Free The Apeman's Secret by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

down the street and had gotten a quick trace of the cab’s owner-driver over the police computer system. “There’s his name and address.”
    Frank grinned as he took the slip of paper from the operative. “Sam, you’re terrific!”
    In the lobby of a nearby office building, the Hardys found directories for the various New York City boroughs and got the phone number of the driver, who lived in Brooklyn. His wife answered Frank’s call.
    â€œVinnie isn’t here,” she replied. “He’s working days now. Try him after seven.”
    â€œThis is fairly urgent, ma‘am. Is there any way we could reach him?”
    â€œWell, let’s see. It’s about a quarter after two. He usually eats between one and two, but sometimes if he’s real busy, he won’t have lunch till later. You might try the diner where he always goes. The counterman could tell you if Vinnie’s been in yet.” She gave Frank the location of the diner on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
    â€œThanks a lot, ma‘am! We’ll give it a try.”
    The boys hailed a taxi and were driven to the diner. Its noontime rush of business was over, and only a single customer was seated at the counter, a chunky, dark-haired man in a red sport shirt and checkered slacks.
    The proprietor asked the boys, “May I help you?”
    When Frank inquired about the cab driver by name, he jerked a thumb toward the dark-haired man in the red shirt and grinned. “You’re looking at him.”
    â€œWhat a break!” Joe exclaimed. He and Frank promptly introduced themselves to Vinnie, who turned out to know all about the famous young sleuths. In fact, he had seen their recent interview on television.
    â€œNo kiddin‘! Are you two really the Hardy boys?” he blurted as they shook hands. “Well, I’ll be! Come on, sit down and have a milkshake or something.”
    When Frank explained why they had come, Vinnie was eager to help. “Sure, I know the fare you’re talking about. Real pretty girl, about eighteen. I took her up on the East Side and picked up another fare downtown, and that’s when I knocked off for lunch.”
    â€œDo you remember the address you took her to?” Frank asked.
    â€œNo address. There was a car waiting for her. I saw her get into it as I drove off.”
    â€œWhat kind of a car?”
    â€œA red Mercedes sedan. But if you wanna know the license number, you’re outa luck. I didn’t even notice what ...” The chunky, dark-haired cab driver broke off suddenly and stuck his hand into his shirt pocket. “Hey, wait a second. Here’s something that might interest you if you’re trying to trace her. I almost forgot about it.”
    He held out an amulet. On one side was an image of a flying bird with an olive branch in its mouth, exactly like the design on the amulet found at the park disco!
    â€œI’ll say this interests us!” Frank exclaimed. “Where’d it come from?”
    â€œThe fare I picked up in the next block noticed it as he got into my hack. I figured it mighta fallen out when the girl opened her purse to pay me.”
    â€œCan we hang onto this for the time being? I’ll give you a receipt for it, if you like.”
    â€œNaw, don’t bother. Just keep it and give it to her when you find her, with my compliments.”
    â€œThanks! We’ll do that, Vinnie. You’ve helped us a lot!”
    â€œMy pleasure. Listen, my son Dino’ll really be excited when I tell him I helped the Hardy boys on one of their mystery cases!”
    Frank and Joe grinned and shook hands with the cabby, then left the diner.
    â€œIf this amulet means anything,” Frank mused, “it looks like Mr. Linwood’s hunch was right after all, I mean, about Sue joining the Children of Noah.”
    â€œSure does,” Joe agreed. “But if she has, then what’s she doing delivering a