# Paul Blum 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 navigate the Sleuth through thick fog after capturing a stranger who drew a revolver on them. They land at Bayport wharf, where their father Fenton Hardy and police await. The captive is identified as Paul Blum, a counterfeiter who threw a roll of bad bills overboard during the struggle. Despite lacking the counterfeit evidence, Blum is arrested and handed over to Chief Collig, while the Hardy boys receive praise for their work.

## Themes in this chapter

### Counterfeiting and Crime

Paul Blum is captured for passing counterfeit money, and the Secret Service is involved in the case.

### Courage and Heroism

Frank and Joe subdue an armed counterfeiter, demonstrating bravery and quick thinking.

### Detective Work and Deduction

Fenton Hardy deduces Blum's identity and the boys piece together how he disposed of the counterfeit bills.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Hardy

Navigates the Sleuth through fog and recounts the capture of Paul Blum to his father.

### Joe Hardy

Tends to the captive and knocks the revolver from Blum's hand during the struggle.

### Fenton Hardy

Meets the boys at the wharf, identifies Paul Blum, and coordinates with police.

### Paul Blum

Captured by the Hardy boys after attempting to hold them up; arrested for passing counterfeit money.

### Chief Collig

Arrives with Con Riley to take Blum into custody and searches him.

### Con Riley

Assists Chief Collig in arresting Paul Blum.

## Key lines

> He said he had to catch a train, as he was going to be married, and some of his friends in the village were trying to hold him back, as a practical joke

Blum claimed he needed to catch a train because he was getting married and his friends were playing a prank to delay him.

_Frank recounts Blum's deceptive story to his father._

> He got seasick and Joe knocked the gun out of his hand. Then we tackled him.

Blum became seasick, allowing Joe to disarm him, and together they subdued him.

_Frank explains how they captured Blum._

> Why, that must have been what he threw overboard. He took something out of his pocket and tossed it over the side of the boat while we were fighting with him.

Frank realizes Blum threw the counterfeit money overboard during the struggle.

_Frank deduces the fate of the counterfeit bills._

> Any counterfeit money I passed, I got from someone else. I'm not in that game.

Blum claims he received the counterfeit money from another person and denies being a counterfeiter.

_Blum tries to deflect blame._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/xiii-paul-blum
- 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