“Oh, you can spend the rest of your life eating,” Penny overruled her. “Business before pleasure, you know.”
Seth McGuire, one of Riverview’s best known and well loved characters, had been caretaker at the Hubell Clock Tower from the day of its erection, and the girls could not but wonder why he had been relieved of his post. The old man had personally installed the complicated machinery, caring for it faithfully over the years. In fact, his only other interest in life was his farm, located a mile from the city limits, and it was there that Penny hoped to find him.
“Watch for a sign, ‘Sleepy Hollow,’” she instructed. “Mr. McGuire has given his place a fancy name.”
A moment later Louise, seeing the marker, cried: “There it is! Slow down!”
Penny slammed on the brakes and Leaping Lena responded by shivering in every one of her ancient joints. Louise was thrown forward, barely catching herself in time to prevent a collision with the windshield.
“Why don’t you join a stunt circus?” she said irritably. “You drive like Demon Dan!”
“We’re here,” replied Penny cheerfully. “Nice looking place, isn’t it?”
The car had pulled up near a small, neatly-kept cottage framed in well-trimmed greenery. An even, rich green lawn was highlighted here and there by beds of bright red and blue flowers.
After admiring the grounds, the girls rang the front bell. Receiving no response, they went around to the rear, pounding on the kitchen screen door.
“Mr. McGuire’s not here,” said Louise. “Just another wild goose chase.”