Part 18 (1/2)

”We're glad you're safe,” said Nancy. She promised to call her Aunt Eloise, who would pa.s.s the news on to his family and friends.

After A.C.E. had been taken to the doctor, Nancy hurried off to make her call to New York. Miss Drew was thrilled to hear what had happened. Then Nancy met Ned, Ben Wooster, and Jimmy outside the physician's office.

”Mr. Armstrong will be okay,” the deputy reported. ”He'll rest here a couple o' days, then fly home. I've reported his car stolen. You young people did a great job today. Can I give you a lift somewhere?”

Nancy glanced at her watch. ”It's nearly six o'clock,” she said. ”We have to get back to the towboat. But there are eight of us. We can't all fit in your car, I'm afraid.”

”We'll take two cars,” Jimmy offered eagerly. ”I'll get mine!” He raced away.

Ned hurried to the waterfront park to round up the rest of their group. Nancy and Ned explained what had happened, then the group set off for the quarry dock.

When they reached the towboat, Nancy and her friends thanked Wooster and Jimmy and hurried on board.

”Just in time!” called Captain Boge from the pilot house. ”The engine's fixed and we're ready to go!” The boat got under way.

After freshening up, the young people hurried to the dining area adjoining the galley. The table was set with a red-checked cloth and loaded with delicious-looking food.

”Oh!” gasped Bess. ”It's like a beautiful dream! I had such a skimpy sandwich for lunch!”

The captain appeared and seated himself. Immediately the others did too. While the steaming bowls and platters were being pa.s.sed around the table, Nancy and Ned told Captain Boge about finding the kidnapped man.

The captain was impressed. ”So I have real detectives on board,” he said. ”That calls for extra big helpings of strawberry shortcake.”

When Mattie brought in the heaping desserts, everyone praised her excellent cooking.

”I really can't eat another bite,” said Bess, starting on the whipped cream.

They had just finished the dessert when there was a loud crash of gla.s.s and a log whizzed through a window, sailed over their heads, and landed against the far wall.

”Oh!” screamed Bess and everyone ducked.

The diners sat frozen to their chairs, and Mattie came to the door, pale and speechless.

Dave exclaimed, ”What a narrow escape!”

Everywhere lay broken gla.s.s, some of which had showered those at the table. Burt had a small cut on one hand, but otherwise there were no injuries.

”We're lucky to be alive,” George murmured. When the shock of the incident pa.s.sed, everyone jumped up and carefully shook off the gla.s.s. Captain Boge said he was sorry about the accident, but glad his pa.s.sengers were all right.

The log sailed over their heads

”Sometimes,” he explained, ”a floating log gets caught beneath a barge and is carried along underwater. When it breaks loose, the log is propelled upward with great force. It sometimes angles for the boat and crashes onto the deck.”

George said grimly, ”There was great force all right. If that had hit-”

Dave finished her remark.”-Lil ole me, Emerson would have lost a great football player. And it certainly couldn't afford that.”

His facetiousness made everyone relax. The boys offered to put new gla.s.s in the window, while the girls sorted out the debris from the dishes and table linen. A deck hand would clean the floor, the captain told them.