Free The Clue of the Broken Blade by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

replied.
    â€œYou mean a burglar?” Joe asked.
    â€œRight,” Frank said. He imagined the scene as it might have taken place inside. Perhaps Mrs. Steele was bound and gagged and a thief was ransacking her house!
    â€œThe prowler might have closed the drapes, too,” Joe said. “Come on. Let’s see what’s in back!”
    All the drapes in the house had been drawn. The rear door was locked. Frank rang the bell while Chet pounded on the door.
    â€œMrs. Steele,” Frank called out, “are you all right?”
    Chet tried to open the kitchen window, but it was locked too. As he tried to force it, a cry came from inside the house.
    â€œShe really is in trouble!” Chet said. “Frank, do you think we ought to break in?”
    â€œMrs. Steele,” Frank called again, as loud as he could.
    â€œListen,” Joe said. “If someone’s in there, he might try to escape by the front door. I’ll go around to guard it.”
    But before he had a chance, the boys heard a car quietly drive up to the side of the house. Two doors slammed almost simultaneously, then a bright beam of light, like the eye of a giant cyclops, shone on the trio. It blinded them momentarily.
    A deep voice said, “Hold it right there, you guys. Put your hands on the side of the house, quick!”
    Frank started to go forward.
    â€œDon’t move or we’ll shoot!”
    Joe thought, “Accomplices of the fellow who’s robbing the house!” His natural instinct was to resist, but the men might be armed and it could be a foolhardy move.
    All three obeyed. Frank said, “What’s your game?”
    â€œWho are you?” Chet added.
    â€œWe’re police officers. And you’re under arrest!”

CHAPTER XII
    The Sword Adalante
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    THE Bayporters placed their hands against the back wall of the house. One of the officers patted their bodies to see if they carried guns.
    â€œThey’re clean,” he growled to his companion. “All right, you can straighten up now.”
    Frank and Joe noticed that two more policemen had emerged from the car and were going into the house. Seconds later a floodlight over the garage door went on. Obviously they had switched it on from inside.
    The two officers standing next to Frank and Joe holstered their guns. They wore the uniforms of deputy sheriffs.
    The back door opened and Mrs. Steele stepped out.
    â€œThese are the ones!” she said. “Thanks for getting here so fast, Officers.”
    â€œDid you call the police about us?” Frank asked in astonishment.
    â€œThat’s right!”
    â€œBut why?”
    â€œYou’re thieves, aren’t you?” the woman said tartly.
    The boys looked at each other, then back at Mrs. Steele. “Where did you get that idea?” Joe inquired.
    â€œWhile you were outside fixing your horn, the phone rang. It was a man. He wouldn’t tell me his name, but he said to watch out for three young thieves who were working the neighborhood. He described you perfectly.”
    Frank said to the deputies, “Someone must be trying to get us in trouble. We were visiting with Mrs. Steele when our horn started blowing. We went to fix it and found it had been shorted on purpose. Probably the same person did it who phoned Mrs. Steele while we were outside!”
    The deputy with the deep voice said, “Do you have any identification with you?”
    â€œCertainly,” Frank said, and all three handed over their driver’s licenses.
    After examining them, the deputy said, “I see you’re all from Bayport. And two of you are named Hardy. Any relation to Fenton Hardy, the famous detective?”
    â€œHe’s our father,” Joe replied.
    The deputy frowned at Mrs. Steele. “I don’t think the Hardy boys would steal anything, ma’am. You’ve heard of Fenton Hardy, haven’t you?”
    â€œYes, of course. They didn’t