CHAPTER X
_Susie Disappears_
When Linda entered her hotel bed-room after the conversation withher Aunt Emily over the long-distance wire, she found two pleasantsurprises awaiting her. The first of these that she saw was her trunk,sent on from Atlanta. The second was a telegram from the PitcairnAutogiro Company.
Her new roommate, who was bending over her own suit-case, looked upexpectantly.
"Good news, Linda?" she inquired.
"Splendid!" replied the other girl. "The parts for my 'Ladybug' havebeen shipped from Miami, where the company has some autogiros onexhibition. They'll be at the Jacksonville Airport tomorrow."
"Then your Ladybug is damaged?" asked Dot, who had heard nothing of thestory as yet, beyond the bare facts that had been in the newspapers.All that she had read was that Linda Carlton, famous aviatrix, who hadbeen lost in the Okefenokee Swamp for several days, had turned up inJacksonville, Florida.
"Yes, quite a smash-up," answered Linda. "But I wasn't in it. Anothergirl was flying----" She stopped abruptly. "Wait till Lou and Ted arewith us, Dot, so I can tell the story all at once. I'm rather fed upwith it myself. I'd loads rather hear what you've been doing at SpringCity."
"O.K.," agreed her companion, cheerfully, and proceeded to report toLinda all the news that she could remember.
"What I can't understand," remarked Linda, a few minutes later, as sheunpacked her trunk and took a flowered chiffon which she decided towear, "is how everyone finds me at this hotel. I didn't know where I'dbe staying when I sent those telegrams yesterday."
"I can answer that," replied Dot, immediately. "It's your friends atthe City Hall. The Chief of Police there directed us. It was Ted's ideato go to him, for I never would have thought of it."
"Ted knows that Lou and I have a failing for police stations and CourtHouses," laughed Linda, recalling their experience in Canada theprevious winter.
Five minutes later the girls joined the young Mackays on a cool upperporch of the hotel, where they were able to be by themselves. It wasthen that Linda told her story, first extracting a promise from thegroup never to mention the kidnapping episode to anyone else, lest thenews get back to her Aunt Emily. The other girls listened in amazement,now and then interrupting with exclamations of horror at the outrage ofit all. Ted sat grimly silent, more angry than anyone.
"And if you hadn't escaped, we probably shouldn't have gotten there intime," observed Louise. "To rescue you, I mean. Because of course theymeant to kill you in the end."
"Did you realize that at the time?" asked Dot.
"Not exactly," replied Linda. "Though I really feared something muchworse. I thought they would imprison me on that island in the ocean,and let me die of starvation. And I was horribly afraid of those men. Itried to keep with Susie until they went away."
"It was that bank robbery that saved your life," remarked Louise. "Andspelled ruin for them. If they hadn't been so greedy----"
"Exactly!" exclaimed Linda. "That's one reason why I feel it's mysolemn duty to try to catch the fourth man, and get that money back.I'm really the only person who could identify him--except Susie."
"Do you honestly think she'll reform?" asked Dot.
"I hope so. If those new parts for the autogiro really come tomorrow,we'll fly over and get her, Dot."
"I'm crazy to see her," returned the latter. "And I'd enjoy going tothe jail to see those two prisoners, and gloat over their punishment!"
"Dot's as vindictive as I am!" joked Louise. "Remember all the darkfutures I used to wish for Bess Hulbert?"
"Poor Bess!" sighed Linda. "She certainly got hers----"
Thinking that the girls had heard enough of Linda's unpleasantexperiences, Ted interrupted them by suggesting that they all gosomewhere and have something to eat.
"If it's cool, I'm for it," agreed Louise, jumping up and putting herhand through her husband's arm.
"You're not too tired, are you, Linda?" she inquired.
"Not a bit!" protested the girl. "I feel like a new person since youthree arrived.... There's a lovely screened tea-garden across thestreet that looks awfully attractive. Shall we go there?"
Linda was right in her impression; the place was charming. Instead ofthe customary artificial flowers or tiny bouquets so often seen inrestaurants, real rose-bushes showered their profusion of fragranceall about the edges of the screen garden. Surprisingly, every one washungry; the three visitors because they had eaten only a light picnicsupper, Linda because she had been too homesick to eat much alone. Thefood proved as delightful as the surroundings, and they all enjoyed itimmensely.
While Dot was, eating her ice, she noticed some people that she seemedto remember--sitting at a table in back of Linda. But she could notplace them.
"Linda," she said softly, "see that young man over there at that tableback of you--to the right--with an older woman? Don't turn aroundnow, he's staring at us.... He looks sort of familiar to me, and I'mpositive I've seen that woman before. Do you know them, or are theypeople I have met at Palm Beach sometime, one of those winters when wewent to Florida?"
Linda waited a moment, and then casually turned her head in thedirection which Dot had indicated. The boy was Jackson Carter!
In relating her story of the rescue by the two boys in the canoe, Lindahad not even mentioned their names, and had omitted entirely her visitto the Carter home. After her telephone conversation with Jackson thisevening, she had decided to forget all about him.
She noticed that Dot was smiling and nodding.
"I remember her now," she explained. "A Mrs. Carter--she chummed a lotwith mother at Palm Beach. And that's her son--he wasn't more thanfourteen the last time I saw him.... I think I'll go over and speak tothem." Linda flushed and tried to hide her embarrassment by talking toLouise and Ted about their flight. But Dot came back in a moment.
"I've got an invitation for us, Linda!" she announced. "Finish yourlemon ice, and come over and meet the Carters. All of you!"
Linda hesitated. She did not know what to say. Evidently Jackson hadnot recognized her, or else was deliberately concealing the fact thathe knew her.
"All right," agreed Louise, rising and pulling Ted by the hand, for heryouthful husband was still shy about meeting the people whom he termedthe "four hundred." But his manners were as good as anyone's, andLouise was always proud of him.
They stepped over to the table, Linda reluctantly following them.
"Mrs. Carter, I want you to meet Mrs. Mackay--our chaperon." Dot winkedslyly at Louise. "And Miss Linda Carlton, the famous aviatrix! And Mr.Mackay.... And this is Mr. Carter."
The young people bowed in recognition of the introduction, but Jacksongave no sign that he had ever seen Linda before.
"Mrs. Carter says that so long as our chaperon is leaving tomorrow,we must come over and stay at her house, Linda," Dot said. "You see,Mrs. Carter," she continued, turning to the older woman, "we're notso strict in the North about chaperons as you are here--but Linda'saunt would like to be. It really worries her to have her niece battingaround alone in an airplane."
Horribly embarrassed, her eyelids fluttering so that she could notsee anybody distinctly, Linda tried to summon words to decline theinvitation. It would be impossible for her to accept.
"We'd love to have you, girls," Mrs. Carter assured them. "For as longas you can stay.... How I would enjoy seeing your mother, Dorothy! Youmust tell me all about her."
"I'm awfully sorry," stammered Linda, still avoiding Jackson'seyes, "but I'm afraid we can't possibly make it. The fact is, I amexpecting to get my autogiro tomorrow, and that will take us away fromJacksonville."
"Bring it out to our place!" urged the young man, with the deepestpleading in his tone. It was the first time that he had spoken, andeverybody was surprised at his eagerness. That is, everybody exceptLinda--who had heard the same pleading over the telephone a few hoursbefore.
His mother smiled approvingly. She was glad to see that her son wasinterested in Dorothy Crowley, for the C
rowleys were wealthy people, ofunquestionable social position.
But, had she known it, Jackson did not even see Dot. He was lost inadmiration of Linda--or Ann, as he thought of her. In her pale chiffondress she looked absolutely ravishing. How could he ever have doubtedthat she was of good family?
"No, thank you ever so much, but we can't possibly," Linda repeated."We--or rather I--have work to do. Of course if Dot wants to go----"
She looked at the other girl fearfully. How she would hate to lose her!
Dot's reply, however, was reassuring.
"No, Mrs. Carter, I must stick with Linda. It isn't often that mymother gives in and lets me go off like this, and I mean to takeadvantage of it Besides, there's adventure ahead!"
Mrs. Carter sighed; these modern girls were beyond her comprehension.She was thankful that her only child was a boy.
While Dot was saying good-by, explaining that the Mackays had to be upearly in the morning, Jackson managed a whisper to Linda.
"When can I see you, Ann? I just _must_!"
Linda smiled; she was in command of herself again. She had won in adifficult situation.
"Some time when we both winter at Palm Beach or Miami," she replied,lightly, as she nodded good-by to his mother.
The young man's interest in Linda had not escaped Dot's notice. Whenthey had left the restaurant, she remarked, teasingly:
"You certainly made a hit, my dear. But I'm just as glad you turneddown their invitation. The Carters have a marvelous home, I believe,but they're about 1890 vintage. They don't know that there was a War."
"Well, we really haven't any time to lose," was her companion's reply."I'm almost afraid now that Susie will be gone when we get to thatisland. And I'm in a hurry to help the police trace that other thiefwith the money."
"Adventure is right!" laughed Dot, as the girls said good-by to Ted andLouise, and went to their room.
