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an eccentric, retired old Army man who had made a fortune by lucky real-estate deals. Years ago there had been many parties and dances in the mansion.
    But the Applegate family had become scattered until at last there remained in the old home only Hurd Applegate and his sister Adelia. They lived in the vast, lonely mansion at the present time.
    Hurd Applegate was a man about sixty, tall, and stooped. His life seemed to be devoted now to the collection of rare stamps. But a few years before he had built a new tower on the mansion, a duplicate of the original one.
    His sister Adelia was a maiden lady of uncertain years. Well-dressed women in Bayport were amused by her clothes. She dressed in clashing colors and unbecoming styles. Hurd and Adelia Applegate were reputed to be enormously wealthy, although they lived simply, kept only a few servants, and never had visitors.
    â€œTell us about the theft,” Joe begged Smuff.
    But the detective waved his hand airily. “You’ll have to find out yourselves,” he retorted as he hurried off.
    Frank and Joe called good-by to their friends and headed for home. As they arrived, the boys saw Hurd Applegate just leaving the house. The man tapped the steps with his cane as he came down them. When he heard the boys’ motorcycles he gave them a piercing glance.
    â€œGood day!” he growled in a grudging manner and went on his way.
    â€œHe must have been asking Dad to take the case,” Frank said to his brother, as they pulled into the garage.
    The boys rushed into the house, eager to find out more about the robbery. In the front hallway they met their father.
    â€œWe heard the Tower Mansion has been robbed,” said Joe.
    Mr. Hardy nodded. “Yes. Mr. Applegate was just here to tell me about it. He wants me to handle the case.”
    â€œHow much was taken?”
    Mr. Hardy smiled. “Well, I don’t suppose it will do any harm to tell you. The safe in the Applegate library was opened. The loss will be about forty thousand dollars, all in securities and jewels.”
    â€œWhew!” exclaimed Frank. “What a haul! When did it happen?”
    â€œEither last night or this morning. Mr. Applegate did not get up until after ten o’clock this morning and did not go into the library until nearly noon. It was then that he discovered the theft.”
    â€œHow was the safe opened?”
    â€œBy using the combination. It was opened either by someone who knew the set of numbers or else by a very clever thief who could detect the noise of the tumblers. I’m going up to the house in a few minutes. Mr. Applegate is to call for me.”
    â€œI’d like to go along,” Joe said eagerly.
    â€œSo would I,” Frank declared.
    Mr. Hardy looked at his sons and smiled. “Well, if you want to be detectives, I suppose it is about as good a chance as any to watch a crime investigation from the inside. If Mr. Applegate doesn’t object, you may come with me.”
    A few minutes later a foreign-make, chauffeur-driven car drew up before the Hardy home. Mr. Applegate was seated in the rear, his chin resting on his cane. The three Hardys went outside. When the detective mentioned the boys’ request, the man merely grunted assent and moved over. Frank and Joe stepped in after their father. The car headed toward Tower Mansion.
    â€œI don’t really need a detective in this case!” Hurd Applegate snapped. “Don’t need one at all. It’s as clear as the nose on your face. I know who took the stuff. But I can’t prove it.”
    â€œWhom do you suspect?” Fenton Hardy asked.
    â€œOnly one man in the world could have taken the jewels and securities. Robinson!”
    â€œRobinson?”
    â€œYes. Henry Robinson—the caretaker. He’s the man.”
    The Hardy boys looked at each other in consternation. Henry Robinson, the caretaker of the Tower Mansion, was the father of one of their closest chums !