The Second Girl Detective Megapack: 23 Classic Mystery Novels for Girls

by Julia K. Duncan

  Noon found them riding into the valley with the K Bar O ranch house just ahead of them. To the girls it seemed as though there were a great many men gathered about the bunkhouse and the corral. The very air seemed tinged with suspense and mystery. Unconscious that they did so, all the riders spurred their horses on at an increased pace. Why should there be such activity where usually there were peace and orderliness unless something had happened? It was as if a cloud of trouble had descended on the K Bar O.

  “I wonder what’s the matter?” Virginia murmured to Gale. “I hope nothing has happened—”

  “We’ll soon find out,” Gale answered as the horses trotted up to the corral and the girls dismounted. “Look, isn’t that the Sheriff?”

  “Hello, there, youngsters!” Gale’s uncle came forward and at his heels came Sheriff Colman.

  “What’s up, Dad?” Tom asked anxiously.

  The Sheriff looked a bit sheepish and Mr. Wilson frowned in annoyance.

  “It’s the—rustlers,” the Sheriff said finally. “They’ve escaped—vamoosed!”

  “Gone?” Valerie asked incredibly. “But how—”

  “We locked ’em in the bunkhouse last night; when we came to the bunkhouse—they were gone.”

  “The three of them?” Virginia asked.

  Mr. Wilson nodded. “We think they are hiding somewhere around the ranch. They couldn’t have gone far.”

  Carol cocked a speculative eye in the direction of Gale and Valerie. “I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes with the three of them loose.”

  “You’re cheerful,” Gale told her.

  “It does make me rather uncomfortable,” Valerie said, uneasily glancing over her shoulder as if she expected the Mexican to rise up behind her.

  “Don’t let their threats frighten you,” the Sheriff said heartily. “There are enough of my deputies here on the ranch to subdue an army. You’ll be safe.”

  “I hope so,” Valerie said, but her tone wasn’t very confident.

  “How about some lunch?” Tom put in. “You can tell us about what’s happened then.”

  “Where’s Mother?” Virginia asked.

  “She’s gone into town to stay with the Johnsons a few days—until we find these bandits,” her father replied. “I wish you girls hadn’t come back right now.”

  “We thought we were coming to peace and quiet,” Phyllis laughed. “Instead we walk into a—”

  “Riot,” supplied Janet.

  Luncheon was a spasmodic affair, interrupted by deputies wanting a consultation with the Sheriff, and with discussions as to where the men might be hiding. The hours between luncheon and dinner passed and still the outlaws were not found. They eluded capture with the elusiveness of ghosts. The Sheriff was angry and chagrined. It didn’t speak well for his prowess as an officer of the law to have criminals escape him so constantly.

  The girls were worried. Each believed that the bandits would try to seek revenge on the two who had been responsible for their capture. Valerie especially had unpleasant memories of Pedro and his knife.

  Gale and Virginia alone held the opinion that the outlaws wouldn’t linger near the ranch when there were so many officers about. Why should they risk their freedom for revenge? It seemed silly to fear the angry threats made when the Sheriff and his men captured the bandits. Those kind of men were notoriously brave talkers, but when it came to putting their deeds into words they were slow in action. Gale believed their bluster had been a mere attempt to cover up their fear of the law. She refused to be worried over their escape.

  “I’ll wager they are in Mexico by now,” she said confidently to Valerie as the two stood at the window of their room preparatory to jumping into bed.

  “The Sheriff doesn’t think so,” Valerie said bluntly. “Or if he does, why didn’t he follow them?”

  “Because they didn’t leave a trail,” a jolly voice said behind them and Janet and Carol trailed into the room through the communicating door. Both were clad in flowing pajamas and robes and seated themselves cross-legged on the bed.

  “I happen to know,” Carol said in a mysterious whisper, “that the Sheriff and his men trailed the outlaws to the creek and there the trail was lost.”

  “Isn’t that always the way?” Janet said wearily. “I thought we were going to have some excitement but all the fun is over before we get here.”

  In answer to her words a volley of shots rang out from the ranch yard.

