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diff --git a/old/60977-h/60977-h.htm b/old/60977-h/60977-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index a498b3d..0000000 --- a/old/60977-h/60977-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9093 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Girl Scouts at Singing Sands, by Mildred A. 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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 - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<hr class="divider" /> -<h1 class="page-break-print"><cite>Girl Scouts<br /> -at<br /> -Singing Sands</cite></h1> - - -<div class="hidehand"> -<hr class="divider2" /> -<div class="figcenter width400"> -<img src="images/cover2.jpg" width="400" height="562" alt="Cover" /> -</div> -</div> - - - -<div class="section"> -<hr class="divider2" /> -<div class="figcenter width400"> -<img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" width="400" height="668" alt="" /> -<div class="caption">“Come here quick! Tell me what you see.”<br /> -<cite>Girl Scouts at Singing Sands</cite><br /> -(See page <a href="#come">82</a>)</div> -</div> -</div> - - - - -<div class="section"> -<hr class="divider" /> -</div> - -<p class="center p180"><cite>Girl Scouts<br /> -at<br /> -Singing Sands</cite></p> - -<p class="center mt3"><i>BY</i><br /> -<span class="sans p140">MILDRED A. WIRT</span></p> - -<p class="center mt3"><i>ILLUSTRATED</i><br /> -<small>by <span class="smcap">MARGUERITE GEYER</span></small></p> - - -<p class="center sans mt3">CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY</p> -<div class="center"><span class="wordspacing"><i>Publishers</i> <i>New</i></span> <i>York</i></div> - - - - -<div class="section"> -<hr class="divider" /> -</div> - -<p class="center">Copyright, 1955, by<br /> -<span class="p120">CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY</span></p> - -<hr class="short" /> - -<p class="center"><i>All Rights Reserved</i></p> - -<hr class="short" /> - -<p class="center p120">GIRL SCOUTS AT SINGING SANDS</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Printed in the United States of America</i></p> - - -<div class="section"> -<hr class="divider" /> -</div> - -<h2><a name="contents" id="contents"></a>CONTENTS</h2> - -<table summary="Contents"> -<tr> -<th class="tdr"><i>Chapter</i></th> -<th class="tdl"> </th> -<th class="tdr2"><i>Page</i></th> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">1</td> -<td class="tdl">Snug Down</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#i">5</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">2</td> -<td class="tdl">The Locked Door</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#ii">18</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">3</td> -<td class="tdl">Hager’s Hole</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#iii">29</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">4</td> -<td class="tdl">Night Sounds</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#iv">36</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">5</td> -<td class="tdl">Song of the Flute</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#v">44</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">6</td> -<td class="tdl">The White Witch</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#vi">52</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">7</td> -<td class="tdl">The Treasure Box</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#vii">61</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">8</td> -<td class="tdl">Valuable Cargo</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#viii">70</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">9</td> -<td class="tdl">“Is Joe There?”</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#ix">79</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">10</td> -<td class="tdl">A Midnight Disturbance</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#x">88</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">11</td> -<td class="tdl">Spell of the Cave</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xi">96</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">12</td> -<td class="tdl">The Private Road</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xii">103</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">13</td> -<td class="tdl">The Missing Key</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xiii">113</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">14</td> -<td class="tdl">A Familiar Face</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xiv">123</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">15</td> -<td class="tdl">Judy’s Mistake</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xv">132</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">16</td> -<td class="tdl">Another Disturbance</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xvi">141</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">17</td> -<td class="tdl">Smoke in the Woods</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xvii">150</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">18</td> -<td class="tdl">An Urgent Call</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xviii">159</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">19</td> -<td class="tdl">The Hide-Out</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xix">168</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">20</td> -<td class="tdl">Treachery</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xx">176</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">21</td> -<td class="tdl">Trucker’s Welcome</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxi">183</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">22</td> -<td class="tdl">Descent into the Cave</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxii">192</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">23</td> -<td class="tdl">The Siphon</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxiii">200</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">24</td> -<td class="tdl">Help from Captain Hager</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxiv">207</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">25</td> -<td class="tdl">Court of Honor</td> -<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxv">214</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">5</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="i" id="i"></a><i>Chapter 1</i><br /> -<span>SNUG DOWN</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“We’ll soon be there now, girls,” the troop leader -remarked. “Pine Cone is lovely. We should have a -grand vacation.”</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll be ready for chow whenever it comes,” -declared plump, good-natured Ardeth Padgett. “This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">6</a></span> -invigorating pine air has given me a tremendous appetite.”</p> - -<p>“Given it to you?” teased Beverly Chester. “I’d -say you always had it!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">7</a></span> -“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?”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“There it is!” suddenly cried Betty Bache.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">8</a></span> -“Girls, I hate to tell you this—” she began apologetically.</p> - -<p>“Don’t say we aren’t to stay!” exclaimed Beverly -Chester. “That would be the last straw!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Then there’s no place for us?” Kathleen asked.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“There are seven of us,” Beverly pointed out.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Of course,” added Kathleen heartily, “Scouts -aren’t softies.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">9</a></span> -that they would have only a half hour until the evening -meal would be served.</p> - -<p>“Let’s see the beach at least,” Virginia proposed. -“We have a few minutes free time.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Several of the Beaver Patrol girls were inspecting -the outdoor ovens when the unit leader approached -the group.</p> - -<p>“I’m looking for Judy Grant,” she said.</p> - -<p>“Here I am,” Judy said, separating herself from -the other girls. She could not guess why she had -been singled out for attention.</p> - -<p>“I have a telegram for you. It came only a moment -ago from the village.”</p> - -<p>“A telegram?” Judy repeated. She was startled,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">10</a></span> -and stood staring at the yellow envelope which the -unit leader offered.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Well, Judy, why don’t you open it?” Virginia demanded. -“Don’t look so scared.”</p> - -<p>“This is the first telegram I ever received,” Judy -replied, a bit shakily.</p> - -<p>Ripping open the envelope, she scanned the message. -Her chubby face with its splattering of freckles -became a study as she read.</p> - -<p>“Bad news?” Betty Bache finally asked.</p> - -<p>“No, not exactly. It’s from Aunt Mattie.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t recall having heard you speak of her,” remarked -Virginia.</p> - -<p>“Aunt Mattie is a character. She’s coming here for -two weeks.”</p> - -<p>“To the Scout Camp?” Beverly inquired.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">11</a></span> -“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.”</p> - -<p>“I saw one place for rent,” Virginia informed the -group. “Remember that sign that said: ‘To Calico -Cave?’”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>A brisk swim in the lake preceded breakfast, and -after the camp work was done, there were classes in -nature lore and first aid.</p> - -<p>At luncheon, however, Judy broached the problem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">12</a></span> -that was on her mind, showing Miss Ward the -telegram.</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“Why, I think it’s nice your aunt is coming,” Miss -Ward replied. “Of course we’ll help her find a -place. <em>A Girl Scout’s duty is to be useful and to help -others.</em>”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, it wasn’t half bad last night,” Kathleen returned. -“We’ll manage.”</p> - -<p>“Of course,” added Judy cheerfully.</p> - -<p>By this time, the station wagon approached a -crossroad which bisected the main highway nearly -at a right angle.</p> - -<p>“There it is!” Ardeth cried, rolling down the car<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">13</a></span> -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?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>Twenty minutes later the girls were in Milburn, -standing at the door of the Timothy F. Krumm -Realty Co. office.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Judy introduced the group, and mentioned her -interest in the cottage which was for rent. Timidly, -she inquired the rental price.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">14</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“Well, I don’t know,” she began doubtfully. “My -aunt isn’t prepared to pay a very high rental—”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>During the swift ride up the mountain road, Mr. -Krumm talked endlessly, extolling the virtues of the -cottage he hoped to rent.</p> - -<p>“It’s a classy little place,” he told the girls. “Brand -spanking new! You’ll not find a snappier cottage -anywhere in the area.”</p> - -<p>“But the rental—” Judy began again.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">15</a></span> -“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!”</p> - -<p>“It seems a bit musty,” Miss Ward commented.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“A long while?” the teacher repeated. “Then -you’ve had no recent renters?”</p> - -<p>“That was a slip of tongue, a mere figure of -speech,” the real estate man said carelessly. “You -like the place?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“A week?”</p> - -<p>“For the two weeks. You can’t say that isn’t a generous -offer. Rents are high at Morning Glory Lake.”</p> - -<p>“It’s a very reasonable rental, I’m sure,” Judy -agreed. “There isn’t anything—wrong with the -place?”</p> - -<p>Mr. Krumm drew himself up haughtily. “What<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">16</a></span> -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!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Your aunt should be quite comfortable here,” -Miss Ward replied after a moment’s hesitation.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“That’s understood,” Judy agreed.</p> - -<p>Having pocketed the fifty dollars, Mr. Krumm -seemed eager to be away.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">17</a></span> -“Yes, that will be satisfactory,” Miss Ward replied.</p> - -<p>“Oh, by the way,” Mr. Krumm said, apparently -as an after-thought. “Better keep that door to the -cellar locked.”</p> - -<p>“Door?” Judy repeated with misgiving. “I didn’t -notice a door. Is there a special reason—”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">18</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="ii" id="ii"></a><i>Chapter 2</i><br /> -<span>THE LOCKED DOOR</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>“‘For better or for worse,’” Judy echoed the -real estate man’s words. “‘Final deal.’ It all has an -ominous sound.”</p> - -<p>“Especially that remark about the locked door,” -remarked Virginia. “But the rent seemed so attractive.”</p> - -<p>“Anyway, it was the only place available,” Ardeth -pointed out. “So why worry?”</p> - -<p>Judy left the porch to inspect the foundation of -the building. Stooping, she ran an exploratory hand -across the crumbling mortar between the bricks.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to know what Mr. Krumm meant about -keeping the cellar door locked,” Virginia said. -“Let’s investigate.”</p> - -<p>However, before the girls could reenter the cottage,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">19</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“Good afternoon,” he said politely, doffing his -white cap. “I see you are moving in. Will you be -needing any milk or cream?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll take a quart of milk,” Miss Ward decided, -selecting a bottle from the rack.</p> - -<p>“How about regular delivery?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Cloverleaf supplies the best,” the young man -said. “My name, by the way, is Bart Ranieau.”</p> - -<p>“You must be of French descent,” Miss Ward remarked.</p> - -<p>“My father came from France, but I inherited my -red hair and my temper from my mother. I’m a -mixture—like Pete here.”</p> - -<p>The cheerful milkman indicated the little dog -that was sniffing at Judy’s heels.</p> - -<p>“He’s real cute,” she declared, patting him. “You -call him Pete?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">20</a></span> -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?”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Desperate? Oh, dear, we thought it was just the -opposite!”</p> - -<p>“That you were getting a bargain?”</p> - -<p>Judy nodded miserably. “Now it proves to be a -lemon!”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t say that!” the milkman corrected her. -“And the cottage <em>is</em> a bargain for anyone hardy -enough to stay here.”</p> - -<p>“But what’s wrong with the place?” Judy demanded.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Those noises—”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">21</a></span> -“Forget ’em. Forget I said a thing. You can take -my word for it, there’s nothing really harmful or -dangerous about Calico Cottage.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“There <em>is</em> something wrong with this cottage!” -Judy declared with firm conviction. “That young -man spoke of strange noises.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Bedrooms also were well furnished and ample<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">22</a></span> -wardrobe space had been provided. Water ran -rusty from the kitchen tap when Judy turned it on.</p> - -<p>“Apparently, the cottage has been empty a long -while,” she remarked. “I guess Mr. Krumm tagged -me for an easy mark all right!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s inspect the kitchen,” Virginia urged. -“Probably the drain won’t work.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Ardeth had turned her attention to the big electric -refrigerator. When she plugged in the cord, the -machinery began to hum.</p> - -<p>“Nothing out-of-order here,” she reported.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>She turned the knob and rattled it a couple of -times.</p> - -<p>“Any key?” Judy inquired.</p> - -<p>“None in the door.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">23</a></span> -“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Why not?” cried Virginia enthusiastically. “It -would be fun!”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to stay,” declared Judy. “It will give us a -chance to learn if anything is wrong with the cottage.”</p> - -<p>The girls remained on the premises another half<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">24</a></span> -hour. By the time they were ready to return to Pine -Cone Camp, their friends drove up in the station -wagon.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“What have we done now?” Beverly Chester muttered -uneasily.</p> - -<p>The ranger greeted the campers courteously, -dropping a handful of literature into Miss Ward’s -lap.</p> - -<p>“Welcome to Old Baldy Mountain,” he said. -“This entire area is a national forest preserve. -You’re staying at Pine Cone Camp?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, we arrived last night,” Miss Ward replied.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll be careful,” Miss Ward promised.</p> - -<p>“My name is Arthur Wentz,” the ranger ended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">25</a></span> -his little talk. “If I can be of service at any time, let -me know.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“If it’s all to be imaginary, how will we give first -aid?” Betty Bashe asked in a puzzled tone.</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">26</a></span> -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.”</p> - -<p>“Say, that will give us first class experience,” -Kathleen declared enthusiastically. “I hope Beaver -Patrol wins!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>After lunch a telegram came for Judy from her -Aunt Mattie Meadows, announcing that she would -arrive in two days at Milburn.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">27</a></span> -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.”</p> - -<p>“We’re staying at Calico Cottage tonight then?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Never mind!” Miss Ward assured them. “Perhaps -tomorrow night, we can trade places.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Calico Cottage?” repeated the woman who had -waited upon her. “Don’t tell me you’re staying at -that place!