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CHAPTER 2. An Angry Caller






 

FRANK leaned hard on the tiller, while Joe trimmed sail. The Seagull veered sharply. The other boys held on so tightly to the gunhales that their knuckles were white. The boat careened, and the ice seemed to leap towards them.

The Hawk zoomed past in such a violent rush of wind that Frank thought his craft would surely turn over. But he kept a firm hold on the tiller and Joe eased the sheet. Slowly the craft pulled out of the sharp turn and Frank was able to slow to a stop.

For a moment no one spoke. The boys stared at one another, numb with relief. Then Joe glanced over his shoulder and exclaimed, " They've piled up! "

" Serves them right, " Biff declared. " They might have killed us all."

" Still, we'd better go over and see if they're badly injured, " Frank said.

The four got out of the Seagull and made their way across the ice to the troublemakers, who were surveying the Hawk's broken mast.

Ike Nash limped towards the Seagull's crew, his eyes blazing. " You jerks are going to pay for this damage! " he shouted. " Besides, I'll have to see a doctor about my ankle. It's probably broken. You'll get all the bills, that's for sure! "

" It was your fault, " Joe declared. " And if your ankle were broken, Ike, you couldn't walk."

" Save that stuff! " Tad snapped back. " If we wanted to hear a lecture, we'd have stayed in school! "

Biff turned away in disgust. " We can't tell these idiots a thing, " he muttered. " Let's go! "

" We may as well, " Joe agreed. " Nobody's seriously hurt, so they can make their own way to shore."

The Hardys and their pals headed back for the Seagull, ignoring the threats and angry remarks the bullies shouted after them.

" Let's go home, " Chet said. " It's almost suppertime, and man, I'm starved! "

The four boarded the craft and sped on towards Bayport. Frank's face wore a thoughtful frown as they glided over the ice.

" What's the matter? " Joe shouted above the wind. " Not worried about those two blowhards back there, are you? "

Frank shook his head. " No, just thinking about that fellow in the mackinaw. I'd sure like to know who he is and what he's doing on Cabin Island."

" Same here." Joe was about to suggest that the quarrelsome stranger might have something to do with the mystery promised by Elroy Jefferson. But, smothering a grin, Joe decided he had better not alarm Chet unnecessarily!

The stout youth almost seemed to read Joe's mind. " I just hope that tough guy isn't around to make trouble if we're going to be spending Christmas vacation on the island, " Chet muttered gloomily.

" Don't worry. If he tries anything, we can handle him, " Biff said confidently.

Reaching Bayport harbor, they stowed the Seagull in the boathouse. Frank locked up and the boys climbed into the Hardys' convertible.

On the way to the farm where Chet lived on the outskirts of Bayport, Joe suggested, " Why not pack our supplies for the trip into the Seagull the night before we leave? Then we'll be able to get a quick start."

" But that's Christmas Day! " Biff objected. " We'll want to be home."

" True. How about tomorrow? " Frank asked. " We could pack in the afternoon, in plenty of time for Christmas Eve." This suggestion was agreed upon.

" What shall we bring? " Chet inquired.

" Oh, sleeping bags, extra blankets, snowshoes - that sort of thing, " Joe replied.

" And flashlights! " Frank added. " Mr. Jefferson did tell me the cabin is primitive - no electricity, no running water. We'll be roughing it."

" I was thinking of the meals, " Chet persisted. " Who's in charge of food? "

Frank grinned. " You! But we'll all bring some."

" Sounds fine to me, " said Biff, and the others nodded assent.

As they pulled up in front of the Mortons' farmhouse, Chet asked, " What time do we meet tomorrow to pack the Seagull? "

" About four o'clock, " Joe suggested. " Frank and I ought to be back from our visit with Mr Jefferson by then."

The Hardys next drove Biff to his house. As they headed for their own home, Joe said, " I can't wait to know the details of Mr. Jefferson's mystery! Haven't you any idea what it's about? "

Frank shook his head. The brothers had become fascinated with detective work at an early age, because their father, Fenton Hardy, was a private investigator whose skill had won him fame all over the country.

