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diff --git a/78704-0.txt b/78704-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1eabb3c --- /dev/null +++ b/78704-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5619 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78704 *** + + + + + NANCY DREW MYSTERY STORIES + + THE BUNGALOW MYSTERY + + BY + CAROLYN KEENE + + AUTHOR OF + “THE SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK,” + “THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE,” ETC. + + + _ILLUSTRATED BY_ + RUSSELL H. TANDY + + + NEW YORK + GROSSET & DUNLAP + PUBLISHERS + + + + + Copyright, 1930, by + GROSSET & DUNLAP, INC. + + + + + CONTENTS + + + I RACING THE STORM + II A DESPERATE STRUGGLE + III A NEW FRIEND + IV A VISITOR + V LAURA’S GUARDIAN + VI HOMEWARD BOUND + VII A CLOSE CALL + VIII LAURA’S STORY + IX NANCY’S PLAN + X THE MYSTERIOUS BUNGALOW + XI ORDERED AWAY + XII NANCY BIDES HER TIME + XIII A NARROW ESCAPE + XIV STARTLING REVELATIONS + XV A FAMILIAR FACE + XVI WHAT NANCY DISCOVERED + XVII A DESPERATE SITUATION + XVIII LEFT TO STARVE + XIX IN PURSUIT + XX NANCY’S DARING ACTION + XXI LAURA BEGINS TO WORRY + XXII A CHANCE MEETING + XXIII A BAD TURN + XXIV STUMPY’S FATE + XXV LAURA’S GRATITUDE + + + + + CHAPTER 1 + RACING THE STORM + + +“Don’t you think we should turn back, Helen? It’s getting dreadfully +dark out here on the lake and I don’t like the look of those big black +clouds.” + +As Nancy Drew addressed her chum, Helen Corning, she gazed anxiously up +at the sky and then out across a long expanse of water to the distant +shore. + +The two girls were spending several days at a camp located on Moon Lake, +and on this particular afternoon they had slipped away for a delightful +motorboat outing. They had cruised aimlessly about for several hours, +enjoying the lake scenery and, particularly, a cool, refreshing breeze +which brought them relief from an unseasonably torrid day, for it was +early summer. + +Now, as Nancy studied the sky for the first time, she was alarmed to +notice that it had become overcast. + +“Helen, I’m afraid there’s going to be a storm,” she announced. “They +come up so quickly on Moon Lake.” + +“You’re right,” Helen agreed uneasily. “It does look threatening. I +didn’t realize we were so far from shore. We’d better get back to camp +as fast as we can.” + +“I guess we were having too good a time to notice the weather,” Nancy +said. + +She gave the steering wheel a turn and headed the motorboat toward the +eastern shore. Although it was not yet dusk, darkness seemed to be +closing in upon the lake. It was with difficulty that the girls +distinguished the shore line. The water, which only a few minutes before +had been a smooth, clear blue, lashed about the little boat in angry, +inky waves. + +Helen studied the sky nervously. + +“We’d better make full speed ahead, Nancy,” she advised. “We’re a long +way from camp, and that big cloud is rolling up fast.” + +Nancy Drew was of the same opinion. One hasty glance at the cloud in +question had assured her that there was no time to be lost if they were +to beat the storm. Even before Helen had made the suggestion, she had +opened the throttle to the fullest extent. The motorboat fairly leaped +through the water, dashing spray into the faces of the two girls. + +“Why didn’t we start back a few minutes earlier?” Helen groaned. “We’ll +be drenched to the skin before we reach shore!” + +“I’m afraid we shall,” Nancy admitted. “I wonder if there are any +oilskins aboard?” + +“They may be under the seat. I’ll look and see if I can find them.” + +A moment later Helen triumphantly brought out a mass of sticky yellow +garments. She quickly slipped into a coat, and then relieved her chum at +the wheel, giving her an opportunity to don the oilskins. + +Hastily, Nancy pulled a southwester down over her curly, golden bob, and +struggled into a coat several sizes too large for her. She was not an +instant too soon, for suddenly a streak of forked lightning cut across +the sky, momentarily disclosing a thick mass of ugly clouds. The +lightning was followed by an ominous crack of thunder, which caused the +girls to cower involuntarily. + +“That was close,” Helen murmured uncomfortably. + +“It’s just a taste of what’s coming!” Nancy cried. “The storm is almost +on us!” + +The wind, which had been steadily freshening, now began to blow in +earnest. It struck the boat with a force which caused Nancy to grasp the +railing for support. Huge waves swept down upon the little craft, +threatening to bury it. + +Another dazzling flash of lightning illuminated the sky, and +simultaneously a deluge of rain descended upon the unfortunate girls. + +“Oh, this is terrible!” Helen wailed. “I can’t see to steer!” + +Nancy sprang to a position directly behind her chum and peered ahead +into the darkness. As though by magic, the shore line had vanished. The +blinding rain made it impossible to see more than a few feet beyond the +bow. + +“Hold to your present course!” she advised, shouting to make herself +heard above the noise of the storm. “It can’t rain like this for long.” + +The gallant little motorboat plowed defiantly through the waves, but the +steady chug of its engine did not comfort the two girls. They knew that +they were miles from camp, and should anything go wrong with the motor +they would be entirely at the mercy of the waves. Nancy recalled that +she had noticed only one fishing boat on the lake during the afternoon, +and the knowledge that in case of an accident cries for help would go +unheard did not add to her peace of mind. However, so long as the engine +continued to labor faithfully, there was no need to worry. + +“How much gasoline have we left?” Helen inquired anxiously. + +“Oh, at least half a tank, Helen. We shan’t need to worry on that +score.” + +After a time the rain ceased to fall in torrents and a drizzle set in. +However, the storm was by no means over, for the wind continued to blow +a full gale and every instant it seemed to Nancy Drew and Helen Corning +that the waves became higher. + +“If only we could see where we’re going!” Helen complained. + +She had endeavored to maintain a straight course for the camp, but there +was no way of estimating the amount of drift, and she had no idea how +far they were from shore. + +A jagged ribbon of lightning illuminated the path ahead. Catching her +breath, Nancy Drew leaned forward and peered into the inky water. What +she saw froze her with horror. Directly ahead, floated a big log! + +“About!” Nancy cried frantically. + +Helen, too, had seen the log which lay in the path of the motorboat, and +the sight held her in a paralysis of fright. She “froze” to the wheel. + +“About!” Nancy shouted again. + +Helen gave the wheel a vicious turn. The boat responded, but not quickly +enough. The log loomed up in the water ahead. With a splintering crash, +the boat struck it. + +The sudden impact of the blow threw Nancy Drew backwards. She went +sprawling into the bottom of the boat. Helen, who still clung to the +steering wheel, screamed in fright. + +“Nancy, are you hurt?” she demanded fearfully. + +Nancy did not reply, but hastily scrambled to her feet. With difficulty +she managed to stand, for the boat listed sharply to the right. +Instantly, she saw that the collision with the log had torn a jagged +hole in the side of the craft. Water was pouring in through it. + +“Quick!” Nancy ordered sharply. “We must bail or we’ll sink!” + +She sprang forward, and, tearing off her coat, tried to stuff it into +the hole. Helen caught up a rusty pail which had been kept on hand for +fish bait, and began to bail. She worked madly, but in spite of her +efforts, the water came in faster than she could dip it out. + +“Oh, it’s no use!” she groaned. “We’re sinking!” + +Nancy, too, realized that they could not hope to stop the leak. The boat +was doomed, and they with it unless aid came to them quickly. + +“Shout for help!” she ordered. “Someone may hear us.” + +Cupping their hands to their lips, the girls shouted again and again. + +“Help! Help!” they screamed desperately. + +There was no answer. The wind howled derisively in their ears, mocking +them in their plight. + +“Oh, what shall we do?” Helen demanded hopelessly. + +Already the two girls were standing in water over their ankles, and each +instant the boat was settling lower. A big wave bore down upon them, and +Nancy, who saw it coming, realized that it meant the end. + +A deluge of water poured in over the sides. + +“We’re lost!” Helen cried. “We’re lo——” + +The words ended in a choking gurgle as the waters closed over her head. + + + + + CHAPTER II + A DESPERATE STRUGGLE + + +As the motorboat settled into the lake, Nancy Drew leaped clear and +began to tread water. Her first thought was for her chum. What had +become of her? + +Nancy Drew was an excellent swimmer. But, as Nancy knew, Helen Corning +was barely able to keep herself afloat in a quiet pool. With crushing, +smothering waves bearing down upon her, she would be helpless. + +Frantically, Nancy glanced about. She heard no cry, but several yards +away she thought she saw a white hand above the water. With powerful +crawl strokes, she plowed through the waves toward the spot. The hand +had vanished. + +Bending at the waist and then suddenly straightening her body, Nancy +shot down in a surface-dive. With eyes open, she groped about under +water. At last she was forced to the surface, gasping for breath. + +“Oh, I must find her!” she thought desperately. “I can’t let her drown!” + +Then only a few feet ahead, she saw her chum struggling. In her fright, +Helen had forgotten what little she knew about swimming, and was +thrashing madly about. + +One powerful stroke brought Nancy directly behind her chum. Reaching out +an arm, she hooked Helen under the chin, and with her free hand, +elevated her body to the surface of the water. A huge wave bore down +upon the girls, and before Nancy could secure a safe hold, Helen +strangled and began to struggle. She clutched Nancy about the neck. + +“Let go!” Nancy cried. “Let go!” + +Helen, too frightened to realize what she was doing, only clung the +tighter, carrying the two girls beneath the surface of the water. + +At first panic took possession of Nancy Drew as she realized that Helen +held her in a strangle hold. Then her mind cleared and she thought +logically again. She had studied life-saving methods, and had been told +how to break strangle holds. If only it would work now! + +In a desperate attempt to free herself, she pushed with her hands +against the side of her chum’s face, at the same time attempting to +raise one of the arms which imprisoned her. As she felt Helen’s grip +relax, she quickly ducked under the raised arm and came to the surface +of the water directly behind her chum. Before Helen could clutch her +again, Nancy snapped her into position for a safe carry. + +“Don’t struggle or we’ll both drown,” she warned Helen. + +Feeling that she was safe, Helen relaxed somewhat. But scarcely had +Nancy Drew begun to believe that she had her chum under control when a +huge wave swept over the two girls. Again Helen began to struggle and +fight. Although Nancy held her in a position from which she could not +free herself, the battle was a wearing one. + +“Hold your breath when you see a wave coming,” Nancy instructed. “Don’t +be afraid. I won’t let loose of you.” + +She knew that Helen would soon wear her out unless she overcame her fear +and remained quiet. Already Nancy was short of breath, and for a swimmer +far from shore that was a fatal warning. Yet never for a moment did she +consider abandoning Helen, although by doing so she might save her own +life. + +Nancy Drew had no illusions concerning her situation. Excellent swimmer +though she was, she knew it would be impossible to tow Helen ashore. +Alone she might make it, but with her chum to consider, it was hopeless. +If only she could manage to keep Helen afloat until help reached them! + +The motorboat had sunk beneath the waves, and