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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-04 07:59:05 -0800 |
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} - p.bkad {font-size:125%; font-weight:bold; margin-top:2em; max-width:20em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - p.bkpr {font-size:90%; } - p.bkrv { } - dl.blist dt { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } - dl.blist, dl.biblio { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:25em; } - - dl.int { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:25em; } - dl.int dt {margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } - dl.int dd {margin-left:2em; } -</style> -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer, by Edith Lavell - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer - -Author: Edith Lavell - -Release Date: October 8, 2020 [EBook #63407] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LINDA CARLTON'S PERILOUS SUMMER *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="img"> -<img class="cover" id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Linda Carlton’s Perilous Summer" width="500" height="726" /> -</div> -<div class="img" id="pic1"> -<img src="images/p05.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="776" /> -<p class="caption">“How do you feel now?” asked Linda.</p> -</div> -<div class="box"> -<h1>LINDA CARLTON’S PERILOUS SUMMER</h1> -<hr class="dwide" /> -<p class="center"><b><span class="large">By EDITH LAVELL</span></b></p> -<hr class="dwide" /> -<p class="center"><span class="sc">Author</span> <i>of</i> -<br />“The Girl Scout Series,” “Linda Carlton’s Ocean Flight,” “Linda Carlton, Air Pilot,” Etc.</p> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p06.jpg" alt="Linda Carlton Series logo" width="215" height="200" /> -</div> -<p class="center"><b><span class="large">A. L. BURT COMPANY</span></b> -<br /><i>PUBLISHERS</i> -<br /><b><span class="large">New York</span></b> <span class="hst"><b><span class="large">Chicago</span></b></span> -<br /><span class="smaller">Printed in U. S. A.</span></p> -</div> -<hr class="dwide" /> -<p class="center"><b><span class="xlarge">Linda Carlton Series</span></b></p> -<hr /> -<p class="center">Thrilling Adventure Stories of a Group of Girl Aviation Enthusiasts -<br /><b><span class="large">By EDITH LAVELL</span></b></p> -<dl class="undent"><dt>LINDA CARLTON, AIR PILOT</dt> -<dt>LINDA CARLTON’S OCEAN FLIGHT</dt> -<dt>LINDA CARLTON’S ISLAND ADVENTURE</dt> -<dt>LINDA CARLTON’S PERILOUS SUMMER</dt></dl> -<hr class="dwide" /> -<p class="center">Copyright, 1932 -<br />By A. L. BURT COMPANY -<br /><span class="smaller">Printed in U. S. A.</span></p> -<hr class="dwide" /> -<p class="center smaller">TO -<br />MY HUSBAND -<br />VICTOR LAMASURE LAVELL</p> -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dt class="jr"><span class="jl"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span></span> <span class="small">PAGE</span></dt> -<dt><span class="cn">I. </span><a href="#c1">The Accident</a> 7</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">II. </span><a href="#c2">The Lost Girl</a> 21</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">III. </span><a href="#c3">Planning the Treasure Hunt</a> 35</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">IV. </span><a href="#c4">A Stranger at Green Falls</a> 47</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">V. </span><a href="#c5">A Flying Engagement</a> 57</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VI. </span><a href="#c6">The Telegram</a> 70</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VII. </span><a href="#c7">The Widow in Black</a> 83</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VIII. </span><a href="#c8">Amy’s Relatives</a> 96</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">IX. </span><a href="#c9">The Take-Off</a> 104</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">X. </span><a href="#c10">The Treasure</a> 116</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XI. </span><a href="#c11">The Return of the Flyers</a> 131</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XII. </span><a href="#c12">Trickery</a> 141</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XIII. </span><a href="#c13">The Haunted House</a> 151</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XIV. </span><a href="#c14">Two Surprises for Linda</a> 160</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XV. </span><a href="#c15">The Ghost in the Tower</a> 169</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XVI. </span><a href="#c16">While the House Burned</a> 184</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XVII. </span><a href="#c17">The Rescue</a> 193</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XVIII. </span><a href="#c18">In Quest of the Money</a> 205</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XIX. </span><a href="#c19">A Clew to Follow</a> 218</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XX. </span><a href="#c20">Flying Over the Mountains</a> 226</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XXI. </span><a href="#c21">A Strange Landing</a> 238</dt> -</dl> -<div class="pb" id="Page_7">7</div> -<h1 title="">LINDA CARLTON’S PERILOUS SUMMER</h1> -<h2 id="c1"><span class="h2line1">Chapter I</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">The Accident</span></h2> -<p>“Aunt Emily, may we have a picnic lunch?”</p> -<p>Pretty Linda Carlton, the first girl in America -to fly from New York to Paris alone, stood in the -living room of her aunt’s summer bungalow at -Green Falls, and asked the question. Her blue -eyes were pleading, although it was not for the -mere favor of a lunch. The older woman glanced -at her costume—a flying suit—and looked grave.</p> -<p>“Where do you want to go, dear?” she countered.</p> -<p>“Dot and I want to go off by ourselves—in the -‘Ladybug.’”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_8">8</div> -<p>“The ‘Ladybug!’” repeated Miss Carlton, with -despair in her tone. That was the name of Linda’s -autogiro, which she had purchased in June and -flown south to Georgia. There she had met with -all sorts of disasters, had been kidnaped by a gang -of thieves and stranded on a lonely island with -this same girl—Dot, or Dorothy Crowley—as her -only companion.</p> -<p>“I should think you and Dot would have had -enough flying to last you the rest of your lives.”</p> -<p>“Now, Aunt Emily, you know I could never have -enough flying. I—I—belong in the air.” Linda’s -eyes lighted up with joy, as they always did when -she spoke of her favorite pastime. She came across -the room and seated herself upon the arm of her -aunt’s chair. “I’ve stayed on the ground for two -weeks, Auntie dear—just for your sake. But I’ve -got to go up now—I just have to! You do understand, -don’t you?”</p> -<p>Miss Carlton, who had taken care of Linda ever -since she was a baby, was so afraid of airplanes -that she had never even taken a ride with her -niece. She sighed.</p> -<p>“I suppose so, dear. But don’t go far, and promise -me you’ll be back for supper.”</p> -<p>“Oh, we will! I’m sure of that!” Linda replied, -as she bent over and kissed her aunt.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_9">9</div> -<p>The words she spoke were sincere; the “Ladybug” -was in perfect shape, and Linda truly meant -to plan her flight so that she would be back in -Green Falls before sunset, but, of course, she could -not know that circumstances would step in and -prevent her.</p> -<p>Fifteen minutes later, she and her chum, Dot -Crowley—diminutive in size, but bubbling over -with spirits and capable to the tips of her fingers, -stepped into the autogiro, adjusted the self-starter -and left the earth behind. It was a beautiful summer -day, without a cloud in the sky, and the girls -were as happy as birds.</p> -<p>Linda directed her “Ladybug” straight across -Lake Michigan, over the heads of the swimmers -and above the boats, for the shores of Wisconsin. -An invigorating breeze was blowing, so that the -girls were glad of their sweaters and helmets, and -they laughed and sang as they flew.</p> -<p>It was over a hundred miles across the lake, but -the autogiro took the distance with the ease of a -motor car. On and on they went, pressing into -Wisconsin, leaving the lake behind. When they -finally landed in a field for their lunch, Linda confessed -that she didn’t know just where they were.</p> -<p>“Why, it’s two o’clock, Linda!” exclaimed Dot, -as she dived into the lunch box for a sandwich.</p> -<p>“No wonder I’m hungry.”</p> -<p>“So am I!” agreed her companion. “But I -guess we better not go any further, Dot. We must -get home to supper.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_10">10</div> -<p>“I wish we didn’t have to. You know what I -love, Linda—flying over the lake. I always have -adored all kinds of water sports, but honestly, -flying <i>over</i> water beats everything.”</p> -<p>“Want to fly to Paris with me?” suggested -Linda, playfully.</p> -<p>“Sometime. But in a bigger boat than the ‘Ladybug.’ -Now if you still had the Bellanca——”</p> -<p>“If I had, I wouldn’t go,” interrupted Linda -calmly, reaching for another sandwich. “I -wouldn’t do a thing that would get me into the -newspapers!”</p> -<p>“I don’t blame you,” agreed her companion.</p> -<p>Little did they think as they spoke thus idly, that -that very evening they themselves would be requesting -the papers to print a story which concerned -them.</p> -<p>It all happened two hours later, with incredible -swiftness. They were flying back across Wisconsin, -low enough to watch the landscape, when Dot -suddenly let out a shriek of horror.</p> -<p>“Look at that—oh—Linda!”</p> -<p>Her companion grasped the joy stick, and looked -about expectantly, as if some plane must be coming -at her which she did not see.</p> -<p>“No—down on the road!” cried Dot. “That -car!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_11">11</div> -<p>Casting her glance downward, Linda saw what -she meant. A huge car, driven by a man with a -great mass of gray hair and a gray beard, at a -speed nearing eighty miles an hour, zigzagged -wildly in the road, rushing headlong at the forlorn -figure of a girl walking beside the gutter.</p> -<p>“The man must be crazy!” muttered Linda, -discreetly pointing her autogiro upward. “Or -drunk!”</p> -<p>An instant later the car knocked the girl down, -threw her up against the bank, and by some miracle, -regained its position again and sped away.</p> -<p>“He’s killed her!” screamed Dot. “A hit-and-runner!”</p> -<p>Linda brought her plane downward, but it was -too far away to see the man so that she might -identify him later, except by that beard.</p> -<p>“There isn’t a soul in sight!” observed Dot. -“You’re going to land?”</p> -<p>Linda nodded; luckily her autogiro didn’t need -a special field. She descended and brought it to a -stop, not far from the injured girl. She and Dot -climbed out, dashed over the field to the road, and -picked up the victim in their arms. She was a -young girl, possibly about fourteen years of age, -whether dead or merely unconscious, they could -not tell. Blood was running from her head.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_12">12</div> -<p>“We’ll carry her over beside the autogiro, and -apply first aid,” said Linda. “Luckily I have all -sorts of supplies with me—and water.”</p> -<p>She was a pretty girl, except that there was -something decidedly pathetic about her whole appearance. -Her clothing was not ragged, but dreadfully -out of style; her straight hair hung about -her temples without any attempt to make it becoming. -It was neither long nor short, and had no -ribbon, no pin of any kind to keep it out of her -eyes. Her sweater looked like a man’s, and her -skirt was evidently handed down from an older -woman. Her whole body was so thin that she -looked almost emaciated. Her face was a blank -white, with no make-up to relieve the pallor.</p> -<p>Linda bound up the wound, and after some minutes -the girl finally opened her eyes. Deep, black -eyes they were, that appeared huge in such a small, -colorless face, eyes that gazed at the girls without -any understanding.</p> -<p>“How do you feel now?” asked Linda, still -kneeling beside her, and offering her water from -a thermos bottle.</p> -<p>The girl raised her eyebrows, and muttered a -feeble, “All right.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_13">13</div> -<p>Meanwhile, Dot ran over to the road to see -whether there wasn’t a car somewhere in sight. -But there was neither a car nor a house. It was -a barren stretch of country—she didn’t know -where.</p> -<p>It was a lonely place indeed for a poor helpless -girl to have such a dreadful accident, through no -fault of hers. But now that she was conscious, -surely she could tell them where the nearest town -was, so they could take her to a hospital.</p> -<p>Linda, too, was realizing that they could not -hope for a machine to come along, that they would -have to take the girl with them in the “Ladybug.” -She was just about to ask her who she was, and -where she came from, when she was startled by -the very question from the girl herself.</p> -<p>“Please tell me who I am, pretty lady,” she -said, pathetically. “I can’t seem to remember anything.”</p> -<p>Linda gasped.</p> -<p>“I don’t know. My friend saw the accident from -the air—from our autogiro, while we were flying. -You were walking along the road, and a car -swerved at you going eighty miles an hour. I think -the driver was crazy, or drunk, for he almost -seemed to drive right at you. And he didn’t even -stop.... So we landed our plane, to look after -you.”</p> -<p>“What was I doing on the road?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_14">14</div> -<p>“Just walking.... Look in your sweater pockets. -Maybe there’s a letter, or something.”</p> -<p>“You look—please. I’m so tired,” sighed the -girl, and her eyes closed.</p> -<p>Linda searched frantically, hoping that the girl -would not die without their even finding out who -she was. But the search was of no avail; the pockets -of her sweater were full of nothing but holes.</p> -<p>Dot returned from the road and glanced questioningly -at the girl, and then at Linda.</p> -<p>“Unconscious again?”</p> -<p>“No, I’m all right,” replied the stranger herself, -wearily opening her eyes.</p> -<p>“Have you thought of your name yet?” inquired -Linda.</p> -<p>“No, I haven’t. My head hurts so. Please take -me to a hospital!”</p> -<p>Between them, Dot and Linda managed to get -her to her feet, and helped her into the autogiro, -where she sat on Dot’s lap in the passenger’s -cockpit. Linda started the motor.</p> -<p>“Ever been in a plane before?” asked Dot, as -the “Ladybug” taxied.</p> -<p>The girl shook her head.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_15">15</div> -<p>Linda consulted her map. She did not know -where she was, but as she had flown almost directly -west from Lake Michigan, she decided to -fly east. If they did not pass another town, they -could land at Milwaukee.</p> -<p>It was growing late—they had spent more time -on the ground than they had realized, and Linda -felt uneasy. If darkness came on before they -reached a town, the girl might die before they -found a hospital. And besides, Linda’s Aunt -Emily, who was always worrying about her, would -be sure that she had been kidnaped or killed.</p> -<p>The girl in Dot’s lap seemed perfectly inert as -the time passed, until the sun set. Then she uttered -a queer moan.</p> -<p>“Does your head hurt?” asked Dot, in her ear.</p> -<p>“Yes—but that isn’t it. I’m—I’m—afraid!”</p> -<p>“Of an airplane? I can assure you that you’re -with one of the best pilots in the world!”</p> -<p>“Oh, not that! I’m not afraid of flying!”</p> -<p>“What then?”</p> -<p>“Of the dark,” she whispered, fearfully. “Of—ghosts!”</p> -<p>Dot looked at the girl as if she were crazy. In -these modern times—how had she been brought -up? If she were a child of six, it would have been -different. She wondered whether she could have -understood her correctly, the motor was making -so much noise. She bent over and asked her to repeat -what she had said.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_16">16</div> -<p>“Ghosts!” replied the girl. A frightful shiver -ran through her whole body, so intense that Dot -could feel it in hers. She thought the girl was -delirious.</p> -<p>“There’s no such thing, my dear,” she reassured -her, patting the shaking frame.</p> -<p>“Oh, yes, there is! And I mustn’t be out alone -at night! Never!”</p> -<p>“Put your head on my shoulder, and try to go -to sleep,” urged Dot, comfortingly. “We’ll soon -be at the hospital.”</p> -<p>But it was not so soon as she hoped. They flew -on and on, without seeing any lights that would -indicate a city. And all the while the girl continued -to sob.</p> -<p>At last, however, they glimpsed bright lights -ahead, and Linda flew low enough to read the signs -of Milwaukee. She followed a huge beacon light -that led to an airport, and brought her autogiro -down to earth.</p> -<p>While she wired to her aunt at Green Falls that -she and her companion would have to spend the -night at Milwaukee, Dot succeeded in finding a -taxicab, which they all took to the nearest hospital.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_17">17</div> -<p>The girl was perfectly conscious when they were -admitted, but when the authorities asked for her -name, she still could not give it.</p> -<p>“I don’t remember anything,” she said; “before -these ladies were bending over me on that -country road. Except about a ghost that I see and -hear at nights.”</p> -<p>Dot looked helplessly at the doctor.</p> -<p>“She isn’t an idiot, is she, Doctor?” she whispered.</p> -<p>“No, no! It’s a case of loss of memory—after -concussion. Brought on by that blow on the back -of her head.”</p> -<p>“But why the ghost?”</p> -<p>“That is some memory that is vivid enough to -pierce through the fog which is surrounding her -past life. It is a good sign—when one fact remains, -the others are more likely to follow.”</p> -<p>The nurse was ready to take her to her bed, -when the girl uttered a wail that was pitiful to -hear.</p> -<p>“Don’t leave me!” she begged Linda and Dot. -“You are the only friends that I have in this -strange world. And in the other world there is that -frightful ghost!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_18">18</div> -<p>Impulsively, Linda bent down and kissed her affectionately. -“You must let the nurse take care -of you now, dear—and be a good girl. We have to -get some supper. But we’ll be back to-morrow. -We promise.”</p> -<p>“If that specter doesn’t carry me off to-night!”</p> -<p>“He can’t carry you away from the hospital,” -replied the nurse, smilingly. “We never let ghosts -into the hospital.”</p> -<p>“Never?”</p> -<p>“Absolutely not.”</p> -<p>The girl seemed reassured, and Linda and Dot -returned to their taxi, to find a hotel where they -could spend the night.</p> -<p>“Did you ever hear of anything so queer in all -your life?” demanded Dot. “Or anything more -pitiful?”</p> -<p>“We’ll have to do something, Dot,” said Linda, -thinking seriously. “We’ll buy all the papers to-morrow -and look for the names and descriptions -of missing persons. We’ve just got to find that -kid’s parents.”</p> -<p>“If she has any.”</p> -<p>“What makes you say that?”</p> -<p>“The way she was dressed. As if nobody in the -world cared a bit for her.”</p> -<p>“That’s sure. But she must live somewhere. She -couldn’t exist in the woods, on berries, or on that -lonely stretch of country where we found her.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_19">19</div> -<p>“Well, let’s try to forget her for the time being,” -urged Dot. “Here’s the hotel, and I certainly -am hungry.”</p> -<p>“So am I. But I wish we could dress for dinner. -Dot, we always ought to carry some extra clothing -on these trips, because we never know when we’re -going to need it.”</p> -<p>“Oh, what’s the dif, Linda? These suits are becoming, -so what do we care?”</p> -<p>They went to their room and took off their -sweaters and helmets. When they had washed their -faces and combed their hair, they were so presentable -that no one even noticed them as they entered -the dining room. After all, it was a common -sight to see girls in knickers.</p> -<p>The dinner was delicious, and they ate it with -great enjoyment, but neither girl could get the -accident out of her mind, or the pathetic child—for -she seemed like only a child to them, with her -strange superstition. So they decided, when they -finished their meal, to call two of the Milwaukee -newspapers, and to give them the story, with their -own names as references.</p> -<p>“And may we print yours and Miss Crowley’s -pictures, Miss Carlton?” asked the delighted reporter. -“We have them on file, you know.”</p> -<p>Linda groaned.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_20">20</div> -<p>“How is that going to help identify this girl?” -she demanded. “It’s her picture you ought to -print.”</p> -<p>“We would, if we had it. We’ll get it later. But -your pictures will call attention to the article.... -However, we don’t wait for permission in a case -like this, Miss Carlton. You’ll just have to grin -and bear it!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_21">21</div> -<h2 id="c2"><span class="h2line1">Chapter II</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">The Lost Girl</span></h2> -<p>When the young girl whom Linda and Dot had -rescued opened her eyes in the hospital the following -day, it was a strange world which she -looked upon. It was as if she had been abruptly -transported to another planet, where her name -and her past life were forgotten. She remembered -her hurt head, and the girls who had come down -in the airplane, but her mind was still an utter -blank about the days and years that had gone before.</p> -<p>Her forehead throbbed with pain as she tried -vainly to think. It was horrible, terrifying, to be -stranded in an unfamiliar place like this, without -any money in her pockets, without any home to -go to after she was well. She pressed her fingers -over her eyelids in an effort to bring back something. -But one memory only remained—the dreadful -vision of a ghost!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_22">22</div> -<p>Kind as her nurse tried to be, she seemed like -only a human machine to this unhappy child, who -waited feverishly for the return of Linda Carlton -and Dorothy Crowley—her only friends in -the whole world.</p> -<p>About eleven o’clock they came, carrying a -bunch of roses and a pile of newspapers. The girl -held out her arms in the pathetic appeal of a lost -child, and both Linda and Dot kissed her tenderly.</p> -<p>“How’s the head this morning?” asked Dot, -cheerfully, as she put the flowers into a vase.</p> -<p>“Oh, it’s better—but—” She glanced eagerly -at the newspapers. “Have you looked at those -yet? Has—anybody—reported my loss?”</p> -<p>“I’m afraid not, dear,” replied Linda, sympathetically. -“Only ourselves. But give them time. -If you lived far in the country, as you surely must, -they perhaps couldn’t reach them. But when they -read of the accident, and see the description of -you, they’re sure to come after you.”</p> -<p>“You haven’t been able to remember yet who -you are?” inquired Dot.</p> -<p>The girl burst into tears; the strain of it all, in -her weakened condition, was too much for her.</p> -<p>“No, I haven’t,” she sobbed.</p> -<p>“Try to think about the house you lived in,” -suggested Linda. “The room you slept in—the -dining room—the garden. Shut your eyes and imagine!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_23">23</div> -<p>“When I shut my eyes, all that I can see is that -ghost! No, no—I’m afraid of darkness.”</p> -<p>“Then try to remember your father or your -mother. Their eyes—their smiles—” put in Dot.</p> -<p>“It’s no use. Oh, what shall I do? Where can I -go after I leave this hospital? I’m—I’m—the most -‘alone’ person in the whole world!”</p> -<p>“But you still have us! We’ll take care of you,” -offered Dot, impulsively. “We’ll take you with us -to Green Falls, where we’re spending the summer, -won’t we, Linda?”</p> -<p>“Of course,” agreed her companion.</p> -<p>The girl smiled happily, but only for a moment.</p> -<p>“It’s wonderful of you—but I can’t stay. I’ll -have to go somewhere soon—and where shall it -be?”</p> -<p>“I’ll tell you what we’ll do,” said Linda -brightly. “After you have a visit with us, and get -strong, we’ll get you some kind of job—taking -care of children or something. And you can be -studying something to support yourself. Stenography -or typing—in case you can’t find your parents. -How would you like that?”</p> -<p>“Fine! Only I don’t know what those words -mean—Sten—sten——”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_24">24</div> -<p>Linda and Dot looked at each other and smiled. -What could they do with a girl like this? It was -too much for them to solve the problem alone, but -perhaps Miss Carlton could offer a wise suggestion.</p> -<p>The girl stretched out her arms helplessly.</p> -<p>“Oh, I know I’m dumb!” she exclaimed. “But -please don’t give me up!”</p> -<p>Yet she wasn’t stupid, or uneducated, for she -used perfect English, and the girls noticed when -she ate her lunch, which the attendant brought her -on a tray, that her table manners were of the best. -She had evidently been brought up correctly by -someone.</p> -<p>“We won’t!” Linda assured her. “We’ll come -back for you to-morrow morning, and if the doctor -says that you can leave the hospital, we’ll take -you with us in our airplane.” She purposely didn’t -use the word “autogiro,” for fear of confusing -her.</p> -<p>“Now get a good rest this afternoon,” she -added, “and look for us bright and early in the -morning.”</p> -<p>It was a promise, of course, for Linda and -Dot felt as if this young girl was their special -responsibility. A most inconvenient promise, -however, for it meant remaining another day in -Milwaukee.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_25">25</div> -<p>“Are you sure that you have enough money, -Linda?” asked Dot, as they returned to their hotel -for lunch.</p> -<p>“Oh, plenty,” was the reply. “That’s not what’s -worrying me. It’s Aunt Emily. She won’t like it -a bit. Still, she wouldn’t want us to leave a helpless -child. I’ll call her up, instead of sending another -wire.”</p> -<p>“Why not fly home across the lake this afternoon, -and come back to-morrow?” suggested Dot.</p> -<p>“For two reasons. One is, I want to give the -‘Ladybug’ an inspection to-day, and the other is, -Aunt Emily might not want us to come back. She -might suggest that we just send the girl some -money. But that poor little lonely thing needs -friendship more than she needs money.”</p> -<p>“True. But how shall I put in my time while you -go over the ‘Ladybug?’”</p> -<p>“Take in a picture show. Or stop back at the -hospital.... We can do something together to-night.”</p> -<p>The afternoon passed all too quickly for Linda -at the airport, but when she left at six o’clock, -she had the reassurance that her autogiro was in -perfect condition. She had taken double precaution -this time, for she did not want to run the risk -of the slightest mishap with this strange forlorn -girl in her care.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_26">26</div> -<p>Her aunt accepted the explanation which Linda -offered that evening over the telephone, interrupting -her three times to ask her whether she and -Dot were surely all right. Early the next morning -the girls sped to the hospital in a taxi, to find -their little charge bandaged and dressed, ready for -departure.</p> -<p>“We’ll fly north along the shore of the lake—or -maybe over the water, since you love that, Dot—and -land opposite Green Falls for our picnic -lunch. Then we’ll fly straight across Lake Michigan -to home.”</p> -<p>“Home!” repeated the little girl wistfully. How -wonderful it must be to have a home—a place to -go to, where somebody cared for you!</p> -<p>But by the time she and Dot had squeezed into -the passenger’s cockpit of the autogiro, she was -smiling excitedly. She had been too much dazed on -the other flight to enjoy it, but now she found it -a thrilling adventure. Her head still hurt, but not -enough to spoil her delight. How lucky she was, -she thought, to have found two wonderful friends -like these girls!</p> -<p>“You are not afraid, dear?” shouted Dot, above -the noise of the engine.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_27">27</div> -<p>“Oh, no! I love it!” Her black eyes were shining, -and there was even a faint color in her cheeks.</p> -<p>“You have heard of airplanes before, even if -you haven’t heard of typewriters, haven’t you?”</p> -<p>The girl nodded, with intelligence.</p> -<p>Conversation was difficult, and the girls relapsed -into silence, until Linda brought the -“Ladybug” down on the western shore of Lake -Michigan, presumably opposite Green Falls, -where the girls spread out their picnic lunch. -Then it seemed as if all three of them wanted to -talk at once.</p> -<p>“We’ve got to get you a name,” announced Dot, -as she unwrapped the chicken sandwiches which -she had secured from the hotel. “If you can’t remember -your own, we’ll have to give you one!”</p> -<p>“Don’t you suppose you’d recall it if you heard -it?” asked Linda.</p> -<p>“I don’t know,” replied the girl, dubiously.</p> -<p>“Mary? Elizabeth? Jane?” suggested Dot.</p> -<p>“Dorothy? Elsie? Emma?” added Linda, at -random.</p> -<p>But the girl’s memory was still a blank.</p> -<p>“Just give me one—anything you like!” she -pleaded.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_28">28</div> -<p>“All right, that’ll be fun,” agreed Dot, cheerfully. -“I always thought it would be more exciting -to name a real person than a doll.” She was making -an effort to keep up the girl’s spirits. -“What’ll it be, Linda?”</p> -<p>“Amy!” cried the latter. “After Amy Johnson, -you know. I think she’s the most courageous -woman flyer in the whole world to-day! She went -from England to Australia all alone, and then -went up into Siberia.”</p> -<p>“She certainly ‘goes places,’” laughed Dot. “I -like the name of ‘Amy,’ too.” She turned to the -girl. “Does it suit you?”</p> -<p>“Why consult me?” returned the latter, with -humor. “Did you ever hear of anybody’s being -asked about the name she got?”</p> -<p>Linda and Dot both laughed, and Dot gave -“Amy” a hug.</p> -<p>“These sandwiches are wonderful!” exclaimed -Linda. “Dot, you sure do know how to get good -food.”</p> -<p>“Wait till you see the caramel cake I wheedled -out of that chef at the hotel. He had made it for -a special party, but I convinced him he’d have to -make another.”</p> -<p>“You’re marvelous!” cried her chum, admiringly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_29">29</div> -<p>Little Amy simply couldn’t say anything. She -had never tasted food like this before—at least, if -she had, she couldn’t remember. She ate daintily, -not greedily, for she wanted it to last a long -time.</p> -<p>“Amy had better stay with me at Green Falls,” -decided Linda; “because there’s more room at our -bungalow.” She and her aunt lived alone together, -except for occasional visits from her father, who -had a business in New York, while Dorothy Crowley -was a member of a large family.</p> -<p>“O.K. with me,” agreed the latter. Then, turning -to Amy, “You’ll love Linda’s Aunt Emily. -She’s the most motherly soul.”</p> -<p>“You’re sure it is all right for me to go with -you?” asked the girl, plaintively.</p> -<p>“Of course it is!” Linda assured her.</p> -<p>An hour and a half later, they arrived at the -Green Falls Airport, and were surprised to find -Ralph Clavering, Linda’s most devoted admirer, -patiently waiting for them with his car.</p> -<p>“Welcome to our city!” he cried, rushing towards -the girls as they climbed out of the autogiro. -“Safe and sound!” Then he stopped, surprised -at the sight of the queerly-dressed child -at their side. He frowned, and muttered to himself, -“Look what the cat—or rather, the ‘Ladybug’—dragged -in!” But aloud he said nothing besides -his greeting.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_30">30</div> -<p>Linda introduced her little friend as “Miss -Johnson,” and they all got into his car.</p> -<p>“Kidnaped?” inquired Ralph, as he started the -engine.</p> -<p>“Who?” replied Linda. “Dot or Amy—or me?”</p> -<p>“Oh, I don’t know. I always expect something -like that when you don’t show up when you’re -expected—Linda, guess what? I’m getting a -plane!”</p> -<p>“An airplane!” repeated Linda, excitedly. “But -you weren’t to have one till you graduated from -college.”</p> -<p>“I know. But I convinced Dad I had to have one -to follow you around on your wild-goose chases, -all over the globe.”</p> -<p>“Now, Ralph, don’t be silly!”</p> -<p>“It’s the honest truth. That’s the reason I’m -getting one.”</p> -<p>Linda blushed; she never could accustom herself -to this wealthy young man’s obvious devotion. -His parents were millionaires, and all his life -Ralph had had everything he wanted. Until he met -Linda Carlton. He had asked her to marry him as -soon as she graduated from High School, but she -had refused, saying that such a thing was out of -the question until he was through college. Besides, -she was too much in love with her “Ladybug” to -be in love with any man. But Ralph went on asking -at regular intervals, just the same.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_31">31</div> -<p>“What kind?” she inquired.</p> -<p>“An autogiro. I’m rather keen on them, and -Dad and Mother think they’re the safest, so -they’re rooting for them, too.”</p> -<p>“I think that’s perfect! And you have your -pilot’s license, too.” Ralph Clavering had taken -instructions in flying the same time that Linda -had, more to be with her than because he was actually -air-minded. But when his father had refused -him a plane of his own, he had lost his enthusiasm.</p> -<p>It was only a few minutes’ ride from the airport -to the Carltons’ bungalow. Miss Emily Carlton -was waiting anxiously on the porch.</p> -<p>“Linda dear!” she exclaimed, as her niece ran -up the steps. “I was so afraid something had happened.”</p> -<p>“But I told you everything was all right last -night, Aunt Emily!”</p> -<p>“Yes, of course. But you never can tell what -may happen in the meantime.”</p> -<p>Linda patted her arm reassuringly, and took -hold of Amy’s hand.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_32">32</div> -<p>“This is Amy, Aunt Emily—the girl we rescued. -We want to go upstairs now, and change our -clothing. I think Amy can wear some of my sports -things—they’d be short—And Ralph,” she -added, turning to the young man, “can’t you stay -to dinner?”</p> -<p>“No, thank you, I must get back. But there’s a -dance over at Kit’s to-night—may I come and get -you?” Kit was his sister, one of the first girls in -Linda’s group to be married, soon after graduation -from High School.</p> -<p>Linda hesitated, and looked inquiringly at Amy. -She hated to go off and leave her alone the first -night, yet obviously she could not take her.</p> -<p>“Yes, go, Miss Linda,” the girl urged her immediately. -“I am so tired that I want to go to bed -soon after supper.”</p> -<p>“O.K. then,” agreed Linda, as Dot and Ralph -left together, and she hurried upstairs with Amy.</p> -<p>“Don’t call me ‘Miss Linda,’ Amy,” she said. -“I’m only eighteen. And you must be fourteen, -aren’t you?”</p> -<p>To her dismay the girl burst into tears.</p> -<p>“I don’t know,” she said. “I don’t know anything—Linda.”</p> -<p>“Well, don’t worry about it. It’ll be all right -soon—everything will come back to you.”</p> -<p>Amy shuddered.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_33">33</div> -<p>“Maybe it would be better to forget. I told you -about the ghost—and though there isn’t anything -else definite, I just have a horror of the past. It’s -vague——”</p> -<p>“It’s the strangest thing the way you seem to -use all sorts of words one wouldn’t expect of a -girl of your age,” interrupted her companion, -“and then don’t know what others mean. Like -stenography and typewriting, for instance.”</p> -<p>“By the way, what are those things?” asked -Amy, wiping away her sudden tears.