Disaster for Hire Read Free Page B

Prynne anyway."
    Chet and Phil agreed to keep quiet.
    "Have you seen Prynne today?" asked Frank.
    "Nope," answered PhiL "We got up late and came right in here."
    From outside came a babble of cheers and excited voices. Nicholas Kaliotis stopped in the entrance and saw the students.
    "Better eat fast, friends, we've arrived! We are coming into the port of Salonika!"
    An hour later the ship had docked, and the group was waiting on deck to disembark. There was still no sign of Morton Prynne.
    "I don't think he wants to show himself until the last possible minute," Joe muttered. Then he nudged Frank. "There he is now, over there where the gangplank is being hooked up."
    The Hardys made their way over to Prynne. He stood waiting, unsmiling.
    "How are you feeling today?" asked Frank as they joined him.
    "Thank you, I feel quite well," said Prynne. He turned back to look at the dock.
    Frank kept on. "We didn't want to do anything until we had seen you and talked it over. But I think it's a good idea to report the attack before the guys responsible have a chance to get off the ship and disappear."
    Prynne swung around to glare at Frank. "Attack?" he repeated. "I don't know what you're talking about!"

Chapter 4
    FRANK AND JOE gave each other a startled glance. "You do remember last night, don't you, Professor?" he said. "The guys who were trying to dump you over the rail? The ones that Chet and I took care of for you? Does any of this ring a bell?"
    "If I were you," Prynne answered coldly, "I would put such business completely behind me. The Greek authorities take a dim view of rowdy young people, even young people who carry American passports."
    "Rowdy?" Frank exclaimed in disbelief. "Now, wait just a minute! I mean, I don't expect any medals or anything, but I don't call saving you from an attack being 'rowdy."
    Prynne gave Frank an icy scowl. "Let us get this clear," he said. "For your information, Mr. Hardy, there was no attack."
    While Frank gawked, Prynne went on. "Last evening I was suddenly taken with a severe case of seasickness. I felt extremely weak, dizzy, and feverish, and feared that I might pass out. Two passengers very kindly offered to help me outside, where they thought the fresh air might help to revive me.
    "No sooner had they assisted me to the deck than we were set upon by two maniacs. Quite understandably, my helpers beat a hasty retreat, frightened out of their wits.
    "If I had not felt so wretched, I would have taken you to task then and there for your foolish behavior. Now let's have no further mention of this regrettable affair."
    But Frank was not about to let it drop.
    "Just a second, Mr. Prynne. What about the third man, who attacked me after we had dealt with the first two? And one of your 'helpers' looked just like one of the 'drunken sailors' who attacked us at the restaurant yesterday. What about that?"
    Prynne's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You clearly saw his face?"
    "I didn't. But Chet's pretty sure."
    "I see," Prynne said with a smirk. "On a dark night, while the two of you were engaged in your disgraceful roughhousing, your friend was 'pretty sure' he recognized a face. Do you expect anyone to believe such a story?"
    "But, what about the third man," Joe put in, coming to his brother's aid.
    "Ah, yes, the third man," Prynne replied. "As to that, I'm afraid I have nothing to say. Perhaps you tripped over each other in the confusion of the moment. In any event, I strongly suggest that you put this embarrassing matter to rest. That, at least, is what I intend to do."
    Prynne stalked away, to show that, for him, the subject was closed.
    Joe was steaming. "Do you believe anything he said just then?" he demanded.
    Frank shook his head. "There's something going on with Prynne, and it's not just seasickness. But if he won't open up, we're out. Let's just keep our eyes open."
    After the ship moored, the crew ran down the gangplank and the passengers disembarked. At the foot of the ramp, Frank and Joe