CHAPTER III
The SKOOL Man
the Hardys whirled to see the theater guard approaching. "So it's you two!" he shouted angrily. "Didn't I tell you to shove off?"
"Yes, but-" Joe began.
"That crash-" the guard cut in. "What happened?" He looked at the sand scattered about the stage.
"Someone tried to drop a sandbag on us," Frank explained.
"A likely story." The guard eyed the boys suspiciously. "You're probably up to something. I'm calling the police!"
Keeping an eye on the boys, the guard walked to a wall telephone and dialed. Within minutes an officer arrived.
"Oh, the Hardy brothers," he said, and turned to the guard. "I heard about these kids. They're trying to find their father."
18
The SKOOL Man 19
"I thought that was a gag," the man replied.
"No. It's on the up and up."
The guard apologized and helped the young sleuths examine the sandbag. They discovered that the ropes which held it had been cut.
At that moment the magician's thin assistant walked onstage. When the policeman questioned him, he gave his name as Stony Bleeker. The man said he had been out for a walk and insisted he had had nothing to do with dropping the sandbag.
"Where's the other man who was helping you pack?" Frank asked.
"How should I know?"
"I suppose you're going to tell us that you don't know what happened to our father, either 1" Joe said.
"You're nuts!" Bleeker growled.
The Hardys climbed up to examine the flies, but there was no trace of their attacker. "He must have sneaked down the ladder and out the side door while we were hassling with the guard," said Joe.
Back on the stage, the boys found further questioning fruitless. The policeman said he would request that the detective squad investigate the matter.
Stony Bleeker quickly set about packing the rest of Hexton's equipment, telling the policeman that a truck would call for it shortly.
20 The Secret Agent on Flight 101
"Well, that's that!" Frank said glumly. "Come on, Joe. Let's go home."
On the way back to Bayport, the boys decided to search their father's study again.
"Maybe we can find out who or what Dell is," Frank said. "That might give us a lead."
But their efforts were of no avail until Frank examined the books on his father's desk. A torn envelope flap was sticking to the back cover of one. On it was the notation, "Kenneth Dell, Great Circle Airways, Westboro, 789-1010."
"You found it!" Joe exclaimed.
The boys surmised that their father had put the book down on the gummed paper and failed to notice later that it had stuck to the cover.
Quickly Frank dialed the Westboro number. A man with a deep, commanding voice answered and identified himself as Kenneth Dell. Frank explained why he had called, and Dell revealed that he was chief of security for Great Circle Airways.
Amazed to hear about the disappearance of Mr. Hardy, Dell said it was imperative that he talk to the young detectives and he would fly to Bayport the following day.
"Meet me outside the airport restaurant at twelve-thirty," Dell said. "I don't want to come to your home for fear we're being watched by Hex-ton's men. I'll explain everything when I see you."
After church the next day, Frank and Joe drove through the heavy Sunday traffic to the airport
The SKOOL Man 21
and anxiously awaited the security chief's arrival at the restaurant. Soon they were approached by a tall, stocky man, with distinguished features and slightly grizzled hair. Accompanying him was a thin, gray-haired man in a dark suit.
"You're the Hardy boys, I take it," said the stocky one. "I'm Dell. This is Mr. Smith."
Both men shook hands and Dell added, "Your father has told me a lot about you two. He's very proud-says his sons are great detectives."
The four entered the restaurant and seated themselves at a table by a front window. Mr. Smith kept looking down at his hands.
"Who is he?" Frank wondered.
Both boys noticed that Mr. Smith was twisting a crested gold ring on his finger.
"Looks like a school emblem," Frank thought, then suddenly realized what the man was telling him. "He's from SKOOL!"
Joe got the message at the same time and threw a quick glance at his brother.
Dell smiled. "I felt sure you would understand. It is safer if some things are not said aloud. Mr. Smith and I work together." So Dell was also a member of SKOOL, working under the guise of security officer for Great Circle Airways!
He went on to say that Mr. Hardy had come to him some weeks before and asked for dossiers on all employees and the passenger lists for the past two years. "I supplied the information."
22 The Secret Agent on Flight 101
Dell was interrupted for a minute while a waitress took their orders. Smith gave none. Then the security chief leaned closer.
"Your father found out that Hexton owns a castle in the north of Scotland. It's a retreat, the magician claims, where he rests and devises new tricks for his show. He goes there several times a month on our planes."
"Sounds like a great setup for smuggling secrets out of this country," Frank said softly.
"That's just what your father concluded," Smith said. "But he disappeared before he had a chance to give me a detailed report. So far nothing has been proved."
In turn, Frank and Joe quickly told about the information they had gleaned from Mr. Hardy's file on Hexton.
"Where is Dad" Frank asked urgently. "Have you any idea??"
"I had a reliable tip that Hexton has taken him to South Africa," Smith replied. "My organization will move in on the situation there." He glanced at his watch and abruptly stood up. "If you need me, contact Mr. Dell. Good luck." He walked off quietly.
A few moments later the food came. As they were eating, Joe suddenly exclaimed, "Look!" He clutched his brother's arm and pointed toward the large front window of the restaurant.
"What is it?"
The SKOOL Man 23
"A man just peered in here! I'm sure he's Stony Bleeker!"
The boys darted outside, followed by Dell. But Bleeker was not among the passers-by.
"Maybe he ran around back!" Joe suggested.
"Quick!" Frank ordered. "Let's split up and check the building on all sides! Joe, you stay here in front! Mr. Dell, I'll take the east side, if you'll take the west!"
"Let's go!" the security chief agreed.
Frank raced along the east side of the building. Carefully he rounded the corner, but did not spot Bleeker. Just then he heard sounds of a scuffle coming from around the far side.
"Uhff!" someone groaned.
Frank ran to the spot to find Dell lying on the ground. He bent over the prostrate man.
"Are you all right?" Frank asked worriedly. He helped the security chief to his feet.
"I almost had him," Dell said, breathing heavily. "But he got in a fast punch." Dell pointed. "There he goes now!"
Frank turned and saw Bleeker dashing into the airport parking lot. The boy bolted after him. The man had too big a lead, though. Before Frank could reach him, Bleeker scrambled into a car and sped away. Disappointed, Frank returned to the restaurant. Dell was already there.
"Any luck?" Joe asked his brother.
24 The Secret Agent on Flight 101
"No. Didn't even get the license plate number."
"Bleeker's thin," Dell commented as he rubbed his chin, "but he packs a lot of power."
"What'll we do now?" Joe asked.
Frank thought for a moment. "We'll check the list of cities scheduled on Hexton's tour. If we can trail him without his knowing it, we might trap him into revealing where he took Dad."
"I still have a copy of the playbill from his last show," Joe recalled. "I believe his tour schedule is listed in it."
"Good thinking," Dell remarked. He instructed the boys to call him if they wanted help. Then he boarded a plane to return to the Great Circle Airways base at Westboro near New York City.
"Let's go home and check that playbill right away," Frank said.
"Hexton knows that we're on to him and his gang," Joe remarked. "Do you think he'll continue with his tour?"
"Probably not," Frank answered. "But right now it's our only chance to find him."
When they returned to their car, the Hardys were surprised to see a pencil-printed note attached to the steering wheel. Frank removed it and read the contents aloud:
" 'Mind your own business! Or you'll never see your father again!' "