“When is this exciting event to take place?” asked Harriman Smith, wondering whether he would be there to enjoy it.
“Next Saturday,” replied Tom Hulbert. “Entries must be in by Wednesday.”
Linda was silent; suppose she were too busy looking up Amy’s parents to take part! Oh, but that wouldn’t be fair! She simply couldn’t miss this. Surely her Aunt Emily would look after Amy.
As if reading her thoughts, Kit asked her whether she would be able to go into it.
“You better stay home, Linda,” advised Jim Valier. “So we get a chance at the prize!”
“Don’t be silly,” she replied. “You’ll all probably have speedier planes than my ‘Ladybug.’”
The plan was so fascinating that nobody wanted to start dancing again. Instead they sat and talked and talked, until long past midnight. It was after one o’clock when Linda finally reached home—a late hour for an informal party at Green Falls.
Her aunt was waiting up for her, but she did not seem to be at all worried. As long as the autogiro was in the hangar, Miss Carlton felt safe about Linda.
Ralph left her at the door, and the girl made no mention of the treasure hunt. Instead she inquired about Amy, and asked that she herself be allowed to sleep late the following day.
Remembering the request, Miss Carlton did not call her to the telephone although it rang four times the next morning for Linda, before she was awake. Two impatient young men—Harriman Smith and Ralph Clavering—each called twice to no avail.