Part 14 (2/2)

When the boys arrived from their house, they were astounded to learn of the attempted kidnapping. Art said, ”I wonder if the same two men took Bob Snell away.”

”If so, I'm pretty sure I know who one of them is,” Nancy told him, and mentioned Kit Kadle, alias Tom Wilson. ”It's a good thing we're going on the towboat trip for a few days. Maybe Kadle will think I've gone home and the group here won't be hara.s.sed by intruders.”

Art made no comment. As he looked off into s.p.a.ce, Nancy wondered, ”Can he still be sulking about meeting Ned?” They walked into the farmhouse and joined the line for a cafeteria breakfast. Art ate quickly and went back to his dormitory to pack. The others did not see him until a quarter to eleven when he trudged up the path carrying a suitcase.

Nancy and Julie Anne were waiting for the helicopter to arrive. As the three looked up, they could see it coming. In a few minutes the whirlybird settled down onto the field near the farmhouse.

The trio hurried forward to greet Roscoe Thompson. Nancy introduced Julie Anne, then the three pa.s.sengers climbed the ladder into the c.o.c.kpit. The pilot asked how everything had been going and was told there had been trouble at the dig.

Nancy reported the disappearance of Bob Snell. suggesting that while Roscoe was flying around the area, he might keep his eyes open for anything suspicious.

”I'll do that. But why would anyone want to kidnap him?”

”n.o.body knows,” Art answered.

Nancy did not intend to mention her own danger, but Julie Anne blurted it out.

Roscoe's eyes opened wide. ”This is pretty bad,” he remarked. ”You're lucky those two fellows didn't succeed.”

”I agree,” Nancy said. ”I believe you know one of the men as rom Wilson.”

Roscoe looked surprised. ”Is that so? But Wilson limps. How come you couldn't catch him?”

Art chuckled. ”He had a limp until he was cornered and then he could run like a deer.”

By this time the copter was coming in for a landing at a private field outside of Cairo. Roscoe borrowed a pilot friend's car and drove his three pa.s.sengers to town. When he pulled up to the entrance of the Delta Motel, they said good-by and went inside.

Art and the girls checked their luggage, then had a light lunch. Nancy suggested that they take a taxi to the airfield and meet Ned and the others. During the ride Art did not say a word. When they reached the field he walked off by himself.

”What's eating him?” Julie Anne asked.

”Compet.i.tion,” Nancy replied. ”Julie Anne, I think you'll have to cheer up poor Art.”

The girl beamed. ”Do you think I ran do it? He's been tagging after you ever since you arrived.”

”Of course you can,” Nancy said. ”Why don't you start in right now by walking over to him?”

Julie Anne liked this idea and set off at once. Nancy strolled up and down but kept an eye on the couple. Pretty soon she was delighted to see that Art was actually laughing. When the helicopter from St. Louis hove into sight he took Julie Anne's arm and brought her over to where Nancy was standing.

There was wild enthusiasm as Nancy greeted Bess and George and the boys. Julie Anne, meanwhile, had rushed up to her cousin Ned and hugged him. Then she introduced him to Art. The two shook hands and Ned was most cordial, but Art seemed aloof.

There was a lot of chatter on the way to the motel. The newcomers were shocked when they heard about the mysterious happenings at the dig, and the two disappearances plus the at tempted kidnapping of Nancy.

Burt, blond and husky, said, ”I wish I'd been here to capture those two guys.”

Dave, a green-eyed rangy blond, added, ”Pretty bold guys!”

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