Burgess Unabridged: A New Dictionary of Words You Have Always Needed

“It was a pleasant ride in the early-morning fresh air and the sun stood bright over the horizon when they arrived at the dunes.””

— Gelett Burgess

“Three miles farther on they reached a side road which they figured would take them near the shack. Presently the road ended and Frank braked the convertible to a stop. Ahead was nothing but sand. The boys got out and looked around. “There’s the shack!” Frank pointed to their right as he put the car keys in his pocket. The ramshackle old building, badly weathered and sagging, stood between two dunes. They trudged toward it through the wet sand, a fine spray from the windswept sea stinging their faces. “What a dismal place!” Frank exclaimed””

— Gelett Burgess

“The Napoli had turned into the bay and was running close to shore where an area of the water had been roped off for the evening’s display of fireworks. A small grandstand had been erected along the bank. In the water two large scows contained the set pieces and the rockets which would be sent skyward during the celebration. “Looks as if it’ll be a good show,” Tony remarked. Chet proposed that they come early in the Sleuth and anchor as close as possible to the two barges so they could get an excellent view of the performance. At eight-thirty Frank and Joe went to their boathouse where Chet and the girls were waiting. Soon the group was aboard the Sleuth, heading out to the area where the fireworks were to be displayed. Nearing it, they could hear band music from the grandstand on the shore.””

— Gelett Burgess

“Tony anchored the Napoli in a scallop-shaped cove, and the young people waded ashore, carrying the baskets of food with them. “This is an ideal spot for a beach party,” Callie said enthusiastically. She and Iola took charge and gave orders. Frank and Tony were asked to collect driftwood, while Chet and Joe gathered plenty of seaweed. In a few minutes they returned. “Those stones over there will make a good place for the fire,” said Callie. She had found a natural pit among the rocks. In it the boys piled the driftwood, then lighted it. Soon there was a roaring blaze. Frank heaped more rocks into the fire. When the stones were red-hot and the flames had died out, they placed a layer of seaweed over them. Then the girls laid the lobsters, clams, and corn on the cob in rows and piled on several more layers of seaweed. “I can hardly wait,” Chet groaned hungrily as he sniffed the tantalizing aroma of the clams.””

— Gelett Burgess

“The Hardys drove off, heading first for the Morton farm. Chet and Iola were waiting for them, with several baskets of food which included lobsters and a sack of clams. Their next stop was at the Shaw house to pick up Callie, then they drove directly to the waterfront. “Hi!” cried Tony, giving his friends an expansive grin. The Napoli was chugging quietly at her berth. After the food and digging tools had been transferred to the craft and the Hardys had brought their diving gear from the Sleuth, everyone stepped aboard and Tony shoved off. When they reached the end of the bay and turned up the coast, the young people watched for Pirates’ Hill. Minutes later they saw it in the distance. The hill was a desolate hump of sand-covered stone jutting into the sea. There was not a house in sight, except one small cottage about half a mile beyond the crown of the hill.””

— Gelett Burgess

“Frank said. He kept the convertible at a steady pace and they reached Taylorville at twelve o’clock. The town was a fair-sized one, and the streets swarmed with cars and people during the lunch-hour rush.””

— Gelett Burgess

“At home the boys were greeted by the aroma of fried chicken that their mother was preparing. “You’re just in time,” she said, smiling.””

— Gelett Burgess

“When the boys reached home they hurried into the kitchen. Aunt Gertrude was just removing a batch of cookies from the oven. She glanced over her spectacles and exclaimed, “Frank! You’ve torn your pants!””

— Gelett Burgess

“After lunch the boys set off in their convertible for the Greenville Museum. It was a small building at an intersection of two roads at the edge of town. The main entrance was on one road, with a tall hedge in front of the building. Extensive grounds stretched to the rear on the side road, along which ran a high iron picket fence. Frank parked alongside the hedge, and the young detectives strode through a gate to the spacious lawn at the back.””

— Gelett Burgess