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">28</a></span> -“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.”</p> - -<p>“You may like the cottage,” the woman replied. -“No one could hire me to stay there though!”</p> - -<p>“Why not?” Judy inquired, instantly alert. “What -<em>is</em> wrong with the cottage?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Hager’s Hole?”</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“Please tell us what you know about the cottage,” -Judy requested earnestly.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Did anything happen to them?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">29</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="iii" id="iii"></a><i>Chapter 3</i><br /> -<span>HAGER’S HOLE</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“I thought Girl Scouts had nerve,” he lectured -her. “What happens? You hear a few busybodies -passing gossipy remarks, and immediately jump to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">30</a></span> -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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“It was your own proposition,” Mr. Krumm retorted. -“You wanted the cottage and you got it. I’m -making no refund!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“You’re not much worried about staying here tonight -are you?” Judy asked the leader as she stacked -eggs in the refrigerator.</p> - -<p>“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—”</p> - -<p>“Calico Cottage may have a ghost,” Judy supplied -with a nervous giggle.</p> - -<p>“Judy, we know there are no such things!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">31</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“And the exciting time we had at Penguin Pass -with Monstro the Snowman!” contributed Virginia, -who had overheard the conversation. “Those were -the days!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">32</a></span> -proven her courage and by passing difficult tests, -had moved up in rank.</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>Judy and Ardeth peeled potatoes for the evening -meal, set the table and prepared a simple salad.</p> - -<p>“Anything more?” Judy then inquired.</p> - -<p>“Not for awhile,” Miss Ward replied. “The meat -loaf will take at least thirty minutes more in the -oven. Then we’ll have dinner.”</p> - -<p>“Mind if Ardeth and I do a bit of exploring?”</p> - -<p>“Not if you’ll be back within half an hour.”</p> - -<p>“We will,” Judy promised. “Want to come along, -Virginia?”</p> - -<p>“No, thanks, I’ll stay to help Miss Ward with last -minute things,” she decided. “Besides, I had enough -hiking this morning.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“No telling how far it may be,” Judy presently remarked. -“Or whether we can find it quickly. I simply -have to see that place!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">33</a></span> -“Caves always fascinated me,” declared Ardeth, -walking fast to keep up with her friend. “I hope -this one has stalactites.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Why, Ardeth, it’s Pete!” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“Not the milkman’s dog?”</p> - -<p>“It’s the same dog, I’m sure. Do you suppose he -jumped off the milk truck and is lost?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe we should catch him,” Judy said doubtfully. -“He might get lost in the woods.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">34</a></span> -“Come back here, Pete!” Judy called. “Why, you -little scamp!”</p> - -<p>Paying not the slightest heed, the dog trotted up -the trail.</p> - -<p>“He acts as if he’s been here before,” Ardeth observed. -“Maybe he’s trying to guide us to the cave!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“There it is! The cave!” Judy cried as she discerned -a small, dark opening.</p> - -<p>Pete had gone directly to the entrance and stood -there, barking and jerking his head, as if to beckon -the girls.</p> - -<p>“That dog has been here before all right!” Judy -declared. “Otherwise he wouldn’t be so excited -about the place.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">35</a></span> -“You and your jokes!”</p> - -<p>Judy laughed and turned to leave. Ardeth however, -crouched down to direct her gaze into the -opening.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“Ask Pete,” Judy replied with a chuckle. “He -seems to know more about the place than we do.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Come on, Pete!” Judy called impatiently.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“He’ll come in a minute or two,” Judy returned. -“He’s only trying to tease us.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">36</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="iv" id="iv"></a><i>Chapter 4</i><br /> -<span>NIGHT SOUNDS</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">“WHY, that crazy Pete!” Judy cried as she saw -the dog disappear into the opening. “He went into -the cave!”</p> - -<p>Worried lest the pet lose himself in the dark -cavern, the girls quickly ran back to the shelf of -projecting rock.</p> - -<p>Anxiously, Judy peered into the deep, rather -terrifying hole.</p> - -<p>“Pete!” she called. “Pete! Come back here!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“He’s a long distance in,” Judy said anxiously. -“What’ll we do, Ardeth? Go after him?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Pete may never find his way out. That’s what -worries me.”</p> - -<p>The dog’s smothered bark gradually faded until -no sound could be heard. Thrusting head and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">37</a></span> -shoulders into the hole, Judy tried again to catch -a glimpse of the truant pet.</p> - -<p>“Not a sign of him,” she reported hopelessly. “All -we can do is report to Bart Ranieau. He was such -a nice little dog—”</p> - -<p>“Do you see him?” Ardeth demanded as Judy -broke off her remark.</p> - -<p>For a long moment, Judy made no reply. Then -she pulled her head out of the opening, staring at -her friend rather wide-eyed.</p> - -<p>“What’s wrong?” Ardeth questioned. “Did you -see a ghost?”</p> - -<p>“You look down there in that hole,” Judy urged. -“Tell me what you see.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“See it?” Judy demanded.</p> - -<p>“Pete, you mean?”</p> - -<p>“No! No! Look far down the passageway, -Ardeth.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Look down,” Judy directed again. “I’m sure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">38</a></span> -I didn’t imagine that I saw something moving in -the passageway.”</p> - -<p>Once more Ardeth directed her gaze below, and -involuntarily stiffened.</p> - -<p>“Now I see it!” she exclaimed. “Why, it looks -like a moving light!”</p> - -<p>“I thought so too,” Judy agreed. “You don’t -suppose anyone could be down there?”</p> - -<p>“At this late hour?”</p> - -<p>“It doesn’t seem likely, does it?”</p> - -<p>“Maybe Calico Cave has a ghost,” Ardeth declared -with a nervous giggle. “Wouldn’t that be -something!”</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Okay,” Judy agreed reluctantly.</p> - -<p>Before getting up from the crouched position,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">39</a></span> -she took a last look into the cave. The light had -vanished completely and Pete likewise could not -be seen.</p> - -<p>“Since we can’t save Pete without risking our -safety, I guess we may as well hike for Calico Cottage,” -Ardeth declared quickly.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“You really think Pete will get out by himself?” -Judy asked, brightening.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“It was Pete, all right,” Ardeth answered. “He -acted as if he’d been in that cave before too.”</p> - -<p>“Then there’s an excellent chance he may find<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">40</a></span> -his way out,” the troop leader asserted. “I’ll telephone -the dog’s owner now. Do you recall his -name, Judy?”</p> - -<p>“Bart Ranieau.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“It’s a Girl Scout’s duty to be useful and to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">41</a></span> -help others,” added Virginia gravely. “At any rate, -we like Calico Cottage.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">42</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter with me anyhow?” Judy -asked herself. “I guess I can’t take the comforts -of home.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“I’m becoming positively morbid!” she told herself -sternly. “Enough of this!”</p> - -<p>Judy tossed off the blankets and taking care not -to disturb Ardeth, went quickly to the kitchen for -a drink of water.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">43</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>If the loud thumping, bumping noise had startled -Judy, she was to suffer an even greater shock.</p> - -<p>As she held herself rigid, straining to catch the -slightest sound, there arose from below, the clear -melodious notes of a flute!</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">44</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="v" id="v"></a><i>Chapter 5</i><br /> -<span>SONG OF THE FLUTE</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">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?</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Did I startle you?” the teacher asked in a whisper. -“It is you, Judy?”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Judy!” Miss Ward reproved. “What nonsense!”</p> - -<p>“I was joking,” Judy said hastily. “Of course, -everyone knows there are no ghosts. All the same, -that sound was unnerving.”</p> - -<p>“Sound? What sound, Judy?”</p> - -<p>“Well, it seemed to come from the cellar. First,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">45</a></span> -I heard a series of loud thumps. Then, I thought -I heard someone playing the flute.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps the sound drifted in from outside the -cottage.”</p> - -<p>“I’m sure it didn’t, Miss Ward.”</p> - -<p>For several minutes the Scout leader listened -attentively, but the noises which had disturbed -Judy were not to be heard again.</p> - -<p>“It is very late,” she said finally. “Judy, you must -go back to bed.”</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“There it is again, Miss Ward!” she whispered, -grasping the teacher’s arm. “A flute! Hear it?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I do,” the Scout leader replied. “It certainly -sounds like a reed or a wind instrument.” She -stood very still, listening.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“It wasn’t my imagination, Miss Ward. You -heard it too!”</p> - -<p>“No, you didn’t imagine it, Judy,” the teacher -soberly agreed. “The sound came from the basement, -or so it seemed to me.”</p> - -<p>Crossing to the cellar door, Miss Ward twisted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">46</a></span> -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.”</p> - -<p>“This explains why the other tenants moved out -so suddenly.”</p> - -<p>“It may,” Miss Ward acknowledged. “Evidently, -there is a very good reason for keeping this door -locked.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t suppose—anyone—could be down -there?” Judy said falteringly. “Maybe locked in?”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid you’ve been watching too many television -thrillers.”</p> - -<p>“I guess so,” Judy admitted, laughing shakily. -“My theory is wild all right. How do you explain -the flute?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I guess I overslept,” Judy mumbled, pulling out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">47</a></span> -of bed and groping blindly for her shirt and slacks. -“Is everything all right?”</p> - -<p>“Is everything all right?” Ardeth echoed, starting -to air the bed. “What could go wrong so early -in the morning?”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“Bacon. Miss Ward and Virginia are cooking it. -We’ve been assigned to the dishes.”</p> - -<p>Judy dressed speedily, helped Ardeth tidy the -bedroom, and was ready in time to help carry -dishes to the breakfast table.</p> - -<p>Miss Ward herself broached the subject of the -strange sounds which had been heard in the basement -during the night.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">48</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“I can see you leading the way!” Virginia teased. -“Anyway, we have a more urgent problem.”</p> - -<p>“That little dog,” interposed Judy, her face becoming -grave. “Something must be done to get him -out of the cave.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">49</a></span> -on the cellar area. The only sounds came from out-of-doors.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“There it comes!” Virginia suddenly cried, spying -the vehicle driven by Bart Ranieau.</p> - -<p>All the Scouts rushed to the main highway to -flag down the milk wagon.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“We can use two quarts of milk,” Miss Ward -returned. “But we stopped you for another reason.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>She broke off in the report, suddenly aware that -the young milkman was smiling in an odd sort -of way.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">50</a></span> -“That Pete!” he remarked. “He’s a natural-born -spelunker.”</p> - -<p>“A what?” demanded Judy.</p> - -<p>“A spelunker. That’s what modern cave explorers -call themselves. The science of caves is called speleology.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Well, at any rate, he’s safe now,” Judy declared, -greatly relieved. “Is the cave very deep?”</p> - -<p>“The exit never has been found.”</p> - -<p>“Really?” Ardeth’s eyes opened wide. “I guess -Calico Cave is an unsafe place.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Judy inquired if Calico Cave and Hager’s Hole -were one and the same place. Bart replied that -they were identical.</p> - -<p>“For years the cave was known as Hager’s Hole,” -he explained. “It was named for old Captain Hager, -who once owned this property.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">51</a></span> -“Our cottage?” Virginia asked in astonishment.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“He’s had a little trouble renting the cottage?” -Judy probed.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“We were disturbed once,” Miss Ward answered. -“Nothing serious. We fancied we heard a flute -player.”</p> - -<p>“No ghosts?” Bart asked, grinning.</p> - -<p>“Nary a ghost,” Miss Ward returned. “Naturally -we were a bit disturbed about the music, and intend -to seek an explanation.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">52</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="vi" id="vi"></a><i>Chapter 6</i><br /> -<span>THE WHITE WITCH</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Is that a true story?” Virginia asked, deeply -impressed.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t believe that tale yourself, I take it?” -Miss Ward inquired with a broad smile.</p> - -<p>“I think the story was made up to explain the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">53</a></span> -white formation, which does resemble a witch,” -Bart answered. “Over the years, the yarn took -on more and more detail and color.”</p> - -<p>“I’d love to see that old stalagmite witch,” Judy -declared, her dark eyes sparkling. “How deep down -in the cave is the formation?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Does Calico Cave have any other interesting -formations besides the Witch?” Judy inquired.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“You’ve disproved that part of the legend?” the -Girl Scout leader questioned.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Ardeth and I thought we saw a moving light in -the cavern late yesterday afternoon,” Judy remarked. -“Maybe you were down there exploring.”</p> - -<p>“Not yesterday,” Bart replied. “You’re certain -you saw a light?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, it startled us. Either someone was down -in the cave, or it was that old witch!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">54</a></span> -“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.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“Did the other folks ever hear a flute player?” -interposed Ardeth.</p> - -<p>“Seems to me I heard some such talk.”</p> - -<p>“And loud banging noises at night?” demanded -Judy.</p> - -<p>“I reckon so.”</p> - -<p>“Tell us everything!” urged Virginia. “Is Calico -Cottage supposed to be haunted? Is that why Mr. -Krumm has trouble keeping his renters?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Is there any connection between Calico Cottage -and the Witch?” Judy questioned.</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">55</a></span> -staying, but they were dead set the cottage was -haunted.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t believe that nonsense yourself?” Miss -Ward inquired.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Is Captain Hager still alive?” questioned -Ardeth.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“The cave, you said, was named for Captain -Hager?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“But why?” inquired Judy.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Death?” Ardeth repeated uneasily.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">56</a></span> -“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Mr. Krumm squeezed out from behind the wheel -and walked directly over to the group. He gazed -sharply at Bart, his attitude unfriendly.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">57</a></span> -“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.”</p> - -<p>“Strange sounds?” The real estate man registered -surprise which was not in the least convincing.</p> - -<p>“We heard music, and thumping noises,” Judy -supplied. “It seems your cottage has a ghost.”</p> - -<p>“No such thing!” Mr. Krumm indignantly denied. -“That’s all bosh! You’ve been listening to stupid -gossip.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I was telling ’em about the White Witch,” Bart -interposed to plague the realtor.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">58</a></span> -“That’s not so, Krumm, and you know it.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“You can’t keep me from exploring,” Bart returned -coolly. “You may own the land, but not -what’s below the surface.”</p> - -<p>“You stay out of that cave, and away from it,” -Mr. Krumm repeated his order.</p> - -<p>Bart grinned provokingly, and without making -answer, drove off down the road.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I take it, you don’t consider the cave safe?” -Judy inquired curiously.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe I’d care to explore,” Ardeth said -with a shiver. “Not after learning that a man died -in the cave.”</p> - -<p>“Bart told you about <em>that</em>, I suppose?” Mr. -Krumm questioned sarcastically.</p> - -<p>“Isn’t it true?