Too Many Traitors by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

neck, the other hand held the revolver.
    "Ah. Now I have my hostage," Konstantin told the Gray Man.
    Frank grabbed the arm across his throat and chinned himself on it, bringing his heels up against Konstantin's shins as hard as he could. The tall Russian howled and loosened his grip. Frank dropped to the ground, and he and Joe sprinted across the street.
    "Stop!" Vladimir warned. He tore the revolver from Konstantin's grip and fired it recklessly.
    "Get out of here!" the Gray Man ordered. He pushed Elena at Joe and fired back at Vladimir. "I'll handle this." "We can't leave you," Frank said. "I'll find you again, don't worry," the Gray Man answered. "If we take off together, they'll catch us in no time. If I hold them off, they'll lose your trail. Go." He stepped behind a tree and fired another shot around it.
    "He is right," Elena said, and she tugged on their arms, pulling them away. Reluctantly, they left the Gray Man behind.
    Siesta had ended, and crowds of people were back on the streets. "I wish we hadn't had to leave the Gray Man," Frank said.
    "Say, how'd he pull off that car-crash stunt anyway? I was afraid you were in the car," Joe said.
    "A receiver," Elena admitted. "Part of the surveillance equipment he carries with him. I spoke into the microphone. He jammed the steering wheel of the car so it would move in a straight line when it rolled."
    "Let's swap stories later," Frank said. "We're sitting ducks out here on the street. But where can we go?"
    "I have friends," Elena said wearily. "I did not want to involve them, but now ..." She sighed. "It is too far to walk." She went to the curb and stuck her thumb out.
    "Hitchhiking's dangerous," Joe said. Elena ignored him. Three cars cruised by her, but the fourth came to a stop. She ran to it and scrambled into the front seat. The back door swung open, and Joe began to climb in. He stopped as he saw Elena trembling in front.
    "Get in," Konstantin said, seated behind the steering wheel, a triumphant smile on his lips.

Chapter 14
    KONSTANTIN STEPPED OUT of the car and spoke over the hood. "I do not have a gun," he said. "Please step into the automobile. You will not be harmed."
    "What do you think?" Joe asked Frank. Frank shrugged and stared suspiciously at Konstantin.
    "You may leave at any time," Konstantin continued. "It is important that we talk. Alone, far from Vladimir and his agents. Your lives may depend upon it."
    "Come over here," Frank ordered. Konstantin walked around to the curbside. "Hands on the side of the car. Spread your feet wide apart."
    As Konstantin stood in that position, Joe frisked him. "He's clean," Joe said. "No gun, just as he said."
    "All right. Get in back." Frank motioned at the back door. "Elena will drive. Joe, you get in the front seat."
    "Agreed," Konstantin said as he slid to the far side of the car. Frank got in after him.
    The car pulled into traffic.
    "Okay," Frank said. "Talk. What do you want?"
    "To work with you," Konstantin answered. "To help you, so that you may help me."
    The Hardys exchanged surprised glances. "Why would we want to help you?" Joe asked.
    "To catch the killer of Martin Chase. Let me come to the point. You and I, we are on the same side, though you do not know it. I am a special operative, dealing with special problems."
    His voice deepened. "Problems such as Vladimir."
    "What's that to us?" Frank said.
    "We have had our eye on Vladimir for some time," Konstantin continued. "Some months ago our agent in London disappeared after suggesting an investigation of Vladimir. His official report never arrived. That made us suspicious."
    "I found the report," Frank said. "It was in Vladimir's files. Your agent recommended that Vladimir be recalled."
    "You have this file?" Konstantin asked anxiously.
    Frank shook his head. "Up in smoke in a bombed car. Go on."
    "When Vladimir informed us that an exchange was about to take place, it was decided that I should come here. I arrived during your interrogation and took steps