The Second Girl Detective Megapack. Julia K. Duncan

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СКАЧАТЬ plump youth murmured enviously. “Still, I have a sneaking notion it won’t be as jolly as you think down there at Locked Gates.”

      “Then we’ll liven the place up,” Doris declared lightly.

      Dave drove rather slowly, for neither he nor the girls were eager to reach Rumson before the middle of the afternoon. Doris and Kitty had gone to great pains to prepare and pack a dainty lunch and the three planned to stop some place along the road for a picnic.

      The day was unpleasantly warm and sultry. As they took the main highway leading to Rumson, Doris glanced anxiously at the scattered clouds which were to be seen overhead.

      “I hope it doesn’t rain and spoil our picnic,” she said.

      “Oh, I don’t think it will,” Dave replied. “The sky is almost clear.”

      It was true that the sun was shining brightly, but the sky had a dull appearance which Doris did not like. However, as they motored along enjoying the scenery, she forgot the matter completely.

      “I’m beginning to get hungry,” Dave announced as it approached noon. “We may as well begin to look for a good place to stop.”

      Presently, Doris caught sight of an attractive grove of trees ahead.

      “That’s just the spot!” she declared. “Cool and shady and not too close to the road.”

      Dave parked the roadster just off the highway and they took the hamper over to the grove.

      “This is a dandy place,” Kitty approved. “I believe there’s a spring back there among the rocks.”

      Dave had been gazing thoughtfully toward a sign.

      “I’m not sure that we should have stopped here,” he said.

      “Why not?” Doris demanded quickly.

      “We seem to have camped pretty close to the entrance to the Glenville Roadhouse. However, we’re not on their property.”

      “What difference does it make?” Kitty asked innocently.

      “Well—” Dave hesitated. “This roadhouse doesn’t have much of a reputation, so I’ve been told.”

      “Perhaps we had better leave,” Doris suggested.

      “We have everything all spread out,” Kitty complained, “and this is the nicest grove we’ve passed. We’re not even within sight of the roadhouse.”

      “I don’t believe it will do any harm to stay here,” Dave agreed. “We’ll soon be on our way again.”

      They sat down and began to eat luncheon. There were thin sandwiches, ice-cold lemonade, salad, pickles, and some of Mrs. Mallow’s delicious cookies and cake. Long before they had finished, they realized that their imaginations had been more ambitious than their appetites.

      “I can’t eat another thing,” Kitty groaned.

      “It’s a shame to let these sandwiches go to waste,” Dave excused himself, selecting one made of chicken.

      “Bet you can’t take it all in one bite,” Doris dared him on.

      “A little thing like that? Just watch me! Why you’re not looking!”

      It was true that Doris was no longer interested. A red roadster had turned into the lane leading to the roadhouse, and she had caught a glimpse of the driver’s face.

      “It’s that same man we saw at the aviation meet!” she exclaimed. “Evidently, he intends to have luncheon at the roadhouse.”

      “Must not care much for his reputation,” Dave returned.

      “You know, I don’t like this place,” Doris said quietly. “Now that we’ve finished eating, let’s be on our way.”

      “Right-o!” Dave sprang up and began to pack the dishes into the hamper.

      As he placed the basket into the rear of the roadster he surveyed the sky and frowned slightly.

      “It’s beginning to look more like rain than it did,” he admitted. “I’m afraid we’d better make full steam ahead or we may get caught in a storm.”

      Kitty and Doris did not hear, for their attention had been attracted to a little brown dog which stood in the roadway regarding them with wistful, friendly eyes.

      “Oh, isn’t he cute!” Doris exclaimed. “Here, doggie! Come here!”

      The little animal first backed timidly away and then, as the girls continued to coax, hesitated, and finally came a few steps toward them, wagging his tail in a friendly way. As Doris stooped to pat him on the head he gave a pleased bark, and raising up on his hind legs, eagerly offered her his right paw.

      “He knows tricks,” Doris declared. “Oh, I wonder who owns him?”

      “Looks to me like a stray dog,” Dave told her. “He hasn’t any collar or license. The dog catcher will likely get him before long.”

      “Not if I can help it!” Doris declared. “If he doesn’t belong to anyone, we can take him with us.”

      “What will the Misses Gates say when you come dragging him in?” Dave asked with a smile.

      “Oh, they won’t care. He’s such a darling!”

      “What shall we name him?” Kitty questioned.

      “Let’s call him Wags,” Doris exclaimed impulsively. “The name seems appropriate.”

      Wags had no objection to entering the car and snuggled down comfortably between the two girls. With an anxious glance at the sky, Dave started the engine.

      “Looks like a big storm is rolling up,” he said.

      The girls had been so interested in Wags that they had paid scant attention to the clouds, but now as Doris looked about, she was alarmed. The air was oppressive and not a breath of wind was stirring. Heavy black clouds had loomed up in the west and rapidly were spreading over the entire sky.

      “I think I can get you to Locked Gates before it strikes us,” Dave said grimly, as he shifted gears and stepped heavily on the gas pedal. “Hold tight!”

      The roadster fairly shot down the road. As the figures crept upwards on the tape of the speedometer, Doris and Kitty clung to each other. Not until the car began to rock and weave on the road, did Dave reduce his speed and then only slightly. However, he held the roadster steady and handled the wheel with such a sure hand, that the girls had confidence in his driving.

      It was the appearance of the sky which frightened them. The sun had been entirely blotted from sight, and though it was mid-afternoon, it seemed nearly as dark as night. Dave snapped on the headlights.

      “I’ll get you to Locked Gates before the storm breaks,” he announced in relief as they rounded a sharp curve and came within sight of Rumson. “Fortunately, the place is right at the edge of town.”

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