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

The Hermit's Story.

"ALL the Senandaga paintings-stolen!" Jim Kenyon's words echoed dismally across the stone gallery as the boys rushed over. The wall showed twelve empty picture hooks.

Uncle Jim told them he had returned from Cedartown a short while ago. He had gone to check the gallery, found that the bulb had been smashed, and a moment later, discovered the theft. "I was about to phone the police, then break the news to Mr. Davenport."

"But how did the thief get in?" Joe asked.

The instructor pointed upward. "The skylight."

The boys noticed a large section of panes was missing where the glassed roof met a wall.

"The thief must have had a lookout," Frank surmised, "while he was cutting the panes."

The police were called and arrived shortly to examine the gallery. They found the missing glass panes, but there were no fingerprints. Nothing of significance was discovered. When the officers had left, Jim and the boys went to the mansion.

It took them a long while to persuade Mr. Davenport that the twelve paintings actually had been stolen. The art patron kept shaking his head, as if in a daze.

"What are we to do?" he lamented. "The thieves are still at large and growing bolder, Jason's paintings in their possession, and likely, the clue to Chambord's gold chain."

Suddenly he and Uncle Jim became aware of the boys' disheveled appearance. "What on earth happened to you?" asked the instructor.

In the excitement, the Hardys and Chet had temporarily forgotten their own experiences. Quickly they described the ill-fated drive.

The two men listened in great astonishment and concern. Mr. Davenport snapped out of his gloom. "Desperadoes!" he stormed. "Why, you boys could've been hurt something dreadful!"

"They're desperate all right," said Frank. "Which means they may tip their hand soon and give themselves away. The trouble is," he added, "somebody in the area seems to know every move we make, or are going to make."

"Do you think," asked Uncle Jim, "those drumbeats and your accident are related to the painting thefts?"

"Yes," replied Frank. "Whoever the mastermind is, he doesn't want us at Fort Senandaga to look for the gold chain."

Joe set his jaw. "We'll get there yet and do some hunting."

The weary boys slept late the next morning. After breakfast Chet phoned the Cedartown police. His jalopy had been salvaged, but it would take at least a week for repairs.

Chet groaned. "How will the Queen live without me?"

"Cheer up!" Joe grinned. "You're going to be pretty busy painting from now on. We're expecting big things from you at the exhibit!"

Chet slapped his forehead. "You're right! I've only got a little more than two days!" He pulled his beret from a pocket and pulled it on. "This calls for short-order genius!"

"In the meantime," Joe said seriously, "we're stymied for transportation."

"Not quite," Frank replied. "We'll use one of the canoes."

"Great!" said Joe. "What's the first stop?"

"Turtle Island." Frank proposed that they visit the English hermit and have a look at his fort painting.