Suddenly Frank spoke up, 'Dad, what happened to your car?'
Mr. Hardy smiled. 'It's in Bayport in a garage. I was being followed, so I shook off the shadowers and
took the bus.' He added ruefully, 'But it didn't do me much good. Snattman's men attacked me and took
me prisoner on the road.'
The famous detective now said, 'While I have the chance, I want to thank each of you boys individually
for what you did. Without the seven of you, this case might never have been solved and I might not have
been found alive.'
Modestly Frank and Joe and their friends acknowledged the praise, secretly hoping another mystery
would come their way soon. One did and by learning The Secret of the Old Mill the Hardy boys
encountered a cunning gang of counterfeiters.
Suddenly Joe remarked, 'Compliments are flying around here pretty thick, but there's one person we
forgot to mention. Without him, Frank and I might never have found Dad.'
'Who's that?' Biff asked.
'Pretzel Pete!' Joe replied.
'That's right,' said Frank. 'All together, fellows! A rousing cheer for Pretzel Pete!'