  Valerie frowned on her friend. “All the fun is over, eh? I wonder what that was?”

  “I’m going to find out,” Gale said and ran from the room with Valerie at her heels.

  Carol and Janet remained calmly on the bed. When Gale and Valerie returned Janet looked up in inquiry.

  “Merely one of the patrolling sentries shooting at a shadow,” Gale said dryly.

  “Hm,” Janet yawned. “Those fellows are so nervous if they suddenly looked in a mirror they would shoot themselves!”

  “How come you didn’t run when you heard the shooting?” Valerie wanted to know. “For all you know it might have been a lot of excitement.”

  Janet shook her head. “I’ve got a sixth sense that tells me when there is excitement in the air.”

  “It doesn’t tell you when your horse is going to run away though, does it?” Carol asked teasingly.

  “Please,” Janet begged, “that is a painful subject. Let’s not talk of it—I’ve still got a couple of bruises. I’m going to bed,” she announced suddenly.

  “It’s about time,” Carol declared, jumping up.

  “Why do you say that?” Janet demanded. “If you’re so sleepy why didn’t you go hours ago?”

  “Because I can’t go without you, darling,” Carol said sweetly. “I can’t sleep even if I do, because when you come in you are sure to fall over something and scare all sleep out of me.”

  “I do not,” Janet protested.

  When the two, still arguing, had closed the door to their room Gale and Valerie prepared for bed.

  “I shall probably dream of Pedro,” Valerie said as she jumped between the covers. “That fellow haunts me!”

  “Nonsense,” Gale laughed. “Don’t let your mind dwell on it. Anyway,” she sighed, “we’ll be going home in three days and then you can get all the sleep you like.”

  “Just the same,” Val murmured, “I won’t ever forget that knife.”

  When the lights were out and sleep had come to the girls, Gale slept dreamlessly, peacefully. But Valerie tossed and fretted, pursued in her dreams by Pedro and his knife, which, with the fantasy of dreams, had grown to new and large proportions.

  CHAPTER XVII

  Revenge

  Their horses were fresh and eager and the girls had a hard time holding them into a leisurely walk on the way back from town. Gale and Valerie—the other girls had remained at the ranch house to pack some of their things, for they were to leave for the East day after tomorrow—were the only ones who had felt eager for an early morning ride. Tom had saddled their horses for them and the girls had ridden into Coxton to get a last look at the little western town. They made some trifling purchases in the general store and now were on their way back to the ranch.

  The sun shone down, its brilliance sending little dust eddies up from the road. At the roadside a bird twittered.

  “Funny,” Valerie said, “I never thought of them as having birds in Arizona.”

  Gale laughed. “Why shouldn’t they?”

  “I don’t know. It just never occurred to me. Did it you?”

  “I read about them in an encyclopedia,” Gale confessed laughingly. “I’m afraid that is the way most of us become acquainted with places we’ve never seen. It’s a very unsatisfying way.”

  “I suppose you have an idea in your head to go to see all the places in the world some day?”

  “How did you guess?” Gale demanded gayly. “That is just what I’ve been keeping up my sleeve. Do you possess the same secret yen?”

  “I do,” V
al said smilingly. “But the places I want to see are a little far to walk and there’s not much hope of my going any other way.”

  They turned off the trail into the ranch yard and Janet hailed them frantically.

  “Hi there! Come and hear the news!” she called.

  “What is it?” Gale asked as they dismounted and left their horses’ reins dangling.

  “Hear ye, hear ye,” Carol chanted, “the Sheriff is about to capture the famous outlaws.”

  “Just like he did several times,” Val said dryly.

  “This time he is not going to let them out of his sight one minute until they are sentenced and on their way to a federal prison,” Janet said.

  “How does he propose to catch them?” Gale asked, sitting astride the banister.

  “A little while ago,” Janet said, her voice a confidential whisper, “a rider came from across the valley somewhere. He says one of the bandits was seen about five miles on the other side of Coxton.”

  “Only seen!” Valerie echoed.

  “Is that all?” Gale added. “I thought they at least had the three of them tied to a tree or something.”

