Fellowship & Fairydust

Frank recalled the secret passage to the attic and ushered his father and his brother in that direction. Frank suggested that Joe and Fenton go up the secret stairs to the attic while he would go up the ladder to make sure nothing was obscuring the trap door. He made sure Fenton and Joe got into the secret passageway and that the hidden door was closed securely behind them before dashing into the room across the hall. He pulled the ladder down and clambered up quickly but quietly. He pulled up the ladder right as he could hear some men walking past. They paused, and he paused, his heart pounding. 

“Hey, Red, Klein.” 

“Yeah boss?” 

“Send two men to Ali with the medicine. We have got to get that out. We can’t have any delays on that. We can postpone our own departure, but Ali needs to have that when the Marco Polo leaves tomorrow.” 

“We’ll handle that, boss.” Frank didn’t hear any more as he quietly closed the attic door. He pulled out his phone and used the light feature to take a quick look around for a good hiding place. He saw several crates in one corner with a tarp on top of it. They could pull the tarp down for extra coverage if they needed it, but for now, it would do. He quickly tiptoed over to the secret trap door and opened it. 

“What took you so long?” hissed Joe. 

“Snattman was in the hall with Red, Klein, and a few others,” said Frank as he helped his father into the attic. “I don’t know if they’ve finished their little meeting yet, but it’s only going to be a few minutes before they find out Dad’s gone.” 

“Do you know if any of the gang knows about that secret passage?” asked Fenton as Joe quickly and quietly closed the trap door. 

Frank shrugged. “We have no clue.” He glanced at Joe. “Do you remember if the footprints went near this area?” 

Joe thought for a moment. “Maybe not? I don’t quite remember. Ugh, I should have taken pictures of them!” 

“Too late now. Come on, we can hide behind those crates for now,” said Frank. 

“Wait, wouldn’t it be better to hide in the secret passage?” asked Joe. 

Fenton shook his head. “And risk Snattman finding us and cornering us there? No, best to hide behind those crates. If Snattman finds us behind the crates and doesn’t know about the secret passage . . .” 

Frank slowly grinned as the realization of what his father was suggesting hit him. “Let Snattman think he’s got the upper hand, but we have the element of surprise.” 

Fenton winked. “Bingo.” The boys glanced at each other and grinned before helping their father the rest of the way to the crates. Once they were situated, Frank pulled down the tarp while Joe pulled out some candy bars and handed them to his father. “Thanks,” said Fenton as he took one. “Haven’t eaten the past two days. Snattman was at least nice enough to let me shower this morning.” 

“Oh, well, at least he keeps his prisoners clean,” mumbled Joe. Fenton grinned before wolfing down the bars. 

“Well, it seems that . . .” 

They heard the attic door swing open with a bang. The three instinctively crouched down as far as they could behind the crates as a pair of feet came clambering up the ladder. They barely dared to breathe as a light was swung from side to side over the attic. Sure, it was best to let Snattman find them here, but if they could stall that long enough for the police and the coast guard to capture the gang, they would be good. 

It sounded like a few boxes were moved around before the light disappeared and a pair of feet stomped down the ladder. 

“No one’s up there!” they heard a guy say before the attic was closed again. Frank slowly peered out from under the tarp. He let his eyes adjust to the near complete darkness and glanced around. He couldn’t make out any shapes. He quickly slid back under the tarp and the three waited for several minutes. When no one came back into the attic and they were fairly sure no one else was in the attic but them, then Frank pulled out his cell phone and texted his mother. 

“I hope we haven’t worried them for too long,” muttered Joe. 

“Chet’s more likely to have a panic attack than Mom,” Frank stated matter-of-factly. 

Fenton nodded. “That is true.” 

Frank let out a breath. “Mom just sent a reply. She says, “good to hear. Love to all of you. The Coast Guard are moving in.” He grinned as he typed back. “Good, I overheard Snattman telling Red and Klein to get a couple of men to take the medicine to Ali Singh.” 

“Wait, what?” blurted Joe. 

His father and his brother immediately went, “Sh!” 

“Sorry, but, how did they get the medicine? It’s not supposed to be in Bayport until tomorrow!” 

