The Message in the Hollow Oak by Carolyn Keene Page B

friends arrive. Did Art tell you they’re coming?”
    “He didn’t say a word,” Julie Anne replied.
    Art lowered his eyes. Was it possible he did not like the idea? Quickly Nancy explained about the five friends who would join her on the river trip.
    “That’s fine,” said Theresa. “And bring them back with you after the trip. We’ve plenty of room. As for your leaving here today, I insist that you stay until it’s time to go meet your friends.”
    The archaeologist requested that everyone get back to work Nancy picked up her shovel.
    The boys had unearthed the fine skeleton of a man and carried it to the laboratory. Here they planned to wire it together so it could be hung up and exhibited. When the others finished work, they all trooped to the barn to see it.
    The skeleton was suspended from a rod which the boys had put up. Theresa was very much pleased and said it was one of the finest specimens ever to be uncovered.
    “Any museum would be delighted to have this,” she remarked, “but I’m glad it will be on exhibit at Paulson University.”
    After dinner Nancy invited Julie Anne to go on the towboat trip.
    “Oh how exciting!” she exclaimed. “Suppose I ask Theresa right away.”
    She hurried off. On the way to find the leader, Julie Anne met Art who was about to make the same request. Both promised Theresa they would work doubly hard as soon as they returned to the dig.
    “All right, go ahead,” Theresa said. “Neither of you has been in this area before and it will be a nice side trip for you.”
    As usual the evening was gay with singing and for the time being everyone forgot about Nancy’s mysterious note. Finally all the boys went home except Bob Snell, who remained on guard.
    The girls fell asleep quickly but at once Nancy began having worrisome dreams. She could see pirates attacking towboats and barges. She spotted sneaking figures in the moonlight, and finally when someone tried to grab Père François’s treasure from her, she woke up.
    “Oh!” she said softly. “What a nightmare!”
    Everything around her was peaceful but Nancy could not get back to sleep. Finally she arose, pulled on slacks and a shirt and went outdoors. She did not see Bob Snell and wondered where he was. Restless, she walked past the dig site and around the house to the farmyard.
    The night was dark, with few stars, but her eyes soon became accustomed to this. She could make out the shape of the old barn. Beyond it lay the wide empty field and the woods. Far in the distance a dog barked and another answered.
    Nancy wondered where Bob was. Perhaps behind the barn-lab? She considered turning on her flashlight, but instinct told her not to.
    “What’s the matter with you?” she asked herself sternly. “You’re actually nervous!”
    The next moment she heard a low creaking noise. Someone was slowly opening the barn door! Instantly she knew it was not Bob. He would not be so cautious about it.
    Before Nancy could investigate, a strange ghost-like shape appeared from the ramshackle building. Nancy’s heart began to pound as she saw what it was. A skeleton was walking toward her!
    Nancy blinked several times, then her good sense returned and she knew someone was carrying the skeleton in front of him.
    He must be a thief! Walking on tiptoe but quickly, Nancy came up to the skeleton. Someone was indeed carrying it!
    “Put that down!” she ordered, reaching out to grab the bony figure.
    There was a startled grunt from behind the skeleton and the next moment a man thrust it at her, brushed past, and ran fast toward the road.
    “Bob! Bob!” Nancy shouted, but got no reply.
    She did not dare pursue the fugitive. It was too dangerous, and besides, she had retrieved the valuable fossil and must hold onto it.
    “I’d better put this back in the lab.”
    As she was about to walk to the barn, two flashlights appeared from the farmhouse. Julie Anne was holding one, Theresa the other.
    Seeing the skeleton, Julie Anne gave a