Free What Happened at Midnight by Franklin W. Dixon

floors. The boys left it at the tenth. Each wondered if they could locate Chris in the maze of offices.
    Again luck was with them. As Frank and Joe looked down a corridor, Chris was just entering an office. Evidently he had been delayed looking for his destination.
    The Hardys hurried to the door as it closed behind the suspect. It was a green-painted steel door with an open transom. The sign read:
    SOUTH AFRICAN IMPORTING COMPANY WHOLESALE ONLY
    â€œI wonder what he’s doing in there,” Joe murmured.
    Frank put a finger to his lips. The sound of muffled voices could be heard from the office. Apparently Chris and the others inside were so far from the door that their conversation was indistinct.
    A moment later Chris’s voice came loud and clear. He must be walking toward the outer door!
    â€œWe’d better scram,” Frank advised.
    â€œWhen he comes out, shall we grab him?” Joe asked.
    Frank shook his head. “If those are buddies of his in there, they may grab us.”
    The boys scooted up the corridor and watched Chris over their shoulders. He did not notice Frank and Joe. The suspect was looking intently at some papers in his hand as he went to the elevators and pushed a button for an ascending car. He was going to a higher floor
    â€œShall we follow him?” Joe whispered.
    â€œToo risky. Let’s go down and wait in the lobby, then take up the trail again.”
    After Chris had gone up, the boys took a Down car. On the ground floor they watched each descending elevator. After half an hour had passed, their patience was rewarded. Amid a carload of businessmen, they saw the burly form of the big blond man towering above all the others.
    â€œCome on!” Frank whispered to Joe as Chris moved toward the street doors.
    Again the chase was resumed in the crowded street. For several blocks Chris maintained a straight course. Then he swung around a corner and stalked down a side street. The sleuths hurried after their quarry and saw him dip beneath a restaurant sign below street level.
    â€œOh—oh!” Joe muttered. “If we follow him in there, he can’t miss us.”
    â€œLet’s see if there are many customers inside,” Frank suggested. “If so, we just might be able to get away with it. Could be he’s meeting someone there.”
    Frank went down the steps leading to the restaurant and made a quick survey of the place through the door. It was almost full.
    â€œChris is taking a table in the rear, and he’s not facing the door. Come on, Joe! We’re not letting him out of our sight.”
    Boldly Frank and Joe entered the place. It was a cheap restaurant, with a row of booths along one side. The boys slipped quickly into one of the compartments. They could watch Chris but he could not see them.
    â€œThis is a break!” Joe whispered.
    An untidy-looking waiter came over and they gave their orders. After he had gone to the kitchen, the boys put their money on the table.
    â€œThere’s enough to pay for a hotel room if we have to stay over, and a few more meals.”
    â€œWe can’t afford to hang around New York long,” Joe remarked, eying their available cash. “I guess we’d better tell the police about Chris and forget trying to spot his buddies.”
    Suddenly Frank sat bolt upright. “Chris is getting up from his table.”
    â€œLeaping lizards!” Joe exclaimed. “He’s heading right for us!”

CHAPTER XI
    Discovered !
    JOE pretended to be searching for something he had dropped and quickly ducked his head underneath the table as the fair-haired man approached. Frank snatched up a menu and held it in front of his face.
    There was a tense moment as Chris drew nearer. To the boys’ relief, he brushed past without noticing them and walked directly to the cashier’s counter. The Hardys got ready to pursue him, but he only stopped to glance at a newspaper lying there, then returned