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diff --git a/old/60977-0.txt b/old/60977-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ff6df1c..0000000 --- a/old/60977-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7200 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Girl Scouts at Singing Sands, by -Mildred Augustine Wirt - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Girl Scouts at Singing Sands - -Author: Mildred Augustine Wirt - -Illustrator: Marguerite Geyer - -Release Date: December 20, 2019 [EBook #60977] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SINGING SANDS *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Sue Clark, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - [Illustration: “Come here quick! Tell me what you see.” - _Girl Scouts at Singing Sands_ (See page 82)] - - - - - _Girl Scouts - at - Singing Sands_ - - _BY_ - MILDRED A. WIRT - - _ILLUSTRATED_ - by MARGUERITE GEYER - - - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - _Publishers_ _New York_ - - - - - Copyright, 1955, by - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - - _All Rights Reserved_ - - GIRL SCOUTS AT SINGING SANDS - - _Printed in the United States of America_ - - - - -CONTENTS - - - _Chapter_ _Page_ - - 1 Snug Down 5 - - 2 The Locked Door 18 - - 3 Hager’s Hole 29 - - 4 Night Sounds 36 - - 5 Song of the Flute 44 - - 6 The White Witch 52 - - 7 The Treasure Box 61 - - 8 Valuable Cargo 70 - - 9 “Is Joe There?” 79 - - 10 A Midnight Disturbance 88 - - 11 Spell of the Cave 96 - - 12 The Private Road 103 - - 13 The Missing Key 113 - - 14 A Familiar Face 123 - - 15 Judy’s Mistake 132 - - 16 Another Disturbance 141 - - 17 Smoke in the Woods 150 - - 18 An Urgent Call 159 - - 19 The Hide-Out 168 - - 20 Treachery 176 - - 21 Trucker’s Welcome 183 - - 22 Descent into the Cave 192 - - 23 The Siphon 200 - - 24 Help from Captain Hager 207 - - 25 Court of Honor 214 - - - - -_Chapter 1_ - -SNUG DOWN - - -Twilight was creeping up Old Baldy Mountain as the dusty station wagon -turned in at the private road leading to Pine Cone Girl Scout Camp. - -In the front seat beside the driver, Miss Louise Ward, troop leader, -twisted sideways to smile at the six girls who rode directly behind. -All were attired in the neat, green uniform of the organization, but -each member of Beaver Patrol, it seemed, wore her dark green beret at a -different angle. - -“We’ll soon be there now, girls,” the troop leader remarked. “Pine Cone -is lovely. We should have a grand vacation.” - -“I suppose it’s too late for a swim this afternoon,” remarked Judy -Grant. She was one of the newest members of the patrol, a pleasant, -dark-haired girl with saucy brown eyes and a ready wit. - -“I’m afraid that by the time we’re snug down in our tents, it will -be supper time,” the teacher replied, looking at her wrist watch. -“Besides, we’re all rather tired after driving from Fairfield.” - -“I’ll be ready for chow whenever it comes,” declared plump, -good-natured Ardeth Padgett. “This invigorating pine air has given me a -tremendous appetite.” - -“Given it to you?” teased Beverly Chester. “I’d say you always had it!” - -The remark was made and accepted in fun. Nevertheless, Beverly had a -quick tongue which occasionally annoyed even her best friends. At one -time, the dark-haired eighth grader had been leader of the patrol. -However, during the previous winter, an unfortunate skiing incident had -caused her to become conscious of her personality handicap, and she had -insisted upon turning the post over to Kathleen Atwell. - -Kathleen was considered one of the most level-headed girls in the -organization. A natural leader, she always was thoughtful of others and -had a way of getting things done with a minimum of fuss. - -The other patrol members were Betty Bache, who wore her sandy hair in -a short boyish bob, and Virginia Cunningham, an excellent athlete. -Judy had nicknamed the three girls the “A-B-C’s” because of their last -names--Atwell--Bache--Cunningham. - -All the girls lived in the little city of Fairfield, some distance -from Old Baldy Mountain. Throughout Spring, they had worked very hard -to save enough money for an outing at the official Girl Scout Camp on -Morning Glory Lake. Now, as the station wagon turned into the private -road, they felt that they were indeed at the threshold of a wonderful -adventure. - -“Our arrival here is somewhat different from the one last winter when -we trudged into Maple Leaf Lodge,” Virginia Cunningham commented, -grinning at the recollection. “Remember?” - -“Can one ever forget?” chuckled Judy. Contentedly, she drew a deep -breath of the pine laden mountain air. “No one to meet us ... a -dreadful snow storm ... the lodge closed ... and that horrible -caretaker!” - -“A Scout camp is different, I promise you,” Miss Ward assured the -girls. “Everything is carefully planned. Nothing ever is left to -chance. We should be there any minute now.” - -Eagerly, the girls leaned forward in their seats, striving for the -first glimpse of the clear blue lake which they knew would soon be -visible through the tall, stately pines. On either side of the curving -road, they saw rustic signs pointing out interesting trails. - -“There it is!” suddenly cried Betty Bache. - -To the right, the girls caught a flash of blue water. A moment later, -as the station wagon rounded another curve, they saw the camp itself, a -cluster of tents, with main lodge and dining hall. - -The station wagon pulled up at an office near the entrance gate. -Everyone scrambled out, unkinking cramped legs. As the girls helped the -driver unload dunnage, Miss Ward went inside to register the patrol. -She was gone a long while. When finally she rejoined the group, it was -evident by the expression of her face that something had gone wrong. - -“Girls, I hate to tell you this--” she began apologetically. - -“Don’t say we aren’t to stay!” exclaimed Beverly Chester. “That would -be the last straw!” - -“We’re staying,” the teacher replied. “However, there’s been a mix-up -on reservations. Another patrol, which wasn’t expected until next week, -arrived ahead of time.” - -“Then there’s no place for us?” Kathleen asked. - -“Miss Lubell, the camp director, is extremely upset about it. One tent, -which sleeps four, is available. If we can make out with that for -tonight, more satisfactory arrangements probably can be completed by -tomorrow.” - -“There are seven of us,” Beverly pointed out. - -“The more the merrier!” declared Judy cheerfully. “I don’t mind being -crowded for a night or two. For that matter, it’s warm enough to sleep -out under the trees. We’ll get along fine.” - -“Of course,” added Kathleen heartily, “Scouts aren’t softies.” - -“I knew you’d feel that way about it,” Miss Ward said, pleased by the -willingness of the girls to accept inconvenience. “Miss Lubell is -taking me in with her, so that will make only six for the tent.” - -After registration had been completed, the girls were shown to their -temporary quarters. They stowed their dunnage, spread their blankets -and changed into informal camp clothes. Carefully reading the rules -posted on a bulletin board, they learned that they would have only a -half hour until the evening meal would be served. - -“Let’s see the beach at least,” Virginia proposed. “We have a few -minutes free time.” - -A walk led down a gentle slope to Morning Glory Lake, a deep bowl of -deep blue, edged with a ruffle of green forest. The beach had been -cleared of stones and sticks, extending for a long distance. There was -a roped off area for safe swimming, as well as a dock to which were -tied a sailboat and two rowboats. - -Judy bent down to test the water with her finger. “Cold,” she reported -with a laugh. “It’s just as well, I guess, because otherwise, I’d be -tempted to leap in, clothes and all!” - -The girls of Beaver Patrol met the waterfront director, their unit -leader and several counselors. Members of other patrols and troops -came by to chat and to provide scraps of information relative to camp -routine. - -Several of the Beaver Patrol girls were inspecting the outdoor ovens -when the unit leader approached the group. - -“I’m looking for Judy Grant,” she said. - -“Here I am,” Judy said, separating herself from the other girls. She -could not guess why she had been singled out for attention. - -“I have a telegram for you. It came only a moment ago from the village.” - -“A telegram?” Judy repeated. She was startled, and stood staring at -the yellow envelope which the unit leader offered. - -A half dozen fears assailed her. Her father or mother might have -been taken unexpectedly ill! Perhaps her brother Ted had suffered an -accident! At the very least, something must have gone wrong at home, -and now it might be necessary for her to return to Fairfield before the -vacation really started. - -“Well, Judy, why don’t you open it?” Virginia demanded. “Don’t look so -scared.” - -“This is the first telegram I ever received,” Judy replied, a bit -shakily. - -Ripping open the envelope, she scanned the message. Her chubby face -with its splattering of freckles became a study as she read. - -“Bad news?” Betty Bache finally asked. - -“No, not exactly. It’s from Aunt Mattie.” - -“I don’t recall having heard you speak of her,” remarked Virginia. - -“Aunt Mattie is a character. She’s coming here for two weeks.” - -“To the Scout Camp?” Beverly inquired. - -“Oh, no! Only to the resort area.” Judy folded the telegram and placed -it in the pocket of her slacks. “Aunt Mattie, as usual, must have -acted on impulse. Anyway, she wants me to find her a nice cottage with -reasonable rent.” - -“And you haven’t a bed to call your own!” chuckled Kathleen. “From -what I’ve heard, space is at a premium in this locality.” - -“That’s right,” agreed Ardeth. “I noted as we drove up the mountain, -that there were no vacancies anywhere. Everything seemed to have been -taken.” - -“I saw one place for rent,” Virginia informed the group. “Remember that -sign that said: ‘To Calico Cave?’” - -“Yes, I noticed it particularly,” nodded Judy. “I was wondering if -Calico Cave is only a name, or if the road leads to a real cave.” - -“A cottage that looked practically new stood on the opposite side of -the road,” Virginia went on. “It was rather cute, I thought. At any -rate, a signboard in the yard said the place was for rent. A real -estate man’s name was given, but I didn’t make note of it.” - -“That cottage may be just the ticket!” Judy declared. “I’ll talk to -Miss Ward, and if she says I may, I’ll try to rent the place tomorrow.” - -Actually, it was nearly noon the next day before the girls gave further -thought to Aunt Mattie’s housing problem. Camp routine absorbed them -completely. There were so many fascinating things to do, so many -interesting places to explore, that they neither desired nor sought -permission to leave Pine Cone. - -A brisk swim in the lake preceded breakfast, and after the camp work -was done, there were classes in nature lore and first aid. - -At luncheon, however, Judy broached the problem that was on her mind, -showing Miss Ward the telegram. - -“I’m sure Aunt Mattie wouldn’t have made the request, if she had -realized how difficult it is to obtain cottages here,” she apologized. - -“Why, I think it’s nice your aunt is coming,” Miss Ward replied. “Of -course we’ll help her find a place. _A Girl Scout’s duty is to be -useful and to help others._” - -“That’s law three,” Judy said with a relieved grin. “I just didn’t want -to put anyone to the trouble of having to take me to the village. Aunt -Mattie’s good fun, and I’ll love having her near.” - -Later that afternoon the Scout leader arranged for all the girls in the -Beaver Patrol to ride down the mountain to the little town of Milburn, -a railroad and tourist center. - -“I may as well tell you the bad news,” Miss Ward remarked regretfully -as the camp station wagon rolled smoothly around the curves. “You’ll be -crowded into a single tent for another night or two. Miss Lubell tried, -but wasn’t able to make other arrangements.” - -“Oh, it wasn’t half bad last night,” Kathleen returned. “We’ll manage.” - -“Of course,” added Judy cheerfully. - -By this time, the station wagon approached a crossroad which bisected -the main highway nearly at a right angle. - -“There it is!” Ardeth cried, rolling down the car window. “The road to -Calico Cave! That cottage Virginia noticed is on the other side of the -highway, perched up on a slope among the trees. See it?” - -“I do!” cried Judy. “Why, it’s a darling little cottage! I’m sure Aunt -Mattie would love it--if the rent isn’t too high.” - -“All rents are sky high in this area,” Beverly Chester warned. “I’ll -bet they’re asking a small fortune for the place. Probably that’s why -it’s vacant.” - -“Anyway, it will do no harm to inquire,” Judy said. As the station -wagon halted for a moment, she jotted down the name of the real estate -agent, who offered the cottage for rent. - -Twenty minutes later the girls were in Milburn, standing at the door of -the Timothy F. Krumm Realty Co. office. - -Mr. Krumm was busy making entries in a book, but he laid aside his -pen as the Scouts approached his cluttered desk. He was a baldish, -middle-aged man with a nervous habit of moistening his lips. - -Judy introduced the group, and mentioned her interest in the cottage -which was for rent. Timidly, she inquired the rental price. - -“Let’s not talk about price,” Mr. Krumm said briskly. “First, I want -you to see Calico Cottage. Five beautiful rooms, including kitchen, -fully equipped, and a tiled bath with hot and cold running water. A -collosal bargain! And you’ll not find another cottage vacant within six -miles of Morning Glory Lake.” - -Judy glanced uneasily at Miss Ward and remained silent. She very much -feared that “the bargain” would be offered at a price too steep for -Aunt Mattie’s modest pocketbook. - -“Well, I don’t know,” she began doubtfully. “My aunt isn’t prepared to -pay a very high rental--” - -“Give that detail no thought,” Mr. Krumm insisted. “I’ll run you up -there in my car. If you like the cottage--and you’ll be crazy about -it--we can come to terms.” - -Almost before she could think, Judy was escorted to the realtor’s car -which was parked at the curb. Miss Ward, Virginia and Ardeth also -decided to accompany them, while the others elected to wait in the -village. - -During the swift ride up the mountain road, Mr. Krumm talked endlessly, -extolling the virtues of the cottage he hoped to rent. - -“It’s a classy little place,” he told the girls. “Brand spanking new! -You’ll not find a snappier cottage anywhere in the area.” - -“But the rental--” Judy began again. - -“Now don’t try to get the cart before the horse,” Mr. Krumm interrupted -once more. “Just hold your ponies until you see the cottage.” - -Soon the car drew up amid the tall pines, in a lonely but lovely -section of the forest. Mr. Krumm went ahead to remove the front door -key from beneath an over-sized rubber “Welcome” mat on the porch. He -unlocked the door. - -“No neighbors hereabouts to bother one,” he asserted, stepping aside so -that the girls might enter. “You’ll find everything in apple-pie order. -Two airy bedrooms. Good mattresses. Nice draperies. Everything the very -best--top hole!” - -“It seems a bit musty,” Miss Ward commented. - -“Oh, the place needs an airing,” Mr. Krumm replied, quickly raising the -windows. “You know how it is after a cottage has been closed for a long -while.” - -“A long while?” the teacher repeated. “Then you’ve had no recent -renters?” - -“That was a slip of tongue, a mere figure of speech,” the real estate -man said carelessly. “You like the place?” - -“It is attractive,” Judy said after completing a quick inspection of -the kitchen. “My aunt though, will be alone. She requires only one -bedroom. So I’m afraid the rent may be too high.” - -“Tell you what! I’ll make you a special offer,” Mr. Krumm said, eyeing -the girl shrewdly. “That is, I will if you’ll agree that the cottage -will be occupied for the full period of the rental. Say, fifty dollars?” - -“A week?” - -“For the two weeks. You can’t say that isn’t a generous offer. Rents -are high at Morning Glory Lake.” - -“It’s a very reasonable rental, I’m sure,” Judy agreed. “There isn’t -anything--wrong with the place?” - -Mr. Krumm drew himself up haughtily. “What an idea! I take a shine -to you girls and offer you a real bargain. Then you think there’s -something wrong with the cottage! You think I’m pulling a fast one, -handing you a cabbage!” - -“I’m sorry,” Judy apologized hastily. “My question wasn’t tactful. The -cottage is beautifully furnished. If Miss Ward says it is all right, -I’ll take it.” - -“Your aunt should be quite comfortable here,” Miss Ward replied after a -moment’s hesitation. - -“Fine!” Mr. Krumm approved. He whipped a receipt book from his pocket. -“Now if you’ll kindly pay in advance, we’ll close the deal on the spot.” - -Judy had brought only twenty-five dollars with her, but Miss Ward -advanced the remainder, knowing she would be repaid. Mr. Krumm then -handed over the key. Judy asked him if he would mind if the cottage -were put to use before the arrival of her aunt. - -“The rent’s paid, and the place is yours, for better or for worse,” the -realtor replied. “All I ask is that you don’t come running to me with -complaints, or a demand for a return of your money. The deal’s final.” - -“That’s understood,” Judy agreed. - -Having pocketed the fifty dollars, Mr. Krumm seemed eager to be away. - -“You may want to look the place over more carefully,” he said quickly. -“I have a pressing engagement in town. Suppose I have your friends pick -you up in the camp station wagon. Okay?” - -“Yes, that will be satisfactory,” Miss Ward replied. - -“Oh, by the way,” Mr. Krumm said, apparently as an after-thought. -“Better keep that door to the cellar locked.” - -“Door?” Judy repeated with misgiving. “I didn’t notice a door. Is there -a special reason--” - -Mr. Krumm did not wait for her to complete the question. The girls -were certain he heard and wished to avoid answering. At any rate, -without offering further information, he tipped his hat and hastened -down the weed-grown path to his car. - - - - -_Chapter 2_ - -THE LOCKED DOOR - - -Miss Ward and the Scouts watched Mr. Krumm drive away with mingled -feelings. Already they were wondering if they had made a mistake in -renting the cottage. - -“‘For better or for worse,’” Judy echoed the real estate man’s words. -“‘Final deal.’ It all has an ominous sound.” - -“Especially that remark about the locked door,” remarked Virginia. “But -the rent seemed so attractive.” - -“Anyway, it was the only place available,” Ardeth pointed out. “So why -worry?” - -Judy left the porch to inspect the foundation of the building. -Stooping, she ran an exploratory hand across the crumbling mortar -between the bricks. - -“This cottage may be brand spanking new,” she remarked, “but the -building foundation certainly isn’t! Not that it matters, if the place -is comfortable.” - -“I’d like to know what Mr. Krumm meant about keeping the cellar door -locked,” Virginia said. “Let’s investigate.” - -However, before the girls could reenter the cottage, a milk delivery -truck rolled into the private drive. From the cab leaped a young driver -with reddish hair and a carefree smile. A frisky black and white -short-haired dog trotted at his heels as he came over to the porch with -a wire rack filled with milk bottles. - -“Good afternoon,” he said politely, doffing his white cap. “I see you -are moving in. Will you be needing any milk or cream?” - -“I’ll take a quart of milk,” Miss Ward decided, selecting a bottle from -the rack. - -“How about regular delivery?” - -“We’ve rented the cottage for my aunt, who won’t be here for a day or -two,” Judy explained. “If you’ll drop by later on, I’m certain she’ll -sign up.” - -“Cloverleaf supplies the best,” the young man said. “My name, by the -way, is Bart Ranieau.” - -“You must be of French descent,” Miss Ward remarked. - -“My father came from France, but I inherited my red hair and my temper -from my mother. I’m a mixture--like Pete here.” - -The cheerful milkman indicated the little dog that was sniffing at -Judy’s heels. - -“He’s real cute,” she declared, patting him. “You call him Pete?” - -“He’s mine only by adoption,” Bart replied. “He kept following my -truck, so finally I let him ride. Now he sticks like a burr. Never -could find his owner.” - -Picking up the rack of bottles which he had set down on the porch, the -young milkman turned to leave. Directing his remark at Judy, he said in -an offhand way: “Your aunt is the hardy type, I hope. Not the kind that -worries about strange noises?” - -“We-ll,” Judy replied, startled by the odd question. “Aunt Mattie is -inclined to be nervous. Is there any reason why she should worry about -this place?” - -“Oh, the cottage is okay so far as I know,” Bart answered evasively. -“I’d be the last person to run it down, particularly when Old Krumm is -so desperate for a renter.” - -“Desperate? Oh, dear, we thought it was just the opposite!” - -“That you were getting a bargain?” - -Judy nodded miserably. “Now it proves to be a lemon!” - -“I didn’t say that!” the milkman corrected her. “And the cottage _is_ a -bargain for anyone hardy enough to stay here.” - -“But what’s wrong with the place?” Judy demanded. - -“Maybe your aunt won’t find anything out of the way,” Bart said, edging -off with his rack of bottles. “I shouldn’t have said a word. Old Krumm -would have a fit if he knew I’d so much as opened my kisser.” - -“Those noises--” - -“Forget ’em. Forget I said a thing. You can take my word for it, -there’s nothing really harmful or dangerous about Calico Cottage.” - -The Scouts followed Bart and his dog down the walk, trying to learn -more. But the young milkman obviously was in retreat. With a friendly -wave of his hand, he sprang into the delivery wagon and with Pete at -his side drove off. - -“There _is_ something wrong with this cottage!” Judy declared with firm -conviction. “That young man spoke of strange noises.” - -“Maybe they have a connection with that locked door Mr. Krumm -mentioned,” Ardeth said. “Judy, I think you’ve rented a house with a -mystery!” - -“If that’s all that’s wrong with it, I’ll be pleasantly surprised!” -Judy responded, her voice grim, “I wish I could get my money back.” - -“No chance of that, I’m afraid,” commented Miss Ward. “Mr. Krumm -warned us the deal was final. He may have taken advantage of us. That -remains to be seen.” - -“Let’s really inspect the cottage,” Virginia proposed. “Mr. Krumm -purposely took us through at a whirlwind pace, so we wouldn’t notice -too much.” - -Dejectedly, the girls trooped into the cottage. The living room was -pleasant enough with a rug on the floor, a slightly musty-smelling -davenport, chairs, a good reading light and attractive red calico -curtains at the windows. - -Bedrooms also were well furnished and ample wardrobe space had been -provided. Water ran rusty from the kitchen tap when Judy turned it on. - -“Apparently, the cottage has been empty a long while,” she remarked. “I -guess Mr. Krumm tagged me for an easy mark all right!” - -“If you were taken in, so was I,” said Miss Ward. “All the same, I -can’t for the life of me see very much wrong with this place.” - -“Let’s inspect the kitchen,” Virginia urged. “Probably the drain won’t -work.” - -The sink proved to be an attractive new unit with shiny faucets and an -unmarred enamel finish. Judy, testing the drain, found that it worked -perfectly. - -Ardeth had turned her attention to the big electric refrigerator. When -she plugged in the cord, the machinery began to hum. - -“Nothing out-of-order here,” she reported. - -Miss Ward meanwhile, quietly had been checking the kitchen doors. One -opened onto a back porch and another into a storage room. The third -one, which apparently led down to the cellar, was locked. - -She turned the knob and rattled it a couple of times. - -“Any key?” Judy inquired. - -“None in the door.” - -“Why do you suppose it’s kept locked?” Ardeth speculated. “Is there -any reason why we shouldn’t inspect the cellar? After all, it’s part of -the cottage.” - -“In a way, it isn’t,” Judy remarked. “I’m certain from examining the -foundation of this place, that the cottage was built on an old base.” - -“I don’t see anything so mysterious about a locked cellar door,” -Virginia asserted, losing interest. “Like enough, the basement is damp -and musty. So Mr. Krumm advised keeping the door locked.” - -“Why should he tell us to keep it locked, when we have no key with -which to open it?” Ardeth demanded. She was struck by an intriguing -thought. “Say, maybe that key is here somewhere!” - -“I know I’m not going to waste time searching for it,” Judy declared. -“I am a bit worried though, about that milkman’s reference to strange -noises. I wish I could be sure the cottage is all right before Aunt -Mattie moves in.” - -“There is a way,” Miss Ward returned. “We could sleep here for a night. -In fact, it would relieve the congestion at Pine Cone Camp. We might -try it tomorrow night.” - -“Why not?” cried Virginia enthusiastically. “It would be fun!” - -“We could stock the cottage larder and have everything ready for your -aunt when she comes, Judy,” added Ardeth with equal zest for the -proposal. “How about it?” - -“I’d like to stay,” declared Judy. “It will give us a chance to learn -if anything is wrong with the cottage.” - -The girls remained on the premises another half hour. By the time they -were ready to return to Pine Cone Camp, their friends drove up in the -station wagon. - -“At least Mr. Krumm relayed our message,” Ardeth said, as she climbed -into the car. “Maybe he isn’t such a bad egg after all.” - -From Calico Cottage, the station wagon followed a smooth pavement which -wound in easy curves up the mountain. At a lookout point, the driver -halted briefly to permit the girls to obtain a view of the distant -peaks and valleys. They went on again, but presently were stopped by a -forest ranger, whose green car was parked at the roadside. - -“What have we done now?” Beverly Chester muttered uneasily. - -The ranger greeted the campers courteously, dropping a handful of -literature into Miss Ward’s lap. - -“Welcome to Old Baldy Mountain,” he said. “This entire area is a -national forest preserve. You’re staying at Pine Cone Camp?” - -“Yes, we arrived last night,” Miss Ward replied. - -“Girl Scouts always are careful about starting fires,” the ranger -continued. “I wish other visitors here were as cooperative. You’re -familiar with the regulations. The most important one is never to start -a fire except in the designated places. You’ll find them all marked on -the forest map.” - -“We’ll be careful,” Miss Ward promised. - -“My name is Arthur Wentz,” the ranger ended his little talk. “If I can -be of service at any time, let me know.” - -Back at Pine Cone Camp a few minutes later, the girls found they had -just enough time for a brisk swim in the lake before dinner. - -Judy and Kathleen, who were good swimmers, were paired together. They -tried their skill on the diving board, watched a group of other Scouts -receiving instruction in Red Cross Life Saving, showered off and were -ready for a hot meal when it was served promptly at 5:30 p.m. - -Later, when all the girls had gathered for songs and a nature -talk in the main lodge room, Miss Lubell mentioned a plan whereby -all interested patrols would take part in a competitive first-aid -expedition. - -“It will work like this,” she related. “Arrangements have been made -for a forest patrol plane to drop messages to the various Scout groups -which will scatter over the mountainside. The notes will provide -fictional location of a plane crash. The patrols are to proceed as -quickly as possible to the site of the crash, administer first aid and -summon help. There will be an award for the patrol which accomplishes -its mission first and with the most skill.” - -“If it’s all to be imaginary, how will we give first aid?” Betty Bashe -asked in a puzzled tone. - -“Everything will be worked out carefully,” Miss Lubell replied, with -a smile. “Although the crash is to be imaginary, counselors will be at -the secret site selected. Notes pinned on their clothing, will provide -clues as to the type of injury supposedly suffered. For example, one -counselor may have an imaginary broken arm. The unit reaching the scene -first, will be expected to care for the injuries exactly as if they -were real.” - -“Say, that will give us first class experience,” Kathleen declared -enthusiastically. “I hope Beaver Patrol wins!” - -Next day in camp the girls were given opportunity to brush up on -previous first aid training, and patrol leaders received maps of the -mountain area in the vicinity of Pine Cone Camp. - -Throughout the day, when not otherwise absorbed by camp activities, the -girls of Beaver Patrol pored over the map, thoroughly familiarizing -themselves with every road and trail. - -After lunch a telegram came for Judy from her Aunt Mattie Meadows, -announcing that she would arrive in two days at Milburn. - -“That doesn’t give us too long to prepare the cottage and make certain -that everything is satisfactory there,” Judy remarked, as she showed -Miss Ward the message. “Will we be permitted to stay at the cottage -tonight?” - -“I’ve talked it over with Miss Lubell,” the Scout leader replied. -“While she considers it irregular for any of the girls to remain away -from the camp, she realizes that through no fault of hers or ours, -one of the tents is badly overcrowded. So until that situation can -be corrected, she is granting permission for three of the girls, and -myself, to sleep at the cottage. We’ll prepare our own breakfasts -there, and then return here for the day’s program.” - -“We’re staying at Calico Cottage tonight then?” - -“Yes, Kathleen, as patrol leader, will remain here with Beverly and -Betty. Ardeth and Virginia will go with us to the cottage. The camp -station wagon will take us to Milburn where we can buy necessary -supplies. Then we’ll be deposited at Calico Cottage, and be picked up -again tomorrow morning.” - -The plan was acceptable to everyone, although Kathleen, Beverly and -Betty secretly were a bit disappointed that they were not to be -included in the party. - -“Never mind!” Miss Ward assured them. “Perhaps tomorrow night, we can -trade places.” - -At four o’clock, the station wagon came to take Miss Ward, Judy, Ardeth -and Virginia to the Village. Most of their luggage was left behind, but -each girl had packed a few essentials which would be needed for the -over-night stay. - -At Milburn, the Scouts sought a grocery store, there to make careful -purchase of a list of supplies they had worked out. As she paid for the -groceries, Judy remarked that they were to be used at Calico Cottage. - -“Calico Cottage?” repeated the woman who had waited upon her. “Don’t -tell me you’re staying at that place!” - -“Yes, we are for a few days,” Judy admitted. “I rented the cottage for -my aunt. Until she comes, a few of the Scouts plan to use some of the -bed space.” - -“You may like the cottage,” the woman replied. “No one could hire me to -stay there though!” - -“Why not?” Judy inquired, instantly alert. “What _is_ wrong with the -cottage?” - -“That’s what folks around here would like to know,” the woman replied -with an expressive shrug of her shoulders. “It’s close to Hager’s Hole -for one thing.” - -“Hager’s Hole?” - -“Some call it Calico Cave.” The clerk rang up the sale and packed the -groceries into sacks for convenient carrying. She did not seem inclined -to carry on the conversation. - -“Please tell us what you know about the cottage,” Judy requested -earnestly. - -“Really, I don’t know a thing. I shouldn’t have said a word. It’s just -that it seems sort of queer about the tenants.” - -“Did anything happen to them?” - -“Oh, no,” the woman answered. “But the last couple stayed only two -days. They moved out in the middle of the night. Since then Mr. Krumm -hasn’t been able to find another renter.” - - - - -_Chapter 3_ - -HAGER’S HOLE - - -The sun had lowered behind the spruce trees as the camp station wagon -unloaded three sober-faced Scouts and their leader at the doorstep of -Calico Cottage. - -“I’m not certain that we should stay here,” Miss Ward remarked -uneasily. “All this talk we’ve heard about the place makes me wonder if -I’m acting wisely to allow the group to remain overnight.” - -“And I’m worried about Aunt Mattie coming here,” Judy added. “I wish I -never had taken the cottage. We’ve rented a lemon, that’s certain.” - -The girls had been unable to glean any definite information from the -woman in the grocery store. However, her observation that other tenants -repeatedly had moved out, had filled them with misgiving. - -At Miss Ward’s suggestion, Judy had gone to Mr. Krumm to ask for a rent -refund. He had rejected the request, impatiently assuring her that -nothing was wrong with the cottage. - -“I thought Girl Scouts had nerve,” he lectured her. “What happens? You -hear a few busybodies passing gossipy remarks, and immediately jump to -false conclusions. When you rented the cottage I gave you a good price -on it with the understanding that you’d stick by the deal. Now you come -crying to me before you’ve spent even a night in the place.” - -“Girl Scouts do have nerve,” Judy had replied, carefully controlling -her temper. “We believe in being cautious though. And we don’t like to -be misled or cheated.” - -“It was your own proposition,” Mr. Krumm retorted. “You