the log which might have +given them temporary support had floated away in the darkness. + +“Oh, if only that log would come in sight again!” thought Nancy. + +As if in answer to her wish the log bobbed up at that instant, but +before Nancy could grab hold of it it went out of sight. She watched +eagerly, but it failed to reappear. + +The exhausted girl’s heart sank within her. + +“Help!” Nancy cried frantically. + +With a sinking heart, she realized that her voice would not carry far. +She and her chum were at the mercy of the cruel waves. + +In this moment when it seemed that there was no hope of rescue, it was +but natural that Nancy Drew’s thoughts should turn to her father. Would +she ever see him again? + +For the most part, Nancy’s life had been an unusually happy one. Since +the death of her mother many years before, she had lived with her +father, Carson Drew, a noted lawyer engaged largely on mystery cases, in +the Middle Western city of River Heights which was forty miles from Moon +Lake. Aided by an elderly servant, Hannah Gruen, Nancy had taken over +the direction of the household. + +Her life had been an exciting one, for she had always taken an interest +in her father’s mystery cases. Carson Drew was proud of his daughter and +openly boasted that she had a talent for unearthing mysteries and +solving baffling cases. + +Certainly Nancy Drew never missed an opportunity for a thrilling +adventure. She had established herself as a clever detective by solving +the mystery of a queer old clock. Her adventures in this connection are +related in the first volume of the series, entitled, “The Secret of the +Old Clock.” + +Later she had been involved in a rather weird mystery, one which carried +her to a haunted house, there to aid two sisters, Rosemary and Floretta +Turnbull. Nancy had discovered a hidden staircase, and it was through +her efforts that the “ghost” of the Turnbull Mansion was captured. Her +exciting adventures are recounted in the volume, “The Hidden Staircase.” + +Nancy had refused to accept a reward for her service, but in each case +her friends had forced a token of remembrance upon her. Her trophies +consisted of a mantel clock and a valuable silver urn. Her father had +often declared that before she finished her career she would have the +house cluttered. + +Now, as Nancy Drew struggled to support her chum in the rough waters of +Moon Lake, she wondered if her career was to come to a sudden end. How +long could she manage to keep afloat? Certainly not for many more +minutes. + +Her heavy clothing dragged her down, her shoes seemed as heavy as chunks +of lead. If only she could let loose of Helen for a minute, she could +remove them. + +“Can you float on your back for just a few minutes?” she asked. + +“Oh, don’t let go of me, Nancy,” Helen pleaded. “I’m frightened to +death!” + +“I won’t,” Nancy promised. + +She intended to remain with her chum until the end. After all, it did +not greatly matter about the shoes, she told herself. Even were she rid +of them, it would only prolong her time a few minutes. She could not +hope to support Helen indefinitely. Each second dragged like an +eternity. + +At frequent intervals Nancy shouted for help, although she believed she +was only wasting energy. Her breathing became increasingly difficult. + +Helen Corning, who had gradually grown more calm, could not help but +know that Nancy’s strength was beginning to fail. For the first time she +realized the sacrifice her chum was making. Encumbered as she was, she +could never hope to reach shore. + +“Save yourself,” she begged. “Go on without me.” + +“Never!” + +“You can reach shore alone, Nancy. If you try to save me, we’ll both +drown.” + +Nancy Drew knew that Helen spoke the truth, but she did not relax her +hold. Nothing could force her to desert her chum. Each minute it seemed +to her that she could not take another stroke, and yet, by sheer force +of will, she managed to endure. + +A huge wave bore down upon the two girls, smothering them in its +embrace. Feebly, Nancy struggled back to the surface with her burden. + +“One more like that and I’ll be through,” she told herself. + +Just then she thought she heard a noise above the roar of the wind. Was +it her imagination or had she really heard the splash of an oar? + +“Help!” she screamed. + +Was there really an answering cry or were her ears playing cruel tricks +upon her? Again Nancy raised her voice in a frantic cry. This time there +could be no mistake, for she distinguished the words. + +“Hold on! I’m coming!” + +Aid was coming at last! The thought gave Nancy Drew the courage to +endure for a few minutes longer. + +“Where are you?” a shrill voice called. + +“Here! Here!” Nancy cried desperately. + +Through the blinding rain she caught a glimpse of a dark object. It was +a rowboat. If only she could hold out until it reached her! + +As the rowboat approached, Nancy Drew fully expected to see it swamped. +It swept toward the two girls on the crest of a wave, and only by +dexterous use of the oars did the rescuer avoid crashing into them. +There was only one occupant in the boat—a girl, and her puny strength +availed but little against the wind and waves. + +Twice she tried to bring the boat alongside the struggling girls, and +failed. The third time, as the craft swept past, Nancy lunged and caught +the side. She dragged Helen along, supporting her with one hand until +she, too, secured a hold. + +“Be careful or you’ll upset the boat!” their rescuer shouted. + +Nancy Drew was well aware of the danger, and she was at a loss to know +how to climb aboard. Unless the boat were perfectly balanced, it would +be certain to capsize at the first attempt the girls made to scramble +over the side. + +Swimming around the boat, Nancy Drew took a position directly opposite +her chum. + +“I’ll try to balance it while you get in,” she shouted. + +As Helen attempted to scramble aboard Nancy threw her weight to the +opposite side. The craft wobbled uncertainly but did not upset. With the +aid of the girl at the oars, Helen managed to reach safety. + +It was more difficult to get Nancy into the boat, but at last she was +dragged over the side. The deed accomplished, Helen collapsed on the +bottom. + +Nancy resisted the temptation to drop down beside her chum, for one +quick glance at her rescuer assured her that the girl was nearly +exhausted from her labors. Apparently, it was all she could do to keep +the rowboat from being overturned. Tired as she was, Nancy Drew knew +that she could not rest until shore was reached. + +“Give me the oars!” she ordered. “You rest for a minute or two.” + +“I am about done up,” the girl admitted. “When I heard your cries, I +rowed out as fast as I could.” + +Nancy dropped down upon the seat and snatched up the oars. + +“We couldn’t have lasted much longer. You came just in time. But I won’t +try to thank you now. We’re still in grave danger. Which way to shore?” + +With a wave of her hand, the girl indicated the direction. She seemed +too tired to speak. + +Under Nancy Drew’s powerful strokes, the little boat plunged through the +water. By skillful use of her oars, Nancy avoided some of the waves, but +in spite of her efforts, the craft was battered about. + +Each moment the wind increased in violence, hurling wild threats into +the ears of the three girls. Could they outride the storm? + +As the little boat was buffeted this way and that, it seemed to Nancy +Drew that they were fighting a losing battle. The fear made her work +more frantically than before. + + + + + CHAPTER III + A NEW FRIEND + + +Grimly, Nancy Drew applied herself to the oars, although she feared her +efforts would be useless in the end. Her arms ached, and she was +desperately tired. Chilled to the bone by the raw wind, hands numb with +cold, she longed to give up the struggle. If only she could drop down in +the bottom of the boat beside Helen and rest! + +Yet, she could not give up, for she realized that the safety of her +companions depended upon her work. She must keep on! As she doggedly +bent to her task, the oars creaked protestingly in the locks. + +It seemed to Nancy that an unkind fate had decreed the little boat was +never to reach shore, for each instant the storm increased in violence. +Gigantic waves lashed against the little craft, threatening to bury it. +Each flash of lightning and clap of thunder struck the girls with +terror. + +The strange girl who had braved the elements to rescue Nancy Drew and +Helen Corning, permitted herself only a brief rest. Exhausted as she +was, she snatched up an extra oar from the bottom of the boat and +attempted to help with the rowing. Working in unison, the two girls sent +the little craft leaping through the water. As they made progress +against the wind and waves, Nancy took new hope. + +“We’ll make it!” she encouraged her companion. + +A vivid flash of lightning illuminated the water, and directly ahead, +through the rain, Nancy caught a glimpse of the shore line. A feeling of +intense relief surged over her. + +However, the battle was not yet won, for her companion shouted a sudden +warning. + +“The rocks! We must be careful or we’ll be dashed against them!” + +Scarcely were the words uttered when another flash of lightning +disclosed the shore line more distinctly and, straight ahead, the ugly +protruding nose of a jagged rock! + +For an instant Nancy’s heart leaped into her throat. Would they be +dashed on that cruel rock over which the waves were dashing with +high-sent spray? + +“Oh, we’ll be killed!” gasped the strange girl. + +“To the left! To the left!” came the quick answer. “It’s our only hope.” + +“We’ll never make it,” was the groaning reply. + +“We must!” + +It was a critical moment, and Nancy Drew’s heart was in her mouth. But +with a deft swerve of her oar she avoided the rock, and an oncoming wave +swept them out of danger. Another five minutes and they were in the cove +where the water was comparatively quiet. + +“Safe!” Nancy murmured. + +At last her oars struck a sandy bottom, and, promptly dropping them, she +stepped out into water which reached nearly to her knees. Her fellow +oarsman followed, and together they pulled the boat up on the beach. + +[Illustration: SHE STEPPED OUT INTO WATER WHICH REACHED NEARLY TO HER +KNEES.] + +Quickly, they helped Helen Corning to her feet. She was too weak to +stand without a supporting arm. + +“Oh, where are we?” Nancy cried desperately. “Isn’t there some house +near where we can take Helen?” + +“There isn’t a cottage within a mile,” the strange girl informed her. +“But there’s a boathouse up the shore a little way. If we can get her +there——” + +“I can walk,” Helen insisted weakly. + +Supported on either side, she bravely demonstrated the truth of her +assertion. Shivering with cold and excitement, the three bedraggled +girls stumbled along the beach. + +“Here we are!” the stranger called out presently. + +Pausing before a well-built boathouse which stood a short distance from +the water’s edge, she flung open the door. In relief, Nancy and Helen +entered. + +“It’s not a very comfortable place,” the girl apologized; “but perhaps +we can wait here until the storm is over. At least it’s better than +standing out in the rain.” + +Following Nancy and Helen inside, she closed the door. + +“It’s as dark as night,” Helen complained. + +“I’ll try to find a lamp,” the girl returned. “I’m sure there must be +one here.” + +She groped about and after a little search found an oil lamp and a box +of matches. + +“That’s better,” she declared, as she placed the lighted lamp on the +window sill. “We can see one another now.” + +Not without curiosity, Nancy Drew and Helen Corning surveyed their +rescuer. She was a tall, slender girl, with delicately molded features +and tragic brown eyes which still held a look of fright. Her dress, a +severe black, was unrelieved by any trimming. Yet in spite of the +simplicity of her drab garb, she was a pretty girl. + +“We haven’t thanked you for saving our lives yet,” Nancy began. “Why, we +don’t even know your name.” + +“My name?” the girl smiled. “I’m Laura Pendleton.” + +Nancy quickly introduced herself and her chum. + +“It was fortunate for us that you came to our rescue when you did,” she +declared gratefully. “You heard our cries?” + +“Yes. I had gone out for a walk along the shore when the storm came up +suddenly. I was hurrying back to the hotel when I heard a shout for +help. There was no one near by, and I didn’t know what to do.” + +Laura nervously twisted her hands as she spoke. + +“You found a boat?” Nancy prompted. + +“Yes, fortunately there was one on the beach. But I was afraid to +attempt the rescue alone.” + +“But you did,” Nancy reminded her. “I don’t wonder you were afraid to +brave the storm.” + +“Oh, it wasn’t just the storm. I’m afraid of water. I always have been. +I can’t even swim.” + +“You can’t swim?” Nancy gasped. “And you risked your life to save us?” + +“There wasn’t any other way,” Laura stated quietly. “I couldn’t let you +drown.” + +“Laura,” Nancy said feelingly, “Helen and I can’t begin to tell you how +grateful we are for what you did. You displayed real courage in rescuing +us.” + +“It was splendid!” Helen added. + +“Oh, I didn’t do anything,” Laura insisted. “I’m not very good at rowing +a boat, and if luck hadn’t been with me, I never would have reached +you.” + +“Do you live near here?” Nancy questioned curiously. + +A troubled expression passed over Laura Pendleton’s face. + +“I’m staying at the Lakeside Hotel. It’s about a mile from here.” + +“You frequently take long walks?” Nancy encouraged her, for she sensed +that something was worrying her new friend, and she hoped to draw out +her story. + +“I do when I’m lonely and discouraged,” Laura answered soberly. She +hesitated a moment and then added “You see, I’ve recently lost my +mother.” + +“Oh,” Nancy murmured gently. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to remind you. I +should have known——” + +“I wanted to tell you. Sometimes it seems as though I must talk to +someone. I’m so worried. There’s no one to help or advise me.” + +“Your father?” + +“He died nearly six years ago. I am an orphan.” + +“Surely you have friends to whom you can appeal?” + +“I am afraid not. You see, mother was ill for a number of years before +she died. We lived in hotels and I took care of her. Our social life was +cut off.” + +“If there’s any way that Helen and I can help, count on us,” Nancy Drew +announced firmly. “If you need money——” + +“Oh, it isn’t money,” Laura said quickly. “Mother left an ample fortune. +It’s only that I’m lonely and discouraged and I don’t know what my +guardian will be like.” + +“Your guardian?” Helen questioned curiously. + +“Yes. The court appointed Jacob Aborn. I’ve never seen him. He and +mother were schoolmates.” + +“You dread to meet him?” Nancy asked gently. + +“Yes. He’s to come for me in a few days.” + +“Surely, if he and your mother were schoolmates, you have no cause for +worry.” + +“I suppose I am silly,” Laura admitted, “but I can’t help it. I have the +strangest feeling.” + +“What sort of feeling?” Nancy asked. + +“Oh, I can’t explain. It’s just that I feel that something dreadful will +happen to me. I’m afraid to meet Jacob Aborn.” + +“Perhaps he’s the most kindly man in the world,” Nancy declared. “When +will he arrive?” + +“That I don’t know. I’m expecting him the latter part of this week. I +received a letter from him last week telling me to wait at the Lakeside +Hotel until he arrived. His letter was so curt and businesslike that it +frightened me.” + +“I’m sure everything will come out all right,” Helen assured her kindly. + +“Oh, I’m probably worrying when there is no need,” Laura said, forcing a +smile. “You must pardon me for troubling you with my story.” + +“But we’re interested,” Nancy Drew protested. “I wish we could help +you.” + +“Well, I don’t need help yet,” Laura laughed. “If I do, I’ll probably +call on you. By the way, I don’t know where you live.” + +“Oh, we’re spending a few days at a summer camp here on the lake,” Helen +informed her. + +“Only a few days?” + +“We’ll be leaving next week,” Nancy replied. “At least I will. However, +I live at River Heights, which is only forty miles from here. I wish you +could visit me there.” + +“I’d love to come, if my guardian will let me.” + +“And you must visit us at the camp,” Helen added enthusiastically. “Why +not come to-morrow afternoon?” + +“Perhaps I can, if you really want me,” Laura responded eagerly. + +“Of course we want you,” Nancy declared cordially. “However, I warn you +that the girls will mob you when they learn you’re a heroine.” + +Laura smiled timidly at her new friends. + +“Perhaps you’ll visit me sometime at my hotel?” + +“We certainly will,” Nancy assured her warmly. + +Helen glanced toward the window and for the first time noticed that it +had stopped raining. + +“The storm is over,” she announced. + +“Then I must be getting back to the hotel before I catch my death of +cold,” Laura shivered. “I’m chilled to the marrow.” + +“So are we,” Nancy commented. “This storm certainly brought cold weather +with it.” + +“Won’t you come with me to the hotel?” + +“Oh, no, we must strike off for camp. The girls will be worried about +us,” Nancy Drew said hastily. “Thank you for your kind offer.” + +“But you’ll take cold in those wet clothes.” + +“The sun is coming out, so we’ll probably dry off before we reach camp. +Anyway, you have a walk of nearly a mile before you, and it isn’t much +farther to camp.” + +“Then if you won’t come, I’ll say good-bye.” + +“Before we go we want to thank you again for saving our lives,” Nancy +told her earnestly. “I can’t thank you adequately, but if ever I can be +of service I hope you will call upon me.” + +“I certainly will,” Laura assured her easily. + +As the three girls gravely shook hands and parted, Nancy Drew little +dreamed that before a fortnight had passed she would be given an +opportunity to repay Laura Pendleton in full. + + + + + CHAPTER IV + A VISITOR + + +“Do you think Laura Pendleton will visit us this afternoon, Nancy?” + +Helen Corning, who was reclining on a camp cot in the little cabin which +she shared with Nancy Drew, asked the question. + +“I certainly hope so,” Nancy responded. “I’d like to become better +acquainted with that girl. She interests me.” + +“I wish we could repay her for saving our lives. I was so nearly done up +yesterday afternoon that I didn’t half thank her.” + +“I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do, Helen. She has a fortune in her +own name, so money would mean nothing to her. However, I thought she +seemed rather lonely.” + +“Yes, she did,” Helen agreed. “If she comes this afternoon we must show +her a good time. Perhaps we can make her forget her troubles.” + +In spite of the severe exposure to which Helen and Nancy had been +subjected the previous day, they were little the worse for their ducking +in the lake. Upon reaching camp they had removed their wet clothing and +had gone to bed, with the result that they escaped without even a cold +to remind them of their adventure. + +Although the motorboat was not a valuable one, the girls regretted its +loss and had generously offered to pay for it. However, the camp +councilors had refused their money, exonerating them of all blame for +the accident. + +“I’m a little worried about Laura,” Nancy Drew remarked to her chum. +“She isn’t at all strong looking, and I’m afraid she may be ill.” + +Helen did not reply, for just then a curly-haired girl thrust her head +in at the cabin door and informed the two girls that they had a visitor. + +“Oh, it must be Laura!” Nancy cried hopefully. + +Helen sprang up from the cot, and, with her chum, rushed to the door. +The girl who awaited them was indeed Laura Pendleton. + +“I’m so glad you came,” Nancy greeted her enthusiastically. “Helen and I +were just talking of you.” + +“We were afraid you might be ill after that drenching,” Helen added. + +“I’m really stronger than I appear,” and Laura smiled pleasantly. “I was +fortunate enough not to take cold.” + +“We escaped, too,” Nancy declared. “And now you must meet all of the +girls.” + +Nancy Drew’s friends crowded about and quickly were introduced to Laura. +They made a great deal over her, and insisted upon regarding her as a +heroine. The praise made little impression upon the girl, it seemed to +Nancy. She noticed that while Laura was gracious to everyone, she took +little interest in what was going on about her. + +“Something is troubling her,” Nancy thought. + +At the urgent request of the campers, Laura joined in a lively game of +volley ball which was in progress, but it was evident that she was not +really enjoying herself. Nancy decided that it was time to take a hand. + +“It’s too warm to play volley ball,” she informed her team mates. +“Anyway, Helen and I haven’t had a chance to talk with our guest.” + +To Laura’s evident relief, the two girls bore her triumphantly away to +their cabin. + +“I’m afraid I’m dreadfully stupid at games,” Laura apologized. “You see, +I’ve never had an opportunity to enjoy sports.” + +“You’re not stupid in the least,” Nancy assured her warmly. “Who wants +to waste a whole afternoon batting a silly ball over a net? I’m sure I’d +much rather talk.” + +After politely presenting Laura with the only chair which the tiny cabin +boasted, Nancy and Helen “flopped” down upon the cots. At first the +conversation was rather a two-sided one, for the visitor was somewhat +shy, and it was evident that she was still unhappy over the death of her +mother. + +In an effort to direct Laura’s thoughts into more pleasant channels, +Helen began to tell her of some of Nancy Drew’s thrilling adventures. + +“She has quite a reputation as a detective,” Helen declared +impressively. “Everyone says Nancy can scent a mystery a mile away.” + +“What sort of mystery cases are you interested in?” Laura asked her new +friend, in surprise. + +“Oh, most anything,” Nancy answered carelessly. “My father is a lawyer +who is often engaged in such cases, and I suppose I get my liking for +detective work from him.” + +“She makes a specialty of lost wills and haunted houses,” Helen informed +their guest mischievously. + +“Haunted houses?” Laura gasped. + +“Oh, the Turnbull mansion really wasn’t haunted,” Nancy hastened to +explain. “The Turnbull sisters were bothered by strange noises at +nights, and valuables kept disappearing from the house. I discovered who +it was that was the ghost behind the scenes.” + +“Everyone said it was clever detective work,” Helen went on proudly. +“Nancy discovered a hidden staircase and an underground tunnel. She +explored it in the dead of night.” + +“How exciting!” Laura declared. “Weren’t you afraid?” + +“A little,” Nancy admitted truthfully. + +“But she kept on, anyway,” Helen continued. “Oh, she had a thrilling +time of it before the mystery was solved!” + +“I should think so,” Laura murmured. “My, you must have talent, Nancy!” + +“Not at all,” Nancy laughed. “It was mostly luck that I stumbled upon +that hidden staircase.” + +“Don’t you believe it,” Helen scoffed. “Nancy Drew’s modest, that’s all. +She wouldn’t tell you about the way she helped the Horner girls get +their inheritance! They had been cheated out of a fortune, and Nancy +unearthed the real will.” + +“Oh, Laura isn’t interested in all that,” Nancy protested, obviously ill +at ease. + +“Indeed I am,” Laura assured her. + +“We’ve been talking about ourselves so much that we haven’t given you a +chance to say a word.” + +“Oh, there’s nothing to tell about myself. I’m not a very interesting +person.” + +“Indeed, you are,” Nancy Drew contradicted her guest gently. “But I’m +afraid you are still worrying about that guardian of yours. Am I +correct?” + +Laura’s pretty face clouded. + +“Yes, I am worried. I know I shouldn’t feel the way I do, for it was my +mother’s wish that Jacob Aborn be appointed my guardian. I can’t +understand myself. I dread to meet him to-morrow.” + +“To-morrow?” Nancy questioned in surprise. + +“Yes, I received a telegram from