Tom and Bud exchanged meaningful glances. Whatever Provard wanted, it must be highly important.
The flight took them over a green wilderness of rugged, forest-clad slopes and blue mountain lakes. Presently Ort murmured, “Here we are!” and set the plane down on an airstrip carved out of the mountainside.
A CHALLENGING EXPEDITION 83
Bud gave a whistle as they climbed down. “Some layout!”
Just below the airstrip stood a magnificent low rambling lodge built of rough-hewn logs and fieldstone. On one side lay a row of tennis courts, and on the other a huge swimming pool.
A bald-headed man, with twinkling blue eyes and gold-rimmed glasses, came strolling up the slope to greet them. He was wearing a polo shirt and khaki shorts.
“I’m Asa Provard,” he announced, smiling and thrusting out his hand to Tom.
“Delighted you were able to accept my invitation.”
“Sorry my father wasn’t able to make it,” Tom said. “This is my friend, Bud Barclay.”
When they reached the lodge, three other men, named Tompkyns, Ruthers, and Grane, were introduced to the boys. To Tom’s surprise, there was no talk of business. Provard suggested a few sets of tennis. Later came a dip in the pool, a hearty leisurely dinner, and early bedtime.
After breakfast the next morning, Tom and Bud wandered into their host’s gun room. The walls were lined with several racks of rifles and shotguns, with fishing and hunting trophies mounted overhead.
Bud idly picked out a foreign-made shotgun with damascened barrels and silver-ornamented stock. “What a beauty!” he murmured.