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The Great Airport Mystery · Chapter

Dangerous Business explained

The Hardy boys arrive at Riverside Field to spy on Giles Ducroy and his gang.

What happens

The Hardy boys arrive at Riverside Field to spy on Giles Ducroy and his gang. They overhear plans for a crime on the night of the twenty-eighth, involving forcing down a plane. Determined to stay close, they decide to stow away in the gang's airplane, stocking up on provisions and hiding in the tail compartment just before the gang takes off.

Themes in this chapter

  • Courage and Bravery

    The Hardy boys show immense courage by stowing away in a plane with dangerous criminals, risking their lives to solve the mystery.

  • Deception and Evidence

    The boys use deception to gather evidence, hiding in the plane to overhear the criminals' plans.

  • Adventure and Risk-Taking

    The stowaway plan is a high-risk adventure, showing the boys' willingness to take dangerous chances for justice.

Characters to notice

  • Frank Hardy

    Cautious and strategic, Frank agrees to the risky stowaway plan to keep track of Ducroy.

  • Joe Hardy

    Eager and impulsive, Joe suggests the stowaway idea and is ready for adventure.

  • Giles Ducroy

    The mastermind, confident and evasive, plans to force down a plane on the night of the 28th.

  • Ollie Jacobs

    Makes phone calls to gather information and confirms the shipment date.

  • Newt Pipps

    Nervous about the plan, but goes along with Ducroy's orders.

Key passages

  • It's a nervy idea," said Frank. "I wonder where we could hide?

    Frank thinks the stowaway plan is bold and wonders where they could conceal themselves.

    Frank acknowledges the audacity of the plan while considering its feasibility.

  • We'll be right on hand too if the plane crashes," Frank reminded his brother.

    Frank points out that being stowaways also means they'd be in danger if the plane crashed.

    Frank highlights the potential risks of their plan.