The Mackays left soon after dawn the following morning, but Linda andDot had decided to have a good sleep. They did not waken until afterten o'clock, when they heard the telephone ringing in their ears.
It was Dot who answered it.
"Oh, hello, Jackson!" she said, with a wink at Linda. "I used tocall you by your first name, so I suppose I might as well now. How'severything?"
"Just fine," replied the young man. "And Dot--may I speak to MissCarlton?"
"O.K.," answered the girl, holding the telephone towards Linda.
"Not awake yet!" yawned Linda, burying her head in the pillow.
"She says she's not awake yet," explained Dot, laughingly. "Better calllater, Jackson--after we get some breakfast."
Replacing the telephone, she turned to her roommate.
"That big boy certainly fell for you, Linda!" she exclaimed, stillunaware of the fact that Jackson had not met her for just the firsttime.
"Well, I didn't fall for him," the other stated, firmly. "And Dot,please, from now on I'm not at home when he calls."
Dot was surprised at this announcement; it was unlike Linda not to befriendly to everybody. Why had she taken such a dislike to a young manas handsome as Jackson Carter?
"May I ask you a personal question, Linda?" she inquired.
"Why certainly, Dot!"
"Are you engaged to Ralph Clavering--and is that why you're turningother men away?"
Linda laughed at the idea.
"No, Dot--I'm not engaged to anybody. And I don't want to be. I want tobe free for a while. But not from my girl-friends!" she added hastily,reaching over and giving Dot a hug. "Oh, Dot, if I could ever tell youwhat it meant to me to have you three breeze in last night! Honestly, Iwas awfully low."
"It was Lou's idea," explained Dot. "I guess she thought you wouldbe--so far away from everybody--even if you hadn't been in anydifficulty."
"Lou's a peach," observed Linda.
They ordered a tray sent up to their room, and lingered lazily overtheir breakfast. Before they had finished the telephone rang again.This time it was the Jacksonville Airport, informing Linda that thenew parts for her autogiro had arrived.
"I'll have to hurry!" she said to Dot. "I don't want to lose a minutenow."
"Just what are your plans, Linda?" asked the other girl, as she, too,started to dress.
"Go to the airport and have the parts for the Ladybug put into a plane.Then fly to Soldiers' Camp Island, taking another mechanic along. I'llhelp this man fix the autogiro--collect Susie--and fly back here."
"You really believe you can fix it in one day?"
"Yes, of course. Why not!"
"Well," said Dot slowly, "I think if you don't mind, I'll stay here.You'll need all the space you can get in your plane to carry thoseparts to the wreck. And I'd be fearfully bored standing around whileyou work."
"I guess you're right," agreed Linda. "It would be better for me totake two men--a pilot and a mechanic. Because I can't fly this hiredplane back again--I'll have to pilot the Ladybug."
"And you have to bring Susie too," Dot reminded her.
Linda lost no time in getting ready, and she was pleased to have leftthe hotel before Jackson Carter had a chance to telephone again. Shefound a "repair" plane waiting for her at the airport, and she madenote of the new parts for the autogiro that were already packed intoit. Two men were prepared to go with her--one a pilot, the other amechanic. For once in her life Linda was to ride as a passenger.
The day was hot and dry, but over the swamp the air seemed cooler andfresher. The rainy season was late, everybody said; by this time ofyear the swamp was usually flooded.
As the plane flew over the desolate expanse, Linda smiled to herself atthe familiarity of the landscape. She was getting to be an authorityon the Okefenokee Swamp; she never need fear again being lost in itssouthern part, at least. Although the pilot had a reliable map, hefound Linda's directions helpful, and before noon they came down onSoldiers' Camp Island.
The first thing that struck their notice was the autogiro, stillleaning over on its side, looking pathetically helpless in its plight.But Susie was not in sight.
While the men unloaded their tools and the new parts for the damagedplane, Linda went in search of the girl she had left there two daysbefore. It was queer, she thought, that Susie had not come out to meetthem at the sound of their motor. Was it possible that she was sick--oronly asleep?
The island was a comparatively large one, several miles in length,and Linda decided immediately to explore it. Susie might be waitingsomewhere within its depths, helpless or hurt, if she had fallen on herinjured ankle. It would be necessary to make a thorough search.
Linda ran back to the autogiro to inquire whether the men needed herhelp, and explained what she was about to do.
"We don't need you yet, Miss," replied the mechanic. "Later on, whenshe's almost finished, you can help me look her over, and take her upfor a test."
"By the way, Miss Carlton," put in the pilot, "did you think to bringany food for lunch? I only brought water."