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">59</a></span> -“Bart didn’t tell you <em>why</em> 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.”</p> - -<p>“She doesn’t really cast a spell over the cottage?” -Judy asked mischievously.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>The Scouts remained respectfully silent.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll go along with you on that theory,” Miss -Ward replied. “You have a proposition, Mr. -Krumm?”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">60</a></span> -Ardeth, Virginia and Judy gazed questioningly at -their leader, awaiting her decision.</p> - -<p>“We would prefer a rent refund with no strings -attached,” the teacher suggested.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">61</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="vii" id="vii"></a><i>Chapter 7</i><br /> -<span>THE TREASURE BOX</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">PINE Cone Camp seemed strangely deserted when -Miss Ward, Ardeth, Judy and Virginia arrived there -at nine o’clock in the station wagon.</p> - -<p>Seeking the tent which had been assigned to the -Beaver Patrol unit, the new arrivals found it quite -deserted.</p> - -<p>“Where is everyone?” Ardeth asked in perplexity. -“Surely not on a hike so early?”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Hurrying over to the group, the girls could not -at first discern what it was that had drawn the interest -of the entire camp.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">62</a></span> -“What in the world?” Virginia speculated.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Oh, you girls have missed all the fun, being -stuck down there at Calico Cottage,” Kathleen told -her. “We’ve started a treasure box.”</p> - -<p>“What is that?”</p> - -<p>“Look in it and you’ll see!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Does Beaver Patrol have an entry?” Judy asked.</p> - -<p>“Not yet. Beverly very nearly caught a little chipmunk, -but he eluded her. We’re depending upon -you girls to help us.”</p> - -<p>“We will,” Ardeth promised. “Just give us time -to get our thoughts adjusted, and we’ll come up with -a prize winner.”</p> - -<p>“There are to be no duplications,” Kathleen -warned. “All the patrols are working on it, so we’ll -have to get busy.”</p> - -<p>“How about a little garter snake?” suggested -Ardeth thoughtfully.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">63</a></span> -“If Beaver Patrol goes for that, you’ll have to -produce the snake,” Kathleen replied with a shudder. -“No snakes for me!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“Good!” Kathleen approved. “That takes a load -off my mind.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Girls,” she began, “we had planned a hike to -Indian Falls this morning, but it will be necessary -to make a change.”</p> - -<p>A chorus of groans met this announcement, for -the girls had looked forward to the outing and outdoor -cookery.</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">64</a></span> -sign up at once. Your counselors will provide full -details.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">65</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“Won’t that plane ever come?” Beverly fretted, -wiping perspiration from her neck. “We’ve been -here an age now!”</p> - -<p>“Only ten minutes,” Kathleen corrected.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Here it comes!” she cried. “They’ll be dropping -a message in a moment. Watch sharp!”</p> - -<p>All of the patrols now were alert and ready. The -Scouts who had equipped themselves with field -glasses, trained them on the approaching plane.</p> - -<p>Its wings flashing in the sunlight, the ship came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">66</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Come on,” Judy shouted, starting off at a run. -“I saw where it dropped!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Plane crash at 9:48 a.m. on Hermit’s Ridge,” -Kathleen discerned the writing. “Three passengers -in need of help.”</p> - -<p>“Hermit’s Ridge!” Beverly explained. “Where is -that?”</p> - -<p>Judy already was consulting her map of the -region.</p> - -<p>“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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">67</a></span> -That way, it looks to be approximately a mile and -a half from here.”</p> - -<p>“What are the other choices?” Kathleen questioned.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I’m for taking the shortest route even if it will -mean a harder climb,” Beverly said at once. “Let’s -go!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Leaving the message for the other patrols to read, -the four girls quickly descended rugged terrain -to the paved highway.</p> - -<p>“I think we’re making a mistake,” Beverly insisted, -shifting her first-aid kit to a more comfortable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">68</a></span> -carrying position. “Not many cars pass on the road -at this time of day. The distance is much longer.”</p> - -<p>“We can dog-trot part of it,” Judy said, beginning -to lope along. “Anyway, we’re well out ahead of the -others!”</p> - -<p>“I can see another group starting out,” Beverly -reported looking back. “They chose the short, hard -way.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“I knew it!” Beverly exclaimed. “All the others -have taken the shorter routes!”</p> - -<p>“Let them,” Judy replied cheerfully. “It hasn’t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">69</a></span> -been proven yet that our judgment was poor. We’ve -been making fast time.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“We’ll never flag down that driver!” Judy exclaimed, -moving hastily off the pavement.</p> - -<p>The heavy freight carrier roared past the girls, -its massive tires screaming as it went around a -bend.</p> - -<p>“What does that driver think this road is—a -speedway?” Beverly demanded. “Why, it’s dangerous—”</p> - -<p>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!</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">70</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="viii" id="viii"></a><i>Chapter 8</i><br /> -<span>VALUABLE CARGO</span></h2> - - -<p class="noi">ROUNDING the bend at a run, the four Scouts saw -that the big truck had missed plunging over the -ravine by mere inches.</p> - -<p>The heavily loaded vehicle had skidded wildly, -bringing up at a sharp angle against a rocky embankment. -Shattered glass lay on the pavement.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“My neck!” he screamed. “It’s like killing me! -Don’t stand there! Do something! Get a doctor!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">71</a></span> -“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.</p> - -<p>“You can’t raise your arm above your shoulder, -can you?” she demanded. “Your collar bone must be -fractured.”</p> - -<p>“So what?” the trucker demanded savagely. He -leaned weakly against the truck, ignoring her efforts -to be of help.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Judy, Beverly and Betty had devoted -their attention to the truck driver, who appeared in -more serious condition than the disagreeable passenger.</p> - -<p>Carefully, they stretched him out flat on the cab -seat.</p> - -<p>“He may be only stunned,” Judy said anxiously. -“The first thing is to get the blood stopped. No artery -has been cut fortunately.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">72</a></span> -as they worked deftly and efficiently, but for the -most part he eyed them silently.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Delirious?”</p> - -<p>“He’s just a mean character,” Kathleen muttered -in an undertone. “I’m sort of scared.”</p> - -<p>“Scared? Why?”</p> - -<p>“He has a revolver in his back pocket.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe he carries it to protect the cargo,” Judy -replied. “Let’s see what we can do about that collar -bone.”</p> - -<p>Moving over to the sullen trucker, who stood -leaning against the tilted vehicle, she addressed him -quietly but firmly.</p> - -<p>“You’ll feel more comfortable if you sit or lie -down. We’ll help you—”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“No, we’re Girl Scouts on a hike.”</p> - -<p>“Girl Scouts! A lot of help you’ll be!”</p> - -<p>Judy ignored the sarcasm, noting how limply the -trucker’s right arm hung.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">73</a></span> -“We can help,” she insisted. “Your collar bone has -been broken, I think.”</p> - -<p>“So what?” the trucker demanded belligerently. -“I’m worried about this truck. We can never move -it out of this—have to abandon it.”</p> - -<p>“You should be able to get a wrecker from the -village. Now about that collar bone—”</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“Is Joe done for?” he demanded with cold rather -than friendly concern.</p> - -<p>“He’s more stunned than hurt, I think,” Judy -replied.</p> - -<p>“Can’t he make it on his own pins? We gotta get -out o’ here.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">74</a></span> -“Humph!” the trucker muttered, not displeased -as he surveyed the finished job. “Not too bad.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“You’ve done enough now,” the trucker returned. -“Thanks, kids! Now all of you beat it—on your way.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll have a wrecker sent,” Judy went on, gathering -up her first aid equipment.</p> - -<p>“Don’t bother.”</p> - -<p>“But we’ll be glad to do it,” Judy insisted. “It’s -part of our Scout training to help when we can.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Once beyond the first bend in the road, the four -girls excitedly discussed the situation.</p> - -<p>“That’s all the thanks we get for helping!” Beverly -said furiously. “We’ve lost out on the Hermit -Ridge competition too—worse luck.”</p> - -<p>“I guess there’s more to this first aid business<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">75</a></span> -than just wrapping up broken bones!” Betty added. -“One has to learn how to handle half-crazy patients.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“Just out of his head, I guess,” Beverly shrugged.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“It must have been valuable,” Kathleen replied. -“Otherwise, why would he carry a revolver for -protection?”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“I see a car coming now!” Kathleen suddenly -cried. “From the direction of the village.”</p> - -<p>“Say, we’re in luck!” exclaimed Judy, abruptly -halting. “It’s a state highway patrol car!”</p> - -<p>Waiting, the girls flagged the automobile to a -stop. Quickly, they told the two patrolmen of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">76</a></span> -accident and of the strange behavior of the truckers -who had rejected assistance.</p> - -<p>“Did you notice the license number of the truck?” -one of the highway patrolmen asked.</p> - -<p>None of the Scouts had made a note of it.</p> - -<p>“We were too busy wrapping up wounds to think -of that,” Judy confessed.</p> - -<p>The patrolmen next inquired if the girls could -describe the two truckers.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes!” Kathleen said eagerly. “The passenger -was a thin fellow with two teeth missing. He had -dark bushy eyebrows and was very disagreeable.”</p> - -<p>“That was Ben Vodner, I’ll bet a cent!” one of -the patrolmen exclaimed. “Did he have a scar on -his left cheek?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, he did!” Judy recalled. “A long jagged white -mark!”</p> - -<p>“What did the other man look like?”</p> - -<p>“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—”</p> - -<p>“That’s Joe Pompilli for sure!”</p> - -<p>“Who is he?” Kathleen demanded.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“So that was why they didn’t want help!” Judy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">77</a></span> -exclaimed. “That truck that went off the road was -loaded with stolen cargo!”</p> - -<p>Taking the girls into the patrol car, the two patrolmen -proceeded with all speed toward the scene -of the accident.</p> - -<p>“It’s just around the next bend,” Judy informed -the driver.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Piling out of the car, the Scouts waited until the -patrolmen had driven on. Then, they rounded the -bend, tense and expectant.</p> - -<p>The truck remained in the ditch where last they -had seen it, but neither of the injured men were -anywhere visible.</p> - -<p>Watching from a safe distance, the girls saw the -patrolmen carefully search the truck cab.</p> - -<p>“Those two hi-jackers have fled!” Judy exclaimed. -“I guess they weren’t as badly hurt as we thought!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Just as I thought,” one of the searchers declared -as he swung open the double doors. “Stolen auto -tires!”</p> - -<p>“Tires snatched from the Graystone Transport -Co. The truck was held up early this morning across -the state line.”</p> - -<p>Judy and her friends were bewildered with respect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">78</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Knowing that the wild chase might end in a gun -battle, the patrolmen told the Scouts they could -not take them along.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">79</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="ix" id="ix"></a><i>Chapter 9</i><br /> -<span>“IS JOE THERE?”</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Joe and his pal probably will give this area a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">80</a></span> -wide berth for awhile,” the other patrolman added. -“You never can tell though.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">81</a></span> -“So now to qualify, we’ll have to find something -different,” Ardeth asserted. “I’m sick about it.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, we’ll get an entry before the deadline,” -Judy said cheerfully.</p> - -<p>“We have several days to work on it,” added -Kathleen.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“Maybe we can find an entry while we’re at -Calico Cottage,” Kathleen suggested. “The woods -near the cave haven’t been explored.”</p> - -<p>“We might enter the Cottage ghost!” Judy said -with a chuckle. “If we could capture him, we’d be -entitled to first prize!”</p> - -<p>“By the way, have you heard from your aunt?” -Ardeth inquired.</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>“Have you told her about the cottage having a -ghost?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">82</a></span> -“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.”</p> - -<p>“Hardly,” Judy agreed. “Mr. Krumm would have -a just complaint then!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">83</a></span> -“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?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Ardeth was removing a shoe, when suddenly she -stiffened. “Listen!” she directed. “What was that?”</p> - -<p>“I heard nothing,” returned Virginia.</p> - -<p>“I thought I heard a thumping sound in the cellar,” -Ardeth insisted in a hushed voice.</p> - -<p>“That was your own heart pounding, goose!” -teased Kathleen. “Jump into bed, and stop imagining -things.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Kathleen! Virginia!” she summoned the others, -drawing in her breath.</p> - -<p>“Now what?” Kathleen demanded.</p> - -<p><a name="come" id="come"></a>“Come here, quick! Tell me what you see.” Dramatically, -Ardeth pointed toward the towering trees.</p> - -<p>Virginia went quickly to the window, peering in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">84</a></span> -the direction indicated. She stood silent and tense, -scarcely believing her own eyesight.</p> - -<p>“It’s—it’s something white, and it moves!” she -exclaimed.</p> - -<p>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?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll call Miss Ward and Judy.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“A spook!” Ardeth declared shakily. “It’s coming -this way too!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll go with you,” Judy offered.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Judy and the teacher focused their eyes on the -white object at the edge of the woods. Though it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">85</a></span> -continued to move lazily, its basic position did not -seem to change.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Having decided upon a bold approach, the pair -moved directly toward the white object.</p> - -<p>When they were within a few yards of it, Miss -Ward switched on the flashlight. She directed the -beam squarely upon the fluttering “ghost.”</p> - -<p>“Why, it looks like a bed sheet!” Judy exclaimed, -and burst into relieved laughter.</p> - -<p>“A sheet attached to a bush!” added Miss Ward. -“Let’s find out about this.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“This ‘ghost’ was put here purposely!” Judy declared. -“By whom, I wonder?”</p> - -<p>“Any marking on the linen?”</p> - -<p>Judy inspected the sheet under the light. “Here -are some initials stamped on the edge!” she exclaimed. -“‘P.C.C.’”</p> - -<p>“Pine Cone Camp!”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“They were in camp all afternoon, Judy.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">86</a></span> -“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I hope whoever played the trick won’t get into -trouble. I’m sure it was all in good fun.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>When the two returned to the cottage with the -bed sheet, Virginia, Ardeth and Kathleen anxiously -met them at the door.</p> - -<p>“Here’s your ghost!” Judy laughed, tossing the -camp linen into Kathleen’s arms. “Look at the initials!”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“Then my idea about that probably was right,” -Miss Ward said.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">87</a></span> -while, however, before the house finally settled -down.</p> - -<p>Judy fell quickly asleep. How long she slumbered -she had no way of knowing. But suddenly, she -found herself wide awake.</p> - -<p>Miss Ward, she noted, was sleeping soundly beside -her.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>The telephone was ringing.</p> - -<p>“So that’s what awakened me!” Judy thought, -leaping out of bed. “Wonder who can be calling -at this time of night?”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>In her haste to reach the telephone before it -stopped ringing, Judy bumped against a chair. Nursing -a bruised knee, she hobbled on.</p> - -<p>As she took down the receiver to say “hello,” -a gruff voice came over the line.</p> - -<p>“Time you answered! Is Joe there?”</p> - -<p>“Joe?” faltered Judy. “Joe who?”</p> - -<p>Only silence gave reply. Then the wire went -completely dead. The speaker at the other end of -the line had hung up.</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">88</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="x" id="x"></a><i>Chapter 10</i><br /> -<span>A MIDNIGHT DISTURBANCE</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“The phone was ringing. I—I don’t know what to -make of it.”