Читать книгу Patty and Jo, Detectives: The Case of the Toy Drummer - Janet Knox - Страница 3

HOW DIFFERENT the landscape looks now in early summer. Remember, Jo, how every single thing was completely covered with white snow when we made this trip the first time?” Patty turned her dark curly head away from the train window to regard her twin sitting on the opposite seat.

“Yes, now the bleak whiteness has given way to those cool, green fields and the deeper green of the woods. Oh, Welty, how soon will we be there?”

The Faraday twins both appealed to their guardian who grinned merrily at their eagerness. “Harker’s Cove is the next stop, girls. That’s only an hour’s ride to go.” Welton Duer was inwardly thanking his lucky stars for all the good fortune the past six months had brought him. For, he asked himself, what had he done to deserve his charming wife and two such lovely daughters? A short half-year ago I was a lonely, middle-aged bachelor holding only bitterness against the world, he thought to himself.

He looked across at Mavis whose head was bent over a book, unaware of his scrutiny. Her figure was like that of a girl, small and slim. As a matter of fact, she looked as if she might be the twins’ older sister. Even to the color of her hair she resembled them, although hers was straight while Jo and Patty often mourned over the unruliness of their curly locks.

What a pity, Welton sighed to himself, that we didn’t marry when we were both young. But no, I had to be stubborn, I had to be free in order to make long archeological expeditions which made a normal married life impossible. He pounded his fist softly against the arm of the seat.

Mavis looked up from her book with a questioning glance at her husband. “Did you just think of something we’ve forgotten, dear?”

“What?—N-no,” he said, coming out of his reverie. “I was just telling myself what a fool I’ve been. You know, I see no reason why you can’t come along with me on these research trips I have to make now and then. That is, if you would want to. And, of course, only when there was no danger involved. Oh, I don’t mean right away, you understand.” He hesitated, waiting to see how Mavis would react to such a suggestion.

“Why, I think it’s a splendid idea. Winters when the girls are in school we’d both be at loose ends, not knowing what to do with ourselves.”

“We might even take them along sometime,” Welton went on eagerly. “Now that I think of it, your father used to take you everywhere with him, didn’t he?” He turned to Pat at his side.

“You bet,” she grinned. “Wherever his engineering was needed. In New Mexico, Texas, Panama, even South America once.”

“We liked that best of all,” Jo added, remembering those carefree days when school was secondary to the first-hand lessons of experience they had had. “It was perfectly grim when we first went to Miss Langton’s school. And then later—” Jo preferred not to remember when their father had not returned. He had died of a fever contracted in Central America.

The twins’ mother had died when they were born, but of course they had pictures of her, and their father had talked of her often. Since their father, a construction engineer, had to travel most of the time, he was forced to leave his daughters in the care of their great-aunt Harriett. She was a woman who recognized her duty, but she did not really love children. Her cold, forbidding house was never a home to them although Patty and Jo lived with her until they were eight years old. On one of his brief visits Mr. Faraday realized how unhappy his children were and he abruptly gathered their few belongings and took them wherever his work called him. Next followed two years of carefree, nomadic living that enabled the twins to be close to their father and, at the same time, gave them experience which taught them many things about people and places they would not have learned from books.

Then Mr. Faraday was assigned to a building project in the jungles of Central America and he regretfully decided it was no place to take two little girls. Instead he sent them to Miss Langton’s school and promised to be back in a year. It was during this trip to Central America that tragedy struck and the twins found themselves alone, with only an unseen, mysterious guardian to look after their needs.

Vacation times became ordeals until, as related in Patty and Jo, Detectives, the sixteen-year-old Faraday twins were invited to spend their Christmas vacation at their guardian’s lodge. Looking forward eagerly to a gay two weeks of fun, the girls found, on their arrival at the faraway Michigan village, that Welton Duer had left the previous day on business. Would they never set eyes on the man who governed their welfare? Firmly convinced that Duer’s departure was strange, the twins purposefully set out to find the reasons for his disappearance.

Although the girls were alike in physical appearance, the similarity did not carry over completely into their characters. While Pat possessed an imaginative mind, Jo was clear-thinking and realistic. In this way, the personality of one complemented that of the other.

