The Secret Agent on Flight 101 by Franklin W. Dixon

asked.
    â€œFellow named Bodkins. He’s not from around here so I can’t tell you anything about him.”
    â€œBodkins?” Frank thought. A possibility struck him. “Could this be an alias of Hexton’s?” Aloud he questioned, “Have you ever seen a helioplane in the vicinity of the islet?”
    â€œFunny you should mention that,” Carter replied. “During the past couple of weeks I saw one headed in that direction several times. But whether it was going to the islet or not, I wouldn’t know.”
    The boys thanked the man for his cooperation, then returned to the plane.
    â€œFellows,” Frank said suddenly, “I have an idea. Why don’t we rent a boat and look at the place?”
    â€œWhat if Hexton and his men are on the islet?” Chet asked.
    â€œThat’s a chance we’ll have to take.”
    After lunch Jack remained with the plane, while Chet and the Hardys hiked to the nearby coastal town. They found a boat-rental place, but unfortunately all the power craft were in use. Frank finally selected a small jib-headed racer.
    He manned the helm while Joe and Chet hauled the sails to the top of the mast. A strong breeze carried them quickly away from the dock. Nearly three hours passed before the islet appeared off the port bow of their craft.
    â€œSeems deserted,” Joe said.
    Frank manipulated the helm to direct the boat in a wide circle around the tiny point of land. From the other side of the islet a fast powerboat appeared.
    When it drew closer, Joe exclaimed, “That’s Stony Bleeker at the wheel! And Vordo’s with him. They must have spotted us!”
    â€œThe boat’s going to ram ours!” Chet shouted as the craft headed directly for the sailboat.
    Frank applied hard helm and changed course quickly. The powerboat missed the stern by a few inches and threw a heavy spray of water over the boys. Its wake rocked the sailboat violently.
    â€œHold fast!” Frank cried out. “Stay in the center, fellows, or we’ll capsize!”
    â€œLook!” Joe yelled. “They’ve turned and they’re coming at us again!”
    As the powerboat sped perilously close, more water foamed over the gunwales.
    â€œWe can’t stay upright much longer!” Joe shouted.
    The next pass by the powerboat was so close that the two craft sideswiped. The boys hung on, but plunged into the sea an instant later as the sailboat went over on its side.
    Vordo burst into wild laughter. Stony was so preoccupied watching the boys come to the surface he failed to notice that he was steering directly toward the islet.
    â€œWatch out!” Vordo bellowed at him.
    Bleeker made a desperate, last-minute effort to turn away. Too late!
    Crash!
    The powerboat’s momentum carried it onto the craggy shore, and a sharp rock ripped through its hull.
    The men leaped out. Furious, they shook their fists. “We’ll get you for this!” Vordo thundered at the three boys, who now lay across the half-overturned hull of the sailboat.
    â€œNow what?” Chet asked.
    Frank and Joe were glumly silent. They knew that trying to right their boat with its water-soaked sails would be next to impossible and the only haven within swimming distance was the islet!

CHAPTER IX
    The Lighthouse Prison
    IN a split second Frank had made up his mind. “Quick!” he shouted. “Help me haul in the main-sail! It’s our best bet.”
    Joe unfastened the lanyard while the other two with great effort pulled the top of the partially submerged sail down the mast. When they had it tightly lashed around the boom, the boys secured the working jib.
    â€œJumping catfish!” Chet yelled in alarm. “We’re drifting closer to the islet!”
    While he and Joe watched the movements of Vordo and Bleeker, Frank swam to the other side of the boat. He put his weight against the bottom of the keel and tried to force it downward into the