him this morning. He is to arrive +to-morrow.” + +“I wouldn’t worry,” Nancy said cheerfully. “Probably you will like your +guardian when you meet him. Surely, your mother wouldn’t have entrusted +you to his care if she hadn’t believed he would be kind to you.” + +“Oh, it’s just a silly notion on my part. I realize it, yet I can’t rid +myself of a feeling that something dreadful will happen to me.” + +Laura Pendleton arose and walked over to the window. She stood gazing +out across the lake for a moment, and then resolutely turned and faced +Nancy and Helen, who were regarding her anxiously. + +“You mustn’t mind my despondent moods,” she told them, with a sad smile. +“I promise you that if you will come to visit me at my hotel, I’ll be +more cheerful. Will you come?” + +“We certainly will,” Nancy and Helen declared together. + +Laura hesitated a moment, and then added rather plaintively. + +“I wonder—would you mind coming to-morrow?” + +“Why, no,” Nancy responded, in astonishment. “We’ll be glad to come.” + +Laura’s relief was evident. As she said good-bye she pressed Nancy +Drew’s hand gratefully. Then without a word of explanation, she left the +two girls. + + + + + CHAPTER V + LAURA’S GUARDIAN + + +Early the following afternoon, Nancy Drew and Helen Corning, faithful to +their promise, boarded a launch which made regular passenger trips, and +were ferried to the Lakeside Hotel. + +“I wonder if Laura’s guardian has arrived yet?” Helen remarked +curiously, as the two girls walked toward the hotel, which was one of +the most exclusive on Moon Lake. + +“We’ll soon meet him if he’s here,” Nancy replied. “I do hope he’s the +right sort. Laura would be dreadfully unhappy with anyone who didn’t +understand her.” + +“She’s frightened to death at the thought of meeting him. Do you imagine +that was why she asked us to come here this particular afternoon?” + +“Yes, I do, Helen. It was as plain as the nose on your face. To tell you +the truth, I’m curious to meet Jacob Aborn.” + +The conversation ended abruptly as the two girls entered the hotel +lobby. Nancy Drew made her way directly to the desk and after a brief +wait was informed that Laura Pendleton would receive the girls in her +suite. An elevator whisked them to the third floor. + +Scarcely had they knocked on the door, when Laura opened it. + +“Oh, I’m so glad you came,” she cried. “I was afraid you wouldn’t.” + +She led the girls into a pleasant suite. There was no need to ask if +Jacob Aborn had arrived, for Laura’s eyes disclosed that she was deeply +troubled. + +As Nancy stepped into the living room she saw the man slumped down in a +chair near the window. When Laura politely presented him, he arose and +grunted a “pleased to meetchu,” without warmth. Nevertheless, his shrewd +eyes swept the two girls appraisingly. + +Jacob Aborn was a short, pudgy man, but apparently he lacked the good +disposition commonly attributed to a fat man, for a tiny scowl lined his +forehead. He was well dressed and wore a large diamond on his right +hand. + +“I was afraid I wouldn’t get to see you girls again,” Laura began +hastily, when an awkward silence fell upon the group. “I’m leaving this +afternoon.” + +“You’re leaving Moon Lake so soon?” Nancy inquired, with a curious +glance directed toward Jacob Aborn. + +“Yes,” Laura declared without enthusiasm. “My guardian is taking me to +Melrose Lake. That’s a long way from here, isn’t it?” + +“Twenty miles I believe,” Nancy responded. “I’m sorry you are leaving.” + +“So am I,” Laura told her wistfully. “I like it here, and I was just +beginning to get acquainted.” + +“Must you go so soon?” + +“The air is much better at Melrose Lake,” Jacob Aborn broke in. “Laura +isn’t in very good health, and it’s my duty to take care of her. I +promised her dear mother I would look after her.” + +“I never heard that Melrose Lake was particularly healthful,” Nancy +commented dryly. + +“I have a fine bungalow there,” Jacob Aborn added hastily. “That’s +another reason for leaving. It will be much nicer for Laura than living +in a hotel.” + +“Possibly you are right,” Nancy admitted reluctantly. + +She had taken an instant dislike to Jacob Aborn, although she realized +that she had no reason for her feeling. He seemed kind enough to Laura, +and apparently deeply interested in her welfare. Yet at times his eyes +had a hard, almost cruel, glint as he gazed upon her. Nancy was ashamed +of her suspicion, yet she could not help but wonder if the man’s +affection for his ward was genuine. + +Laura glanced nervously at her guardian. It was obvious that she was +uneasy in his presence. + +“Would you girls care to have tea in the garden?” she proposed +hopefully. + +“That would be lovely,” Helen said quickly. + +She, too, had taken a violent dislike to Jacob Aborn, and was eager for +an opportunity to get away. It would be a relief to have a quiet talk +with Laura. + +However, Jacob Aborn had no intention of permitting Laura’s plan to be +carried into effect. He picked up his hat and bestowed a saccharine +smile upon his ward. + +“I will go with you, my dear.” + +It was clear to Nancy Drew that he was determined Laura should not have +a chance to talk with her friends alone. + +“Something is wrong,” she thought. “Laura doesn’t want to go to Melrose +Lake, and he’s forcing her to do it.” + +The afternoon was a failure so far as Laura Pendleton and her friends +were concerned. They spent a miserable half hour over the tea cups, +attempting to keep up a conversation. Laura’s face was pale, and her +eyes held an expression of fear. + +Jacob Aborn appeared not to notice. He gulped his tea in one swallow, +crumbled his cake upon the table cloth, and then, tilting back his +chair, proceeded to regale Nancy and Helen with tales of his brilliant +business ventures. His stories, which were obvious untruths, disgusted +the girls, but for Laura’s sake they listened politely. + +“I’m going to make Laura’s money earn real interest,” he boasted. “I’ll +invest it in stocks. If you know the ropes you can beat the market every +time.” + +Nancy Drew raised her eyebrows in well-bred disapproval. + +“Will the court sanction such speculation?” + +“The court? What’s that got to do with it?” Jacob Aborn demanded. + +“As Laura’s legal guardian, you will be responsible for the money and +will have to make an accounting,” Nanny informed him. “My father is a +lawyer, so I know.” + +Jacob Aborn stared at her somewhat hostilely. + +“Oh, yes, to be sure,” he muttered. + +Pushing back his chair, he called loudly for a waiter. Greatly to +Laura’s embarrassment, persons at other tables turned and stared at him +curiously. + +“Waiter! My check!” he ordered, with a grand flourish. + +The bill settled, he turned to Laura with sudden decision. + +“You must get your things packed at once, my dear. We are leaving in +half an hour for Melrose Lake.” + +“But you said we were to remain here until late this afternoon,” Laura +protested. “I haven’t had a chance to talk with Nancy and Helen.” + +“I am sorry, but we must leave at once. Your friends will excuse you.” + +“It doesn’t seem right to rush away like this, when I invited you girls +here to spend the afternoon,” Laura apologized. She was on the verge of +tears as she faced Nancy and Helen. + +“We’ll surely see you again some time soon,” Nancy Drew promised. + +“Oh, if you only will! You must come to Melrose Lake. I don’t know a +soul there and I’ll be so lonesome.” She turned to her guardian. “What +is the address? I want Nancy and Helen to have it.” + +Jacob Aborn frowned. + +“The address? Oh, they won’t need it. Anyone can direct them to the +bungalow.” + +Nancy surveyed Laura’s guardian curiously. Why was he so eager to get +his ward away from them? From his response to Laura’s question, she +comprehended that he did not wish to encourage a visit to Melrose Lake. + +“I’m afraid I must say good-bye,” Laura told Helen and Nancy +regretfully. + +Soberly, the three girls shook hands. Laura clung to Nancy an instant, +and as their eyes met it seemed as though she were trying to tell her +something. + +“We must hurry, my dear,” Jacob Aborn put in impatiently. + +With a show of affection, he carelessly permitted his hand to fall upon +Laura’s shoulder. Involuntarily, she cringed. + +“Yes, I’m coming,” she responded listlessly. + +Without another word she turned and left the two girls. Jacob Aborn +followed her into the hotel. + +Thoughtfully, Nancy and Helen walked toward the dock to await the coming +of the passenger launch. + +“It’s a shame!” Helen burst out after several minutes of silence. + +“Yes, it is,” Nancy Drew agreed. “I don’t blame Laura for not wanting to +go to Melrose Lake. She isn’t going to be happy with _that_ guardian.” + +“I think she’s going to be miserable,” responded Helen. “Why, that man +is a perfect bear!” + +At the dock the two girls learned that the ferry would not be in for +fifteen minutes. So, rather than remain there, they strolled around the +hotel grounds. + +“That’s the worst with choosing a guardian you haven’t seen perhaps for +years,” was Nancy’s comment as they walked along a path close to the +side of the hotel. “Laura’s mother when dying may have thought her old +school friend was as he had been in their early years. On the contrary, +he has changed for the worse.” + +The two girls walked along in silence for a minute. Then both came to a +sudden pause. + +“They’re right over our head!” whispered Nancy excitedly. “Listen!” + +The chums listened and were speedily made aware that they were directly +under the second story windows of the two rooms occupied by Laura and +her guardian. The guardian was in the girl’s room and talking to her in +anything but a pleasing manner. + +“I said you would get your things packed at once,” snarled Jacob Aborn. +“And don’t snivel any longer about those other girls and the way I +treated them. I’m your guardian and after this you’ll do as I say.” + +“I’ll get ready,” answered Laura meekly. “And please don’t talk so loud +or you’ll upset the whole hotel.” + +“Never mind that,” returned the man. “I’ll be ready in ten minutes, and +I want you to be ready too.” + +After that there was silence, and with a meaning look between them Nancy +and Helen turned and walked back to the dock. + +“It’s simply awful! I wish I could do something for her,” said Nancy, +shaking her head sadly. + + + + + CHAPTER VI + HOMEWARD BOUND + + +In the mad, happy whirl of camp life, Nancy Drew and Helen Corning were +kept so busy that they had little time to think of Laura Pendleton and +her troubles. + +At first, Nancy had been inclined to worry about her, for she could not +rid herself of the conviction that Jacob Aborn was not so kindly +disposed to his ward as he pretended. But as the days passed and no word +was received from Laura, she gradually faded into the background. + +“There’s nothing we can do to help her,” Helen had summed up the +situation. “The court appointed Laura’s guardian, and unless he proves +himself incompetent, there’s nothing to be done about the matter.” + +“I’m afraid you’re right,” Nancy sighed. + +The two girls became engulfed in an endless round of swimming, tennis, +hikes, boating and handicraft work, and Laura was temporarily forgotten. +Helen, after her unfortunate experience on Moon Lake, was determined to +learn how to swim, and Nancy undertook to teach her the crawl stroke. +Each morning the girls spent several hours on the beach and in the +water. + +“I’m beginning to think that by the time I leave Moon Lake I’ll be a +real swimmer,” said Helen with much satisfaction after a rather long +lesson from Nancy. + +“You certainly swim very well, Helen. But of course it takes practice to +make perfect. I don’t think you want to swim across the lake just yet.” + +“Across the lake! Well, I should say not! I think I’d be doing +wonderfully well if I could swim from this dock to the one above here.” + +“You’re going to do that to-morrow.” + +“Never!” + +“Just wait and see.” + +On the morrow, much to her delight, Helen managed to swim not only from +one dock to the other but to swim back again. + +“I never thought I could do it,” the girl declared in great delight. She +was gasping a little for breath but her face was radiant. “Nancy, you’re +a great teacher. Any time you feel like giving up your idea of becoming +a detective you had better become a swimming teacher.” + +“Thank you, Helen. That sounds nice. But I think I’ll stick to my hobby +of solving mysteries.” + +So enjoyable was Nancy Drew’s vacation at camp that she was induced to +prolong her stay. But at last the day came when she announced that she +must depart for home. In vain Helen coaxed her to remain. + +“No, I must leave this afternoon,” Nancy insisted firmly. “I’ve already +stayed longer than I intended.” + +Directly after luncheon, to the keen disappointment of her friends, +Nancy Drew backed her blue roadster from the shed which served as a +make-shift garage. Tossing her suitcase into the back of the car, she +regretfully prepared to depart. + +“I don’t see why you need to start so early,” Helen protested. “Can’t +you stay a few hours longer?” + +Nancy Drew shook her head. + +“I have a forty-mile drive ahead of me.” + +“You can drive to River Heights in a couple of hours, at the most.” + +“If everything goes well. But I may be unlucky enough to get a flat +tire. And look at those clouds!” Nancy indicated a mass of fleecy white +clouds which had settled near the horizon. + +“Oh, those aren’t storm clouds,” Helen declared. “It isn’t going to +rain.” + +“That’s what we thought when we were out on Moon Lake in the motorboat,” +Nancy reminded her. “From now on, I’m taking no chances with storms. +Especially when they come up as quickly as they do in this locality.” + +“Then why not wait another day, if you’re afraid of the rain?” Helen +teased. + +“And get marooned here for a week! You know how the roads are after a +storm.” + +“I can’t blame you for not wanting to drive in mud,” Helen admitted; “so +I won’t plead with you any more.” + +With a last good-bye, Nancy Drew started the engine. Girls stepped out +of the way, and she skillfully backed the car to the main highway. + +The road followed Moon Lake for a considerable distance, and Nancy drove +slowly, enjoying a last glimpse of the shore. It was with regret that +she left camp, for she had enjoyed every minute of her vacation. She +loved the clear blue of the lake, the gigantic trees, the earthy odor of +the forest, and the whisper of the wind in the pine needles. + +Presently, emerging from the timber, the scenery was less interesting, +and she made better time. Now and then, as she came upon a clearing, she +cast an anxious glance toward the sky. Although the sun was shining +brightly, Nancy Drew thought the clouds were becoming blacker. Soon, she +was convinced that a storm was rolling up. + +“Just my luck to run into one,” she thought, in disgust. “Well, I have +chains with me, anyway.” + +She glanced nervously at the speedometer and was relieved to note that +she was nearly half-way to River Heights. + +“There’s no need to worry,” she told herself. “I’ll be home before the +storm strikes me.” + +Although Nancy Drew had never been afraid of storms, her recent +experience on Moon Lake had made a strong impression upon her, and now +she stepped hard on the accelerator. The little blue roadster went +bumping over the ruts at a rapid rate. + +On down the road Nancy sped. Suddenly she saw an obstruction in the path +ahead, and hastily put on the foot brake. The roadster came to a +creaking halt before a huge sign which read: + + Detour. Bridge out. Take Melrose Lake Road. + +An arrow pointed to the left. + +“How aggravating!” Nancy exclaimed. “Just when I’m in a hurry! Now I +must travel miles out of my way before I strike the River Heights road.” + +Another anxious glance at the sky told her that there was no time to be +lost. Already huge storm clouds had blotted out the sun. + +“I’m going to be caught in the rain,” she thought. “There’s no escape.” + +Hastily, she backed the roadster and headed down the Melrose Lake +detour. In spite of the need for haste, she dared not race the car over +the rutty highway. She was forced to reduce her speed to less than +twenty-five miles an hour, and even then it seemed as though the +automobile would shake to pieces. + +Presently, the winding road ahead became indistinct against the black +background of the forest, for the storm clouds were nestling closer and +closer to the earth. Nancy snapped on the headlights and two beams of +light shot down the road, illuminating the rutty highway for a hundred +yards ahead. + +Instinctively, she grasped the steering wheel more tightly, and every +nerve in her body seemed sensitized, for the uncertainty of her +situation gave her a feeling of uneasiness. She wondered how she would +ever reach the main road should the storm break and catch her in the +forest. + +The uncertainty was soon ended, for Nancy saw great rain drops glisten +down through the headlight beams. Then the drops became +indistinguishable in a downpour of water that seemed to drop from an +opened floodgate in the sky. The two deep ruts ahead quickly changed +into swiftly rushing rivulets which spread out over the road in a wide +sheet of water. + +“This is terrible!” Nancy Drew cried. “If my wheels get down into those +ruts, I’ll be stuck!” + +The roadster skidded from one side of the road to the other, several +times barely missing the ditch. By a miracle, so she told herself, Nancy +Drew avoided the deep ruts and kept the car moving. + +Then, directly ahead, she saw a hill, and, low as it was, knew it could +not be climbed without chains. + +“There’s no use trying to make it,” she decided. “I must stop and put on +chains.” + +Halting the roadster under a huge tree which offered a little protection +from the pelting rain, she rummaged under the seat for an old slicker +and a pair of galoshes. After putting them on, she pulled out the chains +and grimly set to work. + +It was not an enjoyable task, for the wheels of the roadster were +covered with mud and the chains were stubborn. Nancy tugged and strained +and wished with all her heart that someone would come along and +volunteer to help her. However, the road was seldom traveled, and even +the farmhouses were miles apart, so she was forced to depend upon her +own resourcefulness. + +“If it hadn’t been for this hateful detour I’d have reached a paved road +before the rain struck me,” she grumbled. + +Fastening the last chain, she gingerly removed her mud-coated galoshes, +and with a sigh of relief climbed back into the roadster. + +“Just in time, too,” she told herself. “The worst of the storm is +coming!” + +Quickly starting the car again, Nancy Drew slowly crept up the hill and +descended the slope in intermediate gear. Before she reached a level +stretch, the storm broke in all its fury. + +The trees along the roadside twisted and bent before the onslaughts of +the rushing wind and a roar from the threshing branches welled up from +the forest all about. The thunder crashed and went tumbling and rumbling +down the uttermost parts of the sky, and lightning streaked up in +brilliant zig-zags to the very dome of heaven. + +“This storm is as bad as that one on Moon Lake,” Nancy thought, in +alarm. + +In vain she watched the roadside for a farmhouse where she could seek +shelter until after the rain. There was nothing to do but keep on. + +The windshield became clouded, and it was with difficulty that Nancy +made out the road ahead. It required close watching and quick thinking +to keep the automobile wheels out of deep ruts. One mistake of judgment +and the car would be mired down to the running board. + +However, Nancy Drew was an excellent driver and had confidence in her +ability to handle the wheel. The condition of the road caused her less +worry than the vivid flashes of lightning. Sharp cracks of thunder on +all sides, warned her that the lightning was close to the earth. + +Suddenly a blinding tongue of savage lightning shot down directly in +front of the roadster. There was a flash of fire and simultaneously a +deafening roar. For an instant Nancy Drew thought the car had been +struck. + +Then came a splintering, ripping noise, and before the girl’s horrified +eyes a pine tree fell earthward. One glance told Nancy that the roadster +was in its line of fall. + +Frantically she slammed on the brakes. + + + + + CHAPTER VII + A CLOSE CALL + + +With a loud crash, the stricken pine tree fell across the road, directly +in front of the blue roadster. The trunk struck the earth less than half +a dozen yards from where Nancy Drew had brought the automobile to a +sudden halt, and the branches touched the hood of the roadster. + +For an instant, Nancy gripped the steering wheel, too stunned to +comprehend fully how fortunate had been her escape from death. +Everything had happened so quickly that there had been no time to become +frightened until the danger was over. Now, as she considered what might +have been her fate, she felt weak. + +“If I hadn’t slammed on those brakes when I did, it would have been too +bad,” she thought. + +Ruefully, she surveyed the tree which blocked the road. What was she to +do? In some way she must reach River Heights. If only someone would come +along to help her! + +“There probably isn’t anyone within miles,” she told herself. “If I get +through, I must depend upon my own initiative.” + +The tree completely blocked the road, and as there was a steep ditch on +either side, Nancy Drew saw at a glance that it would be impossible to +pull out upon the bank. Fate had played an unkind trick upon her. + +Gloomily, she put on her wet slicker and buckled on the muddy galoshes. +As she stepped from the closed car a sheet of rain struck her in the +face. Gingerly picking her way through the slush, she walked to the +fallen pine and surveyed it critically. + +The tree was a small one and Nancy thought that two men could move it +quite easily. Unfortunately, the two men were not in evidence. + +“If I could pull the trunk a little to one side, I ought to be able to +get through,” Nancy reasoned hopefully. + +Grasping the branches, she tugged with all her might, but the tree did +not budge. Next she attempted to lift the trunk, but only succeeded in +tiring herself. + +“Maybe I could roll it out of the way,” she thought. + +She pushed with all her might against the trunk, but the branches +prevented it from rolling. This gave Nancy a new idea, and she fell to +work pulling the branches out of the way. + +At last she was forced to stop for rest. Unmindful of the rain which had +now settled to a slow drizzle, she sat down on the trunk. + +“It looks as though I’ll be here all night,” she mourned. + +It was by far anything but comfortable on the wet trunk of the tree, and +presently Nancy got up, shook herself, and climbed into the roadster. +She was afraid that she would have to stay in that dismal place all +night. + +After a short while the rain let up a little, and feeling restless she +again sought the tree trunk. Just then she heard a strange sound coming +from behind her. + +“If only someone is coming to help me!” she murmured to herself. + +She strained her eyes and soon made out the object, which proved to be a +large and shaggy dog. The animal, dripping with water, looked at Nancy +in mild wonder and came to a halt. + +“Come here, doggy,” the girl cried. “Where is your master? Come here.” + +Instead of accepting this invitation the dog gave himself a vigorous +shake which sent a shower of water over the girl and the roadster and +then turned and loped away among the trees. + +“Even that dog doesn’t want to help me,” Nancy told herself and smiled +grimly. + +Suddenly she sat up straight and listened. She could hear footsteps. +Someone was splashing through the mud and water, coming down the road +toward her. + +“I hope it’s someone who can help me,” she thought hopefully, as she +sprang up from the tree trunk. + +As the stranger came within range of the automobile headlights, she saw +that it