The House on the Cliff Read Online Free PDF Page B

to the ocean side of the house. Although they banged loudly with the brass door knocker, there was still no response.
    â€œThe Kanes must have gone out,” said Joe.
    â€œBut what about Jones? Surely he’s here.”
    â€œAnd too weak to come to the door,” Frank surmised. “But he could call out. I can’t understand it.”
    The brothers returned to the back door and reported to their father. Then, as Joe rapped several more times without response, a sinking feeling came over the brothers.
    â€œI guess Jones recovered fast and has gone,” Joe said dejectedly. “We’ve goofed.”
    â€œTry the knob. The door may not be locked,” Mr. Hardy ordered. From his tone the boys knew that he shared their fears.
    Frank turned the knob and the door swung open. Mr. Hardy felt around for a light switch on the wall.
    â€œWe’ll go in,” he murmured. “If Jones is here we’ll talk to him.”
    By this time the detective had found the switch. As the kitchen became flooded with light, the boys gasped, thunderstruck. On their previous visit they had been impressed by the neatness of the room. Now the place looked as though an earthquake had shaken it.
    Pots and pans were scattered about the floor. The table was overturned. A chair lay upside down in a corner. Shattered bits of cups and saucers were strewn on the floor.
    â€œWhat happened?” Frank exclaimed in bewilderment.
    â€œThere’s been a fight—or a struggle of some kind,” said Mr. Hardy. “Let’s see what the rest of the house looks like.”
    The boys opened the door to the adjoining living room. Frank snapped on the wall switch. There a horrifying sight met the Hardys’ eyes.

    The farmer and his wife were bound and gagged
    The farmer and his wife, bound and gagged, were tied to chairs in the middle of the room!
    Swiftly Frank, Joe, and their father rushed over to Mr. and Mrs. Kane. They had been tied with strong ropes and so well gagged that the couple had been unable to utter a sound. In a minute the Hardys had loosened the bonds and removed the gags.
    â€œThank goodness!” Mrs. Kane exclaimed with a sigh of relief, stretching her arms.
    Her husband, spluttering with rage, rose from his chair and hurled the ropes to one side. “Those scoundrels!” he cried out.
    Frank hastily introduced his father, then asked, “What happened?”
    For several moments Mr. and Mrs. Kane were too upset to tell their story. But finally the farmer staggered over to the window and pointed down the shore road.
    â€œThey went that way!” he roared. “Follow them!”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œThose thugs who tied us up! They took Jones!”

CHAPTER VI
    The Strange Message
    â€œHow long ago did those kidnapers leave?” Frank asked the Kanes quickly.
    â€œAbout ten minutes,” replied the farmer. “Maybe you can catch them if you hurry!”
    â€œCome on, Dad!” Frank cried. “Let’s go after them!”
    Mr. Hardy needed no further urging. He and his sons ran out of the house and jumped into the car.
    â€œThat’s rough stuff,” Joe said to his father as they turned onto the shore road, “barging into a house, tying up the owners, and kidnaping a guy!”
    â€œYes,” Mr. Hardy agreed. “It looks as though your friend Jones is mixed up in some kind of racket. Those men must have been pretty desperate to risk breaking into an occupied house.”
    The boys’ father was able to follow the tracks of the car from the tread marks in the dusty road. But soon there were signs that another car had turned onto the shore road from a side lane and the trail became confused.
    The Hardys passed the lane that led into the Pollitt place and continued on until they came to a hilltop. Here they could get a clear view of the road winding along the coast for several miles. There was no sign of a car.
    â€œWe’ve lost them, I