While Kathleen and Miss Meadows waited tensely, Judy cautiously crept through the bushes to obtain a closer glimpse of the big truck.
The cab was deserted. Had the truck run out of gas perhaps, or was it being hidden there to escape detection?
Judy was quite certain she knew the answer, but to confirm her suspicions, she circled the transport. At the rear, she tried the big double doors which gave access to the cargo. They were locked.
Unable to learn more, she returned to report to her aunt and Kathleen.
“I’m convinced this is the truck that the highway patrolmen want to stop,” she informed them. “After the road blocks have been removed, the hi-jackers may be able to slip out of here and get safely away!”
“Oh, no, they won’t!” announced Miss Meadows with grim determination. “We’ll tip off the state highway headquarters! I’ll telephone.”
“Someone should stay here to keep watch,” Judy said. “The driver may return at any minute and try to pull out.”
“That’s so,” Miss Meadows agreed. “I--I guess I’d better stay, while you girls telephone.”
“No, you go to Calico Cottage,” Judy urged. “Kathleen and I will wait here.”
“No, you’ll have help here in just a few minutes.”
“I’ll hurry as fast as I can,” Miss Meadows promised, starting away. “Get into the bushes, and keep out of sight until I’m back here with the law!”
Left alone, Judy and Kathleen crept into the thicket at the left hand side of the road. The air was damp and chilly and leaves dripped moisture. In a very few minutes, the girls began to weary of crouching in such uncomfortable positions.
“That truck driver must have skipped out,” Kathleen muttered. “It’s sort of silly to hide here.”
“I don’t think so,” Judy replied, keeping her voice low.
“I wish we knew where the driver went.” Disregarding caution, Kathleen straightened up from her crouched position and carefully looked about.
She could see a portion of the trail which led toward Calico Cave. As she stood thus, a little dog came into view, trotting from the direction of the cavern.
“Why, it’s Pete!” Kathleen exclaimed, speaking much louder than she had intended. “Do you suppose Bart is somewhere near, or in the cave?”
“He must be,” Judy agreed. She added in warning: “But do quiet down. If we keep sounding off, we’ll give our hiding place away to anyone who comes along.”