The Hardy boys were introduced in the first volume of this series entitled, “The Hardy Boys: The Tower Treasure,” wherein they handled their first case of any consequence. A large quantity of bonds and jewels had been stolen from an old mansion on the outskirts of Bayport and after numerous adventures the lads traced the loot and ran the criminal to earth. Other volumes of the series have recounted their adventures in handling other cases that came their way, all of which they successfully solved.
In the volume immediately preceding the present book, entitled, “The Hardy Boys: The Shore Road Mystery,” the lads, as already mentioned, rounded up a gang of automobile thieves who had stolen a number of cars and trucks from points along the Shore Road above Barmet Bay. After that, things had been quiet around Bayport and the boys were beginning to think that mysteries were at a discount.
“We’d better get her back to Bayport right away,” said Joe, as he looked down at the unconscious woman. “She may be dying.”
“Splash some water on her face. She’s just fainted, I think.”
Joe rendered impromptu aid, but the woman was in a dead faint and he could not revive her at all.
In the meantime, the motorboat was heading back in the direction of the city. Frank had let her out to the utmost and the speedy craft was eating up the distance. He crouched tensely at the wheel, and sheets of spray splashed over the bow.
“I wonder what on earth she wants to see dad about,” he said to himself. Then he chuckled. “Dad will have to thank us for saving one of his clients.”
III
Miss Todd
Frank Hardy lost no time on the run back to Bayport. Instead of proceeding directly to the boathouse, he docked the Sleuth at one of the city wharves. There the lads were fortunate enough to find a taxi. The woman was still unconscious when they arrived, so with the assistance of the taxi driver they lifted her out of the boat and into the car.
Frank instructed the man to drive to the office of a doctor they knew well, and there the woman received attention.
“She has evidently been under a great strain,” the doctor told them. “The shock of the explosion and her struggle in the water were just the finishing touches.”
Under his expert administrations the woman was soon revived sufficiently to sit up. She looked about her.
“What happened?” she asked weakly.
“You are in good hands, madam,” the doctor assured her. “Just be quiet for a while and you will be all right.”
In a few minutes, the woman had recovered. First of all, she insisted on thanking the boys for rescuing her.
“If it hadn’t been for these brave lads I would have been drowned. It was foolish of me to jump off that yacht, but I’ve been very nervous lately, and when I heard the explosion and saw all that smoke I lost my head completely.”
“Well,” said the doctor genially, “there’s been no harm done. You were on your way to Bayport, weren’t you, and here you are.”
“Am I in Bayport now?”
“Yes.”
“You must take me to Fenton Hardy at once, please,” said the woman, sitting up. “I must see him.”
“There’ll be no trouble about that. These boys are Fenton Hardy’s sons.”
The woman gazed at the Hardy boys in surprise.
“His sons!” she exclaimed.
“Fenton Hardy is our father,” stated Frank.
The woman was evidently astonished.
“Isn’t that strange! To think that your father should be the very man I was coming to see!”
“He’s at home now,” said Joe. “As soon as you’re feeling well enough we’ll take you there.”
“That will be good of you. I came to Bayport for the sole purpose of seeing your father.”
“Are you coming to visit us?” asked Joe.
The woman shook her head.
“No. I want to see your father on business. Important business. It is private, so I’m afraid I can’t tell you any more about it.”
The boys forbore to question her.
“I suppose I should tell you my name. I am Miss Evangeline Todd.”
They bowed in acknowledgement.
“Will you take me to your father now? I feel much better. I’m very anxious to see him at once. There is no time to lose.”
Miss Todd seemed quite agitated, and although the lads felt that a few minutes more or less would make no particular difference, they decided that it would be best to humor her. Miss Todd got to her feet, and although she was still physically weak, she evidently had a mind of her own for she was determined to remain no longer in the doctor’s office when she was so near her goal.
Accordingly, the Hardy boys helped her out of the office to the waiting taxi.
During the brief drive she repeatedly expressed her astonishment at having been rescued by the Hardy boys “of all people.”
“I’ve often heard of you boys,” she said. “You often help your father, don’t you?”
“Whenever we can,” laughed Frank.
“Well, I hope you can help him now. I want to learn the truth about poor Todham.”
The lads waited expectantly, but the elderly lady said no more about the object of her call. She seemed somewhat eccentric, and muttered to herself a great deal.
“Poor Todham,” she repeated, over and over again. “I do hope Mr. Hardy can help me. It’s all very strange.”
The car drew up at the door of the Hardy home and the boys helped Miss Todd alight. They brought her into the house and their father met them at the door, evidently surprised.
“A client for you, Dad,” explained Frank. “We picked her up just a little while ago.”
He did not tell his father just how they had “picked up” the elderly woman.
“And is this Fenton Hardy?” said Miss Todd. She grasped the noted detective by the hand. “I’ve come a long distance to see you. These fine boys of yours saved my life.”
“You’ve been in the water!” exclaimed Mr. Hardy. He called to
