In the Holmeses' attic, Shirley, Bo, and Blake waited around the
receiver for the listening device. "This is exciting," Bo said, bored.
"So far, we've learned that Blake's dad gets a lot of attention
at work and that he loves chocolate covered donuts."
"Hey, don't knock them," Blake said, grinning.
"So far, the police haven't made the call yet," Shirley said.
They listened to more useless talk until they heard Detective
Tremain's voice. "Okay, we've got the ruby ring. Show him,
Mortson."
The next voice they heard was Mortson's. "Here it is, gentlemen.
The ruby ring King John wore at the signing of the Magna Carta."
"Hmmmmm, I'm impressed," Inspector Hewitt commented. "I
suppose you have a plan to make sure we get Molly Hardy, the ENIGMA agents,
and the
ring back?"
"It's simple, really," Detective Tremain said. "The ring box will have a homing device in it. Once the ENIGMA agents have the ring, we'll track them to their hideout."
"Suppose they find the homing device?" Inspector Hewitt asked.
"It's well-hidden," Detective Tremain said. "They won't find it."
"I hope you gentlemen know what you're doing," Mortson said nervously.
"We do," Detective Tremain said confidently.
"Now that we have the ring, let's give ENIGMA a call," Inspector
Hewitt said. Shirley, Bo, and Blake heard him dial a number.
Through the receiver, they heard the phone ring twice, then an
electronically distorted voice. "Ah, you've figured it all out,"
it said.
They heard Detective Tremain snatch the phone away from Inspector Hewitt. "Sorry, Inspector, but it's my case," he apologized.
"Go ahead," Inspector Hewitt said. "I'll just be right by you."
"How rude," Blake said.
Detective Tremain's voice came from the receiver. "Okay, buddy, we've got the ring. What next?"
"Good, good," the voice said. "We'll be straight for once. Have someone meet us at the corner of Main and First Street with the ring in about an hour."
"What about the girl?" Detective Tremain demanded.
"Oh, the girl is fine. Once the ring is in our possession,
we will release the girl," the voice replied. "Remember, Main and
First. No tricks."
The phone went dead. The sound of the phone being slammed
was heard from the receiver.
"Well?" Detective Tremain asked.
"No trace," someone said. "In fact, that number doesn't exist."
"Drat," Detective Tremain said. "Main and First," Shirley said.
"Okay, we know where the ring will be dropped off," Bo said. "What now?"
"Shhhhh," Shirley said, listening to the receiver. "There's more."
"Pardon me, gentlemen," Mortson said. "I would like to present the ring to ENIGMA."
"Why?" Detective Tremain asked.
Shirley listened carefully. "The ring is my responsibility," Mortson explained. "I will stay with it until it is given to those scoundrels."
"Fine, fine," Detective Tremain said. "I'll keep an eye on you to make sure nothing funny happens."
"Are you sure you know what you're doing, Detective?" Inspector Hewitt asked.
"I'm positive," Detective Tremain replied. Shirley noticed a touch of annoyance in his voice.
"I believe that's all we need to know," Shirley said as she turned off the receiver.
"So what's next?" Blake asked.
Later, at the corner of Main and First, Mortson waited for the
ENIGMA agents to arrive. He looked at the small jewelry box in his
hand.
Behind him was a small cafe. Detective Tremain watched Mortson
from a window seat while eating a sandwich. Unknown to Detective
Tremain, Shirley and Blake were in a nearby booth.
"Bo, do you copy? Over," Shirley said into a walkie-talkie.
Bo's voice crackled through the walkie-talkie. "I do. Over."
"Do you see anything suspicious? Over," Shirley asked Bo.
"Not yet. Over," Bo replied.
"Okay. Keep your eyes open. Over and out." Shirley put the walkie-talkie away and took a French fry from the wicker basket on the table.
"Are you sure Bo can do it?" Blake asked, also taking a French fry.
"He has to," Shirley said, nibbling on the French fry.
Outside, Mortson checked his watch. "What's keeping them?" he asked himself.
A large blue van with tinted windows pulled up in front of the
cafe.
Mortson gulped. Detective Tremain watched the van carefully.
Shirley also spotted the van. She took out her walkie-talkie. "Bo," she whispered urgently. "I think it's them. Do it now. Over."
"Got that. Over and out," Bo replied.
The back doors of the van opened, and two men stepped out.
Both were dressed in trenchcoats, large-brimmed hats, and sunglasses.
Their mouths were covered by handkerchiefs. They walked toward Mortson,
who was beginning to get nervous. He started to shake.
The two men stood before Mortson. From his seat, Detective
Tremain watched them, pretending to be paying attention to his meal.
From their booth, Shirley and Blake also kept an eye on the two men.
"This is the ring?" one of the men asked Mortson, pointing to the jewelry box. His voice was disguised by an electronic distorter.
Mortson nervously nodded. "Open the box," the other man
ordered him.
Mortson held up the box and opened it, showing the ruby ring to the
ENIGMA agents. One of them reached out with his gloved hand and took
the ring out of its box. "Looks real," the man said, studying the
ring closely.
"I assure you gentlemen that it is real," Mortson said shakily.
"We'll be the judge of that," the other man said harshly.
As the two ENIGMA agents examined the ring, Bo snuck out from
around the corner. He walked quietly to the back of the van.
He stooped down and placed something behind the fender. Fortunately,
no one took notice of him. He managed to get out of there without
being seen.
"Well, I guess it's the real thing," the first man said, putting
the ring back into its box.
"I'm glad you approve," Mortson said, relieved.
"I'm still doubtful," the second man said. He suddenly seized Mortson's arm. "You're coming with us just in case it isn't."
Before Mortson could mutter a protest, the first man held a gun to his chest. "I recommend that you cooperate with us or else."
Mortson nodded quietly and found himself being hustled into the back of the van. The two men slammed the back doors behind them, and the van quickly left the area.
Detective Tremain quickly reached for his walkie-talkie. "This is Tremain. We have a situation. Over."
While Detective Tremain reported what just happened, Shirley told Blake, "I think it's time we were on our way."
Blake waived over a waitress. When she arrived, he pointed
to the basket of French fries and asked her, "Can we have these to go?"
Shirley and Blake rendezvoused with Bo around the corner. Blake was holding a paper takeout box. "Did you do it?" Shirley asked Bo.
"Yeah. I placed the homing device on the fender. It's secured," Bo reported. "I don't see the point of doing it, though. Tremain's got one in the ring's box."
"ENIGMA's not exactly careless," Shirley said. "I'm betting that they'll find the bug and get rid of it."
"So once again we're going to save the day?" Bo asked.
"Yep," Shirley said.
Bo groaned. "I remember that the last time we encountered these ENIGMA guys, we got captured."
"We did get out of it," Blake said.
"We got lucky," Bo countered.
"This time we'll be prepared," Shirley said. "Let's go."
"Where?" Bo asked.
"Stink's dorm," Shirley answered.
"Why?" Blake asked.
"You'll find out," Shirley replied.
END OF PART SIX