with his cane as he came out and when he met the boys he gave them an abrupt and piercing glance.
"Good day!" he growled, in a grudging manner, and went on his way.
"He must have been asking dad to take up the case," said Frank to his brother, as soon as Hurd Applegate was out of earshot.
They hurried into the house, eager to find out more about the robbery, and in the hallway they met Fenton Hardy, who had just seen Mr. Applegate to the door.
"I hear the Tower Mansion was robbed," said Joe.
Mr. Hardy nodded.
"Yes―Mr. Applegate was just here. He wants me to handle the case."
"How much was taken?"
"Quite curious, aren't you?" remarked Mr. Hardy, with a smile. "Well, I don't suppose it will do any harm to tell you. The safe in the Applegate library was opened. The loss will be about forty thousand dollars, I believe."
"We heard it was over a hundred thousand!" exclaimed Joe.
"Rumors always exaggerate. Forty thousand dollars is the figure Mr. Applegate puts it at. And it's quite enough, too. All in securities and jewels."
