The Secret of the Sundial / Madge Sterling Series, #3

niti

to behold two figures, grotesque in long white sheets which draped them from head to foot, scurrying along an alley leading to Summit

ear of the George Brady property. Presently, coming to an opening barely larg

ear!" one murmur

ndignant protest. "I'm not the bean-pole you are, Jane Allen. What's the

the other retorted. "What's the use of h

d permitted herself to be pushed toward the opening in the hedge. Half

she groaned. "Won't I c

fference to the fate which might await her fr

t the large white house was entirely dark. The

oor opened and a third

on't want her until we're all ready for the initiation. Aunt Maude and Uncl

halls to an attic "clubroom" w

ntil Cara comes," she invited. "We can slip

irl, vivacious and distinctly a leader. Her laughter was infectious; without half trying she had a way of drawing friends to her. Older people said she had "tact" but girls her own age

he did not mind her straight black hair or somewhat muddy complexion. Her slender figure was often ridiculed, but she took it all in good

te to attend the Everetts School for Girls at Claymore. Her mother also was dead, and her father, a well-to-do collector and sportsman,

t for the initiation,

aude know what we were about for fear she'd put a stop to it. Wait until Cara st

and made a dive for her sheet. The others scrambled i

is brought up here," she warned in a whisper.

?" Edna asked anxiously. "I tried t

ave a hair raiser

r and then Madge opened it to confront a very frightened little girl who awaited adm

fied that she was to go down alone. Cara hesitated, sensing that some unpleasant ordeal awaited her be

er," Enid whispered. "I hung i

rash as Cara stepped in

s the tub of water," Ma

sted the possibilities of the basement, Enid was sent down to bring up the unhappy victim. Cara was drenched to the knees

anything which transpires here this night?"

lence and then Cara

you during the next week by any illus

isions of many detested ta

It lacks twenty minutes of midnight. Exactly upon the hour you must go to the old boarded-up

nsion was several doors away, adjoining a grove of pine trees which at night was not the most pleasant place to pass. The Swenster

can get into the gro

her pose and speaking in a natural voice. "It will take y

ismissal from the organization to which she aspired. Reluctantly, she

r Cara had gone. "Madge, you have such cleve

not enjoy going to the Swenster man

elingly. "I can just see poor Cara shaking in her boot

," Madge returned. "I tested

ver the evening's fun. Shortly after

George will be coming home soon and that will put an end

e a little alarmed. They cast off their cumbers

dge worried. "Perhaps we sho

to worry us just to g

keeping her," Madge returned quietly. "Or if you like, I'll go

anded. "I believe

ouse. She hurled herself through the gate and raced across the yard. Before the gir

she stumbled against Madge, gr

the token?" t

ghed hys

I don't care what you say-I'll not go back! Not even if it means stayin