Dark haired thirteen-year old Karen Hardy and her brothers slipped through the side door of the Hardy home and began mounting the stairs. About the time the boys were up the stairs and in their room Karen heard a dreaded voice call for her. The speaker was 's sister Gertrude. Karen ignored her aunt and continued climbing the stairs with even more determination.
"Karen Louise Elizabeth Jennifer Hardy!" Aunt Gertrude called once more.
"Yes?" was Karen's eventual, but exasperated response.
"Where have you been all night? It's quarter after midnight!" Aunt Gertrude demanded.
Before Karen could answer, the conversation was interrupted.
"What's all the ruckus?" inquired dark haired eighteen-year old Frank Hardy, as he and his year younger, light haired brother Joe came down the stairs.
"Oh," Joe sighed, sharing a look with his brother.
"Would you care to tell me where your sister was this evening?!" Aunt Gertrude snapped.
"With us, on an assignment from Dad, which, I might add is none of your business Aunt Gertrude." Frank answered coolly.
He knew that his aunt disapproved of Karen's exploits with him and his brother.
"Well I - " Aunt Gertrude was cut off yet again by another person descending the stairs.
"Gert !" Fenton Hardy exclaimed, "Frank is right, I sent them on an assignment, and it is none of your business. So, let's get to bed."
And that is how not sneak into the house at midnight.