</p> -<p>“Oh, business terms—I’ll explain later. Clothes -are more important now. We must hurry with our -dressing, and get back to Aunt Emily—Let’s see—my -tennis dress ought to do——”</p> -<p>It was a white pleated silk, quite short, and -fitted Amy nicely. Linda took time to curl the girl’s -hair, and to put a ribbon around her head, to hide -the bandage. She was amazed to see how really -attractive the girl was, when she was dressed in -becoming clothing.</p> -<p>“The shoes don’t fit, but you can wear them for -the rest of to-day,” she concluded. “To-morrow -we’ll drive into town—there aren’t any stores in -Green Falls—and get you some to fit.”</p> -<p>“I don’t know why you do all this for me, Linda. -I never did anything for you!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_34">34</div> -<p>“But you would if you could. And we love you, -Amy. Aunt Emily does, too, and you must think -of us as your own family, until you find your parents.”</p> -<p>Linda was right about her aunt; the motherly -woman took Amy right to her heart, and when -Linda left with Ralph soon after supper, for -dances were informal and began early in Green -Falls, Miss Carlton was teaching the young girl -parchesi, and they were laughing and chatting like -old friends.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_35">35</div> -<h2 id="c3"><span class="h2line1">Chapter III</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">Planning the Treasure Hunt</span></h2> -<p>“Who is this Cinderella you brought home, -Linda?” asked Ralph, as the young couple started -for the party. “You sure fixed her up some since -this afternoon.”</p> -<p>“She’s a girl we picked up in the road,” Linda -explained. “Didn’t Aunt Emily tell you why we -were staying over in Milwaukee?”</p> -<p>“No; only that some friend was in the hospital. -I didn’t get the details. All that I was interested -in was when you’d be back.”</p> -<p>Briefly, Linda told him the story of the accident -and of the girl’s loss of memory, adding that -“Amy” was a fictitious name which they had -given her, until she should recall her own.</p> -<p>“I mean to find her family if I have to search -the whole United States!” she concluded.</p> -<p>“And if you have to give up your own summer -vacation in the bargain,” muttered Ralph, sulkily. -“You would, Linda!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_36">36</div> -<p>“But it’s exciting! Like reading a mystery -story, you know.”</p> -<p>“You’ll get into trouble, I warn you.”</p> -<p>“If I do, I’ll get out again,” she returned, -lightly. “I have a charmed life.”</p> -<p>“I wouldn’t count on that too much if I were -you.”</p> -<p>“Tell me who will be here to-night,” urged -Linda, seeing that Ralph was getting irritable over -her newest adventure.</p> -<p>“Only half a dozen couples, I believe. Mostly -the old crowd—you and Dot and Sue Emery and -Sarah Wheeler—and those two married girls Kit -is so thick with—Madge Keen and Babs Macy.”</p> -<p>“Why don’t you tell me which boys?” teased -Linda, with a twinkle in her eye. “Don’t you think -I’m interested?”</p> -<p>“I hoped you weren’t. Now that your friend -Jackson Carter has gone back South where he belongs, -with that fascinating drawl of his, I rather -hoped I’d have you to myself.”</p> -<p>“Well, I’m going to the party with you!”</p> -<p>“Yes, but that doesn’t say it’ll be more than -two minutes before some fellow cuts in. Why in -the name of peace and enjoyment they always invite -more fellows than girls to a party is something -to make me wonder.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_37">37</div> -<p>“It’s to make us happy—to make us seem popular,” -explained Linda.</p> -<p>“Nobody has to make <i>you</i> seem popular!” he -returned, morosely.</p> -<p>“Tell me the boys, Ralph!” she repeated.</p> -<p>“Men, my child—not boys! Why, three of ’em -are married. And the rest of us would like to be,” -he muttered, under his breath.</p> -<p>But he refused to tell her; she’d find out soon -enough for herself. Her first discovery, when -Ralph stopped his car at his sister’s, proved to be -one of her oldest friends, Harriman Smith, a -young man whom she had not seen for several -months. He dashed down the steps to greet her.</p> -<p>“Harry!” she cried, in delight, pressing his -hand in genuine pleasure. It was he who had stood -by her, believed in her, when nobody else but her -chum, Louise Haydock, had thought she could fly -the Atlantic Ocean.</p> -<p>“Linda! It’s heaven to see you again!” he exclaimed. -“Hello, Ralph,” he added, shaking hands -with her escort. “How’s tricks with you?”</p> -<p>“O.K., Harry. When’d you get here?”</p> -<p>“Half an hour ago. By plane.”</p> -<p>“You have a plane?” demanded Linda.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_38">38</div> -<p>“No—be yourself, Linda! I’m a poor working -man. No, I came with Kit’s husband—Tom Hulbert. -I have a couple of weeks’ vacation, and decided -I’d like to spend them with the old crowd. -I’m staying with the Hulberts.”</p> -<p>Linking arms, all three entered the bungalow -together, which was much larger and more luxurious -than most of the cottages at Green Falls, -for Kit’s wealthy father, Mr. Clavering, had presented -the young couple with it soon after their -marriage. A small orchestra of three pieces had -been hired for the dancing, to take the place of -the usual radio music, and the large living room -was easily able to accommodate twice the number -of couples Kit had invited.</p> -<p>As Ralph had surmised, although there were -only seven girls, five extra young men had been -asked to the party.</p> -<p>Tiny Kit Hulbert, dressed in a fairy-like dance -costume of pale-green chiffon, floated over to greet -the newcomers.</p> -<p>“I hear you’ve had another adventure, Linda,” -she said. So timid herself that she had given up -learning to fly after a few feeble attempts, she -nevertheless had a great admiration for the other -girl’s skill and courage.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_39">39</div> -<p>“It isn’t finished yet,” replied Linda. “We’re -in the middle of a mystery. I’ll tell you all about -it, Kit, when Ralph isn’t around. He’s rather fed -up.”</p> -<p>“I’ll say I am. How soon can we dance, Sis?” -asked the young man, impatiently.</p> -<p>“Right away,” agreed Kit, nodding to the violinist -in the corner to start the music.</p> -<p>The supper, served informally on the big porch -that evening, was early; for the Hulberts had an -exciting piece of news for their guests, and they -could hardly wait for the opportunity to tell it. As -soon as everybody was seated, Tom Hulbert, who -was a lieutenant in the U. S. Flying Corps, and -an excellent pilot, called for attention.</p> -<p>“Our next party is going to be a wow!” he -began.</p> -<p>“They always are,” interrupted Sue Emery, -enthusiastically.</p> -<p>Tom bowed. “Thank you, Miss Emery,” he said, -formally. “But this is absolutely different—entirely -new! Kit’s father is giving us a treasure -hunt. By airplanes!”</p> -<p>“Airplanes!” gasped everybody at once.</p> -<p>Linda’s eyes shone with excitement. What a -novel idea!</p> -<p>“But most of us can’t go!” whined Sue Emery. -“We’re not pilots!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_40">40</div> -<p>“Sure you can. Mr. Clavering’s going to rent -a lot of planes, so anybody with a pilot’s license -to fly can enter, and take a passenger. And there’s -a bully prize—Oh, I’m not going to tell what it is! -And a dinner at the end of the hunt—maybe a -week-end party!”</p> -<p>“Here’s where we girls with licenses score!” -cried Dot, triumphantly. “We can do the inviting, -for once!”</p> -<p>“As if you didn’t always do the picking and -choosing!” muttered Ralph. He would have his -autogiro by that time, but, of course, Linda Carlton -wouldn’t go with him. Not an independent -young lady like her!</p> -<p>“I’m not worried,” drawled Jim Valier, Dot’s -devoted boy friend, as he reached for his sixth -chicken-salad sandwich, although so far he had -only eaten one. “Dot’s got to take me—and I won’t -have to do any work. Just share the glory!”</p> -<p>Dot’s chin went up in the air.</p> -<p>“I believe I’ll ask a girl—they’re more reliable,” -she retorted. “Sue, will you go with me?”</p> -<p>Sue whimpered; she would rather go with a -man, but an invitation was an invitation, and she -didn’t want to be left out.</p> -<p>“I’d hate to be so mean to Jim,” she replied. -“You better let him go.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_41">41</div> -<p>“You come with me, Miss Emery,” urged Frank -Lawlor, the young man who was seated at her -right, and who was an experienced flyer.</p> -<p>“Thank you—I’d love to, Mr. Lawlor,” she -murmured, gratefully.</p> -<p>“When is this exciting event to take place?” -asked Harriman Smith, wondering whether he -would be there to enjoy it.</p> -<p>“Next Saturday,” replied Tom Hulbert. “Entries -must be in by Wednesday.”</p> -<p>Linda was silent; suppose she were too busy -looking up Amy’s parents to take part! Oh, but -that wouldn’t be fair! She simply couldn’t miss -this. Surely her Aunt Emily would look after -Amy.</p> -<p>As if reading her thoughts, Kit asked her -whether she would be able to go into it.</p> -<p>“You better stay home, Linda,” advised Jim -Valier. “So we get a chance at the prize!”</p> -<p>“Don’t be silly,” she replied. “You’ll all probably -have speedier planes than my ‘Ladybug.’”</p> -<p>The plan was so fascinating that nobody wanted -to start dancing again. Instead they sat and talked -and talked, until long past midnight. It was after -one o’clock when Linda finally reached home—a -late hour for an informal party at Green Falls.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_42">42</div> -<p>Her aunt was waiting up for her, but she did -not seem to be at all worried. As long as the autogiro -was in the hangar, Miss Carlton felt safe -about Linda.</p> -<p>Ralph left her at the door, and the girl made no -mention of the treasure hunt. Instead she inquired -about Amy, and asked that she herself be allowed -to sleep late the following day.</p> -<p>Remembering the request, Miss Carlton did not -call her to the telephone although it rang four -times the next morning for Linda, before she was -awake. Two impatient young men—Harriman -Smith and Ralph Clavering—each called twice to -no avail.</p> -<p>Finally, about ten o’clock, Linda put in her appearance -at the breakfast table. Miss Carlton and -Amy had long since finished theirs, and the little -girl was reading a story in the hammock on the -porch. Miss Carlton, however, came and sat with -her niece as she ate, and gave her the news.</p> -<p>“Which boy are you going to call back, dear?” -she asked.</p> -<p>“Neither,” laughed Linda, as she complacently -ate her cantaloupe. “I haven’t time for young men -to-day, Aunt Emily.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_43">43</div> -<p>“You aren’t going anywhere in that autogiro, -are you?” Try as she did, the older woman could -never keep the note of fear from her voice when -an airplane was mentioned.</p> -<p>“No, no, Auntie. It’s about Amy. I want to do -things for her. And I want your help.”</p> -<p>Miss Carlton heaved a sigh of relief. This was a -different matter.</p> -<p>“First we must get her some decent clothing. -And then don’t you think we ought to get her picture -to the newspapers, and her description to the -radio, so that her people can come and get her?”</p> -<p>“Of course! My, but it is sad, for a child like -her to lose her memory. It’s bad enough for an -older person, but it just seems pitiful for anyone -her age.”</p> -<p>“Oh, I haven’t a doubt but that it will come -back,” said Linda, hopefully. “The doctor at the -hospital said it was probably only temporary, from -that blow on her head. Sometimes another blow -will restore it, he told me, but, of course, that -wouldn’t be safe on account of her cut. Publicity -is the thing we need now.”</p> -<p>“What will you do? Run in to town?”</p> -<p>“No, I don’t think that tiny newspaper office -would do any good. So I thought if you’d take her -and superintend getting the clothing, I’d take my -roadster and go on to Grand Rapids.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_44">44</div> -<p>“Yes, that will suit me perfectly. Only why -don’t you take Harry or Ralph with you? I’d feel -safer, for that’s quite a distance.”</p> -<p>“All right, Aunt Emily. If either of them comes -over in time.”</p> -<p>“Either of whom?” demanded a masculine voice -from the living room, as the screen door banged.</p> -<p>“Speaking of angels!” returned Linda, turning -about to greet Ralph Clavering.</p> -<p>“It’s about time you got up, Lazy Betsy!” he -teased. “Did your aunt tell you I phoned twice?”</p> -<p>“Yes. Sit down and have some coffee, Ralph. -You must have rushed through your breakfast!”</p> -<p>“Rushed! I’ve been up since eight o’clock!”</p> -<p>“Virtuous soul— But what’s on your mind -now?”</p> -<p>“The treasure hunt. Dad wants you to help Tom -Hulbert and me with the arrangements. It’s going -to be ticklish business.”</p> -<p>“What treasure hunt?” inquired Miss Carlton. -She was usually more delighted over Linda’s social -affairs than the girl herself.</p> -<p>“By airplanes!” replied Ralph, excitedly. -“Isn’t that a whiz of an idea?”</p> -<p>“Oh, no! No!” gasped Miss Carlton, in terror. -“No, Ralph! That is worse than foolhardy! Oh, -my boy, you’d all be killed!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_45">45</div> -<p>“Not if we plan the thing thoroughly. Start at -different places—good fields to land——”</p> -<p>“I beg you not to do it!” she wailed, prophetically. -“Think of the tragedy it may bring about! -Whose idea was it, Ralph?”</p> -<p>“Dad’s—and Kit’s.”</p> -<p>Miss Carlton shook her head mournfully. “I -thought your father had more sense, Ralph. But -does your mother approve?”</p> -<p>“Mother’s away for a couple of weeks. Went -to Bar Harbor to visit Aunt Kate—her sister, you -know. So naturally she won’t be consulted.”</p> -<p>“I can never give my consent to it,” stated -Miss Carlton, nervously.</p> -<p>“Wait till we get our plans ready. You may -change your mind—Now, Linda, can you help -me?”</p> -<p>“I’m afraid not to-day, Ralph. I have to do -things for Amy. Maybe to-morrow.”</p> -<p>“Too late,” he said, almost gruffly, as he rose -and went to the door. “I might have known you -would have your own affairs. Never mind, I’ll get -Dot!”</p> -<p>Linda went towards him and patted his arm.</p> -<p>“Don’t be cross, Ralph. Think of the child’s -parents. How frantic they must be! I’ve just got -to do something.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_46">46</div> -<p>“Oh, I suppose you’re right. And noble. You -always are!”</p> -<p>“I don’t see why you bother with anybody you -think so holy and righteous,” remarked Linda, -pulling down the corners of her mouth.</p> -<p>“Now children, don’t quarrel,” put in Miss -Carlton. “You can blame it on me, Ralph. I refuse -to let Linda have any part in this absurd treasure -hunt.”</p> -<p>“Then what’s the use of having it?” demanded -Ralph.</p> -<p>“Very sensible conclusion,” agreed Miss Carlton. -“Give it up, and plan a nice picnic instead.”</p> -<p>“A nice, old-fashioned one! And take our bicycles?”</p> -<p>“You run along, Ralph,” said Linda, “and get -Dot and Jim to help you. I really must get ready -to go to Grand Rapids!”</p> -<p>So, putting the treasure hunt temporarily from -her mind, she ran out to the porch to tell Amy -about her plans for the day.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_47">47</div> -<h2 id="c4"><span class="h2line1">Chapter IV</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">A Stranger at Green Falls</span></h2> -<p>“Big doings to-day, Amy!” announced Linda, -cheerfully, as Ralph Clavering departed. “Come -on—get ready!”</p> -<p>“What?” demanded the girl, excitedly. “You -haven’t heard from anybody who—wants—me?”</p> -<p>Her eagerness was pathetic, and Linda stooped -over and kissed her.</p> -<p>“No, there is no news as yet. But we are going -to try to make some. I’m going to take your picture -and give it to the newspapers.”</p> -<p>“Oh, I see!” Plainly, Amy was disappointed. -“Do you really think it’s any use, Linda? If there -were anybody to claim me, wouldn’t they have -come three days ago?”</p> -<p>“I don’t know—not necessarily. Suppose they -didn’t read the newspapers?”</p> -<p>“If they didn’t then, why should they now?” -asked Amy, with keen logic.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_48">48</div> -<p>“Well, their friends might tell them. Besides, -only our pictures—Dot’s and mine—were in before, -and now we’re putting in yours. And we’re -having it announced over the radio.”</p> -<p>“What is a radio?” inquired Amy.</p> -<p>“Come inside and I’ll show you. But wait, first -let me get these snapshots of you. Stand over -there, and look pretty!”</p> -<p>The girl smiled and did as she was told. To her -knowledge she had never seen a picture taken before.</p> -<p>“It’s funny,” remarked Linda, as she took out -her roll of films from the camera, “that you remember -how to read. You didn’t have any trouble -understanding that story, did you?”</p> -<p>“Some,” confessed the girl. “There were lots -of things I hadn’t heard of. But I don’t think it’s -my memory, Linda—I think I just never did hear -of those things.”</p> -<p>“You must have lived in the country,” concluded -the other. “Somewhere around where we -picked you up. I think maybe the best idea of all -would be to try to fly back to that spot, and hunt -for a house. We’ll do that next week, if Aunt Emily -is willing.”</p> -<p>“Next week! Linda, I feel as if I had no right -to stay on and on here——”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_49">49</div> -<p>“Of course, you have. And you’re going to have -a wonderful time to-day. Aunt Emily is taking you -into town to buy you some clothes.”</p> -<p>“But I can’t pay for them!”</p> -<p>“You’re not supposed to. They’re presents. Like -Christmas presents. You’ve heard of them, I suppose?”</p> -<p>“Yes! Yes!” cried Amy, excitedly. “You hang -up your stocking—and—and—sometimes there are -cookies——”</p> -<p>Linda’s eyes shone.</p> -<p>“You have a memory, Amy! You have! Think -some more!”</p> -<p>“I can’t,” sighed the girl. “That’s all.”</p> -<p>“But something did come back! Run along and -get ready now, for Aunt Emily’s waiting—and I -must answer that telephone.”</p> -<p>The caller proved to be Harriman Smith, and -Linda immediately told him of her plans for the -day, inviting him to go with her to Grand Rapids.</p> -<p>Harry replied that he could be at the bungalow -in five minutes, and he was punctual to the dot. -He did not tell Linda that the Hulberts’ cars -were both out, and that he had run the whole distance.</p> -<p>“I sure am a lucky guy,” he said to Linda, as -he got into the roadster beside her; “to get ahead -of Ralph Clavering like this.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_50">50</div> -<p>“Oh, Ralph’s busy planning the treasure hunt,” -she replied. “And that reminds me, Harry, if I -am allowed to take part in it, will you go as my -passenger?”</p> -<p>“I’d be thrilled!” he cried enthusiastically. -“But why do you say ‘if,’ Linda? Surely after you -flew the Atlantic Ocean alone, your Aunt Emily -couldn’t object to a trifle like a treasure hunt?”</p> -<p>“I know; it doesn’t seem logical. But don’t forget -that I flew to Paris before I had all those disasters -in the Okefenokee. She’s more timid than -ever now. And besides, I guess she doesn’t like the -idea of the hunt—all those planes going to the -same place, with the danger of collisions. And -some of the flyers are only beginners.”</p> -<p>“Who are planning to enter?”</p> -<p>“I haven’t heard definitely. But, of course, -Ralph and Dot and I will all enter. And there are -Tom Hulbert, and Madge Keen’s husband, and -Frank Lawlor. That’s six, at least. I don’t know -whether there’ll be any strangers or not. It’s just -a Green Falls affair, but I suppose anybody that -Mr. Clavering knew could get in all right. I’m going -to be dreadfully disappointed if I can’t enter.”</p> -<p>“You don’t really think there’s much chance?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_51">51</div> -<p>“I’ll tell you what I’m counting on, Harry; that -Daddy will come home, and he’ll tell Aunt Emily -to let me go. You know he’s the best sport that -ever was; he isn’t afraid of taking a few risks.”</p> -<p>“And he has a lot of confidence in your flying,” -added Harry. “That is the trouble with your aunt, -I believe. If she had ever gone up with you, and -had seen for herself what a marvelous pilot you -are, she’d feel differently.”</p> -<p>“Thanks, Harry,” said Linda, pleased at the -compliment, for when Harriman Smith said anything, -he meant it. He was not given to idle praise. -“I do so wish I could get her to go.”</p> -<p>There were so many things to talk about—Linda’s -summer adventure and her new autogiro; -Harry’s college course and the job he was holding -on the side, that they reached Grand Rapids before -they knew it. Harry insisted that they have -the pictures developed while they ate their lunch, -and wait until afterwards to visit the newspapers.</p> -<p>It was with great difficulty that Linda convinced -the city editors that they should publish Amy’s -pictures instead of her own. But at last she succeeded, -and added a description of the man who -had been the cause of the accident. Harry visited -a broadcasting station at the same time, that the -news might be given out over the radio. By three -o’clock they were ready to start back to Green -Falls.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_52">52</div> -<p>Not satisfied with merely the day with Linda, -Harry tried to date her for the evening.</p> -<p>“Will you go to the tennis matches with me -after dinner?” he asked. “At the Club, I mean. -You’re not in them by any chance?”</p> -<p>“Oh, no, I’m not nearly good enough. I was -beaten early in the tournament. But Dot Crowley’s -in the finals, and so is Jim Valier.”</p> -<p>“They always were good. Well, how about it, -Linda? I’ll get a taxi, if Tom doesn’t offer me his -car. They’ll probably go over in Kit’s.”</p> -<p>“Thank you, Harry, but I think I better not -make any plans until I see what Aunt Emily and -Amy are doing. I left them last night—and I want -to be with them to-night. So you go with Tom and -Kit, and if I can, I’ll see you there.”</p> -<p>“And promise me at least two dances?”</p> -<p>“Oh, certainly,” she agreed.</p> -<p>Fifteen minutes later she parked her car in the -garage behind the bungalow, and ran in to see -what success Amy and her aunt had had. The girl -was dressed in everything new from head to foot; -her hair, too, had been cut and waved becomingly. -She was dancing around the living room in excited -happiness. All her cares were forgotten for -the time being, in the joy her new clothing afforded -her.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_53">53</div> -<p>“Don’t I look wonderful, Linda?” she cried. -“Like a different girl? Miss Carlton has been a -real fairy godmother!”</p> -<p>“You certainly do, Amy! Oh, Aunt Emily always -knows just the right things to buy!”</p> -<p>The young girl’s eyes suddenly grew wistful, -and she frowned. “I think, Linda, that I must have -been very poor, because I am sure I never had -clothes like this before.”</p> -<p>“Your clothes were different, dear,” Linda admitted. -“But you may not have been poor. Perhaps -it was only because you lived far out in the -country—away from the stores. And maybe your -mother didn’t know how to sew, or was an invalid——”</p> -<p>“I don’t believe I have a mother,” replied -Amy. “You couldn’t forget a mother—like—like -your Aunt Emily. No, I feel sure my mother is -dead.”</p> -<p>“Well, we’ll soon solve it all,” Linda reassured -her, and proceeded to recount to her what she and -Harry had accomplished that afternoon.</p> -<p>“Would you like to go to the Club to the tennis -matches after dinner, Amy?” she asked.</p> -<p>“What kind of matches?” The girl looked inquiringly -at an ash tray on the table.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_54">54</div> -<p>“Not that kind of matches!” laughed Linda, following -her gaze. “You know what tennis is, don’t -you?”</p> -<p>Amy shook her head, and Linda explained as -best she could.</p> -<p>But though the girl knew nothing about the -game, she was eager to go to the Club, so that she -could display her new clothing. Miss Carlton arranged -for an early dinner, and they all decided -to drive over in Linda’s roadster.</p> -<p>Green Falls was a small resort, and Linda and -her aunt knew practically everyone there. As they -seated themselves on the wide veranda which overlooked -the tournament court, they nodded and -smiled to the other spectators on all sides. Dot -Crowley came out of the Clubhouse, and stopped -to ask Linda to wish her luck, for she was playing -against Sarah Wheeler in the girls’ finals.</p> -<p>As she left them to take her place on the court, -Lt. Hulbert came over to the Carltons, bringing a -stranger with him. The visitor was an exceedingly -attractive man of perhaps thirty-five, perfectly -dressed, obviously a person of wealth and distinction. -Linda thought he might be an ambassador, -or perhaps a doctor or lawyer.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_55">55</div> -<p>“Linda,” said Tom Hulbert, “I want to present -a gentleman who is very anxious to meet you, -who has heard of your wonderful exploits, and -who is something of a flyer himself. Miss Carlton, -let me introduce Lord Dudley, of England.”</p> -<p>Linda blushingly held out her hand, and Tom -proceeded to introduce the titled foreigner to Miss -Carlton. Not knowing Amy, he did not include her, -but he noticed that the man was looking at her.</p> -<p>“I hear your praises sung wherever I go, Miss -Carlton,” Lord Dudley said, with an engaging -smile. “Not only in your own country, but in England, -France,—even Germany. You are a very -famous person.”</p> -<p>“It is very kind of you to say that,” replied -Linda, embarrassed as usual at the praise. “But -tell me about your own flying. Have you your -plane here?”</p> -<p>“No, it’s being repaired—I left it in England. -I drove up here in a hired motor.”</p> -<p>“It’s too bad you haven’t your plane,” said -Linda. “For we are to have a treasure hunt by -airplane on Saturday.” She glanced shyly at her -aunt, who was frowning. “But you can use one of -Mr. Clavering’s——”</p> -<p>The tennis matches were to begin immediately, -for Dot and Sarah were shaking hands with formality, -and the umpire was mounting his stand. So -Tom drew his friend away to the seats which -Kitty was saving for them.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_56">56</div> -<p>“I’ve seen that man before!” cried Amy, excitedly.</p> -<p>“Where? When?” demanded Linda, hopefully. -Was another memory coming back?</p> -<p>“I don’t know.”</p> -<p>“But if he had known you, he would have said -something,” remarked Miss Carlton. “I was going -to introduce you, dear, but I didn’t get a -chance.”</p> -<p>“Oh, that’s all right!”</p> -<p>“He looks like Ronald Colman,” remarked -Linda, after some thought. “Yes, that’s it. You’ve -seen him in the movies, Amy.”</p> -<p>“What are movies?” asked the girl, to Linda’s -and Miss Carlton’s amazement.</p> -<p>There was no time to explain, for the tennis -match had begun, and Linda was anxious not to -miss a single play. But all the while she was thinking -of the titled Englishman whom she had just -met; later in the evening, when the dancing began, -she unconsciously searched the room for him. But -he had evidently left early, for she did not see him -again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_57">57</div> -<h2 id="c5"><span class="h2line1">Chapter V</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">A Flying Engagement</span></h2> -<p>At seven o’clock the following morning, just as -the cook was putting on her apron, the door bell -of the Carltons’ bungalow rang sharply.</p> -<p>“Beggar probably wants his breakfast,” the -woman muttered, as she slowly went to the door. -But there were few beggars at Green Falls, and -they always came to the back door.</p> -<p>A blond, freckle-faced young man, without any -hat, stood on the porch, grinning shyly. At the gate -was the most dilapidated-looking Ford she had -ever seen.</p> -<p>“Good morning,” he said, briskly, and the cook -would never have suspected from his bright, -cheery tone that he had been driving all night. -“I’m a reporter from the Grand Rapids <i>Star</i>, -and I want to see Miss Linda Carlton just as soon -as possible.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_58">58</div> -<p>“Miss Linda ain’t seein’ no more reporters,” -replied the woman, flatly. “She seen enough a -couple of weeks ago to last her the rest of her -life.”</p> -<p>“But I want to help her,” insisted the young -man. “Help her find the lost child’s parents.”</p> -<p>“Oh! That’s different. Come along in, and give -me your card.”</p> -<p>Smiling happily at his success, the young man -entered the living room.</p> -<p>“Had your breakfast?”</p> -<p>“Why—er—I had some coffee in a thermos -bottle.”</p> -<p>“You could eat some?”</p> -<p>“I’ll say I could!”</p> -<p>“All right. Set down there and read the paper -while I fix some. I don’t want to wake Miss Linda -jest yet.”</p> -<p>The cook kept him waiting an hour, but she rewarded -him with such a breakfast as he could not -have bought at the best hotel. The choicest honeydew -melon, griddle cakes, home-cooked ham, -coffee, and even fried potatoes. It made the -young man think of the meals his mother cooked -on the farm.</p> -<p>Just as he was finishing his second cup of -coffee, Miss Carlton appeared, followed immediately -by Linda and Amy.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_59">59</div> -<p>The boy stood up and flushed a vivid red in a -vain effort to murmur apologies and explanations. -It was plain to be seen that he was from the country, -and that this was his first newspaper job.</p> -<p>“My name’s Michael O’Malley,” he finally said, -producing a card from his pocket. “And the paper -is going to give me a tryout on this story; I can -stay as long as I like, provided I get something interesting.” -He was talking very fast now, almost -as if he were afraid to stop, lest Miss Carlton put -him out. “You see, I’m crazy about detective -stories, and this seems like a chance to do some -real sleuthin’. If we can only find the young lady’s -family, and run down that guy that ran her -down!”</p> -<p>Linda smiled. She couldn’t help liking the boy; -he was so sincere, so earnest, so eager to please.</p> -<p>“Sit down again, Mr. O’Malley,” she said; -“while we eat our breakfast, we’ll talk it over.”</p> -<p>“Thank you, Miss Carlton,” he breathed, reverently. -He treated Linda as if she were some sort -of goddess.</p> -<p>“And have some more griddle cakes,” urged -Miss Carlton, hospitably. She, too, liked the boy.</p> -<p>He grinned.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_60">60</div> -<p>“You know, they taste exactly like my mother’s!” -he exclaimed. “I never found anybody who -could make ’em like this except her. We lived on a -farm, you see—and there were five boys. And -maybe my mother couldn’t cook!”</p> -<p>“Now,” continued Linda, after her aunt had -seen to the boy’s wants, “there really isn’t a whole -lot to do. I’m sure we’ll get a phone call from -Amy’s parents to-day, for they’ll be crazy to get -her back, and must be watching the papers. The -only ‘detective’ part of the story is to find that -man. After all, it probably was only an accident, -but still, he ought to be punished.”</p> -<p>“What did he look like?”</p> -<p>“Well, you see we were up in the air, and -couldn’t get a very good look at him. But he wore -no hat, and he had an immense amount of gray -hair—and, I think, whiskers. I know it seems -funny that a man his age should be driving so -fast.”</p> -<p>“What kind of car was it?” demanded the reporter.</p> -<p>“Gray—and open. But I couldn’t tell you the -make, or anything more in description. It all happened -so quickly, and it shot away before we could -really see it.”</p> -<p>“You didn’t even get the state or the license -number?”</p> -<p>“No, of course not.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_61">61</div> -<p>Mr. O’Malley sighed.</p> -<p>“Looks pretty hopeless. But do you mind if I -stick around here to-day till Miss Amy’s parents -show up? I’d like to be on tap with that much of -the story.”</p> -<p>“We’ll be glad to have you,” replied Miss -Carlton, hospitably. “Stay until to-morrow if you -like, Mr. O’Malley, as our guest.”</p> -<p>“Oh, thank you, Miss Carlton!” he answered -gratefully. “It—you—make me feel so at home, -and I’ve been kinda homesick in Grand Rapids. -And—would you call me ‘Mike,’ please?”</p> -<p>“Certainly, Mike,” agreed his hostess.</p> -<p>“And I’ll see that you get the story of our -treasure hunt for your paper,” added Linda, generously. -“A treasure hunt by airplane.”</p> -<p>“Gee Whitakers!” cried the boy, enthusiastically. -“That is something new!”</p> -<p>Miss Carlton frowned, but said nothing. Amy, -too, was silent. She could not be hopeful like the -others of hearing from her parents, for she felt -sure that there were no parents to hear from.</p> -<p>The telephone rang, and Linda jumped up -eagerly, hoping that it meant good news for Amy. -To her amazement she heard the fascinating voice -of Lord Dudley at the other end of the wire.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_62">62</div> -<p>“Good morning, Great Aviatrix!” he said. -“This is one of your many admirers—Claude Dudley.”</p> -<p>Linda flushed; this was going to be more exciting -than news of Amy’s family.</p> -<p>“Good morning, Lord Dudley,” she replied.</p> -<p>“I am going to ask you a big favor, Miss Carlton,” -he said. “I have to get back to Chicago to-day, -and I was wondering whether you would take -me across Lake Michigan in your autogiro. We -could lunch at the Lakeside Inn—a place that I -know to be particularly charming.”</p> -<p>Linda’s heart beat rapidly; no young man had -ever been able to thrill her like this before. How -flattered she was to have him call upon her!</p> -<p>“I’d love to, Lord Dudley,” she replied, slowly. -“But you must wait until I ask my aunt’s permission.”</p> -<p>“Well! Well!” he exclaimed, in amazement. “I -didn’t know modern girls did that any more!”</p> -<p>Linda laughed.</p> -<p>“This girl does. Will you hold the wire, Lord -Dudley?”</p> -<p>“Certainly, Miss Carlton. Your favor is well -worth waiting for.”</p> -<p>Linda put down the telephone and turned to her -aunt, repeating the conversation.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_63">63</div> -<p>“We don’t know anything about him,” remarked -the older woman. “But he seemed like a -gentleman. And Tom Hulbert introduced him, so -I guess he is all right. If your autogiro is in perfect -condition, I suppose I am willing.”</p> -<p>Linda turned to her young guest.</p> -<p>“Do you mind if I go off, Amy?” she inquired.</p> -<p>“Not a bit, Linda. I want you to have a good -time.”</p> -<p>So Linda returned to the telephone and promised -to be ready at half-past eleven.</p> -<p>She would not admit to herself how thrilled she -was, but she selected her prettiest dress, and was -ready for Lord Dudley some minutes before his -taxi arrived. She ran out on the porch to meet him.</p> -<p>“We must keep the cab,” she said, as she shook -hands with him, and noticed that he was even -better looking than she had thought, “in order to -get to the airport.”</p> -<p>“Right,” he agreed, giving the necessary directions -to the driver.</p> -<p>“Now you must tell me all about yourself, Miss -Carlton,” he said, as he seated himself beside her -in the cab. “I mean the things that haven’t been -in the papers.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_64">64</div> -<p>“There really isn’t anything to tell,” replied -Linda, modestly. “I’m just an ordinary girl, with -a high-school education and a year at a ground -school, where I earned my transport pilot’s license. -The only thrilling thing about me is my -‘Ladybug’—that’s the name of my autogiro.”</p> -<p>“I know something more thrilling than any of -those things,” he said, with his engaging smile. -“Something the newspapers have never been able -to describe— Your flawless beauty!”</p> -<p>Linda flushed to the lobes of her ears at the -compliment; it didn’t seem possible that a young -man like this, who had been everywhere and met -thousands of beautiful girls, could find her so attractive. -Yet there was a note of sincerity in his -low, deep voice that prevented any doubt.