Hoofbeats on the Turnpike

AND W

ook from Penny's head, and her hair became a stream of gold in the wind. She hunched

man leaped out to grasp the bridle. Bones snort

and then she realized that th

so much trouble here!" he exclaimed wr

!" Penny retorted. She

er unexpected arrival seemed to disconce

Louise demanded sharply, p

running across the narrow bridge. His bald head bore no covering

usingly to the workman. "Did you see him ride across

d hoof beats and came as fast as I could from the grist mil

ding along the pike when we heard hoofbeats, then a scream. My ho

dle, Miss," the workman apol

ink!" cut in the owner of Sleepy Hollow curtl

get the other workm

ts. He was only a boy-n

a boy,

iling of the bridge just to frighten my wif

e workman rather empha

"Well, get to the house and tell her there's no cause to

the workman mumbl

mean watch it!" the estate owner called after him. "I

wore glasses and his cheeks were pouchy; a hooked nose curved down toward a mouth that

y workman," he said to Penny. "He should have

Horseman?" Penny a

girl's face. He scrutinized it for a moment, and then without a

, we

new about our difficultie

nt in the Hobostein Weekly. She did not add that it was the real

o annoys us here at Sleepy Hollow," Mr. Burmaster said bitterly. "Night

terious rider," Penny urged

my or foggy nights. Then again it's apt to be just after dusk. Tonight

kmen stan

day and night. But the men are a lazy l

ways has been caused by a boy-perhaps this

impatiently. "I've seen the Headless

tually has no head?" L

from the village or the hills has been impersonating Irving's celeb

o," Louise murmur

ceful surroundings. We brought in city workmen, a clever architect. No expense was spared to make this house and estat

ouble first star

we imported city labor. They hindered our efforts. The women were abusive to

have been a h

again. This time the scamp tossed a pebble against our bedroom windo

ank why should it worr

the owner of the estate said wearily. "For myself

m?" Louise asked, seeking to kee

deep end whenever anyone rides

ment a soft padding of footsteps was heard, a creaking of boards on th

, John?" The voice was that of

rned toward her. "Matilda," he said gently,

ou! You're always saying things to hurt my feelings. You don't care how I suffer. Isn't it enough that I h

e, Mat

da' me! Apolo

ngly. "I was only telling the girls how nervous it make

we've come to this community, I've been subjected to every

ly a misch

t him caught and turned over to the authorities. I

his footbridge over the brook we had to grant permi

ren't you the richest man in the Val

e, felt rather sorry for him. It was plain to see that Mrs. Burmaster was not a well woman. Her sharp, angu

r be moving on," Penny sa

with alacrity. "Mr. Burmaster, is M

ity to answer. Before he could speak, his wife s

nded mockingly. "I suppose that old hag se

no!" gasp

added. "Silas Malcom told us that Mrs.

ized upon the name. "He's another

l be glad to have you remain with us," Mr.

ls saw her give her husband a quick nudge. No need to be told tha

ossibly stay," Penny said

creaking bridge. Just as they reached the far end Mr. Bu

e said in an undertone. "She d

," Penny assur

nt on hurriedly. "Well, my offer holds. I'll pay a liberal reward to anyone

and Louise would like t

glanced quickly over his shoulder, observing that his wife w

'll tak

at you might do. Get the old lady to talking. If she should gi

hink Mrs. L

r answered bitterly. "Everyone except ourselves.

She did not like the idea of g

answered, without mak

the girls bade the owner of Sleepy Hollow a hasty farewell and rode awa

is queer," Louise grumbled. "Mrs. Burmaster

le to make good time for White Foot kept giving Louise trouble. Presently the mare stopped dead in her tracks, the

in!" Pen

rode Bones alongside and seized the reins

e!" Louise half sobbed. "I'm tired enough to

It can't be much farther to Mrs. Lear's

met no one on the lonely, twisting highway. The only sound other than the

ousness. Her gaze constantly roved along the deep woods to the left of the road. Se

an old tree trunk split by lightning. That

rls saw what appeared to be a camp fire glowing in the

asked uneasily. "Someone

nny replied. "The bonfire seems

ing the Lear place. The fire, however, puzzled th

huge, hanging iron kettle. A dark figure hover

s and Bones stopped. Louise pulled up so short th

ubilantly. "I've always wanted to