was a girl. Nancy’s sympathy went out to her as she noted her +bedraggled appearance. + +“I beg your pardon,” the girl began as she rushed up to where Nancy was +standing, “but I’m in desperate trouble. Could you help me reach River +Heights?” + +Nancy, who recognized the voice, could scarcely believe her ears. + +“Laura Pendleton!” she exclaimed. + +The girl started violently as her name was spoken. For the first time +she peered intently at Nancy. + +“Oh!” she gasped in astonishment. “I couldn’t see your face against +those bright headlights!” + +Nancy saw plainly that Laura was agitated about something, and it was +evident that she had been running, for she was breathing hard. She wore +no head covering and the thin coat which she had flung over her +shoulders afforded little protection from the rain. Laura was indeed a +sorry sight. + +“What is the matter?” Nancy demanded quickly. “Why, you’re crying.” + +Laura sank down on the tree trunk and sobbed. + +“Oh, everything, Nancy! Everything!” + +Nancy Drew slipped her arm gently about the girl. + +“You shouldn’t be out in the storm,” she chided her. “What is your +guardian thinking of to let you expose yourself this way?” + +“My guardian! Oh, I don’t want to hear his name! I hope I never see him +again!” + +“You’re not running away, Laura?” + +“Yes, I am. I couldn’t stand it another minute.” + +“You were trying to get to River Heights?” + +“Yes, I thought you might help me. I’ve no other person to whom I can +turn.” + +“Why, you poor dear!” Nancy comforted her. “Of course I’ll help you. I +haven’t forgotten my promise.” + +“Then you’ll take me away!” + +“Just as soon as I can get this tree out of our path. I’m on my way to +River Heights now, and you shall go with me.” + +“What are you doing on the Melrose Lake road? This is the most desolate +place. I didn’t think anyone came here unless he was forced to.” + +“That’s why I came,” Nancy informed her grimly. “There was a detour on +the regular road. Then the storm caught me, and finally this tree! When +the lightning struck it, I thought sure I was doomed.” + +“You must have had a narrow escape,” Laura observed. + +“Too narrow for comfort,” and Nancy laughed shortly. “That tree didn’t +miss me by many feet! As it is, some of the branches are still touching +the front of the car.” + +“What are you going to do, Nancy? Shall you be able to get through?” + +“That’s what I don’t know. Are there any houses near here?” + +Laura shuddered. + +“My guardian’s bungalow is only a mile away.” + +“Well, we won’t call on him for help.” + +“Oh, if he’d find me here, I don’t know what he’d do to me.” + +Nervously, Laura wrung her hands, and Nancy was afraid that she might +have another fit of weeping. + +“Jacob Aborn won’t find you,” she assured the girl. + +“Oh, Nancy, you don’t know what your kindness means to me,” Laura cried +gratefully. “You’ve promised to help me when you haven’t even heard my +story. I must tell you——” + +“Not a word until we reach River Heights,” Nancy broke in. “We must both +get into dry clothing as quickly as we can. Here, climb into the car +where the rain won’t strike you.” + +“I’m soaked to the skin already. It doesn’t make any difference now.” + +“I must think of some way to get out of here,” Nancy said thoughtfully, +more to herself than to Laura. “Do you think you’re strong enough to +help me lift that tree? I think maybe we can do it together.” + +“Oh, I’m sure we can,” Laura declared eagerly. + +“Then let’s try.” + +After pulling the branches away from the roadster, the two girls tugged +at the trunk. Although the tree was a small one, it was remarkably heavy +for its size. Laura and Nancy puffed and panted, but were rewarded for +their labors. Little by little they succeeded in moving the tree a short +way. Though pausing frequently to rest their arms, they kept at the +work. + +[Illustration: LITTLE BY LITTLE THEY SUCCEEDED IN MOVING THE TREE A +SHORT WAY.] + +“I believe I can get through now,” Nancy decided at length. “Let’s try +it, anyway.” + +The girls clambered into the roadster, and Nancy started the engine. +Proceeding cautiously at the very edge of the road, she drove the car +forward. Several small branches struck the body and sides of the +roadster, but did no damage other than to scrape off a little paint. + +“Well, we got through!” Nancy declared in relief. “Now for River +Heights!” + +“These roads are terrible,” Laura commented anxiously. “Do you think +we’ll make it?” + +“We’ll be home inside of half an hour,” Nancy assured her confidently, +“and the first thing you must do when we get there is to change your wet +clothing and go to bed. Just try to relax now.” + +Laura attempted to obey, but it was obvious that she was suffering from +a nervous shock. Nancy Drew longed to question her concerning her +troubles, but she felt it would be unwise, for Laura was on the verge of +becoming hysterical. What she needed was quiet and rest. + +There would be ample time to hear the story after they reached River +Heights, Nancy told herself. + + + + + CHAPTER VIII + LAURA’S STORY + + +It was nearly six o’clock when Nancy Drew’s mud-splattered roadster +finally reached River Heights and turned in at the driveway of the Drew +residence. With a sigh of relief the two girls climbed from the +automobile and stretched their cramped muscles. + +The ride from Melrose Lake had been a tedious one, and Nancy’s arms +ached from the strain of holding the car to the road. She had been +forced to battle mud until she had reached pavement a short way from the +city. Laura Pendleton, who had been drenched by the chilly rain, was +chattering with cold, and Nancy was far from warm. + +“I’ll find dry clothing for you right away,” Nancy promised, rushing her +friend toward the house. + +As the girls entered, Hannah Gruen, the housekeeper, came from the +kitchen and surveyed them in amazement. + +“Land sakes!” she exclaimed. “You must have been caught in the storm!” + +“We certainly were,” Nancy returned. “Hannah, this is my friend, Laura +Pendleton. We’re both soaked to the skin. While we’re changing into dry +clothing, I wonder if you would make us some hot tea or a little beef +broth?” + +“Indeed, I will,” Hannah assured her eagerly. + +“Is father here?” Nancy questioned, as the housekeeper started toward +the kitchen. + +“Mr. Drew left for St. Louis early last week.” + +“Oh, I didn’t know he was going.” Nancy was disappointed, for she had +hoped that her father would be at home to meet Laura. “Business, I +suppose?” + +“Yes, I think he said it was about some law case. He left a note for +you. I’ll get it.” + +The housekeeper hurried to the desk. Removing an envelope from a drawer, +she handed it to Nancy. + +“You’d better change your clothes before you read it,” she advised the +girl. + +Nancy took Laura upstairs and quickly found suitable garments. As Laura +was about her own size, she had no trouble in fitting her. While she +dressed, Nancy scanned the note from her father. + +“He was called away unexpectedly,” she told Laura. “I’m sorry he isn’t +here, because he will want to thank you for saving my life.” + +“Oh, I don’t want any thanks for that,” Laura protested. + +“Father says he will get back either to-morrow or the next day, so +perhaps you’ll meet him after all.” + +“Oh, I can’t stay that long, Nancy.” + +“Nonsense! I won’t permit you to leave until I’m certain you’ve suffered +no bad effects from this adventure. Do you feel better now?” + +“Yes, I’m all right.” + +“Then we’ll go downstairs. Hannah will have something for us to eat.” + +“What a beautiful home you have here, Nancy!” exclaimed Laura as she +looked around her with much satisfaction. + +“I think it’s nice, Laura,” answered the lawyer’s daughter. “Anyway, +it’s very comfortable. Dad and I wouldn’t like it any better.” + +“I had just such a nice home once,” returned the visitor, and her voice +saddened a bit. “That was when mother and dad were alive.” + +“Well, I hope that some day you’ll have just as nice a place in which to +live,” and Nancy placed an assuring hand on the other girl’s shoulder. + +After a warm meal, Nancy lighted a small fire in the fireplace and +insisted that Laura curl up in a comfortable chair and toast her feet. + +“Just relax,” she ordered. + +Laura leaned her head back against the cushions and gave a tired sigh. + +“Oh, it’s so homelike here, Nancy.” Her voice broke. “I’m afraid I’ll +never have a happy home again—now that mother is gone.” + +“Perhaps you’ll feel better if you tell me what is troubling you, +Laura.” + +“Oh, it’s my guardian, Nancy. I can’t live another day with Jacob +Aborn.” + +“Isn’t he kind to you?” + +“Kind!” Laura’s eyes flashed. “He doesn’t know the meaning of the word! +I don’t see why mother ever placed me under his guardianship.” + +“Tell me what has happened since you left Moon Lake, and perhaps we can +think of a way out of your difficulties.” + +“Jacob Aborn is so dictatorial and mean,” Laura began. “He was fairly +decent to me as long as we were at Moon Lake, but just as soon as we +reached his bungalow he came out in his true colors.” + +“I wasn’t favorably impressed with him myself,” Nancy Drew admitted. +“Didn’t he take you to a nice home?” + +“Oh, the bungalow is all right. I haven’t any complaint on that score, +save that it’s very far removed from the other cottages on the lake. +But, Nancy, would you believe it? He doesn’t keep a single servant.” + +“He didn’t expect you to do the work?” + +“He did, Nancy. And the bungalow has nine rooms, too. I hadn’t been +there an hour when he told me to get busy.” + +“How mean! Why, you’re not strong enough to do hard work,” Nancy +protested. “I thought your mother left an ample allowance for your +needs.” + +“I thought the same, but it seems I was mistaken.” + +“Jacob Aborn told you that?” + +“Yes. I had understood that mother left something like fifty or sixty +thousand dollars. My guardian tells me the estate has dwindled to less +than fifteen thousand dollars.” + +“Even that amount should be sufficient to keep you, Laura.” + +“Jacob Aborn says it wasn’t wisely invested. He claims I’m not much +better off than a pauper.” + +“Strange he should wait until he had taken you to Melrose Lake before he +told you,” Nancy murmured in so low a tone that Laura did not hear. + +“Oh, you have no idea how I’ve suffered the last few days, Nancy. Jacob +Aborn has been so hateful to me. He won’t give me any spending money, +and he says I’m not to have any more money for clothes.” + +“I don’t wonder you couldn’t stand it.” + +“You haven’t heard the worst. He even took my fur coat away from me. I +hadn’t had an opportunity to put it in storage and had it in my trunk.” + +“He took your coat?” Nancy gasped. + +“Yes. I think he intends to pawn it.” + +“I never heard of anything more outrageous!” + +“And he’s been trying to force me to turn over mother’s jewels to him.” + +“You didn’t do it!” Nancy exclaimed quickly. + +“No, they’re wrapped up in that little bundle I brought with me. Perhaps +I can put them in your safe for a few days?” + +“Certainly.” + +“The jewels are worth considerable, though of course I wouldn’t think of +selling them.” + +“What did Jacob Aborn want with them?” Nancy questioned suspiciously. + +“He said he intended to put them in a safe place, but I didn’t believe +him. I feel sure he expected to sell them.” + +“That man must be a regular villain,” Nancy observed indignantly. + +“He threatened me, too. He said if I didn’t turn over the jewels he’d +lock me up in my room. I can’t understand the man, Nancy. He does the +queerest things.” + +“What sort of things, Laura?” + +“Well, for one thing he leaves the bungalow every night, carrying a +small bundle. When he returns, the bundle is gone.” + +“That is odd,” Nancy said thoughtfully. “How long is he usually gone?” + +“Oh, about an hour I should judge. I haven’t the slightest idea where he +goes, but he acts as though he’s afraid someone will see him,” she +answered. + +“It does look peculiar, Laura. Have you noticed anything else about +him?” + +“He always