The Sting of the Scorpion Read Free Page A

that’s what I call a real snooze!” Chet said enviously.
    Frank grinned. “You should know.”
    He braked to a stop at the gate booth as they were leaving the lion enclosure.
    â€œCan I help you?” said a black youth on duty in the booth. Pinned to the pocket of his green park attendant’s uniform was a badge showing his name, Leroy Mitchell.
    Frank took out the folder with the X-mark. “We’re searching for a certain tree.”
    The youth glanced at the diagram, then looked up with an expression of puzzled interest. “Where’d you get this?”
    â€œIt came in the mail,” Frank replied and showed him the envelope.
    Leroy Mitchell’s eyes widened. “Man alive! Don’t tell me you’re one of those dudes?”
    â€œWhich dudes?”
    â€œThe ones who solve all the mysteries—the sons of that famous detective.”
    â€œYou guessed it. That’s us,” Frank said. “I’m Frank, and this is my brother Joe.”
    Leroy broke out in a friendly grin as he shook hands with the boys. “Wait till I tell everyone about meeting you two!”
    â€œHow about the tree,” Frank asked, glancing around. “If I read this map right, it must be near here.”
    The black boy studied the diagram for a few moments. “Yeah, it’s got to be that big old hollow oak.” He pointed to a tree about a hundred yards off, on the right side of the road leading away from lion country.
    â€œOkay if we get out and take a closer look at it?”
    â€œSure. I guess so. Nothing dangerous around there. But watch your step.”
    â€œThanks, Leroy.”
    â€œAny time. Nice meeting you guys.”
    Frank drove near the hollow oak, then pulled to the side of the road. He and Joe got out.
    â€œThe rest of you had better wait in the car,” Frank suggested.
    Biff nodded. “Sure.” He and his two friends in the back seat watched as the Hardy boys approached the oak.
    â€œWhat do you think?” Joe asked his brother.
    â€œMaybe there’s something hidden in it.” Frank stuck his arm in the hollow trunk.
    â€œAnything there?” Joe asked eagerly.
    â€œYes, it feels like an envelope.” Frank picked it up and withdrew his arm. As his hand came out, clutching the white object, Joe turned pale.
    â€œWatch out!” the younger Hardy boy yelled. “Look what’s on it!”

CHAPTER III
    A Trumpeting Tusker
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    CLINGING to the envelope was a brown creature, several inches long. It had two crablike front claws, eight legs, and a tail ending in a stinger.
    â€œA scorpion!” Frank gasped, his eyes widening in horrified disgust. The small animal’s tail was curving forward over its back, ready to sting him in the hand. Frank dropped the envelope as if it were red hot!
    The same question occurred to both boys.
    â€œIs this what Dad was trying to warn us about?” Joe wondered out loud, still a trifle breathless.
    Frank shrugged and ran his fingers through his hair. “Maybe, though I don’t see how he could have known I’d stick my hand in this hollow tree.”
    â€œHe might have known someone would use a scorpion sooner or later to harm us.”
    â€œCould be.”
    The loud sound of a put-putting motor caught the Hardys’ attention. Turning, they saw a park guard speeding toward them on a trail bike. He had a visored uniform cap on his head and a holstered weapon on his hip.
    Red-faced with annoyance, the burly officer braked his bike and swaggered up to growl at the Hardys. “What are you two kids doing out of your car?”
    Joe started to explain, but Frank cut him short. “We got permission from one of the attendants.”
    â€œWhat attendant?” the guard demanded, as if he thought Frank were lying.
    â€œLeroy Mitchell in the gate booth at lion country.”
    The guard turned to look in the direction Frank indicated. Leroy,