Detective Work

The girls reached the bakery shop just in time to see the ambulance drive away.

" What has happened? " Nancy questioned a woman who stood near the door of the store. " Has anyone been hurt? "

" He's all right now, I guess, " the woman returned, " but he had a narrow escape. It was Mr. Peterson. He was out fishing on the lake and the boat upset. Someone saw him go under and called the police."

" They reached him in time? " Nancy inquired anxiously.

" He was unconscious but the pulmotor brought him around. He looked pretty white just now when they carried him into the room back of the store."

" I'd like to go in and see how he is feeling, " Nancy said to her chums, " but I'm certain he won't want to be bothered by visitors."

" What will you do about the diary? " Bess inquired.

" I shouldn't think of troubling him now. He'll want to rest for some time."

There was nothing to do but to turn back. The girls were a little discouraged, because it appeared that as far as solving the mystery was concerned, the entire day would be wasted.

" Perhaps the roadster is finished by this time, " Nancy remarked hopefully. " If it is, we might drive over and see Honey and her mother."

" That's an ideal" George approved. " But isn't it too late? "

Nancy glanced at her watch, reporting that it was only a little after three.

" I know a short cut to Sandy Creek, " she declared. " We can make it if we hurry."

Beaching the garage, the girls were overjoyed to find the roadster awaiting them. The fenders had been smoothed and painted, and in general the car looked as well as ever.

Nancy had the tank filled with gasoline and stopped at her own home and those of her friends long enough to disclose their destination. Then they took to the open road.

Nancy drove rapidly, and within a short time they approached the Raybolt estate.

" Are we stopping? " Bess questioned.

" We won't have time today, " Nancy returned regretfully. " Anyway, I doubt if we should learn anything, for by this time any number of persons have poked through the ruins."

From the road the girls could see that the beautiful Raybolt residence had been completely demolished. A few visitors were in evidence, gazing about curiously.

Passing the estate, the girls continued toward Sandy Creek, but before they had gone ten miles were brought to a sudden halt by a signboard which blocked the highway.

" Now what? " Nancy murmured.

" A detour! " George groaned. " Just when we're in a frightful hurry, too! "

" It isn't a very long one, " Bess declared optimistically. " I can see the end of it."

The road had been closed to permit the construction of a new steel bridge. The temporary highway wound down into the valley, crossing the river a quarter of a mile south.

" We'll soon make up the time we lose here, " Nancy said, turning the car into the side road. " That is, if we get through without jolting the car to pieces."

The dirt road was ungraded and recent rains had left it rutty. In addition, it was so narrow that cars could pass only at certain places.

Even though Nancy drove slowly the car jolted about.

" It wouldn't be difficult to break a spring on roads like this one, " she declared.

A moment later she was irritated by the loud, impatient tooting of a horn.

" There's a big truck right behind you, Nancy, " George informed her, looking back through the window.

" I can't help it. The driver surely doesn't expect to pass me here. The road isn't wide enough."

The truck driver continued to toot his horn until Nancy's impatience changed to indignation.

" What is the matter with that man? "

Against her better judgment she speeded up until the roadster was in danger of leaving the road. The truck kept close behind.

" Don't g-go any f-faster, " Bess pleaded, " or I'll l-lose all my teeth."

The horn continued its loud, unreasonable protest.

" If he doesn't stop that I'll scream! " George cried savagely. " Why do truck drivers think they own the road? "

" Don't give him an inch, " Bess advised.

" I won't, " Nancy replied. " We can't do anything but keep going until we reach the end of the detour. I don't intend to risk going into the ditch."

The girls were relieved a minute or two later when they came within view of the bridge, for just beyond the bad road ended.

" The bridge doesn't look very safe, " Nancy observed, noticing a sign tacked on the railing which bore the word, " Condemned."

" No wonder they're building a new, " Bess remarked. " They need it."

The bridge looked shaky and had a pronounced sag. As Nancy drove cautiously upon it, the loose planks creaked alarmingly under the weight of the car. The roadster had progressed perhaps half way across, when Bess emitted a scream of terror.

" That truckster, Nancy! He's trying to pass us! The bridge will never bear the weight of both cars! We'll crash! "