The Second Girl Detective Megapack. Julia K. Duncan

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СКАЧАТЬ story of his life, but he had always seemed unwilling to offer any information.

      “Oh, I do wish Dave wouldn’t try any stunts!” Doris exclaimed as she watched the monoplane slowly circle above the Mallow residence. “Why, he’s dropped something!”

      As she spoke, she saw a piece of weighted paper fall from the plane. It struck the sidewalk a short distance away and before she could recover from her surprise, Jake had rushed to pick it up.

      “Here you are, Miss Doris,” he said, handing it to her. “I ’spects it’s a love note.”

      “If it is, it’s certainly a new way to get one!” Doris laughed.

      Trying not to show her excitement, she quickly scanned the message. It read:

      “Will stop in Saturday morning and take you to the big aviation meet in my roadster. Dave.”

      The monoplane continued to circle at a low altitude and Doris, upon reading the note, promptly waved her handkerchief in token of assent. She watched until the plane had vanished toward the eastern horizon.

      “Well, what was the meaning of all that pantomime?” Uncle Ward asked with an amused twinkle.

      “Dave’s going to stop for me Saturday and take me to the aviation meet in his roadster. I’m thrilled to death! I was hoping he’d ask me, but I was afraid he wouldn’t!”

      “So? Well, I’m glad he said roadster and not airplane,” Wardell Force grunted. “I don’t want you to go flying around with any student aviator.”

      “Dave is nearly through his course now, Uncle Ward, and he’s considered the best of all those who are studying at the field.”

      “That’s fine. And now that the excitement is over, we can get back to that discussion we were having. Perhaps we had better step into the den.”

      Soberly, Doris followed her uncle into the house. She realized that the discussion was to center about money, and hoped that nothing would interfere with her plan to spend the summer with Kitty. Once they were settled in the comfortable den, she showed him the letter she had received from her chum.

      “It shouldn’t cost very much just to spend a few weeks at a camp,” she declared. “I’m sure it isn’t a very expensive one.”

      Wardell Force did not reply immediately, but sat looking at the rug. At last he said:

      “I don’t like to deny you anything, Doris, but I’m afraid you don’t understand just how matters stand. Your carfare to this camp would cost considerable and of course you would need clothes.”

      “Just knickers and sport things.”

      “But they all cost money, Doris—a great deal more than you realize.”

      “I thought my inheritance would cover everything.”

      “Your money has been going very fast, my dear,” her uncle told her gently. “Your schooling has cost a great deal, and only today I received a letter saying that the tuition was to be doubled. Your music, too, has made deep inroads into your little fortune.”

      “I had no idea it was as bad as that,” Doris said soberly. “I suppose I could give up boarding school and my music lessons—though I’d rather go to work than stop my singing.”

      “I can’t let you give up your school or your music either, Dory. And I frankly admit, I hate to see you go into an office. You are much too young. You should have your good times now.”

      “But if I haven’t any money—”

      “You still have some, Dory. I am only telling you this, that you will understand the situation and be as careful of expenses as you can.”

      “I will,” Doris promised, “and I’ll start by giving up that camping trip. I suppose, though, I won’t get to see Kitty this summer—unless—”

      She broke off and her face lighted up.

      “I forgot the letter I received from the Misses Gates!” she finished. “Perhaps they offer the solution to all my troubles!”

      CHAPTER III

      A Prospective Visit

      Doris brought out the crumpled letter written by the Misses Gates which she had thrust carelessly into her pocket, and handed it to her uncle. Adjusting his glasses, he read it through and then sat thoughtfully stroking his hair.

      “What do you think of it?” Doris demanded.

      “Very strange indeed. But just how do you think this letter will help to solve your financial problems?”

      “Why, I thought perhaps I am to inherit some money.”

      Wardell Force folded the letter and returned it to his niece.

      “I hope for your sake that you are right, but I would advise you not to build up your hopes.”

      “Don’t you think I should go?”

      “I scarcely know what to say, Doris. I recall that years ago your mother had an older brother who for some reason or other left home to travel. He was a young man at that time. To the best of my knowledge he was never heard of again.”

      “How queer!”

      “Yes, as I remember, the members of the family were unwilling to talk of the matter.”

      “He didn’t leave because of some disgrace?”

      “Not as far as anyone knew. His leave-taking was shrouded in mystery.”

      “I never knew I had such an interesting relative!” Doris declared. “The Misses Gates must know more than that about him and I’m curious to learn what they may have to tell me. I wish I could go to Rumson and visit them this summer. May I?”

      “You really think you would enjoy it?”

      “Perhaps not, but it would be something to do. And then, of course there is a possibility that I am to inherit money. If only Kitty were going along, I know I’d have fun.”

      “But I don’t know anything about these women you are invited to visit, Doris.”

      “Oh, they must be nice,” Doris urged. “You can almost tell by their handwriting—it’s so refined.”

      Uncle Ward smiled. When his niece’s mind was made up, he seldom could hold out against her.

      “Very well,” he gave in reluctantly. “I suppose I must say you may go. Mind, I don’t feel entirely easy about it.”

      “Rumson isn’t very far away, Uncle Ward, and nothing could happen to me. Besides, Dave lives out that way, and he can sort of keep an eye on me.”

      “I don’t doubt but that he will do that, all right,” Mr. Force grunted. “I suspect he is your real reason for this trip.”

      “Honestly, I never СКАЧАТЬ