The Hooded Hawk Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page A

our search, anyway,” Frank commented. “Hey, that pigeon at Chet’s farm was headed in a southwest direction, too.”
    â€œRight. And now, with a possible clue to the smugglers’ mainland hideout, let’s do a bit of aerial sleuthing.”
    â€œFirst thing tomorrow.”
    Presently Frank turned the wheel over to Joe. He was just about to head into the ocean when Joe said:
    â€œWe have company.”
    A deep-sea fishing cruiser was coming toward them from the open sea. Frank picked up the glasses and read the name Daisy K . The Hardys recognized this as a weather-beaten sports fishing craft used for charter trips. It was frequently tied up in Bayport. But they knew nothing about its owner.
    â€œThink she’s suspicious?” Joe asked.
    â€œTake a look at the sailor leaning over the rail on the starboard side,” Frank urged excitedly.
    As the Daisy K approached, Joe adjusted the glasses and peered at the heavy-set, dark-skinned man, who had piercing black eyes. Both of the man’s hands were resting on the rail, and at first glance he appeared to be just a tired sailor relaxing after a long, wearing day’s work.
    â€œWhat do you think, Joe?”
    â€œSame as you do.”
    For a reason they could not explain, the boys felt sure that this was the mysterious masked man who had tried to steal the falcon! But on neither of his hands was the telltale ruby ring. In a moment the Daisy K had passed the Sleuth.
    â€œI don’t suppose,” said Joe, “that we ought to suspect every sun-tanned stranger. I have a funny feeling, though, that he is our man. Shall we follow him?”
    â€œWe haven’t a shred of evidence against the fellow, Joe—and anyway, we know where to find him if we want him. I’d rather keep looking out here for clues to the smugglers.”
    â€œOkay.”
    It was choppy on the open sea, and as darkness settled, the wind grew strong.
    â€œI guess we’d better go back,” Frank proposed. “The waves are getting pretty high and I don’t think Miss Peregrine likes it!”
    The hawk was finding it hard to retain her perch and finally Frank took the bird on his wrist. “Too bad we couldn’t continue our sleuthing,” he remarked. “But then, it would be impossible for us to get near another boat on a night like this.”
    About half an hour later the Hardys nosed the Sleuth into the slip of their boathouse. Frank set the falcon back on her pole perch, and had just closed the door behind them when there was a low rumble in one corner of the boathouse. The next instant there came a blinding flash, followed by a sharp explosion that rocked the building!
    A sheet of flame roared up the walls and across the boathouse directly toward the Sleuth!

CHAPTER V
    Indian Intrigue
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    STUNNED, the Hardys could see no escape from the flash fire which had trapped them in their boathouse. As the initial shock wore off, Frank cried:
    â€œOpen the door, Joe!”
    The youth swung it up as Frank gunned the boat’s motor. The Sleuth shot backward into open water a split second before the fire reached its prow.
    â€œWhew!” said Joe. “Sabotage!”
    His brother nodded as he docked nearby. Joe quickly fastened the hawk’s leash to a rowboat painter while Frank grabbed a fire extinguisher from the Sleuth. Both boys raced back to their boathouse.
    Behind them, the boys could hear a watchman shout, “What’s wrong over there?”
    â€œFire!” Frank yelled. “Give us a hand!”
    One glance around the boathouse told the Hardys that a single fire extinguisher would do little good. Nevertheless, Frank played it around until it was empty.
    Joe ran outside and called the fire department from a public phone. Then he looked for some clue to the fire’s origin. Near the side door he noticed a small wad of newspaper on the floor. He put it into his pocket.
    At that