The House on the Cliff
Chapter 17: Hostages
The
trio runs stealthily across the lawn toward the road, only to hear a shout,
“The Hardys have escaped!” Smugglers appear from every direction, combing the
woods and yard with their lights! Their father quickly instructs Frank and Joe
to lie facedown in the woods. They are not spotted! Once the men have passed,
the Hardys make a run for the empty house. They take refuge in the secret attic
the boys discovered earlier. Inching up the creaky stair, the detectives hear
voices downstairs! Another search is organized through every room, and ends
without mention of the attic. But to their dismay, minutes later they hear
Klein reenter the room and show Snattman right to the attic door! It opens and
Snattman advances into the attic. Caught in the brilliant beam of his
flashlight, the Hardys are cornered! “You are my hostages!” the cunning
smuggler announces. Only if his criminal gang escapes from the police will
Snattman release the detectives alive!
