conference for a big surprise.
At eight o'clock one car after another arrived at the Tower Mansion. When
the Hardy family walked in they found all the Robinsons there. The twins
rushed up to Frank and Joe and hugged them. Slim and his father shook the
brothers' hands fervently and Mr. Robinson said, 'How can I ever thank
you?'
There were tears in his wife's eyes and her voice trembled as she added her
appreciation for what the Hardy boys had done. 'You'll never know what this
means to us,' she said.
Oscar Smuff was the last to arrive. Instantly he demanded to know what was
going on. Frank and Joe had hoped to have a little fun with him, but Tessie
and Paula, unable to restrain their enthusiasm, shouted, 'Frank and Joe
Hardy found the jewelry and the papers! They're real heroes!'
As Frank and Joe reddened in embarrassment, Detective Smuff looked at
them disbelievingly. 'You!' he almost screamed. 'You mean the Hardy boys
found the treasure?'
As all the others nodded, Slim spoke up, 'This means that my father is
completely exonerated.'
'But how about that nine hundred dollars?' Smuff demanded suspiciously.
'What's the explanation of where your father got that?'
Mr. Robinson straightened up. 'I'm sorry,' he said, 'but I must keep my
promise to remain silent about that money.'
To everyone's amazement, Adelia Applegate arose and went to stand by the
man's side. 'I will tell you where Robinson got that money,' she said
dramatically. 'At my own suggestion I loaned it to him.'
'You!' her brother shouted disbelievingly.
'Yes, this was one time when I didn't ask your advice because I knew you
wouldn't agree. I knew Robinson needed the money and I really forced him to
borrow it, but made him promise to tell no one where he got it. Then when
the robbery took place, I didn't know what to think. I was sick over the whole
affair, and I'm very, very glad everything's cleared up.'
Miss Applegate's announcement astounded her listeners. Robinson stood up,
shook her hand, and said in a shaky voice, 'Thank you, Miss Adelia.'
Hurd Applegate cleared his throat, then said, 'I'd like to make an
announcement. Will you all please sit down?'
After everyone had taken seats in the large living room of the mansion, the
owner went on, 'My sister Adelia and I have been talking things over. This
whole robbery business has taught us a great lesson. In the future we're not
going to be so standoffish from the residents of Bayport. We're going to
dedicate part of our grounds-the part with the pond-as a picnic and swimming
spot for the townspeople.'
'Super!' exclaimed Chet, and Mrs. Hardy said, 'I know everyone will
appreciate that.'
'I haven't finished,' Hurd Applegate went on. 'I want to make a public
apology to Mr. Robinson. Adelia and I are extremely sorry for all the trouble
we've caused him. Robinson, if you will come back and work for us, we
promise to treat you like the gentleman you are. We will increase your salary
and we have decided to build that greenhouse you want. You'll have free rein
to raise all the rare flowers you wish to.'
There was a gasp from everyone in the room. All eyes were turned on Mr.
Robinson. Slowly he arose from his chair, walked over to Mr. Applegate, and
shook his hand.
'No hard feelings,' he said. 'I'll be happy to have my old position back, and
with the new greenhouse, I'm sure I'll win a lot of blue ribbons for you and
Miss Adelia.'
As he returned to his chair, Mr. Applegate said, 'There is just one more item
of business-the reward. The thousand-dollar reward goes to Frank and Joe
Hardy, who solved the mystery of the Tower treasure.'
'A thousand bucks!' exclaimed Detective Smuff.
'Dollars, Mr. Smuff-dollars!' Adelia Apple-gate corrected him severely, 'No
slang, please, not in Tower Mansion.'
'One thousand iron men,' Smuff continued, unheeding. 'One thousand
round, fat, juicy smackers. For two high school boys! And a real detective
like me-'
The thought was too much for him. He dropped his head in his hands and
groaned aloud. Frank and Joe did not dare look at each other. They were
finding it difficult to restrain their laughter.
'Yes, a thousand dollars,' Hurd Applegate went on. 'Five hundred to each
boy.'
He took the two checks from a pocket and handed one each to Frank and
Joe, who accepted them with thanks. Mr. Applegate now invited his guests
into the dining room for sandwiches, cake, and cold drinks.
As Frank and Joe ate, they were congratulated over and over by the others in
the room. They accepted it all with a grin, but secretly, each boy had a little
feeling of sadness that the case had ended. They hoped another mystery
would soon come their way, and one did at THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF.
'Later, on the way home, Mr. Hardy asked his sons, 'What are you fellows
going to do with all that money?'
Frank had an instant answer. 'Put most of it in the bank.'
And Joe added, 'Frank and I for some time have wanted to build a crime lab
on the second floor of our barn. Now we can do it. All right, Dad?'
The detective smiled and nodded. 'An excellent idea!'
