Part 8 (1/2)
The girl flushed angrily, but said nothing.
Theresa urged Nancy to look for more of the skeleton and she worked diligently the rest of the day, but had no luck.
Finally it was quitting time. The weary diggers came to the surface, and went to change their clothes. Some started to prepare supper.
Nancy came outside and dropped to the ground for a brief rest and to think about the secret in the hollow oak. She found herself dozing and turned on her side.
Suddenly her attention was directed to a sound she detected on the ground. Listening closely, Nancy decided it was a car. Who was coming?
She sat up and watched the road that led to the dig. No car appeared, so again the young detective put her ear to the ground and listened. Now there was nothing but silence.
”Someone must have parked,” she thought. The idea made her uneasy. She stood up and went into the house. A few of the boys had gathered in the living room. Nancy told them what she had heard.
”Maybe I'm silly to be suspicious,” she said, ”but I have a hunch that Kit Kadle may come here and attempt some mischief. You know, two people have warned me against him.”
Art spoke up. ”I don't think you're silly at all. This house and the dig should be protected as well as you. Okay with you guys if we take turns standing guard here at night?”
”Great idea,” replied Bob Snell. ”You give out the s.h.i.+fts and I'll be on the job.”
Nancy smiled at them all. ”I'm sorry to be a troublemaker in your group, but-”
”Stop that!” Art interrupted her. ”It will be an exciting change to play detective.” He arranged time s.h.i.+fts and took the first one himself.
Dinner was announced. The group ate heartily and retired early. Nancy found it hard to sleep. She could not keep her mind off the fact that Kit Kadle might show up at the farmhouse. If so, what would he try to do? She felt sure he was the one who had let the goat into the house. This time his mischief might cause serious harm.
Finally, after tossing and turning for an hour, she got up, pulled on her clothes, and went outdoors. It was a bright, starry night and objects were clearly distinguishable.
Almost instantly Art was at her side. He gave a low chuckle. ”I thought you were Kit Kadle'sgirl friend.”
Nancy grinned and started to walk around the farmhouse with him. Just then they became aware of light footsteps not far away. The couple hid behind bushes.
The stealthy footsteps came from the rear of the house. Nancy and Art fully expected someone to enter the front door. Instead they saw a man going toward the dig carrying a ladder.
Moving quietly the couple followed him across the yard and into the field. They saw the figure set the ladder into the excavation.
Nancy whispered. ”It's time to act!”
She and Art loped with light steps toward the dig. The man heard them and turned quickly. Nancy recognized him. Art beamed his flashlight on the figure.
”Tom Wilson!” Nancy whispered.
They ran toward the man to question him about why he had come there. But before they could reach him, Wilson took off like a frightened deer.
”He's not limping!” Nancy observed as she and Art pursued the fleeing figure. ”We mustn't lose him!” she exclaimed.
Wilson was fleet-footed. He had gone straight up the road, but to the young people's amazement had outdistanced them. When they lost sight of him, Nancy stopped and put her ear to the ground.
”He's still on the road,” she reported, catching up to Art.