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

too, to get us over here?"
Chet nodded. "But don't hold it against me."
The Hardy boys grinned, then Frank said, "You sure fooled us. I'll say you're
good."
"I sure am!" Chet agreed. "In fact, I may make a career out of ventriloquism,"
he went on, turning serious. "Man, I can see myself now, doing a big show on
television! Chet Morton, Man of Many Voices—World's Greatest Imitator!"
This time it was the Hardys' chance to needle their friend. "World's Greatest
Appetite, you mean!" Joe hooted. "Otherwise known as Chet Morton, Man of Many
Helpings!"
Chet's moonface took on a hurt look. "Okay, okay. Just because I happen to
appreciate good food," he sulked. "If you fellows don't think I'm ready for the
big time, just listen to this."
He jerked his thumb toward the house and whispered, "Here comes my pesky cousin,
Jinny."
A moment later a little girl's shrill, whiny voice seemed to come drifting
around the corner of the barn:
"Oh, Chet! Your mother says you better get in the house right this minute and
start cleaning up the basement! Y'hear me? You better come quick, or I'm gonna
tell her just where you're hiding!"
The boys were amazed at the demonstration. Chet's lips had hardly moved.
"That's pretty convincing, Chet," said Frank.
Chet looked somewhat mollified. "It ought to be good," he bragged. "I've been
studying and practicing secretly a whole month. I'm even thinking of buying a
Hugo!"
"A Hugo?" Frank and Joe gasped together.
"Sure," Chet said calmly. "The same kind of dummy Professor Fox uses."
"Oh!" The Hardys relaxed as they recalled the act to which Chet was referring.
Professor Fox was a star ventriloquist on TV. His dummy, Hugo, had become so
popular that it was being copied and sold on a large scale. The dummy came in
various-priced models.
"I'm going to get the most expensive Hugo on the market," Chet bragged. "I've
been saving to buy it by doing extra chores around the farm. I have enough money
now."
Just then Chet's bull terrier, Spud, came wandering out to see what was going
on.
"Watch me fool him," Chet said with a wink at his friends. "Over there, boy!"
He pointed to a clump of bushes and threw his voice once again:
"Here, Spud! Come on, boy! Got a nice thick juicy steak for you! Come on,
fella!"
Instead of responding, the bull terrier stood still, eyeing his master
quizzically.
Chet lost his temper. "Well, go on, dopey. What're you waiting for?" The bull
terrier merely panted and wagged his tail.
"Wow! Did you ever fool him!" Frank gibed. Both he and Joe doubled up with
laughter.
Chet turned beet red and grumpily threw his dog a stick to chase. Then he
casually suggested, "Let's get some lemonade and cookies."
On the way back to the house, Joe said thoughtfully, "Some of those Hugos come
with Oriental turbans, don't they, Chet?"