At the farm-house they met Mrs. Higgins, and asked anxiously for news of the girls. Overcome by a sense of remorse3, she told them the whole story, just as it had occurred. The boys listened with increasing anger.
“The man’s crazy, of course!” cried Jack, fiercely. “Why, I’m her own brother——”
“Still, there may be a Margie Wilkinson missing—and not your sister,” remarked the woman. “It’s not such an uncommon4 name.”
“Hardly likely, though. You haven’t seen the old devil since?”
“Not a sign of ’im!” replied Mrs. Higgins. “But what I can’t understand nohow is why the girls didn’t reach Silvertown by now. They escaped here Sunday night, perty early, too, I reckon!”
172 “By George, the old nut must have caught them again!” roared John, beside himself with rage. “Come on, we haven’t a moment to lose! Where’s this town you spoke5 of? Let’s go notify the police immediately.”
“And shall I leave the girls’ boat in the barn where the old man hid it?” she asked. “I found it yes’te’day.”
“Yes, we’ll send a truck down for it later,” said John. “We must be off now!”
Mrs. Higgins gave them directions how to reach Besley, and a description of the old man who seemed at the bottom of the affair. But although the constable6 at Besley remembered seeing the man, and the hotel-keeper showed them the name—Adam Jones—signed in a very shaky handwriting, he said he had not seen the old fellow for several days.
“He come over here a couple o’ nights fer dinner,” remarked the clerk. “But he didn’t have much to say—except to pass the time o’ day. Didn’t say nuthin’ about no runaway7. I reckon he wanted to keep the reward fer hisself.”
“Well, if you see him, you just lock him up!” cried John, vehemently8. “He’s nothing but a common kidnapper9!”
“Easy now, young feller!” cautioned the constable. “The man may only be tryin’ to obey the law and earn an honest reward. There might be other Margaret Wilkinsons, besides your sister!”
173 “But my sister’s name is Marjorie!” contradicted Jack.
The constable shrugged10 his shoulders and turned away as if he did not attach much importance to the boys’ assertions; they probably had their facts wrong, he surmised11.
All day Monday the boys wandered about the woods, looking in vain for the lost girls. As it began to grow dark, John suggested a telegram to Mrs. Wilkinson.
“Mother and dad went for a motor trip,” replied Jack; “and they won’t be back till Tuesday or Wednesday. So it’s no use now. But we can go out again tomorrow, and if we don’t get any trace, we’ll send word then. But, by the immortal12 gods, we’ve got to find them, John! I believe it would kill mother!”
Disconsolately13, they drove back and entered the house just as the guests were answering the summons to dinner. Mr. Andrews and Mr. Remington had likewise met with no success, and the seriousness of the affair threw a cloud over the party.
Ruth had not enjoyed herself so thoroughly14 that day as she had expected. Very soon she noticed that the boys and girls began to pair off, or go in groups of fours, and she seemed left out. If she had entertained any hope of having John Hadley to herself while Marjorie was away, she was disappointed; for, of course, he was gone all day. And Jack Wil174kinson’s absence lent another trying aspect to the situation.
During the bathing hour, most of the party remained together, and at luncheon15 they wandered in and sat as they pleased. With Dick Roberts hovering16 near Lily, and Roger with no eyes for anyone but Doris, the only boy left of the old crowd was David Conner, and he seemed too much worried about Marjorie’s absence to be an entertaining companion. Ruth’s choice, was, therefore, narrowed to the new scouts17, but unfortunately they seemed already taken with Frances, Ethel, Florence, and Alice. The girl suddenly felt herself ignored, an outsider; and she had no one but herself to blame!
But Ruth Henry was not a girl to demand pity or to allow others to think her unpopular. She therefore attached herself to Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, and talked entertainingly all through luncheon.
