"Nancy, you're a whiz, as I've often told you," her friend declared.

The young sleuth smiled, then said wistfully, "If I could only have had another second to copy the next few numbers, I might have known the exact time."

"What happens now? Will you notify the police?"

At that instant Nancy and George heard soft birdcalls. "No time to phone now," Nancy said.

She grabbed two of the costumes and dashed from the room. George followed with the others. As prearranged, the girls left by the kitchen door to avoid the boarders. Mrs. Byrd had been told that the girls might go up the hillside to watch if the nature cult put on a performance.

Nancy and George joined the other girls and they all scurried toward the woods. It was very dark beneath the dense canopy of trees, and Bess gripped Nancy's arm. Joanne was familiar with every path and led the way toward the hillside. A weird cry broke the stillness. Involuntarily the girls halted and moved closer together.

"What-was-that?" Bess chattered.

"Only some wild animal," Nancy reassured her. "Come on!" she urged. "We must hurry or we'll miss the ritual!"

The girls went through the dark forest as fast as they could. The moon was rising, and ghostly rays of light filtered through gaps in the foliage overhead. A faint breeze stirred the leaves into what seemed like menacing whispers. The girls finally reached the river trail and followed it.

"We must be careful now," Nancy warned in a low voice. "We're drawing near the colony. The cult may have a lookout stationed during the night ceremonies."

I hadn't thought of that," Joanne murmured.

"I almost wish I hadn't come," Bess whispered nervously. "I had no idea it would be this dark."

"What were you expecting at nine-thirty at night?" George chided in as low a tone as possible.

"It will be lighter when the moon rises higher," Joanne told her. "Still-if you want to turn back-"