# Frank Hardy — The Secret of the Caves character guide > Frank Hardy in The Secret of the Caves by Franklin W. Dixon. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Frank, Miss Todd Frank Hardy **First appearance:** 0000-i-overboard ## Snapshot The steadier Hardy brother, whose flashlight fails in the blackness of a cave and sends him plunging into a pit while his friends listen helplessly above. ## Who they are Frank takes the lead when the boys climb after the raving Captain Royal, and it is his voice that tries reason while rocks tumble down the path. He is the planner of the pair, the one who keeps his head when Joe's impulses surge — until a dead flashlight and a hidden crevice turn him from rescuer into the one who must be rescued. His disappearance in the cavern's depths drives the middle of the book, forcing his brother and friends to search a darkness that seems to have swallowed him whole. ## Relationships ### [Joe Hardy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters/joe_hardy) _family_ Frank and Joe are brothers and the main detective duo, working closely together on mysteries. ### [Captain Royal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters/captain_royal) _professional_ Captain Royal is a local boat captain who frequently assists the Hardy boys on their investigations. ### [Chet Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters/chet_morton) _friendship_ Chet Morton is Frank's close friend and frequent companion, often joining in on investigations. ### [Miss Evangeline Todd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters/miss_evangeline_todd) _social_ Miss Evangeline Todd is an acquaintance of Frank Hardy, involved in the mystery surrounding the caves. ### [Biff Hooper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters/biff_hooper) _friendship_ Biff Hooper is a friend and ally of Frank Hardy, often helping with physical tasks. ### [Carl Schaum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters/carl_schaum) _rivalry_ Carl Schaum is a suspect and antagonist who opposes Frank Hardy during the mystery. ### [Todham Todd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters/todham_todd) _social_ Frank Hardy interacts with Todham Todd as part of the investigation into the caves. ### [Mr. Simms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters/mr_simms) _professional_ Mr. Simms is a local businessman or official who interacts with Frank Hardy during the case. ### [Joe Hardy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters/joe_hardy) _family_ Frank and Joe are brothers and the main detective duo, working closely together on mysteries. ### [Joe Hardy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters/joe_hardy) _family_ Frank and Joe are brothers and the main detective duo, working closely together on mysteries. ### [Captain Royal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters/captain_royal) _professional_ Captain Royal is a local boat captain who frequently assists the Hardy boys on their investigations. ### [Miss Evangeline Todd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters/miss_evangeline_todd) _social_ Miss Evangeline Todd is an acquaintance of Frank Hardy, involved in the mystery surrounding the caves. ## In the story ### [I: Overboard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/i-overboard) At the wheel of the Sleuth, Frank is a tall, dark, handsome sixteen-year-old amateur detective. He drives the boat during the race and leads the rescue effort after the explosion. ### [The Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/ii-the-rescue) Pilots the Sleuth and assists in rescuing the woman. ### [Miss Todd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/iii-miss-todd) Frank pilots the Sleuth back to Bayport, helps rescue Miss Todd, and brings her to his father. ### [Concerning Todham Todd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/iv-concerning-todham-todd) Discusses the missing professor's habits with Joe; receives a mock medal from Chet. ### [Plans for a Trip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/v-plans-for-a-trip) Proposes a motorboat trip and later approves the cave exploration plan. ### [The Missing Motorcycle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/vi-the-missing-motorcycle) Frank leads the group, races to the bikes first, and discovers his motorcycle is missing. ### [Carl Schaum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/vii-carl-schaum) Leads the chase, recovers the stolen motorcycle, and identifies Carl Schaum. ### [Strange Doings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/viii-strange-doings) Leads the group, asks the storekeeper for directions and supplies, decides to proceed despite warnings. ### [The Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/ix-the-storm) Leads the group, dismisses the fisherman's ghost talk, and is the first to notice Joe's disappearance. ### [The Cave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/x-the-cave) Leads the search for Joe and risks his life to rescue him by lowering himself over the cliff. ### [Footsteps in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xi-footsteps-in-the-night) Leads the group into the cave, discovers the pile of firewood, builds the fire, and speculates about the wood's origin. ### [A Disappearance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xii-a-disappearance) Leads the exploration, loses his flashlight, and falls into a pit, disappearing. ### [Stolen Supplies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xiii-stolen-supplies) Missing after falling into a pit; the focus of the rescue efforts. ### [Captain Royal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xiv-captain-royal) Rescued from a pit after falling and being knocked unconscious. ### [The Old Sailor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xv-the-old-sailor) Listens skeptically to Captain Royal's stories and mentions the previous night's visitor. ### [Go Away!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xvi-go-away) Observes Captain Royal's odd behavior and later connects the captain's phrase 'by jing' and untied shoelaces to Evangeline Todd's missing brother. ### [The Man on the Shore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xvii-the-man-on-the-shore) Speculates about Captain Royal being Todham Todd and plans to investigate. ### [The Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xviii-the-prisoner) Discovers Carl Schaum, ties him up, and interrogates him about the stolen provisions and motorcycle. ### [XIX: Clippings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xix-clippings) Investigates Captain Royal's cave and discovers the clippings and lecture manuscripts. ### [The Shotgun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xx-the-shotgun) Frank is caught by Captain Royal, tries to reason with him, and devises a plan to distract the captain so Joe can escape. He is nearly shot at the end of the chapter. ### [Over the Cliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xxi-over-the-cliff) Leads the pursuit of Captain Royal up the cliff, narrowly avoids being hit by a flour-loaded shotgun blast, and tries to reason with the mad captain. ### [In Swirling Waters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xxii-in-swirling-waters) Leads the rescue attempt, risking his life to save Captain Royal from the swirling waters. ### [Back to Bayport](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xxiii-back-to-bayport) Leads the rescue and medical efforts, insists on getting Captain Royal to a doctor, and arranges for expenses. ### [At the Hospital](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xxiv-at-the-hospital) Serves as spokesman for the group, recounting their adventure to his father and expressing hope that Captain Royal is Todham Todd. ### [The Last of Captain Royal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/chapters/xxv-the-last-of-captain-royal) Refuses reward, gives a speech at the banquet, receives a motion picture camera. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters/frank_hardy - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_the_caves_se/characters