the captain had to act like a jerk,” he said. “You’d think we were a couple of criminals.” Then he brightened. “Say, Joe, I know where you can book passage!”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œAt Klack’s Agency. It’s not far from here. Next block.”
    He led the way to a dingy-looking establishment with several blackboards in the window. On them were chalked such legends as Cook Wanted, Fireman (First Class) for S.A., Cruise and Stokers Wanted.
    â€œA lot of freighter crews are signed up here,” Biff explained. “I’ve heard they book passengers as a sideline.”
    Mr. Klack was out. But a stringy-haired blond girl inquired languidly what the boys wanted.
    â€œCan you fix me up with freighter passage for three?” Joe asked.
    The girl shook her head. “There are no ships in port—none takin’ passengers, that is. Give me the names, and if somethin’ turns up, I’ll let you know.”
    Joe wrote down their names and addresses and thanked the girl. Joe drove Biff home, then returned to the Hardy house.
    Aunt Gertrude had gone to the express office to press her complaint, and Frank had fallen asleep. Joe was telling his mother about the second visit to the Hawk when the telephone rang. It was Aunt Gertrude.
    â€œJoe!” she called loudly. “Come down here right away. Quick!”
    â€œBut where are you, Aunty?”
    â€œWhy, at the express office, of course! There’s a chance to solve the mystery. Hurry!”
    â€œI’ll be right down,” Joe promised. He hung up and turned to his mother, “Aunty’s on to something big. See you later.”
    Seconds later, he was on his way. When he drove up in front of the