“You weren’t?” Bob asked. “Maybe you forgot that he could be the living descendant of the Carter I read about. Labron Carter, who lost his fortune building the tunnel at Seaside and then killed himself because he was ruined. You said yourself, he would certainly know about the old tunnel and cave. And that he might want to get even with the people at Seaside for ruining his father. And, with his kind of temper, he’s the kind of guy who could sure do it, too!”
Jupiter shook his head. “Mr. Carter’s not the man I suspect of creating the dragon in the cave.”
“Why not?” Pete interrupted. “What makes you so sure?”
“One thing,” Jupe said. “When we met Mr. Carter, he did a lot of yelling. But he didn’t have a cold. We met a man who was very clever about making things that scared people. If you recall, he did have a cold. And I associate him with the dragon because, as you will remember, it coughed!”
Bob blinked. “You think Arthur Shelby is the joker who made the dragon? I mean — if it’s really a constructed one, and not real!”
Jupe nodded. “It could be Mr. Allen, too. He knows a lot about dragons. But my guess is Shelby.”
“But why Shelby?” Bob asked. “He made scary things to keep people from bothering him at his home. What does he have to do with the cave? It’s not his.”
“That’s what we intend to find out this evening,” Jupe said. He glanced at his watch. “I suggest we get ready.”
“You’re forgetting somebody else,” Pete said. “You two are only guessing about Carter, Allen or Shelby. But there were two other men there, and we all saw them!”
“That’s right!” Bob said. “The skin divers! And they said something about having to continue their work, before they disappeared.”
Pete snapped the big box that locked up the projector. Then he glanced at Jupiter.
“Well?” he demanded. “Am I wrong? What about those two tough guys? Couldn’t they have something to do with it?”
Jupiter nodded. “They certainly could. And, if they turn up tonight my suggestion is — project your film for their entertainment.”
“What about the dragon?” Pete asked. “It might be there, too, you know.”
Jupe nodded again. “That should be even more interesting. We’ve all heard how a mouse can frighten an elephant. It remains to be seen if an ant can scare a dragon!”
It was dark on the ridge above the beach at Seaside. The narrow, secluded street was quiet as Worthington eased the Rolls-Royce close to the kerb and stopped.
Bob stepped out first. He glanced quizzically along the quiet street. “Why so far away this time, Jupe?” he asked. “You’ve left us a good walk to the staircase.”
“Merely being cautious,” Jupiter replied. “The Rolls-Royce might have attracted attention here already. If Hans were available this evening, his truck might have provided better cover.”
Pete staggered out, swinging the projector in its case. He looked at the long walk ahead of him and groaned. “Don’t mind me. By the time I get there with this load, my arms will reach the ground.”.
“That wouldn’t be too bad,” Bob said smiling nervously. “You’d pass for an apeman, then. Maybe you’d scare our dragon!”
Pete grunted in reply, and shouldered the case. “Wait, Pete, we’ll give you a hand with that,” Jupe offered.
The tall boy shook his head. “No, thanks. I can make it. It’s my responsibility. I guess I’ll be stuck with it all night, considering I’m the only one who knows how to work it.”
Jupe smiled. “Your contribution may prove to be the deciding factor this evening, Pete. Let’s hope it works!”
They left Worthington to wait in the car and moved swiftly along the deserted street. Dark clouds obscured the moon. Below they could hear the booming of the heavy surf as it thundered on the beach.
Pete glanced up at the sky nervously. “I wish it wasn’t so dark tonight.”
“We’re all nervous,” Jupe admitted. “But darkness is our best protection until we reach the cave.”
They were perhaps twenty paces from the staircase leading down to the beach when they heard footsteps.
“Quick! Hit the ground!” Pete urged.
The Three Investigators hurled themselves to the side and rolled behind the thin bushes bordering the sandy vacant ground.
The footsteps came closer along the path. They sounded heavy, confident, and aggressive. Then they slowed and became softer, stealthier. The boys huddled closer, and hugged the ground. Somebody was stalking them!
From the shadows, they were able to see the figure as it came closer. Soon it was almost abreast of them. They stared in fright.
They had seen that bulky figure before. And as they saw it again, their eyes automatically travelled down his body. They recognized the object held close to it.
The menacing shotgun. The one that carried the biggest load of shot possible. The double-ought gun of Mr. Carter, the man who hated dogs, kids and seemingly everything.
The disagreeable, hot-tempered man slowed his walk still more when he came level to them. They could see his head swinging suspiciously to the side as he squinted into the darkness. His eyes were black and angry, his lips set in a firm, tight line.
“That’s funny,” they heard him mutter. “Could have sworn I saw something moving — ”
He shook his big head as if puzzled, then continued his walk. The cowering boys waited until they could no longer hear his footsteps before lifting their heads.
When they did, he was gone.
“Whew!” Bob breathed. “Am I glad he didn’t see us!”
“Me, too,” Pete said. “I guess he even goes to bed with that shotgun in his hand. I wonder who he’s looking for?”
“Come on,” Jupe whispered. “He’s far enough away. Now’s our chance to slip down the staircase. Keep low.”
Quickly, they ran the remaining distance to the stairs.
“All clear!” Pete signalled.
They hurried down the many steps as silently as they could. When they got closer to the beach, they relaxed. The rolling breakers were making so much noise that they knew their footsteps could not be heard.
Pete reached the sand first. “Okay. Here we go again. I can’t wait to find out how that dragon in the cave likes science-fiction movies!”
“We’ll find out soon, enough,” Jupe said, “if he’s home.”
“It’s okay with me if he’s not,” Bob said. “All I want to find out about is the tunnel. You two can have the dragon.”
They came to the original cave they had entered. To the surprise of his partners, Jupe continued walking past.
“Psst! You passed the cave,” Bob whispered.
Jupe nodded silently. He pointed ahead to the bluff jutting out to the beach.
“Round the cliff is the entrance to the big cave. We’d better see if it’s open or not.”
They rounded the bend in the cliff wall and stopped. Three giant-sized boulders crowded against the cliff wall, towering over their heads.
“Those are probably the fake rocks that mask the entrance,” Jupe whispered. “Apparently it’s closed now.”
Pete approached the largest boulder. He put his ear close to it and then tapped it with his hand.
The sound he produced was dull and muffled.
Pete smiled. “You’re right, Jupe. It’s not solid rock — just like the props made at the studios. Made out of light balsa wood framing, or plaster over wire.”
Jupe nodded and turned back. “We’ll get you set up in the cave first, so Bob and I can look round.”
“What?” Pete spluttered. “Leave me alone while you two — ”
“You’ll be a lot safer than Bob and me,” Jupe said, leading the way back into the smaller cave. “We’ll be doing some dangerous investigating. All you have to do is sit tight. And get ready to show your picture.”
Pete continued to look puzzled. He looked round. “Who am I going to show it to? Are there any bats flying round here for tonight’s audience?”