wanted the -cottage and you got it. I’m making no refund!” - -So now, as the three Scouts stood on the porch waiting as Miss Ward -unlocked the door, they were wondering what the night might bring forth. - -There was little conversation as the girls quietly set to work making -the cottage more liveable. Ardeth opened the windows to air out the -rooms. Virginia made up the beds, while Judy and Miss Ward put away the -groceries. - -“You’re not much worried about staying here tonight are you?” Judy -asked the leader as she stacked eggs in the refrigerator. - -“No. If I were, I’d take the girls back to Pine Cone Camp,” Miss Ward -replied. “Frankly though, I don’t like the things we’ve heard. I can’t -imagine why tenants would leave here suddenly unless--” - -“Calico Cottage may have a ghost,” Judy supplied with a nervous giggle. - -“Judy, we know there are no such things!” - -“Maybe by staying here we can disprove the rumors that have been -circulating,” Judy said soberly. “Now, if we could, that would be -performing a real service for Mr. Krumm.” - -An inspection of the cottage and the grounds immediately surrounding -it, proved reassuring. Save that a musty, damp odor lingered in the -dwelling even after rooms had been thoroughly aired, the girls could -detect nothing amiss. - -“Our telephone is connected,” Miss Ward reported. She had tested it by -calling Miss Lubell at Pine Cone Camp. “It’s reassuring to know that if -anything should go wrong, we’ll not be cut off from help.” - -“As we were last winter at Maple Leaf Lodge!” Judy added with a laugh. -“Remember how that man, who pretended to be a caretaker, cut the wires?” - -“And the exciting time we had at Penguin Pass with Monstro the -Snowman!” contributed Virginia, who had overheard the conversation. -“Those were the days!” - -“You speak as if our adventures are over,” chuckled Ardeth. “I have a -hunch we may have a few here at Calico Cottage before we’re through.” - -The three girls became thoughtful as they reflected upon a recent -skiing excursion to Maple Leaf Lodge on Candy Mountain. Judy, at the -time, had been a Tenderfoot Scout. However, she had proven her courage -and by passing difficult tests, had moved up in rank. - -For that matter, not only Judy, but the entire patrol had won the -admiration of villagers by the efficient manner in which the capture -of a dangerous criminal had been accomplished. This story of the Girl -Scouts’ meeting with a clever impersonator has been told in the first -volume of a series, entitled: “The Girl Scouts at Penguin Pass.” - -Judy and Ardeth peeled potatoes for the evening meal, set the table and -prepared a simple salad. - -“Anything more?” Judy then inquired. - -“Not for awhile,” Miss Ward replied. “The meat loaf will take at least -thirty minutes more in the oven. Then we’ll have dinner.” - -“Mind if Ardeth and I do a bit of exploring?” - -“Not if you’ll be back within half an hour.” - -“We will,” Judy promised. “Want to come along, Virginia?” - -“No, thanks, I’ll stay to help Miss Ward with last minute things,” she -decided. “Besides, I had enough hiking this morning.” - -Letting themselves out the screen door, Judy and Ardeth walked through -the aisle of tall trees to the main highway. Then, without any -discussion, they turned into the narrow private road, and struck off in -the general direction of Calico Cave. - -“No telling how far it may be,” Judy presently remarked. “Or whether -we can find it quickly. I simply have to see that place!” - -“Caves always fascinated me,” declared Ardeth, walking fast to keep up -with her friend. “I hope this one has stalactites.” - -For awhile, the girls walked directly into the setting sun. The road -was hemmed in on either side with stately evergreens which spiced the -air with a pleasant fragrance. Presently, hearing a sound behind her, -Judy looked back and was astonished to see a small dog following almost -at her heels. She halted to coax him to her. He wagged his stub tail, -and licked her hand affectionately. - -“Why, Ardeth, it’s Pete!” she exclaimed. - -“Not the milkman’s dog?” - -“It’s the same dog, I’m sure. Do you suppose he jumped off the milk -truck and is lost?” - -“He doesn’t act lost,” Ardeth rejoined as the animal started on ahead -of Judy. “In fact, he seems to know right where he’s going.” - -“Maybe we should catch him,” Judy said doubtfully. “He might get lost -in the woods.” - -The two Scouts started after Pete, but the faster they hurried, the -more distance the dog put between them. Now and then, he would pause to -look back and bark, as if to tell them that he thoroughly enjoyed the -game. - -Presently the weed-grown private road came to a dead-end in a loop -which permitted a car to turn around and retravel the route it had -come. A weather-beaten signboard read: “To Calico Cave,” its painted -arrow pointing up a rocky trail. - -“Come back here, Pete!” Judy called. “Why, you little scamp!” - -Paying not the slightest heed, the dog trotted up the trail. - -“He acts as if he’s been here before,” Ardeth observed. “Maybe he’s -trying to guide us to the cave!” - -“We really should turn back,” Judy said. “Oh, well, if we hurry, maybe -we’ll have time to take a quick peek at the cave.” - -Struggling up the sharp incline, the girls soon came to an opening amid -the tall bushes. To their right was an expanse of limestone rock, badly -eroded by the elements. - -“There it is! The cave!” Judy cried as she discerned a small, dark -opening. - -Pete had gone directly to the entrance and stood there, barking and -jerking his head, as if to beckon the girls. - -“That dog has been here before all right!” Judy declared. “Otherwise he -wouldn’t be so excited about the place.” - -With Ardeth close behind, she picked her way across the rocky path to -the projecting shelf. The cave opening was barely shoulder height and -not more than four feet wide. - -Curiously, Judy peered down into the dark interior. “It’s just a -narrow passage leading gradually into a deep endless hole,” she -reported. “I imagine though, that the cave may open up into a large -chamber somewhere below. Want to explore?” - -“You and your jokes!” - -Judy laughed and turned to leave. Ardeth however, crouched down to -direct her gaze into the opening. - -“I can hear water dripping,” she reported. “Say, why do you suppose the -name of this place was changed from Hager’s Hole to Calico Cave? Or are -they one and the same?” - -“Ask Pete,” Judy replied with a chuckle. “He seems to know more about -the place than we do.” - -She whistled to attract the dog’s attention, but he paid her no heed. -Even after she and Ardeth started down the path, he kept sniffing at -the cave entrance. - -“Come on, Pete!” Judy called impatiently. - -“Maybe he thinks he’ll find a rabbit down in that hole,” Ardeth -remarked. “I hate to leave him here alone. I’ve heard of dogs losing -themselves in caves.” - -“He’ll come in a minute or two,” Judy returned. “He’s only trying to -tease us.” - -Pete, however, did not follow the girls. At the bend of the path, they -looked back again. Even as they called to him, he barked and vanished -into the dark hole. - - - - -_Chapter 4_ - -NIGHT SOUNDS - - -“Why, that crazy Pete!” Judy cried as she saw the dog disappear into -the opening. “He went into the cave!” - -Worried lest the pet lose himself in the dark cavern, the girls quickly -ran back to the shelf of projecting rock. - -Anxiously, Judy peered into the deep, rather terrifying hole. - -“Pete!” she called. “Pete! Come back here!” - -The little dog could not be seen, but the girls heard a muffled, -answering bark. It seemed to come from far down in the bowels of the -rock. - -“He’s a long distance in,” Judy said anxiously. “What’ll we do, Ardeth? -Go after him?” - -“No, we don’t dare,” the other decided. “It’s dangerous to explore -caves without taking precautions. Besides, Miss Ward is expecting us at -the cottage.” - -“Pete may never find his way out. That’s what worries me.” - -The dog’s smothered bark gradually faded until no sound could be -heard. Thrusting head and shoulders into the hole, Judy tried again to -catch a glimpse of the truant pet. - -“Not a sign of him,” she reported hopelessly. “All we can do is report -to Bart Ranieau. He was such a nice little dog--” - -“Do you see him?” Ardeth demanded as Judy broke off her remark. - -For a long moment, Judy made no reply. Then she pulled her head out of -the opening, staring at her friend rather wide-eyed. - -“What’s wrong?” Ardeth questioned. “Did you see a ghost?” - -“You look down there in that hole,” Judy urged. “Tell me what you see.” - -Ardeth moved in close beside her, peering into the darkness. A gust of -wind ruffled her hair and nearly bowled her headlong into the cave. She -grasped a projection of limestone rock for support. - -“See it?” Judy demanded. - -“Pete, you mean?” - -“No! No! Look far down the passageway, Ardeth.” - -Try as she would, Ardeth could see nothing save empty space. Now that -her eyes were becoming more accustomed to the blackness, she could make -out a white rock floor, and on the ceiling, a wet patch where grew a -tight mat of lichens. But that was all. - -“Look down,” Judy directed again. “I’m sure I didn’t imagine that I -saw something moving in the passageway.” - -Once more Ardeth directed her gaze below, and involuntarily stiffened. - -“Now I see it!” she exclaimed. “Why, it looks like a moving light!” - -“I thought so too,” Judy agreed. “You don’t suppose anyone could be -down there?” - -“At this late hour?” - -“It doesn’t seem likely, does it?” - -“Maybe Calico Cave has a ghost,” Ardeth declared with a nervous giggle. -“Wouldn’t that be something!” - -Judy had peered into the cave again. “The light is moving away, -descending the passageway,” she reported. “Ardeth, Pete may have -started down there to investigate.” - -“If he did, he’s welcome to the job! Just to look down into that ink -well gives me the jitters. Poor Pete! We’ll never see him again, I’ll -bet.” - -“Someone will have to get him out,” Judy insisted. “It would be too -heartless to let him die in there. Miss Ward will know what to do.” - -Though she would not have admitted it, the moving light which seemed to -have no explanation, had somewhat unnerved her. With dusk coming on, -she was eager to be away from the lonely locality. - -“Okay,” Judy agreed reluctantly. - -Before getting up from the crouched position, she took a last look -into the cave. The light had vanished completely and Pete likewise -could not be seen. - -“Since we can’t save Pete without risking our safety, I guess we may as -well hike for Calico Cottage,” Ardeth declared quickly. - -The chill of evening was in the air as the two girls silently trudged -back the way they had come. A rising breeze whipped the evergreens -overhead, making ragged shadows, and causing the needles to whisper -mournfully. Far below, the White River remained visible in the dying -sunlight, a wide, shining band of silvery blue. - -At Calico Cottage, supper was nearly ready. Judy and Ardeth, however, -had little appetite. Dejectedly, they related their discovery of the -cave, and their misfortune in losing Pete. - -“You were wise not to try to venture into that hole,” Miss Ward assured -the two girls. “The dog may wander out by himself. Even if he is lost, -the risk of trying to bring him out without a guide, would be very -great.” - -“You really think Pete will get out by himself?” Judy asked, -brightening. - -“He may. At any rate, he’ll survive for many days. I’ll telephone the -young milkman and tell him his dog is lost. You’re certain the pet was -his?” - -“It was Pete, all right,” Ardeth answered. “He acted as if he’d been in -that cave before too.” - -“Then there’s an excellent chance he may find his way out,” the troop -leader asserted. “I’ll telephone the dog’s owner now. Do you recall his -name, Judy?” - -“Bart Ranieau.” - -Miss Ward went directly to the telephone, but was unable to contact the -young man. She learned that he roomed in the village, and was informed -by his landlady that after coming in from his milk route, he had left -without saying where he intended to go. - -“If we can’t get word to him by tomorrow morning, I’ll notify the -forest rangers,” Miss Ward decided. “They’ll know how to proceed.” - -As night came on, the girls washed all the dishes and tidied the -kitchen. The very nearness of the cave and the knowledge that Pete was -lost somewhere in its vast recesses, tended to depress them. - -Virginia spoke somewhat wistfully of Pine Cone Camp, speculating upon -whether or not the other Scouts might be having a ceremonial fire and -singfest there. - -“We’re cut off from the fun here,” Judy acknowledged. “It’s my fault -too. If Aunt Mattie hadn’t sent that telegram, we’d all be in camp -together.” - -“Considering the mix-up over reservations, the sleeping arrangement is -much better here,” Ardeth declared. “Besides, we don’t want your aunt -to have this cottage if it isn’t suitable.” - -“It’s a Girl Scout’s duty to be useful and to help others,” added -Virginia gravely. “At any rate, we like Calico Cottage.” - -“I can’t see anything wrong with the place,” Ardeth picked up the -conversation. “Of course, it’s isolated and a bit lonely off here in -the pines. Now and then that musty odor hangs over the place, and one -can’t seem to localize it. The cottage isn’t really damp.” - -“I’ve been annoyed by that odor myself,” said Miss Ward. “It was -especially strong when first we opened up the cottage. I wonder if it -comes from the cellar?” - -“With that door locked, we can’t investigate,” Judy responded. “What do -you suppose became of the key? And why did Mr. Krumm advise us to keep -the door locked? Those questions keep going around in my mind.” - -The evening passed slowly for the girls. Ardeth sewed and the others -tried to read. As a chill crept over the cottage, Miss Ward lighted -a heater which made the living room more cheerful. By eight-thirty, -everyone was ready to go to bed. - -“We must be abroad early in the morning,” Miss Ward warned. “Breakfast -at seven. The camp station wagon will pick us up between eight-thirty -and nine o’clock.” - -Judy and Ardeth had elected to share one of the bedrooms, while -Virginia and the teacher took the adjoining chamber. The mattresses -were surprisingly comfortable. - -Snuggling down into the covers, Judy closed her eyes, but was annoyed -to discover that she was not sleepy. Ardeth, on the other hand, curled -up like a kitten, and soon was breathing with deep regularity. - -“What’s the matter with me anyhow?” Judy asked herself. “I guess I -can’t take the comforts of home.” - -For awhile, she stared out the open window, watching the movement of -the pine trees. A strong, cool breeze had arisen. It flapped the calico -draperies and whistled around the corners of the flimsily-built cottage. - -Judy resolutely tried not to think of Calico Cave or poor Pete, but -the harder she struggled to banish the unpleasant recollection, the -more clearly it emerged. She could visualize the little dog, wandering -helplessly deeper and deeper into the cavern, always searching for an -exit which never materialized. - -“I’m becoming positively morbid!” she told herself sternly. “Enough of -this!” - -Judy tossed off the blankets and taking care not to disturb Ardeth, -went quickly to the kitchen for a drink of water. - -The cottage was very still. Now that she was abroad, Judy began to -regret that she had left her comfortable, warm bed. The kitchen was -icy cold and the only light came from a half moon which shone eerily -through the windows. - -Judy drank a glass of water in the darkness, preferring not to disturb -any of the sleepers by switching on a light. In the kitchen, the damp, -unpleasant odor which the girls had noted earlier, seemed especially -strong. - -“I’m sure it comes from the basement,” she thought, sniffing the air -close to the locked door. “Maybe this is why Mr. Krumm wants us to keep -it closed. But what can cause such an odor?” - -Judy had started to move away when she was startled by an unusual sound -which seemed to come from beneath the floor of the kitchen. The noise -assaulted her ears as a series of loud thumps. - -“Gracious!” Judy thought, backing a step away from the locked cellar -door. “What’s going on down there in the basement? Maybe this place -does have a ghost!” - -If the loud thumping, bumping noise had startled Judy, she was to -suffer an even greater shock. - -As she held herself rigid, straining to catch the slightest sound, -there arose from below, the clear melodious notes of a flute! - - - - -_Chapter 5_ - -SONG OF THE FLUTE - - -Judy stood transfixed, listening tensely. The musical notes now had -died out and in the kitchen there was only silence. Had the strange -notes of the flute been no more than a trick of the imagination? - -Suddenly she was aware of a sound in the room beyond the kitchen. Judy -whirled to see a white apparition framed in the doorway. She uttered a -choked cry and then laughed aloud in relief. The figure was no ghost, -only Miss Ward in a white bathrobe. - -“Did I startle you?” the teacher asked in a whisper. “It is you, Judy?” - -“Yes, I couldn’t sleep. I came out here to get a drink of water. For a -minute I thought you were a ghost from the basement!” - -“Oh, Judy!” Miss Ward reproved. “What nonsense!” - -“I was joking,” Judy said hastily. “Of course, everyone knows there are -no ghosts. All the same, that sound was unnerving.” - -“Sound? What sound, Judy?” - -“Well, it seemed to come from the cellar. First, I heard a series of -loud thumps. Then, I thought I heard someone playing the flute.” - -“Perhaps the sound drifted in from outside the cottage.” - -“I’m sure it didn’t, Miss Ward.” - -For several minutes the Scout leader listened attentively, but the -noises which had disturbed Judy were not to be heard again. - -“It is very late,” she said finally. “Judy, you must go back to bed.” - -“I’m sorry to have awakened you. I tried to be quiet.” As Judy started -across the kitchen, the badly constructed floor creaked beneath her -slippered feet. She had reached the living room doorway, when she was -brought up short by the high pitched note of a musical instrument. - -“There it is again, Miss Ward!” she whispered, grasping the teacher’s -arm. “A flute! Hear it?” - -“Yes, I do,” the Scout leader replied. “It certainly sounds like a reed -or a wind instrument.” She stood very still, listening. - -From below the flooring issued a series of musical notes, tuneless but -not displeasing to the ear. Then the kitchen again was enveloped in -silence. - -“It wasn’t my imagination, Miss Ward. You heard it too!” - -“No, you didn’t imagine it, Judy,” the teacher soberly agreed. “The -sound came from the basement, or so it seemed to me.” - -Crossing to the cellar door, Miss Ward twisted the knob and pulled -hard on it. “It’s still locked,” she murmured. “I begin to understand -why Mr. Krumm was unwilling to make a refund on the rent.” - -“This explains why the other tenants moved out so suddenly.” - -“It may,” Miss Ward acknowledged. “Evidently, there is a very good -reason for keeping this door locked.” - -“You don’t suppose--anyone--could be down there?” Judy said -falteringly. “Maybe locked in?” - -“I’m afraid you’ve been watching too many television thrillers.” - -“I guess so,” Judy admitted, laughing shakily. “My theory is wild all -right. How do you explain the flute?” - -“I don’t. However, I intend to talk to Mr. Krumm tomorrow. If this -cottage has a mystery or any possible danger, it is his duty to inform -us completely. Now get to bed, Judy. I’ll sit up for awhile.” - -Next morning, when Judy awoke from a deep slumber, bright sunlight was -streaming through the slats of the venetian blinds. Ardeth already was -up and dressed. - -“Breakfast in ten minutes,” she informed Judy, giving her a hard shake. -“If you don’t get a move on, we’ll not be ready by the time the camp -station wagon calls for us.” - -“I guess I overslept,” Judy mumbled, pulling out of bed and groping -blindly for her shirt and slacks. “Is everything all right?” - -“Is everything all right?” Ardeth echoed, starting to air the bed. -“What could go wrong so early in the morning?” - -“I was just wondering, that’s all,” Judy answered, deciding to postpone -the tale of the flute until after breakfast. “What smells so utterly -delicious?” - -“Bacon. Miss Ward and Virginia are cooking it. We’ve been assigned to -the dishes.” - -Judy dressed speedily, helped Ardeth tidy the bedroom, and was ready in -time to help carry dishes to the breakfast table. - -Miss Ward herself broached the subject of the strange sounds which had -been heard in the basement during the night. - -“I don’t wish to alarm anyone,” she asserted, pouring hot chocolate. -“I feel though, that if we are to stay here, we must be on the alert. -Furthermore, I intend to ask Mr. Krumm for an explanation. I am sure -there is one, and that he can provide it.” - -“If he will,” Judy added. “He certainly wasn’t passing out any -information when he rented this cottage. I don’t know what to do about -Aunt Mattie.” - -“Fortunately, she won’t be here for a day or two,” Miss Ward replied. -“We’ll have a little time in which to try to clear up the situation.” - -As was to be expected, Ardeth and Virginia expressed keen -disappointment at having missed out on the excitement. They asked a -dozen questions, and spent the entire breakfast period speculating upon -the nature of the mysterious basement sounds. - -“Calico Cottage has a ghost!” Virginia insisted gaily. “How thrilling! -And a boy who plays a flute is far more interesting than an ordinary -apparition.” - -“How do you know it’s a boy ghost?” Ardeth demanded. “For all we know, -it may be an old man or a beautiful lady in white. My, I wish we could -get down into the cellar!” - -“I can see you leading the way!” Virginia teased. “Anyway, we have a -more urgent problem.” - -“That little dog,” interposed Judy, her face becoming grave. “Something -must be done to get him out of the cave.” - -Miss Ward told the girls that she had tried very early that morning -to get in touch with Bart Ranieau. Though she had telephoned at seven -o’clock, he already had left his rooming house and was off on his route. - -“He may come this way,” she remarked hopefully. “If he does, perhaps we -can flag him down. Otherwise, I’ll call the forest ranger headquarters -in the village.” - -Breakfast finished, Judy and Ardeth cleared the table and made a fast -and furious attack upon the dishes. As they rushed about, stacking -china neatly in the cupboards, they kept an attentive ear trained on -the cellar area. The only sounds came from out-of-doors. - -“If Miss Ward hadn’t backed up your story about that flute player, I’d -have accused you of dreaming it up,” Ardeth declared. “Just my luck to -have missed out on the fun.” - -“It was scarey, rather than fun,” Judy answered. “For Aunt Mattie’s -sake, I hope our basement friend doesn’t strike any more sour notes.” - -Hanging up the dish towels to dry, the two girls joined Miss Ward and -Virginia who were watching the highway for a glimpse of either the -station wagon or the milk truck. - -“There it comes!” Virginia suddenly cried, spying the vehicle driven by -Bart Ranieau. - -All the Scouts rushed to the main highway to flag down the milk wagon. - -“Hi!” Bart greeted the girls as he halted the delivery wagon at the -side of the road. “I see you’ve moved in. Need milk or butter this -morning?” - -“We can use two quarts of milk,” Miss Ward returned. “But we stopped -you for another reason.” - -“It’s about Pete,” Ardeth said tensely. “He lost himself in the cave -last night. Judy and I called to him, but he wouldn’t come out. He kept -going deeper and deeper in the hole.” - -She broke off in the report, suddenly aware that the young milkman was -smiling in an odd sort of way. - -“That Pete!” he remarked. “He’s a natural-born spelunker.” - -“A what?” demanded Judy. - -“A spelunker. That’s what modern cave explorers call themselves. The -science of caves is called speleology.” - -Bart motioned for the girls to step over to the milk wagon. Peering in, -they saw Pete sprawled comfortably on a rug, lying on the floor. He was -fast asleep, his head resting on his forepaws. - -“Pete found his own way out of the cave, as he usually does,” Bart -explained. “I’ve tried to keep him out, but no soap. One of these days, -he may lose his life in there.” - -“Well, at any rate, he’s safe now,” Judy declared, greatly relieved. -“Is the cave very deep?” - -“The exit never has been found.” - -“Really?” Ardeth’s eyes opened wide. “I guess Calico Cave is an unsafe -place.” - -“One shouldn’t venture in very far without a guide. Some ten years -ago, a very courageous man whom I knew rather well, lost his life down -there. He was seeking the cave exit. Since then, no one has ventured -past the point where he last was seen.” - -Judy inquired if Calico Cave and Hager’s Hole were one and the same -place. Bart replied that they were identical. - -“For years the cave was known as Hager’s Hole,” he explained. “It was -named for old Captain Hager, who once owned this property.” - -“Our cottage?” Virginia asked in astonishment. - -“Not the cottage. But the Hager home used to stand in the same -location. Mr. Krumm bought the place not so long ago. He tore down the -old house and put up a new cottage on the original foundation. Folks -advised him not to do it, but no one can tell Krumm anything!” - -“He’s had a little trouble renting the cottage?” Judy probed. - -“Oh, renters came along fast enough, but they wouldn’t stay!” the -milkman chuckled. “Some of ’em, it seems, were allergic to strange -sounds. I take it you folks spent a comfortable night?” - -“We were disturbed once,” Miss Ward answered. “Nothing serious. We -fancied we heard a flute player.” - -“No ghosts?” Bart asked, grinning. - -“Nary a ghost,” Miss Ward returned. “Naturally we were a bit disturbed -about the music, and intend to seek an explanation.” - -“Mr. Ranieau, you seem to be quite familiar with Calico Cave,” Judy -remarked pointedly. “Could you, by chance, tell us why the name was -changed, and maybe explain the mystery of the cottage?” - -“Maybe I could,” Bart said, grinning in an odd way. “I like you folks. -You have more nerve than those other renters. Maybe, if you ask pretty, -I’ll tell you the story of the Old White Witch.” - - - - -_Chapter 6_ - -THE WHITE WITCH - - -Bart Ranieau’s remark about the White Witch intrigued the girls, who -immediately pleaded with him to tell them the story connected with the -cave. - -“Okay,” he agreed, “but I’m late on my route this morning, so I’ll have -to make the tale brief. Calico Cave is very old. It was here before the -village was incorporated and has had a half dozen names over the years. - -“According to an ancient legend, an old witch once lived in the cave, -arousing the villagers by casting horrible spells upon them. In their -terror they called upon a monk who once resided in the mountains, to -turn the old hag into stone. So now in a chamber of the cave you may -see a strange stalagmite formation--the White Witch.” - -“Is that a true story?” Virginia asked, deeply impressed. - -“The legend is true. As for the White Witch, you can see her if you’ve -a mind to explore as far as the first chamber.” - -“You don’t believe that tale yourself, I take it?” Miss Ward inquired -with a broad smile. - -“I think the story was made up to explain the white formation, which -does resemble a witch,” Bart answered. “Over the years, the yarn took -on more and more detail and color.” - -“I’d love to see that old stalagmite witch,” Judy declared, her dark -eyes sparkling. “How deep down in the cave is the formation?” - -“Too far for you to explore alone,” the milkman responded. “Don’t -try it. Not without a guide. Caves are safe enough, if one takes -precautions, but they’re no place for amateur explorers, unsupervised.” - -“Does Calico Cave have any other interesting formations besides the -Witch?” Judy inquired. - -“Oh, gobs of ’em. Few persons though, have gone past the old White -Witch. In fact, it’s part of the legend that she casts a spell upon all -who go beyond that point in the cave.” - -“You’ve disproved that part of the legend?” the Girl Scout leader -questioned. - -“Well, the old witch cast her spell over me all right,” Bart admitted -with a chuckle. “Not an evil one though. The Cave fascinates me, and if -I had time, I’d really delve into its innermost secrets.” - -“Ardeth and I thought we saw a moving light in the cavern late -yesterday afternoon,” Judy remarked. “Maybe you were down there -exploring.” - -“Not yesterday,” Bart replied. “You’re certain you saw a light?” - -“Oh, yes, it startled us. Either someone was down in the cave, or it -was that old witch!” - -“It wasn’t the old witch,” Bart assured her. “She’s a harmless old gal -and has stayed fixed for a thousand years, more or less. I can’t guess -who might be down in the cave, because folks hereabouts seldom venture -in.” - -“You spoke of former Calico Cottage renters moving out because of -strange sounds which disturbed them,” Miss Ward reminded the young -milkman. “Can you tell us more about it?” - -“Did the other folks ever hear a flute player?” interposed Ardeth. - -“Seems to me I heard some such talk.” - -“And loud banging noises at night?” demanded Judy. - -“I reckon so.” - -“Tell us everything!” urged Virginia. “Is Calico Cottage supposed to be -haunted? Is that why Mr. Krumm has trouble keeping his renters?” - -“All I know is what I hear,” Bart replied evasively. “I wouldn’t have -told you about the White Witch, only I could tell that you Scouts -aren’t easily scared.” - -“Is there any connection between Calico Cottage and the Witch?” Judy -questioned. - -“Only as she’s supposed to have cast her spell over the place. The -last tenants had a cat. One night she became scared at some noise and -leaped through a window, shattering the glass. The folks moved out, -came dawn. I know because I met ’em as they were driving away. Tried to -talk ’em into staying, but they were dead set the cottage was haunted.” - -“You don’t believe that nonsense yourself?” Miss Ward inquired. - -“Nope. I think there’s a logical explanation for the cottage cutting up -the way it does. I’d tip Krumm off if he weren’t such a disagreeable -egg. He took advantage of old Captain Hager in buying the property, and -the townsfolk never quite forgave him.” - -“Is Captain Hager still alive?” questioned Ardeth. - -“Very much so,” Bart told her. “The old sea dog is edging seventy now, -but he’s as spry as ever. Since Krumm got the old homestead away from -him, he’s lived frugally in a cabin down on the river.” - -“The cave, you said, was named for Captain Hager?” - -“Yes, it bore his name ever since I can remember. Then Krumm bought all -this property, including the private road and the cave. Right off, he -changed the name to Calico Cave.” - -“But why?” inquired Judy. - -“Well, he didn’t want the cave to have Captain Hager’s name, for one -thing. There’s no love between them, you know. Then I guess he thought -Hager’s Hole was too closely associated with talk of the White Witch -and death.” - -“Death?” Ardeth repeated uneasily. - -“One man lost his life in the cave. Another explorer--an amateur--broke -his leg, and a searching party had to bring him out. Not so many months -ago, a group of giddy girls went in without a guide. They lost their -way, and wandered around for several hours before help got to them. The -stories they told around didn’t help any. So Krumm changed the cave -name.” - -“I can see that the cavern is no drawing card,” Miss Ward remarked. -“When first I saw the cave sign, I assumed that the place might be a -tourist attraction.” - -“It could be,” Bart said seriously. “That cave has everything! Fantastic -formations beyond belief! An underground river, a waterfall, everything -to attract visitors, if facilities could be provided. But Krumm has no -imagination, and he’s too tight to spend a penny developing the cave. -It’s a pity the property ever came into his possession.” - -The Scouts had a dozen more questions at the tip of their tongues. -Before they could ask any of them, a familiar automobile drove up, -parking squarely in front of the Cloverleaf milk truck. - -Mr. Krumm squeezed out from behind the wheel and walked directly over -to the group. He gazed sharply at Bart, his attitude unfriendly. - -“I thought I’d drop by to inquire how you’re getting along,” he said, -ignoring the milkman and bowing to Miss Ward. “You have found the -cottage quite comfortable, I trust?” - -“It seems to be very well equipped,” the teacher conceded. “I can’t say -we spent too comfortable a night, though. We were disturbed by strange -sounds.” - -“Strange sounds?” The real estate man registered surprise which was not -in the least convincing. - -“We heard music, and thumping noises,” Judy supplied. “It seems your -cottage has a ghost.” - -“No such thing!” Mr. Krumm indignantly denied. “That’s all bosh! You’ve -been listening to stupid gossip.” - -“You should have told us the truth about the cottage before we rented -it,” Miss Ward reproved him mildly. “Judy’s aunt will be coming -shortly, and we hesitate to turn over a place to her that may be -unnerving or possibly unsafe.” - -“There’s nothing wrong with the cottage,” Mr. Krumm flared. “You’ve -been talking to Bart Ranieau, and he’s been filling you with hot air!” - -“We were asking him about the cottage and likewise about the cave,” -Miss Ward admitted. “If we’re to remain here another