came a run-down on any known New York criminals who used disguises. Of
these men, the Hardys took the reports on the ones who were thin and of
medium height.
Next came a check by telephone on the whereabouts of these people. All
could be accounted for as working some distance from Bayport at the time of
the thefts, with one exception.
'I'll bet he's our man!' Frank exclaimed. 'But where is he now?'
CHAPTER XI
Anxious Waiting
THE suspect, the Hardys learned, was out of prison on parole. His name was
John Jackley, but he was known as Red Jackley because when caught before
going to prison he had been wearing a red wig.
'He lives right here in New York, and maybe he's back home by this time,'
Joe spoke up. 'Let's go see him.'
'Just a minute,' Mr. Hardy said, holding up his hand. 'I don't like to leave
Mother alone so long. Besides, in this type of sleuthing three detectives
together are too noticeable to a crook. This Jackley may or may not be our
man. But if he is, he's probably dangerous. I want you boys to take the
evening plane home. I'll phone the house the minute the thief is in custody.'
'All right, Dad,' his sons chorused, though secretly disappointed that they
had to leave.
When they reached home, Frank and Joe learned that their mother had been
working on the case from a completely different angle. Hers was the
humanitarian side.
'I went to call on the Robinsons to try to bolster their spirits,' she said. 'I
told them about your trip to New York and that seemed to cheer them a lot.
Monday I'm going to bake a ham and a cake for you to take to them. Mrs.
Robinson isn't well and can do little in the kitchen.'
'That's swell of you!' Frank said admiringly. 'I'll go.'
Joe told them he had a tennis match to play. 'I'll do the next errand,' he
promised.
Monday, during a change of classes, Frank met Callie Shaw in the corridor.
'Hit' she said. 'What great problem is on Detective Hardy's mind? You look
as if you'd lost your best criminal!'
Frank grimaced. 'Maybe I have,' he said.
He told Callie that he had phoned home at noon confidently expecting to hear
that his father had reported the arrest of the real thief of the Apple-gate
money and the exoneration of Mr. Robinson. 'But there was no word, Callie,
and I'm worried Dad may be in danger.'
'I don't blame you,' she said. 'What do you think has happened?'
'Well, you never can tell when you're dealing with criminals.'
'Now, Frank, you're not trying to tell me your father would let himself get
trapped?' Callie said.
'No, I don't think he would, Callie. Maybe Dad hasn't returned because he
still hasn't found the man he was looking for.'
'Well, I certainly hope that thief is caught,' said Callie. 'But, Frank, nobody
really believes Mr. Robinson did it!'
'Nobody but Hurd Applegate and the men who employ people. Until they find
the man who did take the stuff, Mr. Robinson is out of a job.'
'I'm going over to see the Robinsons soon. Where are they living?'
Frank gave Callie the address. Her eyes widened. 'Why, that's in one of the
poorest sections of the city! Frank, I had no idea the Robinsons' plight was
that bad!'
'It is-and it'll be a lot worse unless Mr. Robinson gets work pretty soon.
Slim's earnings aren't enough to take care of the whole family. Say, Callie,
how about going over to the Robinsons' with me after school? Mother's
sending a ham and a cake.'
'I'd love to,' Callie agreed. The two parted at the door of the algebra
teacher's classroom.
As soon as the last bell had rung, Frank and Callie left the building together.
First they stopped at the Shaw house to leave the girl's books.
'I think I'll take some fruit to the Robinsons,' Callie said, and quickly filled
a bag with oranges, bananas, and grapes.
When the couple reached the Hardy home, Frank asked his mother if any
messages had come. 'No, not yet,' she answered.
Frank said nothing to her about being concerned over his father, as he
tucked the ham under one arm and picked up the cakebox. But after he and
Callie reached the street, he again confided his concern to Callie.
'It does seem strange you haven't heard anything,' she admitted. 'But don't
forget the old saying, 'No news is good news,' so don't worry.'
'I'll take your advice,' Frank agreed. 'No use wearing a sour look around
the Robinsons.'
'Or when you're with me, either,' Callie said, tossing her head teasingly.
Frank hailed an approaching bus bound for the section of the city in which
the Robinsons lived. He and Callie climbed aboard. It was a long ride and the
streets became less attractive as they neared the outskirts of Bayport.
'It's a shame, that's what it is!' declared Callie abruptly. 'The Robinsons
were always accustomed to having everything so nice! And now they have to
live here! Oh, I hope your father catches the man who committed that
robbery-and soon!'
Her eyes flashed and for a moment she looked so fierce that Frank laughed.
'I suppose you'd like to be the judge and jury at his trial, eh?'
'I'd give him a hundred years in jail!' Callie declared.
When they came to the street where the Robinsons had moved they found
that it was an even poorer thoroughfare than they had expected. There were
small houses badly in need of paint and repairs. Shabbily dressed children
were playing in the roadway.
At the far end of the street stood a small cottage that somehow contrived to
look homelike in spite of the surroundings. The picket fence had been
repaired and the yard had been cleaned up.
'This is where they live,' said Frank.
Callie smiled. 'It's the neatest place on the whole street.'
Paula and Tessie answered their knock. The twins' faces lighted up with
pleasure when they saw who the callers were.
'Frank and Callie!' they exclaimed. 'Come in.'
The callers were greeted with kindly dignity by Mrs. Robinson. She looked
pale and thin but had the same self-possession she had always shown at
