I shrugged. "Do just as you like," I said, "but don't expect me to explain things to Aunt Cal!"
"Leave Aunt Cal to me!" Eve laughed lightly and began to climb down from the wagon. Without enthusiasm I followed her and once more found myself making my way over the wall, across the yard toward the tangled garden. It was getting to be a habit, I reflected. It almost seemed as if some unknown force kept drawing us back to the old house and its secrets.
Michael pointed out the place where a new hole had been dug nearby where we had discovered the first one, and apparently hastily filled in again. Could it be that Bangs had returned?
"You'd hardly think he'd dare hang around," Eve said thoughtfully.
"It just shows how badly he wants that treasure," Hattie May cried. "He's willing to take any risk."
"Wish I could think of a way to get my flashlight," Michael said, glancing toward the house. "I think I'll just have a try at those cellar windows on a chance," he added. "Be right back."
"They're all nailed fast," Eve called after him. But he strode on.
We sat down on the edge of the fountain. The statue of Circe still lay where we had left it, reclining in the leaf strewn bowl. Hattie May began poking with a stick in the newly filled hole. Several minutes went by and Michael did not return. "He must have got in after all," Eve said, glancing a little apprehensively I thought, toward the thick growth of bushes that obscured our view of the rear of the house.
As she spoke our attention was caught by the sound of a car coming up the hill. Automobiles passed that way so seldom that we all jumped up instinctively. To our surprise it appeared to be slowing down in front of the house. Then suddenly I recognized Miss Blossom's little coupe and saw that lady's ample bulk at the wheel. A woman beside her was leaning over and peering out.
I groaned as I looked. "Aunt Cal! If that isn't just our luck!"
Hattie May giggled. "Look, the fat lady is waving!"
"Come on," Eve started for the wall. "I'll explain everything satisfactorily to Aunt Cal."
We climbed back over the wall. Miss Blossom beamed upon us. "We're out joy riding," she explained. "I told Cal she needed a little relaxation from her responsibilities. We've been doing forty miles an hour before we struck the hill!"