</p> - -<p>“Who was it that called, Judy?”</p> - -<p>“That’s the point. I don’t know. Someone asked -for Joe.”</p> - -<p>“Joe? Joe who?”</p> - -<p>“That’s exactly what I asked, Kathleen. The only -Joe I know is that dreadful Joe Pompilli.”</p> - -<p>“Someone must have called the wrong number.”</p> - -<p>“I guess so,” Judy admitted doubtfully. “It gave -me an ugly start though. What time is it?”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">89</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“What now?” she mumbled. “Another ghost?”</p> - -<p>Judy explained about the telephone.</p> - -<p>“Those Lone Tree Scouts!” Virginia exclaimed -indignantly. “They’re playing another joke on us! -Trying to pretend that Joe Pompilli is calling!”</p> - -<p>“It wasn’t anyone from Pine Cone Camp,” Judy -said, her face serious. “Whoever called was a man.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“That’s sound advice,” approved Miss Ward. “To -bed everyone!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“You get it, Judy,” Virginia directed with a giggle. -“It’s probably from Joe.”</p> - -<p>“From Aunt Mattie more than likely,” Judy replied, -moving hastily to the telephone.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">90</a></span> -“This means we’ll have considerable free time on -our hands,” Judy remarked as she relayed the information -to the others.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll all go,” Miss Ward decided.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Good morning,” Judy said pleasantly as the girls -wandered over. “How’s the fishing?”</p> - -<p>Straightening up, the old man shoved a soiled -white cap at a rakish angle over his shaggy white -hair.</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">91</a></span> -sun on this old river. I’m slingin’ my hook for today.”</p> - -<p>Moving stiffly, the elderly man began to unload -his fishing equipment from the boat. Judy and -Kathleen reached down to help him.</p> - -<p>“Right handy mates ye be,” he remarked, well -pleased by their attention. “Don’t recollect seein’ -you gals hereabouts before. Tourists?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Calico Cottage? Well, bash my binnacles!”</p> - -<p>“It’s a lovely cottage,” Ardeth contributed. “The -only trouble is, it seems to have a ghost.”</p> - -<p>“A musical ghost who plays a flute at night,” -added Virginia.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t waste any time worrying about that ghost,” -the old man advised. “A bunch o’ Girl Scouts ought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">92</a></span> -to be smart enough to get to wind’ard of any flute-playin’ -spook.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“That’s my name, but not by chance! Captain -Humphrey Hager, formerly master of the good ship -<i>Elaine</i>. I’ve been in dry dock going on ten years -now.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Tell us, Captain Hager,” urged Kathleen, “did -the house have a ghost when you lived there?”</p> - -<p>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!”</p> - -<p>“Does the old foundation have anything to do -with the ghost?” Virginia asked, looking puzzled.</p> - -<p>Old Captain Hager acted as if he had not heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">93</a></span> -the question. He fussed with the painter of the -rowboat for a moment, and then remarked offhand:</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“Calico Cave?” inquired Judy.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“Why no!” exclaimed Judy.</p> - -<p>“He did say something about an explorer trying -to find the cave’s exit, and never being heard of -again,” Virginia added.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“How did Bart’s father lose his life?” Miss Ward -inquired.</p> - -<p>The old captain’s gaze swept the river and lifted -to fasten thoughtfully upon the dark entranceway -of Calico Cave.</p> - -<p>“No one knows,” he replied. “Not for sure. Folks -say though, that it was the siphon that did for him.”</p> - -<p>“What’s a siphon?” demanded Kathleen.</p> - -<p>“Hager’s Hole has an underground river,” he related. -“Where it empties no one knows. Deep in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“A stretch of water between the rocks, with no -roof space above?” Judy questioned.</p> - -<p>“Aye.”</p> - -<p>“Bart’s father tried to go through the siphon?” -Miss Ward inquired soberly.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">95</a></span> -“You’re afraid he’ll meet with mishap in the -cave?” questioned Miss Ward.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“Aye, in my younger day, I went there right -often.”</p> - -<p>“Then you must have seen the White Witch!” -cried Judy, her brown eyes dancing.</p> - -<p>“Aye,” Captain Hager agreed reminiscently. -“Aye.” He became absorbed in deep thought.</p> - -<p>Judy broke into his meditation to ask how long it -would take to reach the formation after one left the -cave entrance.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">96</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xi" id="xi"></a><i>Chapter 11</i><br /> -<span>SPELL OF THE CAVE</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>“Would it be safe, do you think?” she asked, as -Captain Hager seemed to be giving Judy’s request -sober consideration.</p> - -<p>“It’s safe enough, Ma’am,” he assured her. “The -only danger lies in going too far without a guide.”</p> - -<p>“No rock falls?”</p> - -<p>“Never heard of one in all the years I’ve lived -hereabouts.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>The old man told the Scouts and their leader to -meet him at the entranceway of Hager’s Hole. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">97</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>Taking leave of the old man, the girls swiftly -climbed the slope to the cave. Captain Hager did -not keep them waiting long.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“We can spare an hour,” Miss Ward decided.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">98</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“A bathing suit!” gasped Miss Ward, truly astonished. -“I should think he’d freeze to death.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Dear me, there’s more to this exploration of -caves than I realized,” commented Miss Ward. -“We’ll not get wet, I trust?”</p> - -<p>“No, Ma’am,” the captain promised. “There’s no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">99</a></span> -water down to the level where we’re going. Keep -your eyes out for bats though—not that the little -creatures will harm you.”</p> - -<p>“Bats!” Virginia squealed. “Horrors!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Ardeth should be assigned to capture one for -the camp treasure chest!” Judy chuckled.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span> -The girls sucked in their breath, uttering exclamations -of surprise and awe.</p> - -<p>There before them, was the cave witch!</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“How real that old witch looks!” Judy whispered, -finally breaking the silence. “No wonder folks make -up tales about this cave.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span> -them here. When the two unite, you may get any -variety of weird shapes.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Virginia inquired if there were other interesting -formations deeper down in the cave?</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Captain Hager, take us on!” pleaded Ardeth. -“Only as far as the Ballroom. This cave is so fascinating.”</p> - -<p>Before the captain could answer, Miss Ward interposed -firmly: “No, girls. Perhaps some other day, -if we have a guide, we can return.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“I’m not as spry as I was ten years ago,” the old -man confessed when the party presently reached<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span> -the cave exit. “Going down is easy enough, but -when I throw ’er in reverse, my ticker starts to -pound.”</p> - -<p>“We shouldn’t have pressed you into taking us to -see the old witch,” Judy apologized.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“About the White Witch?” inquired Virginia.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xii" id="xii"></a><i>Chapter 12</i><br /> -<span>THE PRIVATE ROAD</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll stay with Aunt Mattie, if I may,” Judy -promptly volunteered.</p> - -<p>“I’d like to myself,” added Ardeth. “While I’m -there, I want to visit the cave again. If I could get<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span> -one of those bats we heard about, we’d have a fine -entry for the nature treasure chest.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Someone has been in there lately,” Judy said, -reminding the teacher of the dead camp fire ashes -they had seen at the cave entrance.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Enroute to the station they met a forest service -truck and passed a ranger with a portable radio on -his shoulder.</p> - -<p>The driver of the station wagon pulled up, to ask -the forest service man if the situation was considered -at all serious.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“How did the fire start?” inquired Miss Ward.</p> - -<p>The ranger shrugged. “Perhaps from a carelessly -dropped cigarette. Or a motorist may have tossed a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span> -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.”</p> - -<p>The haze of smoke hung low as the station wagon -parked near the depot. Judy sniffed the fumes and -coughed.</p> - -<p>“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—”</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe I’d do that,” Miss Ward advised. -“And least not for a day or so. Why disturb her unnecessarily?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Hi, Aunt Mattie!” Judy cried, rushing to greet -her.</p> - -<p>Miss Meadows enfolded her niece in a warm embrace, -and then held her off at arm’s length for a -better view.</p> - -<p>“Why, you’re brown as an Indian!” she exclaimed. -“What have you done to your complexion?”</p> - -<p>“Liberal doses of sun, wind and lake water,” Judy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span> -chuckled. She turned to present Miss Ward and -Ardeth.</p> - -<p>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?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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?”</p> - -<p>“The ranger assured us there is no danger. Don’t -give it a thought, Aunt Mattie.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“I hope you rented a nice cottage for me, Judy,” -she chatted. “You didn’t write me a word about it.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span> -“Is it a quiet place? I’ve had a hard, tiring year, -and I do want to have complete rest.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Calico Cottage is off the beaten path,” -Judy replied evasively. “How quiet it will prove to -be no one can predict.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Now what?” murmured Judy. “This wasn’t here -when we came down the mountain an hour ago.”</p> - -<p>A state highway patrolman came over to the station -wagon. Recognizing the driver and the occupants, -he told them they might proceed.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Hi-jackers!” Aunt Mattie exclaimed in dismay. -“Judy, what sort of a place is this?”</p> - -<p>“Never a dull moment,” Judy responded lightly. -“You’ll love it here!”</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>The station wagon moved on past the barrier and -drew up presently at Calico Cottage. Aunt Mattie,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108</a></span> -who had fallen into a weary silence, suddenly revived -at sight of the little house.</p> - -<p>“Why, it’s charming!” she cried. “Judy, you -couldn’t have found a nicer place. So peaceful looking, -set back among the trees.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“It’s not that bad,” Judy protested.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Everything should be all right here,” she said, -“but if by chance anything does go wrong, call me -at once.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll be safe and comfortable,” Judy insisted. -“No more ghost scares I hope.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>After the station wagon had departed, Judy and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">109</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Go straight to bed, Aunt Mattie. Ardeth and I -will take care of everything.”</p> - -<p>“I believe I will turn in,” Miss Meadows said, -covering a yawn. “You’ll be sure to lock all the -doors?”</p> - -<p>“Every one,” Judy promised.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Shall we turn in?” she asked Ardeth.</p> - -<p>“We may as well, I guess. Wonder what the girls -are doing at Pine Cone?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">110</a></span> -“Singing songs and telling stories by the camp -fire, like as not. Wish you were there, Ardeth?”</p> - -<p>“Someone should stay here this first night with -your aunt. I don’t mind, Judy. Do you suppose—”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>When finally she awakened, it was to find herself -being shaken by Ardeth.</p> - -<p>“Get up, lazy!” the latter ordered. “It’s late! Your -aunt has been up for at least half an hour.”</p> - -<p>“Jumping fishes!” Judy exclaimed in dismay, dragging -herself from beneath the covers. “I must have -slept like a log all night.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span> -“I know I did,” Ardeth confessed. “What a fine -pair of guards we proved to be!”</p> - -<p>“Well, at least nothing went wrong here,” Judy -said, pulling on her shoes. “I’m relieved on that -score.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Did you sleep well, Aunt Mattie?” Judy asked -politely.</p> - -<p>“Very badly.”</p> - -<p>Judy and Ardeth exchanged a quick, worried -glance. Both hesitated to ask the question which -was foremost in their minds.</p> - -<p>“Did—did anything disturb you?” Judy managed -finally.</p> - -<p>“I never sleep well the first night in a strange -place. I was awake for hours.”</p> - -<p>Judy drew a long breath and grinned at Ardeth. -But her relief was brief. For Aunt Mattie went on -impressively:</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“You mean the main road, don’t you, Aunt Mattie?” -Judy corrected.</p> - -<p>Miss Meadows stirred the pot of cereal on the -stove. “I mean that highway that runs down the hill -toward the river.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span> -“Why, that’s a private road and it dead-ends,” -Judy responded. “There’s never any traffic in that -direction.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think so,” Miss Meadows replied. “No, -I’m sure the truck turned down the side road.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">113</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xiii" id="xiii"></a><i>Chapter 13</i><br /> -<span>THE MISSING KEY</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, Judy halted, staring at tire marks on -the dirt road.</p> - -<p>“Aunt Mattie was right!” she exclaimed. “A big -truck did turn off the main highway!”</p> - -<p>“The tire prints are plain to see,” Ardeth agreed, -equally startled. “But what would a heavy truck be -doing here? The road dead-ends.”</p> - -<p>“It seems odd.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps the driver only pulled off the pavement -to fix a tire.”</p> - -<p>Judy shook her head. “The tracks plainly go down -the slope toward the cave,” she pointed out.</p> - -<p>“Mightn’t it have been a forest ranger fire fighting -truck?”</p> - -<p>“That’s so,” Judy acknowledged, “it might have -been. Maybe that would explain the headlight signals -Aunt Mattie reported seeing. I can’t imagine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">114</a></span> -though, why a Forest Service truck would use this -road at night. The fire was across the river.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“It’s Bart!” Judy cried.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“How’s everything?” he inquired cheerfully. -“Your ghost behaving himself?”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“I guess it must have been a Forest Service truck -that went down this road last night,” Ardeth remarked. -“See the tire tracks.”</p> - -<p>Bart already had stepped out of the milk wagon -to inspect them.</p> - -<p>“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—”</p> - -<p>“I thought so myself!” Judy said quickly.</p> - -<p>“Let’s have a look-see,” Bart proposed. “Want to -ride down the hill with me? If you do, hop in!”</p> - -<p>Judy and Ardeth scrambled into the cab, taking -care not to step on Pete who was asleep on the floor.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span> -“Do you dare leave your milk route?” Ardeth -asked the young driver.</p> - -<p>“I’m ahead of schedule this morning,” Bart answered. -“I can take a few minutes. This is my last -week on the route anyway.”</p> - -<p>“You’re taking another job?” Ardeth inquired politely.</p> - -<p>By this time the milk truck had turned and was -moving slowly down the narrow, rutty road.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Exploring?” Judy repeated with interest. “Of the -cavern?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Does Calico Cave have any bats or other interesting -birds or animals?” Ardeth questioned abruptly.</p> - -<p>“Hundreds of bats. You can see them clustered in -masses on the walls in one section of the cave, near -the entrance.”</p> - -<p>“Ugh!” Judy shuddered.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span> -“I never came very close to one,” Judy admitted, -“but I do feel that way about them.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“They sleep in the caves?” Ardeth questioned.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I’d give anything if I had a bat!” Ardeth announced. -“Just one!”</p> - -<p>“A bat? What would you want with it?” Bart -asked, rather amused by the remark.</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>“I think I can get you one,” Bart offered, glancing -at his wristwatch. “You’re serious about wanting -it?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, but I don’t want to delay you on your -run.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span> -“I don’t think we should without permission from -our leader,” Judy said quickly.</p> - -<p>“I can travel faster alone at any rate,” the young -milkman replied.</p> - -<p>As the milk truck rattled on down the winding -road, he talked enthusiastically about bats and their -habits.</p> - -<p>The creatures, he told the girls, had silky, translucent -wings and flew with astonishing precision.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“You shouldn’t even think of such a thing!” Judy -chided. “It would be frightfully dangerous.”