"Dixon, Franklin W - Hardy Boys 044 - The Haunted Fort (b)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dixon Franklin W)

"Yes. Either in the picture itself, or the frame." The art patron went on to explain that his forebear had fashioned a very unusual frame, which he used for all his paintings. "The frames themselves are valuable," he said. "Unfortunately, some of the originals have been lost over the years, so a few of the fort pictures in our gallery are conventionally framed."

Joe asked how many of the general's works were in the school's possession.

"Fourteen."

"Who has the others?"

Mr. Davenport's face turned an angry red. "One, I'm sorry to say, belongs to a person who doesn't deserve it." Suddenly, however, he chortled. "But I'll get back at him."

The boys were mystified, but before they could question him, the elderly man added, "Another fort picture belongs to a hermit fellow, an Englishman. He bought the painting years ago at an auction. Lives out on Turtle Island."

"And nobody has found a trace of any clue so far?" Frank asked.

"Not a one. I've been trying to find the fort treasure ever since I came here."

"What is it?" Frank asked. "Jewels?"

"Oh, no. A boom chain, such as those used with logs for blocking ships in the French and Indian War, when Senandaga was built." The man picked up two of the toy logs and seemed lost in thought for a moment. "Marvelous, marvelous idea, those log-and-chain defenses!"

"Could even a historical chain be tremendously valuable?" Joe inquired, to lead Mr. Davenport back to the main subject of discussion.

"This one is!" the man returned emphatically. "It's called chaine d'or-a chain of solid gold."

"Gold!" The three sleuths sounded like a chorus.

Their host explained that in 1762 the proud Marquis Louis de Chambord, builder and commander of Senandaga, had ordered the chain to be forged, not to be used of course, but as a symbol of his fort's strength. There was a disagreement, however, among historians over whether the chaine d'or actually had been made.

"I'm of the firm opinion that it was," he concluded, "which is why I had James invite you boys up here-to track down the art thief and uncover the gold treasure. So you boys feel free to come and go as you please in my home."

"Could one of Millwood's students be the thief?" Frank asked hesitantly.

The art patron wagged his head sadly. "Can't believe it. They're all fine young people! Which reminds me-young people get hungry. How about lunch?"

On a lakeside terrace the Bayporters were served club sandwiches and iced tea. As they ate, Frank questioned their host about his cook and chauffeur.

"I trust them implicitly. Both came with excellent references."

The meal over, Frank, Joe, and Chet thanked Mr. Davenport and walked back to the school. There, Frank pointed to a long, skylighted building in a grove of birches.

"What say we look for clues right where the paintings disappeared-the gallery?"

"Good idea," Joe agreed. They crossed a wide lawn and eagerly headed for the old stone structure. Reaching it, Frank used the key given him by Mr. Kenyon and opened the large padlock. The boys filed inside and closed the door.

The interior was dim and cool, but sunlight came through the panes of a skylight to brighten the three windowless walls, on which were hung some fifty paintings. The wall at the far end of the room contained General Davenport's, each of which showed a different view of Fort Senandaga.

The boys now noticed the distinctive frames mentioned by the art patron. Their corners jutted out in a diamondlike shape.

"Look!" Joe pointed to a large yellowed diagram, half of which was torn off. It hung near the fort pictures. "That must be Senandaga."