“But you don’t want to miss the launch ride, Nancy. You’ll have a splendid opportunity to see all the summer cottages on Moon Lake.”
“Summer cottages?” Nancy asked quickly. Instantly she thought of the Topham bungalow and wondered where it was located. Undoubtedly, the launch ride would give her the opportunity to find out.
“You’ll go, won’t you?” Helen begged. “You can rest after supper.”
“Yes, I’ll go,” Nancy promised. “You couldn’t keep me here.”
Although she was tired, she was really enjoying herself immensely.
Six girls loaded themselves into the launch and someone started the motor.
“It’s always a relief when the engine starts,” Helen explained. “Every so often it balks.”
As the little launch turned out into the lake, it seemed to Nancy that she had never seen a more beautiful sight. The sun, which appeared to be sinking down into the water, resembled a great ball of fire. Yet, she did not forget the real purpose of the trip.
“The Tophams have a bungalow up here, haven’t they?” she questioned.
“Yes, it’s across the lake from here. We’ll come to it presently.”
“The Tophams aren’t there now?”
“Oh, no, the cottage is closed. There’s a negro caretaker who looks after it—they call him Jeff Tucker.”
“Is it hard to get to the place?”
“Oh, not if you go by launch. But it’s a long way if you take the road around the lake. I didn’t know you were particularly interested in the