# A Five Dollar Bill explained — The Secret of the Old Mill

> Chapter companion for The Secret of the Old Mill by Franklin W. Dixon.

## What happens

Frank and Joe Hardy go to the Bayport train station expecting to meet their father, Fenton Hardy, but he does not arrive. A stranger asks them to change a five-dollar bill, and they oblige. Later, they attempt to use the bill to buy pie-plates at Mr. Moss's shop, but Moss suspects it is counterfeit. The bank cashier confirms the bill is fake, and the boys realize they have been tricked.

## Themes in this chapter

### Counterfeiting and Crime

The chapter introduces the central crime: a counterfeit five-dollar bill passed to the Hardy boys by a stranger.

### Deception and Trust

The stranger's friendly demeanor and urgent request exploit the boys' trust, leading to their victimization.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Hardy

Older brother, dark-haired, observant; agrees to change the stranger's bill and later discovers it is counterfeit.

### Joe Hardy

Younger brother, fair-haired; contributes his change and accompanies Frank to the store and bank.

### Mr. Moss

Chubby, genial shopkeeper who humorously teases the boys about detective work and first identifies the bill as suspicious.

### Fenton Hardy

The boys' father, a famous detective; expected on the train but does not appear in this chapter.

## Key lines

> I want to pay a fellow a dollar out of this five. Can you change the bill?

A stranger asks Frank and Joe to break a five-dollar bill so he can give a dollar to a friend.

_This request initiates the counterfeit plot._

> Where did you get this bill, boys? Looks bad to me. I'm afraid I can't take a chance on it.

Mr. Moss examines the bill and refuses to accept it, suspecting it is counterfeit.

_First hint that the bill is fake._

> Sorry. You've been stung, boys. It's counterfeit.

The bank cashier confirms the five-dollar bill is counterfeit.

_Confirmation of the deception._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/i-a-five-dollar-bill
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters