The Mystery of the Flaming Footprints - M. V. Carey [30]
“What about the guy on the hill?” said Bob. “You know, the one who took a shot at us.”
“We were the ones who were threatened,” said Jupiter. “It does not appear that he menaced the Dobsons in any way. It is interesting that Mr. Farrier has been so persistent in his attentions to Mrs Dobson. She has certainly not encouraged him, and Aunt Mathilda was positively rude to him this afternoon. Most people do not intrude when they are clearly unwelcome. That tan Ford is also interesting.”
“There must be a million of those around,” said Bob. “Why is it interesting?”
“Because it doesn’t match the rest of the man,” explained Jupiter. “As Mrs Dobson agreed, he is quite splendid in his appearance. One would expect him to drive something more elegant — a foreign sports car, perhaps. And although he seems meticulous about his own appearance, he has not even troubled to have his car washed.”
The lights of Rocky Beach gleamed ahead, and the boys walked faster, suddenly fearful that Aunt Mathilda might be looking for them. The Jones house was quiet, however, when the boys reached it. Jupiter peered in through the window to see his Uncle Titus still napping contentedly as an old movie unfolded on the TV screen.
“Come over with me, and we’ll close the yard up for the night,” said Jupiter to Bob.
The boys went across and in through the big iron gates. The light burned brightly in Jupiter’s outdoor workshop. As Jupiter reached to turn it off, a red light over the printing press flashed furiously off and on. This was the signal that the telephone in Headquarters was ringing.
“At this hour?” exclaimed Bob. “Now who – ?”
“Pete!” said Jupiter. “It could only be Pete.” He tore aside the grating that covered Tunnel Two. In seconds he and Bob were inside Headquarters and Jupiter had snatched up the telephone.
“Come back!” Pete’s voice sounded thin and shaky coming over the wire. “It’s happened again!”
“More footprints?” said Jupiter tersely.
“Three of them, on the stairs,” said Pete, “I put them out. There’s a funny smell.
Also, Mrs Dobson is having hysterics.”
“We’ll be right there,” promised Jupiter.
He hung up the telephone.
“Another set of naming footprints,” he told Bob. “On the stairs, this time. Also, Pete reports that Mrs Dobson is having hysterics, which is not surprising.”
“Back we go?” questioned Bob.
“Back we go,” said Jupiter.
The boys hurried out through Tunnel Two and were just locking the gate of the salvage yard when Aunt Mathilda opened the door of the Jones house. “What are you boys doing over there all this time?” she called.
“Just sorting things out,” Jupiter called back. He turned away from the gate and ran across to his aunt. “We thought we might ride up and see how Mrs Dobson and Tom are getting along,” he said. “Do you mind?”
“I do,” said Aunt Mathilda. “It’s too late to go visiting. And Jupiter, you know I don’t like to have you on that busy road after dark.”
“The bikes have lights,” Jupiter pointed out, “and we’ll be careful. Mrs Dobson was so upset this afternoon, we thought we might just check in on her and see if she’s settled comfortably.”
“Well . . . all right, Jupiter. But you boys be careful.” She stopped suddenly.
“Where’s Pete?” she asked.
“He left,” said Jupiter shortly.
“All right. Well, if you’re going, hurry. It’s not getting any earlier. And remember
— be careful!”
“We’ll remember,” promised Jupiter.
With the bicycles, the return trip to The Potter’s house took only minutes. Bob and Jupiter pounded on the front door and called, and Pete let them in.
“Did you search the house?” Jupiter asked.
“By myself?” said Pete. “You crazy? Besides, I’ve been busy. I had a set of burning footprints to put out, and a trip to the telephone on the main road to call you guys, and Mrs Dobson is going out of her head.”
Indeed, Mrs Dobson was not herself. Bob and Jupiter followed Pete upstairs to the big front bedroom where the brass bed had been put up. Mrs Dobson was stretched