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TableofContents

TitlePageCopyrightPageCHAPTERI-JunglePrisonersCHAPTERII-MysteriousThreatCHAPTERIII-AStrangeInquiryCHAPTERIV-Nancy’sImpersonationCHAPTERV-TheSpookyDrawbridgeCHAPTERVI-ALegalTangleCHAPTERVII-TheReeklessPilotCHAPTERVIII-TheCanoeists’ClueCHAPTERIX-TheVanishingPatientCHAPTERX-PeterJuddCHAPTERXI-TheTowerSignalerCHAPTERXII-ImpendingCrashCHAPTERXIII-Bats!CHAPTERXIV-TheCastleCaptiveCHAPTERXV-AnExcitingPhotographCHAPTERXVI-ReptileGuardCHAPTERXVII-TelltaleTracksCHAPTERXVIII-WorriedPlottersCHAPTERXIX-ACryforHelpCHAPTERXX-Wolf’s-EyeSurprise

THEMOONSTONECASTLEMYSTERY

WHENNancyDrewreceivesavaluablemoonstoneasagiftfromanunknownperson,sheisamazedandpuzzled.Butitisonlythefirstofseveralstartlingeventsinthiscomplexmysterythatchallengetheingenuityoftheprettysleuth.Why are the Bowens—amissionary couple who recently returned to the United States—

having so much trouble finding their missing seventeen-year-old granddaughter? Trying touncoveracluetotheorphangirl’swhereabouts,NancyandherfriendstraveltoDeepRiver,thetownwhereyoungJoanieHortonlivedwithherguardiangrandmotheruntilMrs.Horton’sdeathfourteenyearsago.FromthemotelwhereNancy,Bess,andGeorgestay,theyseeinthedistanceanintriguing

castlelikestructurewithadrawbridge.GossipyMrs.HemsteadatthevillagetearoominsiststhatMoonstoneCastleishaunted.Curious,thethreegirlsattempttoexploretheabandonedcastle,butanominousvoicewarnsthemaway.OtherstrangehappeningsinDeepRiverconvinceNancythatthereisaconnectionbetween

MoonstoneCastleandthemysteriousmoonstonegift.Butwhatisthesignificance?AndwheredoesthebafflingdisappearanceofJoanieHortonfitintotheintricatepuzzle?How the young detective exposes a cruel hoax that has far-reaching results makes a

dramaticandexcitingstory.

“Thepatientyouwanttoseehasbeenkidnaped!”

Copyright©1991,1963bySimon&Schuster,Inc.Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.,amemberofThePutnam&GrossetGroup,NewYork.PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanada.S.A

NANCYDREWMYSTERYSTORIES®isaregisteredtrademarkofSimon&SchusteInc.GROSSET&DUNLAPisatrademarkofGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.

eISBN:978-1-101-07741-22008Printing

http://us.penguingroup.com

CHAPTERI

JunglePrisoners

“HURRY!Openthepackage,Nancy!”Threegirls stood in thehallwayofNancyDrew’shome,gazingat a small paper-wrapped

box,whichhadjustarrivedbymail.Therewasnosender’snameoraddressonit.“Somebodyisbeingverymysterious,”commentedBessMarvin,apretty,blondgirl.“Yes,” agreed attractive, titian-haired Nancy, studying the uneven way the sender had

pastedonthelettersandnumbersoftheaddress.“Thesearecutfromanewspaper,andI’dguessthepersonwasverynervouswhenhewrappedthepackage.”

“Well,openit,”coaxedthethirdgirl,GeorgeFayne, impatiently.Shewasadarkbrunette,veryslender,andtomboyish.“Thesender’snameprobablyisinside!”

Nancy,promptedbyherdetective instincts,wascarefulnot todestroy thewrapping.Thewhitecarton insidewasunmarked. Itcontainedaplain jeweler’s ringbox.Bynowthegirlswereholdingtheirbreathinanticipation.Nancyliftedthelid.

“Howgorgeous!”Bessexclaimed.Nestledinthegrooveofthesatin-linedcasewasthefinestmoonstoneNancyhadeverseen.

Shestaredinamazement.“Prettyneat,”saidGeorge.Thenshegrinned.“Amysteryforyoutosolve.Thecaseofthe

unknownadmirer!”Nancylaughed.“Anyhow,youcan’tteasemethatitwasNed.Thepackagewasmailedright

here in River Heights and he’s at a camp miles from here.” Ned Nickerson was a collegestudentwhooftendatedher.

SuddenlyNancynoticedapieceofpaperwedgedintothebottomofthewhitecarton.Sheunfolded it quickly and together the three girls read aloud the message pasted on it fromnewspaperwords:

THISISFORGOODLUCKFROMAWELL-WISHER.YOUWILLNEEDITWITHINTHENEXTFEWWEEKS.

“Nancy,whatareyouupto?”Bessdemanded.“Itsoundsdangerous.”“Untilnow,Ididn’tthinkso,”Nancyansweredthoughtfully.“Dadisworkingonacaseand

hasaskedmetohelphim.Girls,let’sdashdowntothepostofficeandseeifwecanfindoutwhomailedthemoonstone.”

She led the way outside and hurried to the garage. Slipping into the driver’s seat of herconvertible,Nancybackedthecaroutandthethreefriendsheadedforthepostoffice.TheyhadgoneonlyablockwhenNancyparkedtheconvertible.

“Trouble?”Georgeasked.“No,butIthoughtitmightbemoresensibletogoonfoot.Thecontentsofthewell-wisher’s

notemademethinksomebodymaybeshadowingorspyingonme.Whydon’tIgoaheadandyougirlsfollowandwatch?”

“Okay,”Georgeagreed, andBess,whowasGeorge’s cousin, said, “BecarefullWe’llmeetyouherelater.”

Nancy strode down the sycamore-shaded street at a fast pace. When she reached thebusinessarea,sheturnedontotheavenuewherethepostofficewaslocated.

BessandGeorgewereaboutahundredyardsbehind.SuddenlyBessgrabbedhercousin’sarm.“Thatmanwhojustcrossedthestreet!He’sfollowingNancy!”

“Looksthatway.”Georgewatchedhimintently.ThemanfollowedNancyintothepostoffice.Whensheapproachedtheparcel-postwindow,

thestrangerstoodbehindherwhileshespoketothepost-officeclerk.

“Heisspying,”Bessdeclared,assheandGeorgewatchedfromthesidewalk.Theman, thin,dark, andwearinga scowlingexpression, turnedand left thebuilding.He

wentacrossthestreetandstoodinthedoorwayofastore.“IthinkweshouldwarnNancy,”saidBess.Georgedidnotagree.“Whydon’twefollowhim?”shesuggested.“Thenwemightfindout

whoheisandwhathe’supto.”

“Allright.”Meanwhile, Nancy had learned nothing helpful about the sender of the mysterious,

uninsuredpackage.Nooneinthepostofficerecalledthepersonwhohadhandeditin,orhadnoticed thepasted-on letters forhernameandaddress.She refrained frommentioning thecontents.

Disappointed, Nancy turned away and started for home. The strange man came from hishidingplaceandfollowed.BessandGeorgebroughtuptherear.

“Idon’tthinkhehasnoticedus,”Bessremarkedtohercousin.“Butwhatshallwedowhenwereachthecar?”

“Let’sworryaboutthatwhenthetimecomes,”Georgeadvised.“Ifthatmanwaswatchingthehouse,hecertainlysawusdriveoutwithNancy.Hemusthavefiguredwewenthome.Lethimthinkso.”

When Nancy came to her convertible, she got in, deftly backed into a driveway to turnaround,andheadedforhome.Themansprintedupthestreettokeepherinsight.BessandGeorgeran,too.

AsNancyturnedintothecirculardrivewayofherhome,thestrangerpaused.Hestoodverystill,hisheadlowered,asifheweretryingtodecidewhattodo.

Bess and George had stopped also. Suddenly the man turned in their direction. He musthaverecognizedthem,becausehestartedtorun,headingintheoppositedirection.

“Comeon!”Georgeurgedhercousin.At the corner the stranger held up his right hand to signal a bus. Before the girls could

reachhim,hehadjumpedaboardandthebuswasrumblingdowntheavenue.“Hypers!”criedGeorgeindisgust.“Andweweresoclose!”ThecousinshurriedbacktotheDrewhome.WhenNancyheardthestory,shedashedtothe

telephoneandcalledherfriendPoliceChiefMcGinnis.“I’lltellyouthewholestoryinaminute,butfirst,couldyoutrytolocateamanwhoison

thebustoGranbyandfindoutwhoheis?He’swearingatan-and-brown-plaidsuit,isthin,andscowls.He’sbeenshadowingme.”

“Yes,indeed,Nancy.Holdthewire.”Thechiefwasgonenearlyaminute,thencameback.“Nowtellmethewholestory.”

Nancystartedwiththemysteriousmoonstonegiftandendedwiththeman’srunningawaysuspiciously.ShecouldhearChiefMcGinnismutteringunderhisbreath.

Aloudhesaid,“I’mgladyoutoldme,Nancy.Something’safoot,that’ssure.Watchyourstep.I’llcallyouassoonasIhavesomeword.”

Asthegirlssatwaiting,Nancysaid,“WouldyouliketohearaboutthecaseDad’sworkingon?Icantellyoubecauseit’snosecret.”

“ButI’msureit’samystery,”saidBess,hereyestwinklingwithinterest.“Yes, and a strange one. Jungle prisoners in Africa and a baffling disappearance in the

UnitedStates.”George,whowasseatedcross-leggedontheflooroftheDrews’cheerylivingroom,urged,

“Goon!”Nancy, her face tense, said, “Fifteen years ago a Mr. and Mrs. Bowen accepted a call as

missionaries to a part of Africa where the tribes were restless and always at war amongthemselves. The Bowens had been there only three months when they were kidnaped by ahostilebandandnotreleaseduntilrecently.”

“Oh,howcruel!”exclaimedBess,whowasseatedbesideNancyonagreen-and-gray-stripedsofa.“Howdidyourfathercomeintothepicture?”

“Mr.andMrs.Bowenreturnedtothiscountrya fewweeksago.Theywentdirectly tothetown of Deep River in Deep River Valley where they had left their two-and-a-half-year-oldgrandchildJoan,calledJoanie,withherGrandmotherHorton.Thelittlegirl’sownparentshaddiedshortlybeforetheBowenswenttoAfrica.”

Nancyleanedtothesideandpulledopenadrawerintheendtablebythesofa.Shetookoutaphotographofalittlegirl.

“She’sdarling!”Bessexclaimed.“Don’ttellmesomethinghappenedtoher!”“I’mafraiditdid,”Nancyreplied.“GrandmotherHortondiedsixmonthsaftertheBowens

left.Therewerenootherrelativesandthechilddisappeared.”“Disappeared!”Georgerepeatedincredulously.“It’sevenworsethanthat,”Nancywenton.“NobodyinDeepRivereversaworheardofthe

child.HerGrandmotherHorton,wholivedontheoutskirts,nevercametotownafterJoaniearrived—itisassumedthewomanwasn’twell.”

“MaybeJoaniedied,too,”Besssuggested.“There’snorecordofherdeath.Besides,inherwillGrandmotherHortonleftherestateto

Joanie.Theestatewassettled,butsofarDadhasn’tfoundanyrecordofaguardianorlearnedonethingaboutthechild’swhereabouts.”

BessgazedatJoanie’sphotograph.“Thepoorlittlegirl!Icertainlyhopeshe’saliveandtheBowenscanfindher.”

Georgerockedbackandforth,holdingherknees.“Joaniewouldbeseventeenoreighteennow. Pretty hard to recognize her from this picture. By the way, didn’t your father talk toGrandmotherHorton’slawyer?”

“Dadsayshe’sawayonanextensivevacationandcan’tbereached.Ididn’tevenlearnhisname.ManyotherpeoplewhomighthavebeenhelpfulhaveeitherdiedormovedawayfromDeepRiver.”

“Weren’tthereanyservants?”Georgeasked.“Yes.Mrs.Hortonhadacouple,buttheydisappearedatthetimeofherdeath.”“Howdidyourdadhappentogetthecase?”Bessqueried.“Someone theBowensknewsuggestedhim.They’reheartbrokenover thewhole thing,of

course,andnaturallywantthemysterysolved.”Nancysuddenlylookedoutthewindow.“HerecomesDadnow.”

Thelawyerdrovehiscarintothegarage.WhenNancy’stall,handsomefathercameintothe

living room, he kissed Nancy, then said, “Hello, Bess, George. I’m glad you girls are herebecauseIhaveaproposaltomake.”

Thethreefriendswereallattentionashecontinued.“Nancy,I’vepickedupagoodclueintheHortoncasefromaretiredluggagedealer.SomefourteenyearsagoaJoanHortonwentfromDeepRivertoSanFrancisco.Iwanttotrackherdownifpossible.But,inthemeantime,my investigation in Deep River to clear up the business about the missing child should becontinued.Wouldyouliketomakethetrip—providedBessandGeorgecangowithyou?”

AsNancy’seyessparkledinanticipation,Besssquealed,“Oh,Mr.Drew!Youmeanit?Thissoundssimplymarvelous!”

“Andexciting,”Georgeadded.“I’dlovetogo.MayIcallupMotherandDadrightnow?”“Pleasedo.Andtellthemthisisabusinesstrip.AllyourexpenseswillbepaidbytheCarson

Drewlawfirm.”Heturnedtohisdaughter.“Nancy,youhaven’tansweredmyquestion.”WithachuckleNancysaid,“Stopteasing,Dad.HaveIeverturneddownacase?”George received permission to go, then Bess called her house. Mrs. Marvin said her

daughtermightaccompanyNancy,andaddedthatifMr.Drewhadnotalreadychosenaplacefor them to stay, shewould recommend theLongViewMotel on topof thehill overlookingDeepRiverandthevalley.

“It’s delightful. Mrs. Thompson who runs it is charming, and can give you girls somemotherlyattentionifyouneedit.”

Bessreportedhermother’ssuggestiontothelawyer,whosmiled.“Itsoundsliketheperfectplaceforyougirls.Couldyoubereadytoleavetomorrowmorning?”

“Yes,”thetriochorusedeagerly,andBessandGeorgehurriedofftostartpacking.Nancybrought themoonstone, thewarningnote,andthestrangelyaddressedwrapper to

her father, who studied them all carefully. “I gather these letters were cut out of a RiverHeightsnewspaper—theymatch theprint, so there’s no clue as towhether the sender is alocalpersonorsomeonewhocamehereandboughtapaper.”

Mr.DrewwasaspuzzledasNancy,andcouldseenoconnectionbetweenthemoonstoneandthecaseonwhichhewasworking.

“It’s possible that some eavesdropper heard me discussing the Horton mystery the otherday,andistryingtogetsomemessageacrosstoyou,Nancy,”thelawyersaid.“Keepalerttoanythingtodowithmoonstones.”

Atthatmomentthetelephonerang.Mr.Drewansweredit,whileNancywaited.Presentlyhereturned to say that Chief McGinnis had called. The man who had followed Nancy, thensuddenlyhoppedabus,hadalightedbeforethepolicehadachancetointerceptit.

Nancywaspensive.“Iwonderifhe’sstillinRiverHeights.Ifso,hemaycomehereagain.”“I thoughtof that,”Mr.Drewsaid,“so Iasked thechief tosendamanover towatch the

housetonight.”NancyspentmostoftheeveninginherroompackingforthetriptoDeepRiver.Shewentto

bedearlyandsoonfellasleep,butaroundmidnightwasawakenedbyshoutsof“Stop!Stop!”Theyoungsleuthjumpedoutofbedandrantoawindow.Justthenthesoundofashotrang

outthroughthestillnight.Nancy pulled on her robe and slippers. She dashed to her father’s room. To her

astonishment,thedoorwasopenandhewasnotthere!WithaquakingheartNancyflewdownthefrontstairway,calling,“Dad!Dad!”Therewasnoanswer.

CHAPTERII

MysteriousThreat

AS NANCY reached the bottom of the stairway, the front door burst open and her fatherrushedin.Hewentstraighttothetelephoneinthehallanddialedanumber.

Nancy stood stock-still, thankful that her father was all right, but wondering what hadhappenedoutside. In amomenthe said, “Sergeant, this isCarsonDrew speaking. I have amessagefromyourmanDonnelly.Donnellyhasbeenwatchingourhousetonight.Healmostcaughtaprowler,andhasgoneafterhiminacar.Donnellycan’tradioinbecausehisset isoutoforder.”

Mr.Drewwentontosaythattheintruderhadgoneoffinacar.“Here’shislicensenumber.”Hegaveitslowlysothesergeantcouldwriteitdown.

Whenthelawyerhungup,helookedatNancy,whostillstoodatthefootofthestairway.“Dad,whathappened?”sheaskedtensely.“Iheardashot!”Before answering,Mr.Drewgrinnedbroadly. “And you thought your old dadhadmet his

end, eh?” he teased. “As a matter of fact, that shot had nothing to do with the prowler,DetectiveDonnelly,or thegetaway.Somebodywashaving troublewithanold jalopyon thesidestreet.Itback-firedjustastheintrudertookoffandDonnellyyelled‘Stop!’”

Nancy heaved a sigh of relief. “I’m glad nobodywas shot. Please tellme the rest of thestory.”

“Let’s go into the kitchen and get something to eat,” Mr. Drew suggested. “That’s whatbroughtmedownstairsinthefirstplace.Iwasn’tsleeping,andgotsohungryIcamedownforamidnight snack.As I reached thehall, I sawa shadowy figure sneakpast the living-roomwindow.IwenttolookandwasjustintimetoseeDonnellystartchasingtheprowler.Icaughtaglimpseofthemanunderastreetlightbeforehejumpedintoacar.”

“Whatdidhelooklike?”Nancyasked.Mr.Drewsaidthestrangerwasthin,dark-haired,andhadascowlingexpression.“Oh,hemightbethesameonewhowasfollowingme—theonethatBessandGeorgesaw!”

Nancyexclaimed.“Heprobablywas,”thelawyeragreed.“Iwonderwhathewasdoingaroundhere.”“Perhapstryingtostealthemoonstonethatwassenttome,”Nancyguessed.“Thatmightbe,”Mr.Drewagreed.“Onethingissure—hewasn’tplanningtoeavesdropon

us—becausewewereinbed.”Duringthisconversation,Nancyquicklypreparedtwocupsofhotcocoa.Thenshebrought

outsomedeliciousangelcakewhichtheirhousekeeper,HannahGruen,hadmade.Fatheranddaughtersatdowntoenjoythesnackandtowaitforareportfrompoliceheadquarters.Whenhalfanhourhadgonebyandnomessagehadcome,Nancyaskedherfatherifhewouldmindcallingthepolice.

“Youdoit,”hesuggested,givingabigyawn.“IadmitI’dliketogetsomesleep.Butwithoutknowingwhetherornotthatprowlerhasbeencaptured,IdoubtthatIcandozeoff.”

Nancyhurriedtothephone.Thereportwasdisappointing.DetectiveDonnellyhadreportedtoheadquartersfromapayphonethattheprowlerhadabandonedhiscarandfled intothewoods.Therewasnochanceoffindinghiminthedark.

“Donnellyisreturningtoyourhouse,”thesergeantwenton.“It’spossiblethatthesuspectmay double back. Incidentally, the car hewas inwas reported stolen today, sowe have nocluestohisidentity.”

Nancyrelayedthemessagetoherfatherandthetwostartedupstairs.“IsupposeIshouldtellyoualittlebitmoreabouttheHortoncase,”thelawyersaid.“Just

thisafternoonIreceivedamessagefromawomaninDeepRiverwhomIhavebeentryingtocontact.ShewasacollegefriendofMrs.Horton’swhohadbeenoutoftouchwithherforten

years—infact,untiljustbeforeMrs.Horton’sdeath.ThisMrs.EmoryremembersshephonedtheHortonhousetotalktoherfriendaboutaclassreunion.Amanansweredbutdidnotgivehisname.HesaidthatMrs.Hortonwastooilltocometothephone.However,hedidsayheandhiswife,employedthereasservants,wereleavingshortlyforSanFrancisco.”

“Andthat,”saidNancy,“iswhereyoufoundoutthataJoanHortonwent.Theyprobablytookher!”

“Right.”Mr.Drewwent on to say that he had been to call on the present owners of theHortonproperty.

“Theyareveryniceandwantedtobehelpful,butknewlittleaboutwhathadtakenplaceatthehouse.Theyhadboughtthepropertythrougharealtoraftertheformeroccupantsmovedoutoftown.Theydidgivemeoneclue,though.Soonaftertheyhadmovedin,theyhadcomeuponapostcarddroppedbehindsomeold junk in theattic. Itwasaddressedandmailed inNewYorkeighteenyearsbefore,toMr.andMrs.BenOmaninSanFrancisco.ItwassignedClaire.”

“AndyouthinkthatOmanmighthavebeenthenameofGrandmaHorton’sservants?”Nancyasked.

“Yes, Ido,”herfatherreplied.“Anyway,I thinkall theseclues inSanFranciscoareworthinvestigating.”HeusheredNancyaheadofhimandbegantoturnoutthelights.

Hisdaughterstoppedandsmiledathim.“AreyousuretherewillbeanythingleftformetodoinDeepRiver?”sheteased.

“Plenty,” he assured her. “Andwhat’smore,my dear, I like your fantastic intuitionwhenyou’reworkingonacase.”

Thetwosaidgoodnightforthesecondtimeandsoonwereasleep.ThefollowingmorningNancydroveher father to the airport to catch an early plane to theWestCoast.Uponherreturn,shefoundBessandGeorgeatherhomewiththeirluggage.

Besssaidwithabroadsmilewhichrevealedherdimples,“Ibroughtaswimsuit,atennisracket, andhiking shoes.We’re going to have some funup inDeepRiverValley aswell assleuthing,aren’twe?”

HannahGruen,thepleasant,motherlywomanwhohadtakencareofNancysincethedeathofhermotherwhenNancywasonlythreeyearsold,thoughtitanexcellentidea.

“Ifyoucanmakepeoplethinkyou’rethereonvacation,itprobablywillbeadvisable.”Nancywasthoughtful.“I’mwonderingifIshouldtakethemoonstone,”shesaid.AtonceBessspokeup.“Pleasedo.It’ssupposedtobringyougoodluck,andwhenyou’re

solvingmysteries,youcanuseit!”“Luckcertainlywouldn’thurt,”Mrs.Gruenremarked.Georgewasinclinedtoconsiderthewholemattersuperstitious.“Butifyouwanttotakethe

moonstonejusttolookatbecauseit’sbeautiful,okay.”TheotherslaughedandNancywenttogetthemysteriousgift,whichsheputintoherpurse.“Everybodyready?”sheasked.“Ifso,let’sgo!”Her own suitcases were already in the car. Those belonging to Bess and George were

carriedoutandstowedintheluggagecompartment.“Good-by,Hannahdear,”saidNancy,huggingthehousekeeper.“Takecareofyourself.”“Thesametoyou,Nancy.”Thethreegirlssteppedintothecar.BeforeNancycouldturnontheignition,thetelephone

in the Drew home rang. She waited while Hannah answered it. A few moments later thehousekeepercamerunningoutside,wavingherarms.

“Nancy,wait!There’saphonecall for your father,but themansayshe’ll talk to you. It’surgent!”

QuicklyNancyjumpedfromthecarandraninsidetothephone.ThecallerwasMr.Bowen.“Oh,MissDrew,”hesaid,hisvoicebetrayingnervousness,“I’vejustreceivedathreatening

phone call from a man. He said that if anyone dared to try solving the mystery of ourgrandchild,hewouldbewalkingintogreatdanger!”

Nancywasamazed,butrealizedthatsomepersonorpersonsinvolvedinthecasemustbe

extremelyafraidofbeinginvestigated.“YourfatherphonedmelastnightthatyouandsomefriendsaregoingtoDeepRivertolook

forclues to themystery,”Mr.Bowenwenton. “After the threat I’vebeengiven, itprobablywouldbeunwiseforyoutogo!Please,Nancy,stayhome!”

Theyoung sleuth,by this time,hadmadeuphermindwhat todo. “No,Mr.Bowen,” shesaid,“I’mnotgoingtoletanybodyscaremeoffthiscase.IpromiseyouI’llbecareful,though,andnotletmyselfbetrapped.”

Mr. Bowen said he admired her courage, but pleaded with her to heed the mysteriouswarning.

“I’llkeepitinmind,”Nancypromised.Shereturnedtothecarandtoldtheothersaboutthephonecall.Beforeeitherofthegirls

had a chance to be influenced by Mr. Bowen’s advice not to make the trip, Nancy kissedHannahagain,slidbehindthewheel,andwavedacheerygood-by.

Mrs.Gruenstoodgazingafterthegirls,shakingherheadasiftosay,“NobodycanthreatenNancyDrewandgetawaywithit!Itworriesme,butIadmirehercourage.”

Late in theafternoonthegirlsreachedDeepRiver,asmallbutbustling town.TheyeasilylocatedthewindingroadwhichledupthemountainsidetotheLongViewMotel.

“Whatagorgeousview!”Bessexclaimedwhentheyreachedthetop.“Youcanseeformilesupanddownthevalley.”

“Yes,”saidNancy,“andassoonasweunpacksomeofourthings,Iwanttotakeagoodlookatit.”

Thetravelers foundtheowner,Mrs.Thompson, tobeadelightfulwomanabout thirty-fiveyears old. The motel itself was charming and had a homelike atmosphere. The girls wereshowntoonelargeroomwiththreebedsinit.

“Ihopeyou’llbecomfortable,”Mrs.Thompsonsaid.“Ifthereisanythingyouwant,justletmeknow.”Shelefttheroom.

“AllIwantrightnowistostretchmylegs,”saidGeorge,whobegantodosomecalisthenicsbeforeunpacking.

In a short time thegirls hadhungup theirdresses andput away their other clothes andtoiletries in the pine bureaus. Nancy put the moonstone in its little satin-lined case in aneveningbagandhiditunderacoupleofscarvesinonedrawer.

Shepickedupthebinocularsshehadbrought,andaskedtheothersiftheywerereadytowalkaroundtheterraceandseetheviewofDeepRiverValley.

