The Secret of the Caves · Chapter
Go Away! explained
The Hardy boys and their friends trade supplies with Captain Royal, who initially invites them to stay for a fish dinner but suddenly turns hostile and orders them away.
What happens
The Hardy boys and their friends trade supplies with Captain Royal, who initially invites them to stay for a fish dinner but suddenly turns hostile and orders them away. After retreating, the boys discuss the captain's bizarre stories and behavior, concluding he may be mentally unbalanced. Frank later notices that Captain Royal uses the phrase 'by jing' and has untied shoelaces—details that match Evangeline Todd's description of her missing brother, Todham Todd.
Themes in this chapter
Mystery and Adventure
The boys explore coastal caves and encounter the enigmatic Captain Royal, whose erratic behavior and strange tales deepen the mystery surrounding his identity.
Identity and Deception
Frank and Joe begin to suspect that Captain Royal may actually be Todham Todd, based on his distinctive phrase 'by jing' and untied shoelaces.
Characters to notice
- Frank Hardy
Observes Captain Royal's odd behavior and later connects the captain's phrase 'by jing' and untied shoelaces to Evangeline Todd's missing brother.
- Joe Hardy
Argues that Captain Royal is crazy and recalls the captain's use of 'by jing' and untied shoelaces, linking him to Todham Todd.
- Chet Morton
Scoffs at Captain Royal's wild stories and retrieves the traded provisions before being ordered away.
- Biff Hooper
Expresses confusion and amazement at Captain Royal's sudden change in demeanor.
- Captain Royal
Trades dried fish and eggs for canned beans, then abruptly orders the boys to leave, displaying erratic and hostile behavior.
Key passages
“His stories were as full of holes as a sieve. But I don't know whether he told them just for the fun of stuffing us or just because he is clean crazy and doesn't know any better.”
Frank thinks Captain Royal's tales are obviously fabricated, but he's unsure if the captain is deliberately lying or simply insane.
Highlights the boys' skepticism about the captain's sailor stories and their suspicion of his mental state.
“Don't you remember that he said 'by jing' now and then? ... The very expression Evangeline Todd said her missing brother used so often!”
Frank reminds Joe that Captain Royal frequently says 'by jing,' the same phrase Evangeline Todd mentioned her brother Todham Todd always used.
Key clue linking Captain Royal to the missing Todham Todd.