e," Frank shouted to those in the other
car. "When the roads get muddy it's going to be pretty hard going, so we
want to make good time now."

"Aye, aye, Captain!" Roy answered. "Lead, and we follow."

For a short distance all went well. In fact, the girls rather liked
riding in the rain. Then suddenly, without any warning, Frank stopped
the car.

"What is it, Frank?" cried Grace in alarm. "Did you run over somebody?"

"No, it's worse than that," he answered gloomily. "Look, the road's
closed for repairs!"

CHAPTER VIII

THE JET NECKLACE REAPPEARS

The girls and boys stared at each other, dismay written on their faces.
The road closed and the rain pouring down in torrents--a nice
predicament! It was Mrs. Irving's calm voice which first broke the
silence.

"There must be some way around," she said. "It will take us a little
longer, that's all."

"Oh, of course we shall be able to strike the main part of the road
again if we go a couple of miles out of our way," Frank agreed, a
worried frown on his forehead. "The only question is, how are we going
to find our way? I didn't bring a chart with me--worse luck."

"Perhaps Roy has one," Betty suggested. "He usually carries a lot of
junk like that around with him."

"Well, if he has this particular species of junk it will come in mighty
handy just now," said Frank, hopefully. "I'll stick my head out and yell
at him. Gee, it sure is raining some!" and he craned his neck toward
the other car, squinting his eyes to keep out the stinging drops. "Hey,
Roy!" he shouted. "Do you happen to have anything like a map of the
surrounding country in your inside vest pocket? If you have, throw it
over. We are stuck good and plenty."

"I don't get you, old man," Roy shouted back. "Say the first part of
that speech over again, will you?"

Frank drew in his head and mopped his face and hair with a huge silk
handkerchief. "Two minutes before the next plunge," he announced to the
amused occupants of his car. "Allen, if he doesn't get me this time you
will have to change places with me. I'll be almost drowned," then he
thrust his head out once more and shouted in the direction of Mollie's
car.

"I said, have you a map of this here countryside?" he repeated. "Betty
says you usually carry such things with you."

"Sorry I can't oblige," came his disappointing answer. "I left that home
in my old coat this morning."

"Of course, just when you knew we would probably need it!