Danger on Vampire Trail Read Free

evidence of Magnacard swindles and try to track down the perpetrators. They were also to quiz merchants who had been duped. Their father had given them a typed list of the dealers’ names and addresses.
    As they drove out of town, Joe remarked, “I wish we had more concrete clues to start with.”
    â€œHah!” said Chet. “If I know you guys, you’ll fall into a mess of them soon enough!”
    The day was pleasant and traffic was light at that early hour. The car hummed along, with the camper gliding behind. Frank followed Shore Road for several miles until it joined a superhighway leading west. The speed limit was higher, so Frank accelerated.
    The boys were about fifty miles from Bayport when they heard the wailing of a siren.
    â€œYou’ve got a heavy foot,” Biff said to Frank. “Must have gone over the speed limit.”
    Chet moaned. “Here’s trouble even before we get started!”
    A trooper moved alongside and motioned Frank to pull over to the shoulder. Frank complied, then stepped out of the car. The officer, who had parked up ahead, strode up to him.
    â€œWhat’s the trouble, sir?” Frank asked.
    â€œLet’s see your license and registration.”
    Frank pulled out the papers. The trooper studied them, then eyed the camper. “Do you own this?” he asked Frank.
    â€œNo. Our friend Chet Morton does.”
    â€œWhere is he?”
    â€œRight here, Officer,” Chet said, getting out. The dog yelped as Chet stepped on his foot in the process.
    â€œWe weren’t speeding, were we?” Frank inquired.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œBut then why—?”
    â€œIt’s the trailer I’m interested in. I’ll have to take you back to Bayport.”
    â€œYou must be kidding!” Joe exclaimed. “What’s the charge?”
    â€œPossession of stolen property.”
    â€œStolen property!” Chet exclaimed. “But I paid cash for this!”
    â€œTell that to the police captain.” The trooper gave Chet a suspicious look, then ordered Frank to turn about and follow him.
    For several miles they traveled in glum silence. Finally Frank said, “I thought you got the camper pretty cheap, Chet.”
    There was no reply. Chet was crushed by the thought of losing his bank account and of being involved in a shady deal.
    Biff tried to be helpful. “I don’t think they can arrest you, Chet. You were an innocent victim.”
    Finally Chet spoke. “Am I stupid!” he muttered, then sat silent again.
    The trooper pulled into the State Police barracks on the outskirts of Bayport. Chet was interrogated by the captain in charge.
    When the boy had finished his story, a man was called in from an adjoining room. He was introduced as George Browning, owner of the Bayport Sports Equipment Company. The Hardys had heard of him. Mr. Browning identified the trailer tent as the one he had sold to a man who had given his name as Cyrus Kogan.
    Chet perked up immediately. “That’s the man I got it from. Isn’t that perfectly legal?”
    â€œKogan bought the goods with a fake credit card,” Browning replied. “One of those counterfeit Magnacards!”
    The Hardys were thunderstruck. A fake Magnacard operator in Bayport! Frank pulled out his wallet and showed the photo clue to Chet and the merchant.
    Both identified the man as Kogan!
    Biff said, “This crook’s been under your nose right in town, fellows!”
    The camper was left at the police barracks. Mr. Browning refused to press any charges against Chet, and even offered to sell him the camper at a reduced price because it was now considered a used one.
    When the boys returned home, the elder Hardys were shocked and dismayed to learn of the discouraging turn of events. They all consoled Chet, and much to the relief of Frank and Joe, Aunt Gertrude did not say “I told you so.” Instead, she offered to bake him any kind of pie he