"Arthur, Robert - The Three Investigators 010 - The Mystery of the Moaning Cave" - читать интересную книгу автора (Arthur Robert)

"Gosh, no," Pete echoed.

"It's still early and a clear night," Jupe went on, "and we'd like to look around the ranch as much as we can. The beach is especially interesting at night. There's some remarkable flora and fauna up here along the sea-shore that only appears at night."

Mr. and Mrs. Dalton looked impressed. Jupiter's correct use of so many big words always made adults think that he must be older than he actually was. Bob and Pete, however, were aware that Jupe had more on his mind than a walk along the beach. They tried to look as wideawake as possible.

"Wellа.а.а." Mrs. Dalton began dubiously.

"Why not, boys?" Mr. Dalton decided. "It's early, and I expect the first night on a ranch is too exciting to be wasted in sleep." He turned to his wife. "Do them good, Martha. Better to look around the beach to-night, because I'll be keeping them pretty busy starting tomorrow."

"All right then," Mrs. Dalton smiled. "Off with you, but no later than ten o'clock. We get up early here."

The three boys did not wait for further talk. They carried their cookie plates and milk glasses to the kitchen and went out the back door.

As soon as they were out of the house, Jupiter started to give instructions. "Pete, you go to the barn and get that long coil of rope I saw hanging there. Bob, you go up to your room and get our chalk and our flashlights. I'll get our bikes ready."

"Are we going to the cave, Jupe?" Bob asked.

"Right. That is the only place to solve the mystery of Moaning Valley."

"The cave?" Pete gulped. "Now? Couldn't we see more in the day-time?"

"The moaning only happens at night," Jupiter pointed out, "and when you're inside a cave day-time doesn't make any difference. Besides, the cave doesn't moan every night. We know that it's been moaning to-night, and if we don't go now we might have to wait for days."

By this time the other two were convinced. They moved swiftly into operation, and shortly afterwards the three boys met at the ranch gate.

Pete tied the long coil of rope to his luggage carrier, and they bicycled away along the narrow dirt road. The night was warm and the moon was up now, shining down on the silvery road that lay ahead.

Although the Crooked-Y Ranch stretched for miles along the shore of the Pacific Ocean, the sea itself was hidden by the coastal mountains. In the moonlight the rocky mountains were tall and silent, and the green live-oak trees looked like pale white ghosts. As they rode, the boys could hear the herds of cattle moving restlessly in the fields, the horses snorting and whinnying close to the road.

Then suddenly, without warning, the eerie moan floated out across the valley.

"Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh--oooooooooooooooooo--oooooooo--oo!"

Even though they had expected it, Pete and Bob both jumped nervously.

"Good," whispered Jupiter. "The moaning hasn't stopped."

They quietly parked their bikes and from the high ridge looked across the moonlit valley at the dark opening of El Diablo's Cave.

"Gosh, Jupe," Bob said. "I keep thinking I see things moving."

"And I hear noises," Pete added.

"Yes," Jupiter said firmly. "But that is your imagination. In eerie surroundings like these, the simplest sound seems frightening. Now are we all ready? Bob, check the flashlights again."

Bob tested the flashlights and Pete looped the rope over his shoulder. Each boy took his piece of chalk in his hand.

"Caves can be dangerous unless you take the proper precautions," Jupiter explained. "The main dangers are falling into chasms and becoming lost. We have the rope in case any of us fall, and by marking our trail with chalk no one will become lost. We will stay together at all times."