The End of the Trail

Read The End of the Trail for Free Online

Book: Read The End of the Trail for Free Online
Authors: Franklin W. Dixon
time ago. I was just born then.”
    â€œThis will be fine,” Frank said. “Should we pay you now or before we leave?”
    â€œOh, don’t worry about it,” Mrs. Hibley said. “You boys can settle up with me tomorrow. Just come in and have supper with me in half an hour. Then you can have a nice sleep.” She left the room with a smile, closing the door behind her.
    Before the boys followed her out to the dining room, they washed up. “Looks like we’re stuck in Morgan’s Quarry for the night,” Joe said, lathering his hands.
    â€œAnd maybe longer than that,” Frank added. “Sheriff Brickfield didn’t look happy to let anybody go on that trail.”
    â€œIf it’s just a storm,” Phil said, “it should clear up by tomorrow.”
    â€œMaybe,” Frank said.
    â€œSomething got you suspicious?” Joe asked.
    â€œI’m not sure,” Frank said. “There’s just something about this whole town.”
    â€œYeah, I’m sensing something’s wrong big time,” Joe said. “But maybe we’re just hungry. Let’s go eat.”
    â€œI’m in favor of that,” Chet said, and led the way to the dining room. It had been a long day.
    â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢
    The first to wake up the next morning was Chet. The aroma of pancakes and sausages filled the air.
    â€œSmells like an old-fashioned country breakfast!” Chet declared.
    Joe peered out wearily from underneath his pillow. “I feel like I’ve just walked a hundred and fifty miles.”
    â€œYou have,” Frank said. “We all have.”
    Chet leaped out of bed. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready to eat.”
    â€œHas there ever been a time when you weren’t ready to eat?” Joe asked.
    â€œI hope that shower has lots of hot water,” Frank said. “Even after a shower last night, I’ve stilll got enough dirt on me to grow tomatoes.”
    â€œTomatoes sound good,” Chet declared.
    After showering Chet followed his nose out into the hallway and into the dining room, just one door down from where they had been sleeping. Mrs. Hibley was busy setting plates on a large table.
    â€œOh, you boys are just in time,” she said cheerfully. “I’ve made a big breakfast for you. Are you hungry?”
    â€œYou’ve got that right,” Chet said, planting himself at the table and looking up expectantly.
    â€œWatch out for Chet,” Frank said, walking in with a groggy look on his face. “He’ll eat you out of house and home.”
    â€œI don’t think that’s likely,” Mrs. Hibley said. “I’ve got plenty of food.”
    â€œYou haven’t met Chet,” Joe said, entering with Phil.
    Mrs. Hibley began serving breakfast, bringing in platters filled with scrambled eggs, home fries, pancakes, and sausages. Chet piled large amounts of each item on his plate.
    â€œThank you very much, ma’am,” Chet told Mrs. Hibley. “I think I’d like to live here.”
    â€œIt’s a pleasure to feed someone with such a healthy appetite,” Mrs. Hibley responded.
    The other teens joined Chet in digging in. Mrs. Hibley’s breakfast was delicious. Joe and Frank missed their aunt Gertrude’s cooking, but Mrs. Hibley’s was almost as good.
    Chet held out his plate. “Can I have seconds on those pancakes?”
    Mrs. Hibley beamed. “Why, of course you can.”
    â€œWe just love your cooking, Mrs. Hibley,” Joe said. “I’d like some more of these sausages, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œYou’re starting to sound like Chet,” Frank said to his brother. “Actually, I’d like some more scrambled eggs myself.”
    â€œAnd home fries?” Phil asked.
    â€œComing right up,” Mrs. Hibley said. “Oh, I just love cooking for a roomful of young men.”
    Joe leaned

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