night, we want all -the information we can get.” - -“I was telling ’em about the White Witch,” Bart interposed to plague -the realtor. - -“How many times have I told you to keep your nose out of my affairs?” -Mr. Krumm demanded furiously. “You can’t keep that wagging, clacking -tongue of yours still! You’ve driven away all of my tenants, one by -one.” - -“That’s not so, Krumm, and you know it.” - -“You fill ’em up with fears about White Witches and such nonsense. I -want no more of it, understand? Furthermore, I want you to keep off my -property. Don’t be snooping around Calico Cave any more!” - -“You can’t keep me from exploring,” Bart returned coolly. “You may own -the land, but not what’s below the surface.” - -“You stay out of that cave, and away from it,” Mr. Krumm repeated his -order. - -Bart grinned provokingly, and without making answer, drove off down the -road. - -“That young whippersnapper gets my blood up!” Mr. Krumm asserted after -the milk wagon had vanished around a curve. “I wouldn’t have ordered -him to keep off the property, only he’s become a pest.” - -“I take it, you don’t consider the cave safe?” Judy inquired curiously. - -“Oh, it’s safe enough, if you don’t wander in too far,” the real estate -man replied with a shrug. “My order doesn’t apply to you folks. If you -want to see the cave, you can go down there any time.” - -“I don’t believe I’d care to explore,” Ardeth said with a shiver. “Not -after learning that a man died in the cave.” - -“Bart told you about _that_, I suppose?” Mr. Krumm questioned -sarcastically. - -“Isn’t it true?” - -“Bart didn’t tell you _why_ the man lost his life,” Mr. Krumm said, -without answering the inquiry. “No, he just filled you up with a lot of -nonsense about a White Witch.” - -“She doesn’t really cast a spell over the cottage?” Judy asked -mischievously. - -Mr. Krumm’s normally florid face became even redder. He sucked in his -breath, moistened his lips, and then launched into another vehement -denial that anything was wrong with Calico Cottage. - -“I’m sick of all this gossipy talk!” he ended his tirade. “I’m sick of -losing tenants! I’m so weary of it, that I’m willing to pay good money -to disprove all the contemptible stories.” - -The Scouts remained respectfully silent. - -“Bart has convinced you, I suppose, that you should move out,” Mr. -Krumm went on. Without giving anyone an opportunity to deny the -statement, he continued: “All right, suppose I admit that former -tenants have complained about the cottage having strange noises at -night? There must be an explanation for it--a logical, sensible one.” - -“We’ll go along with you on that theory,” Miss Ward replied. “You have -a proposition, Mr. Krumm?” - -“Yes, I have. It’s all bunk about Calico Cave or the cottage having a -ghost. If you’ll stay here for two weeks, and disprove the story, I’ll -refund your rent payment. What d’you say?” - -Ardeth, Virginia and Judy gazed questioningly at their leader, awaiting -her decision. - -“We would prefer a rent refund with no strings attached,” the teacher -suggested. - -“Sorry, I can’t do that. After all, I’m not in business for my health. -This cottage has been an expensive proposition. What do you say?” - -“We’ll consider your offer,” Miss Ward said quietly. “We’ll remain for -another night and make our decision after that. However, if we do make -the test, it will not be for commercial reasons, but only to safeguard -Judy’s aunt.” - - - - -_Chapter 7_ - -THE TREASURE BOX - - -Pine Cone Camp seemed strangely deserted when Miss Ward, Ardeth, Judy -and Virginia arrived there at nine o’clock in the station wagon. - -Seeking the tent which had been assigned to the Beaver Patrol unit, the -new arrivals found it quite deserted. - -“Where is everyone?” Ardeth asked in perplexity. “Surely not on a hike -so early?” - -Swimming suits hung on the clothes lines, attesting to the fact that -the campers already had enjoyed an early morning plunge in Morning -Glory Lake. - -“Look!” Judy suddenly cried, pointing toward a cleared area some -distance away at the edge of the forest. “Everyone is over there! Let’s -see what’s doing.” - -Hurrying over to the group, the girls could not at first discern what -it was that had drawn the interest of the entire camp. - -Gradually, however, they edged deeper into the assembly and saw that -the other Scouts were taking turns peering into a large wooden box, -covered with a wire screen. - -“What in the world?” Virginia speculated. - -Just then Beverly, Kathleen and Betty caught sight of their patrol -mates in the crowd, and joined them. Judy asked the cause of the -excitement. - -“Oh, you girls have missed all the fun, being stuck down there at -Calico Cottage,” Kathleen told her. “We’ve started a treasure box.” - -“What is that?” - -“Look in it and you’ll see!” - -The other Scouts moved aside to make way for Judy and the newcomers. -Gazing into the box, they were amazed to see all manner of strange -animals and insects. - -“It’s a nature treasure chest!” Kathleen informed her friends. “We -already have a mouse, a spider, and three varieties of turtles. Each -patrol is supposed to contribute an animal, bird or unusual insect.” - -“Does Beaver Patrol have an entry?” Judy asked. - -“Not yet. Beverly very nearly caught a little chipmunk, but he eluded -her. We’re depending upon you girls to help us.” - -“We will,” Ardeth promised. “Just give us time to get our thoughts -adjusted, and we’ll come up with a prize winner.” - -“There are to be no duplications,” Kathleen warned. “All the patrols -are working on it, so we’ll have to get busy.” - -“How about a little garter snake?” suggested Ardeth thoughtfully. - -“If Beaver Patrol goes for that, you’ll have to produce the snake,” -Kathleen replied with a shudder. “No snakes for me!” - -“I vote we put Ardeth in charge of finding a patrol entry for the -treasure box,” proposed Betty Bache, who had joined the other girls. -“She’ll get a big boot out of the job.” - -“I’ll be glad to take it over,” Ardeth offered, for she thoroughly -enjoyed the study of nature and had no fear of animals or insects. - -“Good!” Kathleen approved. “That takes a load off my mind.” - -The blowing of a bugle summoned all the campers to assembly. Miss -Lubell waited until all the Scouts had gathered, and then signalled for -silence. It was evident that she had a most important announcement. - -“Girls,” she began, “we had planned a hike to Indian Falls this -morning, but it will be necessary to make a change.” - -A chorus of groans met this announcement, for the girls had looked -forward to the outing and outdoor cookery. - -“However, we have other interesting plans,” the director went on -quickly. “The Civil Air Patrol has notified me that it can make a plane -available for the first-aid and exploration excursion I mentioned -earlier. But today is the only time the Service will be able to -cooperate. Accordingly, we’ve decided to go ahead. All patrols desiring -to compete, should sign up at once. Your counselors will provide full -details.” - -The girls were informed that at ten o’clock all competing patrols would -hike a quarter of a mile to Flat Top, an area relatively level and -clear of trees. - -According to the plan, a Civil Air Patrol plane would fly over the -section to drop a message which would give Scouts notification of a -fake plane crash. The general location of the accident likewise would -be given. Starting with equal information, the units were expected to -separate and compete in trying to be the first to reach the designated -locality. - -Once there, the Scouts were to give first aid treatment to the -imaginary victims, and proceed exactly as if the accident were a real -one. Three girls from the Garden City Patrol had volunteered to act as -the injured passengers of the plane crash. Notes would be pinned to -their clothing, stating the nature of their supposed injuries. - -Kathleen, Judy, Betty and Beverly teamed up as one exploring unit, -representing Beaver Patrol. Ardeth and Virginia decided not to enter -the competition, preferring to remain behind to search for a suitable -wild pet to add to the treasure box collection. - -Shortly after ten o’clock, the representatives of seven patrols were -encamped on the table top, anxiously scanning the sky for a glimpse of -the expected plane. All the girls had dressed sensibly in heavy shirts, -slacks and stout climbing boots. Faces and necks were protected from -the sun, but even so, the rays bore fiercely down upon their backs as -they sat impatiently waiting. - -“Won’t that plane ever come?” Beverly fretted, wiping perspiration from -her neck. “We’ve been here an age now!” - -“Only ten minutes,” Kathleen corrected. - -“Well, it seems a year. Maybe there’s been a mix-up about plans,” -Beverly went on. “I wish I’d stayed in camp. This trip will be hard and -tiring.” - -“Good experience though,” Judy said, continuing to scan the azure, -almost cloudless sky. “It will be a test of skill to find our way to -the right place, administer first aid, make improvised litters and -carry our victims to help.” - -“I hope we’re the first to get there,” Kathleen declared. “So far, -Beaver Patrol hasn’t shown up too well in the camp competitions. That’s -because all of the girls haven’t been together, especially in the -evening. This is our chance.” - -Judy suddenly sprang to her feet. She had been the first in the group -to sight the Civil Air Patrol plane winging in from the east. - -“Here it comes!” she cried. “They’ll be dropping a message in a moment. -Watch sharp!” - -All of the patrols now were alert and ready. The Scouts who had -equipped themselves with field glasses, trained them on the approaching -plane. - -Its wings flashing in the sunlight, the ship came in low enough for the -girls to see the forms of the pilot and his passenger. Three times the -plane circled the tableland. Then on the fourth trip over, the message -tube was dropped. - -It missed the open table top by twenty feet, landing amid the trees and -brush just below where the Beaver Patrol girls had taken their stand. - -“Come on,” Judy shouted, starting off at a run. “I saw where it -dropped!” - -There was a mad scramble to see who would be the first to reach -the message tube. According to the rules of the competition, the -directions, once read, could not be kept, but must be left behind for -other patrols. - -Plunging through the underbrush, Judy was the first to seize upon the -shining metal tube. As she opened it to remove the message which had -been folded within, Beverly, Kathleen and Betty crowded close to read -the directions. - -“Plane crash at 9:48 a.m. on Hermit’s Ridge,” Kathleen discerned the -writing. “Three passengers in need of help.” - -“Hermit’s Ridge!” Beverly explained. “Where is that?” - -Judy already was consulting her map of the region. - -“You might know it’s a difficult climb from here!” she exclaimed. “We -have several choices of a route. We can take the short, hard climb--no -trail. That way, it looks to be approximately a mile and a half from -here.” - -“What are the other choices?” Kathleen questioned. - -“We can follow the main highway three quarters of the way, and then -make a short climb on Lone Pine Trail. Our third choice is to descend -from here to Rocky Point Path and keep on it all the way.” - -“I’m for taking the shortest route even if it will mean a harder -climb,” Beverly said at once. “Let’s go!” - -“Hold on,” Judy directed, continuing to study the map. “I’m in favor -of the road myself. It may be longer, but it’s a lot faster, easier -walking most of the way.” - -“Furthermore, we may be able to catch a ride part of the distance,” -Kathleen added. “That would be within the rules. The patrol wins that -gets first to Hermit’s Ridge and accomplishes its first aid mission.” - -“I’m in favor of the road too,” Betty Bache asserted, siding with -Kathleen and Judy. “The various choice of routes is a test of -judgment as well as endurance.” - -Leaving the message for the other patrols to read, the four girls -quickly descended rugged terrain to the paved highway. - -“I think we’re making a mistake,” Beverly insisted, shifting her -first-aid kit to a more comfortable carrying position. “Not many cars -pass on the road at this time of day. The distance is much longer.” - -“We can dog-trot part of it,” Judy said, beginning to lope along. -“Anyway, we’re well out ahead of the others!” - -“I can see another group starting out,” Beverly reported looking back. -“They chose the short, hard way.” - -“Since we’re out ahead, that might be their only chance to beat us,” -Betty reasoned. “I still think we chose the better, faster route.” - -Alternately, the girls dog-trotted twenty steps and then walked the -same number. In that manner, they did not tire so easily or lose breath. - -The road wound on through the forest in dips and sharp ascents. They -kept going, ignoring the heat of the sun and their own increasing -weariness. - -“I’m glad we didn’t take the hard climb,” Judy commented as she and -Kathleen paused a moment to wait for Betty and Beverly to catch up. -“The going will be tough enough before we reach Hermit’s Ridge.” - -At the next sharp bend in the highway, the Scouts were able to look -down at the table top some distance below. Not a single patrol seemed -to have followed them. - -“I knew it!” Beverly exclaimed. “All the others have taken the shorter -routes!” - -“Let them,” Judy replied cheerfully. “It hasn’t been proven yet that -our judgment was poor. We’ve been making fast time.” - -“We haven’t caught that ride yet,” Beverly reminded her. “Not a single -car has passed us on the road. And we’ve met only one truck.” - -Resting only momentarily, the four went on, doggedly determined to be -the first to reach Hermit’s Ridge. Soon they lost all view of their -competitors who had been swallowed up by the dense forest foliage. - -“Say, I think I hear a truck coming now!” Betty presently exclaimed. -She paused to cock an attentive ear. “Wow! It’s coming fast, burning up -the road!” - -“We’ll never flag down that driver!” Judy exclaimed, moving hastily off -the pavement. - -The heavy freight carrier roared past the girls, its massive tires -screaming as it went around a bend. - -“What does that driver think this road is--a speedway?” Beverly -demanded. “Why, it’s dangerous--” - -The four hikers halted abruptly, frozen by the fearful sound of -screeching brakes. They could not see beyond the next sharp curve, but -the sickening thud was unmistakable. The speeding truck had missed its -turn and had skidded off the road! - - - - -_Chapter 8_ - -VALUABLE CARGO - - -Rounding the bend at a run, the four Scouts saw that the big truck had -missed plunging over the ravine by mere inches. - -The heavily loaded vehicle had skidded wildly, bringing up at a sharp -angle against a rocky embankment. Shattered glass lay on the pavement. - -Judy was the first to reach the tilted truck cab. She could not at -first get the jammed door open, but suddenly it gave, swinging back so -hard, she nearly was thrown off balance. - -The driver was slumped over the wheel, stunned and bleeding from flesh -cuts. He was a heavy-set man with a beak-like nose and square jaw -which sagged to give him a stupid appearance. His eyes were glazed and -unseeing. - -The only other occupant of the truck, a thin man with two front teeth -missing, sprawled half off the seat, moaning and using foul language. - -“My neck!” he screamed. “It’s like killing me! Don’t stand there! Do -something! Get a doctor!” - -He pulled himself out of the cab, pushing angrily at Kathleen when she -tried to help him. Despite the rebuff she took his arm to steady him. - -“Don’t touch me! Get away!” he screamed, staggering. Kathleen caught a -whiff of his breath then and knew that he had been drinking. She noted -that his right arm hung limp and that the right shoulder was much lower -than the left. He had grasped it at the elbow to provide support. - -“You can’t raise your arm above your shoulder, can you?” she demanded. -“Your collar bone must be fractured.” - -“So what?” the trucker demanded savagely. He leaned weakly against the -truck, ignoring her efforts to be of help. - -Meanwhile, Judy, Beverly and Betty had devoted their attention to -the truck driver, who appeared in more serious condition than the -disagreeable passenger. - -Carefully, they stretched him out flat on the cab seat. - -“He may be only stunned,” Judy said anxiously. “The first thing is to -get the blood stopped. No artery has been cut fortunately.” - -The blood came from two facial cuts and a wrist which had been slashed -by flying glass. Judy removed a tiny splinter of glass from the latter -wound, treated the cut with antiseptic, placed a compress over the -opening and bandaged it tightly. - -That job done, the girls bandaged the driver’s face, noting with -relief that he seemed to be recovering from shock. Now and then he -moaned in pain as they worked deftly and efficiently, but for the most -part he eyed them silently. - -Kathleen, on the other hand, was having a most trying time with her -patient, who refused to cooperate. He would not lie down or let her -examine his neck. - -“I can’t do anything with him,” she whispered to Judy. “I’m sure he has -a fractured collar bone. But what to do about it? He’s acting like a -maniac.” - -“Delirious?” - -“He’s just a mean character,” Kathleen muttered in an undertone. “I’m -sort of scared.” - -“Scared? Why?” - -“He has a revolver in his back pocket.” - -“Maybe he carries it to protect the cargo,” Judy replied. “Let’s see -what we can do about that collar bone.” - -Moving over to the sullen trucker, who stood leaning against the tilted -vehicle, she addressed him quietly but firmly. - -“You’ll feel more comfortable if you sit or lie down. We’ll help you--” - -“I don’t want any help.” The trucker’s lips parted in an ugly snarl -which revealed his missing front teeth. “You got a car?” - -“No, we’re Girl Scouts on a hike.” - -“Girl Scouts! A lot of help you’ll be!” - -Judy ignored the sarcasm, noting how limply the trucker’s right arm -hung. - -“We can help,” she insisted. “Your collar bone has been broken, I -think.” - -“So what?” the trucker demanded belligerently. “I’m worried about this -truck. We can never move it out of this--have to abandon it.” - -“You should be able to get a wrecker from the village. Now about that -collar bone--” - -“Forget it, I said.” The man’s gaze roved toward the cab of the truck -where Betty and Beverly were covering the driver with coats. - -“Is Joe done for?” he demanded with cold rather than friendly concern. - -“He’s more stunned than hurt, I think,” Judy replied. - -“Can’t he make it on his own pins? We gotta get out o’ here.” - -“He shouldn’t try to walk. We’ll bring help to you as fast as we can. -First, though, you must take a sensible attitude and let us wrap that -collar bone. You’ll be far more comfortable until we can get you a -doctor.” - -“Okay,” the trucker suddenly consented. “Make it snappy though, and -don’t hurt me or I’ll bash you in! I ain’t in no mood to be worked over -by amateurs.” - -Having cajoled the man into a more cooperative mood, Judy went quickly -to work. With Kathleen helping, she utilized a triangular bandage as a -sling for the right arm, tying it snugly to the side of his body with a -cravat bandage. - -“Humph!” the trucker muttered, not displeased as he surveyed the -finished job. “Not too bad.” - -“The important thing now is to get you both to a doctor,” Judy said -briskly. “Cars pass rather infrequently on this road. Kathleen and I -will go for help while Beverly and Betty stay here to do what they can.” - -“You’ve done enough now,” the trucker returned. “Thanks, kids! Now all -of you beat it--on your way.” - -“We’ll have a wrecker sent,” Judy went on, gathering up her first aid -equipment. - -“Don’t bother.” - -“But we’ll be glad to do it,” Judy insisted. “It’s part of our Scout -training to help when we can.” - -“Yeah? Cut out the chatter and clear out!” The trucker glowered at the -girls, and dropped his left hand to his hip pocket. “Get out I said!” - -Frightened by the hostile attitude of the man, Beverly and Betty -snatched up their first aid kits, and started hurriedly off the way -they had come. Kathleen and Judy were more deliberate in making their -departure. However, knowing that the trucker had a revolver, they were -in no mood to argue with him. - -Once beyond the first bend in the road, the four girls excitedly -discussed the situation. - -“That’s all the thanks we get for helping!” Beverly said furiously. -“We’ve lost out on the Hermit Ridge competition too--worse luck.” - -“I guess there’s more to this first aid business than just wrapping up -broken bones!” Betty added. “One has to learn how to handle half-crazy -patients.” - -“I can’t understand why that man was so eager to get us away,” Judy -remarked thoughtfully. “Normally, anyone in similar plight would -welcome help. Why wouldn’t he want us to send a doctor or a wrecker?” - -“Just out of his head, I guess,” Beverly shrugged. - -“On the contrary,” Judy insisted, “he seemed quite cool about the -entire procedure. You know, I wonder what sort of cargo those men were -carrying?” - -“It must have been valuable,” Kathleen replied. “Otherwise, why would -he carry a revolver for protection?” - -Keyed up by the encounter with the two men, but decidedly discouraged -over the outcome of their efforts, the girls hiked as fast as they -could down the mountain road. Despite the order that they were not to -send help, they planned to do so. - -“Doesn’t a car ever come on this road?” Beverly complained after they -had hiked ten minutes without meeting or being passed by an automobile -or a truck. - -“I see a car coming now!” Kathleen suddenly cried. “From the direction -of the village.” - -“Say, we’re in luck!” exclaimed Judy, abruptly halting. “It’s a state -highway patrol car!” - -Waiting, the girls flagged the automobile to a stop. Quickly, they -told the two patrolmen of the accident and of the strange behavior of -the truckers who had rejected assistance. - -“Did you notice the license number of the truck?” one of the highway -patrolmen asked. - -None of the Scouts had made a note of it. - -“We were too busy wrapping up wounds to think of that,” Judy confessed. - -The patrolmen next inquired if the girls could describe the two -truckers. - -“Oh, yes!” Kathleen said eagerly. “The passenger was a thin fellow -with two teeth missing. He had dark bushy eyebrows and was very -disagreeable.” - -“That was Ben Vodner, I’ll bet a cent!” one of the patrolmen exclaimed. -“Did he have a scar on his left cheek?” - -“Yes, he did!” Judy recalled. “A long jagged white mark!” - -“What did the other man look like?” - -“His most prominent feature was a large hooked nose,” Judy described -him. “He was a large man, heavy-set and with a square jaw. I’d say he -weighed about two hundred pounds--” - -“That’s Joe Pompilli for sure!” - -“Who is he?” Kathleen demanded. - -“Joe’s the ring leader of a bunch of hi-jackers,” one of the patrolmen -informed her. “Off and on for the last six months, he and his boys have -been hi-jacking cargo and taking it through here right under the noses -of the forest rangers.” - -“So that was why they didn’t want help!” Judy exclaimed. “That truck -that went off the road was loaded with stolen cargo!” - -Taking the girls into the patrol car, the two patrolmen proceeded with -all speed toward the scene of the accident. - -“It’s just around the next bend,” Judy informed the driver. - -“Then I’ll let you girls out here,” he said, pulling up at the side of -the road. “There may be shooting. Stay back until we see what’s what.” - -Piling out of the car, the Scouts waited until the patrolmen had driven -on. Then, they rounded the bend, tense and expectant. - -The truck remained in the ditch where last they had seen it, but -neither of the injured men were anywhere visible. - -Watching from a safe distance, the girls saw the patrolmen carefully -search the truck cab. - -“Those two hi-jackers have fled!” Judy exclaimed. “I guess they weren’t -as badly hurt as we thought!” - -At a run, the Scouts raced up the road to join the patrolmen, who by -this time had broken open the door lock on the back of the truck. - -“Just as I thought,” one of the searchers declared as he swung open the -double doors. “Stolen auto tires!” - -“Tires snatched from the Graystone Transport Co. The truck was held up -early this morning across the state line.” - -Judy and her friends were bewildered with respect to what had happened -to the two accident victims. They were not long in doubt however, for -tire marks on the pavement showed plainly that a car had come along, -turned on the roadway, and returned in the same direction whence it had -come. - -“Ben Vodner must have stopped the driver and made him take him and his -pal, Joe, to town,” the patrolman commented. “They’re likely heading -for Brady City, over the state line. There’s a slim chance we can -overtake ’em.” - -Knowing that the wild chase might end in a gun battle, the patrolmen -told the Scouts they could not take them along. - -“Catch a ride back to your camp,” one of the men advised Judy as he -prepared to drive away. “We’ll let you know later how this comes out. -If we overtake those hi-jackers, we may need you to testify. If they -get away, you want to steer clear of them. Joe and Ben are mighty tough -boys, and they’ll bear you no gratitude for the help you gave them -today!” - - - - -_Chapter 9_ - -“IS JOE THERE?” - - -All that day, Pine Cone Camp buzzed with the exciting story of how the -four Beaver Patrol Scouts had given first aid to the two notorious -hi-jackers. - -Judy, Beverly, Betty and Kathleen were subjected to a great deal of -teasing. The other campers, to plague them declared that their timely -assistance had made it easier for the truckers to escape. - -That the two men had made a successful getaway was confirmed late in -the afternoon. Two state highway patrolmen, Clinton DeWitt and George -Franey, dropped around at Pine Cone Camp purposely to inform Judy and -her friends that the identity of the hi-jackers tentatively had been -established. - -“We’re quite sure those two truckers were Joe Pompilli and Ben Vodner,” -the girls were told. “They stopped a car and made the driver give them -a lift. At gun point, they forced him to take them across the state -line. Finally, on a side road, miles from a telephone, they abandoned -the driver and continued on their way.” - -“Joe and his pal probably will give this area a wide berth for -awhile,” the other patrolman added. “You never can tell though.” - -“That’s right,” agreed George Franey. “They’re daring outlaws, well -organized. Joe Pompilli won’t abandon this run because of one mishap. -But we’ll be watching for him!” - -As was to be expected, Judy, Beverly, Betty and Kathleen, were regarded -somewhat as heroines by their camp mates. Many times they were called -upon to recite their adventures on the lonely mountain road. - -“We’ve given a bandage-by-bandage report so many times I’m beginning to -embellish the details,” Judy laughed as she told the story for perhaps -the twelfth time. “That thin fellow the patrolmen called Ben was a mean -sort of individual. He didn’t actually threaten us with his gun though.” - -“The worst of it was that we lost out in the Hermit Ridge competition,” -added Kathleen ruefully. “I’m afraid we’ll have to depend on Ardeth and -Virginia to win points for our patrol.” - -She smiled at the other two, who had spent most of the morning -searching for a suitable specimen to add to the nature treasure chest. - -Both girls were sunburned and discouraged. True, they had captured an -unwary bull frog and a rare type of water insect, but only to learn -that other units had made similar entries during their absence from -camp. - -“So now to qualify, we’ll have to find something different,” Ardeth -asserted. “I’m sick about it.” - -“Oh, we’ll get an entry before the deadline,” Judy said cheerfully. - -“We have several days to work on it,” added Kathleen. - -“The other campers have combed the lake and the area around here so -thoroughly that it will be hard to find anything unusual,” Ardeth -insisted with a shake of her head. “All of the common things such as -worms, bugs, and bees, have been used too!” - -“Maybe we can find an entry while we’re at Calico Cottage,” Kathleen -suggested. “The woods near the cave haven’t been explored.” - -“We might enter the Cottage ghost!” Judy said with a chuckle. “If we -could capture him, we’d be entitled to first prize!” - -“By the way, have you heard from your aunt?” Ardeth inquired. - -Judy nodded and displayed a telegram which she carried in her pocket. -“This came in the morning delivery from town,” she explained. “Aunt -Mattie will arrive on the 2:10 p.m. train tomorrow.” - -“Have you told her about the cottage having a ghost?” - -“No, and I’m not eager to either,” Judy returned with a grimace. “Aunt -Mattie might make a dreadful fuss. I wish we could clear up the mystery -before she gets here.” - -“We have tonight to work on it,” Kathleen remarked thoughtfully. “If -only we could get down into the cottage basement! It wouldn’t do -though, to break the door lock.” - -“Hardly,” Judy agreed. “Mr. Krumm would have a just complaint then!” - -Though the Beaver Patrol girls made light of the “ghost” and the -strange flute music which had disturbed their slumbers at the cottage, -they were determined to find a logical explanation for the occurrence. - -Judy and her friends had said very little about the mysterious -happening, but the story had leaked out and greatly enlarged in -the telling. Throughout the afternoon, the girls were besieged by -questions. Their rivals in the Lone Tree unit seemed especially -interested. - -“We’re certainly the target of attention,” Judy remarked to Kathleen. -“I can’t understand why the Lone Tree girls are so fascinated by every -detail. Something’s in the wind!” - -The Beaver Patrol members remained at camp for dinner and to enjoy a -ceremonial camp fire which wound up with the telling of ghost stories. -At nine o’clock, the station wagon took Judy, Kathleen, Miss Ward, -Ardeth and Virginia to Calico Cottage for the night. - -“We’ll have our tent by tomorrow, I’m quite sure,” Miss Ward told the -girls as they let themselves into the dark cottage. “That will be a -relief.” - -“I don’t mind being here,” Virginia asserted. “In fact, I think it’s -exciting! Do you suppose we’ll hear that flute player tonight?” - -“We will if we keep dwelling upon it,” Miss Ward replied as she -switched on the lights. “The mind, you know, plays strange tricks. Now -everyone to bed, and no nonsense.” - -Rather soberly, the girls went to their rooms. Because Miss Ward -was with them, they had no fear of spending a night in the cottage. -Nevertheless, they were somewhat tense with expectancy. - -Ardeth was removing a shoe, when suddenly she stiffened. “Listen!” she -directed. “What was that?” - -“I heard nothing,” returned Virginia. - -“I thought I heard a thumping sound in the cellar,” Ardeth insisted in -a hushed voice. - -“That was your own heart pounding, goose!” teased Kathleen. “Jump into -bed, and stop imagining things.” - -Ardeth obediently turned off the bedroom light. Going to the window, -she opened it, and stood for a moment, gazing toward the dark forest -which edged ominously close to the cottage lawn. - -“Kathleen! Virginia!” she summoned the others, drawing in her breath. - -“Now what?” Kathleen demanded. - -“Come here, quick! Tell me what you see.” Dramatically, Ardeth pointed -toward the towering trees. - -Virginia went quickly to the window, peering in the direction -indicated. She stood silent and tense, scarcely believing her own -eyesight. - -“It’s--it’s something white, and it moves!” she exclaimed. - -Kathleen had joined the other two. Ardeth gripped her hand so tightly -it hurt. “I’m scared,” she confessed shakily. “What do you think, -Kathy?” - -“I’ll call Miss Ward and Judy.” - -Quickly, she summoned the other two from the next bedroom. Neither had -started to disrobe for the night. For several minutes the five stood -at the darkened window, gazing out across the sloping lawn to the dark -backdrop of trees. - -Plainly they could see a white object moving lazily back and forth -against a curtain of foliage. A nearly full moon added to the eerie -effect, casting a ghostly light over the lonely forest area. - -“A spook!” Ardeth declared shakily. “It’s coming this way too!” - -“No such thing,” Miss Ward corrected in a firm voice. “Whatever -the object may be, it is not moving in this direction. I’ll get my -flashlight and investigate.” - -“I’ll go with you,” Judy offered. - -Putting on warm jackets, the two slipped out of the cottage. The night -was chilly, for a light breeze blew from the direction of the river. - -Judy and the teacher focused their eyes on the white object at the -edge of the woods. Though it continued to move lazily, its basic -position did not seem to change. - -“Keep well behind me, Judy,” Miss Ward directed as they drew near the -trees. “I doubt that there is any serious cause for alarm, but it’s -wise to proceed cautiously.” - -Having decided upon a bold approach, the pair moved directly toward the -white object. - -When they were within a few yards of it, Miss Ward switched on the -flashlight. She directed the beam squarely upon the fluttering “ghost.” - -“Why, it looks like a bed sheet!” Judy exclaimed, and burst into -relieved laughter. - -“A sheet attached to a bush!” added Miss Ward. “Let’s