Mystery of the Samurai Sword by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online

“Yes, that was correct.”
    Frank was puzzled. “You mean it’s been removed from sale—or already sold?”
    â€œNo,” came the reply. “Apparently you haven’t heard the news.”
    â€œWhat news?”
    â€œOur building was broken into last night and the sword you just mentioned was stolen!”

7
    Cat Burglars
    Frank’s eyes widened on hearing this unexpected development. He flashed his brother a startled look. “Was anything else taken?” he asked.
    â€œLuckily, no,” replied the voice at the other end of the line. “It appears that whoever did it was interrupted before he or they could snatch anything more.”
    â€œI see.” Frank paused a moment to consider, then said, “This may tie in with a case my brother and I are investigating. If we come to New York, could we check out the details of the break-in?”
    â€œOf course! If you Hardys can do anything to help catch the thieves, we’ll be more than happy to cooperate!”
    As Frank put down the phone, Joe exclaimed, “Don’t tell me the sword’s been stolen?”
    The older Hardy boy nodded. “You guessed it. Happened just last night.”
    â€œBoy, that sounds like more than just a coincidence, Frank! Satoya disappears—we get a lead that he may have wanted to buy a certain rare sword—and now the sword’s gone too!”
    â€œI agree, Joe. I think the burglary’s worth looking into.”
    â€œCheck. Let’s head for New York first thing in the morning.”
    Frank and Joe made good time on the highway, and by ten o‘clock they were parking their car in a garage just two blocks from the Palmer-Glade Auction Galleries on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
    Mr. Sanders, the gallery director, proved to be a balding, bespectacled man. He received the boys in his office and called in his security chief to help answer their questions.
    â€œFirst of all, sir,” Frank began, “just how valuable was this sword?”
    â€œWe expected it to bring at least twenty-five thousand dollars at auction,” Sanders replied.
    â€œWow! That’s a lot of money!” Joe murmured.
    â€œTrue, but you must remember—Japanese swords have the finest blades ever produced, and many are exquisitely decorated. Today they’re increasingly sought after by Western collectors.”
    â€œHow was the robbery discovered?” Frank asked.
    â€œQuite by chance,” the security chief said. “A police scout car happened along about 3:00 A.M., and the officers spotted a hole in the pane of a third-floor window. We keep a guard on the premises at night, but by the time he answered their knocks and then rushed up to the third floor to investigate, the thieves had escaped.”
    â€œYou have an alarm system?” put in Joe.
    â€œWe sure do. Had the window been forced open, the alarm would have gone off. But this job was pulled by a pro—or pros. Part of the pane was cut out, using tape to keep the loose glass from falling and making any noise. Then whoever did it reached inside and disconnected the window alarm.”
    Frank turned back to the gallery director. “We’re investigating the disappearance of that Japanese businessman you may have heard about—Takashi Satoya, the head of the Satoya Corporation. We were told he was probably planning to buy the sword that was stolen from you last night. Can you tell us if that’s true?”
    Sanders frowned and toyed with a bronze paper-weight on his desk. “You must understand, our business requires us to be very discreet. Many customers will only deal with us because Palmer-Glade guarantees that no information will be given out about them and their bids or their purchases.”
    â€œWe understand, sir. All we’re trying to find out is whether there may be any connection between your burglary and what happened to Mr. Satoya.”
    â€œLet me put it