makes these trips after dark when he thinks I’m asleep. +Several times I’ve heard him steal out of the house.” + +“You never followed him?” + +“Mercy, no! I’d have been afraid. Anyway, I couldn’t have done it had I +wished, because he always locked me in.” + +“H-m,” Nancy mused thoughtfully. “He must be afraid you’ll learn +something.” + +“Either that or he wanted to prevent me from running away.” + +“How did you manage it?” + +“Jacob Aborn seldom leaves the bungalow in the day time, but this +afternoon was an exception. He locked me in my room and left me there. +Just as soon as he was out of sight, I bundled up mother’s jewels—I had +hidden them under the mattress. Then I made a rope out of the sheets and +lowered myself to the ground. I started off down the road, hoping I +would meet someone who would help me reach River Heights.” + +“How fortunate that I ran into you.” + +“Yes, it was. The storm came up quickly and I was dreadfully frightened. +I knew Jacob Aborn would half kill me if he caught me. Now that I have +escaped, I don’t know what I had better do. Can I be forced to return to +that horrible man?” + +“Are you sure he’s your legal guardian?” + +“I guess he is,” Laura admitted miserably. “I saw the papers.” + +“Unless the court appoints a new guardian I am afraid he could force you +to return,” Nancy said slowly. “Of course, I’m not sure about that, but +I believe he would have a legal right to do it. I wish father were here. +He would know.” + +“Oh, what shall I do, Nancy?” Laura cried desperately. “I can’t go back! +I’d sooner be dead!” + +“Don’t worry,” Nancy said comfortingly. “Jacob Aborn hasn’t found you +yet.” + +“But I have no place to hide. I am without friends.” + +“You mustn’t forget that I am your friend,” Nancy returned quietly. +“I’ll do everything in my power to help you.” + +“Oh, Nancy, you’re so good.” Tears came into Laura’s eyes. + +“You mustn’t think about Jacob Aborn any more. You are to stay here +until my father comes back. He’ll be able to help you, I know. Perhaps +I’ll be able to think of something myself.” + +A look of determination settled over Nancy Drew’s face. She was +convinced that Jacob Aborn was a cruel guardian, and she intended to +help her new friend. If only she could think of a way! + + + + + CHAPTER IX + NANCY’S PLAN + + +At breakfast the following morning, Nancy Drew was gratified to observe +that Laura Pendleton appeared happier and less nervous than on the night +before. A little color had crept into her thin cheeks, and in the bright +gown which Nancy had loaned her, she looked like a different girl. + +“Did you sleep well?” Nancy inquired, as the two sat down at the +breakfast table. + +“Much better than I have for the past week. I guess I can’t help +worrying about things.” + +“You have a great deal to trouble you, Laura,” Nancy said quietly, after +Hannah had deposited a plate of waffles before the girls and had +returned to the kitchen. “I’ve been thinking about what you told me last +night, trying to find a way to help you.” + +“I was overwrought, Nancy. I shouldn’t have inflicted my trouble upon +you.” + +“Laura, don’t you understand that you’re not inflicting anything upon +me?” Nancy questioned gently. “I owe you a debt greater than I can pay. +You’re welcome to remain here as long as you will. And I believe I know +of a way to help you. You haven’t changed your mind about going back to +live with your guardian?” + +“Oh, no! I will not go back unless I’m forced to it.” + +“Good! Then I’ll tell you of my plan. I am anxious to talk with your +guardian again. You write a letter to him and I’ll deliver it. That will +give me my chance.” + +“Aren’t you afraid to go near him?” + +Nancy shook her head. + +“He may harm you.” + +“He wouldn’t dare.” + +“Oh, you don’t know that man, Nancy! If he thinks you helped me escape, +he may do anything!” + +“He’ll not learn anything from me, Laura, and by talking with him I may +learn something important. Will you write the note?” + +“Yes, if you’re determined to go through with it.” + +“It’s the only way I know of meeting him again, Laura!” + +“But the risk!” + +“I don’t believe I’ll be in any real danger.” + +“Jacob Aborn’s cottage is located in such an isolated spot, Nancy. If +anything should happen to you, there would be no one to help you.” + +“I’ll be cautious.” + +“There’s another reason I hate to have you go,” Laura added, with a +troubled frown. “I’m afraid my guardian will find out where I am +staying. Then he’ll come after me.” + +“I’ll take care that Mr. Aborn doesn’t learn you’re staying with me.” + +“When do you want me to write the letter, Nancy?” + +“Any time this morning. I’ll wait until afternoon before I start for +Melrose Lake. That will give the roads a chance to dry.” + +The two girls finished their breakfast and then went to the study, where +Nancy helped Laura compose the letter to Jacob Aborn. + +“What shall I say?” Laura questioned. + +“Tell him that you refuse to accept him as your guardian,” Nancy +dictated, “and that you will not return until you have a court order. +Oh, yes, it might be well to add that you’ve placed the matter in the +hands of a lawyer. That’s really the truth, because I know father will +take your case just as soon as he gets back from St. Louis.” + +“Jacob Aborn will just go wild when he gets this letter!” + +“Let him. I’m curious to see how he will react.” + +“How about the jewels I brought with me? Shall I put them in the safe +now?” + +“Yes, we’ll do it right away. They’re probably safe enough in the house, +but we’ll take no chances.” + +Laura hurried upstairs and soon returned with a small parcel which she +handed to Nancy. The latter opened the wall safe, and after placing the +package inside the tiny vault closed the door and turned the dial. + +“Father and I are the only persons who have the combination,” she +explained to Laura, “so I know your jewels will be perfectly safe.” + +Directly after luncheon, Nancy Drew prepared to depart on her mission. +Somewhat reluctantly, Laura said good-bye, and it was evident that she +was afraid to have her friend visit Jacob Aborn. + +“Do be careful,” she warned. + +“I will,” Nancy promised. + +“When shall I look for you back?” + +“Oh, late this afternoon or early to-night. I’ll make the trip as +quickly as I can, but I imagine the roads will be rough and that will +slow me down some. If anything should happen that I can’t get back +to-night, I’ll telephone.” + +“I’ll worry every minute you’re away.” + +“You mustn’t do that,” Nancy chided her. “Try to enjoy yourself. You’ll +find a number of interesting books in the library, and if you want +anything just ask Hannah.” + +“I will,” Laura returned soberly. + +“Then I’m off!” + +With a friendly wave of her hand, Nancy Drew guided the roadster down +the driveway. After weaving her way through city traffic, she reached +the outskirts and took the road to Melrose Lake. + +“Poor Laura!” she thought as she drove along. “She’s so nervous and worn +out. I don’t wonder, when she has so much to bother her. I hope I can +help.” + +As Nancy Drew considered Jacob Aborn’s strange attitude toward his ward, +a troubled look came into her eyes. She could not understand the man’s +unkindness to Laura, for certainly she was a lovable girl. And was it +really true that the Pendleton estate had dwindled to a paltry fifteen +thousand dollars? + +“I intend to find out for myself, if I can,” she told herself +resolutely. “It strikes me there’s something rather peculiar going on at +Jacob Aborn’s bungalow.” + +Aside from her desire to help Laura, the girl’s problem had caught +Nancy’s interest. She had taken a dislike to Jacob Aborn the first time +she had met him, and had sensed his eagerness to get Laura to his +bungalow at Melrose Lake. Even before she had learned what had happened +there, she had been suspicious of the man. His bad manners and +occasional slips of grammar puzzled her a bit. + +“There’s something strange about those midnight excursions of his, too,” +Nancy thought. “I wonder what he carries in the bundle Laura was telling +me about.” + +In spite of her eagerness to reach the bungalow, Nancy Drew was forced +to travel slowly, for although the road was practically dry, it was +extremely rough. She jounced about uncomfortably in the seat. + +After a time she came to the Melrose Lake detour. As she turned down +into the narrow, winding road, she found it necessary to go even more +slowly. Few automobiles had passed over the road, and it was in worse +condition than the one she had just left. In places where a canopy of +trees prevented the rays of the sun from striking, the ground was still +wet. + +“At least I won’t need to worry about getting the car splashed,” Nancy +chuckled. + +The blue roadster was blue in name only, for the mud of the day before +still clung to it. There had been no time between trips to have it +washed. + +Presently Nancy approached the spot where the pine tree had fallen, and +to her satisfaction she saw that it had been pulled to one side so that +the road was no longer obstructed. + +Now, as she drew near the turn-off which she must take in order to reach +the Aborn bungalow, she drove more slowly, lest she inadvertently miss +it. Sighting the road, she turned into it. + +She had gone but a few rods when she chanced to look toward the right. +Through the trees, she caught a glimpse of a man walking rapidly away +from the road. He carried a small bundle under his arm. + +“Jacob Aborn!” Nancy exclaimed. + +Impulsively, she switched off the motor of her roadster and sprang to +the ground. + + + + + CHAPTER X + THE MYSTERIOUS BUNGALOW + + +Abandoning her automobile, Nancy Drew hurried across the road and +without an instant’s hesitation plunged into the thicket where she had +just caught a fleeting glimpse of a man she believed to be Jacob Aborn. +She had acted upon the impulse of the moment, and had not stopped to +consider what might be the outcome of her daring. + +Fortunately, the man had failed to note the approach of Nancy’s +roadster, and was unaware that he was being followed. Without turning +his head or looking back, he trudged down a path which led deeper into +the forest. + +Although Nancy was unable to see the man’s face, she recalled the +peculiar stoop of his shoulders and his manner of walking. There was no +doubt in her mind as to his identity. Even had he not been carrying a +small bundle, she would have been certain that it was Laura’s guardian. + +“I wonder where he’s going with that package?” she questioned herself. +“Here’s where I play sleuth and see what I can find out.” + +Following at a safe distance, she managed to keep the man in sight. He +walked swiftly through the timber. Once, however, as a stick crackled +under Nancy’s feet, he turned and looked back. Only by quickly ducking +behind a bush, did Nancy save herself from detection. Jacob Aborn +listened intently for a moment, and then, muttering to himself, +continued through the forest. + +“I’d better be more careful if I don’t want to get caught,” Nancy warned +herself. + +After that she trailed Jacob Aborn more cautiously, keeping farther +back. Where was the man going? Certainly not to his bungalow on the +lake, for Laura had told her that was in the opposite direction. + +Presently, Nancy saw him disappear behind a clump of bushes. When she +reached the spot, the man had vanished. In vain she looked about in all +directions. Jacob Aborn seemed to have disappeared into thin air. + +“That’s strange,” she murmured. “I’m sure he came this way.” + +It occurred to her that possibly the man had become aware that he was +being followed and had hidden in the bushes to watch. The thought made +Nancy uneasy, for she realized that unwittingly she might walk into a +trap. While she was not exactly afraid of Jacob Aborn, she had no desire +to have him learn that she was spying upon him. + +Alert for possible danger, she moved forward with the utmost caution. +She paused frequently to listen, but there was no sound in the bushes. +What had become of Jacob