Part 40 (1/2)
”Oh, he's gone--he's gone,” sobbed Nancy on the shoulder of Eline.
”Of course he's gone!” cried Jack. ”If he hadn't--” and he glanced significantly at the tire iron in his hand.
”Jack, dear,” said Cora, gently, with a warning glance at Nancy. Cora did not want her disturbed any more than was necessary.
”Well--” bl.u.s.tered Jack, and let it go at that.
”Was that really your guardian, Nancy?” asked Cora, when her new friend had somewhat composed herself.
”Yes, it was. Oh, has he gone?”
”Far enough off by this time,” declared Jack.
”I didn't know him at first, for he has grown a beard,” said Nancy, ”but when he came toward me I could tell by the look in his eyes that it was he. Oh, what an escape!”
”A very fortunate one,” said Cora.
The big car, the appearance of which had been instrumental, perhaps, in preventing the taking away of Nancy, drew near to the group of young people and stopped. There were two middle-aged men in it, and they looked at our friends curiously.
”Has anything happened--can we do anything?” asked the one at the wheel.
”Nothing but some tire trouble, thank you,” said Cora, quickly. ”And my brother can manage that; can't you, Jack?”
”Sure, Sis,” and he winked at her to show that he understood nothing was to be said about the affair that had so nearly been a real ”happening.”
”If you want any help, don't hesitate to ask us,” put in the other man.
”We are in no hurry.”
”Oh, thank you, I can manage,” Jack answered. ”I had the repairs almost made when the girls--thought they saw something, and screamed.” He winked at Cora again.
”Oh, I see!” exclaimed the steersman with a laugh. ”A snake. We heard your screams, and thought perhaps----”
”It was just--nothing,” Cora said with a smile. Eline and Nancy had turned and were walking back toward their car, so the tear-stained face of Nancy could not be observed.
With renewed offers of aid, which were courteously declined, the two men proceeded, and Cora and the others were free to discuss the recent happening.
”Do you really think he meant to take you away--your guardian?” asked Cora of Nancy.
”I really do. Oh, he must be desperate! He must be trying to get my property away from me.”
”We'll soon have him attended to!” said Jack, fiercely. ”Our lawyer says the case will come before the courts soon, and then good-bye to Mr. Cross!”
”I wonder how he knew where you were?” asked Eline.
”You forget that the rescue of Nancy was told of in the papers,” spoke Cora. ”Doubtless he read of it, and came on. He, or some of his men, may have been spying around and knew just when we went for a ride.”
”And they followed us, that's one sure thing,” added Jack. ”Their car pa.s.sed us several times. They were just waiting for a good chance, and they took the first opportunity.”
”I should have known him at once, when they pa.s.sed, but for his beard,”
said Nancy. ”Oh, I feel so nervous and weak!” She was on the verge of tears again.