“The afternoon is an open one,” said Mrs. Andrews, when the guests were all assembled on the porch a little later. “We had hoped to have a tea, so that you could meet some of the young people of Silvertown, but we have postponed18 it until Thursday in the hope that Marjorie and Frieda will be found. For no one is much in the mood of festivities with this hanging over us.”
“I know what I’m going to do!” announced Ruth. “It’s very unsociable, but it’s got to be done. Practice canoeing all by myself!”
175 This was a clever stroke of Ruth’s; it at the same time afforded her a good opportunity to improve her chances of winning on Wednesday, and freed her from any suspicion of unpopularity.
“I’m going to bed!” sighed Lily. “At least, if the guests will excuse me.”
Several of the others signified their intentions of going walking or canoeing, and soon the party was completely scattered20.
As the evening drew near, they all felt an unconscious tremor21 of excitement—of hope that the searchers might return with the missing girls, or at least with news of them. But one glance at their faces dispelled22 any illusions.
“All boys together tonight, and all girls together!” announced Mrs. Andrews, as they entered the dining room. She believed that this brief separation would add zest23 to the companionship of the evening.
When everybody was seated, John told his story in a tone loud enough to be heard all over the room. The news was far from welcome; indeed, Lily Andrews and Doris Sands became almost hysterical24.
“We’re going out again tomorrow, if we have Mr. Andrews’s permission,” he concluded; “and, by Jupiter! if we don’t find them, we won’t come back. We’ll take plenty of money, and go armed, and stay out till we conquer, or die!”
His resolute25 spirit was applauded; everyone felt that he was thoroughly in earnest, and that he was,176 moreover, the best one for the job. Ruth alone looked annoyed; events were not quite taking the course she had planned.
When the hostess announced a dance at the club house for any who wished to attend, Ruth again looked worried. She would be forced to remain at home, she knew; for none of the boys would ask her. She glanced shyly at Jack, but received no encouragement; the boy was worn out after the adventure of the day.
The whole party had just seated themselves comfortably on the porch when a Ford19 Sedan wound up the drive towards the house. Then, to Ruth’s great astonishment26 and joy, she recognized Harold Mason at the wheel!
Mr. Andrews rose to meet him. Lifting his hat, the boy inquired whether Ruth Henry were not among the guests.
Already Ruth had jumped to her feet.
“Oh, Harold, I’m awfully27 glad to see you. How did you ever happen to be up here?”
“I’ve been visiting a chum in New York, and as I drove near, I thought of you and wondered whether I couldn’t look you up as I passed. Why, here’s Hadley, too! And Wilkinson! Is your sister here, Jack?”
Before the latter could reply, Ruth introduced the stranger to the rest of the party, and then hastened to tell the story about Marjorie and Frieda.
177 “I’m going to look for her!” cried Harold immediately, his voice filled with indignation. “I bet the old fellow was an escaped nut. Any asylums28 around here, Mr. Andrews?”
“I don’t know—we’re strangers here, too. But there is nothing you can do now, my boy. Our boys are going out again tomorrow, and if they do not have any success, we can get in touch with Mr. Wilkinson by evening. But won’t you join our party? I’m sure Mrs. Andrews joins me in extending you a hearty29 invitation. There’s a dance at the club house tonight.”
“How jolly!” exclaimed Harold. “I’d love to, Mr. Andrews, at least, if—well—it’s up to Ruth.” Then, turning to her, he asked, “May I go with you? If not, I guess I’d better be on my way.”
“Yes, indeed; if you have evening clothes,” replied the girl.
“Of course I have; didn’t I tell you I’d been visiting in New York?”
