Chapter 2
THE LOCKED DOOR
MISS Ward and the Scouts watched Mr. Krumm drive away with mingled feelings. Already they were wondering if they had made a mistake in renting the cottage.
“‘For better or for worse,’” Judy echoed the real estate man’s words. “‘Final deal.’ It all has an ominous sound.”
“Especially that remark about the locked door,” remarked Virginia. “But the rent seemed so attractive.”
“Anyway, it was the only place available,” Ardeth pointed out. “So why worry?”
Judy left the porch to inspect the foundation of the building. Stooping, she ran an exploratory hand across the crumbling mortar between the bricks.
“This cottage may be brand spanking new,” she remarked, “but the building foundation certainly isn’t! Not that it matters, if the place is comfortable.”
“I’d like to know what Mr. Krumm meant about keeping the cellar door locked,” Virginia said. “Let’s investigate.”
However, before the girls could reenter the cottage, a milk delivery truck rolled into the private drive. From the cab leaped a young driver with reddish hair and a carefree smile. A frisky black and white short-haired dog trotted at his heels as he came over to the porch with a wire rack filled with milk bottles.
“Good afternoon,” he said politely, doffing his white cap. “I see you are moving in. Will you be needing any milk or cream?”