“It wasn’t supposed to be delivered until tomorrow,” said Fenton, “but it’s been in the area for the past couple of days. The couriers were off today, but they got into Bayport yesterday afternoon.” 

Frank and Joe glanced at each other, eyes wide with realization. “That was last night’s job!” they chorused. 

Fenton nodded. “That’s right. I don’t know how they found out where it was going to be, but they knew where to get the medicine and were waiting for the first opportunity they got. Obviously they got it.” 

Frank grinned. “And are walking into the first opportunity the Coast Guard . . .” 

“And Biff!” 

Frank nodded. “And Biff have to get it back.”

Fenton grinned. “Yes, which is wonderful news. I’m sure Chief Robinson will have everything under control.” 

“So, now what?” asked Joe. 

Fenton leaned back, the boxes seemed to hold from shifting his weight. “Now, we wait. As long as they know we’re safe, they can operate at their own pace, arrest the gang members one by one if they have to.” 

“Or two by two,” quipped Frank. 

Fenton chuckled. “Or however many they decide to do, or even capture them all at once. It’s up to them at this point.” 

Joe sighed as he leaned back against the boxes. “Well, I hope they hurry it up, it’s not exactly comfortable right now.” He glanced over at his father. “But I do have one question.” 

“Yes?” 

“How did they capture you?” 

Fenton chuckled nervously. “Pure accident, of all things. Your mother got the message about the evidence?” 

The boys nodded. “Yes.” 

“Well, I . . . I got a little too confident, and somewhat cocky, that I could get some more, so I went back to listen in to some conversations. One of the men just so happened to have been out getting supplies and chanced upon me when he came back to the house.” Fenton shrugged. “And, well, now, here we are.” 

Joe groaned. “Go figure, dumb luck on their part.” 

“It really was,” said Frank slowly. “If they hadn’t captured you, we wouldn’t have gone through so much trouble to get you back, and they might have gotten away with it again.” 

Fenton chuckled. “That’s one way of looking at it.” 

Joe grinned. “So, more like a break for us in catching them.” 

The attic door flung open with a bang, and the three went silent. 

“Fenton Hardy! I know you’re in here!” roared someone, the boys figured it was Snattman. “Come out! There’s no way you could have left this house!” A light slowly passed around the attic. “Your family’s looking for you, or should I say, your wife, seeing as how those boys of yours are probably the ones in here with you right now. Would you deprive her of her husband and her sons?” he sneered. Fenton kept quiet, as did the boys. There was the sound of boxes being moved around. That sound seemed to get closer. There was a slight pause. Then the sound of moving boxes. Silence. Moving boxes. Silence. Then the tarp came off and they found themselves blinking in the bright light before realizing they were staring down the end of a barrel. Frank’s and Joe’s hearts nearly stopped right there at the sight of the gun. “Found you,” growled the man. They could barely see him in the glow of the flashlight. Fenton rose. “Don’t move, Hardy, not another move, or I shoot one of your boys.” 

Fenton raised his hands. “Yes, you’ve found us Snattman, now what?” 

“What do you mean, now what?” 

“My sons have informed me that you’re surrounded. So I ask again, now what?” 

“I’ll hold you as hostages, that’s what!” Frank and Joe shot startled glances at each other. Hostages! “I’m sure your pretty wife will agree to my terms, seeing as it seems like she’s in charge of this whole charade.” 

Fenton’s eyes flashed as he growled. “Do not use that tone of voice when you’re talking about my wife.” 

Snattman seemed to falter and took a slight step back. “Oh, uh, my apologies . . . it’s just, I’m rather desperate. Being a criminal isn’t exactly easy alright?” 

“Then maybe you shouldn’t have become one.” 

Snattman took a breath. “Well, too late for that now, huh? But look at it this way, you won’t have to lose your dignity as a detective and lie about us, now would you? I can hand you over for safe passage out of the bay, and you can send the Coast Guard on a merry chase after us.” 

Fenton was quiet for a moment. “Sounds fair.” 

“Good.” Snattman walked to the attic door and went down the stairs. “Board up that door!” 