“Surething,”saidGeorge.AsNancylockedtheirdoor,BessandGeorgebegantowalkaroundthegrounds.Theywere

delightedtoseetwotenniscourtsandaswimmingpool.Nancy, meanwhile, walked to the edge of the terrace from which the ground fell away

sharply.Sheraisedthebinocularstohereyesandviewedthevalleyandtownbelow.“I wonder where the Horton house is,” she thought, not seeing one which fitted the

descriptionherfatherhadgiven.SuddenlyNancynoticedthatathunderstormwasbrewing.Forafewmomentsshewatched

thescuddingblackclouds.Then,asshesweptthebinocularsdownwardtowardtheriver,shefocuseddirectlyonanunusualsight.

“Acastle!”Nancymurmuredtoherself.Thebuildingstoodonanisland.Itwastwostorieshighandhadaturretatoneend.Around

threesideswasadrymoatwithadrawbridge,whichwasup,andformedpartof thecastlewall.WhenBessandGeorgejoinedher,theytookturnsusingthebinoculars,sothattheytoomightviewthecastle.

“Howabsolutelyfascinating!”Bessexclaimed.“Tothinkofarealcastlewayouthere!”“I suppose the moat was once filled with water that came from the river,” George

commented.“Whilewe’rehere,let’sgodownandseeitatcloserange.”Nancynoddedagreement.Takingtheglassesagain,shestudiedthebuildingandgrounds,

thensaid,“Thesurroundingslookprettywild.Iwonderifanyonelivesthere.”

Thethreegirlsweresointentontheviewthattheyhadnotnoticedthatthestormcloudswerecomingcloser.Astronggustofwindsuddenlyblewtheirskirts.

“It’sgoingtorain!”saidBess.“We’dbettergoinside.”Astheystartedback,thegirlspassedahugeoaktree.Atthatinstantaboltoflightningran

down one side of the trunk. A terrific cracking noise followed. The ground vibrated, givingNancyandherfriendsatinglingsensation.

“Thetree’sgoingtofall!”Bessscreamed.

CHAPTERIII

AStrangeInquiry

THERE was a tremendous crash behind the girls. The great oak had split in two, theoutermostbranchesofthefallingsectionbarelymissingNancyandherfriends.“Hypers!Thatwasanarrowescape!”saidGeorge,catchingherbreath.“Ifeelnumb.”“SodoI,”saidNancy.“It’sagoodthingweweren’tanyclosertothatbolt!Wemighthave

beenstruck!”“I’mawreck,”Bessdeclared.Shekeptongoing,however,towardthemotel.Asthethreegirlsrushedinside,therewasabrightflashoflightning.Itwasfollowedbya

deafeningroarofthunder.“There’snorain!”saidBess,quavering.“What’sthematter?”Nancyansweredher,“Iguessthisiswhat’sknownasadrystorm.They’retheworstkind.”In a fewmoments, however, it began to rain. The curtain ofwaterwas so thick that one

couldnotseemorethantenfeetaheadthroughthewindows.Astheywatchedthestorm,Mrs.Thompsoncametothegirls’roomtoinquireiftheywereallright.Nancyassuredherthattheywere,butconfessedthattheboltoflightningandthecrashing

tree had given them a scare. “I’m terribly sorry your lovely oak is ruined,” she saidsympathetically.“I’m sorry too,” the motel owner replied, “but the ruined side is away from the motel.

Perhapsthetreesurgeoncanfixitupsothatitwon’tbetoonoticeable.”“Doyouoftenhavestormslikethis?”Bessasked.Mrs.Thompsonsaid itwas the firstonesinceshehad takenover themanagementof the

motel.“ButthenI’mnewtothecommunity.I’vebeenherelessthanayear.”“Then perhaps you don’t know much about the castle I saw down in the valley,” Nancy

remarked.“Itlookslikeanintriguingplace.”Mrs.Thompsonsmiled. “Ihavenodoubt it is.Since I camehere I’vebeensobusy that I

haven’t had time to learnmuchof the local history.But”—shepausedamoment, her eyestwinkling—“I suggest that if you want to learn anything about Deep River or Deep RiverValley,youtalkwithMrs.Hemstead.She’sthemotheroftheownerofthetearoomdowntowncalledtheBrassKettle.”ThethreegirlslaughedandGeorgeremarked,“Youmeanshe’sthetownbusybody?”“Iguessthat’sagoodnameforher,”Mrs.Thompsonanswered.“Shepridesherselfonnot

missingathingthat’sgoingon.”Nancywas listening intently.Herewas somebodywhomight know something aboutMrs.

Horton’sgrandchild!“Let’shavesupperattheBrassKettle,”shesaidtothegirls,whorealizedthesignificanceof

hersuggestion.Theywaiteduntiltherainhadstopped,thenleftforthequaintvillage.Nancydrovethefull

length ofMainStreet, looking left and right for theBrassKettle.Not seeing it, she turnedaroundandstartedback,remarking,“Thetearoommustbeonasidestreet.”Astheyrodealong,pausingateachcrossstreet,Nancynotedtheletteringontwodifferent

officewindows.Both officeswere occupied by attorneys. “Iwonder if one of themwas thelawyerwhosettledtheHortonestate,andifso,whetherhehasreturnedfromhisvacation,”Nancymused.Shealsonotedthatthereweretwobanks,andmadeuphermindtovisitallfourplacesthe

nextday,andfindoutwhatshecould.SuddenlyGeorgecalledout,“Iseethetearoom.Stop!Turntotheright!”Nancybackedup,thendrovedownthesidestreet.TheBrassKettlewastwodoorsfromthe

corner.Theplacewasattractive. In frontof theold-fashionedwhitehousewithacenterentrance

wasalovelygardenofflowers,enclosedbyawhitepicketfence.The girls entered the restaurant. The interior was just as quaint and attractive as the

exterior.Ontheleftofthecenterhallwasawaitingroomwithahigh-backedsofaandstraightchairs.Severalhangingshelveswithknickknacksdecoratedthewalls.Overthefireplace, inanelegantgiltframe,wastheportraitofadistinguished-lookingelderlymanwithwhitehairandalongbeard.Velvetcarpet,withalargeflowerdesign,blendedperfectlywiththeotherfurnishings.Nancyandherfriendsnotedallthisinaquickglance.Theirattentionfocusedonanoldlady

seated in an antique rocker. Her black silk dress was severe and the neckline edged inruching.Talkingtoherwasashort,stoutman,hisbacktothegirls.Asthegirlspaused,theyheardtheoldladysaytohiminahigh-pitchedvoice,“Thename’s

Drew,yousay?I’llletyouknow.”BessandGeorgeeachgrabbedoneofNancy’sarms.DidthestrangerperhapsmeanNancy

orherfather?InstantlyNancydecideditmightbewisetostayoutofsight.Pullingthegirlstooneside,

shewhispered,“I’llgointoabackcornerofthetearoom.Findoutwhatyoucan,andifyouhavetogivenames,justuseyourown.Don’tmentionmineorletonI’mhere.”Nancyhurried around the corner of the doorway and found a tablewell hidden from the

waitingroom.Meanwhile,BessandGeorgedawdledinthehall,hopingtohearmoreandtogetagoodlookattheman.Eventuallyhemovedintoview.Bessrearrangedherhairseveraltimes,thentookoutacompactandspentafewmoments

powderinghernose.George,whosehairwasshortandclosecut,founditdifficulttochangeher hair style, so she, too, powdered her nose. Then she pretended to be having difficultybrushingsomeimaginarydirtoffherblouse.Suddenly theman said to the elderlywoman, “ImustmeetMissDrew. I have something

veryvaluabletogiveher.”Bessjumped.ItmightbeagiftforNancy!“Verygood,Mr.Seaman,”thewomanreplied.BesswhisperedtoGeorge,“WeoughttocallNancyandlethimgiveherthisvaluablething

ifshe’stherightDrew.”“Not”Georgesaid ina lowbutfirmvoice.“IfhemeansNancy,Idon’tbelievethere’sany

gift.Bess,yougoinwithNancyandtellherwhathappened.I’mgoingtofollowthatmanandseewhatIcanfindout.”Hercousindemurredforamoment,butGeorgewasinsistent.“Don’tworry.I’llbecareful,”

shepromised.“I’lljustseewherehegoes.”Satisfied,BessturnedintothetearoomandwalkedtothetablewhereNancywasseated.AsMr.Seamansaid,“Good-by,Mrs.Hemstead....I’llbeseeingyou,”Georgeturnedherback

tothewaitingroomandputherheaddownas ifsearchingforsomething inherpurse.Themancameoutandimmediatelylefttherestaurant.Georgefollowed.ThestrangerwalkedupMainStreet,blockafterblock.Hispacequickened.SodidGeorge’s.“Where in theworld ishegoing?”sheaskedherself. “Iwonder ifheknows I’m following

himandistryingtothrowmeoffthetrack.”Nevertheless, shestrodeondeterminedly.Finally,at theveryedgeof town,shenoticeda

parkedcar.Asthemanapproachedit,thedoorswungopenandhejumpedinside.Instantlytheautomobiledroveoff.Georgewasnotcloseenoughtodoanymorethangetthe licensenumberofthedarkcar

andnotethatthedriverwasawoman.Itwastoodarktodistinguishanythingabouther.Theyoungsleuthturnedback.At the tearoom Nancy and Bess ordered their supper. They ate slowly, thinking George

wouldreturn at anymoment. They finished eating and still George had not returned. Bothgirlsbecamealarmed.WhatcouldhavehappenedtoGeorge?“I never should have let her go alone,” Bess chided herself. “George takes such wild

chances.Goodnessonlyknowswhatshemayhavegotteninto.”NancywasafraidthatMr.Seaman,thinkingGeorgewasfollowinghimandnotwishingtobe

foundout,mighthaveharmedher.“Georgemaybeaprisonerthisveryminute!”Besssaidfearfully.ThoughNancyagreed,sheremarked,“Georgeknowshowtotakecareofherself. Justthe

same,Ithinkweshouldgolookforher.”Thegirlsquicklypaidtheirchecksandleftthetearoom.Theylookedupanddowntheside

street,thenwalkedtoMainStreet.Georgewasnotinsight.“ThatMr.Seamanmayhavebeen themanwhophoned theBowens,”Bess said.Shewas

almostintears.“M-maybethatthreateneddangerisalreadyinprogress!”Asthegirlswanderedaimlesslyalongthestreet,alittleboy,whohadbeenplayingonthe

sidewalk,smiledatthem.Nancyreturnedhissmileandsaid,“We’relookingforafriendofours,”sheexplained,then

describedGeorge.“Didyouseeagirllikethatanywherearound?”“Oh,yes,”thelittleboyanswered.Hepointed.“Shewentthatway.”With this slim clue,Nancy andBess hurried in the direction the little boy had indicated.

Theycametotheendoftown,buttheirsearchhadyieldednothing.Discouraged,theyturnedback.“Oh,IjustknowGeorgehasbeenkidnaped!”Bessmoanedinpanic.

CHAPTERIV

Nancy’sImpersonation

“I NEVER should have given you girls that assignment,” Nancy said. “If something hashappenedtoGeorge,Ican’tforgivemyself.”Besswasintears.SheandGeorgehadmanylittlemisunderstandingsandsometimesfound

faultwitheachother,butthetwogirlswereveryclose.ThethoughtthatGeorgemightbeaprisonerwasalmosttoomuchforBess.“Wemustfindher!”shesaid,acatchinhervoice.“Ifwe don’t get a lead onGeorge in a fewminutes,we’ll tell the police,”Nancy agreed.

“Let’sgobacktothetearoomandfindoutfromMrs.HemsteadwhereMr.Seamanlives.Thenwe’llgorighttohishouse.”As the girls hurried along, Nancy added, “Bess, I’d still like to keep my identity here a

secret.DoyouremembertheplayIwasinwhereItookthepartoftheshygirl—withthehigh-pitchedvoice—namedIreneInsbruck?”“I’llneverforgetit,”saidBess.“Well,I’mgoingtobecomeIrenewhileI’mdoingmysleuthinghere,”Nancyannounced.Whenthegirls reached the tearoom, itwasabout toclose.Mrs.Hemsteadstill sat inher

rocker,swayinggentlybackandforthandhummingahymn.Despite the gravity of the situation, Bess could hardly keep her face straight as Nancy

introducedherselfinavoicepitchedalmostanoctavehigherthanhernormalone.Thensheasked,“Iunderstandyouknowmosteveryoneintown.CouldyoutellmewhereMr.Seamanlives?”Mrs. Hemstead leaned forward and gave a little chuckle. “Are you his girl friend?” she

asked,asifshewerelatchingontoapossiblebitofgossip.Nancy did not have a chance to answer. Mrs. Hemstead, presuming this was the case,

prattledon.“Niceman,Mr.Seaman.Reliable-like.”Shewinked.“That’sthekindofmanagirloughttohaveforahusband.”Inthepausethatfollowed,Bessfeltsheshouldsaysomethingtocarryonthepretense,so

sheremarked,“Mr.Seamanreallyoughttoreduce,though.Ireneprefersthinmen.”Mrs.Hemstead laughedaloudandturnedtoNancy.“Afteryou’remarriedtohim,youcan

puthimonadiet,”shesaid,givingNancyanotherwink.Nancy,playingthegame,laughedtoo.“RightnowI’monlyinterestedinlearningwherehis

houseis.Heneversaid.”“Well,now,Ican’ttellyouthat,”theoldladysaid.“It’ssomewhereoutoftown,buthenever

toldmewhereitis.”Nancyshowedherdisappointment.Shechangedthesubjectabruptly.“Mrs.Hemstead,do

youthinkIwouldlikeithereinDeepRiver?”“Idon’tseewhynot.I’velivedhereallmylifeandlookatme—haleandheartyyet!”Theimpersonatoractedunconvinced.“I’veheardsomequeerthingshavehappenedinthis

town,”shesaid.“Oh, it’snotbad.”Mrs.Hemsteadshrugged. “Ofcourse—”Therewerea fewmomentsof

silence,thentheoldwomanbrightened,satupstraight,androckedbackandforthfuriously.“Ofcourse,there’sthecastle.Toobaditwasabandoned.Itwasonceabeautifulplace—theshowplaceofDeepRiverfiftyyearsago.”“Whoowned it?”Nancyqueried in her “Irene”high-pitched voice,which almostmatched

thetoneofMrs.Hemstead.“Some foreigners built it and lived there until it became haunted,” Mrs. Hemstead

answered.“Haunted?”Bessrepeated.

“I’llsayitwas,”Mrs.Hemsteadreplied.“Thefolksneverfinishedbuildingthecastle—itwastohaveanotherturret—andfinallyabandonedit.Therewasonetragedyafteranother—achilddrownedinthemoat,amangothoistedonthedrawbridgeandwascrushed—”“Oh,please,”saidBess,“don’ttellusanymore.”Mrs.Hemsteadwasnottobestopped.Shesaidthatnoonehadlivedinthecastleformany

years, but the taxes on it were paid by someone living in Europe. “So the town can’t doanythingwiththeplace.Thecountycan’tdoanythingwithit,either.TheStatePolicelookitoveronceinawhiletoseethateverythingisinorderoutthere.”Mrs.Hemsteadsuddenlypointedtoanancient framedmaphangingonthewall.“Lookat

that,”shedirected.“Ifyou’lllookclose,you’llseethatDeepRiverValleywasoriginallycalledMoonstoneValley.Nobodyseemstoknowwhythenamewaschanged.Iguessthepeoplewholivedinthecastleknewthisandlikedthename,becausetheycalledtheirplaceMoonstoneCastle.”AtthisbitofinformationNancyandBesslookedateachother.Thiswasthesecondtimein

twodaysthat“moonstones”hadcometotheirattention.WasthereanyconnectionbetweenMoonstoneCastleandthegemwhichhadbeensentsomysteriouslytoNancy?“Speaking of queer things,”Mrs. Hemstead said reminiscently, “there’s the case ofMrs.

Horton.”NancyandBesscouldhardlyconcealtheirexcitement.“Horton?”Nancyrepeated.“Yes,”saidMrs.Hemstead.“Herplacewasquitefaroutoftown.Sheneverwassociable,so

folksaroundheredidn’tknowherverywell.Shenevermingledmuch,andafterhersonanddaughter-in-lawdied,nobodyeversaworheardfromheragainuntiljustbeforeherdeath.”“Whathappenedtoher?”askedNancy.“Well, itwas likethis,”Mrs.Hemsteadrelated.“Justatthetimehersondied,acoupleof

servantsshehadwentoffsuddenly,andanewcouplecamethere.Afterthat,foodwasalwaysdeliveredtothehouse,butthemoneyforitwasleftoutside.Thetradespeoplewhowentoutthereneversawanybody.“TalkgotaroundthatMrs.Hortonhadbecomequeer.Personally,Idon’tknowwhowasthe

queerest—Mrs.Hortonor thoseservantsshehad.Why,doyouknowat the timeofher lastillness,theyactuallycalledinanout-of-towndoctor,andwhenshedied,theservantssentforanout-of-townundertaker?Andwhatwasevenworse,thefuneralwasprivate.Notasoulinthistownknewaboutituntilitwasover.”Nancy and Bess did not comment.Numerous questions raced through theirminds. Bess,

impulsively, suddenly blurted out, “What happened to the little grandchildwhowas stayingwithMrs.Horton?”Theinstantshehadaskedthequestion,Besswassorry.ToherandNancy’srelief,however,

theoldladydidnotseemtothinkthequestionoutoforder.“Littlegrandchild?” sheremarked.“IfMrs.Horton’ssonhada littlechild,nobodyaround

hereknewit.”Thewomanchuckled.“Youcanbetyourlife,ifanychildwasoutthere,Iwouldhaveheardaboutit!”Thetwogirlsmadenocomment,for,atthatmoment,Mrs.Hemstead’sdaughtercameinto

theroom.“Mother,”shesaid,“it’stimeforbed.You’vehadquiteaday.”NancyandBess left at once.They realized they should continue their search forGeorge.

When they reached the street, they turned in the direction where they had seen policeheadquarters.Theirheartsandmindsfullofworry,thetwogirlshurriedalonginsilence.Astheypasseda

well-lightedsodashop,crowdedwithyoungpeople,theysuddenlyheardafamiliarwhistle.Georgewassignalingtothemfrominsidetheshop!“Oh,thankgoodness!”saidBessinrelief.NancyfeltthatagreatweighthadbeenliftedfromherassheandBesshurriedinside.“You’vegivenustheworstscareofourlives!What—”Bessstartedtoscoldhercousin.“Iwas justgoing tophone the tearoom to tell youwhere Iwaswhen I sawyoucoming,”

Georgetoldthegirls.“ComesitdownwithmewhileIfinisheatingandI’lltellyoueverything

thathappened.”TheylistenedattentivelytoheraccountoftrailingMr.Seamanandhisgoingoffinacardrivenbyawoman.“Istartedbacktotown.Halfwayhere,Iwassureamanwastrailingme.Bythistime,itwas

toodarktoseehimverywell,buthewasn’tthemanIfollowedfromtheBrassKettle.”“Whatdidhelooklike?”Bessasked.“Hewas very thin. In fact, I think hewas the samemanwhowas following you inRiver

Heights,Nancy,”saidGeorge.Suddenlyshelookedoutthewindowandcried,“Therehegoesnow!Look!”NancyandBessdashedtothewindowasthemanhurriedupthestreet.“Thatmanlooksfamiliartome!”Nancysaidexcitedly.

CHAPTERV

TheSpookyDrawbridge

“DOYOUknowthatman?”Georgequeried.Nancy thought hard but could not remember who he was. “His face certainly does look

familiar.Maybeitwillcometomelater.Let’sfollowhimandseeifwecanfindoutwhoheis.”George’smeal was quickly paid for, and the girls hurried to the street. The stranger for

whomtheyweresearchingwasnowhereinsight.Theyoungsleuthspeeredintovariousshopsthatwerestillopen,andlookedupanddowncrossstreets.Themanhadvanished.“Well,wemayaswellgohome,”saidNancy.“IconfessI’mreadyforbed.”“Me,too,”saidBess,yawning.Onthewaybacktothemotel,Nancysaidshewould liketovisit thecastleearly thenext

morning.“Thatplaceintriguesme.Itprobablyholdsamystery.”“I thoughtweweretryingto findJoanieHorton,”Bessspokeup.“Don’t tellmeyouthink

she’sbeinghiddeninthecastle!”Nancylaughed.“No,notafteralltheseyears.Isuggestwegotothecastlebeforebreakfast.

Thenwecanstartoursleuthingatthebanksandthoselawyers’offices.”Thethreefriendswereupearly.Onthewaytotheparkingareatheystoppedtogazeatthe

viewofthevalley.Thesunwasnotveryhighyetandsectionsbeneaththehillswereindeepshadow.Thecastle,however,stoodoutclearly.SuddenlyNancycalledoutexcitedly,“Girls,thedrawbridgeisdownnow!”“Buttheplaceissupposedtobeempty!”Besssaid.“It’spositivelyspooky!”Theothersagreedandstaredatthespot,puzzled.Whywasthebridgeinthisposition?Who

hadloweredit?“Maybeitjustfell,”Nancysuggested.“Couldbe,”Georgesaid.“Ormaybesomesightseerswerethere,walkedoverthedrymoat,

andthenletthedrawbridgedownsotheycouldgobackacrossit.”“It’salogicalexplanation,”Nancyagreed.“Well,shallwego?”ThegirlsclimbedintoNancy’sconvertibleandshewounddownthehillsidetothetown.Not

manypeoplewereinevidenceinDeepRiverandthevisitorsknewtherestaurantswouldnotbeopenyet.“IknowI’mgoingtobefamishedbeforewegetback,”Bessdeclared.“Itwon’thurtyou,”saidGeorge,surveyingBess’splumpfigure.Bessmadeafacebutdidnotretort.ShesatinsilenceasNancycoveredmileaftermile.“I

hadnoideathecastlewassofarfromthebusinessdistrict,”sheremarked.Finallytheyreachedthegrass-overgrownlanewhichledintotheproperty.“Tiretracks!”Georgepointedout.“Somebodyhasbeenhererecently.”Nancyparkedatthesideofthelanesomedistancefromthemoat.Thetracksoftheother

car went on to the drawbridge. “I think we’d better proceed on foot,” she said. The girlsalightedandwalkedforward.“I’mgladthebridgeisdown,”saidBess.“I’dhatetoploddeepintothatmoatandupagain

ontheotherside.”SuddenlyNancy,whowasinthelead,criedout,“There’swaterinthemoat!Alotofit!”ThecousinshurriedforwardtolookovertheedgewithNancy.“Itlooksdeep,too,”sheadded.“It’snotjustrainwater.”Besswasfearful.“Whoputitinifnobody’slivinghere?”Nancyadmittedthatshewaspuzzledbutwaseagertocontinuethetrekovertothecastle

itself.Beforethegirlscouldstart,thebridgebegantorise!“Oh!”Bessscreamed.“Thecastleishaunted!Aghostmustberaisingthedrawbridge!”“Don’tbesilly!”Georgescoldedher.“Thetownspeopleandthepolicemaythinkthisplaceis

unoccupied,butit’smyguesssomebodyishidinghere.”Nancy,wholongagohadmadeitarulenevertosidewitheitherofthecousinswhenthey

weredisagreeing,said,“Onethingissure.Ifweexpecttogetacrossnow,we’llhavetoswim.Let’s go back to town, have breakfast, do our calling at the banks and lawyers, then comebackherewearingourbathingsuits.”Bessdidnotcommentonthesuggestion,butitwasevidentfromtheexpressiononherface

thatshedidnotrelishtheadventure.Astheywalkedtothecar,thethreefriendskeptturningaround to see if they could catch a glimpse of anyone on the castle grounds. Nobodyappeared.Theplaceseemedtobedeserted.“Iwonderifmorethanonepersonishidingatthecastle,”saidNancy.Georgeremarkedthattheremustbemorethanoneperson.Thebridgehadbeenletdown

for a car to go over. And someone inside the castle walls apparently had pulled up thedrawbridge.“Oh,dear!”saidBess.“This isgettingterriblycomplicated.Whydon’twe leavethecastle

outofoursleuthing?”Theothergirlsdidnotanswerher.BothNancyandGeorgewerecurioustoseewhatwas

goingonintheabandonedspot.Whyhadwaterbeenputintothemoatandbywhom?Haditbeendonetokeeppeopleoutofthecastle?AssoonasthegirlsreachedDeepRiver,theywenttotheBrassKettle,butitwasnotopen.

They turnedaroundandwalkedback to themainstreetandenteredamoderndiner.TheirbreakfastprovedtobedeliciousandBess’sgoodhumorreturned.Bythetimethegirlshadfinishedeating,thestoresandofficeswereopen.Nancyheadedfor

theDeepRiverNationalBank.BessandGeorgewerealways interested inobservingNancy’ssleuthingprocedures.They

oftenwonderedwhether itwasher charm,her straightforwardmanner, orherbusinesslikeapproach that unfailingly gained her entrance to offices of officials. Now, with littleexplanationonherpart,thegirlswereusheredintothepresident’soffice.Mr.Kleatwasapleasantman,butonewhorepeatedlywas interruptedbytelephonecalls

andmessengers.He listened attentively, however, toNancy’s request for information aboutthedeceasedMrs.AdelaideHorton.“I’mafraidthereislittleIcantellyou,”themanreplied.“IknewMrs.Hortononlyslightly.

Onedayshecame inandclosedoutbothhercheckingandhersavingsaccounts.Thenshewenttohersafe-depositboxandremovedthecontents—apparentlysecurities.”“Shegavenoexplanation?”Nancyasked.“Nonewhatever.Shewasnotatalkativeperson.Furthermore,weneverquestionwhatour

clientsdo.Ofcourseweweresorrytoloseheraccounts.”“Howlongagowasit?”Nancyqueried.Mr.Kleatthoughtforafewmoments,thensaid,“Ican’trememberexactlyhowmanyyears

ago,butitwasafewmonthsbeforeherdeath.”AtthatmomentMr.Kleat’sbuzzersounded.Heansweredandsaid,“Allright.Puthimon.”

