Book 2, Ch. 20

The House on the Cliff

Chapter 20: The Smuggler's Request
 

 

The Hardys silently creep forward and attack Snattman from behind, knocking his gun out of the window! They catch him in a tight grip as the Coast Guard and police take over the house. All the remaining smugglers march out with their hands up! In a few moments, Chet and all the boys have joined the Hardys, along with Officers Bertram, Brown and Ryder.
 

Suddenly Frank and Joe add up that the man Jones whom they had rescued at sea is actually an undercover Coastguardsman, now being held prisoner on Captain Foster’s boat. While a search is made for Jones, whose real name is Ayres, Snattman admits he is Old Man Pollitt’s nephew. He thought the house would be perfect for a smuggling operation, but he confesses a change of heart. He announces that he will now ask if he may use the old place as a home for troubled boys instead!
 

As news of Ayres being found reaches the Hardys, the last unexplained detail is also cleared up. Mr. Hardy explains he was kidnapped when he tried to shake a shadower and instead walked into Snattman’s men on the road. Mr. Hardy thanks the boys and all their friends for solving the case and saving his life. Little does he know how soon Frank and Joe will again be entangled in another amazing mystery!

 

 

 

Book 2, Ch. 19

The House on the Cliff

Chapter 19: The Chase

 

 

In a thrilling showdown, the drugs are cast overboard by the smugglers, but Biff is in the water in seconds, retrieving the valuable bag. The smugglers are arrested and handcuffed!

Meanwhile, Chet and Tony have led Officer Bertram back to the cave. Two men in a boat have just entered the tunnel ahead of them! Cunningly these smugglers elude the searchers and escape into the cliff. An all-out search is conducted of the cave and the woodshed above it at the Pollitt place. By this time, state troopers have arrived and surround the house.

Suddenly Snattman appears in a second-floor window! Waving a gun, he announces he will kill all three of his hostages – the Hardys! – unless his men are allowed to escape. Shut in their attic prison, the Hardys have spent the last hour using two small knives to hack at the wood bars nailed across the door. Finally, the door opens!

 

 

 

Book 2, Ch. 18

The House on the Cliff

Chapter 18: Coast Guard Action

 

 

Meanwhile Chet and Tony reach the Coast Guard, only to run into Biff, Phil and Jerry! The five boys quickly fill in Chief Robinson with the whole story of the smugglers, Snattman and Ali Singh. They warn the Chief that Ali may pitch more stolen drugs overboard when the Marco Polo docks in Bayport. Within minutes, Chief Petty Officer Brown is powering a boat toward the Marco Polo, 16 miles offshore, with Biff, Jerry and Phil riding along! Quietly the boys watch and wait. Suddenly a hatch opens, and something is dumped in the water! By the light cast from the hatch, the boys see a long net appear and scoop up the mysterious package. The Coast Guard boat roars to life!