Ruth felt as if she had never been so glad in her life to see anyone as she was to see Harold. It was not only a relief to have a devoted30 attendant, but it afforded her a release from her own gloomy thoughts. For already the escapade was beginning to depress her. She really had never thought of the effect Marjorie’s absence would cast upon the other guests; all she had thought of was the girl’s own annoyance31 at the delay, and that reflection178 brought her nothing but satisfaction. Marjorie had been too popular lately; she was having things her own way entirely32 too much. It was not good for any one girl to receive so much attention, Ruth thought; for the sake of the others in the troop, as well as for herself, she had regarded her prank33 as veritably charitable. But now she was almost beginning to regret it. For she knew that when the girl did finally appear, she would be the petted heroine of the party even though Ruth herself might win the cup. And who knew? Mr. Andrews might even suggest that the winner compete with Marjorie and Frieda! It was a strange thing that Ruth Henry had not learned by this time that her underhand scheming never got her anywheres. But each time she seemed to forget, and tried her mean practices all over again.
She could hardly wait to be alone with Harold, to talk the thing over from beginning to end. Fortunately, the others went earlier, while she waited for him to dress.
He was not absent long, however, for he, too, was eager to tell her about the adventure.
“By George! you look stunning34, Ruth, in that white fluffiness35!” he exclaimed, as he threw her cloak around her shoulders.
“You should have said ‘By Georgette,’” corrected Ruth; “because that’s what my dress is made of!”
She linked her arm through his, and they started179 down the steps. Harold was blissfully happy; he knew that he had accomplished36 something worthwhile for her. He hoped to see her win the meet on Wednesday; perhaps, after such a success, he might be able to come to an understanding with her. For Ruth Henry was very attractive, he thought, and although only seventeen, she was undoubtedly37 the sort of girl to become engaged very young.
However, he said nothing of all this now. Instead, he told her the whole story, just as it had happened, allowing her to realize the perils38 he had gone through for her sake.
“And you don’t think she’ll ever suspect?” asked Ruth, trembling at the daring of it all.
“Never!”
“Harold!” She laid her other hand over his arm. “You have been wonderful; and I can never thank you enough. But will you promise me one thing more?”
“Absolutely anything!”
“That if she ever should find out, you’ll say it was your own idea to help me, and that I never knew a thing about it?”
Harold laughed. “Oh, yes, Ruth, if you wish. But Marjorie will never find out.”
They ascended39 the steps of the broad clubhouse and found the dancing already in progress. Hastily disposing of their wraps, they joined the merry throng40 and were soon lost amid the crowd.
180 During the intermission that followed, Mrs. Andrews brought four young people of Silvertown to meet them. Two of them, Jeanne and Eloise Trowbridge, occupied the cottage next to theirs, and one of the young men, Griffith Hunter, lived across the street. Ruth became more animated41 than ever, and dances were exchanged. Harold all the while watched her jealously, for she seemed immensely infatuated with young Mr. Hunter.
The evening passed quickly. Ruth was again with Harold on their way home. But her thoughts were no longer with him, but rather against him; for she was ready to send him home.
“Tomorrow,” she decided42, “I’ll speak to Mrs. Andrews; for if he hangs around, I’ll never get a chance to see any other boys. And besides, he’s served his purpose.”
She turned to her companion to say goodnight. But something in his look, his tone, softened43 her heart, and she squeezed his hand affectionately.
“After all, he might as well stay till the meet is over,” she thought; “for he really has earned it.”
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1
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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5
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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constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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7
runaway
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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kidnapper
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| n.绑架者，拐骗者 | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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surmised
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的过去式和过去分词 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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12
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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disconsolately
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| adv.悲伤地，愁闷地；哭丧着脸 | |
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14
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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15
luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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16
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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17
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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18
postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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20
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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23
zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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24
hysterical
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| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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26
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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27
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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28
asylums
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| n.避难所( asylum的名词复数 )；庇护；政治避难；精神病院 | |
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29
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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30
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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31
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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prank
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| n.开玩笑，恶作剧；v.装饰；打扮；炫耀自己 | |
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34
stunning
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| adj.极好的；使人晕倒的 | |
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35
fluffiness
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| [医]柔软，蓬松，绒毛状 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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38
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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39
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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41
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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42
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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43
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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