Part 10 (1/2)

NANCY played brilliantly on the eighteenth hole. Her hand had not pained her. Fortunately the bandage had not hampered the young golfer in driving the ball or using the putter to tap it into the cup.

Bess and George were waiting at the eighteenth green when Nancy and her opponent ended the round. They approached their friend the instant Amy Gray was out of hearing, and congratulated Nancy on winning the match.

”We knew you'd do it,” Bess declared proudly. ”Tomorrow you'll take the second round, and then you'll be well on your way to the champions.h.i.+p!”

”It won't be easy,” Nancy replied. ”The second match is always harder than the first, because you're facing a better player.”

”How was your score?” George asked.

”Not very good. I came in with an eighty. I must get down into the low seventies or under to win.”

”You can do it, Nancy,” Bess said confidently. ”How about lunch, girls?”

”Great,” Nancy agreed. ”If we have it early maybe we won't run into Barty.”

The three girls were relieved to find the hotel dining room practically deserted. After enjoying a leisurely meal they wandered out-of-doors. Nancy's gaze roved toward the sixteenth fairway.

”You're not considering more golf?” George asked in surprise.

Nancy shook her head. ”Eighteen holes is enough for me today. Chris was telling me about an old mansion which burned a couple of years ago. Miss Margaret Judson, the owner, lived there. The place is over in the general direction of the bridge. Let's hike to it.” She chuckled. ”Maybe we'll find another lost treasure.”

Though the idea of the trek did not appeal to Bess, she and George agreed to accompany Nancy. The three were cutting across the fairway of the eighteenth hole when they encountered Bartescue.

”h.e.l.lo,” he called. ”Where are you going?”

”Oh, on a little hike,” Nancy replied as he fell into step with them.

He said quickly, ”I have a little time to kill before I play my match this afternoon.”

”I doubt if we'll be back very soon,” Nancy said pointedly. ”You might miss your match if you come along.”

”In other words, 'no gentlemen wanted.' ” Bartescue laughed. ”Oh, well, I was only teasing. I couldn't have gone anyway because I tee off at one-thirty.” With a wide, knowing grin he left.

”Do you think Barty suspects we're on a special saearch?” Bess asked in an undertone a moment later.

”He acted as if he does,” Nancy said.

Glancing over their shoulders to make certain they were not being watched, the girls cut through the woods. They approached the old wooden bridge cautiously.

”The scarecrow is waving its arms back and forth as usual,” Bess observed nervously as they glimpsed it through the trees. ”I have a strong hunch that we're walking straight into trouble.”

George laughed at Bess's fears. ”Don't be negative,” George said.

Nancy looked up and down the stream. ”This is probably the only place near here to cross the ravine,” she said. ”I think the bridge should bear our weight if we walk over one at a time.”

The young detective went first. After she safely reached the opposite side, George followed. Bess came last, uttering a m.u.f.fled little shriek as the flapping scarecrow brushed her arm.

”Sh-s.h.!.+” Nancy warned. ”We don't want to broadcast our arrival.”

”You'd scream too if that thing wrapped itself around-” Bess retorted.