</p> - -<p>Bart made no answer.</p> - -<p>“You’re not considering it, are you?” Judy demanded, -alarmed by his silence.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Ardeth, must you have a bat?” Judy tried to discourage -her.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, if I can get one without causing too -much trouble. But how will I get it to camp?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Apparently, it stayed here quite a while last -night before turning around and pulling out,” he -added.</p> - -<p>“What would a truck be doing down here late -at night?” Judy speculated.</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t know,” Bart answered with a shrug. -“Interesting question though.”</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>Ten minutes elapsed, then fifteen and twenty. -Eagerly the girls began to watch the path for their -friend to reappear.</p> - -<p>The rising sun beat down harder and harder on -the milk wagon, causing Judy and Ardeth increasing -discomfort. They became restless.</p> - -<p>“It’s taking Bart an awfully long time,” Ardeth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span> -remarked uneasily. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have asked -him to get a bat for me. If anything should happen—”</p> - -<p>“He’ll be along soon,” Judy said. “I think I hear -him coming now.”</p> - -<p>She was right, for a moment later, the young -milkman emerged from the tunnel of branches at -the trail’s exit.</p> - -<p>“Did you get one?” Ardeth cried eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Sure did,” Bart responded.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“After you’ve displayed him at camp, better let -him fly away,” the milkman advised. “He’ll find his -way back to the cave.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I wouldn’t want to keep him shut up,” Ardeth -replied. “That would be cruel. I promise to let -him go by tonight.”</p> - -<p>“Fine!” Bart approved, climbing into the milk -wagon and starting the motor. “Now I want you -girls to make me another one.”</p> - -<p>“Another promise?” asked Ardeth, carefully holding -the box Bart had placed in her hands.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I want you to stay away from here unless -you’re with a forest ranger or some man.”</p> - -<p>“Away from the cave, you mean?” Judy questioned, -rather surprised by the request.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span> -“From the cave, and also away from this private -road.”</p> - -<p>“But why?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“The truck tire tracks, you mean?” interposed -Ardeth, mystified by the remark.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“You didn’t run into anyone in the cave?” Judy -asked quickly.</p> - -<p>“No, but someone has been there recently. Last -night probably.”</p> - -<p>“How do you know?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“All removed?” Judy questioned.</p> - -<p>“Yes, no sign of anyone or anything in the cave -now.”</p> - -<p>“You think someone must have come here last -night in that truck and used the cave?”</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span> -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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>At the turn-off onto the paved road, he said goodbye -to the Scouts and resumed his milk route.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Miss Meadows seemed to have forgotten the disturbance -of the previous night completely. After -making a show of admiring the imprisoned bat, she -chirped:</p> - -<p>“While you girls were away, I cleaned the cupboards.”</p> - -<p>“They’re very neat and tidy now,” Judy said, -opening the double doors to inspect the rows of -china.</p> - -<p>“At the back of the cupboard, I found a key,” -Miss Meadows remarked casually. She produced it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span> -from her apron pocket. “Apparently, it fits a door. -But which one I wouldn’t know.”</p> - -<p>Judy rocked back on her heels and looked quickly -at Ardeth. Neither spoke for a moment.</p> - -<p>Finally, Judy trusted her voice. Taking care to -keep it steady, to give no hint of her excitement and -hope, she said quietly:</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t be surprised if that key fits the cellar -door, Aunt Mattie.”</p> - -<p>“Why, it might at that.”</p> - -<p>Judy forced herself to speak casually, as if the -matter were of no great moment.</p> - -<p>“The key looks about the right size,” she remarked. -“Do you mind if I try it?”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xiv" id="xiv"></a><i>Chapter 14</i><br /> -<span>A FAMILIAR FACE</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">MISS Meadows willingly relinquished the key -which she had found in the kitchen cupboard.</p> - -<p>Judy fitted it in the door lock and was elated -when it turned readily. Her pose of indifference -instantly dissolved.</p> - -<p>“Now we can get into the cellar!” she exulted. -“Whoopee!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>The opening of the cellar door had brought a -whiff of stale, cool air into the kitchen.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“I guess the cellar never was equipped with electricity,” -she remarked. “I’ll get my flashlight.”</p> - -<p>She ran to the bedroom, returning a moment -later to find Miss Meadows regarding the stairway -with disapproval.</p> - -<p>“Need we go down there, Judy?” she asked to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span> -discourage her. “Since the door was locked, the -cottage owner might prefer us to keep it so.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Focusing her light upon the uneven stone steps, -she cautiously started down.</p> - -<p>“Watch your footing,” she advised Ardeth and -her aunt, who followed close behind. “These steps -are narrow and worn.”</p> - -<p>Miss Meadows remarked that the cellar seemed -very old in contrast to the new cottage.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Judy negotiated the stairway safely and waited -for the others at a jagged doorway which opened -into the main cellar chamber.</p> - -<p>The basement was very still, except for the shuffle -of the descending feet.</p> - -<p>“No musical chimes or the like?” Ardeth demanded -with a suppressed giggle as she reached -the bottom of the stairway.</p> - -<p>Moving through the stone archway, the three -found themselves in a large room. The chamber was -dry, but nevertheless gave forth a musty odor.</p> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span> -The casks lay helter-skelter, some on their -sides, and others up-ended.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Satisfied that every cask was empty, Judy next -turned her attention to a smaller storage closet off -to the left.</p> - -<p>“This must have been the fruit and vegetable -storage room,” she declared. “It’s been cleaned out -though.”</p> - -<p>The shelves were completely bare, and the roving -flashlight revealed only an undisturbed layer -of dust.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>It was well that they had cut short their inspection -of the basement, for within five minutes the -camp station wagon drove up.</p> - -<p>In a flurry to be off, Judy and Ardeth hurriedly -gathered their few belongings and the precious bat -from Calico Cave.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span> -“I don’t like you to remain alone,” Judy began -only to have her aunt interrupt.</p> - -<p>“Nonsense! I’ll be all right. Now run along, and -enjoy your friends.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Making up for time which of necessity had been -spent away from camp, Judy had a wonderful day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">127</a></span> -with her friends. She swam, went sailboating, and -in the late afternoon helped set the table for the -evening meal.</p> - -<p>Later that night, all the girls enjoyed a sing-fest -and took part in folk dancing.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>She dropped off to sleep quickly, determined to -check on affairs at Calico Cottage the first thing in -the morning.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>The Scouts climbed the steep stairway to a -glassed-in square observation room. A ranger, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">128</a></span> -had been poring over a map on a table, greeted -the visitors in a friendly way and invited them to -look about.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Can one see Pine Cone Camp from here?” Judy -inquired.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Do you have many fires here during the summer?” -Kathleen inquired.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Deliberately set?” questioned Judy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span> -“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.”</p> - -<p>Before leaving the observation tower, the Scouts -studied the big topographical map and took turns -peering through the binoculars.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“When do we eat?” Virginia demanded.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>After admiring the sight for some minutes, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Once the litter had been cleared away and the -last marshmallow toasted, the unit leader personally -supervised putting out the camp fire.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Now it’s time to hike down to Silverton,” she -advised the group as she consulted her watch. “The -time has gone very fast.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“We’ll have a short wait until the station wagon -comes,” the unit leader told the girls. “It shouldn’t -be long though.”</p> - -<p>The group had been instructed to meet their -driver at Luke’s Cafe, one of the few business establishments -open after six o’clock.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, they went in, taking tables and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span> -booths. Some of the girls ordered ice cream. Judy -finished hers quickly, and then left the booth to -pay her bill at the counter.</p> - -<p>Two men were seated on stools, drinking coffee -and munching hamburger sandwiches.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>As she considered what she should do, Kathleen -sauntered out of another booth. Judy signaled to -her.</p> - -<p>Once Kathleen had joined her, she informed her -of her suspicion.</p> - -<p>Kathleen studied the man that Judy pointed out. -“Yes, he’s the one we helped!” she whispered. “The -one who was called Joe!”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xv" id="xv"></a><i>Chapter 15</i><br /> -<span>JUDY’S MISTAKE</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>As she darted to the opposite curb, she spied one -of the forest rangers, who only that moment had -emerged from a barber shop.</p> - -<p>Judy had seen the Forest Service man several -times since her arrival at Pine Cone Camp and -knew that his name was Lowell Diethelm.</p> - -<p>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!</p> - -<p>“Oh, ranger!” she called, for in the excitement of -the moment, his name temporarily fled from her -mind.</p> - -<p>“Yes?” The ranger turned to regard Judy with -intent curiosity.</p> - -<p>“Can you help me make a report to the State -Highway Department right away?”</p> - -<p>“Why sure,” the ranger replied. “What’s wrong? -An automobile accident?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span> -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!”</p> - -<p>“Not the hi-jacker?”</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“It does seem a reckless thing for him to do,” -Judy conceded. “But I’m sure the man is the same -one.”</p> - -<p>“You must be wrong, but to prove it I’ll go over -with you to the cafe,” Diethelm offered.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Which one do you say is Joe?” the ranger demanded.</p> - -<p>“The one with the square jaw, seated next to the -wall. I never saw the other man before.”</p> - -<p>Diethelm began to chuckle in a hard sort of manner -which grated unpleasantly on Judy’s ears.</p> - -<p>“Why are you laughing?” she asked. “Isn’t that -man Joe Pompilli?”</p> - -<p>“Not on your life. Both those men are truckers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span> -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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Shouldn’t I call Highway headquarters to make -sure?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span> -She hesitated. The ranger mistook her silence for -unwillingness to follow his suggestion.</p> - -<p>“Instead of trying to track down criminals, you -Scouts would do better to look after affairs around -your own camp,” he said cuttingly.</p> - -<p>“Why, what do you mean?” asked Judy, startled. -She had detected a hostile note in the ranger’s -voice.</p> - -<p>“You girls should be more careful about starting -camp fires.”</p> - -<p>“We’re always careful,” Judy insisted indignantly.</p> - -<p>“Didn’t you have a fire this afternoon at Fountain -Falls?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“It couldn’t have been our fire, and we shouldn’t -be blamed for it,” Judy said, her eyes flashing.</p> - -<p>“Some member of your party may have dropped -a lighted match.”</p> - -<p>“None of us had any. Only our leader carried -matches.”</p> - -<p>“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—”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span> -“I guess I must have made a mistake,” Judy -mumbled. “Sorry to have bothered you.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>Tipping his broad-brimmed hat, he sauntered on -down the darkening street.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“I think he dragged that in just to bother me,” -she thought resentfully. “But why should he take -such an attitude?”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“I’ll have to let them go,” Judy decided. “Nothing -else to do.”</p> - -<p>A moment later the two truckers came outside. -Judy did not try to stop them, but they passed almost -in front of her.</p> - -<p>The one she had taken to be Joe Pompilli gazed -squarely at her. Involuntarily, he half stopped.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span> -Then, deliberately turning his gaze away, he went -on.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>She had just finished scribbling the numbers on -the back of an old envelope, when Kathleen joined -her.</p> - -<p>“What happened?” her friend demanded. “I -thought you were going to have those men arrested. -Couldn’t you reach the Highway Patrol station?”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t try,” Judy confessed ruefully.</p> - -<p>“You didn’t try? Why not?”</p> - -<p>Judy recounted her conversation with the ranger.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I know that man was the same one we met,” -Kathleen insisted.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Well, that doesn’t fit in with what we learned,” -Kathleen declared, shaking her head. “That man -was called Joe by his friend.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span> -“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!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Judy grinned and squeezed her friend’s hand. -“You’re a dear,” she said, “always bucking up my -morale. Do me a favor?”</p> - -<p>“Of course.”</p> - -<p>“Then, let’s keep this little episode to ourselves. -The other Scouts didn’t hear about it?”</p> - -<p>“No, I didn’t say a word to anyone. I just kept -out of view and watched those two men as you suggested.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“We’re all taking a ribbing because of that boy -with the flute,” Kathleen admitted. “Any theory as -to what causes the strange sounds?”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps our driver will stop at the cottage for a -few minutes, so we can check.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span> -“I intend to ask him,” Judy returned. “It must -be seven o’clock now.”</p> - -<p>“It is,” Kathleen agreed, “and our driver is coming -now!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Judy, Kathleen and other members of the Beaver -Patrol, managed to find a place for themselves in -the first load.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Fine and dandy!” Judy approved. “That will -give us nearly an hour to talk to Aunt Mattie and -make certain everything is all right.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Aunt Mattie is here all right!” Judy remarked, -leading the way across the lawn. “I wonder why -she has all the lights burning?”</p> - -<p>“So early too,” Kathleen added.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span> -Even before the Scouts reached the front door, -it was flung open by Miss Meadows, who had noted -the arrival of the station wagon.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’m so glad you came!” the woman exclaimed.</p> - -<p>Her face seemed drained of all color, and her -eyes had a frightened look.</p> - -<p>“Why, Aunt Mattie!” Judy exclaimed. “Is anything -wrong?”</p> - -<p>“This dreadful cottage!”</p> - -<p>“You’ve been hearing music?” Judy surmised.</p> - -<p>“Music?”</p> - -<p>“What was it that upset you?” Judy asked, realizing -she had made a poor guess. “Not another -one of those mysterious telephone calls?”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xvi" id="xvi"></a><i>Chapter 16</i><br /> -<span>ANOTHER DISTURBANCE</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>“I upset it myself,” Miss Meadows explained. “I—I -was rather excited, I’m afraid.”</p> - -<p>“Tell us what happened, Aunt Mattie,” Judy -urged. “What disturbed you?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“This sound came from the cellar,” Miss Meadows -insisted.</p> - -<p>“How long ago, Aunt Mattie?” questioned Judy.</p> - -<p>“About ten minutes, I’d judge.”</p> - -<p>“Did you go down there to check?”</p> - -<p>“To the cellar?” Miss Meadows demanded. “I -most assuredly did not!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142</a></span> -“Then I guess the job is up to us,” Judy said, -looking directly at Kathleen. “Where’s that key?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think you should go down into that -dreary hole,” Miss Meadows protested.</p> - -<p>“Nonsense, Aunt Mattie! We investigated once -before, and everything was all right. You’ve not had -the door unlocked since?”</p> - -<p>“Absolutely, not. I’ve been here at the cottage -all the while too.”</p> - -<p>“Then no one could be down there.”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t imagine those weird sounds,” Miss -Meadows said. “If you had been here—”</p> - -<p>Suddenly she stiffened. From beneath the kitchen -floor there issued forth a series of muffled -thuds.</p> - -<p>“Hear it?” Miss Meadows whispered, staring fixedly -at the locked cellar door.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Where’s that key?” Judy finally murmured, groping -for it on the high kitchen shelf.