Free The Twisted Claw by Franklin W. Dixon Page A

operator. It was his voice the Hardys had identified.
    â€œOkay,” the crewman told him. “I’ll have the antenna checked right away.”
    â€œGood.” The young man turned and went into the radio room. Before he could shut the door, the boys dashed in after him.
    â€œHello,” Frank said. “Mind if we have a few words with you?”
    There was a pause before the startled operator spoke. His face had turned pale. “You—you want to talk to me? What about?” he stammered.
    â€œWhat’s your name?” Frank asked.
    â€œClay—Clay Ellis. I’m the ship’s radioman.”
    Joe got straight to the point. “Writing warning notes and creeping around dark cargo holds must be a hobby of yours.”
    â€œI—I don’t know what you mean,” Ellis countered.
    Frank, meanwhile, had peered around the room and spotted a camera flash gun on a shelf.
    â€œIs this yours?” he asked, picking up the object.
    â€œEr—no—one of the crew must have left it here,” the operator said nervously.
    Frank looked closely at the base of the flash gun and noticed the letters C.E. scratched on the metal surface. “This is a coincidence,” he commented. “These seem to be your initials.”
    Perspiration oozed from Ellis’s forehead. “All right! It’s mine. So what?”
    â€œYou took our picture in the cargo hold a little while ago,” Joe accused.
    The young man let out a deep sigh. “Guess there’s no sense in trying to lie to you,” he muttered. “I didn’t take your photograph, just wanted not to be seen. That’s why I blinded you with the flash gun. You see, I know you’re the Hardy boys.”
    â€œHow did you learn that?” Joe asked.
    â€œI’ve been interested in crime stories and the work of famous detectives for years,” Ellis explained. “Photographs of you and your father have appeared in many publications I’ve read. I recognized you the minute you boarded the ship.”
    â€œWhy are you trying to warn us?” Frank questioned impatiently.
    â€œYou fellows are here to investigate the Yellow Parrot, I’m sure,” the operator went on. “But believe me, you’ve walked into a lion’s den. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
    â€œWe appreciate your concern for our safety,” Joe put in sarcastically. “What’s your game? Why haven’t you reported us to the captain?”
    â€œI—I can’t give you my reasons,” Ellis said apprehensively.
    â€œAre there any other crew members here who know who we are?” Frank asked.
    â€˜I’m sure I’m the only one. But don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”
    â€œThanks,” Frank said. “Isn’t there any more you can tell us about yourself, or the Yellow Parrot?”
    An expression of fear spread across Ellis’s face. “I’ve nothing to say,” he insisted. “Anyway, you don’t realize what you’re getting into. Take my advice and get off this ship just as soon as you can. I’ll help you.”
    â€œYou seem anxious to get rid of us!” Joe stated.
    At that instant a sailor entered the room and handed a folded sheet of paper to Ellis. “The cap’n wants you to send this out right away,” he announced.
    As he hurried off, the operator read the message. Then he walked over to the radio and flicked a switch.
    â€œI’d better start warming up the transmitter,” he said. “This message looks important.”
    â€œWhat does it say?” Joe asked quickly.
    Ellis gazed at the boys for a moment. Then he handed them the sheet of paper. “You realize that I’m not supposed to do that,” he said quietly. “But I trust you.”
    Frank took the message while Joe looked over his shoulder. After he had finished reading it, he said gravely, “Oh, oh. This