The Sign of the Crooked Arrow by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online

about!”
    But in Green Point, near Pleasantville, a tobacco shopman replied, “Jenk sent you?”
    â€œYep,” Frank answered, his pulse quickening.
    â€œGot anything to show?”
    â€œCrooked arrow!” Joe said, hoping that might be a password.
    â€œGood enough for me,” was the reply.
    With that the man gave the boys two cigarettes, for which they paid ten dollars. The shopkeeper leaned close to the boys.
    â€œTell Jenk those are my last two,” he whispered. “Have him send Arrow Charlie around with a new lot next time he or his pals come East.”
    Frank and Joe looked as casual as they could, though their pulses were racing.
    â€œArrow Charlie?” said Frank. “Oh, sure. Say, did he get that name from selling Arrows, or is he handy with a bow?”
    The man smirked. “You ought to know!” he said conclusively.
    That was enough for the Hardys. They hurried to their car, where Sam was already waiting. He had had no luck. Frank showed him the two Arrows triumphantly, then they sped back toward the city to report the Green Point tobacconist and turn over the cigarettes for analysis.
    As they rode down the road that ran past the Morton farm, they saw Chet on the porch. When they tooted their horn, the stout boy waved frantically. Frank jammed on the brakes and Chet puffed up to them, a worried look on his face.
    â€œYour mother phoned here a few minutes ago trying to get hold of you!” he panted.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Joe asked.
    â€œIs Dad worse?” Frank gasped.
    â€œI don’t know,” Chet replied. “All she said was to come to the hospital and hurry!”

CHAPTER VII
    Another Puzzle
    â€œTHANKS,” Frank said. “We’ll drive right over. I’ll call you if anything is wrong.”
    He was off in a flash. The car’s speedometer hovered at the legal limit as Frank and Joe raced to Bayport Hospital.
    To their surprise, they found their father sitting up in his room. He greeted them cheerfully.
    â€œHello, boys,” he called out. “Hope I didn’t alarm you by asking you to come quickly.”
    â€œTo be honest, you did,” Frank panted. “It certainly is good to see you so chipper, though.”
    Joe went to the far side of his father’s bed. “Gosh, you look like yourself again. Doesn’t he, Mother?”
    Mrs. Hardy smiled in agreement. She was pouring water for one of the many bouquets her husband had received.
    â€œThe reason I called you,” Mr. Hardy said, “is this.” He held up an air-mail letter. “It’s from Cousin Ruth. Some mysterious happenings at the ranch have her worried. Seems some of her best cowhands have disappeared, one by one, without a trace.”
    â€œHas she notified the local authorities?” Joe asked.
    â€œYes. But she has had no luck so far,” his father replied. “She wants me to come immediately. Since I can’t, I’d like you to fly out in my place. Take Chet, too, if he wants to go.”
    â€œWe’ll leave as soon as possible,” Frank assured him. “There’s only one thing—Joe and I just got a hot lead on the crooked arrow mystery. We’d sure like to follow it up.”
    â€œI’ll put Sam Radley on your new lead,” Mr. Hardy said. “Besides, I hope to be out of here soon, so I can work with him. Now tell me what you’ve learned.”
    Frank reported their experience with the Green Point tobacco dealer and his mention of Arrow Charlie.
    â€œIt sounds to us as if he’s the main distributor,” Frank said. “And obviously he comes East once in a while.”
    Mr. Hardy looked thoughtful. “I wonder where he is now.”
    â€œHave the police been able to get any information from Jenk?” Frank asked.
    Mr. Hardy shook his head. “The prisoner isn’t talking.”
    â€œCome on, Frank,” Joe put in. “We’d better go see