"Carey, M.V. - The Three Investigators 32 - The Mystery of the Blazing Cliffs" - читать интересную книгу автора (Carey M.V)

"That thing is loaded!" said Konrad, outraged.

"It sure is," said the soldier shakily. "We were issued live ammunition today."

He gripped the rifle more firmly, fearful that it might slip and go off again. The boys heard the sound of a car on the road. An instant later a jeep came speeding into sight. It stopped just feet from the armed man.

"Stanford, what do you think you're doing?" demanded the officer who sat in the jeep next to the driver. He glared at the soldier, then at the boys and Konrad.

"Sorry, sir," said the soldier. "The gun slipped."

"Stanford, if you can't hold on to a rifle, you don't belong out here," said the officer.

"No, sir," said the soldier.

The officer got out of the jeep and stalked towards Konrad. The boys saw that he was young--as young as the frightened soldier. His olive-drab field jacket was new. So was his helmet. So were the expensive-looking combat boots on his feet.

"I'm Lieutenant John Ferrante," he said. One gloved hand swung up as if to salute, but then it dropped again. Jupe saw that he was trying to be very military, like an actor portraying an officer in a war film.

"Why is the road closed?" said Konrad. "We are supposed to go to San Jose tonight. We do not have time for the war games that you play."

"Sorry, but it isn't a game." Lieutenant Ferrante's voice was tight. "My men and I were dispatched from Camp Roberts this afternoon and told to keep all traffic off this road. This is an emergency route from the San Joaquin Valley to the coast, and it has to be clear for military vehicles."

"We don't plan to block it," Jupe pointed out. "We're going back to 101, and then north to San Jose."

"Highway 101 is closed, too," said the lieutenant. "Look, why don't you just turn around and go back up that drive and let us do our job?"

The lieutenant put a hand on the pistol he wore at his belt. The boys stiffened.

"I have orders that no one is to use this road," the lieutenant continued. "It's for your own protection."

"Protection?" echoed Konrad. "You protect us with a gun?"

"I'm sorry," said the lieutenant. "Look, I just can't let you through. And I can't tell you any more than I have because I don't know much more. Now be good guys and go back up the drive, huh?"

"Mr Barron won't believe this," said Jupiter. "That's Charles Emerson Barron, the industrialist. He may be quite angry when he learns that his guests are being detained. He might even call Washington. He's a powerful man, you know!"

"I can't help that," said the lieutenant. "I can't let you through!"

Several more uniformed figures appeared on the road. They stood quietly near the soldier who had first stopped the truck. Each carried a rifle, and the boys could see that each was alert.

"Okay, okay!" said Konrad quickly. "Jupe, I do not like this. We go back to the ranch. We tell Mr Barron what happens."

"Good!" said the lieutenant. "You do that. And listen--I'll follow you in the jeep. I'll help you explain to this Barron, whoever he is. I mean, it's just one of those things. We're only following orders."

The lieutenant got into his jeep and the boys climbed up into the truck.

"Crazy!" said Pete as Konrad turned on the gravel drive.

"Yes, it is," said Jupiter.