CHAPTER XX
THE MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
"Look!" exclaimed Ned.
Then, as he and Jerry watched what took place in the circle of light,they beheld a woman, her long hair streaming down her back, run from thewoods up to the old man. In her hand she held a big club, and with itshe endeavored to strike the aged man. The latter dropped his sack, andseemed to engage in a struggle with the woman.
"He's killing her!" exclaimed Ned. "This is the hermit we were warnedagainst."
"Come on!" cried Jerry. "We must see what it means."
But, just as he started down the slope, the search-light went out,leaving the place in utter blackness, for the moon was under a cloud.When Jerry had succeeded in getting the light going again, the man andwoman were nowhere to be seen.
"Well, that certainly was a queer sight," remarked Ned. "I wonder whatit all means?"
"I guess we'll have to stay here until we find out," said Jerry. "Itlooked as if there was going to be trouble, at one time."
"What's all the excitement about?" asked the professor, coming out ofthe shack, followed by Bob.
Jerry related what they had seen, and the professor agreed that it wouldbe better to remain and make an investigation.
"I say, you fellows are mean to go off alone and have a crackingadventure like that," objected Bob, in a grieved tone.
"We didn't want to disturb your slumbers," said Ned.
"Don't eat so much supper next time, and you will not sleep so sound,"advised Jerry. But Bob was not to be appeased until promised that thenext time Ned and Jerry went ghost hunting they would take him with them.
Having been so thoroughly aroused from their sleep the travelers decidedto sit up a while and see if they could catch another glimpse of thestrange man and woman. But, though they sat and talked for more than anhour, there was no further sign of the two queer creatures.
"I'm going to bed," announced Bob at length, and the others decided tofollow his example. They slept soundly until morning, though Jerry saidafterward that he dreamed he was being chased across the frozen lake bya white haired man on a black horse. He got stuck in the ice, and wasfreezing to death, when he awakened to find that his blanket had slippedfrom him, and that a cold rain was blowing in through the cracks of theshack. Morning had dawned cold and dreary.
"Wow! This isn't exactly pleasant!" exclaimed Jerry, as he poked hishead out of the front of the screen of branches. "I wish there was ahotel handy."
The others crawled from beneath the blankets, not in any too good humorat the dismal prospect.
"And I'll bet there isn't any dry wood to be had," said Bob. "That meansa cold breakfast."
A search proved that he was right. Nor was there any charcoal, since thelast had been used some days before, and they had been to no place wherethey could get more.
"Just when a fellow needs a hot cup of coffee," went on Bob. "I neversaw such beastly luck."
Jerry said nothing. He seemed to be studying over some matter.
"I have it," he exclaimed.
"What? Some dry wood?" asked Ned with much eagerness.
"No, but I know how to make some hot coffee," was the answer.
Jerry lost no time in explaining. He first went to the auto where he gotout rubber coats for himself and his companions. Then, ready to defy therain, which was coming down at a good clip, Jerry hunted about until hefound two large stones. These he set up a short distance apart, placinganother each at the front and rear of the first two.
"There's the stove," he remarked.
"A heap of good it will do, with no fire in it," growled Bob.
"Wait," advised Jerry.
Taking the big search-light, which he had used the night previous, heremoved the top, so that the flame could be used for cooking purposes.They prepared a good meal and enjoyed it.
It continued to rain, and to fill in time the boys went fishing in thelake. Luck was with them and within half an hour they had ten fine fish,and then, though they could have taken many more, they did not, as Jerrysaid they would have no use for them.
"Fish for dinner for me to-day," said Bob, while the others laughed athis usual exhibition of how fond of eating he was. The fish did prove anexcellent dish, fried in corn meal on Jerry's improvised stove. Somebacon gave them a relish, and with hot coffee they felt they had as gooda meal as many a hotel could serve.
"I wonder where the professor is?" said Ned, when the meal was almostover. "I forgot that he wasn't with us."
"He's off gathering birds, bugs or reptiles," said Jerry. "He'll comewhen he feels good and hungry."
"He's more likely to forget all about being hungry if he gets chasing afine specimen," remarked Ned. "I think I'll just take a stroll and seeif I can come across him."
"We'll go along," said Jerry and Bob.
So the three started off together. They could easily follow theprofessor's trail, as he had broken through the underbrush, snappingoff many twigs and breaking small branches. The boys wandered on fornearly a mile, but saw no sign of the scientist. They were about to turnback, and wait for him at camp, when Jerry held up his hand to indicatesilence.
"Hark!" he whispered.
The others stood still, and, listening intently, heard above the patterof the raindrops, voices in conversation.
"That's the professor," said Ned.
"Some one is with him then," put in Jerry. "They are coming this way."
The sounds of persons advancing through the bushes could be heard. Thevoices also sounded plainer. A minute later the brush was parted andthe professor, followed by a woman, came out into the little clearingwhere the boys were. At the sight of the woman, Jerry started, for herecognized her as the strange person who had been with the old man thenight previous. The professor seemed excited about something.
"Boys, this lady has just told me some strange news," he said.
"What is it?" asked Ned.
"Beware of the hermit of Lost Lake!" the woman exclaimed suddenly."Have a care of him. Many poor travelers has he murdered. He would havemurdered you last night if I had not prevented him."
"So that's what it was all about," said Jerry, half aloud. The womanheard him, and turned:
"Did you see him?" she asked. "Did you see me?"
"I--we--" began Jerry.
"You have been spying on me!" exclaimed the woman, growing much excited.