David laughed and said, “You’re in the Alaskan bush now, Joe. Up here we say, Your moose is cooked!”
• • •
The next morning a plane from the Alaska state police flew up from Fairbanks and landed on the river. Two troopers handcuffed Jake, took statements from all the witnesses, and pocketed Frank’s tape.
“Congratulations,” one of the troopers said to Frank and Joe before taking Jake off to jail. “That was good, solid detective work. I wouldn’t be surprised if our commander will want to send you a testimonial letter.”
Later that day Curt called a meeting of the townspeople in the assembly room. “I’ve learned a lot in the last few months,” he told them. “I’ve seen the pride you have in your way of life. I still believe that my company’s plan will help preserve that way of life, not destroy it, but I respect those of you who disagree.”
He paused and looked over to where Peter, Mona, Justine, and David were sitting. “I’d also like to announce that I spoke to the home office of ThemeLife this morning. Even though we had no responsibility for the damage, the company is going to rebuild the Windmans’ cabin and replace Ralph Hunter’s boat.”
Everyone clapped and cheered. When the applause died down, Curt added, with a twinkle in his eye, “I’ve also asked the grocer in Fairbanks to send up his biggest basket of fresh fruit for the town. And I will personally test each piece of fruit myself!”
As everybody laughed, Peter jumped to his feet and said, “Thanks, Curt. I’ve been giving a great deal of thought to the ThemeLife plan. I’ve never been against you, and I appreciate what you did to smoke out Jake. I’m beginning to think you and the town can work together to bring modern amenities to Glitter without destroying our way of life.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Peter held up his hand. “We’ve got a lot to discuss, and I’m not saying for sure I’ll vote for ThemeLife until we find out more.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Curt said. “Let’s talk later.”
“That’ll be fine,” Peter said. “But for now, I think the whole town ought to give a vote of thanks to Frank and Joe Hardy, whose wonderful detective work saved our town from Jake. His greed would have destroyed us. We must never allow ourselves to be greedy.”
The townspeople cheered, although a few shook their heads in disbelief at Peter’s change of heart.
Frank felt his cheeks get warm as all at once the townspeople surged to their feet, applauding him and his brother. He knew these people would make it.
• • •
On Friday morning Frank and Joe helped David move his team, sled, and supplies out onto the river next to the landing strip. Gregg and his team were already there.
Justine was petting Gregg’s lead dog, which bared its teeth at Ironheart as soon as he saw him. Justine pulled back, but Ironheart gave a loud sniff and ignored his rival. David laughed and reached down to ruffle his fur.
Joe glanced over his shoulder. It looked as if the entire population of Glitter was coming onto the ice to join them. What had someone said? It was ten feet thick? Was that thick enough? No one else seemed concerned.
“Uh, David?” he said. “That’s an awfully big crowd.”
“Don’t worry Joe, the ice can hold it.”
“I didn’t mean that,” Joe said. “I was just wondering whether the plane would have enough room for everybody.”
“Don’t sweat it, Joe,” David said. “Uncle Peter called Flip yesterday to let him know there’d be two dog teams and a lot of passengers flying out today. They’re sending two big planes. Besides, most of these people are here to see us off. They’re not coming with us.”
“Hey, David,” Gregg called. “I want to wish you luck in the Iditarod,” he said.
“Thanks, Gregg. The same to you. We’ve got to make Glitter proud of us.”
Joe heard the hum of an engine in the distance. He looked up and saw a dot in the sky. “There’s the first plane,” he said.
Peter and Mona joined the group.
“I know there’s not much chance that either you or I will come in first,” David said. “It’s the first time we’re running the race, after all.”
“But we’ll give it our best shot.” Gregg slapped David on the shoulder. “Won’t we?”
“Sure, you will,” said Curt, who arrived in time to hear Gregg and David. He turned to the crowd. “Hey, people, let’s give three cheers for Gregg, David, and their two champion teams.” The people clapped and shouted. Mona hugged David.
“And three more for Frank and Joe Hardy!” Justine called, and ran over and hugged each one in turn.
More clapping and shouting. After the noise died down, Joe raised his hands over his head and said, “Thanks, everybody. It’s been great coming to Glitter and getting to know you. Frank and I are going to be at the Iditarod starting line in Anchorage, cheering on your hometown champions. We’ll be thinking of all of you.” He winked at Justine.
“And may the best dogs win!” Frank cried.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
A MINSTREL PAPERBACK Original
A Minstrel Book published by
POCKET BOOKS, a division of Simon & Schuster Inc.
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
Copyright © 1996 by Simon & Schuster Inc.
Front cover illustration by Lee MacLeod
Produced by Mega-Books, Inc.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
ISBN: 0-671-50524-6
First Minstrel Books printing June 1996
THE HARDY BOYS MYSTERY STORIES is a trademark of Simon & Schuster Inc.
THE HARDY BOYS, A MINSTREL BOOK and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster Inc.
The Alaskan Adventure Page 10