now is search the fort itself for the chain. If there is one!â
âWe also have the job of tracking down the thieves and stolen pictures,â Frank said. âBy the way, Everett told us he hadnât been off the island for a month. But his rowboat was wet and muddyâand it hasnât rained for days!â
Joe remembered seeing oars in the boat also. Was the recluse lying? Did he know anything about the Millwood thefts?
âWell,â Joe quipped, âwe could always take a new case: Who were the last holders of Fort SenandagaâI mean, Fort Royal!â
âOr Fort du Lac!â Frank smiled, shifting his paddle to the right.
Smoothly, the brothers stroked forward. They were halfway to shore when Joe first noticed water around his feet.
âFrank! Weâre taking in water!â
Ceasing to paddle, Joe slid back carefully to locate the leak. âI canât find it!â he cried out.
Frank quickly pulled in his paddle and crept forward. But he had no sooner taken a step than he heard a cracking noise.
âJoeâthis woodââ
With a splintering noise, the section of flooring beneath Frankâs left foot gave way, entrapping his leg. Water poured in as the sinking canoe capsized.
The lake surface closed over the Hardys!
CHAPTER X
Mysterious Flag
COLD stinging water coursed through Joeâs mouth and nose as he sank beneath the surface. He could see the shadow of the capsized canoe above.
Shooting up for air, he immediately plunged beneath again.
With a mighty yank he freed Frankâs leg from the hull, and both boys were soon hugging the splintered boat.
âAreâare you all right?â Joe gasped.
Frank coughed for several moments before answering. âYes, except my legâs a bit sore. I donât get it, Joe. This canoe is practically new.â
As the Hardys signaled an approaching motorboat, Joe noticed something on the canoeâs hull. âFrank, look!â
Joe pointed to a wide crusted hole where Frankâs leg had gone through, then noticed several smaller holes edged with a painted paste.
âThis canoe was sabotaged!â he panted, tread ing water. âSomebody must have cut these holes, then used a sealer and paint! Whoever did it knew that it would just be a matter of time before waterâor weâwent through.â
The motorboat, manned by a man and his wife, pulled abreast of the stranded sleuths and helped them aboard. With the canoe in tow, they were soon on their way back to Millwood. Frank pulled wet book from the pocket of his slacks.
The True Story of Fort Royal was soaked but safe!
At the school dock the Hardys thanked their rescuers and hurried across the grass. Several students eyed the water-soaked boys curiously. Chet and his uncle spotted them and came rushing up. The two were mystified and worried upon hearing of the boat incident.
âSomebody must have been hoping youâd use my canoe,â the instructor said grimly.
âYou mean the trap was intended for Frank and Joe,â Chet finished. âAnd maybe me too. No place is safe around here!â
As the Hardys changed into dry clothes they told of their visit to Lloyd Everett. Uncle Jim grinned. âHe takes that battle as seriously as René Follette and Mr. Davenport.â
âAnd how!â Frank looked thoughtful. âHeâs friendly enough-doesnât look or act much like a hermit.â
During a late lunch the three boys and Uncle Jim discussed possible suspects in the canoe episode. Ronnie Rush? The short thief? The gallery prowler?
Joe noticed that Chet was staring into space and said, âYou decided what your pictureâs about?â
Chet grinned good-naturedly. âOkay, mind reader, I have. But youâll have to wait and see.â
âIs your entry a still life, Chet?â Frank asked.
âYes. A moving still life!â
The others groaned at the pun.
They were just leaving the