“To find out something,” was what Olga had said, her dark eyes flashing. The girls, too, wanted to find things out. Did Olga know about the missing snuffbox, and did she also know, or suspect, where Dimitri might be?
They eagerly accepted the invitation to get into the car. Olga drove rapidly, scorning ruts and bumps. Once she spoke questioningly to Arden, who was in the front seat with her.
“My little friend, Melissa? Did she enjoy her ride?”
“Very much,” replied Arden. “But she got into trouble over it. Her father——”
“Ah, yes, she told me of him. Have you seen her recently, then?”
“Not for quite a few days,” Arden answered, and then she remembered, with a start, that no one had seen Melissa or George Clayton for—she could not recall how long. Three or four days, at least.
“The dog!” Olga exclaimed suddenly. “Is she still on the boat? She cannot bear me. I attempted to discipline her once, and ever since that I cannot go near her. She never forgets.”
“She’s still there, but I guess we can tie her up before you go in,” Arden said, wondering how they were going to do it.
Then Olga drove without talking further. When they got to the end of the narrow road leading to the houseboat the three girls sprang out and, going on board, coaxed Tania to the stern of the craft, where they tied her securely. They then called down that it was safe for Olga to come aboard.
“Watch her carefully,” Arden cautioned Terry and Sim, indicating Olga. “Notice just what she does.”