Part 7 (1/2)
”He didn't say.”
Roscoe asked Nancy if she would like to speak to Tom Wilson. When she said Yes, the pilot told her he expected the man to arrive at the airfield about midmorning.
”I'll introduce you,” he said.
This was just what Nancy wanted! She turned to Art, ”Could you possibly stay a little longer?”
The archaeology student shook his head. ”Sorry, but a promise is a promise. I must be back at the dig by ten. Several of us are working on a certain section and each one of us has a particular task.”
”I understand,” Nancy said.
Seeing Nancy's look of disappointment, Art said, ”Maybe this Tom Wilson will get here before ten. I can give you a half hour. In the meantime I'll run into town and pick up some food supplies.”
Nancy was grateful. ”I'll make a few phone calls. If Mr. Wilson should arrive, will you let me know?” she asked Roscoe.
”Will do.”
The young detective hurried to a phone booth alongside the airfield building. She called her home, hoping her father would still be there, but he had already left for his law office.
Hannah Gruen reported that everything was fine, and Bess and George were eager to join Nancy. ”They still want to help you solve the mystery-that is, unless you have already done so.”
”I'm far from solving it,” Nancy answered. ”The case is fascinating, but I'm making very slow progress. By the way, you can write or telegraph me in care of Clem Rucker at Walmsley. He'll bring the message over to the dig.”
Nancy had just said this when there was a tap on the gla.s.s door of the booth. She turned to see Roscoe standing there.
As Nancy pushed open the door a crack, the pilot said, ”Here comes Mr. Wilson now!”
CHAPTER VI.
Ear to the Ground
”OH, Hannah, I must go now,” Nancy said hurriedly. ”I'll call again.”
She hung up the phone and rushed from the booth. Roscoe motioned her to follow him. A short distance ahead a gray-haired man with a decided limp was approaching the building. He had a full mustache and a chin beard.
”This can't be Kit Kadle,” Nancy told herself, and yet there seemed to be something familiar about the man. Roscoe introduced him and Nancy.
”Pleased to meet you,” Mr. Wilson said in an affected voice.
Nancy found herself staring intently at him. Could he be Kit Kadle in disguise?
Mr. Wilson smiled. ”Aren't you the girl I saw hacking at a tree near a dig site?”
”Yes I am,” Nancy replied.
When she gave no explanation, he asked her why she was doing it. Nancy smiled and replied, ”Just examining the oak.” She changed the subject. ”Weren't you staying at the Riverside Hotel in St. Louis?”
The man shook his head. ”Never heard of it,” he said in his affected voice and limped off. Nancy wondered where he was going.