The Haunted Fort by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

keep calm. “I trust, sir,” he said in a formal manner, “you will be fair in your review.”
    â€œFair?” Gilman repeated loftily. “Why, the only way I could be fair to your juveniles’ exhibit would be to shut my eyes!”
    With a shrill laugh, he moved away and began viewing the student paintings. Mr. Davenport, scowling, trailed behind, accompanied by Jim and the three boys. Gilman paused at the painting which had taken the first prize.
    â€œMy, my. If this is one of the best, what must the worst be!”
    With apprehension, the boys watched Gilman proceed, audibly abusing the paintings and sculptures one after another.
    â€œTsk! Tsk! Who victimized this canvas?” He pointed at a landscape done in watercolor. The girl who had painted it seemed on the verge of tears.
    When he came to Chet’s still life, the reviewer burst into high-pitched laughter.
    â€œOh, priceless, priceless! The blue ribbon must be from a fruit market!”
    Although annoyed, Chet was not greatly upset by Gilman’s remark, and Uncle Jim said, “The judges thought the exhibition today was one of the finest they had ever seen. The worst thing,” he added, “is that Gilman’s derogatory comments about Millwood will be printed.”
    Mr. Davenport had been unusually quiet. The boys noticed a peculiar expression on his face as Chauncey Gilman closed his notebook and said, “Thank you all for a most entertaining evening. Better luck next year!”
    As Gilman strutted toward his rowboat, Mr. Davenport whispered to Jim Kenyon. The instructor, looking puzzled, called for everyone’s attention. “Mr. Davenport wants us all to go right out to the promontory,” Uncle Jim announced. “It’s a surprise.”
    The group, sensing something unusual afoot, soon gathered at the end of the dusky headland. Gilman’s rowboat could be seen approaching the lighted cruiser.
    The Hardys and Chet were surprised to see Mr. Ashbach crouched beneath them on the bank, and, at some distance to the right, Mr. Davenport, also bending low. Each man held the end of a wire!
    Gilman’s droning laugh could be heard over the splash of the oars. Then, at a signal from the millionaire, Mr. Ashbach began pulling his wire.
    The next moment a luminous serpent’s head with gleaming white teeth broke the surface just ahead of the rowboat! Writhing, it headed for the craft.
    Gilman shot up out of his seat, giving a shriek of terror.
    â€œA m-monster! It’s—it’s a monster! Rogers! Help! Rogers!” he blubbered. “Save me!”

CHAPTER XV
    An Eerie Vigil
    THE hideous serpent bumped violently into the rowboat. With howls of horror, Chauncey Gilman and his pilot were pitched overboard. They floundered wildly in the lake, and the soggy notebook sank out of sight.
    As the glistening monster hove from the water toward them, Gilman and the boatman splashed furiously for the cabin cruiser.
    The group gathered on the promontory rocked with laughter. Doubled up with mirth, the Hardys, Chet, and Uncle Jim saw a grinning Mr. Davenport finally relax his wire, and the carpenter did the same.
    â€œSo the ‘monster’ was constructed just for Chauncey Gilman!” Joe said as the millionaire climbed up to join them.
    â€œYes, siree. And I’ll see that he reads a detailed account— in print,” declared Mr. Davenport.
    Happily, the group dispersed for the night. All the next day the Millwood grounds echoed with laughter at the successful serpent scare.
    Monday morning, as Frank hung up the phone in the mansion hallway, Joe asked, “Any word on Adrian Copier?”
    â€œNot a thing,” Frank reported. “The chief says Copier’s done a complete vanishing job. The police did find an unrusted hacksaw underwater near where the ferry cables were cut. They’re following that clue.”
    Frank also had learned that a statewide check was being made