Then, at the side of the road, the barn loomed up, and in relief Nancy saw that the doors were wide open. Without an instant’s hesitation, she headed straight for the building and drove in.
Safely inside, she turned off the motor and the lights, and with a sigh of relief sank back against the cushions.
“Well, you got in just in time,” said a pleasant voice behind her.
Startled, Nancy Drew turned quickly and saw a girl of her own age regarding her with interest. Even as the stranger spoke, the storm broke in full violence. A cold blast of wind rattled the barn doors and sent a sheet of rain inside.
“I beg your pardon,” Nancy apologized, as she climbed from the roadster. “It wasn’t very polite of me to run in here the way I did.”
“You’re more than welcome to the shelter, I am sure,” the stranger told her kindly. “I’m afraid we haven’t much else to offer.”
In the semidarkness, Nancy studied the girl curiously. She had been impressed with her cultured voice and manner, and now she noted that her clothing, while not expensive, was neat and well made. The girl did not appear to be the daughter of a farmer who would live on this poor land, yet she seemed to fit into her background.
“It looks to me as though we’re in for a real storm,” the girl said and smiled pleasantly. She glanced outside at the pelting rain. “I’m afraid you’ll be forced to remain here for some time.”
“So long as I’m not out in the rain I don’t mind,” Nancy replied quickly. “That is, if you don’t object.”