The Bobbsey Twins and the Mystery at Snow Lodge Page 5

  “You’re going to look—?” the man prompted.

  “Oh, yes!” Freddie managed to say. “All around your wonderful house. We can’t wait!”

  Flossie winked at her twin. He had managed to change the subject very neatly.

  After Mr. Carford left a large box of toys at a rather shabby house on the far side of town, he got back into the sleigh with a thoughtful expression.

  “Do you feel sick?” Flossie asked him anxiously, as the horse trotted briskly down the snowy street.

  “Of course not.”Mr. Carford laughed. “I was just thinking of how much that home reminds me of the one I lived in with my aunt and uncle after my parents died. They were very poor and did not have many comforts. But they gave me kindness and a lot of love.”

  “Tell us about when you were little,” Flossie urged, sliding her hand into Mr. Carford’s large, warm one. At the moment he was holding the reins with only his left hand.

  “There’s not much to tell,” replied their friend. “But one thing I do remember—at Christmastime there was seldom any money for presents. One time, when I was ten, I so wanted a kite to fly. I had been looking at a beautiful red-and-yellow one in a certain toy store window. How I wished my uncle would get it for me that Christmas ! But I never told him. I knew it was no use.”

  Flossie and Freddie looked very sad after hearing this story. Poor Mr. Carford!

  “Is that why you give so many toys away at this time of year?” asked Flossie.

  “Yes,” was the simple reply.

  Freddie thought to himself that it made the generous man happy to help those children whose parents were having difficult times.

  Suddenly Mr. Carford chuckled. “Well, on to our next stop, children. Giddap, Daisy!” he called to the horse. “Time’s a-wastin’!”

  At each of the homes Mr. Carford visited, he managed to see the children’s parents, and ask them to save the gifts for Christmas morning. Finally the back of the sleigh was empty.

  “Well, that’s all, youngsters,” he told the Bobbseys. “I’ll have you home in a jiffy.”

  Flossie and Freddie nodded, and each felt the toy he had hidden. The twins were wondering if there were not some other child to whom they might present a little gift.

  Unaware of this, Mr. Carford started to sing, “Jolly Old St. Nicholas.” The sleighbells jingled, and the twins’ spirits lifted as they joined in the chorus.

  Suddenly Flossie cried, “Oh, look!”

  Ahead of them a small boy with his face buried in his hands was seated on the curb. His little shoulders shook, and his whole body shivered.

  “Why, he’s crying,” Freddie exclaimed. “Please stop the sleigh, Mr. Carford. Maybe we can help.”

  As the horse slowed, Freddie and Flossie jumped to the ground and ran over to the little fellow. They tapped him on the shoulder, but he did not look up.

  “What’s the matter?” Flossie asked gently.

  “Are you lost?” Freddie said, and this time the short brown hair tossed in a definite no.

  “C’mon,” Flossie urged, putting a chubby arm around his shoulders. “Please stop crying, please do!”

  The boy looked up, and the twins saw that he was about four years old. His freckled face looked woebegone, stained with tears and smudged with dirt.

  “Hello,” he said, then looked down at the street.

  “Where do you live?” Freddie asked.

  A muffled reply of, “Two-six-Pine-Street” was heard.

  “That’s on the way to our house,” said Flossie. “We’ll walk home with you. Okay?”

  This time a very faint nod rewarded the twins. Returning to the sleigh, they told Mr. Carford of their plan and thanked him for a lovely afternoon. The man smiled, said good-by, and drove off.

  “Now,” Freddie said brusquely to the boy, “you’re too old to cry.”

  The gruff words seemed to work. The child brushed away his tears. Shyly he told the Bobbseys his name was Bobby Forsten.

  “I don’t always cry,” he said defiantly.

  “Neither do I,” Flossie said, but with a twinkle in her eyes. “And I’m afraid to this time of year. Think how slippery our tears would make the sidewalks if they froze!”

  Bobby laughed, and they started off. Three blocks down they reached the little boy’s home, which turned out to be a two-family dwelling.

  The twins walked up the front steps and started to push the doorbell. Suddenly Bobby sobbed, pushed open the door, and disappeared inside.

  “What—” Flossie began, but Freddie waved her to silence.

