The Phantom Freighter Quotes

“with a duffel bag over his shoulder.”
― Franklin W. Dixon, The Phantom Freighter

“mystery to solve.”
― Franklin W. Dixon, The Phantom Freighter

“At the Southport pier there was laughter and excitement mixed with a certain amount of tenseness. Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, Aunt Gertrude, the Mortons, and the Hoopers had gathered to watch the departure of the Father Neptune. Mr. McClintock, who had invited Biff, was already aboard and kept running around, getting in the crew’s way until finally the first mate suggested firmly that he go to his stateroom. Presently a whistle blew. The boys hurried up the gangplank. Minutes later tugs pushed the freighter away from the dock. Out in the deep water the tugs cast off, and the ship’s engines began to throb steadily. Soon she swung off through the gap at the mouth of Southport Bay and headed out to sea.”
― Franklin W. Dixon, The Phantom Freighter

“STEP up—step up, ladies and gentlemen! The greatest bargain at the carnival! For a few cents, ninety-nine to be exact, less than a dollar, you can buy the lures that catch the biggest fish! Step up —step up! Fine handmade flies!” Chet Morton, red-faced and beaming, paused for breath. Then he blew a loud blast on a bugle. When the startled people attending the Southport carnival jumped and looked his way, he held aloft a handful of bright-colored flies and went into his speech again. “You risk no money. You merely make an investment in a fish dinner. Every fly guaranteed to pay for itself in fresh trout!” Few of those who stopped to look had any intention of buying flies. But they drifted closer, attracted by the boy’s sales talk. Many of them laughingly parted with a dollar bill. Several men said, “Keep the change, son!”
― Franklin W. Dixon, The Phantom Freighter

“The Piper farm was difficult to locate. A man cutting grass in a small country cemetery finally put the boys on the right track. He pointed out an abandoned property next to the cemetery. “John Piper died last year,” he informed them. “No one has lived there since.” Frank and Joe got out of the car and crossed the unkempt fields. The whole place was in a state of neglect. Weeds grew high in the yard. Parts of farm machinery lay rusting by a tumble-down fence. The farmhouse windows were boarded.”
― Franklin W. Dixon, The Phantom Freighter

“The boys hurried into the hotel and made their way toward the restaurant. From the lobby they could see Aunt Gertrude and “Mrs. Harrison” seated at a table near the street door. Frank and Joe slipped in and sat down near a potted palm which shielded them from view. Seeing a waitress bring salads to the others, they ordered sandwiches and soda.”
― Franklin W. Dixon, The Phantom Freighter

“A few minutes later the fishing boat pulled away from the wharf and chugged smoothly down the bay. Chet, as leader of the expedition, bustled about importantly. He assigned places to everyone and explained the technique of tuna fishing, about which he had just read. It was a calm, warm day and the sea was smooth, with only a slight swell. A few miles beyond the mouth of the bay, the captain announced they had reached tuna water. He distributed the rods and herring he had brought along as bait and scattered fresh chum over the side to attract the fish. Mr. McClintock took up his position in a fishing chair, and Chet showed him the proper way to hold the heavy rod. He threw the bait overboard and watched it sink until the end of the leader disappeared from sight. Next, he coiled about fifteen feet of the thirty-nine-thread line on the stern and held it. “Tuna grow pretty big, don’t they?” asked Mr. McClintock, becoming a little nervous. “It won’t pull me overboard, will it?” “Could be.” Captain Harkness grinned. “But don’t worry, we’ll rescue you!”
― Franklin W. Dixon, The Phantom Freighter

“Say, Joe, I know where you can book passage!” “Where?” “At Klack’s Agency. It’s not far from here. Next block.” He led the way to a dingy-looking establishment with several blackboards in the window. On them were chalked such legends as Cook Wanted, Fireman (First Class) for S.A., Cruise and Stokers Wanted. “A lot of freighter crews are signed up here,” Biff explained. “I’ve heard they book passengers as a sideline.”
― Franklin W. Dixon, The Phantom Freighter

“Frank and Joe were about to get into their car and drive home when Frank remembered his mother’s shopping request. There was a haberdashery near the hotel, and the boys went inside.”
― Franklin W. Dixon, The Phantom Freighter

“A few minutes later they reached the east side of Bayport. Frank turned into Springdale Avenue. By the time they passed a small stone house numbered fifty-two, they had entered a section where the sidewalks came to an end and buildings were far apart. The car bumped along an uneven dirt road. “We’re practically out in the country,” said Joe. “I’ll bet we’re beyond the city limits.”
― Franklin W. Dixon, The Phantom Freighter

“No excuses,” Miss Hardy said firmly. “It won’t take you any time to drive out there. I’ll whip up a strawberry shortcake while you’re gone.” “In that case,” Frank said, laughing, “we’ll leave right away.”
― Franklin W. Dixon, The Phantom Freighter