What Happened at Midnight Read Free Page A

family. Well, I must get along.” He stood up.
    Frank shook the man’s hand. “We sure appreciate this. Maybe some time we can return the favor.”
    â€œForget it,” Burton said. “I only hope that gang doesn’t harm you fellows.”
    Joe helped him with his coat and he went out. The storm had moved off.
    For a few minutes the Hardys discussed the caller and confirmed his address in the telephone directory. Joe was a bit skeptical, however. “Either he made up the whole story, or else Dad is really concerned for our safety.”
    Frank was inclined to think Burton had told the truth. Had he and Joe already encountered two members of the gang at the Wright home?
    Aunt Gertrude spoke up. “How in the world did my brother Fenton hear this in California?”
    â€œNews travels,” said Mrs. Hardy. “Especially among detectives and police.”
    â€œHmm!” Aunt Gertrude murmured, then announced she was going to bed.
    Ten minutes later Frank and Joe were asleep and did not awaken until ten o‘clock. At once Frank got up and opened a wooden chest of sports equipment under which he had hidden the box containing Mr. Wright’s invention. It was still there.
    â€œWhere do you think we should keep this?” he asked Joe as they were dressing. “Dad said not to leave the box at home.”
    â€œA tough problem, Frank. With that gang after us, we can’t take the chance of carrying it around with us,” Frank answered.
    â€œRight. And they may not be after us, but after the invention,” Frank answered.
    While they were having breakfast, Frank came up with the idea of a unique hiding place for the invention. “Let’s put it in the well under the spare tire in the trunk of our car,” he said.
    Joe laughed. “Now you’re using that old brain of yours. Best place you could have picked. The car’s vibrations can’t hurt the radio and no one would think of looking there.”
    Mrs. Hardy asked her sons what their plans were for the day.
    â€œDad told us to drop into the antique airplane show and see if we could spot anybody who seemed overly interested,” Frank replied. “He thought the person who stole Mr. Wright’s old plane might be planning another theft.”
    â€œTonight,” Joe continued, “we’re going to Chet’s party and stay until tomorrow. Okay?”
    â€œOf course,” his mother answered.
    Chet Morton, an overweight, good-natured schoolmate, lived on a farm at the edge of Bayport. A group of boys and girls had been invited there to a barn dance and late supper. Frank and Joe would pick up Callie Shaw, a special friend of Frank’s. His brother’s date was usually Chet’s sister Iola.
    Mrs. Hardy remarked that since the boys would be away, she would spend the night with a friend. “Your aunt plans to visit Cousin Helen in Gresham, anyhow.”
    During the conversation Aunt Gertrude had left the table. She returned holding the local morning newspaper. “Well, you boys are in for real trouble!” she exclaimed. “Listen to this!”
    Miss Hardy read an account of the captured burglars at the Wright home and the mysterious summons to the police. The item stressed the fact that the men’s assailants, when caught, should be dealt with severely.
    â€œWhen caught, eh?” Joe burst into laughter. “We’re going to be mighty hard to find, aren’t we, Frank?”
    His brother grinned, but Mrs. Hardy looked worried. “Maybe you boys should explain everything to Chief Collig.”
    â€œNot without Dad’s and Mr. Wright’s permission,” Frank answered. “For the time being—”
    â€œI haven’t finished,” Aunt Gertrude interrupted. “It says here that the police think this incident might be part of a gang feud.” She removed her reading glasses and gazed at her nephews. “You two are now