“Yes,” her brother nodded. “I didn’t know that anyone except seniors were going.”
“Just a few,” Pearl answered. “I’m one of the lucky ones. I hope we don’t see that black shadow or anything!”
“What is the idea of going up there, son?” Mr. Garrison asked.
“Two reasons, Dad,” his son replied. “One is that the place is ideal for an overnight trip, and another is that we hope to draw the man out and perhaps get a chance to nail him. The twins and Kent and I will be on the lookout.” He turned to his sister. “Pearl, please don’t tell anyone about that black shadow or anything else. We want the whole thing kept absolutely quiet so that we can do something if we get the opportunity.”
“I won’t breathe a word, Barry, and I’ll even try not to look scared,” his sister promised.
“That’s a big job for you boys.” Mr. Garrison shook his head, doubtfully.
“I’m afraid you’ll get hurt,” his mother worried.
“I don’t think so,” was Barry’s reply. “After all, nothing may happen. No one may come around. Besides that, Coach Jordan will be with us, and so will a number of the other fellows, so we ought not to have any difficulty.”
Plans for the straw ride went forward in a satisfactory manner. Charlie Black took it upon himself to see everyone who could possibly go from the upper class, and in the end sixteen of the young people of Cloverfield High School consented to go and spend a night at Bluff Lodge. Of these sixteen, nine were girls and seven of them boys. The other two members of the sleigh party were the popular football coach and his wife, both of whom were young and in sympathy with the fun of the young people. It had been agreed that each one was to bring a certain item of the provisions to be used on the trip, and at last everything was in readiness.
On the night before they were to start, the four chums attended a motion-picture show, and when they came out they were surprised to see that it was snowing. They halted outside the bulk of the crowd and waited for Charlie to join them. They had seen him wave from the steps of the theater.