The Masked Monkey by Franklin W. Dixon Page A

yards from the pool on three sides; the fourth side facing the house was open.
    San Marten rose. “I am very happy to see you here,” he said, waving them to a couple of empty chairs.
    Frank noticed the table was placed on the west side of the pool in the morning sun. They sat down with their backs to the glare.
    A second servant brought in a platter of ham and eggs, which the boys ate with great relish. At the same time they discussed the theft by themonkey. San Marten seemed thoroughly mystified. He folded his napkin and placed it on the table.
    â€œI will speak to the police immediately,” he said.
    â€œWe’ll go with you,” Frank said.
    â€œThat won’t be necessary. You stay here and relax. Enjoy a swim in the pool,” San Marten said. “You’ll find suits in the cabana.”
    Before they could object, he stepped into a light-blue sports car parked nearby and roared off in the direction of Belem.
    Frank and Joe sat lazily in the sun for a while, then Joe said, “I think I’ll take San Marten up on his swim invitation. How about you?”
    â€œFirst we’ll get rid of the breakfast dishes,” Frank said with a grin. “Aunt Gertrude would never approve if we left the table like this.”
    He rang the bell for the servants, expecting someone to come and clean up the table. Receiving no response, he went into the house, found it empty, and returned to the patio.
    â€œThe help has vamoosed with the master,” he told Joe.
    â€œMust be their day off,” his brother guessed. “We’ll have some peace and quiet for our dip.”
    â€œThey were here when we arrived, so it’s hardly their day off,” Frank said, an uneasy feeling coming over him. “I think maybe San Marten is up to something.”
    Joe had already started for the cabana and quickly slipped into a pair of trunks which looked as if they would fit. Frank followed suit, still pondering the strange disappearance of the servants. As they emerged from the cabana, the sunlight reflected from the surface of the pool in blinding rays. Joe climbed on the diving board, where he poised for a full gainer.
    Frank, shielding his eyes, spotted a slight movement down in the water. Suddenly Aunt Gertrude’s warning rang in his ears: “Look before you leap!”
    Leaning over the edge of the pool, he saw a small fish not more than eight inches long. It had a blunt face with an underslung jaw, a silvery bluish body, and a touch of red on its fins.
    â€œJoe, don’t dive!” Frank shouted.
    The warning came almost too late and Joe had trouble regaining his balance. “Why, what’s the matter?” he asked.
    â€œYou’ll have company you may not care to meet. Come here!”
    Joe descended from the diving board and peered down at the fish.
    â€œFrank, there’s more than one. In fact, a whole school. Wait a minute! I have a hunch!” Joe ran to the table where the breakfast dishes still lay. Seizing a piece of ham from the platter, he returned to the pool.
    He tossed the ham through the air. It hit the water with a splash and had hardly started to sink when the school of small fish darted to it. They became a swirling horde of ferocious predators, tearing off mouthfuls and gulping them down. The ham was gone in seconds!
    Frank and Joe shuddered.
    Piranhas!
    â€œNo wonder San Marten and the servants vanished so suddenly,” Frank muttered. “They set up operation bone yard for our benefit, but didn’t want to witness the gory details. And the table was set up facing the sun to keep us from spotting the fish.”
    â€œWow! I’m beginning to feel sick,” Joe said.
    â€œCome on,” Frank said. “I’ve got an idea.” He led the way into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. They found a rib roast, two large hams, a big loin of pork and a leg of lamb.
    â€œOur host must have been planning a party,” Frank