"What—what can it be?" faltered1 Ruth, as she clung to her sister.
"I—I don't know," answered Alice, and her voice was far from steady. "I wish we hadn't come in here."
"So do I!" Ruth confessed.
Nearer and nearer came the footfalls. Now the girls were able to distinguish that they were made by some four-footed beast, and not by a human being, for the sound came in a peculiar2 rhythm that was unmistakable. Also there could be heard a panting, sniffing3 sound, that could only be made by some beast.
"Oh, if it's a bear!" gasped4 Ruth.
"Silly!" chided Alice. She was less nervous now, for she realized, with Ruth's remark, that there were no savage5 beasts in that part of the country.
"Maybe it's only a cat," Alice suggested, after a moment.
"It's too big and heavy for a cat," objected Ruth. "Oh, there it is!" she suddenly cried, pointing to the doorway6 between the two rooms, and, looking, Alice saw a tawny8 animal standing9 looking at them in the fast falling darkness.
"It's only a dog!" cried Alice, in joyous10 relief. "A fine dog! Come here, sir!" she called, for Alice could make friends with almost any animal.
But this dog, though he barked in a friendly fashion, and wagged his tail as a flag of truce11, would not come nearer. He sniffed12 in the direction of the girls and then, with another bark, turned and ran out toward the entrance door.
"Come on!" called Alice. "It has stopped raining, Ruth, and maybe that dog will follow us home. He'll be fine protection!"
Ruth was not at all averse13 to having some sort of guardian14 on the walk through the lonely woods, but when she and Alice reached the outer room the dog, with a last look back, and a farewell bark, trotted15 off across the glade16 in the direction taken by the strange man with the umbrella.
"He's gone!" exclaimed Alice, in disappointment. "Come back!" she invited. "Come back, sir!" and she whistled in boyish fashion. But the dog was not to be enticed17, and was soon lost in the woods.
"Maybe he belonged to that man," suggested Ruth, "and came here looking for him. What sort of a dog was it, Alice?"
"A collie. The same kind Mrs. Delamont lost in the train wreck18, you know."
"Oh, maybe it was her prize animal, Alice!"
"How could it be? He was lost a good way from here. But it looked to be a fine dog. Shall we go home, now?"
"Yes," agreed Ruth. "We can't get much wetter, and I don't want to stay here any longer. I know daddy will be worried about us."
With a last look about the cabin, wondering what could be the business of the man who stayed there, the girls started off. But they had not taken three steps before they saw, coming toward them from the other side of the clearing, two figures.
"Oh!" cried Ruth, drawing back. "There comes that man, and he's got someone with him."
Alice, too, was startled and a little bit afraid, but a moment later there came a cheerful hail.
"Oh, it's Russ and Paul!" Alice cried. "They have come for us!"
"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Ruth, and a few seconds later the four young people were together, making mutual19 explanations.
Mr. DeVere had indeed become worried about his daughters, when the storm arose, and, as they had left word whither they were going, Russ and Paul volunteered to go after them, taking raincoats and umbrellas.
"And here we are!" exclaimed Russ, as he helped Ruth on with her garment.
"And we were never so glad to see anyone in all our lives; were we?" went on Alice, who, in spite of her brave nature, had been considerably20 unnerved by the events of the last few minutes.
The young men were much surprised when told about the strange man and the dog, and they at once wanted to make an inspection21 of the cabin.
"Who knows what we might find!" exclaimed Russ.
"Wait until later, then," suggested Ruth. "Please take us home now."
Russ and Paul had no choice, after that, but to take the girls back to Oak Farm.
The rain was over, but the trees still dripped with moisture and the raincoats and umbrellas were very useful. Paul walked with Alice, while Russ kept pace at the side of Ruth. And as the four walked together they talked of the recent happenings, speculating as to the meaning of them all.
Back in the comfortable farmhouse22, clothed in dry garments, Ruth and Alice were inclined to laugh at their scare, which, at the time, had seemed very real.
"I think that man was real kind," said Mrs. Apgar, as she heard the story. "To leave his cabin that way."
"He was, unless he had some object in view," said Sandy. "I'd like to know what his game is. He's got some object hangin' around here, and I'm goin' to find out what it is."
"Was that his cabin?" asked Ruth.
"No, that's an old shack23 that really belongs on this place," explained Mr. Apgar, "but there's a dispute as to the title, so no one really knows who owns it. 'Tain't much 'count, anyhow. But you say he was livin' in it?"
"He had it partly furnished, at any rate," said Alice. "It could be fixed24 up and made into a lovely little bungalow25."
"Well, you folks kin7 do that if you like," offered Sandy. "I kin have it fixed so that fellow won't stay there. He's got no rights: only a squatter26."
"I think we'd feel safer here," returned Ruth, with a smile. "That man might come back unexpectedly."
"I think I'll go up there to-morrow and have a look around," suggested Russ. "I'd like to see more of that cabin by daylight."
"And I'll go with you," offered Sandy. "I'm gittin' real interested in this chap."
But when they went up early next morning they found the place deserted27, and no signs of the strange man. There was evidence that he had packed up some of his things, for the bed clothing was gone, with some of the cooking utensils28 the girls had seen in the kitchen.
"He's stolen a march on us," declared Paul, grimly.
"Probably took fright because the girls located his hiding place," said Russ.
"And I reckon he is in hidin' for some reason or other," remarked Sandy. "I wish I could have him arrested!"
