Frank stopped and looked around. He realized Nancy was right beside him. He saw Jennifer running in the distance of the moonlight. He took off after her as she ran into the woods.  

When he entered the woods, he slowed to a walk. He listened for Jennifer making noise as she made her way through the woods. He glanced at Nancy and put his finger to his lips, signaling for her to be quiet.  

Nancy nodded.  

Frank pointed to his left. They moved quietly through the woods together. They could hear talking. They stopped and listened. Frank realized it was Jennifer’s voice.  

“This isn’t a good idea,” Jennifer said. “We could easily get caught.”  

“We won’t,” a male voice said.  

“This is too risky. Frank is already suspicious. We can’t get caught.”  

“Jen, relax. We won’t get caught.”  

“We need to make sure. My dad would have a fit.”  

“I don’t care. You’re old enough to do as you please.”  

“But he’s still my father. I don’t want to hurt him.”  

“Your father has enough to worry about with the missing cattle.”  

“I wish I knew who was stealing from us. This is really bothering my dad.”  

“But, with your dad worrying about the cattle, he’s not focusing on you.”  

“That’s true.”  

“Come here,” the male voice said.  

Frank looked at Nancy. She was looking at him. He motioned for them to get closer. They crept through the brush. They slowly stood up and Frank stepped on a branch, making it crack.  

“Someone’s there,” Jennifer said.  

They pushed through the brush. Frank said, “Jennifer, stay put.”  

“Why are you following me?”  

“You need to answer a few questions,” Frank said.  

Jennifer crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I don’t have to answer anything.”  

Frank looked to see who was her companion. He realized it was Stan. He asked, “What are you doing here?”  

“It’s none of your business,” Stan said.  

“You need to tell us what’s going on,” Frank said.  

Stand pushed his cowboy hat back on his head as he stepped up to Frank. “Who’s going to make me?”  

“I will,” Frank said.  

Jennifer put her hand on Stan’s arm. “Please, Stan, don’t fight.”  

“Frank, relax,” Nancy said. “Stan and Jennifer are not the people we are looking for.”  

Frank kept his eye on Stan as he asked, “Why do you think that?”  

“This is a secret rendezvous. They’re not conspiring to steal cattle.”  

Frank looked at Jennifer. “Is that true?”  

Jennifer looked at the ground and said, “It’s true.”  

“Why all the secrecy?”  

“My dad doesn’t like anyone who works for William. He would’ve been furious if he knew I was meeting Stan. We had to meet in secrecy.”  

“How long has this been going on?”  

“Why are you asking all these questions?” Stan countered.  

Frank glanced at Nancy. She said, “We’ll have to trust him.”  

Frank looked at Stan. “We’re here searching for the missing cattle.” Stan raised his eyebrows. “Glenn is missing cattle, just like William. We’re trying to find out who is taking them.”  

Stan looked at Nancy. “Did you know about this?”  

“Yeah. We think someone is stealing cattle from both ranches.”  

“I’m not stealing cattle.” Stan looked at Jennifer. “I’m only guilty of falling in love with you. I’m not stealing cattle from anyone.”  

Frank looked at Nancy. He realized she believed Stan. Frank looked back at him. “Do you have any idea who would steal the cattle?”  

“I have no idea,” Stan admitted.  

“Would William steal cattle?” Frank asked.  

“No.”  

“My dad wouldn’t steal either,” Jennifer said.  

Frank and Nancy’s gazes met. Nancy said, “We’re sorry we interrupted.”  

The two of them turned and made their way through the woods leaving Stan and Jennifer alone.  

“Wait,” Jennifer said making them stop. “Frank, would you keep seeing me and Stan together, a secret?”  

“I’ll keep quiet, but I think you should be honest with him and tell him what’s been going on.”  

They walked back to the barn. When they were almost there, Frank said, “That was successful.”  

“We’ll find out the truth.”  

Frank and Nancy went into the barn. Joe approached them with Lisa hanging onto his arm. Joe asked, “Where have you been?”  

“Out for a walk,” Frank said.  

“We’re having such a great time,” Lisa said, tightening her hold on Joe’s arm.  

“Really?” Frank asked, raising his eyes.  

Joe shrugged his shoulder before Lisa pulled him into the crowd of dancers.  

Frank and Nancy got something to drink and then moved over to the side and sat down. They sat in silence.  

Frank had a feeling Jennifer and Stan were being honest with them. He knew they needed to find who was stealing the cattle. He knew William and Glenn were not stealing from one another. Someone else was involved.  

Whoever it was knew about the road behind both ranches. Whoever it was used the fence to take the cattle. They just needed to find out who that someone was.  

Frank swallowed his drink in one gulp. He realized it was warm in the barn. He looked at Nancy. He asked, “Do you want to go outside for some air?”  

“I’m fine,” Nancy said, looking at him.  

“All right,” Frank said. “I’ll be back.”  

Frank went outside and walked away from the barn. He saw other people standing outside talking. He saw the other guy who came with Nancy, Dave, standing by a truck talking to two other guys.  

He looked at Dave and saw he was wearing a pair of sneakers. He made his way toward Dave.  

He made his way around so he wasn’t facing Dave. He wondered what Dave and the two guys were talking about. He moved over to a tree.  

Dave said, “We need to move things. Too many people are snooping around. It’s time to pick up and leave.”  

“Good thinking,” the other two voices agreed.  

“We’ll get the cattle and leave tonight.”  

Frank took a step closer to hear the conversation. He realized he was closer than he through. He watched the two men with Dave turn to face him.  

Dave said, “Get him.”  

Frank turned and started running. He didn’t get far. He was tackled from behind. He hit the ground hard. He felt his arms get pulled up behind his back. He felt his arms get tied together at the wrist. His legs were also tied. But he struggled the entire time.  

“You won’t get away with this,” Frank said.  

“Don’t be so sure,” Dave said.  

Frank lost sight of the trees as something was placed over his eyes. He was picked up off the ground. He struggled to loosen his watch. He dropped the watch as he was carried. He was dropped onto something hard. He heard doors close. He felt the vehicle jerk into motion.

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The authors have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.