The president turned to the girls. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to excuseme now. I have animportantlong-distancecall.”Nancy arose hastily and thanked him. She hurried from the room, followed by Bess and

George.When they reached the sidewalk, George asked, “Nancy, do you think that you learned

anythingimportant?”“Indeed I do. I’vehada feelingall along that something strangewashappeningbetween

Mrs. Horton and the couple who worked for her. I’m beginning to think that maybe theservants were using some hypnotic influence over Mrs. Horton to get her money andsecuritiesawayfromher.”“Howperfectlydreadful!”Besscommented.

Nancywalkedupthestreet,tellingthegirlsshewasgoingtovisittheotherbankintown.Atthisinstitutionthegirldetectivewastoldasimilarstorytotheoneshehadjustheard,buttheinformationcamefromtheheadcashier.Hewastheonlypersonwhohadbeenworkingatthebankfifteenyearsbefore.ThismanwasalittlemoretalkativeandrevealedthefactthatMrs.Hortonwasconsidered

tobewealthy.“Ibelieveshelefteverythingtoagranddaughter,”hesaid,“butthedetailshaveslippedmymemory.”Nancywas sorry to hear this, because for amoment she had hoped that themanwould

supply a helpful clue. He smiled. “Mrs. Horton never talked about her personal affairs toanyone—shedidn’tseemtowantasoultoknowherbusiness.”Nancy,realizingthatthecashiercouldthrownofurtherlightonthemystery,thankedhim

and the girls left the bank. Their next stopwas at one of the law offices. Here the youngsleuths learnednothing—the two lawyerswhoshared theofficehadbeen in town less thanfiveyearsandhadneverheardofMrs.Horton.Atthenextattorney’sNancyhadalittlebetterluck.ThemanhadheardofMrs.Horton,and

althoughheknewnothingaboutherpersonally,hesaid,“IbelieveaMr.JohnWheeler,whoisnowretired,tookcareofherestate.”“Doesheliveintown?”Nancyaskedeagerly.“Yes.OnVictoriaStreet.Idon’tknowthenumberofthehouse,butyoucan’tmissit.Onthe

frontlawnthere’sahugestatueofadog.”As the girls hurried towardMr.Wheeler’s home,Nancywondered if thiswas theman to

whomherfatherhadreferredandwhowasreportedtobeoutoftown.Sheferventlyhopedhewasback!Toherdelight,Mr.Wheelerhadreturnedandhewelcomedthegirlscordially.Hewasabout

seventyyearsold,butverysprylooking.“It’srarethatevenoneyoungladycomestocallonme,”hesaidwithaliltinhisvoice.“To

havethreeallatonce—andsuchattractiveones—isagreatpleasureindeed.Docomeinandsitdown.”The girls seated themselves in the spacious, beautifully furnished living room. Nancy

apologized for the intrusion, then introduced herself as the daughter of Carson Drew, theattorney.“IbelieveyousettledtheestateofMrs.AdelaideHorton?”Nancysaidquestioningly.“Yes,Idid.”NancysaidthatherfatherhadcometoDeepRiverlookingforMr.Wheeler,buthadlearned

hewasoutoftown.“My fatherhad to take abusiness trip, sohe askedme to comeuphere andmake some

inquiries.”“Andwhat is it youwant to know?”Mr.Wheeler asked, his voice now showing a note of

suspicion.“It’saboutMrs.Horton’sgranddaughtertowhomshelefthermoney.”“Well?”Mr.Wheelerliftedhiseyebrows.“Everythingwasinorder.JustbeforeMrs.Horton’s

deathsheleftanotegivingtheaddressofhergranddaughter.ThegirlwasnotifiedandcameherefromNewYorkCity.Herlawyeraccompaniedher.Shehadfullcredentialstoprovewhoshewas.”AfterapauseMr.Wheeleradded,“SosheinheritedMrs.Horton’sestate.That’sallthereistothestory.”“Butshecouldn’thave!”Bessblurted.“Shewasonlythreeyearsold!”Mr.Wheelersmiledaffably.“Oh,no,”hesaid.“Shewastwenty-one.”Nancy,Bess,andGeorgewerestunned.“WhereisJoanieHortonnow?”Nancyasked.“Ihavenoidea,”theretiredlawyeranswered.Nancy’smindwasinawhirl.IfMr.Wheeler’sstoryweretrue,whoweretheMr.andMrs.

BowenthathadcometoMr.Drew?Werethey impostors?Ifso,whatwastheirscheme?Ontheotherhand,Nancyreflected,maybeagreathoaxhadbeenperpetratedandanimpostorhadreceivedtheestate.AsimilarthoughtwentthroughGeorge’smind.Sheaskedabruptly,“Mr.Wheeler,weren’t

yoususpiciousaboutthatgirlwhoclaimedtobeJoanieHorton?”Theformerlawyer’sfaceinstantlyturnedred,thenalmostpurple.Hejumpedfromhischair

and in anger shouted, “How dare you, young lady! The idea of questioningmy integrity! Isuggestthatyouandyourfriendsleaveatonce!”

CHAPTERVI

ALegalTangle

“WHY,Mr.Wheeler,Ididn’tmean—”Georgebrokein.“Pleaseforgiveme.”Theretiredlawyer,mollifiedbyGeorge’sapology,tookadeepbreath.“PerhapsIshouldexplain,”Nancysaid.“WeheardthatMrs.Hortonhadalittlegrandchild

staying with her. But no one in Deep River seems to know anything about her. Your storystartledus.”Mr.Wheelerfinallycalmeddown.“Iwilloutlinethecircumstances,”hesaid,seatinghimself

again. “When I was called in, Mrs. Horton was already dead. Only the doctor and theundertakerwerethere,buttheyshowedmeseveralnotesleftbyheronabedsidetable,alongwith a couple of signed checks. All were in the old woman’s handwriting. One said thegranddaughtermentionedinherwilllivedatacertainaddressinNewYorkCity.Anothernotesaidshedesiredaprivatefuneral.AthirdrequestedthatsinceJoan’sparentswerenotliving,Iwastotakechargeofeverything.“Accordingly,Inotifiedthegranddaughterwhocameherewithalawyerandacouple.They

were friends. Joan had with her a birth certificate, a copy of the marriage license of herparents,andlettersfromhergrandmother.Theidentificationseemedbonafide.”Bessinquired,“Theageofthegrandchildandaguardianwerenotmentionedinthewill?”“No,”Mr.Wheeleranswered.“Bytheway,Ididnotdrawthewill.Thelawyerwhohadand

thewitnesseswhohadsigneditwerenotliving.”“Wastherealargeestate?”Nancyqueried.TheretiredlawyersaidtherehadbeenverylittlecashinMrs.Horton’shomesafe,buthe

hadfoundmanysecuritiesthere.“AllofthemweretransferredtoJoan,”heexplained.“AftershelefttheHortonhouse,Ineverheardfromheragain.”“Didsheselltheproperty?”Georgespokeup.“Yes.Itwaspurchasedbyneighbors,butithassincebeensoldtootherpeople.”“What was the name of the couple whoworked forMrs. Horton just before her death?”

Nancyasked.Mr.Wheelersaidhedidnotknow.AllthistimeNancyhadbeenstudyingtheelderlyman’sface.Itwasanenigmatoher.Was

hecompletelyhonestorwasheinvolvedinacrookeddealregardingthewill?Georgeasked,“Thosenotesyouweregiven—couldtheypossiblyhavebeenforgeries?”Theretired lawyer, insteadofbecomingangryover thequestion, lookedtroubled.“Imost

certainlyhopenot,”hesaid.“Didyoukeepthenotes?”Nancyasked.“No, I didn’t. As a matter of fact, I laid them down at the Horton house and they

disappeared.Iassumedsomeonehadthrownthemaway,thinkingtheywerenolongerofanyuse.”Nancy stoodup. She felt that the girls hadgleaned all the informationpossible fromMr.

Wheeler,whoappearedgenuinelyupset.“I’m sorrywedisturbed you,” saidNancy. “Thank you verymuch for this information. I’ll

passitalongtomydad.Probablyhewillbeintouchwithyouwhenhereturnshome.”Bess andGeorge said good-by, butMr.Wheeler did not rise.He seemed stunned andhis

thoughtsfaraway.Nancywishedshewereamindreader!HadMr.Wheelertoldallthefacts?The girls let themselves out the front door and started for the car. “That was really

something,wasn’tit?”Bessremarked.“Idon’tknowwhowasmorestunned—Mr.Wheelerorme,”saidNancy.“Doyourealizewhat

thismeans, girls? If this whole thing was a grand hoax, and someone got away withMrs.Horton’s estate, there’s no chance of the real Joanie Horton’s getting it, or even of beingfound.”

“Anddon’tforget,”Bessadded,“thatwehaven’t learnedonesinglethingaboutthethree-year-oldchildnamedJoanieHorton.Itlooksasifsheneverexisted!”“Itsureisamystery,”saidGeorge,asthegirlsclimbedintothecar.Afterlunchtheyreturnedtothemotel.Nancywentatoncetothetelephoneandtriedtocall

herfather.Shelearned,however,thathehadlefttheSanFranciscohotel,butwasexpectedbackinafewdays.NancynextcalledHannahGruen.Whenthehousekeeperheardthelatestdevelopmentsin

thecase,shewasalarmedbythenews.“Theremaybemoredanger in thismystery than youbargained for,Nancy,” she said. “If

yourfathershouldphone,I’llgivehimyourmessageandI’msurehe’llgetintouchwithyou.”ThekindlywomanbeggedNancytouseextremecautionassheproceededinhersleuthing.“Don’t forget,” Nancy reminded her with a chuckle, “that the moonstone I brought is

supposedtobringmegoodluck!”“Moonstone,bah!”Mrs.Gruensaid.“Useyourgoodcommonsenseandyou’llbebetteroff!”As Nancy said good-by, Bess came up to her and announced she would like to offer a

suggestion.“Don’t you think you ought to get in touchwith the Bowens and tell them thewholestory?”Nancyshookherhead.“I’llcallthem,butIwon’ttellthemwhatwe’velearned.It’spossible

that theymay be the phonies. I’m sure I can’t imaginewhat their gamewould be after alltheseyears,butDadsaysnevertakeanythingforgranted.Ithinkweshouldtrytolearnthetruthinthiscasebeforetellingthemanythingmore.ButIdowanttoaskthemaquestion.”Nancyputinthecalltothecouple,whowerestayinginNewYorkCity.Shetoldthemshe

had nothing to report, but thought they themselves might get a clue to their missinggrandchildthroughtheorganizationwhichhadsentthemtoAfricaasmissionaries.Surelyitwould have notifiedMrs.Horton of their capture. “Whatwas the name of the group?” sheasked.Mr. Bowen said it was the African Brotherhood Society of New York. “Unfortunately, the

Societyhasbeenoutofexistenceseveralyears,sotherearenocontactsinthatdirection.”“That’stoobad,”saidNancy,whorealizeditwouldbeverydifficulttotraceanyonewhohad

been in theorganization fifteenyearsbefore.“Well, I’llsaygood-bynow. If I learnanythingworthwhile,I’llgetintouchwithyou.”Georgejoinedtheothergirlsandtheydiscussedthecasefromeveryangle.Nancygavea

greatsigh.“IthinkthebestthingformetodorightnowisclearmybrainoftheHortoncaseforawhile.”Bessgiggled.“Howdoyouproposetodothat?”“Bytakingaswim.Shallwegetreadytogobacktothecastle?I’dliketofindoutifanyone

isstayingthereillegally,andifsuchapersonhasanythingtodowithourcase.”“Let’sgo,”saidGeorge.Bess was silent. Finally she confessed, “Nancy, while you were telephoning, an absolute

dreamboyhereatthemotelaskedmetoplaytennis.”Shelookedoffintothedistance.“ButI’llgowithyou,”sheadded.NancyandGeorgebegantolaugh.“Likefunyouwill,”saidGeorge.“Youjustcan’twaitto

getoutonthecourtwiththatboy.”“Youknow,”saidNancy,“itmightnotbeabadidea.Itmightfoolanyinquisitivepeopleif

Bessdoesn’tactasifshewereatLongViewjustasadetective.Yougoahead,Bess,andplaytennis. If George and I aren’t back in three hours, then suppose you and whoosy-whatsuscomeafterus.”Bessblinkedandflungupherhead.“Okay,buthisname’sAlanRyder!”sheretorted.Georgesniffed.“Betterbesure,dearcoz,thatheisnotoneoftheSeamangang!”Bessstampedherfootfuriously.“GeorgeFayne,therearetimeswhenIcouldpullyourhair

rightoutbytheroots!”Shestalkedoff.Giggling,Nancy andGeorgewent to their room.They undressed, put on swim suits, and

over them their shorts and shirts. They rolled towels inwaterproof bagswhich theywouldcarryacrossthemoat.

The two girls drove off, excited by the prospect of what they might learn about the oldcastle.Justbeforereachingthedrawbridge,Georgebegantolaugh.“Nancy,maybeyouandIareacoupleofgoofs.”“Weprobablyare,”Nancyadmitted,“butwhatputthatideaintoyourhead?”Georgeexplainedshehadheard that inolden timessomedrawbridgeswerebuilt so they

couldbe controlled from the far side of themoat aswell as the inside of the castle. “If anunwanted visitor or enemy approached the bridge while it was down, a secretmechanismundertheroadworkedautomaticallytoraisethebridge.Maybethere’shiddenmachineryonthisside.Inthatcase,maybenobodywasatthecastlewhenwewalkedtowardthebridge.Wemayhavesetoffthemechanism,andupwentthebridge!”“Isupposeyoucouldberight,”Nancyagreed,“butIstillthinksomebodyontheinsidelet

downthosetwogreatchainsonthebridge.Andperhapsthesamepersonwasresponsibleforrunningwaterintothemoat.”“Well,thebridgeisstillup,sowe’reinforaswim,”Georgeannounced.Nancysuggestedthatfirsttheywalkalongtheedgeofthemoattoseeiftheycouldfindthe

sourceofthewatersupply.“It’sprobablytheriver,sincethefarsideofthecastlefacesit.”Thegirls left theirshirtsandshorts in thecar, thenwalkedaroundtheedgeof themoat.

TheydiscoveredanewlydugtrenchfromDeepRiver.“NowI’msuresomeoneintendstokeepoutallvisitors,”Nancyremarked.Shegrinned.“But

nottwopeoplenamedGeorgeFayneandNancyDrew!”“Whereshallweswimacross?”Georgeasked.Nancy surveyed the area, and decided that a spot a short distance from the drawbridge

mightbethebestplace.Theywalkedback.Thetwogirlsputtheirloafersintothewaterproofbags,slippedintothewater,andquickly

swamtotheotherside.Theypulledthemselvesupfromthemoatontoanarrowroadwayandran to an opening in the stone-walled enclosure, where they thought they could avoiddetectionwhiledryingoff.Theplacehadevidentlyoncebeenabeautifulgarden.Therewerestillprettyflowersamongthehighweedsandgrass.Suddenly the still air was racked with the sepulchral tones of aman’s voice. Slowly but

distinctlyhewarned,“Swim-m-mba-a-a-ack!Deathawaitsyouherel”

Theyswamtotheothersideofthemoat

CHAPTERVII

TheReeklessPilot

THEominouswarningwasnotrepeated.NancyandGeorgehadstoppeddeadintheirtracks.Theycouldseenoone.“Didthatman’svoicecomefrominsideoroutsidethecastle?”Georgeasked.“Ihonestlydon’tknow,”Nancyresponded.“Ifwegocarefully,doyoumindinvestigatingthe

inside?”“I’mgame,”saidGeorge.“Butwhydidn’twebringflashlights?”Thetwogirlsenteredanarcheddoorwaywhichledtothecellarofthestonecastle.Ahead

ofthemwasalongcorridorwithroomsopeningoffeachside.Cobwebsfestoonedtheplace.NancysuggestedthatGeorgekeep lookingbackand into theroomsonthe left.Sheherselfwouldgazeaheadandglanceintotheopeningsontheright.“Thisisreallyspooky,”saidGeorge.“Itlookslikeanold-timedungeon.”Thetwosleuthswalkedasfarastherewaslighttosee,butthecorridorgrewincreasingly

dimmerastheypenetrated intothe interior.Mostof theroomshadnowindows;othershadsmallbarredopeningshighontheoutersides.Apparently all the rooms were empty with the exception of what once was probably the

kitchen. In itwasahuge fireplaceandawooden tablecoveredwithmoldanda fewrustedironkettles.“Thiscertainlywouldbeawonderfulhidingplace,”Georgeremarked.“Nancy,Idon’twant

toseemlikeaquitter,butIdon’tthinkweshouldgoanyfartherwithoutalighttoguideus.”Nancyagreed.She,too,hadbeguntofeelleeryofthedankplace.Thetwogirlsreturnedtothewalledgarden.Justastheyreachedit,theyheardacaroutside

the castle. They darted from the enclosure and were just in time to glimpse a sedandisappearingonthefarsideofthemoat.Thedrawbridgewasup.Haditbeendownandhadthecargoneacrossitwhiletheywereinthecellar?Orhadtheautomobilemerelycomeasfarasthemoatandturnedaround?“That car looks like the oneMr. Seaman went off in that night I followed him!” George

exclaimed.“AndtheglimpseIhadofthedriver—well,hecouldbeMr.Seamanhimself!”“Maybehegavethatwarningcry,”saidNancy.She suggested that the girlswalk around to the front of the castle and try to determine

whetherornotthecarhadbeenparkedbythewall.Thegirlshurried forwardand ina fewmomentsNancysaidexcitedly, “Lookat these tire

prints,George!They’rearealcluetothecarthatwashere.”Shepointedtothenarrowdirtroadwaywhichraninfrontofthewall.Thetreadmarkswere

verydistinct.Threeofthemwereexactlyalike—theirtireshadparallellinesonthem.“Butlookatthisrightrearone,”Nancysaid.“Thetiremarksarediamond-shaped.”Georgegrinned. “I supposeournext jobwillbe towalkupanddown thestreetsofDeep

Riverandfindthecar.”“Allright,”saidNancy.“Teasemeallyoulike,butIthinkthatwouldbeanexcellentidea.”She proposed that while the girls were there, they try to find out how the drawbridge

worked.Thegreatpaneleddoorwaywhichitformedwastightinplace.“Buthowarewegoingtogetbehindthatwalltofindouthowthebridgeworks?”George

queried.“MaybeIcouldsqueezethroughthatlittleopeningupthere,”Nancysaid,pointing.Tenfeetabovetheminthesheerrockwallwasarectangularholethroughwhichanancient

cannonwas supposed to protrude.Nancy stood onGeorge’s shoulders and looked through.Inside,agreatcourtyardsurroundedthecastle.Thefrontofthecastlewasonlyasheerwall,

buttheotherthreesideshadwidestoneporticosfromwhichroomsandcorridorsopened.Thedrawbridge,whichwasinthefrontwall,Nancynoted,wasmanipulatedbytwoheavy

chains.Someonehadtobeinsidethecastlewalltopullthemdownorreleasethem.The young sleuth found that she couldwriggle through the opening and knew she could

droptotheotherside.Didshedare?“I’mgoingtotryit!”Nancydetermined.Shedisappeared,whileGeorgeheldherbreath.IfsomethinghappenedtoNancy,howcould

she ever help her? Suddenly she heard the chain begin to rasp and the drawbridge slowlylowered.InafewsecondsGeorgewasrelievedtoseeNancyontheotherside,unharmed.Withadeepsighshesaid,“Youfoundhowtoworkthebridge.Wonderful!”“Thequestionis,canwegetacrossbeforesomebodypullsitupagain?”Nancyspeculated.Thetwogirlsspedacrossthebridgeasifatidalwavewereabouttoovertakethem.They

reachedtheothersidewithoutanythinghappening.“Nowlet’swalkbackalongtheroadandseeifthere’sanytruthtomytheory,”saidGeorge,

“that when a person goes over a certain section of road while the bridge is down, itautomaticallyliftsup.”“Wait!”Nancy called. “Just in case you’re right andwewant to comehere againwithout

swimmingacrossthemoat,whydon’twetrytofastenthisendofthebridgedown?”“That’sagoodidea,”Georgeagreed.“SupposeIpileupsomerocks,whileyougotothecar

andseeifyoucanfindanywire.”By the timeNancy returned,Georgehad lugged severalheavy rocksandplaced themon

eithersideoftheendofthedrawbridge.“That’sgreat!”saidNancy.“Ifoundthiswire.Doyousupposewecanattachit?”“There are some posts in the ground with iron hooks on the end of each one,” George

replied,“I’llbettheywereusedforthisverypurpose.”SheandNancyalsofoundstouthooksundertheedgeofthedrawbridge.Together,thegirls

fastenedseveralstrandsofthewiretothehooks,securingthebridgetightly.SuddenlyGeorgebegantolaugh.“Whenthepersonwhocontrolsthisbridgecomestoraise

it,can’tyoujustseethelookonhisface?We’dbettergetoutofherebeforehediscoversus!”“Hemayhaveseenusalready,”saidNancy.Thegirlshurriedofftothecar.TheyhadjuststartedtodriveawaywhenNancy’sconscience

begantobotherher.“Youknow,George,youandIhavebeentamperingwithprivateproperty.Wecouldgetintotroubleoverthis.”“Don’tbesilly!”Georgescoffed.“Ifwecansolveamysteryandcatchsomecrooks,eventhe

policewouldpraiseusforfindingawaytotrapthem.”“Aren’t youassuminga lot?”Nancyasked. “Wedon’tknow if thereareanycrooksat the

castle.Thatpersonwhowarnedusawaymayjustbequeer.”“All the same, I’ll bet the owner doesn’t knowhe’s staying there andwould thank us for

finding it out,” George defended herself. “And how about Mr. Seaman’s being here, hiswanting togiveyousomethingand themoonstonesent toyou?Maybeall thesehave someconnectionwithMoonstoneCastle.”Nancynodded.“Couldbe.”She said she would leave the bridgewired down, hoping no onewould raise it. “If your

hunchaboutthecastlebeingusedasasecretheadquartersisright,thenweshouldgethelpandreallyinvestigatetheplace.”“Youmeanthepolice?”Georgeasked.“Iwasjustthinking,”Nancyreplied,“thatinsteadofcontactingthepolice,wemighttryto

getNedandBurtandDavetogowithus.”BurtEddletonandDaveEvanswerecollegefriendsofNed,nowcampcounselorsatSylvan

LakenearRiverHeights.DavedatedBess,andBurtenjoyedtakingGeorgetoparties.“Great,”saidGeorge.“Andifthebridgeisupandwecan’tgettothecastlebycar,we’llrent

aboat.”

WhenBessheardthestoryofthegirls’adventureandNancy’ssuggestion,shesmiledbutsaid,“Youcertainlytookachance,Nancy.I’mgladyoudidn’tgoanyfarther.Asforaskingtheboystogosleuthingwithus,I’mallforit—alotmorefunthantakingthepolice!”Nancyput inacall toNed,whowasdelightedtohearfromher.“Ihaven’thada letter in

ages,”hecomplained.“Butthisisevenbetter.”QuicklyNancytoldofherideaandsaidthatBessandGeorgewerekeenaboutit.“Canyou

come?”“Well,speakingformyself,trytokeepmeaway!”Nedreplied.“HoldthephoneandI’llask

BurtandDave.Weallhaveaweekendoffcoming.”Hecamebackinafewminutesandsaidthat the boys had accepted the invitationwith alacrity and the threewould arrive at LongViewlatethefollowingafternoon.Bess,whentoldofthearrangements,said,herdimplesshowing,“It’sagoodthingAlanis

leavingtomorrow.Ihatecomplications!”SheinsistedthattheothergirlsmeetAlan,sotheywalkedovertotheswimmingpoolwhere

shehadlefthimashorttimebefore.SheintroducedAlan,atanned,good-lookingboy.Afterafewmoments’conversation,hesaid:“I’dliketoinviteallyougirlstoapicnicthisevening.It’smy Grandmother’s birthday. She lives here in Deep River. That’s why my family came up.There are somanyof uswe can’t stay at herhouse.OnGrandmother’s birthday thewholefamilygatherstocelebrateit.”Alanexplainedthattheoutdoorpicnicwastobeheldathisgrandmother’shouseandgave

thegirlstheaddress.“Tonight’sthebignight,”hesaid.“Willyouthreecomeandhelpuspayhomage?”Atfirstthegirlsdemurred,sayingthattheyweretotalstrangerstoMrs.Ryder,butAlanwas

insistent.“Themorepeoplewhocome,thebettershelikesit.Halfthetownwillbethere.”Finallythegirlsaccepted.Nancysaidshewoulddriveherowncarsothegirlswouldbefree

toleavewithouttakingAlanawayfromthecelebration.“ButIwouldliketocomeforBess,”hesaid,andshequicklyaccepted.All thegirlswentswimming, thendressed for thepicnic.When theywereready to leave,

Nancysaid,“Bess,we’llfollowyouandAlansincewedon’tknowtheway.”WhenAlanarrived,theyallwentovertotheparkinglot.Nancyhadlefttheconvertiblenear

aplantingofrhododendronbushes,buttohersurprise,itwasnotthere.Sheglancedatalltheautomobilesintheparkingarea.Herswasnotamongthem.“Mycar’sgone!”shecriedout.“What!Why,Nancy,youleftitrightherenottwohoursago!”Georgeexclaimed.“Someonehasstolenit!”Besssaidfearfully.Nancy hurried back inside the motel and phoned police headquarters. She gave a

descriptionofthecarandthelicensenumbertothesergeantonduty.Hesaidhewouldsendoutaradioalarmatonce.“Andwillyoudosomethingelseforme?”Nancyasked.“I’dliketoknowwhotheownerisof

thecarwiththefollowinglicensenumber.”ShegavetheoneGeorgehadseenonthesedaninwhichMr.Seamanhaddrivenoff.Alansaidhe felt verysorry forNancyandwould like tohelp. “We’reearly for thepicnic.

SupposeIdriveyouaroundtowntoseeifwecanspotyourcar.Maybeitwasn’treallystolen—justborrowed.”“Idon’t thinkso,” saidNancy. “Ididn’t leave thekeys in the ignitionandonlyacar thief

wouldhavetakenit.”Although the young people rode all over Deep River, they failed to find any trace of the

missing convertible.When they finally stopped at policeheadquarters,Nancywas told thattherewasnoreportyetonhercar.“Butsomeone,”saidthesergeant,“sawaconvertiblelikeyoursbeingdrivenoutoftownby

awoman.”AsNancyponderedthisstartlinginformation,thesergeantsaid,“Bytheway,theownerof

thecaryouaskedaboutisRalphSeaman.Helivesat24WillowRoad.”“Thankyouverymuch,”saidNancy.