</p> -<p>“I wish you would tell me about yourself, instead,” -she urged, anxious to change the subject. -“About your family in England, and how you happened -to come to America.”</p> -<p>“There isn’t much to tell about that, either,” he -replied. “There is an old castle at home, but I’m -afraid it wouldn’t interest you. It’s so run down. -It needs lots of money spent on it. My father is an -old man, and it has been the dream of his life to -see the castle in good order again, with the gardens -well kept, as they were in years gone by. So -I have come to America to try to make some -money.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_65">65</div> -<p>The smile which was usually on Lord Dudley’s -lips had vanished, and his eyes grew wistful. What -a wonderful man he was, Linda thought, to put -his father’s wishes above everything else!</p> -<p>“Here is the airport, Lord Dudley,” she announced. -“We’ll have to postpone our conversation -until we get to the tea room. You can’t talk -in an autogiro.”</p> -<p>“No; I realize that. But how interesting it will -be. I have heard of Cierva, the inventor, in England, -and I even saw him once on one of my trips -to Spain, but I have never flown in an autogiro.”</p> -<p>“You’ll get the thrill of your life!” Linda promised.</p> -<p>“I got the thrill of my life last night,” he said, -and Linda could not help knowing that he was referring -to his meeting her.</p> -<p>She gave the “Ladybug” a hasty inspection, although -the head mechanic at the airport assured -her that it was in perfect condition. Lord Dudley -shouted his admiration of its quick take-off into -the air, and settled himself comfortably for the -beautiful flight over the lake. Linda, too, found the -trip delightful; in the dreamy mood that she was -experiencing, she was almost glad that they could -not talk. Was it possible, she wondered, that at last -she had fallen in love?</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_66">66</div> -<p>As Lord Dudley had promised, the Inn was -charming, and the luncheon excellent. Linda was -sorry when it was over, for it meant parting from -her fascinating companion.</p> -<p>“I can never thank you enough, Miss Carlton,” -he said in a low tone, as he took her hand into -both of his for a moment. “And—may I come -back again?”</p> -<p>“Oh, yes, indeed!” she answered, with eagerness.</p> -<p>“When I do come back, I—I—will just have to -ask you something—Linda, my dear. I know I -shouldn’t—I am a poor man—but—” He hesitated, -and leaning over, pressed a kiss on her hand. -Then, without another word, he put her into her -autogiro.</p> -<p>Her heart in a turmoil, Linda mechanically -started her motor and flew away. Lord Dudley’s -meaning was clear, but what was the answer? -Could she possibly decide so quickly whether she -loved him or not, whether she was ready to give -up everyone else for his sake, even her own country, -to cast her lot with his? It was too much to -think about; she was thankful when she reached -home to be able to put the question aside in favor -of Amy’s problems.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_67">67</div> -<p>She ran up the steps hopefully, wondering -whether there was any news, and she found Amy -and Mike in their bathing suits and rain coats, all -ready for a swim.</p> -<p>“Haven’t you heard anything?” she demanded -eagerly. “No phone calls?”</p> -<p>“Only from other reporters,” sighed Mike, and -Amy suddenly burst out crying.</p> -<p>“I must be an orphan,” she sobbed. “That is -why you and Miss Emily seem so wonderful to -me, Linda. I am sure that I never knew anybody -like you in my past life.”</p> -<p>“Don’t give up yet, dear. If you had been in -an orphan asylum, the authorities would have -claimed you long ago. Maybe your family is poor, -and can’t get the money immediately. Please don’t -cry—you don’t have to make a pool of tears like -Alice in Wonderland to swim in. There’s a marvelous -lake this side of the falls!”</p> -<p>“Alice in Wonderland!” repeated Amy, slowly. -“I’ve heard of her.”</p> -<p>“Of course you have. I’ll hunt up a copy of the -book, and see what it recalls to you. Now if you -wait five minutes for me, I’ll get into my bathing -suit and go along with you!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_68">68</div> -<p>Fifteen minutes later the three young people -parked the roadster at the shore of the lake, and -joined the others in bathing. Linda introduced -both Mike and Amy to everybody, so that the -strangers felt quite at home.</p> -<p>Ralph Clavering immediately took possession -of Linda.</p> -<p>“Where were you to-day?” he demanded. “I -expected you to play tennis with me.”</p> -<p>“I thought you were angry at me, Ralph,” she -returned, demurely.</p> -<p>“I was, but the worst part of it all is, I can -never stay angry. Are you going to enter the -treasure hunt?”</p> -<p>“I sort of hope so. Aunt Emily hasn’t said anything -against it lately, and I was flying to-day.”</p> -<p>“Flying! Where?”</p> -<p>“Across Lake Michigan.”</p> -<p>“Alone?” This jealous young man always felt -that he had a right to know of all Linda’s engagements.</p> -<p>“No; I took Lord Dudley across.” She tried to -keep her tone matter-of-fact.</p> -<p>“How you girls fall for titles!” he almost -sneered. “I don’t like the man.”</p> -<p>“Men never do admire handsome men,” Linda -answered, slyly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_69">69</div> -<p>“If you call him handsome!— Well, you have -to give us to-morrow. Kit’s expecting you to -lunch.”</p> -<p>“O.K.,” agreed the girl, disappearing with a -swan dive into the lake.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_70">70</div> -<h2 id="c6"><span class="h2line1">Chapter VI</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">The Telegram</span></h2> -<p>“I hear you have made a new conquest, Linda!”</p> -<p>Tiny Kitty Hulbert, Ralph Clavering’s married -sister, sat on the edge of the diving board the following -morning and talked to Linda, who was -watching the newspaper reporter, Mike O’Malley, -trying to teach Amy to swim. But the young girl -was terribly frightened, and was not making -progress.</p> -<p>Linda blushed and smiled.</p> -<p>“I wouldn’t say that, exactly——”</p> -<p>“But it’s true,” said Kitty. “I never saw anybody -more thrilled than Lord Dudley. He thinks -you’re just about perfect.”</p> -<p>“When did you see him?” asked Linda, trying -to keep her voice calm. This was Wednesday, the -day after her flight across the lake, and incidentally -the last day for the contestants to register -for the treasure hunt.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_71">71</div> -<p>“Oh, we haven’t seen him since you did yesterday,” -returned Kitty. “But I heard about the -flight before he left, and he seemed awfully excited. -Just like a kid of sixteen, in love for the -first time.”</p> -<p>Linda blushed; so other people had noticed it, -too! She wondered if it would be the talk of Green -Falls.</p> -<p>“Have you known him long, Kit?” she inquired.</p> -<p>“No. One of Tom’s friends—John Kuhns—met -him in a railroad station, just after he had landed -from England, and he seemed so sort of lost and -lonely that he entertained him. His family liked -him so much that they invited him to their summer -place, and then suddenly changed their plans -and went abroad instead. So John asked Tom to -look out for him, and that is how we happen to be -entertaining him at Green Falls. I was kind of -scared at the idea of royalty, but he seems just -like anybody else.”</p> -<p>“I wonder how old he is,” mused Linda, more -to herself than to Kitty.</p> -<p>“Too old for you, dear,” replied Kitty. She -knew how much Ralph cared for Linda, and she -hated to see him suddenly cut out by a foreigner -with a title, charming as Lord Dudley was. -“You’re not serious about him are you, Linda?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_72">72</div> -<p>“Oh, I like him,” replied the other. “I guess -all the girls do— By the way, Ralph invited me to -your house to lunch to-day. Is that right?”</p> -<p>“Yes indeed, I’m expecting you. And you know -it’s the last chance to register for the hunt. You’re -entering, aren’t you?”</p> -<p>“I hope to. I’m going to pin Aunt Emily to a -definite answer before I come over to-day. I must -go in now, Kitty, for I see that Amy is tired of -swimming. She’ll want to go home in a minute.”</p> -<p>“Haven’t her parents turned up yet?”</p> -<p>“No, they hadn’t when we left.”</p> -<p>“It seems queer.”</p> -<p>“Yes, it does. I’m really worried about her now. -If she could only remember!”</p> -<p>“Well, as long as your Aunt Emily is taking -care of her, she’ll be all right. Now go along—get -your swim, and I’ll see you at one o’clock.”</p> -<p>Linda dived into the water, but she did not swim -long. Amy was standing still, up to her neck, -clinging nervously to Mike’s hands. Though the -sun and the air were warm, she seemed to be shaking -all over.</p> -<p>“Miss Amy’s scared to death,” announced -Mike. “She acts like a person who has never gotten -over a drowning scare.” He turned to the girl. -“Have you ever been drowned, Miss Amy?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_73">73</div> -<p>The girl burst out laughing at the absurdity of -the question, and seemed her normal self again. -But she was glad that Linda suggested that they -all go home.</p> -<p>They entered the house with the usual hope, a -hope which was gradually dying now, of hearing -from Amy’s family. But Miss Carlton had to tell -them again that no one except her own friends -had telephoned. Linda hurried off to dress for the -luncheon at Kit’s.</p> -<p>“Where are you going, dear?” Miss Carlton -asked her, half an hour later, when her niece appeared -in a new dress, a flowered chiffon, which -she would hardly have worn for lunch at home by -themselves.</p> -<p>“I’m going to Kitty’s, Aunt Emily. To help -plan for the treasure hunt. You—you don’t mind -if I take part in it, do you? I have to let them know -to-day.”</p> -<p>Miss Carlton sighed.</p> -<p>“I suppose it would be unreasonable to try to -keep you out,” she admitted. “But I am so afraid -of crashes with other planes. It is just like driving -a car—much safer where there is no other traffic, -for you never can tell what the other people will -do.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_74">74</div> -<p>“I know. But I’ll be careful, Aunt Emily. And -Ralph and Kitty are so anxious for me to go into -it.”</p> -<p>Miss Carlton weakened; as usual the mention of -the Claverings had a softening effect upon her. -She liked Linda to be with them, to take part in -the social affairs of her young friends.</p> -<p>“All right, dear. I agree, though I really don’t -approve.”</p> -<p>Linda kissed her.</p> -<p>“But you never do approve, even if I only go -up in the air for half an hour,” she teased.</p> -<p>“I thought I was growing used to it, till those -awful things happened to you in the Okefenokee -Swamp.”</p> -<p>“But it was thieves, not airplanes, that caused -all the trouble. It might have happened if I had -been riding horseback.”</p> -<p>“True. Have your own way, dear.” But Linda -could tell by her voice that she wasn’t angry.</p> -<p>Ten minutes later Linda parked her roadster in -front of Kit’s bungalow and ran up the porch with -the good news. Kit and Dot, Ralph and Mr. -Clavering were all sitting on the big couch hammock, -poring over a map.</p> -<p>“We have to fly over Lake Michigan!” announced -Dot, proudly. “Isn’t that marvelous?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_75">75</div> -<p>“Perfect,” agreed Linda, glad that this hunt -was not to be a “play” flight of a few miles or so. -A hundred miles as a beginning—that ought to be -thrilling.</p> -<p>“The first landing is to be the Milwaukee airport,” -said Mr. Clavering. “That is all I am going -to tell you. The seven planes are to leave Green -Falls at ten o’clock Saturday morning.”</p> -<p>“Seven?” repeated Linda. “Who are the -seven?”</p> -<p>Fumbling in his pocket, Ralph produced a typewritten -list. He read it aloud.</p> -<p>“1. Tom and Kitty Hulbert.</p> -<p>2. Dot Crowley and Jim Valier——”</p> -<p>“So you’re taking Jim after all!” interrupted -Kit. “I thought you said he was too lazy.”</p> -<p>Dot smiled.</p> -<p>“I guess I was only teasing,” she admitted.</p> -<p>“To continue,” said Ralph.</p> -<p>“3. Bert and Madge Keen.</p> -<p>4. Frank Lawlor and Sue Emery.</p> -<p>5. Joe Elliston and Sarah Wheeler——”</p> -<p>“Joe Elliston!” cried Linda. “Since when has -he become a flyer?”</p> -<p>“He just received his private pilot’s license last -week,” explained Ralph. “He hasn’t a plane of his -own, but Dad’s renting one for him.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_76">76</div> -<p>“I guess I’m taking a chance,” remarked Mr. -Clavering. “But the plane’s insured.”</p> -<p>“And you and I are the sixth and seventh, -Linda,” concluded Ralph. “May I ask who your -passenger is to be?”</p> -<p>“If you tell me who yours is,” she countered.</p> -<p>“I am going alone.”</p> -<p>“Oh, I see. Well, I’m taking Harry.”</p> -<p>“Not Lord Dudley?” inquired the young man, -with a gleam of jealousy.</p> -<p>“Oh, no. I promised Harry.”</p> -<p>“Lord Dudley thinks he’s going with you,” remarked -Kitty. “He expects to be back.”</p> -<p>“Then why doesn’t he take a plane and enter,” -sneered Ralph. “I’ll bet he’s not so much of a -flyer as he makes out to be.”</p> -<p>“How you love him!” remarked Kitty, rising -to greet Madge Keen, who was the last of her -guests to arrive.</p> -<p>“Now come to luncheon,” added the young -hostess, with a nod to the maid who was waiting -for the signal. “You must all be starved after -your swims.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_77">77</div> -<p>A simple affair like this was always a party at -Kitty Hulbert’s, for the young matron had such -beautiful things, such lovely flowers, such trained -servants that she enjoyed displaying them. The -table was arranged as elaborately as if a banquet -were being served.</p> -<p>As usual, Linda found herself seated next to -Ralph, and she began to talk to him immediately, -to take his mind away from the subject of Lord -Dudley.</p> -<p>“Has your autogiro come yet?” she inquired.</p> -<p>“No, but it’ll be here to-morrow. Want to go up -on a test flight with me, Linda?”</p> -<p>“Of course I do!” she replied eagerly. “I think -it’s wonderful that you’re getting it, before you -even graduated from college.”</p> -<p>“Now Linda, don’t rub it in,” replied the young -man. Although he should have completed his -course at Harvard the preceding June, there had -been a condition in mathematics, which kept him -from getting his degree. His father had wanted -him to go to summer school, but with his usual -lazy attitude towards life, Ralph had refused. He -was just as well satisfied that he did have to return -in the fall; it would be more fun to hang -around college than to buckle down to his father’s -business.</p> -<p>“I didn’t want to be mean,” apologized Linda. -“Only you know you weren’t supposed to get a -plane of your own till you graduated.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_78">78</div> -<p>She stopped talking; Kitty was taking a telegram -from the maid, and glancing at Linda. What -was it? For her? News of Amy—or a message -from her father?</p> -<p>“This is for you, Linda,” said her hostess. “I -do hope it isn’t bad news.”</p> -<p>“Maybe it’s something about Amy,” she said -expectantly, and all eyes were on her as she slit -open the envelope.</p> -<p>But as she read the message, a vivid blush -spread over her face, and she felt as if the others -about the table must know what it contained.</p> -<p>“Am returning to-night with Tom for my -answer. Love. Claude.”</p> -<p>“Why Linda! What’s happened?” demanded -Dot, in surprise.</p> -<p>“Nothing, nothing,” she murmured, in confusion. -“Nothing’s wrong. It’s—just a personal -message.”</p> -<p>“Not about Amy?”</p> -<p>“No.”</p> -<p>There was an embarrassed silence, and Kitty -came to the rescue by leading the conversation -back to the subject of the treasure hunt.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_79">79</div> -<p>“I’m allowed to tell you this much about it,” -she added. “Everybody flies to Lake Winnebago -after the hunt for a big celebration. Dad’s rented -an entire Inn for the week-end, and all our -parents are invited to be chaperons.”</p> -<p>“And will the prize be awarded then?” asked -Dot, more to keep the conversation away from -Linda than because she wanted to know.</p> -<p>“No. The lucky pilot finds the prize for himself—after -following the directions he receives.”</p> -<p>“You better say ‘she,’” remarked Ralph, “for -I think it’s a great deal more likely that Linda or -Dot will get it, than any of us fellows.”</p> -<p>Linda forced a smile, but her mind was not on -the conversation. Even the treasure hunt had lost -its interest; she longed to get home, where she -could be alone to think things out.</p> -<p>The party broke up at last, and she managed to -get away without even an explanation to Dot of -the mysterious contents of the telegram.</p> -<p>She paused in the living room of her own bungalow -only long enough to give Mike O’Malley the -facts and the names of the contestants in the -hunt, for the young man was returning to Grand -Rapids. With a sigh of relief, she rushed up to -her own room, and locked the door, there to try -to come to some decision.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_80">80</div> -<p>But the conclusion she came to was not at all to -Lord Dudley’s liking, as he learned to his dismay -after supper, when he came over to take her -canoeing.</p> -<p>“My plan is this, Linda dear,” he said, as they -pushed off from the shore: “Take me as your -passenger in the hunt on Saturday—win the prize, -as, of course, you will—and instead of returning, -simply elope in the autogiro. We can wire your -aunt from the nearest city, wherever that happens -to be, when we are married. Doesn’t the romance -of that appeal to you?” he asked, rapturously.</p> -<p>Linda slowly shook her head.</p> -<p>“I couldn’t, Lord Dudley——” she began.</p> -<p>“Please call me ‘Claude!’” he pleaded.</p> -<p>She smiled.</p> -<p>“Well, then—Claude—I couldn’t. First of all, -I’ve promised to take Harriman Smith on the -flight——”</p> -<p>“Shucks!” he interrupted, abandoning his usual -dignity.</p> -<p>“And besides, I couldn’t be so mean to Aunt -Emily. She would hate it—and she’d have a right -to. No, Claude, I’m not willing to marry you on so -short an acquaintance. A year from now—or possibly -six months—I don’t know.”</p> -<p>The man stopped paddling and regarded her -helplessly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_81">81</div> -<p>“It’s because I’ve told you I’m only a poor -man,” he said, thinking immediately that money -had something to do with her refusal. “And -you’re an heiress!”</p> -<p>Linda opened her eyes wide in amazement.</p> -<p>“What makes you think I’m an heiress, Lord -Dudley?” she asked, forgetting to use his first -name. “Really—we’re not rich.”</p> -<p>“But the newspapers said you were. And that -big prize you won, flying the Atlantic alone——”</p> -<p>The man’s surprise was evidently as great as -Linda’s.</p> -<p>“Yes, I have that—invested in bonds. But -$25,000 isn’t a fortune. And I haven’t anything -else, except the money I sold my Bellanca for, -which Daddy put into a trust fund for me, in case -his business fails. No, Lord Dudley, I really expect -to earn my own living.”</p> -<p>“I see,” he replied, and he could not keep the -bitter disappointment out of his tone. “That is -why we had better not risk it?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_82">82</div> -<p>He seemed content to leave it at that, and Linda -was silent. As a matter of fact, money had never -entered into her consideration of the marriage. -The idea of leaving her aunt, her friends—especially -Harry and Dot, and even Ralph—to go to a -strange country had been a much more vital drawback. -Charming as he was, Lord Dudley was only -a stranger.</p> -<p>“Let’s forget it, and talk about something -else,” she suggested, quietly. “Tell me why you -don’t go into the treasure hunt yourself. It’s going -to be lots of fun.”</p> -<p>“I’m too busy,” he replied irritably, as one -might speak to a child. “I have to get back to -Chicago early to-morrow morning.”</p> -<p>“In that case,” concluded Linda, “hadn’t we -better paddle back home now?”</p> -<p>Without any reply the Englishman turned the -canoe about and silently made for the shore. It -was only half-past nine when he left her at the -steps of her bungalow, refusing her invitation to -come in to see her Aunt Emily.</p> -<p>“And that is the end of him,” Linda thought -as she went quickly to bed, little imagining that -she would ever see him again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_83">83</div> -<h2 id="c7"><span class="h2line1">Chapter VII</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">The Widow in Black</span></h2> -<p>“Linda, it’s come! My autogiro!” shrieked -Ralph Clavering, bursting into the Carltons’ bungalow, -without even waiting to knock. “And I’ve -had her up already! The man gave me a lesson!”</p> -<p>Linda almost fell down the steps in her wild excitement -at this piece of news. Another autogiro -in Green Falls! Her “Ladybug’s” twin!</p> -<p>“Wonderful! Great!” she cried, seizing both his -hands and executing a dance. “In plenty of time -for the treasure hunt.”</p> -<p>“Yes. Don’t forget that you promised to go up -with me this afternoon!”</p> -<p>“Try and keep me out!” she replied. “I just -can’t wait. I don’t even care about lunch, if you’ll -just give me time to get into my flying suit——”</p> -<p>“What’s this? What’s this?” demanded Miss -Emily Carlton, entering the living room with Amy -at her heels. “You’re not going to go without -your lunch, Linda!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_84">84</div> -<p>“Then may we have ours right away?” pleaded -her niece. “Ralph and I, I mean?”</p> -<p>“Yes, I suppose so. Only do be careful, Linda, -with a new plane. Are you quite sure all the parts -are there?”</p> -<p>Ralph smiled.</p> -<p>“The autogiro couldn’t have arrived safely, -Miss Carlton, if it hadn’t been perfect. You see -they don’t deliver planes in trucks—they fly ’em!”</p> -<p>“All right, then,” agreed the older woman, -grudgingly. “Then I’ll go and see about lunch.”</p> -<p>It was a thrilling afternoon for Linda, and even -more pleasant for Ralph, in the possession of his -first flying machine. Together they went over to -the airport and took the new autogiro into the -skies, first with Linda, then with Ralph at the controls. -In the joy of flying Linda forgot for the time -being all about the queer experience of the preceding -day with Lord Dudley. She was Linda Carlton -the aviatrix to-day, interested in nothing but aviation.</p> -<p>She even forgot about Amy until she returned -to the bungalow at supper-time, and found the -little girl waiting wistfully on the porch all alone. -Linda knew from her expression that no one had -telephoned.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_85">85</div> -<p>“Nobody cares about me except the newspaper -reporters,” she remarked the following day—the -Friday before the treasure hunt—when still nothing -had happened, and no one had come to claim -her. “And even they are beginning to lose -interest.”</p> -<p>“Not Mike O’Malley!” replied Linda, cheerfully. -“I had a letter from him to-day—he’s arriving -this morning. He expects to drive that -battered Ford of his over to Lake Winnebago, to -be in at the finish of the hunt.”</p> -<p>Amy sighed; she had not been included in the -plans for the event, although Miss Carlton had -been invited for the week-end at the Inn. The girl -would have to be left in care of Anna, Miss Carlton’s -competent cook.</p> -<p>“I wish Mike would stay here with me,” said -the girl. She didn’t add that she would be lonely; -it wouldn’t be grateful to these wonderful people -who were doing so much for her.</p> -<p>“Mike has work to do for his paper,” replied -Linda.</p> -<p>Scarcely had she finished the sentence when the -Ford stopped at the gate, and the young man, sunburned -and grinning, jumped out. He felt almost -as if he were coming home, to be back again at the -Carltons’.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_86">86</div> -<p>“Hello, everybody!” he cried merrily. “Here -I am—all ready for the big hunt!”</p> -<p>“It’s more than I am,” replied Linda. “I’ve got -to spend the whole day going over the ‘Ladybug.’ -But come on in, Mike—I’ll get you something to -eat. Of course, you’re hungry?”</p> -<p>“You said it!”</p> -<p>“And as soon as you finish eating, you better -take Amy swimming. Aunt Emily went shopping, -and I have to go to the airport, so I’ll be glad if -you can keep Amy from being lonely.”</p> -<p>“O.K. with me,” he agreed, following Linda -into the dining room. “By the way, Miss Carlton, -any change in plans, or contestants, for the treasure -hunt?”</p> -<p>“Not that I know of,” she replied, as she hunted -some buns and milk for the boy, who ate hungrily, -as usual.</p> -<p>Suddenly he stopped eating, and peering towards -the living room, listened intently.</p> -<p>“Do my ears deceive me, or is somebody snitching -my Lizzie?” He jumped up and ran to the -living-room window.</p> -<p>“No, I think that’s the station taxicab,” replied -Linda. “Its engine sounds like a boiler factory.”</p> -<p>“Almost as loud as an airplane’s!” teased Mike.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_87">87</div> -<p>“Who is it, Linda? Who is that getting out of -the cab?” demanded Amy holding the other girl’s -arm tensely. “Do you know her?”</p> -<p>“No,” replied Linda, as she watched a woman -in black who was coming up the porch steps. -“She’s a stranger to me—oh—maybe—Amy, do -you remember her?” She peered anxiously into the -younger girl’s face.</p> -<p>The latter shook her head sorrowfully.</p> -<p>“No, I don’t. Not a glimmer—not even a vague -memory, like I had when I saw that man at the -tennis matches.”</p> -<p>“What man?”</p> -<p>“Lord Somebody——”</p> -<p>“Oh! Lord Dudley. But you saw him afterwards. -He was here——”</p> -<p>“No, I never happened to be around. And I -couldn’t remember anything about him anyway. -But I feel positive I never saw this woman.”</p> -<p>The girls were standing close together, Amy -still clinging to Linda’s arm, when Mike opened -the screen door to the stranger’s knock.</p> -<p>The woman hesitated a moment, and stepped -inside, looking quickly about the room. With a -bright smile of recognition, she came over to -Amy.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_88">88</div> -<p>“Helen darling!” she exclaimed, pushing Linda -aside and kissing Amy gushingly. “Oh, I’m so -thankful to have you safe!”</p> -<p>Tears came to Amy’s eyes, but she could not -pretend that she remembered the woman.</p> -<p>“Who—are you?” she stammered.</p> -<p>The woman looked shocked.</p> -<p>“Helen! Can’t you remember me? I am your -Aunt Elsie—I’ve cared for you ever since your -mother died. Oh, surely, dear—” She looked helplessly -at Linda.</p> -<p>“Helen—we call her ‘Amy’—has lost her memory,” -explained the latter. “You see she was hit -on the back of the head by a car. But surely you -read about it in the papers?”</p> -<p>“Yes, yes. But I thought that she would recognize -me,” wailed the woman hysterically, wiping -tears from her eyes. “She disappeared about two -weeks ago—we live in a little town in Montana—and -I was almost crazy with fear. Then I read -about this girl being hit by something—it was an -airplane, wasn’t it?—and I came on to Grand -Rapids, and a newspaper man there showed me -the picture.”</p> -<p>Mike swelled with pride. That must have been -his newspaper!</p> -<p>“It was a car she was hit by,” corrected Linda. -“An airplane rescued her.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_89">89</div> -<p>“You don’t say!” exclaimed the woman. “I -heard it the other way about. Well, we’ll prove -that later. Now, come along, Helen.”</p> -<p>But anxious as the girl had been for people of -her own to claim her, now that this stranger had -done so, she was afraid to go. She did not like the -woman.</p> -<p>“What is my other name?” she questioned, -without making any move to obey her.</p> -<p>“Tower—Helen Tower. I am Mrs. Fishberry. -Can’t you possibly remember, dear?”</p> -<p>The girl shook her head.</p> -<p>“Couldn’t I stay here a little longer—Mrs. Fishberry?” -she asked.</p> -<p>“Certainly not.” The woman looked annoyed.</p> -<p>Amy clung to Linda, her whole frame shaking -violently.</p> -<p>“She must have been unkind to me before,” she -sobbed. “You know I felt that there was something -to be afraid of in my past life. Oh, Linda, -please keep me till that doctor who is treating me -can make me well! I’ll work and repay all you -do for me!”</p> -<p>“Of course, we’ll be glad to, Amy, dear,” replied -Linda, reassuringly. “Just so long as you’re -content to stay!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_90">90</div> -<p>“That is impossible,” interrupted Mrs. Fishberry. -“I cannot allow it for a minute, and will -bring legal proceedings if you try to steal this -child! Come, Helen—the taxi’s waited long -enough!”</p> -<p>Reluctantly Amy started to obey, when Mike -O’Malley stepped forward and held up his hand -like a traffic cop.</p> -<p>“Just a minute! Just a minute!” he said.</p> -<p>All eyes turned towards him instantly.</p> -<p>“You spoke of legal proceedings, Mrs. Fishmarket, -or whatever your name is—what legal -proofs have you that the girl belongs to you?”</p> -<p>The woman winced in surprise, and Amy and -Linda looked at Mike with admiration. How clever -of him to think of that!</p> -<p>The stranger drew herself up haughtily.</p> -<p>“I confess I did not bring legal proofs,” she -said. “I thought that after sacrificing the best -years of my life to bringing up Helen, that she -would know me, and want to come to me. But it -seems that I cannot expect love or gratitude.”</p> -<p>“Well, you can’t expect us to turn her over to a -person she dislikes, unless that person has a right -to her,” returned Linda.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_91">91</div> -<p>“Very well,” concluded the other. “I’ll go. -But I’ll be back with the proofs. And you are -going to be sorry for your insolence, Miss Linda -Carlton!”</p> -<p>With this final remark, she turned and left the -house.</p> -<p>“Whew!” exclaimed Mike, wiping his forehead. -“She’s a hot one. But I think there’s something -fishy about her, besides her name. I don’t believe -she’s your aunt at all, Helen.”</p> -<p>“Don’t call me that!” pleaded the girl. “That -name means nothing to me, and I am used to being -called ‘Amy’ now.”</p> -<p>“All right, dear,” agreed Linda. “Now don’t -think any more about it. You’ll be my adopted sister, -for as long as you like—” She turned to the -boy, “Mike, you are a bright man—I certainly am -thankful we had you here!”</p> -<p>The young man blushed vividly over his -freckles, and suggested that they go on with their -swim as they had planned.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_92">92</div> -<p>Drying her eyes, Amy ran off to get into her -suit, but Linda remained some minutes where she -was, thinking. It was queer—terribly queer. The -woman was so unlike Amy, so different a type, so -common—so really vulgar. Yet Amy was one of -the sweetest, most refined little girls Linda had -ever met; she might almost have been brought up -by her own Aunt Emily, from the training she -showed. Yet if the woman weren’t a relation what -could she possibly want with Amy? The child was -obviously poor; what could be the reason, unless -it were love?</p> -<p>Linda sighed; the problem was too much for her. -So, as she often did with other difficulties, she put -it aside while she flung herself wholeheartedly into -the inspection of her autogiro.</p> -<p>Dressed in overalls, and covered with grease, -but satisfied that her afternoon’s work had been -worthwhile, she returned to the house just in time -for supper. She parked her roadster in the garage -and dashed into the house, hoping to be able to -get to her own room to dress before anyone saw -her. But she was unsuccessful; Harriman Smith -was waiting for her in the living room.</p> -<p>“Hello, Harry!” she exclaimed, laughing. -“Don’t look at me! I’m a sight. But if you’ll just -give me fifteen minutes——”</p> -<p>“You look fine, Linda!” protested the boy, -thinking that her blue overalls were becoming -and that her hair was all the more attractive when -it blew around her face. “You see,” he continued, -talking rapidly, “I’m in a hurry. I’m here because -I have bad news—at least bad for me, though it -will be good news for some other lucky fellow. -I have to go back to work to-night, and that means -I can’t go in the treasure hunt with you to-morrow.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_93">93</div> -<p>“Oh, I’m so sorry, Harry!” she exclaimed, with -genuine regret.</p> -<p>“Another fellow in the company got sick, and so -they just had to recall me,” he explained. “I -shouldn’t have cared so much if it had happened -Monday, but I was looking forward to this affair -a great deal.”</p> -<p>“I’m awfully disappointed, too,” said Linda, -wondering whether she would go alone or ask -somebody else.</p> -<p>“Thanks, Linda—I really appreciate that. -When there is a whole stag line just dying for the -honor— But Linda, may I ask a favor?”</p> -<p>“Why, yes, certainly, Harry.”</p> -<p>“Don’t take Lord What’s-his-name in my place. -Anybody but him!”</p> -<p>“Why?” asked Linda in surprise, not that she -had the slightest idea of doing any such thing, -but because she wanted to know Harry’s reason. -Unlike Ralph Clavering, Harriman Smith never -stooped to petty jealousy.</p> -<p>“Well—I want to be fair, but—there’s something -slimy about that man.”</p> -<p>“What do you mean?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_94">94</div> -<p>“Oh, he’s too smooth. None of us fellows like -him. It’s not because he’s an Englishman—I’ve -known several of them, and thought them O.K., -but—well—he just doesn’t click with me. So will -you take somebody else?”</p> -<p>Linda smiled.</p> -<p>“I wouldn’t take Lord Dudley anyway, Harry, -because he has gone away,” she replied. “But I -really think you’re unfair about him. It’s because -he’s a lot older than all you boys that he seems -so different. He’s halfway between us and our -parents. That sort of makes him a different generation.”</p> -<p>“You do like him, don’t you, Linda?” persisted -the young man, keeping his eyes fastened on her, -fearing her answer.</p> -<p>Linda shrugged her shoulders.</p> -<p>“You needn’t worry, Harry,” she said. She was -silent a moment, thinking of something different. -“I know what I’ll do!” she cried. “I’ll take Amy -with me!”</p> -<p>“Amy!”</p> -<p>“Yes. The kid is crazy about planes. She’s -afraid of a lot of things, like the water, and the -dark, and a strange woman who came here to-day, -but she adores flying. And she hates to be left -alone.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_95">95</div> -<p>“Well, that’s O.K. with me!” exclaimed Harry, -with a sigh of relief. It was better than he had -expected. “Now I must say good-by, Linda. I -just have time to get supper and catch my train.”</p> -<p>Linda hurried into her bath as soon as the -young man left, and in half an hour she was ready -for supper, when she told Amy her good fortune -about being included in the hunt. The girl was so -delighted that she almost forgot the unpleasant -experience of the morning. But Miss Carlton, who -had listened gravely to the story when she returned -from her shopping trip, was worried.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_96">96</div> -<h2 id="c8"><span class="h2line1">Chapter VIII</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">Amy’s Relatives</span></h2> -<p>The day after Mrs. Fishberry’s visit to the -Carlton bungalow, the woman stepped off the train -at Chicago and took a taxicab to an apartment -house in the center of that city. Ringing the bell -three times, she was finally admitted by a man -about her own age.</p> -<p>“Hello, Ed,” was her greeting.</p> -<p>“Well, Elsie,” he said, questioningly, as she -drew off her gloves and seated herself in a large -leather chair. The apartment was obviously that -of a bachelor, furnished by the hotel, in a style -that one would expect to appeal to a man.