The Mystery of the Black Rhino by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online Page B

that,” Joe intervened. “It’s just that—”
    â€œI know you. I saw your faces on television,” the girl interrupted him. “You’re the Hardy boys from America. You saved all those passengers on the Kenya International Airways flight from New York this morning.”
    Before Frank and Joe could tell the girl that she was right, a shoving match began—and Frank and Joe and the girl were in the middle of it. They were all getting battered with opposition signs.
    â€œPeople have to eat! They’re more important!” a demonstrator shouted. “Animals don’t need the best land.”
    â€œThey’re important, too!” Joe shouted back. “We can’t let African animals die out!”
    That set off two more of the opposition demonstrators. They started battering Joe with their placards.
    Somewhere in the distance, Joe thought he heard the sound of police whistles.
    Suddenly he felt himself being pulled out of the crowd. There was such mass confusion that none of the opposition demonstrators seemed to notice that he was leaving.
    When Joe finally looked at who was pulling him, he saw Frank and the girl on the sidewalk. They all crouched behind a parked car.
    â€œThanks!” Joe said. “I guess I got carried away.”
    The girl smiled. “Well, at least you found out what we’re up against,” she said. She held out her hand. “I’m Lilly Mtito. I’m a student at the University of Kenya.”
    The Hardy boys shook hands with her.
    â€œWe’re having another rally on campus,” Lilly said. “Would you care to come?”
    â€œAfter all of this?” Frank said. “You mean the police will allow it?”
    â€œOh, yes. These demonstrations are a weekly event in Nairobi. The police don’t interfere too much. They more or less let us take out our frustrations on each other,” Lilly said. “Of course, they’ll step in if things get really out of hand, but they know it’simportant for each side to vent its anger at the other, and they don’t consider hitting someone on the head with a placard to be much of a crime.”
    Frank looked at Joe. “I’d like to find out more about the plight of the wild animals in Kenya,” he said. “Dad will be busy putting the final preparations on his talk, so he won’t want us disturbing him. How about it?”
    Joe nodded. “And when we get back to Bayport, we can—”
    â€œLilly! Lilly! The farmers have Professor Makadara!” a voice shouted. They turned to see a slender young man running their way. When he reached them, out of breath, he continued, “They’re beating him up. They blame him for everything!”
    â€œJoseph! How could they? He’s an old man!” Lilly cried. She looked at Frank and Joe. “Professor Makadara is one of the most respected educators in Kenya!”
    Without waiting to be asked to help, Frank and Joe followed Lilly and Joseph back into the crowd on Moi Avenue. A block away, they saw two men with what looked like bicycle chains whipping another man who was lying on the street. The man was curled up, trying to keep his head and face covered. Joe could see that the chains had drawn blood.
    In the distance he heard the wail of a police siren. Joe knew it was headed in their direction.
    Frank and Joe dove at the men’s backs, causing them to buckle to the ground. Lilly and the young man picked up the bicycle chains and shook them threateningly.
    The police sirens were getting closer.
    â€œYou have to help us get Professor Makadara out of here,” Lilly said frantically. “The police will arrest him. He’s wanted for questioning.”
    Joe began to wonder just what he and Frank had gotten themselves into. He picked up the professor’s legs, Frank grabbed the professor under his arms, and they quickly carried him in the direction that Lilly and Joseph were