BythistimeNancyhadlostallherenthusiasmforGrandmotherRyder’spicnic.Butshedidnot want to seem like a poor sport and accompanied the others. They congratulated theattractive, elderly woman and thanked her for letting them come. Then the young peoplemovedaway.“Didyoueverseesomuchfoodinyourlife?”askedBessasshestaredatseverallongtables

filledwithallkindsoftastydishes.“I’dcallthisabanquet!”Georgedeclared.Alanandthegirlswanderedovertoit.Hehandedaplatetoeachofthemfromahugestack

at theendofone tableandmotioned for themtoselect food.AsNancywasabout toputaspoonfulofchickensaladontoherplate,someonetappedherarmandsheturned.“Mr.Wheeler!”shesaid.“Howdoyoudo?”“MayIspeaktoyouaminuteprivately,MissDrew?”heasked.NancyhandedherplatetoBess,requestinghertofillit,thenwalkedoffwiththelawyer.“Ipromisenottokeepyoulong,”saidMr.Wheeler.“Youknowyou’vesetmethinkingabout

theHortoncase.”Mr.Wheeler said he had been doing a good bit of reminiscing.He had begun towonder

aboutthewholethinghimself.“Somethingthatoccurredyearsagowasrecalledtomymind,”hesaid.“I’dlikeyoutogo

withmetocallonamanacrosstheriver.Ibelievehemightshedsomelightonthemystery.”Nancyhesitated,thensaid,“Whendoyouwanttogo?”“Assoonaswecangetawayfromthisparty,”thelawyerreplied.“Howwillwego?”Nancyasked.“Ihaveamotorboat.It’smoorednotfarfromhere.”“I’ll bring one of my friends with me,” said Nancy. “Suppose I meet you over by the

musicians.”Shehad justnoticed themcoming inand taking theirplacesneara lovely rosegarden.“Allright.Nineo’clock.”NancyjoinedherfriendsandwhisperedherplanstoBessandGeorge.Besssaidshewould

like to stay with Alan—it might be best not to tell him about themystery. George eagerlyofferedtogo.Promptlyatnineo’clockthetwogirlsmetMr.Wheeler,wholedthewaydownapathand

alongthewaterfronttoaboathouse.Heunlockedtheentrancedoorandtheyallclimbedintoasleekmotorboat.Mr.Wheeler leanedtowardthewall,pressedabutton,andthebig frontdoorrolledup.Thelawyerturnedonthemotorandwhizzedfromtheboathouse.“He’safastpilot!”GeorgewhisperedtoNancyastheboatracedacrosstheriver.TheyreachedtheothersideandMr.Wheelerspunthewheel, turningtheboatsharply to

starboard.Thegirlslookedateachother.Althoughtheydidnotknowtheriver,bothfeltthatinthedarktheyweremuchtooclosetoshoreforsafety.Mr.Wheelerputonmorepower.Georgewhispered,“Foranoldman,he’saspeeddemon!”Nancywasfrightened.Shewasjustabouttoaskthelawyertogofartheroutfromtheshore

when there was a terrific crash. The boat spun around and its passengers were knockedhelter-skelter!

CHAPTERVIII

TheCanoeists’Clue

ITwasafullhalfminutebeforeNancyandGeorgecollectedtheirwits.Theyhadbeenbadlyshakenbytheboatcrash.Sincenoothercraftwasaround,theyassumedtheirmotorboathadhitarock.

“Nancy!”Georgecriedout.“Theboat’sfillingwithwater!”“Yes,andMr.Wheeler’sunconscious!”Thegirlsrealizeditwasfutiletotrytoplugtheholeintheboat.Theymustswimtoshore

andtakeMr.Wheelerwiththem.Atthispartoftheriverthebankwasverydark.Itwastree-linedandimpossibleforthegirlstotellhowdeepthewaterwas.

Beforegoingovertheside, theytriedtoreviveMr.Wheeler. Itwashopeless.Bythis timethewateronthefloorofthetiltedmotorboatwassixinchesdeep.

“I’llseehowfarit istothebottomhere,”Nancyoffered.Sheeasedherself intothewateranddisappeared.Whenshesurfaced,shesaid,“It’soverourheads.George,seeifthere’saflashlightintheboat’scompartment.”

Georgeyankedopenthedoor.“Yes,thereis,”shereplied.Nancy asked George if she would please hold it and light the way to shore. She would

supportMr.Wheeler.“Canyoueasehimoverthesideandlayhimonhisback?”Nancyasked.“I’lltry.”Georgesoonhadhiminthewater.NancytuckedonearmaroundMr.Wheeler’snecktokeephimafloatandheldhimupwhile

sheswamwithherfreearm.Georgestayedclosebesideher,holdingthestrongbeamoftheflashlightonthebankahead.

Fortunately, they were close enough to the shore so the swim was not too arduous. Theyreached it safely and carried the unconscious figure to a flat, open area, where they againtriedtorevivehim.Itwasuseless.

GeorgeandNancypeeredintothedarknight,hopingtoseelightsfromahouse.Butneithergirlsawany.

“Iguesswe’llhavetoyellforhelp!”Nancysaid.Shebegancalling,buttherewasnoresponse.Georgetookupthecry,andthetwofriends

thoughttheirshoutswouldsurelyrouseMr.Wheeler.Buthelaystillonthegrass.“I’llSOSwiththeflashlight,”Nancysaidfinally.“Maybesomebodywillpickitup.”Shebegan—threedots,threedashes,followedbythreedots.Afterwaitingseveralseconds

theyoungsleuthrepeatedthedistresssignal.Suddenlythegirlsheardahellofromthewater.“Youintrouble?”aman’svoicecalled.“Yes.Ourboatcrackedup.We’rehereonshorewithaninjuredman.”“I’llberightthere,”thestrangerpromised.Withinafewminutesacanoepulleduptotheshore.Initwereacouple,whojumpedoutat

once.TheyoungmanwentovertoMr.Wheeler,gotdownononeknee,andfelttheman’spulse.Meanwhile,thegirlsaid,“We’reAmyCadmusandArtMunson.Art’samedicalstudent.”“Thankgoodnessforthat,”saidGeorge,andintroducedherselfandNancy.Art quickly examined Mr. Wheeler, then said, “We must get this man to the Deep River

Hospitalimmediately.”“Istherearoadnearhere?”Nancyasked.“No,thereisn’t.Thisareaisalmostawilderness.I’llbegladtotakethemantothehospital

inourcanoe.Amy,supposeyoucomewithme.Later,I’llreturnforyougirls.ForPete’ssake,you’reshivering.”

“Well,we’resoakingwet,”Georgesaid.“AndofcourseMr.Wheeleris,too.”“He’sJohnWheeler,aretiredlawyerofDeepRiver,”saidNancy.“Oh,really?”saidAmy.“Iknowhim.”InArt’swell-equippedcanoeweretworaincoatsandalargetarpaulin.Hehandedaraincoat

toeachofthesoaking-wetgirls.Mr.Wheelerwaslaidinthecanoeandthetarpaulinplacedoverhim.

Thecanoeistspaddledoff,making fast timeacross the river.Nevertheless, forNancyandGeorgethewaitseemedinterminable.Atlast,however,Artreappeared.

AsNancyandGeorgeclimbedintothecanoe,Artsaid,“Icalledanambulanceassoonaswereachedtheotherside.AmysaidshewouldstaythereandtelltheinternwhathappenedandwhoMr.Wheeleris.”

“Doyouthinkhe’sgoingtobeallright?”Nancyasked.“It’s hard to say,” the young medical student replied. “He hadn’t regained consciousness

whenIlefthim.”Georgeofferedtotaketheextrapaddleanditwasnotlongbeforetheyreachedtown.Amy

waswaitingforthemonthedock.Shesaidtheambulancehadcomeandgone.Mr.Wheelerstillwasunconscious.

“Whereareyougirlsstaying?”sheasked.“AttheLongViewMotel,”Nancyreplied.Art said he had a car nearby and offered to drive the girls home. Grinning, he added,

“DoctorMunsonordershotbathsandagoodnight’ssleep.”NancyandGeorgelaughedandsaidtheywouldcertainlyobeyhisorders.As they headed for the motel, Amy said to George, “How do you happen to have a boy’s

name,orisn’tGeorgeyourrealname?”Georgesmiled.“It’smyrealnameallright.Accordingtothestory,myparentsweresosure

Iwasgoingtobeaboy,theyhadpickedoutonlythenameGeorge,sotheydecidedtogiveittome,anyway.”

“I like it,”saidAmy.“Unusualnames intrigueme.Mysister,whoiseighteen,hasafriendwhosenameIlove.It’sJodine.”

“Thatisunusual,”Nancyagreed.“Isshecalledthat?”“No, which I think is a shame. She’s called Jody.” Amy went on to say that Jody was a

wonderfulgirl.“Iwishyoucouldmeetherwhileyou’rehere.HerlastnameisArmstrongandshe lives on Birchwood Lane—that’s the street alongside the high school. She has had thenameArmstrongonlysinceshewasaboutthreeorfouryearsold,whenshewasadopted.”

NancyandGeorge,interestedatonce,glancedateachother.HadtheypickedupacluetoJoanie Horton? Trying to sound nonchalant, Nancy asked, “Was Jody adopted here in DeepRiver?”

“Herpresentparentsgotherfromanadoptionsocietyinthenexttown,Ibelieve.”“I’dlovetomeether,”saidNancy.“Whilewe’rehere,couldyouintroduceus?”Amy said unfortunately both she and her sister were going out of town early the next

morningonavacation.“ButJodywouldlovetomeetyoujustthesame.TellheryousawmeandthatIsuggestedyougirlsgettogether.”

Nancywasdelightedwiththeinformation.ShewouldcertainlylookupJodyArmstrong!By this time the car had reached the motel. Nancy and George thanked Art and Amy for

theirkindnessintakingcareofMr.Wheelerandforrescuingthem.“I’msorrywewon’tseeyouagain,”saidNancy.“Haveamarveloustimeonyourvacation.”“I’msurewewill,”saidAmy.“ToobadthatArtwon’tbearoundhere.Thisisthelastdayof

hisvacation.He’sgoingbacktomedicalschoolinNewYorkCitytomorrow.”NancyandGeorgereturnedtheraincoatstotheirkinddonors,thenwalkedintothemotel

lobby.

BessMarvinrantowardthem.“Mygoodness,whathappenedtoyou?You’reallwet!”Mrs.Thompson,whohadrisenfromachair,nowreachedthebedraggledgirls.“BessandI

havebeendreadfullyworriedaboutyou.”QuicklyNancyandGeorgetoldwhathadhappened.Mrs.Thompsoninsistedthattheyfollow

ArtMunson’sadvice.“Assoonasyou’reinbed,I’llbringyousomehotcocoaandcookies.”“Itwouldtastemightygood,Iadmit,”saidNancy.BessofferedtohelpMrs.Thompsonandwenttoherprivatekitchen.Whenthecocoaand

cookieswereready,Besscarriedthemtothegirls’room.WhileNancyandGeorgesatupinbed,sippingthehot,soothingcocoa,theytoldBessaboutJodyArmstrong.

AtonceBesshadthesamethoughtasNancyandGeorge.“DoyouthinkJodyArmstrongisreallyJoanieHorton?”sheaskedexcitedly.

“Let’sgotoseehertomorrow!”Nancysaid.

CHAPTERIX

TheVanishingPatient

EXCITEDbythesleuthingaheadofthem,Nancy,Bess,andGeorgearoseearlythefollowingmorning.Since theweatherbureaupredictedahotday, thegirls put on lightweight cottondresses.“IwishIfeltascoolasIlook,”saidBess,staringatherselfinthemirror.“Ithinkwe’rehot

onthetrailofsomethinganditmakesmeevenhottertothinkaboutit!”NancyandBess laughed, andGeorge remarked, “I hope theonly cooling-off swim I have

todaywillnotbeinthemoatbutinthemot-elpool!”Bess’sreactiontothepunwastothrowapillowathercousin.Stilllaughing,Nancywentto

themotel lobby and phoned for a taxi to take them to the diner for breakfast.When theyfinishedeating,Nancysaidshewantedtomaketwophonecalls—onetothehospitalandtheothertopoliceheadquarters.“TofindoutaboutMr.Wheelerandaboutyourcar?”Bessasked.Nancynodded.Thehospitalwireswerebusy,soNancycalledpoliceheadquarters.Shelearnedthatthere

wasnowordyetofhercar.Withasighsheagaindialedthehospital,onlytogetabusysignal.“I’llstoptherelater,”theyoungsleuthsaidtoherself.Shecamebacktoherfriendsandreportedherfindings.Thenshesaid,“It’sratherearlyto

callon theArmstrongs. Ihaveasuggestion.Let’s findouthowfar it is toWillowRoad.Wemightwalkthere,insteadofcallingataxi,andtakealookatMr.Seaman’shouse.”“Whydon’twecallonhim?”Georgesuggested.“Let’sdecidewhattodowhenwegetthere.”NancyfoundoutfromthewaitressthatWillowRoadwasonlyaboutahalfmileaway.The

girlsdecidedtowalk.Theysetoutatabriskpace.OnthewayBessbroughtupthesubjectofNancy’smysteriousgiftofamoonstone.“Doyou

realizewehaveneverhadonesinglecluetoexplainthat?”“Iknow,”saidNancy.“ButI feelthatsooneror laterthedonor isgoingtogivehimselfor

herselfaway.”GeorgebegantoteaseNancyoncemoreaboutthemysteriouspersonbeinganadmirer.She

said,“WaituntilNedgetshere.Youprobablycantraphimintoconfessing.”NancywassparedthenecessityofaretortbecauseBesscalledout,“ThisisWillowRoad.”ThegirlsturneddownthestreetandpresentlyreachedtheaddressgiventoNancybythe

police. Number twenty-four gave every evidence of being deserted. Grass, weeds, andunkemptflowersweretall.Twosmallchairsontheporchlayupsidedownasifthewindhadblownthemover.“I’msurenooneislivinghere,”shesaid,“butwe’llringthebell,anyhow.”Shepushedthebuttonandalsoclappedtheknocker,buttherewasnoresponse.“Thissurecomplicatesourcase,”saidGeorge.“Iwonder,”Nancymused,“whetheritwasjustaphonyaddressMr.Seamanused,knowing

thehousewasvacant,orwhetherhe’sstayingawayfromitforsomeparticularreason.”“Oh,let’sforgethim,”Besssuggested.“I’mmoreinterestedinwhatwe’regoingtofindout

aboutJodyArmstrong.”It was a mile to the Armstrong home, but by walking it, the girls arrived there at a

reasonablehourforcalling.Astheywentupthefrontwalk,Nancywhisperedtothecousins,“We’llhavetobecareful

nottomentionthesubjectofJodyandtheadoption.HerparentsmaybetouchyaboutitandnotwanttoknowwhoJody’srealparentsmighthavebeen.Let’shopeMrs.Armstrongbringsupthematter.”

“You’reright,”saidBess.“Let’snotgiveanyhintastowhatwe’retryingtofindout.”“IhavethepictureofJoanieHortoninmypurse,”saidNancy.“Ifwecanonlyseeapicture

of Jody takensoonafter theArmstrongsadoptedher,perhapswecouldcompare the two inprivate.”Hopefully the threegirlswent to thedoorandNancyrang thebell.Apleasant,attractive

womanoffortyanswered.Shesmiledatthecallers.“Mrs.Armstrong?”Nancyinquired.“Yes.”NancytoldofhavingmetAmyCadmusandAmy’ssuggestionthatthegirlsgetintouchwith

Jody.“We’restayingatamotelanddon’tknowanyoneintown.”“Docomein,”Mrs.Armstronginvitedthecallers.“I’msorryJodyisn’there.Shewentwith

herfatheronabusinesstripandwon’tbehomeuntilthisevening.”Nancysmiled.“We’llhavetoseeyourdaughteranothertimethen,”shesaid.“Pleasedon’tgo,”Mrs.Armstrongsaidcordially.“I’mgoingtobelonesomeherebymyself

allday.I’dlovetotalktoyou.TellmehowyouhappenedtocometoDeepRiver.”AtonceBessspokeup.“Motherknewaboutthedarlingmotelhere.”“Itisaveryattractiveplace,”Mrs.Armstrongagreed.Afteralittlewhile,Nancyremarked,“Jodineisalovelybutratherunusualname.”“Yes, it is,”Mrs.Armstrongagreed.She looked intospace fora fewseconds, thenadded,

“Mr.ArmstrongandIdidn’tgive it toher.Weadoptedourdaughterandthatwasthenameshehad.”“HaveyoualwayscalledherJody?”Bessasked.Mrs. Armstrong said that the nickname too had already been given to their daughter,

apparentlybyherownmother.“Theadoptiontookplacemanyyearsago.There’snosecrettothestory—peoplearoundhereknowit.Jodyherselfhasbeentoldwhathappened,butIdoubtthatsheeverthinksaboutit.Weloveherverymuchandwe’reherparentsnow.”Mrs.ArmstrongrevealedthatwhenJodywasaboutthreeyearsofage,shewasleftatthe

adoptionsocietyinthetownnexttoDeepRiver.“Mr.ArmstrongandIhadaskedforachild,andwhenJodywasofferedtous,webothfellinlovewithher.Shehadbeenfoundasleepintheloungeofthesociety.TherewasanotepinnedtoherdresswhichsaidthatshewasJodineHolt,andhernicknamewasJody.Scrawledonthepaperwerethewords,‘Iamgivingupallrightstothischildandofferherforadoption.Hermother.’”There was a somewhat awkward pause, then Nancy, smiling, said, “But everything has

turnedoutwonderfullyforher.”“We hope so. Jody has always been an adorable child. That’s she in the picture on the

piano.”Thethreegirlsarosetogolookatthephotographofatall,slender,attractive,dark-haired

girl.“She’s darling!” Bess exclaimed. As Nancy and George added their compliments, Mrs.

Armstrongbeameddelightedly.“Shephotographssowell,”saidNancy,“youmusthavetaken lotsofpicturesofher.”She

hopedferventlythatMrs.Armstrongwouldbringoutsomeofthem.“Oh,yes,indeed,”thewomansaid.“Butastheyearsgoon,theolderpicturessomehowget

uptotheatticandarepackedaway.”Nancyfeltthatthegirlshadstayedlongenough.Shemerelyremarkedthatshewasmore

eagerthanevertomeetJodyandaskedthatthegirlgetintouchwithherassoonasitwasconvenient.Jody’smotherpromisedtogiveherthemessage,thensaid,“Iwantmydaughtertomeetyou

girls,too.”Sheaccompaniedherthreecallerstothedoorandtheysaidgood-by.Astheywalkedupthe

streetarminarm,Bessasked,“Well,didwelearnanythingornot?”“I’mpuzzledbythatnotewhichwaspinnedtoJody’sdress,”saidNancy.“If,byanychance,

sheis JoanieHorton—youwilladmit there isagreatsimilarity innames—thenthe littlegirlprobablywaskidnaped,andthenotewasaforgery,sincehermotherwasn’tliving.Bygetting

thechildoutoftheway,animpostorwasabletoclaimMrs.Horton’sestate.”Nancywent on to say that if this theorywere true, the personwho had perpetrated the

kidnapingandthefthadthoughtouttheplaningreatdetail,eventothename.Thelittlegirlhad been old enough to say her own name, so a pseudonym had been chosen which wassimilar.“Youmean,”Besssaid,“ifshegavehernameasJoanieHorton,peoplemightthinkshewas

mispronouncingJodyHolt?”Nancynodded.“IdohopeJodygets intouchwithus,”sheremarked.“Ifshedoes,Idon’t

think we shouldmention adoption to her. Let’s see if we can pick up any clues about herchildhood,though.”“Whatarewegoingtodonow?”Bessasked.“Ithinkournextstopshouldbethehospital,”Nancyreplied,“tofindouthowMr.Wheeler

is.Ihopehe’llbewellenoughtoseeus.Iwanttoaskhimwhothemanisthathewantedustomeet.”Thegirlsenteredthehospitallobby.Therewasagreatcommotion.Nursesanddoctorswere

talkingexcitedlywithtwopolicemen.Wonderingwhathadhappened,Nancywentuptothedeskandaskedthenurse’saideon

dutyifsheandherfriendsmightseeMr.Wheeler.“Mr. Wheeler!” the aide cried out. “He’s the patient who was kidnaped from here this

morning!”Nancystaredinstupefaction,asthenurse’saidecalledouttomembersofthehospitalstaff,

“Here’ssomebodywhoknowsMr.Wheeler.”AtonceNancywassurroundedandpliedwithquestions.Shesaidsheknewnothingabout

whathadhappened.“IwaswithMr.Wheelerlastnightwhenhehadtheboataccident.”“Areyouthegirlwhosavedhislife?”askedoneofthedoctors.Nancyblushed. “Well,my friendover thereand Idid.”Shebeckoned forGeorge tocome

forwardwithBess.They,too,werestunnedtohearthatMr.Wheelerwasmissingfromthehospital.Oneofthenursesexplained.“Ithappenedbeforevisitinghoursbegan,”shesaid.“Wehave

averyillpatientonthethirdfloorwhereMr.Wheelerwas.Allthenursesondutytherewereinthewoman’sroomforawhile.Wepiecedthestorytogether.Apparentlyamandressedasanorderlyandawomanasanursecamein,putMr.Wheeleronanoperatingcart,andtookhimbyelevatortothelowestlevel.Theretheymusthavetransferredhimtoawheelchairandtakenhimoffbycar.”“Howdreadful!”Bessexclaimed.“Didn’themakeanyprotestoroutcry?”Nancyqueried.“Mr.Wheelerwasonlysemiconscious,”thenursereplied.“Wehadevenputthesideguards

uponhisbedsohewouldbesafewhenleftalone.”OneofthepolicemenquizzedNancyandherfriends,askingiftheycouldgiveanyclueasto

whotheabductorsmightbe.“I’m afraid not,”Nancy replied. “We’re strangers in town.We’re vacationing at the Long

ViewMotel.Mr.WheelerattendedapartywewereatlastnightandtookGeorgeandmyselfoutinhisboat.”“Withadisastrousending,”Georgeadded.Nancyaskedpermissiontospeaktoanynursesondutywhomighthavehelpedtotakecare

ofMr.Wheeler.ShewastoldthattheonlyoneinthehospitalatthemomentwhohadtakencareofhimwasMrs.Straffonthethirdfloor,butNancywaswelcometogoaheadandspeaktoher.Thenursewasakindlymiddle-agedwoman.Shesaidshefeltperfectlydreadfulaboutthe

kidnapingandcouldnotunderstandhowithadoccurred.“Iguessweallwerewiththatsickwomanlongerthanwethought.”“Idohopetheauthoritieswillfindhimsoon,”saidNancy.“Idon’tknowMr.Wheelervery

well. He was taking me across the river to see an acquaintance of his. I didn’t learn theperson’snameand I’mcurious toknowwhohe is.DidMr.Wheelerever talkwhilehewas

semiconscious?”“Oh,yes,hemumbledagreatdeal,”Mrs.Straffreplied.“Icouldn’tgetmuchoutofit,but

maybethenameofthepersonyou’retryingtofindoutaboutistheonehekeptrepeating.ItwasPeterJudd.I’veneverheardofhim.”“Hemaybetheman,”saidNancy,andthankedthewomanfortheinformation.Thegirlsleftthehospital.Whentheywereonthestreetoncemore,Nancysmiledandsaid,

“I’llbetMrs.HemsteadwillknowwhoPeterJuddis!”BessandGeorgegiggled,andthegirlsturnedtowardtheBrassKettle.“We’llhaveanearlylunch,”Nancyremarked.“WemayseeMrs.Hemsteadfirst.Remember,

you’retocallmeIrene.”“Oh,that’sright,”saidBess.“Leadtheway,MissIreneInsbruck!”The three friendswalked through thedoor of the tearoom.Asusual,Mrs.Hemsteadwas

seated inher rocker,wearing thesameblackdresswith the ruchingcollar.The instant shesawthegirls,herwrinkledfacebrokeintoagreatgrin.Inherhigh-pitchedvoice,sheasked,“Well,howareyou,NancyDrew,detective?”

CHAPTERX

PeterJudd

WHENconfrontedwith a startling statement,Nancy usuallywas able to hide her surprise.Thistimeshedidnotsucceed—Mrs.Hemstead’sgreetingwastooastounding.“Soyou’vefoundmeout,”shesaid,afteramoment.“Whotoldyou?”Theoldladywaggedherhead.“Idon’tknow.Ananonymousnotecameintoday’smail.”Fromadeeppocket inher skirt,Mrs.Hemsteadwithdrew the foldedpieceofpaper.She

handedthenotetoNancy.BessandGeorgecrowdednearhertoreadthemessageprintedonit.Thenotewasshortandtothepoint:

DON’T BE FOOLED. THEGIRL CALLINGHERSELF IRENE INSBRUCK IS REALLYNANCYDREW.SHE’SADETECTIVE.BEWAREWHATYOUSAYTOHERORYOUMAYGETINTOTROUBLE.

Besssniffed.“Ihatepeoplewhowriteanonymousnotes.Whydidn’tthepersonwhowrotethiscomerightoutintheopenandtellyou?”“HowshouldIknow?”Mrs.Hemsteadaskedinahighcomplainingvoice.Nancywassureofonething—thesenderofthenotehaddoneitwiththeexpresspurposeof

trying to frightenMrs. Hemstead into revealing nomore gossip to Nancy. “But he doesn’tstandachanceofsucceeding,”Nancytoldherselfwithdetermination.She sighed and said aloud, “Well, now, I suppose,Mrs. Hemstead, that you will tell this

secretaboutmyidentitytoMr.Seaman?”Foronce, theold ladydidnot reply.Perhaps shewasa little afraidof thewarning in the

note.Nancydecidedthatifthegirlsweregoingtolearnanythingfurther,shewouldhavetodosomebargainingwithMrs.Hemstead.Smiling, she said, “I just learned something amazing that happened in your town this

morning.”Instantlytheoldladyleanedforwardexpectantly.“Whatwasit?”sheaskedeagerly.Theyoungsleuthlaughed.“Oh,Icankeepsecrets,too.”Mrs.Hemsteadfrownedandrockedbackandforthfuriouslyforseveralseconds.Finallyshe

stopped.

