foolishly ran up the side of that gully."

"But how was I going to be able to recognize them if I hadn't seen them?"

When they reached their car, Peggy began hurling questions at them. "Florence'll tell you everything," Jo Ann said as she started the car
quickly and turned up the rough road toward the city, adding, "I'm
heading toward the city so those men won't know where we live." After she had gone a short distance, she wound back out of the village by
the rough back streets. When she finally cut back onto the main road, she
threw an anxious look back up the road toward the village. There was no
sign of a car to be seen.

"We fooled them," she said, well pleased.

"I believe we did," agreed Florence. "They probably think we live in the
city."

When, two hours later, the girls and the two boys reached the mine, the
girls had completely recovered from their nervousness over their
encounter with the smugglers.

Florence was enthusiastic over the attractive appearance and cleanliness
of the great stone house, which of course delighted Miss Prudence.

"While you are here, Florence," she said, "we'll all have to make a trip
to the city to buy materials for draperies and couch and pillow covers to
brighten up this gloomy old house. It still reminds me of a barracks,
even if it is clean."

"I think that'll be fine," approved Florence, exchanging pleased glances
with Jo Ann and Peggy. "We all love to go to the city."

Of the three Jo Ann was the most delighted. She must get to the city and
find the mystery man, especially now that she had some more information
about the smugglers. "Can't we go tomorrow, Miss Prudence?" she asked
eagerly.

Miss Prudence shook her head. "No. I want to finish all the cleaning
first."

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