“She went,” Ida answered briefly.
“Why? Did you say anything to frighten her?” Terry wanted to know.
“Never said a word,” Ida insisted. “She et the cake and got up and walked out.”
Terry clenched her fists. Melissa gone again, and just when they thought they would learn something. If the girl really wanted to hide, they could never find her. There was only one thing to do. Follow her at once before she got too far away.
“I’ll be back in a minute,” Terry flung over her shoulder, and still holding the pin clutched in one hand she slipped out the back door after the elusive Melissa Clayton.
CHAPTER XXVII
Terry’s Tactics
Melissa was just about to push off in her old rowboat when Terry, without asking permission, hopped in and sat smiling at the startled girl.
“You’re in a great hurry, Melissa,” Terry said in an effort to be friendly. “You forgot your pin.”
Without saying a word Melissa held out her hand. But Terry, holding up the piece of jewelry, teased Melissa.
“I’ll give it to you when you tell me where you really got it,” Terry said.