Read Online The Secret of Red Gate Farm by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online

hurrying over to her. Then the girl’s eyes widened. This was the woman she had seen running across a field the night of the storm.
    “I tripped on a root in the path,” the woman murmured, rocking back and forth in pain. “My ankle—it’s broken.”
    Nancy dropped to one knee and quickly examined the injured ankle. It was swelling rapidly, but all the bones seemed to be in place.
    “See if you can stand,” she advised.
    With Nancy’s help the woman managed to get to her feet, but winced as she tried to take her first step.
    “It isn’t broken,” Nancy said gently, “but you have a bad sprain.”
    “Oh, what’ll I do now?” the woman moaned.
    “Do you live far from here?” Nancy asked.
    The stranger looked at her rather queerly and did not answer at once. Nancy thought she had not understood, so repeated the question.
    “About a quarter of a mile up the river,” was the mumbled response. “I’ll get there all right.”
    “You’re scarcely able to walk a step,” Nancy said with a troubled frown. “Please let me run back to the farm and bring help.”
    “No, no,” the woman protested, clutching Nancy fearfully by the arm. “I don’t want to be a bother to anyone!”
    “Nonsense! You shouldn’t be walking at all. It won’t take me a minute to get someone to help you.”
    The woman shook her head stubbornly. “My foot feels better now. I can walk by myself.”
    She started off, but nearly collapsed by the time she had taken three steps.
    “If you won’t let me go for help, then at least let me take you home.”
    Again the woman protested, but Nancy took hold of her arm and placed it over her own shoulder. With Nancy’s support, the woman made slow and painful progress up the path.
    “This is killing you,” Nancy said, dismayed that the woman was so foolishly stubborn. “I can get our hired man to carry you—”
    “No!” the woman objected vehemently.
    Her unwillingness to accept help puzzled Nancy. As they made their way slowly along, she became aware that her companion’s distress was not entirely due to pain, but partially to Nancy’s own presence. This mystified Nancy, but she could not turn back as long as she knew the woman really needed her.
    “I don’t remember seeing any houses along the river,” Nancy said after a time. “You’re not a member of the nature cult, are you?”
    A half-cynical expression crossed the woman’s face, then one of sadness. “Yes,” she returned quietly, “I’m one of the members.”
    Nancy took time to scrutinize her companion more carefully than before. She wore a blue gingham dress which was plain and durable, and certainly did not appear to be a costume. The woman did not speak or act as Nancy imagined a member of the cult would. She seemed like any other person.
    “It must be healthful to live an outdoor life,” Nancy remarked, feeling that some comment was necessary. “I’ve often looked over at your tents and thought I should like to visit the colony some time.”
    The woman stopped abruptly in the path and faced Nancy, an odd look on her face.
    “You must never come near!”
    “Why not?”
    “It wouldn’t be safe!”
    “Not safe!” Nancy echoed in astonishment. “I don’t understand.”
    “I—I mean the members of the cult don’t want folks prying around,” the woman said hastily.
    “I see. The rites are secret?”
    “That’s it,” the woman said in obvious relief.
    “But why couldn’t I visit the colony sometime when ceremonies aren’t being held?” Nancy persisted.
    “You mustn’t come near the hillside—ever!” the stranger warned.
    The two continued up the path. To Nancy it was apparent that her questions had disturbed the woman, for several times she caught her looking distressed and worried.
    As they approached the hillside colony, and before they were within sight of the tents, the woman stopped short.
    “Thank you for your help,” she said quietly. “I can make it alone from here.”
    Nancy