find out about -this.” - -She held the light while Judy removed the sheet from the foliage. To -prevent it from blowing away, two ends had been tied to the branches -with cord. - -“This ‘ghost’ was put here purposely!” Judy declared. “By whom, I -wonder?” - -“Any marking on the linen?” - -Judy inspected the sheet under the light. “Here are some initials -stamped on the edge!” she exclaimed. “‘P.C.C.’” - -“Pine Cone Camp!” - -“Well, if that isn’t a good joke on us!” Judy laughed. “The girls at -camp decided to produce that ghost we were telling them about! Beverly -and Betty may have pulled this one!” - -“They were in camp all afternoon, Judy.” - -“That’s true. Maybe some of the Lone Tree Scouts did it then! One of -their girls has been asking a lot of questions about Calico Cottage.” - -“I don’t mind a bit of good fun,” Miss Ward said, folding the sheet. -“On the other hand, I’m not in favor of making too much of this ghost -talk. I think I’ll discuss the matter with Miss Lubell tomorrow.” - -“I hope whoever played the trick won’t get into trouble. I’m sure it -was all in good fun.” - -“Oh, no one will receive a reprimand,” Miss Ward promised. “I’ll find -out which girls had camp leave this afternoon. If it develops that any -of them played the trick, I’ll ask them not to repeat it, that’s all.” - -When the two returned to the cottage with the bed sheet, Virginia, -Ardeth and Kathleen anxiously met them at the door. - -“Here’s your ghost!” Judy laughed, tossing the camp linen into -Kathleen’s arms. “Look at the initials!” - -“So that’s why those Lone Tree Scouts were giggling and carrying -on this afternoon!” Kathleen exclaimed after she had examined the -markings. “Several of them asked for camp leave too!” - -“Then my idea about that probably was right,” Miss Ward said. - -Greatly relieved that the ghost scare had no serious aspects, the -Scouts discussed the prank for a few minutes, and then went to bed. It -was a long while, however, before the house finally settled down. - -Judy fell quickly asleep. How long she slumbered she had no way of -knowing. But suddenly, she found herself wide awake. - -Miss Ward, she noted, was sleeping soundly beside her. - -Wondering what had disturbed her, Judy sat up. Moonlight streamed into -the bedroom. She judged that it could not be later than midnight or -possibly one o’clock. - -The telephone was ringing. - -“So that’s what awakened me!” Judy thought, leaping out of bed. “Wonder -who can be calling at this time of night?” - -The phone call, she thought, might be from Pine Cone Camp. Something -might have happened to Betty or Beverly. Or possibly it was a message -from Aunt Mattie. - -In her haste to reach the telephone before it stopped ringing, Judy -bumped against a chair. Nursing a bruised knee, she hobbled on. - -As she took down the receiver to say “hello,” a gruff voice came over -the line. - -“Time you answered! Is Joe there?” - -“Joe?” faltered Judy. “Joe who?” - -Only silence gave reply. Then the wire went completely dead. The -speaker at the other end of the line had hung up. - - - - -_Chapter 10_ - -A MIDNIGHT DISTURBANCE - - -As Judy hung up the telephone receiver, the light suddenly was -switched on behind her. Startled, she whirled around with a smothered -exclamation of alarm. - -“I didn’t mean to frighten you, Judy.” It was Kathleen who stood in the -doorway, a corduroy robe flung over her shoulders. “I heard someone -moving around, and thought I’d check, that’s all. Is anything wrong?” - -“The phone was ringing. I--I don’t know what to make of it.” - -“Who was it that called, Judy?” - -“That’s the point. I don’t know. Someone asked for Joe.” - -“Joe? Joe who?” - -“That’s exactly what I asked, Kathleen. The only Joe I know is that -dreadful Joe Pompilli.” - -“Someone must have called the wrong number.” - -“I guess so,” Judy admitted doubtfully. “It gave me an ugly start -though. What time is it?” - -“A little past midnight,” Kathleen said, looking at her wristwatch. -“What a night! All we need to make it complete is a little flute music!” - -The switching on of a light had disturbed the others in the cottage. -Miss Ward came in from the bedroom and then Virginia and Ardeth, the -latter groggy with sleep. - -“What now?” she mumbled. “Another ghost?” - -Judy explained about the telephone. - -“Those Lone Tree Scouts!” Virginia exclaimed indignantly. “They’re -playing another joke on us! Trying to pretend that Joe Pompilli is -calling!” - -“It wasn’t anyone from Pine Cone Camp,” Judy said, her face serious. -“Whoever called was a man.” - -“It must have been someone who dialed a wrong number,” Kathleen -insisted. “I’m in favor of forgetting the whole business, and going to -bed. If we don’t get some sleep we’ll all be wrecks tomorrow.” - -“That’s sound advice,” approved Miss Ward. “To bed everyone!” - -All the girls were up at seven o’clock the next morning, feeling little -the worse for the excitement of the night. While the Scouts were -washing the breakfast dishes, the telephone rang again. - -“You get it, Judy,” Virginia directed with a giggle. “It’s probably -from Joe.” - -“From Aunt Mattie more than likely,” Judy replied, moving hastily to -the telephone. - -The message was from Miss Lubell at Pine Cone Camp. She asked Judy -to tell Miss Ward that the station wagon driver had been delayed that -morning and could not call for the girls until ten thirty. - -“This means we’ll have considerable free time on our hands,” Judy -remarked as she relayed the information to the others. - -“Let’s explore the river area, and maybe around the cave,” proposed -Ardeth. “I want to find an insect or an animal we can enter in the -nature treasure chest.” - -“We’ll all go,” Miss Ward decided. - -The work already had been finished. Locking the cottage, the five -struck off down the private road. After it dead-ended, they went on -across the silvery-gray rocks and through a stretch of sand to the -river. - -Beyond the ribbon of blue water, the mountains rose in jagged green -peaks. A ranger station was visible on one of the high slopes, set in a -cleared area among the trees. - -A half-rotted dock extended for some distance out into the stream. The -girls noticed an elderly man in blue overalls tying up his rowboat -after a fishing expedition. - -“Good morning,” Judy said pleasantly as the girls wandered over. “How’s -the fishing?” - -Straightening up, the old man shoved a soiled white cap at a rakish -angle over his shaggy white hair. - -“Mornin’ to you,” he greeted the girls jovially. “The -fishin’? Nary a bite! Blast my timbers, it’s a waste of a man’s time to -blister his skin out in the sun on this old river. I’m slingin’ my hook -for today.” - -Moving stiffly, the elderly man began to unload his fishing equipment -from the boat. Judy and Kathleen reached down to help him. - -“Right handy mates ye be,” he remarked, well pleased by their -attention. “Don’t recollect seein’ you gals hereabouts before. -Tourists?” - -“We’re Girl Scouts,” Judy explained. “We’re staying at Pine Cone Camp. -Because of a mix-up there over reservations, some of us have been -sleeping at Calico Cottage.” - -“Calico Cottage? Well, bash my binnacles!” - -“It’s a lovely cottage,” Ardeth contributed. “The only trouble is, it -seems to have a ghost.” - -“A musical ghost who plays a flute at night,” added Virginia. - -“You don’t say! A ghost!” The old man gave a throaty chuckle and then -laughed so hard that his sizeable stomach rolled up and down under the -overalls. “I’ll be a son of a sea cook! That’s a good joke on Krumm!” - -“It’s not so much fun for us though,” Judy declared earnestly. “We’re -turning the cottage over to my aunt this afternoon. She’s inclined to -be nervous. We’d hoped to clear up the mystery before she arrived, but -that seems out of the question now.” - -“Don’t waste any time worrying about that ghost,” the old man advised. -“A bunch o’ Girl Scouts ought to be smart enough to get to wind’ard of -any flute-playin’ spook.” - -“It would seem that way,” agreed Judy. “So far, though, we’ve had no -luck. By the way, you’re not Captain Hager by any chance?” - -“That’s my name, but not by chance! Captain Humphrey Hager, formerly -master of the good ship _Elaine_. I’ve been in dry dock going on ten -years now.” - -“We’re glad to meet you,” Judy declared cordially. She introduced Miss -Ward and the girls, and then added: “Bart Ranieau told us that you once -owned Calico Cottage--or rather, the old homestead that stood on the -same foundation.” - -“That’s right,” Old Captain Hager agreed, his leathery face wrinkling -into a scowl. “I found myself in low water, financially speaking. That -blasted, penny-squeezin’ Krumm kept pestering me, until finally I sold -him the place.” - -“Tell us, Captain Hager,” urged Kathleen, “did the house have a ghost -when you lived there?” - -A knowing smile overspread the old man’s face. “Well, yes, and no,” he -said. “I advised Krumm to put in a new foundation, but he let me know -he would do it his own way. So now he has a ghost! Ha!” - -“Does the old foundation have anything to do with the ghost?” Virginia -asked, looking puzzled. - -Old Captain Hager acted as if he had not heard the question. He fussed -with the painter of the rowboat for a moment, and then remarked offhand: - -“So you gals have met Bart Ranieau? Now there’s a fine lad, smart as a -whip and with the courage of a young lion. He told you about Hager’s -Hole?” - -“Calico Cave?” inquired Judy. - -“Hager’s Hole,” the old man repeated. “I don’t take stock of that new -fancy name Krumm tacked on. Bart told you about his father losing his -life in the cave?” - -“Why no!” exclaimed Judy. - -“He did say something about an explorer trying to find the cave’s exit, -and never being heard of again,” Virginia added. - -“That was Bart’s father,” the Captain informed her. “His son’s a chip -off the old block. Lots of sand in the craw! Bart’s trying to work his -way through college by peddlin’ milk. Aye, he’s an up and comer!” - -“How did Bart’s father lose his life?” Miss Ward inquired. - -The old captain’s gaze swept the river and lifted to fasten -thoughtfully upon the dark entranceway of Calico Cave. - -“No one knows,” he replied. “Not for sure. Folks say though, that it -was the siphon that did for him.” - -“What’s a siphon?” demanded Kathleen. - -“Hager’s Hole has an underground river,” he related. “Where it empties -no one knows. Deep in the cave is a grotto, so beautiful it will blast -your eyes! The underground stream must have hollowed it out ages ago, -then bored its way on through the rock. - -“By wading waist-deep and finally neck-deep in water one can follow -the river for awhile. Then the ceiling dips until water and roof meet. -That’s your siphon.” - -“A stretch of water between the rocks, with no roof space above?” Judy -questioned. - -“Aye.” - -“Bart’s father tried to go through the siphon?” Miss Ward inquired -soberly. - -“He knew he was risking his life, but spelunkers don’t have good sense -when it comes to explorin’ caves. Bart’s father was obsessed with the -idea he had to find the exit to Hager’s Hole. He gambled his life, -figuring he could dive through the siphon and find an air space beyond.” - -“No one ever learned for certain what became of Mr. Ranieau?” The -question was asked by Judy who sat cross-legged on the dock, listening -intently to every word of the story. - -“His clothes were found in the grotto, tied in a neat bundle. That’s -all that ever was known. A watch was kept at the siphon for days, but -there never was a sound or a signal of any kind. That was a long while -ago, and now Bart’s sailin’ the same course as his dad, hauntin’ that -cave, and dreamin’ about it at night. I’m right worried about the lad.” - -“You’re afraid he’ll meet with mishap in the cave?” questioned Miss -Ward. - -“Bart knows his way in that cavern like it was his own ship,” the old -captain replied. “What worries me, Ma’am, is that he’s obsessed with -finding out what became of his father. He keeps talking about the -siphon, speculatin’ on whether a strong swimmer couldn’t get through. -One of these days he may be rash enough to try it.” - -“Calico Cave--Hager’s Hole, I mean,” Kathleen corrected herself, “must -be a fascinating place. You’ve been in the cave many times I suppose?” - -“Aye, in my younger day, I went there right often.” - -“Then you must have seen the White Witch!” cried Judy, her brown eyes -dancing. - -“Aye,” Captain Hager agreed reminiscently. “Aye.” He became absorbed in -deep thought. - -Judy broke into his meditation to ask how long it would take to reach -the formation after one left the cave entrance. - -“Ten minutes,” the captain estimated. “It’s easy walkin’. But don’t you -gals try it by yourself. If you’re aimin’ to go into that cave, you -need a guide.” - -“We do, indeed!” cried Judy. She sprang to her feet, seizing the -captain’s hand so unexpectedly that he nearly dropped his pipe. “Oh, -Captain Hager, will you take us? Please, will you guide us to the White -Witch?” - - - - -_Chapter 11_ - -SPELL OF THE CAVE - - -Captain Hager’s remarks about the cave had stirred the imagination -of the Scouts, and even Miss Ward thought it would be interesting to -explore the cavern for a short distance. - -“Would it be safe, do you think?” she asked, as Captain Hager seemed to -be giving Judy’s request sober consideration. - -“It’s safe enough, Ma’am,” he assured her. “The only danger lies in -going too far without a guide.” - -“No rock falls?” - -“Never heard of one in all the years I’ve lived hereabouts.” - -“Then do take us, Captain Hager!” Judy urged again, prancing excitedly -about the dock. “We haven’t much time, because the camp station wagon -is to come for us at ten thirty. Please, could we start right now?” - -“Dash it, I was calculatin’ on anchorin’ for a comfortable snooze,” the -captain complained good-naturedly. “But if them’s my sailing orders, -we’ll cast off for the cave!” - -The old man told the Scouts and their leader to meet him at the -entranceway of Hager’s Hole. He promised to join them there as soon as -he had gone to his nearby river shack to leave his fishing equipment -and pick up a few items he would want for the trip. - -Taking leave of the old man, the girls swiftly climbed the slope to the -cave. Captain Hager did not keep them waiting long. - -Within fifteen minutes, they glimpsed his bent figure coming along the -path. He had changed his shoes, put on a blue jacket, and carried a -lantern. - -Before leading the way into the cave, Captain Hager told the group -something of its history. The cavern, he related, was known to have -been in existence in early Indian days--the exact date of its origin -never would be established. - -“Now there are all types of caves,” he went on, warming to his subject. -“Tunnel caves, river system caves, fissure caves--no two ever are the -same, and that’s what makes ’em so interesting to explorers. This one -starts with a sort of sinkhole entrance. It narrows down for a distance -and then opens up into a chamber where you’ll see the White Witch. -That’s as far as most folks ever go.” - -“It won’t take us too long to see the formation?” Miss Ward asked, -looking anxiously at her wrist watch. “We haven’t much time.” - -“Ten minutes, ma’am, to walk to the chamber. The climb back will take -longer. I’m not as spry as I was in the old days.” - -“We can spare an hour,” Miss Ward decided. - -Captain Hager instructed the girls to follow him, single-file. Miss -Ward brought up the rear of the procession to make certain that none of -her charges wandered out of line. - -Cautiously, and with awe, the Scouts moved into the entrance chamber -of the cave. A considerable current of air moved in the cavern, nearly -lifting Kathleen’s beret from her head. - -The room in which the girls found themselves, though dark, was -neither damp nor musty. By the light of Captain Hager’s lantern, they -distinguished smoke-blackened limestone walls, and on the floor were -the dead ashes of a small fire. - -“Someone has been in here lately,” the guide remarked. “Not Bart, -because he wouldn’t bother with a fire. He does most of his exploring -in a bathing suit.” - -“A bathing suit!” gasped Miss Ward, truly astonished. “I should think -he’d freeze to death.” - -“Not that lad,” chuckled the captain. He had rested his lantern for a -moment on a rocky ledge. “The temperature of this cave is the same, -summer or winter. Bart wears a bathing suit because he can crawl -through narrow places better than if he had on bulky clothes. And when -he gets wet, he says he stays warmer and dries out faster.” - -“Dear me, there’s more to this exploration of caves than I realized,” -commented Miss Ward. “We’ll not get wet, I trust?” - -“No, Ma’am,” the captain promised. “There’s no water down to the level -where we’re going. Keep your eyes out for bats though--not that the -little creatures will harm you.” - -“Bats!” Virginia squealed. “Horrors!” - -“They won’t hurt you,” the captain repeated. “Not even if you touch -’em with your hand. Sometimes they’re packed in on the walls as tight -as a swarm o’ bees. Then if they’re disturbed, the whole mass may take -flight. Bats are strange creatures.” - -“Ardeth should be assigned to capture one for the camp treasure chest!” -Judy chuckled. - -“We’ll go below, now,” the captain announced. “Follow me closely, and -don’t do too much talkin’. Sound echoes in a cave and is magnified. -Full steam ahead!” - -Step by step, the Scouts descended the narrow passageway. The slope -was an easy one, but it seemed endless. Unable to judge distance -underground, the girls imagined they had gone a long ways when finally -the captain brought up in a gallery approximately sixteen feet wide. - -Walls of the room were covered with limestone ridges and there were a -few interesting stalagmites and stalactites. Captain Hager struck one -of the latter with his stout walking stick, and it gave forth a musical -ring. - -Waiting until the entire party had clustered about, he slowly moved -his lantern so that it threw a circular, shadowy light on a dark -portion of the gallery. - -The girls sucked in their breath, uttering exclamations of surprise and -awe. - -There before them, was the cave witch! - -Tall and skinny, she appeared to lean on a long, white staff. The -ice-like figure, the girls knew, had been formed by stalagmites and -stalactites which over the years had grown together in weird formation. - -For a long while they stood silent, held by the ghostly spell of the -old witch. In the dead stillness, they could hear the rush of the -mysterious hidden river far below them. A cold gust of air blew across -the gallery, causing the Scouts to pull their jackets more closely -about them. - -“How real that old witch looks!” Judy whispered, finally breaking the -silence. “No wonder folks make up tales about this cave.” - -Keeping his voice low to prevent echo, Captain Hager explained that the -dripstone formations were called stalactites when they hung from the -limestone ceiling and stalagmites if they rose from the cave floor. - -“Each icicle-like formation, if broken, shows growth rings not unlike -those of a tree,” he related. Some, he told the Scouts, grew very -rapidly, while others were years in the making. - -“Usually each stalactite has a small hole in the center through which -the water flows to drip off the end,” he went on. “When the drip-off -strikes the floor, it sometimes builds up a stalagmite as you see them -here. When the two unite, you may get any variety of weird shapes.” - -“Oh, dear,” protested Kathleen, “you’re taking all the magic away from -the White Witch, Captain Hager! I prefer to imagine that she is pure -white stone.” - -Virginia inquired if there were other interesting formations deeper -down in the cave? - -“Aye, in the gallery below, there’s one Bart calls the Grand Ballroom. -Farther on, there’s a Frozen Waterfall, or flowstone, as it’s called. -You can see needles and toadstools and totem poles.” - -“Oh, Captain Hager, take us on!” pleaded Ardeth. “Only as far as the -Ballroom. This cave is so fascinating.” - -Before the captain could answer, Miss Ward interposed firmly: “No, -girls. Perhaps some other day, if we have a guide, we can return.” - -“The camp station wagon will be at Calico Cottage before we are, if we -don’t hurry,” declared Kathleen. “This is such a wonderful grotto, I -hate to leave, but we must.” - -Regretfully, the others agreed that further exploration of the cave -must be postponed. Leading the way with the lantern, Captain Hager -began the steep climb. He moved slowly and in the narrow passageway, -his heavy breathing was so loud that those behind him could hear it -plainly. - -“I’m not as spry as I was ten years ago,” the old man confessed when -the party presently reached the cave exit. “Going down is easy enough, -but when I throw ’er in reverse, my ticker starts to pound.” - -“We shouldn’t have pressed you into taking us to see the old witch,” -Judy apologized. - -“I was glad to do it,” the captain insisted. “Anyway, I’m not ready yet -to let old age get to the windward of me! No, sir!” - -The Scouts thanked their guide for taking them on the expedition. -Saying goodbye, they hastened along the rocky path to the private road, -thence to Calico Cottage. To their relief, the camp station wagon had -not yet arrived. - -“What a wonderful morning!” Kathleen declared, sitting down on the -porch steps to think over the exciting things she had seen inside the -cave. “I wish all the girls at Pine Cone Camp could see the White -Witch!” - -“Perhaps it can be arranged,” Miss Ward remarked. “I’ll talk to -Miss Lubell about it and see what she thinks. Caves certainly are -educational.” - -“Captain Hager knows a lot about them too,” contributed Judy. “He told -us a great deal, but I have a hunch there’s more he left unsaid.” - -“About the White Witch?” inquired Virginia. - -“The White Witch and maybe some other things,” she hinted. “Both -Captain Hager and Bart seem to dislike Mr. Krumm. If it weren’t for -that personal feeling, I suspect they might tell us more about the -ghost of Calico Cottage.” - - - - -_Chapter 12_ - -THE PRIVATE ROAD - - -After lunch at Pine Cone Camp, the Scouts busied themselves washing -their clothes and cleaning the Beaver Patrol tent. Miss Lubell sent -word by one of the counselors that other quarters would be available -for the girls by nightfall. - -“I guess we’ll have no excuse for staying at Calico Cottage tonight,” -Judy said regretfully. “You know, that boy with the flute intrigues me!” - -“Everyone in camp has heard about him,” added Ardeth as she hung a -blouse on the line to dry. “We’re being teased no end. If we don’t -solve the mystery before we leave here, we’ll never hear the last of -it.” - -Miss Ward had overheard the conversation, and interposed a word. “It -might be well for a couple of Scouts to stay with Judy’s aunt tonight,” -she proposed. “I’m satisfied that the cottage is safe, but strange -sounds at night can be most disturbing to a nervous person alone.” - -“I’ll stay with Aunt Mattie, if I may,” Judy promptly volunteered. - -“I’d like to myself,” added Ardeth. “While I’m there, I want to visit -the cave again. If I could get one of those bats we heard about, we’d -have a fine entry for the nature treasure chest.” - -“The cave is out-of-bounds without a guide,” Miss Ward returned. “I -talked to Miss Lubell about it. She thinks we may be able to arrange -a tour for the entire camp later this week. The problem is to find a -suitable guide. It seems that with the exception of Bart and Captain -Hager, few persons go near the place.” - -“Someone has been in there lately,” Judy said, reminding the teacher of -the dead camp fire ashes they had seen at the cave entrance. - -Shortly before two o’clock, the station wagon took Miss Ward, Judy and -Ardeth to the village depot. A smoky haze hung over the mountainside, -and the girls were somewhat disturbed to learn that a small forest fire -had broken out across the river on Brady’s Ridge. - -Enroute to the station they met a forest service truck and passed a -ranger with a portable radio on his shoulder. - -The driver of the station wagon pulled up, to ask the forest service -man if the situation was considered at all serious. - -“Everything’s under control,” the ranger assured him. “It’s a small -brush fire. We’re keeping a close watch of the entire area though.” - -“How did the fire start?” inquired Miss Ward. - -The ranger shrugged. “Perhaps from a carelessly dropped cigarette. -Or a motorist may have tossed a match out of a car window. The fire -apparently started close to the road. You folks will be all right, if -you don’t try to cross the river. Keep on this side.” - -The haze of smoke hung low as the station wagon parked near the depot. -Judy sniffed the fumes and coughed. - -“What a welcome for Aunt Mattie!” she remarked. “She’ll be scared to -death that the fire will spread to this side of the river. And if we -tell her about the ghost--” - -“I don’t believe I’d do that,” Miss Ward advised. “And least not for a -day or so. Why disturb her unnecessarily?” - -“You’re right,” Judy promptly agreed. “If the ghost makes any more -trouble, Aunt Mattie will find out about it soon enough. Mum’s the -word.” - -The train proved to be half an hour late. Finally it rumbled in, -throwing up dust and cinders. Aunt Mattie Meadows was on the last -Pullman car. She was a jolly-faced woman of forty-two, well turned out -in a trim gray suit, with a white carnation in the lapel. - -“Hi, Aunt Mattie!” Judy cried, rushing to greet her. - -Miss Meadows enfolded her niece in a warm embrace, and then held her -off at arm’s length for a better view. - -“Why, you’re brown as an Indian!” she exclaimed. “What have you done to -your complexion?” - -“Liberal doses of sun, wind and lake water,” Judy chuckled. She turned -to present Miss Ward and Ardeth. - -Miss Meadows greeted them, made a few casual remarks and then sniffed -the air. “Goodness! Do I smell smoke?” she demanded. “Is something on -fire?” - -“Only a little brush across the river,” Judy said carelessly. She -picked up her aunt’s suitcase and started for the station wagon. -“Nothing to worry about.” - -Aunt Mattie kept sniffing the air. “Dear me, it doesn’t seem a little -fire could make so much smoke. Judy, are you quite sure there’s no -danger? You’re not keeping anything from me?” - -“The ranger assured us there is no danger. Don’t give it a thought, -Aunt Mattie.” - -Miss Meadows fell silent as she was escorted to the waiting station -wagon. Nevertheless, she kept gazing toward the horizon in the -direction of the river. - -Going up the winding mountain road, the woman became increasingly ill -at ease. At each sharp turn, she instinctively braced herself, as if -fearing the car would roll off into a ravine. - -“I hope you rented a nice cottage for me, Judy,” she chatted. “You -didn’t write me a word about it.” - -“There wasn’t time, Aunt Mattie. In fact, we didn’t have any choice in -selecting the cottage. We had to take the only place available.” - -“Is it a quiet place? I’ve had a hard, tiring year, and I do want to -have complete rest.” - -“Well, Calico Cottage is off the beaten path,” Judy replied evasively. -“How quiet it will prove to be no one can predict.” - -The station wagon rounded a curve and slowed to a standstill. Peering -ahead, the girls saw that a wooden barrier had been placed across part -of the highway, blocking traffic. - -“Now what?” murmured Judy. “This wasn’t here when we came down the -mountain an hour ago.” - -A state highway patrolman came over to the station wagon. Recognizing -the driver and the occupants, he told them they might proceed. - -“We’re checking every car,” he told the group. “We have a report some -hi-jackers, who took a truck at Oelwein, are coming this way. With the -forest service tied up fighting a forest fire, and most of our men -helping ’em, they probably figured they could slip a cargo through.” - -“Hi-jackers!” Aunt Mattie exclaimed in dismay. “Judy, what sort of a -place is this?” - -“Never a dull moment,” Judy responded lightly. “You’ll love it here!” - -“Judy, tell her about your meeting with Joe--” Ardeth began, only to -let her voice trail off as Miss Ward directed a warning glance in her -direction. - -The station wagon moved on past the barrier and drew up presently -at Calico Cottage. Aunt Mattie, who had fallen into a weary silence, -suddenly revived at sight of the little house. - -“Why, it’s charming!” she cried. “Judy, you couldn’t have found a nicer -place. So peaceful looking, set back among the trees.” - -“Let’s hope Calico Cottage lives up to its appearance,” Judy said, -leading the way across the lawn. “Ardeth and I thought we’d stay with -you tonight, so you won’t be lonesome. Do you mind?” - -“I’ll be happy to have you! I’m not afraid to stay alone at night, -but I’ll admit I’ll rest easier with someone in the house. Especially -with a forest fire burning at my doorstep, and hi-jackers on the main -highway!” - -“It’s not that bad,” Judy protested. - -After seeing that Miss Meadows was comfortably settled in the cottage, -Miss Ward decided to return with the station wagon driver to Pine Cone -Camp. Before leaving, she talked privately with Judy. - -“Everything should be all right here,” she said, “but if by chance -anything does go wrong, call me at once.” - -“We’ll be safe and comfortable,” Judy insisted. “No more ghost scares I -hope.” - -“Miss Lubell put a stop to that,” the teacher informed her. “We checked -and learned that it was the Lone Tree girls who attached the bed sheet -to the bushes. They’ve promised not to pull any more tricks.” - -After the station wagon had departed, Judy and Ardeth helped Miss -Meadows unpack. Her enthusiasm for the cottage was boundless. She was -especially delighted with the kitchen and went about poking in the high -cupboards over the sink. - -“Tomorrow when I am rested, I’ll straighten all the dishes and -rearrange them more to my liking,” she announced. “I never feel that -I’m settled in a place until I’ve cleaned the cupboards.” - -With the supplies on hand, Aunt Mattie cooked a magnificent supper, -topping it off with biscuits and a custard pie. The meal finished, she -suddenly collapsed from weariness, leaving the dishes for Judy and -Ardeth. - -“I declare, I don’t know what’s come over me,” she apologized. “The -long train ride must have worn me out. I can’t keep my eyes open.” - -“Go straight to bed, Aunt Mattie. Ardeth and I will take care of -everything.” - -“I believe I will turn in,” Miss Meadows said, covering a yawn. “You’ll -be sure to lock all the doors?” - -“Every one,” Judy promised. - -The sink was fairly loaded with dishes, for Aunt Mattie did not skimp -on them when she cooked a meal. After scouring the last stubborn pan, -Judy hung up the dish rag with a tired sigh. - -“Shall we turn in?” she asked Ardeth. - -“We may as well, I guess. Wonder what the girls are doing at Pine -Cone?” - -“Singing songs and telling stories by the camp fire, like as not. Wish -you were there, Ardeth?” - -“Someone should stay here this first night with your aunt. I don’t -mind, Judy. Do you suppose--” - -“We’ll have a serenade from our friend with the flute?” Judy supplied. -“For Aunt Mattie’s sake I hope not. If she hears about a ghost on top -of hi-jackers and a forest fire, she’s likely to pack her suitcase and -leave.” - -Ardeth had moved to the open kitchen door. “There isn’t as much smoke -in the air now,” she reported. “Either the wind is carrying it the -other direction, or the fire has died down.” - -After closing the windows and making certain the doors were locked, the -two girls presently went to their bedroom which adjoined the one Miss -Meadows had taken. - -Judy secretly had made up her mind she would lie awake a long while to -be sure that nothing went amiss in the cottage. However, her bed was so -pleasantly comfortable, that despite her firm resolution, she dozed off -almost at once. - -When finally she awakened, it was to find herself being shaken by -Ardeth. - -“Get up, lazy!” the latter ordered. “It’s late! Your aunt has been up -for at least half an hour.” - -“Jumping fishes!” Judy exclaimed in dismay, dragging herself from -beneath the covers. “I must have slept like a log all night.” - -“I know I did,” Ardeth confessed. “What a fine pair of guards we -proved to be!” - -“Well, at least nothing went wrong here,” Judy said, pulling on her -shoes. “I’m relieved on that score.” - -Dressing fast, the girls hastened to the kitchen. Miss Meadows had the -stove going and was cooking cereal. She appeared pale, however, and -there were dark shadows under her eyes. - -“Did you sleep well, Aunt Mattie?” Judy asked politely. - -“Very badly.” - -Judy and Ardeth exchanged a quick, worried glance. Both hesitated to -ask the question which was foremost in their minds. - -“Did--did anything disturb you?” Judy managed finally. - -“I never sleep well the first night in a strange place. I was awake for -hours.” - -Judy drew a long breath and grinned at Ardeth. But her relief was -brief. For Aunt Mattie went on impressively: - -“I’m not sure I’ll like this place as well as I thought last night. -There’s entirely too much traffic on the side road.” - -“You mean the main road, don’t you, Aunt Mattie?” Judy corrected. - -Miss Meadows stirred the pot of cereal on the stove. “I mean that -highway that runs down the hill toward the river.” - -“Why, that’s a private road and it dead-ends,” Judy responded. “There’s -never any traffic in that direction.” - -“There was last night,” Miss Meadows