Free The Secret Panel by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

police should track down the criminals, not they.
    â€œLenny Stryker probably did some shooting himself,” she declared.
    â€œWe certainly won’t let anybody who should be in jail go free,” Frank stated. “But—”
    The telephone rang and the boys hurried into the hall. Joe answered it. It was his father. He listened intently as Joe related the day’s happenings, ending with Frank’s electrical shock. Mr. Hardy warned Joe to be very careful, saying they most likely were on the trail of some illegal operation.
    â€œPass that along to Frank,” he ordered. “Now I’ll tell you my plans.”
    He explained that there were only two major appliance warehouses in the close vicinity which had not been burglarized.
    â€œThey were both on the list you saw at Bilks’ garage. We have a hunch they will be robbed, even though the thieves must know they will be extra well guarded. I can’t give you the details over the phone,” he went on, “but I won’t be home tonight. Tell Mother not to worry. See you all in the morning.”
    Joe repeated the conversation to his brother. They felt certain that their father was going to lie in wait inside one of the warehouses.
    The boys were still discussing their father’s telephone call when Mrs. Hardy came home, and they gave her his message. Aunt Gertrude had dinner ready, and as usual she insisted they all sit down at once to eat.
    â€œOne of your old school friends is coming over this evening, Laura,” she announced presently.
    â€œWho’s that?” asked Mrs. Hardy.
    â€œFrank, eat more slowly,” Aunt Gertrude ordered. “Laura, these boys certainly are going to ruin their digestion if they stuff themselves like this.”
    â€œBut, Aunty, we’ve just started,” Frank pointed out.
    â€œThat makes no difference. I know by the way you two are setting out you plan to eat enough for four people. Oh, yes,” she added, “Martha Johnson is coming to call.”
    â€œI’m so glad,” said Mrs. Hardy. Then, turning to her sons, she explained that Miss Johnson was a high school friend. “She became a nurse and moved to the West Coast. She comes back every so often, but I haven’t seen her for several years.”
    Aunt Gertrude said Miss Johnson was on a short visit in Bayport, and had telephoned to see if the Hardys were at home. The boys’ mother was eagerly looking forward to seeing her friend. Shortly after dinner the woman arrived.
    Frank and Joe talked with Miss Johnson for a while, then excused themselves to keep their movie date with Chet and the girls.
    After they had left, the three women settled themselves in the living room for a long talk. Presently the conversation became so animated and full of laughter that they failed to hear the back door open softly and a stealthy figure tiptoe in. The man who entered listened to them for several moments. Then a cunning gleam came into his eyes.

CHAPTER XI
    Kidnapped
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    â€œPERFECT,” the intruder said to himself. “The dame in there is a nurse, eh? That solves our problem just fine.”
    He moved on upstairs to Mr. Hardy’s study. Reaching it, he went directly to the detective’s filing cabinet. He took out a small tool and began skillfully to work on the lock. Soon it opened. One by one, he noiselessly pulled out the drawers.
    Suddenly his eyes lighted up as he came upon a marked folder. Quickly he removed the papers from it and put them into his pocket.
    At the same moment he heard Aunt Gertrude say, “Well, how about some coffee, Martha? I’ll go fix it.”
    The intruder froze on the spot. He waited until Miss Hardy had finished the coffee and taken it into the living room, then silently tiptoed downstairs again.
    While the women were chatting gaily, he streaked through the kitchen and a second later had left the house.
    Meanwhile, after a pleasant time at