had settled in the west. Still, it did not appear to be rolling up very fast, and Nancy told herself that there was no need to worry.
“It won’t rain for an hour or two, and by that time I’ll be home,” she thought.
Nancy took her time on the road and it was nearly eleven o’clock when she finally drove into Masonville. She went at once to Judge Hartgrave’s office but was informed that he had gone to the courthouse. Nancy knew that the legal papers which she had been sent to deliver were important, and rather than leave them with the office girl she set off in search of the judge.
She had considerable trouble in finding him, and it was nearly twelve o’clock when at last she delivered the manilla envelope into his hands. Learning that Nancy was the daughter of Carson Drew, Judge Hartgrave insisted that she take luncheon at his home before returning to River Heights.
Nancy accepted the invitation and spent a very pleasant hour in company with the judge and his wife. When at last she had insisted that she must start for home, it was after one-thirty.
“I have half a notion to take a different route back,” she told Judge Hartgrave, as she stepped into her blue roadster. “It’s a beautiful drive on the River Road. But the trip will take longer, and I am afraid it may rain.”
Judge Hartgrave looked up at the sky, but, in spite of a general murkiness, the sun was shining.
“Oh, I don’t believe it will rain for an hour or two,” he said optimistically. “That big cloud is only bluffing.”
“Then I’ll take the River Road,” Nancy decided.