insisted firmly. “A truck came -along the highway and stopped so that the headbeams shone almost -directly into my window. The driver flashed them on and off several -times as if in signal. Then, the lights were doused, and the truck -turned down the side road.” - -“I can’t imagine a truck using that road at night,” Judy said -thoughtfully. “The road doesn’t go anywhere except to the cave. Perhaps -you were mistaken, Aunt Mattie. Don’t you think the truck might have -gone on down the main highway?” - -“I don’t think so,” Miss Meadows replied. “No, I’m sure the truck -turned down the side road.” - -No more was said about the matter then. But after the breakfast dishes -had been done, Ardeth and Judy slipped outside for a private talk. - -“Do you suppose your aunt was right about those truck lights?” Ardeth -asked, lowering her voice so it would not carry through the open -kitchen window. “And what about that signal?” - -“She must have been mistaken,” Judy replied anxiously. “All the same, -we certainly should investigate. Come on, Ardeth! If that truck turned -down the dead-end road, there will be tire marks to prove it.” - - - - -_Chapter 13_ - -THE MISSING KEY - - -Cutting across the lawn which was heavy with dew, the two girls turned -toward the entrance to the private road. A haze of smoke still hung -above the treetops, but it was evident that the fire which had alarmed -everyone the previous day, now was well under control. - -Suddenly, Judy halted, staring at tire marks on the dirt road. - -“Aunt Mattie was right!” she exclaimed. “A big truck did turn off the -main highway!” - -“The tire prints are plain to see,” Ardeth agreed, equally startled. -“But what would a heavy truck be doing here? The road dead-ends.” - -“It seems odd.” - -“Perhaps the driver only pulled off the pavement to fix a tire.” - -Judy shook her head. “The tracks plainly go down the slope toward the -cave,” she pointed out. - -“Mightn’t it have been a forest ranger fire fighting truck?” - -“That’s so,” Judy acknowledged, “it might have been. Maybe that would -explain the headlight signals Aunt Mattie reported seeing. I can’t -imagine though, why a Forest Service truck would use this road at -night. The fire was across the river.” - -As the girls considered whether to go farther down the private road, -they heard the rattle of a milk wagon approaching on the main highway. - -“It’s Bart!” Judy cried. - -The delivery truck stopped some distance away, but after milk had been -left at Calico Cottage, came on down the road. Bart drew up to chat -with the girls. - -“How’s everything?” he inquired cheerfully. “Your ghost behaving -himself?” - -Judy replied that the household had not been disturbed further by the -mysterious flute player. She added, however, that her aunt had slept -badly and that lights from a truck had bothered her. - -“I guess it must have been a Forest Service truck that went down this -road last night,” Ardeth remarked. “See the tire tracks.” - -Bart already had stepped out of the milk wagon to inspect them. - -“Those weren’t made by a Forest Service truck,” he told the girls. -“Their vehicles are lighter. Anyway, I don’t know what a forest truck -would be doing here late at night. Seems sort of queer--” - -“I thought so myself!” Judy said quickly. - -“Let’s have a look-see,” Bart proposed. “Want to ride down the hill -with me? If you do, hop in!” - -Judy and Ardeth scrambled into the cab, taking care not to step on -Pete who was asleep on the floor. - -“Do you dare leave your milk route?” Ardeth asked the young driver. - -“I’m ahead of schedule this morning,” Bart answered. “I can take a few -minutes. This is my last week on the route anyway.” - -“You’re taking another job?” Ardeth inquired politely. - -By this time the milk truck had turned and was moving slowly down the -narrow, rutty road. - -“Not exactly,” Bart admitted. “I’ve saved enough money to see me -through a year of college. I’m laying off because I want to do a little -exploring before I start in at school this fall.” - -“Exploring?” Judy repeated with interest. “Of the cavern?” - -“That’s right.” Bart grinned, as he slowed down for a bad hole in the -road. “Folks hereabouts think I’m crazy to spend so much time in a -cave. It’s in my blood, I guess! I’m planning on becoming a scientist -if I make the grade.” - -“Does Calico Cave have any bats or other interesting birds or animals?” -Ardeth questioned abruptly. - -“Hundreds of bats. You can see them clustered in masses on the walls in -one section of the cave, near the entrance.” - -“Ugh!” Judy shuddered. - -“Why, they’re harmless,” Bart assured her. “I suppose you think of a -bat as a naked, winged creature with claws that would catch in your -hair?” - -“I never came very close to one,” Judy admitted, “but I do feel that -way about them.” - -“Like a great many folks, you do the bat an injustice,” Bart returned. -“Its little claws are used only to provide a means of clinging to a -rock wall. Bats are afraid of people. They fly at amazing speed, but -they can dodge any obstacle.” - -“They sleep in the caves?” Ardeth questioned. - -“Yes, the bat, you know, is descended from an animal that lived in a -warm, uniform climate. For some reason, the bat never has been able to -adapt itself to weather changes, so it hibernates in caves which have -an almost constant temperature.” - -“I’d give anything if I had a bat!” Ardeth announced. “Just one!” - -“A bat? What would you want with it?” Bart asked, rather amused by the -remark. - -Ardeth told him about the nature treasure chest at Pine Cone Camp. “Our -unit hasn’t contributed anything, as yet,” she added. “If I could get -one of those bats, we’d really be the talk of the camp.” - -“I think I can get you one,” Bart offered, glancing at his wristwatch. -“You’re serious about wanting it?” - -“Oh, yes, but I don’t want to delay you on your run.” - -“If the bats are where I think they’ll be, I can pick one off the wall -in a minute or two,” Bart promised. “Want to go into the cave with me?” - -“I don’t think we should without permission from our leader,” Judy said -quickly. - -“I can travel faster alone at any rate,” the young milkman replied. - -As the milk truck rattled on down the winding road, he talked -enthusiastically about bats and their habits. - -The creatures, he told the girls, had silky, translucent wings and flew -with astonishing precision. - -“I’ve seen ’em fly between water and ceiling down deep in the cave -where there was barely clearance,” he related. “Now, if only I were a -bat, I’d explore that siphon!” - -“You shouldn’t even think of such a thing!” Judy chided. “It would be -frightfully dangerous.” - -Bart made no answer. - -“You’re not considering it, are you?” Judy demanded, alarmed by his -silence. - -“I’ve considered it for years,” Bart answered soberly. “I think about -it all the time, in fact. I’ve just about decided--” he deliberately -broke off, and finished: “Now to tell you more about bats--they hang -to the ceilings by their feet, head down. Their bodies are covered by -their long, folded wings when they sleep. One can pick them off the -wall, and they make no fuss.” - -“Ardeth, must you have a bat?” Judy tried to discourage her. - -“Oh, yes, if I can get one without causing too much trouble. But how -will I get it to camp?” - -Bart had pulled up at the end of the private road. From the back end of -the truck, he brought out a cardboard box with a cover. - -“We can use this,” he suggested. “I may not get a bat for you though. I -haven’t long to ramble through the cave this trip.” - -Tucking the cardboard box under his arm, the cheerful young milkman -stepped from the truck. Alertly he gazed at a sizeable slick of oil on -the roadside, remarking that it evidently had leaked from the parked -truck. - -“Apparently, it stayed here quite a while last night before turning -around and pulling out,” he added. - -“What would a truck be doing down here late at night?” Judy speculated. - -“I wouldn’t know,” Bart answered with a shrug. “Interesting question -though.” - -He started off down the path which led to Calico Cave. Before vanishing -from view amid the bushes, he paused to fling over his shoulder: “Don’t -try to follow me, even if I’m not back in a few minutes. Wait in the -milk wagon.” - -Ten minutes elapsed, then fifteen and twenty. Eagerly the girls began -to watch the path for their friend to reappear. - -The rising sun beat down harder and harder on the milk wagon, causing -Judy and Ardeth increasing discomfort. They became restless. - -“It’s taking Bart an awfully long time,” Ardeth remarked uneasily. -“Perhaps I shouldn’t have asked him to get a bat for me. If anything -should happen--” - -“He’ll be along soon,” Judy said. “I think I hear him coming now.” - -She was right, for a moment later, the young milkman emerged from the -tunnel of branches at the trail’s exit. - -“Did you get one?” Ardeth cried eagerly. - -“Sure did,” Bart responded. - -Coming over to the milk truck, he opened the punctured lid of the -cardboard box, so that the girls could peep at the frightened creature -flopping inside. - -“After you’ve displayed him at camp, better let him fly away,” the -milkman advised. “He’ll find his way back to the cave.” - -“Oh, I wouldn’t want to keep him shut up,” Ardeth replied. “That would -be cruel. I promise to let him go by tonight.” - -“Fine!” Bart approved, climbing into the milk wagon and starting the -motor. “Now I want you girls to make me another one.” - -“Another promise?” asked Ardeth, carefully holding the box Bart had -placed in her hands. - -“Yes, I want you to stay away from here unless you’re with a forest -ranger or some man.” - -“Away from the cave, you mean?” Judy questioned, rather surprised by -the request. - -“From the cave, and also away from this private road.” - -“But why?” - -“I’ll tell you,” Bart said soberly. By this time he had turned the milk -truck around in the narrow road and had headed it up the hill. “There’s -something going on here that will bear investigation.” - -“The truck tire tracks, you mean?” interposed Ardeth, mystified by the -remark. - -“At first, that didn’t seem very disturbing,” Bart said. “But I’ve -since made a discovery. That was why it took me so long.” - -“You didn’t run into anyone in the cave?” Judy asked quickly. - -“No, but someone has been there recently. Last night probably.” - -“How do you know?” - -“Someone had trampled the path to the cave. Boot tracks. Then inside -the entrance chamber, I found cigarette butts and long marks, showing -where heavy objects had been dragged across the floor. Boxes, I’d -judge.” - -“All removed?” Judy questioned. - -“Yes, no sign of anyone or anything in the cave now.” - -“You think someone must have come here last night in that truck and -used the cave?” - -“Obviously, Judy. But don’t quiz me, because I’ve told you everything -I learned. I’m not venturing any guesses as to who it was or why the -person or persons came here late at night. My advice is just to keep -clear of the place until we can learn what’s going on.” - -“Judy and I are returning to camp this morning,” Ardeth informed the -young milkman. “So even if we wanted to prowl around, we wouldn’t have -an opportunity.” - -“That’s all to the good then,” Bart grinned. “There may be no cause for -alarm, but it’s just as well not to take chances.” - -At the turn-off onto the paved road, he said goodbye to the Scouts and -resumed his milk route. - -Triumphantly, Ardeth and Judy bore their captured bat to Calico Cottage -where they displayed it to Miss Meadows. Though they related how they -had obtained the creature, they did not repeat Bart’s warning or -mention what they had learned about the big truck. - -Miss Meadows seemed to have forgotten the disturbance of the previous -night completely. After making a show of admiring the imprisoned bat, -she chirped: - -“While you girls were away, I cleaned the cupboards.” - -“They’re very neat and tidy now,” Judy said, opening the double doors -to inspect the rows of china. - -“At the back of the cupboard, I found a key,” Miss Meadows remarked -casually. She produced it from her apron pocket. “Apparently, it fits a -door. But which one I wouldn’t know.” - -Judy rocked back on her heels and looked quickly at Ardeth. Neither -spoke for a moment. - -Finally, Judy trusted her voice. Taking care to keep it steady, to give -no hint of her excitement and hope, she said quietly: - -“I wouldn’t be surprised if that key fits the cellar door, Aunt Mattie.” - -“Why, it might at that.” - -Judy forced herself to speak casually, as if the matter were of no -great moment. - -“The key looks about the right size,” she remarked. “Do you mind if I -try it?” - - - - -_Chapter 14_ - -A FAMILIAR FACE - - -Miss Meadows willingly relinquished the key which she had found in the -kitchen cupboard. - -Judy fitted it in the door lock and was elated when it turned readily. -Her pose of indifference instantly dissolved. - -“Now we can get into the cellar!” she exulted. “Whoopee!” - -Miss Meadows could not understand her niece’s exuberance. The key was -only an ordinary one so far as she knew, and until that moment she -scarcely had noted that the basement was closed off. - -The opening of the cellar door had brought a whiff of stale, cool air -into the kitchen. - -Poised at the head of the long flight of stone stairs, Judy peered down -into the darkness. In vain she groped for a light switch. - -“I guess the cellar never was equipped with electricity,” she remarked. -“I’ll get my flashlight.” - -She ran to the bedroom, returning a moment later to find Miss Meadows -regarding the stairway with disapproval. - -“Need we go down there, Judy?” she asked to discourage her. “Since the -door was locked, the cottage owner might prefer us to keep it so.” - -“Oh, we can relock the door,” Judy answered, flashing her light over -the rough brick wall along the steep stairway. “First though, I want to -see what’s below.” - -Focusing her light upon the uneven stone steps, she cautiously started -down. - -“Watch your footing,” she advised Ardeth and her aunt, who followed -close behind. “These steps are narrow and worn.” - -Miss Meadows remarked that the cellar seemed very old in contrast to -the new cottage. - -“It is old,” Judy agreed. “When Mr. Krumm built the cottage, he tried -to save money by using the foundation of Captain Hager’s place.” - -Judy negotiated the stairway safely and waited for the others at a -jagged doorway which opened into the main cellar chamber. - -The basement was very still, except for the shuffle of the descending -feet. - -“No musical chimes or the like?” Ardeth demanded with a suppressed -giggle as she reached the bottom of the stairway. - -Moving through the stone archway, the three found themselves in a large -room. The chamber was dry, but nevertheless gave forth a musty odor. - -The ancient brick walls were lined with shelves, all of which appeared -empty. In fact, the only visible objects in the room were a half dozen -old barrels. The casks lay helter-skelter, some on their sides, and -others up-ended. - -Judy deliberately walked around the barrels, inspecting them closely -and kicking at them with her foot. All gave forth a hollow sound, which -echoed in the chamber room. - -Satisfied that every cask was empty, Judy next turned her attention to -a smaller storage closet off to the left. - -“This must have been the fruit and vegetable storage room,” she -declared. “It’s been cleaned out though.” - -The shelves were completely bare, and the roving flashlight revealed -only an undisturbed layer of dust. - -“We’ve seen everything,” Ardeth said, losing interest. “I think we -should be getting upstairs. The camp station wagon will be coming for -us any minute now.” - -It was well that they had cut short their inspection of the basement, -for within five minutes the camp station wagon drove up. - -In a flurry to be off, Judy and Ardeth hurriedly gathered their few -belongings and the precious bat from Calico Cave. - -“Now have a good time in camp and don’t keep trying to look after -me,” Miss Meadows admonished as she bade the girls goodbye. “Drop by -whenever you feel like it, but don’t think you have to stay here over -night.” - -“I don’t like you to remain alone,” Judy began only to have her aunt -interrupt. - -“Nonsense! I’ll be all right. Now run along, and enjoy your friends.” - -In truth, Judy was somewhat relieved to know that there was no reason -for the Scouts to remain each night at Calico Cottage. Although the -mysterious flute sounds had not been explained, and might never be, she -and Ardeth had convinced themselves that no danger lurked in the cellar. - -As for Bart’s warning not to go near the cave without a male escort, -Judy decided that to pass on the admonition to her aunt, might only -cause uneasiness. - -“Aunt Mattie never will set foot inside that cave,” she reflected. “So -why worry her needlessly? She’ll probably never see those truck lights -again.” - -At Pine Cone Camp a few minutes later, Judy and Ardeth created a -sensation by producing their captive bat. The other Scouts generously -credited the Beaver Patrol girls with having the very best treasure -chest entry. Everyone was satisfied when Miss Lubell announced that -they had won the competition. - -“We certainly got in just under the wire,” Ardeth chuckled, when -informed that her bat had taken first honors. “Now I’ll let him fly -away, and hope he returns to Calico Cave safely.” - -Making up for time which of necessity had been spent away from camp, -Judy had a wonderful day with her friends. She swam, went sailboating, -and in the late afternoon helped set the table for the evening meal. - -Later that night, all the girls enjoyed a sing-fest and took part in -folk dancing. - -“What a grand day!” Judy declared blissfully as she sought her tent a -few minutes before the “lights out” signal. “I hope Aunt Mattie doesn’t -run into trouble. I feel guilty, knowing she’s alone at the cottage.” - -She dropped off to sleep quickly, determined to check on affairs at -Calico Cottage the first thing in the morning. - -Judy’s intentions were the very best. Nevertheless, she awoke late and -was hard pressed to dress and be on time for breakfast. Thereafter, she -found herself assigned to kitchen detail with Beverly and Kathleen. - -The three spent until lunch time peeling apples for pie and washing -vegetables. Even after luncheon, Judy did not get to a telephone, for -the unit leader hurried her off to her tent to prepare for a hike. - -In connection with the hike, the Scouts planned to visit one of the -nearby ranger towers. A brisk walk through the forest brought them -presently to a cleared area from which arose a tall, steel framework. - -The Scouts climbed the steep stairway to a glassed-in square -observation room. A ranger, who had been poring over a map on a table, -greeted the visitors in a friendly way and invited them to look about. - -After answering a number of questions, he showed the girls an automatic -fire-finder, an instrument which permitted an observer to read with -precision both vertical and horizontal angles. By means of the device, -a newly discovered fire could be pinpointed, and rangers immediately -dispatched to the area. - -“We have a network of ten observation towers in this particular area,” -he informed the Scouts. “Even so all points cannot be viewed, so we -find it necessary to maintain ground patrols as well.” - -“Can one see Pine Cone Camp from here?” Judy inquired. - -“No, the camp is one of our blind spots, unfortunately,” the ranger -replied. “Rest assured, it is well protected though. Lowell Diethelm -patrols that area. His Forest Service car is equipped with radio -telephone. If he should observe a fire, he immediately would notify -headquarters. Ground fighters would be dispatched at once.” - -“Do you have many fires here during the summer?” Kathleen inquired. - -“Until this year, very few. Recently, we’ve had a number of small ones, -mostly along the main highway. A few though, have been of mysterious -origin.” - -“Deliberately set?” questioned Judy. - -“We’re beginning to wonder,” the ranger answered. “Carelessness, of -course, is the underlying cause of most fires. But incendiarism runs -high too. Now that so many summer campers and tourists are pouring into -the area, we have to be especially watchful.” - -Before leaving the observation tower, the Scouts studied the big -topographical map and took turns peering through the binoculars. - -“Well, come again girls,” the ranger invited as they prepared to leave. -“Be careful of your fires. And remember, if you do see one, report it -at once. Discovery time counts for a lot.” - -Leaving the observation tower, the Scouts hiked on for another mile and -a half. By the time they reached the Fountain Falls trail, everyone was -beginning to feel the first pangs of hunger. - -“When do we eat?” Virginia demanded. - -“Soon,” promised the unit leader. “I’ll get the fire started while you -girls see the falls. I obtained a permit, so we’re violating no rules -to build our own.” - -The girls helped gather wood. Then, while the fire was burning down to -bright cherry coals, those not delegated to watch, climbed a steep path -to Fountain Falls. - -A veil-like spray of water fell nearly thirty feet to a rocky shelf -below. Ferns and moss protruded from cracks in the limestone rock. - -After admiring the sight for some minutes, the Scouts retraced their -way to help with supper. Already a huge tin can was warming on the -coals, filled with a fragrant chowder mixture of bacon, onions, canned -corn and potatoes. - -By the time Judy had toasted bread, the other simple items of the -meal were ready. The crisp mountain air had given everyone enormous -appetites. However, there was sufficient food for everyone. - -Once the litter had been cleared away and the last marshmallow toasted, -the unit leader personally supervised putting out the camp fire. - -She had the girls smother it with water brought from the nearby creek. -Then to make certain that not a spark remained, she covered the dead -coals with a heavy layer of soil. - -“Now it’s time to hike down to Silverton,” she advised the group as she -consulted her watch. “The time has gone very fast.” - -The downhill hike was comparatively easy and the group made faster time -than had been expected. As a consequence, they arrived in the village -at twenty minutes to seven. - -“We’ll have a short wait until the station wagon comes,” the unit -leader told the girls. “It shouldn’t be long though.” - -The group had been instructed to meet their driver at Luke’s Cafe, one -of the few business establishments open after six o’clock. - -Accordingly, they went in, taking tables and booths. Some of the girls -ordered ice cream. Judy finished hers quickly, and then left the booth -to pay her bill at the counter. - -Two men were seated on stools, drinking coffee and munching hamburger -sandwiches. - -Judy cast an indifferent glance in their direction, and than looked -again, more intently. One of the men she had never seen before, but she -was certain she recognized the other. - -“That’s Joe Pompilli!” she thought excitedly. “The man who was hurt in -the truck accident! The same hi-jacker that the State Highway Patrol -wants to nail!” - -As she considered what she should do, Kathleen sauntered out of another -booth. Judy signaled to her. - -Once Kathleen had joined her, she informed her of her suspicion. - -Kathleen studied the man that Judy pointed out. “Yes, he’s the one we -helped!” she whispered. “The one who was called Joe!” - -“He’s wanted by the Highway Patrol,” Judy replied grimly, her mind -made up. “Kathleen, stay here and keep your eye on those two men. Don’t -let them recognize you, if you can prevent it. I’m going to slip out of -here and telephone!” - - - - -_Chapter 15_ - -JUDY’S MISTAKE - - -Rushing out of the cafe, Judy scarcely knew which way to go. Across the -street, lights were on at the corner drugstore, so she decided to seek -a telephone there. - -As she darted to the opposite curb, she spied one of the forest -rangers, who only that moment had emerged from a barber shop. - -Judy had seen the Forest Service man several times since her arrival at -Pine Cone Camp and knew that his name was Lowell Diethelm. - -Now, instantly recognizing his face and uniform, a wave of relief swept -over her. He would know how to help her notify the State Highway Patrol -quickly! - -“Oh, ranger!” she called, for in the excitement of the moment, his name -temporarily fled from her mind. - -“Yes?” The ranger turned to regard Judy with intent curiosity. - -“Can you help me make a report to the State Highway Department right -away?” - -“Why sure,” the ranger replied. “What’s wrong? An automobile accident?” - -Judy jerked her head to indicate the cafe across the street. “Two men -are in there eating lunch,” she explained, trying to hold her voice -steady. “I’m sure one of them is Joe Pompilli!” - -“Not the hi-jacker?” - -Judy’s head bobbed excitedly. “I know he’s the same one Kathleen and I -helped the other day when a truck went off the road. I want to get word -to the State Highway Department right away.” - -“Take it easy,” the ranger advised as Judy turned as if to start off -alone. “You’re mistaken, I think. Joe Pompilli wouldn’t dare to show -himself openly here.” - -“It does seem a reckless thing for him to do,” Judy conceded. “But I’m -sure the man is the same one.” - -“You must be wrong, but to prove it I’ll go over with you to the cafe,” -Diethelm offered. - -Crossing the street, Judy and the ranger peered in through the big -plate glass window. The two truckers still were seated at the lunch -counter. - -“Which one do you say is Joe?” the ranger demanded. - -“The one with the square jaw, seated next to the wall. I never saw the -other man before.” - -Diethelm began to chuckle in a hard sort of manner which grated -unpleasantly on Judy’s ears. - -“Why are you laughing?” she asked. “Isn’t that man Joe Pompilli?” - -“Not on your life. Both those men are truckers for the Peoria Cartage -Co., and they make this town every few days. It’s lucky you ran into me -before you went blabbering your suspicions to the State Highway patrol. -If you’d accused those two of being hi-jackers, they might not have -liked it.” - -“But I can’t understand it, unless I was misinformed by the state -highwaymen,” Judy stammered, completely crushed by the mistake she had -made. “That man certainly was hurt in an accident. He’s wearing a wrist -bandage and there are cuts on his face! The other Scouts and myself -gave him first aid treatment.” - -“I don’t know about that,” Ranger Diethelm replied with a shrug. “The -state patrolmen either made a mistake in identifying him, or gave you -the wrong dope.” - -“Shouldn’t I call Highway headquarters to make sure?” - -“You’ll be making a silly mistake if you do,” warned the ranger. “A -mistake that will make your Scout organization the laughing stock of -the community. Take my word for it, those two men are Jim Brady and -Donald Fine, two highly respected truckers. But go ahead if you want to -make the call.” - -Lowell Diethelm’s words, and particularly his air of amusement, robbed -Judy of all desire to risk action which might hold up her organization -to possible ridicule. - -She hesitated. The ranger mistook her silence for unwillingness to -follow his suggestion. - -“Instead of trying to track down criminals, you Scouts would do better -to look after affairs around your own camp,” he said cuttingly. - -“Why, what do you mean?” asked Judy, startled. She had detected a -hostile note in the ranger’s voice. - -“You girls should be more careful about starting camp fires.” - -“We’re always careful,” Judy insisted indignantly. - -“Didn’t you have a fire this afternoon at Fountain Falls?” - -“Yes, but we were granted a permit. We took great care with our fire, -dousing the coals with water and covering the dead ashes with dirt as -an added precaution.” - -“Well, not thirty minutes ago, our spotter at Tower 32 reported a small -fire close to the Falls. Fortunately, it was put out before it spread.” - -“It couldn’t have been our fire, and we shouldn’t be blamed for it,” -Judy said, her eyes flashing. - -“Some member of your party may have dropped a lighted match.” - -“None of us had any. Only our leader carried matches.” - -“Well, I don’t know how the fire started,” the ranger admitted. “Just -be more careful, that’s all. Now about reporting this trucker you think -is Joe Pompilli--” - -“I guess I must have made a mistake,” Judy mumbled. “Sorry to have -bothered you.” - -“No trouble at all,” Diethelm replied, as he smiled as if suddenly -relieved. “We rangers always try to be of service. Watch those fires -now!” - -Tipping his broad-brimmed hat, he sauntered on down the darkening -street. - -With mingled feelings, Judy was watching the retreating figure. -Humiliated that she had made a mistake in identifying Joe Pompilli, she -nevertheless was annoyed at the ranger for trying to accuse the Scouts -in connection with a newly discovered fire. - -“I think he dragged that in just to bother me,” she thought -resentfully. “But why should he take such an attitude?” - -As Judy stood by the cafe window, wondering what to do, Kathleen -signaled to her from the inside. Her friend’s meaning was not -immediately clear. Then she comprehended that the two truckers were -paying their bill, preparatory to leaving the cafe. - -“I’ll have to let them go,” Judy decided. “Nothing else to do.” - -A moment later the two truckers came outside. Judy did not try to stop -them, but they passed almost in front of her. - -The one she had taken to be Joe Pompilli gazed squarely at her. -Involuntarily, he half stopped. Then, deliberately turning his gaze -away, he went on. - -“He recognized me!” Judy thought, her pulse pounding. “I know he was -that same man Kathleen and I helped on the road. He was called Joe too!” - -Ignoring the girl entirely, the two men went on. Judy saw them get into -a truck which bore the Peoria Cartage Co., name on its side. A moment -before they drove away, she jotted down the license number. - -She had just finished scribbling the numbers on the back of an old -envelope, when Kathleen joined her. - -“What happened?” her friend demanded. “I thought you were going to have -those men arrested. Couldn’t you reach the Highway Patrol station?” - -“I didn’t try,” Judy confessed ruefully. - -“You didn’t try? Why not?” - -Judy recounted her conversation with the ranger. - -“He talked me out of it,” she concluded. “I can’t help thinking I made -a mistake too. I wish I’d ignored his advice. It’s too late now, of -course.” - -“I know that man was the same one we met,” Kathleen insisted. - -“I’m sure of it too,” Judy nodded. “Ranger Diethelm insists he’s an -ordinary trucker and his name is either Jim Brady or Donald Fine.” - -“Well, that doesn’t fit in with what we learned,” Kathleen declared, -shaking her head. “That man was called Joe by his friend.” - -“I know,” Judy agreed with a deep sigh. “I’m all mixed up. I guess the -best thing to do is to forget those hi-jackers and let the state patrol -handle the situation. I’ve made a mess of it!” - -“No such thing,” Kathleen insisted loyally. “We may have made a -mistake, but if so, it wasn’t our fault. We must have acted on -mis-information.” - -Judy grinned and squeezed her friend’s hand. “You’re a dear,” she said, -“always bucking up my morale. Do me a favor?” - -“Of course.” - -“Then, let’s keep this little episode to ourselves. The other Scouts -didn’t hear about it?” - -“No, I didn’t say a word to anyone. I just kept out of view and watched -those two men as you suggested.” - -“Good!” Judy drew a relieved sigh. “If this gets out on me, my name -will be mud! You know, I’m already being teased at Pine Cone Camp -because of the Calico Cottage ghost!” - -“We’re all taking a ribbing because of that boy with the flute,” -Kathleen admitted. “Any theory as to what causes the strange sounds?” - -“No, not yet,” Judy replied. “Everything was quiet the last night I -spent at the cottage. I’m wondering though, how Aunt Mattie got along -last evening?” - -“Perhaps our driver will stop at the cottage for a few minutes, so we -can check.” - -“I intend to ask him,” Judy returned. “It must be seven o’clock now.” - -“It is,” Kathleen agreed, “and our driver is coming now!” - -She had sighted the familiar camp station wagon rounding a corner. It -waited for a traffic light and then came on, to park in front of the -restaurant. - -The driver had been instructed to make two trips, as not all of the -girls could be seated in the vehicle. Accordingly, he designated those -who should remain behind. - -Judy, Kathleen and other members of the Beaver Patrol, managed to find -a place for themselves in the first load. - -On short time, the driver told Judy he could not possibly wait at -Calico Cottage. However, he compromised by agreeing to let her and -Kathleen off there, while he continued on to camp. Then on the second -trip, he would pick them up. - -“Fine and dandy!” Judy approved. “That will give us nearly an hour to -talk to Aunt Mattie and make certain everything is all right.” - -The station wagon climbed the darkening mountain road, presently -halting near the cottage. As Kathleen and Judy alighted, they noticed -that lights blazed everywhere inside the dwelling. - -“Aunt Mattie is here all right!” Judy remarked, leading the way across -the lawn. “I wonder why she has all the lights burning?” - -“So early too,” Kathleen added. - -Even before the Scouts reached the front