“If he hasn’t done his work out at the Castle, I’m going to adopt drastic methods,” Brad threatened. “Finished your drink, Dan? Let’s move along before it gets any hotter.”
The cool drinks scarcely quenched the thirst of the two boys. Before they had walked another quarter of a mile, they were as miserable as before.
“No drinking water at the Castle either,” Dan remarked. “We should have brought our canteens.”
The boys passed a farmhouse and rounded a hill. From the summit, they were afforded a clear view of the wooded castle area.
The stone building with its many odd-shaped towers and turrets appeared as a dark blot against the sky. Behind it, the horizon seemed misty.
“Say, is that haze or smoke?” Brad demanded, halting on the brow of the hill.
“It’s smoke!” exclaimed Dan. “And it seems to be coming from the woods directly behind the Castle! Maybe Ross is out there burning up the trash.”
“If he is, the fire has gone out of control!” Brad cried in alarm. “Come on, Dan! We’ve got to get there quick!”
CHAPTER 11
Fire
The two boys dashed down the hill, climbed a fence, and raced across a cleared field toward the castle property.