CHAPTER XVI That Dark Woman
"If he had taken his car, or even the boat, it wouldn't seem so--soominous," Arden reasoned as they drove homeward. "But to find them boththere, and Tania practically starving. Well----"
"That broken cupboard, too," Sim said. "I feel sure that's where he usedto keep the snuffbox. Do you remember the day we came to tea? The soundof a small door and a key in the lock?"
"It certainly looked as though it had been forced open," Terry replied.
"I hate to tell Chief Reilly. I'm afraid he'll get things all mixed up.Let's wait a little longer, and we'll do whatever your mother advises,"Arden said, and Terry agreed, silently nodding her head.
The storm was surely now at its height. In some parts of the road, wherethere was not much distance to the ocean, the waves had been blown in sothat a curved white line of foam was left on the ground almost under thewheels of the car. The sand came in sheets, blowing and sticking on thewet windshield, making the driving difficult indeed.
Mrs. Landry did not hide her relief when they put the car in the garageand came tramping into the house.
"Did you find him?" she asked brightly, and then at once knew they hadnot, for they looked at her hopelessly and shook their heads.
"No one has seen him for days," Terry said briefly.
"He didn't even buy food for Tania," added Arden. "Do you supposesomething terrible has happened to him? That someone knew he had thatsnuffbox and----"
"I don't believe so," Mrs. Landry soothed, talking slowly and softly, asone speaks to a frightened child. "I'm sure you will hear good news inthe morning. Come, get your damp things off and see how much betteryou'll feel after you've had some of Ida's chicken pie."
Later, when they ate the pie and apparently enjoyed it, wise Mrs. Landrykept the conversational ball rolling as well as she could, but it was noteasy. There was so much worry in their serious young faces that smileswere few and far between among the girls.
They retired early, tired from their long walk through the rain and therough drive to the village and back. But healthy bodies make healthyminds, and next morning they were surprised, and a little ashamed, athaving slept so well; in fact, at having overslept so well.
"We must go and feed Tania," Arden decided after breakfast. "We'll lookmore carefully this time for some clues and hope for the best."
Tania was overjoyed to see them and ate greedily of the food Sim gave herfrom one of the cans she had bought the day before.
"Was that chair like that yesterday?" Terry asked indicating anoverturned rocker.
"I don't remember," Sim answered. "I was so excited."
"I don't, either, but Tania might have done it," Arden suggested.
"Then it doesn't indicate a struggle or anything," Terry remarked. "Iguess it wasn't important, anyway."
"Tania will be safer here than anywhere else, and she hates the rain so,"Sim said in fixing little things for the lonely dog's comfort.
They left the _Merry Jane_ again, much the same as they had found her,and returned to "Buckingham Palace," finally deciding to tell ChiefReilly if they did not hear from Dimitri by noon.
They were about to drive to town to deliver their doleful message whenthe sound of a car coming down the muddy road filled them with suddenhope.
Surely this was Dimitri coming back safe and sound! If only it couldbe----
"Oh, gosh!" Sim exclaimed. "I'm glad he's back! I was so worried."
"Me, too!" said Terry ungrammatically.
They waited at the back gate and watched the splashing approach of thecar. Mud-stained as it was, they could still distinguish the color. Agreen roadster!
It came to a sudden stop with screeching of brakes, and the door, withgrimy side curtains attached, was swung open.
Then they could see that the dark Olga was behind the wheel, hesitatingbefore putting a black satin shoe on the muddy ground as she prepared tostep out.
She smiled as she saw the three girls in a row looking at her in dismay.
"A reception committee. Yes?" she asked. "Good-morning! Here I am again,you see."
"Good-morning," Arden replied mechanically, trying to look past the womaninto the car. Woefully there came to her the realization that itcontained no one but Olga. There was no sign of Dimitri.
Suddenly, Arden feared that Sim or Terry might give away their discoveryabout Dimitri's absence before she had a chance to question the woman andlearn if Olga knew of his disappearance.
But Sim and Terry acted as if struck dumb. They had been so sure thattheir artist friend would be in the car. Surely, Arden thought, Olgacould see surprise and dismay in their faces. Perhaps she did not notice,or perhaps she was only concerned with herself, for when she spoke againshe asked if they could do her the very great favor of taking her over tothe _Merry Jane_.
"Why, I guess----" began Arden and then decided on a bold question. "Butwhy didn't you take the road from the village? You must have come past itas you drove out."
"A road from the village!" Olga repeated. "I thought there was no wayexcept to go by boat from here."
"Oh, yes," Terry explained. "There is a way. This road you are on nowbranches off farther back and goes through the marsh, right to thehouseboat. Of course, it is not much of a road, but it is wide enough forone car."
"Really?" The dark woman raised black, curved brows. "I did not mean tobe such a great trouble."
"Oh, it's no trouble," Arden exclaimed quickly. "If the bay were not sorough, we would be glad to take you. But the storm----" It would not doto make Olga antagonistic. They could learn nothing then.
"I guess you will have to drive----" began Sim but a look from Ardenstopped her from continuing.
"And if I meet Dimitri coming out in his handsome car, we will be liketwo goats on the bridge. Yes?" Olga smiled as she still sat in the auto,reluctant to put her dainty feet on the wet ground.
"But you won't meet him," Terry said quickly. "He's not there!" Shewaited to see what effect this statement would have on the mysteriouswoman.
"No? He often goes away, sketching. He is very strong. A sea such as thiswild one would delight him. However, I will go over and wait for him."Olga decided and drew her slim legs back into the car as she prepared todrive away.
"But he won't come back; at least, we don't think he will. He's been gonefor days without taking the car or his skiff, and the houseboat was noteven locked," Arden stated and watched the woman closely for her reactionto that statement.
"What do you mean?" Olga asked shrilly and jumped quickly out of the carto stand squarely in front of Arden. She looked straight into Arden'seyes and repeated her question. "What do you mean? What are you trying totell me?"
"Dimitri's gone," said Arden simply.
"Gone?" Olga asked. "Come, we must go over at once! There is something Imust find out!"
And then the excitement began all over again.