The Mummy Case Read Online Free PDF Page A

in the museum.
    â€œWe’ll be leaving on the Admiral Halsey tomorrow,” Frank added. “With the mummy—”
    He was interrupted by the sound of a bus pulling into the parking lot. The Greenpoint High players had arrived.
    The game began with Frank pitching and Chet catching. Phil played first base, Tony, second base, and Joe, shortstop. Biff was in the outfield.
    It was a tense game in which the innings rolled by and neither team could score a run. In the top of the ninth, the Greenpoint slugger came to the plate with the bases filled and two out. The count went to three balls and two strikes. Chet called for a fastball. Frank kicked his left foot high in the air. His arm came around, and he put everything he had into the pitch. The batter swung and missed!
    Joe led off the bottom of the ninth. He slammed the ball in a high arc toward the fence. The Greenpoint center fielder raced back to the fence and leaped into the air with his glove outstretched. The ball cleared it by inches!
    Joe circled the bases with the game-winning home run to the applause of the crowd.
    â€œThat’s Hardy power!” Chet called out. “A shut-out for Frank and a homer for Joe! But the game couldn’t have been won without a catcher whose name I won’t mention. Boy, I must have lost ten pounds! I need food. Otherwise, I’ll shrivel like a mummy!”

5
    All Aboard!
    â€œWe’ll pickle you in a barrel of salt water,” Joe suggested with a grin. “That way you’ll last as long as the pharaohs of Egypt!”
    â€œNo thanks,” Chet said. “I’d rather have a hamburger. ”
    After a snack at Nick Pappadopolos’s diner, the group broke up and the Hardys drove home. The phone rang as they walked into the house. Frank answered.
    â€œHow’d you make out in New York?” Mr. Hardy asked.
    â€œIt was quite an experience,” Frank replied and told his father about the events of the past twenty-four hours. “Is it okay if we go to Egypt in Mr. Salim’s place?” he asked.
    â€œI don’t see why not.” Mr. Hardy chuckled. “I just hope you and the mummy get along and have a nice trip!”
    â€œWhat about your investigation, Dad?” Frank asked.
    â€œI’m leaving the United Nations tomorrow to fly to the country that’s threatened by a radical minority. I’ve learned that the takeover will be attempted soon. The government of this nation hopes I can crack the conspiracy before then. Sorry, but I still can’t tell you where it is. Meanwhile, good luck on your mission!”
    Early next morning the boys flew to New York and reported to the Egyptian Museum. The crate holding the mummy case stood on the loading platform ready for shipment to the docks. It was made up of boards nailed into place at each end. Three metal bands running around the crate at the head, in the middle, and at the foot provided added strength.
    â€œThe ends of each metal band are sealed together,” Colden explained. “Make sure they’re not opened until you get to Cairo.”
    Four men carefully lifted the crate from the loading platform into the back of a van. The Hardys got in with the driver, who eased his vehicle through the museum exit into New York’s traffic. A short time later they reached the dock on the Hudson River where the freighter was moored.
    An animated scene met their eyes. Longshoremen shifted boxes, bales, and crates along the dock to where cranes and cargo nets could pick them up. Aboard ship, members of the crew guided the crane cables and cargo nets through open hatches down into the hold.
    The Hardys went aboard, showed their passports to the first mate, then watched a cargo net lift the mummy crate high into the air and into the hold. Frank and Joe went inside and watched the crate being lowered onto the floor, where members of the crew moved it in position amid a number of containers about the same size and