“Soyoufoundmeout!”Nancyexclaimed“Idon’tknowwhetherI’ll tellMr.Seamanornot,”shesaidflatly.“Isupposeyou’d liketo

knowmoreabouthim.Well,Ican’ttellyoumuchmorethanIalreadyhave.He’sbeencominghere for several years—always stops and talks tome to get the local news. I figure he’s atravelingsalesman.”NancydidnotrevealthefactthathehadaDeepRiveraddress.BecauseofMrs.Hemstead’s

ideathathewasfromoutoftown,NancywassurenowthatMr.Seamanhadgivenafictitiousaddresswhenobtaininghisdriver’slicense.CouldhehavewrittenthewarningnotetoMrs.Hemstead?Nancywondered.Theoldladywenton,“TheotherdaywhenMr.Seamancamein,hesaidhewaslookingfor

a girl namedNancyDrewwhowas coming to town.Hewanted to find outwhere shewasstaying.”“Butwhy?”Georgeputin.“Nancyisn’tacquaintedwithhim.”Mrs.Hemstead shrugged. “I don’t know.Mr. Seaman acted as if hewanted to date you,

Nancy.WhenyoutoldmeyournamewasIrene,Ifiguredyoumustbeanothergirlfriend.”Theelderlywomanchuckledcheerfully.“Ithoughttomyself,‘Here’sacomplication!’What’sthisallabout,anyway?”“Whatdoyoumean?”Nancycountered.After another several seconds of furious rocking,Mrs.Hemstead said, “Imean, here you

are,adetective,usinganassumednameandMr.Seamanaskingforyou—”Nancylaughed.“IsuggestthatyouaskMr.Seaman.Afterall,heinquiredaboutmefirst.”Before Mrs. Hemstead could do any more delving, the young sleuth said, “Girls, I’m

absolutelystarved.Let’sgoeat!”Sheandthecousinsescapedintothediningroomandfoundatablefar fromthewaiting-

roomdoor.Astheyunfoldedtheirnapkins,Georgeremarked,“Speakingofcomplications,thismysterygetsmoretangledbytheminute.”“Idon’tliketheideaofthatanonymousnote,Nancy,”saidBess.“Itmightmeandangerto

you!”Nancymerelysmiled.“YouandGeorgearemybodyguards.Can’tyoukeepmefromthebig

badwolves?Youknow,Mr.Seamanmighthavesentthatnote.”Thecousinsnoddedworriedly.Thethreeatealightlunch,thenNancysaid,“Youknowwe

cametotheBrassKettleinthefirstplacetoseeifMrs.HemsteadknowsPeterJudd.IadmitI’dforgottenallaboutituntilthismoment.”After the girls had paid their lunch checks, they went back to the waiting room. Mrs.

Hemsteadwasnot there andNancywonderedhow soon shewould return.George learnedfrom the woman’s daughter that she was having hermiddaymeal and a rest in her roomupstairs.“ButMotherwillbedowninalittlewhile,”shesaid.“Wouldyouliketowait?”Nancydecidedtodoso.Thegirlssatdownforafewminutes,thenaroseandbegantolook

atthevariousarticlesintheold-fashionedroom.NancyexaminedtheantiquemaponthewallwhichdesignatedthelocalareaasMoonstoneValley.DeepRiverwasshownasaplacewithonlyafewhousesandstores.Thereweretwosidestreetsandattheendofone,attheriver,stoodalargemill.“Whatapicturesquetownthismusthavebeen!”Nancythought.AtthatmomentMrs.Hemsteadreturnedtotheroomandtookherplaceintheoldrocker.“Didyouenjoyyourlunch?”sheasked.“Yes,indeed,”Bessreplied.“IfIatehereveryoften,I’dputonpoundsandpounds!”“Mydaughterhas establishedagood reputation,” the elderlywoman saidproudly. “Folks

comefrommilesandmilesaway.”Nancyasked,“DidyoueverhearofamannamedMr.PeterJudd?”“IndeedIhave,”Mrs.Hemsteadrepliedquickly.“Queeroldfellow.”“Queer?”Nancyrepeated.“That’swhatfolkssay.PeterJuddusedtobeatrainconductor.Nowhe’sretiredandlives

acrosstheriver ina littlecottage.Won’thaveasoulhelphim—hedoesallhisowncookingandlaundrywork.Hashisplacefullofrailroadposters.Thedishesandsilverheusesareallfromrailroaddiningcars.”Thegirlsgiggled.EncouragedbytheirinterestMrs.Hemsteadadded,“Youcouldn’tmistake

his house. Right on the front lawn he has an enormous bell that was taken from an old-fashionedlocomotive.Sometimesboyssneakinthereandringit.Youcanhearitclearacrosstheriver!”“I’dliketoseeit,”saidNancy.“Justwhereishishouse?”Mrs.Hemsteadsaidthatiftheywentdirectlyacrosstheriverandturneddownstreamfora

mile,theywouldcometoadockwithastringofrailroadcarspaintedontheoverhang.“That’shisplace.”Thegirlsthankedtheelderlywomanandsaidgood-by.Theywentatoncetoaboatrental

serviceandhiredasmallrunabout.Nancytookthewheelandthelittlecraftskimmedacrossthe river. Some two hundred feet from shore, she headed downstream, planning to turn intowardMr.Judd’sdock.Ontheway,GeorgeshowedBessMr.Wheeler’shalf-submergedmotorboat.Bessshudderedabit.“Youhadanarrowescape,”shesaid.“Iwonderwhentheauthoritiesaregoingtotaketheboataway?”Georgemused.“I’dthink

itwouldbeahazardtootherboats.”Nancychuckled.“Notsomuchasthatrockwehit!”“Nancy,whodoyouthinkkidnapedMr.Wheeler?”Bessasked.The young sleuthhad a ready answer. “The samepersonswhokidnaped JoanieHorton. I

thinktheywereafraidMr.Wheelermightreopenthecase,bringingafraudtolight.Infact,theymaythinkDadhadaskedMr.Wheeler’sassistance,eventhoughheisretired.”TheylocatedPeterJudd’sdockandmooredalongsideit.Astheywalkedupaninclinetohis

littlewhitecottage, theysaw the retired railroadconductorworking inhisgardennear thegreatenginebell.Nancyspoketohim,admiringthebellandhisbeautifulroses.Mr.Juddwascordialandinvitedthegirlsinsidehishome.Theyfounditinteresting,despite

Mrs.Hemstead’sremarks.AndPeterJuddcertainlydidnotseemqueer!“Howdidyouhappentoknowaboutme?”heasked.AtonceNancytoldhimaboutMr.Wheeler,theaccident,andthekidnaping.“Whatalow-downtrick!”Mr.Juddcried,incensed.“Whatdoyouthinkisthereason?”“Wecanonlyguess,”saidNancy.“Possiblyyoucanhelpsolvetheriddle.Doyouknowwhy

Mr.WheelerwasbringingmyfriendGeorgeandmehere?HehintedthatithadsomethingtodowiththesettlementofMrs.Horton’sestatemanyyearsago.”PeterJuddwasthoughtfulforseveralseconds,asiftryingtodecidewhetherornottotell

thesestrangegirlssomethingheknew.Finallyhesaid:“IbelieveIdo.AfterthatyoungladyJoanHortongotallhergrandmother’smoney,shewent

away—nobody knew where. Suddenly I remembered something that had happened on mytrainalittleoversixmonthsbeforeoldMrs.Hortondied.IwenttoMr.Wheelerandtoldhimabout it, but he just laughed at me. But now I think maybe he has decided there wassomethingtoit.”EagerlyNancyasked,“Whatisthestory?”

CHAPTERXI

TheTowerSignaler

NANCY,Bess,andGeorgepulledchairsclose toMr.Peter Juddso theywouldnotmissonewordofthestoryhewasabouttotell.Suddenly Nancy jumped up and commanded, “Wait!” She turned and dashed toward the

frontdoor,callingasshewent,“Girls,runoutthebackwayandstopthatman!”Mr.Juddwasamazed.HedidnotknowwhatNancymeant,buthehurriedtoawindowand

looked outside.Hewas just in time to seeNancy take off full speed after amanwhowasfleeingdowntheembankmenttowardthedock.Beforeshecouldreachhim,themanjumpedintoamotorboattiedalongsidethegirls’rentedrunaboutandroaredoff.Nancycametoafullstoponthedock.Itwouldbeuselesstotrytopursuetheman;hehad

toomuchofaheadstart.BessandGeorgeranuptoher.“Whowashe?”Bessasked.“Whywereyouchasinghim?”TheyoungsleuthexplainedthatasMr.Juddwasabouttostarthisstory,shehadseenthe

topoftheheadofaneavesdropperjustoutsidethewindow.“Igotabetterlookathimashejumpedintohisboat.Ithinkhe’sthemanyousaidfollowedmeinRiverHeights—theonewhowasfollowingGeorgehereinDeepRiver.He’sthemanIsaidlookedfamiliar.”“Heseemsdeterminedtofindoutwhatwe’redoing,”Bessremarked.“I’llsayheis,”Georgeagreed.“SofarasI’mconcerned,he’sdefinitelyanenemy.”“And maybe he’s one of the kidnapers,” Bess suggested. “Why don’t we follow him? He

mightleadustoMr.Wheeler.”George scoffed at this idea. “That’s exactly what he wouldn’t do,” she said, laughing.

“Anyhow,wewouldn’tbeabletoovertakehimnow.”Nancynodded.“Let’sgobackandhearMr.Judd’sstory,”shesuggested.Inside the cottage oncemore, she described the eavesdropper and their past encounters

withhim.“Haveyouanyideawhohemightbe?”Mr. Judd shook his head, and Nancy begged him to tell the story which had been

interrupted.“WhileIwasonatrainrunningdirectfromNewYorkCitytoDeepRiversomefifteenyears

ago,”hebegan,“Ispeciallynotedthreepassengersinoneofthecars—aman,awoman,andaveryprettylittlegirlbetweentwoandthreeyearsold.WhenIhadsomefreetimeIstoppedtotalktoher.ShesaidhernamewasJoanieandshewasgoingtostaywithherothergranny.”Nancy,Bess,andGeorgelistenedintently.Thiswasindeedinteresting!“Joanie made a remark that I have never forgotten. She said her granddaddy and

grandmommyshewaswithweregoingfarawaytotellpeopleaboutGod.”“Missionaries?”Bessqueried.“I suppose so,” saidMr. Judd. “Well, the little girl and her grandparents got off in Deep

RiverandIneversawanyofthemagain.Monthslater,whenIheardaboutMrs.Hortonandher grown-upgranddaughter named Joanie, I remembered about those folks on the train. Ikeptthinkingaboutthatgrown-upgirlgettingall themoneyandthoughtIoughttotellMr.Wheelerthestory.”Georgeblurtedout,“YoutoldthistoMr.Wheelerallthattimeagoandhedidn’tdoanything

aboutit?”“AsIsaidbefore,he just laughedatme. I feltkindofsillyandnevermentionedthestory

againtoanyone.Now,maybe,Mr.Wheelerhaschangedhismindandwantstohearaboutitinmoredetail.”“Nodoubt,”Nancyagreed.“Canyougiveusthedetails?”“Thelittlegirlhadbig,blueeyesandblondcurls.”

Nancyexcitedlyopenedherpurseand tookout thepictureofyoung JoanieHortonat theageoftwo.“Isthisthechild?”sheasked.ItwasnowMr.Judd’sturntolookastounded.“Itcertainlylookslikeher,”theex-conductor

said.“Ofcourseitwasalongtimeago,butthisisjustaboutthewayIrememberlittleJoanie.”Mr. JuddaskedNancy to explainher connectionwith theHorton family. “Actually, it’smy

father’s case,” she replied, knowing that it might be unwise to reveal her part in theinvestigation.“IexpectmydadtocometoDeepRiverinalittlewhile.He’llprobablycometocallonyouverysoon.”ThisevasiveanswerseemedtosatisfyMr.Judd,andbeforehehadachancetosayanything

more,Nancyarose,thankedhim,andsaidthegirlsmustleave.“IcertainlyhopetheyfindMr.Wheelersoon,”Mr.Juddcalled,ashisvisitorswenttoward

thedock.When thegirlswereseated in therunabout,Nancy’s faceworeabroadgrin. “This is the

bestclueyet!”sheexclaimed.“It’ssimplymarvelous!”saidBess.“Howareyougoingtodevelopit?”Nancy said she thought it might be a good idea to do a little sleuthing among the

shopkeepersintown.“Theremaybesomewhowereherefifteenyearsago,andperhapscouldtellus ifanyarticles forasmallchildweresentouttotheHortonhome.”Nancysuggestedthatthegirlsdivideuptheshoppingareaandmakeseparatecallsonthestorekeepers.Thisbitofdelvingtookuntilthelatterpartoftheafternoon.Theyhadaboutgivenuphope

ofanyfurtherclue,untilNancyenteredasmalltoystore.Itwasrunbyanelderlymanandwoman.Afterlearningthatthecouplehadbeenintownforoverthirtyyears,Nancyaskedherquestion.Themanandwomanlookedateachother,thensmiled.Finallythewomansaid,“Iremember

somethingaboutachild’sgift verywell.ThemostbeautifuldollandcarriagewehaveeversoldwereorderedoverthetelephoneatChristmastimeanddeliveredtotheHortonhome.”“Didthepersonwhodelivereditseealittlegirlthere?”Nancyasked.“No.Ourmessengersawnoone.Irememberclearlyhowhereportedtousthatacheckand

anotehadbeenleftontheHortonporchwithinstructionsforhimtoleavethetoysthere.”Themanshopkeeper,curious,askedNancywhyshehadmadeherinquiry.Asnonchalantly

aspossible,Nancyanswered,“MyfatherisinterestedintheHortonfamily.MyfriendsandIcameuphereonavacationandheaskedmetofindoutwhatIcouldaboutthem.”“I see,” said theman. “Can’t tell you anythingmore.”He turned andwalked into a back

room.Atthesametime,aboycameinthroughthefrontdoorandthewomanwenttowaitonhim.Thegirlsleft.“Thisisourdayforgoodluck,”saidBess.“Maybethemoonstoneisbringingit!”Nancylaughed,butagreedthattheyhadpickeduptwovaluableclues.“RightnowIhaveso

manytrailstofollow,Idon’tknowwhichtotake.TheoneI’dlikemosttopursuewouldbetheopportunityoftalkingtoJodyArmstrong.”“Thenwhydon’tyou?”saidGeorge.“She’sprobablyhomebynow.”“No,”saidNancy.“IfIseemlikeafriendshippusher,theArmstrongsmaybecomesuspicious

andnotletmeseeJodyatall.”“You’re right,” said Bess. “Anyhow, don’t forget, the boys are coming today. I want to

shampoomyhairbeforetheygethere—it’sasightafterallourtrekkingaroundandthewindblowingitinthatboat.”Thegirlstookataxitothemotel.Assoonastheyreachedit,Nancywenttothetelephone.

Shecalledpoliceheadquartersandaskediftherewasanynewsofherstolencar.“Notatrace,”saidtheofficeronduty.“I’msorry,MissDrew.We’restillworkinghardtrying

tofindit.”NancynextaskedwhetherMr.Wheelerhadbeenfound.Againtheanswerwasno.Nancy

hungup.Inspiteof thisdisappointmentandworryover thewhereaboutsof the injured lawyer, the

day’s new clues spurredNancy on. She felt too excited to go to her room to rest or startdressing.“IthinkI’llgetthebinocularsandtakeanotherlookatthatcastle,”shedecided.

Shegottheglassesandwentouttotheterrace.Asshetrainedthebinocularsonthedistantbuilding,thetowerofthecastlecameintosharpfocus.Nancygasped.Aman,bewhiskeredandunkempt,stoodontheroofof thetower.He, too,

heldglassestohiseyes.TheyweretraineddirectlyonthemotelandNancy!InstantlyNancydodgedbehindatree.“Ihopehedidn’tseeme.”Thoughoutofsight,she

continuedtofocusherownbinocularsonhim.Themanputdownhisbinocularsandbegantomakestrangemotionswithhishands.Nancy

watchedhimintently.Sheaskedherself,“Hasthatmangonecrazyorishetryingtosignalsomeone?”

CHAPTERXII

ImpendingCrash

“HI,SLEUTH!”amalevoicecalled.Sheloweredthebinocularsandturnedquickly.“Ned!”shecriedout.He kissed her, then asked how she was making out with her mystery case. For answer,

Nancyhandedhimthebinocularsandpointedtowardthetowerofthecastle.“Seeifyoucanfigureoutwhatthatmanisdoing,”shesuggested.Nedadjustedtheglasses.Finallyhesaid,frowning,“Withthatlongbeardandunkempthair

thefellowlookslikesomekindofanut.ButactuallyIthinkhe’sdoinghisownversionofawigwag.Maybehe’ssendingamessageincode.”Nancytooktheglassesagainandwatchedthestrangeman.Hecontinuedthesamemotions

foranotherhalfminute,thendisappeared.“Iguesshe’sgoneinsidethecastle,”shesaid.Nedtookthebinoculars.“SupposeIwatchtoseeifhecomesoutsidethecastle,andifso,

wherehegoesandwhathedoes.Meanwhile,youbringmeuptodateonthenews.”Nancy told him about the missing Joanie Horton, and her suspicion that Mrs. Horton’s

servantswereconnectedwith thechild’sdisappearance.SheoutlinedMr.Wheeler’spart insettling theHorton estate, his disappearance from the hospital, Peter Judd’s story, and themysteriousmenwhohadfollowedherandGeorge.“OneofthemcallshimselfMr.Seaman.”“So you suspect some great hoaxwas perpetrated fourteen years ago,”Ned commented.

“I’dsaythisisabigorderforusboystodeliveroveraweekend,butwe’lldoourbest.”ThoughNedandNancywaitedforsometime,withtheglassestrainedonthecastle,noone

appearedeitheronthetowerorthegrounds.Nedgrinned.“Iguessthatstrangefellowlivesthere,”hesaid.“Nottoobadaplaceifyoudon’thavetopayrent.”“He’sprobablythepersonwhowarnedGeorgeandmeawayfromthecastlewhenweswam

overtoit,”Nancysaid.“Inthatcase,yougirlsshouldn’tgotherealoneagain.”NancyandNedwalkedtothemotel,discussingthetowersignalerandwonderingtowhom

hewassendingamessage.“ItmayormaynothaveanythingtodowiththecaseI’mtryingtosolve,”Nancyremarked.“Ifithas,”saidNed,“thereceivermightbeMr.Seamanorthatotherman.”Nancy nodded and led the way into themotel lobby where they found Bess and George

talkingexcitedlywithDaveEvansandBurtEddleton.SheintroducedNedtoMrs.Thompson,whointurnshowedhimtheroomwherethethreeboyswouldsleep.Fortyminuteslatertheyoungpeople,inattractivesuitsanddresses,metinthelobbyand

discussedwheretohavedinner.Mrs.Thompsonsuggestedapopulardiningspot.“Theyhavedancingandthemusicisreallyexcellent.”“That’stheplaceforme,”saidDave,takingafewdancesteps.NancyandherfriendsdecidedtotrythespotandsetoffinNed’scar.“Noleadsonyourconvertible?”heaskedNancy,whosatinfrontbesidehim.“Notone!Wehikeandtaxi.Butgettingtothecastlehasn’tbeenonourschedule.Let’sgo

rightafterchurchtomorrow.”“I’matyourservice,”saidNed.The restaurant building proved to be a large,modern concrete structure with geometric

designspaintedonitinflamboyantcolors.Theinteriordecorwasultrafashionableandabandwasalreadyplayingalivelytune.“ItlookslikeasophisticatedplaceinNewYorkCity!”Nedremarkedinsurprise.

Besstossedherhead.“WhatmakesyouthinkMoonstoneValleyisn’tuptodate?”ThethreeboyswerepuzzledandDaveasked,“MoonstoneValley?”“Oh,somebodychangeditsname,”Bessexplained.“It’snowcalledDeepRiverValley,butI

thinkMoonstoneisalotmoreromantic.”After the threecoupleswereseatedata table,Besscontinued, “Speakingofmoonstones,

did you know Nancy received a beautiful one as a gift?” Bess looked directly at NedNickerson.“No,shedidn’ttellme,”heanswered.Therewasnothinginthewayhesaiditto indicate

thathewasthedonor.“It’sverymysterious,”Besswenton.“Therewasn’tanycardwiththegift—justawarning

note.”“Awarning?”Nedrepeated.“Whatkind?”Bessdeclaredthatshewouldnottellhimanotherworduntilheconfessedhehadplayedthe

joke.Neddeniedthisvigorously.“Honestly,Ididn’tsendthemoonstone,”hedeclared.“ButI’dcertainlyliketoknowwhodid.Tellmeaboutthiswarning.”Thewholestorywastoldandtheboysagreeditwasmysterious.Noneofthemthought it

wasfunny;rather,somethingtobetakenquiteseriously.“I suppose you figure there’s some connection between your moonstone andMoonstone

Valley,”Burtsaid.“Ifthereis,iteludesmecompletely,”Nancyanswered.“Butifthesenderhadajokeinmind

orawarning,whydidn’thesendacheapstone?ThisisoneofthemostbeautifulmoonstonesI’veeverseen.I’llshowittoyou.”Shetookitfromhereveningpurse.“Wow!Whatagift!”Burtexclaimed.As a waiter came to their table, the three couples turned their attention to dinner and

dancing.Theyspentseveralhoursattheattractiverestaurant,thenleft.“It’stooearlytogodirectlyhome,”saidNed.“Howaboutrentingaspeedboatifwecanand

takingacruiseontheriver?”Besslookedupatthesky.“Whatabeautifulmoon!”sheexclaimed.“Itwouldbeabsolutely

heavenlyonthewater.Let’sdoit!”NancydirectedNedtoadockwhereshethoughtboatscouldberentedatnight.Theyfound

one that gave twenty-four-hour service. Ned parked and went inside to make inquiries.PresentlyhereturnedandsaidtheywouldtakeasleekmotorboatnamedtheWaterWitch.“Whichwater?”Davepunned,whereuponBurtpretendedtothrowhimintotheriver.ThesixyoungpeopleclimbedinandNedtookthewheel.“If you want to see Mr. Wheeler’s wrecked boat, it’s across the river and down a short

distance,”saidNancy.Nedfollowedherdirectionsandhadjustturneddownstreamwhentheyallbecameawareof

aspeedboatcomingtowardthem.INItwasheadeddirectlyfortheirboat.

At onceNed turned his craft. The approaching boat still came at them, as if drawn by amagnet.Nedsoundedhishorn.Theotherpilotpaidnoattention.“Isthatfellowloco?”Burtaskedworriedly.Neddodgedthiswayandthattogetoutofthepathoftheoncomingcraft.“It’sgoingtohitus!”Bessscreamed.Justbeforethestrangeboatreachedthem,itspilotdivedintothewater.Nedswervedina

desperateattempttoavoidboththespeedboatandtheswimmer.Hiseffortwassuccessful.“Goodwork!”saidGeorge.Everyonelookedtoseewhathadbecomeofthepilotwhohadjumpedoverboard.“Iseehim!”Nancycriedout.“He’sswimmingtowardtheshore.”“I guess he’s safe,” said Ned. “Nowwe’d better chase that speedboat and try to stop it

beforeitdoesanydamage!”Theracewason.Nedgavehisowncraftfullpowerandlittlebylittleincheduponthepilot-

lessboat.“I’lljumpacross,”Burtoffered,andmadeaflyingleap.Hetookthewheel,whichhefound

responded well. “There’s nothing the matter with this steering mechanism. That fellowintendedtohitusforsure!”HeinvitedGeorgetohopinbesidehimandasked,“Nowwheredowego?”“Isupposeweshouldtaketheboatbackwithustothedockandexplainwhathappened,”

saidNancy.“ButI’dliketoseethatcastlefirst,”saidNed.“Isthatthebuildingoverthere?”“Yes.”The two speedboats headed for the rickety dock, which evidently had been used by the

formertenantsofthecastle.SuddenlyNancyexclaimed,“Isawalightmovinginthecastle!”“Ididtoo,”Nedagreed.“Thatmanwithwhiskersmustbethere!”Besssuggested.Georgegaveagreatsigh.“There’sonewaytofindout.Whydon’twetieuphereandyou

boyscaninvestigate?”Shewas just about to get out of the stranger’s speedboatwhen the group heard a shrill

whistle.Theyturned.Comingatafastclipwasapolicelaunch.AlargesearchlightpinpointedtheWaterWitchandtheothercraft.Theyoungpeopleinbothboatsstayedintheirseats.Inafewsecondsthelaunchpulledup

alongsideandstopped.Thechiefofficerleanedovertherailingandsaid,“Soyou’retheoneswhostoletheboat!”Nancyandherfriendsweredumfounded.Sheprotestedfirmlythattheyhadnotstolenthe

boatandtoldexactlywhathadhappened.“Sorry,miss,butthatsoundsasifyou’rejusttryingtoshifttheblameontosomebodyelse.”“It’sthetruth!”Nancyinsisted,andtheothersbackedupherstory.“Well, you can tell them down at headquarters,” the officer said. To Burt andGeorge he

added,“Getoutandcomeaboardthelaunch.”Angrybutobedient,thepairclimbedintothepolicelaunch.Anotherofficerjumpedaboard

thestolenspeedboatandsatdownbehindthewheel.“Allset?”thechiefofficeraskedhim.“Yes,sir.”ThecommanderofthelaunchnowturnedtoNedandordered,“Youallcomealongwithus,

too!”

CHAPTERXIII

Bats!

