Part 20 (2/2)

”It was probably only a snake,” said Nancy.

At the Glicks' farm, Nancy and Bess related their latest news. The children and their parents were intrigued.

”What is a gypsy like?” Becky asked. ”And how do you tell fortunes?”

Her mother explained, then said, ”There is no more sense to fortunetelling than there is to hexing. Now we will talk no more about nonsense.”

The visitors took the cue, changed the subject, and later helped Mrs. Glick prepare supper. Glancing outside, Nancy saw Becky and Henner playing in the barnyard.

As she watched, the little boy raised a slingshot. Nancy was amazed that his parents would let him use this dangerous plaything. Henner was very proficient and could make a stone whistle a long distance through the air.

”Henner would make a good hunter,” Nancy remarked to the boy's mother. ”He has a very accurate aim with his slingshot.”

Mrs. Glick agreed, but said that once in a while he became erratic and hit something he had not intended to. ”But he is improving every day,” she said.

Directly after supper the three girls took a walk and discussed the mystery again. They had just started back to the house when Mrs. Glick called to them.

”Telephone call for you from home, Bess,” she said.

Bess hurried into the house. The other girls followed, thinking there might be some news for them too.

As they stepped through the door, Bess was saying, ”h.e.l.lo!” She listened for a few seconds, then hung up.

Suddenly Bess burst into tears!

CHAPTER XVI.

A Slingshot Strikes

”BESS, what happened?” Nancy cried, rus.h.i.+ng to her friend's side and putting an arm around her. ”Is it bad news?”

Bess stopped sobbing and said in a quivering voice, ”Nancy, I hate to tell you this, but it was your father's secretary calling. Oh dear, I don't know how to break such news.”

Nancy's heart began to pound. ”Tell me, whatever it is,” she begged.

Finally Bess said that Mr. Drew was dangerously ill in a hospital and it was doubtful that he would recover. ”He keeps calling for you all the time, Nancy,” Bess went on. ”Everybody thinks you should come home at once.”

Nancy had turned chalk white. She was completely stunned-too stunned even to shed a tear. Like someone in a trance, she turned toward the stairway, saying she would get her car keys and leave at once. Bess quickly said she would go along.

Mrs. Glick hurried to Nancy's side. Putting a motherly arm around the girl's waist, she told her how sorry she was to hear the bad news.

Mr. Glick had risen from his chair. He also came to Nancy's side to offer his sympathy. ”You should not be driving all night,” he said. ”Anyway, it would be faster for you to fly. I will telephone the airport to see about a plane and drive you over there.”

Nancy thanked him, agreeing that would be the best way for her to get to River Heights in a hurry. She hoped she would not be too late to see her father alive.

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