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_"I wish we had brought some snowshoes," Merry remarked._
The Seven Sleuths' Club
_By_ CAROL NORTON
Author of "The Phantom Yacht," "Bobs, A Girl Detective," etc.
The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York
Copyright MCMXXVIII The Saalfield Publishing Co. _Printed in the United States of America_
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE I. Enter the S. S. C. 3 II. Snow Maidens 9 III. A Merry Adventure 15 IV. Interesting News 29 V. A Mischievous Plan 36 VI. Milk Maids and Butter Churners 44 VII. An Unwilling Hostess 51 VIII. Three Letters 59 IX. A Returned Call 72 X. Wanted--A Housekeeper 80 XI. A Rebellious Boy 93 XII. A Sleigh-ride Party 98 XIII. A Bag of Gold 106 XIV. Two Conspirators 118 XV. A Boy's Repentance 125 XVI. The Heart of a Snob 137 XVII. First Day in a New School 144 XVIII. A Mystery to Solve 153 XIX. Searching for Clues 163 XX. The Sleuths Sleuthing 171 XXI. A Valentine Party 183 XXII. A New Resolve 194 XXIII. A Proud Cook 201 XXIV. Kindness Rewarded 211 XXV. A Much Loved Girl 219 XXVI. A Happy Reunion 225 XXVII. Home, Sweet Home 231
THE SEVEN SLEUTHS' CLUB
CHAPTER I. ENTER THE S. S. C.
A musical gong, resounding through the corridors of the Sunnysideseminary, was the signal for the opening of doors and the trooping out ofgirls of all ages, in twos and threes and groups; some with ribbonedbraids, a few with long curls but most of them with saucy bobs. It was aten-minute recreation between changing classes. Had it been summer, oneand all would have flocked out on the wide green lawns to play a game oftoss ball for a few merry moments, or to rest on benches under the greatold elms, or to saunter up and down the flower-bordered paths, but, sinceit was a wild, blustery day in January, the pupils of Miss Demorest'sschool for select young ladies contented themselves, some of them withopening the heavy front door and uttering little screams of pretendedfear or of sincere delight when a snow-laden gust brushed past them,leaving those nearest with wind-tossed hair.
Six of them, having no curiosity, it would seem, concerning the weather,gathered about the wide fireplace in the library for a few moments ofhurried gossip.
"Where's Merry?" Peggy Pierce asked as she glanced toward the open doorthat led into the music-room. "She said we were to come in here and waitfor her. She's made a wild and wonderful discovery, she told me in class.If Miss Preens didn't have eyes in the back of her head, Merry would havetold me what it was, but, just as she was starting, around whirled thatliving skeleton and pointed an accusing bony finger at us as she moanedin that deep, uncanny voice of hers: 'Miss Marion Lee, one demerit forwhispering. Miss Peggy Pierce, one demerit for listening.' Say, _can_ youbeat that?"
"I don't think she's human," Rosamond Wright declared, her iris-blueeyes, round and serious. "Honest, true, I think she has demoniacalpowers."
"That's too much for me!" laughed little Betty Byrd. "Where do you learnsuch long words, Rose? I'm still using monosyllables."
"Sounds like it!" Bertha Angel commented.
"To return to the subject under discussion, where do you suppose thepresident of the 'S. S. C.' is?" Peggy Pierce glanced at her wrist watch,but, as usual, it had stopped running.
"Time, Peg? According to my old reliable there's just five minutes moreof recess and----" Doris Dreel broke off to exclaim gleefully:
"Here she comes! Here's Merry!" Then to the girl who, laughing andtowsled, appeared in the doorway leading from the corridor, Rosamondcried: "What's the big idea, Merry? Didn't you call a fireplace meetingfor the very minute after the gong rang, and now it's time for the nextgong and we haven't heard what you have to tell us."
But Merry, although she tried to look repentant, was laughing so hardthat still another moment was wasted while she made an effort to composeherself. Down on a comfortably upholstered chair she sank, thrusting herfeet out toward the blaze. She had laughed herself limp.
"What, pray tell, _is_ the joke? I suppose you are aware of the fact thatthis is January the tenth and not April the first?" Peggy could be quitesarcastic at times.
"O, I say, Peg, have a heart! I did mean to be here, but just as I wasleaving class the Living Skeleton laid a bony hand on my shoulder andtold me to remain in my seat through the recess and think of my sins, andof course I had to, but all I could think of was the peach of a news-itemwhich I have to impart, and so, the very minute she left the room, Ibroke through that mob out in the corridor and here I am." Then,twinkling-eyed, she looked up at the others who were standing about her."In a thousand years, not one of you could guess what I've found out."
"Heavens, Merry! Don't start that old gag of yours, trying to keep us insuspense. Out with it or the gong will----" Peg's conclusion was notheard, for the gong, evidently hearing its cue, pealed out six malevolentstrokes.
"Tragic fate!" The culprit was too mischievous-looking to seem sincerelyrepentant. "Terribly sorry, girls, but I'd hate to spoil the thrillyou'll all get when you hear my news by rattling it off in such a shorttime."
"Well then, after school. What say?" Betty Byrd asked, but the gold-brownbobbed curls were being shaken. "Can't be done, my love. I've got topractice with Professor Long-locks. Hadn't opened my music book sincelast week, and say, but didn't he lay down the law! If I won't practiceby myself," says he, "then I shall practice in his presence." She drew along face. "Heaven pity me!" Then hurriedly, as they joined the throng inthe corridors, she whispered to Rose, who was next to her: "Tomorrow willbe Saturday. If I live till then, round up the crowd and come over to myhouse after lunch and be prepared to hear _some_ news."
"Merry Lee, _are_ you whispering again?"
"Yes'm, Miss Liv--er--I mean, Miss Preens, but it was awful important.Please excuse me this time and I will try not to again offend."
Such penitence was in the brown eyes that glanced beseechingly up at thespindlingly tall monitress that for the moment Miss Preens was almostinclined to accept the apology. Herding forty girls to the study hall andbeing sure that none of them whispered _was_ rather of a task, and, rightat that very moment she was sure that she saw two heads near the frontsuspiciously close together, and so she pushed through the ranks, atleast a head and a half taller than any girl in the
school.
"What a wife she'd make for an ogre!" Merry turned, laughing eyes, towardthe girl following her.
It happened to be one of the seniors, and a blue ribbon one at that, andso the humorous suggestion was not met with appreciation.
Merry's mental comment was, "When _I_ get to be a senior, at least I'llbe human."
Just as they were entering the study hall for a brief moment Betty Byrdwas close. "I just can't wait till tomorrow," the youngest member of theS. S. C. whispered.
Merry put a warning finger on her lips. Betty glanced up and saw thesharp eyes of Miss Preen turning in their direction.
"Poor Miss Preen!" Merry thought as she sank into her seat and drew aFrench book from her desk preparing to study. "I wouldn't be her, not fora million!"