Ted Wilford 10 The Missing Witness Mystery by Norvin Pallas

Author:Norvin Pallas [Pallas, Norvin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

WHAT THEY FOUND AT THE CISTERN

THE BOYS WERE UP EARLY in the morning, but when they tried to wash they found the faucets dry.

“What goes here?” Nelson demanded. “Did the well run dry? There was water enough last night.”

“I guess we must have used it all—or someone did. I expect it’s not a water shortage but because the power’s off. They probably have an electric pump which fills a tank up on the roof.”

“Maybe so,” Nelson agreed, “but I don’t think we could have used all that water. Well, what do we do about catching Marty? Is it about time to milk the cows?”

“I suppose so. Let’s see how we’d better go about it. Can you get into the barn from the other side?”

“Sure, through those big doors where the haying wagons come in. I don’t think they’re locked.”

The barn had been constructed against a hill, so that the big wagons or tractors could drive directly into the “upstairs,” while the stables were down below.

“Then suppose you do that,” Ted suggested. “Sneak around so that he won’t see you coming. Meanwhile I’ll busy myself out in the farmyard, as though I didn’t have a thought in the world about going out to the barn. In fact, I’ll see if I can’t scare up some water. I’ll give you about fifteen minutes, then I’ll go over to the barn and into the stables. You’ll be guarding the stairs inside, and we should have Marty cornered between us.”

Nelson agreed to the plan, and set off, taking a long, circuitous route out of sight of anyone watching inside the barn. Consulting his watch, Ted set about his duties. As he had expected, the well was housed within a little shed in order to protect the electric pump. However, it could also be operated by hand, and he proceeded to pump a pailful of water and carry it back to the house. Condor had stayed with him for a while, but soon had pranced off. The disturbance during the night no longer troubled him.

Ted waited in the kitchen until the fifteen minutes were up, then went outside and strode toward the barn, marching directly into the stables. All their precautions had been unnecessary, for he found Nelson already down in the stable talking to Marty who was busy at the milking. Marty looked up cordially as Ted came in.

“Hi, there, Ted,” he called. “Come out to help with the milking?” His clothing was wrinkled and wisps of hay clung to him, but he seemed in good spirits.

“You seem to be doing all right without me,” Ted replied cheerfully, for the milk was flowing steadily into the pail.

“I was just asking him,” Nelson broke in, “why he didn’t come into the house last night.”

“Oh, I was comfortable enough in the barn,” Marty returned. “I thought I’d better stick out here till I saw whether you fellows were coming back or not. But I was planning on coming in to breakfast. There was no use trying to hide any longer, after you two bloodhounds got on my trail.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.