The Case of Buried Treasure Chapter 7

     The DTB Cousins' relationship with the police was patterned after the relationship that the Hardy Boys had with the local police. We were young and naive enough not to realize that real police officers probably wouldn't give much credence to what a few ten-year old boys had to say if they called up the station asking for "backup." Of course, the DTB Cousins didn't just have a connection on the local police force, they were on a first name basis with the police chief himself. Chief Harper appears in most (if not all) of the original DTB mysteries we wrote. He was loosely based on Ron Harper, a friend of my parents who was a real police chief. Of course, he had no idea that he played such a crucial role in these literary masterpieces. Enjoy.

Chapter VII - Arrested

"We're lucky they left the equiptment," said Troy.

"Yeah, but they took the map," said Brad.

"They are probably looking for that treasure right now," said Darin.

"Don't think about that," said Brad. "We got to be thinking of how to escape."

They thought hard. Finally Troy came up with a great idea.

Brad was tied to a weaker one. He shoved against it as hard as he could. He tried again and finally the stump of it broke. Brad could walk around but their was still a stalagmite tied on his back. He waddled over to the shovel. Then he rubbed the rope that tied his hands on the sharp tip of the shovel. Finally the rope snapped.

Then he ran over and untied Troy and Darin.

"I better radio Cheif Harper," said Darin. "We'll need some help."

While Darin radioed Cheif Harper, Brad and Troy picked up the equipment. They waited until the police came. Then the DTB Cousins and the policemen raced down the tunnel.

The crooks heard the footsteps and hid behind some boulders just as the DTB Cousins and the police burst into the cavern.

"Where are they?" asked Cheif Harper.

"There they are," yelled Troy.

The robbers jumped up and tore down the back entrance tunnel with the police hot on their trail.

As the policemen chased the crooks from tunnel to tunnel, the DTB Cousins started digging up the treasure. The DTB Cousins dug and dug. Finally, Troy's shovel hit metal.

The DTB Cousins uncovered a valuable chest covered with diamonds and jewels. Brad opened the chest and they found millions of dollars worth of coins, gold and silver pieces.

Troy stayed and gaurded the chest while Brad and Darin ran off to tell the police. When they reached the main corridor, Brad and Darin stared in astonishment as the crooks raced toward them with daggers in their hands and the police right behind.

Darin yelled, "We are between them and the stairs and they will stop at nothing. Duck down."

Right as Darin and Brad ducked, the crooks crashed into their backs and went flying into the steps. The police came over and congratulated them and arrested the crooks.

As the crooks were being handcuffed and taken off to jail, Darin and Brad took Chief Harper over and showed him the valuable treasure that they found.