The Bobbsey Twins of Lakeport by Laura Lee Hope

Author:Laura Lee Hope [Hope, Laura Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Childrens, Mystery, Classics
Goodreads: 856112
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Published: 1904-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER X

CATCHING A GHOST

WHEN Mrs. Marden described her dream about the chimney, Flossie giggled. “Maybe you were Santa Claus!” she said.

Under cover of the laughter which followed, Bert whispered to Nan, “Could this be a clue, do you think?”

“Yes I do.”

Later, while Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey were driving their guest back to the nursing home, the children went into a huddle. Bert and Nan told the younger twins about their suspicion that Mrs. Marden’s dream might have something to do with the lost souvenirs.

“You mean they’re in the chimney?” Freddie asked excitedly.

“We don’t know, of course,” Nan replied, “but let’s pay special attention to the chimneys tomorrow when we visit the old house.” The others agreed and eagerly looked forward to the next afternoon.

At recess time the following day a group of boys stood admiring the newly paved driveway. Its smooth surface sloped gently down to the street.

“That would make a keen place for a roller skate race,” Charlie Mason observed to Bert.

“Okay,” Bert agreed. “Let’s get our skates!”

Several other boys overheard the conversation and said they would like to join the race. Danny Rugg was one of them. They all ran into the locker room and returned with skates.

“You can be the starter!” Charlie called to Nan, who had just walked out of the building with Nellie.

“What shall I do?” Nan asked.

Nellie pulled a handkerchief from her pocket. “Take this,” she directed. “Hold it up high, and when you want the race to start, bring your arm down.”

Nan practiced a few minutes until she could bring the handkerchief down in a sharp arc. Then she called, “Okay, boys. Are you ready?”

Bert, Charlie, Danny, and three other boys lined up at the top of the driveway. Nan gave the signal and cried, “Go!” The racers started off, arms swinging as their legs flashed ahead left and right.

Ned Brown was in the lead, but Bert soon drew up to him. Then came Charlie, Danny, and the other two boys.

“Come on, Charlie!” Nellie cried while Nan frantically urged Bert to pass Ned.

The driveway was a little narrow for six racing boys. Charlie and Danny drew ahead of Bert and Ned. Then as Charlie put on an extra spurt of speed, one of his skates accidentally touched Danny’s left foot.

Danny went down on his back, feet in the air. The cuffs of his slacks fell back, revealing an amazing pair of socks. They were a large checkerboard pattern of orange, blue, and green !

Unable to keep from giggling at the loud socks, Nan and Nellie ran toward the fallen boy. “Are you hurt, Danny?” Nan asked sympathetically.

Danny sat up and took off his skates. He paid no attention to Nan but gazed down to the end of the drive where the other boys were congratulating Charlie on having won the race.

“I should have won!” he exclaimed. “Charlie tripped me on purpose!”

“What a mean thing to say!” Nellie protested hotly. “You know it was an accident!”

By this time the boys were walking back toward the building, and Danny got up.

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