# Under Arrest explained — The Great Airport Mystery

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

## What happens

The Hardy boys, along with Chet and Biff, are at Amos Grice's store after being caught in a storm. They learn of a second airport mail robbery and receive a urgent call from their father to return home. Upon arriving in Bayport, they are met by Detective Smuff and taken to Chief Collig, who arrests them for the airport robbery.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Vindication

The Hardy boys are falsely accused and arrested, setting up a struggle to prove their innocence.

### Family and Loyalty

Fenton Hardy's urgent call shows his concern for his sons, and the boys' loyalty to their father is evident.

### Deception and Evidence

The boys are arrested based on suspicion, highlighting the theme of evidence and false accusations.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Hardy

Surprised by the news of the second robbery and the urgent summons home; arrested by Chief Collig.

### Joe Hardy

Calls home to reassure his mother; speculates about the robbery; arrested alongside Frank.

### Fenton Hardy

Urgently calls his sons to return home, hinting at trouble connected to the airport robbery.

### Chet Morton

Accompanies the Hardys; jokes about the arrest but is unaware of the seriousness.

### Biff Hooper

With the group; makes light of the situation, suggesting the chief wants to hire them.

### Mr. Smuff

Delivers the chief's summons and later brings the boys to headquarters.

### Chief Collig

Arrests the Hardy boys on orders from the postal authorities.

### Amos Grice

Hosts the boys after the storm and informs them of the second robbery.

## Key lines

> What’s that?” demanded the storekeeper abruptly, in response to Frank Hardy’s inadvertent exclamation.

The storekeeper asked sharply what Frank had exclaimed about.

_Frank's surprise at hearing about the robbery._

> “Well, I’m glad you’re all right. Now listen. I want you and Joe to come home at once.”

Fenton Hardy expresses relief but insists they return home immediately.

_The urgency in their father's voice._

> “You’re wanted by the postal authorities. I have orders to place you under arrest.”

Chief Collig informs the boys they are being arrested on orders from the postal authorities.

_The shocking arrest._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_airport_mystery_se/chapters/xii-under-arrest
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_airport_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_airport_mystery_se/chapters