# An Attack explained — The Great Airport Mystery

> Chapter companion for The Great Airport Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon.

## What happens

After the airplane crash, the Hardy boys face public scrutiny as Ducroy blames them. They struggle with exams while worrying about the investigation. Ducroy is fired from the post office, but he confronts the boys on the street, attacking Frank. Frank defends himself and knocks Ducroy down. Police officer Con Riley intervenes but lets Ducroy go at Frank's request. The chapter ends with Frank sensing that Ducroy will seek revenge.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Bravery

Frank and Joe show courage by standing up to Ducroy's false accusations and physical attack.

### Justice and Vindication

The boys are vindicated when Ducroy is fired, but they still face his unjust attack.

### Deception and Evidence

Ducroy's lies are contradicted by the post office investigation, but he continues to deceive.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Hardy

Worried about the crash investigation affecting his exams, defends himself against Ducroy's attack, and knocks him out.

### Joe Hardy

Shares Frank's anxiety about the investigation, punches Ducroy after he attacks Frank, and supports his brother.

### Giles Ducroy

Fired from his pilot job, confronts the Hardy boys on the street, attacks Frank, and is knocked down.

### Chet Morton

Supports the Hardy boys, witnesses the fight, and vouches for Frank's self-defense.

### Fenton Hardy

Advises his sons not to worry about the investigation while they take exams.

### Con Riley

Police officer who breaks up the fight and lets Ducroy go at Frank's request.

## Key lines

> My plane cracked up simply because I was trying to avoid hitting the car. The boys deliberately drove their roadster ahead so that I was unable to find a landing place until it was too late.

Ducroy claims the crash was caused by the boys deliberately blocking his landing.

_Ducroy's public accusation against the Hardy boys._

> Don’t worry about it. Don’t let it be on your minds while you are writing examination papers.

Fenton Hardy advises his sons to focus on their exams and not worry about the investigation.

_Fenton's counsel to the boys._

> I’m sorry he has lost his job, but I guess he deserved it. If they let him stay on he might get into a serious accident and kill somebody.

Frank expresses sympathy for Ducroy's firing but believes it was justified to prevent future accidents.

_Frank's reaction to Ducroy's dismissal._

> I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this, by any means.

Frank suspects that Ducroy will seek revenge despite the fight ending.

_Frank's foreshadowing of future conflict._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_airport_mystery_se/chapters/iv-an-attack
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_airport_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_airport_mystery_se/chapters