“And we are actually going to hear the secret,” gasped Nancy. “Girls, you don’t know how excited I am—”
“You don’t know how crazy I am,” added Ruth.
“And how wild I am,” put in Isabel. “Think we should have a doctor within call? Will it be overwhelming?” she joked.
“Better have a policeman,” suggested Ruth. “He may disclose some gems, or other valuables.”
“Here comes Ted,” Nancy interrupted, “and I know by his walk that he’s worried.”
Ted strode in, Nero close beside him, and as Nancy had intimated he did act worried.
“What’s the matter, Ted?” Ruth asked first.
“Matter? I’ve got to hide this dog. Folks want to take him away from me. Say he’s theirs,” Ted’s words fairly hissed his indignation.
“Who says so?” demanded Nancy belligerently.
“A man who came up to the old stone house,” answered Ted. “But Nero was Lou Peter’s dog and Lou gave him to me, and not all the money there is, is going to get my dog away from me.”