</p> -<p>“Did you see the kid?” he asked, as he lighted -a cigarette.</p> -<p>“Yeah. But she didn’t like me. Claimed she -never saw me before, and that I’m not her real -aunt.”</p> -<p>“Well, of course, you aren’t,” he observed, in -a matter of fact tone.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_97">97</div> -<p>“No, but I will be soon—when you and I are -married. You’re surely her uncle, aren’t you?”</p> -<p>“Yeah. No doubt about that.”</p> -<p>“Well, then——”</p> -<p>“We won’t be married till we make sure we get -the money!” he announced, firmly.</p> -<p>The woman looked sulky.</p> -<p>“You’ve got the money, haven’t you?” she demanded. -“The girl’s father is dead, isn’t he?”</p> -<p>“Listen, Elsie,” he said, irritably. “I’ve told -you about this before, but you can’t seem to get -it through your thick head. There were two of -us boys, and the old man. My mother died young. -Well, I was supposed to be a ‘bad egg,’ but my -brother was everything my father admired. That’s -the kid’s father, you see. He married early, but -soon after the child was born he and his wife were -killed in an automobile accident. So, of course, -Dad—the kid’s grandfather—took her to raise.”</p> -<p>“But I’ve heard all that!” interrupted Mrs. -Fishberry.</p> -<p>“Sure you have. But you don’t understand -about the old man’s money. It seems he left a will -hidden in the house, and nobody could find it. And -I happen to know that he meant all his money to -go to the kid, and not a cent to me.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_98">98</div> -<p>He smiled, in a way that was always fascinating -to women, and Elsie Fishberry smiled, too. How -clever he was!</p> -<p>“Lucky thing for me,” he continued, “that the -will was lost! I might have had to work all these -years!”</p> -<p>“Well, you got the money!” she concluded, -happily. “So it beats me why you want more, -when the old man left a hundred thousand dollars!”</p> -<p>Ed frowned impatiently.</p> -<p>“I tell you I haven’t got it, Elsie! Why can’t -you believe me?”</p> -<p>“Then how is it that you live in luxury while -that kid and her nurse almost starved in that old -house?”</p> -<p>“Because a Trust Company still keeps charge -of the bonds. They won’t hand ’em over to me till -the girl dies, or till the old man’s will is found. -But they give me the income, and I’m supposed to -let the nurse have some of it to take care of the -kid.”</p> -<p>The woman laughed harshly.</p> -<p>“Did you ever give her a cent?”</p> -<p>“Yes. You’d be surprised. I visited the old place -two or three times and gave the woman five dollars. -Once the kid almost drowned in the Fox -River, when I was there.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_99">99</div> -<p>“I guess you didn’t do anything to save her!” -laughed Mrs. Fishberry.</p> -<p>“No, I can’t say that I did. It would have been -easier for me if she had died. But a couple of -boys happened along and fished her out.”</p> -<p>“Didn’t she yell for help?”</p> -<p>“Sure. But I pretended I was deaf. And that -nurse really is deaf—she’s so old. About eighty, -I figured. She took care of me and my brother—the -kid’s father—when we were children.”</p> -<p>“And where is that nurse now?”</p> -<p>The man shrugged his shoulders.</p> -<p>“Maybe at home—maybe out looking for the -kid.”</p> -<p>“That reminds me what I specially wanted to -tell you,” remarked Mrs. Fishberry. “So long as -they won’t believe I’m the child’s aunt—they call -her ‘Amy,’ you know—we’ve got to dig up some -pictures and records to prove it.”</p> -<p>“You mean <i>you’ve</i> got to dig them up—at the -old house,” corrected Ed. “I’m not going near -the place till Monday, and then I’m going to set -it on fire.”</p> -<p>“Set it on fire!” exclaimed the other, in horror.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_100">100</div> -<p>“Sure. If the Trust Company knows that the -place is burned, they will give up all hope of finding -the will, and hand out the old man’s bonds to -me. After all, I’m the real heir. I’m the son, and -this kid is only a granddaughter, even if Dad did -like her better than me.”</p> -<p>“You’re a wise one,” remarked Mrs. Fishberry, -with admiration. “But suppose that old nurse -happens to be inside—and catches you?”</p> -<p>“I’ve thought of that. I’m going disguised as -an old man, and I expect to work at night, anyway. -Don’t worry, Elsie—I’m not going to bungle -this— But you get those pictures before Monday—they -ought to be in the family Bible and the album -on the parlor table. I’ll map out the directions -how to get to the house.”</p> -<p>“Suppose the nurse is there?”</p> -<p>“If she is, don’t say anything about the kid. -Just tell her that I sent you for the stuff. After -all, I’ve got a right to ’em.”</p> -<p>“And if she isn’t there, how’ll I get in?”</p> -<p>“I’ll give you my key.”</p> -<p>The woman was silent for a moment, thinking -rapidly.</p> -<p>“Listen, Ed,” she said, finally, “if you’re going -to get all that money in bonds from your father’s -estate, let’s give up this other scheme. It’s not -worth it.”</p> -<p>The man jumped up angrily.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_101">101</div> -<p>“Not worth it!” he snarled, and his face was -far from attractive now. “Not worth it for twenty-five -thousand dollars!”</p> -<p>“We may not get it,” she whimpered.</p> -<p>“Oh, yeah? Well, if we don’t, it’ll be your fault! -Because you balled up the works. Listen, Elsie, -did you do what I asked when you were at the -Carltons’? Suggest that you believed it was Linda -Carlton hit the kid with her autogiro, and not a -car?”</p> -<p>“Yeah. I did. But I don’t believe they hardly -took it in.”</p> -<p>“Linda Carlton’ll take it in when we sue her -for damages. I think maybe we better ask fifty -thousand, and then we’ll be sure to get twenty-five.”</p> -<p>“Are you sure Linda has twenty-five thousand?”</p> -<p>“Positive. Didn’t she get that for her ocean -flight?”</p> -<p>“Sure. But maybe she blew it in on clothes,” -suggested the woman.</p> -<p>“Somehow I don’t believe she did,” replied Ed, -with a knowing smile. Then, abruptly he frowned. -“Elsie, you’ve got to get hold of that kid and -take her away somewheres—pretend it’s her old -home. It’s a lucky break for us that she lost her -memory.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_102">102</div> -<p>“I’ll say so.”</p> -<p>Suddenly Mrs. Fishberry jumped up and darted -over to her host’s chair, seating herself on the -arm.</p> -<p>“Listen, Ed,” she said, coyly taking his hand, -“have you thought that we’ve got to be married -before this suit comes into court, if you don’t want -to appear in it? If I sue for damages, I’ve got to -be the child’s real aunt.”</p> -<p>The man laughed.</p> -<p>“You win, Elsie! O.K. with me. You get those -pictures by Sunday, and the kid too, and I’ll get -the license. We’ll get married Monday morning.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_103">103</div> -<p>Mrs. Fishberry stood up, satisfied. She had won -everything she wanted. The plan was simple; she -would go out in the country to that old house on -the Fox River on Saturday, and get her pictures -and records. On Sunday she would take them to -the Carltons’, and demand that the young girl -come away with her. She would return to Chicago -and put the child into an insane asylum, from -which there would be no hope of escape. On Monday, -Mrs. Fishberry would be married to Ed -Tower, and after the old house was burned to the -ground, they would go on their honeymoon. When -they returned, they would collect the small fortune -from the Trust Company and proceed to sue Miss -Linda Carlton for the sum of fifty thousand dollars!</p> -<p>She did not see a single flaw in the plan, for if -the young girl was in an asylum, there would be -no one to protest.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_104">104</div> -<h2 id="c9"><span class="h2line1">Chapter IX</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">The Take-Off</span></h2> -<p>“I think Mr. Clavering is too optimistic,” remarked -Miss Carlton at the breakfast table Saturday -morning. “It doesn’t seem possible to me -that all seven planes will come through that treasure -hunt without any mishaps. And if someone is -injured, nobody would feel like having a week-end -party at that Inn.”</p> -<p>“Nothing’s going to happen, Aunt Emily,” -Linda replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. -She and Amy were both dressed for the flight, and -anxious to get off.</p> -<p>Miss Carlton rose from the table and kissed her -niece good-by. She and half a dozen of the older -folks were going by boat across Lake Michigan, -and then on by automobile to Lake Winnebago, -where the party was to be held.</p> -<p>“I hope you win, dear,” she said. “And don’t -forget to take the lunch Anna has packed for you.”</p> -<p>“We’ll see you to-night, Auntie,” returned -Linda. “At the Inn.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_105">105</div> -<p>“I sincerely hope so,” answered the other, a -little doubtfully.</p> -<p>In fairness to the contestants, Mr. Clavering had -arranged that the planes start from different -places, so that they would not have to wait long -in turn for their take-offs. Linda and Ralph were -to go early to the Green Falls airport to fly their -autogiros up the shore, to wait until ten o’clock, -the appointed time. Tom Hulbert and Frank Lawlor -were to motor to a town a short distance from -Green Falls, where their planes were in readiness, -while Joe Elliston, Dot Crowley, and Bert Keen -were all to leave from the Green Falls airport.</p> -<p>These last three pilots, with their passengers, -were waiting at the airport when Linda, Ralph, -and Amy drove over about half-past nine.</p> -<p>“Hurry up and get those windmills out of the -way!” ordered Joe Elliston. “They clutter up -the place.”</p> -<p>“And be sure you don’t cheat!” remarked Sarah -Wheeler. “Wait till ten o’clock before you start.”</p> -<p>“As if five or ten minutes would make any difference,” -replied Ralph. “The victor will probably -win by hours, not minutes.”</p> -<p>“I hope there won’t be a thunderstorm,” observed -Madge Keen, who was flying with her husband. -“It certainly is hot.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_106">106</div> -<p>“I’m dropping out if anything like that happens,” -said Sarah flatly. “I’m not taking -chances.”</p> -<p>Joe looked a little doubtfully at the sky, although -the sun was shining brightly. But, being -an amateur, he was nervous, although he had been -lucky enough to secure a Fleet, which was the -kind of plane he had used for his lessons.</p> -<p>Linda put Amy into the autogiro, and started -her motor. How smoothly it was running! Yesterday’s -work was worthwhile.</p> -<p>“Good-by, everybody! See you all in Milwaukee!” -she called. They had been given instructions -to fly to the airport in that city, and there to ask -for directions.</p> -<p>Ralph took off a few minutes later, not quite so -gracefully as Linda, but nevertheless without any -mishaps.</p> -<p>Fifteen minutes later they waved to each other -as they came down along the shore of the lake, a -short distance from each other, to wait for ten -o’clock to arrive.</p> -<p>“Are you going straight across the lake?” -Ralph asked Linda.</p> -<p>“No,” she replied. “If I fly southwest, I can -reach Milwaukee a lot faster. If we went directly -across the lake from here, we’d have over thirty -miles to fly down the western shore of Lake Michigan.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_107">107</div> -<p>The young man looked dubious.</p> -<p>“I guess I’m a fool, but I believe I’ll take the -longer route. I’m kind of afraid of that lake. I’d -hate to have to swim it.”</p> -<p>Linda smiled, but not in contempt. She admired -him all the more for his cautiousness in handling -his new autogiro.</p> -<p>They waited together until two minutes of ten, -then, with a handclasp and a mutual expression of -hope for good luck, they walked back to their machines -and gave them the gun.</p> -<p>Like Linda, Amy was in high spirits, and she -thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful flight over the -water. It was lovely and cool in the sky, so different -from the hot atmosphere below. Linda -watched her compass carefully and reached Milwaukee -without any deviation.</p> -<p>Looking about cautiously, to make sure that -none of the other planes was making a landing at -the same time, she brought her “Ladybug” down -on the runway and climbed out.</p> -<p>A smiling mechanic came towards her, congratulating -her upon her success thus far, and handing -her a typewritten message.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_108">108</div> -<p>“Fly to Columbus airport,” she read. “And -there receive further directions.”</p> -<p>“How far is Columbus?” she asked the mechanic. -“Fifty miles?”</p> -<p>“A little over, perhaps. Want an inspection, or -some gas?”</p> -<p>Linda glanced at the indicator. “I don’t believe -so,” she answered. Then, turning to her companion, -she asked, “Are you hungry, Amy?”</p> -<p>“No! No!” cried the girl. “Let’s not take the -time to eat. Let’s have a drink of water, and get -on our way. We just have to win!”</p> -<p>Linda smiled and nodded in agreement, and the -mechanic brought them some water.</p> -<p>“Have you any news of the other flyers in our -race?” she asked him. “How many have been here -so far?”</p> -<p>“Two—Lt. Hulbert and a Mr. Lawlor, I believe. -About fifteen minutes ago—the lieutenant was the -first. And I heard that one fellow couldn’t get his -plane into the air at all, and that he had to drop -out before he even started.”</p> -<p>“That must have been Joe Elliston!” exclaimed -Linda, immediately. “He was scared, anyway.”</p> -<p>“Yes, I believe that was the name, though the -message wasn’t very clear. His plane is a Fleet?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_109">109</div> -<p>“Yes. Poor kid!” remarked Linda, sympathetically. -“I wish we could help him.”</p> -<p>“Come on, Linda, we must go!” urged Amy, impatiently.</p> -<p>“Now you’re going to taste some speed, Amy,” -Linda said, as they climbed into the cockpits. “I’m -going to let her out to the limit. I want to reach -Columbus in half an hour—I’m very hungry!”</p> -<p>Scarcely had they made their ascent when they -spotted another plane approaching the airport. -Though they could not see the pilot, Linda identified -it as an Avian, the plane which Dot Crowley -had selected for the hunt.</p> -<p>“Step on it! Step on it!” cried Amy, clapping -her hands. “Go on, Linda!”</p> -<p>Thrilled with the excitement of the race, Linda -urged her “Ladybug” to her greatest speed. -What fun it was to know that you were safe, and -yet to fly along at more than a hundred miles an -hour! And how glad she was that she had brought -Amy! The child was having the time of her life.</p> -<p>Clouds, deep piles of heavy white clouds were -gathering above them when Linda brought her -autogiro down at the Columbus airport. Again a -mechanic came out with a typewritten message, -but this time a warning was also issued.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_110">110</div> -<p>“We are advising all pilots in the hunt to wait -until the storm is over,” he said. “The sky looks -bad, and the weather report is unfavorable.”</p> -<p>Linda frowned and opened the lunch box which -Anna had packed.</p> -<p>“You really think it is dangerous?” she asked, -looking up at the clouds.</p> -<p>“We certainly do. Those clouds mean a thunderstorm.”</p> -<p>“Oh, what do we care?” demanded Amy, as -she hastily ate a sandwich. “It didn’t stop the -others, did it?”</p> -<p>“No. But they were here a little earlier, before -the skies were so black.”</p> -<p>“How many?” inquired Linda.</p> -<p>“Three. Two Moths and an Avian.”</p> -<p>“Tom Hulbert and Frank Lawlor—and—and -Dot!” cried Linda. So Dot Crowley had caught up -to them and had beaten them! Funny, they hadn’t -seen her plane go past. But perhaps she was flying -higher.</p> -<p>“Then we’ll have to go, too,” Linda decided, -rather recklessly for her. “We’ll eat while you -put in some gas.”</p> -<p>She opened the paper and read the directions. -This time they were more difficult. This was to be -the finish!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_111">111</div> -<p>“Fly northwest, past Beaver Dam to Fox River. -Follow the river, west, then north, to Lake Waupin. -Continue about ten miles, looking for a large -old house of gray plaster, with a flat roof and a -tower. Land in a field behind this, and search the -barn. Treasure is hidden in the barn. It is in bright -red wrapping.”</p> -<p>Reading the words over her shoulder, Amy -gasped in excitement.</p> -<p>“Those words are familiar, Linda. I—I know -the Fox River! I’m sure I do.”</p> -<p>Linda, who had completely forgotten the mystery -about the girl in the excitement of the morning, -gazed at her in surprise.</p> -<p>“But you are supposed to come from Montana,” -she said. “You couldn’t have come this far.”</p> -<p>“I don’t know,” replied the perplexed girl. -“But I do know these names are familiar.”</p> -<p>All the while the skies grew darker than before, -the thunder sounded nearer and nearer, and Linda -became more fearful. Was she acting foolishly, in -defiance of her aunt’s dearest wishes? But how -she hated to give up, now that she had come this -far!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_112">112</div> -<p>Suddenly another plane swooped down from -the skies with an awful speed that sent a shiver -through Linda’s body. It was going to crash, she -felt sure; the pilot could not control it. She pulled -Amy back into the hangar, and watched her autogiro -nervously. Would it be hit by that speeding -plane, hit and dashed to pieces, too?</p> -<p>But miraculously the descending plane passed -over the “Ladybug” and hit the ground with a -thump, bouncing high into the air—seeming to -hover a breathless second—then turning a pancake. -It was all Linda could do to restrain a -scream, and Amy cried out in fright.</p> -<p>But a second later a woman crept smilingly from -the upturned plane, and dragged a man after her. -It was Madge Keen and her husband.</p> -<p>“Thank Heaven!” cried Linda, dashing breathlessly -to their side. “You’re not hurt?”</p> -<p>“No, only bruised a lot,” replied Madge. “It -was a wonderful escape. I guess Bert was in too -much of a hurry—we were frightened of the storm. -Doesn’t it look black?”</p> -<p>“It certainly does,” Linda admitted. “But I -guess I’ll try it.”</p> -<p>Madge seized the other girl’s hand and pleaded -with her to wait.</p> -<p>“It’s certain death!” she said. “You’ll never -make it, Linda!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_113">113</div> -<p>“I thought maybe I could get above the clouds,” -replied the other. “And my autogiro’s so safe, -compared to ordinary planes.”</p> -<p>“Nothing’s safe in a storm like this,” remarked -Madge. “We’re going to wait here for Ralph, and -take a taxi to a hotel. We saw him in Milwaukee, -and we agreed to do that if the storm came on—that -all three of us would drop out of the race. -We’d have to now, anyhow,” she added, pointing -to the wrecked plane.</p> -<p>“Well, so long, then,” answered Linda, hurrying -Amy into the autogiro.</p> -<p>They had scarcely left the ground when the rain -came in torrents and the thunder and lightning -grew sharper and sharper, until the terrific claps -seemed to be breaking right about them, almost -into their ears. With stoic courage Linda made for -the heights. But she could not get out of the storm -by climbing, so wisely she directed her plane as -best she could away from its direction, going almost -exactly west.</p> -<p>Though well protected with their slickers and -helmets, the rain poured into the girls’ faces, making -it impossible for Linda to see anything. With -the clouds and the rain all about her, the earth was -entirely invisible, and she had to depend solely -upon her instruments.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_114">114</div> -<p>“We’re getting away from it!” cried Amy, who -had been pretty well frightened for a while. Indeed, -they did seem to be making progress, for the -thunder seemed a little more distant.</p> -<p>The pilot could not take time to bother with the -speaking tube, so she made no reply. She was -afraid that she would come upon another plane in -this semi-darkness, and that there would ensue one -of those crashes which her Aunt Emily so dreaded.</p> -<p>But it was over soon—they had evidently passed -through it, and the skies were lighter, with blue -patches appearing here and there. With a deep -sigh of thankfulness, Linda dipped her autogiro -lower, that they might study the landscape, for -she felt sure that they were now off their course.</p> -<p>It was ten minutes later, and the sun was shining, -when they came to a river, a broad, beautiful -stream that seemed almost too wide to be the Fox -River, as Linda had pictured it.</p> -<p>“I don’t think this is it!” she shouted to Amy. -“But look for a gray stone house with a tower.”</p> -<p>“There are too many houses,” replied Amy. -“The one we want is supposed to be all alone.”</p> -<p>Linda flew still lower, along the bank of the -river. Suddenly Amy spied a tower.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_115">115</div> -<p>“That must be it!” cried Linda, in excited joy. -“And there’s a good big field—” Abruptly all her -delight died. For there were already three planes -standing in that field! She must have lost the -treasure hunt!</p> -<p>“We’re too late!” she wailed.</p> -<p>“Don’t land!” shouted Amy, with intense excitement. -“There isn’t any barn around here. Besides, -I know—I’m sure—this isn’t the Fox River! -It’s the Wisconsin.”</p> -<p>“Then those pilots are wrong?”</p> -<p>“They must be.”</p> -<p>“Amy, are you sure?”</p> -<p>“Yes, positive. Go on, Linda! We’ll beat ’em -yet. Fly north! This is somehow familiar ground -to me!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_116">116</div> -<h2 id="c10"><span class="h2line1">Chapter X</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">The Treasure</span></h2> -<p>Linda directed her plane upward and consulted -her map. If Amy was right, and this was the Wisconsin -River, there was still a chance of getting -that prize. If the girl was wrong, it would be too -late anyhow, for one of those three pilots would -certainly have found the treasure by this time. In -which case it would be better for Linda to fly directly -to Lake Winnebago.</p> -<p>Assuming that Amy was right, and this was the -Wisconsin and not the Fox River, she turned her -plane to the northeast. Unfortunately, however, -this act headed her right back into the storm.</p> -<p>Fresh clouds seemed to be gathering everywhere; -it was impossible to climb above them, or -to pass through them. The wind was blowing -fiercely, sending the rotor blades about at a terrific -speed. The autogiro seemed to sway; she felt herself -suddenly in the grip of a whirlwind. Amy, -frightened at last, held on to the sides of the cockpit -with a deadly grip. Neither girl wore a safety -belt; it seemed any moment as if they would both -be dashed over the sides of the plane.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_117">117</div> -<p>“Be ready to jump, Amy, if I give a signal!” -Linda shouted through the speaking tube to her -companion. Her face was white and her lips tense -with fear; the autogiro was out of her control entirely. -She could only wait, and trust grimly to -the rotors.</p> -<p>Had it been any other plane than an autogiro, -Linda realized that it would long ago have been -hurled mercilessly through space, probably upside -down. But the little “Ladybug” was gallantly -battling the winds, and Linda prayed fervently -that she might get it under control.</p> -<p>Again it rocked violently, and with a shiver of -agony, she turned to the tube to tell Amy to step -off. Perhaps, she thought, she could stay with it -herself a little longer. Just as she was about to -speak, the autogiro righted itself again and the -rain began to fall in torrents, wetting them thoroughly, -but dispelling the worst of the cloud. A -moment later the joy stick responded to Linda’s -touch; the plane made headway out of the grip of -the wind. The young aviatrix breathed a prayer of -thanksgiving.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_118">118</div> -<p>They continued to fly onward amid the driving -rain for some distance until the storm was spent -at last, and Linda came low to take a look at the -landscape. It was Amy who first spotted the river.</p> -<p>“There it is, Linda!” she cried joyously, as one -who sees a familiar sight after a long sojourn in -a foreign country. “The Fox River! I know it! I’m -positive of it! Keep right on—past Lake—Lake—I -forget the name.”</p> -<p>“Lake Waupin?” shouted Linda, consulting her -map.</p> -<p>“Yes! Yes! How did you know?”</p> -<p>“By my map. How did you?”</p> -<p>“It’s where I lived. I’m sure.”</p> -<p>“Of course!” cried Linda. “This is somewhere -near the spot where you met with your accident. -I remember Dot and I flew over Lake Waupin, -though we didn’t know its name then. But where -is there any house around here? It looks so desolate.”</p> -<p>“Keep on going—follow the river. I’ll watch -for a tower.”</p> -<p>Linda’s excitement was intense; even if she -didn’t succeed in finding the treasure, she must be -on the way to clearing up the mystery of Amy’s -past life. She pressed forward eagerly, watching -the river, and looking for signs of a house.</p> -<p>A few miles farther on Amy spotted it, and -almost rose in her seat.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_119">119</div> -<p>“There it is, Linda!” she called. “And it’s sort -of familiar to me. Oh, can it be my home?”</p> -<p>“It seems reasonable,” replied Linda, although -it certainly did not fit in with Mrs. Fishberry’s -theory that Amy lived in Montana.</p> -<p>Just as Mr. Clavering had said, there was a field -beyond, large enough for any kind of plane to -land. Linda, however, did not bother with this; -she selected a small spot behind the barn and -brought the “Ladybug” to earth.</p> -<p>Wild with excitement the two girls jumped out -and ran hand in hand to the barn. The big doors -stood partially open; the place was empty and deserted. -Amy peered inside.</p> -<p>Almost immediately Linda spotted the treasure. -A soap box conspicuously painted red was reposing -in the corner of the barn, where it could easily -be seen at a glance. With a scream of delight she -darted forward and made a motion to drag it out -to the light to examine its contents. But it was no -effort at all; the box was evidently empty.</p> -<p>“Don’t you s’pose there’s anything in it?” -she gasped, as she set it down at the door, and -began to pull out the newspaper packing. “Or is -the box itself supposed to be the prize?”</p> -<p>Amy laughed.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_120">120</div> -<p>“I don’t know what you could use it for, except -as an ash box,” she replied. “It wouldn’t make a -very good parlor ornament.”</p> -<p>Linda continued to pull out the papers, thrusting -them aside in haste, until at last her hands touched -a candy box. But as she lifted that out, she realized -that it, too, was empty!</p> -<p>She held it over to Amy, and the girl’s eyes grew -angry, as she took hold of the box.</p> -<p>“If it’s a trick—after all we went through—” -she began.</p> -<p>“Well, we’ll have to be good sports,” replied -Linda, taking the box back and untying the red -ribbon. “But before I open it, Amy, I want to -say that if there is anything valuable in it, it’s to -be half yours. I’d never have found it if it hadn’t -been for you.”</p> -<p>“That’s sweet of you, Linda dear,” replied the -younger girl. “And I’ll agree—provided it’s something -that can be divided. But if it should be a -watch or a bracelet, or something like that, you -have to consent to keep it.”</p> -<p>“O.K.,” answered Linda, and the girls clasped -hands solemnly on the agreement; then laughed at -themselves for taking so seriously what might -prove to be only a joke.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_121">121</div> -<p>Linda opened it at last, and found an envelope -inside addressed to</p> -<p class="center">“The Winner of the Treasure Hunt.”</p> -<p>She guessed now what the prize must be: money, -of course! That would be something which either -a man or a girl could use, no matter which one -won it. But she was not prepared for the amount -which greeted her, as she slit the envelope, and -drew out the long green paper inside. A check of -one thousand dollars, payable to the winner of -the hunt, with a space left for the proper name to -be filled in, and with the signature of R. W. Clavering -at the bottom!</p> -<p>“What is it?” inquired Amy gazing at the odd -piece of paper, without any understanding. “Does -it mean you will get a thousand dollars?”</p> -<p>“It is a thousand dollars!” replied Linda. -“Surely, Amy, you have seen checks before?”</p> -<p>The girl solemnly shook her head.</p> -<p>“Never,” she asserted.</p> -<p>“Well, it’s all right! And you have to take five -hundred!” cried Linda, in delight. “That will pay -your way at a business college, Amy—so that you -never have to go back to that horrid Mrs. Fishberry! -Oh, isn’t it just too good to be true!” She -gave the girl a joyous hug. “Now let’s start back, -Amy.”</p> -<p>Her companion hesitated.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_122">122</div> -<p>“I’d love to see that house,” she said. “It—it -is somehow familiar to me.”</p> -<p>Linda consulted her watch.</p> -<p>“We might as well,” she agreed. “It’s early. -And we can easily make Lake Winnebago in an -hour. All right, come on.”</p> -<p>“But suppose somebody lives there——”</p> -<p>“Then we’ll just make up an excuse and go -away. Or—Amy—suppose it were your real -family!”</p> -<p>“Oh, Linda, suppose!” The tears came to -Amy’s eyes, and she added, wistfully, “Isn’t it -strange that I can’t remember a thing about Mrs. -Fishberry, or anybody else?”</p> -<p>“You will soon,” Linda insisted optimistically. -“Things are coming back gradually. Come on, -let’s knock at the back door.”</p> -<p>Hand in hand, the girls ran across the field of -tall grass and weeds which separated the house -from the barn and came to the kitchen, which -was built out from the house as a separate wing, -two stories in height. But the door was closed and -barred, and all the windows apparently were -locked up. There seemed to be little doubt that the -place was deserted.</p> -<p>“Do you remember it, Amy?” asked Linda, -anxiously.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_123">123</div> -<p>“Yes—but only like something that happened -in a dream,” she replied. “It seems to me that I -ran barefoot through the fields—and—and—I can -sort of remember drowning in the Fox River, and -nobody helping me— Yes, it must have been -here.”</p> -<p>“Let’s go around front,” suggested Linda, -watching Amy’s face all the while.</p> -<p>“Yes, let’s. It’s an ugly house, isn’t it, Linda? -So big and gloomy—and—ugh!” A shiver ran -through the girl’s body, and she clung to Linda -wretchedly. Another memory flashed into her -brain.</p> -<p>“Linda,” she sobbed, “there’s a ghost in that -tower.”</p> -<p>Linda stepped back and looked up at the roof -of the house. As Mr. Clavering had said, there -was a tower by which the pilots could identify the -house. It rose straight from the flat mansard roof, -about two stories in height. It was square, with -a small window on each side, but from the ground -where the girls stood, it was impossible to see -within.</p> -<p>“How do you know?” asked Linda.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_124">124</div> -<p>“I know it because I could see it at night from -my bed-room window. I slept over the kitchen, in -that wing, and I could see the tower. Oh, Linda, -I’m afraid! We’re here all alone!”</p> -<p>“Don’t, don’t, dear!” pleaded Linda. “But -we’ll go back to the autogiro unless you want to -go around front. There can’t be anybody at home -now——”</p> -<p>She stopped suddenly, for she heard a queer -noise inside, as if someone were moving about.</p> -<p>“Do you hear that?” whispered Amy, as if she -were afraid to speak aloud.</p> -<p>“Yes. Let’s go see if we can get in!”</p> -<p>Amy held back, but Linda went over to the -nearest window and peered in. She saw only a -dreary room, with dark, ugly furniture—a room -which looked as if no one had recently lived in it.</p> -<p>“That wasn’t anybody real, Linda,” protested -Amy. “It was the ghost. It often made queer -noises at night. Oh, please let’s get away before -anything happens!”</p> -<p>“All right. But I would love to investigate. I’m -going to make Dot come over with me on Monday, -if we have to climb in a window. I don’t believe in -ghosts, Amy!”</p> -<p>“Oh, you mustn’t do that, Linda! The house is -evil—I know now that I’m lucky never to have to -go back to it. I don’t ever want to see it again!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_125">125</div> -<p>Anxious to get the girl away from her morbid -thoughts, Linda challenged her to a race back to -the autogiro, and they reached it together in a -couple of minutes.</p> -<p>They climbed into the cockpits and Linda went -through the usual motions of starting the engine. -But, though the self-starter responded to her efforts, -the motor refused to take hold. There would -be a little spurt, then silence again. Patiently -Linda tried over and over; each time the engine -failed to respond.</p> -<p>With a greater sense of fear than Amy had -experienced even in that terrific whirlwind, she -clung desperately to the sides of the cockpit.</p> -<p>“Linda, what’s the matter?” she gasped, -hoarsely.</p> -<p>“Only a faulty spark plug, I think,” responded -the other, cheerfully. “I can easily fix it.”</p> -<p>“No, no,” said the other girl, with assurance. -“I know what it is—it’s that evil spirit—that -ghost in the tower!”</p> -<p>“Now Amy, be sensible,” returned Linda, lightly. -But when she glanced at the girl’s white, -drawn face, she realized how intensely she was -suffering, and a real fear took possession of her, -too—a deadly fear that the child would lose her -reason as well as her memory.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_126">126</div> -<p>“Linda, you don’t know! You can’t know!” -Amy leaned over and gripped her companion’s -hand. “If we stay here after dark, something -dreadful will happen to us!”</p> -<p>“Well, we’re not going to stay here that long,” -Linda assured her, with a great effort to keep her -voice calm and natural. “Now jump out and help -me.”</p> -<p>As fast as she could, Linda went to work to -locate and replace the missing spark plug, and -all the while she tried to keep Amy occupied with -little jobs to help her. But it was pitiful to watch -the young girl’s trembling hands, her white face, -her shaking body. She was more of a hindrance -than a help, yet Linda worked on as fast as she -could, desperately hoping that nothing else would -prove to be wrong.</p> -<p>The tests and the work took longer than any -job Linda had done since she had taken her course -at the ground school, and it was after six o’clock -when the engine finally responded. Linda heaved -a deep sigh of relief, as she turned to announce -the good news to Amy.</p> -<p>But the girl was not listening; her eyes were -fixed upon the figure of a woman hurrying towards -them.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_127">127</div> -<p>“Who is it?” demanded Linda, excitedly, hopefully. -Oh, if this should only prove to be the girl’s -mother! “Do you recognize her?”</p> -<p>“Yes,” replied Amy, stepping back and clutching -Linda’s arm. “It’s the Fish!”</p> -<p>At the same moment Linda too identified the -woman who had come to her house that week to -claim the young girl as her niece.</p> -<p>Mrs. Fishberry advanced triumphantly.</p> -<p>“I’m glad to find you here, Helen,” she said. -“Though why you trust yourself with a person -who almost killed you, is beyond me.”</p> -<p>“What do you mean?” demanded the girl, -angrily.</p> -<p>“You know what I mean. And I have a witness, -Miss Carlton, to prove that you—and not a car—knocked -Helen down— But never mind that now. -I have a picture of you, Helen, and here is your -baptism certificate, and your mother’s Bible. Now -will you come with me?”