Book 1, Ch. 20

The Tower Treasure

Chapter 20: The Escape

Worried, Frank and Joe wait until Hobo Johnny has climbed down off the tower. They pick up a crowbar, split open a crack in the top of the water tower, and Joe reaches through to release the trap door. Heaving a sigh of relief, the boys climb out with the treasure and are soon on their way back to town on their motorcycles. Mr. Hardy is elated when the boys arrive home with the treasure. With Mr. Applegate’s help, they arrange a meeting that evening with everyone involved. Of course, the Robinsons are overjoyed at the news of the discovery! To further clear up the mystery, Miss Applegate announces that she had lent the $900 to Mr. Robinson but made him promise to keep it a secret. Mr. Applegate immediately offers Mr. Applegate his old job and even a pay raise! Only Mr. Smuff does not seem happy watching Frank and Joe collect the reward. However, his groans are muffled by Chet’s joyful cry when they sit down for cake. The Hardy Boys have solved their first case!

Book 1, Ch. 19

The Tower Treasure

Chapter 19: Loot!

Even as Frank and Joe hurry toward the old water tower, who should drive up to meet them but Oscar Smuff! The pseudo detective pleads with the Hardy boys to help him solve the case and get the $1000 reward. Just to get rid of Smuff, the boys agree to meet with him as soon as they get back to Bayport. As Smuff disappears down the road, Frank and Joe climb up the rickety ladder to the top of the water tower and descend into it from a trap door on top. Among the rubbish piled in the old tower is a neat stack of boards. There under the boards is a gunny sack – filled with jewels and bonds! The treasure has been found! Gleefully the Hardys turn to climb out of the tower, only to find themselves suddenly facing Hobo Johnny, who has just returned to his home in the tower. Johnny wants the treasure! He slams the trapdoor shut and locks the boys in, claiming the treasure is his. Trapped! How will they escape with the treasure?

Book 1, Ch. 18

The Tower Treasure

Chapter 18: An Unexpected Surprise

Instantly, the boys throw themselves to the ground until the spotlight moves away. What should they do now? At that moment, Herd Applegate and his new guard dog show up. Applegate informs them it was his sister shining the flashlight around, looking for prowlers, and he curtly asks the boys to phone if they come over again. Disappointed, Frank and Joe head for home. The boys are up again early the next morning, determined not to quit. This time they head out to the Bayport railroad. They question the flagmen in hopes that one of them will remember Red Jackley and provide a new clue. Sure enough, Jake the stationmaster directs them to the crossing at Cherryville, where Jackley worked. Frank and Joe settle down to eat their lunch at the tracks, in view of an old, weather-beaten water tower. Beside it stands a brand-new red metal tower. Tower? The boys look at each other. Could it be that this is the tower Jackley meant? They must find out!

Book 1, Ch. 17

The Tower Treasure

Chapter 17: An Unexpected Find

Eager to uncover the treasure, the Hardys hold their breaths as the box is opened. But it is nothing but a box of --- flower bulbs! What? Hurd Applegate suddenly appears and grumpily informs them that Mr. Robinson had a habit of burying bulbs and seeds around the place. Sure enough, when the boys discover a second buried chest, it is a box of flower seeds! Meanwhile, Chief Collig has arrested Mr. Robinson again, accusing him of being an accomplice of Red Jackley! Alarmed, Frank and Joe head once more to the Tower Mansion after school. Creeping around after night as fallen, they hear footsteps, then suddenly a spotlight shines from the tower window—directly on them!

Book 1, Ch. 16

The Tower Treasure

Chapter 16: A Surprise

Frank and Joe look carefully through every inch of the new tower but do not find a trace of the jewels. Not only Hurd Applegate and his sister Adelia, but also the “detective” Smuff express their disappointment and even glee at the Hardys’ failure! However, Mr. Hardy is determined to search again. He and the boys tap every floor and wall of both towers –- nothing! Will Mr. Robinson be implicated after all? Mr. Hardy insists that they search the grounds the next morning. As Frank pushes his spade into a freshly planted bed, he cries with delight as he unearths a buried chest!