The Mummy Case by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online

over there, see?”
    Frank looked just in time to notice a dark shadow looming in the next aisle behind a huge tractor. The blade of a hatchet appeared over the treads, then a sailor moved around the vehicle.
    Butch Londy!
    He came toward them, the hatchet half raised in his hands. The sharp edge gleamed wickedly, and he wore his usual scowl.
    Frank and Joe automatically stepped apart. If he were to attack one of them, the other would be behind him in a position to launch a counterattack. Tensely they went into a karate stance to avoid the first swing of the hatchet.
    But Londy did not swing. “Gotta fix the crate,” he snarled. “It’s yours, but I’m the ship’s carpenter, so I was told to do the repairs for you.”
    The Hardys were too relieved to say anything. They watched Londy as he pulled a hammer out of his pocket. He nailed the board tight again, then drew the ends of the metal bands together and twisted them so they would stay in place.
    â€œThere,” he growled. “That’ll take care of your mummy.”
    â€œHow do you suppose the board got loose?” Frank asked. “Could someone have done it deliberately?”
    â€œHow should I know?” Londy walked off, whistling a tune and swinging his hatchet.
    The voyage went smoothly after that. The freighter passed through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea and continued on past Spain, France, and Italy. Rounding the headland of Greece, it entered the eastern Mediterranean.
    Numerous Greek islands appeared over its bow and then dropped astern. Frank and Joe followed them on a map provided by Captain Baker. “The next island coming up is Rubassa,” Frank observed.
    â€œNever heard of it,” Joe admitted.
    â€œIt used to be part of the British Empire,” Frank told him. “Now it’s independent. The people speak English as far as I know, and quite a few Americans live there.”
    He had scarcely finished when Biff Hooper arrived with a piece of paper in his hand. “I have a radiogram for you,” he announced. “Pretty high-powered stuff!”
    Frank took the message and read aloud:
    TO FRANK AND JOE HARDY. CAN YOU COME ASHORE RUBASSA? IF SO, HELICOPTER WILL PICK YOU UP. REPLY WITHIN THE HOUR CRAIG COMPTON, UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR.
    The brothers looked at each other in total bewilderment.
    â€œWe don’t know Ambassador Compton,” Joe spoke up. “What does he want with us?”
    Frank scratched his head. “Search me!”
    â€œWell, you don’t just say no to an American ambassador!” Biff declared.
    â€œI’m afraid we’ll have to,” Joe said. “We must stay with the mummy all the way to Cairo.”
    â€œChet and I’ll take over for you,” Biff offered. “Perhaps Captain Baker will give us more time off. Why don’t you ask him?”
    Frank shrugged. “Why not?”
    They found the captain in his cabin and told him about the radiogram they had received. He read it curiously, then put it down on the table. “I think you should go,” he said. “It must have been important for the ambassador or he wouldn’t have contacted you.”
    â€œBut how did he know where to get in touch with us?” Frank wondered.
    â€œPerhaps he called Bayport and Mother told him,” Joe reasoned.
    â€œIn any case,” Captain Baker went on, “don’t worry about the mummy. Biff and Chet can take your place. As long as the crate’s aboard ship, it will be safe. You have my word on that. Go to Rubassa. You can come back by helicopter if this is a quick mission. Otherwise you can fly to meet the ship at Cyprus or Alexandria.”
    â€œThanks, Captain,” Frank said. “We’ll go.”
    The Hardys went to their cabin and made preparations to go ashore at Rubassa, while Biff radioed their acceptance to the ambassador.
    Frank was thoughtful while he packed an overnight bag.