“Hey!” shouted Joe, right as the door slammed shut. 

“Joe, stay down,” said Fenton. 

Joe didn’t move from his place, but he growled. “Good thing we have that secret passage,” he mumbled. 

“Do those guys not know about it?” wondered Frank. 

“We might find out in a moment. But first, Frank, text your mother. Tell her not to give into Snattman’s demands.” 

Frank quickly typed out the message and sent it. “OK, done.” 

“Good, now we head back through the secret passage.” The two boys helped their father get to the trap door, though the bars Joe gave him seemed to give him enough strength to handle it on his own. Frank quietly opened the trap door and tiptoed down the stairs. He pushed gently on the wall and peeked around the corner. He could hear a couple of men running to and fro in the house, but for the most part, everything seemed to be quiet. He gently closed the wall before heading back up the stairs. 

“Sounds like everyone’s gone outside,” he reported. “They might even be trying to make a break for it while Snattman’s negotiating with Mom!” 

“That’s the least of my worries. Chief Robinson can handle them. I’m more concerned about what Snattman might do to your mother once she refuses to give in to his demands.” 

“Don’t you mean what he would do to us?” asked Joe. “We’re supposed to be the hostages.” 

“You would think, but Snattman comes off to me as someone who will make rash decisions when he’s cornered,” said Fenton, his voice somewhat tight. 

Frank gasped. “You think he might, he might shoot Mom?” Joe then gasped, now grasping the full situation. 

“It’s a possibility, frankly one I don’t want to sit around and find out about.” 

“Me neither,” said Joe. 

“Frank, make sure the coast is clear.” 

Frank went back down the stairs as quietly as he had before. This time, he went into the room and peeked into the hall. He couldn’t hear any footsteps. He waited a moment, and when he heard nothing but silence, he quietly dashed back to the stairway. “Coast is clear!” he whispered. Fenton and Joe quickly and quietly joined him in the room. Frank closed the closet wall and the three dashed out to the hall and down the stairs. 

“We’d better circle around to the front of the house,” said Fenton. “Snattman would see us for sure if we walked out the front door.” The boys nodded and they made their way to the back door. They paused. Two guards were looking at them in surprise. One reached for his radio and the other raised his gun. 

“How did you . . .” Before he could finish the sentence, both guards went down. The Hardys watched in surprise as there was a quick scuffle between the guards and four others. The two were gagged and handcuffed. 

“Officer Reilly! Officer Franklin! Jack! Jerry!” exclaimed the boys. Jack and Jerry hugged the Hardys. 

“Boy, are we glad to see you!” said Jack, grinning with relief. 

“Keep your voices down,” said Fenton. He turned and shook hands with the officers. “Thanks.” 

Reilly grinned. “No problem, Mr. Hardy. We were hiding in the bushes when Snattman sent the word that they had found you and wanted these two to switch with Red Jackley and Klein Connors. When they saw you, well, we took the opportunity.” 

Fenton nodded. “Good call. There may yet be another. Is Snattman talking with Laura?” 

Reilly nodded. “Yes sir.” 

“Good, then this is our chance. You four go around the left side of the house, we’ll take the right. We’ll ambush them.” 

Reilly and Franklin nodded. “Yes sir.” They separated and crept alongside the house. Fenton let out a soft gasp when they turned the corner. There was Snattman, flanked by Red and Klein, facing off against Laura, who was flanked by Collig and Chet. Chet looked pretty upset and worried, glancing back and forth between Laura’s stone face and Snattman’s rage. 

“You still refuse?” he roared. 

“Yes,” said Laura coldly. 

Snattman took a few breaths, apparently trying to think around this brick wall. “You’re absolutely sure you never want to see your husband and your sons ever again?” 

“I might be a Hardy in name only,” said Laura, “but I will not allow a criminal to get free any more than my husband or my sons. A Hardy never gives up the chase, nor a chance to bring a criminal to justice.” 

Frank and Joe fought the urge to cheer for their mother, so they ended up grinning broadly. But the stern look on their father’s face quickly sombered them up. Snattman was getting desperate, they would need to act soon. 

