"Dixon, Franklin W - Hardy Boys 037 - The Ghost At Skeleton Rock (Original)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dixon Franklin W)

"Here, take over," the pilot said. "Might as well get a lesson out of this while
you're in the air."
Joe proved to be a good pilot and navigated the craft on a straight course
toward the spot where Jack had sighted Hugo's trailer.
"We're getting close," Jack said as a wooded area came into view. "Drop down a
little, Joe."
Soon Frank cried out. "There they are! That's Hugo's outfit all right."
Joe swooped lower to get a better look at the fortuneteller's camp. The drone of
the plane's engine must have aroused the occupants, for a man came rushing out
of the trailer.
"Abdul!" Frank exclaimed.
Shaking his fist, the giant rushed back into the trailer and emerged with a
high-powered rifle.
"He's going to shoot at us!" Tony cried out.
"Gun it! "Jack ordered.
Joe began to climb for altitude. Seconds later there was a flash from the rifle
muzzle. Almost at the same instant, sheets of flame billowed from under the
engine cowling and smoke began to seep into the cabin.
"He hit a gas line!" Jack shouted. "The engine's on fire!"
CHAPTER VI
Musical Password
INSTINCTIVELY Joe pulled the control wheel back and lowered the wing into a
steep left bank. He jammed the right rudder pedal to its full limit. The plane
descended rapidly and skidded sideways in a "slip."
"Good work!" Jack said to Joe. "The plane's side motion will keep the flames
away from the cabin!"
Joe reached down between the seats and turned the fuel selector valve to the
"off" position, thus cutting off the flow of fuel from the tanks to the engine.
"Keep her slipping toward that clearing just to your left!" Jack ordered. "We
should make it in there easy!" Joe nodded.
With the fuel valve turned off, the engine used the remaining gas in the lines.
It then sputtered and quit.
Joe and his companions watched anxiously as the plane slipped toward the
clearing. When just a few feet above it, the young pilot kicked the rudder
pedals into neutral and leveled the wings. There was a jolt as he pulled the
wheel back hard and the plane touched down on the grassy clearing. Joe then
pressed hard on the wheel brakes. The craft rolled ahead for several yards and
came to a halt with a lurch.
"Handled like a veteran!" Jack gave Joe a broad grin.
At that moment Frank caught sight of Abdul and Hugo sprinting toward their car.
"Those men are getting away!" he yelled.
The Hardys and the others hopped out of the plane and dashed after them. But the
men had too big a lead. They jumped into their car while the pursuers were still
fifty yards away. The car roared down the woods road and disappeared.
Though disappointed, Frank pointed out that at least the suspects had had to
abandon their tent and trailer. "Maybe they left some clues."
A quick search revealed little of interest. Besides some costumes, the crystal
ball, and fortune-telling paraphernalia, Hugo and Abdul's gear consisted of
food, street clothing, and cooking utensils. The searchers turned their
attention to smaller articles,