The House on the Cliff
Chapter 14: Captured
As
Frank and Joe continue to listen from their hiding place, they realize it is
Snattman threatening their father! The ruthless criminal vows to starve Mr.
Hardy to death unless the detective writes a note telling his boys and the police
to get off the case. Mr. Hardy vows that he will die first! He declares to
Snattman that the police will soon catch his entire gang. Frustrated, Snattman
leaves in disgust. Quickly Frank and Joe speed down the hall and into the room
where Mr. Hardy is lying bound hand and foot. They hack at the thick rope as
the exhausted detective gulps down a candy bar Joe finds in his pocket. Just as
Mr. Hardy is freed, they hear footsteps! Barely able to stand, Mr. Hardy
struggles to walk -- as the door opens and the light is snapped on! Bolting
down the back stairway, the three are stopped at the bottom by the smuggler and
his two henchmen. The fight seems to be going their way when suddenly more
members of the gang appear. Before they know what is happening, the three
detectives are captured and tied up -- in the same room where Mr. Hardy was,
moments ago, set free!
