eral times, Peggy called

he door

'll be there

r open, and Jo Ann stepped inside, h

trangest-most mysterio

s nothing unusual for you. You're alway

Florence call

man in the room directly across the hall say in the most earnest voice

ck, asked half doubtfully, "You're sure you didn't misunderstand him? Your imagi

"No imagination about it. I heard

y that, do you suppose, Jo

at I'd lik

d, shuddering, "The idea of that man's being right across the hall from us

el sure he wasn't a gangster," Jo Ann s

both girls excl

istening. I hadn't any business eavesdropping-but I just couldn't hel

a whisper, glancing back toward the door as if she th

one. I couldn't hear anyone answering. He said that he'd lost t

at sounds as if he's a detective, sure e

'd have to use my imag

eggy, now thoroughly convinced that Jo Ann's tale was not fict

ence, and all three girls gave little surprised j

Prudence's voice calle

in relief. "I thought maybe that man...." She l

e had forgotten entirely about dres

re still in their pajamas, she looked over reproachfully at Jo An

the strange telephone conversation she had heard, ending apologetic

t of this hotel the better. I don't like the idea of being in a room across from a ma

saw him go down the hall toward

te, and there might-well, someth

deliberate about arranging her auburn hair into neat waves, speeded

went down to the coffee room for their breakfa

t of the car saying, "It's my tur

on't go too fast," Florence remarked

s herself that'll keep me fr

rm and the other two in civilian clothes and large felt hats similar to the one the mystery man had worn. "The biggest one of those men in that car a

r in Texas are big and wear that kind of hat. You have that myst

I believe it's

more interested in that man in the uniform. I believe

And now look at the speedometer. I'm going to let Jitters do her best now and pass that car. I want to g

e side of the road. As she passed by the other car, she t

ed a moment later. "I'm sure it's he.

k to stare out of the rear window at the occupants of the car. "Where do

"Ask me an easy question.

r why he's in such terrible trouble. I

anxious note in her voice. She and the other two girls had hinted very strongly to her that they would like to take the longer route, by way of Brown

o hear, and adding also for her special benefit, "She says no one really

us garden spot of T

ssed, but she still hesitated to give her approval, saying

's praises she'll give her consent," Flo

s the same way," Jo Ann replied. "I want to find

ee, then reported, "Yes, ju

ed that same question, to have it a

road turning off to Brownsville. "Miss Prudence'll have to de

decide on that route. While Miss Prudence was still wavering about her decision, Jo Ann drove past the Brownsvill