Free The Message in the Hollow Oak by Carolyn Keene Page A

When he pulled up to the entrance of the Delta Motel, they said good-by and went inside.
    Art and the girls checked their luggage, then had a light lunch. Nancy suggested that they take a taxi to the airfield and meet Ned and the others. During the ride Art did not say a word. When they reached the field he walked off by himself.
    “What’s eating him?” Julie Anne asked.
    “Competition,” Nancy replied. “Julie Anne, I think you’ll have to cheer up poor Art.”
    The girl beamed. “Do you think I ran do it? He’s been tagging after you ever since you arrived.”
    “Of course you can,” Nancy said. “Why don’t you start in right now by walking over to him?”
    Julie Anne liked this idea and set off at once. Nancy strolled up and down but kept an eye on the couple. Pretty soon she was delighted to see that Art was actually laughing. When the helicopter from St. Louis hove into sight he took Julie Anne’s arm and brought her over to where Nancy was standing.
    There was wild enthusiasm as Nancy greeted Bess and George and the boys. Julie Anne, meanwhile, had rushed up to her cousin Ned and hugged him. Then she introduced him to Art. The two shook hands and Ned was most cordial, but Art seemed aloof.
    There was a lot of chatter on the way to the motel. The newcomers were shocked when they heard about the mysterious happenings at the dig, and the two disappearances plus the at tempted kidnapping of Nancy.
    Burt, blond and husky, said, “I wish I’d been here to capture those two guys.”
    Dave, a green-eyed rangy blond, added, “Pretty bold guys!”
    Both Bess and George expressed their deep concern for Nancy.
    “Maybe you’re not safe anywhere around here,” Bess added.
    Nancy, happy at being reunited with her friends, laughed it off. “Kit Kadle would have to be the world’s best swimmer to get out to the towboat. I understand swimming in the Ohio is dangerous because of step-offs and strong undercurrents.”
    Presently the group reached the motel and the new arrivals added their bags to the other luggage. Together the eight visitors strolled around the small town. Many of the houses were modest frame structures, but on a lovely tree-lined street they found several Victorian mansions.
    One stately red-brick house was open for inspection and they took the tour. As they walked through the handsome high-ceilinged rooms, Bess kept her eye on Art. It had not taken her long to realize that the young man had become very fond of Nancy and resented Ned’s being there. She was intrigued at the way he found excuses to speak to Nancy whenever Ned was not nearby.
    At first Ned did not seem to notice this, but he soon realized the situation. From then on the two boys did not say a word to each other.
    “Hm!” Bess thought. “Here’s a problem in jealousy!”
    She decided to do something about it. While they were admiring the silver tea service in the dining room, Bess said to Art, “Julie Anne is a great girl, don’t you think?”
    “Why—uh—yes,” he answered.
    Nancy overheard the remark and was fearful something unpleasant might happen to ruin the trip. Quickly she interrupted.
    “Art likes everybody, so it’s hard for him to be nicer to one person than another.”
    The young man paused a moment. “I guess that’s right,” he replied and walked off.
    Nancy took Bess aside. “Please don’t say any more. Apparently you’ve seen a little tension here. I’m hoping Art will pay more attention to Julie Anne, but I can’t rush it.”
    Bess nodded “I wouldn’t want to start anything for the world.”
    Nancy and her friends had an early dinner at a small restaurant, then hailed a taxi. They picked up then luggage and the boys’ sleeping bags, and rode to the rivertiont. A tugboat took them out a short distance to a white towboat with red trim. How spick and span it looked!
    A broad-shouldered man with a ruddy face met them on a narrow deck and helped the girls aboard. “Welcome to the Sally O,” he