</p> -<p>“No! No!” cried the girl. “I don’t ever want to -see you again.”</p> -<p>Mrs. Fishberry held out the Bible and the family -album for Linda to examine. At the same time -she grasped Amy firmly by the arm.</p> -<p>“Do I have to go?” implored the girl. “I’ll die -if I ever have to live in that house again.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_128">128</div> -<p>Mrs. Fishberry’s eyes narrowed.</p> -<p>“So you remember it, do you?” she demanded.</p> -<p>“Only faintly—it—seems to me that I did live -there. Was there a ghost?”</p> -<p>“Of course not,” replied Mrs. Fishberry. “You -lived here with your old grandfather and when he -died, maybe you imagined you saw his ghost— But -come along. I’m taking you to Chicago with me. -I promise you won’t have to live there again.”</p> -<p>Amy looked reassured.</p> -<p>“All right,” she agreed. “I’ll go. But please -give Miss Carlton our address, so that she can -write to me, and can send me my pretty clothes.”</p> -<p>“Miss Carlton will hear from me soon,” replied -the woman with a knowing smile. “Just now I -can’t give any address, for we’ll go to a hotel in -Chicago. Now come. I have a taxi down the road.”</p> -<p>Tearfully Amy kissed Linda good-by, as if she -were her only real friend in the world, and the -aviatrix returned to her autogiro. But she was -despondent; all the joy of finding the treasure was -lost in the grief of the parting with Amy.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_129">129</div> -<p>She climbed into the cockpit and started her engine. -As the “Ladybug” rose into the air, and -reached the height of the tower, Linda remembered -the ghost and could not restrain her impulse -to circle back around the house, to take a glimpse -for herself through the windows. Luckily there -were no large trees close to the walls; she believed -that she could pass the place on the side, and with -the use of her field glasses, peer into the very -window which had been visible to Amy if she had -really slept in that wing over the kitchen, as she -believed.</p> -<p>Turning the autogiro about, Linda dipped it to -the proper height, and directed it back towards -the tower. She decreased her speed to the lowest -that she dared, and passed slowly by the tower, -her glasses at her eyes.</p> -<p>The sight which Linda saw through the dusty -window almost brought a scream of horror to her -lips. It was unreal! Uncanny! Unbelievable! -There, as clear as the tower itself, was a horrible -dark figure, crouching against the pane of glass, -with a face so thin that it seemed nothing but -bones. Yet it was not a dead skeleton, for two evil, -gleaming eyes stared vacantly at Linda. And, as -the plane passed by, a deadly white hand was -raised from the figure’s dark cloak, and seemed to -point with menace at the young pilot.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_130">130</div> -<p>Dumb with horror, Linda continued to stare at -the apparition, forgetful of the autogiro she was -piloting. Then abruptly she realized that she was -dropping to the ground, and with a jerk she pulled -back the joy stick.</p> -<p>Wiping the cold beads of sweat from her forehead, -she put on all possible speed, and made a -record flight to Lake Winnebago. Yet the ghastly -vision haunted her all the way to her destination; -never in her life was she more thankful for a safe -landing than when she finally brought the “Ladybug” -to earth on the field near the Inn, where -Mr. Clavering’s party had already gathered.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_131">131</div> -<h2 id="c11"><span class="h2line1">Chapter XI</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">The Return of the Flyers</span></h2> -<p>The older people who had gone by boat and taxicab -to the Inn at Lake Winnebago arrived early -on Saturday afternoon. What was their surprise -to be met at the door by Joe Elliston and Sarah -Wheeler!</p> -<p>“How did you get here so soon?” demanded -Mr. Clavering in amazement. “And did you find -the prize?”</p> -<p>The young man flushed.</p> -<p>“No, sir, we never even got started. One of my -wheels dug into a sand bank at the take-off, and -was slightly damaged. There didn’t seem to be -much use waiting to have it fixed, while the others -got all that start. So I went back and got my car, -and Sarah and I drove.”</p> -<p>Miss Carlton nodded approvingly.</p> -<p>“You certainly showed good sense, Joe,” she -remarked. “I have been terribly nervous and worried -all afternoon, on account of that frightful -storm.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_132">132</div> -<p>“Oh, you can be sure that Linda is equal to -any kind of weather,” put in Sarah, reassuringly. -“If there’s one aviatrix in the world who knows -what she’s doing, it’s your niece!”</p> -<p>“I hope so,” commented the older woman. “But -it isn’t only Linda I’m worried about—it’s everybody. -I shan’t have a happy minute until all seven -planes arrive.”</p> -<p>“Then you’ll never have a happy moment, Miss -Carlton,” remarked Joe, teasingly. “Because our -plane can’t arrive!”</p> -<p>“Well then, six planes,” corrected the other, -smiling.</p> -<p>“It’s possible,” observed Mrs. Crowley, “that -they may all have been forced down on account of -that storm. So they may not get here till morning. -I don’t intend to worry until I hear bad -news.”</p> -<p>“That’s the idea!” approved Mr. Clavering. -“Now how about some iced drinks, and some sandwiches. -What’ll it be?”</p> -<p>The whole group, composed of half a dozen -older people and the young couple, seated themselves -on the beautiful porch overlooking the lake -and sipped the cooling drinks with which the maids -supplied them at Mr. Clavering’s orders. They -had scarcely finished when a taxicab drew up to -the Inn and Ralph and the two Keens got out.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_133">133</div> -<p>“What luck?” demanded everybody at once.</p> -<p>Madge Keen laughingly told the story.</p> -<p>“The only prize we got was a lot of bruises at -Columbus, trying to make a landing in too great -a hurry, to get out of the storm. Bert smashed the -plane, Mr. Clavering.”</p> -<p>“Don’t worry about that,” replied the latter, -reassuringly. “The insurance will take care of any -damage. Are you sure you’re not hurt?”</p> -<p>“Positive.”</p> -<p>“And you, Ralph?”</p> -<p>“I left my autogiro at the Columbus airport,” -replied the young man; “because I didn’t want to -risk the storm. I knew if I waited it would be too -late, for the other four planes had already gone -when I arrived.”</p> -<p>“Then Linda and Dot were both flying through -that dreadful thunderstorm!” cried Miss Carlton, -woefully.</p> -<p>“And Kit and Sue!” added Mr. Clavering.</p> -<p>The party separated to go to their respective -rooms to unpack, and half an hour later the young -people gathered at the lake in their bathing suits. -The storm had completely passed and the sun was -shining brightly. Several of the older people joined -the group, but both Mr. Clavering and Miss Carlton -preferred to wait at the Inn for news of the -missing flyers.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_134">134</div> -<p>It was still early, however—too early to worry -about their arrival—and Mr. Clavering was rewarded -about five o’clock by the sight of two -planes flying one behind the other. Both passed -over the Inn, and the passengers leaned out and -waved. Although neither Mr. Clavering nor Miss -Carlton could make out who they were, the latter -knew that neither was Linda. She did not know -much about airplanes, but at least she could identify -an autogiro when she saw it.</p> -<p>Both planes landed some distance from the Inn, -and Mr. Clavering decided to go after the flyers in -his car.</p> -<p>“I was afraid there weren’t going to be any -planes here at all,” he remarked to Miss Carlton -as he left the porch. “It would have been humiliating -to have all the pilots come over in cars.”</p> -<p>“Humiliating, perhaps, but very sensible,” returned -the other. She watched the sky all the -while he was gone and kept looking at her watch. -Why, oh, why, must her precious child be the last -to arrive?</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_135">135</div> -<p>Kit and Tom Hulbert, Sue Emery and Frank -Lawlor returned with Mr. Clavering in a few minutes. -They were all in high spirits, obviously unharmed -by the storm, but they announced immediately -that they had not found the treasure.</p> -<p>“Linda got it, of course,” said Kit. “But she deserves -it, and I’m glad.”</p> -<p>Miss Carlton’s face lighted up with joy, not because -her niece had won the prize, but because -she believed she was safe.</p> -<p>“You have seen Linda?” she asked, eagerly.</p> -<p>Kit shook her head.</p> -<p>“No, Miss Carlton, we haven’t. Nobody has -seen her since the storm. But we four got on the -wrong track, and got lost, and Dot Crowley did -the same thing. We all landed beside a river, where -there was a house with the tower, but it wasn’t -the right house.”</p> -<p>“Where is Dot?” inquired Miss Carlton.</p> -<p>“Coming. And you see that accounts for everybody -except Linda, because Dad told me that the -others have already arrived. So Linda must have -the prize.”</p> -<p>Miss Carlton groaned.</p> -<p>“I don’t agree with you, Kitty dear,” she said. -“It’s more likely that Linda has crashed during -that storm, and is stranded—possibly hurt—in -some lonely place.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_136">136</div> -<p>“Now please don’t worry, Miss Carlton,” urged -Kitty, sympathetically. “It’s only six o’clock, and -you know Linda is the best flyer of all. Besides, the -‘Ladybug’ is safer than an ordinary plane.”</p> -<p>Mr. Clavering had given orders that the dinner -be moved on to seven-thirty, in the hope that -Linda might arrive in time. At exactly five minutes -after the hour the “Ladybug” came roaring -through the skies, and to the amusement of everyone, -landed right on the front lawn of the Inn. -Trying to smile gayly in spite of her encounter -with Mrs. Fishberry and her vision of the strange -ghost in the tower, Linda Carlton stepped out.</p> -<p>Everybody ran down the steps to greet her, and -her aunt kissed her as if she had never expected -to see her again.</p> -<p>“You’re safe!” she cried, with intense relief.</p> -<p>“Get the treasure?” demanded Dot, excitedly.</p> -<p>“Yes,” replied Linda, smiling. “And it’s wonderful, -Mr. Clavering!” She dug into her pocket -and displayed the thousand dollar check to everyone’s -view.</p> -<p>“Whew!” exclaimed Jim Valier. “Congratulations, -Linda! And can I go with you next time?”</p> -<p>At his joking words everybody all at once remembered -Amy. “What has happened to the -child?” demanded several of them at the same -time.</p> -<p>Linda looked serious.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_137">137</div> -<p>“She’s all right,” she hastened to inform them. -“But the queerest thing happened. That house -must have been her old home, and Mrs. Fishberry -was there. She took her away with her.”</p> -<p>Mr. Clavering nodded.</p> -<p>“That isn’t so strange as you might think,” he -said. “When I picked out the spot to hide the -treasure, I was flying over the country where Dot -Crowley said the accident must have occurred. -And I selected that house because the tower was -so easily visible from the skies.”</p> -<p>“And did you meet Mrs. Fishberry when you -hid the treasure?” inquired Linda.</p> -<p>“No. The house was locked up and deserted. -So I went to the barn. I thought if anyone should -happen along to steal it, that a check like that -wouldn’t be of any use to them. I gave my bank a -list of the people who might be entitled to cash it, -with strict orders to refuse anyone else.”</p> -<p>The banquet and the dance that followed were -a huge success; even Miss Carlton had to admit -that the treasure hunt had ended wonderfully, -without a single real mishap. Moreover, there was -no jealousy regarding Linda’s triumph; they all -thought that she deserved her good fortune and rejoiced -with her. Strangely enough, she herself was -the only member of the party who was not entirely -happy. She was worried about Amy, and -still haunted by the dreadful apparition which -she had seen.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_138">138</div> -<p>She could not bring herself to confide her experiences -and her fears to her aunt, who was so -timid about everything, but the following day, -when the party had scattered for swimming and -for golf, she sought Dot Crowley, and took her -down to a bench beside the lake, where they could -be alone.</p> -<p>She told the other girl of her mistrust of Mrs. -Fishberry, and of her dread of what might happen -to Amy, in the keeping of that woman. Then she -concluded by describing the ghost in the tower.</p> -<p>Dot’s eyes opened wide in amazement.</p> -<p>“It must be a fake, Linda,” she said.</p> -<p>“It can’t be,” replied the other. “Because it -<i>moved</i>. I saw the hands move, and I’m almost -positive the eyes followed me!”</p> -<p>“No wonder the poor girl was so terrified. Remember -that first night in the hospital?”</p> -<p>“Yes. The thing frightened me, I can assure -you, Dot. And yet I feel that I’ve got to get to -the bottom of it all. It fascinates, too, but it terrifies -me.”</p> -<p>“What terrifies you, Miss Carlton?” asked a -voice behind them.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_139">139</div> -<p>“You do!” replied Linda, laughingly, as she -turned about to see Mike O’Malley grinning at -her.</p> -<p>“Well, I didn’t mean to,” he apologized. “But -will you forgive me and tell me all about the hunt, -and winning that marvelous prize?”</p> -<p>“Of course,” agreed Linda, and she proceeded -to relate the story, even including Mrs. Fishberry’s -reappearance.</p> -<p>“Did you get her address, when she took Amy -away?” he asked.</p> -<p>“No, I tried, but Mrs. Fishberry wouldn’t give -it—said she hadn’t a permanent one, only a hotel -in Chicago.”</p> -<p>“Shucks!” cried Mike, in dismay. “There’s -something queer about this business! That fish is -crooked, if I know what I’m talking about. How -about that home in Montana she talked about the -first time? And why didn’t she mention this place -before, if she had a key, and could get in?— Miss -Carlton, if you care for Amy, I think you’d better -go after her— I’d—like to help you.”</p> -<p>“Yes, I believe you’re right, Mike,” agreed -Linda. “Only I don’t know just what to do.”</p> -<p>“Let’s fly over to the place to-morrow,” suggested -Dot. “We could go right from here, instead -of going home to Green Falls first.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_140">140</div> -<p>“It suits me,” agreed Linda. It was just what -she was wanting, yet dreading to do.</p> -<p>“May I trail along after you in my Ford?” -asked Mike.</p> -<p>“Yes, indeed,” replied Linda. “I’d love to have -you. And will you bring some tools, so that we -can force our way into that tower, if it is necessary? -I suspect trouble there.”</p> -<p>“You’re really going to dare that?” demanded -Dot.</p> -<p>“Dare what?” demanded Mike.</p> -<p>Linda and Dot exchanged whimsical glances. -“You wait and see,” said Linda. “If we get into -that tower, I’ll show you the strangest sight you -ever laid your eyes on!”</p> -<p>“Then,” asserted the boy, “we’ll get in, if we -have to scale the walls! I’m always out for strange -stories for the <i>Star</i>.”</p> -<p>“Well, you’ll get one there,” Linda promised, -“if you help us get in.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_141">141</div> -<h2 id="c12"><span class="h2line1">Chapter XII</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">Trickery</span></h2> -<p>When Linda left Amy with Mrs. Fishberry at -the old house, the latter slowly led the way towards -the road. But as soon as the autogiro vanished -from sight she stood still, and gazed straight -at the girl.</p> -<p>“You still don’t remember me, Helen?” she -asked.</p> -<p>The girl shook her head.</p> -<p>“No, I don’t, Mrs. Fishberry.”</p> -<p>“Call me Aunt Elsie, please— But you claim to -remember the house?”</p> -<p>“Yes—sort of. But you said I lived in Montana,” -she replied, in confusion.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_142">142</div> -<p>“You lived here with your grandfather for a -while,” Mrs. Fishberry explained, “after your -father and mother died. They were killed in an -automobile accident when you were a baby—” -So far this was the truth. But what the woman -went on to add was a lie which she told at Ed -Tower’s request.—“After your grandfather died, -I took you to Montana to live with me. Your uncle -Ed is your only living relative. He and your father -were brothers.”</p> -<p>“And their name was Tower?” asked Helen.</p> -<p>“Yes. I think that’s why your grandfather built -that high tower on his house—because of his name. -The idea pleased him.”</p> -<p>“But if my uncle Ed is my only living relative, -what are you? I thought you said you were my -aunt!”</p> -<p>“I’m not really your aunt yet—but I will be on -Monday, for I’m going to marry your uncle Ed,” -admitted Mrs. Fishberry. “No, I am a widow now—an -old friend of the family. But I offered to -bring you up when your grandfather died, and -you have always called me ‘Aunt Elsie.’ Your -uncle was traveling so much on business that he -couldn’t take care of you.”</p> -<p>Mrs. Fishberry smiled to herself with satisfaction -as she told this story. Not a bad story, she -thought, for one that had to be made up so quickly. -And the girl actually seemed to believe it!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_143">143</div> -<p>Both were silent for a moment, while another -idea leaped into the woman’s mind. Why not leave -the girl here, locked in this empty house, while -she returned to Chicago? They could get her again -on Monday, when Ed came over to set fire to the -place. Surely there must be food in the kitchen. -But she mustn’t let Helen suspect that she was -going to be left alone!</p> -<p>“I don’t see the car,” she remarked, casually. -“The driver must have gone away. I told him if -I didn’t come back in half an hour that he needn’t -wait— We’ll spend the night here, dear, and your -uncle will drive over for us to-morrow.”</p> -<p>The girl stared at the speaker in horror. She -simply couldn’t spend another night in this awful -house! All too vividly she remembered the ghost -in the tower.</p> -<p>“We can’t, Aunt Elsie!” she protested. “It’s -too—awful!” Her voice had sunk to a hoarse -whisper.</p> -<p>“What’s too awful?” asked Mrs. Fishberry, -lightly.</p> -<p>“That house. The ghost in the tower.”</p> -<p>“What ghost?”</p> -<p>“There is a terrible ghost in that tower at night. -I can see it from my old bed-room window. His—hands—move!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_144">144</div> -<p>“Now dear, you’re being silly,” reproved the -woman. “How can you remember anything like -that, that happened so long ago! It must have -been some foolish dream you had when you were -not much more than a baby.”</p> -<p>“But I can even picture it now!” she persisted.</p> -<p>“Oh, come on,” urged the other, grasping her -by the arm. “You’re too old for such ridiculous -fancies now. Besides, I’m right here. Nothing can -harm you.” She almost dragged her back by force -to the house.</p> -<p>“I—I—know I’ll die, Aunt Elsie,” sobbed -Helen, her voice shaking with fear. “Or go crazy.”</p> -<p>Mrs. Fishberry drew down the corners of her -mouth.</p> -<p>“I think that you’re crazy now,” she remarked, -with biting scorn.</p> -<p>The girl started to cry piteously. She was weak -and helpless; now that Linda Carlton and her -dear Aunt Emily had been taken from her, -there was no one in the world to protect her. For -she had no faith in this strange uncle, who apparently -cared as little for her as did this harsh -woman.</p> -<p>“I want Linda!” she cried. “Oh, Linda, why -did you leave me?”</p> -<p>“You little fool!” exclaimed Mrs. Fishberry in -exasperation. “You’re acting like an idiot. That -girl was no friend to you.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_145">145</div> -<p>“She was the best friend I ever had!” cried -Helen, vehemently.</p> -<p>“Oh, yeah?” snarled her companion. She was -so irritated that she gave up her pretense of being -the kind aunt. “And you were too dumb to see -through those scheming Carltons!”</p> -<p>“What do you mean?” demanded Helen, up in -arms at the slur to her new friends.</p> -<p>“They were trying to pull the wool over your -eyes, of course! So that you wouldn’t remember -anything.”</p> -<p>“What do you mean by ‘pull the wool over my -eyes?’”</p> -<p>“It’s just an expression, Miss Dumb-bell. I see -that I have to explain everything to you, as if you -were a child six years old. I’ll have to tell you in -words of one syllable:</p> -<p>“Linda Carlton was doing stunts with that -plane of hers near to the ground. Somebody, never -mind who, but somebody we know, saw her. And -she crashed and <i>hit you</i>! There wasn’t any car -driving along the road at all. So she made up the -story and got her friend to swear that it was -true!”</p> -<p>Helen’s dark eyes were blazing with righteous -anger.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_146">146</div> -<p>“Don’t you dare to say Linda Carlton would -lie!” she exclaimed. “She’s the soul of honor, and -so is Dot Crowley!”</p> -<p>“You don’t say so,” observed Mrs. Fishberry, -sarcastically. “Well, I happen to know she did lie, -and we’ve got proof of it. Why do you suppose she -and her aunt were so nice to you? Because they -thought you were beautiful, or interesting, or -rich?”</p> -<p>“No, I guess not,” admitted Helen, choking -over the words. “I guess I was a sight in those -dreadful clothes—” She turned to her companion -accusingly. “If you took care of me, why didn’t -you dress me better?”</p> -<p>“Because we’re poor. I had to sacrifice everything -to provide food for you.”</p> -<p>“But your clothes are pretty nice,” observed -the girl, shrewdly.</p> -<p>“Well, what of it?” snapped the other. “You -haven’t answered my question yet. Why did the -Carltons make so much of you, if it wasn’t to stop -your mouth? They thought that if they entertained -you for a week in their house, afterwards, -if your memory came back, you wouldn’t sue -them.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_147">147</div> -<p>“What do you mean by ‘sue them?’” asked -Helen, with that amazing ignorance that she -showed every once in a while regarding ordinary -words. “There was a girl in Linda’s crowd named -Sue Emery——”</p> -<p>“You get dumber by the minute!” returned -Mrs. Fishberry. “We’re going to make Miss Linda -Carlton pay fifty thousand dollars damages because -she smashed into you with her plane. Now, -do you get that?”</p> -<p>“You wouldn’t!” cried Helen, in horror. “You -just couldn’t!”</p> -<p>“Sure we could. The law is on our side.” The -woman’s manner suddenly changed, and she remembered -to play the part of the fond aunt. “Now -don’t you worry, Helen,” she added. “It’s for you -we’re doing it. We’ll spend the money on you. -First, for a good doctor—a specialist to restore -your memory—and then for education and pretty -clothes. You’ll be a fine lady some day, if you -don’t act silly about Linda Carlton.”</p> -<p>“But I love her, and I don’t believe anything -against her.”</p> -<p>“You love her more than you do me, because she -took care of you for a week, while I gave the best -years of my life to you!”</p> -<p>“I’m sorry, Aunt Elsie, but you can’t expect me -to be grateful for something I can’t remember.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_148">148</div> -<p>While they had been talking they had reached -the front door of the house and stopped at the -steps of the porch. The wooden boards had rotted -and the heavy door was sadly in need of paint. -Everything about the place suggested neglect, -ruin, and decay.</p> -<p>Helen shuddered.</p> -<p>“Let’s not stay here!” she begged. “I’d rather -walk all the way to town than sleep in this haunted -house over night.”</p> -<p>“Nonsense,” replied the other. “I’m tired and -hungry. Come on in.”</p> -<p>She pulled the girl up the steps, and, selecting a -large key from her hand bag, inserted it into the -lock and turned the knob. The heavy door creaked -and opened.</p> -<p>Inside, the house was gloomy and forbidding. -All the old-fashioned shutters were closed so that -the appearance within was almost of night. Helen -stopped at the doorway and shivered with fear.</p> -<p>“Come along back to the kitchen and we’ll see -if we can find something to eat,” said Mrs. Fishberry -in a cheerful tone.</p> -<p>“I don’t want to!” objected Helen.</p> -<p>“Don’t be a coward!” returned the other. “I’m -ashamed of you!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_149">149</div> -<p>Plucking up her courage the girl led the way -through the large dim hall, with its great dark -staircase in the center, to the wing where the -kitchen had been built. The door of this room was -locked on the outside with another huge key.</p> -<p>“Here we are!” exclaimed Mrs. Fishberry, as -she opened the door. “Now can’t we get some -light into this room?”</p> -<p>She walked over to the windows and tried to -raise them. But they were evidently nailed and -barred on the outside.</p> -<p>“I wonder whether there is any food,” she remarked. -“And what kind of stove this is.”</p> -<p>“It’s an oil stove,” answered Helen, in a flash. -“And there’s a supply of oil under that table. -And here’s where the food is kept,” she added, -pointing to a large cupboard.</p> -<p>Mrs. Fishberry eyed her narrowly.</p> -<p>“You remember pretty well, Helen,” she said.</p> -<p>“Yes, I do. Look, here’s tea and sugar and oatmeal. -Well, we won’t starve.”</p> -<p>“That’s good. Now can you remember where to -get the water?”</p> -<p>“Yes, there’s a pump out back. But this door -won’t open. It must be barred up—yes, I remember -it was when Linda and I looked at it.”</p> -<p>“That’s all right. You go out the front door -with these two buckets and bring in some water. -I’ll be looking about for a place to sleep.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_150">150</div> -<p>While the girl was gone, Mrs. Fishberry made -an inspection. A small, winding staircase led from -the kitchen to a room above, a bedroom, and in -this she decided that Helen could sleep. It would -be a simple matter to slip out of the kitchen and -lock the girl in, leaving her here until Monday -morning. With food and water at hand, no court -could hold Mrs. Fishberry responsible if anything -happened. And what was the use of taking her to -Chicago and paying unnecessary board for her -in the meanwhile?</p> -<p>It was all accomplished without the slightest -difficulty. When Helen returned, Mrs. Fishberry -waited only long enough to light the oil stove and -to put some oatmeal on to cook. Then she asked -the girl to run up the staircase and see whether -she had dropped her handkerchief when she was -up in the bedroom. By the time Helen had returned -the kitchen door to the hall was locked and Mrs. -Fishberry was turning the key in the outer door -of the house.</p> -<p>Five minutes later she stepped into her taxicab -and bade the driver return to the railroad station.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_151">151</div> -<h2 id="c13"><span class="h2line1">Chapter XIII</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">The Haunted House</span></h2> -<p>When Helen came down the crooked staircase -from the bedroom into the kitchen, she did not -perceive at once that she was alone. Though not -so dark as the rest of the house—for there were -no shutters at the kitchen windows—this room was -far from bright. Two small windows afforded the -only means of admitting the light, and each of -these had several boards nailed across the outside.</p> -<p>“Aunt Elsie, where are you?” she called, trying -to keep her voice calm.</p> -<p>There was no answer.</p> -<p>“Aunt Elsie!” she cried, in a louder tone, as -she rushed over to the door. To her horror she -found it locked.</p> -<p>Darting to the nearest window, she peered outside. -But as there was no view of the front from -the kitchen, she did not see her.</p> -<p>In a panic she started to scream.</p> -<p>“Mrs. Fishberry! Aunt Elsie! Where are you?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_152">152</div> -<p>Wildly she looked about the dimly-lighted room, -as if in some corner she expected to see the ghost -of the tower, working its evil upon them, because -they had dared to return to this old house.</p> -<p>But she saw nothing, and overcome with terror, -she sank to the floor in a bitter abandon of weeping.</p> -<p>The room grew darker; the silence became ominous. -Any moment she expected that weird apparition -with its skinny hands to enter through -the closed windows, and torture her. Now and -again she heard queer moans and creaks, but -whether they were caused by the wind in the trees -outside, or mice in the ancient boards, she did -not know.</p> -<p>She must have fallen asleep, crouched in that -position on the floor, for when she regained consciousness -it was entirely dark in the kitchen. -Hardly realizing where she was, she stumbled to -her feet and went right to the drawer in the cupboard -where the candles were kept. She lighted -one, and shivered anew at the weird, gloomy shadows -it cast upon the walls. If the house seemed -forbidding before, it was actually ghostly now. -Strange shapes seemed to rise out of the darkness, -to leer at her in her loneliness. She groped her way -to the stove and sat down upon the hard kitchen -chair beside it to think.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_153">153</div> -<p>It was the thought of Linda Carlton that kept -her from losing her reason. Linda, who had flown -over the Atlantic Ocean alone in the darkness, -Linda who had assured Helen that her fears were -groundless. She must live through this experience, -she told herself, live to be a credit to the girl who -had saved her life! Live to stand up for Linda -Carlton when she should be accused by false witnesses! -With a grim determination to control herself -at any cost, she walked back to the cupboard -for a saucer and a spoon, and forced herself to -eat the oatmeal which had all the while been cooking -on the oil stove.</p> -<p>The food revived her, and the water tasted good. -Somehow she felt better.</p> -<p>Remembering that her bedroom was lighter than -the kitchen, because she could open the shutters, -Helen took a candle and ascended the stairs. But -here a new terror took possession of her. She recalled -the fact that she could see the ghost in the -tower from the window!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_154">154</div> -<p>Trembling at the very thought, she placed her -candle on the old-fashioned wash stand and sat -down on the big wooden bed to try to get command -of herself. What would Linda Carlton do in a -case like this, she steadfastly asked herself?</p> -<p>“Forget it, of course,” she replied aloud in a -natural tone, and the sound of her own voice, without -even a tremble, gave her courage.</p> -<p>“I won’t even open that shutter,” she decided, -“and then I shan’t have to see it!”</p> -<p>With this resolve, she set herself to the task of -opening the other window and of making her -preparations for bed. How familiar it all was! She -remembered even the contents of the bureau -drawers: an old doll which she had kept since her -childhood, some other toys, and a few clothes. -Very few indeed, for she must have been exceedingly -poor.</p> -<p>As she wandered about the old-fashioned room, -so different from the bedrooms of Linda’s friends, -her eyes lighted upon the book case. Filled with -strange volumes of adventure, which must have -belonged to her grandfather. And then, on a bedside -table, she came upon her own little Bible.</p> -<p>As she opened this worn black book, a picture -fell out. An old-fashioned picture of an old woman—a -kindly person, with a sweet smile. Helen’s -heart beat fast; she seized the picture with trembling -fingers. Memories flooded back to her in wild -confusion, but at the center of them all was this -dear woman—her old nurse—Mrs. Smalley!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_155">155</div> -<p>“Oh, darling Nana!” she cried, ecstatically kissing -the photograph, and calling the woman by the -old familiar name. “Nana, you have brought back -my memory to me!”</p> -<p>But a start of dismay followed closely upon her -joy. Where was Nana now?</p> -<p>“Why, she’s out looking for me, of course!” -she answered herself. “And she is so poor that -she probably had to walk all the way to the city, -and never even saw a newspaper until she got -there! Oh, my poor dear Nana! She can’t walk -fast! Those wretched feet of hers! And her deafness, -and her failing eyesight!”</p> -<p>The thought of the beloved nurse’s plight took -Helen’s worries away from herself entirely. She -forgot how lonely, how fearful, how forsaken she -was. If only she could get out of this house, and -hunt the dear soul! Do something for Nana, who -would gladly lay down her life for her child!</p> -<p>But escape was impossible now; she must wait -until to-morrow when Mrs. Fishberry had promised -that her uncle would return.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_156">156</div> -<p>“My uncle?” thought Helen, trying vainly to -remember such a man. Surely he had not lived -here, for she could recall her life perfectly with -Mrs. Smalley. They had lived alone after the death -of her old grandfather, whom she could still -vaguely recall. They had slept together in this -bed, and cooked on that little oil stove, and tended -a garden on the side of the house. Oh, there had -been precious little money—she remembered how -her nurse had sometimes sold books and pieces of -furniture, and how she had often sent her to the -post office to see whether there was a letter. Probably -it was there she was walking on the day of -that accident. But what letter could she have expected? -From whom? From her uncle, of course! -Who once in a while sent Mrs. Smalley a five-dollar -bill.</p> -<p>But Helen could not remember what he was -like. Perhaps he had visited them when she was -a very small child, but she did not know what he -looked like. And from what Mrs. Smalley had said, -he was not a good man, or a kind one.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_157">157</div> -<p>But who was Mrs. Fishberry? Try as she might, -she could not recall ever having seen her before. -And why did her uncle want her now, after neglecting -her all these years? Oh, if she had only -known all this when she was with Linda Carlton, -she need not have gone away with that woman! -And now she would be free to hunt for Mrs. Smalley! -Linda would have been glad to help, would -have flown all over the country, if need be, in her -autogiro, to find her.</p> -<p>Helen sighed, but she did not despair. With -the return of her memory a great weight was -lifted from her heart. That ghost would not come -into her room, she assured herself, with the shutters -tightly closed, and the morning would bring -freedom. Freedom to find Mrs. Smalley, to share -with her that wonderful prize of five hundred dollars -which Linda had so generously insisted that -she take.</p> -<p>So she read her Bible for a while, as her nurse -had trained her to do every evening before she -went to bed, and at last, tired out by her exciting -day in the skies, she fell fast asleep.</p> -<p>When she awoke, without even once experiencing -any bad dream, she was in high spirits. How -good it was to see the sunshine pouring in through -the one open window and to hear the birds singing -in the trees. Surely to-day her uncle would -come for her.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_158">158</div> -<p>She dressed and cooked herself some oatmeal -and made tea for her breakfast. A search in the -cupboard rewarded her with the discovery of some -dried beans and a few home-made cookies. Made -for her, of course, by dear Mrs. Smalley—in the -hope that her child would return! How unhappy -the good woman must have been when day after -day brought only disappointment!</p> -<p>All day long Helen watched at her bed-room -window for some signs of arrival; all day long she -listened for the sound of a motor car. But hour -after hour passed quietly, until the sun began to -sink in the sky, and she at last gave up hope of -being rescued.