Doris Force at Locked Gates; Or, Saving a Mysterious Fortune

she had been in Chilton an hour she felt perfectly acquainted with Wardell Force, Mrs. Mallow, Marshmallow

fter the girls had gone to their room, "

Doris laughed. "It's plain to see Marshma

is F

s. Too bad h

le stout," Ki

teased. "How yo

e're even," Kitty ret

interposed hastily, "or we won't be rest

for the girls. Wardell Force had of necessity taken an early train out of th

ously. "Still, I have a sneaking notion it won't b

the place up," Dor

e the middle of the afternoon. Doris and Kitty had gone to great pains to prepare and p

he main highway leading to Rumson, Doris glanced anxious

rain and spoil ou

ill," Dave replied. "Th

dull appearance which Doris did not like. However, as they moto

nced as it approached noon. "We may as we

t sight of an attracti

declared. "Cool and shady an

off the highway and they too

pproved. "I believe there's a sp

zing thoughtfull

we should have stop

Doris deman

the entrance to the Glenville Roadhous

oes it make?" Kitt

oadhouse doesn't have much of a

better leave,"

ained, "and this is the nicest grove we've passe

harm to stay here," Dave agreed.

lad, pickles, and some of Mrs. Mallow's delicious cookies and cake. Long before they had f

nother thing,"

hes go to waste," Dave excused him

it all in one bite,"

hat? Just watch me! Wh

roadster had turned into the lane leading to the roadho

n meet!" she exclaimed. "Evidently, he in

h for his reputati

Doris said quietly. "Now that we've f

up and began to pack th

e rear of the roadster he surve

id," he admitted. "I'm afraid we'd better make f

been attracted to a little brown dog which stood in

Doris exclaimed. "Her

inally came a few steps toward them, wagging his tail in a friendly way. As Doris stooped to pat him o

ris declared. "Oh, I

er. "He hasn't any collar or license. The d

clared. "If he doesn't belong to

ay when you come dragging him

t care. He's s

name him?" Ki

s exclaimed impulsively. "T

led down comfortably between the two girls. With an

g storm is rolli

w as Doris looked about, she was alarmed. The air was oppressive and not a breath of wind was sti

trikes us," Dave said grimly, as he shifted gears

to each other. Not until the car began to rock and weave on the road, did Dave reduce his speed and then only slightly. How

been entirely blotted from sight, and though it was mid-afternoon,

ced in relief as they rounded a sharp curve and came within sight

gathering darkness the girls caught but a glimpse of the large, rambling house which was set back so

said briskly. "Nice

red. "You make my

hadn't come," Ki

prang from the car and went over to try the double gate

e to get in?" D

Guess these gates are always kept

ked up their suitcases to take them to the door, Doris glanced again at the storm clouds. A streak of lightni

the door," she commanded. "S

here until I know everyth

he door, Dave. Be a go

tart, because it looks like a sto

the roadster. He slammed the door shut and was gon

k spooky," K

nd it swung back on creaking hinges. A sudden breath of w

ight glimmered from the windows. Doris hesitated as she picked up her suitca

ris admonished, "Eve

e trees, and to the girls it sounded strangely

here," Kitty murmured

o be afraid of, Ki

path. It was so dark now that they could not see where they were g

Doris's arm to save herself from a bad fall, she permitted her pocketbook to slip from h

ve done now!"

gs she had lost. They found a pencil, a compact and a number of bil

usly. "I've found everything except a q

ared dark and deserted and Kitty would have retreated, had not Doris grip

ris again knocked. Just as she was beginning to think that it was no use, they heard

To their horror, Wags, suddenly appearing from beneath a lilac bush, rushed past them s

t of kneeling position which, at any other time, would have been provokingly fun

Doris, "Come h

madly rushed to a basket of potatoes throwing the potatoes in all directions over the smooth floor, and then

n her suitcase, while Doris tried to catch a corner of the linen as the d

uted the man. "Call your mu

eaded Doris, as she realized the man

t they now must command t