  Through the open door they noticed a young woman talking at a telephone booth in the hall. Her back was turned to the twins, and evidently she had not heard them or Bobby, for she was saying:

  “Yes, I’m afraid Bobby and Karen know already that Santa Claus won’t be leaving any presents here this year. I tried to make them understand and I think Bobby does. What can I do with my husband so ill for such a long time? It’s all we can manage just to keep the house going and feed everyone. But I feel dreadful about it—”

  The Bobbseys did not wait to hear more. No wonder Bobby had been crying! Here was their chance to help someone! !

  A moment later, when Flossie and Freddie skipped down the front steps, a small hook and ladder and a sweet-faced doll had been left behind, placed side by side in the front hall of Bobby’s home.

  “Merry Christmas, Karen! Merry Christmas, Bobby !” Flossie whispered softly to herself.

  CHAPTER VIII

  A RACE ON SKATES

  WHILE Freddie and Flossie were helping Mr. Carford deliver his presents, Nan and Bert were enjoying the good skating on Lake Metoka. Every once in a while Nan would glance at her wrist watch. She must leave by four-thirty to get to the train in time to meet Dorothy.

  Many of Nan and Bert’s friends had heard the exciting news about the Bobbseys’ vacation at Snow Lodge.

  “You’re sure lucky,” Charlie Mason said wistfully. “Wish I could go with you.”

  “Oh, so do I,” Nellie Parks chimed in. “You’ll have lots of fun, I know.”

  But Grace Lavine, another friend of Nan’s, was not so sure. “I’ve heard there’s something queer about that place,” she said dubiously. “I’d be afraid to stay there.”

  Several of the other children agreed with her and advised the Bobbseys to be very careful when they went to the house in the woods.

  “If there were anything strange about Snow Lodge, Mr. Carford would never offer to let us live in it,” Nan insisted. “He’s a very nice man.”

  Charlie put in loyally, “If there is some mystery connected with the place, I know the Bobbseys will solve it. They’re good detectives.”

  The discussion was interrupted when one of the older boys skated up and announced that races were being planned. “They’re setting up one for girls your age, Nan,” he said. “Want to join in?”

  Nan was eager to try her skill so she, Nellie, and Grace hurried over to the spot where the race was to begin. Charlie Mason was the starter. He held high a small branch with a red scarf tied to the end.

  “When I wave the scarf downward,” he explained to the five girls who had lined up, “you start.”

  The skaters got set, waited breathlessly for a moment, then when the scarf swept downward, they were off! Their skates flashed in the sunlight as they raced toward the finish line some distance down the lake.

  After the first few minutes it became apparent that the race was between Nellie Parks and Nan Bobbsey. When they were only a few yards from the boy who held another scarf to indicate the end of the race, they were almost even.

  Then something happened. From the corner of her eye Nan saw Nellie slow down, then stop. Nan flashed across the finish line, the winner!

  But as nearby skaters cheered, Nan turned back toward her friend. “What was the matter, Nellie?” she asked. “Why did you stop?”

  “My lace broke,” Nellie replied ruefully. “My foot was wobbling, and I couldn’t
go on!”

  “The race wasn’t fair then,” Nan observed. “Let’s do it again.”

  Although Nellie protested that she had been beaten fairly, Nan insisted that they race again. So once more they sped over the course. This time, too, the race was close, but Nan finished about a foot ahead of Nellie.

  The other children gathered around and congratulated the skaters, then wandered off to watch other contests. Nan and Bert sat down on a heavy log near shore to rest awhile.

  “It’s going to be crowded driving to Snow Lodge,” Nan said presently.

  “Sure is,” agreed Bert. “Eight of us. Sam and Dinah won’t be along because they’re going to visit some relatives over the holidays. But with all the luggage, Freddie’s fire engine, Christmas presents, and Snap—”

  “Don’t forget Snoop,” said Nan, and then remembered that Snoop was going to be left at the lumberyard with the foreman there. Mrs. Bobbsey had been afraid the cat might run off and get lost in the woods.

  Bert was quiet for a moment, then suddenly he snapped his fingers. “Nan, I’ve got it! Why don’t you and I and Harry and Dorothy sail our iceboat up to Snow Lodge? We can go all the way along Lake Metoka!”