  “Let me finish!” Janet said. “He also said that they have Pedro—he fell off his horse and hurt himself—or something,” she added vaguely. “Anyway they’ve got him.”

  “Let’s hope they keep him,” Val said heartily. “Why doesn’t the Sheriff go get him?”

  “He is,” Carol interrupted. “He and his men are getting their horses ready now. We’re going, too,” she continued. “We coaxed and coaxed until Mr. Wilson said we might ride along if we didn’t get in the way. Everybody’s going,” she added.

  “Well, I’m not!” Val said positively. “Everybody can go that wants to. I’m staying right here!”

  “Oh, Val,” Janet began coaxingly.

  “I’m staying with Val,” Gale agreed. “Nine chances out of ten it will be a wild goose chase anyway.”

  “You’re going to miss all the fun,” Carol threatened.

  “I don’t mind,” Val said. “Besides, I don’t want even one more glimpse of Pedro or I’ll dream about him again.”

  “Oh, but everybody is going,” Janet said, “Virginia—Madge—Tom—us,” she enumerated.

  “You’ll be quite alone,” added Carol.

  “We don’t mind,” Gale assured them.

  From the house came Virginia and Phyllis and Madge. Their voices were added to Janet’s and Carol’s, but Gale and Valerie remained firm in their decision to remain at the ranch. The girls trailed off to the corral to get their mounts. Valerie and Gale walked with them and joined Mr. Wilson, Tom, and the Sheriff where they were talking.

  “Going along?” Tom asked.

  “No,” Gale shook her head. “We’re of the opinion it is all a wild goose chase so we’re staying here.”

  “I rather agree with you,” he said in a low tone, “but it is up to the Sheriff to follow every lead you know or the people will say he is shirking his duty. I don’t believe those fellows are even in the United States any more,” he continued. “Anyway, it won’t take long to make sure.”

  “I hope it is true,” Valerie said. “I’ve had the jitters ever since those fellows got away again.”

  “Well, Val, I’ll give Pedro your regards when I see him,” Carol said as the girls rode up.

  “You don’t have to bother,” Val said hastily.

  “You better come along,” Janet laughed. “My sixth sense tells me we are due for some excitement.”

  “No,” Val said. “I’m going to stay here and make fudge.”

  “Now why didn’t you tell me that sooner?” Tom said aggrievedly. “Fudge is my weakness.”

  “We’ll save you some,” Gale promised. “Adios!”

  The girls and the Sheriff, with his men and Mr. Wilson and Tom, rode away in a cloud of dust. Valerie and Gale leaned on the corral fence, watching them out of sight. Then they turned and proceeded leisurely up to the house.

  “I wish them luck,” Valerie declared. “And now for the fudge!”

  The K Bar O possessed a very fine Chinese cook who did the cooking for the ranch house, as well as the bunkhouse, and he presided in solitary estate over the kitchen and its equipment. Loo Wong had very definite ideas about who was privileged to set foot in his domestic kingdom, and Mrs. Wilson was the only one whom he greeted with his wide smile. The “boss-lady” was welcome at any time, but woe to the others who tried to muss up his kitchen.

  Now as the girls entered the ranch house and approached the kitchen they went on tiptoe. Together they peeped around the door. Everything was spick and span, but Loo Wong was nowhere in sight.

  “It seems the coast is clear,” smiled Gale.

  “Ah, but if Loo Wong returns there will be fireworks,” Val declared. “However, here goes.”

  From the closet Valerie brought the pan and the necessary ingredients while Gale sat on the edge of the table and watched. The brown mixture was on the stove and a delicious odor filled the room. When Valerie took the pan from the fire to beat the fudge Gale stuck an experimental finger in it for a taste.

  “Ouch!” she cried.

  Valerie giggled. “You might have known it was hot,” she said unsympathetically.

  “Just the same, it tastes good,” Gale declared. “When can I have a piece?”

  “When it gets cold!” Valerie said. “Come along, young lady,” she said, leading Gale into the other room. “Let it alone for a while.”

