Part 8 (1/2)
”There they are!” Joe cried out.
His voice must have carried. With a glance in the boys' direction, the intruders raced off along the wharf. The Hardys and the two policemen sped after them. The fugitives darted past parked cars and piled-up freight cartons, and disappeared into an old warehouse.
”We have 'em trapped!” Joe exulted.
”Maybe!” Frank muttered.
When the four pursuers reached the warehouse, Hanley tried a small door, which yielded to his push. A faint scuffle of footfalls reached the ears of the four as they entered.
88 ”I'll use my pocket flash,” Joe whispered, reaching for it.
Frank grabbed his arm. ”No sense making targets of ourselves.”
Hanley was groping along the wall. Finding a light switch, he clicked it on. Dim illumination flared from bulbs on the rafters overhead. The warehouse was stacked with bales and crated goods.
”Now what?” Joe murmured.
”Stay behind Darkle and me,” Hanley ordered, as the officers began a search among the piled-up merchandise.
The next moment a faint bang came from the farthest corner of the warehouse. The Hardys and the police converged toward the source of the sound.
”A trap door!” Frank exclaimed, pointing to the floor. ”And no ring to pull it open.”
Hanley pried it up and Joe pointed his flashlight down the hole. A slime-covered ladder led downward to dark, oily water. Evidently this part of the warehouse jutted out on pilings.
The next moment the group heard a splash of oars dwindling in the distance.
”What a break!” Joe groaned. ”Those men must have had a rowboat hidden under here!”
The boys rushed out of the warehouse with the police and down to the waterfront. They peered 89 out, straining their eyes for a glimpse of the row-boat, but it had disappeared.
”We've lost 'em!” Frank muttered. ”And I'll bet they're the ones who slugged Mike.”
”I'll ask the harbor patrol to look for them,” Hanley said.
”In the meantime, Joe and I will go aboard the Hai Hau Hai Hau and see what those fellows were and see what those fellows were up to.”
A fresh shock awaited the Hardys when they went aboard. The cabin was in wild disorder, with bunk cus.h.i.+ons pulled out and accessories strewn about the deck.
”Those men must have been searching for something!” Frank said worriedly.
A brief check indicated that no serious damage had been done to the junk and nothing was missing. Relieved but baffled, the boys restored order, all the while speculating on what the intruders had been looking for.
”Probably contraband,” Frank guessed. ”Wonder if they found any.”
”I doubt it,” said Joe. ”Every place they tore up we'd already examined.”
Hanley and Darkle came aboard. They too were puzzled by the mysterious search.
”You fellows may as well go home,” Hanley told them. ”The police will look after your junk from now on.”
”Swell,” said Frank.
90 He and Joe went to their car and at once turned on the short-wave radio. In a moment they were talking to Aunt Gertrude.
When she heard that they planned to return home, she remarked, ”Good! You'll be much safer in your own beds I I'll watch out the window for you.”
As soon as they reached the house, the brothers used the second-floor extension to call first one, then another, of the co-owners of the Hai Hau Hai Hau to tell them what had happened. to tell them what had happened.
Tony was angry, Biff annoyed, Chet a little scared.
Only Jim Foy seemed genuinely alarmed. ”I do not like this,” he said. ”The junk must be most carefully guarded. Some evil influence is at work.”
”I sure agree,” said Joe, who was talking to him. ”Well, see you in the morning.”
The Chinese boy had just said good-by when the alarm buzzer sounded throughout the house.
”Oh-oh!” Joe exclaimed. ”The prowler again?” He and Frank dashed downstairs to nab him. When the doorbell rang almost instantly, the boys relaxed. Evidently the caller was friendly.
Aunt Gertrude was already answering the ring. She gasped as a huge Chinese towered in the doorway.
”Chin Gok!” Frank murmured, as he and Joe came down the steps.
”Well, what is it you want?” Miss Hardy demanded, a trifle shakily.
9l The Chinese bowed low. ”I wish to speak to the young men,” he answered.
”Aunt Gertrude, this is Mr. Chin Gok/' Frank spoke up. Miss Hardy nodded^ ”I would not trouble you at this time, but it is a matter of the utmost importance,” Chin Gok went on. His voice was polite but insistent.
”All right. Step inside.” Frank held the door open and Chin Gok entered, ducking his melon-shaped head. The Hardys ushered him into the living room and they all sat down.
”What have you come to see us about?” Joe opened the conversation.
”About the junk which you purchased in New York. Once again I beg you most earnestly to sell it to my humble self. Name your own price!”
The boys glanced at each other but remained silent. Chin Gok went on, ”I will admit to you certain interests in Hong Kong are most anxious to obtain the Hai Hau.” Hai Hau.”
”What interests?” Frank challenged.
”A group of religious wors.h.i.+pers,” the huge Chinese replied. ”You see, the Hai Hau Hai Hau is a is a sacred boat to my people. Once it was used to transport a large statue of Buddha from Singapore to Hong Kong. I repeat-we will pay any price you ask, within reason!”
The Hardys were more mystified than ever. Also, they were tempted by the chance to realize a large profit. In view of all the difficulties they 92 were having, it might be wiser to sell the junk. On the other hand, Frank and Joe hated the thought of giving up an unsolved mystery, and besides, they would have no summer job.
Just then the telephone rang and Frank went to the instrument in the hall. A moment later he gasped. Putting down the phone, he beckoned Joe to join him.
”Wow! Wait till you hear this!” he whispered.