  Bert, with Charlie Mason’s help, had recently built a very speedy iceboat, with a tall sail, they called the Icebird, out of material from Mr. Bobbsey’s lumberyard. The two older twins had frequently enjoyed short excursions in the craft, but the journey to Snow Lodge at the far end of the lake would be the longest they had attempted.

  “Oh, Bert!” Nan exclaimed. “That’s a wonderful idea! I’m sure we could manage it. Let’s ask Mother and Dad as soon as we see them.”

  At four-thirty the twins left the pond and headed for the railroad station. Mrs. Bobbsey was there with the car and they hopped in beside her. While the three waited for the train, Bert asked his mother about the trip in the Icebird.

  She did not reply at once, then asked, “You feel sure you could manage such a long trip?”

  “Oh, yes, Mother,” Bert said quickly. “Harry’s strong, and Nan and Dorothy are swell sailors.”

  “And you’re pretty neat on ice,” Nan put in, giggling.

  Mrs. Bobbsey smiled. “We’ll ask your father. I think it’s all right, but on this you’ll have to get his approval.”

  The twins hugged their pretty mother, then Nan said, “Here comes the train!”

  She and Bert climbed out of the car and hurried through the station to the front platform. The train thundered in and stopped.

  “I see her!” Nan cried, catching a glimpse of Dorothy Minturn standing at the door of a coach. She ran forward and waited at the steps for her cousin to come down.

  The twelve-year-old, dark-haired girl was smiling broadly. “Hi, kids!” she called out. She gave Nan a kiss and Bert a vigorous handshake that twisted him in a half-circle. “How are you, old-timer? Say, isn’t this simply super duper? You must tell me everything about Snow Lodge. And say, is Harry here?”

  “He’s coming, and, Dorothy, we might go up in the iceboat,” Bert said.

  “Terrific!” Dorothy replied.

  The three children hurried to the station wagon. As Bert put Dorothy’s bulging suitcase in, the visitor hugged her Aunt Mary. “You’re wonderful to include me in the trip,” she said. “Mother and Dad sent their love and some Christmas presents. They’re in my bag.” Dorothy giggled. “I mean the presents are. That’s why it’s so fat.”

  Mrs. Bobbsey laughed. “It’s good to have you with us,” she said. “Played any more tricks lately?” Dorothy Minturn was known for her joking.

  “N-no,” Dorothy replied. “But someone played an awfully mean one on me.”

  “How come?” Bert queried.

  Dorothy made a face. “I was in a horse show. A horrid boy switched the numbers on my horse and another. It was announced that the blue ribbon would go to number five. That was my number and was I excited ! But when I went up to get the ribbon, the mix-up was found out. Then I was burned up!”

  “How awful!” cried Nan.

  “Did you get anything?” Bert asked.

  “Yes. Second place.”

  “And the mean boy? How about him?”

  “He didn’t win anything, and he was disqualified from riding in the rest of the show,” Dorothy answered.

  “Served him right,” said Bert.

  Soon after the group had arrived home, Mr. Bobbsey came in with Harry Bobbsey, whom he had met at the corner. There was a warm welcome for the tall farm boy who, winter and summer, had a deep tan and red cheeks.

  “It’s sure good to see you,” said Bert. “I need another boy to protect me from all these girls!”

  As the other laughed, Freddie piped up, “I’m here.”

  “Sure you are,” Bert said, “and not afraid of anything.”

  “Of course not.”

  “Dad,” said Bert, “how about letting Harry and Dorothy and Nan and me sail up to Snow Lodge in the Icebird tomorrow? Then you won’t be so crowded in the station wagon.”

  Mr. Bobbsey was thoughtful a few moments, then asked, “Have you mentioned it to Mother?” He smiled. “We like to do our worrying together, you know. Personally, I think you can manage the trip.”

  “Oh, Mother has already said okay if it’s all right with you,” Bert answered quickly. “Thanks, Dad.”

  “I want to be part of the crew !” Freddie put in excitedly.

  “And I’ll be dee-lighted to go,” Flossie added. The little girl jumped up and down and clapped her hands. “Oh, please. It would be fun!”

