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“Which brings us to the big question mark,” Pete said. “Is there or is there not a monster on Monster Mountain?”
“I saw something,” said Bob. “I know I saw something, and I’m pretty darn sure it wasn’t a bear. And Jupe saw that footprint.”
Jupiter unzipped his sleeping bag and slipped his shoes off. “If there is a, monster and Joe Havemeyer catches it, things will be very lively around here,” he predicted. “Let’s remember that our clients are Hans and Konrad and our concern is to protect their cousin. Tomorrow, when we get the credit report on Havemeyer and some more information about Jensen, we can talk with Hans and Konrad. They can decide what they want to do, if anything.”
Bob and Pete dropped off quickly that night, but Jupiter Jones was too restless to sleep. He lay awake and listened to the wind and to the small rustlings and scurryings made by wild creatures in the darkness. He thought of the crevice in the earth, and of that incredible naked footprint. He thought of Gabby Richardson and his story of strange beings on the mountain. And he thought of another of Gabby’s tales — his description of A
It was nearly midnight when Jupe rolled over on his stomach and opened the flap of the tent. The Slalom I
Jupe blinked. Had he imagined it, or had there been a flicker of light somewhere on the lower floor of the i
Jupe poked Pete. “Wake up!” he whispered.
“Wha… what’s the matter?” Pete sat up. “More bears?”
“Hey, quiet!” said Bob sleepily.
“Someone’s up at the i
Pete and Bob rolled out of their sleeping bags and fumbled in the dark for their shoes. “Here we go again!” said Pete. “Everybody’s interested in Cousin A
The Three Investigators crawled out of their tent and stole across the yard to the office window. It was open, and the boys could see the man who sat in the desk chair, with his back to them. Jensen! He was quietly going through one of A
Jensen finished his examination of one ledger and put it aside on the bookcase. He was just reaching for a second book when he stiffened and cocked an ear toward the door. A second later he dived into the kneehole under the desk and snapped off his light.
The Three Investigators ducked down below the window frame. The overhead light in the office clicked on, and the boys heard Joe Havemeyer’s voice.
“You see?” said Havemeyer. “There’s no one here.”
“I heard someone,” said A
“You’re imagining things, letting your nerves get the best of you. There’s nothing to worry about. You’re doing beautifully with those two clods from Rocky Beach. Don’t let them get to you. They won’t stay forever.”
“More than a week,” said Cousin A
“I’m keeping them busy, aren’t I? Now take it easy. We’re set, you know, and nothing will go wrong.”
“Nothing had better,” said Cousin A
The office light snapped off and the door closed. The boys stayed where they were, not moving. After a few minutes they saw the flashlight beam again. Jensen was up from behind the desk. He crossed to the office door, turned off his light, and very quietly left the office.
“I’ll be darned,” whispered Pete.
Jupe put a warning finger to his lips. The three crept away from the i
“Did I hear what I thought I heard?” said Pete, when they were safely inside the tent.
“Very, very peculiar,” said Jupiter Jones. “I am not especially surprised that Jensen came down in the middle of the night to search through A
“Right,” said Bob. “Only why should A
“It doesn’t make sense.” Jupe rubbed his forehead. “Nothing makes sense. I’ve never been so bewildered in my life.”
13
Cousin A
Jupiter awoke to chill morning sunlight and bird song. Pete and Bob were still asleep, so he put on his shoes and got out of the tent without making a sound. He crossed the yard to the back door of the i
Hans and Konrad were making A
Jupe paused at the foot of the back steps. He heard water ru
Jupe was about to go into the i
“Coffee not ready yet?” It was Havemeyer’s voice.
“A few minutes. Don’t be so impatient,” said A
“Don’t you be so jumpy,” warned Havemeyer. “Look, I’ll get Hans and Konrad started working this morning, so they won’t be under your feet. You invite those kids out there to breakfast, and then pack a lunch for them and send them off on a hike someplace. Anyplace but the high meadow. Make sure they don’t head that way.”
“You are now a social director?” asked A
“I don’t want them in the way,” said Havemeyer. “I’m going up the slope for one last try, but I’m not hopeful. If we’re stymied, we’ll have to bluff it at the bank and you’d better be good. So do your homework.”
“I do not want to do it,” protested A
“You’ll do it.” Havemeyer’s voice was rough. “You’ve done harder things, and for less money. You got some stuff for sandwiches for the kids?”
“I have ham.” A
“That’ll do.”
Jupiter Jones backed away from the porch, then cleared his throat loudly and stomped up the steps.
“Good morning,” called Cousin A
Jupiter greeted her brightly and put up only token resistance when she invited him to breakfast. He went upstairs to wash. When he came down again, Bob and Pete had appeared, still tousled from sleep. Jensen and Smathers sat at the table waiting for their breakfast.
The meal was quiet. Each person seemed busy with private thoughts. Cousin A
“You had a good hike yesterday,” she said to the boys. “You should go again today. It is your holiday, and you should have a nice time. I will make you some sandwiches and you can go. There is a good trail from the campground to the fire tower, and I think you should go that way.”
“The fire tower!” said Bob. “Oh, that abandoned one we saw the other day. That must be three or four miles from here.”
A
“Sounds great!” said Jupiter quickly.
Pete opened his mouth to say something, but Jupe kicked him under the table.