It was Pat’s imagination which first set the twins on the trail of mystery. She was sure that the Japanese servant, Yamoto, and Mrs. Gruber, the housekeeper, knew more than they were willing to tell. After a series of exciting adventures involving even a skirmish with an escaped convict, the twins solved the mystery of Welton Duer’s disappearance. Together with their newfound friend, Dick Prentiss, they were instrumental in reuniting their guardian with his former sweetheart, Mavis Martin. Mavis and Welton had included the twins in their future and offered the girls their home. All too soon it was time for Patty and Jo to return to school for the final semester, but they were happy in the knowledge that when graduation came in June they would have a real home to go to.

“Well, we’ll have plenty of time to decide these things later,” said Mavis. Then, looking at her watch, she said, “Better get your things together now, girls, we’re nearly there.”

Immediately there followed a flurry of confusion while Patty and Jo retrieved scattered magazines and miscellaneous belongings. Their laughter filled the railroad car when their heads bumped together during a scramble under the seat for one of Jo’s gloves. The rest of the passengers smiled at their gaiety, for the twins unconsciously won friends everywhere by their warm-heartedness and good humor. They finished assembling their luggage just as the conductor announced their stop.

Welton Duer alighted first. He carefully helped Mavis down the steps, then Jo and Patty. Spying a familiar old car parked next to the small station, the girls raced over to greet Yamoto who stood waiting and trying vainly to suppress a wide grin.

“Welcome home, Mliss Patty, Mliss Jo. Welcome, Mlisteh Dueh—and,” he grinned even more broadly, “Mliss Dueh.” Yamoto made a deep bow before them and Mavis colored a little.

“Gee, it’s great to be back,” sighed Jo, looking about happily.

“Smell those pines, Jo,” cried Patty enthusiastically. “Isn’t it heavenly? Doesn’t it provoke memories?”

While the girls continued their babbling, Welton Duer and Yamoto collected their baggage from the stationmaster and stowed it away in the rear of the car. In a few minutes they were ready to start the last lap of their journey home.

“Are you going to stand there all afternoon, or shall we be on our way?” Mavis laughingly interrupted the girls when she saw that Yamoto was anxious to leave.

“Oh, of course were not, Mavis,” Patty said, answering the first question, and she pushed Jo ahead of her into the back seat of the car. Mavis followed after them and Welton settled himself beside Yamoto.

“Not too crowded back there, are you?” Welton asked. “All the luggage wouldn’t fit in the trunk so we had to put a couple of the bags on the floor there.”

They all assured him everything was all right, so with a few rumbles and jerks the car responded to Yamoto’s coaxing. Only Yamoto seemed to be able to handle the temperamental old car. Welton Duer had threatened time and again to sell it for junk, but at the mere suggestion of such a thing Yamoto looked pained. For, although his duties were primarily to keep the Lodge running smoothly, he prided himself on his knowledge of all things mechanical. And a good thing it was, too, since Welton’s patience became sorely tried when the toaster didn’t work or the clock was slow. Contrariwise, he could study a single fossil or ancient inscription for hours at a time without losing his zeal if he could not solve its problems.

Yamoto had also added supervision of Patty and Jo to his list of duties. He had quickly grown attached to them, liking their adventurous spirits. The twins had returned his friendship, aware of his loyalty to them. His watchful eye was always upon them, ready to protect or defend if necessary. Had the girls known this, however, it is possible they would have resented it slightly, since they loved to do things that might seem a bit dangerous in the eyes of others. Yamoto’s silent ways were never without purpose they had soon learned.

A crisp breeze told the occupants of the car that they were nearing the lake and Harker’s Cove. Then they were flying along the cliff road and presently the Lodge driveway made a gap in the trees on the left. They could see Mrs. Gruber on the porch looking a little less morose than was usual for her.

“Well, I’m glad to see you arrived safely,” she greeted them. “Your train must have been a little late for I’ve been watching for you some time now. Come in, come in, I’ve had lunch all ready for you. I hope it hasn’t been spoiled by being held back this way.”

“I’m sure it will be fine, Mrs. Gruber,” said Mavis soothingly. “We’re all famished.”

“She hasn’t changed a bit,” Jo whispered to Pat and giggled softly.

