# A Plan of Action explained — The Secret of the Old Mill

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

## What happens

The Hardy boys receive praise for capturing Paul Blum, but counterfeit money continues to circulate in Bayport. Frank and Joe discuss their suspicions about the old mill and the three men living there, suspecting it may be a counterfeiting plant. They plan to visit the mill the next day to talk to Lester, the boy they rescued, hoping to learn the truth.

## Themes in this chapter

### Counterfeiting and Crime

The chapter focuses on the ongoing circulation of counterfeit money and the boys' investigation into the mill as a potential counterfeiting plant.

### Detective Work and Deduction

Frank and Joe use deductive reasoning to connect Paul Blum's escape route, the suspicious behavior at the mill, and the prevalence of counterfeit money in Bayport.

### Courage and Heroism

The boys' plan to investigate the mill despite potential danger demonstrates their courage and determination to uncover the truth.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Hardy

Frank proposes the theory that the old mill may be a counterfeiting plant and suggests talking to Lester to verify their suspicions.

### Joe Hardy

Joe agrees with Frank's plan and recalls the suspicious behavior of the men at the mill when they offered a reward.

### Fenton Hardy

Fenton Hardy shares information with the boys about Federal agents suspecting the counterfeiting plant is near Barmet village.

### Paul Blum

Paul Blum is safely in jail after being recaptured, but he refuses to talk about the counterfeit operation.

### Lester

Lester is the boy rescued by Joe; Frank and Joe plan to talk to him to learn about the mill's activities.

### Tony Prito

Tony Prito helped capture Paul Blum and is mentioned as part of the successful capture.

## Key lines

> “Those lads will be smart detectives yet,” more than one person was heard to remark.

People commented that the Hardy boys show promise as future detectives.

_Reflects the public recognition of the boys' detective skills after capturing Paul Blum._

> “It’s my idea,” said Frank, “that the counterfeiters have their plant right in this vicinity.”

Frank suggests the counterfeiting operation is located nearby.

_Frank's theory that the mill may be the source of counterfeit money._

> “There’s Lester.” “Lester?” “The boy we saved from drowning. We have him on our side anyway, I think.”

Frank reminds Joe that Lester, whom they rescued, might help them learn about the mill.

_The boys plan to use their connection with Lester to investigate the mill._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_mill_se/chapters/xvi-a-plan-of-action
- 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