Mystery of Smugglers Cove Read Free Page B

“Before you make any more clever deductions, young man, I have some chocolate cake in the kitchen for both of you.” Despite her tart manner, she was very fond of her nephews and liked to spoil them with her excellent cooking.
    Some time later, the phone rang. It was Chief Collig. “I have the FBI report on that second fingerprint,” he told Joe, who had answered the call. “It belongs to a man named Ignaz Nitron. He once did time for burglary, and was last seen on Key Blanco. ”
    â€œKey Blanco!” Joe exclaimed. “That’s where Wester sent his painting! Thanks, Chief.”
    He hung up and reported the new development to the others.
    â€œI’ve heard of Nitron,” Fenton Hardy stated. “He’s suspected of running a smuggling ring, but he’s never been caught with the goods. Stealing the picture from the Wester home is the kind of thing he’d be involved in. Since it’s a portrait of Si-m 6n Bolívar, he could easily find a wealthy buyer in Latin America.”
    â€œThe initials on the jackknife must be his!” Frank said excitedly. “Perhaps he dropped the knife when he helped carry the picture through the secret passage to the driveway!”
    Joe looked puzzled. “But what’s a crook from Key Blanco doing in Bayport?”
    â€œMaybe Harrison Wester talked about the portrait and Nitron heard about it,” Frank theorized. “So he came to Bayport and grabbed it.”
    â€œProbably with the help of Morphy,” Joe added. “And there might be a third crook. Morphy supposedly hired two couriers.”
    â€œNow don’t jump to conclusions,” his father warned. “Nitron, perhaps with the help of an accomplice, could have gotten rid of Morphy and planted your photograph in Wester’s desk.”
    â€œI doubt it,” Joe said. “Why would Morphy give the staff the day off unless he had something to hide?”
    Mr. Hardy nodded slowly. “You have a point there. Anyway, it’s a real puzzler. Your best bet is to go to Key Blanco and start investigating.”
    â€œWe’ll go underground and pose as smugglers,” Frank suggested. “Hopefully we’ll run into Nitron. ”
    â€œAnd we’ll keep an eye out for Morphy, too,” Joe added.
    Fenton Hardy approved of the plan. However, he warned the boys to be careful.
    Just then the phone rang again. Frank picked it up. It was Raymond Wester, so the young detective motioned for Joe to pick up the extension.
    â€œI’m at the Bayport Hotel!” Wester declared irritably. “Why aren’t you boys here yet?”
    â€œWhy should we be, Mr. Wester?” Frank asked, perplexed.
    â€œBecause you asked me to meet you here!” the art collector snapped.
    â€œBut—we haven’t talked to you since we left your home!” Frank protested. “We never mentioned the Bayport Hotel.”
    â€œFrank Hardy, you phoned about an hour ago,” Wester accused him. “I expected you and Joe to be here. I thought you might have found my painting. I’m in room 707. ”
    Frank was mystified. Instead of arguing the point over the telephone, he just said, “Okay, we’ll be right over.”
    â€œWhere did he get the idea you asked him to go to the hotel?” Joe wondered.
    â€œSomeone called him and imitated my voice,” Frank said grimly. “Come on, we’ll have to check this out!”
    Both boys were rushing toward the door when Mr. Hardy called them back. “You’ll have to look into this, I agree,” the detective said. “But be very careful. You might be lured straight into a trap!”

4
    Alligator Bait
    Frank nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right,” he said. “If we’re not back in half an hour, come after us, will you?”
    â€œI sure will,” his father promised, and the boys went out.
    When they reached the Bayport Hotel, the desk clerk