The Desert Thieves

Read The Desert Thieves for Free Online

Book: Read The Desert Thieves for Free Online
Authors: Franklin W. Dixon
must have been scared off by the noise, Frank thought, because I don’t see or hear another living creature out here. “Maybe we should check in with Dad,” he whispered to his brother.
    â€œGood idea,” Joe said, “assuming he hasn’t fallen back to sleep.” Joe switched on the CB, adjusting the gain to cut down the hiss. As he was about to transmit, a man’s voice cut in on the channel.
    â€œYou headin’ out?” the voice said.
    After a pause, a second voice said, “Roger that. The job’s done, and we got a good one. Think I’ll take the rest of the night off.”
    â€œOkay,” the first voice said. “Catch you at the place.”
    â€œRoger that,” the second voice said. “Out.”
    Joe waited a few seconds to see if there would be any more talk, then turned the radio off. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” he asked his brother.
    â€œYou mean, maybe those were the voices of the cactus thieves?” Frank said.
    â€œThat’s exactly what I was thinking.”
    â€œWhat channel was that?” Frank asked.
    â€œChannel ten,” Joe said. “Let’s remember it.”
    When they returned to the motor home a few minutes later, they filled Fenton in on their late-nighthike and told him what they’d heard over the CB.
    He suggested they not jump to conclusions about whether the voices had come from the cactus thieves. “I’m sure lots of truckers go up and down the highway through the park,” he said, “or it could have been local workers heading home from their jobs. We’ll tell Grish about it tomorrow.”
    â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢
    After breakfast the next morning they drove to the head ranger’s office and let themselves in. Grish was talking to a man who looked like a real live cowboy. He was tall and wiry, and wore a broad-brimmed ten-gallon hat. Joe noticed that his face was deeply lined from years in the sun.
    Grish waved to them as he finished his conversation with the cowboy. “I’m usually here in the office until six or seven,” he said to the man, “although the sign says we close at five. We need to work together to keep those cattle of yours out of the park.”
    â€œYou’re right,” the man said. “We’ll have to see what we can do.” He nodded to the Hardys as he walked out.
    After the man was gone, Grish said, “Good morning. I trust you all slept well?”
    â€œIt was okay,” Fenton said. “A lot of coyote howling, just as you said.”
    â€œDidn’t I tell you?” Grish said. “For me it’s like a lullaby. I drop off to sleep almost as soon as I hearit. So are you ready to check out some of our scenic wonders?”
    â€œNot yet,” Frank said. “We need to tell you that our next-door neighbor, Professor Townsend, may have something to hide.”
    Grish grew serious. “What do you mean?”
    Frank told him about their encounter with Townsend and how the professor had gotten rid of the cactus limb.
    Grish nodded. “Hmm,” he said. “I guess I need to have a talk with him.”
    â€œHe’s at his campsite now,” Joe said, “but I think he and his daughter are getting ready to go somewhere. They were putting some things in their truck when we left.”
    Grish stood up. “I’d better move on this, then,” he said. “I’ll have to meet with you later.”
    â€œNo problem,” Joe said, thinking he’d tell the ranger about the previous night’s activities when he next saw him. He and Frank and Fenton got into the car and went back to the campground. They were waiting at the picnic table when Grish arrived. Professor Townsend, with Diane seated beside him, was backing the truck out of the parking space.
    Grish jumped out of his truck and held up a hand for Townsend to stop. Townsend rolled down his window.

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