The Secret of the Old Mill · Chapter
XX: A Note of Warning explained
Fenton Hardy receives an anonymous threatening note warning him to drop the counterfeit case.
What happens
Fenton Hardy receives an anonymous threatening note warning him to drop the counterfeit case. The note is delivered mysteriously to the door, and Mrs. Hardy finds it after hearing the bell. Despite her worries, Hardy dismisses it as a bluff. Frank and Joe later read the note and become convinced the counterfeiters are based in Bayport. They decide to investigate the old mill that night, with Joe planning to impersonate Lester to gain entry.
Themes in this chapter
Counterfeiting and Crime
The counterfeiters escalate their activities by sending a threatening note to Fenton Hardy, showing their desperation and criminal boldness.
Courage and Heroism
Frank and Joe decide to investigate the mill at night despite the risks, showing bravery and determination to help their father.
Deception and Trust
The boys plan to use deception by having Joe impersonate Lester to gain entry into the mill, trusting their own judgment over the police.
Characters to notice
- Fenton Hardy
Receives a threatening note warning him to drop the counterfeit case; dismisses it as a bluff but continues his investigation.
- Mrs. Hardy
Finds the anonymous note at the door and expresses concern for her husband's safety.
- Frank Hardy
Reads the warning note and decides with Joe to investigate the old mill that night, planning to use Joe's resemblance to Lester.
- Joe Hardy
Agrees to impersonate Lester during the night investigation of the mill; excited about the plan.
- Chet Morton
Goes cruising with the boys earlier; falls into the bay during an acrobatic attempt on the motorboat.
Key passages
“Better give up this counterfeit case or we’ll take the shirt off your back. We know this game too well. Let this be a warning to you. Poor Blum is a rank outsider. Better let him go.”
The note threatens Fenton Hardy to abandon the counterfeit investigation or face harm, and suggests that Paul Blum is not part of their inner circle.
The threatening note delivered to the Hardy home.
“That settles it! The counterfeiters must be right here in Bayport.”
Frank concludes that the counterfeiters are local because the note was hand-delivered rather than mailed.
Frank's deduction after reading the note.
“I think you should be able to impersonate him if we went around there at night. At a distance, and at night time, they might mistake you for him, even if we were discovered.”
Frank suggests Joe could pass for Lester in the dark due to their similar build and hair, helping them investigate the mill.
Frank's plan for the night investigation.