GEORGEandBurt continued to arguewith the river police but to no avail. FinallyGeorgesaid,“Theboatourfriendsareinisbeingrentedbythehour.Please,can’twereturnitbeforegoingtoheadquarters?”Thechiefofficerconsented.“Thank you,” said George. She hoped that by contacting the man from whom they had

rentedtheboat,thegroupofyoungpeoplewouldbeexonerated.Herhopeswereinvain.Althoughthemandid identifythemasthegroupwhohadrented

oneofhisboats,hesaidhehadnoideawheretheyweregoing.Forallheknewtheymighthaverentedhisboattostealtheotherone.NedpaidhimfortheuseoftheWaterWitch,thenhe,Nancy,Bess,andDaveclimbedaboardtheofficers’launch.Itproceededtothepolicedock.Herethesixfriendswereusheredintoabuildingwhichwas

abranchof themainpoliceheadquarters.Allof themwerequestioned.FinallyNancysaid,“I’mtheNancyDrewwhosecarwasstolen.”“Yes,weknow,”theofficerinchargesaid.“Ithasn’tbeenfoundyet.”“Nowthatyouknowwhoweare,andthatwe’renotboatthieves,maywepleasego?”“Notyet.Youhaven’tprovedthatyoudidn’ttaketheboatwefoundtwoofyouin.”“Wehavenoproof,”Nancyreplied.“Butalsoyouhavenoproofwestoletheboat.”Theofficerlookedsearchinglyather.“Yousoundlikealawyer.”“Probably I’ve learned that from my father. He’s Carson Drew of River Heights—an

attorney.”Suddenlytheofficer’sfacebrokeintoawidegrin.“CarsonDrew?Everybodyknowshim.So

you’rehisdaughter?Whydidn’tyoutelltheriverpolicethatinthefirstplace?”Nancy did not answer. She merely smiled, and the officer said with a wink, “Case

dismissed.”When the young people reached the sidewalk outside, Dave came alongside Nancy and

rubbedhisarmagainsthers.“Boy,amIgladtobeafriendofsuchafamousperson!”Everyonelaughedandthegaymoodofthegroupwasrestored.Whentheysoberedagain,

Georgesaid,“Thatfellowwhotriedtoramusmusthavestolentheboatjustforthatreason.”“Iwonderwhoheis,”Bessmused.ThefollowingmorningNancyandherfriendswenttochurch,thendroveinNed’scartothe

castle.Astheywentdownthetree-shadedlane,NancyandGeorgeweredelightedtodiscoverthatthedrawbridgewasstilldown.Eventhestonestheyhadheapedonitwereinplace.“Justthesame,I’mgoingtoleavemycaronthisside,”saidNed.Burtchuckled.“Nowwewon’thavetousethoseswimtrunkswebrought.”“AndIwasplanningonbeingagallantknightandlettingthedrawbridgedownformiladies

tocross!”saidDave.NancyandGeorgegrinnedandshowedhowtheyhadanchoredthebridgesoitcouldnotbe

raisedfrominsidethecastle.“Clever,”saidNed.The visitors hurried across and walked into the cobblestoned courtyard which was filled

withtuftsofgrassandweedsthatevengrewthroughcracksintheporticoes.NancyandNeddecidedtostarttheirsearchatthetowerendofthecastle.Theyfoundthatonthefirstfloor,directly below the tower, was a mammoth baronial hall. There was nothing in it but acollectionofmanyyearsofdustandcobwebs.“Thismusthavebeengorgeous,”saidGeorge,assheandBurtjoinedtheothersinthegreat

room.

Inordernottomissfindinganyonewhomightbehidingoutinthecastle,theyoungpeopleseparatedintothreepairs,eachtakingasection.Theywalkedthroughroomafterroom,someofwhichopenedoffadjoiningsuitesandothersonlyofftheporticoes.Finallythesixfriendsmetbackinthegreathall.“Didyoufindanything?”eachexcitedlyaskedtheother.Butnoneofthemhad.Georgeadded,“Nocot,stove,food,orclothingtoindicateanyoneislivinghere.”Thesearchershadnoticedthreestairwaysleadingtothefloorabove—awideonefromthe

baronial hall, and two narrow ones in other sections. Each couple took one of them to thesecondfloor.Heretheyfoundaseriesofrooms,somewithdoors,manywiththemmissing.“I presume lots of things have been stolen from here by souvenir hunters and vandals,”

Nancysurmised.“I’mafraidso,”saidNed.“It’sashamethisbeautifulplaceisbeingallowedtogotoruin.”Whentheothertwocouplesjoinedthem,GeorgereportedthatsheandBurthadcomeupon

a locked door. They did not knowwhether it opened into a room or possibly to a stairwayleadingtothetower.Nancywasexcited.“Maybesomeoneislivinginthetower!”shesuggested.“Ourwhiskered

friend!”Georgeledthewaytotheheavyoakdoor.Therewasawoodenslideboltonit,butthiswas

open.Stillthedoorwouldnotgive.NedandBurttookholdoftheenormousknobonitandgaveatremendousheave.Thistime

the door opened, but the young people fell back in dismay from a dark stairway ahead ofthem.Theywereabouttobeattackedbyaflockofbats!Thegrouptooktotheirheels.Nancy,attheendoftheline,keptpacewithNed.Presently

she turnedaround to seewhathadbecomeof thebats.Toheramazement, she sawamancomefromthetowerstairwayandrundownthehallintheoppositedirection.“Ned!” she cried, grabbing his arm and stopping short. “I saw that tower signaler! Let’s

chasehim!”Shecalledtotherestofherfriendstoturnbackandfollowthem,buttheydidnothearher.

SheandNedstartedrunningdownthehallaftertheman.As they turned a corner, Nancy saw him reach one of the smaller stairways and start

downward.“Stop!”shecriedout.“We’renotgoingtoharmyou!Wejustwanttotalktoyou!”Thestrangerpaidnoattentionanddisappeared.NancyandNedracedafterhim,butbythe

timetheyreachedthefirstfloorhewasoutofsight.“We’dbetterseparateifwehopetofindhim,”saidNancy.“Allright,butbecareful,”Nedagreed.The two hurried off in opposite directions. In a few moments Nancy came to an open

doorway.Beforeherwasacircular,enclosedstairwayleadingtothecellar.Thestepswereofstone,butthewallswereoakpaneled.“Thatmanmusthavegonedowntothecellar,”Nancydecided.“Thisdoorwasn’topenthe

first timewe examined this floor.” She glanced at the door. Itmatched the paneling of thehallwayexactlyandatfirstglancemightnothavebeennoticed.Apparentlythesearchershadmissedit.AsNancylistened,shewassuresheheardacreakingnoisebelowher.Wasthebewhiskered

manjustreachingthecellar,orwashehidingsomeplaceandcausingadoortocreak?AtthatmomentNedjoinedherandshepointedbelow.Inawhispershesaid,“Ithinkhe’s

downthere.Let’sgo!”Nedlaidarestraininghandonherarm.“Notyou.I’llgo.”ItwasonlythenthatNancyrealizedhowdark itwasbelow.“Youcouldn’t findyourway,”

shesaid.Nedgrinned.Fromhis trouserpockethepulleda flashlight.“You’vetaughtmethismuch

about sleuthing. Never go on a search in dark places without a light. I’ll go first. If

everything’sokay,youfollow,”hesaid.Nedwent slowlydown thewinding stairway.Presentlyhewasoutof sight.Nancywaited

anxiously,hopingtherewouldbenoattackbythebewhiskeredmanorotherpersons.“Okay,”hecalledupamomentlater.“Comeahead!”AsNancystarteddown,Nedbeganasearchfortheman.SuddenlyherealizedthatNancy

wastakingaverylongtimetodescendthestairway.“Nancy!”hecalled.“What’swrong?”Therewasnoanswer.Worried,Nedhurriedupthestairway.NotonlywasNancynotonit,

butwhenhereachedthefirstfloorhediscoveredthatshewasnotinsight.Bess andGeorge and the boys hurried toward him. “Where’sNancy?” they asked in one

breath.“Idon’tknow,”Nedsaidfearfully,thentoldthemwherehehadlefther.“Howlongagowasthat?”Bessaskedquickly.“Why,justafewminutes.”“Then she didn’t come up the stairway, nor was she anywhere near it,” said Bess.

“Otherwise,wewouldhaveseenher.”The five young people looked at one another. Panic seized them.What had happened to

Nancy?

CHAPTERXIV

TheCastleCaptive

“ISHOULDN’ThaveleftNancyalone!”Neddeclared,blaminghimselfforherdisappearance.“Let’stalkaboutthissensibly,”saidGeorge.ThegroupdiscussedthesituationforseveralminutesandconcludedthatNancycouldnot

haveleftthecastle.“Sinceshedidn’tgoupstairs,”saidGeorge,“that leavesonlyoneplaceshecouldbe—the

cellar.”“Butwhydidn’tIseeher?”Nedargued.“Isuggestyougirlswaithere.BurtandDaveandI

willgodownstairswithaflashlightandseewhatwecanfindout.”Nedtriedtokeephisvoicecalmbuttheothersknewhewasgreatlyupset.Heledtheway

andpresentlytheboysvanishedintothedarknessofthecastlebasement.BessandGeorgestoodatthetopofthestairwaylookingupanddownthelongcorridorand

hopingNancywouldreappear.Georgestrodebackandforthnervously.Besswasdabbinghertear-filledeyeswithahandkerchief.FinallyGeorgesaid,“Ican’tstandthisanylonger.Theboysshouldhavebeenbackbythis

time.Maybesomethinghashappenedtothemtoo!”Shestarteddownthecellarstairway.Besswentafterherandgrabbedherarm.“Ifweall

getcaptured,who’sgoingtogoforhelp?”sheasked.“You’reright,”Georgeagreed.“ButwhatintheworldhappenedtoNancy?Itseemsasifshe

justvanishedintothinair.”Bess gave a tremendous sigh. “That moonstone somebody sent her certainly didn’t help

Nancy.I’dsayitbroughtherbadluck.”AsBessstoppedspeaking,bothgirlsheardastartledmutter.Itseemedtobecomingoutof

thewall!Thecousinshuddledtogether.Whohadmadethesound?Thetwogirlsgazedatthepaneled

beamsbesidethem.Wasitpossiblesomeonewashiddenbehindthewoodenwall?George decided someone was there. Could the person be Nancy—trapped, injured, or a

prisoner?Wassomeonewithher,keeping theyoungsleuth fromcryingout?Thegirlsmustfindtheanswer!Motioningwithherhands,GeorgeindicatedaplantoBess,whonodded.Georgewouldgo

downtothecellar,trytofindtheboys,andgetthemtohelpbreakdownthewall.AlthoughBess was fearful of being left alone, she consented. Her heart was pounding like atriphammer.OntiptoeGeorgewentdowntherestoftheflight.Whenhereyesbecameaccustomedtothe

dimness,shestartedwalkingahead.Toherrelief,shesawthethreeboyscomingback.Theyhadnotbeenharmed!Burtsaidinascoldingtone,“It’sdangerousdownhere!Whydidn’tyoustayupstairs?”George paid no attention to the question, but quickly whispered what she and Bess had

heard.“Isuggestwetiptoebackupandyouboysexaminethewallwherethemutteringcamefrom.There’ssomethingcreepygoingonthere.”Cautiously the fourascended the steps.Nedbeamedhis flashlight over thepaneledwall.

Suddenlyhepointedtothewell-concealedlatchofatwo-paneleddoor.HemotionedforBessandGeorgetogotothetopofthestairway.Asheheldtheflashlight

onthedoor,BurtandDavesilentlymovedthelatchandyankedthedooropen.OuttumbledNancy!ShefelllimplyintoNed’sarms.ForafewsecondsalleyeswereonNancy,thenBurtlooked

againatthedoorfromwhichNancyhademerged.Acloset-typeroomwasrevealed.Initstooda bewhiskeredman, stunned by the sudden turn of events, and unable to escape from his

captors.“Justwhoareyou?”Burtcried,grabbingtheman’sarm.Asheyankedhimfromthecloset,bothofthemlosttheirbalanceandwentrollingdownthe

stairway.Davewent flyingafter the tumbling figures.BessandGeorgecouldhearascufflegoingonbelow.Meanwhile,NedhadpickedNancyupandnowcarriedheroutdoors.Thefreshairquickly

revivedher.“Oh,Nancy,”saidBess,comingoutside,“whathappened?”Betweenlongbreathsofair,Nancyexplainedthatasshewasdescendingthecellarstairway,

suddenlythesecretdoorhadburstopen,startlingher.Thebewhiskeredmanhadgrabbedherand held a vial under her nose. The fumes from the vial hadmade her dizzy and shewasunabletoflee.“Thenheyankedmeintotheclosetandclosedthedoor.”“Oh,youpoorthing!”saidBess.PresentlyBurtandDavearrivedwiththeircaptive.Hegloweredattheyoungpeople.“Now

tellyourstory,”Nedorderedhim.Theprisoneronlyglared.Theyaskedhimhisname,butherefusedtogiveit.Hewouldnot

saywhetherornothewaslivingatthecastle.Nedputhishandintotheman’spocketandbroughtoutavial.Hereadthelabelandgavea

sigh of relief. “This stuff is perfectly harmless,” he said. “It’ll just make a person sleepy.”Turningtotheprisoner,heasked,“Areyouinthehabitofcarryingthiswithyou?”“A guy’s got a right to some protection,” the man grumbled, then he ignored further

questionsputtohimastowhyhewaslivingthere.Nancy, who now felt quite like herself, said, “I’m rather glad this man abducted me.

Otherwise,wewouldn’thaveanyexcusefortakinghimtothepolice.”“Police!” themanshrieked.“Youain’tgoin’ to takemeto thepolice! Iain’tdonenothin’!

Thisgirlwastoosnoopy.Ihadtokeepherquiet.”Thistimehewasignoredbytheyoungpeople.BurtandDaveofferedtodrivetheprisoner

totownandturnhimovertotheauthorities,thencomebackfortheothers.“Fine,”saidNancy.“I’dliketoinvestigatethattower.”“No!No!Youmustn’tdothat!”theprisonercriedout.“Youcan’tgoupthere!”“Whynot?”Nancyasked.“It’sdangerous!You’llgetintotrouble!”themanreplied.“Comeon!”Burturged theman.HeandDave took theircaptivebyhisarmsandhurried

himtowardNed’scar.“Oh,herearethecarkeys,”saidNed,runningforwardtohandthemtoDave.Whenhereturned,NedaskedNancyifshereallyfeltwellenoughtomaketheascenttothe

turret.Sheinsistedthatshedid,soNedandthethreegirlsreturnedtothecastleandclimbedtothesecondfloor.“Ihopewedon’tmeet thosebatsagain,” saidBess fearfully. “If this turret is theirhome,

theymaycomebackbeforeweleave.”“We’llhavetotakethatchance,”Georgetoldher.Besssaidnomore.Thedoortothetowerwasstillopenandtheyoungpeopleclimbedthe

stairs.Abovewasastone-walledcircularroom.Itcontainedabed,asmallkerosenestove,atable,andachair.“Thatoldmanhasbeenlivinghereallright,”Nedremarked.Nancyhadbeencastinghereyesaround,lookingforanopeningtotheroofoftheturret.On

one wall, in a corner, was an iron ladder. Above it, she could discern a trap door. Nancypointeditouttotheothers,andNedstarteduptheladder.“Nothingoutherebutaspacetostandon,”hecalleddown.“Anyclues?”Nancyasked.Nedlookedaroundandreportedthathecouldfindnothing.Ashedescended,Nancybegan

asearchoftheroom.Underthecotshesawapieceofpaperandreacheddowntopickitup.

Onitweretypedthewords:OurpasswordwillbeMoonstoneValley.Whentheotherssawit,Bessgaveastart.“MoonstoneValleyagain!”sheexclaimed.“Nancy,

thatmanwasn’tfoolingwhenhetoldyouitwasdangeroustocomeuphere.Thismustbethehideoutofsomegang.”“You’reright,”Georgeadded.“Andtheyknowtheoldnameforthisarea.”Nancy was thoughtful. Now she was sure that the castle, the bewhiskered man, the

moonstoneshehadreceived,andsomenefariousgangwereallconnectedsomehow.Butwhowerethegangmembers?Mr.Seamanandfriendsofhis?She and the others searched the room thoroughly but could find no other clue. In the

distancetheyheardacarandassumedtheboyswerereturning.“Let’sgo!”Besssaidnervously.The group trudged back to the drawbridge, where Burt and Dave met them. The boys

reportedthattheprisonerwasbehindbars.“Thechiefwantstotalktoyou,Nancy,afterlunch,”saidBurt.At the mention of the word “lunch,” the young people realized how hungry they were.

George,whoatoncesuggestedtheBrassKettle,toldBurtandDavethatshewouldintroducethemtoagossipybutniceold lady.At first thegirls’escorts frowned,butwhentheyheardthat Mrs. Hemstead had really helped in advancing the solution of the mystery, the boysrelented.Tothegirls’amazement, theelderlywomanwasnot inherusualplace.Therockingchair

wasemptyandMrs.Hemstead’sdaughtersaidthathermotherwasnotfeelingwellandhadremainedinherroom.Nancyexpressedhersympathyandledthewayintothetearoom.Assoonasluncheonwas

over,thesixfriendswalkedtothepolicestation.ChiefBurkeaskedNancytopreferchargesagainstherassailant.“Hestillwon’tgivehisnameandhehasnomoneyonhim,”theofficialsaid.Nancyconsented,andsignedtheprescribedform.“Oh,dear!”saidBess.“Iwishithadn’tbeennecessaryforyoutodothat.I’msurenowthe

MoonstoneValleygangwillbeafteryou!”ChiefBurke’s eyebrows lifted. “MoonstoneValley gang?”he repeated. “That’s onegang I

haven’theardof.Whatdoyouknowaboutthem?”Nancyproducedthetypedslipwhichshehadfoundintheprisoner’sbedroom.Theofficer

was amazed and requested that she leave the paper with him. “This calls for a policeinvestigation,”hedeclared.“ButI’mgladyousightseerslearnedaboutthisfellow.”“Whenyousearchedtheprisoner,”theyoungsleuthsaid,“didyoufindanythingofspecial

interestonhim?”ChiefBurkeopenedadrawerinhisdeskandpulledoutadirtypieceofwhitepaper.“Only

this,”hesaid.“Itmightbeacluetosomething,butitdoesn’tmakesensetome.”“Whatdoesitsay?”Nancyinquired.Theofficerhandedthepapertoher.TheinstantNancysawthetwowords,shewassurethis

wasacodesignal.Itread:WolrsEye.

CHAPTERXV

AnExcitingPhotograph

NEITHER Nancy nor the police detectives could shed any light on the mysterious words“Wolf’sEye.”“But please letme know if you find out what it means,” Nancy requested. “Also, if your

prisonertalks—orifyouhaveanywordaboutmystolencar.”ChiefBurkepromised,addingthathewassorrythathismenhadnotbeenabletopickup

onesingleleadonNancy’sconvertible.“I certainly domiss it,” said Nancy. “But right nowwe have transportation.” She shot a

gratefullookatNedandtheofficersmiled.WhenNancyandher friendsreachedthemotel,Mrs.Thompsonsaidthat JodyArmstrong

hadbeentryingalldaytogetintouchwiththem.“Shewantsyougirlstocometoapicnicsupperatherhome.”“That’ssweetofher,”saidNancy.“I’llcallherrightaway.”Outofearshotof theothers,NancytelephonedJody.After thankingher for the invitation,

Nancysaid that three friendsofherswere there for thenight, so shewouldnotbeable toaccept.“Oh,bringthemalong!”saidJody.“Themorethemerrier!”“Isthisapicnicpartyjustforgirls?”Nancyaskedhesitantly.“Oh,no,”Jodyreplied.“It’sacoedparty!”Shegiggled.“Areyourfriendsboys?”“Yes,theyare.”“Wonderful!”Jodycriedjoyfully.“I’llexpectyouallatseven.”Theboysweredelighted.Nedremarkedwitha twinkle inhiseye,“I’llbeglad toseeyou

relaxforonce,Nancy.I’msuretherewon’tbeanymysteryatthepicnic.”Thethreegirlslookedatoneanother.Theysaidnothing.totheboys,butwerehopefulthey

wouldpickupacluethereregardingJodyArmstrong’sadoption.TheArmstrongbackyardwaslargeandveryattractive.Therewasabeautifulvelvet-green

lawnsurroundedbydeepflowerbeds.Thescentofrosespervadedthewarmnightair.Atonesidewasalongbuffettablewithtemptingsaladbowlsandplattersofsnacks.There

wasalargepunchbowlinthecenterbrimmingwithice-coldpunch.Fartheralongatthesideofthegardenwasastonefireplaceforoutdoorcooking.Aboyabouteighteenyearsoldstoodthere,grinning.Heworealargewhiteapronandachef’scap.Many young people had already gathered when Nancy and her friends arrived. Jody, a

gracious hostess, immediately introduced the group. When they came to the chef, Jodygiggled.“Thisismycousin,HarveySmith.He’sthebestcook-outchefinthecounty.Isn’theariotinthatoutfit?”Harvey acknowledged the introduction and said, chuckling, “It’s one way to get yourself

invitedtoalltheparties!”Nancy,Ned,andtheothersseatedthemselvesonmatsonthegroundwiththeotherguests.

Theythoroughlyenjoyedtheevening.BurtdeclaredthatHarvey’ssteakswerethebesthehadever eaten. The rest of themenu included potato chips, several kinds of salad, vanilla icecreamtoppedwithfreshfruit,andcake.“I’mstuffed!”Davesaidwithagroan,ashefinishedthelastcrumbofcake.As he spoke, the strumming of a guitar could be heard. Looking up, the River Heights

visitorsandtheirescortssawayoungmanstandingattheedgeofthecrowd.Themusicianbegantosing.Firstcameahumoroussongaboutahillbillyandhisfirststore-boughtshoes.Eachverseendedwith“Ow!Theypinch!Ow!Theyhurt!”Soonhewasplayingfamiliarsongs.Everyoneatthepicnicjoinedin.Thiswasfollowedbya

sidesplittingskitputonbyoneofthecouples.Theyrepresentedtwotravelerswhohadmetonacruise.Theycouldnot speakeachother’s language,buteachwas trying to tell theotherhowtogetbacktothesamehotel!Beforeanyonerealizedthetime,oneofJody’sfriendssaid,“Mygoodness!It’salmosttwelve

o’clock!”Thatseemedtobeasignalforeveryonetoleave.Nancyandherfriendswenttosaygood

nighttotheirhostess.WhenNancyreachedJody,thegirlsaid,“Oh,pleasedon’tgoyet.Ihavesomethingupstairs

Iwanttoshowyou.Waituntilalltheotherguestsexceptyourfriendshavegone.Mycousinwantstotalktothem,anyway.”“Allright.”Nancyandherfriendswalkedovertowardaparticularlybeautifulpartoftheflowergarden.

Therewereacoupleofbencheshere,andtheyallsatdown.HarveySmithjoinedthem.Presentlythelastoftheotherguestshadsaidgoodnight.Jodycameoverandbeckonedto

Nancy.Totheothersshesaid,“Iwon’tkeepherlong.”ThetwogirlswentupstairstoJody’sbedroom,whichwasdaintyandgirlishwithitswhite

muslindraperiesandhand-embroideredbedspread.“Mothersaidthatwhenyouwerehereyesterdayyoumentionedchildhoodpicturesofme,”

Jodybegan.“Well,wehadn’tlookedattheminages,sojustforlaughs,Iwentuptotheatticlastnightandunearthedthem.Wouldyoustillliketoseethem?”“Oh,yes,”Nancyresponded.Mostofthepictureswereinboxes.ThefirstoneJodypickedupheldphotographsofherat

theageoftwelve.Therewasnothingaboutthisgirlthatlookedlikethethree-year-oldwhosephotographNancyhadinherpurse.“I guess you were always cute,” said Nancy, smiling. Shementioned the dress Jody was

wearinginthepictureandthetwogirlslaughedoverit.“Youwouldn’tthinkstylesforkidswouldchangesoquickly,”Jodyremarked.“AndmyhairA

twelve-year-oldtodaywouldn’tlookabitlikethat!”Jody kept going backward in time, as Nancy concealed her impatience. But finally she

reachedthe lastboxandsaid,“Thesepictureswere takensoonaftermymotherand fatheradopted me.” Jody smiled. “Adopted children are very lucky because they’re chosen andkeenlywantedbytheiradoptiveparents.”NancyagreedandaddedthattheArmstrongswerewonderfulpeople.“You’refortunateto

havefoundoneanother.”AtthatmomentMrs.ArmstrongcalledJody.“Willyoupleasecomedownstairsforaminute,

dear?”sheasked.“Of course, Mother.” Jody turned to Nancy. “I won’t be away long. You go right ahead

lookingatthepictures.”Nancy was delighted to be left alone. Quickly she opened the last box and picked up a

photograph.HerpulsequickenedassheopenedherpurseandtookoutthepictureofJoanieHortontakenonlyaboutsixmonthsbeforetheotherone.Thiswasthesamechild!“Jody Armstrong and Joanie Horton are the same person!” Nancy thought. “Her mother

didn’t leave her under mysterious circumstances! Her parents weren’t living. She waskidnaped!I’msureJodyandMr.andMrs.Armstrongwillwanttoknowthetruth.AnditwillbringsuchhappinesstotheBowenstoknowtheirgranddaughterisaliveandhappy!“And Jody is the rightful heir toMrs. Horton’s estate! That twenty-one-year-old girl who

claimeditbroughtforgedidentificationpaperswithherfromNewYork!”ManysuppositionsracedthroughNancy’smind.Firstofall, shemustkeepher findingsa

secret until she could talk to her father. Who was back of the whole scheme? Who hadkidnapedlittleJoanieandleftherattheadoptionsociety?Thegirlwholaterimpersonatedherorsomeoneelse?Wherewasthatgirlnow?InSanFrancisco?Wasanyof theestatemoneyleftafterallthistime?“One thing is sure,” Nancy told herself. “The people responsible for this deception are

determined I’m not going to upset anything.” She chuckled. “But I’ve uncovered their evilscheme.”SuddenlysheheardJodycomingbackupstairs.QuicklyNancytuckedherownphotograph

ofJoanieHortonintoherpurse.AsJodywalkedintotheroom,Nancysaid,“Thanksamillionforshowingmethepictures.

