Eye on Crime by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

while, your job is to stay right on top of us wherever we go.”
    â€œShould we go with you in the van?” Iola asked.
    â€œNo,” Joe said. “Just in case the crooks are keeping tabs on us to make sure they can pull off a robbery, we want them to think they’re in the clear. You’ll have to be very discreet in following us.”
    â€œWhat should Tony and I do after the show?” Chet asked.
    â€œGo to our house and wait for us there,” Frank replied. “If the setup is anything like what happened with Callie and Iola, we’ll be long gone from the studio before you could get outside toyour car. But our house will give you a base from which to back all of us up if we need you.”
    With the plans wrapped up, they all went their separate ways for the afternoon. They met for one more pep talk after classes. Then Frank and Joe went to baseball practice. A grueling two hours later, the Hardys were in the locker room, washing their aching muscles in the shower.
    â€œMan, the coach sure put us through some workout for the first day,” Joe said.
    â€œYeah,” Frank agreed. “He found out that Shoreham started practice last week, so he wants to make up for lost time.”
    The brothers finished their showers, got dressed, and drove over to the television studio. The parking lot was almost completely full. They circled the rows of cars until they found Callie and Iola, standing in an empty parking space next to Callie’s car.
    â€œPeople must have loved you two,” Joe said. “This is the last spot.”
    â€œA wink and a smile does wonders,” Callie replied. “Even for some poor guy looking for a parking space.”
    The brothers ran into the studio while the girls took up their station by the back door of the building.
    Inside, Frank and Joe found their seats next to Tony and Chet.
    â€œGet anything?” Frank asked.
    â€œSome autographed pictures,” Tony said. “And a look at somebody we think is Ronald Johnson.”
    â€œBlack hair, small pug nose, wide, round blue eyes?” asked Frank.
    â€œYeah,” Chet replied.
    â€œThat’s him,” Frank said. “His picture was on the Eye Spy Web site.”
    â€œYeah, well, as soon as he showed up, Monty shooed off the fans who were backstage. Johnson wanted to talk to him. Monty didn’t look happy.”
    â€œThat could be a good sign,” Joe said. “Maybe Johnson wants to pull another heist tonight.”
    The house lights dimmed, and the show started. After the assistant producer went through the show’s rules, Monty came out and did his opening routine. Then, just as planned, when it came time to pick participants from the audience, he zeroed in on Frank and Joe.
    â€œHey, we have some repeat performers!” Monty beamed. “I recognize you guys from last week.” Monty zipped into the audience and stood next to Frank.
    â€œCome on, audience, let’s see if we can get these two . . . What were your names again?” Monty stuck the microphone in Joe’s face.
    â€œJoe and Frank Hardy.”
    â€œLet’s see if we can get Joe and Frank to let us hypnotize them.”
    The audience erupted in applause. Monty beganto walk down the aisle. Frank and Joe followed him to the stage. After some questions and jokes, Monty hypnotized the two brothers.
    â€œNow, those of you who tuned in last week may remember that these young boys fancy themselves superdetectives. Well, let’s see how they feel when the shoe is on the other foot.”
    Monty turned to Frank and Joe. “It’s time for some cops and robbers,” he said as he motioned to somebody offstage. A crew rolled out some props, and the stage suddenly looked like a warehouse.
    â€œOkay, think of some of the crooks you’ve caught in the past. Now use this warehouse to replay some of their dastardly schemes.”
    Frank and Joe went to the warehouse