The Bombay Boomerang by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

right now I don’t see how,” Frank said. He and Joe reported their suspicion of Teddy Blaze, the artist of the disks.
    They stressed their belief that his patter contained coded messages for his confederates.
    â€œAnyway,” Frank continued, “we may soon have a break on this angle. Joe took a thumbprint from one of Blaze’s records. We left it with Chief Collig to be checked out.”
    Admiral Rodgers was impressed by the news.
    â€œIt’s a lead worth running down,” Mr. Hardy stated emphatically. “There’s got to be a Baltimore-Bayport connection in all this. What do you think, Admiral?”
    â€œI agree with you. But the Indian angle also has to be considered. I’ve been looking into it myself. A freighter from India is docking at Baltimore day after tomorrow. The Nanda Kailash.”
    â€œYou think she warrants investigation?” Frank asked.
    â€œYes. Find out what cargo she carries, what crew is handling her, and if there is anything suspicious about her voyage.”
    â€œWe’ll be glad to check her out, sir,” Joe said.
    â€œFine. But I don’t want everyone on the ship to get wind that an official investigation is underway. I’ll arrange with the captain for you to go aboard without arousing suspicion. And you’re both good detectives. Is that all right with you, Mr. Hardy?”
    â€œFrank and Joe can take care of themselves,” the detective replied. “I have every confidence that they can give the freighter the once-over, and bring back the facts.”
    â€œOkay, then.” Rodgers wound up the conference. “We’ll leave it at that until something breaks. You can report to me at my office. If I’m not there, call my home any time of the day or night and we can get together. This case must be solved, and judging from the Hardy record, you could be the ones to do it.”
    â€œThat’s a compliment, Admiral,” said Mr. Hardy, “and I hope we can make it stand up. This is about as tough an assignment as I’ve ever been on.”
    Frank and Joe echoed the words of their father. “We’ll do our best to beat this gang,” Frank said.
    Admiral Rodgers went immediately to the airport to fly back to Washington. The Hardys spent the night at the motel. Early Friday morning they left for Baltimore. They took turns driving the rented car.
    Frank looked at his watch as they neared their destination. “This is one of the hours when Teddy Blaze is on the air. We might as well listen to his program, Dad. It’ll give you some idea of what we’re talking about. And you might pick up a clue that would get by us.”
    Joe flipped the radio to the Bayport station. The disk jockey was playing a popular recording, and the rhythmic beat filled the car.
    â€œNothing to pick up there,” Mr. Hardy declared. “That music isn’t my cup of tea. Guess I’m too old and far away from the younger generation to appreciate it.”
    The piece ended. Blaze came on with his breezy patter. At first everything seemed in order. He was talking the jargon of the trade, using the slang of the new generation to hold the attention of his audience.
    Suddenly his tone changed, and so did his patter. Through the radio came the words, “Balto says tonight is the night for a new record album ”Steal My Heart Away,” and it’s strictly for you, precious.”
    â€œNow there’s a nonsense line if I ever heard one,” Joe volunteered. “That is, if it really is nonsense. You see, Dad, that’s why we think there may be more to it than meets the ear.”
    Frank had been musing over Blaze’s announcement. “Assuming that he’s in with the mercury thieves, he could be telling them that a new assignment is on the agenda. He might be ordering them into action tonight. But where?”
    The three discussed the possibilities in this interpretation. They were baffled