The Hooded Hawk Mystery (The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories Series, Book 34)

New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1954. Reprint. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good. 7x5x0. Gretta, J. Clemens; [Wilson, George]. Carpentieri 1956A-4, with additional jacket from Carpentieri 1955A-2 (unclear which is original to this copy and which is supplied). Jacket edges a bit rubbed, rear hinge just beginning to weaken, ink owner stamp on recto of frontispiece. 1954 Hard Cover. 212 pp. Light brown tweed boards, dark brown titles, orange Gretta endpapers, frontispiece by George Wilson. The young detectives receive a trained peregrine falcon as a gift that involves them in an exciting mystery. Imagine their astonishment when the swift-flying falcon brings down a homing pigeon carrying two precious rubies! Startling events that ensue indicate the gems are a ransom that has been paid for the release of a kidnapped student from India, who had come to the United States to complete his education. But Tava, the son of a wealthy industrialist, is still being held captive. Hoping to find a clue to Tava's whereabouts, the Hardys try to track down the owner of the ruby-bearing pigeon. Their every move, however, is thwarted by the dangerous criminals not only involved in the kidnapping, but also in the large-scale smuggling of aliens from India to the United States. How Frank and Joe eventually outwit their adversaries climaxes this thrill-packed mystery adventure.