CHAPTER IX

A Decoy Report

joe responded to Frank's plan with enthusiasm and the boys hastened to Chief Collig to secure his cooperation. After they had exchanged greetings and were seated across the desk from Collig, Frank said, "Chief, Joe and I have a favor to ask of you."

Collig folded his hands. "I'm always willing to listen."

"We'd like to have you arrange for a phony news item to appear in the evening papers."

Collig raised his eyebrows. "A phony item?"

"Yes," Frank said. "A story reporting that Joe and I found the stolen balloons and have figured out how the theft was managed."

"Nothing untrue in that," Collig stated.

"But that's only the first part of the story," Frank went on. "In the second part, we want it stated that we've discovered the precise location of the whale, and that as soon as we've recovered it,

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we're going to set up another colossal whale show."

Collig thought for a moment, then asked, "What do you think a story like this will accomplish?"

"I'm convinced," Frank answered, "that some of the carnival people are in this, but I suspect quite strongly that they're not the only ones. I feel there's a good chance this ruse might smoke them out into the open."

"It's possible," Collig agreed. "But you're aware, aren't you, that you'll be setting yourselves up as targets? If you're right in thinking the whale's been lost, those crooks might well come after you."

"We realize that," Joe said. "We'll be on guard."

Chief Collig doodled on a scratch pad while he reflected. After a minute's silence he said, "Well, it does look like our best course of action. If you boys promise to stay alert, I'll arrange to have the story put into the paper."

"Thanks, Chief," Frank said and stood up. "I have a hunch we're going to get some results."

The boys left the police station and drove out to the carnival. Biff and Tony were on the job. Since everything was running smoothly, the Har-dys stayed only for a few minutes of social conversation and then returned home. They started to pack, and when that was finished, they studied

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road maps to select the best route from Bayport to Mystic.

Their mother and Aunt Gertrude had taken Cousin Elmer out to see the sights of Bayport, and the afternoon crept by at a turtle's pace. Finally at five o'clock they sauntered down to a stationery store a few blocks from their home.

Gus, the balding proprietor, waved to them when they entered. "Hi, Frank. Hi, Joe. See you got your names in the papers."

"Oh?" Joe feigned surprise.

"Yeah. Right there on page one. Ain't you seen it yet?"

"No," Frank said. "Where?"

Gus scooped up the top paper from a stack of fresh deliveries and spread it open on the counter. He jabbed a story with his finger. "See? Right there. 'Bayport Sleuths Solve Riddle of Missing Whale,' it says. Boy, that was pretty fast work. You guys are sure good."

"Oh, no!" Frank groaned as he scanned the item.

"What's the matter?" Joe asked.

"They've printed the whole story," Frank replied.

"What's wrong?" Gus inquired. "You guys act like something terrible's happened."

"I don't know how this paper got hold of the story," Frank said. "But by running it, they've tipped our hand."

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"What do you mean?"

"We didn't want anyone to know we'd located the whale until we were ready to make our move," Joe said. "The time isn't right yet. We still have a few things to do."

Gus scratched his head. "Sorry they jumped the gun, but you guys cracked this case in fine time. You got every reason to be proud."

"Thanks, Gus," Frank said.

The Hardys paid for the paper and left the store. Walking home, Frank said, "I really hated to fool Gus like that, but if anyone does some checking, our story will hold up."

Joe nodded. "We can set tilings right with Gus later. He'll understand."

The boys reached home to find that the others had returned. Cousin Elmer, who claimed that his sea legs were not up to so much walking, had gone to his room for a nap. Frank and Joe showed the news item to their mother and Aunt Gertrude and explained their plan.

Aunt Gertrude's hand flew to her throat. "Oh, land's sake! What have you boys done!"

"It's all right, Aunty," Frank said. "Joe and I'll be ready for anything."

"But those are dangerous criminals," Miss Hardy wailed.

Joe patted her hand. "Aunty," he said soothingly, "you've never known us to be reckless, right? Well, we don't intend to change now. Dad's

A Decoy Report 77

working on a tight schedule and every moment counts."

Mrs. Hardy, too, was worried about the boys, but she had confidence in their resources and abilities. "They will do all right, Gertrude," she said.

The phone rang. It was the Bayport branch office of a national television network. The TV news interviewer asked Frank to comment on the story and to give him additional information if possible.

"Well," said Frank, "we didn't want the news to break this early, but as long as it has, there's nothing we can do about it. Yes, it's true. All I can tell you is that we'll pick up the whale when the time is right-which shouldn't be long."

A second call, this one from a local radio station, followed on the heels of the first. And so it went for the rest of the evening. Joe and Frank took turns answering the inquiries, and by the time they were ready for bed, they had spoken to representatives of more than half of the major radio and television networks and all of the local stations.

Chet arrived early the next morning. In addition to his plaid zippered suitcase he carried a small black leather case.

"Hey, doc," Joe said jokingly, "got all your instruments?"

"Why'd you bring that?" added Frank. "For house calls?"

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"You're both pretty nosy," Chet said mysteriously. "I'll tell you what's in this later."

The Hardys said their good-bys and were on the road shortly before nine o'clock. They listened to a newscast on the car radio and were pleased to hear the details of the story they had planted.

"If this doesn't bring our enemies out," Frank said, "then nothing will."

It was a fine, bright day. The highway was relatively free of traffic and the travelers made good time. They had been driving for two hours when they heard the wail of a police siren approaching them from behind.

At the wheel, Frank spotted the State Police car in the rear-view mirror. "Boy, he's moving fast. Must be awfully anxious to catch the car he's after."

"It isn't us," Joe remarked. "We're within the speed limit."

Frank edged to the right to allow the police car plenty of room to pass. To his surprise, the trooper motioned for him to pull off the road and stop. Frank complied.

"We're in for it now," Chet fretted. "They're going to arrest you guys for planting a phony news story. And they're going to charge me with being an accomplice!"

"Don't be a worrywart, Chet," Joe said. "We had Chief Collig's permission. It must be something else."

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The trooper got out and walked to Frank's open window, the leather of his holster and his highly polished boots gleaming in the sunlight.

"We're in trouble!" Chet lamented. "Look at his face. He means business!"

The trooper consulted his note pad, then asked, "Are you Frank and Joe Hardy and Chet Morton?"

"Yes, sir," Frank replied. "What's wrong, Officer?"

"I received radio instructions through Chief Collig's office in Bayport to relay a message to you. Your mother received a call a short while ago in reference to the case you're working on. The man didn't identify himself and his message was short: 'Lady, tell your brats that they'll lay off if they know what's good for 'em!' "

"Man!" Frank said. "We got through to them. They're really worried now!" He thanked the officer for having delivered the message. The policeman said he was glad to be of help. He cautioned the boys to be on the alert, then he returned to his car and drove off.

The young sleuths maintained maximum vigilance during the remainder of the drive to Mystic. Chet was the only one who noticed anything out of the ordinary. He pointed out a blonde in a red coupe who seemed to have been following them for half an hour. Frank and Joe laughed.

"She's probably going to Mystic, too," Joe said.

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"I don't think we have much to fear from a pretty girl. To tell the truth, Chet, I think you're just looking for an excuse to flirt."

Chet blushed, mumbled, and looked straight ahead for the next five miles.

By the time they arrived in Mystic, it was mid-afternoon. Joe took a map of the town from the glove compartment and directed Frank toward Mrs. Snow's house.

Suddenly there was the roar of an accelerating engine behind them. The same red coupe went shooting past, cut sharply in front of them, and forced Frank off the street and over the curb.

The windshield was filled with the sight of a huge elm tree. They were heading straight for it!