“Don’t you boys do anything rash,” their father warned.
“We won’t.”
Frank led the way outdoors and started walking down the street.
“What’s on your mind?” Joe asked as they ! reached the corner.
“We must figure out how to keep Detective Smuff in Bayport until seven o’clock.”
“But how?”
“I don’t know yet, but we’ll find a way. We can’t have him bursting into that hospital room and spoiling the chance of Dad’s getting a confession. Smuff might ruin things so the case will never be solved.”
“You’re right.”
The brothers walked along the street in silence. They realized that the situation was urgent. But though they racked their brains trying to think of a way to prevent Detective Smuff from catching the six-o’clock plane, it seemed hopeless.
“Let’s round up our gang,” Joe suggested finally. “Perhaps they’ll have some ideas.”