The Phantom Yacht

By CAROL NORTON
Author of “Bobs, A Girl Detective,” “The Seven Sleuths’ Club,” etc.
A. L. BURT COMPANY Publishers New York Printed in U. S. A.
MYSTERY and ADVENTURE SERIES for GIRLS 12 TO 16 YEARS OF AGE
The Phantom Yacht, by Carol Norton. Bobs, A Girl Detective, by Carol Norton. The Seven Sleuths’ Club, by Carol Norton. The Phantom Treasure, by Harriet Pyne Grove. The Secret of Steeple Rocks, by Harriet Pyne Grove.
Copyright, 1928 By A. L. BURT COMPANY
The face of Dories Moore was as dismal as the day was bright. It was Indian summer and the maple trees under which she was hurrying were joyfully arrayed in red and gold, while crimson, yellow and purple flowers nodded at her from the gardens that she passed with unseeing eyes. She was almost blinded with tears; her scarlet tam was awry, as though she had put it on hurriedly, and her sweater coat, of the same cheerful hue, was unbuttoned and flapping as she fairly ran down the village street. In her hand was a note which had been the cause of the tears and the haste. On it were a few penciled words:
“Dori dear, we are leaving sooner than we expected. I’m sending this to you by little Johnnie-next-door. Do come right over and say good-bye to someone who loves you best of all.
“Your sister-friend, “Nann.”
At a large old colonial house at the edge of the town, just where the meadows began, the girl turned in at a lilac-guarded gate and hurried up the neatly graveled walk. Her eyes were again brimming with tears as she glanced up at the curtainless windows that looked as dismal and deserted as she felt. Hurrying up the steps, she lifted the quaintly carved old iron knocker and shuddered as she heard the sound echoing uncannily through the big unfurnished rooms. Her sensitive mouth quivered when she heard the sound of running feet on bare floors and when the door was flung open by another girl of about the same age, Dori leaped in and, throwing her arms about her friend, she burst into tears.