</p> - -<p>“Don’t go down there,” Miss Meadows advised -nervously. “It might be dangerous.”</p> - -<p>“It’s worse not to investigate,” Judy insisted. “You -can’t stay here and live in constant dread.”</p> - -<p>Her fingers closed upon the key. She unlocked -the door, but hesitated as she peered down the -dark stairway.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">143</a></span> -“Do you have a flashlight?” she asked Kathleen, -who huddled at her elbow.</p> - -<p>“In my knapsack,” Kathleen replied. “But I left -it on the station wagon, never thinking I’d want it -here.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know where you’ll find another cottage -on short notice,” Judy told her regretfully. “Everything -around here has been taken.”</p> - -<p>“I can go to a hotel.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Miss Meadows found it for her, and lighted the -wick.</p> - -<p>“Watch the drip of the wax,” she advised, “or -you’ll burn your hand.”</p> - -<p>The glowing candle made a flickering, ghostly -circle of light on the rough walls of the stairway.</p> - -<p>Resolutely, Judy started down. Close behind her -came Kathleen, while Miss Meadows unwillingly -brought up the rear.</p> - -<p>Judy descended a half dozen steps, only to pause. -A slight breath of air caused the candle to waver<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">144</a></span> -and nearly go out. And at the same moment, she -caught an unpleasant odor which seemed to rise -from the darkness below.</p> - -<p>“Mercy!” gasped Miss Meadows, as she too -sniffed the air.</p> - -<p>The musty scent became stronger as the three -went on down. Judy localized it in the main cellar -room, toward the south east wall.</p> - -<p>However, in slowly moving the candle about, she -could find no cause for the unpleasant odor.</p> - -<p>“It’s such a strange smell,” Kathleen commented -with a nervous shiver. “A sort of stale air scent. But -from where does it come?”</p> - -<p>Judy asked Kathleen to hold the candle. Carefully, -she ran her hand over the brick wall, feeling -along the line of crumbling mortar.</p> - -<p>“There’s an opening here!” she suddenly exclaimed. -“I can feel cool air coming in!”</p> - -<p>Excited by Judy’s discovery, Kathleen held the -candle higher.</p> - -<p>As she raised it in line with the brick which -Judy’s exploring hand had found, a direct current -of air extinguished the flame.</p> - -<p>The three were left in total darkness.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“Not quite everything,” said Judy. “We’ve learned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span> -where that musty odor comes from though. It is -being blasted in through the broken mortar.”</p> - -<p>“How strange,” Kathleen murmured. “Shouldn’t -there be solid dirt or rock behind these walls and -under the floor?”</p> - -<p>“One would think so,” Judy agreed thoughtfully, -“unless—”</p> - -<p>“There might be a tunnel connected with the -cottage!” Kathleen speculated.</p> - -<p>“A tunnel, possibly tied up with Calico Cave,” -Judy carried on the thought. “Even so, that doesn’t -explain those strange banging noises.”</p> - -<p>Leaving the girls alone in the cellar, Miss -Meadows went quickly for matches. She returned -promptly and the candle was relighted.</p> - -<p>This time, Judy was careful to shield it with her -hand so that it would not be blown out.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“From where?” Kathleen demanded.</p> - -<p>“That’s what we’ll have to learn, if we can. I have -a hunch Captain Hager might be able to supply -interesting information.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span> -“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.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“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—”</p> - -<p>“Boy with a flute?” Miss Meadow interposed, her -voice rising.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“What manner of place have I rented?” Miss -Meadows gasped. “Is the cottage haunted?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span> -“And have everyone say I was frightened away?” -Miss Meadows reproved her niece. “The very idea!”</p> - -<p>“You mean you’re willing to stay?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I intend to,” Miss Meadows announced -firmly. “At least for a day or so.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll remain with you,” Judy offered. “Not that -I’ll be any protection.”</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>“But to leave you alone—”</p> - -<p>“I’ll manage,” Miss Meadows said dryly. “Let’s -go upstairs now, or you girls will miss your station -wagon.”</p> - -<p>“Goodness, I forgot about the driver calling for -us!” Kathleen exclaimed. “We’ve been down here -in the cellar quite a while.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span> -“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?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll call the police,” Miss Meadows threatened. -“Now run along, and enjoy yourselves.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>In her dream, she became aware of a horrible -odor. The scent enveloped her, stifling her so that -she could not breathe.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span> -nightmare! There was no disagreeable odor—or was -there?</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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!</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xvii" id="xvii"></a><i>Chapter 17</i><br /> -<span>SMOKE IN THE WOODS</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">THOROUGHLY alert now, Judy awakened her -tent mates, warning them of the danger.</p> - -<p>“What’s this?” mumbled Ardeth, drugged by -sleep and unwilling to leave her comfortable cot.</p> - -<p>“Get out of here fast, unless you want to be -burned!” Judy said tersely, giving her a hard shake. -“The forest is on fire!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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!</p> - -<p>As she started for the adjoining tents to awaken -the girls there, a gong in the main dining room -sounded the first alarm.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span> -Bong! Bong! Bong!</p> - -<p>Tent flaps went apart, and sleep-eyed Scouts began -to thrust tousled heads out into the cold night -air.</p> - -<p>“What’s up?” demanded Beverly, one of the first -Beaver Patrol girls to scramble into her clothes. “Is -the camp afire?”</p> - -<p>“Not yet, but it will be if we don’t work fast!” -Judy asserted. “Oh!”</p> - -<p>She uttered a little scream as a flying brand, -borne by the wind, dropped in the grass only a few -feet away.</p> - -<p>Badly frightened, she and Beverly ran to stamp -out the tiny flames.</p> - -<p>By this time, the camp was in confusion. Scouts -were pouring out of their tents, milling about, chattering -excitedly.</p> - -<p>Unit leaders quickly gained control of the situation, -ordering everyone to the main lodge assembly -room.</p> - -<p>Miss Lubell spoke tersely to the girls.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Will we have to evacuate the camp?” inquired -Miss Ward.</p> - -<p>“That depends entirely upon whether or not the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span> -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.”</p> - -<p>“Can’t we do anything until the rangers come?” -Judy interposed.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>To be prepared for a quick evacuation, in the -event one was ordered, they hastily tossed their belongings -into suitcases.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>A few sparks were flying, but those which -dropped in dry grass, instantly were extinguished -by a unit assigned to that particular task.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“It’s going to be nip and tuck to save the camp,” -Miss Lubell gasped. “Don’t give up, girls!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Then suddenly a cry went up.</p> - -<p>“The rangers!” cried a Lone Tree Scout. “They’ve -come!”</p> - -<p>Judy drew a deep, tired sigh of relief as she saw -the Forest Service truck roll in with fire-fighting -equipment.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>The Scouts all checked in, and after washing up, -watched the crew of rangers attack the fire.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>The Beaver Patrol girls, those of the Lone Tree -unit, and the Oriole outfit, volunteered to help in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span> -the kitchen. Gallons of coffee were prepared for the -rangers.</p> - -<p>“We’ve made enough for an army of workers!” -Judy laughed.</p> - -<p>The beverage was kept hot, ready to serve whenever -a tired fire fighter could leave his post.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“This could have been a bad fire,” he remarked. -“There are three types—surface, ground and crown. -But all start as surface fires.”</p> - -<p>Judy asked the ranger to distinguish between the -different classifications.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“How do you suppose this one started?” Miss -Ward asked the ranger.</p> - -<p>“That’s hard to say,” he replied.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“It’s plain enough how the fire started,” he commented, -pouring himself a mug of coffee.</p> - -<p>“How?” Judy asked.</p> - -<p>“Someone from this camp has been careless about -fire.”</p> - -<p>A stunned silence followed the observation. Then, -almost as a unit, the Girl Scouts began to protest.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“No proof,” the ranger admitted. “Just circumstantial -evidence. You girls had a cook-out last -night?”</p> - -<p>“We started a fire at Fountain Falls,” Judy said. -“You knew about that. We put it out too!”</p> - -<p>“Anyway, that’s miles from here!” Betty Bashe -broke in. “This fire started close to our camp.”</p> - -<p>“Exactly my point,” replied Diethelm. “Any other -cook-outs last night?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span> -the fire hadn’t been reported so quickly, the entire -camp might have burned.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“What’s that?” Diethelm demanded, startled.</p> - -<p>“Just a little thought I had,” Wentz replied with -an odd smile.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</a></span> -a signal for them to dress again and assemble for -breakfast.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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—”</p> - -<p>“I know what you mean,” nodded Virginia, -reaching for another piece of toast. “He doesn’t -seem friendly as the other rangers do.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t get over what happened today about -that trucker,” Judy went on, thinking aloud. “Suppose -I was right, and Diethelm was mistaken—”</p> - -<p>She broke off then, for Miss Ward had come into -the dining hall, and was signaling to her.</p> - -<p>“Judy, you’re wanted at the telephone,” the -teacher called. “Your aunt, I think.”</p> - -<p>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!</p> - -<p>As she took down the receiver, her first fears were -confirmed. Miss Meadows was in a great state of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span> -agitation, having been informed that a fire was raging -at Pine Cone Camp.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Well, that’s a relief,” Miss Meadows sighed. “I -confess, I’ve spent a dreadful night.”</p> - -<p>“No more disturbances, I hope.”</p> - -<p>“It depends upon what you mean by disturbances,” -Miss Meadows returned stiffly. “There were -no weird sounds from the basement. But other -things happened.”</p> - -<p>“What sort of things?”</p> - -<p>“I can’t tell you over the telephone,” Miss Meadows -answered. “Just come as quickly as you can -to the cottage!”</p> - -<p>And with that, she hung up the receiver.</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xviii" id="xviii"></a><i>Chapter 18</i><br /> -<span>AN URGENT CALL</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">IT was well after seven o’clock when Judy, accompanied -by Kathleen, arrived at Calico Cottage.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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?</p> - -<p>“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—”</p> - -<p>Her reflections were interrupted by Kathleen, -who nudged her in the ribs.</p> - -<p>“Why so sober, Judy?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“You think we let Joe Pompilli get away?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“That makes a nice sounding explanation,” Kathleen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span> -chuckled. “But there’s one bad flaw in your -reasoning.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“He was badly hurt in that accident too,” Kathleen -added.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Miss Meadows, who had seen them coming, flung -open the door.</p> - -<p>“I’m ashamed to have telephoned you,” she apologized. -“Have you had breakfast?”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“Blueberry muffins,” Miss Meadows smiled, peeping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span> -into the oven. “You arrived at just the right -time, for they’ll be done in three minutes.”</p> - -<p>“Aunt Mattie, why did you send such an urgent -telephone message?” Judy asked abruptly. “You -said it wasn’t the ghost again.”</p> - -<p>“No, the basement was quiet enough last night.”</p> - -<p>“Then what did happen?”</p> - -<p>“I know you think I’m nervous and silly—”</p> - -<p>“No such thing, Aunt Mattie.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Lights on the private road?” Judy questioned.</p> - -<p>Miss Meadows did not answer until after she had -removed the muffins from the oven. Then she said:</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Nothing so unusual about that, Aunt Mattie. A -great many trucks pass on the main highway, even -at night.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span> -Judy and Kathleen had listened attentively to -Miss Meadows’ account. They exchanged a quick -glance but remained silent.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“How long did the truck remain on the private -road?” Judy asked.</p> - -<p>“So far as I know, it’s still there. I set up and -watched until dawn. Since then, I’ve been rather -busy.”</p> - -<p>“If the truck is still on that road, we should -check—” Kathleen suggested quickly.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Who wouldn’t be?” Judy backed her up. “When -do we start? Right now?”</p> - -<p>“No, finish your breakfast first,” Miss Meadows -urged. “Such nice muffins shouldn’t be wasted.”</p> - -<p>Their thoughts on the investigation before them,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span> -Judy and Kathleen ate quickly. Miss Meadows -apologized for not having any milk to offer.</p> - -<p>“I ran out yesterday,” she remarked, “and the -new milkman always comes very late.”</p> - -<p>“The new milkman?” Judy repeated, nearly dropping -her knife. “What became of Bart?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Something special,” mused Judy. “You know -what I think! Bart quit so he could thoroughly explore -Calico Cave!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, dear, I hope not,” Miss Meadows murmured. -“That sounds frightfully dangerous. You don’t think -he’d explore very far alone?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Gracious! I never heard of anything so reckless!” -Miss Meadows gasped. “Why, the authorities -shouldn’t allow it!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Just what is a siphon?” Kathleen inquired.</p> - -<p>“As I understand it, a siphon is a tunnel through -the cave, with a submerged ceiling. If one were a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</a></span> -good swimmer, as Bart apparently is, one might -dive and swim through it to open air on the other -side.”</p> - -<p>“That’s assuming that the tunnel wasn’t very -long,” Miss Meadows commented.</p> - -<p>“True,” Judy nodded. “It would be a terrifying -experience. Only a very courageous and foolhardy -explorer would attempt it.”</p> - -<p>“Bart’s just the type to risk it!” Kathleen asserted. -“I wonder when he plans to tackle the siphon?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Bart knows how to take care of himself,” Judy -declared to relieve her aunt’s mind somewhat. “I’m -sure he does.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“We could call the Forest Service or one of the -state highway patrolmen, if you’d rather,” Kathleen -proposed.</p> - -<p>“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,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">166</a></span> -Miss Meadows said. “No, I’d prefer to do a bit of -checking for myself first.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“See, I was right!” she exclaimed. “Those tire -marks show that a big truck went down this road -last night.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Quickening their pace, but becoming very quiet, -the three moved on.</p> - -<p>Presently they came to the end of the road.</p> - -<p>“No truck here!” Kathleen exclaimed, halting.</p> - -<p>“Here’s where it made a turn,” Judy said, pointing -to deep tire marks in the road and grass.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>While Kathleen and Miss Meadows waited -tensely, Judy cautiously crept through the bushes -to obtain a closer glimpse of the big truck.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">167</a></span> -The cab was deserted. Had the truck run out of -gas perhaps, or was it being hidden there to escape -detection?</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Unable to learn more, she returned to report to -her aunt and Kathleen.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no, they won’t!” announced Miss Meadows -with grim determination. “We’ll tip off the state -highway headquarters! I’ll telephone.”</p> - -<p>“Someone should stay here to keep watch,” Judy -said. “The driver may return at any minute and try -to pull out.”</p> - -<p>“That’s so,” Miss Meadows agreed. “I—I guess -I’d better stay, while you girls telephone.”</p> - -<p>“No, you go to Calico Cottage,” Judy urged. -“Kathleen and I will wait here.”</p> - -<p>“You’re not afraid?”</p> - -<p>“No, you’ll have help here in just a few minutes.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xix" id="xix"></a><i>Chapter 19</i><br /> -<span>THE HIDE-OUT</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>“That truck driver must have skipped out,” Kathleen -muttered. “It’s sort of silly to hide here.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think so,” Judy replied, keeping her voice -low.</p> - -<p>“I wish we knew where the driver went.” Disregarding -caution, Kathleen straightened up from her -crouched position and carefully looked about.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Why, it’s Pete!” Kathleen exclaimed, speaking -much louder than she had intended. “Do you suppose -Bart is somewhere near, or in the cave?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">169</a></span> -“Pete is onto it now!” Kathleen agreed in dismay.