The Clue of the Hissing Serpent by Franklin W. Dixon

wouldn’t surprise me!”
    Mrs. Krassner summoned the Franklin Township Police, and they arrived in a few minutes to look for clues. Fingerprints were found on the safe, but they proved to be those of Krassner, who by now had gone to his bedroom in a virtual state of collapse.
    After calling a doctor, Mrs. Krassner thanked the boys and ushered them to the door. Outside, they were startled to see their father drive up.
    â€œDad! When did you get back?” Frank asked.
    â€œAbout an hour and a half ago. Mother said you had gone to see Mr. Krassner. I called his office and was told all three of you had dashed out of there in a hurry because his home phone was dead. It sounded like trouble so I came out.” Mr. Hardy pointed to the police car. “I take it the Ruby King has been stolen.”
    Joe nodded. “Dad, we’ve got an awful lot to tell you.”
    â€œI have some news, too,” Mr. Hardy said. “Let’s stop at the next diner and talk.”
    Frank and Joe led the way in their car until they came to a new restaurant at a traffic circle. They pulled into the parking lot and their father followed.
    Inside, they found a comfortable isolated booth, where nobody could overhear their conversation. Frank and Joe ordered hamburgers and coke, while Mr. Hardy was content with a cup of coffee.
    â€œWait till you hear about Mrs. Krassner!” Joe said after a waitress had taken their order.
    â€œShe’s—”
    â€œChinese,” Mr. Hardy said.
    â€œHow’d you know?”
    â€œI found out in New York. Also learned a few other tidbits.”
    â€œCome on, Dad, out with it!” Joe urged.
    â€œFor one thing, Krassner is originally from Hong Kong. One of his grandmothers was a Chinese, which makes him one fourth Oriental.”
    â€œSo that’s what gives him that odd look,” Frank said.
    â€œHis wife’s family,” Mr. Hardy went on, “is very prominent in Hong Kong circles. Her father is Moy Chen-Chin, a social big wheel and very rich.”
    â€œSo now the chop suey thickens,” Joe quipped. “What else?”
    As the boys munched their hamburgers, Mr. Hardy filled them in on Krassner’s career. “As a youth, he got involved in a smuggling ring. His father-in-law got him out of that scrape and Krassner came to this country. He’s been a citizen of the United States for the past twenty years.”
    â€œFunny,” Frank said. “I never quite trusted him.”
    â€œHe’s been straight ever since and has a fine record as an investment banker. Much of his work involves Oriental securities,” Mr. Hardy said.
    â€œAnd his father-in-law is his Oriental connection,” Joe put in. “No doubt an invaluable asset.”
    â€œWait a minute,” Frank said. “There was no sign of forced entry in this theft. Maybe Krassner returned to his crooked ways and stole the piece himself! Was it insured?”
    â€œYou caught on fast. Yes. He took out a large policy on the Ruby King several weeks ago,” Mr. Hardy said.
    Joe looked dubious. “I can’t quite believe that. I have another theory.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” Frank asked.
    â€œKrassner was intimidated by Fong and Eggleby. We know that he was afraid of them. Maybe they discovered his past and threatened to expose him unless he handed over the Ruby King!”
    â€œCould be,” Frank said. “That would be a better reason for his not wanting to go to the police. I never believed his story that he was afraid of the publicity. After all, he was the official custodian of this valuable antique. Just because someone was after it, Krassner’s reputation wouldn’t have been ruined!”
    Mr. Hardy nodded. “Of course anyone buying an expensive object like that would insure it properly. I tend to agree with Joe’s reasoning.”
    â€œOur next step is to find the King,” Frank said. “And we’d