The Mysterious Caravan Read Online Free PDF

right.”
    â€œIn that case,” Ali said with a bow, “I abide by your decision.”
    The Hardys thanked the shopkeeper and the boys returned to the beach house for their last full day of sun and fun on the island. But the cottage was never left unattended. One of them remained there at all times, guarding the treasure, while the others enjoyed snorkeling and skin-diving.
    William left for his own home shortly after supper. The night was starlit, with tropical softness in the air. Much to the surprise of the Hardys, they were not disturbed by prowlers. The next morning Tony Prito said, “How do you like that for a peaceful sleep? Stribling and his boys must have given up.”
    But they found out soon that this was not the case. William raced up the beach and burst in to greet his friends. He was breathing hard from the long run.
    â€œDid you hear about Ali?” he asked.
    â€œNo. What happened?” Frank said.
    â€œThey got to him last night. Three men wearing stocking masks beat him up. He is in the hospital now.”
    â€œDid they rob his place?” Phil asked.
    â€œThat is the strange part of it. The shop was thoroughly ransacked, but nothing was taken. They were looking for
Bwana
Brutus!”
    â€œHow do you know?” Joe asked.
    â€œAli reported to the police that the men demanded the mask the Hardy boys had ‘sold him.’”
    â€œYou mean he got beaten up on our account?” Frank said. “What a shame! Stribling’s goons must have seen us enter the shop.”
    â€œWe owe him something,” Tony Prito stated. “Let’s all go to the hospital and visit him.”
    The boys readily agreed and decided to take him a present.
    â€œWe’ll stop in town and buy something,” Joe said.
    â€œWhat about the mask?” Phil wanted to know. “We shouldn’t leave it here.”
    â€œDon’t worry. I’m taking care of that right now,” Joe replied. He removed the equipment from his camera case and inserted the death mask.
    â€œOld Brutus is going with us,” he declared.
    On the way to the hospital they stopped at a florist’s to get a bouquet for the injured man. When they entered the Arab’s room, they were stunned by his condition. Ali’s head was swathed in a broad bandage. His right eye was blackened, and his left arm, immobile and in a cast, lay on the sheet. A nurse had cautioned the boys not to stay long.
    After conveying their regrets, they prepared to leave. Ali smiled wanly and whispered, “Be very careful. That mask must be of fabulous value. Do you still have it?”
    Joe patted the leather camera case.
    â€œGet rid of it as soon as you can. Your lives are in danger!”
    The boys said good-by and returned to the cottage, where the chore of packing began.
    â€œListen, Joe,” Frank said. “I was about to ask you the other day. What happened to my other pair of shorts?”
    â€œDon’t look at me!” Joe said with mock hurt. “I wear only one pair at a time.”
    â€œChet?”
    â€œThey wouldn’t fit me,” the chubby boy said, and Tony, Phil, and Biff claimed they had not seen them either.
    When the suitcases were filled, Frank threw his sport jacket over his arm. The thought flashed through his mind that he had not worn it once since removing it from his bag the day they arrived.
    â€œEveryone ready to go?” he asked.
    They all were. William would accompany his friends to the airport for the final good-by. Before they left, he removed the trinket from around his neck and handed it to Joe.
    â€œHere, this is a gift to you,” he said. “A keepsake of friendship.”
    â€œBut I can’t accept that,” Joe said, embarrassed by the generous offer. “It’s some kind of an heirloom, isn’t it?”
    â€œPlease,” William said. “I know we’ll always be good friends.”
    Their eyes met for a few silent