The Secret of Red Gate Farm by Carolyn Keene Page A

Nancy to distribute the letters. As she was sorting them out, she came to one addressed to the Black Snake Colony.
    “Look!” Nancy exclaimed. “This letter belongs to the nature cult. The mailman must have put it in our box by mistake.”
    “What will you do?” asked Bess seriously. “Drive over with it?”
    “Of course not,” growled Mr. Abbott, who had just entered the room. “You keep away from those outrageous people. Take it back to the post office.”
    Nancy studied the postmark. It was very blurred. Could it be Riverside Heights, or was she mistaken? Her curiosity about the mysterious cult was now even more aroused. Perhaps she could deliver the letter in person! But she got no further in her plan, for just then a neighbor passed on his way to town. Mrs. Byrd handed him the letter to remail.
    Nancy felt disappointed, but was determined to find out in some way what was going on “over the hill.” “If I can only be alone with Bess and George a little later, maybe we can come up with some plan” she thought.
    There had been a letter from Mr. Drew, informing Nancy that he had returned home. “At least Dad’s making progress on his case!” she said to herself.
    Then Nancy hurried off to the barn where the “city slickers,” as Reuben called them, were to have a milking lesson.
    “It’s no trick at all!” Bess insisted. “Give me that pail and I’ll show you just how it’s done.”
    Reuben handed over the bucket, and Bess marched determinedly up to the cow.
    “Nice bossy,” she murmured, giving the animal a timid pat on the neck.
    The cow responded with a suspicious look and flirt of her tail. As Bess set down the milking stool, the cow kicked it over.
    Bess sprang back in alarm. “You can’t expect me to milk a vicious cow!” she exclaimed.
    Joanne and Reuben exploded with laughter.
    “Primrose is an extremely smart cow,” Reuben drawled. “She won’t stand being milked except from the side she’s used to!”
    Reluctantly Bess picked up the overturned stool and went around to the left side. The cow leisurely moved herself sideways.
    “I give up! Here, you try it, George.”
    “Oh, no, Bess. I wouldn’t spoil your fun for anything!”
    After a great deal of maneuvering, Bess succeeded in handling the whole procedure to the satisfaction of Primrose. Nancy came last, and she, too, was a bit awkward. When Reuben finally sat down to do the milking, the girls watched him with admiration. “It just takes practice,” he said, smiling.
    That evening Mrs. Salisbury and Mr. Abbott had their usual disagreement and both retired early. Mrs. Byrd soon followed, leaving the girls alone on the porch.
    “Do you think there will be any activity on the hill tonight?” George asked suddenly.
    “I’m not sure,” Joanne answered. “But it’s a good clear night and the moon is full, so the setting is perfect for it.”
    “I’m dying to see what those nature enthusiasts look like,” added Bess. “Just so they don’t come too close!”
    It was a lovely evening and Nancy had been only half listening to the chatter. She remained silent and thoughtful. The letter addressed to the Black Snake Colony was still very much on her mind.
    “What’s up, Nancy?” Bess finally asked, noticing her friend’s silence.
    “Three guesses,” Nancy replied with a laugh. “I’m still curious about that envelope I had in my hands this afternoon. I’m almost certain that blurred postmark read Riverside Heights.”
    “Even if it did,” George remarked, “it could have been written by almost anyone and simply mailed in Riverside Heights.”
    “I suppose you’re right,” Nancy agreed. “I guess I’m trying too hard. But let’s walk over toward the hill.”
    The four girls started off. They crossed one field in front of the house and were just climbing a rail fence to the next one when Nancy cried out:
    “Am I seeing things? Look! Over there on that hill!”
    Following her gaze, the girls were astonished to