door, it was flung open by -Miss Meadows, who had noted the arrival of the station wagon. - -“Oh, I’m so glad you came!” the woman exclaimed. - -Her face seemed drained of all color, and her eyes had a frightened -look. - -“Why, Aunt Mattie!” Judy exclaimed. “Is anything wrong?” - -“This dreadful cottage!” - -“You’ve been hearing music?” Judy surmised. - -“Music?” - -“What was it that upset you?” Judy asked, realizing she had made a poor -guess. “Not another one of those mysterious telephone calls?” - -“No! No!” Miss Meadows stepped back so that the girls might enter the -cottage. “Just come in,” she invited. “Then you’ll hear for yourselves, -and I won’t need to explain!” - - - - -_Chapter 16_ - -ANOTHER DISTURBANCE - - -Scarcely knowing what to expect, Judy and Kathleen entered Calico -Cottage. Everything appeared quite normal, except that a chair in -the kitchen had been overturned. - -“I upset it myself,” Miss Meadows explained. “I--I was rather excited, -I’m afraid.” - -“Tell us what happened, Aunt Mattie,” Judy urged. “What disturbed you?” - -“It was a dreadful sound from the basement. A sort of moan as if -someone were in pain. And then to top it, there came a series of loud -thumps, very much like muffled thunder.” - -“That couldn’t have been someone setting off dynamite at a distance?” -Kathleen suggested. “I know the rangers were blasting trees in the park -area.” - -“This sound came from the cellar,” Miss Meadows insisted. - -“How long ago, Aunt Mattie?” questioned Judy. - -“About ten minutes, I’d judge.” - -“Did you go down there to check?” - -“To the cellar?” Miss Meadows demanded. “I most assuredly did not!” - -“Then I guess the job is up to us,” Judy said, looking directly at -Kathleen. “Where’s that key?” - -“I don’t think you should go down into that dreary hole,” Miss Meadows -protested. - -“Nonsense, Aunt Mattie! We investigated once before, and everything was -all right. You’ve not had the door unlocked since?” - -“Absolutely, not. I’ve been here at the cottage all the while too.” - -“Then no one could be down there.” - -“I didn’t imagine those weird sounds,” Miss Meadows said. “If you had -been here--” - -Suddenly she stiffened. From beneath the kitchen floor there issued -forth a series of muffled thuds. - -“Hear it?” Miss Meadows whispered, staring fixedly at the locked cellar -door. - -The sound ceased and the cottage was as quiet as before. Judy and -Kathleen stood transfixed, dreading to take the action which they felt -they must. - -“Where’s that key?” Judy finally murmured, groping for it on the high -kitchen shelf. - -“Don’t go down there,” Miss Meadows advised nervously. “It might be -dangerous.” - -“It’s worse not to investigate,” Judy insisted. “You can’t stay here -and live in constant dread.” - -Her fingers closed upon the key. She unlocked the door, but hesitated -as she peered down the dark stairway. - -“Do you have a flashlight?” she asked Kathleen, who huddled at her -elbow. - -“In my knapsack,” Kathleen replied. “But I left it on the station -wagon, never thinking I’d want it here.” - -“There are candles on the shelf,” Miss Meadows remembered. “I’ll get -one, if you insist on going down there. I’d rather just move out of -this place though!” - -“I don’t know where you’ll find another cottage on short notice,” Judy -told her regretfully. “Everything around here has been taken.” - -“I can go to a hotel.” - -“The closest one is eighteen miles away. Aunt Mattie, I don’t like -to urge you to stay, but there must be a logical explanation for -these strange noises. I mean to find it too! Let me have one of those -candles.” - -Miss Meadows found it for her, and lighted the wick. - -“Watch the drip of the wax,” she advised, “or you’ll burn your hand.” - -The glowing candle made a flickering, ghostly circle of light on the -rough walls of the stairway. - -Resolutely, Judy started down. Close behind her came Kathleen, while -Miss Meadows unwillingly brought up the rear. - -Judy descended a half dozen steps, only to pause. A slight breath of -air caused the candle to waver and nearly go out. And at the same -moment, she caught an unpleasant odor which seemed to rise from the -darkness below. - -“Mercy!” gasped Miss Meadows, as she too sniffed the air. - -The musty scent became stronger as the three went on down. Judy -localized it in the main cellar room, toward the south east wall. - -However, in slowly moving the candle about, she could find no cause for -the unpleasant odor. - -“It’s such a strange smell,” Kathleen commented with a nervous shiver. -“A sort of stale air scent. But from where does it come?” - -Judy asked Kathleen to hold the candle. Carefully, she ran her hand -over the brick wall, feeling along the line of crumbling mortar. - -“There’s an opening here!” she suddenly exclaimed. “I can feel cool air -coming in!” - -Excited by Judy’s discovery, Kathleen held the candle higher. - -As she raised it in line with the brick which Judy’s exploring hand had -found, a direct current of air extinguished the flame. - -The three were left in total darkness. - -“I’ll get some matches,” Miss Meadows said eager to be out of the -basement. “But is there any need to explore further? Haven’t we -discovered everything there is to learn?” - -“Not quite everything,” said Judy. “We’ve learned where that musty -odor comes from though. It is being blasted in through the broken -mortar.” - -“How strange,” Kathleen murmured. “Shouldn’t there be solid dirt or -rock behind these walls and under the floor?” - -“One would think so,” Judy agreed thoughtfully, “unless--” - -“There might be a tunnel connected with the cottage!” Kathleen -speculated. - -“A tunnel, possibly tied up with Calico Cave,” Judy carried on the -thought. “Even so, that doesn’t explain those strange banging noises.” - -Leaving the girls alone in the cellar, Miss Meadows went quickly for -matches. She returned promptly and the candle was relighted. - -This time, Judy was careful to shield it with her hand so that it would -not be blown out. - -In the uncertain light, the three were able to see a faint, rectangular -outline on the wall, which marked a division between old and newer -bricks. - -“At one time, there must have been an opening here!” Judy asserted, -elated by her discovery. “A long while ago, apparently, the passageway -or whatever it is, was bricked over. Now that the mortar is falling -away, cold air filters in.” - -“From where?” Kathleen demanded. - -“That’s what we’ll have to learn, if we can. I have a hunch Captain -Hager might be able to supply interesting information.” - -“I’ll bet he could at that!” cried Kathleen. “Since he lived in the old -house so many years, he must have known about this bricked up place on -the wall. In fact, he may have closed it himself.” - -“The captain hinted that Mr. Krumm made a bad mistake in building the -cottage on the old foundation,” Judy recalled. “I’m sure he knows a lot -about this place that he hasn’t told!” - -“Say, wouldn’t it be great if we could solve the mystery before we -leave Pine Cone Camp? You’d win a rental bonus too from Mr. Krumm, -Judy!” - -“I don’t care about that part, but it would be fun to hit upon an -explanation for everything that’s happened here. The thing that puzzles -me most is that boy with the flute--” - -“Boy with a flute?” Miss Meadow interposed, her voice rising. - -Judy regretted her slip of tongue. Nevertheless, having made the -mistake, she could do no less than tell her aunt about the strange -musical notes which had startled the Scouts during the night they had -spent at the cottage. - -“What manner of place have I rented?” Miss Meadows gasped. “Is the -cottage haunted?” - -“By the spirit of the White Witch,” Judy said with a giggle. Then, -becoming sober, she added: “I’m sure there’s no danger here, Aunt -Mattie. Even so, you mustn’t stay another night. Come with us to Pine -Cone Camp. We’ll find a bed for you, and tomorrow we can start looking -for another cottage.” - -“And have everyone say I was frightened away?” Miss Meadows reproved -her niece. “The very idea!” - -“You mean you’re willing to stay?” - -“Yes, I intend to,” Miss Meadows announced firmly. “At least for a day -or so.” - -“I’ll remain with you,” Judy offered. “Not that I’ll be any protection.” - -To her surprise, Miss Meadows turned her aside. “No,” she told Judy, -“you’ve already lost a great deal of camp fun on my account. You’re not -to worry about me any more, or Calico Cottage.” - -“But to leave you alone--” - -“I’ll manage,” Miss Meadows said dryly. “Let’s go upstairs now, or you -girls will miss your station wagon.” - -“Goodness, I forgot about the driver calling for us!” Kathleen -exclaimed. “We’ve been down here in the cellar quite a while.” - -Hastily, the three ascended to the main floor of the cottage. Miss -Meadows locked the cellar door and replaced the key on the cupboard -shelf. - -“I intend to forget about those stupid noises,” she asserted. “It will -take a very powerful ghost indeed to dislodge me from my bed tonight.” - -Greatly relieved that her aunt was taking such a matter-of-fact view -of an unpleasant situation, Judy said no more about the disturbances. -She and Kathleen began to watch for the camp station wagon, and ten -minutes later, saw its headlights wink in signal from the main road. - -“Goodbye, Aunt Mattie,” Judy said, giving her a hasty peck on the -cheek. “If anything should go wrong tonight, you’ll call me at Pine -Cone Camp?” - -“I’ll call the police,” Miss Meadows threatened. “Now run along, and -enjoy yourselves.” - -Enroute back to camp, Judy and Kathleen did not report their experience -at Calico Cottage. During the drive up the mountain, they were somewhat -silent, but the others took it for granted that the two girls were worn -out from the day’s hike. - -In truth, Judy was very tired. Even before the “lights out” signal, she -was snug in her cot, with the warm blankets tucked around her ears. - -“I feel as if I could sleep until noon tomorrow,” she murmured -drowsily. “Is there any law, I wonder, about skipping breakfast, and -staying in bed?” - -If there was an answer to her question, Judy did not hear it. She fell -into a sound slumber, lulled by the chirp of crickets. - -Sometime toward morning, Judy began to dream. A confusion of images -flitted through her mind. She thought she was exploring a cave, that -the White Witch had come alive and was advancing toward her in a -menacing manner. - -In her dream, she became aware of a horrible odor. The scent enveloped -her, stifling her so that she could not breathe. - -Awakening, Judy found herself battling the blankets which she had -pulled up over her head. She laughed in relief. The White Witch was -only a nightmare! There was no disagreeable odor--or was there? - -Thrusting the covers aside, Judy sat up in bed. Fearfully, she sniffed -the air. The odor had not been entirely in her dream! The air was -chilly, filled with an acrid scent she could not identify immediately. - -Then suddenly, Judy knew. She bolted out of bed, the cold chills -racing down her spine. The tent was filled with smoke! The camp must be -afire! - - - - -_Chapter 17_ - -SMOKE IN THE WOODS - - -Thoroughly alert now, Judy awakened her tent mates, warning them of the -danger. - -“What’s this?” mumbled Ardeth, drugged by sleep and unwilling to leave -her comfortable cot. - -“Get out of here fast, unless you want to be burned!” Judy said -tersely, giving her a hard shake. “The forest is on fire!” - -The other Beaver Patrol Scouts who shared the tent, already were out of -bed and dressing with frenzied haste. Judy pulled on her own clothes, -aware that more and more smoke was swirling about the canvas shelter. - -Once outside, she saw the source of the fire. Heavy black smoke was -billowing toward the camp from the woods where duff and debris were -ablaze. - -Judy’s first moment of relief that camp buildings and tents were -intact, gave way to concern. The surface fire was dangerously close. -Fed by a light but steady wind, the flames were moving toward the camp -with amazing speed! - -As she started for the adjoining tents to awaken the girls there, a -gong in the main dining room sounded the first alarm. - -Bong! Bong! Bong! - -Tent flaps went apart, and sleep-eyed Scouts began to thrust tousled -heads out into the cold night air. - -“What’s up?” demanded Beverly, one of the first Beaver Patrol girls to -scramble into her clothes. “Is the camp afire?” - -“Not yet, but it will be if we don’t work fast!” Judy asserted. “Oh!” - -She uttered a little scream as a flying brand, borne by the wind, -dropped in the grass only a few feet away. - -Badly frightened, she and Beverly ran to stamp out the tiny flames. - -By this time, the camp was in confusion. Scouts were pouring out of -their tents, milling about, chattering excitedly. - -Unit leaders quickly gained control of the situation, ordering everyone -to the main lodge assembly room. - -Miss Lubell spoke tersely to the girls. - -“Now there is no cause for alarm,” she advised everyone. “The fire is -very close to our camp, and the wind is in this direction, but rangers -are on their way here. I notified them by telephone. The fire already -had been spotted from the observation tower.” - -“Will we have to evacuate the camp?” inquired Miss Ward. - -“That depends entirely upon whether or not the fire quickly can be -brought under control,” the camp director replied. “So far, it is not -wide-spread, but the head is moving in this direction.” - -“Can’t we do anything until the rangers come?” Judy interposed. - -“We can,” Miss Lubell said. “We can’t hope to fight the fire, but we -can take steps to keep it under control. Each unit is to report to -its leader and follow her orders. We’ll wet down the tents and the -buildings to protect them from flying sparks. Then we’ll make a fire -break by clearing a ditch ahead of the spreading flames!” - -Pouring out of the assembly hall, the Beaver Patrol Scouts clustered -about their unit leader and Miss Ward. Under direction, they carried -buckets of water from the lake, dousing the walls of their tents -thoroughly. - -To be prepared for a quick evacuation, in the event one was ordered, -they hastily tossed their belongings into suitcases. - -This done, they raced to the edge of the camp, to assist counselors, -who frantically had started to dig a shallow trench or fire break. - -Using garden hoes, rakes, spades and other implements at hand, the -Scouts rapidly cleared a band several feet wide between the camp and -the spreading ground fire. - -A few sparks were flying, but those which dropped in dry grass, -instantly were extinguished by a unit assigned to that particular task. - -By this time, the wind had spread the fire into an elliptical shape. -Inexorably, it crept nearer and nearer the trench the girls were -digging. - -“It’s going to be nip and tuck to save the camp,” Miss Lubell gasped. -“Don’t give up, girls!” - -Against the flames, trees were silhouetted as dark, towering shapes. -The sight was a terrifying one. But even though they could feel the -heat in their faces, the Scouts kept doggedly at work. - -Then suddenly a cry went up. - -“The rangers!” cried a Lone Tree Scout. “They’ve come!” - -Judy drew a deep, tired sigh of relief as she saw the Forest Service -truck roll in with fire-fighting equipment. - -“Our job is done now,” Miss Lubell said, wiping a smudge from her -cheek. “We’ll let the men take over. Everyone report in the assembly -room.” - -The Scouts all checked in, and after washing up, watched the crew of -rangers attack the fire. - -A tractor widened and completed the ditch started by the Scouts. This -task accomplished, rangers beat out some of the flames which had jumped -the “break,” and hooked up a power pump. - -Sleep was out of the question for the excited Scouts. They kept in -orderly groups, but remained at the assembly room windows, watching -every phase of the efficient fire fighting work. - -The Beaver Patrol girls, those of the Lone Tree unit, and the Oriole -outfit, volunteered to help in the kitchen. Gallons of coffee were -prepared for the rangers. - -“We’ve made enough for an army of workers!” Judy laughed. - -The beverage was kept hot, ready to serve whenever a tired fire fighter -could leave his post. - -By four o’clock, the rangers announced that the fire finally was under -complete control. Relaxing a bit from their arduous labors, the men -took turns dropping around at the kitchen for coffee and a sandwich. - -Arthur Wentz, one of the first rangers to come, praised the Scouts -warmly for their well organized efforts prior to the arrival of the -forest service truck. - -“This could have been a bad fire,” he remarked. “There are three -types--surface, ground and crown. But all start as surface fires.” - -Judy asked the ranger to distinguish between the different -classifications. - -“Surface fires, as the name implies, burn only the loose debris on top -of the ground,” he explained. “That’s the type of thing we encountered -here. Sometimes, the fire eats down into the layer of undecomposed -material on the forest floor, and then you have a ground fire. The most -difficult of all are those which spread into the trees, or the crown -fires.” - -“How do you suppose this one started?” Miss Ward asked the ranger. - -“That’s hard to say,” he replied. - -Lowell Diethelm, the ranger Judy had met in the village the previous -evening, now tramped into the kitchen. He had overheard Miss Ward’s -question and the reply. - -“It’s plain enough how the fire started,” he commented, pouring himself -a mug of coffee. - -“How?” Judy asked. - -“Someone from this camp has been careless about fire.” - -A stunned silence followed the observation. Then, almost as a unit, the -Girl Scouts began to protest. - -“I don’t think that’s fair to say!” exclaimed Kathleen indignantly. “Do -you have any proof that the fire was started by anyone in this camp?” - -“No proof,” the ranger admitted. “Just circumstantial evidence. You -girls had a cook-out last night?” - -“We started a fire at Fountain Falls,” Judy said. “You knew about that. -We put it out too!” - -“Anyway, that’s miles from here!” Betty Bashe broke in. “This fire -started close to our camp.” - -“Exactly my point,” replied Diethelm. “Any other cook-outs last night?” - -“Our unit had one,” spoke up a Scout from the Lone Tree patrol. “We -were accompanied by our leaders though, and built our fire on a rock. -Every spark was extinguished before we left the spot.” - -“That’s what you thought,” Diethelm said, none too pleasantly. “I’m -not saying the Scouts started this fire, but I do say, it looks rather -suspicious. If the fire hadn’t been reported so quickly, the entire -camp might have burned.” - -“That’s for sure,” agreed Arthur Wentz. “But I think you’re being -unjust to the girls, Lowell. The fire may have been started by a -carelessly dropped cigarette or a match. Or it could have been -deliberately set.” - -“What’s that?” Diethelm demanded, startled. - -“Just a little thought I had,” Wentz replied with an odd smile. - -Diethelm seemed to have been made uncomfortable by the remark and -pursued the subject no further. He gulped down his coffee and soon left -the kitchen. - -“Don’t take what he said too seriously,” Wentz told the Scouts. “This -camp has a good record. No one knows how the fire started.” - -“I can assure you that it was not touched off by any of our girls,” -asserted Miss Lubell firmly. “We’ve taken every precaution against -fire.” - -Although heavy smoke still hung over the camp area, the flames no -longer were spreading. A ranger was assigned to remain behind to watch -the smoldering debris. The others loaded their truck and presently -drove away. - -Worn out by their strenuous activities, the Scouts returned to their -cots to try to snatch a few winks of sleep before dawn. Their eyes -smarted, but tired as they were, they were too excited to relax. Most -of the girls were relieved when the gong sounded as a signal for them -to dress again and assemble for breakfast. - -Great quantities of hot chocolate, scrambled eggs, toast and fruit, -brought cheer to the Scouts. Nevertheless, the main topic at the table -was the unjust accusation which Lowell Diethelm had leveled at the -organization. - -“I’ve never liked that ranger,” Judy remarked to Virginia, who sat -beside her. “I guess it’s mean to say, because a Girl Scout should try -to like folks, but there’s something about him--” - -“I know what you mean,” nodded Virginia, reaching for another piece of -toast. “He doesn’t seem friendly as the other rangers do.” - -“I can’t get over what happened today about that trucker,” Judy went -on, thinking aloud. “Suppose I was right, and Diethelm was mistaken--” - -She broke off then, for Miss Ward had come into the dining hall, and -was signaling to her. - -“Judy, you’re wanted at the telephone,” the teacher called. “Your aunt, -I think.” - -Judy went quickly to Miss Lubell’s office. The call must be important, -she reasoned, else her aunt would not have phoned at such an early -morning hour. She was afraid Aunt Mattie had learned of the fire and -was alarmed for her safety. Either that, or the ghost of Calico Cottage -had put in another appearance! - -As she took down the receiver, her first fears were confirmed. Miss -Meadows was in a great state of agitation, having been informed that a -fire was raging at Pine Cone Camp. - -“It was only a little fire, and it never reached our camp,” Judy -explained patiently. “Now don’t worry one tiny bit, Aunt Mattie! -Everything is all right here.” - -“Well, that’s a relief,” Miss Meadows sighed. “I confess, I’ve spent a -dreadful night.” - -“No more disturbances, I hope.” - -“It depends upon what you mean by disturbances,” Miss Meadows returned -stiffly. “There were no weird sounds from the basement. But other -things happened.” - -“What sort of things?” - -“I can’t tell you over the telephone,” Miss Meadows answered. “Just -come as quickly as you can to the cottage!” - -And with that, she hung up the receiver. - - - - -_Chapter 18_ - -AN URGENT CALL - - -It was well after seven o’clock when Judy, accompanied by Kathleen, -arrived at Calico Cottage. - -The trip down the mountain in the station wagon had not been without -excitement. Less than a half mile from the cottage, the driver had been -halted by state patrolmen, who had set up a road block. - -At first, the girls had assumed that motorists on the main highway were -being stopped because of the fire which still smoldered in the Pine -Cone Camp area. Therefore, it came as a surprise to learn that the road -block had been set up for an entirely different purpose. - -The state highway patrolman informed them that a truckload of auto -parts had been hi-jacked during the night on a lonely stretch of road -between the towns of Silverton and Grove City, some miles away. The -truck was known to have followed the mountain road, making for the -state line, yet had seemed to disappear into thin air. - -“Somehow those birds get wind of where our road blocks are set up,” -the highway patrolman had said. “The hi-jackers have a hide-out. When -we’re not on their trail, they slip off the road somewhere and wait -until the coast is clear.” - -The bold tactics of the hi-jackers were of intense interest to the -girls because of their own meeting with two of the men believed to be -members of the gang. - -Nor had Judy erased from her mind the fact that only a few hours -earlier, she had seen the man she believed to be Joe Pompilli. - -She was reflecting upon the matter as the station wagon driver let the -girls off at Calico Cottage. Why, she wondered, had Lowell Diethelm -been so certain that she was mistaken in the identification? - -“He seemed honest enough in thinking that the man was a regular trucker -on the road,” she thought. “But if I were right, and Diethelm made a -mistake--” - -Her reflections were interrupted by Kathleen, who nudged her in the -ribs. - -“Why so sober, Judy?” - -“I was just speculating on those hi-jackers, Kathy,” Judy replied as -they started across the dew-laden lawn. “I’m more than half convinced -that we made a bad mistake last night.” - -“You think we let Joe Pompilli get away?” - -“We must have. Kathy, he and that other fellow we didn’t know, may have -been killing time at the restaurant, waiting for that truckload of auto -parts to go through town! Then, they merely followed, and picked the -truck off at a convenient spot on the road.” - -“That makes a nice sounding explanation,” Kathleen chuckled. “But -there’s one bad flaw in your reasoning.” - -“Two of ’em,” Judy admitted with a grin. “First, it doesn’t seem -logical that Joe Pompilli would dare show up in this area when he must -know that state highway patrolmen are on the alert.” - -“He was badly hurt in that accident too,” Kathleen added. - -“Maybe not as seriously as we thought. The other defect in my theory is -that Lowell Diethelm positively identified him as a regular trucker on -the road.” - -“That’s the part one can’t get around,” Kathleen nodded soberly. -“Either the patrolmen made a mistake in identifying an ordinary -trucker as Joe Pompilli, or Lowell Diethelm has been misled.” - -“In either case, I guess it’s too late for us to do anything about it -now,” Judy admitted. “We had our chance, and we muffed it.” - -Walking carefully so that they would not soak their shoes with the -heavy dew, the girls tramped across the lawn to the back door of Calico -Cottage. - -Miss Meadows, who had seen them coming, flung open the door. - -“I’m ashamed to have telephoned you,” she apologized. “Have you had -breakfast?” - -“An early one,” Judy replied as she and Kathleen entered the warm -kitchen. “If those are muffins I smell, we can eat another one though!” - -“Blueberry muffins,” Miss Meadows smiled, peeping into the oven. “You -arrived at just the right time, for they’ll be done in three minutes.” - -“Aunt Mattie, why did you send such an urgent telephone message?” Judy -asked abruptly. “You said it wasn’t the ghost again.” - -“No, the basement was quiet enough last night.” - -“Then what did happen?” - -“I know you think I’m nervous and silly--” - -“No such thing, Aunt Mattie.” - -“It was those lights that bothered me again. Now that it’s morning, -I feel much better about it. But last night, and until after I -telephoned, I felt so jittery.” - -“Lights on the private road?” Judy questioned. - -Miss Meadows did not answer until after she had removed the muffins -from the oven. Then she said: - -“I awoke about two o’clock, I’d judge. I can’t explain it, but I had a -strong feeling that something was wrong. I lay there in bed for awhile, -listening. I could hear the muffled rumble of a big truck engine.” - -“Nothing so unusual about that, Aunt Mattie. A great many trucks pass -on the main highway, even at night.” - -“This truck didn’t pass,” Miss Meadows said impressively. “I saw the -lights flash past my bedroom window. Because I was nervous and couldn’t -sleep, I got up and looked out. I saw the truck stop, and the lights -went off. Then the truck turned down that old road.” - -Judy and Kathleen had listened attentively to Miss Meadows’ account. -They exchanged a quick glance but remained silent. - -“I suppose there’s no occasion to be bothered about a truck turning -down a private road,” Judy’s aunt chattered on. “It shouldn’t worry me, -I know. But I kept imagining all sorts of things, wondering if those -men might be hi-jackers.” - -“Aunt Mattie, we don’t consider you one bit silly to be nervous about -it,” Judy said quickly. “You didn’t telephone the state highway patrol?” - -“No, I thought of it, but after all, I didn’t know but what the trucks -had a right to be on that road. It could have been loggers?” - -“How long did the truck remain on the private road?” Judy asked. - -“So far as I know, it’s still there. I set up and watched until dawn. -Since then, I’ve been rather busy.” - -“If the truck is still on that road, we should check--” Kathleen -suggested quickly. - -“I think we should,” Miss Meadows agreed. “I’d have done it myself, -only to tell you the truth, I was afraid to go alone.” - -“Who wouldn’t be?” Judy backed her up. “When do we start? Right now?” - -“No, finish your breakfast first,” Miss Meadows urged. “Such nice -muffins shouldn’t be wasted.” - -Their thoughts on the investigation before them, Judy and Kathleen ate -quickly. Miss Meadows apologized for not having any milk to offer. - -“I ran out yesterday,” she remarked, “and the new milkman always comes -very late.” - -“The new milkman?” Judy repeated, nearly dropping her knife. “What -became of Bart?” - -“I understand he’s given up his job. The new man told me that Bart -quit because of something special he wanted to do before the start of -college.” - -“Something special,” mused Judy. “You know what I think! Bart quit so -he could thoroughly explore Calico Cave!” - -“Oh, dear, I hope not,” Miss Meadows murmured. “That sounds frightfully -dangerous. You don’t think he’d explore very far alone?” - -“I certainly do,” replied Judy. “From the little Bart said to me, I’m -sure he hopes to solve the mystery of what became of his father. To do -that, he’d have to brave the siphon.” - -“Gracious! I never heard of anything so reckless!” Miss Meadows gasped. -“Why, the authorities shouldn’t allow it!” - -“I don’t imagine Bart told anyone of his plan,” Judy answered. “He’s -thoroughly familiar with the cave, and it would be safe enough for him -to explore, providing he didn’t try to go through the siphon.” - -“Just what is a siphon?” Kathleen inquired. - -“As I understand it, a siphon is a tunnel through the cave, with a -submerged ceiling. If one were a good swimmer, as Bart apparently is, -one might dive and swim through it to open air on the other side.” - -“That’s assuming that the tunnel wasn’t very long,” Miss Meadows -commented. - -“True,” Judy nodded. “It would be a terrifying experience. Only a very -courageous and foolhardy explorer would attempt it.” - -“Bart’s just the type to risk it!” Kathleen asserted. “I wonder when he -plans to tackle the siphon?” - -“From what the new milkman told me, he may be in the cave even now!” -Miss Meadows said with a shudder. “The mere thought of it frightens me.” - -“Bart knows how to take care of himself,” Judy declared to relieve her -aunt’s mind somewhat. “I’m sure he does.” - -Breakfast over, Miss Meadows hastily cleared away the few dishes which -had been used. She refused to let the girls wash them, insisting that -she would stack them in the sink for a good soaking. - -“Let’s explore the road to the cave now,” she urged. “I’ll feel much -better if I satisfy myself that everything is all right.” - -“We could call the Forest Service or one of the state highway -patrolmen, if you’d rather,” Kathleen proposed. - -“If the truck shouldn’t be there, or if it had a right to be, I’d -never live down the mistake I’d made,” Miss Meadows said. “No, I’d -prefer to do a bit of checking for myself first.” - -She put on her heavy jacket as protection against the morning chill, -and locked all the doors. The three then crossed the main highway and -turned down the narrow rutty dirt road. - -The sun was showing itself through the tall trees, as the explorers -made their way down the steep slope. Almost at once, Miss Meadows -triumphantly pointed to heavy tire tracks on the roadbed. - -“See, I was right!” she exclaimed. “Those tire marks show that a big -truck went down this road last night.” - -“Apparently only in one direction too,” Judy agreed. “This road -dead-ends, so either the truck had to turn around and come back, or -it’s still down there somewhere.” - -Quickening their pace, but becoming very quiet, the three moved on. - -Presently they came to the end of the road. - -“No truck here!” Kathleen exclaimed, halting. - -“Here’s where it made a turn,” Judy said, pointing to deep tire marks -in the road and grass. - -Then she saw the truck itself. It had been driven entirely off the road -and parked in a thick clump of bushes behind a shield of trees. Even -so, the massive vehicle was only partially hidden from view. - -While Kathleen and Miss Meadows waited tensely, Judy cautiously crept -through the bushes to obtain a closer glimpse of the big truck. - -The cab was deserted. Had the truck run out of gas perhaps, or was it -being hidden there to escape detection? - -Judy was quite certain she knew the answer, but to confirm her -suspicions, she circled the transport. At the rear, she tried the big -double doors which gave access to the cargo. They were locked. - -Unable to learn more, she returned to report to her aunt and Kathleen. - -“I’m convinced this is the truck that the highway patrolmen want to -stop,” she informed them. “After the road blocks have been removed, the -hi-jackers may be able to slip out of here and get safely away!” - -“Oh, no, they won’t!” announced Miss Meadows with grim determination. -“We’ll tip off the state highway headquarters! I’ll telephone.” - -“Someone should stay here to keep watch,” Judy said. “The driver may -return at any minute and try to pull out.” - -“That’s so,” Miss Meadows agreed. “I--I guess I’d better stay, while -you girls telephone.” - -“No, you go to Calico Cottage,” Judy urged. “Kathleen and I will wait -here.” - -“You’re not afraid?” - -“No, you’ll have help here in just a few minutes.” - -“I’ll hurry as fast as I can,” Miss Meadows promised, starting away. -“Get into the bushes, and keep out of sight until I’m back here with -the law!” - - - - -_Chapter 19_ - -THE HIDE-OUT - - -Left alone, Judy and Kathleen crept into the thicket at the left hand -side