The Hanging Hill

97

“There has to be a sliding panel!” said Judy.

“What?” said Meghan’s mom.

Mrs. Stone didn’t say anything. She was still passed out, squeezed in tight between Judy and Mrs. McKenna in the claustrophobic substitution box.

“That’s how magicians do this trick! They slip off the ropes, then slide out the secret panel to switch places with their assistant.”

“Where do they put the secret escape hatch?”

“Well, it can’t be on the front or the two sides,” said Judy. “The audience would see the magician sneaking out. So, it has to be on the bottom or the back. Feel around for it!”

They both slid down as far as they could with their hands tied behind their backs, their ankles bound. Judy patted her palms against the rear wall, then the floor, feeling for a hidden switch or lever. Being blindfolded didn’t make the search any easier.

“We need to get out of here,” said Mrs. McKenna, sounding frantic. “Those men have Meghan!”

“We’ll find her. Derek, too. And Zack! Where’s Zack?”

“With Wilbur,” said a young girl.

Judy and Mrs. McKenna froze.

They couldn’t see who the little girl was.

But they both heard what sounded like rubber balls bouncing around on the crate’s wooden floor.