The Mystery of the Chinese Junk by Franklin W. Dixon

unsolved mystery, and besides, they would have no summer job.
    Just then the telephone rang and Frank went to the instrument in the hall. A moment later he gasped. Putting down the phone, he beckoned Joe to join him.
    â€œWow! Wait till you hear this!” he whispered.

CHAPTER X
    Shore Pirates!
    â€œWHAT’S up?” Joe asked his brother excitedly.
    Frank shot a quick glance toward the living room from which Chin Gok was eying the boys with intense curiosity, then replied in a low voice:
    â€œThat was a telegram from Ti-Ming. It said, ‘Don’t sell the Hai Hau at any price or the curse it carries will descend on you!’ ”
    Joe was startled, but was careful to show no outward sign of this, since Chin Gok’s eyes were still fastened on the Hardys.
    â€œLooks as if Ti-Ming’s trying to throw a scare into us,” Joe murmured.
    â€œCould be,” Frank replied. “But why? Anyway, let’s not give Chin Gok any encouragement about buying the Hai Hau.”
    â€œCheck.”
    The brothers rejoined Aunt Gertrude and the Chinese caller. Frank addressed Chin Gok. “We’ll think over your offer, but we don’t plan to sell.”
    Chin Gok dropped his air of exaggerated polite-ness. A look of rage twisted his features. Losing his temper completely, he stood up and shrilled, “You—you fools—” and burst into a torrent of Chinese.
    Aunt Gertrude drew herself up. “You cannot talk to my nephews that way!” she said icily. “You will leave immediately.” She gestured toward the front door.
    Chin Gok, although still muttering angrily, retreated slowly. The instant he was on the front porch, Miss Hardy shut the door firmly.
    Joe looked at his aunt admiringly. “Wow! You really convinced him you meant business!”
    Aunt Gertrude frowned. “Yes. But I almost wish you boys had sold him that junk. I have a feeling it will only bring more trouble.”
    Frank spoke up. “Joe and I can’t give up work on this mystery now.” Joe nodded vigorously.
    The next morning the Hardys and their partners assembled at the Chinese junk. Although only four passengers bought tickets for the trip to Rocky Isle, the boys refused to let their spirits be dampened.
    â€œHeave ho!” Tony sang out as he cast off.
    Several people on the dock made sarcastic comments as the Hai Hau pulled away from the pier.
    â€œYou got plenty of life rafts aboard?” called one man derisively.
    â€œDon’t need ’em,” Biff called back, unruffled. “We just had a swell repair job on the hull.”
    His confident manner and words allayed any qualms the junk’s passengers might have had. Everyone relaxed, and soon were laughing and singing as the Hai Hau glided across the bay.
    Once on Rocky Isle, the four travelers enjoyed a refreshing swim and leisurely picnic. The boys returned for a second group. This time there were five.
    When the Hai Hau returned to its pier on the last trip back, the owners felt that it had been a most successful day, even though there had not been a capacity number of passengers on either excursion.
    â€œSimply thrilling!” a pleasant-faced woman exclaimed as she disembarked. “I’ve always wanted to sail in one of these Chinese ships and I enjoyed every minute of it!”
    The other passengers added their delighted comments, which could be clearly heard by the group of spectators on the dock.
    â€œWe’re over the hump!” Tony chuckled, and his companions grinned happily.
    After the onlookers had dispersed, Frank said to his partners, “What say we give the junk another going-over tonight and hunt for hidden smugglers’ loot?”
    â€œYou don’t have to ask me twice,” Tony answered.
    â€œSame here,” the others spoke up. Biff added, “But let’s not make our search at the dock.”
    The boys arranged to meet after supper and sail to some secluded spot