of the road. The air was damp and chilly and leaves dripped -moisture. In a very few minutes, the girls began to weary of crouching -in such uncomfortable positions. - -“That truck driver must have skipped out,” Kathleen muttered. “It’s -sort of silly to hide here.” - -“I don’t think so,” Judy replied, keeping her voice low. - -“I wish we knew where the driver went.” Disregarding caution, Kathleen -straightened up from her crouched position and carefully looked about. - -She could see a portion of the trail which led toward Calico Cave. -As she stood thus, a little dog came into view, trotting from the -direction of the cavern. - -“Why, it’s Pete!” Kathleen exclaimed, speaking much louder than she had -intended. “Do you suppose Bart is somewhere near, or in the cave?” - -“He must be,” Judy agreed. She added in warning: “But do quiet down. -If we keep sounding off, we’ll give our hiding place away to anyone who -comes along.” - -“Pete is onto it now!” Kathleen agreed in dismay. - -The little dog had halted alertly on the trail. After sniffing the air, -he left the path and came directly over to the bushes where the two -girls had taken shelter. - -To their consternation, he began to bark and to jerk his head, as if -inviting them to follow him to the cave. - -Judy seized the little dog, and tightly held his jaws so that he could -not bark. - -“This is a fine howdy-do!” she muttered. “Pete will give us away if -anyone is within a mile of here!” - -“Do you suppose Bart could be close?” Kathleen speculated. “Pete -plainly is trying to get us to follow him to the cave.” - -“If we let him go, he’ll set up a fearful clatter. I can’t hold his -jaws together forever either!” - -“Bart would be a big help to us if we could find him.” - -“We could see if he’s at the cave entrance,” Judy said reluctantly. “I -don’t think we’ll find him though, and we’d be leaving a good hiding -place.” - -“We can be careful,” Kathleen returned. “Help from the Forest Service -or highway headquarters should be coming quite soon.” - -Allowing herself to be persuaded, Judy followed Kathleen from the leafy -shelter. She kept tight hold of Pete however, not allowing him to bark -or scramble out of her arms. - -The rocky path wound through the trees and around big boulders. -Presently, the girls were within view of the dark entranceway to the -cave. - -Judy halted, thinking that she saw a tiny wisp of smoke emerging from -the cavern. In that moment of inattention, Pete made a convulsive -movement and before she could regain her grip, leaped to the ground. - -Yipping excitedly, he ran toward the cave entrance. - -With a gasp of dismay, Judy thrust Kathleen back into a thicket, and -herself crouched behind a rock. - -It was well that the girls took refuge, for Pete’s loud barking had not -gone unheard. - -A dark figure appeared silhouetted in the opening of the cave. Judy -could not see the face of the heavy-set man, but she knew instantly -from his build that he was not Bart Ranieau. - -“There’s that confounded mutt again!” the girls heard the man exclaim. -“He’ll give us away!” - -“Slug him with a rock!” came advice from inside the cave. - -The man in the entranceway, heaved a stone which missed its mark by -mere inches. Pete barked the louder. - -“Put a bullet through him,” was the next gruff advice. - -“Don’t dare,” the girls heard the reply. “A shot would be heard too -far.” - -“If we don’t get out of this hole pretty soon, that dog will have the -whole town down on us,” the other growled. “Quiet him somehow.” - -“Don’t pay any attention to him and he’ll shut up,” the first man said. -“If we can coax him in here, I’ll wring his neck!” - -Pete did stop barking after a few more excited yips, but canine caution -kept him from going closer to the cave. In vain the two men tried to -coax him into the cavern. Pete lay flat on his belly on the path and -whined. - -Finally, they abandoned the effort to get him inside, and themselves -moved back out of view in the darkness. - -For a long while, Judy and Kathleen remained motionless, afraid to stir -lest they disclose their presence. Both were convinced that the two -men in the cave were the hi-jackers, and that they merely were waiting -there until they safely could move out their truck and stolen cargo. - -“We can’t stay here,” Judy finally whispered to her chum. “Let’s make a -break for it. If we’re seen, we’ll have to run for our lives.” - -Moving stealthily, the girls slipped from their hiding place. - -Pete saw them go and cocked his head attentively. But to their intense -relief, he did not bark or try to follow them. - -Safely, the girls retraced their way to the private road. - -Once there, Judy anxiously looked up the slope for a glimpse of her -aunt or the assistance which she hoped would come. - -“I guess we’ll have to hide in the bushes again,” Kathleen proposed. -“Pete may ferret us out too.” - -As the girls debated what action to take, Judy saw that a green coupe -had turned down the private road. - -“A Forest Service car!” she exclaimed, over-joyed. “Good Aunt Mattie! -She must have put through a fast telephone call to the ranger station. -Our troubles are over!” - -“I thought your aunt intended to call the highway patrol headquarters,” -Kathleen commented, watching the approaching car with troubled eyes. - -“Maybe she called ’em both. At any rate, a forest ranger is just what -the doctor ordered!” - -Judy rushed out to meet the approaching automobile, waving her arms to -attract attention. - -The car drew up with a slight squeak of brakes. Judy saw then that the -driver was Lowell Diethelm, and he seemed as surprised to see her and -Kathleen as they were to encounter him on the lonely road. - -“Did Aunt Mattie reach you?” Judy demanded. - -The ranger’s startled expression disclosed that he did not know what -she was talking about. - -“I guess Aunt Mattie hasn’t had time to get word through,” Judy went -on. “Anyway, you’re here in time to nab those hi-jackers!” - -She and Kathleen then breathlessly told of their suspicions, and -pointed out the big truck which had been hidden in the thicket. - -In their anxiety to tell the story clearly and fast, neither girl -noticed that Diethelm was watching them in an odd sort of way, but not -asking many questions. - -When Judy finally ran out of breath, the ranger motioned for the two -girls to get into the coupe. - -“But aren’t you going to do anything about it?” Judy demanded. “Don’t -you intend to find out if those men hiding in the cave are hi-jackers?” - -“Sure, I intend to do something about it,” Diethelm drawled, “but I’m -not foolhardy. We’re up against a tough gang. There may be shooting. I -need reenforcements.” - -“I guess that’s right,” Judy agreed. Her gaze fell upon the radio -equipment in the ranger’s car. “Couldn’t you call the ranger station?” - -“Sure,” Diethelm said again. “Sure. Come on, get in, and I’ll take care -of it.” - -Judy and Kathleen obeyed, sliding in beside the ranger. He turned the -car around in the narrow roadway, heading it toward the main highway. - -“I’ll drive you up the hill,” he said. “It’s safer that way. Then if -there should be shooting, you’ll be all right.” - -“Can’t we get word to the ranger station right away?” Judy urged -again. “Those men may decide to try to pull out of here any minute.” - -“Take it easy,” Diethelm advised. “Let me handle this, will you?” - -“Sorry,” Judy mumbled. “I didn’t mean to suggest--only--” - -“Only what?” - -“Nothing,” Judy replied shortly. - -Diethelm reached across, snapping a lock on the door of the coupe. The -gesture seemed careless enough. Yet, why should he have reason to lock -the automobile? Judy, suddenly uneasy, glanced at Kathleen and saw that -her chum looked frightened. - -“So your aunt is telephoning the state highway patrol station?” the -ranger remarked easily. “How long ago was that?” - -“Five--maybe ten minutes ago,” Judy answered. She was trying hard to -smother the suspicion which had formed in her mind. - -“Your aunt went to the cottage to phone?” - -“Yes.” Judy hesitated and then said earnestly: “Won’t you please call -ranger headquarters now on your radio telephone? It’s important to get -help fast. Aunt Mattie may have failed to get her call through.” - -Diethelm smiled and flipped a switch on the radio. He fumbled with it -as he drove efficiently with one hand. - -“Car 23 to Headquarters. Car 23 to Headquarters,” he called. - -“Go ahead, Diethelm,” came the order from headquarters. - -“Nothing to report, sir. No fires sighted.” - -“Any sign of the hi-jackers? They’re reported to have headed into your -patrol area.” - -Diethelm spoke clearly and in a detached manner. “No sign of ’em -anywhere,” he replied. “Inform the highway patrol, they may as -well lift the road block. That’s right, sir. I’ve checked the area -thoroughly. No sign of ’em.” - - - - -_Chapter 20_ - -TREACHERY - - -Judy and Kathleen scarcely could believe that they had heard the -ranger’s radio message correctly. - -For a stunned moment, they sat in dead silence, unable to comprehend -what had transpired. - -Diethelm wore the inconspicuous pine tree badge of the forest rangers, -but he had never seemed friendly or helpful as had the other Forest -Service men. - -Judy had sensed the man’s antagonism almost from the first moment -of their meeting. Until this night, however, she had never actually -distrusted him. - -Now, as the meaning of his message to headquarters penetrated her -brain, she realized that he deliberately had given false information to -his superior officers. Information which would aid the hi-jackers, who -awaited the lifting of the road block to rush their stolen cargo across -the state line! - -As the car climbed the steep incline, Kathleen suddenly reached for the -door handle. - -“I wouldn’t do that!” Diethelm ordered sharply. “Stay in this car!” - -“You’re making us prisoners?” Kathleen gasped, shaken by the ranger’s -treachery. - -“You asked for this,” Diethelm retorted. “If you’d kept to your own -affairs, no one would have bothered you. Now you’ve poked your pretty -little noses in, you’ll have to take the consequences!” - -“Which are--?” interposed Judy. She was no longer frightened, but -smoldered with a deep, burning anger. - -“I’ll drive you some distance from here and dump you in the woods,” -Diethelm informed her. “By the time you find your way out, we’ll be -over the state line. This is our last haul.” - -“So you’re one of the hi-jackers!” Kathleen accused shrilly. “A -disgrace to the ranger uniform!” - -“I’ve not been in the service long,” Diethelm said. “It means nothing -to me. I adopted the uniform only to serve my own purpose. For six -months it’s been a cinch to run cargo through, but lately the state -highway patrol has bottled up most of the roads. We’ll move on to -another state.” - -The car had reached the main highway. Judy could see Calico Cottage -through the morning mist, but there was no sign of her aunt, or of any -help. - -Everything was painfully clear now! The trucker she and Kathleen -had seen the previous night at the restaurant, had indeed been Joe -Pompilli. Either he, or his runners now were at the cave, awaiting a -chance to slip their cargo over the state line. And with the road block -soon to be lifted, that chance might come very soon! - -The coupe turned onto the main highway, and started up the winding -mountain road. Judy saw Diethelm glance anxiously at the gasoline gauge. - -Her pulse leaped with hope, for she saw that the pointer already stood -on the empty mark, and was giving only an occasional convulsive jerk. - -“We’re about out of gas,” Diethelm muttered. - -“No filling stations on this road for three miles,” Judy said in -satisfaction. - -“We rangers have supply caches,” Diethelm dashed her hopes again. “My -own private one is just ahead.” - -A few hundred yards farther up the road, he pulled off onto the -right-of-way. Back among the trees, Judy and Kathleen saw the gasoline -supply tank, marked with the Forest Service name. - -Diethelm reached for a can on the floor behind the seat. As he got out -of the car, he tapped the revolver in his holster. - -“Now don’t you move or try to get out of this car!” he ordered. “I’ll -have my eye on you. I’m warning that if you try to escape, I’ll shoot.” - -Diethelm then strode to the gasoline storage tank, hurriedly starting -to fill his can. - -“Lean forward--block off the window, so he can’t see me,” Judy -instructed Kathleen tersely. - -“He’s watching us. If we try to get out, I’m afraid he’ll carry out -his threat to shoot.” - -“We can’t hope to get away,” Judy admitted. “But there’s one outside -chance we can get through to ranger headquarters on the radio phone. -I’m going to risk it.” - -Now that she knew her friend’s scheme, Kathleen obediently shifted her -position, so that her back temporarily shielded Judy from view. - -In an instant, Judy had snapped the radio phone on. - -“Car 23 to Headquarters!” she called excitedly into the transmitter. -“Emergency call! Emergency call!” - -“Headquarters to Car 23,” came the reply. “Who the deuce is this? -Diethelm--” - -“I’m a Girl Scout--held a prisoner in Diethelm’s car,” Judy broke -in. Aware that Diethelm himself had dropped the gasoline can and was -striding toward the coupe, her words tumbled over each other in her -haste to get them out. “The hi-jackers are at the cave! Their truck--” - -The car door was jerked open at that point, and the radio phone ripped -from Judy’s hand. Diethelm clicked the switch off, pulling the -girl bodily from the coupe. - -“Now you’ve done it!” he snarled, shoving her so hard that she fell to -the ground. “Little fool!” - -Despite his previous threat, Diethelm did not touch his revolver. His -face contorted by worry, he seemed uncertain what to do for a moment. - -Tersely then, he ordered Kathleen out of the car also. - -“Turn your backs and start walking into the woods,” he ordered the two -girls. “Keep walking. Don’t look back or I’ll shoot.” - -Kathleen pulled Judy to her feet, and they slowly moved off into the -woods. - -“Walk faster!” Diethelm shouted. - -The girls obediently increased their speed, stumbling as they climbed -over fallen logs and other forest debris. - -Moments passed, and Judy dared to look over her shoulder. No longer -could she see the car or the roadway. - -But as she paused, she heard the roar of the coupe’s engine. - -“He’s filled the gas tank and he’s pulling out!” she declared. “Now to -get help, if we can.” - -Hurrying back the way they had come, the girls reached the roadside in -time to see the coupe disappearing around a curve in the direction from -which it had come. - -“He’s going back to the cave to warn the hi-jackers!” Judy guessed -shrewdly. “He must know I got through to the ranger headquarters!” - -“Then that means that the hi-jackers probably will try to move their -truck out now!” Kathleen exclaimed. “They may make it too, because -it isn’t far to the state line and the road block probably has been -lifted.” - -“We must stop them somehow! Let’s get back to Calico Cottage as fast as -we can!” - -They pounded down the road, hoping as they ran that a car would come -along. None did. In Diethelm’s coupe, the distance they had traveled -from the junction with the private road had seemed very short. Now, the -reverse was true. - -Though the distance could not be more than a third of a mile, it seemed -endless to the two Scouts. Alternately running and dog-trotting, they -finally reached Calico Cottage, winded and perspiring. - -As they crossed the yard, Miss Meadows came to meet them. - -“I’ve had such a time,” she began. “At first, I couldn’t get my call -through. Why, what’s happened?” - -Judy explained only briefly. She cut her story short by demanding: -“Aunt Mattie, how soon do you think help will get here?” - -“Ten minutes or longer. My call just went through. Before that the line -was busy, and I couldn’t get the operator to understand that this was -an emergency!” - -“Ten minutes!” Judy groaned. “That will give Diethelm all the time he -needs to warn those men!” - -“I saw a ranger car turn down the private road quite awhile ago,” Miss -Meadows contributed. - -“That was Diethelm,” Judy said desperately. “We’ve notified the ranger -headquarters, but I doubt they can get men here quickly enough either!” - -“If only we could block the private road somehow, so those hi-jackers -can’t get their truck out!” Kathleen exclaimed. “What could we use?” - -Frantically, the three looked about the premises, but not an object was -available which would offer an impediment to a powerful truck. - -“The clothesline,” Miss Meadows suggested doubtfully. “We could tie it -to trees, across the road.” - -“It would snap in an instant,” Judy said. “I doubt even a wire would -delay them.” - -“Then there’s nothing we can do,” Miss Meadows said desperately. -“Absolutely nothing.” - -“Nails?” proposed Kathleen. “We could throw them on the road and hope -they’d spear the tires.” - -“There’s a can of nails on the porch,” Miss Meadows supplied eagerly. -“The carpenter who must have built this cottage, apparently left them.” - -“It’s an idea,” Judy said slowly, “but it won’t work. Those big truck -tires would roll right over the nails without a puncture. Not even -glass would cut them.” - -“I guess that’s right,” Miss Meadows admitted, crestfallen. “Oh, it’s -hopeless.” - -Judy, however, had a different idea. She was gazing speculatively at -the “Welcome” mat on the doorstep. - -“I think I know of a way to stop that truck if it tries to come -through!” she cried. “My scheme is fantastic, but I’m sure it will -work!” - - - - -_Chapter 21_ - -TRUCKER’S WELCOME - - -“How can we stop the truck if it tries to come through?” Kathleen -demanded eagerly. “What is your idea, Judy?” - -“You gave it to me yourself, when you mentioned dropping nails on the -road,” Judy answered. “That wouldn’t do the trick, I’m sure, but I know -what will! This rubber door mat!” - -She stooped to pick up the dusty “Welcome” mat. As Kathleen and her -aunt gazed at the object in bewilderment, she hastened to reveal what -she had in mind. - -“We can spear the nails through the mat so they’ll stand upright! When -the tires pass over them, they can’t miss.” - -“That should do it!” Miss Meadows approved. - -“Judy, you’re a gem!” laughed Kathleen. “What a brain!” - -“No brain, just a memory,” Judy corrected. “I recall hearing a filling -station serviceman relate how vandals once damaged big truck tires that -way. I’m sure it will work if we can do it!” - -“I’ll get the nails,” Miss Meadows said, starting away. - -In a moment she returned with an assortment in a tin can. As fast as -they could, the three punctured the rubber mat, forcing the nails -through so that their sharp points were upright. - -“Listen!” cried Judy suddenly. - -She had heard the roar of a powerful motor starting far down the -private road. - -“It’s the truck!” Kathleen exclaimed. “It’s coming, and we don’t have -half enough nails in this mat!” - -“There will be enough if the tires hit it,” Judy declared. “The -important thing is to get it placed, and fast! Come on!” - -Without waiting for Kathleen or her aunt, she raced for the entrance to -the private road. - -She could not see the big truck which was hidden by the curves of -the rutty thoroughfare, but she could tell from the roar of the -engine, that it was coming as fast as it could climb the steep slope. -Evidently, Diethelm had warned the hi-jackers, and knowing that delay -would be fatal, they were making a run for it! - -Judy had no time to deliberate where she would lay the mat. She dropped -it on the right hand side of the road, directly across an old truck -track. - -If the driver saw the mat, he could swerve to miss it. She was -depending though upon the sharp curve, figuring that the truck would -come around it fast, and that the big transport would roll over the -nails before they could be seen. - -Kathleen and Miss Meadows already had screened themselves behind the -bushes lining the private road. Judy scarcely had time to slide in -beside them, when the massive transport careened around the curve. - -The front wheel struck a deep rut and the truck veered from the middle -of the road. - -“They’re going to miss it!” Kathleen moaned, gripping Judy’s arm so -hard that it hurt. - -But the next moment, the driver brought the truck back onto its course. -Apparently, he had failed to see the studded mat lying directly in the -path. Both front and rear tires rolled over the long, sharp nails. - -Breathlessly, the three watchers waited. Nothing seemed to happen. - -When the huge truck reached the entrance to the private road, there was -a loud hissing of air. The transport began to wobble crazily. First the -front tire went down and then the one at the right rear. - -“We’ve done it!” Judy laughed jubilantly. “We’ve stopped them!” - -“But for how long?” Miss Meadows speculated. “Don’t move, girls! Keep -hidden! Those men are in an ugly mood.” - -The two hi-jackers had leaped from the cab of the crippled truck. As -they beheld the disaster which had befallen them, a car came up the -hill, pulling alongside. It was the Forest Service automobile, driven -by Lowell Diethelm. By mere inches, the tires missed the nail-studded -rubber mat. - -“Now what?” the ranger demanded furiously. “Can’t you keep going and -get out of here?” - -“Keep going?” one of the truckers snarled. “On rims? We’ll have to -abandon the cargo.” Diethelm swung open the door of the coupe. “Get -in!” he directed. “We’ll try to get over the state line.” - -The possibility of the two hi-jackers transferring to the ranger’s car -had not occurred to Judy. Now, convinced that her scheme had failed, -she involuntarily started to leave her hiding place. - -Miss Meadows held her back. “No, Judy!” she warned. “We’ve done all we -can! Those men are dangerous. Let them go.” - -“Let them go,” Judy half moaned. “Oh, this is awful! After stopping -that big truck, to fail so miserably!” - -“We saved the cargo at any rate,” Kathleen reminded her. “Furthermore, -Diethelm hasn’t driven off yet! I don’t think he will either!” - -The latter excited comment was made as she saw two Forest Service cars -sweep down the main highway. - -Before Lowell Diethelm could pull away, the other two automobiles had -blocked the main highway. - -“Our fish are netted now!” Kathleen shouted gleefully. “Who says your -idea failed, Judy? It was a grand one!” - -No longer fearful, the three came out of hiding. - -Six rangers, two of whom the Scouts knew by sight, had surrounded -Lowell Diethelm’s car. They had their revolvers trained on the two -hi-jackers, but Diethelm was trying to put up a convincing story. - -“I captured these birds red-handed,” he said glibly. “I was trying to -get ’em to headquarters, when they over-powered me. I’m sure glad you -fellows came along.” - -“Yeah?” dryly inquired Ranger Wentz. “Sounds pretty phoney, Diethelm. -You’ll have to think up a better one than that to tell the chief.” - -By this time, Judy, Kathleen and Miss Meadows had reached the ranger -cars. As rapidly as they could talk, they told the Forest Service men -exactly what had occurred. - -“You’re the girl who called over the radio phone, aren’t you?” one of -the rangers asked Judy. - -“That’s right.” - -“She stopped the truck too, by putting nails on the road,” Kathleen -added, very proud of her friend. “What a ‘welcome’ that mat proved to -be for the hi-jackers!” - -Within five minutes, the rangers were reenforced by state highway -patrolmen, who had responded to an alert. If there had been any -previous doubt as to the identity of the two hi-jackers, it then was -dispelled. State highwaymen definitely identified Joe Pompilli, and -recognized his companion as Porky Burns, a hi-jacker, who had operated -in three states. - -“Five or six drivers work this area,” a ranger told Judy. “Joe’s the -head of the outfit though. We may never catch the others, but now that -we have him, the gang will fall apart.” - -“Joe was pretty reckless to keep working this territory after he knew -he was wanted,” Judy remarked. “Especially after that truck accident, -when Kathy and I patched him up.” - -“Joe operates that way,” the ranger answered. “He was dead sure of -himself. First, he could depend upon our double-crossing friend, -Diethelm, to tip him off as to road blocks.” - -“This private road to the cave must have been used in emergencies too,” -Judy added. “My aunt saw the truck headlights on one of the nights -that the state highway patrol had put up its road block.” - -“Sure,” the ranger agreed, “it’s plain enough that Diethelm tipped ’em -off regularly. That’s probably why they chanced making one last haul -before they moved to another locality. Pompilli had taken pains to make -himself known as a regular trucker on the road, especially at Silverton -and Grove City where he was a good spender. He figured only the state -highway patrol could cause him any trouble, and he took that chance.” - -The state patrolmen requested Kathleen and Judy to accompany them to -headquarters to make sworn statements as to their knowledge of what had -happened. Eager to pin evidence on the two men, they went willingly. -They were questioned at length, and in turn learned considerably more -about how Joe Pompilli and his gang had operated. - -“Without Diethelm’s help, we’d have cleaned them out weeks ago,” a -patrolman told the Scouts. “He’s made a clean breast of his part in the -mess to the Chief forester.” - -“Diethelm has confessed?” Kathleen asked in disbelief. - -“Yes, he knew we had him dead to rights anyway. Matter of fact, he’s -rather remorseful, the boys tell me. Diethelm’s a queer duck. It seems -he made a brilliant record in college and had a fine career ahead -of him as a forest ranger. But on his first assignment, something -went wrong. He ran into personal trouble with his superior, and was -reprimanded. He couldn’t take it. So he brooded and figured on a way to -get even.” - -“Then the help he gave the hi-jackers was to even an old score with -another ranger?” Judy inquired. - -“Not entirely. It made him susceptible to suggestion, shall we say. -Diethelm was a weak character. He wanted easy money. Joe Pompilli -offered it to him, and so he sold himself cheap.” - -“Diethelm even accused the girls in our Scout Camp of being careless -with fire,” Kathleen remarked indignantly. - -“Oh, that matter came up,” the highway patrolman said, reminded of -it by her remark. “Diethelm admitted to the chief ranger that on two -occasions he started small fires as a diversion. He wanted to keep -rangers and patrolmen occupied to give the hi-jackers a better chance -to slide their stolen cargo through.” - -“Then the Scouts can’t be blamed for that fire?” - -“No, they’ve been cleared.” - -“Well, that’s a relief!” Kathleen laughed. - -“There’s one thing that puzzles me,” Judy said thoughtfully. “When my -aunt first moved into Calico Cottage, someone telephoned--” - -“I can tell you about that too,” the patrolman broke in. “Krumm’s -cottage stood idle for quite a spell. Now and then, Diethelm or members -of Joe’s gang would use the telephone. The cottage gave a clear view of -the entrance to the private road. A couple of times, we think Joe and -his truckers spent a night at the cottage. Naturally, after your aunt -moved in, they had to abandon using it.” - -“Maybe that explains the ghost!” Kathleen exclaimed. - -Judy, however, shook her head. “I’m afraid not,” she said. “At least -I haven’t heard that Joe Pompilli played a flute. Our ghost is an -entirely different matter.” - -By the time the two girls returned to Calico Cottage, it was well -after eleven o’clock. Miss Meadows anxiously awaited their return. She -listened attentively to their long account of what had happened in town. - -“I’m glad that’s over and we won’t be bothered by weird lights on the -road any more,” she declared fervently. “If I weren’t so worried about -Bart, I could begin to enjoy my vacation here.” - -“Bart?” Judy repeated, startled. The excitement of the morning had -washed all thought of the young milkman from her mind. - -“I took it upon myself to telephone his landlady,” Miss Meadows went -on. “Bart left his room early yesterday morning, and he’s not been seen -since!” - -“That might not mean anything serious, Aunt Mattie.” - -“I talked with the other milkman this morning while you were in town,” -Miss Meadows continued. “He thinks as I do, that Bart went into the -cave.” - -“Maybe he went down into the cavern before those hi-jackers parked -themselves in the entranceway,” Kathleen speculated. “Perhaps he didn’t -dare come out until they left. He may be waiting somewhere in the dark -passageway even now.” - -“That is a possibility,” agreed Miss Meadows, instantly becoming more -cheerful. She reached for her hat and jacket. “I’ll go down there now, -and let him know that it’s safe to come out.” - - - - -_Chapter 22_ - -DESCENT INTO THE CAVE - - -Judy and Kathleen would not allow Miss Meadows to go alone to Calico -Cave. - -Insisting upon accompanying her, they made cheerful talk as they -tramped down the now familiar forest road. - -Moving along the narrow path far above the silvery White River, Judy -was the first to see Pete lying at the mouth of the dark cave. - -“Why, he’s still there!” she exclaimed. “Poor doggie, do you suppose -he’s had anything to eat or drink?” - -Pete lay upon his stomach, head between his paws. A picture of utter -dejection, he whined and whimpered as the girls stooped to pet him. - -“Bart must be down in the cave,” Judy declared. “Otherwise, why would -Pete lie here and act as if he’d lost his last friend?” - -The three stepped into the dim interior of the cave. Judy cupped her -hands and shouted Bart’s name repeatedly. - -Her voice echoed weirdly through the cave, but there was no answering -call. If Bart had descended into the cavern, it was evident that he was -at a level so far below that he could not hear the cry. - -“No, Judy,” Miss Meadows said firmly, as her niece would have started -down into the cave. “We don’t dare explore alone. It’s unsafe.” - -“What should we do?” Kathleen asked, pulling her jacket more tightly -about her, for the air was cool. - -“Bart may be safe enough,” Judy added anxiously. “Then again, if he -braved the siphon, there’s no telling what may have happened.” - -“I’ll get in touch with Bart’s landlady again,” Miss Meadows finally -decided. “There’s a chance he may have gone out of town, and returned -to his room by this time.” - -“If he shouldn’t be back--” Judy began. “Then what?” - -“I don’t know what we can do except to notify the authorities,” Miss -Meadows said, deeply troubled. “Meanwhile, you girls are to return to -camp. I’ll feed Pete and see if I can coax him to the cottage.” - -“I don’t feel like going back to camp just now,” Judy said soberly. -“Until I know that Bart is safe, I couldn’t enjoy any of the Scout -activities.” - -“Neither could I,” chimed in Kathleen. “It’s been such an exciting day -already. I feel sort of jittery inside.” - -The three crawled out of the cave into the sunlight. Pete scrambled -up alertly as they emerged, but could not be coaxed away from the -entranceway. - -“If only we dared go down into the cave, we could learn what became -of Bart,” Kathleen remarked to her companions who stood silent and -uncertain. “Then we could end this dreadful suspense.” - -“We can’t go down into the cave without a guide,” Miss Meadows repeated -firmly. “I know of no one--” - -“Captain Hager!” Judy cried. “He could help us, if he will!” - -“Of course! Why didn’t I think of him? At the very least, he should be -able to advise us. Where does he live, Judy?” - -“I’m not sure. I think, in a cabin somewhere along the river.” - -“Do you suppose you girls could find him?” Miss Meadows urged. “I’ll -wait here.” - -“We can try,” Judy promised. - -She and Kathleen set off at once, making their way to the river level. -Captain Hager was not at the dock where they first had met him, nor was -his boat anywhere visible on the river. - -Judy surveyed the water front, noticing a two-room shack several -hundred yards down the beach. - -“That might be his place,” she said. “We can try there anyway.” - -A brisk walk brought them to the modest little cabin. Though small, the -building was trim and neat, and had recently been whitewashed. There -was a little garden at the rear, carefully watered and fertilized. An -anchor, encrusted with rust, hung above the door. - -“This must be Captain Hager’s place,” Judy decided. - -She knocked. After a time, the door opened. Captain Hager stood there -in his shirt sleeves, looking older and less spry than the girls had -remembered him. - -But upon recognizing the Scouts, his face creased into a welcoming -smile. - -“Come in, come in!” he boomed. - -The room into which he led the girls was extremely severe and quite -bare of furniture. There was a bunk bed, a stove, an ice box and two -wooden chairs. Above the bed hung the picture of a middle-aged woman in -a heavy gilt frame. - -“My wife,” said Captain Hager, noticing Judy’s eyes upon the picture. -“That was all I kept from the old place. Sold all my furniture at -auction. An old salt like me can’t be bothered with fancy trappings.” - -He limped as he walked across the cabin floor to pull out chairs for -the girls. - -“Your leg is bothering you?” Judy asked, taking the seat he offered. - -“Oh, it’s the old rheumatiz come back to fret me,” Captain Hager -sighed. “For the last couple o’ days I’ve been hobbling around like a -cripple.” - -Judy gazed at Kathleen despairingly, feeling that it would be