Mr. Hardy frequently praised Frank and Joe for their ability to recognize significant clues and to make intelligent deductions.

The boys went into the house and found Mr. and Mrs. Hardy in the living-room. After greeting their parents, Frank said, " I'm afraid Joe and I have a confession. We've made some vacation plans without consulting you."

" I guess we got excited and forgot, " Joe admitted. " But it all happened this afternoon."

Tall, muscular Fenton Hardy, his eyes twinkling, winked at his slender, attractive wife. " Laura, do you have the same hunch I do? "

Mrs. Hardy smiled ruefully. " Another mystery. Am I right, boys? "

" Yes. But we don't know what kind yet, " Frank replied.

The brothers took turns telling of Mr. Jefferson's offer. When they had finished, Mr. Hardy said, " I think the trip is a reward you deserve."

" Then it's okay, Dad - Mother? " Joe asked.

" All right. But I do hope there won't be any danger."

" We'll be careful, " Frank assured her, " Don't worry about us."

" Well, " Mrs. Hardy said, " I'll have to make a trip to the market for your food supplies."

" You'll have to take a truck to bring home all that food! " exclaimed a tart voice from the doorway. The boys' Aunt Gertrude entered the living-room and added, " I know what it is to feed Chet Morton." She sniffed. " I only hope all you boys won't catch your death of cold! "

Aunt Gertrude was Fenton Hardy's unmarried sister, a tall, angular woman who often made long visits with the family. She liked to affect strictness, and it provoked her that she often found herself smiling when alas had intended to be stern with her nephews.

Underneath her peppery manner, Miss Hardy held a deep affection for the boys. She also was interested in their sleuthing, although always predicting dire results.

Joe could not resist teasing her. " Now, Aunty, how about you coming along as our cook? "

" Humph, " Miss Hardy mumbled, and hastened to the kitchen.

Soon after supper Frank and Joe excused themselves and went upstairs to pack. " We may as well stow everything aboard the Seagull tomorrow except the food, " Frank said. " That should give us an early start on Saturday."

The boys stuffed their clothes and gear into duffle bags. Next morning everything was placed in the boot of the convertible.

Shortly after lunch Frank and Joe drove to the Jefferson home, a large colonial dwelling on Shore Road. A housekeeper answered their knock, took their coats, and asked the visitors to be seated in the spacious front hall.

Mr. Jefferson is busy, " the woman said. " He will with you shortly."

After the housekeeper had left, Joe exclaimed in a low voice, " Mother and Aunt Gertrude would sure go for this place! Look at that fancy carved table and gilded work. And those paintings on the walls! The whole house must be furnished in antiques."

" I think it is, " Frank told him. " I've heard that Mr. Jefferson has a large collection. In fact, he's regarded as an expert on antiques."

Suddenly the boys stopped talking. Loud voices came from the living-room adjoining the hall. The Hardys exchanged quizzical glances.

" Wonder what's going on? " Joe muttered.

" Trouble, from the sound of it, " Frank replied.

The speakers seemed to be growing angrier with every sentence. Soon their words were clearly audible.

" I don't understand, Mr. Jefferson, why you won't sell. You'll regret this! "

" Cabin Island is not for sale, and that is final, Mr. Hanleigh. Now, please leave my home! "

The first voice snapped back, " You haven't heard the last from me! "

Startled, the Hardys stood up. At the same instant a large man stomped into the hall. Frank and Joe were nearly elbowed aside by the angry caller as he strode towards his coat, which was lying on a chair.

The boys nudged each other in excitement. It was the belligerent young man who had chased them off Cabin Island!

As he shrugged violently into his coat, his eyes fell on Frank and Joe. " You two again! " he shouted, glaring at the boys. " Keep out of my way! "

Then he flung open the door and was gone.

 






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