Part 4 (1/2)

”Your father will be along any time now, so stop building up gory pictures,” George cut in. To get Nancy's mind off the matter, she added, ”How about exploring Bald Head Cave this morning?”

”All right,” Nancy agreed with forced cheer-fulness. ”I wonder how we reach the place.”

They learned from June that even at low tide the only safe approach to Bald Head Cave was by motorboat. When she realized the girls intended to go there, June warned them not to venture near the cave. Nancy a.s.sured her they would be careful. She and her friends left the house and rented a st.u.r.dy craft from a fisherman at a nearby boathouse.

Under Nancy's guidance the small boat put-putted slowly along the sh.o.r.e. Rising above the water, and stretching out for about two miles, were the colorful cliffs which had attracted artists from all parts of the country.

”I see a man up on that cliff with a telescope,” George said, scowling. ”He's looking at us. I hate people with telescopes. They have an unfair advantagel”

Nancy laughed as she steered nearer sh.o.r.e. ”No doubt summer visitors are resented by the all-year inhabitants.”

The man disappeared from view as the boat came into the shadow of the cliff.

”Look! The entrance to the cave!” George cried as they reached an indentation about half a mile from the ocean. ”It's rather large.”

”Let's just explore the outside,” Bess suggested nervously.

Nancy smiled as she switched off the boat's motor, allowing the craft to drift closer to sh.o.r.e. ”You know very well, Bess, we couldn't learn a thing without going inside the cave.”

”Besides, the story must be exaggerated,” George added. ”I don't believe in ghosts.”

Bess, whose gaze had been focused steadily on the cave entrance, suddenly gripped her cousin's arm.

”What is it?” George whispered.

For a moment Bess, badly shaken, could not speak. Then, with a trembling hand, she pointed toward the dark mouth of the cavern and said shakily:

”The ghost! I saw its white robe. It-it went back into the cave!”

Startled by Bess's words, Nancy and George gazed toward the cave entrance. They could see nothing but the dark opening framed by rocks and water.

”You must have imagined it, Bess,” declared George. ”There's no ghost-nothing white.”

”Not now, but it was there!”

”What did it look like?” Nancy asked.

”I saw only a white blur. But then, ghosts aren't supposed to have a regular form.”

”You probably mistook a sea gull for a ghost.” George laughed.

Bess's lips drew into a thin, stubborn line. ”It certainly was not a bird,” she insisted. ”But forget it. Even if that cave were inhabited by twenty ghosts, I know I couldn't talk you two out of exploring it!”

Nancy had no intention of venturing farther in a reckless manner. As the boat drifted closer, she studied the entrance to the cave and listened intently.

”Hear any warning bell?” George asked jokingly.

Nancy shook her head. The only sound was the roar of the ocean in the distance.