The Mystery of the Black Rhino Read Free

they could barely make out the form of another man. He wassmaller than the first one, and dressed in casual clothes.
    â€œWe’re Frank and Joe Hardy,” Frank said. “We’ve come to pick up some books for our father, Fenton Hardy.”
    Immediately the man’s total demeanor changed. He almost rushed toward them with a smile on his face and his hand extended.
    â€œOh, yes! This is indeed a pleasure! I’m Donald Watson, the owner of Fifth Avenue Africana,” Watson said, as he grasped both of the Hardy boys’ hands at once. “I wish your father could have come with you. I’ve always wanted to meet the famous Fenton Hardy.”
    â€œDad’s got so much work to do—to get ready for the conference—that he couldn’t,” Joe explained. “But he did send his best wishes and thanks for letting him borrow your books.”
    â€œOh, it’s my pleasure,” Watson said. “They’re in my office. Come. I’ll get them for you. Would you care for something to drink? I think I have some soda in the fridge.”
    Frank glanced at his watch. Even after the detour to catch the purse snatchers, they were a little ahead of schedule. “Actually, I am kind of thirsty,” he said. “What about you, Joe?”
    â€œMe, too,” Joe said. “ A little super fast running in Manhattan will do that to you.”
    Watson gave them a puzzled look. As he removed two cans from his refrigerator, he asked, “Were you just jogging in the park?”
    â€œActually, we were running after some purse snatchers,” Joe said. “Up in Spanish Harlem.”
    Frank explained what had happened. “For a while there, we weren’t sure if we’d make it down here or not.”
    Joe thought he saw a look of apprehension on Watson’s face, but it disappeared almost as quickly has it had appeared.
    â€œWell, what could I expect from the sons of such a famous detective as Fenton Hardy?” Watson said. He smiled at them. “Of course, I’m sure you must hear that a lot.”
    Watson turned and started taking books off the shelf. “I’ve pulled all of the books from my collection that I think your father can use. I believe the two of you can manage them. I’ll put them in some cloth shopping bags.”
    â€œWho was that man leaving the shop when we got here?” Joe asked.
    Watson’s hand hesitated just a minute before pulling the final book off the shelf. “His name is, uh, Jackson. He’s a very unpleasant man who I wish would stay away from my shop,” he replied. He turned and gave the Hardy boys a big smile. “What did you actually hear him say?” he asked.
    â€œHe was talking about killing something for you,” Frank said. “He looked pretty serious.”
    â€œWell, he may be, but I’m not,” Watson said. “Did you see any mounted heads or animal skins when you came into my shop?”
    The Hardy boys shook their heads.
    â€œThere’s a good reason for that. I don’t deal in such things,” Watson continued. “I won’t be a part of the destruction of the world’s wild animals.”
    The Hardy boys had read all about how many of the wild animals in Africa were in danger of extinction because of unscrupulous hunters and poachers.
    â€œThat’s one of the things Dad will be talking about,” Joe said. “He has some ideas that he thinks will help the police forces in East Africa deal with illegal hunters.”
    â€œWe need more people like your father, then,” Watson said. “The situation is getting worse, especially in certain countries.”
    Frank glanced at his watch again.
    â€œWell, we’d better be going or we’ll miss our ride back to Bayport,” he said. He set his empty soft drink can down on a counter. “Thanks again for lending Dad the books, Mr. Watson. He’ll probably deliver them to you in