Youwereadarlingtogotoallthattrouble.Andnow,IguessI’dbetternotkeepmyfriendswaitinganylonger.”Nancykeptthesecrettoherselfuntiltheyoungpeoplehaddrivenbacktothemotelandthe

girlshadsaidgoodnighttotheboys.Then,whenshewasinherroomwithBessandGeorge,Nancytoldthemtheexcitingnews.“Oh,Nancy,youareabsolutelymarvelous!”Besssaid.“NowJodycanlearnthetruthandget

allthatmoney.”Georgetookamorepracticalviewofthematter.“Theremaynotbeonecentofitleft,”she

said.“IthinkitwouldbebetterifmattersstaythewaytheyareandJodyneverfindsout.”“Nomatterwhatwedo,”saidNancy,“youmusthelpmekeepthisasecret.”Herfriendspromised,thenBessasked,“Whatareyougoingtodo?”Nancysaidthatatthispointshethoughtherfathershouldtakeoverthecase.“He’lldecide

whatisthebestmovetomake.DadwillknowhowtobreakthenewstotheBowensandseewhattheywanttodo.”“Nowthatyou’vesolvedthecase,Isupposewe’llgohome,”Bessremarked.“Oh, no,”Nancy said quickly. “I haven’t solved anything except the identification of Jody

Armstrong. Don’t forget that her grandmother’s estate was stolen. Now we have toconcentrateonunravelingthatmystery.”BessandGeorgeknew thatNancysuspectedMr.Seaman, theothermysteriousmanwho

had followedher, and thebewhiskered fellow theyhadcaught in thecastle.Bothgirls saidtheywouldstaywithherandcontinuetheirwork.Thethreefriendswereupearlytosaygood-bytotheboys.Nedandtheotherboysbegged

thegirlstobecarefulintheirsleuthing.“I’mmightygladwewerehere tohelp you capture that fellow,” saidNed. “Butdon’t try

goingtothatcastlebyyourselves!”Nancysmiled.“NexttimeI’lltakeahandsomeyoungpoliceman,”sheteased.Assoonastheboyshaddrivenoff,Nancywenttothephoneandtriedtoreachherfather.

Buthestillhadnotreturnedto theSanFranciscohotel.She thencalledherhome inRiverHeights.ShetoldHannahGruenofherexcitingdiscoveryandaskedthehousekeepertotryreachingMr.DrewinCaliforniatogivehimtheinformation.“I’llkeepcalling,”thehousekeeperpromised.“It’stoobadIdidn’tknowthisyesterday.Your

fatherphoned lastnight—saidhehad triedyouat theLongView,but learnedyouwereoutanddidn’tleavehisname.Sohegavemesomeinterestinginformationtopassalongtoyou.”“Whatisit?”Nancyaskedquickly.Mrs.GruensaidthatMr.DrewhadtrackeddownaJoanieHortonwhohadcomefromthe

East.“She isnowmarriedtoaJohnTaber.Yourfatherdidn’thaveanyfurtherdetails,butIthinkhe’sgoingtotrytoseethiswoman.”“Shemaybetheimpostor!”Nancysaidexcitedly.“Itlooksthatway,”HannahGruenagreed.“Mygoodness,Nancy,thiscasemaybedrawing

toaclose!”“Oh,wouldn’titbewonderful?”Nancyexclaimed.“Inanyevent,I’llbegladwhenyoucomebackhome,”thehousekeepersaidwistfully.“It’s

tooquiethere.”“I’msureitwon’tbelong,”Nancysaidcheerfully.“Well,’byfornow.”WhenNancyrelayedtheinformationtoBessandGeorge,theytoowereexcited.“Well,what

courseshallwefollow,CaptainDrew?”Georgeasked.Nancythoughtamoment,thenanswered,“Let’shaveanearlylunchattheBrassKettle.If

Mrs.Hemsteadisthere,I’llaskherifMr.Seamanhasbeenaround.”

“Butwehaven’tevenhadbreakfastyet,”Bessspokeup.“Whatarewegoingtodobetweennowandlunchtime?”Nancysuggestedthatawalkwoulddothegirlsgood.“Let’shikedowntothatdiner.”The girls ate a tasty breakfast, then Nancy said, “How about going over to police

headquarterstoseeifChiefBurkehasanynews?”The three girls hurried to headquarters. They were shown at once to the police chief’s

office.ChiefBurkelookedupandsaidgenially,“Youmustbemindreaders.Iwasjustgoingtoget

intouchwithyou.”“Doyouhavenewsforus?”Nancyasked.“Yes,indeed.Yourbewhiskeredprisonerhastalked!”

CHAPTERXVI

ReptileGuard

“THEprisonerhasconfessed?”Nancyeagerlyaskedthepolicechief.“Notcompletely,”theofficerreplied.“Buthedidtellushisname.It’sJakeSuggs.”“Andhewaslivingatthecastle?”“Yes.”Chief Burke went on to say that the prisoner had suddenly called one of the guards and

criedout,“I’mnotgoin’toberesponsibleforamurder!”Nancy’s eyes widened in wonder as did those of Bess and George. “Murder!” Nancy

repeated.“That’swhathesaid,”ChiefBurkecontinued. “Then thismanSuggssaid, ‘There’saman

hiddeninthecellarofthecastle.He’ssick!Ifyoudon’tgethimoutofthere,he’lldie!’”“Didyougethimout?”Bessaskedbreathlessly.The officer nodded. “And now here’s the big surprise. The prisoner in the cellar was Mr.

Wheeler!”Thegirlsweredumfounded.FinallyNancyfoundhervoicetosay,“Thankgoodness!Howis

he?”ChiefBurkesaidthatMr.Wheelerhadbeentakentothehospitalandwasnowunderheavy

guard.HehadbeenfedandwellcaredforbySuggs,butwastooweaktoescape.“DidyoulearnanythingelsefromeitherMr.WheelerorSuggs?”Nancyqueried.“Notathing.Mr.Wheelerevidentlywasputtosleepbeforehewastakenfromthehospital

and knew nothing more until he awakened in a dark room in the castle cellar. No one hadquestionedhim,andexcept for thecareSuggsgavehim, the retired lawyerwas left alone.SuggsmerelysaidsomepeoplebroughtMr.Wheelertothecastleandpaidhimtotakecareofthelawyer.”

“Whowerethey?”Nancyasked.“IwishIknew,”saidChiefBurke.Thentheofficer’ssternexpressionrelaxedandhesmiledslightly.“Ithoughtyoumightbe

interested in Suggs’s story about the bats,” he said. “He let them remain there to frightenawayanyintruders.”

Bess giggled. “Theydid that all right,” she said, hunching her shoulders reminiscently indisgust.

ThechiefturnedtoNancy.“MissDetective,haveyouanyideawhobroughtMr.Wheelertothecastle?”

“I’mafraidnot.ButI’dcertainlyliketofindthem.”“I’llbetNancywillfindthem!”Georgespokeup.NancynowsaidthatshethoughtSuggsknewmuchmorethanhewastelling.“Forinstance,

before Mr. Wheeler was kidnaped, George and I went to the castle and were warned awaywhenwewereabouttoenter.Furthermore,wesawacarleavingtherethatsameday.Also,throughbinoculars Iusedon thehill, I sawSuggssignaling fromthe tower.ThedaySuggswas captured my friend Ned Nickerson was in the cellar searching and didn’t see Mr.Wheeler.”

“That’s not surprising,” said the officer. “Mr. Wheeler was in a room with a well-camouflageddoor.”

Hewentontosaythatthepolicewerestillsearchingforthekidnapers,ofcourse,buthadtoadmittheydidnothaveasingleleadandSuggsrefusedtogivenames.“AndI’mafraidwehavenowordonyourcar,MissDrew.”

Nancy had a sudden idea. She knew the chief would think it farfetched, since he had no

notionsheconnectedthemysteryofMr.Wheeler’sabductionwiththemysteryaboutwhichheknewnothing—that of JoanieHorton’s kidnaping.Aloud she said, “If there’s agangaroundherehidingthingsatthecastle,maybemyconvertibleisthere.”

EvenBessandGeorgeweresurprised tohear this.GeorgeremindedNancy thatnotonlyhadthegirlsandboyssearchedthecastle,butalsothatthepolicehad.

“Buttheydidn’tsearchthegrounds,”Nancycountered.“That’strue,”ChiefBurkeadmitted.Nancyaskedhimifhecouldspareanyofficerstogoouttothecastlewiththegirlsandlook

around.HeagreedandsaidhewouldsendSergeantFosleyandDetectiveHumfreywiththem.Themenwerecalledinandintroduced,thentheyledthegirlsoutsidetoapolicecar.

The group set off for the castle. When they reached it, Nancy was glad to find thedrawbridge still down. She had half expected that when Suggs’s friends failed to see himsignaling, theywouldhavecome to findoutwhy.The first thing theywoulddowouldbe toremovethestonesandwiresholdingdownthedrawbridgeandhopetoavoidafurthersearchoftheirsecretmeetingplacebythepolice.Whathadhappened?Weretheyafraidtoreturn?

The driver parked on the narrow roadway beside the wall, then the three girls and twopoliceofficersbegana thoroughandsystematicsearchof thegrounds.Theyhadconcludedtherewereplentyofplaces inwhichapersonmighthideacar.Tallgrassandweedsgreweverywhere.Thesearchersfannedoutaroundthesidesandrearofthecastle.

PresentlyGeorgecalled,“Iseeflattenedgrass—twonarrowrowsofit.Theycouldbefromautomobiletires.”

NancyandBessrantoherside.Therewasnomistakingthetracks,althoughtheweedsandgrasswerestrugglingtoanuprightpositionagain.

Excited,thegirlsfollowedthetrail.Presentlytheyreachedaslightlydepressedareaattheendofwhichwasahugemoundofgrass.Embedded into thehillwasanenormouswoodendoor.

“Yourcarcouldbeinthere!”BesscalledoverhershouldertoNancy.Besswasinthelead.Butsuddenlyshestoppedandshrieked,“Ugh!Asnake—amonstrous

snake!”NancyandGeorgelookedattheground.Infrontofthedoor,sunningitselfonsomerocks,

was a five-foot snake. At the sound of the girls’ approach, the reptile raised its head. Theforkedtongueshotoutfromitsmouth.

“Carornocar,I’mnotstaying!”saidBess,whostartedtoretreat.George,unafraid,lookedaroundforarocktothrownearthesnakeandscareitaway.“He’s

justguardingtheplace,“shesaidwithachuckle.

“Nancy!”Bessscreamed.“We’llbethrownoff!”“Ican’tseewhat’ssofunnyaboutthat,”hercousinretorted,butshestoppedrunning.By this time George had found a small rock and heaved it toward the reptile. It landed

withinafewinchesofthesmoothbody.Atoncethesnakeslitheredoffthroughthegrass.Thepolice,havingheardtheshouts,andBess’sscream,hadcomefromtheothersideofthe

castleonarun.Bythetimetheycaughtuptothegirls,Nancywaspullingattheolddoor.Itprovedtobetooheavyforhertomove.

AtonceSergeantFosleyandDetectiveHumfreysteppedforwardandgaveitayank.Asthehugedooropened,Nancygaveacryofglee.“Mycar!”shecried.

Theyoungsleuthran inside the largeopening,whichsheguessedhadbeenarootcellar,andclimbedbehindthewheelofherconvertible.Therewasnokeyintheignitionlockbutshehadhersinherpurse.Quicklysheinserteditintothelockandasecondlaterhadstartedthemotor.

“Itruns!”sheexclaimed,smilingbroadly.The two officers looked on in amazement. Then Sergeant Fosley said, “You are a clever

youngsleuth!Nooneelsethoughtoflookingonthisislandforyourcar!”There was a short discussion about the thieves who had taken it. Everyone doubted that

theyplannedtouseitorsell it.TheyreachedtheconclusionthatthecarhadbeentakentokeepNancyfromsleuthingintheneighborhood!

“Apparently you have a reputation all the way up here in Deep River,” said DetectiveHumfrey.“Well,nowthatyouhaveyourcar,Iguessyoudon’tneedusanylonger.We’dbettergetback,Fosley.”

The two men hurried off to their own car. They waited, however, to see that Nancy’sconvertiblewasstillrunningallright.Thentheycrossedthedrawbridgeandspedoff.

“Let’s lookaroundheresomemore,”Nancysuggested.“With luck,maybewe’ll findsomeduestotheidentityofSuggs’spals!”

“Notonyourlife,”Bessretorted.“NancyDrew,don’tforgetyourpromisetoNed.”Nancygaveasighofresignation.Shehad justdrivenontothedrawbridgewhenthegirls

heardcreaking,groaningsoundsinthewoodbeneaththem.Thenextsecondthebridgebegantolift!

Bessscreamed.“Nancy!Thebridgeisopening!We’llbethrownoff!”

CHAPTERXVII

TelltaleTracks

ASTHEdrawbridgerosecreakingly,Nancyputhercarengine intoreverse,spedbackwarddown the incline,and into thecourtyard.Shewas just in time tokeep theconvertible fromturningoverorbeingcrushed.

“Nancy,don’tgivemeascarelikethatagain!”Bessbegged.Hercousin lookedatherdisdainfully. “You’d think itwasNancy’s fault.We’re lucky tobe

alive,thankstoher.”Bessapologized,sayingshehadnotmeanttoimplyNancywasapoordriver.Toforestallan

argument,Nancysaid,“Whatonearthmadethebridgerise?”Thethreegirlsclimbedoutofthecar.Theylookedatthebridge,whichwasnottightly in

placeinthecastlewall.“The bridge certainlywouldn’t go up by itself,” saidGeorge, “unless the vibration of the

policemen’scarloosenedthewiresandreleasedthesecretmechanism.”“Thismeanswe’reprisonershere,unlessweleavethecarandswimacross,”saidBesswith

asigh.“Notnecessarily,”Nancytoldher.“MaybeIcanletthedrawbridgedown.”“Howaboutthepolice?”Bessaskedsuddenly.“Maybeifwehonkthehornloudlyenough,

they’llcomeback.”Shemovedtowardthecartodothis.ButthoughBesskeptherhandonthehornforhalfa

minute,therewasnoresponse.GeorgeandNancyhadmovedtothedrawbridge.Together,theytuggedandyankedatthe

heavyironchainswhichletthebridgeupanddown.Onesideworked,buttheotherrefusedtobudge.

“Ithinkthetrouble’supabovewherethechaingoesthroughthewall,”Nancystated.“I’llgoandfindout.”

“Buthow?”Georgeasked.“Youcan’tclimbupasheerwall.”Nancysmiled.“Butlookatthesteplikenichesinthestonework,”shesaid.“Theymightbe

justthetrick.”“Okay,”saidGeorge,“butwhatareyougoingtoholdonto?”“Thereare someprettyheavy vineson thiswall,”Nancy observed. Thenextmoment she

hadgraspedastoutstemoftheivy.Sheswungherselfontoittotryitsstrength.“It’llholdmeallright,”shesaid.

QuicklyNancy inchedherwayupthewall,usingthevinesandniches.Whenshereachedthetopofthedrawbridge,shebegantoexaminethebulkychainandthecogwheeloverwhichitran.Nancydiscoveredthatthechainwaswoundaroundtwooftheteethinsuchawaythatthewheelcouldnotturnandreleasethebridge.

Holdingonto the vine stem firmlywithonehand, the young sleuthendeavored to lift thechainandunwindit.Atfirstshecouldnotbudgetheheavyironlinks,andonceshealmostlostherbalance.

“Becareful!”Georgewarned.“Wantmetocomeupandhelp?”“Maybe you’d better,” said Nancy. “But whatever you do, pick out a different vine from

mine!”Georgechuckledand followed instructions. “Iknewbeinga tomboywouldcome inhandy

someday!”shecalled,asshemadeherascent.Soonshewasbesideherchum.Thetwogirlsworkedhard.Buttheydidnotdaretugtoostrenuouslyforfearthattheforce

would unbalance them in their precarious positions. Finally they managed to get the linksbackintothecogsinastraightline.

“Thankgoodness!”saidGeorge.Nancyheavedasigh.“I’mprettyrelievedmyself.Nowallwehavetodoisseeifitworks.”Georgegrinned.“AndIsupposeyou’dlikemetoclimbdownandtestit.”Shedescendedand

releasedthetwochains.Atoncethedrawbridgewaslowered.“That’ssimplymarvelous!”criedBess.“Yougirlsarepositivegeniuses.”“Anyway,”saidGeorge,“we’renotsuchbadmechanics.”WhenNancyreachedtheground,sheinsistedthatthecousinswalkacrossthebridge.“I’ll

comealoneinthecar.Ifanythinggoeswrongagain,youcanhurryoffforhelp.”BessandGeorgewaitedwithbatedbreath,butNancymade itsafely.Herfriendsclimbed

intotheconvertibleandsheheadedtowardtown.“I’mstarved,”saidBess.“Adventurealwaysmakesmehungry.”Georgelaughed.“Tensionissupposedtotakeawayyourappetite,”shesaid,“notincrease

it!”Nancysuggested that theyhead for theBrassKettle. “MaybeMrs.Hemsteadwillgiveus

somemoreinformationaboutMr.Seaman.”Whentheyenteredthetearoom,thegirlsweredelightedtoseetheoldladyrockinginher

chair.Atonceshemotionedtothem.“I haven’t had a soul to talk to allmorning,” she complained. “Tellmewhat you’ve been

doing.”“We’vebeenout fora ride,”Nancysaidnonchalantly. “Youknow,Mrs.Hemstead, Inever

have received the present from Mr. Seaman that he told you about. Has he been aroundlately?”

“No,hehasn’t,”Mrs.Hemsteadreplied.“Butyouknow,Iheardafunnythingabouthim.”Instantlythegirlswerealertandaskedherwhatitwas.Theoldladyrockeddeterminedlyasifshewereangry.“Hefooledme—that’swhathedid,”

shesaid.“AllthistimeIthoughthewasatravelingsalesman,butIwastoldjustlastnightthathe’sworkingoutatoldMrs.Wilson’s.”

Thegirlscouldhardlysuppresssmiles.Mrs.Hemsteadfeltthatshehadbeenduped,anddidnot like it! She went on to say that Mrs. Wilson was a wealthy widow who lived on theoutskirtsofDeepRiver.

“Up toashort timeago,”Mrs.Hemsteadcontinued, “Mrs.Wilsonkept fourservants,butnow she has only a couple. I suppose thewoman isMr. Seaman’swife.Mrs.Wilson nevercomestotownanymore.Therearerumorsaroundhereshe’snotwell.”

“That’stoobad,”Nancysaidsympathetically.“DoMr.andMrs.Seamantakecareofher?”“Isupposeso,”Mrs.Hemsteadsaid.“Folksdon’tknowwhat’sgoingonoutthereanymore.

Thecouplenevercometotown,either.Theyorderall their foodandsuppliesby telephone.Funnything,too,thedeliveryboysneverseeanybody.Themoneyis leftoutsideinthemilkbox.”

InstantlyNancy’smindflewbacktothesimilarstoryaboutGrandmotherHorton.CouldtheSeamansbethesamecoupleshehadhad?Nancytoldherselfshewasgoingtofollowupthisclueatonce.AscasuallyaspossiblesheaskedMrs.HemsteadthelocationofMrs.Wilson’shome.

“Well,whenyougetoutonthemainroad,youtaketheroadtowardtheoldcastle.Afteryoupass thecastle, take thenext road to the left thatyoucome to.Mrs.Wilson’shouse iswaydownattheendnearthewater.”

The three girls explained that they wanted to have lunch and said good-by to Mrs.Hemstead.Assoonastheywereseatedandhadorderedtheirluncheon,NancytoldBessandGeorgethatshewantedtogoouttotheWilsonhomedirectlyafterthegirlsfinishedeating.

AboutanhourlaterNancydrovewithinsightoftheWilsonhouse.Shedecidedtohidehercaralongthewoodedroadside.

“Let’s walk up the Wilson driveway and try not to make ourselves conspicuous,” shecautioned.Fortunately,thedrivewasacurvingone,borderedbytreesandthickshrubbery.

SuddenlyGeorgeexclaimed,“Look!Tiretracksthatdon’tmatch.They’rejustliketheones

wesawatthecastle!”Thegirlsstoopedtoexaminethem.Threeofthetireshadparallelgrooves;theoneonthe

rightrearwheelwasdiamond-shaped.“We’re on the trail of something all right,” Bess remarked. “But let’s not get ourselves

captured!”Theyhurriedalongthesideoftheroad,readytohideamongthetreesandbushesifacar

shouldcomealongoranypeopleappear.Theynearedtheendofthedriveway,wherethetreesonthefarsideended,andalonggreenlawnextendedforsomedistance.

“Girls!”Nancywhisperedtensely.Shepointedtotheirleft.ThetowerofMoonstoneCastlewasinplainview!“AnyonestandingherecouldhavewatchedJakeSuggssignaling!”

“O-oh!”saidBess.“I’veseenenough!Let’sgoback!”“No!”saidNancy.“Wehavearealcluethistime.”Shecamefrombehindatree,walkedup

tothefrontdoor,andboldlyliftedthebigbrassknocker.

CHAPTERXVIII

WorriedPlotters

WHENtherewasnoanswertoNancy’sknock,shetriedagain.StillnoonecametoopenthedoorofMrs.Wilson’shome.Disappointed,Nancywas about to turn away,whenBess rushedup toher.Shehadbeen

standingsomedistancebackfromthehouseandhadbeengazingatthewindows.Nowsheexclaimedinanexcitedwhisper:“Somebody is home. I saw a middle-aged woman looking out one of the second-floor

windows.”“Middle-aged?”Georgerepeated.“Thatcouldn’tbeoldMrs.Wilson.”“That’s right,” Nancy agreed. “I wonder why the woman doesn’t come and answer my

knock?”“Maybeshe’sdeaf,”Georgesuggested,andranbackfromthedoorwaysoshewouldbein

plainsightifanyonelookedoutthewindowagain.Nancy,meanwhile,hammeredthedoorknockervigorously.Noonecametoanswerit.“Evidentlytheydon’twanttoseeus,”saidBess.Thethreegirlsdiscussedthequestionofwhetheritwasjusttheywhowerenotwelcome,or

whethernocallerswereallowedintothehouse.Theydidnotcometoanyconclusion.“Whydon’twepretendtoleave?”saidNancy.“We’llgodownthedrivewayashortdistance

anddoubleback,usingthetreesasascreen.”Sheandthecousinsfollowedthisplanandremainedinhidingfornearlytenminutes.They

hadagoodviewofthehouse,butnooneappearedatanyofthewindows,orcametoopenthedoor.“Wemayaswellgo,”saidBess.“Not yet,” Nancy begged. “I see a way to get up to the house without being spotted.

NormallyIdislikeeavesdropping,butinthiscaseIthinkitisjustified.”The young sleuthmanaged tomakeherwaybehind trees andamongbushes to an open,

screened window not far from the front door. She had barely settled into a comfortablelisteningpositionwhenacarcameupthedriveway.AtonceBesswasterrified.“Nowwe’llbecaught!”shetoldGeorge.“Sh!”hercousinwarnedandpulledBessdowntoastoopingposition.“Nancy’swelloutof

sight.I’msurenobodywillseeher.”Asthecarwentpasttheplacewherethecousinswerehiding,theycouldseethelonedriver

plainly.HewasthemanwhohadfollowedNancyinRiverHeightsandGeorgeinDeepRiver!“Hemayhavetrailedushere,”Bessworried.“Ifso,he’llhuntuntilhefindsNancy!”Georgesetherjaw.“Ifhedoes,youandIwillrunforwardandhelpher!”Themanparkedhiscarandwentuptothefrontdoor.Tothegirls’surprise,hetookakey

fromhispocketandlethimselfintothehouse.Nancy,whohadseenallthisclearly,andfortunatelyhadnotbeennoticed,wonderedifthe

stranger lived here. Again the thought went through her mind, “I’ve seen that man someplace.”Asshetriedhardtothinkwhereithadbeen,sheheardvoicesintheroomjustabovewhereshewascrouched.“RudyRaspin!”exclaimedanotherman’svoice.“Whydidyoucomehereinthedaytime?You

knowweagreedthatallourmeetingswouldbeatnight.”“Listen,Oman,”saidRaspin, “don’tgivemeorders.Thingsaren’tgoingwell.We’dbetter

scram!”Awoman’svoicesaid,“Whathappened?”

BeforeRaspincouldanswer,Omanbroke in.Buthehadbarelystartedtospeakwhenthewomanquicklyordered,“Bequiet,Ben!ListentoRudy!”“You’reanaggingwife,Clara!”Omancomplained.Nancy’sheartwasthumpingwithexcitement.Oman!Thenameonthepostcardwhichhad

been found in Grandmother Horton’s home! Also, Nancy was sure from the sound of BenOman’svoicethathewasMr.Seaman!Sothemanwasusinganalias!Raspinwenton,“JakeSuggsisinjail,andhehastalked!”EvenoutdoorsNancycouldhearthegaspsofalarmfromtheOmans.Theyaskedwhathad

happened.“ThatpeskyDrewgirlandherfriendssearchedthecastleandfoundSuggs.Ialwayssaidhe

wastoodumbtobetrusted.Well,theytookhimtothepolice.Then,afewhourslater,SuggstoldthecopsaboutMr.Wheelerandtheywentouttothecastleandrescuedhim.”“And now Wheeler will start talking!” Oman exclaimed in a thoroughly alarmed tone of

voice.“Weareinatightspot.”His wife, who sounded doubtful about the story, asked, “Where did you get all this

information,Rudy?Youwouldn’thavedaredgotothejailtoseeJake!”“I wouldn’t, eh?” Raspin asked in a sneering tone. “I’ll tell you how Imanaged it. I just

happened to go to that tearoomyou like somuch, and the old busybody there toldme thestoryaboutSuggsbeingcapturedandWheelerbeingfound.ThenIwenttothejail.”Raspinlaughed.“Prettycleverofme,too,thewayIdidit.Iputonadisguise,andwrotea

letteronstolenofficialstatestationeryIkeeponhandalongwithotherhandyformsIpickup.The letter, addressed to Chief Burke, said I was a member of a state committee on jailinspection.Isignedanassumedname.”“SoyoudidtalktoSuggs?”saidOman.“Right.AndIfoundoutsomethingelsefromhim.NancyDrewhasmymoonstone!”“How’d she get it?” Ben Oman cried out, and his wife asked, “When did you learn that,

Rudy?”“Suggstoldme.ThatfoolheldtheDrewgirlprisonerashorttimeuntilhewasdiscovered.