  The girls took magazines and settled themselves for the rest of the afternoon. The silence was undisturbed but for the occasional rustling of paper when a page was turned. Val got up and turned on the radio. Soft music filtered into the room.

  “Imagine,” Gale smiled lazily from her comfortable position, “way out here we can dance to music from California or New York.”

  “Hm,” Val answered, executing a few intricate steps from sheer joy and happiness.

  “Val,” Gale continued teasingly, coaxingly, “how about that fudge? It is a shame to leave it all by itself in the kitchen.”

  “It ought to be cold enough now,” was Val’s opinion and there was a concerted rush for the kitchen.

  With appropriate ceremony Val cut the candy and each of them chose a piece.

  “Ah,” Gale murmured. “It is delicious, delightful, de—” Her voice died slowly away.

  Standing in the doorway was Loo Wong looking mightily unpleased and angry. He took in the two girls and then the dirty dishes piled on the sink. With difficulty Gale swallowed the last remaining bit of her fudge as Loo Wong took a further step toward them.

  “We’ll wash the dishes,” Val said hastily, seeking to placate him.

  Gale held out the fudge. “H-Have a piece,” she invited.

  Loo Wong looked from one girl to the other. Slowly he reached out and took a piece of candy. Wonderingly he bit into it and a slow grin spread over his yellow face.

  “Missy alle same fline cook,” he declared. “You teach Loo Wong?”

  If the girls had looked at each other they would have laughed so neither glanced at the other. Both of them had expected dire results for mussing Wong’s kitchen, but instead he wanted them to teach him to make fudge.

  Gale, inwardly shaking with mirth, sat on the table and watched while Val instructed the Chinaman. Loo Wong might be adept at making flapjacks and other western specialties, but when it came to candy he wasn’t so artful. He insisted on doing things wrong and Val was becoming exasperated. But finally it was done, and set out to cool. Loo Wong, the grin of a delighted child on his face, hands hidden in voluptuous sleeves, bowed low and went out to the bunkhouse to start supper.

  “I wouldn’t have missed that for anything,” Gale declared with a hearty laugh. “When he first came in I expected no less than murder. Instead—”

  “We better wash the dishes,” Val declared. “He might take it into his head to come back. It was funny, wasn’t it?” she murmured laughingly. “He looked so serio
us all the time, too. And you,” she said, “you wouldn’t help me explain it to him.”

  Gale laughed. “He asked you. Besides, I was enjoying myself,” she added.

  “There!” Val sighed when the dishes were clean and tucked away in their proper places. “Now everything is just as we found it.”

  “I’m going back to my magazine,” Gale declared. “I wonder when the girls will get back?”

  Above the music on the radio a knock sounded.

  “Maybe Loo Wong has returned,” Val said with a laugh, jumping up and going to the kitchen.

  At the same time another knock came on the front door.

  “What is this?” she heard Gale murmur as she got up to see who was there.

  Val pulled open the kitchen door and stumbled back in amazement. Terror gripped her heart and her hands were suddenly cold. She caught at the table for support.

  “What do you want—here?” she asked through dry lips.

  The man who stood on the threshold advanced slowly into the room and closed the door behind him. All too well she had recognized him. It was Pedro, the Mexican who had sworn revenge. He was here, the Sheriff hadn’t caught him. Slowly she began to back away toward the other room. Perhaps together she and Gale could do something. Possessed solely with an unreasoning terror she turned and fled into the living room where she flung herself on Gale.

  “Gale—what’ll we do?” she demanded wildly.

  “Keep your chin up,” Gale said into Val’s ear. “It seems we have two visitors.”

  “Two?” Val said in surprise. “Who—oh!”

  While Pedro entered from the kitchen, Val faced the other man whom Gale had been forced to let in at the front door. It was the bank bandit, the same man who with his partner they had held up in the cabin when the Sheriff arrested the three. The man who had boasted that no jail could hold him. It seemed he had spoken the truth for here he was again, free.

  Pedro looked across at his companion who was fingering a horsehair rope and smiled. That smile made the girls’ blood run cold. It was like an evil shadow of what was to come.