The Firebird Rocket Read Online Free PDF Page B

hope somebody there will be able to give us a line on that bearded creep.”
    The boys discussed their strategy during dinner, and after they had dessert, Chet suggested that they go for a walk to clear their heads.
    â€œI have a better idea,” Joe said. “I noticed a sign saying that there’s dancing after dinner. Why don’t we listen to the music for a while?”
    â€œOh, good,” Chet said. “I’m all for it.”
    A combo was playing in the lounge, and couples edged onto the dance floor. The boys sat down and before long Joe noticed three attractive girls standing nearby.
    â€œHey, what say we meet those young ladies over there?” he said.
    â€œSounds great,” Frank agreed. “I’ll invite them to our table.” He got up and soon returned with the girls in tow.
    â€œHi,” said the pretty blond right behind Frank. “I’m Hedy Hollweg. My friends are Pat Morrison and Jane Linski.”
    The boys introduced themselves and asked the girls to dance. Frank paired off with Hedy, Joe with Pat, and Chet asked Jane. After a while, they went back to the table, and animated conversation followed.
    â€œWe’re freshmen at Princeton,” Hedy said, “and are studying American literature. What are you doing here? I haven’t noticed you on campus.”
    â€œDetective work!” Chet boomed. “I’ve solved a lot of cases with the help of the Hardys!”
    Frank and Joe grinned. They were used to having Chet brag a little, especially in front of girls.
    The coeds were intrigued. They bombarded the boys with questions about crime investigation.
    â€œYou must be here on an important case,” Jane surmised.
    Chet opened his mouth but Frank kicked his foot under the table as a signal to keep quiet about Dr. Jenson. Joe changed the subject. “How do you girls like Princeton?”
    â€œIt’s great!” Hedy said. “I’m glad they let coeds in.”
    Pat nodded vigorously. “This is one thing Women’s Lib did for us. Princeton used to be for men only. But no more!”
    â€œPersonally, I wouldn’t want to go to a school that excludes girls,” Chet said, eying Jane appreciatively. He smiled at her. “Would you like to dance?”
    The young people had a fun-filled evening, and when they finally said good-by to each other, the Bayporters thanked the girls for their pleasant company. Then Hedy, Pat, and Jane went to their dorm while the Hardys and Chet walked up to their room. Soon they were fast asleep.
    A sudden noise woke Joe in the middle of the night. It came from the alley below their room. Throwing off his blanket, he got out of bed and padded silently to the window.
    A pebble landed squarely on the pane. Joe peered over the sill into the darkness. He could barely see a figure on the ground below, throwing another pebble, and another.
    Joe pushed the window open. “Hey, what do you want?” he whispered loudly.
    â€œJoe! It’s me, Smoky. I’ve got something for you!” was the reply.
    â€œOkay, come up the fire escape,” Joe said.
    As Smoky climbed up the rungs of the ladder, Joe roused Frank and Chet. “We have a visitor,” he told them. “It’s Smoky.”
    â€œAt this time of night?” mumbled Chet, who was still foggy with sleep.
    â€œStrange time for a visit, all right,” Joe agreed.
    Smoky clambered in through the open window.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with the front door?” Frank grumbled.
    â€œThey lock the place up at night,” Smoky explained, “and I didn’t want to cause a disturbance.”
    â€œThere’s also the telephone,” Chet pointed out.
    â€œI know. But I didn’t want to call because I have something to show you. I—”
    â€œHow did you know this was our room?” Frank interrupted.
    â€œIt was the only vacant one before you came,” Smoky answered. “There was no other