Sally sank down on the lower step. “How will I face the racing committee?” she murmured. “What will the other contestants say? They’ll feel like running me out of town.”
“Maybe it won’t be necessary to tell,” Jack said slowly. “One of us is almost certain to win the race next Friday.”
“Yes, that’s true, but—”
“If you win, the lantern would be yours for keeps. Should I win, no one would need to know that you hadn’t turned it over to me. You could make some excuse at the time of the presentation.”
Sally gazed at Jack with a new light in her eyes. “I’m truly sorry for all the hateful things I’ve said to you in the past,” she declared earnestly. “You’re a true blue friend.”
“Maybe I’m sorry about some of the cracks I made too,” he grinned, extending his hand. “Shake?”
Sally sprang up and grasped the hand firmly, but her eyes were misty. She hastened to correct any wrong impression Jack might have gained.
“I’m glad you made the offer you did,” she said, “but I never would dream of keeping the truth from the committee. I’ll notify them today.”
“Why be in such a hurry?” Penny asked. “The race is a week away. In that time we may be able to find the trophy. After all, we have a good clue.”
“What clue?” asked Jack.