The Melted Coins by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

could not find any evidence of an intruder.
    Frank took Joe aside. “Any sign of the profs or our buddy Elmont?”
    â€œThey were questioned, but it seems they slept right through the whole thing,” Joe replied. “Then they came down in their robes and gave Mrs. Rideau a line of baloney. Took her upstairs to rest!”
    â€œWhat do they look like?” Frank asked. “Have you ever seen them before?”
    Joe shook his head. “No. They’re handsome, thirtyish, smooth—too smooth!”
    â€œDid Elmont come down, too?”
    â€œNo, luckily he didn’t. I wasn’t keen on seeing him at all!”
    The boys went back to the basement and resumed their watch, but everything was quiet for the rest of the night.
    The next morning they talked with the Rideaus before breakfast. “I asked our tenants upstairs to redouble their surveillance of the premises,” the doctor stated. “Especially since Tay and Boots are hospitalized.”
    â€œDid they say they would?” Frank inquired.
    â€œOh, yes. They’ll keep an eye on the place. I must say, I feel much better about it.”
    Frank and Joe stepped outside. “What do you know about that!” Frank said. “It’s like asking the fox to guard the chicken coop!”
    â€œThey’re being set up for a robbery,” Joe remarked. “Wouldn’t you think that he’d see it?”
    The boys walked to the barn. There were blankets to be folded and cots put away. When Frank opened the door, he sucked in his breath.
    â€œGood night, Joe! Look at this!”
    A bale of hay had fallen from the loft and landed on Frank’s cot. The legs were smashed and the fabric ripped.
    â€œAnd to think you might have been sleeping there!” Joe exclaimed, shuddering.
    â€œOur prowler last night didn’t miss a trick,” Frank said, shaking his head gravely. “Joe, if thieves are going to strike at Dr. Rideau’s treasure, it’ll be soon. I feel it in my bones!”
    The boys straightened out their blankets and went into the house for breakfast. They decided to withhold the story of the splintered cot, so as not to disturb the couple any further.
    Frank, however, felt obliged to tell them about their suspicions. After the meal he pushed his chair back, looked at the Rideaus levelly, and said, “I don’t want to upset you nice people, but I think you’re going to have a robbery here—and soon!”
    â€œOh dear!” Mrs. Rideau said. “And we won’t have our dogs for protection!”
    â€œThat’s part of the plan,” Joe said. “Getting rid of Tay and Boots eliminates one big obstacle for the thieves.”
    The woman heaved a sigh and went on, “But at least we have our professors. I don’t think anybody would rob this house while they’re about.”
    â€œIn this case, I don’t think I’d trust anybody,” Frank said.
    The doctor put down his coffee cup and smiled benignly. “My, but aren’t you suspicious! The professors are educated men, and very trustworthy!”
    Just then hastening footsteps were heard on the stairs. The front door opened and closed.
    â€œThere they go now,” the doctor remarked.
    â€œI’ve never met them,” Frank said.
    â€œLet me show you some snapshots,” Mrs. Rideau said eagerly. She went to the living room, opened the drawer of an end table, and returned with an envelope of photos.
    â€œWe had a picnic in the yard a couple of weeks ago,” she explained, handing the prints to Frank. “Aren’t the professors handsome?”
    â€œYes, they are,” Frank said slowly. “And this is a good picture of you and the doctor, too.” As he looked over the photographs, he took a snapshot of the professors out of the pile and, unnoticed by the Rideaus, slipped it in his pocket. He would return it later. Then he handed back the rest of the