Part 13 (1/2)

”A good idea!” Nancy approved. She pulled up before the shack and flung open the car door. George did the same and promptly stepped out.

But Bess held back. ”No telling who lives there, girls! M-maybe that criminal!”

”George and I will go,” said Nancy. ”You stay here, Bess.”

”Not on your life. If you're going, I'll go, too.”

George and Nancy were already pus.h.i.+ng their way through the brush, and Bess, fearful of being left alone, hurried after them. The shack was located in a tiny clearing which was enclosed on three sides by dense forest.

The girls were halfway to the cabin when Bess clutched Nancy's arm. ”There's someone in the bushes-over by the grape arbor-watching us!”

The three girls huddled together, afraid to continue. They could see the motionless figure peeping out at them.

Suddenly Nancy burst into laughter.

”A scarecrow!” she exclaimed. ”Bess, this makes the second time you've given us a scare!”

Bess looked sheepish and made no response.

”Come on!” George said in disgust. ”We're acting like babies!”

The girls approached the shack with a boldness they did not feel. Bess remarked nervously that the place seemed unnaturally quiet.

Summoning her courage, Nancy knocked on the door. There was no response. She knocked again, louder than before.

”I heard someone moving!” George whispered tensely.

Nancy thought she had heard something. A little chill of excitement ran down her spine. Was someone hiding inside?

”Let's go back!” Bess urged fearfully.

”One more try,” Nancy begged, and knocked again.

When no answer came, Nancy gently turned the k.n.o.b. The door opened so quickly she almost plunged headlong into the one-room shack. She sprang back, expecting to face an occupant. The room was empty. The few furnis.h.i.+ngs were broken down and covered with dust.

”Another joke on us!” Nancy said. ”I'd have sworn I heard someone moving in here!”

”So would I,” murmured Bess in a relieved tone. ”What a creepy place!”

The girls tiptoed around the shack, sidestepping the dirt, and ducking their heads, as they avoided the heavy cobwebs.

”n.o.body home!” announced Nancy, gaily shaking off her former apprehensive mood.

”No one has used this shack in months,” George declared.

”We may as well run along,” said Nancy.

Returning to their car, the girls agreed after some debate to take the right-hand fork. A few minutes' driving took them to the foot of Sunview Mountain.

”I see a town ahead,” Nancy observed. ”We'll stop there and inquire if we're on the right road.”