“Perhaps we had better leave,” Doris suggested.
“We have everything all spread out,” Kitty complained, “and this is the nicest grove we’ve passed. We’re not even within sight of the roadhouse.”
“I don’t believe it will do any harm to stay here,” Dave agreed. “We’ll soon be on our way again.”
They sat down and began to eat luncheon. There were thin sandwiches, ice-cold lemonade, salad, pickles, and some of Mrs. Mallow’s delicious cookies and cake. Long before they had finished, they realized that their imaginations had been more ambitious than their appetites.
“I can’t eat another thing,” Kitty groaned.
“It’s a shame to let these sandwiches go to waste,” Dave excused himself, selecting one made of chicken.
“Bet you can’t take it all in one bite,” Doris dared him on.
“A little thing like that? Just watch me! Why you’re not looking!”
It was true that Doris was no longer interested. A red roadster had turned into the lane leading to the roadhouse, and she had caught a glimpse of the driver’s face.
“It’s that same man we saw at the aviation meet!” she exclaimed. “Evidently, he intends to have luncheon at the roadhouse.”
“Must not care much for his reputation,” Dave returned.
“You know, I don’t like this place,” Doris said quietly. “Now that we’ve finished eating, let’s be on our way.”
“Right-o!” Dave sprang up and began to pack the dishes into the hamper.
As he placed the basket into the rear of the roadster he surveyed the sky and frowned slightly.
“It’s beginning to look more like rain than it did,” he admitted. “I’m afraid we’d better make full steam ahead or we may get caught in a storm.”
Kitty and Doris did not hear, for their attention had been attracted to a little brown dog which stood in the roadway regarding them with wistful, friendly eyes.
“Oh, isn’t he cute!” Doris exclaimed. “Here, doggie! Come here!”
The little animal first backed timidly away and then, as the girls continued to coax, hesitated, and finally came a few steps toward them, wagging his tail in a friendly way. As Doris stooped to pat him on the head he gave a pleased bark, and raising up on his hind legs, eagerly offered her his right paw.
“He knows tricks,” Doris declared. “Oh, I wonder who owns him?”
“Looks to me like a stray dog,” Dave told her. “He hasn’t any collar or license. The dog catcher will likely get him before long.”
“Not if I can help it!” Doris declared. “If he doesn’t belong to anyone, we can take him with us.”
“What will the Misses Gates say when you come dragging him in?” Dave asked with a smile.
“Oh, they won’t care. He’s such a darling!”
“What shall we name him?” Kitty questioned.
“Let’s call him Wags,” Doris exclaimed impulsively. “The name seems appropriate.”
Wags had no objection to entering the car and snuggled down comfortably between the two girls. With an anxious glance at the sky, Dave started the engine.
“Looks like a big storm is rolling up,” he said.
The girls had been so interested in Wags that they had paid scant attention to the clouds, but now as Doris looked about, she was alarmed. The air was oppressive and not a breath of wind was stirring. Heavy black clouds had loomed up in the west and rapidly were spreading over the entire sky.
“I think I can get you to Locked Gates before it strikes us,” Dave said grimly, as he shifted gears and stepped heavily on the gas pedal. “Hold tight!”
The roadster fairly shot down the road. As the figures crept upwards on the tape of the speedometer, Doris and Kitty clung to each other. Not until the car began to rock and weave on the road, did Dave reduce his speed and then only slightly. However, he held the roadster steady and handled the wheel with such a sure hand, that the girls had confidence in his driving.
It was the appearance of the sky which frightened them. The sun had been entirely blotted from sight, and though it was mid-afternoon, it seemed nearly as dark as night. Dave snapped on the headlights.
“I’ll get you to Locked Gates before the storm breaks,” he announced in relief as they rounded a sharp curve and came within sight of Rumson. “Fortunately, the place is right at the edge of town.”
A few minutes later, he brought the car to a groaning halt in front of the old Gates estate. In the gathering darkness the girls caught but a glimpse of the large, rambling house which was set back some distance from the road, but that was sufficient to assure them that it was gloomy and forbidding.
“Here you are,” Dave said briskly. “Nice place for a murder!”
“Ugh!” Doris murmured. “You make my hair stand on end!”
“I almost wish we hadn’t come,” Kitty said nervously.
“Oh, everything’s all right. I was only joking.” Dave sprang from the car and went over to try the double gates which barred the entrance. “Just as I thought! Locked!”
“Then how are we to get in?” Doris questioned.
“There’s an entrance at the rear. Guess these gates are always kept locked. We’ll try the other gate.”
Driving the roadster down a side street, he found the back entrance and helped the girls to alight. As he picked up their suitcases to take them to the door, Doris glanced again at the storm clouds. A streak of lightning flashed across the sky, and she knew that unless Dave started back at once, he would be caught in the rain.
“Don’t bother to take us to the door,” she commanded. “Start for Chilton this minute!”
“I don’t like to leave you here until I know everything is O. K.,” he protested.
“It’s only a step to the door, Dave. Be a good boy and don’t wait.”
“Well, since you insist, I will start, because it looks like a storm and the roads may get slippery.”
Hastily the three said goodbye and Dave sprang into the roadster. He slammed the door shut and was gone before the girls had managed to unfasten the gate.
“It does look spooky,” Kitty quavered.
Doris laughed uncertainly. She managed to open the gate and it swung back on creaking hinges. A sudden breath of wind struck her face and went whistling through the trees.
The house, half-hidden by shrubbery, was shrouded in deepest gloom, and no light glimmered from the windows. Doris hesitated as she picked up her suitcase. Kitty held back, and even Wags seemed reluctant to venture down the path.
“Come on, Kitty,” Doris admonished, “Everything is all right.”
As she spoke, a gust of wind whined through the trees, and to the girls it sounded strangely like the wailing of a human being in distress.
“Oh, I don’t like it here,” Kitty murmured timidly. “I’m afraid.”
“There’s nothing to be afraid of, Kit. Just follow me.”
Carrying their heavy suitcases, the girls groped their way down the path. It was so dark now that they could not see where they were going and frequently brushed against shrubbery. Wags had disappeared.
Suddenly, Kitty gave a frightened cry as she stumbled over the root of a tree. Catching Doris’s arm to save herself