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>To their consternation, he began to bark and to -jerk his head, as if inviting them to follow him to -the cave.</p> - -<p>Judy seized the little dog, and tightly held his -jaws so that he could not bark.</p> - -<p>“This is a fine howdy-do!” she muttered. “Pete -will give us away if anyone is within a mile of here!”</p> - -<p>“Do you suppose Bart could be close?” Kathleen -speculated. “Pete plainly is trying to get us to follow -him to the cave.”</p> - -<p>“If we let him go, he’ll set up a fearful clatter. I -can’t hold his jaws together forever either!”</p> - -<p>“Bart would be a big help to us if we could find -him.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“We can be careful,” Kathleen returned. “Help -from the Forest Service or highway headquarters -should be coming quite soon.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>The rocky path wound through the trees and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">170</a></span> -around big boulders. Presently, the girls were within -view of the dark entranceway to the cave.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Yipping excitedly, he ran toward the cave entrance.</p> - -<p>With a gasp of dismay, Judy thrust Kathleen -back into a thicket, and herself crouched behind a -rock.</p> - -<p>It was well that the girls took refuge, for Pete’s -loud barking had not gone unheard.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“There’s that confounded mutt again!” the girls -heard the man exclaim. “He’ll give us away!”</p> - -<p>“Slug him with a rock!” came advice from inside -the cave.</p> - -<p>The man in the entranceway, heaved a stone -which missed its mark by mere inches. Pete barked -the louder.</p> - -<p>“Put a bullet through him,” was the next gruff -advice.</p> - -<p>“Don’t dare,” the girls heard the reply. “A shot -would be heard too far.”</p> - -<p>“If we don’t get out of this hole pretty soon, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">171</a></span> -dog will have the whole town down on us,” the other -growled. “Quiet him somehow.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Finally, they abandoned the effort to get him inside, -and themselves moved back out of view in the -darkness.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Moving stealthily, the girls slipped from their -hiding place.</p> - -<p>Pete saw them go and cocked his head attentively. -But to their intense relief, he did not bark -or try to follow them.</p> - -<p>Safely, the girls retraced their way to the private -road.</p> - -<p>Once there, Judy anxiously looked up the slope<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">172</a></span> -for a glimpse of her aunt or the assistance which -she hoped would come.</p> - -<p>“I guess we’ll have to hide in the bushes again,” -Kathleen proposed. “Pete may ferret us out too.”</p> - -<p>As the girls debated what action to take, Judy -saw that a green coupe had turned down the private -road.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“I thought your aunt intended to call the highway -patrol headquarters,” Kathleen commented, -watching the approaching car with troubled eyes.</p> - -<p>“Maybe she called ’em both. At any rate, a forest -ranger is just what the doctor ordered!”</p> - -<p>Judy rushed out to meet the approaching automobile, -waving her arms to attract attention.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Did Aunt Mattie reach you?” Judy demanded.</p> - -<p>The ranger’s startled expression disclosed that he -did not know what she was talking about.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>She and Kathleen then breathlessly told of their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">173</a></span> -suspicions, and pointed out the big truck which -had been hidden in the thicket.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>When Judy finally ran out of breath, the ranger -motioned for the two girls to get into the coupe.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“Sure,” Diethelm said again. “Sure. Come on, get -in, and I’ll take care of it.”</p> - -<p>Judy and Kathleen obeyed, sliding in beside the -ranger. He turned the car around in the narrow -roadway, heading it toward the main highway.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">174</a></span> -“Take it easy,” Diethelm advised. “Let me handle -this, will you?”</p> - -<p>“Sorry,” Judy mumbled. “I didn’t mean to suggest—only—”</p> - -<p>“Only what?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing,” Judy replied shortly.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“So your aunt is telephoning the state highway -patrol station?” the ranger remarked easily. “How -long ago was that?”</p> - -<p>“Five—maybe ten minutes ago,” Judy answered. -She was trying hard to smother the suspicion which -had formed in her mind.</p> - -<p>“Your aunt went to the cottage to phone?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Diethelm smiled and flipped a switch on the -radio. He fumbled with it as he drove efficiently -with one hand.</p> - -<p>“Car 23 to Headquarters. Car 23 to Headquarters,” -he called.</p> - -<p>“Go ahead, Diethelm,” came the order from headquarters.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">175</a></span> -“Nothing to report, sir. No fires sighted.”</p> - -<p>“Any sign of the hi-jackers? They’re reported to -have headed into your patrol area.”</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">176</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xx" id="xx"></a><i>Chapter 20</i><br /> -<span>TREACHERY</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">JUDY and Kathleen scarcely could believe that -they had heard the ranger’s radio message correctly.</p> - -<p>For a stunned moment, they sat in dead silence, -unable to comprehend what had transpired.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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!</p> - -<p>As the car climbed the steep incline, Kathleen -suddenly reached for the door handle.</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t do that!” Diethelm ordered sharply. -“Stay in this car!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">177</a></span> -“You’re making us prisoners?” Kathleen gasped, -shaken by the ranger’s treachery.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“Which are—?” interposed Judy. She was no -longer frightened, but smoldered with a deep, burning -anger.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“So you’re one of the hi-jackers!” Kathleen accused -shrilly. “A disgrace to the ranger uniform!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">178</a></span> -with the road block soon to be lifted, that chance -might come very soon!</p> - -<p>The coupe turned onto the main highway, and -started up the winding mountain road. Judy saw -Diethelm glance anxiously at the gasoline gauge.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“We’re about out of gas,” Diethelm muttered.</p> - -<p>“No filling stations on this road for three miles,” -Judy said in satisfaction.</p> - -<p>“We rangers have supply caches,” Diethelm -dashed her hopes again. “My own private one is -just ahead.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Diethelm then strode to the gasoline storage tank, -hurriedly starting to fill his can.</p> - -<p>“Lean forward—block off the window, so he -can’t see me,” Judy instructed Kathleen tersely.</p> - -<p>“He’s watching us. If we try to get out, I’m afraid -he’ll carry out his threat to shoot.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">179</a></span> -“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.”</p> - -<p>Now that she knew her friend’s scheme, Kathleen -obediently shifted her position, so that her back -temporarily shielded Judy from view.</p> - -<p>In an instant, Judy had snapped the radio phone -on.</p> - -<p>“Car 23 to Headquarters!” she called excitedly -into the transmitter. “Emergency call! Emergency -call!”</p> - -<p>“Headquarters to Car 23,” came the reply. “Who -the deuce is this? Diethelm—”</p> - -<p>“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—”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Now you’ve done it!” he snarled, shoving her -so hard that she fell to the ground. “Little fool!”</p> - -<p>Despite his previous threat, Diethelm did not -touch his revolver. His face contorted by worry, -he seemed uncertain what to do for a moment.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">180</a></span> -Tersely then, he ordered Kathleen out of the -car also.</p> - -<p>“Turn your backs and start walking into the -woods,” he ordered the two girls. “Keep walking. -Don’t look back or I’ll shoot.”</p> - -<p>Kathleen pulled Judy to her feet, and they slowly -moved off into the woods.</p> - -<p>“Walk faster!” Diethelm shouted.</p> - -<p>The girls obediently increased their speed, stumbling -as they climbed over fallen logs and other -forest debris.</p> - -<p>Moments passed, and Judy dared to look over -her shoulder. No longer could she see the car or -the roadway.</p> - -<p>But as she paused, she heard the roar of the -coupe’s engine.</p> - -<p>“He’s filled the gas tank and he’s pulling out!” -she declared. “Now to get help, if we can.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">181</a></span> -“We must stop them somehow! Let’s get back -to Calico Cottage as fast as we can!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>As they crossed the yard, Miss Meadows came -to meet them.</p> - -<p>“I’ve had such a time,” she began. “At first, I -couldn’t get my call through. Why, what’s happened?”</p> - -<p>Judy explained only briefly. She cut her story -short by demanding: “Aunt Mattie, how soon do -you think help will get here?”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“Ten minutes!” Judy groaned. “That will give -Diethelm all the time he needs to warn those men!”</p> - -<p>“I saw a ranger car turn down the private road -quite awhile ago,” Miss Meadows contributed.</p> - -<p>“That was Diethelm,” Judy said desperately. -“We’ve notified the ranger headquarters, but I -doubt they can get men here quickly enough either!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">182</a></span> -“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?”</p> - -<p>Frantically, the three looked about the premises, -but not an object was available which would offer -an impediment to a powerful truck.</p> - -<p>“The clothesline,” Miss Meadows suggested -doubtfully. “We could tie it to trees, across the -road.”</p> - -<p>“It would snap in an instant,” Judy said. “I doubt -even a wire would delay them.”</p> - -<p>“Then there’s nothing we can do,” Miss Meadows -said desperately. “Absolutely nothing.”</p> - -<p>“Nails?” proposed Kathleen. “We could throw -them on the road and hope they’d spear the tires.”</p> - -<p>“There’s a can of nails on the porch,” Miss Meadows -supplied eagerly. “The carpenter who must -have built this cottage, apparently left them.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I guess that’s right,” Miss Meadows admitted, -crestfallen. “Oh, it’s hopeless.”</p> - -<p>Judy, however, had a different idea. She was gazing -speculatively at the “Welcome” mat on the -doorstep.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">183</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xxi" id="xxi"></a><i>Chapter 21</i><br /> -<span>TRUCKER’S WELCOME</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">“HOW can we stop the truck if it tries to come -through?” Kathleen demanded eagerly. “What is -your idea, Judy?”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“We can spear the nails through the mat so they’ll -stand upright! When the tires pass over them, they -can’t miss.”</p> - -<p>“That should do it!” Miss Meadows approved.</p> - -<p>“Judy, you’re a gem!” laughed Kathleen. “What -a brain!”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“I’ll get the nails,” Miss Meadows said, starting -away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">184</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“Listen!” cried Judy suddenly.</p> - -<p>She had heard the roar of a powerful motor -starting far down the private road.</p> - -<p>“It’s the truck!” Kathleen exclaimed. “It’s coming, -and we don’t have half enough nails in this -mat!”</p> - -<p>“There will be enough if the tires hit it,” Judy -declared. “The important thing is to get it placed, -and fast! Come on!”</p> - -<p>Without waiting for Kathleen or her aunt, she -raced for the entrance to the private road.</p> - -<p>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!</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">185</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>The front wheel struck a deep rut and the truck -veered from the middle of the road.</p> - -<p>“They’re going to miss it!” Kathleen moaned, -gripping Judy’s arm so hard that it hurt.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Breathlessly, the three watchers waited. Nothing -seemed to happen.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“We’ve done it!” Judy laughed jubilantly. “We’ve -stopped them!”</p> - -<p>“But for how long?” Miss Meadows speculated. -“Don’t move, girls! Keep hidden! Those men are -in an ugly mood.”</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">186</a></span> -driven by Lowell Diethelm. By mere inches, -the tires missed the nail-studded rubber mat.</p> - -<p>“Now what?” the ranger demanded furiously. -“Can’t you keep going and get out of here?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Miss Meadows held her back. “No, Judy!” she -warned. “We’ve done all we can! Those men are -dangerous. Let them go.”</p> - -<p>“Let them go,” Judy half moaned. “Oh, this is -awful! After stopping that big truck, to fail so miserably!”</p> - -<p>“We saved the cargo at any rate,” Kathleen reminded -her. “Furthermore, Diethelm hasn’t driven -off yet! I don’t think he will either!”</p> - -<p>The latter excited comment was made as she -saw two Forest Service cars sweep down the main -highway.</p> - -<p>Before Lowell Diethelm could pull away, the other -two automobiles had blocked the main highway.</p> - -<p>“Our fish are netted now!” Kathleen shouted gleefully. -“Who says your idea failed, Judy? It was a -grand one!”</p> - -<p>No longer fearful, the three came out of hiding.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">187</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Yeah?” dryly inquired Ranger Wentz. “Sounds -pretty phoney, Diethelm. You’ll have to think up -a better one than that to tell the chief.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“You’re the girl who called over the radio phone, -aren’t you?” one of the rangers asked Judy.</p> - -<p>“That’s right.”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">188</a></span> -Porky Burns, a hi-jacker, who had operated in three -states.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>The state patrolmen requested Kathleen and -Judy to accompany them to headquarters to make -sworn statements as to their knowledge of what had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">189</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Diethelm has confessed?” Kathleen asked in disbelief.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Then the help he gave the hi-jackers was to -even an old score with another ranger?” Judy inquired.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Diethelm even accused the girls in our Scout -Camp of being careless with fire,” Kathleen remarked -indignantly.</p> - -<p>“Oh, that matter came up,” the highway patrolman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">190</a></span> -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.”</p> - -<p>“Then the Scouts can’t be blamed for that fire?”</p> - -<p>“No, they’ve been cleared.”</p> - -<p>“Well, that’s a relief!” Kathleen laughed.</p> - -<p>“There’s one thing that puzzles me,” Judy said -thoughtfully. “When my aunt first moved into Calico -Cottage, someone telephoned—”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe that explains the ghost!” Kathleen exclaimed.</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">191</a></span> -to their long account of what had happened -in town.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Bart?” Judy repeated, startled. The excitement -of the morning had washed all thought of the young -milkman from her mind.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>“That might not mean anything serious, Aunt -Mattie.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">192</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xxii" id="xxii"></a><i>Chapter 22</i><br /> -<span>DESCENT INTO THE CAVE</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">JUDY and Kathleen would not allow Miss Meadows -to go alone to Calico Cave.</p> - -<p>Insisting upon accompanying her, they made -cheerful talk as they tramped down the now familiar -forest road.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Why, he’s still there!” she exclaimed. “Poor doggie, -do you suppose he’s had anything to eat or -drink?”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>The three stepped into the dim interior of the -cave. Judy cupped her hands and shouted Bart’s -name repeatedly.</p> - -<p>Her voice echoed weirdly through the cave, but -there was no answering call. If Bart had descended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">193</a></span> -into the cavern, it was evident that he was at a level -so far below that he could not hear the cry.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“What should we do?” Kathleen asked, pulling -her jacket more tightly about her, for the air was -cool.</p> - -<p>“Bart may be safe enough,” Judy added anxiously. -“Then again, if he braved the siphon, there’s -no telling what may have happened.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“If he shouldn’t be back—” Judy began. “Then -what?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Neither could I,” chimed in Kathleen. “It’s been -such an exciting day already. I feel sort of jittery -inside.”</p> - -<p>The three crawled out of the cave into the sunlight. -Pete scrambled up alertly as they emerged,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">194</a></span> -but could not be coaxed away from the entranceway.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“We can’t go down into the cave without a -guide,” Miss Meadows repeated firmly. “I know of -no one—”</p> - -<p>“Captain Hager!” Judy cried. “He could help us, -if he will!”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“I’m not sure. I think, in a cabin somewhere -along the river.”</p> - -<p>“Do you suppose you girls could find him?” Miss -Meadows urged. “I’ll wait here.”</p> - -<p>“We can try,” Judy promised.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Judy surveyed the water front, noticing a two-room -shack several hundred yards down the beach.</p> - -<p>“That might be his place,” she said. “We can try -there anyway.”</p> - -<p>A brisk walk brought them to the modest little -cabin. Though small, the building was trim and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">195</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“This must be Captain Hager’s place,” Judy decided.