The Missing Chums by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online Page A

added thoughtfully, “and he’s friendly with the chief troublemaker there.”
    â€œBut why should one of Sutton’s pals try to ram the Sleuth?” Joe puzzled. “Because he found out—or suspected—we’d be investigating Shantytown?”
    â€œPossibly,” Frank replied. “And if Chet and Biff are prisoners here, the men don’t want us to find out! They’ll do everything to keep us away.”
    Joe whistled. “If that’s true, we must find them. I’m scared about what may have happened to them.”
    â€œMaybe we’ll pick up some clues tonight,” Frank said. “It’s almost suppertime. Let’s go back and watch Sutton’s place.”
    When the boys returned to the group of shacks, they saw some of the men drifting in from work, and others tending cooking fires.
    Behind Sutton’s shanty was a deserted shack. Frank and Joe slipped inside and settled themselves by a broken window. Although they stayed at their post an hour, they saw no sign of activity.
    â€œSutton’s probably eating somewhere else,” Frank said. “Let’s find Alf and come back later.”
    As the boys stepped outside they heard a lively tune from a harmonica. Following the sound of the music, they found Alf playing for a small group of rough-looking men, seated around a fire.
    When Alf finished the song, he introduced the boys and the laborers by first names. The men looked the Hardys over and nodded.
    â€œThe stew’s done,” a big red-faced man said, taking the lid from a large kettle. “Pitch in!”
    As the men began to serve themselves on tin plates, Frank and Joe reached into their bags and took out the food they had brought. They unpacked a pound of frankfurters, rolls, two cans of beans, and apples.
    â€œHelp yourselves,” Frank invited cordially.
    â€œLooks good, boys,” said the red-faced man, whose name was Lou. “Most of us are hungry enough to eat two suppers.”
    By the time the last crumb had disappeared, the men had warmed up to Frank and Joe and willingly answered their seemingly casual questions about Shantytown. None of the men, however, knew what the fights were about, nor had they seen two strange boys.
    â€œWe’ll keep our eyes open for ’em,” Lou volunteered. He took some driftwood from a bushel basket beside him, and threw two pieces on the fire. Then he tossed a piece of dark cloth after it.
    â€œWhat’s that?” Frank asked sharply. He grabbed a long stick and hooked the cloth from the blaze.
    â€œIt’s just some junk I picked up,” Lou answered.
    Frank dropped it to the ground and the brothers eagerly examined the piece.
    â€œIt’s a sleeve from Chet’s gorilla outfit!” Joe whispered excitedly.
    â€œI thought it looked familiar,” Frank said. To Lou he said, “It’s part of a costume. Where did you find this?”
    â€œBehind Sutton’s shack,” the man replied.
    â€œIs it important?” Alf asked the boys.
    â€œIt definitely links our missing friends with Shantytown,” Frank replied, as he put the sleeve in his burlap bag. “Come on, Joe! Let’s gro back to Sutton’s place.”
    After thanking the men for their hospitality, the boys hurried off into the darkness.
    â€œBe careful,” Alf called after them. “Yell if you need help.”
    The Hardys found the shanty dark and padlocked. They circled it cautiously, but there was no one around. Joe knocked on the door. “Chet! Biff!” Frank called. Not a sound from inside. Again Joe pounded and both boys called repeatedly.
    â€œIt’s no use,” Joe said finally. “If they are inside, they’re probably bound and gagged.”
    â€œLook for an opening between the boards,” Frank instructed. The boys pulled out pencil flashlights and examined the side of the shack.
    â€œI’ve found a knothole,” said