The Mystery of the Spiral Bridge Read Online Free PDF

no greater. Frank applied a half nelson, until beads of sweat stood out on his opponent’s forehead. Then, with a shove, Frank sent him sprawling. The two thugs, muttering threats, retreated into an alley. The Hardys headed straight toward their hotel.
    â€œListen, Joe,” Frank said, “we’ve got to plan some strategy. We’re getting nowhere in a hurry.”
    They were about to mount the steps to the hotel’s front door when a grizzled, gaunt, shifty-eyed man approached them. “Oh—oh, this bum wants a handout,” Joe said in a low voice. “He must be king of the down-and-outers.”
    Despite the warm weather, the man wore a long, threadbare overcoat which nearly touched the ground. His brown hair was streaked with gray and slicked back. A dead cigarette dangled from one corner of his mouth.
    â€œWhatcha say boys, whatcha say!” mumbled the man. “How about a dime for a cup o’ coffee?”
    â€œOh, we might as well,” Joe whispered. “It’ll be worth it to get rid of him.”
    â€œWait a minute.” Frank addressed the pan-handler.
    â€œHave you been around this neighborhood long?”
    The beggar’s long, sharp nose twitched and his foxy-looking eyes nearly closed with mirth as he said with a chuckle, “Long! I’ll say—I was born here.”
    â€œThen you must know the people on this block, right?” Frank queried.
    â€œSure do. You lookin’ for somebody special?”
    â€œYes, a man named Milo Matlack.”
    Frank and Joe watched closely for the stranger’s reaction. His brows furrowed deeply and his eyes rolled from side to side, as if searching his memory.
    â€œYeah, I know Matlack,” the man finally said.
    â€˜Can you tell us where he is?” Joe put in eagerly. “It’s important.”
    The tramp rubbed his fingertips over the moth-eaten labels of his coat with evident satisfaction.
    â€œSo—you wanna know where Milo Matlack is, eh?”
    â€œThat’s the idea,” Frank said somewhat sharply, realizing the man was purposely delaying an answer.
    â€œWell, I can tell you.” The tramp thrust his grizzled chin at Frank. “I can tell you—for a price!”

CHAPTER V
    Dead End
    JOE HARDY could barely control his irritation. He opened his mouth to protest, but his brother muttered, “Cool it.”
    Frank then calmly turned to the man. “What is your price, Mr.—”
    â€œPrince. Mortimer Prince is my name, and my price is a hundred dollars.”
    â€œNo. That’s out!” Frank said in disgust, and began to mount the steps.
    Mortimer Prince tugged at Frank’s arm. “We can bargain, can’t we?” he said with a shrug. “So you ain’t got a hundred dollars. How about fifty?”
    â€œI wouldn’t give you even a dime,” Frank said icily, shrugging off the grimy hand.
    â€œAll right, all right, don’t get mad,” the bum said hastily. “Tell you what—I’ll settle for some grub.”
    â€œIt’s a bargain,” Frank said quickly. “All you can eat if you tell us where to find Milo Matlack.”
    Mortimer Prince grinned cheerily and beckoned the boys to follow him. Halfway down the block he ushered them into a dingy place called “Jack’s.” The three took seats at a small round table.
    The vagrant blithely ordered six hamburgers and a double plate of baked beans. As he dived into the food, the boys plied him with questions, but Mortimer did not reply.
    â€œCan’t talk while I’m eatin’,” he mumbled through a mouthful of meat.
    The Hardys waited with growing impatience. With a huge sigh of relish, Mortimer swallowed the last of the beans, wiped his mouth on his coat sleeve, then asked the boys for pencil and paper.
    â€œI’ll keep my promise,” he said. “I’ll show you how to find Matlack.”
    Frank produced a pencil and