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>But upon recognizing the Scouts, his face creased -into a welcoming smile.</p> - -<p>“Come in, come in!” he boomed.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>He limped as he walked across the cabin floor -to pull out chairs for the girls.</p> - -<p>“Your leg is bothering you?” Judy asked, taking -the seat he offered.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">196</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“We didn’t know about your rheumatism,” Judy -said. “I guess it’s quite out of the question.”</p> - -<p>“What is?” the old man demanded. “It wasn’t -fishing that brought you .”</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>“What do you think we should do?” Judy asked -desperately. “Notify the authorities?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">197</a></span> -“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?”</p> - -<p>“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—”</p> - -<p>“It wouldn’t be fair to ask you,” Judy said. -“You’re not feeling well and your rheumatism—”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll take us down there?” Judy asked eagerly. -“You’re sure it wouldn’t be too hard on you?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll go as far as the siphon, or until we find Bart,” -the old captain promised.</p> - -<p>“How soon can we get started?” Judy urged.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Will we need heavy clothes?” Kathleen asked.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">198</a></span> -“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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Well, don’t forget to come back as quickly as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">199</a></span> -you can,” Miss Meadows warned. “I’ll be dreadfully -worried until you’re back here with Bart.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll do our best to find him,” Captain Hager -said soberly. “I love that boy like my own son.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>Judy and Kathleen nodded eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Then follow me,” directed the captain. “Walk -close behind and be careful about dislodging rocks.”</p> - -<p>Single file, the three entered the cave, its ragged -shadows enveloping them.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">200</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xxiii" id="xxiii"></a><i>Chapter 23</i><br /> -<span>THE SIPHON</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>They came presently to another small chamber -where they paused, speechless. Stalactites sparkled -like jewels, standing out in the most fantastic -shapes.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>The going had become harder now, and after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">201</a></span> -edging through a narrow space, the three stopped -for a moment beside a translucent column which -rose from the floor to the roof.</p> - -<p>As they stood thus, there came a deafening crash -behind them.</p> - -<p>Judy and Kathleen froze in their tracks, too terrified -to utter a sound.</p> - -<p>“A cave-in behind us?” Kathleen finally asked in -a choked whisper.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“But it sounded as if the cave roof had fallen!” -Judy said, still shaken.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">202</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“You mean we’d get the rain down here?” Kathleen -questioned in amazement.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I hope it doesn’t storm today,” Kathleen said -nervously.</p> - -<p>“The day was clear,” Captain Hager reassured -her. “And there has been no recent rain to flood the -underground stream.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Do you suppose Bart came this way?” Judy finally -asked. “Couldn’t he have taken any number of -branch-offs?”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">203</a></span> -“My legs feel sort of cramped,” Judy confessed, -ashamed of her weariness. “But I’m all right.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“And if Bart isn’t there?” asked Judy.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>At its entrance, Captain Hager hesitated, seemingly -reluctant to go on.</p> - -<p>“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—”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Aye, I figured you’d say that,” Captain Hager -replied.</p> - -<p>He then uncoiled a length of nylon rope, tying it -first about his own waist, then around Kathleen,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">204</a></span> -and finally about Judy, who would bring up the -rear.</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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?</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Are—are we lost?” Kathleen asked.</p> - -<p>The captain deliberately did not answer. After a -moment, he started on again, groping along the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">205</a></span> -wall. Kathleen did not repeat her question.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Hear that?” he demanded.</p> - -<p>Judy and Kathleen already had distinguished the -distant sound of running water. The underground -stream!</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“We near the end,” he said simply.</p> - -<p>They moved quickly through the narrow corridor. -The thunder of a distant waterfall they never were -to see, was louder now in their ears.</p> - -<p>The floor of the passageway sloped sharply downward. -Kathleen slipped but did not fall, for Judy -caught her arm to give her support.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Captain Hager halted. “We’ve come to the end,” -he announced.</p> - -<p>Judy and Kathleen were stunned. “The end,” -Judy repeated, scarcely comprehending. “But I -thought—”</p> - -<p>“We can proceed no further without wading<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">206</a></span> -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.”</p> - -<p>He focused his light to the right, and the girls -saw the meeting place of wall and water.</p> - -<p>“The siphon?” Judy asked.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Bart—?” Judy hesitated to ask the question that -was foremost in her mind.</p> - -<p>“Surely he wouldn’t be crazy enough to try to -swim through the siphon!” Kathleen exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“But we’ve seen no evidence that he’s anywhere -in the cavern,” Judy said hopefully.</p> - -<p>“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.</p> - -<p>For a moment, neither Judy nor Kathleen understood.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">207</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xxiv" id="xxiv"></a><i>Chapter 24</i><br /> -<span>HELP FROM CAPTAIN HAGER</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">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.</p> - -<p>Unable to penetrate farther, the three had made -the arduous climb back to the cavern entrance -where Miss Meadows anxiously awaited them.</p> - -<p>Their report had been a discouraging one. Without -question, Bart was somewhere in Calico Cave, -but whether or not alive, no one could say.</p> - -<p>“The lad may have reached an air pocket, or a -chamber,” Captain Hager said. “That’s what he -gambled on.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Aye,” the captain soberly agreed.</p> - -<p>“Can’t something be done?” Miss Meadows -urged.</p> - -<p>“Not a man in these parts would risk that siphon, -ma’am.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">208</a></span> -“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?”</p> - -<p>“It would be impractical and dangerous, Ma’am.”</p> - -<p>“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—”</p> - -<p>“Aye, Ma’am,” Captain Hager replied, “I’ve been -pondering on it—pondering hard.”</p> - -<p>“Then you do have an idea!” Judy cried. “Does it -have anything to do with Calico Cottage?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve been meditatin’ along that line,” the old -man admitted.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Then there must be a passageway close to the -foundation wall!” Judy cried.</p> - -<p>“I tried to convince Krumm he should build on -a new foundation, but he wouldn’t take advice.”</p> - -<p>“If that old foundation could be torn down, maybe -an opening down into the cave could be found!”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">209</a></span> -Judy went on. “What do you think, Captain -Hager?”</p> - -<p>“It’s our only chance to ever learn what became -of Bart.”</p> - -<p>“Then why are we waiting?” Miss Meadows demanded. -“We must put men to work at once!”</p> - -<p>“Krumm will have to give his permission,” Captain -Hager said, deeply troubled. “It will mean -wrecking the foundation of the cottage.”</p> - -<p>“But a young man’s life is at stake!”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">210</a></span> -“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!”</p> - -<p>“We don’t know it,” Captain Hager retorted. -“There’s air somewhere close by to that siphon.”</p> - -<p>“How do you know?”</p> - -<p>“Because time and again Bart found tadpoles.”</p> - -<p>“What have they got to do with it?” Mr. Krumm -demanded.</p> - -<p>“Tadpoles are a sure sign of open air being near. -They’re creatures that never venture far into underground -waters.”</p> - -<p>“So?”</p> - -<p>“I figure there must be a brook somewhere close -where the underground river empties.”</p> - -<p>“There’s no brook around the cottage, and no water -under it either.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“You want me to tear down the foundation on a -wild chance like that?”</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">211</a></span> -law on you! You can’t abandon that boy to save a -dollar!”</p> - -<p>Mr. Krumm’s eyes snapped angrily. Judy and -Kathleen were certain he would order them all out -of the real estate office.</p> - -<p>But suddenly, his opposition dissolved.</p> - -<p>“Okay, tear down the foundation!” he consented. -“Get on with it!”</p> - -<p>Once Mr. Krumm had waived his objection, men -from the village, directed by forest rangers, immediately -went to work.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Have you found the cave opening?” she cried. -“Have you?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">212</a></span> -“Aye,” Captain Hager informed her jovially. “But -where the passage leads, we don’t know.”</p> - -<p>“What causes the odor?” Kathleen asked, sniffing.</p> - -<p>“Imprisoned air. It’s gradually clearing out. Like -as not it comes from decaying vegetation—”</p> - -<p>“Listen!” cried Judy tensely.</p> - -<p>“The boy with the flute!” exclaimed Kathleen in -awe.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Then there came a series of taps as if someone -might be thumping a stick on hard rock.</p> - -<p>“That’s a man-made sound!” cried Captain -Hager. “Bart’s down there! He’s trying to signal -us!”</p> - -<p>“We’ll get him out!” shouted a forest ranger. “Any -volunteers to go down into the hole?”</p> - -<p>Arthur Wentz stepped forward. Rope was tied -about his waist, and carefully he was lowered until -his feet touched solid flooring.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Finally, a signal came—two short tugs. Gently, -the men began to pull on the rope.</p> - -<p>“Wentz is coming up!” one of the workmen -shouted. “It’s hard pulling!”</p> - -<p>“Then he must have found Bart!” Judy cried, -hugging Kathleen in her excitement.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">213</a></span> -Minutes passed as the men kept at the rope. Then -from the hole staggered Wentz and the young man -he supported.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Captain Hager!” he mumbled, embracing the -old man. “I did it!”</p> - -<p>“You sure did, son,” the captain answered, tears -streaming down his grimy cheeks. “You almost did -for yourself too.”</p> - -<p>“I thought you’d get me out,” Bart said. “I never -gave up, never for a minute.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“It was a wonderful but terrifying experience,” -Bart mumbled. “My father—”</p> - -<p>“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!”</p> - -<p>Nearly exhausted, and shaking with cold, Bart -was lifted bodily and carried to a waiting ambulance.</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="divider" /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">214</a></span> -</div> - -<h2><a name="xxv" id="xxv"></a><i>Chapter 25</i><br /> -<span>COURT OF HONOR</span></h2> - -<p class="noi">TWO days had elapsed since Bart Ranieau had -been brought out of Calico Cave suffering from -shock, but otherwise unharmed by his thrilling explorations.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Almost immediately, Bart sought Judy and Kathleen -at Pine Cone Camp to thank them for saving -his life.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Start at the very beginning,” Judy urged. “Don’t -leave out anything.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“I left my shoes and shirt on the ledge because I -couldn’t be burdened with them in swimming. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">215</a></span> -reasoned too, that if I got through, wet clothes -wouldn’t help keep me warm. So I stripped to my -trunks.”</p> - -<p>“How long was the siphon?” inquired Betty -Bache, who had joined the group of intent listeners.</p> - -<p>“Long enough,” Bart said grimly. “The first one -wasn’t so bad.”</p> - -<p>“Then there was more than one?” inquired Ardeth -Packett.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Weren’t you scared to death?” Virginia Cunningham -asked with a shiver.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“What happened?” questioned Beverly Chester -breathlessly.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“You were reckless to go on,” Kathleen chided.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Tell us about the second siphon,” Judy urged.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">216</a></span> -“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!”</p> - -<p>“What did you find?” demanded Beverly.</p> - -<p>“A hall filled with the most beautiful formations -I’ve ever seen.”</p> - -<p>“Better than the White Witch and those chambers -before one gets to the siphon?” Judy asked.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Go on,” Kathleen urged, as Bart became lost in -his own memories.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">217</a></span> -tube. Each time water drops through the tube onto -the floor, it produces the musical note.”</p> - -<p>“Did you realize how close you were to the basement -of Calico Cottage?” Judy next asked the young -explorer.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“When you first came out of the cave, you spoke -of your father,” Kathleen said, rather reluctant to -remind Bart of a painful subject.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“Then he was trapped in the chamber and unable -to signal anyone.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“But there was no escape from the chamber?” -Virginia probed. “No way back?”</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">218</a></span> -about made up my mind that if no help came, I’d -attempt it before my strength left me.”</p> - -<p>“Does the cave have no exit except through the -cottage foundation?” Ardeth next interposed a question. -“What becomes of the underground river?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>The young explorer spent more than an hour at -camp, telling the Scouts many interesting facts -about caves in general.</p> - -<p>All the girls were envious of Judy and Kathleen -because they had viewed so many of the beautiful -formations.</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Surprisingly, the real estate man had announced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">219</a></span> -that Miss Meadows might have the place rent free.</p> - -<p>“You’ve had a rugged time of it at the other cottage,” -he acknowledged. “You deserve a couple -of peaceful weeks.”</p> - -<p>The girls correctly surmised that Mr. Krumm’s -generosity was occasioned by a belated realization -that Calico Cave had great commercial possibilities.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>“Why, what is this?” she asked in astonishment. -“Is it a contribution for the Girl Scouts?”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">220</a></span> -that I couldn’t manage the place without them -around to look after things.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>Before departing, Mr. Krumm invited all the -Scouts to a preview of the cave chamber.</p> - -<p>“Oh, wouldn’t it be fun if we could have our -Court of Awards ceremony there!” Judy exclaimed. -“Could we, Mr. Krumm?”</p> - -<p>“It’s all right with me,” he said. “The electric -lights will be in by the end of the week.”</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Electric lights, skillfully placed, gave the colorful -formations ethereal effects which were quite breathtaking. -The Scouts named many of the figures, giving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">221</a></span> -them such titles as the Indian Oven, Woman -with a Hood, the Cathedral, and Phantom Hands.</p> - -<p>The spell of enchantment was still upon the girls -as they took formation for the Court of Awards -ceremony.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Then Miss Lubell announced that for Judy and -Kathleen, there was to be a special award. An expectant -hush fell upon the group.</p> - -<p>Amazed and rather embarrassed to be singled out -for particular attention, the two Beaver Patrol girls -stepped forward to receive the badges.</p> - -<p>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.”</p> - -<p>“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.”</p> - -<p>“All of the Scouts do,” Judy corrected. “Kathleen -certainly did as much as I to earn her tin -medal!”</p> - -<p>“I just followed in your footsteps,” Kathleen -laughed. “Anyway, we shouldn’t get the credit for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">222</a></span> -producing forest fires or hi-jackers. Caves are our -specialty.”</p> - -<p>“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?”</p> - -<p>“We never could discover a more thrilling cave -than Calico,” Judy replied earnestly.</p> - -<p>“But you’ll try!” Ardeth teased.</p> - -<p>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!”</p> - - - -<div class="section"> -<hr class="divider" /> -</div> -<div class="tn"> -<p class="center">Transcriber’s Note:</p> - -<p class="center">Perceived typographical errors have been corrected.</p> -</div> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -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-h.htm or 60977-h.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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