</p> -<p>With the horror of approaching night a new -fear took possession of her. Suppose they never -came at all! Suppose Mrs. Fishberry meant to -abandon her entirely in this gruesome house, until -she starved to death, or lost her mind? How long -could she hope to keep alive on those dried beans? -And the limited supply of water! How dreadful it -must be to die of thirst—far more horrible she believed, -than of hunger.</p> -<p>But she must not give up so easily. There were -knives in that kitchen cupboard; if she worked -patiently enough she could cut the woodwork. By -cutting the wood and breaking the glass she need -not be a prisoner long.</p> -<p>But she would not begin that night, she hastily -decided. Such an act of destruction might enrage -that ghost in the tower, if it were the spirit of -her grandfather, as she had always believed it to -be. No, she would wait for daylight. How sorry -she was that she had wasted this whole day!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_159">159</div> -<p>It was more difficult for her to go to sleep that -night than upon the previous one, for she was not -tired. But she resolutely read her Bible and kept -her thoughts upon Linda and Nana until her eyelids -began to droop.</p> -<p>Then, with a contented sigh, she fell back on her -pillow asleep.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_160">160</div> -<h2 id="c14"><span class="h2line1">Chapter XIV</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">Two Surprises for Linda</span></h2> -<p>Mike O’Malley, the young reporter who had -volunteered his help in making an investigation -of the empty house, departed immediately after -his conversation with Linda and Dot on Sunday -morning at Lake Winnebago.</p> -<p>“I’ll be over at the place to-morrow, late in the -afternoon,” he promised, as he put the map of -directions into his pocket. “And I’ll bring tools -with me. Maybe I’ll even commandeer a ladder -from the nearest farmhouse, so we can climb in a -window if it is necessary. Like regular robbers!”</p> -<p>“That’s an idea!” approved Linda, thinking -how useful such a thing might be in getting into -the tower. “Make it a good high one!”</p> -<p>The two girls left their secluded spot and -strolled back to the Inn to join the other guests. -Here a surprise of an exceedingly unpleasant nature -awaited Linda. Her Aunt Emily handed her -a telegram which was far from being a message -of congratulation upon winning the race, as the -older woman suggested that it might be.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_161">161</div> -<p>Opening it hastily, she read these threatening -words:</p> -<blockquote> -<div class="verse"> -<p class="t0">“Miss Linda Carlton,</p> -<p class="t0">Green Falls, Mich.</p> -</div> -<p>“You are hereby informed that my client, -Mrs. Edward Tower (formerly Mrs. Elsie -Fishberry), of Chicago, will sue you for -$50,000 damages for striking her niece, Helen -Tower, with your autogiro. We have a witness.</p> -<p class="jr1"><span class="sc">Leo Epstein</span>,<br /><i>Attorney at Law</i>.”</p> -</blockquote> -<p>Linda read the message through twice before -she could really believe it. With a blank stare she -handed it silently to her aunt.</p> -<p>“Why, that’s absurd!” cried the older woman, -unusually angry for her. “Fifty thousand dollars! -Why, you haven’t got that much money!”</p> -<p>“I know. But I suppose Mrs. Fishberry thought -we were enormously rich. Mike O’Malley said -there was something crooked about this woman, -and I believe him. I bet this is the only reason -she bothered to get Amy back.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_162">162</div> -<p>“It’s a frame-up, of course,” said Miss Carlton. -“The witness is someone who is being bribed to -lie. And a dishonest lawyer, who is willing to take -the case for what he can get out of it. You have -a witness too, however, in Dot.”</p> -<p>“Yes, but the judge may say that since she’s -my friend that of course she would testify for me. -Oh, Aunt Emily, what shall we do? Wire for -Daddy to come to Green Falls?”</p> -<p>“I’m afraid we can’t do that, my dear. I had -a telegram from him yesterday just before we -left home—I forgot to tell you in the excitement -over the treasure hunt—informing me that he was -sailing for Paris to-day. He is going to wander -about France, in some of the smaller towns, partly -on business and partly for pleasure. We simply -can’t wire him.”</p> -<p>“Then what shall we do?” repeated Linda, desperately.</p> -<p>“I don’t know. We’ll have to think about it. -Write to Mr. Irwin, I suppose. He is a wonderful -lawyer, you know.”</p> -<p>“Will you do that for me right away, Aunt -Emily?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_163">163</div> -<p>“Yes, dear, if you’ll promise to cheer up and -forget it for the time being. After all you have -done nothing wrong, and there is nothing to worry -about— Now, will you go get ready for lunch? It -ought to be announced any minute now.”</p> -<p>Leaving the disagreeable telegram with her -aunt, Linda went to her room to dress. When she -returned, another surprise awaited her, which she -did not know whether to regard as pleasant or not. -She had tried to put the thought of Lord Dudley -out of her mind, and here he was again—as fascinating -and as handsome as ever.</p> -<p>He was standing in the corner of the reception -room talking with Tom Hulbert and another man, -a stranger to Linda, when the girl came down the -stairs.</p> -<p>“Miss Carlton!” he exclaimed, with his charming -smile, and in another moment he was shaking -hands with her and introducing the stranger, John -Kuhns, a friend of Tom Hulbert, to her.</p> -<p>“But how did you know about this party?” -demanded Linda. “We all told you about the -treasure hunt, but I didn’t think you knew about -the house-party here at the lake.”</p> -<p>“Oh, Mr. Clavering invited me to join you all -here, before I left Green Falls. But I’ve been very -busy, in Chicago, and I couldn’t get away last -night. If it hadn’t been for Mr. Kuhns, I shouldn’t -be here now.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_164">164</div> -<p>At this moment Ralph Clavering and his father -joined the little group, the younger man as usual -looking annoyed at the reappearance of another -admirer of Linda.</p> -<p>“I hope that you and Mr. Kuhns can arrange to -stay until to-morrow, Lord Dudley,” said the -older man cordially. “The party isn’t breaking up -till the afternoon.”</p> -<p>“That’s awfully kind,” replied the Englishman, -“but I’m afraid I can’t. I have some rather important -business on for to-morrow. So Kuhns -and I are flying back this afternoon.” He turned -to Linda. “In which case,” he said, “since my -time is so short, may I have a stroll with you after -luncheon, Miss Carlton?”</p> -<p>Linda hesitated.</p> -<p>“We were all going to take our planes up this -afternoon—” she began.</p> -<p>“That can be postponed until four o’clock,” -suggested Mr. Clavering, graciously. Ralph, however, -frowned moodily, and walked away.</p> -<p>Linda herself was not so sure that she wanted -a tête-à-tête with this man. It would be easier to -forget him if she did not see much of him. But -there was no real reason to refuse, so she met him -again at half-past two on the porch.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_165">165</div> -<p>“I certainly want to congratulate you, Miss -Carlton,” he said, as they strolled towards the -lake. “And I hear that the prize is money.”</p> -<p>“Yes,” she replied, smiling. “A thousand dollars. -But I am sharing it with Amy, because she -really found the place.”</p> -<p>“Amy?” he repeated. “That girl—your protégée?”</p> -<p>“Yes.”</p> -<p>“And where is she now?” he asked casually. -Linda wondered whether he were merely talking -to keep the conversation impersonal. Well, he -needn’t worry about her; fascinating as he was, -she didn’t want to marry him!</p> -<p>“Her aunt took her away from me,” she replied. -“It seems that where the treasure was hidden, -was really her old home.”</p> -<p>“Indeed!” he remarked. “And you say you -met her aunt? Then you found out who she was, -and everything is all right?”</p> -<p>“Yes. Her real name is Helen Tower. The woman -had pictures, and a key to the house. But she -was a very disagreeable person.”</p> -<p>“Too bad for the child,” he muttered. “Did the -girl know her?”</p> -<p>“No, she didn’t. And she didn’t want to go. -But Mrs. Fishberry insisted. And now she is making -things very unpleasant for me.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_166">166</div> -<p>“How’s that?”</p> -<p>“She claims that I smashed into Amy with my -autogiro—that there wasn’t any car at all. And -she’s going to sue me for fifty thousand dollars!”</p> -<p>“How can she?” demanded her companion, -angrily. Then his eyes twinkled, and he asked suddenly, -“Was there really a car, Linda?”</p> -<p>Linda’s eyes blazed. Did this man actually think -she would lie? Of course, he hadn’t known her -long, but she thought he knew her well enough -for that.</p> -<p>“Of course, there was a car,” she replied, -haughtily. “A gray car, driven by an elderly man, -at eighty miles an hour—or something like that. I -have Miss Crowley as a witness, but they say they -have one, too, and I suppose I shall have to go -to court.”</p> -<p>“Always in the newspapers,” he remarked, -teasingly.</p> -<p>“Yes, and not only that, but I expect to take a -job in the fall that may take me far away from -Chicago. It’s going to be awfully inconvenient, -even if I don’t have to pay any money.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_167">167</div> -<p>They strolled along in silence for a little while, -and Linda had a sudden desire to be back with -her other friends. This Englishman was not so -fascinating upon further acquaintance, and she -longed for Dot. If she had a chance to talk to her -about the telegram, she would feel better. Dot -always had such wonderful suggestions.</p> -<p>Lord Dudley, however, had one to offer.</p> -<p>“Why don’t you try to buy the woman off, Miss -Carlton?” he asked.</p> -<p>“What for?” she demanded, angrily.</p> -<p>“Oh, say for about twenty-five thousand—maybe -less, if she’d take it. It would save you a lot -of time and worry, and maybe money in the end. -You may be telling the truth, but how’s a judge to -know that, if the other people have a witness?”</p> -<p>Linda drew herself up proudly. She was actually -beginning to dislike the man.</p> -<p>“I wouldn’t think of it!” she exclaimed. “That -would be the same as admitting that I was guilty. -No, thank you—I’d rather fight.”</p> -<p>Looking ahead of her, she suddenly spied Ralph -sitting alone on a bench beside the lake. He was -probably furious with her for going off with this -stranger, and all of a sudden she saw his point of -view. Who was Lord Dudley anyhow, to step in -between them like this?</p> -<p>“I’ll race you to that bench!” she challenged, -abruptly. “Ralph looks lonely.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_168">168</div> -<p>“I’m too old to run,” he replied, smiling. “But -you go along. I really must be getting back to the -Inn. We’re leaving soon—” He hesitated, and -held out his hand. “It’s good-by, now, Miss Carlton. -I’m sailing for England early next week. I -don’t suppose I’ll see you again till you come there -on one of your flights.”</p> -<p>“Good-by, Lord Dudley,” she replied. “But -don’t expect me soon! I’ve been across the Atlantic -you know, and next time I’ll be flying the -Pacific.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_169">169</div> -<h2 id="c15"><span class="h2line1">Chapter XV</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">The Ghost in the Tower</span></h2> -<p>Linda spent Monday morning inspecting her -autogiro and making some minor repairs in preparation -for her flight back to Green Falls. She -did not tell her aunt that she and Dot were planning -to stop at the empty house, for she did not -want to worry the good woman. If everything -went well, she ought to be home before supper.</p> -<p>Dot had persuaded Bert Keen to return the -airplane which she had flown in the race, and she -took the precaution of packing some sandwiches -and some fruit in the autogiro. On an adventure -like this, you never could tell what would happen.</p> -<p>“I hope that Mike O’Malley is there when we -arrive,” she remarked, as, early in the afternoon, -she and Linda climbed into the “Ladybug.”</p> -<p>“So do I,” agreed Linda. “But I am not counting -on him. I have my own tools, and—guess -what?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_170">170</div> -<p>“What?” demanded her companion.</p> -<p>“I’ve been practicing picking locks! We won’t -need a ladder, after all! I’m quite good at it. I -think I’d make a first-class burglar.”</p> -<p>“That’s some accomplishment!”</p> -<p>“It really is. And you never can tell when it -will come in handy. If some child were locked in -a burning house, or some old woman with heart -disease had a spell in the bath tub——”</p> -<p>“Now, Linda!” protested her companion. “So -you really think that you can get into that house?”</p> -<p>“Without a doubt. And it’s going to be lots -of fun.”</p> -<p>“Yes—maybe. Suppose there really is a ghost -in the tower, Linda! You know you do read of -such things——”</p> -<p>In spite of her gayety, Linda shivered. The -memory of that ghastly face at the window was -still vivid to her.</p> -<p>“It won’t be so bad if we go together,” she replied. -“And there must be some explanation of -that queer apparition.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_171">171</div> -<p>The day was beautiful and clear, and the sun -shining; amidst all this loveliness the girls could -not believe in ghosts. Dismissing the gruesome -subject from their minds, they gave their attention -to the country over which they were passing. -Linda was flying low in the hope that she might -identify the spot where the accident had occurred. -She wanted to see how far it really was from the -house which Helen Tower believed to have been -her home.</p> -<p>It was Dot who spied it first—the big oak in the -field, where they had landed to offer help to the -injured girl. A moment later they saw the road, -winding as it did over the hill, from whence that -gray car had so suddenly and so disastrously appeared.</p> -<p>Dot marked the spot on the map which she held -in her lap and Linda flew on towards the house -with the tower. About three miles beyond they -caught a glimpse of it through the trees.</p> -<p>They flew across in front of the house, over a -big field which had evidently once been a lawn, but -which was now overgrown with weeds and tall -grass, but Linda decided not to land there. It was -too conspicuous a place to leave the “Ladybug,” -in case anyone came along. Instead she came -down behind the barn as before, the girls walked -around to the front of the house, by the side away -from the kitchen. Linda carried her tool kit—“just -like an ordinary robber,” she remarked—and -they climbed the wooden porch steps to the -front door.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_172">172</div> -<p>“Wait!” whispered Dot, in awe. “I hear an -awfully queer sound!”</p> -<p>Both girls stood motionless and listened. A dull, -rasping noise reached their ears, which continued -with monotonous regularity, now and then changing -to a squeak.</p> -<p>“The ghost!” breathed Dot.</p> -<p>“No,” replied Linda. “It’s some animal—or -possibly a human being. We better knock on the -door before I start to pick the lock. If Mrs. Fishberry -is here, she’d jump at the chance to have -us arrested.”</p> -<p>Raising her hand, Dot thumped loudly on the -door. A reply instantly came to them.</p> -<p>“Linda! Oh, Linda!” a girl’s voice screamed.</p> -<p>“It’s Amy—I mean Helen!” exclaimed Linda, -breathlessly. “Just what I was afraid of! That -woman locked her in!”</p> -<p>“But what could be the point of torturing the -child?” demanded Dot.</p> -<p>“I don’t know. That’s for us to find out.” She -lifted her voice. “Amy!” she cried, at the top of -her lungs.</p> -<p>“Here I am—around the back!” yelled the girl.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_173">173</div> -<p>In excited haste Linda and Dot ran down the -steps and around the side of the house. There -at the kitchen window, from whose panes the -glass had been broken, stood the girl, patiently -cutting away at the woodwork with a dull carving -knife.</p> -<p>Both girls ran up and kissed her through the -broken window.</p> -<p>“I heard the plane, and I was hoping it was -you!” said Helen.</p> -<p>“Are you all right?” demanded Linda, almost -afraid to ask. She dreaded to think what confinement -in this ghastly house might have done to the -nervous girl.</p> -<p>“I’m fine,” replied the other. “Only I’m a prisoner. -But I was going to work my way out.”</p> -<p>“Are you alone?”</p> -<p>“Yes. Mrs. Fishberry locked me in and ran -away on Saturday.”</p> -<p>“Oh, you poor girl!” cried Linda. “And are -you starved to death?”</p> -<p>“No. I had oatmeal and water and dried lima -beans. Really, I’m all right. And Linda—I remember -everything!”</p> -<p>“Honestly?”</p> -<p>“Yes. You can call me Helen now—that really -is my right name. I’ll tell you all about it when I -get out of here.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_174">174</div> -<p>“I’ll get you out,” replied Linda. “I’ll pick the -lock on the front door, and on your inside door.”</p> -<p>“Can you really? Is there anything you can’t -do, Miss Linda Carlton?”</p> -<p>Linda laughed; it was wonderful to find the girl -in such good spirits.</p> -<p>“You stay here, Dot,” she said, “and keep Amy—I -mean Helen—company. I won’t be long.”</p> -<p>She was right in her surmise; the job did not -take long, and she was extremely proud of her -new accomplishment. In less than half an hour she -opened the heavy door and stepped into the dimly-lighted -house. The huge square hall, with its great -staircase, the closed shutters, the sparsely furnished -rooms cast a gloomy atmosphere. It was -just the sort of house a ghost might be expected -to haunt.</p> -<p>By means of her flashlight she made her way -through the hall to the door where she supposed -the kitchen to be. She knocked loudly, calling,</p> -<p>“Yo-ho, girls!”</p> -<p>“Yo, Linda!” was the reassuring reply.</p> -<p>But here it was not necessary to pick the lock, -for Mrs. Fishberry had left the key in the door. -So Linda merely turned it and walked into the -room.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_175">175</div> -<p>The two girls rushed at each other in joy, and -Dot bounded around the house to join in the happy -reunion.</p> -<p>“First I’m going to get some fresh air and -some fresh water,” announced Helen. “Then let’s -go.”</p> -<p>“Go?” repeated Linda. “Why, we just came.”</p> -<p>Helen looked puzzled.</p> -<p>“But didn’t you come for me?” she asked. -“And now that you’ve set me free——”</p> -<p>“We weren’t sure that you’d be here,” explained -Linda. “In fact, we didn’t expect to find -you—we thought you were with Mrs. Fishberry. -We really came to explore.”</p> -<p>“Explore?”</p> -<p>“Yes. The tower—the ghost you were so frightened -of.” Linda did not add that she had seen it -herself.</p> -<p>“Oh, maybe that was my imagination,” returned -Helen, lightly. “I don’t care about it now -that everything has come back. All I want is to -find my old nurse—Mrs. Smalley.”</p> -<p>“Mrs. Smalley?” repeated Dot. “You don’t -mean Mrs. Fishberry?”</p> -<p>“No, I don’t. I’ll tell you all about it, while we -explore the house, if you insist on doing that.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_176">176</div> -<p>So, as the girls walked about from room to -room, examining everything, peeping into closets, -inspecting Helen’s bedroom, the girl told them the -story of her life. They listened breathlessly, sharing -with her the intense desire to find the dear -old nurse who had been all the mother Helen had -ever known.</p> -<p>Both Dot and Linda agreed that it was necessary -to set to work at once, but Linda was not -willing to leave until she had visited that tower. -Though Helen had been able to put the vision -of the ghost out of her mind, Linda could not -do it so easily. She had seen for herself—in -daylight.</p> -<p>“We’ll go as soon as we have a look at the -tower,” she agreed. “But I’ve just got to go up -there, Helen. Please show us the way.”</p> -<p>The girl shuddered.</p> -<p>“I’m afraid something may happen, Linda. I—I -don’t want to go.”</p> -<p>“Well, just show us the staircase, and you can -stay at the bottom of it and wait for us.”</p> -<p>“But I’m as much afraid for you as I am for -myself,” she insisted.</p> -<p>“Nevertheless, I’ve got to go. It may have -something to do with Mrs. Fishberry—it may help -clear things up. By the way, Helen, do you remember -her now?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_177">177</div> -<p>“No, I don’t.”</p> -<p>“Do you remember your uncle?”</p> -<p>“Only that there was one, and neither Mrs. -Smalley nor my grandfather liked him. They both -said he was wicked.”</p> -<p>“He may be up in this tower, ready to spring at -us with a gun,” suggested Dot. “That would be -worse than a ghost.”</p> -<p>Helen led the way to the third floor of the big -old house, and thence to a room which was scarcely -more than a closet, with a spiral staircase -which ascended to the tower. Linda went up first, -followed by Dot, while Helen slowly mounted -after them.</p> -<p>It was so dark that had it not been for the -flashlight, Linda would never have noticed the -door at the top. This opened inward, and she -stepped into the tower room. But it, too, was pitch -black—a fact which she could not explain when -she recalled seeing at least two windows in the -tower from the autogiro.</p> -<p>“What a horrible place!” exclaimed Dot, as -she too reached the top. “Such a musty smell! -And dust!”</p> -<p>“Are you still alive?” came a faint voice from -below, and a moment later Helen joined them.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_178">178</div> -<p>“Better close that door,” advised Linda. “We -don’t want to fall down the steps.”</p> -<p>“Where are the windows?” demanded Dot.</p> -<p>“Behind those curtains,” cried Linda, making -the discovery as she turned her flashlight upon a -heavy drapery which hung over the wall.</p> -<p>“Let’s pull them down and get some daylight,” -she suggested. Grasping them with both hands, -she gave a tremendous pull, and the heavy curtains -fell to the floor in a heap.</p> -<p>The sight which she disclosed made all three -girls cry out in horror. The ghost which both -Linda and Helen had seen was revealed to them -now!</p> -<p>Helen hid her head on Dot’s shoulder, but Linda -was no longer afraid. Seen from behind, for the -figure was facing the window, it was by no means -so gruesome. A human skeleton had been draped -with a black cloak, and the hollows in the bones -of its face had been filled with some preparation -like wax. When she examined it closely, Linda saw -that the eyes were glass, probably covered with -some phosphorous compound, to make them -gleam. And the hands, which had especially confounded -her on that previous occasion, were actually -moving now. But there was a reason: a light -string attached them to each other, and a small -weight slid along the string, pulling first one hand -down and then the other. It was clever and ingenious—and -horrible.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_179">179</div> -<p>But Linda could not help laughing at herself -for being fooled so.</p> -<p>“It looks like a college boy’s prank,” she said, -as Helen was finally induced to examine it for -herself. “I suppose your father or your uncle did -it in their youth—to frighten the other boys. And -they must have forgotten all about it, and left it -here.”</p> -<p>“Maybe my uncle did it on purpose to frighten -me,” remarked Helen. “I think he had some reason -for wanting Mrs. Smalley and me to move—perhaps -so that he could get the house for himself.”</p> -<p>“Possibly,” admitted Linda.</p> -<p>“Well, let’s pull the old thing down, anyway,” -suggested Dot. “No use frightening the countryside. -And hadn’t we better take down the other -curtains and see whether there are any more?”</p> -<p>Linda turned about and pulled at another drapery. -This, however, disclosed only a bare window. -A third showed a blank wall behind. Then she -and Dot proceeded to dismantle the ghost and to -pile it into the corner. It was while they were -doing this that a panel fell out of the wall.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_180">180</div> -<p>“More mysteries!” exclaimed Dot, excitedly. -“Here’s a hidden closet. Maybe we’ll find some -money!”</p> -<p>“Or a lost will,” added Linda, jokingly, never -thinking that she had guessed the very thing.</p> -<p>“How did you know, Linda?” demanded Dot, -picking up the yellowed packet. “That’s exactly -what it is! What was your grandfather’s name, -Helen?”</p> -<p>“Henry Adolph Tower,” replied the girl. “I -never knew that he left a will. Is it his?”</p> -<p>“Yes. Oh, come on over here, Linda—give me -your flashlight. It’s getting dark in here again. -Let’s read it!”</p> -<p>So busy had the girls been that they had hardly -noticed the fading light until they tried to read -the words on the written and printed pages. But -they had not started from Lake Winnebago until -three o’clock, and the flight had been a considerable -distance.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_181">181</div> -<p>Breathlessly, Dot read out the formal, legal -words of the will, picking her way slowly among -the unfamiliar terms. But there could be no doubt -about the contents. Henry Adolph Tower had left -the house and grounds and the sum of one hundred -thousand dollars in bonds and cash to his granddaughter -Helen, and a bequest of five thousand -dollars to Mrs. Smalley. A Trust Company in Chicago -had these in keeping until the will should be -probated.</p> -<p>Helen’s eyes were gleaming and her cheeks were -flaming. She simply could not believe her good -fortune. Oh, if she could only tell dear old Nana -about it, this very minute!</p> -<p>“Now aren’t you glad we came up here?” demanded -Dot.</p> -<p>“I should say I am,” she replied. “Oh, Linda—and -Dot—you have done so much for me!”</p> -<p>“What’s that queer smell?” asked Linda -abruptly changing the subject.</p> -<p>“Something’s burning,” said Dot.</p> -<p>“I wonder if I left any beans on cooking,” remarked -Helen. “I was so excited when I heard -you girls come in that plane, that I don’t remember -whether I left the oil stove burning or not.”</p> -<p>“Could the kitchen be on fire?” demanded Dot, -holding the will tightly in her hands. “Girls, -we’ve got to get out of here!”</p> -<p>Taking the flashlight Linda led the way down -the staircase and opened the door of the small -room that led to the hall. An overpowering cloud -of smoke rushed against her, stifling her so that -she closed the door immediately again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_182">182</div> -<p>“Stay here!” she commanded to the others, -who had just come down the spiral staircase. -“Keep the door closed, while I see whether I can -force my way through. The house is on fire!”</p> -<p>Closing the door again, she crept out on her -hands and knees through the smoke-filled passageway. -The atmosphere was dense with the smoke, -so overpowering that Linda gasped helplessly for -breath. But she pushed onward to the main staircase, -only to see that great wooden structure already -in flames.</p> -<p>With a cry of terror she crept back to the door -of the room that led to the tower, and fell with a -dull thud against it. Dot rushed forward and -opened the door, and knew from one look at her -chum’s face that escape through the house was -impossible.</p> -<p>“Come back to the tower!” she cried, “where -we can get some air through the windows!”</p> -<p>But Linda only leaned weakly against the steps. -She could not answer.</p> -<p>“We’ll have to carry her, Helen!” Dot said. -“Take hold of her feet. I’d rather jump from the -tower if I have to die than be burned alive!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_183">183</div> -<p>Together the two girls managed to get Linda up -the steps and once there they shattered the glass -of the tower windows, for they could not raise -them. The fresh air was reviving; Linda was able -to stand up and lean out of the window while the -others cried for help.</p> -<p>At that very moment, Mike O’Malley drove up -to the house in his car, followed by a huge telephone -repair truck!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_184">184</div> -<h2 id="c16"><span class="h2line1">Chapter XVI</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">While the House Burned ...</span></h2> -<p>When Mrs. Fishberry left Helen Tower locked -in the empty house on Saturday evening, to take -a train back to Chicago, she was exceedingly -pleased with herself. Everything had turned out -wonderfully, she believed, and she would soon be -married to a rich man. When the law suit was -over she would go abroad with Ed—or perhaps -join him abroad, for he seemed to think it was -necessary to get out of the country immediately. -Well, perhaps he was a little bit crooked——</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_185">185</div> -<p>But Mrs. Fishberry did not believe him to be -as wicked as he really was. She thought that perhaps -Linda Carlton had hit Helen with her autogiro, -and though there was no real witness to the -accident except Dorothy Crowley, Mrs. Fishberry -did not consider it wrong to bribe someone to -make up the testimony. After all, Linda Carlton -must be rich; there was no reason why she -shouldn’t part with some of her money. The girl -was always winning prizes—probably without -much effort on her part, Mrs. Fishberry believed.</p> -<p>She was so late getting into Chicago that night -that she waited until Sunday noon to call Ed. She -was anxious to tell him of her success, not only in -obtaining the pictures and the records about his -niece, but of securing the girl herself under lock -and key. Ed would rejoice at the news, for he had -not expected her to accomplish this feat before -Sunday.</p> -<p>To her dismay, however, a strange voice answered -the telephone in Ed’s apartment. When -Mrs. Fishberry gave him her name, he explained -that he was Leo Epstein, the lawyer whom Tower -had employed to take charge of the damage suit -against Linda Carlton.</p> -<p>“And I have sent a telegram to Miss Carlton, -informing her of our intentions,” he said.</p> -<p>“In my name?” demanded Mrs. Fishberry.</p> -<p>“Yes, of course.”</p> -<p>“But I’m not married to Mr. Tower yet,” she -protested. “It won’t be legal for me to sue Miss -Carlton unless I’m the girl’s real aunt.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_186">186</div> -<p>“It’ll be legal by the time the case comes up. -Those things take a long time—unless Miss Carlton -is willing to settle out of court. Maybe she will -pay us twenty-five thousand dollars to keep us -from suing her.”</p> -<p>“She’ll never do that!” asserted Mrs. Fishberry.</p> -<p>“Why do you say that?” asked the lawyer. -“Mr. Tower seemed to think that there might be -some chance of it.”</p> -<p>“Because I know Miss Carlton. She isn’t the -sort of person to run away from trouble. And Mr. -Tower doesn’t know Miss Carlton, or he wouldn’t -think she would.”</p> -<p>“Hm,” remarked Mr. Epstein.</p> -<p>“Well, when will Mr. Tower be back?” the -woman inquired impatiently. “I would like to be -married before we get the girl.”</p> -<p>“That isn’t possible, Mrs. Fishberry,” he said. -“And it really doesn’t make a bit of difference. -Mr. Tower is out of town now and may not be -back for several days. He left word for me to tell -you to call him up at the Central Hotel in Milwaukee -to-morrow morning, if you had anything -to say to him that was important. I suppose if -you wanted to see him, you could go there. That -is the only message I have, Mrs. Fishberry.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_187">187</div> -<p>“I see,” replied the other, as she hung up the -receiver. She was so angry at the way Ed Tower -did things, the way he never seemed to consider -what she wanted to do, that she thought of going -home to Montana, and dropping her part in the -affair. After all, was it worth it? What was she -going to get out of it? And she certainly didn’t -want to have to look after Helen Tower for the -rest of her life.</p> -<p>Ed was certainly a selfish man. Oh, he was attractive, -and nice if he wanted to be, but wasn’t -he just using her now to help him get this money? -How was she to be sure that he would ever share -it with her if he did get it?</p> -<p>She would have dropped the whole thing then -and there—for Mrs. Fishberry had never been a -dishonest woman before—had it not been for the -thought of poor Helen Tower locked alone in that -empty house. Although she had no love for the -girl, and believed her to be feeble-minded, she -could not bear the thought of her being burned -alive, as she might be if Ed went alone to the -house without knowing that Helen was there. No; -Mrs. Fishberry couldn’t back out now. She’d have -to take the sleeper to Milwaukee in time to be -there in the morning, to go with Ed and rescue the -girl.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_188">188</div> -<p>A little after eight o’clock the following morning -she arrived at the Central Hotel and was informed -that Mr. Tower was at breakfast. She -joined him, for she had eaten nothing on the train.</p> -<p>“Hello, there, Elsie!” he cried, cheerily, as she -seated herself at the table with him. “Have you -found my niece?”</p> -<p>“Yes,” she replied, briefly.</p> -<p>“Where is she now?”</p> -<p>“Locked in the empty house.”</p> -<p>“But we don’t want her there!” he stormed. -“Of all the fool places to leave her—” He stopped, -remembering that he was in a public place, and -refused to discuss the subject until they were both -seated in his gray open roadster, speeding away -from Milwaukee somewhat later in the day.</p> -<p>It was then that Mrs. Fishberry insisted upon -an explanation of his disapproval of what she had -done with Helen.</p> -<p>“I don’t see why I should have been bothered -with her over Sunday,” she said resentfully, -“when you were off having a good time!”</p> -<p>“Oh, is that so?” he retorted, in irritation. -“Well, I told you to get hold of her—and keep -her. Now if she sees me set fire to the house, how’s -that going to fix me with the police?”</p> -<p>“I never thought of that,” admitted Mrs. Fishberry.</p> -<p>“That’s the trouble with you! You never think! -Well, we’ll have to think of something now.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_189">189</div> -<p>They drove along at a rapid rate after leaving -the city, stopping only once to have an early dinner -at a wayside inn. It was then that the man decided -upon a plan.</p> -<p>“I think the best idea is for you to drive when -we get in sight of the house, and I’ll get out and -hide somewhere while I put on a disguise. You -take the key and go into the house and get the -kid. But when you get outside again, you’ll have -to pretend that there’s something the matter with -the car, because I want it left for me. So you and -the kid can walk to the station. I won’t sneak up -to the house till after you’re well out of sight, -so as Helen won’t see it burning.”</p> -<p>“That’s all very well for you,” objected the -woman, “but not so good for me. You know it’s -at least five miles to the station!”</p> -<p>“Can’t help that! It’s your fault for not thinking -what would happen if you left the kid in that -house.”</p> -<p>“Oh, all right,” she agreed, sullenly. There -seemed to be nothing else to do.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_190">190</div> -<p>But this plan was naturally never carried out, -for the simple reason that when Mrs. Fishberry -arrived a little after seven o’clock, the girl was -nowhere to be found. A hasty glance at the broken -lock on the front door, the open kitchen door, and -the smashed windows assured her that Helen had -made her escape. It never occurred to her to suspect -that the latter might be somewhere else in the -house—or in the tower. She felt relieved that she -was gone; she was tired of the whole affair.</p> -<p>She ran back to her companion with the news. -He fairly snorted with anger.</p> -<p>“Balled everything up, didn’t you?” he cried.