The Tower Treasure · Chapter
The Arrest explained
Perry Robinson confides in Frank and Joe Hardy that his father, Mr.
What happens
Perry Robinson confides in Frank and Joe Hardy that his father, Mr. Robinson, is the prime suspect in the Tower Mansion robbery. Mr. Robinson admits to knowing the safe combination accidentally and to having received $900 from an undisclosed source. Despite his protests of innocence, Hurd Applegate calls the police to have him arrested. The Hardy boys comfort Perry and later visit the Robinson family, where Mrs. Robinson and her daughters react with shock and grief.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Wrongful Accusation
Mr. Robinson is arrested based on circumstantial evidence and his refusal to disclose the source of the money, highlighting the tension between presumed guilt and actual innocence.
Family and Loyalty
Perry Robinson's fierce defense of his father and the emotional distress of the Robinson family underscore the theme of familial bonds under threat.
Characters to notice
- Frank Hardy
Frank listens to Perry's account and tries to reassure him that his father will be cleared.
- Joe Hardy
Joe offers consoling words to Perry and supports his brother in comforting the Robinson family.
- Perry Robinson
Perry is pale and shaken, defending his father's innocence and revealing that his father knew the safe combination accidentally.
- Hurd Applegate
Applegate insists on Mr. Robinson's guilt, calls the police, and orders his arrest despite the caretaker's pleas.
- Fenton Hardy
Mr. Hardy attempts to mediate, suggesting that more evidence might turn up before an arrest is made.
- Mr. Robinson
The caretaker maintains his innocence but cannot explain the source of the $900, leading to his arrest.
Key passages
“But everything looks pretty black against him,” said Perry, who was pale and shaken. “Unless your father can catch the real thief I’m afraid Dad will be blamed for it.””
Perry, visibly upset, fears that without Mr. Hardy finding the true culprit, his father will be held responsible.
Perry expresses his anxiety about the mounting evidence against his father.
“I got the money honestly—that’s all I can say about it.””
Mr. Robinson insists the money was obtained legitimately but refuses to elaborate further.
Mr. Robinson's cryptic answer deepens suspicion against him.
“You’re just clever enough to think up a trick like that, Robinson. You think that if you come to me now and admit you knew the combination I’ll believe that you are so honest that you couldn’t have committed this robbery. Very clever. But not clever enough.”
Applegate accuses Robinson of a calculated ploy to appear honest by confessing to knowing the combination.
Applegate dismisses Robinson's admission as a deceptive tactic.