"Arden, William - The Three Investigators 28 - The Mystery of the Deadly Double" - читать интересную книгу автора (Arden William)

"We'll probably be kind of late, Dad, but we'll try to be home by dinner time," Bob called as he ran out the door.

He rode his bike through the bright morning streets of Rocky Beach to the salvage yard and turned in at the main gate. Pete was sitting on the verandah of the yard's office cabin, looking at a magnificent sight. A Rolls-Royce of somewhat advanced age, with huge headlights and a hood as long and black and shining as a grand piano, stood in the salvage yard. Luxurious as the great car would have been in just simple, lustrous black, it outdid itself with one more touch--all the trimming, even the bumpers, was plated in dazzling gold!

"Wow!" Bob said in awe. "I always forget what a beauty it is until we see it again."

A tall, lean man in a chauffeur's uniform stood beside the car, gently rubbing some of the gold-plated trim with a soft cloth. His long good-humoured face smiled at Bob.

"Even I do, Master Andrews, when I must sometimes drive a different machine," Worthington said.

Jupiter had first won the use of the fantastic old car in a contest, and later a grateful client had arranged for the boys to use the car any time they wanted to. Since no one but Worthington ever drove the car for the rental agency that owned it, he had become a good friend of the Investigators. He still insisted on treating the boys exactly as he would the oldest and wealthiest tycoon. But now his eyes twinkled.

"An important case this time, Master Andrews?" he said.

"Not this time, Worthington." Bob explained. "We're just going on a trip to Magic Mountain, and thought it would be fun to go in the Rolls."

"An outing? Splendid!" Worthington declared. "Who deserves a holiday more than The Three Investigators? I shall report our destination to the company, and fuel the machine while we wait for Master Jones."

The tall chauffeur got into the Rolls-Royce and drove out of the salvage yard. Bob turned quickly to Pete.

"Speaking of Jupe, where is he?"

"In Headquarters, making some plans," Pete said. "He wouldn't tell me about what."

"Come on, let's find out."

They crawled through Tunnel Two and emerged through the trap-door into the hidden trailer. Jupiter was hard at work at the desk, coloured brochures spread around him.

"Worthington's here, Jupe," Bob said hopefully. "Ready?"

"In a few moments, Records." The stout leader of the trio continued working for a minute, then sat back looking quite pleased with himself. "There, I think that does it."

"Does what?" Pete asked uneasily.

"Completely plans our excursion!" Jupiter declared, beaming. "I have taken a map of Magic Mountain and laid out the optimum route for covering the most rides in the least time. I have allowed for repeat rides on attractions we might find especially pleasing, plus various alternatives in case of long queues at any given ride or possible shutdowns due to wind conditions or mechanical trouble. Then I have--"

Pete groaned. "Er, Jupe, why don't we just start off to the right or left of the entrance, and hit whatever we come to? I mean, sort of wing it?"

"Just, er, follow our noses?" Bob added.

"Wing it?" Jupiter frowned. "A highly inefficient means of--"

"Maybe just have fun?" Pete suggested.

"Well," Jupiter said stuffily, "if you don't want my plan, I suppose you don't have to accept it."

Miffed, Jupiter looked lovingly at his plans, then shrugged and dropped them into the wastebasket. Pete and Bob cheered. Jupiter finally had to grin. The three boys hurried down through the trap-door and out into the yard.

Worthington and the Rolls-Royce were back. Laughing excitedly, the boys piled into the magnificent car as Worthington held the door open.