The Ghost at Skeleton Rock by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online Page B

the rest of the day off!”
    On the flight back, the Hardys brought Jack and Tony up to date on the developments in the mystery.
    â€œThings certainly worked fast,” Jack remarked.
    â€œYes, and thanks a lot for your help,” Joe said as they landed at Bayport. Frank echoed his words.
    The pilot grinned. “Any time, fellows.”
    As the boys drove off, Joe suggested that they stop at Mr. Hanade’s puppet-repair shop to see if he could tell them anything about the glass eyes, and to return his instruction sheet, which they had copied.
    A few minutes later the trio pulled up outside Mr. Hanade’s shop. The pleasant Japanese proprietor greeted the Hardys and Tony politely. “You learn something from instruction sheet for Hugo dummy?” he asked as Joe thanked him for lending it to them.
    â€œNot yet, but we have something to show you,” Joe replied. He took out the glass eyes. “Ever seen any like these before?”
    Hanade studied them curiously. “Very old,” he murmured. “Nowadays, manufacturers do not make dolls’ eyes like this. Too expensive to make out of colored glass. Besides, glass breaks too easily.”
    He explained that eyes for modern dolls are normally made of plastic with a metal rod running through them. The rod is usually hinged, with a small counterweight to make the eyes open and close.
    Frank murmured to Joe, “With a rod running through them, there wouldn’t be much room inside for hiding anything.”
    Joe nodded and said aloud, “If they’re plastic, they’re probably solid instead of hollow.”
    â€œThat is correct,” said Mr. Hanade.
    â€œDo your Hugo dummies have solid plastic eyes?” Frank queried.
    â€œYes. Modern merchandise, of course.”
    â€œAny idea where these glass eyes might have come from?” Joe went on.
    â€œWould be hard to say. Most likely from some old-fashioned American dolls or puppets.”
    â€œOne more question,” said Frank. “Where are the Hugo dummies made?”
    â€œMexico,” said Mr. Hanade. At once the boys thought of the prisoner who had a ticket to Mexico. The man went on, “The dummies are fashioned of papier-mâché.”
    The boys thanked him for his help and left. As they drove home, the group exchanged views on the mystery.
    â€œI still can’t figure out why those guys in Eastern City were so anxious to get their hands on that Variotrycin,” Joe remarked. “Maybe there’s a connection between the drugs and the diamonds.”
    â€œAnd how about that pirate flag in Abdul’s trailer?” Tony reminded them. “Where does that come in?”
    Frank shrugged. “You’ve got me, pal!”
    When they reached the Hardy home, Chet Morton was rocking himself in the glider on the front porch.
    â€œHey, watch it, boy! You want that thing to collapse?” Joe called out laughingly.
    â€œWhere’ve you fellows been?” Chet complained. “I’ve been waiting here so long I’ll bet I’ve missed my lunch.”
    Frank sniffed the appetizing aroma of freshly baked cake that floated out through the open windows. “Better come in and eat with us, Chet.”
    The stout teen-ager needed no urging. Soon all four boys were seated around the dining-room table, with Mrs. Hardy and Aunt Gertrude, spooning up hearty servings of delicious onion soup and enjoying crusty French bread.
    â€œHow did things go, boys?” Mrs. Hardy asked.
    After hearing all about the exciting adventures, both women gasped and Aunt Gertrude said, “I warned you! If you’d only pay attention to me, you wouldn’t risk your lives that way.”
    Mrs. Hardy looked troubled. “Please be careful,” she cautioned.
    After luncheon the four boys trooped upstairs to Frank and Joe’s room. Once again the young sleuths took out the two instruction sheets for the Hugo dummies and began to compare