“What’s the matter, Jack? Is there a fire?” asked Mr. Martin, as he was about to start the auto.
“No, sir. But there’s a terrible big crowd down in the meadow near the white bridge!” gasped Jack. “Oh, it’s a terrible big crowd, and I’m going down to see. Maybe there’s somebody drowned!”
Away he rushed, as fast as his fat legs would take him.
CHAPTER V
MOVING PICTURES
Well did the Curlytops know the place spoken of in such a hurry by fat Jack Turton. Ted and Janet had often gathered flowers in the meadow, and Ted had, more than once, caught fish under that same white bridge spoken of by the fat lad.
“The water is deep down by the white bridge,” said Ted, as he watched Jack hurrying down the street. Other children, gathered to say good-by to the Curlytops, had heard what Jack said about a big crowd in the meadow, and they were following him down to the place.
“I hope no one is drowned,” murmured Mrs. Martin, looking at her three children in the auto and feeling thankful that they were safe with her.
“Oh, Daddy!” exclaimed Janet, “couldn’t we drive down past the meadow on our way and see what the crowd is there for?”
“Maybe it’s a circus!” exclaimed Trouble, who had caught some of the talk, but didn’t know exactly what it was all about.
“No, it can’t be a circus,” declared Ted. “There haven’t been any circus posters around town. I’d have seen ’em if there was.”