Frank surfaced first and yelled, “Stay back!”

Frank wrapped his arms around the chest of the purse snatcher and tried to keep them both from sinking.

“Frank!”

He turned his head and saw Ned skate up beside Nancy and Joe. Ned had a rope in his hands. Frank treaded water the best he could trying to keep them both at the surface.

“Hang on!” Joe yelled. Frank saw Joe take the rope from Ned and tie a knot in it. Joe swung the rope over his head then tossed it to Frank making a splash in the water.

Frank grabbed the rope with his left hand and put it around the thief. He knew the rope wouldn’t be able to pull them both out at the same time. Once he was sure the rope was tight, he yelled, “Pull!”

Frank struggled to stay afloat as Nancy, Ned and Joe pulled on the rope taking the thief out of the water. Frank tried to breathe deep to remain calm, but each time he tried to take a breath, it felt like someone had their hands on his lungs and were squeezing them so no air could get in.

Frank tried to focus on trying to keep his teeth from chattering, but couldn’t. He could feel his legs starting to tingle. He knew he was in serious danger. He knew that he wasn’t going to be able to last much longer. The frigid water was zapping his strength. He felt his eyes start to droop and knew that if he didn’t get out of the water soon, he was going to drown.

“Frank!”

He forced his eyes open as Joe threw the rope to him. He tried to grab it with his frozen hands, but he couldn’t get his fingers to bend and take hold of the rope.

“Hang on, Frank!”

He looked at Joe and saw he had pulled the rope back and was tying the rope around his waist. He watched as Ned took the other end of the rope as Joe got down on the ice and started to crawl toward.

“Go back!” Frank called out as loud as he could, which was as loud as his normal voice. His teeth were chattering more than before. “The ice is too thin.”

“Just hang on, Frank. I’m almost there. I’ll have you out in a moment.” Joe continued to crawl toward Frank.

A moment later, Joe reached the hole. He stuck his hands into the frigid water and grabbed Frank by the collar. Joe yelled, “Pull!”

Frank tried to help Joe as he was pulled out of the water, but his arms and legs were too stiff. Once Frank was out of the water and a good distance away from the hole, Joe got to his knees and pulled Frank the rest of the way with Ned pulling on the rope. Frank’s teeth were now chattering uncontrollably.

When they reached Nancy and Ned, Joe got to his feet and said, “We need to get him warmed up quick.”

“You’re right,” Nancy said. “His face is so pale and his lips are turning blue.”

“Let’s go,” Ned said.

He and Joe reached down and lifted Frank to his feet. They each wrapped one of his arms around their necks and guided him back to shore. They neared the bleachers that were set up beside the lake. They reached the edge of the ice and two paramedics hurried over. They led Frank away from Ned and Joe to a waiting ambulance.

They helped Frank inside and the paramedics quickly shut the door to keep the warmth inside. They got Frank out of his wet clothes. Frank wanted to protest that he could undress himself, but he couldn’t seem to get the words out. He also realized he couldn’t stop his arms and legs from trembling.

When his clothes were off, the paramedics wrapped him in an insulating blanket and pressed heat packs against his chest and sides. Frank was barely aware of a knock on the ambulance door and having a cup of warm cider thrust into his hands. He instinctively drank the warm liquid hoping the chill that had enveloped his body would go away.

After a little while, Frank began to feel better. The paramedics continued to check his temperature, pulse and blood pressure to make sure he was getting better.

The back of the ambulance opened and Joe poked his head in. Frank could see the others were also there trying to catch a glimpse.

“You okay, Frank?” Callie asked, squeezing her head between Joe and the door.

The shaking was subsiding in his legs. He took a deep breath as he looked at everyone. “I think so.”

“Do you want to go to the hospital?” Joe asked.

“No,” Frank said trying to keep his teeth from chattering. He was still chilled and wanted to be someplace warm.

“Why don’t we go to my house?” Nancy suggested. “It’s closer than Ned’s. Besides, we can dry Frank’s clothes there.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Joe said looking at Frank.

“I agree.”

Frank continued to sip the cider as the others returned their skates. He stayed in the ambulance until he was sure the others were ready to go. Once they were ready, Joe returned and helped Frank get his boots on. Joe and Callie supported him as they made their way to Ned’s car. Frank was glad for their support. He was having a hard time holding onto the blankets that were covering him. His legs were shaking again from the temperature change from inside the ambulance and being outdoors. He figured if he hadn’t been assisted, he would have fallen. He slid into the backseat with Callie while Joe was in the front.

* * * * *

Nancy pulled into the driveway and quickly climbed out of her car as Ned was pulling in behind her. She rushed to the front door, unlocking it as she pushed it open. A moment later, Frank entered the house with the help of Callie and Joe.

Once Frank got settled on the couch, Nancy went into the kitchen to make some hot chocolate. She had suggested Vanessa grab some blankets out of the linen closet upstairs for Frank. Ned followed Nancy into the kitchen and tossed Frank’s clothes in the dryer.

When the hot chocolate was ready, Nancy carefully carried a tray with the steaming cups into the living room. As she passed everyone a cup, she noticed Frank’s face still looked pale. Sitting down beside Ned, she slowly sipped her hot chocolate.

Frank broke the silence. “What happened to the purse snatcher?”

“He was taken to the hospital,” Joe said. “A couple security guards volunteered to take him. They figured you would need the paramedics since you were in the water longer.”

“I can’t believe you went after him,” Vanessa said shaking her head.

“I had to do something,” Frank said defensively, tightening his hold on his drink. “I couldn’t just let him get away.” His hands trembled uncontrollably as the hot chocolate splashed around in the mug.

“Frank, are you warm enough?” Callie asked with concern.

Frank tried to deny his weakness in front of her, but realized it was useless. “I’m just tired. That took a lot out of me.”

“Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Callie asked.

“Frank, why don’t you go upstairs and rest then?” Nancy suggested. “Just go into any of the rooms and crash on one of the beds.”

“Are you sure?” Frank asked.

“I’m sure.”

“Okay.” Frank gathered the blanket around him and made his way toward the stairs with Callie by his side.

As Nancy watched them go, she realized she was really worried about Frank, but didn’t want to admit it. His face was so pale. She hoped Frank was going to be all right.

* * * * *

Frank allowed Callie to lead him into one of the bedrooms and he sat down on the edge of the bed. Callie carefully turned down the bed. After helping him remove his boots, he leaned back on the bed and settled his head on the pillow, closing his eyes. He felt Callie pull up the blankets and cover him gently.

Frank said quietly, “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I want to,” Callie said just as softly as Frank opened his eyes.

Callie sat on the edge of the bed beside him. He noticed there was concern written all over her face. He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Callie, I’m going to be all right. Stop worrying.”

“I’ll always worry.” Callie smiled. “Get some rest.”

Frank closed his eyes as Callie held his hand. As he drifted to sleep, he felt Callie gently pushing his hair away from his forehead. He knew he was lucky to have someone as caring as Callie in his life.

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency 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.