Mr Hollister smiled stopped the car and handed the boy his key case Th e brother and sister hopped out while their father drove into an alley which led to the rear of the combined hardware sports and toy shop Th e Trading Post was a one-story building with two large plate-glass windows and a door set between them Pam glanced at the toys and sporting goods on display while Pete selected a large brass key and inserted it in the lock He grasped the handle Th en even before he could turn the key the door swung open under the pressure of his hand Pete gasped Pam Th e door wasn’t locked last night Mr Hollister had left the car and now approached the children What did you say Pete he asked Someone forgot to lock up Pete said as he stepped inside followed by Pam and his father I used the key myself Mr Hollister said puzzled I wonder if Suddenly Pam cried out Dad Pete Th e store has been robbed All three stood thunderstruck as they glanced down the long aisle which ran the length of the store Merchandise was strewn about some of it knocked to the fl oor Th e place was Crickets Pete exclaimed ransacked As the Hollisters hurried to the rear of the store a sudden fear gripped Pam Dad she cried out Your 8
ing around the disordered counters Pam called out We’ve been robbed new invention Th e collapsible canoe Do you suppose that’s what the thieves were after Mr Hollister raced to a little room in the back of his shop In it he kept tools for making minor repairs It was here that he had worked the night before on his new invention As his children watched with pounding hearts Mr Hollister fl ung open the door He sighed in relief Th e canoe was there Th ank goodness he said Th en what did the thieves want Pete asked glanc did the thieves want Pete asked glanc did At that moment two men walked in Indy Tinker What exclaimed the shorter of the two He was a stocky man of thirty-fi ve and his jet black hair high cheekbones and reddish-tan complexion marked him as an Indian Indy Roades worked for Mr Hollister as did Tinker the man with him who was tall thin and elderly Th e two glanced about the shop in amazement Quick Mr Hollister said We must fi nd out what was taken Everybody hurried from counter to counter examin ing the misplaced goods as they searched to determine what had been stolen Look here Tinker cried out pointing to a rack containing picks and axes Th ree of each were missing Th ey were all here when we closed up last night Mr Hollister said 9
Crickets Th e place was ransacked 10
Indy at the other end of the store cried out Mr Hollister Th e others raced to where Indy stood beside a table on which was a sign reading PROSPECTORS MA TERIAL Two of our best Geiger counters are missing the Indian said Mr Hollister whistled softly Geiger counters picks and axes he said It looks as if some would-be uranium prospectors helped themselves Shall I call the police Dad Pete asked Yes son Have Offi cer Cal come right away if he can Pete hurried to the offi ce telephone and dialed the police department He asked for Offi cer Cal a young policeman who had helped the Hollisters solve other mysteries since they had moved to Shoreham Th e lieu tenant who answered informed Pete that Offi cer Cal was touring the town in a prowl car Our Trading Post has been robbed Pete said I’ll send Cal over right away was the answer Th e children waited anxiously In a few moments a police car pulled up in front of the store and a good looking offi cer stepped out Hurrying into the store he said Th e lieutenant contacted me by radio You say you’ve been robbed Th at’s too bad Some valuable articles were taken Pete told him After hearing the story Offi cer Cal said Th is looks like the job of two people He began an examination of the premises First he looked at the front door lock Th is is strange he said It hasn’t been forced Th e thief used a key you mean Pete asked 11
