"I hope this works," Joanne said, taking her place to assist in pushing the car. "There probably won't be anyone else using this desolate road who could help us. "I- I'm afraid we won't reach the farm in time!"

Nancy stepped into the car and started the motor, easing the gas and slowly rocking the convertible back and forth. Inch by inch the tires crept forward, finally catching on the burlap and brush and rolling out of the ditch.

"We've done it!" Bess shouted proudly.

"With a little outside help!" George panted with a grin. The girls laughed from sheer relief.

They started off again, more slowly than before. But they had gone only a mile when a new storm seemed to be coming up. In less than five minutes complete darkness descended again, bringing another deluge of rain. Deafening thunderclaps instantly followed vivid forks of lightning.

Of necessity, Nancy once more kept the automobile at a snail's pace. It was impossible to see more than a few feet ahead. Anxiously Joanne kept glancing at her watch. "It's five-fifteen," she announced nervously.

Nancy tried to assuage the worried girl's fears. "This storm may have delayed your grandmother's caller."

The wind and rain continued unabated. As the convertible climbed the brow of a hill, there was a brilliant flash of lightning. George, who was seated in front with Nancy, screamed, "Don't hit her!"

Nancy jammed on the brakes so quickly that the rear of the car skidded around sideways in the road.

"Who?" she demanded, horrified.

"The woman in the road! Didn't you see her? Maybe she's under the car!"

Heartsick, Nancy jumped out one door, Bess another. They peered under the car, alongside it, in back of it. They could see no one.

"Are you sure you saw a woman?" Nancy inquired.