Free Mystery of Smugglers Cove by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

Frank and Joe quickly retreated across the laboratory, when suddenly the furnace erupted with a roar! Flames shot up and the vents spewed clouds of steam. Molten lead streamed down into the vat, while the safety valve went off with a shrill scream!
    The force shook the floor of the building. The next instant the door to the back room burst wide open. The Hardys were revealed in the glare of the blazing furnace!
    â€œFrank and Joe, what are you doing here?” Nitron demanded. “I ordered you to stay on the boat!”
    The boys turned and ran across the lab.
    â€œThey’re spies!” Nitron screamed. “Catch ‘em!”
    He and his smugglers rushed up to the young detectives who had no chance to climb through the window. They circled around to the other side of the furnace, where a tall ladder led to the loft.
    Joe spotted a large box full of marble-sized stone spheres marked with the mystical stars of alchemy. He scooped up a handful and hurled them under the feet of their pursuers. Nitron and his men began to slip and slide. They lost their balance and grabbed wildly at one another. Then they fell in a heap on the floor.
    The Hardys scrambled up the ladder to the loft. Frantically they looked around for a window or skylight that would let them out onto the roof. But there was no exit of any kind! Joe tried to kick the ladder down. Too late! The smugglers were already swarming up toward the loft.
    â€œWe’re trapped!” Joe exclaimed.
    Frank pulled his brother into a niche in the wall next to the ladder, gesturing for him to be silent.
    One by one, Myer and the smugglers climbed from the ladder into the loft and, not seeing the Hardys, rushed to the other side. Nitron came last. As he stepped into the loft, Viga’s jewel case, which was protruding from his back pocket, fell out. Not noticing it, the smuggler rushed to the rear, where his companions were shouting and looking for the boys.
    Frank quickly grabbed the jewel case, then he and Joe skidded down the ladder, pulling it after them to the floor. Nitron and his men heard the noise and gathered at the edge of the loft. They yelled furiously and shook their fists.
    Viga had watched the chase in dazed silence. Now he spoke up. “What is this all about?”
    â€œThey’re smugglers!” Frank hissed as the boys turned to run out of the building. “Criminals. Here’s your necklace. Don’t give it back to them!” He shoved the jewel case at the bewildered old man. Then he rushed outside with Joe at his heels.
    Viga followed. “Wait!” he called out. “You mean all my alchemy was for nothing?”
    â€œThat’s right, Professor,” Frank said, grabbing the man’s arm. “Come on. You should report this to the police. That lump of gold was planted by Myer. We saw the whole thing. He only pretended to find it in the barrel. ”
    Viga was aghast. “My assistant? He’s one of them?”
    â€œHe is,” Frank confirmed, dragging the professor along as they moved rapidly back toward the boat. Unfortunately, Viga held them up. The alchemist’s ladle in his pocket weighed him down, and he had to hold his robe above his ankles with one hand to avoid tripping on it. His cone-shaped hat kept slipping down over his eyes, forcing him to push it back in order to see where he was going.
    By the time the group reached the top of the hill, Viga was panting and puffing.
    â€œPlease keep going, Professor,” Joe encouraged him. “We’re almost there.”
    â€œThe smugglers must have climbed down from the loft by now,” Frank said. “I’m sure they’re hot on our trail.”
    Sounds in the underbrush behind them indicated that Nitron and his gang were drawing near. Desperately the Hardys hurried the old man down the hill. Finally they saw the boat, with Chet, Biff, and Junior Seetro on deck waving at them.
    Just then Viga tripped over his gown and fell.