Book 2, Ch. 3

The House on the Cliff

Chapter 3: Landslide!

Thanks to the tools Chet pulls out of his pocket, the boys are soon able to get the motorcycle running again. Still no clue to the thief! Heading for home, they are ready for a break from the excitement, but it is not to be. Just as Joe rounds a curve on the rocky hillside, he hears an ominous noise behind him. Look out! A landslide is pouring down the hillside onto Frank and Chet! The two riders emerge shaken and bruised from their dusty bath. Getting back on the bikes, the tired detectives are distracted yet again – in the distance across the ocean to their left, they spot two racing speedboats. To their astonishment, the man in the second boat hurls something into the boat in front. Seconds later, the first boat blows up, hurling the occupant into the water! As the second boat races away, the stranded swimmer struggles to stay afloat!

Book 2, Ch. 2

The House on the Cliff

Chapter 2: Thief at Work

Sliding through a library window, the four boys quickly search the dilapidated house. No one! But behind a door in a bedroom closet are hidden stairs to the attic. All four rush to the attic, only to find it empty – and themselves locked in! With a heave-ho, they break down the door and race back to the telescope, wondering if someone meant to trap them and steal it. The telescope is still there! But oddly enough, both eyepieces have been removed! Angrily the boys search the house one more time, but turn up nothing. As they prepare to give up in disappointment, they hear ghostly laughter from somewhere below the cliff top. Again they see nothing. Chet is more than ready to leave this scary scene, and soon they are on their way home on the motorcycles. But the day isn’t over yet! Frank’s motorcycle splutters to a stop. Both he and Joe have toolboxes along for emergencies, but when they open the boxes, the tools are .  . . gone!!