“Come along if you like,” one of the men invited the girls. “Maybe you can help persuade them to leave the valley.”
Penny and Louise doubted that they would be of any assistance whatsoever. However, it was several hours before train time, so they were very glad indeed to ride in one of the cars to Sleepy Hollow estate. At the crossroad Joe Quigley turned back to Delta for he was scheduled to go on duty at the railroad station. The others kept on until they reached the estate.
Silas Malcom rapped sharply on the front door. In a moment a light went on in an upstairs room. A few minutes later a window opened and Mr. Burmaster, clad in pajamas, peered down.
“What’s wanted?” he demanded angrily.
“There’s been a big rain above us,” he was told. “Everyone’s being advised to get out while there’s time.”
Mr. Burmaster was silent a moment. Then he said: “Wait a minute until I dress. We’ll talk about it.”
Ten minutes elapsed before the estate owner opened the front door and bade the group enter. He led the party into a luxuriously furnished living room.
“Now what is all this?” Mr. Burmaster asked. “We had one disturbance here last night and it seems to me that’s about enough.”
Silas Malcom explained the situation, speaking quietly but with force.
“And who says that the dam won’t hold?” Mr. Burmaster interrupted.