“Sh-h-h. She’ll hear you,” cautioned Pat.

“If you’ll each take one of these bags into your room, we can eat right away,” said Welton, as he came up behind them with his hands full of luggage. “Yamoto and I will manage the rest.”

“Okay.” Both girls seized their own suitcases and followed Welton into the house. In their room they saw that either Yamoto or Mrs. Gruber had thoughtfully placed a vase of fresh flowers on the chest of drawers. It was a cheerful room with the June sun streaming in the windows. They swiftly combed their hair, freshened themselves a little and joined Mavis and Welton for lunch.

The twins were surprised to find they were more than a little tired from their trip. They quickly accepted Mavis’ suggestion of a nap after lunch.

“That will give me a chance to get some work done. My bones are waiting,” Welton joked, in reference to his fossil collections.

“Then we’ll leave you alone for an hour or so,” his wife answered.

It was a pleasant feeling to sink down into comfortable beds once more, the twins thought. Although they had both completely enjoyed the journey home, as Pat remarked, “It’s wonderful not to have to brace your feet against the lurches of those pullmans.” Voices in the living room roused the girls from their nap later in the afternoon. They went out to find that Dick Prentiss and his mother were engrossed in conversation with Mavis and Welton. The Prentisses had just returned from a trip East by automobile and had been present at the twins’ graduation.

“This is a surprise. We thought you wouldn’t be back for another week,” Jo greeted them.

“Hi, twins. We made better time than we expected to,” Dick answered. He stood up, smiling warmly, to greet the girls. He was a tall, good-looking boy of about eighteen, who had been Welton Duer’s fishing and hunting crony since he was a youngster.

“We came over first thing,” Dick went on. “Had to give you a welcome typical of this fair community.” He spread his arms out expansively.

“Dick couldn’t wait to let you get settled,” his mother said, turning to explain to Mavis who sat beside her in the couch. “I hope you’ll excuse his overwhelming enthusiasm for your twins here. My stars, I never knew him to take such a liking to a pair of girls this way.”

Dick grinned back a little sheepishly at his mother, but was quick to remark, “These kids aren’t the usual sort, you know, Mom. Welty found that out, didn’t you?”

And now it was Welton’s turn to look embarrassed, for he had insisted that there was no place in his life for “women with a capital letter” as he phrased it. Instead of answering Dick’s question, he said, “Why don’t you young upstarts just take yourselves out of here? Isn’t it the limit, Mrs. Prentiss, the way the younger generation shows no respect for its elders?” He glowered at the three, but the hint of laughter in his voice did not convince anyone that he meant what he had said.

“I know when I’m not appreciated,” Dick retorted, assuming an air of injured pride. “If you brought your swim suits, girls, let’s go down to the beach.”

“Isn’t it a little early in the season for swimming?” Mavis looked a little concerned. “Pat and Jo aren’t used to the chilly waters of our lake, and that sun isn’t making it as warm as it appears to be.”

“I went in for a dip this morning to test it for you. Nope, it’s fine if you don’t stay in too long, and we won’t.”

“Well, then, run along and have a good time.”

As the three left the Lodge chattering simultaneously, Mavis laughed and turned back to face Mrs. Prentiss. “Welty tries so hard to play the role of a disciplinarian, though I’m afraid he’s no actor.”

“You’ll do well to take lessons in managing these young adults from Mavis, Welton. She speaks their language.”

“But she’s just like one of them, that’s the trouble,” Welton grumbled. He put his arm around Mavis’ shoulder to show he really didn’t mind. “It only adds to the problem. I have three children instead of just two. I—I give up.”

“Take my advice and let Mavis handle them,” Mrs. Prentiss insisted. “Now, where were we?”

“The party,” Welton reminded her. “All you want me to do is to devise some scheme to get Jo and Pat out of the way while you make the arrangements, right?”

“Yes, dear.” Saying this, Mavis stood up and walked in the direction of the dining room. “That way they won’t possibly suspect that we’re planning a surprise for their birthday. And you know what suspicious natures they have!”

“How old did you say they were going to be?” Mrs. Prentiss asked.

“Seventeen. Now, since everything’s settled, let me get you a cup of tea.” Mavis turned and walked through the dining room to the kitchen where she found Mrs. Gruber had already set out the tea things.