</p> -<p>Mrs. Fishberry stood still and laughed. He was -such a funny-looking object in that disguise—a -gray wig and a false beard, and a long linen -duster. Though the sun had set, it was not yet -dark, and she could plainly see him, crouched under -some bushes.</p> -<p>“You’re a sight!” she sneered. “And I bet -they catch you!”</p> -<p>“What’s the matter with you, Elsie?” he demanded.</p> -<p>“Nothing—oh, nothing,” she replied hastily, -but already she had decided that she was through -with Ed Tower.</p> -<p>The man came out of his hiding place and lifted -a suitcase from the rear of his car. But he did -not think to ask Elsie Fishberry for the key, and -here he made a mistake which he was to regret -bitterly later on.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_191">191</div> -<p>He trudged along up the path to the house, -afraid to hurry lest someone see him and suspect -him. If he walked along like an ordinary old peddler, -nobody would think anything about him.</p> -<p>But once inside the house, he did not loiter a -minute. Opening up his suitcase, he took out great -wads of cotton waste which had been previously -soaked in oil. These he piled under the huge wooden -staircase, and applied a match. As the rags -burst into flames he hurriedly left the house, carefully -closing the door behind him.</p> -<p>Before he had reached the road he could see -the smoke pouring through the chimney of the -fireplace, and out of the broken kitchen window. -There was no doubt that he had succeeded in -setting the house on fire, no doubt that it would -burn to the ground. By to-morrow the news would -have reached the papers. On Wednesday he ought -to be able to go to the Trust Company in Chicago -and collect that money which was his father’s -small fortune. For now at last the officials would -be assured that Henry Adolph Tower’s will could -never be found.</p> -<p>He chuckled to himself with satisfaction as he -reached the road and looked about for his car. -But that chuckle abruptly changed to an oath as -he failed to see it. It was gone! Elsie Fishberry -had double-crossed him, and had run away!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_192">192</div> -<p>For a few minutes he stood there in the road, -hoping that she was only playing a practical joke -upon him, and that she would suddenly drive into -sight. But as the time passed he gave up hoping, -and snatching off his wig and his beard, he flung -them, with his linen coat, into the bushes, and -started on his five-mile hike to the station.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_193">193</div> -<h2 id="c17"><span class="h2line1">Chapter XVII</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">The Rescue</span></h2> -<p>The very cause of Mike O’Malley’s delay in -arriving at the empty house on Monday evening -proved to be the thing that saved the three girls -in the tower. It was the huge ladder on the telephone -repair truck.</p> -<p>When Mike left the girls on Sunday with his -promise to help them, he drove straight back to -Milwaukee to give the story of the treasure hunt -to his newspaper. At the same time he asked for -Monday afternoon off, in order to follow the -“Linda Carlton Mystery,” as he called the accident -to Helen Tower. When this leave was granted -he sat down in his boarding-house bedroom to -contemplate what he had better take with him.</p> -<p>“There’s something in that tower that mystifies -Miss Linda,” he said to himself. “And she seems -to think it is closed off from the rest of the house. -I wonder how we could get in.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_194">194</div> -<p>He had all sorts of ideas—of going up in the -autogiro and coming down in a parachute, of -jumping from the “Ladybug” to the window—but, -of course, these things wouldn’t do, because -most likely the windows would be closed and -locked. No; a ladder was the only solution; but -how could he carry a ladder on his little Ford?</p> -<p>It was one of his brothers who solved the problem -for him. As he had told Miss Carlton on the -occasion of his first visit to the bungalow at Green -Falls, Mike O’Malley was one of a large family. -Two of his brothers had left the farm for jobs -in Milwaukee, and one of these was with the -telephone company. Pat—for that was his name—would -be the very person to help!</p> -<p>It was easily arranged, the only difficulty being -that his brother could not leave until four o’clock. -However, the boys planned to meet outside of the -city, thereby avoiding the worst of the traffic, and -they made good speed along the country road. -A little before eight, supperless but happy, they -drove up to the empty house.</p> -<p>“We’re too late!” shouted Pat, leaning out of -his truck. “She’s on fire!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_195">195</div> -<p>Mike had been pretty sure of this fact several -minutes earlier, when he had noticed some smoke -in the sky, but he had said nothing. They must go -on, he had decided, for Linda and Dot might be -trapped inside.</p> -<p>“We better get out of here,” called Pat, above -the noise of the two engines. “Don’t forget we’ve -got gas, and both our cars may explode.”</p> -<p>“Pull over there in the field,” directed Mike, -briefly. “I’ve got to make sure that the girls are -safe.”</p> -<p>And then they heard the cries, the wild terrified -screams of those three girls trapped in the -tower of the burning house.</p> -<p>There wasn’t a moment to be lost. Pat took -down his extension ladder, and directed Mike how -to help him get it up. They worked as fast as they -could, but the task appeared to be endless to the -tortured girls, watching them in breathless silence -from the high windows. It seemed to them as if -the ladder would never reach to their height.</p> -<p>“Wish I was a real fireman,” was the only -remark which Mike made during the whole tense -proceeding.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_196">196</div> -<p>The flames were reaching the roof of the house -now, and smoke was streaming from the tower -windows. Forcing his hands not to shake, Mike -held the ladder while Pat pulled it to its full -height. There was one terrible moment, while -they all waited to see whether it would reach to -the edge of the window— It did! The boys let out -a cry of, “Ready now! Come down, girls!” and -held tightly—and prayed.</p> -<p>Dot leaned out of the window to make sure that -the ladder was firmly gripping the ledge, and to -Mike’s surprise, neither she nor Linda climbed -out, but little Helen instead. Holding on to Dot’s -hand, the young girl stepped over, and made her -perilous way down the ladder, to the ground.</p> -<p>There was a slight delay, while more smoke -poured from the windows. Evidently Dot and -Linda were arguing about who should come next, -but Dot had to give in, for she knew it was of no -use to try to withstand Linda. So she climbed -over the ledge and started downward, only to see -the window ledge itself catch fire when she was -halfway down!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_197">197</div> -<p>If Linda had been wearing a dress instead of -knickers, there would have been little hope for her -now. But as it was she managed to straddle the -flame and to step on the ladder, just as it, too, -caught fire at the top. It swayed for one dreadful -second, but the boys held tightly, and pushed it -farther against the wall. No one ever came down a -ladder faster than Linda Carlton at that moment; -it seemed as if her feet scarcely touched the rungs. -When she was finally only six feet above the -ground she jumped. It was none too soon; the -ladder gave way, and the young people all ran to -safety.</p> -<p>“Mike!” cried Linda joyously grasping his -hands in an ecstasy of relief: “You’re a wonder! -How did you ever know to bring a ladder?”</p> -<p>The young man was too excited to talk. He -couldn’t say a word.</p> -<p>“We must get these cars out of the way,” ordered -Pat, who had not even been introduced. -“Let’s all meet down by the road.”</p> -<p>“O.K.,” agreed Mike, signaling to Helen to get -into his Ford.</p> -<p>“My ‘Ladybug!’” exclaimed Linda abruptly. -She had all but forgotten it. Suppose it were -burned!</p> -<p>“Want any help?” asked Mike, as Pat started -to drive his truck down to the road.</p> -<p>“No, thanks. But take Dot and Helen with you. -I’ll meet you there—I hope!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_198">198</div> -<p>Running as fast as she could, keeping her face -turned from the intense heat of the fire, she passed -the barn and saw that it too was beginning to burn. -Oh, if the “Ladybug” were only safe! Next to -their lives she valued her trusted autogiro. Insurance -would mean little to her; it was this particular -plane that she loved, almost as if it were -a horse or a dog.</p> -<p>But, miraculously, it was all right, though she -realized that she was just in time, for now that the -barn was burning, a spark might fly any moment -that would set it into flames. Never before had she -been so quick in starting its engine. Thank goodness -it was in perfect condition, after her work -of the morning!</p> -<p>As soon as she had left the ground she circled -down to the road, and saw the lights of the truck -and the Ford, for it was almost dark now. Selecting -a field opposite, she landed her autogiro again -and ran across to join the group around the cars.</p> -<p>All the young people had by this time regained -their spirits and were talking excitedly and happily, -asking each other questions, hardly waiting -for explanations, and all shouting at once. Though -Pat O’Malley had been a stranger to the girls -fifteen minutes before, he now seemed like one of -their best friends.</p> -<p>“If we only had something to eat!” sighed -Mike, “my joy would be complete.”</p> -<p>“Didn’t you boys have any supper?” demanded -Dot. It was quite dark now, it must be after eight -o’clock, she thought.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_199">199</div> -<p>“No. Did you?”</p> -<p>“No.”</p> -<p>“Did you, Helen?” inquired Mike, who still had -only a hazy idea how the young girl had happened -to be there.</p> -<p>“No. And I only had dried lima beans for -lunch.”</p> -<p>“The nearest village is about five miles,” volunteered -Pat. “I’ve worked along this road before. -Shall we all pile into my truck and hunt it?”</p> -<p>“I couldn’t leave my autogiro—” began Linda, -when Dot interrupted with a suggestion. She had -just remembered the food she had brought from -the inn at Lake Winnebago.</p> -<p>“Wait!” she cried, joyfully. “I’ve got chicken -sandwiches and peaches in the plane! Does that -sound good?”</p> -<p>“Does it sound good!” repeated Mike. “Oh, -boy!”</p> -<p>Linda and the two young men ran over to the -field immediately, and returned in a few minutes, -their arms piled with boxes and the thermos bottles -of water which Linda always carried in the -“Ladybug.” Going over to the bank beside the -road, they all sat down while Dot untied the -bundles.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_200">200</div> -<p>“I’ll have to count the sandwiches and divide -them evenly,” she said, laughingly. “Just as if -we were all starving Armenians.”</p> -<p>“I think Helen should get the most,” suggested -Mike. “She really has almost starved.”</p> -<p>“Oh, this is great!” exclaimed Dot, as she examined -the boxes. “There are ten sandwiches—and -six peaches—and—and——”</p> -<p>“And what?” demanded Pat, hungrily.</p> -<p>“And two apple pies!”</p> -<p>Both boys let out a whistle, and Helen clapped -her hands.</p> -<p>“But how did you two girls ever expect to eat -all that for your supper?” asked Pat.</p> -<p>Dot giggled.</p> -<p>“I told the cook to put in a lot,” she replied, -“because when Linda and I go off on trips we -never know how long we’ll be stranded.”</p> -<p>“But there aren’t any desert islands around -here,” remarked Mike, who had heard the story -of the girls’ adventures in the Okefenokee Swamp.</p> -<p>“No, but you never can tell,” returned Dot. -“Now—fall to! Here are two sandwiches and a -peach for each one of you, and Helen gets the -extra peach.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_201">201</div> -<p>They ate silently for several minutes, everybody -too hungry to talk. Suddenly Helen stopped in the -act of breaking her second peach in two, and cried -in dismay,</p> -<p>“Dot! We forgot the will!”</p> -<p>“What will?” demanded Mike.</p> -<p>Linda explained briefly, while Dot reached down -into her blouse. Even in the darkness they could -all see the yellowed packet which she triumphantly -held up to their view.</p> -<p>“I wasn’t going to let that get away!” she -announced, proudly.</p> -<p>She handed it to Mike who, with the aid of his -flashlight, examined it with the greatest satisfaction.</p> -<p>“That’s bully, Helen!” he cried, when he had -seen enough of it to make sure that it was legal. -“And don’t let the Fish get any of the money!”</p> -<p>“You’re not planning to go back to her, are -you?” asked Linda. She was thinking of the law -suit, and wondering how Mrs. Fishberry could sue -her if Helen denied ever having known her.</p> -<p>“I certainly am not!” replied the girl, emphatically.</p> -<p>Dot proceeded to cut the pies, which they ate -perhaps less ravenously, but at least with as great -enjoyment as the sandwiches, while they discussed -what they would do next.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_202">202</div> -<p>“I’ve got to get back to Milwaukee to-night,” -announced Pat, as he began to collect the sandwich -papers into a pile.</p> -<p>“So do I,” agreed Mike. “Anybody want to -come with me?”</p> -<p>“No, thank you,” replied Linda, rising from -the ground. “I’ll take both the girls back to Green -Falls with me in the ‘Ladybug.’”</p> -<p>“You aren’t afraid to fly at night?” inquired -Pat.</p> -<p>“Mercy no! The only thing I’m worried about -is Aunt Emily. She expected us for supper.”</p> -<p>“Perhaps she didn’t get there herself,” suggested -Mike. “They had a motor trip and a boat -trip both you know.”</p> -<p>“But Mr. Clavering’s cars and boats are always -reliable,” returned Linda. “Oh, well, so -long as we arrive before midnight, I don’t suppose -that she’ll be terribly worried.”</p> -<p>“We’ll wait here till we see you safely up in -the air,” concluded Mike. “Then Pat and I will -be going.”</p> -<p>“Wait a minute!” exclaimed his brother, who -had just finished his task of picking up the papers. -“Look what I’ve found over here in the bushes!”</p> -<p>To the amazement of everyone, he held up a -gray wig and beard, and a linen coat to their view.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_203">203</div> -<p>“What are they?” demanded Linda, as Pat -turned the flashlight upon his discovery.</p> -<p>“Looks like a Hallowe’en suit,” volunteered -Mike. “But what is it doing here?”</p> -<p>“Helen,” asked Dot, turning to the young girl, -“can you remember having any masquerade parties -at your house?”</p> -<p>“We never had <i>any</i> parties,” she replied. “We -were too poor. On my birthdays Nana—I mean -Mrs. Smalley—would make cookies, and she and -I and my doll would play it was a party. That was -all.”</p> -<p>Linda was silent. There had been something familiar -about the beard in particular, for it was -bigger and longer than most real ones. Now she -remembered what it reminded her of.</p> -<p>“Remember that old man who knocked Helen -down, Dot?” she inquired.</p> -<p>A smile broke over Dot’s face.</p> -<p>“Of course! A disguise! I never could understand -why a man apparently so aged would be -driving at that reckless rate of speed. He wasn’t -old at all, I guess!”</p> -<p>“By George, that’s the answer!” cried Mike, -positively elated by the discovery. “Now all we’ve -got to do is to catch the man. Helen, have you -any idea who he could be?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_204">204</div> -<p>“I’m afraid,” answered the girl reluctantly, -“that he’s my uncle. And if he is, you won’t catch -him. He’s wicked—and clever.”</p> -<p>“Anyhow, we’ll try,” Mike assured her. “Shall -I take charge of this stuff, while I see what can -be done?”</p> -<p>Helen nodded, and he walked with the girls -over the field to the “Ladybug,” and stood watching -Linda take off into the sky. Fascinated, he -continued to gaze at the autogiro until its light -was all that he could see—a little spark of flame -in the heavens—and then he turned about and -joined his brother across the road.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_205">205</div> -<h2 id="c18"><span class="h2line1">Chapter XVIII</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">In Quest of the Money</span></h2> -<p>It was a strange and wonderful experience to -Helen Tower to fly at night—for on that other -occasion she had been only semi-conscious—and -she was more thrilled than she had ever been in -her life. No longer did the darkness frighten her; -the immensity of the heavens, the brightness of -the stars, the exhilaration of the swift motion -through the air all held her entranced. She did -not try to say a word to Dot who was sitting so -close to her; she only watched the sky with wide-open -eyes.</p> -<p>It was cold, up there in the skies, in the night, -but all the girls were dressed warmly, for even -Helen wore the flyer’s suit which she had put on -Saturday morning for the treasure hunt. How -many things had happened in the meanwhile; yet -here she was riding back to Green Falls in the -autogiro, just as she had expected to do!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_206">206</div> -<p>The night was calm and pleasant, and Linda -felt sure of her way. She made the journey in -record time, crossing Lake Michigan, and arriving -at the airport long before midnight. Before summoning -a taxicab, she hastened to telephone to her -aunt.</p> -<p>“Hello, Aunt Emily,” she said. “I’m so sorry -we had to be late——”</p> -<p>“Are you speaking from long distance, Linda?” -asked the older woman, immediately. “Where -are you? And are you all right—you and Dot -both?”</p> -<p>Linda laughed. It was exactly what Miss Carlton -always asked, every time her niece took the -autogiro up in the air.</p> -<p>“Of course we are!” she replied. “And we’re -right here at Green Falls airport.”</p> -<p>“Oh, that’s a relief, dear! I was so worried. -Ralph is here with me, waiting for news. I’ll send -him right over in his car.”</p> -<p>“That’s fine, Aunt Emily. And by the way, we -have Helen—Amy, you know—with us.”</p> -<p>“That’s good news! And tell her that I have -some news to tell her, too. I hope that she will -find it good this time—not like Mrs. Fishberry’s -surprise visit.”</p> -<p>“What is it?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_207">207</div> -<p>“Better wait and see,” replied Miss Carlton. -“Ralph’s leaving now—see you in ten minutes—good-by -dear.”</p> -<p>Linda turned to Dot, who had just finished calling -her mother.</p> -<p>“Ralph’s coming for us,” she told her. “So he -can take you home first——”</p> -<p>Dot giggled.</p> -<p>“Jim’s on the way, too,” she explained to -Linda. “Isn’t it funny, though, the way our boy -friends go and sit with our families when we are -out on our adventures?”</p> -<p>“They really didn’t know what an adventure -this was,” said Linda. “How much shall we tell -them?”</p> -<p>“Oh, everything, of course. It’ll be all in the -papers to-morrow—trust Mike O’Malley for that! -But it can’t worry our folks now, because it’s all -over.”</p> -<p>Ralph and Jim arrived at the same time, and -almost fell over each other in their wild rush to -the girls.</p> -<p>“Where have you been, Linda?” Ralph demanded, -as if he were a father speaking to a disobedient -child. “Bert Keen’s and Tom Hulbert’s -planes both came back ages ago. What made the -‘Ladybug’ so slow?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_208">208</div> -<p>“We were rescuing Helen,” she replied, with -a nod towards the girl beside her. “And being -rescued ourselves!”</p> -<p>“Rescued! Linda, why don’t you let me go with -you when you’re planning something dangerous, -instead of always taking another girl?”</p> -<p>“I didn’t know it was going to be dangerous, -Ralph,” she apologized. “But I’ll tell you all -about it when we get home, because Aunt Emily -will want to hear it, too.”</p> -<p>And recount it she did to every last detail, even -including the improvised ghost in the tower, to -the consternation of Ralph and her Aunt Emily, -when, fifteen minutes later, they were seated on -the porch of the Carltons’ summer home.</p> -<p>“It’s a miracle that you came out alive!” exclaimed -Miss Carlton, incredulously, when Linda -had finished the story. “If Mike O’Malley and -that brother of his hadn’t just happened -along——”</p> -<p>“They didn’t <i>happen</i> along, Aunt Emily,” -Linda insisted. “Mike had promised to help us!”</p> -<p>“Why is it that some outsider like O’Malley or -Ted Mackay always has to be the one to protect -you,” muttered Ralph, “when I’d be only too -glad——”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_209">209</div> -<p>“Well, you can next time,” agreed Linda, smiling. -“Now, Aunt Emily, how about something to -eat?”</p> -<p>“Certainly, dear,” agreed the latter. “And we -ought not to sit out here on the porch, for you -girls must be cold. Come into the dining room, -and I’ll make some hot cocoa.”</p> -<p>It was while they were drinking this, and eating -their cookies, that Linda suddenly remembered -the surprise which her aunt had mentioned.</p> -<p>“What is the news you have for Helen?” she -inquired.</p> -<p>“Oh, I almost forgot!” exclaimed Miss Carlton. -Then, turning to the girl, she asked, “You say -that you have recovered your memory, dear? Can -you recall a woman named Mrs. Smalley?”</p> -<p>Helen’s eyes lighted up with affection and joy.</p> -<p>“Indeed I can! She’s the very dearest memory -I have!” she replied, eagerly.</p> -<p>“Well, dear, she’s here. Up in bed. She arrived -yesterday, while we were away—absolutely worn -out. It seems that she had trudged miles and miles -in search of you. So Anna very wisely put her to -bed. She was somewhat rested to-day, but decided -not to get up.”</p> -<p>“Can I see her?” demanded Helen.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_210">210</div> -<p>“I think that she’s asleep.”</p> -<p>“Oh, I won’t awaken her! I just want to look -at her.”</p> -<p>“All right, dear,” agreed Miss Carlton, and, -as soon as Ralph had left, she led the girls up to -the old lady’s room.</p> -<p>Helen tiptoed over to the bedside and, kneeling -down, looked eagerly at the worn face on the pillow. -Her voice choked with emotion, as she sobbed -in thanksgiving.</p> -<p>“Nana darling!” she whispered.</p> -<p>The old lady opened her eyes, and put out her -wrinkled arms to embrace the girl.</p> -<p>“My precious child!” she cried. “You do remember -me, Helen?” she asked hastily, for Miss -Carlton had told her of the girl’s loss of memory.</p> -<p>“Yes, yes! I am all right, Nana dearest! And -so happy!”</p> -<p>The reunion of the two devoted friends—the -child and the nurse—was touching to see. Linda -and her aunt crept noiselessly away, and Helen -slept that night with her dear old nurse.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_211">211</div> -<p>The morning newspapers carried the story of -the fire, as Linda had expected. But she was surprised -to see no mention of her own name, or of -the terrifying rescue. Mike O’Malley had actually -sacrificed that thrilling piece of news because he -was too modest to mention his own part in the -affair!</p> -<p>But a question which had not occurred to Linda -before had been played up in the headlines. -“Who,” the newspaper demanded, “was responsible -for setting this house on fire?”—A man in -disguise was suspected, it said, because a gray -wig and beard had been found near the road. And -these must have been left there recently, for otherwise -they would have been wet from Saturday’s -storm!</p> -<p>“Clever Mike!” thought Linda, as she read -this deduction. “Now why didn’t we think of that -before?”</p> -<p>She and Helen and Mrs. Smalley discussed the -question from every angle that morning and decided -that the criminal who ran Helen down on -purpose was the same man that had set fire to the -house. And both Helen and Mrs. Smalley agreed -that this must be Ed Tower.</p> -<p>“But do you remember a Mrs. Fishberry, who -claims that she took care of Helen, ever since her -grandfather died?” Linda asked Mrs. Smalley.</p> -<p>The old lady shook her head.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_212">212</div> -<p>“It is a lie,” she answered, quietly. “I have -always taken care of Helen. And I never heard of -any person by that name.”</p> -<p>“She claims to be Mrs. Edward Tower now,” -added Linda, telling about the threatened law suit.</p> -<p>But none of these things worried Helen now; -she was too much excited over the joy of finding -her old nurse and of discovering her grandfather’s -will in her favor, to worry much about her uncle, -or this new aunt. She wanted to talk about the -happiness the future held for her and Mrs. -Smalley.</p> -<p>“We’ll get the money,” she said, “and then -we’ll buy a house in Spring City, shan’t we, Nana—to -be near to the Carltons!”</p> -<p>“Near to Aunt Emily—yes,” agreed Linda. -“But I shan’t be in Spring City next winter. I -am going to take a job as soon as we get back.”</p> -<p>“A job?” demanded Helen. “Where? What?”</p> -<p>“Flying, of course. Relief work with a lumber -company perhaps. I may go to Alaska. But don’t -tell Aunt Emily yet, for it isn’t settled.”</p> -<p>“Oh, poor Miss Carlton!” sighed Mrs. Smalley, -and added, turning to her charge, “Helen dear, I -hope that you don’t ever decide to go in for -flying!”</p> -<p>“I only want to go to school,” returned the girl, -simply. “With girls of my own age.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_213">213</div> -<p>“And thank Heaven that you can now!” exclaimed -Mrs. Smalley, happily.</p> -<p>“Which reminds me,” put in Linda, “that we -must go to Chicago to collect that money, Helen. -Suppose we rest to-day, while I give the ‘Ladybug’ -an inspection, and fly to-morrow? Does that suit -you?”</p> -<p>It suited the girl perfectly, and accordingly, the -following day, Linda and Helen flew across Lake -Michigan to Chicago, the aviatrix as usual promising -her aunt that she would return before dark. -But once again that promise was not to be fulfilled.</p> -<p>Leaving the “Ladybug” at the Chicago airport, -the girls took a taxi to the Trust Company which -had been mentioned in Henry Adolph Tower’s -will. When Linda sent in her card, the Vice-president, -a Mr. Hudson, came out himself to meet her.</p> -<p>“How do you do, Miss Carlton?” he said, cordially. -“I have read a great deal about you in the -newspapers. I am very much honored to meet -you.”</p> -<p>Linda blushed; she was always embarrassed -when older people showed her such deference. So -she hastily told the part of the story that concerned -the finding of the will, and produced that -document to prove it.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_214">214</div> -<p>The man examined it gravely.</p> -<p>“You are too late, I am afraid, Miss Carlton,” -he said. “We waited all these years, and refused -to give Mr. Edward Tower the money because we -believed that his father must have left a will. But -when we learned that the old house had burned -to the ground, we felt sure that there was no -longer any hope of finding one. Yesterday morning -we handed over all the bonds and money to -Mr. Tower.”</p> -<p>“Oh!” gasped Linda in dismay. What a dreadful -thing to happen to Helen, after she had built -such high hopes! Was she really penniless after -all?</p> -<p>“But when Mr. Tower hears of this, perhaps -he will give it all back,” said Mr. Hudson, soothingly.</p> -<p>“No, no—he won’t!” cried Helen, miserably. -“You don’t know my uncle, Mr. Hudson, or you -couldn’t suggest such a thing! He never gave us -anything in our lives!”</p> -<p>The bank officer looked surprised.</p> -<p>“But he was supposed to be taking care of you -out of the income from the estate,” he protested. -“That was the understanding we had, when we -gave him the interest every six months.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_215">215</div> -<p>“Well, he wasn’t! We almost starved—my -nurse and I! If it hadn’t been for a little garden -we had—and now and then selling some of grandfather’s -books, I don’t know how we should have -lived!— Oh, he was cruel—my uncle, I mean! It -was he who set fire to the house!” She was speaking -rapidly, in jerks, so that it was difficult to -understand her.</p> -<p>“You mean you think he actually burned that -house down on purpose, so that this will would be -destroyed?” inquired Mr. Hudson.</p> -<p>“Yes. Disguised as an old man! Didn’t you see -that in the papers?”</p> -<p>“Yes, I do recall it, now that you mention it. -If you really think that is the case, you girls must -take out a warrant for his arrest, and try to catch -him—before he sails for England.”</p> -<p>“England?” repeated Linda. “He is going -abroad?”</p> -<p>“Of course,” put in Helen. “He’s running away -with the money as fast as he can.”</p> -<p>Mr. Hudson nodded.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_216">216</div> -<p>“Yes, you may be right, Miss Tower,” he said. -“For when I asked him his address—whether it -was still the same one we have on our records—he -said he couldn’t give me any, because he was -going to England, and probably going into air -service there.”</p> -<p>Linda stood up.</p> -<p>“There isn’t a moment to be lost!” she cried. -“Mr. Hudson, do you happen to know how he was -traveling to New York, or wherever it is he is -sailing from?”</p> -<p>“Yes, I do. He mentioned the fact that he was -flying—going by the first scheduled plane this -morning. He said he never used trains.”</p> -<p>“So he’s air minded,” muttered Linda, thinking -how much harder that would make things for -them.</p> -<p>“I’m afraid you can’t catch him,” said Mr. -Hudson. “If I only knew what boat he was taking -we could wire——”</p> -<p>“We’re going to catch him!” announced Linda, -with that firmness which she so often displayed in -a crisis. “We’re flying, too! In my own autogiro! -And though Mr. Tower has a start on us, we -shan’t have to stop for stations, and passengers!”</p> -<p>“Wait a minute,” urged the officer, seeing that -she was determined to carry out her plan. “Let -me help you! While you girls get some lunch, I’ll -see about obtaining a warrant for Tower’s arrest. -And you can telephone your folks at the same -time.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_217">217</div> -<p>Linda nodded, and pressed the elderly man’s -hand gratefully. People were always so good to -her—so kind! And, handing him the will for safekeeping, -she and Helen rushed off to follow his -instructions.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_218">218</div> -<h2 id="c19"><span class="h2line1">Chapter XIX</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">A Clew to Follow</span></h2> -<p>After Helen Tower’s outburst of rage and disappointment -over losing the money which she had -been counting on receiving, she became absolutely -silent. Without a word she followed Linda out of -the office to a telephone booth, then to a restaurant -across the street from the Trust Company’s -building. It was an automat, and Linda thought -that the novelty of putting nickels into a slot machine -to obtain food might divert Helen’s thoughts -from her own troubles. Surely a girl who had -lived in the country all her life had never seen -anything so unusual as this; surely she would be -interested. But Helen showed no enthusiasm at all.</p> -<p>“What do you want for your lunch, Helen?” -Linda asked.</p> -<p>“I’m not hungry,” replied her companion, listlessly.</p> -<p>“But you must eat, while we have the chance!”</p> -<p>Tears came up into Helen’s eyes.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_219">219</div> -<p>“I’m a pauper again,” she said, in a melancholy -tone. “I can’t even pay for what I eat.”</p> -<p>“Don’t be silly, dear!” urged Linda, with an -effort at cheerfulness. “Don’t forget you have -five hundred dollars of that prize money—which -you earned yourself! And besides, I think we’re -going to catch that man.”</p> -<p>Helen, however, refused to be encouraged.</p> -<p>“Even if we do, he’ll have spent it,” she objected.</p> -<p>“Then he’ll have to pay it back! Or go to -prison— But come along, we must get into line -with our trays. We’ll choose a regular hot dinner -now, and then I’ll buy some sandwiches to tuck -into the autogiro for our supper, so we shan’t have -to stop on our way, and lose any time.”</p> -<p>In spite of her indifference, the attractive food -did make its appeal to Helen, and once she began -to eat she found that she was hungry. She even -smiled when Linda went back to the slot machines -for ice cream and chocolate cake.</p> -<p>It was while the girls were eating their dessert -that a familiar figure entered the restaurant. A -woman, whom both Linda and Helen had been -hoping they would never see again in their lives. -It was none other than Mrs. Fishberry!</p> -<p>Helen’s eyes met Linda’s in annoyance.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_220">220</div> -<p>“I sincerely hope she doesn’t see us,” remarked -the latter, giving all her attention to her ice cream.</p> -<p>But this wish was not fulfilled, for the woman -noticed them and recognized them immediately. -And, glad of a chance to clear herself of her part -in the unpleasant affair, she hurried over to their -very table and sat down with her tray.</p> -<p>“How do you do?” she said, brightly. “I am so -glad that you are with Miss Carlton again, Helen. -When I came back to the old house for you on -Monday, I wondered where you had gone.”</p> -<p>The old sense of fear came back to Helen, and -she reached for Linda’s hand. What was this -woman planning to do to her now?</p> -<p>Noticing this gesture, Mrs. Fishberry smiled.</p> -<p>“You needn’t be afraid of me,” she said, reassuringly. -“I’m not after you now—in fact, I don’t -want you! I’ve broken with Ed Tower.”</p> -<p>“You mean you aren’t married to him?” demanded -Linda, thinking at once of the threatening -telegram, and of the law suit that was planned.</p> -<p>“No, I’m not—and I’m not going to be!” returned -the other, emphatically. “He’s too crooked -for me.” She did not add that Tower himself had -tired of her, and tried to escape from her first.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_221">221</div> -<p>“I ran away from him in his own car,” she -continued, “while he was setting that house on -fire. A crime like that was too much for me.”</p> -<p>“He did set the house on fire?” Linda repeated, -excitedly. “We thought so.”</p> -<p>“Linda and I and another girl were in it,” remarked -Helen, grimly.</p> -<p>“Oh, my heavens!” exclaimed the woman, -aghast at these words. “But you got out?”</p> -<p>“Yes,” replied Linda briefly, as she rose from -her seat. “We must go now, Mrs. Fishberry— Oh, -I might ask you—I suppose that law suit is off, -then, if you are not Mrs. Tower?”</p> -<p>“Yes, of course.”</p> -<p>“And one thing more—just to clear things up -in my own mind—did you ever see Helen in your -life before your visit to Green Falls?”</p> -<p>“No, I didn’t,” admitted the woman. “That -was all Ed’s lie—to get money out of you. Oh, I -am innocent—I’ve never done anything bad till -I got in his clutches. But he looks like a prince, -and smiles like an angel, and he wound me right -around his little finger!”</p> -<p>An inspiration came to Linda: perhaps Mrs. -Fishberry knew something of Ed Tower’s plans. -Perhaps she would be willing to tell, now that she -was so angry with him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_222">222</div> -<p>“You don’t know where he is now, do you?” -she asked, trying to speak casually, as if she were -not much concerned.</p> -<p>“No, I don’t!” replied the other, flatly. “And I -don’t care! I’m going to clear out of here, and go -back to Montana.”</p> -<p>“Mr. Tower didn’t say anything to you about -going abroad?”</p> -<p>“Oh, yes, he did. He’s clearing out of the country, -the minute he collects that money from his -father’s estate. He got some kind of job with an -air-transport company at Newport News.”</p> -<p>“Air-transport company!” repeated Linda, in -amazement. “But why should he want to get a job, -when he had all that money? Does he like work so -much?”