The Secret at the Gatehouse by Carolyn Keene

Author:Carolyn Keene [Keene, Carolyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, juvenile, mystery
Publisher: Alien Ebooks
Published: 2023-04-15T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XIII

The Wall Panel

Suddenly the girls were startled to hear a loud yell from the direction of the gatehouse. As they rushed to the porch of the mansion, a crash came from the interior of the little building, as if a piece of furniture had been hurled against a wall.

“What has happened?” Jean exclaimed.

Leaving Evangeline to look after the aged physician, Louise and Jean ran toward the lodge to see what was wrong. Reaching the doorway they were horrified to see Bert Badger and Abe Mantel struggling on the floor. The reporter was getting much the worse of the battle for the gatekeeper was pummeling him hard and steadily. A chair had been broken and furniture was scattered about everywhere.

As the Dana girls wondered if they should interfere the fighting ceased. Abe Mantel was brought under control by his adversary.

“The sneak slipped in here and tried to beat me up!” panted the gatekeeper in explanation. “I guess this will teach him a lesson.”

“You deserved a licking after the trick you played,” retorted Abe Mantel, rubbing a rapidly swelling nose. “I’ll get even with you yet!”

“Oh, no, you won’t,” said Badger, taking the reporter roughly by an arm. “You’re marching out of here. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll not be back.”

The intruder was shoved through the gate which was locked behind him. Muttering to himself, he went down the road. On the floor of the lodge the Danas found a key which fit the gate. Mantel must have dropped it!

“Oh, Mr. Badger,” observed Jean suddenly in alarm, “you’re hurt. Your face is bleeding!”

“It’s nothing.”

“You must go to the mansion and have the wounds bandaged. Doctor Morgan is there. He’ll take care of you.”

“I’ll be all right,” the man insisted, gingerly feeling of his cheek. “I oughtn’t to leave this place.”

“We’ll remain on guard,” promised Louise. “You better go to the house.”

Reluctantly the man consented. In a few moments the girls saw him enter the mansion with Miss Warrington and Doctor Morgan.

“Let’s find out how much damage has been done to the furniture here,” suggested Louise as the door closed.

Entering the gatehouse they gazed about in consternation at the disordered living room. Jean stooped to pick up a chair which had been overturned.

“Why do you suppose Abe Mantel made such a vicious attack upon Badger?” she asked thoughtfully.

“That’s not hard to guess. He must have learned that Badger was the one who did so much damage at the newspaper office.”

“I guess you’re right. But how did he find out? My, wouldn’t it be dreadful if the paper’s accusations against Mr. Warrington should turn out to be true!”

“Eve would never recover from the shock,” said Louise soberly. “Her father must be innocent. He seems like too fine a man to be a wrongdoer.”

“I hope so, anyway. Isn’t this place a wreck? Bert Badger was lucky he wasn’t hurt badly,” offered Jean.

A mirror had been broken and a lamp upset, while a picture dangled from the wall by only one cord. Reaching up to straighten it, Jean noticed a rectangular outline behind the huge frame.

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