Linda shook her head regretfully. How could she have been so stupid?Had her excitement over regaining her autogiro destroyed all her commonsense?
"I'm awfully sorry," she said. "I just plain forgot! And I usually havesome in the autogiro, but those thieves took it out.... Wait, though!There may be some on the island. We left a half a dozen cans with thisgirl."
A search of the little "houses" farther in on the island revealed whatshe had been hoping for--the remainder of the supplies the boys hadleft with Susie, consisting of two cans of baked beans, tea, coffee,sugar and canned milk. This ought to be enough for their lunch, and sheran back immediately to the men with the good news.
For the next two hours Linda searched the island diligently, callingSusie by name at frequent intervals. But no answer came in reply, andshe found no trace of the girl. Susie had completely vanished.
Weary and hungry she returned to the shore of the island where the menwere working, and was delighted at the progress they had made. The jobwas almost finished.
"I can
't find the girl," she told them. "But I've collected enoughfire-wood to cook our coffee and beans. We'll have our lunch in alittle while."
Two hours later the autogiro was finished, ready for its flight backto Jacksonville. The engine was running smoothly; Linda climbed intothe cock-pit and took it up in the air for a test flight. She foundeverything satisfactory; dipping low, she gave the others the signal toleave. With her Ladybug in the lead, the two planes made record timeback to Jacksonville.
"She's as good as new," she told the mechanic joyfully, after bothplanes had landed, and she was paying her bill. "I wish I could fly herright over to my hotel."
"I believe you almost could," remarked the man, admiringly. "Land herat the front entrance, like a taxi-cab!"
"I'm afraid I'll have to take an ordinary cab," sighed Linda, spottingone out near the gate. "Thanks a lot--and good-by! I'm in a hurry to beback."
It was after six when Linda ascended the steps of her hotel, and foundDot waiting for her on the porch, trying in vain to keep cool.
"Where's Susie?" she demanded, immediately.
"Gone!" replied Linda. "I searched the whole island carefully--but nota sign of her!"
"Where could she go?" demanded Dot. "Do you 'spose some canoe pickedher up--maybe those same boys that rescued you?"
Linda shook her head. Not those boys, any way! "What I'm afraid ofis that the fourth man of the gang--the only one who escaped, youknow--picked her up in his boat."
"Not so good--not so good," muttered her companion.
"No, it isn't. Just when I thought Susie had reformed, too--and cutfree from those criminals!" Linda uttered a deep sigh.
"Well, let's forget her," suggested the other girl, cheerfully. "I'vebeen waiting all afternoon to take you for a swim--so let's go, andhave our dinner later. I understand there's a marvelous pool a coupleof blocks away."
Linda's face brightened. What could possibly be better on such a hotday!
"Let's go!" she exclaimed. "Lead me to it."
After her disappointment at losing Susie, and her strenuous day inthe heat, the relaxation of swimming in the lovely out-door pool wasexactly what Linda needed. The water was cool and refreshing, and thesurroundings charming.
For half an hour Linda swam lazily about, resting now and then on herback, occasionally mounting the board for a dive. At last she feltthat she had had enough, and seated herself on the edge of the pool,dangling her feet in the water, and watching Dot perform all sorts offancy dives, for the other girl was a real champion.
"What a marvelous girl Dot is," Linda was thinking, when she wassuddenly startled by the sound of a masculine voice, almost in her veryear.
"Ann! Think of finding you here!"
Linda squirmed a little, thinking that the man must have made a mistakein thinking she was some other girl. For the time being, she forgot allabout her middle name.
"Miss Carlton," insisted the voice.
Turning about, she saw Jackson behind her,
"How do you do?" she said, coolly.
The young man became embarrassed at her manner. He did not know what tosay.
"Miss Crowley is a marvelous diver," he muttered, though it wasn't thatthat he wanted to talk about.
"Yes, I think so," agreed Linda.
There was a silence. The girl made no effort to be entertaining.
"You really are the girl who flew across the ocean alone, and won thatbig prize?" he persisted.
"Yes." Linda made a half-hearted gesture to repress a yawn. JacksonCarter needn't think he could buy her favor by flattery!
"But why didn't you tell Hal and me that, when we found you in theswamp?"
"It had no particular bearing on the subject, that I could see."
"If my mother had known that----"
"If your mother didn't wish to receive me at her home," interruptedLinda, "there was no reason in the world why she should. Everyone has aright to her own opinion!"
"But now that we've been formally introduced, it's different," heurged. "Please tell me how long you'll be in Jacksonville."
"We're leaving tomorrow," she said, rising. "And will you please excuseme--as I see Dot going to the dressing-room?"