# XIX: The Rug Buyer explained — The Secret of the Old Mill

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

## What happens

Mrs. Hardy is tricked by a foreign rug buyer who pays her $800 in counterfeit bills for her Persian rug. The boys learn the details of the scam, and their visit to the police station reveals Chief Collig and Detective Smuff are more interested in pinochle than pursuing the case.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Trust

Mrs. Hardy is deceived by the rug buyer's plausible manner and counterfeit money, highlighting the ease with which trust can be exploited.

### Counterfeiting and Crime

The rug buyer passes $800 in counterfeit bills, directly linking the crime to the ongoing counterfeiting operation.

### Detective Work and Deduction

Frank and Joe analyze the scam and attempt to investigate, contrasting their diligence with the police's lack of effort.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Hardy

Returns from school to find Mrs. Hardy distressed; questions her about the rug sale and later visits the police station.

### Joe Hardy

Returns from school with Frank; expresses anger at the rug merchant and accompanies Frank to the police station.

### Mrs. Hardy

Victimized by the rug buyer; sold her Persian rug for $800 in counterfeit bills and is deeply upset by the loss.

### Chief Collig

Found playing pinochle with Detective Smuff; dismissively claims to be following clues but shows little effort.

### Detective Smuff

Playing pinochle with Chief Collig; reassures the boys he is working on the case but appears indifferent.

## Key lines

> Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.

Two days after the previous events, the counterfeiters' actions directly affected the Hardy household.

_Sets the stage for Mrs. Hardy's victimization._

> I gave it away.

I was tricked into giving it away for nothing.

_Mrs. Hardy's initial response to losing the rug._

> I guess there's no chance of seeing him back in two days with the rug he wanted to sell you.

It's unlikely the rug buyer will return as promised.

_Frank's realistic assessment of the situation._

> We're following up some clues

We are investigating leads.

_Chief Collig's dismissive response to the boys._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/xix-the-rug-buyer
- 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