Part 21 (2/2)
”Yes, it sounded as if the bridge went down.”
”It did. And I went with it. You should have seen me sailing down the ravine!”
An expression of concern remained on Ned's face in spite of the girl's bantering tone. ”Your hand, Nancy!” he exclaimed. ”You've hurt it again!”
Nancy was plunged into the turbulent stream!
”It is swollen,” she admitted. ”But it'll be all right to finish the golf match tomorrow. We stopped because of the heavy rain.”
Suddenly a thought came to Nancy. ”Ned, I'm surprised to find you here. I thought you intended to stay at the hotel until the end of the golf match.”
”I meant to, but just after you teed off, Burt came to tell me I was needed here again.”
”Is Mr. Haley worse?” Nancy asked anxiously.
CHAPTER XIV.
Surprise Visitor
”MR. HALEY has been very restless,” Ned reported. ”Burt and Dave are outside now trying to look after the mountain lion. I should be helping them.”
”I'll stay here with Mr. Haley,” Nancy said quickly. ”You go ahead.”
Before Ned could protest she had moved quietly to the adjoining bedroom. The patient was sleeping peacefully.
After Ned had donned a raincoat and left the cabin, Nancy tiptoed to a closet in search of warm garments. The only apparel available were a pair of slacks and an old blue s.h.i.+rt.
While she was hanging her own wet clothes by a lighted oil stove to dry she heard Mr. Haley tossing and hastened back to him. The man's eyes were wide open.
”Who are you?” he asked in a whisper.
”I am Nancy Drew, and I have come to help you.”
She tried to explain the situation to him but Mr. Haley was too restless to listen. He raised himself on an elbow, motioning her to a.s.sist him from the bed.
”No, you must remain quiet,” Nancy told him firmly. ”You must not get up until the doctor says you may.”
”But I have to! My lion will starve. How long have I been ill?”
”Now don't get excited,” Nancy said soothingly. ”Everything is all right. Your lion is being cared for by friends of mine. Just lie back and try to rest.”
Presently Mr. Haley fell into a peaceful sleep. By the time Ned and the others came in, Nancy was able to report that she considered the patient well on the road to recovery.
”That's good news,” Ned said in obvious relief. ”By the way, you look great in Mr. Haley's clothes.”
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