useless -even to broach the subject of the call. In seeking Captain Hager as a -guide, she had forgotten that his lively talk and manner belied his age -and infirmities. - -“Now what brings you here?” the captain inquired. “If it’s fishing, -I’ll have to say no, because I’m in dry dock for a couple of days until -I get to feeling better again.” - -“We didn’t know about your rheumatism,” Judy said. “I guess it’s quite -out of the question.” - -“What is?” the old man demanded. “It wasn’t fishing that brought you.” - -Judy shook her head. “It’s Bart,” she told him. “We think he’s gone -into the cave again. He’s been missing more than a day, and we’re -afraid he’s trapped down there. Either that, or he’s attempted the -siphon.” - -Captain Hager did not speak for a long while. Then he muttered: “The -siphon! I told that boy to wash it out of his mind, but I always knew -he’d try it someday. The thought of it always was a challenge and a -plague to him.” - -“What do you think we should do?” Judy asked desperately. “Notify the -authorities?” - -“If he’s gone through the siphon, he’s beyond help,” the old man -answered. “There’s no man living in this community, who would risk his -life to try to force that tunnel of water. Either he’ll get back on his -own, or like his father before him, he’ll be heard of no more.” - -“But supposing he didn’t attempt the siphon,” Kathleen interposed. -“Maybe he’s trapped somewhere below the surface by a fall of rock. -Would the rangers check, do you think?” - -“They might make up a search party,” the old man conceded. “But who -would lead it? That cave is as simple as A-B-C for a skipper that knows -the layout. The rangers have their maps, but what do they know of -Hager’s Hole? Now if I were ten years younger--” - -“It wouldn’t be fair to ask you,” Judy said. “You’re not feeling well -and your rheumatism--” - -“Who says I’m not feeling well?” Captain Hager growled. “Next to good -salt air, there’s nothing better for the ache o’ old bones than cool -cave air.” - -“You’ll take us down there?” Judy asked eagerly. “You’re sure it -wouldn’t be too hard on you?” - -“I’ll go as far as the siphon, or until we find Bart,” the old captain -promised. - -“How soon can we get started?” Judy urged. - -“As soon as I gather some rope, a good light and a few things we may -need. But time’s no matter in a cave. Night or day, it’s all the same, -once you’re underground.” - -“Will we need heavy clothes?” Kathleen asked. - -“Those you’re wearing will be all right,” the captain assured her. -“The temperature is the same everywhere in the cave. Heavy clothing is -cumbersome and burdens one in climbing. You’ll need flashlights and -plenty of extra batteries.” - -“We’ll get them and meet you at the cave entrance,” Judy said, starting -for the door. She paused, and then impulsively flung her arms about -Captain Hager’s bulky shoulders. - -“None o’ that!” he chuckled, enjoying the embrace. “Save your pep for -the cave. Going down is easy enough, but it’s a tough climb back.” - -The sun was high by the time Captain Hager rejoined the two girls and -Judy’s aunt at the cave entrance. Meanwhile, Miss Meadows had confirmed -by a telephone call, that Bart had not returned to his rooming house. - -After considerable discussion, it was decided that only Captain Hager -and the two girls should make the descent into the cave. Though -reluctant to see the three go without her, Miss Meadows shuddered at -the thought of exploring the unknown. Captain Hager relieved her mind -by assuring her that with him the girls would not be in the slightest -danger. - -“You’ll be more help to us here, Ma’am,” he told Miss Meadows. “If -everything goes well, we should be back within four hours, unless we’re -lucky enough to run into Bart before that. Who knows? The young scamp -may be day dreaming down there in a sacred grotto. Sometimes, the -beauty of the formations is so overpowering, it makes a lubber forget -time and space and the cares o’ the world.” - -“Well, don’t forget to come back as quickly as you can,” Miss Meadows -warned. “I’ll be dreadfully worried until you’re back here with Bart.” - -“We’ll do our best to find him,” Captain Hager said soberly. “I love -that boy like my own son.” - -“I know you do, and that you’re exerting yourself to go down into the -cave,” Miss Meadows replied. “If you’re not back in four hours, I’ll -notify the ranger station.” - -“Make it five hours,” Captain Hager corrected. “I’m a mite slower than -I was in my younger days. But if my ticker holds out, I’ll be back here -in fine shape. Ready, maties?” - -Judy and Kathleen nodded eagerly. - -“Then follow me,” directed the captain. “Walk close behind and be -careful about dislodging rocks.” - -Single file, the three entered the cave, its ragged shadows enveloping -them. - -As they paused an instant, the beams of their flashlights picked up -the lovely emerald green tint of roof moss. Then silently, they began -the descent into the cavern and loneliness closed in. - - - - -_Chapter 23_ - -THE SIPHON - - -The descent to the chamber of the White Witch was quickly made. There, -the party of three paused briefly to catch breath and to view again the -weird figure which captured the imagination. - -A tunnel, at times narrow and low, wound deeper and deeper into the -earth. Judy and Kathleen kept close to their guide. In the stillness of -the cavern they could hear his somewhat labored breathing, for even the -slightest sound was magnified. - -They came presently to another small chamber where they paused, -speechless. Stalactites sparkled like jewels, standing out in the most -fantastic shapes. - -Judy could imagine animal figures, all in a variety of color, milky -white, red, green and black. The colors, Captain Hager explained, came -from mineral infiltration. - -“No wonder Bart couldn’t resist this cave,” Judy remarked in awe, -entranced. “It’s like a fairyland! How I wish all the Scouts could see -it!” - -In close formation, the three went on into the cavern depths. A cooler -wind met them, but from where it arose they gained no clue. - -The going had become harder now, and after edging through a narrow -space, the three stopped for a moment beside a translucent column which -rose from the floor to the roof. - -As they stood thus, there came a deafening crash behind them. - -Judy and Kathleen froze in their tracks, too terrified to utter a sound. - -“A cave-in behind us?” Kathleen finally asked in a choked whisper. - -“It’s nothing,” the captain reassured her. “Sounded like a blast of -dynamite far away. Like enough the rangers are blasting a tree stump -somewhere in the park area.” - -“But it sounded as if the cave roof had fallen!” Judy said, still -shaken. - -“All sounds underground are magnified,” Captain Hager explained. “Even -the dripping of water can be very loud. Off to the right there is a -Talking Grotto. But we will not explore that passage, for Bart would -not waste time there.” - -To proceed, it was necessary to creep across a slippery formation which -resembled a frozen waterfall. They passed through a room which was -cluttered with grotesque toadstool types of stalagmites, and then came -to formations so delicate that they appeared as a lacy cobweb. - -As they sat down to rest their legs for a moment, Captain Hager told -the girls that the beautiful pillars they had seen farther back were -made by the joining of stalactites and stalagmites. - -The growth of formations, he added, was much faster than generally -believed. Varying rainfall, the thickness of the rock penetrated by -water, and the rate of drip, all affected the deposits, he explained. - -“All water that goes into a cave, must come out somewhere,” the captain -continued. “During a hard rain storm, this cave could be dangerous at -the lower levels.” - -“You mean we’d get the rain down here?” Kathleen questioned in -amazement. - -“Belatedly, yes. Shortly now, you’ll see the underground river. During -the dry months it shrivels, but in the rainy season, it thunders -through the chasms like a mad demon.” - -“I hope it doesn’t storm today,” Kathleen said nervously. - -“The day was clear,” Captain Hager reassured her. “And there has been -no recent rain to flood the underground stream.” - -Farther on, the girls came to a series of small pools in which there -were blind fish. They did not tarry long, but continued through another -long, narrow passage. - -“Do you suppose Bart came this way?” Judy finally asked. “Couldn’t he -have taken any number of branch-offs?” - -“The branch-offs are dead-end streets, so to speak,” replied the -captain. “If I know that lad, we’ll find him at the siphon, or we’ll -not find him this voyage. Tired?” - -“My legs feel sort of cramped,” Judy confessed, ashamed of her -weariness. “But I’m all right.” - -“We’re nearing the end,” the captain encouraged the girls. “The last -few yards are the hardest. Then we’ll bring up at the siphon.” - -“And if Bart isn’t there?” asked Judy. - -The old captain did not answer. He gazed thoughtfully at his sturdy -boots, tested his light briefly on the limestone wall, and then -signaled that he was ready to resume the descent. - -Not far beyond the point where they had rested, the three explorers -came to a chamber so large that it seemed to have no surrounding walls. - -At its entrance, Captain Hager hesitated, seemingly reluctant to go on. - -“If we continue to the siphon, we must cross this chamber, with no -wall to guide us,” he explained. “Beyond, in the darkness, there is a -single narrow passageway leading on. If we hit the target, we’ll soon -be at the end of the cave. If we miss, we may spend hours, trying to -grope our way. We’ll be like a ship wallowing without chart or compass. -Unless you have plenty of nerve--” - -“We have,” Judy said resolutely. “We’ve come so far now, we can’t turn -back without learning whether or not Bart is in the cave.” - -“Aye, I figured you’d say that,” Captain Hager replied. - -He then uncoiled a length of nylon rope, tying it first about his own -waist, then around Kathleen, and finally about Judy, who would bring up -the rear. - -“We must keep close together,” he warned. “If we do, there is no -danger. Even if we miss the passageway on the first try, we will find -it. Full steam ahead, my hearties!” - -For a few feet the girls followed along a rough, jagged wall before -moving slowly out into the vast room. The silence and immensity of the -cavern were momentarily terrifying, for Captain Hager’s light revealed -only a dark void ahead. - -By supreme effort Judy and Kathleen held their nerves in rigid check. -Each step seemed to be taking them deeper and deeper into oblivion. A -dozen doubts assailed them. Would Captain Hager ever find the narrow -passage leading out of the chamber? And if they should be successful in -reaching the siphon, would not the return be even more difficult? - -The darkness seemed endless, but finally Captain Hager’s light revealed -a rough wall ahead. A wave of relief washed over Judy and Kathleen. But -it was short lived. - -Their guide had paused to move the flash beam slowly along the solid -wall, first to the right, then to the left. He muttered something, but -his words were indistinguishable. - -“Are--are we lost?” Kathleen asked. - -The captain deliberately did not answer. After a moment, he started on -again, groping along the wall. Kathleen did not repeat her question. - -For awhile Captain Hager kept on, the girls directly behind, following -blindly. Then suddenly the old man seemed to relax, and they heard him -give a throaty chuckle. - -“Hear that?” he demanded. - -Judy and Kathleen already had distinguished the distant sound of -running water. The underground stream! - -At the same instant that they heard the splash of water, Captain -Hager’s flash beam focused upon the narrow opening in the cavern -wall--the passageway for which he had searched. - -“We near the end,” he said simply. - -They moved quickly through the narrow corridor. The thunder of a -distant waterfall they never were to see, was louder now in their ears. - -The floor of the passageway sloped sharply downward. Kathleen slipped -but did not fall, for Judy caught her arm to give her support. - -Abruptly, the corridor turned, and the girls saw water ahead. The -underground stream, quiet and dark, emerged from a wall of rock to flow -tranquilly beneath the slightly arched cave-roof above. - -Captain Hager halted. “We’ve come to the end,” he announced. - -Judy and Kathleen were stunned. “The end,” Judy repeated, scarcely -comprehending. “But I thought--” - -“We can proceed no further without wading along the river bed,” the -captain explained. “The water gradually deepens until it rises to the -ceiling. At that point, one must dive through and swim underwater, or -turn back.” - -He focused his light to the right, and the girls saw the meeting place -of wall and water. - -“The siphon?” Judy asked. - -“Aye, how far it goes, no man knows. It may extend for only a few feet -or yards. Then again, it may run on indefinitely, with nary a pocket of -air.” - -“Bart--?” Judy hesitated to ask the question that was foremost in her -mind. - -“Surely he wouldn’t be crazy enough to try to swim through the siphon!” -Kathleen exclaimed. - -“The lad is a true spelunker, like his father. He has the courage of a -lion, and the muscles of a young bear. Since he was a mere boy, he’s -studied and dreamed about this cave.” - -“But we’ve seen no evidence that he’s anywhere in the cavern,” Judy -said hopefully. - -“No evidence?” Captain Hager’s voice was muted, as his light came to -focus upon a rock shelf a few feet above the river bed. - -For a moment, neither Judy nor Kathleen understood. - -Then, they fully comprehended. There on the rock ledge, set heel to -heel, was an empty pair of shoes. Beside them, in a neat roll, was -Bart’s shirt and jacket. - - - - -_Chapter 24_ - -HELP FROM CAPTAIN HAGER - - -Three hours now had elapsed since Captain Hager, Judy and Kathleen had -ascertained that Bart Ranieau was somewhere deep in the cave, beyond -the siphon. - -Unable to penetrate farther, the three had made the arduous climb back -to the cavern entrance where Miss Meadows anxiously awaited them. - -Their report had been a discouraging one. Without question, Bart was -somewhere in Calico Cave, but whether or not alive, no one could say. - -“The lad may have reached an air pocket, or a chamber,” Captain Hager -said. “That’s what he gambled on.” - -“He’s been missing a day and a half now,” Miss Meadows reminded the -seaman. “While you were down in the cave, I checked on that point. -Surely, if he’s ever coming back, he’d have made it by now.” - -“Aye,” the captain soberly agreed. - -“Can’t something be done?” Miss Meadows urged. - -“Not a man in these parts would risk that siphon, ma’am.” - -“I realize that,” Miss Meadows answered. “But is there no other way to -reach him, if he’s still alive? Couldn’t the rangers blast the rock -perhaps?” - -“It would be impractical and dangerous, Ma’am.” - -“But the cave must have an exit somewhere close--if only it could -be traced down! If one could approach the siphon from the other -direction--” - -“Aye, Ma’am,” Captain Hager replied, “I’ve been pondering on -it--pondering hard.” - -“Then you do have an idea!” Judy cried. “Does it have anything to do -with Calico Cottage?” - -“I’ve been meditatin’ along that line,” the old man admitted. - -“Is there any chance the cave connects in some way with the foundation -of the cottage?” Judy demanded excitedly. “Remember, all those strange -sounds which seemed to come from the basement! They might have been -cave noises! And we noticed a gust of cool air coming through a crack -in the mortar.” - -“Aye,” the captain nodded. “Bart and I discussed it many a time. Those -strange sounds that have scared the living daylights out of cottage -tenants come from the cave right enough.” - -“Then there must be a passageway close to the foundation wall!” Judy -cried. - -“I tried to convince Krumm he should build on a new foundation, but he -wouldn’t take advice.” - -“If that old foundation could be torn down, maybe an opening down into -the cave could be found!” Judy went on. “What do you think, Captain -Hager?” - -“It’s our only chance to ever learn what became of Bart.” - -“Then why are we waiting?” Miss Meadows demanded. “We must put men to -work at once!” - -“Krumm will have to give his permission,” Captain Hager said, deeply -troubled. “It will mean wrecking the foundation of the cottage.” - -“But a young man’s life is at stake!” - -“Aye,” the captain agreed, “Krumm should consent, if there’s a mite o’ -humanity in him. We’ll go now and put it up to him.” - -Word had spread through the village of Bart Ranieau’s plight and -everyone, it seemed, was discussing the young man’s fate. Even before -the little party arrived at Mr. Krumm’s real estate office, groups of -curious began to congregate at the cave entranceway. - -Forest rangers and state highwaymen roped off the private road leading -to the cavern, and set up guards to prevent persons from trying to -explore. Miss Ward, bringing her girls to Calico Cottage, learned -belatedly of the disaster and what was being done to try to find Bart. - -Meanwhile, Captain Hager was using all his powers of persuasion upon -Mr. Krumm. The real estate man, reluctant to have his property damaged, -argued that it would be a useless expenditure to tear down the old -foundation wall. - -“Like as not we wouldn’t find the cave exit,” he protested. “Even if we -did, there’s not much chance of finding that foolhardy young man alive -and you know it! He went the way his father did before him, drowned in -the siphon!” - -“We don’t know it,” Captain Hager retorted. “There’s air somewhere -close by to that siphon.” - -“How do you know?” - -“Because time and again Bart found tadpoles.” - -“What have they got to do with it?” Mr. Krumm demanded. - -“Tadpoles are a sure sign of open air being near. They’re creatures -that never venture far into underground waters.” - -“So?” - -“I figure there must be a brook somewhere close where the underground -river empties.” - -“There’s no brook around the cottage, and no water under it either.” - -“I’m not concerned where the river empties,” Captain Hager said. “I do -think the cottage wall connects in some way with a passage down into -the cave. Where it would lead, if we get into it, no man knows.” - -“You want me to tear down the foundation on a wild chance like that?” - -“You’ve got to do it,” Captain Hager said grimly. He moved in close. -“Either you do it like a gentleman and get credit for being a hero, or -I’ll have the law on you! You can’t abandon that boy to save a dollar!” - -Mr. Krumm’s eyes snapped angrily. Judy and Kathleen were certain he -would order them all out of the real estate office. - -But suddenly, his opposition dissolved. - -“Okay, tear down the foundation!” he consented. “Get on with it!” - -Once Mr. Krumm had waived his objection, men from the village, directed -by forest rangers, immediately went to work. - -Judy, Kathleen and the other Scouts milled about the cottage, watching -as a small section of the foundation was torn apart. As the throng -increased, only Miss Meadows, Miss Ward and the Scouts were permitted -in the building. - -Dust from the bricks and mortar kept the girls out of the cellar much -of the time. But as the day wore on, a shout from below, brought them -scrambling down the stairway. - -By this time, one section of wall had been torn away, though the main -supports of the cottage remained. The musty odor which had annoyed -occupants of Calico Cottage now was very strong and definitely came -from the jagged opening. A group of workmen clustered about the hole, -blocking Judy’s view. - -“Have you found the cave opening?” she cried. “Have you?” - -“Aye,” Captain Hager informed her jovially. “But where the passage -leads, we don’t know.” - -“What causes the odor?” Kathleen asked, sniffing. - -“Imprisoned air. It’s gradually clearing out. Like as not it comes from -decaying vegetation--” - -“Listen!” cried Judy tensely. - -“The boy with the flute!” exclaimed Kathleen in awe. - -Those in the room had frozen to attention. From the great gaping hole -there issued forth a musical note, for all the world like the music of -a flute. - -Then there came a series of taps as if someone might be thumping a -stick on hard rock. - -“That’s a man-made sound!” cried Captain Hager. “Bart’s down there! -He’s trying to signal us!” - -“We’ll get him out!” shouted a forest ranger. “Any volunteers to go -down into the hole?” - -Arthur Wentz stepped forward. Rope was tied about his waist, and -carefully he was lowered until his feet touched solid flooring. - -For awhile those above could see the descending light, then it -vanished. They paid out more and more rope until the coil was nearly -exhausted. - -Finally, a signal came--two short tugs. Gently, the men began to pull -on the rope. - -“Wentz is coming up!” one of the workmen shouted. “It’s hard pulling!” - -“Then he must have found Bart!” Judy cried, hugging Kathleen in her -excitement. - -Minutes passed as the men kept at the rope. Then from the hole -staggered Wentz and the young man he supported. - -Bart was barefoot and his bare back had been covered by the ranger’s -shirt. His lips were blue with cold, but he grinned with the spirit of -a conqueror. - -“Captain Hager!” he mumbled, embracing the old man. “I did it!” - -“You sure did, son,” the captain answered, tears streaming down his -grimy cheeks. “You almost did for yourself too.” - -“I thought you’d get me out,” Bart said. “I never gave up, never for a -minute.” - -“You can thank these Scouts,” Captain Hager said, smiling at Judy and -Kathleen. “They pestered me to go down into the cave with ’em. If they -hadn’t, we’d never have learned that you went through the siphon.” - -“It was a wonderful but terrifying experience,” Bart mumbled. “My -father--” - -“That can wait,” Captain Hager said gruffly. “You can tell us all about -it later. Get yourself to a warm bed now, before you die of pneumonia. -Get along with ye!” - -Nearly exhausted, and shaking with cold, Bart was lifted bodily and -carried to a waiting ambulance. - - - - -_Chapter 25_ - -COURT OF HONOR - - -Two days had elapsed since Bart Ranieau had been brought out of Calico -Cave suffering from shock, but otherwise unharmed by his thrilling -explorations. - -Long hours of sleep and plenty of food had restored him to his former -peak of health. But as his strength returned, he became restless and -pestered hospital officials until at last they dismissed him. - -Almost immediately, Bart sought Judy and Kathleen at Pine Cone Camp to -thank them for saving his life. - -Word spread like wildfire that the young explorer had arrived and soon -the daring young man was surrounded by Girl Scouts who teased him to -tell the story of his adventure. - -“Start at the very beginning,” Judy urged. “Don’t leave out anything.” - -“That’s a large order, but I’ll try,” grinned Bart. “Well, I’d made up -my mind to try the siphon. I didn’t tell anyone, because I knew if I -did, the authorities would try to stop me.” - -“I left my shoes and shirt on the ledge because I couldn’t be burdened -with them in swimming. I reasoned too, that if I got through, wet -clothes wouldn’t help keep me warm. So I stripped to my trunks.” - -“How long was the siphon?” inquired Betty Bache, who had joined the -group of intent listeners. - -“Long enough,” Bart said grimly. “The first one wasn’t so bad.” - -“Then there was more than one?” inquired Ardeth Packett. - -“Two of them. I waded at first. The water finally came up to my neck -and then over my nose. When I couldn’t walk, I dived.” - -“Weren’t you scared to death?” Virginia Cunningham asked with a shiver. - -“I sure was,” Bart admitted. “I knew I might find water to the ceiling -for an indefinite distance ahead. Anyway, I decided to chance it. I -took a great deep breath and plunged through.” - -“What happened?” questioned Beverly Chester breathlessly. - -“The first barrier was astonishingly easy. I was through it in less -than a minute and was able to wade again. My only light was a container -of matches carried in the top of my bathing cap. Ahead I could see -another siphon.” - -“You were reckless to go on,” Kathleen chided. - -“Maybe,” Bart acknowledged, “but it would have been very nearly as hard -to have gone back. I hoped I’d find where the cave came out.” - -“Tell us about the second siphon,” Judy urged. - -“It was a tricky one, I’m here to report. I don’t know how long I was -underwater, but it seemed a minute and a half. My lungs were bursting -when finally I emerged. But it was worth it!” - -“What did you find?” demanded Beverly. - -“A hall filled with the most beautiful formations I’ve ever seen.” - -“Better than the White Witch and those chambers before one gets to the -siphon?” Judy asked. - -“Oh, a thousand times better! I stood there speechless and in awe, -dazzled by the glitter of so much crystal. For a little while, I lost -all count of time. It seemed unreal.” - -“Go on,” Kathleen urged, as Bart became lost in his own memories. - -“Those stalactites and stalagmites were fantastic beyond description,” -Bart told the Scouts. “There were animal shapes, and statue-like -figures--one a woman with a bridal veil. Why, if steps can be built -down from Calico Cottage, everyone can see the chamber! Krumm will -make more money opening up the cave than he ever could do renting the -cottage.” - -“While you were down there, you didn’t solve the mystery of Calico -Cave’s ghost, did you?” Judy asked. “You didn’t meet our little boy -with the flute?” - -“I certainly did,” Bart replied. “The explanation for those flute -noises is simplicity itself. One of the roof formations takes the shape -of a long hollow tube. Each time water drops through the tube onto the -floor, it produces the musical note.” - -“Did you realize how close you were to the basement of Calico Cottage?” -Judy next asked the young explorer. - -“I thought I might be somewhere near, but I couldn’t be sure. One loses -all sense of direction under ground. I tried to climb, but the rocks -were straight up, and I couldn’t get a grip.” - -“When you first came out of the cave, you spoke of your father,” -Kathleen said, rather reluctant to remind Bart of a painful subject. - -“Yes, I know now what became of him,” he answered. “My father didn’t -drown as we thought. He made both of the siphons just as I did.” - -“Then he was trapped in the chamber and unable to signal anyone.” - -“I’m not sure if he tried or had the strength to signal,” Bart -responded. “I found the skeleton and a note, only part of which I’ve -been able to read. My dad had a heart attack. He wasn’t too expert -as a swimmer, and the exertion together with the excitement of his -discovery, may have brought on a sudden attack. It must have taken him -fast.” - -“But there was no escape from the chamber?” Virginia probed. “No way -back?” - -“Of that I’m not sure either,” Bart returned. “It would take a hardy -swimmer to swim against the current. I think I might have made it. I -was turning the thought over, trying to decide what to do. I’d about -made up my mind that if no help came, I’d attempt it before my strength -left me.” - -“Does the cave have no exit except through the cottage foundation?” -Ardeth next interposed a question. “What becomes of the underground -river?” - -“It empties into the brook which flows into the river,” Bart explained. -“But no one can follow the course of the underground stream farther -than I went. The way beyond is barred by solid rock.” - -The young explorer spent more than an hour at camp, telling the Scouts -many interesting facts about caves in general. - -All the girls were envious of Judy and Kathleen because they had viewed -so many of the beautiful formations. - -“The most breath-taking sights are in the chamber directly under Calico -Cave,” Bart said. “There’s no reason why a ladder or steps can’t be -built down there, so everyone can view them. I am to talk to Mr. Krumm -today and see what can be done. It’s a cinch he can’t rent his cottage -without extensive repairs, and it would pay him to open up the cave -instead.” - -Since the tearing down of the cottage foundation wall, Miss Meadows -had not been able to stay in the dwelling. She had taken a room at the -hotel for one night, and after that Mr. Krumm had transferred her to -another one of his cottages, directly on Morning Glory Lake. - -Surprisingly, the real estate man had announced that Miss Meadows -might have the place rent free. - -“You’ve had a rugged time of it at the other cottage,” he acknowledged. -“You deserve a couple of peaceful weeks.” - -The girls correctly surmised that Mr. Krumm’s generosity was occasioned -by a belated realization that Calico Cave had great commercial -possibilities. - -They were entirely right. In the week that followed, the real estate -man bolstered up the cottage foundation again, converting the building -into an office where admission tickets could be sold. - -He then had carpenters construct a stairway down to the fairyland -chamber, one which would serve temporarily until a more permanent -installation could be made. - -Sometime prior to the day on which the public was to given its first -view of the cave, Mr. Krumm visited Pine Cone Camp to present a check -to Judy. - -“Why, what is this?” she asked in astonishment. “Is it a contribution -for the Girl Scouts?” - -“You may consider it as such as you want to,” he said. “It’s your bonus -for solving the mystery of the Calico Cottage ghost.” - -“That was easy because I had scientific helpers,” Judy laughed. “I -think Bart and Captain Hager deserve the money even more than do the -Scouts.” - -“Don’t worry about that,” Mr. Krumm said a bit grimly. “They’ll have -a share of the profits from the cave operation. Bart saw to that. He -convinced me that I couldn’t manage the place without them around to -look after things.” - -“In that case, I’ll accept the check,” Judy decided. “Not for myself -though. I’ll give it to Pine Cone Camp. Perhaps the money can be used -to bring some girl to camp who otherwise couldn’t afford to come.” - -Before departing, Mr. Krumm invited all the Scouts to a preview of the -cave chamber. - -“Oh, wouldn’t it be fun if we could have our Court of Awards ceremony -there!” Judy exclaimed. “Could we, Mr. Krumm?” - -“It’s all right with me,” he said. “The electric lights will be in by -the end of the week.” - -Judy spoke at once to the camp director about her plan. At first, Miss -Lubell was somewhat hesitant, but after personally inspecting the cave -room and the facilities which had been provided for the public, she -became as enthusiastic as Judy over the prospect of holding a ceremony -in the fairyland chamber. - -The night set for the affair finally arrived. The Scouts enjoyed -a picnic supper at the cottage grounds, after hiking to the site. -Afterwards, with Bart and Captain Hager acting as guides, they -descended to the underground chamber. - -Electric lights, skillfully placed, gave the colorful formations -ethereal effects which were quite breathtaking. The Scouts named many -of the figures, giving them such titles as the Indian Oven, Woman with -a Hood, the Cathedral, and Phantom Hands. - -The spell of enchantment was still upon the girls as they took -formation for the Court of Awards ceremony. - -Miss Lubell personally presented special achievement badges to all -the Scouts who had earned them. Judy, Kathleen, Ardeth, Virginia, and -the other members of Beaver Patrol won honors in many fields, for -dramatics, in swimming, health and for safety achievements. - -Then Miss Lubell announced that for Judy and Kathleen, there was to be -a special award. An expectant hush fell upon the group. - -Amazed and rather embarrassed to be singled out for particular -attention, the two Beaver Patrol girls stepped forward to receive the -badges. - -As Miss Lubell held them up, everyone burst into laughter. As a joke, -the Scouts of Lone Tree had fashioned two huge medals of tin. On their -face, in large letters, they had painted: “Explorer.” - -“Just a little memento of your exciting summer, Judy,” Ardeth assured -her. “You know, wherever you go, you seem to stir up fun and adventure.” - -“All of the Scouts do,” Judy corrected. “Kathleen certainly did as much -as I to earn her tin medal!” - -“I just followed in your footsteps,” Kathleen laughed. “Anyway, we -shouldn’t get the credit for producing forest fires or hi-jackers. -Caves are our specialty.” - -“Here’s hoping you find more and better ones,” Ardeth chuckled, -fastening the huge tin medal to Judy’s Scout uniform. “Or is that -possible?” - -“We never could discover a more thrilling cave than Calico,” Judy -replied earnestly. - -“But you’ll try!” Ardeth teased. - -Judy shook her head. Her eyes twinkled as she answered, “No, I promise -you I’ve had enough of stalagmites and stalactites for one summer. From -this hour forward, I’m spending all my idle hours at Pine Cone Camp!” - - - - -Transcriber’s Note: - -Perceived typographical errors have been corrected. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Girl Scouts at Singing Sands, by -Mildred Augustine Wirt - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SINGING SANDS *** - -***** This file should be named 60977-0.txt or 60977-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/9/7/60977/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Sue Clark, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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