</p> -<p>“No, but he was afraid to go to England by -an ordinary passenger boat, for fear he’d be -caught. You know—passports, and all that sort -of thing. Nobody but me and the man who got him -this job know that he’s going.”</p> -<p>“So if the police look for him, they won’t be -able to find him?” concluded Linda, with a twinkle -in her eye. What luck it was, to get the very information -she wanted—and from a person she had -actually tried to avoid!</p> -<p>She held out her hand.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_223">223</div> -<p>“Shall we part good friends, Mrs. Fishberry?” -she asked, pleasantly.</p> -<p>“O.K. with me,” replied the woman, accepting -the hand shake with a smile.</p> -<p>The girls were hardly out of the door when -Linda grasped her companion’s arm and whistled -for joy.</p> -<p>“We’re going to get him now, Helen!” she -cried, exultantly. “Think of the time we’ll save -by flying straight to Virginia, instead of going -around by New York!”</p> -<p>“You believe Mrs. Fishberry was telling the -truth?” inquired Helen, doubtfully.</p> -<p>“Oh, yes! Your uncle has let her down—decided -that he didn’t want to marry her and share the -money with her after all—and she’s sore. She -was glad to tell all she knew about him!”</p> -<p>They were walking rapidly, approaching the -Trust Company’s building, when Linda suddenly -stopped, and frowned.</p> -<p>“Why didn’t I ask Mrs. Fishberry to describe -Mr. Tower?” she demanded. “We may not know -him if we do see him!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_224">224</div> -<p>“I might recognize him,” remarked the other -girl. “Though at the present minute, I haven’t the -slightest idea what he looks like. But that really -doesn’t matter, Linda. If Mr. Hudson gets that -warrant for his arrest, all we have to do is ask -for him.”</p> -<p>“Maybe,” agreed Linda, trying to be hopeful. -“Only I’m afraid that once he got that money, -he’d travel under a different name.”</p> -<p>Helen looked dismayed at the idea.</p> -<p>“He would if he could, I suppose,” she said. -“But let’s hope that he got this job under his -own name—and had to keep it.”</p> -<p>Returning to the office where Linda was to meet -Mr. Hudson again, she sat down at a desk to plot -out her flight to Virginia. She had expected to -follow the regular air line from Chicago to New -York, but, of course, this plan was changed now.</p> -<p>“It’s going to be fun, Helen!” she cried, as -she bent over the map. As usual the anticipation -of a long flight gave her a joyous thrill.</p> -<p>“We’ll fly southeast,” she announced, “and I -think I can pass right over Spring City. The only -difficult part is the Allegheny Mountains—but I’ve -flown over mountains before. You aren’t afraid, -are you, Helen?” she asked. “You wouldn’t rather -go back to Green Falls, and wait for me there?”</p> -<p>“I should say not!” protested the girl, eagerly. -“I love flying, you know that, Linda! And I never -get a bit sick.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_225">225</div> -<p>“There’s not much danger of that in an autogiro,” -replied the capable young aviatrix. “You -see we don’t feel air pockets, as people do in other -planes—now, let me see—I think we can make -Spring City before dark to-night! Wouldn’t it be -fun to stay in our own house?”</p> -<p>“I should say it would!” exclaimed Helen, in -delight. “But could we get in?”</p> -<p>“Surely. I always carry a key with me—with -my other keys, you know. Oh, Helen, that will be -fun! And we’ll start early to-morrow morning for -Newport News, Virginia.”</p> -<p>“Do you suppose we’ll catch him?”</p> -<p>“I hope so. If he left here this morning, he’d -hardly be planning to sail before Friday morning. -And I think we’ll arrive some time Thursday -afternoon.”</p> -<p>“If everything goes right,” amended the -other.</p> -<p>“Yes,” agreed Linda. “If everything goes right. -If we don’t run into a storm over the mountains!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_226">226</div> -<h2 id="c20"><span class="h2line1">Chapter XX</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">Flying Over the Mountains</span></h2> -<p>Everything went well with Linda Carlton and -Helen Tower on that first lap of their flight in the -autogiro from Chicago to Spring City, in Ohio. -The weather continued fine all afternoon and the -“Ladybug’s” motor droned on in perfect rhythm. -It was not yet dark when Linda made her landing -in the field behind her own house.</p> -<p>Helen was wildly excited at the idea of seeing -the Carlton home; for the time being she had forgotten -her terrible disappointment at the loss of -her money. In the calm happy hours of the flight -her faith in the goodness of the world had been -restored. She believed that somehow, some way, -Linda Carlton would succeed in the end.</p> -<p>“Why, your place is as big as our old house!” -she exclaimed. “All except that extra wing—and -the tower. But so different! So beautiful!”</p> -<p>Linda smiled; she too had always admired her -charming home.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_227">227</div> -<p>She unlocked the door, and after they had both -washed and eaten some supper which Linda ordered -sent in from a delicatessen store, the aviatrix -spent the rest of the daylight going over her -engine. She wanted everything in perfect shape -to start again on their journey at six o’clock the -next morning.</p> -<p>She took the opportunity, however, to call her -aunt on the telephone, and enjoyed surprising her -with the news that she and Helen were sleeping -in her own home that night.</p> -<p>When the alarm clock rang at five-thirty the -following morning, Linda could not believe that -day had really come. Then, as she sleepily crept -out of bed, she glanced out of the windows, and -saw the reason for the total lack of light. The skies -were cloudy!</p> -<p>“Just our luck!” she muttered. “The day we -have to fly over the mountains!”</p> -<p>“Hadn’t we better wait awhile?” suggested -Helen, sleepily; “to see if it clears up?”</p> -<p>“We daren’t,” replied Linda, gravely. “If we -don’t get to Virginia to-day, there won’t be any -use of going at all. Mr. Tower will surely be off -for England to-morrow.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_228">228</div> -<p>At these words Helen became wide awake, and -recalled the importance of their flight to her, -and she dressed quickly, even insisting upon -getting the breakfast, while Linda filled her autogiro -with gas and oil from a supply which she -kept at home.</p> -<p>While Helen packed sandwiches and filled the -thermos bottles with water for their lunch, Linda -hunted an old rain coat and some extra clothing -from the closets. Her own slicker was packed -in the “Ladybug,” but Helen would need something -if they ran into the storm.</p> -<p>They made their start about half-past six, -before it was actually raining. Linda made good -time across Ohio and West Virginia, keeping -steadily onward, bearing to the southeast, in spite -of the light rain that was falling. Neither girl -wanted to land for lunch, so Helen fed Linda sandwiches -and water from the passenger’s cockpit. -The aviatrix’s one idea was to cross the Allegheny -Mountains before the storm grew too intense.</p> -<p>But it was not to be, for as she came to the hills, -Linda saw that she was running right into the -storm area. All about her was grayness; she could -not see land anywhere, and in this mountainous -region, her altimeter was not an infallible guide. -In the effort to play safe she directed the “Ladybug’s” -nose upward, to keep clear of the mountains, -but here the wind was intense, sending the -rain into their faces, delaying their progress.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_229">229</div> -<p>Never, she thought impatiently, had she been -flying so slowly. It was impossible to make headway -in the face of this wind. At this rate, they -would be too late; they could not hope to reach -the coast before nightfall!</p> -<p>Desperately deciding that she must take a -chance for once, she dropped her autogiro several -hundred feet. The relief was immediate; the winds -were far less intense, and her progress became -more rapid. But she must watch carefully, she -warned herself; in this obscurity she could not -tell how near to the ground she was.</p> -<p>At that moment she was far from the earth, just -as her altimeter intimated, for she was flying over -a valley. But she could not know that it was a -valley—at least not until it was too late! Even to -Linda’s watchful eyes the disaster came suddenly. -In an instant the mountain seemed to be rushing -at her, with the same inevitable force that Ed -Tower’s car had run into Helen. With a gasp of -horror she shut off her power, praying that the -rotors would break the fall. The plane hovered a -moment, for it had not been going fast, and began -to descend on the side of that mountain. But it -was too close to it; a moment later it crashed -against the hill, with an impact that threw both -girls from their cockpits.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_230">230</div> -<p>Linda jumped to her feet immediately, unharmed -except for some bruises, and dashed over -to her companion who was lying in the bushes, -still unable to understand what had happened.</p> -<p>“Are you hurt, Helen?” Linda cried, fearfully. -How dreadful it was that everything seemed to -happen to this poor child! Now, if some bones -were broken, in this lonely place far away from -doctors and hospitals, there would be little chance -for the girl’s recovery. Linda shivered with fear -as she knelt down beside her.</p> -<p>But Helen sat up and smiled reassuringly.</p> -<p>“No, I’m all right, Linda,” she said. “But what -happened?”</p> -<p>“We bumped into a mountain,” returned Linda, -laughing in sheer relief. “It’s this awful weather—I -couldn’t see where I was going.”</p> -<p>“Is the ‘Ladybug’ wrecked?”</p> -<p>“I don’t know yet. I haven’t examined her. I -was too much scared about you.”</p> -<p>Helen stood up.</p> -<p>“Well, come on, let’s look and know the worst. -I guess it’s good-by to my money now.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_231">231</div> -<p>Linda did not reply, but dashed back to the autogiro -to examine it for damages. The propeller was -all right, and the rotor blades—thank goodness—for -evidently the “Ladybug” had struck on her -side. But one wheel and one wing were damaged.</p> -<p>“It doesn’t look so bad,” remarked Helen, as -she watched Linda anxiously. “Can you make it -fly again, or shall we have to stay here the rest of -our lives?”</p> -<p>Linda laughed good-naturedly.</p> -<p>“Oh, somebody’d rescue us before that. Ralph -Clavering, probably—Aunt Emily told him just -where we were going. But that isn’t going to be -necessary, because I can fix it.”</p> -<p>“Can you really, Linda? Even that broken -wheel?” demanded the girl, in awe.</p> -<p>“Yes. I carry an extra wheel and material to -mend the wings. But it’s going to take time.”</p> -<p>Helen’s smile faded; she knew what this meant. -They would be too late to catch her uncle!</p> -<p>“Well, it can’t be helped,” she remarked, with -a sigh of resignation. “We’re lucky that we got -out alive.”</p> -<p>Linda looked about her, surveying the landscape. -It was a lonely place, with no house anywhere -in sight. Trees and bushes covered the -mountainside sparsely, and below in the valley a -stream was running. But there was no shelter anywhere -from the storm.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_232">232</div> -<p>“I’m going to get right to work,” she announced -to Helen, “and you better see what you -can do about making a fire. If you go up the mountain -farther, under those thick trees, you may be -able to find some dry wood. And then we can get -warm and make some hot tea for our supper.”</p> -<p>“Supper?” repeated Helen. “It isn’t time for -that yet, is it?”</p> -<p>“No, not yet. But I’m afraid I’ll be a good while -fixing the ‘Ladybug.’ We’ll have to make the best -of it.”</p> -<p>Helen nodded, determined to be a good sport -and not to make things any harder than was -necessary for Linda. After all, it was for Helen’s -sake that the brave young pilot had risked this -flight over the mountains in the storm. She would -do her part to make the older girl as comfortable -as possible.</p> -<p>She spent the rest of the afternoon collecting -wood and clearing a dry spot under the trees for -their camp fire, and she managed to cook supper -from a can of baked beans which Linda had in -the autogiro. What light there was—for it was -still drizzling a little and the skies were gray—was -fading when Linda, tired and dirty, announced -that she had completed her task.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_233">233</div> -<p>“That supper certainly smells good,” she said, -as she used a little of their water to wash her -hands. “And I’m starved!”</p> -<p>“So am I,” agreed Helen. “Are you really finished, -Linda? Do you think the ‘Ladybug’ will -fly again?”</p> -<p>“I hope so,” replied the aviatrix, seating herself -beside the fire and taking the plate of beans -which Helen offered. “My only difficulty will be -to get her started. There’s no place for a take-off.”</p> -<p>“I never thought of that. I believed that an -autogiro could start anywhere.”</p> -<p>“Well, not quite anywhere. There must be a -little runway,” explained Linda. “But I think the -two of us together can push her over to that road—at -least it’s supposed to be a road, I guess—if -we go carefully. Will you help me after supper?”</p> -<p>“Of course,” agreed Helen. “It isn’t much of -a road—I was looking at it this afternoon—but at -least it’s clear of bushes. But do you really think -we can make it?”</p> -<p>“I hope so. There aren’t any trees in the way. -If there had been any in the spot where we hit,” -she added, “I don’t suppose we should be alive -to tell the tale.”</p> -<p>Helen shuddered.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_234">234</div> -<p>“You do have the most marvelous escapes, -Linda!” she remarked. Then she looked grave. -“But all on account of me. What a peaceful summer -you would have had, if you hadn’t happened -to see my accident.”</p> -<p>“My summer has been fine!” Linda assured -her. “And I should have been flying somewhere, -anyhow—and probably would have met with other -adventures. I don’t like things to be slow, you -know.”</p> -<p>The girls finished their supper, and as soon as -they had cleared up and put out the fire, they -started upon their dangerous task of getting the -“Ladybug” out of the underbrush. For a time it -seemed as if it were going to be impossible, but by -digging up some bushes, and removing some rocks -in its path, they finally got her started. The difficulty -then was to stop her, but Linda carefully -applied her brakes, and finally they managed to -reach the road.</p> -<p>It had grown dark by the time they had finished, -but the rain had ceased and they felt well pleased -with their success. Hot and tired and damp with -perspiration and the recent rain, Linda sat down -on the wet grass for a rest.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_235">235</div> -<p>“Let’s take a swim, Helen,” she suggested. “I -see a stream down in the valley. Then we ought to -be able to get some sleep, so long as it’s stopped -raining. We can spread our slickers on the -ground.”</p> -<p>“Sleep!” repeated the other girl in dismay. -“Aren’t we going to fly?”</p> -<p>Linda shook her head.</p> -<p>“I’m sorry, dear,” she replied, gently. “But -I’m not going to risk it. I don’t know where we -are, and these mountains are too unfamiliar for -me to try it on a night like this, particularly when -I’m so tired, and I haven’t even tested the ‘Ladybug.’”</p> -<p>Helen nodded; she saw the wisdom of Linda’s -decision. They were probably too late now, anyway. -This was Thursday night; they must have -lost all chance of catching her uncle before he -sailed.</p> -<p>The mountain stream was shallow and cold, but -it felt good to Linda after her hard afternoon’s -work. She waded about until she found a place -deep enough to lie down, and here she relaxed with -content.</p> -<p>But it was too cold to stay in the water long, -and fifteen minutes later, with renewed energy she -began to build a new fire, down by the stream, -away from the autogiro. By this time her young -companion was exhausted; when she made a feeble -effort to help Linda with the fire, the latter commanded -her to spread out her slicker and go to -sleep.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_236">236</div> -<p>An hour or so later, when Linda’s fire was burning -brightly, the clouds dispersed and the stars -shone out in the sky. With a contented sigh Linda -sat there for a long time, until the fire had burned -out, and the mountains looked black and forbidding. -She could not help wondering about them; -they were so deep and silent in the night. What -strange creatures might live there? Were there -any dangerous animals prowling about, to molest -these two lonely girls? The thought made Linda -shiver for a moment, and she rose abruptly to -her feet, determined to get her revolver out of the -autogiro.</p> -<p>Her sudden movement brought a quick response -from the woods. A black, shadowy creature appeared -from behind a tree only a dozen feet beyond -her, and she involuntarily cried out in terror. -Oh, why hadn’t she thought of that revolver -sooner? She hadn’t even a stick to protect her -if this was a bear or a wolf, sneaking up in a -nightly attack in search of food.</p> -<p>Her cry wakened Helen, who shot up from the -ground as if she had been hit.</p> -<p>“What is it, Linda?” she demanded, her voice -hoarse with terror. “A bear, or a ghost?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_237">237</div> -<p>“Neither—” returned the other, vexed with -herself for her fear: “It’s—it’s—a deer! And look—Helen—he’s -running for his life! He’s much -more afraid of us than we are of him!”</p> -<p>Helen sighed in relief, but she still clung to -Linda’s arm.</p> -<p>“Come and sleep beside me,” she urged. “The -next visitor may be a lot worse!”</p> -<p>“I’ll be prepared for the next one,” asserted -Linda. “With my revolver, my knife—and a stout -stick!”</p> -<p>But though she put all these weapons beside -her, Linda had no use for them that night, and -both girls slept soundly until the sun wakened -them the next morning.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_238">238</div> -<h2 id="c21"><span class="h2line1">Chapter XXI</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">A Strange Landing</span></h2> -<p>Flying over the mountains in the bright, calm -sunlight was a very different proposition from -clearing them in the face of wind and rain, and -Linda encountered no difficulty at all as she set -out the next morning. Neither she nor Helen had -much hope of catching the man who had stolen -the bonds and the money, but both girls decided -it was worth taking a chance. So long as they had -come this far, it would be foolish to turn back -without finishing the flight.</p> -<p>They arrived at the Newport News airport a -little before ten o’clock, and Linda set herself immediately -to the task of finding out where the air-transport -company was located. When she had secured -this information she stepped back into her -autogiro, prepared to fly to the spot. She was not -wasting any time now with taxicabs, for wherever -she went, she felt sure there would be a landing -place large enough for the “Ladybug.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_239">239</div> -<p>She had been directed to the shore on the Chesapeake -Bay, and here she found hangars and planes -and officers. A smiling young man came to greet -her immediately.</p> -<p>“Good morning,” said Linda, quickly. “We -have come from Chicago to find a man named Edward -Tower. I understand that he was sailing to -England on an air transport—leaving to-day, perhaps?”</p> -<p>Her heart beat rapidly while she waited for his -answer.</p> -<p>The young man nodded.</p> -<p>“There was a transport that left at nine o’clock -this morning,” he replied, to both girls’ utter dismay. -Only an hour ago! They had lost the race -by sixty short minutes!</p> -<p>“Oh!” gasped Linda, sadly, and tears of disappointment -came into Helen’s eyes.</p> -<p>The young man seemed to be thinking.</p> -<p>“I can’t recall anyone by the name of Tower,” -he said. “And I myself went over the lists.”</p> -<p>Linda’s eyes narrowed.</p> -<p>“Then Mr. Tower must be using another name—just -as he used the disguise of an old man—” -she added, to Helen. Then, turning to the officer, -she explained that she had a warrant for Tower’s -arrest.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_240">240</div> -<p>“There couldn’t be another boat going to England?” -she asked.</p> -<p>“No. Air transports aren’t like passenger -boats,” he replied, “sailing every few days. There -are only a limited number in existence.”</p> -<p>Linda was silent, trying to think of something -that she could do. It was the young man who -finally made the suggestion which she followed.</p> -<p>“Look here, Miss,” he said, “why don’t you -go after the boat? You have an autogiro, haven’t -you?”</p> -<p>“Yes—” replied Linda, not knowing what he -meant.</p> -<p>“Well, fly out over the ocean till you find them. -I’ll show you a picture of the transport, so you -can spot it. But you couldn’t miss it anyhow. -Then hover over it, and I’ll give you a mail bag -to drop down. That’ll be a signal—the Captain’ll -clear the deck for you to land.”</p> -<p>“Land on a ship’s deck?” repeated Linda, in -amazement.</p> -<p>“Sure. With a ’giro it’s easy—if you know how -to manage her. Lt. Melville Pride did it a while -ago—maybe you read about it in the papers?”</p> -<p>“No, I must have missed that,” answered -Linda. “But did he take off again? I wouldn’t -want to go all the way to England.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_241">241</div> -<p>“Sure he took off. The crew helped, I believe— But, -of course, Lt. Pride is an expert. If you’re a -beginner, I wouldn’t advise you to try it.”</p> -<p>Linda looked grave, but Helen burst out laughing.</p> -<p>“I guess you don’t know that this is Miss Linda -Carlton!” she announced proudly. “The girl who -flew the Atlantic Ocean alone!”</p> -<p>The young man gasped, and held out his hand, -which Linda shook cordially.</p> -<p>“I’m honored to meet you, Miss Carlton,” he -said. “And, of course, you can land on that ship. -Go ahead and do it!”</p> -<p>“I will,” replied Linda, who always made her -decisions quickly. “Just let me look at my -gas——”</p> -<p>Ten minutes later she took off from the shore, -pointing her autogiro out towards the ocean. Her -spirits were high; she had never been so excited -before. This, she thought to herself, must be the -way the pirates of old felt, when they went after -a ship!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_242">242</div> -<p>It was not long before she spotted the ship, for -the “Ladybug” made much better time than the -transport. Circling about, she gradually descended -until she was almost over the ship. Then she -leaned out of the cockpit and dropped the mail -bag, with a message pinned on it to the effect that -she wanted to make a landing.</p> -<p>Confusion immediately arose on the ship’s deck, -as Linda could easily see, without even the aid of -her glasses. Men and officers hurried to and fro, -clearing a large space. They had no way of knowing -that their visitor was not some high government -official, but only a girl of eighteen!</p> -<p>At last the man who was probably the captain -gave her the signal, and Linda descended cautiously, -thankful that she had had plenty of practice -in coming down on exact spots. Her experience -in the Okefenokee Swamp had not been in -vain, for she landed with confidence now. It was -as pretty a demonstration as the crew had ever -seen.</p> -<p>“Pretty neat!” exclaimed the Captain, rushing -over to her side. Then, in consternation, he exclaimed, -“By George! It’s a girl!”</p> -<p>“Two girls!” corrected Linda, climbing out of -the cockpit, and trying not to look embarrassed. -How she wished her companion were Dot Crowley, -instead of modest little Helen Tower! For Dot -would do all the talking, and take charge of everything.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_243">243</div> -<p>She looked about in confusion at the men who -gathered so quickly around her, and she could not -distinguish the Captain. Then, all of a sudden, -she spied a familiar face. Lord Dudley, amongst -all those strangers!</p> -<p>“Miss Carlton!” he exclaimed, in surprise. -“Am I the reason we are being honored with this -visit?”</p> -<p>Linda laughed and shook her head.</p> -<p>“I’m afraid not, Lord Dudley,” she said, holding -out her hand. “But it’s good to see somebody -that I know. Now will you please introduce me -to the Captain?”</p> -<p>“Certainly,” agreed the man, and he hastened -to do the honors.</p> -<p>Cautiously, however, Linda asked to speak with -the Captain alone, and he took her into a cabin -while she stated her business, asking for a man -named Edward Tower, and showing her warrant -and a note from Mr. Hudson, stating the facts concerning -the will, and the taking of the money and -bonds.</p> -<p>The Captain, however, gazed at the papers -gravely.</p> -<p>“We haven’t any man by that name,” he stated.</p> -<p>“Then he must be using another name,” Linda -replied, desperately. “Oh, he must be here! He -just must!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_244">244</div> -<p>The Captain looked exceedingly sorry for her, -but he explained that he did not see how he could -possibly find out. “We haven’t a detective on -board,” he added, helplessly.</p> -<p>Linda stood up. She had forgotten Helen, had -left her sitting alone in the autogiro. Their only -hope now lay in the girl’s recognizing her uncle.</p> -<p>She went back to the deck, where Lord Dudley -met her and claimed her as his guest. That he was -proud of her, in front of all those officers and men, -could not be disputed. He had almost decided to -ask her again to marry him.</p> -<p>Together they walked towards the “Ladybug,” -from which Helen Tower suddenly leaped.</p> -<p>“Uncle Ed!” she cried, in wildest excitement.</p> -<p>Linda and Lord Dudley looked about them, -questioningly.</p> -<p>“You’ve found him, haven’t you, Linda?” demanded -the girl, rushing over and grabbing Lord -Dudley by the arm. “Hand over my money!” she -commanded, dramatically.</p> -<p>Lord Dudley pretended to look puzzled, but beneath -it all Linda could see a hidden tinge of fear -in his eyes.</p> -<p>“But this is Lord Dudley, Helen—” Linda insisted.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_245">245</div> -<p>“It’s my uncle Ed Tower!” repeated the girl, -emphatically. “I know it. Don’t you remember, -Linda—when I saw him before on the Country -Club porch, at that tennis match, I said he looked -familiar?”</p> -<p>“Why, this is nonsense,” objected the man, trying -to keep his voice calm. “I will appeal to the -Captain if you think it is necessary, Miss Carlton.”</p> -<p>But the Captain, it seemed, was only too ready -to help the girls. Immediately he demanded a -search of the man’s belongings; if Lord Dudley -was in reality Edward Tower, the money and the -bonds must be hidden somewhere in his quarters. -The Captain sent three trusted officers to find out.</p> -<p>Linda and Helen remained on deck with the -Captain and the man posing as Lord Dudley, and -the girls told the story of the finding of the will -and the confession of Mrs. Fishberry. Ten minutes -later the searchers returned, bringing fifty -thousand dollars in bonds, and fifty thousand in -cash! There could be no doubt now of the man’s -identity.</p> -<p>“You want to arrest Tower, don’t you, Miss -Carlton?” asked the Captain, as he put the valuables -into her hands. “Even though you got the -money?”</p> -<p>Linda looked questioningly at Helen.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_246">246</div> -<p>“We had better,” answered the younger girl. -“He might try to run over me again. Or burn more -houses, with people in them!”</p> -<p>Linda nodded; it was not safe for a man like -Ed Tower, who could even pose successfully as an -English lord, to be at large. There was no telling -what wickedness he might accomplish in the -future.</p> -<p>“Then suppose I send a pilot back with him in -your autogiro—with the warrant for his arrest. -You girls can wait here until the autogiro returns.”</p> -<p>Linda agreed, and it was all accomplished in an -incredibly short time. An hour later, with their -small fortune carefully stored in the “Ladybug,” -they set out for home.</p> -<p>Their first stop was Baltimore, for they flew -north this time, and here they were met by an old -friend of Linda’s father, a banker who took charge -of their money and bonds, and who insisted upon -taking them to his home to spend the week end -with his daughters.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_247">247</div> -<p>It was Monday afternoon when the girls finally -reached Green Falls, having flown the whole journey—through -Pennsylvania, over the Allegheny -Mountains, north through Ohio and Michigan—without -a single mishap. The entire summer colony -was out to greet them, it seemed, but little -Helen Tower saw only Mrs. Smalley, her dear -old nurse.</p> -<p>The look of happiness and gratitude on the faces -of these two devoted friends—happiness that they -could live comfortably together, gratitude to -Linda for what she had done for them—was -enough to repay the brave aviatrix for her perilous -summer.</p> -<hr class="dwide" /> -<h2 id="c22"><span class="h2line1"><i>SAVE THE WRAPPER!</i></span></h2> -<p><i>If</i> you have enjoyed reading about the -adventures of the new friends you have -made in this book and would like to read -more clean, wholesome stories of their entertaining -experiences, turn to the book -jacket—on the inside of it, a comprehensive -list of Burt’s fine series of carefully selected -books for young people has been placed for -your convenience.</p> -<p><i>Orders for these books, placed with your -bookstore or sent to the Publishers, will -receive prompt attention.</i></p> -<hr class="dwide" /> -<h3 id="c23">The Linda Carlton Series</h3> -<p class="center">By EDITH LAVELL</p> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p07.jpg" alt="Linda Carlton, Air Pilot" width="218" height="300" /> -</div> -<p>A splendid group of books detailing the adventures -of daring Linda Carlton. If you are air-minded, read -THE LINDA CARLTON SERIES.</p> -<p class="center">Handsome Cloth Binding -<br /><i>Attractive Colored Jackets</i></p> -<p class="center">PRICE, 50 CENTS EACH -<br /><span class="smaller">POSTAGE 10c. EXTRA</span></p> -<dl class="undent"><dt>Linda Carlton, Air Pilot</dt> -<dt>Linda Carlton’s Ocean Flight</dt> -<dt>Linda Carlton’s Island Adventure</dt></dl> -<hr class="dwide" /> -<p class="center">A. L. BURT COMPANY -<br /><span class="small">PUBLISHERS</span> -<br />New York <span class="hst">Chicago</span></p> -<h3 id="c24">THE BETTY LEE SERIES</h3> -<p class="center">By HARRIET PYNE GROVE</p> -<p class="center"><i>A Delightful Series of School Stories for Girls of High School Age!</i></p> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p08.jpg" alt="Betty Lee, Freshman" width="216" height="300" /> -</div> -<p>Follow popular, lovable Betty Lee through -her interesting High School adventure.</p> -<p class="center">Handsome Cloth Binding <span class="hst"><i>Attractive Colored Jackets</i></span></p> -<p class="center">PRICE, 50 CENTS EACH -<br /><span class="smaller">POSTAGE 10c. 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EXTRA</span></p> -<dl class="undent"><dt>THE GIRL SCOUTS AT MISS ALLEN’S SCHOOL</dt> -<dt>THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP</dt> -<dt>THE GIRL SCOUTS’ GOOD TURN</dt> -<dt>THE GIRL SCOUTS’ CANOE TRIP</dt> -<dt>THE GIRL SCOUTS’ RIVALS</dt> -<dt>THE GIRL SCOUTS ON THE RANCH</dt> -<dt>THE GIRL SCOUTS’ VACATION ADVENTURES</dt> -<dt>THE GIRL SCOUTS’ MOTOR TRIP</dt> -<dt>THE GIRL SCOUTS’ CAPTAIN</dt> -<dt>THE GIRL SCOUTS’ DIRECTOR</dt></dl> -<h3 id="c27">THE MERRY LYNN SERIES</h3> -<p class="center">By HARRIET PYNE GROVE</p> -<p class="center">Cloth Bound. Jackets in Colors.</p> -<p>The charm of school and camp life, out-door -sports and European travel is found in these winning -tales of Merilyn and her friends at boarding -school and college. These realistic stories of the -everyday life, the fun, frolic and special adventures -of the Beechwood girls will be enjoyed by all girls of -high school age.</p> -<dl class="undent"><dt>MERILYN ENTERS BEECHWOOD</dt> -<dt>MERILYN AT CAMP MEENAHGA</dt> -<dt>MERILYN TESTS LOYALTY</dt> -<dt>MERILYN’S NEW ADVENTURE</dt> -<dt>MERILYN FORRESTER, CO-ED.</dt> -<dt>THE “MERRY LYNN” MINE</dt></dl> -<h3 id="c28">Marjorie Dean High School Series</h3> -<p class="center">BY PAULINE LESTER</p> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p11.jpg" alt="Marjorie Dean, High School Freshman" width="225" height="300" /> -</div> -<p class="center">Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean College Series</p> -<p>These are clean, wholesome stories that will be of great -interest to all girls of high school age.</p> -<p class="center">All Cloth Bound <span class="hst">Copyright Titles</span></p> -<p class="center">PRICE, 50 CENTS EACH -<br /><span class="smaller">Postage 10c. Extra.</span></p> -<dl class="undent"><dt>MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN</dt> -<dt>MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE</dt> -<dt>MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR</dt> -<dt>MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR</dt></dl> -<h3 id="c29"><span class="smaller">THE</span> -<br />Ann Sterling Series</h3> -<p class="center">By HARRIET PYNE GROVE</p> -<p class="center">Stories of Ranch and College Life -<br />For Girls 12 to 16 Years</p> -<p class="center"><i>Handsome Cloth Binding with Attractive Jackets in Color</i></p> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p12.jpg" alt="Ann Sterling" width="300" height="417" /> -</div> -<p>ANN STERLING</p> -<p class="bq">The strange gift of Old Never-Run, an Indian whom -she has befriended, brings exciting events into Ann’s -life.</p> -<p>THE COURAGE OF ANN</p> -<p class="bq">Ann makes many new, worthwhile friends during her -first year at Forest Hill College.</p> -<p>ANN AND THE JOLLY SIX</p> -<p class="bq">At the close of their Freshman year Ann and the Jolly -Six enjoy a house party at the Sterling’s mountain -ranch.</p> -<p>ANN CROSSES A SECRET TRAIL</p> -<p class="bq">The Sterling family, with a group of friends, spend a -thrilling vacation under the southern Pines of Florida.</p> -<p>ANN’S SEARCH REWARDED</p> -<p class="bq">In solving the disappearance of her father, Ann finds -exciting adventures, Indians and bandits in the West.</p> -<p>ANN’S AMBITIONS</p> -<p class="bq">The end of her Senior year at Forest Hill brings a -whirl of new events into the career of “Ann of the -Singing Fingers.”</p> -<p>ANN’S STERLING HEART</p> -<p class="bq">Ann returns home, after completing a busy year of -musical study abroad.</p> -<hr class="dwide" /> -<p class="center"><span class="small">For sale by all booksellers, or sent on receipt of price by the Publishers</span> -<br />A. L. BURT COMPANY, Publishers, -<br />114-120 EAST 23rd STREET <span class="hst">NEW YORK</span></p> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/endpaper.jpg" alt="Endpapers" width="500" height="376" /> -</div> -<h2>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> -<ul> -<li>Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.</li> -<li>Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard (or amusing) spellings and dialect unchanged.</li> -<li>In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.)</li> -</ul> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Linda Carlton's Perilous Summer, by Edith Lavell - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LINDA CARLTON'S PERILOUS SUMMER *** - -***** This file should be named 63407-h.htm or 63407-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/4/0/63407/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at https://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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