Meanwhile Patty and Jo were sampling the offerings of the small lake resort. It was quite a long walk from the Lodge to the beach. The path led them down the side of the cliff in a winding course made necessary because of the almost sheer drop. Here and there small outcroppings of earth and rock leveled the path somewhat and provided space for the growth of scrub pines.

Dick led the way, showing little regard for the hazards of the tortuous trail. He seemed more or less to be leaving the girls to manage as best they could to keep up with his striding gait. About halfway down they overtook him on one of the level stretches.

“Were not so different from other girls that we’re cousins to mountain goats,” Jo said a little irritably. She stooped to rub a scraped place on her ankle.

“Gee, I’m sorry, Jo. I guess I just didn’t realize how bad this path would seem to someone who’s not used to it. It’s as safe as can be, really. What’s the matter with your leg?”

“Nothing’s the matter with it,” she snapped, “I skinned my ankle on your safe old trail.” Jo was not going to be placated so easily.

“You were barreling along at quite a pace, Dick,” Patty admonished gently. “We’re here for the summer—at least, we wanted to be. Now, I wonder if we’ll last.”

“Forgive me, both of you, for being so stupid.” He really looked crestfallen, for he had planned on a summer of fun with the girls and here he was spoiling things already.

“My, what a honey of a lake!” exclaimed Jo, suddenly willing to forget her injured ankle and pride. Below the scrub pine a clear green lake shimmered in the bright sunlight. The water gently lapped at the rim of the shore. Clean white sand extended perhaps twenty feet back from the water, forming a kind of frame. It was, indeed, enough to make one forget a petty squabble.

“It’s even nicer to swim in,” Dick replied. “If you’re rested now, we can go down and you’ll see for yourselves.”

This time Dick carefully took each girl by the hand and helped them over the bumpy stretches of the path. In a few minutes they reached the bottom of the cliff where Dick showed them the dressing shacks tucked underneath the cliff to one side. Since few of the summer visitors had yet arrived, the three young people had the beach to themselves.

Not much time passed before Patty and Jo emerged from one of the dressing rooms, clad in their swim suits. Jo’s suit was turquoise blue while Pat’s was coral, making an attractive combination.

“Humph, I thought twins always dressed alike,” was Dick’s only comment.

“That’s old stuff,” sniffed Patty. Then she laughed and Dick relented by giving her an approving whistle.

Seizing each girl by an arm, Dick pulled them giggling into the water. “If there’s anything I can’t stand, it’s a girl who dilly-dallies around before getting into the water. I had to make sure you wouldn’t.”

Two white caps bobbed up out of the water to hear this outburst. “You needn’t have worried,” Pat said merrily. “We love to swim. How deep does it get?”

“Oh, it’s about forty feet deep in some parts, but that’s way out in the middle. Have no fears, though, there’s a mighty competent lifeguard on duty all season. It so happens that that’s me—mornings, anyway. You’re quite safe.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Jo answered him quickly, remembering the journey down the cliff.

“Is that a float I see out there?” Pat interrupted. “Come on, I’ll race you for it!”

Dick sat swinging his legs from the platform as Pat pulled herself up, dripping, beside him. Jo finished a close third in the race, taking the loss with good grace. “I’m just a little rusty, I guess. You wait, Mr. Prentiss, until I regain my form and then I’ll give you something to grin about.”

“I don’t doubt it for an instant, Miss Faraday.”

“What are you two being so formal about? Jo’s not kidding, though, usually she beats me.”

“Say, your lips are getting a little blue, Pat. You’ve had enough for today. I promised Mavis that I’d only allow you a little swim.”

“I guess it is colder than I thought. It’s the wind that makes it that way. Golly,” another thought suddenly struck her. “Mavis is a peach, isn’t she?”

“Best there is,” Dick said lightly as he dove expertly into the water. “Coming?”

“We’re really a couple of lucky kids, do you know that, Pat?” Jo, too, became suddenly serious. She stared down into the glistening water for another moment in silence. “To have one set of wonderful parents is something to be thankful for, but to have two sets—we must be leading charmed lives.” With that she followed Dick into the water and swam slowly back to shore.