The Hardy Boys
Exotic Animals!
Chapter 1
"Look at this!" exclaimed Joe Hardy.
"What?" his brother Frank answered, practically shouting to be heard over all of the people. The Hardys were at the Exotic Reptile and Animal Show in New York City. The large convention center that was hosting the show was lined up with rows upon rows of tables with different types of animals ranging anywhere from King Cobras to Scarlet Macaws . Frank was about ten feet away from Joe looking at another table, so Frank had to slowly work his way through the throng of people. When he got to his brother's side Joe said, pointing at a Porcupine,
"Isn't he neat?"
"Yeah I guess so," Frank said, "he really stinks though."
Joe, who was feeding him a grape, said, "No, that isn't the porcupine. It's that ferret right there."
When Frank saw his brother starting getting attached to it he said, knowing that his Aunt Gertrude would hate it, "Come on Joe, let's go find Chet and try to meet up with him," and pulled Joe away from the table.
"Fine-you win, but I know you really just want to get away from the porcupine before I get it, right?" Joe said.
"That and we need to find Chet before he gets something he will regret." Frank said laughing.
"Chet is probably over there looking at the turtles and tortoises," he answered knowing that Chet had recently picked up his new hobby, turtles. This was his third hobby this month. As far as the Hardys could tell none of his hobbies, which were also get rich quick schemes, had paid off yet, but Chet assured them that this one would work, just like all of the other ones.
"Hey, isn't that Chet over there?" Frank said.
"Yeah, I think your right. Let's make our way over there."
When they were getting close to Chet's side they could tell he was standing at a table with all kinds of turtles. He was chatting with a very pretty girl who had on a green fleece pullover and jeans. She was about 5' 6" and had shoulder length brown hair and bright green eyes. The Hardys could tell that Chet liked her as soon as they got there.
When they got next to him he said, "Hi guys. This is Sara Ball. Her dad is co-hosting the show with Morgan Houston."
"Nice to meet you," Joe said, shaking her hand. "I am Joe Hardy and this is my brother Frank."
"Hi," Frank said. "Do you own all of these animals?" he asked, looking at the table with probably fifteen different types of turtles.
"No, some of them are mine but most are my fathers. I am only trying to sell these because we are running out of room at our house. I wish we didn't have to, but oh well," she said sighing.
"That is too bad," Frank said. "I am sorry I have to run but our parents are probably wondering where we are. So I will go call them and come back."
"No problem, we will stay here and look at her turtles," Chet replied.
When Frank had gotten about ten feet away he heard a scream and saw Sara pointing at a man in an orange hunting cap running away from her table right at him!
"That man took my money!" Sara screamed.
Frank didn't waste another second and he was soon running after the creep, at least as fast as he could go through the crowd. He disappeared through the door and Frank ran after him only seconds behind. The crook was running towards a waiting car at the end of the lot. Before he got there Frank took a leaping tackle and brought him down to the ground. But before he could get a better hold the guy kicked out, connecting with Frank's jaw and sending him sprawling onto the ground. The last thing Frank saw before slipping into unconsciousness was the creep getting into the car and driving away.
"No, I have to stay awake and get that guy!" Frank thought but he slowly started seeing black as he went into unconsciousness.