"What for?" Russ wanted to know. "I'm afraid you'd have hard work to make a charge that would hold. So far he hasn't done anything that we know of."
"He could be held as a trespasser," spoke29 Paul. "He was in the Apgar barn; wasn't he?"
"Yes, I suppose so."
"That fellow's up to more than jest trespassin'," declared Sandy. "He's got some motive30, and I'm goin' to find out what it is."
But for the present this was out of the question. The man was gone, and none at Oak Farm knew his whereabouts. The only thing they could do was to wait until he showed himself again.
"But having a dog was a new one," said Russ. "That is, if it was his the girls saw."
But even on this point they could not be sure. They returned to the house, for Russ had to make several films that day.
Several acts of one of the plays were to take place in the woods, and Russ had found a spot, not far from the lonely cabin, where there was the proper background of trees and hills.
Thither31 the company went that afternoon, and after a little rehearsal32, Mr. Pertell gave the word for the real action of the drama to begin.
Miss Pennington and Miss Dixon were in this, as were Ruth and Alice. There was to be a picnic scene, with a campfire at which a meal was to be cooked, and real food had been prepared for the act.
"All ready!" called the manager, when he had looked over the little company, and seen that they were all in their proper positions. "Go ahead, Russ!"
For a time all went well, and then came a scream from Miss Dixon, who jumped up with such suddenness that she upset a pitcher33 of lemonade over Mr. Switzer.
"Cut that out, Russ!" called the manager, sharply. "We seem to be having all sorts of accidents of late."
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" apologized the actress. "But I—I saw a bug34!"
"You usually do in der voods, my dear young lady!" said Mr. Switzer, as he sopped35 up the lemonade from his trousers with his handkerchief. "Und, if it iss all der same mit you, I vould like to have my oder lemonade on der insides of me und not on der outsides, ef you pliss!"
It took some little time to get matters straightened out, so that the making of the film could proceed. Several scenes were successfully made, and they were ready for the final one, when this time Miss Pennington screamed.
"Another bug?" asked Mr. Pertell, and he was a bit sarcastic36 over it, for several little things had bothered him that day.
"No, it's a snake! A snake! See, he's coming right for me!" and deserting the scene Miss Pennington made for a broad stump37, upon which she jumped, screaming.
"Snake! Call that a snake!" cried Russ, as he picked up a rather large and squirming angleworm.
"Oh, put it down—the horrid38 thing!" begged Miss Dixon, who had joined her friend on the stump.
"Poor little thing!" laughed Russ, as he tossed the worm into a clump39 of leaves. "Go home and tell your folks you scared two brave young ladies!"
"Smarty!" exclaimed Miss Pennington, with a vindictive40 look at the moving picture operator, who had left his camera when the scene was broken up.
Once again matters were arranged and the taking of the film went on as before. But that was a day destined41 to be fraught42 with adventures of more or less moment.
In one scene Mr. Sneed had to pose as a wood chopper, and, to make it more realistic he was to fell a small tree. This action on his part had cost him no little time and trouble, for he was not proficient43 in the use of the axe44. For several days the actor had had Sandy "coaching" him until he could do fairly well.
"We'll try that tree-cutting scene now," said Mr. Pertell, after a bit. "Get ready for that, Russ. And, whatever you do, Mr. Sneed, don't have the tree fall on the camera. I don't want all the film spoiled."
Soon all was in readiness for the final act of the day. Mr. Sneed swung his axe with vigorous strokes and the keen weapon bit deep into the wood. Alice and Ruth, who were acting45 with him, went through their parts in the little play.
At times Mr. Sneed would pause to go through some other "business," and then resume his chopping.
"Look out," warned Sandy Apgar, who was one of the characters in the act. "She'll fall in a minute."
"Yes, get from under," advised Russ. "I'll get a good picture of the tree coming down."
Mr. Sneed ran out of the way, as a cracking warned him that the tree was going to fall. It was not a large one, but it had very heavy and thick foliage46.
Crash! Down came the tree, and then followed a cry of alarm.
"Ach! I am killet! I am caught under der tree!"
"Great Scott! Another accident!" groaned47 Mr. Pertell. "This certainly is a hoodoo day!" and they all ran to where Mr. Switzer had been pinned.
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收听单词发音
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1
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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2
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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3
sniffing
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| n.探查法v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的现在分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
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4
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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5
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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7
kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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8
tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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9
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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10
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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11
truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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12
sniffed
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| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
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13
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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14
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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15
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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16
glade
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| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
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17
enticed
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| 诱惑，怂恿( entice的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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19
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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20
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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21
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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22
farmhouse
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| n.农场住宅（尤指主要住房） | |
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23
shack
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| adj.简陋的小屋，窝棚 | |
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24
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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25
bungalow
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| n.平房，周围有阳台的木造小平房 | |
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26
squatter
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| n.擅自占地者 | |
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27
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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28
utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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29
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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30
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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31
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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32
rehearsal
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| n.排练，排演；练习 | |
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33
pitcher
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| n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手 | |
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34
bug
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| n.虫子；故障；窃听器；vt.纠缠；装窃听器 | |
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35
sopped
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| adj.湿透的，浸透的v.将（面包等）在液体中蘸或浸泡( sop的过去式和过去分词 )；用海绵、布等吸起（液体等） | |
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36
sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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37
stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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38
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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39
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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40
vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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41
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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42
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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43
proficient
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| adj.熟练的，精通的；n.能手，专家 | |
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44
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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45
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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46
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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47
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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