So the girls planned and plotted, until, in the northwest, a great black cloud came stealing over the silent blue, gathering fury as it came, and coming very quickly at that. "A storm!" shouted Belle. "Oh, I do hope it won't be the thundering kind!" There was a swirl of the leaves around them, and the wind gave a warning howl. All ran for the cars. "A tornado, likely," said Hazel. "And, oh, dear! this is just about the time that Paul will be bringing the mail over. I am so nervous since his firm undertook the mail route between New City and Cartown. This is such a lonely road for an auto in a storm--especially when every one knows Paul carries the mail." Hazel was greatly agitated, but the other girls endeavored to reassure her. "Why, Paul will be all right," declared Cora, surprised at Hazel's alarm. "What could happen to him? Why is a storm in the afternoon of such consequence?" "Oh, I don't know," sighed Hazel; "but having to manage a car, and be personally responsible for the big mailbag--there is so much important mail between Cartown and New City--I have been nervous about it ever since Paul began carrying it." "But it makes him all the more important to his firm," said Cora convincingly, "and I am sure he will be all right." "You read too many wild-west stories," commented Bess, who was still alongside the Whirlwind with her Flyaway. "There are no stagecoach hold-ups these days." "I hope not," returned Hazel with a forced laugh. Quickly the storm was gathering. With some apprehension Cora directed the line of cars. "You lead, Daisy," she said, "as your clothes are most perishable." "Indeed," shouted Cecilia, "my 'strained' nurse suit will have to go to the laundry if it gets wet, and that adds to the price--reduces my bargain." "Well, hurry, at any rate," commanded Cora. "I know of a barn we may be able to make." "We ought to meet Paul at the bridge," remarked Hazel, evidently unable to dismiss her concern for her brother. "Now, Hazel," exclaimed Cora, her voice carrying something of vexation, "one would think you suspected--" "You don't really think those boys would play a trick on him?" interrupted Hazel. "Somehow I didn't like the way they looked--as if they were plotting something." Cora laughed heartily. "Why, you precious baby!" she managed to say; "do you think boys of their caliber would tamper with the mail? To say nothing of putting so nice a boy as Paul to inconvenience?" "Oh, of course; forgive me, Cora. I should not have asked that. But you know what Paul and I are to each other!" "Yes, I know," said Cora with marked emphasis. "You are each the other's little brother and sister. But it's nice, Hazel, very nice, and I forgive you the fling at Jack." "And Ed?" asked Hazel mischievously. "And Walter," added Cora, ignoring the personal. "Oh, mercy!" yelled Belle. "We're going to have another fire and brimstone thunderstorm! Cora, make for that farmhouse!"