“Obviously, Judy. But don’t quiz me, because I’ve told you everything I learned. I’m not venturing any guesses as to who it was or why the person or persons came here late at night. My advice is just to keep clear of the place until we can learn what’s going on.”
“Judy and I are returning to camp this morning,” Ardeth informed the young milkman. “So even if we wanted to prowl around, we wouldn’t have an opportunity.”
“That’s all to the good then,” Bart grinned. “There may be no cause for alarm, but it’s just as well not to take chances.”
At the turn-off onto the paved road, he said goodbye to the Scouts and resumed his milk route.
Triumphantly, Ardeth and Judy bore their captured bat to Calico Cottage where they displayed it to Miss Meadows. Though they related how they had obtained the creature, they did not repeat Bart’s warning or mention what they had learned about the big truck.
Miss Meadows seemed to have forgotten the disturbance of the previous night completely. After making a show of admiring the imprisoned bat, she chirped:
“While you girls were away, I cleaned the cupboards.”
“They’re very neat and tidy now,” Judy said, opening the double doors to inspect the rows of china.
“At the back of the cupboard, I found a key,” Miss Meadows remarked casually. She produced it from her apron pocket. “Apparently, it fits a door. But which one I wouldn’t know.”
Judy rocked back on her heels and looked quickly at Ardeth. Neither spoke for a moment.