CHAPTER XIII The Stranger
Madge waylaid Cara the following evening after school, fairly draggingher down the street, so great was her hurry to get away from thebuilding.
"We're going straight to the mansion," she announced impressively.
Cara threw up her hands in a gesture of hopeless despair and stopped deadin her tracks.
"Another brilliant idea! I see it coming on. Remember, you told me tochoke you if you ever had one again!"
Madge laughed.
"This idea is different and it doesn't involve any digging. It's worsethan that. I'm afraid Miss Swenster won't consent. You must help meconvince her."
In spite of herself, Cara's curiosity was aroused.
"Convince her of what?"
"Come on," Madge ordered, catching her by the hand and pulling her along."There isn't time to explain now. You'll hear everything when we reachthe mansion."
Miss Swenster received them with her usual cordiality. Madge was soexcited that as she plumped herself down on the sofa, it was difficultfor her to begin. Briefly, she reviewed the facts already known to MissSwenster and Cara, then disclosed the new notation she had found in thediary. She was a little disappointed to observe that neither appearedgreatly impressed.
"I don't see just what you have in mind," Miss Swenster confessed.
"Simply this! Uncle George Jackson had a hand in hiding the pearls. Weknow the sundial had something to do with it too. Now, since the pearlswere hidden on the very day that the old Negro was mixing cement for thesundial, it's my contention that the necklace was hidden inside it,probably in the pedestal!"
For a full minute, Miss Swenster digested this in silence. Then she saidquietly:
"It's an interesting theory at least."
Madge cast a glance of despair at Cara. Everything depended upon MissSwenster's enthusiastic acceptance of the idea. She was even morediscouraged to see that her chum regarded her somewhat skeptically.
"Oh, I can tell you both think it's another silly idea. But you mustadmit it's logical. If only we could have the sundial opened, I know we'dfind the pearls!" She arose, feeling that it was useless to add more.Although Miss Swenster had said little, Madge could tell that she did notcare to have the sundial broken. Nor could she really blame her for thedial was a beautiful piece of work.
"Wait!" Miss Swenster said firmly. "There may be something in what yousay. At least, we'll find out."
"You mean we may have the sundial cracked open?" Madge demanded eagerly.
Miss Swenster nodded.
"Yes, shall we go to the garden now and see what must be done to removethe pedestal?"
She slipped a shawl over her shoulders as a protection against the fallwinds and the girls followed her outside.
"It's my opinion the pearls are hidden in the base," Madge declared asthey surveyed the sundial speculatively. "But it's a shame to ruin thepedestal unless we're sure. Perhaps if we move it a trifle, we may hearsomething rattling about inside."
The three placed their shoulders to the pedestal, trying to lift it. Thesundial seemed rooted to the ground, so little would it give.
"It's too heavy for us," Miss Swenster said, wiping the dust from herhands. "We must have it cracked open."
"I know a man who is very reasonable in his charges," Madge informedquickly. "Occasionally, he does work for Uncle George."
"Then go for him now if you wish. It grows dark very early these falldays. If we are to accomplish anything today, we must lose no time."
Madge was only too eager to take herself upon the errand. Since Cara, whonever enjoyed long walks, preferred to remain at the mansion with MissSwenster, she started off alone.
Silas Davies was the man she had in mind for the work. He was always gladto pick up odd jobs, and in case the pearls were not found, she thoughtshe could trust him to maintain a discreet silence.
She had forgotten where he lived so stopped at a corner drug store toconsult a telephone directory. Finding that the house was only a shortdistance away, she decided to go there instead of calling.
A few minutes later she knocked at the door of a neat, modest littlehouse on Bancroft Street. A woman answered, and Madge inquired if Mr.Davies was home.
"He's working for Mr. Ruggles today," his wife returned regretfully. "ButI'm expecting him home in three quarters of an hour."
"If he's been working all day, I suppose it's too late to get him to cometo the Swenster mansion," Madge murmured in discouragement. "MissSwenster had a little job for him--it won't take long but it's dreadfullyimportant that it be done tonight."
"Well, I can't say how tired Mr. Davies will be. He makes a point of notworking after five but if it's real urgent he may accommodate you. He'llbe at the Ruggles place for another half hour. Why don't you stop thereand see what he says?"
Madge thanked Mrs. Davies, deciding to follow the suggestion. It reallywas urgent that the sundial be investigated that very afternoon. Withstrangers prowling about the mansion at night, it was not safe to leaveanything to chance. If necessary, she was willing to pay Mr. Davies outof her own pocket for the extra service.
She walked hurriedly toward the Ruggles residence, anxiously studying thewestern horizon where the sun was sinking lower and lower. So absorbedwas she in her own thoughts that she failed to observe the approach of aman who walked swiftly, with head low and chin thrust deeply in his coatcollar. Inevitably, they collided.
For a brief instant they were face to face. Involuntarily, Madge started,and an exclamation scarcely above a whisper, escaped her.
It was the man she had seen many nights before prowling about in MissSwenster's garden!
The Secret of the Sundial Page 13