  Mrs. Bobbsey put her arms around the younger twins. “I’m sorry, children,” she said, “but I’m afraid that’s not wise. The iceboat can be tricky to handle, and I don’t think you’ve had enough experience.

  “Besides,” she added with a twinkle in her eyes, “who’ll help Dad and me with Snap and the luggage if you’re on the Icebird?”

  “And there really isn’t room,” Nan added.

  The young twins thought about this for a minute and then reluctantly agreed that they would save their rides in the Icebird until later.

  “But I wouldn’t be afraid,” Freddie declared, “not even if—not even if a bear came out of the woods after us!”

  The others laughed, then the older twins and their cousins went upstairs with the luggage.

  Soon Dinah sounded the gong announcing that supper was ready. The family assembled and Mr. Bobbsey said grace. Then the chatter began. All during the meal the proposed trip was discussed. The cousins were told about the breakdown of the furnace.

  “It’s only working feebly,” said Mrs. Bobbsey. “I’ll be glad to live again in a warm house.”

  Finally, as everyone finished eating, she pushed back her chair and stood up. “We may as well go into the living room,” she said. “Freddie and Bert, how about building a fire? It’s pretty chilly.”

  Harry helped, and soon they had a cheery fire going. The family gathered around it, and began to check over what food, clothing, and sports equipment was already packed for their holiday.

  “It sounds like enough,” Mr. Bobbsey said, smiling. “The poor station wagon will be groaning.”

  Freddie laughed but said, “We might get snowed in. Let’s take plenty to eat!”

  Nan smiled. “If that happened we might not be able to return to school in time.”

  The small boy’s eyes danced mischievously. “That’s all right with me!” he exclaimed, and everyone grinned.

  Bert jingled some change in his pants pocket and said, “Wouldn’t it be swell if we could find Mr. Carford’s missing money?”

  Nodding eagerly, Nan said, “Think how happy he would be! Then he and his nephew could be friends again and return to live in Snow Lodge.”

  Quickly she told Dorothy and Harry about the trouble between Mr. Carford and his nephew.

  Flossie took a deep breath and said, “But let’s not find the money right away—’cause if we do we might have to move out so Mr. Carford and his nephew could
move back into the lodge—and I want to have some fun there for a while!” she ended breathlessly.

  Mr. Bobbsey threw back his head and laughed. Finally he managed to say, “Honey, if the police couldn’t find the money—not even a clue to it—you don’t have to worry about when you’ll find it The question is if!”

  Flossie smiled sheepishly and agreed. Then she got up from her pillow on the floor by the fireplace. “I’m going upstairs. I must see if my dolly’s snow clothes are ready for her vacation,” she announced importantly.

  Freddie, too, wandered off to the room he shared with Bert. A minute later the others heard him give a wild cry. He came pounding down the stairs and raced into the living room, wild-eyed.

  “It’s in my room A-a great big bear. He growled at me, and his eyes—they’re—they’re real big and shiny!”

  CHAPTER IX

  THE MYSTERIOUS NOTE

  “A BEAR!” Harry cried out “How did he get in the house?”

  “I—I don’t know,” Freddie answered.

  By this time Mr. Bobbsey and Bert were dashing up the stairs two steps at a time, with Nan at their heels. Reaching the boys’ room they could indeed see two bright-glaring eyes in a corner of the room. A moment later there came a low growl.

  “Oh!” the three exclaimed.

  Mr. Bobbsey switched on the light Everyone stared in blank amazement, then burst into laughter. There was a bear in the room all right —but a toy bear with electrically lighted eyes. In a chair sat Dorothy Minturn, growling merrily.

  By this time Freddie had arrived and was peering into the room between his father’s legs. “You meanie!” he exclaimed, but laughed as he walked in.

  “Why, Freddie,” said Dorothy, pretending to be hurt, “how can you say such a thing? Here I lugged this nice bear all the way from home to give you for Christmas, and now I guess you don’t want it.”

  Freddie managed a crestfallen grin. “I won’t say again I’m not afraid of anything. It was pretty silly being afraid of a toy bear. Thanks a lot, Dorothy. I like him.”

  As Freddie went over to try turning the electric eyes on and off, the others went downstairs and continued their discussion about the holiday trip.