Quotes from Franklin W. Dixon

Biff rode in the Hardys' car with Frank and Joe while Chet chauffeured the girls in his jalopy. Five miles later they stopped at the Hamburger Haven, piled out of the cars, and occupied counter stools. After the girls had ordered, Chet boomed, "Three burgers for me, a double order of French fries, and a thick chocolate malted.

never enjoyed a meal more than their supper in the cave. The driftwood blazed and crackled, casting a cheerful glow which illuminated the rocky ceiling and walls of the underground chamber. With crisp bacon, bread toasted brown before the fire, hot chocolate, and jam, they ate ravenously, and at last sat back with deep sighs of sheer content.

My alarm clock didn't buzz. It made a sound like a rooster crowing - my aunt Trudy's idea of a fun birthday gift (p. 5).

As Frank opened the door, four laughing young people burst into the Hardy home. In the lead was Iola Morton, Chet's sister, with Callie Shaw and Helen

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.

Frank and Joe were about to get into their car and drive home when Frank remembered his mother's shopping request. There was a haberdashery near the hotel, and the boys went inside.

There were clouds in the sky and far off toward the open water at the distant end of the bay was a hint of fog. Frank eyed the mist doubtfully. It would take some time to make a close search of the caves on the north shore, and if fog came up, a hunt would be difficult.

Aunt Gertrude sputtered indignantly as Frank and Joe hurried away without waiting for any pie à la mode. They jumped into their convertible and followed Chet's jalopy. Dusk was falling as the four friends pulled up near the cove. An old, rather battered-looking coupé was parked among the trees.

enough so that by scrambling over its bow one could land on the tumbled heaps of rocks and boulders just beneath the opening. "Let's take a look," he said eagerly. "Jerry, will you hold the boat here?" "Sure. Go ahead." Within a few minutes the others were climbing up the boulders toward the cave mouth. Presently they vanished into the dark interior.

The motorboat edged its way along the face of the cliff. Whenever the boys noticed one of the larger openings that could be reached easily from the shore, Frank ran the boat in among the rocks. Then, while one boy stayed in the Sleuth, the others would scramble up to investigate the cave. The hours dragged by. Finally they navigated to a place where the cliff sloped and began to give way to sandy hills and wooded inclines. Biff

Say, Joe, I know where you can book passage!" "Where?" "At Klack's Agency. It's not far from here. Next block." He led the way to a dingy-looking establishment with several blackboards in the window. On them were chalked such legends as Cook Wanted, Fireman (First Class) for S.A., Cruise and Stokers Wanted. "A lot of freighter crews are signed up here," Biff explained. "I've heard they book passengers as a sideline.

Evening was casting long shadows on the square when they arrived in Centerville. The general pointed out several large houses which dated from the Revolution, then stopped to talk with two men lounging on the hotel steps.

Mr. Nichols chuckled. "When Ma gets to going, I say to myself, 'Henry, buckle your seat belt!

At police headquarters they found Chief Collig at the teletype machine, scanning the latest reports. "Hi, fellows," he greeted them, sitting back in his chair. He was a vigorous, middle-aged man with iron-gray hair, who worked closely with the Hardys on their various cases. "What's up?

Frank parked the car at a drugstore and the two boys hurried to a telephone booth inside. Leafing through the Bayport directory, they soon found the attorney's residential listing.

Four Bigloo Igloos," ordered Chet, when the waitress came over. "But there are only three of you, sir," the waitress protested. "Four sundaes, miss," Chet repeated grandly. "Never fear—we shall dispose of them!" The waitress shrugged and went off. The place was filled with people on their lunch hour, and there was a lively hubbub. A juke box was playing continuously

They drove around to the north shore, and presently came upon two large stone pillars covered with vines. The name MEAD was carved on one. As they turned into the driveway, Joe said, "The place looks deserted to me." A short distance ahead of them was a clump of trees, around which the driveway wound to the stone mansion. The imposing house at the end of the deeply rutted and overgrown road stood about two hundred feet from the water, commanding an unobstructed view of Barmet Bay.

Ten o'clock the next morning found the Hardy boys on the sidewalks of downtown Bayport. They were on their way to police headquarters to check on any new developments in the harbor mystery. It was a hot, sunny day. Already the stores were lowering awnings over their display windows.

The three boys passed the big house, now dark and silent once more, and walked down the driveway. "That place gives me the willies," muttered Chet, as Frank closed the gate. "I still have the creepy feeling that somebody's in there, watching everything that goes on.

The Morton farmhouse was aglow with light, and gay dance music from Iola's hi-fi came throbbing out on the crisp night air. As the Hardys' convertible pulled up, Chet popped onto the veranda to greet the three latecomers. "Hey! What kept you guys so long? Iola and Callie wouldn't even let me serve the food till you got here! You want me to starve to death?

The courthouse was a low brick building that looked like a church without a steeple. Two heavy white columns stood on either side of the front doorway. Frank entered and asked an attendant where deeds were registered. He was directed to an office down the hall. In it was an old man, beside whose desk towered row upon row of thick volumes of records.

The Hardys started down the street. They had gone only three blocks when their chubby friend Chet Morton jumped out of a yellow sedan which stopped briefly and then went on. He was munching an apple. "Hi, fellows," he greeted them. "I was on my way to your house. Phil gave me a ride. Going anywhere special?" "Well, sort of," Joe replied. "Why?" "Put it off," Chet insisted importantly. "I've got something to show you.

Full of anticipation about their new mystery, the Hardys drove directly to their tree-shaded house at the corner of High and Elm streets.

Joe came down to join Chet Morton, who sat at the car's wheel. "Where to?" he asked.