Those girl friends of hers stood right outside the secret door on the castle cellar stairway.Suggsheardoneofthemsay,‘Thatmoonstonesomebodysenthercertainlydidn’thelpNancy.’”Omanwhistled,asRaspin,nowinaloudandangryvoice,said,“Idon’tknowwhosentitto

her,butIhaveanidea.If I’mright,I’ll—I’ll—well,nevermind,that’sapersonalmatter.ButI’mgoingtogetthemoonstoneback!I’vehadbadluckeversinceitdisappeared!”NancywasamazedtohearthatthemoonstoneshehadreceivedbelongedtoRudyRaspin!

Whohadsentittoher?Andwhyhaditbeentakenfromhim?After a fewmoments’ silence,Raspin spoke again. “I tell you, it’s getting too hot around

here.Thesoonerwegetout,thebetter!”“Justaminute,”saidOman.“I’mnotgoingtogiveupthisjob.”“YouandClarawillbecaught!”Raspinargued.“Listen,”saidBenOmaninawheedlingtone,“wehavetheoldladyjustwherewewanther.

She’stooweaktoresist.”Themanlaughedsardonically.“That’sright,”spokeupClaraOman.“She’ssigningchecksnowwithoutlookingatthem.”RudyRaspin, apparently as greedy as his pals, laughed. “I guesswe can’t leave the loot

behind,”hesaid.“Well,forceallyoucanoutoftheoldlady’scheckbooktoday.Tomorrowwegetoutofhere!”Nothingmorewas said and in a fewmoments Raspin left the house. As soon as he had

drivenoff,Nancycautiously returned toBessandGeorgeand told thestory.Theystared inspeechlessamazement.“Wemustgetthepolicerightaway!”Nancysaid.“OldMrs.Wilsonisinrealdanger!”ThegirlsrantoNancy’shiddencarandhurriedtotown.Astheynearedtheroadleadingup

tothemotel,shesaid,“Ithinkitwouldbeagoodidea,beforewegotothepolice,toseeifthere’sanywordfromDad.”

Whenshereachedthemotel,thethreegirlsdashedinside,allhopingforletters.TherewerenoneandnomessagefromMr.Drew,butMrs.Thompson,whowasbehindthedesk,said:“Nancy,Ifoundanenvelopeherethismorning.TheaddresslookedsostrangeIthoughtI’d

betterkeeptheletterandhandittoyoumyself.”ShegaveittoNancy,thenwentoff.Nancy’snamewas spelledout in letters cut fromnewspaperwords.Tied to theenvelope

wasasmall,dark-greenbox.Remembering the packagewhich contained themoonstone, Nancy quickly tore open the

envelopeandpulledoutanote.Italsowasmadefromnewspaperwords.Themessageread:PLEASERETURNMOONSTONE.NOWIAMINDANGERASWELLASYOU.LEAVE

IT INTHISBOXTONIGHTUNDERTHERHODODENDRONBUSHATTHEFOOTOFTHEMOTELDRIVEWAY.

Itwassigned“TheWell-Wisher.”Nancy showed the note to her friends, who gasped in astonishment. As the three girls

walkedaway,Nancysaid,“We’llleavetheboxtonight,butnotthemoonstone,andwe’llbeonwatchtoseewhocomes!”

CHAPTERXIX

ACryforHelp

AS Bess peered at the strange note which Nancy had received, she said, “More than onepersonmaycometogetthemoonstoneback.Andifthey’rehuskymen,wewouldn’tstandachance.”

Georgelookedathercousindisdainfully.“Whynot?We’renotweaklings!”“Theymightbearmed,”Besscautioned.Nancythoughtonlyonepersonwouldappear.“Ihaveanideasomeoneinthegangtookthe

moonstoneandsentittome.WeknownowitactuallybelongstoRaspin,andIthinkhehasorderedthepersonwhosentthestonetogetitbackquickly.”

“Inanycase,Nancy,youhavestolenproperty,”Besssaid.“Thequickeryougetridofitthebetter!”

Nancyagreedthattherightfulownershouldhavethemoonstoneback,butthoughtRaspinshouldputinaclaimforithimself.

“Hewouldn’tdaredothat!”saidBess.“Exactly,”Nancyreplied.“Therefore,we’llknowthatwhoevercomestonightisinsomeway

connectedwithRaspin.”Georgeremarkedthattherewasonefactstillunexplained—whydidthismysteriousperson

callhimself“TheWell-Wisher”?“Thatdoesn’tsoundlikeoneofthegang—ratherapersonwhoisonyourside.”

“Iadmitit’sallverycontradictory,”saidNancy.“Let’shopewegettheanswerstonight.”Thegirlsclimbed into theconvertibleandwent topoliceheadquarters.Fortunately,Chief

Burkewasthereandtheywereusheredintohisofficeatonce.AsNancycompletedherstory,theofficer’seyebrowsliftedinamazement.

“Itcertainlysoundsasifyou’vestumbledontoabigfraud,”hesaid.“Itmaybebigger thanwethink,”Nancywenton.“Therearesimilarities to thewaypoor

Mrs.WilsonisbeingtreatedandthewayMrs.Hortonwassomefifteenyearsago.”“That’sright,”thechiefsaid.“Doyouthinktheseservantsareuptoaracketthatthey’ve

beenpullingforsometime?”“Itlooksthatway,”Nancyreplied.OnpurposeNancyrefrained fromsayinganythingabout JoanieHorton—thatwasstillher

father’scase.The officer said he would send two squad cars out to Mrs. Wilson’s home at once. “I’ll

includeadoctorbecauseshemayneedmedicalattention.”Nancyasked,“Maywegoalong?”ChiefBurkesmiled.“Ican’tblameyouforwantingtoseethiscasethrough,butIdon’twant

youtogethurt.Supposeyoutrailthepolicecarsbutstayinthebackground.”HewentontosaythathismenwouldconfronttheOmanswithwhatNancyhadtoldhim

andhehopedforaconfessionfromthecouple.“Actuallywehavenoconclusiveevidenceonwhichtoarrestthem,butmaybewecangetsome.”

Nancy was glad that the two squad cars drove to Mrs. Wilson’s without using sirens orgiving any otherwarning of their approach.She followed in her convertible.When the twodarksedansparkedinthedriveway,outofsightofthehouse,shestoppedbehindthem.

In a short time thepolicehad surrounded the oldhouse. Tensely the threegirlswatchedfrombehindthebigtreesalongthedriveway.Aplainclothesmanwenttothefrontdoorandliftedtheknocker.

Therewasnoanswer.Butsuddenlytheanxiousgroupheardafaintcryforhelp!“ThatmusthavebeenfromMrs.Wilson!”saidBess,clutchingNancy’sarm.

Afewsecondslateraloudordercamefromanupstairsroom,“Bequietandsignthis!”Awoman’sscreamfollowedandanothercry forhelp.Again theplainclothesmanpounded

loudlyonthedoor,demanding,“Openup!Police!”When there was no response to further commands, two other policemen and the doctor

joinedtheplainclothesman.Together,theybrokedownthedoorwiththeirshoulders.Themenswarmedintothehouse.

Thegirlswaitedanxiously.“Whatdoyousupposeishappeninginthere?”Bessasked.Nancy and George did not answer her. They were listening for further sounds from the

house.Fullyfiveminuteswentby,andstilltheyheardnothing.Thentheplainclothesmanreappeared.“Youcancomeinnow,”hecalledtothegirls.He led the way into the hall and up the front stairway. The detective indicated an open

bedroom.Nancyandherfriendsentered.“You!”ahandcuffedmancriedout.HewasthepersonwhohadposedasMr.Seaman.He

glaredmalevolentlyatNancy.Theyoungsleuthignoredhimandgazedatthetwowomenintheroom.One,evidentlyMrs.

Oman,wasalsohandcuffed.On a large, old-fashioned bed lay an emaciated-looking elderly woman. The doctor sat

besideher.“ThisisMrs.Wilson,”hesaid,andtoldher,“Thesearethegirlswhosavedyourlife.”Thewomansmiledwanlyandsaidinaweakvoice,“Ithankyou.AndIamgladthesewicked

servantshavebeencaught.”ThedoctorsaidMrs.Wilsonwouldberemovedtoahospitalandwithproperfoodandgood

carewouldbeallright.Thepolice,meanwhile,hadbeenexaminingthingsintheroom.TheyhadfoundanopencheckbookonaNewYorkCitybank.

“Sixofthesecheckshavebeenfilledin—allforlargeamounts,”saidtheofficerincharge.“Theyaremadeouttovariouspeoplewithnotationsonthestubsto indicatepurchases likeantiquesandagardentractorwhichMrs.Wilsonsaysshehasnotpurchased.”

“Thesedreadfulpeoplewere trying tomakemesign thesechecks,” thepatientspokeup,almostinawhisper.“Theyplantoforgeendorsementsignaturesandstealthemoney.”

ThedetectiveaskedMrs.Wilsonhowshehappenedtohavesuchasizableaccountbymailinonebank.

“TheOmans forcedme tomovemyaccounts fromvarious savingsbanks,” sheanswered.“Theydepositedtheminonecheckingaccountandallchecksweredrawnfromthat.”

Thedoctorgentlypattedthewoman’shands.“Don’ttrytotellanymorenow,”hesaid.“ThepolicehaveenoughevidencetotakeMr.andMrs.Omantojail.Whenyoufeelbetter,youcantestifyagainstthem.”

Nancyandherfriendssaidgood-bytoMrs.Wilson,expressingthewishthatsoonshewouldrecover from her ordeal. She smiled at them gratefully. “When I am feeling better, pleasecometoseeme.Iwanttothankyouproperlyforallyouhavedone.”

Thegirls promised to do this, then left the room.They learned from theplainclothesmanthat the police would occupy the house and patrol the grounds to catch Rudy Raspin if heshouldreturn.

“He’ssupposedtoarrivetomorrow,”Nancytoldthedetective,“butIhopeyouwon’thavetowaitthatlong.”

The officers congratulated Nancy, Bess, and George for their work. The girls smiled inembarrassment,thenwenttotheconvertible.

“IwishwecouldfindthatawfulRudyRaspin,”saidBess.“SodoI,”Nancyagreed.“Butrightnowourjobistofindoutwhosentmethemoonstone.”Thateveningthethreegirlsleftthelittlegreenboxundertherhododendronbushatthefoot

ofthemoteldriveway.Thentheyhidatvariousnearbypoints,withNancyclosesttothebush.“We’dbetterkeepstill.Notalking,”shecalledtotheothers.Therewassilence,exceptfor

thepassingtraffic.

Itgrewdarkeranddarker.Noonecametotherhododendronbush.Anhourwentbyandthegirlsbegantofidget.

Cars sped by in both directions and occasionally entered the motel driveway. But no onestoppedneartherhododendronbush.

“Maybethewholethingwasahoax,”Georgethought.Nancyhadjustbeguntowonderwhetherthepersonwhohadwrittenthenotehadchanged

hismindaboutcoming,whenacar speeding towardherpulledwayover to the sideof theroadandsloweddown.Itstoppedashortdistancefromtherhododendronbush.

The threegirls tensed.Theywatchedexcitedlyas thewomandriveralighted.Shewalkedforward quickly. No one else was in the car. As she reached the rhododendron bush, thestrangerdroppedtoherkneesandstartedfeelingaroundunderneathit.

Nancygotreadytospringforward.Themomentthewomanpickeduptheboxandrosetoastandingposition,Nancyjumpedforwardandbeamedherflashlightstraightintoherface.Thenextinstanttheyoungsleuthsteppedbackinamazementandcriedout:

“CeliaSmith!”At once the woman knocked the flashlight from Nancy’s hand, gave the girl a shove that

pushedhertotheground,thenrantowardhercar!

CHAPTERXX

Wolf’s-EyeSurprise

INSTANTLYBessandGeorgedarted from theirhidingplacesandgrabbed thewoman.Shewassurprisedandfoughtthemviolently.ButtheypinnedherarmsbackandheldhertightlyuntilNancycouldstandup,grabherflashlight,andcomeforward.Thistimesheturnedthelightonherself.“NancyDrew!”thewomancriedout.BessandGeorgewereastounded.“Doyouknoweachother?”Georgeasked.“Yes,”Nancysaidquietly.“CeliawasadaymaidformyAuntEloiseDrewinNewYorkfor

manyyears—infact,untilshemarried.”“Oh,Nancy,I’msosorryIhityou,”CeliaSmithwailed.“Ihadnoideaitwasyouspeaking.

When Isentyou thatmoonstone, Iwas trying tosaveyou fromthatdreadfulgang.They’rereallyafteryou!Myhusbandisgettingmoreandmoredesperate.He’llstopatnothing!”“Whoisyourhusband?”Nancyasked.“RudyRaspin.”“Sothat’swhyhelookedvaguelyfamiliartome,”theyoungsleuthsaid.“Youonceshowed

meaphotographofyourfiancébutyounevertoldmehisname.”The girls now learned that Celia had been very unhappy since her marriage five years

before.“Rudy’scruelandruthless,but Iwasafraid to leavehim. I learnedwhatheandhisfriendsareupto.HealwayssaidifIgothimintrouble,he’dkillme!”“Youpoorwoman!”Nancysaidsympathetically.“Whatisthisracket?”Celiarepliedthattherewereseveralcouplesinthegroup.Onecouplewouldtalkawealthy,

usuallyelderlywomanwhohadnorelativestolookafterher,intoemployingthemasservants.“Theyalwaysinsistedthatanyotherservantsleavebeforetheirarrival.Inthiswaythenewemployees never could be identified. Themain idea was to rob the woman of as much aspossible.”“Andinsomecasesstarvethemtodeath!”saidGeorge.Celia Smith looked at the girl in alarm. “Is that true?” she asked. “I’m suremy husband

neverresortedtothat.But,”shesaid,“thegangtoldmeverylittle.Theydidn’ttrustme.MostofwhatIknowIoverheard.Thegangthreatenedmeagreatdeal—theywereafraid,Iguess,thatImightgotothepolice.”“Howlonghasthisracketbeengoingon?”Nancyasked.“Oh,alongtime.”“WasthefirstvictimMrs.Horton?”Nancyinquired.CeliaSmithnodded.“Thathappened longbeforeImarriedRudy,but I foundoutabout it.

TheOmanswentthereasservants.TheylearnedthatMrs.Horton’slittlegranddaughterwasbeing brought there by her other grandparents who were going to Africa. During themissionaries’shortstay,theOmanswereabsent.Theyclaimedthattheywereattendingtheirdaughter’sweddinginNewYork.“Clara Oman found out thatMrs. Horton was Joanie’s only living relative outside of her

maternalgrandparents,sotheyplannedthatwholehorriblekidnaping.ItwascarriedoutatthetimeofMrs.Horton’sdeath.Theygavethepoorlittlegirlasedativetoputhertosleep,thentookhertotheadoptionsocietyofficeandlefther.”“WhereisJoanieHortonnow?”Bessasked.“Idon’tknow.AndI’msuremyhusbandandtheothermembersofthegangdon’t,either.I

did find this out, though—they kept track ofwhat happened toMr. andMrs.Bowen.WhentheyreturnedfromAfricaandcamehere,Benshadowedthem.Whentheyaskedyourfathertotakethecase,RudywasdeterminedthatMr.Drewwasnotgoingtolearnthetruth.Next,hefoundoutfromeavesdroppingatyourRiverHeightshomethatyougirlswerecominghere

todosomesleuthing.Youhavebeenindangereversince.”“Oh!”exclaimedBess.“I tookmyhusband’smoonstone,”Celiawenton, “—hehadbrought it fromCeylonyears

ago and prizes it highly. I sent the stone to you,Nancy,with the note. You are so smart, Ithought you would find out sooner or later the significance of moonstone and MoonstoneValley.”Nancysaidthatithadtakenheralongtimetoputthecluestogetherandthereweremany

questionsstillunanswered.“Oneofthemis,wheredoesthecastlefitintothepuzzle?”“AllIknowitthattheyuseditasameetingplace.”Suddenly Celia bit her lip and said with determination, “I’m never going back to Rudy

Raspin! Idon’tcarewhathappens tome—he isawickedperson,and I’mgladhehasbeenfoundout.I’msorry,Nancy,thatIevergotmixedupinthisracket.Ishouldhavegonetothepolicelongago.”“Supposeyoutellme,”saidNancy,“wheretheycanfindyourhusband.”Celia answeredwithouthesitation. “Wework for a senile,well-to-dooldman,Mr.Horace

Boise,inthenexttown,Pleasantville.”NancyinvitedCeliatocometothegirls’roominthemotelandtalkfurther.“I’llgotoyour

car with you and we’ll drive it up to the motel’s parking lot,” she said. To George shemurmured,“CallthepoliceandtellthemwheretheycanfindRaspin.”TenminuteslaterCeliaandthethreegirlsmetinthebedroom.AlthoughMrs.Raspinwas

teary-eyed, she looked relieved that at last she had followed her conscience. In answer toquestions fromNancy,sherevealed that itwasherhusbandwhohadbeenchased fromtheDrewhome byDetectiveDonnelly.He had hoped to break into the house and look for anypapersontheHortonmatterthatmightincriminatehim.RaspinalsophonedMr.andMrs.BoweninanattempttokeepNancyfromgoingtoDeep

River.OmanhadposedasMr.Seamanandgivenaphonyaddress tokeeppeople fromknowing

whereheworked.HehadconvincedMrs.Hortonthathermoneywouldbesaferinonelargecitybank,andhersecuritiesinahomesafe,soshehadtransferredallherfunds.Mrs.Omanhad forged twonotes inGrandmotherHorton’shandwriting.OnegaveaNew

YorkCityaddressasthatofhergranddaughter.Theotherrequestedtheprivatefuneral.Thenote toMr.Wheelerwasgenuine,but thepapersusedby the fake Joanwere forgedbyhermother.SuggshadsignaledmessagestotheOmansaboutvisitorstothecastleandwhenthepolice

hadmadetheirinspectiontrips.Hehadalsofloodedthemoattokeepvisitorsfromthecastle,buthadnotseenNancyandGeorgeanchorthedrawbridgeandthoughtitwasoutoforder.“Haveyouanyideawhotookmycarfromthemotelparkinglot?”Nancyasked.“Yes. Clara Oman did that too. She and my husband were the ones who kidnaped Mr.

Wheeler.AnditwasRudywhosentthenotetoMrs.Hemsteadtellingheryouwereusinganassumedname.Thatwasmeanttoscareyououtoftown.Hetriedtorundownyouandyourfriendsinaboat,too.”AboutanhourlaterwordcamethatthepoliceofPleasantvillehadtakenRudyRaspininto

custody.HewouldbebroughttoDeepRiverthenextday.Celia,nearlyovercomebythewholeaffair,wasput tobedat themotel.Nancystayedwithher,partly tocare for thedistraughtwoman, and partly to be sure she did not run away.Nancy knew the policewouldwant toquestionher.InthemorningtwoofficersappearedandtookCeliaRaspinwiththem.She had barely left when Nancy’s father arrived with Mr. and Mrs. Bowen. They were

overjoyedtohearthegoodnews.“Wearegladourgranddaughterishappy,”saidMrs.Bowen.“AndiftheArmstrongsagree,

we’dliketotalkwithher.”Mr.Bowenspokeup.“MywifeandIhavedecidedtogobacktoAfricaasmissionaries.We

wantsomuchtohelpunderprivilegedpeople.”“TheBowenshaveaskedme,”saidMr.Drew,“whatIadvise.IstronglybelievethatJoanie

shouldknowthewholestoryandthatweshouldretrieveherstoleninheritance.”The lawyer went on to say that through the postcard clue he had located the Omans’

daughterClaire inCalifornia. “Sheadmittedusingphonyand forgedpapers to impersonateJoanie.Claireclaimsshehasnoneoftheinheritanceleftbutshedidn’tsoundverysincere.IaskedherafewleadingquestionsandI’minclinedtothinkherparentshaveretainedthebulkofthemoney.”Bessgroaned.“Butiftheyhaveithiddenaway,they’llnevertellwhereitis.”SuddenlyNancy’seyessparkled.“IhaveahunchastowhytheOmansandtherestofthe

thethieveswereusingtheabandonedcastle!Tohidesomething!Girls,it’sperfectlysafeouttherenow.Let’sgoandmakearealsearch!”Sheaskedherfatherifhewishedtogoalong.Mr.Drewsmiledbutshookhishead.“Imust

see theArmstrongs,”hesaid. “Yougirlsmakeyoursearchand I’ll letyouknow later todaywhattherestofourplanswillbe.”Excitedlythethreegirlssetoffintheconvertible.Onthewaytothecastletheydiscussed

whatwouldbethemostlikelyhidingplaceforthievestouse.“I’msure it’s thecellar,”saidNancy.“Youremembertheonlytimewewerewarnedaway

fromthecastlewaswhenGeorgeandIswamoverandstartedforthecellar.”Thistimethegirlswerearmedwiththreeflashlights,andtheweird,dankpassagewayofthe

castledidnotseemsoforbidding.Theirhuntrevealednothinguntiltheycametowhatlookedlikeadungeonwithabarreddoor.Itwasnotlockedandtheywentinsidethecell-likeroom.Althoughtheybeamedtheirlightsallaroundthewalls,nothingsuspiciouswasrevealed.“Ithinkifthereisanythinghiddenhereitwillbeunderthisearthenfloor,”saidNancy.“It

wouldbeeasytodigup.”Shesprawledfulllengthontheground.“Whatintheworldareyoudoing?”Bessasked.“Lookingforahumpintheearth,evenaslightone.”SuddenlyNancystoodupanddashedtowardthecornerofthedungeon.“Here’sone!”she

said.“Nowwhatcanwedigwith?”Georgerememberedthatshehadseenashovelintheoldkitchenandhurriedofftogetit.

Shecamebackwith the long-handledshovel,andatoncebegan todig. Inashort timesheuncoveredalargebrassbox.Theirpulsesquickening,thegirlslifteditout.“Youopenit,Nancy,”saidGeorge.Nancy lifted the lid and the three girls gasped. The chest was filled with negotiable

securitiesandmoney.Besides these, thegirls founda listofpeoplewhohadbeenswindledandalsothenamesoftwoothercouplesinthegang.“We’dbetterburythisagain,”Besssaid,“andletthepolicecomeforit.”BeforeNancycouldanswer,Georgeprotested,“Nosir!Afterallthetroublewe’vehad,I’m

notgoingtoletoneofthosecrookscomehereandtakethisfortuneaway!”“Ithinkyou’reright,”saidNancy.Sincethechestwasveryheavy,allthreegirlshelpedtocarryittothecar.Nancydroveat

once toDeepRiverPoliceHeadquarters.ChiefBurkewasamazed to receive thecacheandsaidhewouldputitinhisofficesafeatonce.“Thenwe’llroundupthosefourotherpeopleinthegangwhosenamesareonthelist,”he

toldthegirls.“Ihaveanideathatnowtheentiregangisaccountedfor.”Nancysmiledandthankedthechiefforallhishelp.Shedidnottellhimthattherewasstill

onemattertoclearup—thatofJodyArmstrong’sreunionwithhergrandparents.When Nancy and her friends reached the motel, they found Mr. Drew, Mr. and Mrs.

Armstrong,andtheBowensthere.Alllookedverypleased.Nancy’s father, smiling, said, “The Armstrongs want Jody to meet Mr. and Mrs. Bowen

tomorrow.Theyhave invited therestofus tocome to theirhomeafter they’veall spentanhourtogether.”Thefollowingday,whentheDrews,Bess,andGeorgearrivedattheArmstronghome,they

foundanexcitedandhappygroup.Jodyrusheduptothegirlsandhuggedthem.“Oh,Ihavesomanywonderfulthingstothankyoufor,”shesaid.“Anddon’tyouthinkI’m

abouttheluckiestgirlinthewholeworldtohavesuchwonderfuladoptiveparentsandtohavefoundthesemarvelousgrandparents?They’ve toldmeanumberof thingsaboutmymotherandfatherwhopassedawaywhenIwasveryyoung—howtheylovedmeandhowhappythey

wouldbetoknowIhavesuchfineadoptiveparents.”“Youcertainlyarefortunate,”saidNancy,smiling.“We’reallsohappyforyou.”Mr.DrewannouncedthatabouthalfofGrandmaHorton’sstolensecuritieshadbeenfound

intact in thebrassboxatpoliceheadquartersand that induecourse Jodywouldreceive it.Thelawyerexplained:“WhatstartedtheOmansontheirkidnaping idea,andhavingtheirowndaughterposeas

theHortonbeneficiary,wasthefactthatBenOmanhadseenacopyofthewill.Theageofthegranddaughterwasnotmentioned,noranyguardian.Itwasthenthathebeganformulatingthe fraud. He kept little Joanie out of sight. Poor GrandmaHortonwas underfed and keptundersedationuntilherdeath.”“Howperfectlydreadful!”Besssaidsoftly.“Beforeaphysicianwascalledtoadministertoher,”Mr.Drewwenton,“Mrs.Omantook

littleJoanietotheadoptionsocietyandlefthersonoonecomingtothehouseeversawher.”“Howcanpeoplebesowicked!”Georgeburstout.Jodysaidthatofcourseitwouldbeverynicetoreceivethemoney.“ButI’mgoingtogivea

lotofittomygrandparentstouseintheirwork,”shesaid.“PartofwhatIhaveleftwillbeforbeautiful presents for Nancy Drew, Bess Marvin, and George Fayne,” she declared. “Theydeservethebestrewardsinthewholeworld!”Nancy laughed. “That is sweet of you, Jody. But the only reward Iwant is to knowwhat

thosestrangecodewords‘Wolf’sEye’mean.”Jodywent to thebookcaseandbegan looking indictionariesandencyclopediasandother

referencebooks.Nancy,meanwhile,couldnothelpbutwonderwhenshemightencounterasstrangeamysteryastherecentone.Suchacasewastoconfronthersoon,TheClueoftheWhistlingBag-pipes.Jody had been consulting one of the reference volumes which contained interesting

informationaboutallsortsofunusualsubjects.Excitedlyshecriedout:“I’ve found It!” Jody giggled. “Nancy, believe it or not, wolf’s eye is a nickname for

moonstone!”