The Mystery of Hidden Valley (The Mystery Series, Book 3) by Paul Moxham

Author:Paul Moxham [Moxham, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-06-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17: Fire

Joe spun around and raced back to the barn. “Follow me!”

From the shelter of the structure, the two watched as the man re-entered the farmhouse.

Once he had disappeared from sight, Joe breathed a sigh of relief. “I think we’ve got enough hay. If we can’t start a fire with what we have, I don’t think we’ll ever be able to start it.” He pulled out the new box of matches and, opening them, was surprised to discover that it was less than a quarter full. He quickly counted them. “The men must have used this at one time. We’ve only got ten matches.”

“Will that be enough?” Sarah asked.

“I would have liked more,” Joe admitted, “but since the grass is pretty dry, it should only take one or two.”

As Joe prepared to light the fire, Sarah suddenly thought of something. “Hadn’t we better split up? If the men put out the fire before we’ve had a chance to rescue the others—”

“We’ll just have to be fast,” Joe said as he left the barn and walked over to where the hay had been placed.

“Wouldn’t it be quicker if I hid near the back door before you lit the fire?”

Joe frowned. “Quicker?”

“Yes. We wouldn’t have to wait for the men to start putting the fire out. I could go inside the farmhouse as soon as they left the building.”

“Well, yes, that would be quicker,” Joe said, “especially since I’m not sure how long this fire will last for. I just don’t like the thought of you going inside by yourself.”

“What if I light the fire instead?” Sarah asked.

Joe thought about it for a moment or two. He shook his head. “No. You might have trouble getting it alight. Plus, whoever is starting the fire will have to be ready to provide a distraction should the men attempt to re-enter the farmhouse before the others are out. I think I’d have a better chance of success in doing that as I can run faster. Hopefully it won’t come to that, but it’s best if I stay here.”

“Okay, whatever you think is best.” Sarah looked at the farmhouse. “Where shall we meet once I’ve rescued the others?”

“Why don’t we meet up by the wood? You know the part we tried to walk through? The place that had that dead tree stump?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to head straight for the tunnel?” Sarah said.

“Well, I did think of that, but if the men go to the lake to get water to put out the fire, then they might see us. We’ll meet up in twenty minutes at the tree stump, okay?”

“If you think that’s the best plan—”

“I do.” Joe glanced at his watch. “I’ll give you five minutes to get into position.”

“Okay. Take care.” Sarah turned and walked away.

A moment later, Joe called out. “Hey! Come back here!”

Sarah hurried back. “What’s wrong?”

“I just realized where I had seen the old man,” Joe said.

“Where?” Sarah asked, curious.

“On the front page of a newspaper,” Joe said.

“Why was he on the front page?” Sarah questioned.

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