The great airport mystery

“CHAPTER VIII Masked Attacker THERE was a moment of thunderstruck silence. Who had stolen the Hardys’ camera and films and why? Randy was apologetic, saying he felt responsible for leaving the plane unattended. “I’ll pay for the loss,” he declared. “We wouldn’t consider it,” Frank said, shaking his head. “Besides, it’s not so much the camera we’re worried about.” “The films?” “Right,” Joe added quickly. He cast a glance at his brother. “You probably have the same suspicion I do, Frank. The thief might have wanted to prevent us from developing those pictures.” “Then why did he take the camera too?” was Randy’s next query. “Because he figured there was more exposed film in it,” Frank explained. “Good reasoning,” Randy agreed. The boys recalled the small crowd that had collected on the ramp when their plane taxied in. Jerry Madden had been among them. Perhaps, Frank thought,””

— Dixon, Franklin W.

“nephews but constantly scolded them for not being cautious enough””

— Dixon, Franklin W.

“Hil” he called.””

— Dixon, Franklin W.

“looked thoughtful.””

— Dixon, Franklin W.

“Anyway, we were both busy ducking!” Diamond””

— Dixon, Franklin W.

“Anyway, we were both busy ducking””

— Dixon, Franklin W.

“When he reached the selected cruising altitude, Jerry set the plane on course. Hour after hour passed as it bore through the sky. Lulled by the drone of the engines, the boys caught up on some sleep. When they awoke, the first light of dawn was breaking in the east. Gradually the light grew brighter, revealing a fascinating mosaic of deep blue and jade green on the surface of the ocean below.””

— Dixon, Franklin W.

“Chet dashed from the room. Moments later he reappeared, his stout form draped in a white sheet. The others roared with laughter as Chet leaped playfully about the room with the sheet swirling behind him. “Better watch where you’re going!” Frank warned the cavorting phantom. Chet now spread his arms wide under the sheet. Looking like a huge white bat, he took a high running jump across the room. Coming down hard, he tripped on one corner of the sheet. Chet lost his balance, stumbled, then fell and rolled across the room in a tangled mass of cloth. The girls joined in the Hardys’ fresh outburst of laughter. “What’s so funny?” Chet groaned as he struggled to free himself. “I thought I looked pretty scary.””

— Dixon, Franklin W.

“flashes almost blinding in their intensity.””

— Dixon, Franklin W.