Free The Missing Mitt by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

it. You never knew when those things might come in handy.
    â€œDon’t you guys need to be down at the park soon?” Mr. Hardy asked.

    There was no answer.
    â€œBoys?”
    Fenton Hardy turned around just in time to see Frank and Joe rushing out the front door of the house.

2
Racing the Clock
    Frank and Joe were in big trouble. Coach Quinn wouldn’t let anyone on the team play if they were late for warm-up. Even their star player, Jason, had to sit out a game once.
    â€œYou have to respect your teammates,” Coach Quinn had said. “And being on time is a way of showing respect.”
    Nothing would be worse than missing the biggest game of all. If they weren’t at the park by nine o’clock, there’d be no championship for them!
    They both put on their helmets. Joe’s was blue and Frank’s was green, just like their bikes. Then they hopped on and started pedaling as fast as they could.
    â€œThere’s no way we’ll make it!” said Frank. “It takes fifteen minutes to get to the park by bike. I know, I’ve timed it before.”
    â€œI know a shortcut!” yelled Joe. “Follow me.”
    Instead of turning left at the end of their street and biking down to Main Street, Joe turned right. Frank was right behind him. Soon Joe turned again, down a narrow alley between two big buildings.
    â€œWhoa!” said Frank. There were garbage cans in the alley. It was hard to keep from knocking into things. A skinny cat ran between the wheels of his bike. He almost fell over twice.
    The alleyway let out at the north end of Prospect Park. The baseball diamond was all the wayon the other side. Normally the boys would have biked all the way around the park on the street, to get to the entrance at the south side. But today there was no time.
    â€œThis way!” called Joe.
    The park was surrounded by thick bushes. Joe aimed his bike right at them. In a second he was going to run straight into them! Frank was about to yell for him to stop, when he saw Joe go right through the hedge. There was a small hidden gap. Frank followed Joe through the secret hole. He could feel the branches just brushing the sides of his face. That was close!
    Now they were inside the park, at the top of the hill called Big Tree Hill. Below them were dozens of trees. Frank saw oaks and maples and pine. Then he saw Joe, flying between the trees!
    Bump-bump-bump-bump!
    Joe’s bike rattled and jumped as he rode overthick tree roots. He turned left and right. A few times he came within inches of crashing into the trees. But he never did. Frank was flying along behind him. He ducked to avoid a low-hanging branch. While he did, he checked his watch.

    â€œWe’ve only got seven minutes!” shouted Frank.
    â€œWe’re almost there,” Joe replied.
    Finally they were out of the trees. Now they were in the big meadow, right by the baseball diamond. They were going to make it!
    Suddenly something hit Frank in the back of the head! He lost control of his bike and fell into the field. Luckily, he was wearing his helmet, or he could have been seriously hurt.
    â€œOw!” he yelled.
    Joe stopped his bike and ran over. A big stick was on the ground next to Frank.
    â€œOh no!” A voice came out of the woods. “I’m so sorry!”
    An old man with white hair walked into the meadow. He walked slowly, with a cane. Beside him was a large yellow dog, which took one look at Frank and came running over. It looked like the dog was about to jump on Frank!
    â€œLucy! Stop! Down, girl!”
    The dog ignored the man. She ran right past Frank and Joe and grabbed the stick in her mouth. Then she bounded away.
    â€œWe were playing fetch. You boys were riding so fast, I didn’t even see you before I threw the stick. Are you okay?” The man sounded very upset.
    Frank stood up, brushing the dirt off his pants.
    â€œI’m all right,” he said. He tapped on the helmet