The Secret of Skeleton Reef Read Free Page A

found themselves some trouble again.”
    â€œNot necessarily,” Frank said, watching the darkened trees pass by. “Chrissy might just be mixed up from the trauma of nearly drowning. She genuinely didn’t seem to remember most of what happened to her. Things might look a lot more reasonable when we see her in the morning.”
    â€œLet’s hope so,” Joe said as the Jeep hit a pothole.
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    Early the next morning Frank, Joe, and Jamal stepped out of the wooden bungalow where they were staying. It was a no-frills home with only a few rooms. The sun poured its warmth through the many types of trees clustered around the bungalow. The deep green leaves of the trees swayed with a slight breeze, and the branches were alive with the musical cries of birds. Even the air was sweet and fresh. The place was paradise.
    â€œA great day for a vacation,” Frank said.
    â€œYou can say that again,” Jamal said. He showed the Hardys a skiff lying alongside the bungalow.The old boat had obviously seen better days, and Joe could see where tar had been plastered over the cracks. An aged outboard motor was attached to the rear of the boat.
    â€œIt’s not much to look at,” Jamal told the Hardys, “but my uncle assures me it’s seaworthy. In the front-room closet you’ll find a box of boating supplies. Feel free to take out the skiff while I’m gone.” Though Jamal’s uncle was not staying on St. Lucia that month, Jamal had an appointment to fly one of his uncle’s friends to a few neighboring islands for some business meetings.
    â€œWhat time will you be back?” Frank asked.
    â€œOur last stop is Martinique at four, and I’m leaving my passenger there,” Jamal answered. “Why don’t we meet here around, say, six? I’m pretty anxious to hear what you learn from Chrissy.”
    â€œWe’ll tell you everything,” Frank said. “Have a safe flight.” Jamal climbed into the Jeep, started the engine, and drove off.
    â€œWe can’t visit Chrissy until nine,” Joe said. “Why don’t we wander down to the harbor and have a look around? You know, soak up a little local color.”
    â€œExcellent,” Frank said.
    They walked the short distance to the beach, then strolled along the sand for about a mile. A few tourists were already out sunbathing. By daylightthe water shimmered a gorgeous shade of turquoise, and Joe could see why people came from all over the world to visit the Caribbean beaches.
    â€œYes, sir,” Joe said after a deep breath of sea air. “This is just what the doctor ordered. One carefree week on a tropical island.”
    â€œI’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” Frank said, noticing the palm trees along the beach.
    â€œExcept,” Joe said, “things won’t be really carefree until we know Chrissy is okay.”
    Soon the Hardys reached the harbor. Numerous boats lingered on the water, some of them beginning to head out to sea. Joe admired a variety of yachts, powerboats, small and large sailing vessels, and fishing trawlers. He noted that many were expensive boats, obviously belonging to either tourists or the island’s wealthier inhabitants.
    Then Joe spotted a group of eight people standing by a dock, Ted and Dirk among them. Like the Hardys, most of the group wore shorts and T-shirts, and a few wore bathing suits. As the Hardys drew closer, Joe heard a heated exchange going on between two members of the group.
    â€œThose two guys from last night are over there,” Joe told Frank. “Maybe that’s the crew that’s looking for the Laughing Moon .”
    â€œThey seem to be doing more fighting than laughing,” Frank remarked.
    The heated exchange turned into a yelling match. The two opponents were a thin weasel-likeman and a big bear of a man. “I’m not saying that!” the thin man