The Hooded Hawk Mystery Read Free Page B

mean only one thing. He was busy on an important case.
    Sensing his sons’ curiosity, he said, “I’ve been asked to help on an interesting problem which has the authorities baffled. Immigration officials have learned of the large-scale smuggling of aliens from India into the United States somewhere along the Atlantic coast. One suspected spot is Bayport.”
    â€œBayport!” Frank repeated in astonishment, adding, “Any other clues?”
    â€œNone. But maybe you boys can find some,” Mr. Hardy replied with a twinkle in his eye. “I’m working on another case right now that I’ll have to finish before I can concentrate on this smug gling racket.”
    â€œIn other words, Dad, you’re asking Joe and me to start from scratch. No leads or anything?”
    â€œYou know I wouldn’t do that, son,” Fenton Hardy replied, smiling. “I have two possible leads.
    â€œWhile I was in Washington, I called on an old friend—an Indian importer. I talked with him about the illegal entry of aliens from his country and told him I was going to ask you boys to work on the case. He naturally frowns on anything that will detract from his country’s good reputation, and has offered to assist in every way he can.”
    â€œDid he give you any leads?” Frank asked.
    â€œNo, but I mentioned to him that there must be some means of communication between the smugglers and their confederates on shore. We eliminated radio and telegraph because they could be monitored. But it occurred to me that secret messages, instructing the contact here to pick up the smuggled men, might be sent by carrier pigeons from the ships offshore to the racketeers’ hideout on land. Ghapur agreed.”
    â€œGhapur!” Joe burst out. “Dad, is your Indian friend’s name Rahmud Ghapur?”
    â€œWhy, yes, son,” Mr. Hardy answered.
    The boys told their father about the falcon they had received from Ghapur, the attempted theft of the bird, and the ruby-bearing carrier pigeon which the peregrine had downed.
    â€œThat’s very interesting,” Mr. Hardy said. “I’ll phone Ghapur at once.”
    Fortunately the importer was at home. The detective talked with him for some time, then returned to the table.
    â€œMr. Ghapur says he sent the falcon to aid you boys in bringing down pigeons you might be suspicious of. He mailed a letter of explanation. Didn’t it arrive?”
    â€œNo,” Frank replied, adding thoughtfully, “The letter could have been intercepted by the smugglers if they suspected what the falcon was to be used for.”
    â€œTrue,” Mr. Hardy declared. “Ghapur asked you boys to get in touch with a fellow countryman of his who lives here in Bayport. He’s Ahmed, the rug dealer. You know him. He’ll teach you how to handle the falcon properly.”
    This statement caused Aunt Gertrude to speak up sharply, deploring the fact that the boys were getting involved in such a cruel sport.
    â€œAunty,” said Frank, “it’s in the line of duty. And anyway, wild hawks eat ten times as many pigeons and other birds in a year than we’d let a trained falcon like Miss Peregrine go after.”
    â€œHumph !” Aunt Gertrude was unconvinced, and was about to continue her tirade when Mrs. Hardy arose and started clearing the table. Her husband and sons got up too and went to the garage to see the falcon. After examining her trappings, Mr. Hardy said with a smile:
    â€œIt will be rather unique to solve a mystery with a hooded hawk.”
    â€œYes,” agreed Frank. “Dad, do you think there might be a tie-in between the smugglers of aliens and the rubies?”
    â€œYes, I do,” Mr. Hardy replied. “And I have a hunch we’ll find that carrier pigeons are the link between our two mysteries.”
    They talked for a while longer, then Fenton Hardy concluded with, “Well, boys, it will have