“Are you absolutely, positively sure?” said Snattman. Frank’s and Joe’s eyes widened as Snattman leveled the gun at their mother. Fenton tensed as he slowly began to rise. Frank and Joe followed suit. 

 A slight movement in the trees alerted the Hardys to the presence of other officers at the ready behind Laura. Fenton glanced to the other side of the house. Reilly, Franklin, Jack, and Jerry were ready. He gave a slight nod, and as silent as they could, walked towards Snattman, Red, and Klein. 

“Positive that I will never see my family again? Or positive that I would never let you go free?” 

Something in the way Laura said that seemed to alert Snattman that he was in more trouble than he thought and he turned around. Fenton was on top of him in a moment. Klein and Red took off in different directions. Reilly and Franklin took off after them, guns blazing. Frank and Joe had jumped in to help their father against Snattman along with Collig. In a moment, Collig had Snattman’s gun, and Snattman was sitting on the ground, cuffed and dejected. 

“Mom!” cried Frank and Joe. 

“Oh thank heavens you’re alright!” exclaimed Laura as she hugged them both tightly. But then she glanced at Fenton. The two rushed into each other’s arms and kissed passionately. Frank and Joe were grinning broadly. Until Joe nudged Frank. 

“Think that could be you and Nancy one day?” 

Frank squawked. “Joe!” 

Chet came between them and hugged them tightly. “Oh, forget about it Frank. We’ve captured the gang!” Jack and Jerry whooped as they high-fived the Hardys.

“Not everyone.” They turned, Reilly and Franklin approached them with grim faces. “Klein got away, and Red is dying. Collig told us you two were in charge of the theft at Tower Mansion.” 

Frank and Joe glanced at each other. “The Tower treasure!” The five boys followed Reilly and Franklin to where Red lay dying. 

“Jackley, where did you hide the Tower treasure?” asked Frank. “Please tell us.” 

Jackley smiled at them. “You fooled us good with that little Mason impersonation of yours.” He coughed. “You two . . . are going to . . . make your dad . . . proud.” 

“Uh, thanks,” said Joe, “but the Tower treasure?” Red answered with a coughing fit. 

Franklin put a hand on Joe’s shoulder as an ambulance pulled up. “We’ll go with him to the hospital, see what else he can tell us.” 

The boys nodded. “Thanks.” They watched as the two officers helped the paramedics get Red into the ambulance and take off. 

Frank blinked a moment. “Wait, what else can he tell them?” 

“Oh yeah,” said Jerry, “we overheard Red tell Klein that the treasure was hidden in the old tower. I think Officer Franklin meant to find out which tower, as there’s more than one tower here in Bayport.” 

“Yeah, but the likeliest place from that sentence would be the old tower at Tower Mansion,” said Joe. 

Jack and Jerry nodded. “Right,” said Jack, “but Officer Reilly said it wouldn’t make any sense for Red to hide the loot in the very place he stole it from, so he thought of the water towers. The old ones aren’t much in use, but they’re kept around in case of emergencies.” 

Frank nodded, that reasoning made perfect sense. “That’s a good point. But, does Klein know that?” 

Jack shrugged. “Seems like he did.” 

At that moment, Fenton and Laura joined them, and the boys explained the situation. Fenton nodded. “That makes sense. But I think it would be best to hold off on that for now, let the police handle it. We’ve had a long day.” He smiled broadly. “And I’m proud of all of you.” 

Frank and Joe grinned. “Thanks Dad!” 

They didn’t leave just yet, Collig needed a report from Fenton, Frank and Joe about everything they heard and what had happened. But by the time they got back home, they got the report that, besides Klein, the rest of the gang had been rounded up by the State Police and the Coast Guard caught a few stragglers. Ali Sing was still on the Marco Polo, but Chief Robinson heard from the captain that he could personally come aboard the ship the next morning and make the arrest. Apparently the captain was afraid of the gang bearing down on the ship when Ali was arrested, which Collig and Robinson agreed was a reasonable concern. When Frank and Joe hit their pillows, they wondered if Klein would be caught in the morning too. They certainly hoped so, it would give them a free pass to look for the Tower treasure without another member of the gang trying to get it from them.

 

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