The Uranium Mystery. Mary Adrian

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СКАЧАТЬ in need of combing, just as his dirty hands were in need of washing. As for his face, David could not make out what the man really looked like since he was wearing dark glasses. But he certainly hoped he would not ask for a room because he was not the type of person who stayed at the motel.

      David’s fears were soon relieved, however, for the stranger slouched down on one of the stools at the snack bar. “A cup of coffee and some doughnuts,” he said in a husky voice.

      “Yes, sir.” David hurried to fill the order.

      While the man ate, all eyes were turned on him. Mr. Russell, Laurie and Johnny stared at the back of the hunched-over figure, while David shifted uneasily from one foot to the other, waiting for him to finish eating. But he took his time, and then ordered another cup of coffee and more doughnuts.

      “You sure love doughnuts, mister, don’t you!” said David, to break the silence, which was getting him on edge. “I don’t blame you, either. I like them too, but that’s because they’re homemade. Mom makes the best doughnuts in town. Dad says that’s why he married her.”

      The stranger did not answer. He looked out of the window into the dark night and then said, “Got a single room left?”

      “Well, er, I don’t know, sir. I’ll have to see.” David walked over to the desk and looked at the chart of rooms.

      “You have a vacancy sign out there,” snapped the man. “So you must have a room left.”

      “Yes. I guess we have.” David’s voice sounded weak, for the man was leaning over him, and he could feel his breath on his cheek.

      Just then Mr. Russell broke the tension by saying, “Are you a stranger around these parts?”

      No answer from the man. He quickly wrote his name on the registration card and then snatched the key from David.

      “I’ll find my room,” he said. “I’ll pay you in the morning.” And with a slam of the screen door he left the office.

      David blinked his eyes and swallowed hard. “Gee, maybe I shouldn’t have rented him a room.”

      “I know what you mean,” said Laurie. “He gives me the creeps. Why, I can still feel goose pimples going up and down my back!”

      “Perhaps you had better call the state police,” suggested Johnny. “He might have robbed a bank, and they’re looking for him. I could swear he had a gun in one of his pockets.”

      “Do you really think so!” David’s eyes grew bigger and bigger, and his heart began to pound.

      “Now take it easy,” said Mr. Russell. “He’s probably not as bad as he looks. Of course, I will say he wasn’t very sociable. But he might have been hitchhiking for miles and felt so doggone tired that he didn’t care to talk.”

      “I hope you’re right,” answered David. Then he frowned, for doubts still entered his mind about the stranger.

      “There is really nothing to worry about,” continued Mr. Russell. “You’re doing a swell job running the motel. I know your mom and dad are going to be mighty proud of you.”

      A smile came to David’s freckled face. Mr. Russell made a boy realize that he was grown up. He only wished Laurie and Johnny felt that everything was all right, but Mr. Russell had not been able to convince them. They stood there with troubled expressions on their faces.

      Finally Laurie looked at the clock. It was half past nine. “Golly, I didn’t know it was that late. Mom won’t like our staying so long. We’d better go, Johnny.”

      “Ah, shucks, why do we always have to go to bed when things begin to get interesting,” answered Johnny. He gave a long sigh and slowly started toward the door. “See you tomorrow, David. If something pops during the night, just telephone and I’ll come right over.”

      “Sure thing,” answered David.

      “You can call on me, too,” said Mr. Russell. He got up from his chair and started to leave. “But I don’t think it will be necessary. All the rooms are taken, aren’t they?”

      “Yes,” answered David. “I’ll light the NO VACANCY sign now.” He followed Mr. Russell outside and watched him go to his room with a magazine tucked under his arm. Then he looked at the room that the stranger occupied. The shade was drawn, but the lamp in the front window burned brightly, and David could not help wondering what the rest of the night would bring. He felt certain it was going to be exciting and probably mysterious, too.

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