That day was but the first in the long days of anxiety and mystery. The rest of the afternoon was spent in setting in motion the wheels that would find the two who had vanished into the sky. Bruce stayed with Mr. Howard while Valerie went off to notify the other Adventure Girls of what they were afraid had happened.
It was at the Kopper Kettle, gathered as usual to spend an hour or so before dinner in talking, that Bruce found them with the news. The Adventure Girls with David and Peter were discussing Marchton’s chances in the next football game when Bruce appeared. Immediately all thought of sport was dispensed.
“Have you learned anything?” Valerie asked before Bruce had even time to seat himself among them.
“Yes,” he said slowly.
“What?” Phyllis asked anxiously.
“The plane is smashed—a complete wreck.”
“And Gale and Brent?” Carol put in.
“Brent is in a hospital nursing a fractured shoulder and a couple broken ribs,” Bruce replied.
“And Gale—what about her?” Janet insisted.
“That is what is so strange,” Bruce said slowly, reluctantly. “Gale has disappeared.”