Aborn? + +With great caution the girl moved from one bush to another. She looked +at all the trees in the vicinity, but not one of them hid the form of +the man. + +“Gracious! it looks as if he’d been swallowed alive,” thought the girl. + +She examined the ground, almost expecting that there would be some cave +or secret tunnel in that vicinity. But the ground was firm and in many +places very rocky. + +Not knowing what to think of the strange disappearance, she went forward +slowly and cautiously, following the general direction the man had +previously taken. + +Then, unexpectedly, Nancy Drew plunged through the bushes and stepped +out into a tiny clearing. To her amazement she saw before her a small +bungalow which had fallen into a state of decay. The windows had all +been boarded up, and the roof sagged. The yard was choked with weeds. + +“One good gust of wind would blow the place over,” Nancy told herself. +“This can’t be the Aborn bungalow where Laura lived with her guardian. I +wonder who owns the place.” + +She stood in the shadow of the trees, curiously surveying the structure. +A suspicion began to creep into her mind. Was it possible that Jacob +Aborn had entered the building? If not, what could have become of him? +Nancy was certain that he was not in the forest, for there was no sound +in the bushes. + +“What would Jacob Aborn be doing here?” she wondered. “There’s something +peculiar about it.” + +Just then Nancy chanced to glance down toward the ground. Directly +ahead, in the soft earth, she saw the print of a man’s shoe. Instantly, +her suspicions were confirmed. She was firmly convinced that Jacob Aborn +had come this way. + +“I’ll just have a look at that bungalow,” she decided. + +With a quick glance about to make certain that she was not being +watched, Nancy hurried toward the cottage. As she approached, a large +sign at the front of the building brought her up short. + +The placard, which was printed in bold uneven letters, read: + + Keep Off This Property. + +Nancy studied the warning a trifle uncertainly, and then shrugged her +shoulders. + +“I’m not afraid! It will take more than a sign to scare me away!” + +The bungalow appeared deserted, but Nancy suspected that Jacob Aborn was +somewhere in the vicinity, for otherwise she could not account for his +sudden disappearance. She must keep a sharp watch for danger, she told +herself. It would not do to be caught spying. Laura had warned her that +her guardian was a dangerous man when aroused. + +Tiptoeing across the front porch, Nancy quietly tried the door. It was +locked. Undaunted, she proceeded to the rear door and found that it was +likewise securely fastened. + +Although disappointed, she was unwilling to give up. Making a complete +circuit of the bungalow, she saw a window from which several boards had +fallen. Returning to the rear of the building, she found a small box and +dragged it to a position directly beneath the window. By standing upon +it, she would be able to peer into the bungalow. + +With a last cautious glance in all directions, to assure herself that +her actions had not been observed, Nancy Drew mounted the box. Pressing +her face against the glass, she gazed inside. The room into which she +looked was bare of furniture and covered with dust, but there was +nothing unusual in its condition. Any house which had been deserted for +several months would have appeared similar. + +“I wish I could get inside,” Nancy thought. + +She was about to climb down from the box when a strange feeling came +over her. Though she had heard no sound, she sensed that unfriendly eyes +were watching her every move. + +Before she could turn around and look over her shoulder, a coarse, angry +voice barked into her ear: + +“What are you doing here?” + +In surprise and fright, Nancy Drew nearly fell from the box. + +She wheeled and faced Jacob Aborn. + + + + + CHAPTER XI + ORDERED AWAY + + +“What are you doing here?” Jacob Aborn repeated harshly. His eyes burned +with rage, and for an instant Nancy Drew believed that he intended to +strike her. + +With as much dignity as she could command, she stepped down from the box +and regarded him coldly. + +“Why, just at the moment, as you probably observed, I happened to be +looking in at the window,” she said easily. + +Although outwardly calm, Nancy was doing some rapid thinking. She +realized that she had placed herself in an awkward position and must +keep her wits about her. As she answered Jacob Aborn, her tone of voice +infuriated him more than ever. He came a step nearer, his eyes blazing. + +“What right have you to be looking into other people’s houses?” + +“I was merely curious,” Nancy replied. “I didn’t know the bungalow was +inhabited.” + +“Who said it is?” Mr. Aborn demanded hastily. Nancy thought that an +expression of alarm had come over his face. “Get away from here quick! +This is private property!” + +“Your property?” Nancy inquired. + +“It’s none of your business whose property it is! You have no right +here! Can’t you read signs?” + +“It seems to me I did see one at the front of the bungalow.” + +“Then if you know what’s good for you, get away from here!” + +As Nancy made no move to depart, Jacob Aborn became more abusive. + +“Get away from this bungalow, I tell you! I want no sneak thieves +around!” + +“Now just a minute, Mr. Aborn!” Nancy’s voice was quiet, but it held a +quality which warned the man he had gone too far. “I’ll not permit you +to call me a sneak thief. When you get through ranting around, I’ll tell +you why I came here.” + +“Humph! It’s probably a trumped-up story.” + +“I thought you might be interested to learn what became of your ward, +Laura Pendleton, but since you don’t wish—” She turned as though to +move away, although she had no intention of doing so. + +As she had expected, Jacob Aborn’s curiosity was aroused. + +“Hold on there!” he stopped her. “You say you have news of Laura?” + +“If you’re ready to listen, I’ll tell you. I came to Melrose Lake this +afternoon to see you. I was driving toward your bungalow when I saw you +walking through the woods. I stopped my car and followed——” + +“You followed me?” Jacob Aborn hissed. His face had suddenly become +convulsed with anger. + +“Oh, I lost track of you in the timber,” Nancy said hastily. “I came to +this bungalow, and I didn’t know where you had gone.” + +Watching the man closely, she saw that his tension relaxed somewhat. +Evidently, he had been afraid that she had learned too much. + +“What about Laura?” he demanded. + +“I was coming to that. I have a note which she asked me to deliver to +you.” + +“Hand it over.” + +Nancy fumbled in her pocketbook and at last produced the letter which +she and Laura had composed. Jacob Aborn snatched it from her hand and +eagerly ripped open the envelope. + +As he read the message, Nancy Drew watched him closely. Now that he was +no longer attempting to mask his emotions, she observed that his face +was hard and cruel. No wonder Laura hated him! + +As Nancy studied the man, she noticed with a start that his bundle was +gone. What had become of it? He had been carrying it only a few minutes +before. She wondered where he could have hidden it so quickly. + +The message did not add to Jacob Aborn’s good humor. As he scanned the +letter, an expression of bitter hatred settled over his face and his +eyes narrowed to mere slits. + +“So Laura’s turned her case over to a lawyer, has she?” he snarled. “A +lot of good it will do her.” He wheeled upon Nancy. “Tell me where she +is.” + +“I can’t tell you that.” + +“You know where she is all right.” + +“Perhaps I do, and perhaps I don’t.” + +“You induced her to run away,” the man snarled. + +“I did not! Laura ran away of her own accord. She said you were unkind +to her.” + +“Bah! Laura is ungrateful. I am doing all I can for her because of my +friendship with her mother. This is the way she repays me.” + +Nancy made no response, and Jacob Aborn continued angrily: + +“That’s what I get for taking in a poverty-stricken orphan. You say she +told you I didn’t treat her kindly?” + +“Yes, she did.” + +“She told you a lie. I’ve treated her like my own child. I’ve given her +everything. Now I’ll tell you something about that ward of mine.” A +crafty light came into Jacob Aborn’s eyes. “At times she’s a wee bit +unbalanced—thinks folks don’t treat her right.” + +“Indeed?” + +“Yes, Laura’s mighty queer. It’s for her own good that I must get her +back. She needs the care of someone who loves her. Now you’re her friend +and want to help her. You can do it if you will.” + +“How?” + +“By telling me where she is.” + +Nancy laughed shortly. + +“I’ll not tell you a thing! I can see through your little scheme! You +want to get your hands on Laura’s money.” + +“Money!” the man cried scornfully. “If it wasn’t for me Laura wouldn’t +have a cent. The estate has dwindled to almost nothing. It’s only out of +the kindness of my heart that I took her in.” + +“How much did the estate amount to?” Nancy questioned shrewdly. + +“I can’t say off hand, but there’s nothing left now. Laura is a pauper. +And what’s more, she’s a thief.” + +“A thief!” + +“Yes, that’s what I said. When she left here, she took some valuable +jewels with her. They belong to me, and I want them back!” + +For an instant Nancy Drew was aghast. However, she had faith in Laura, +and believed in her honesty. She was a keen judge of character, and a +look into Jacob Aborn’s face convinced her that he was lying. + +“How dare you say anything like that about Laura?” she cried angrily. + +“It’s the truth. By refusing to tell where she is, you’re harboring a +criminal.” + +“Laura a criminal? It’s ridiculous.” + +“Laura is my ward. I have a legal right to her. Will you tell me where +she is?” + +“I gave you my answer once. I will not!” + +“Oh, you won’t, eh? Well, I’ll find her all right. And when I do, I’ll +turn the police on her. Now get away from here!” + +As Nancy hesitated, uncertain what to do, Jacob Aborn picked up a stick +from the ground and started toward her menacingly. + +“Move!” he ordered harshly. + +Nancy Drew backed away, for she saw that he intended to harm her if she +continued to defy him. Turning, she ran swiftly toward the timber. + +“Hi! Come back here!” exclaimed Jacob Aborn. “Come back! I want to talk +to you!” + +Nancy paused in her flight. + +“What do you want now?” + +“Perhaps we can come to terms.” + +“What kind of terms?” + +“I might make it worth your while to tell me all about Laura,” said the +man ingratiatingly. + +“Oh, indeed? If that’s the sort of person you are, Mr. Aborn, you’ll get +nothing out of me,” returned Nancy indignantly. + +“Then you clear out, and clear out quick,” roared the irate man and took +several steps toward her, flourishing his stick menacingly. + +“You dare touch me and you’ll wish you hadn’t!” returned Nancy +defiantly. + +Yet she thought that prudence would be the better part of valor and so +she kept on toward the timber and was soon out of sight of the man who +kept gazing after her in a manner that showed his evil disposition. + + + + + CHAPTER XII + NANCY BIDES HER TIME + + +Not until she had reached the blue roadster which stood waiting at the +edge of the forest did Nancy Drew pause in her flight. As she climbed +into the automobile, she cast a glance over her shoulder and was +relieved to see that Jacob Aborn had not followed her. + +“I believe that man intended to strike me,” she thought grimly. “He +became positively vicious when I refused to tell him where Laura is. +It’s plain that he intends to get her back if he can, and it’s up to me +to prevent it. I’m not sure what his game is, but I intend to find it +out!” + +Nancy started the motor, and after backing around in the narrow road, +drove slowly toward the main highway. She felt that she had made a +number of important discoveries concerning Laura’s queer guardian, but +just how she could utilize the information she did not know. + +She was inclined to believe that there was something rather mysterious +about the deserted bungalow in the woods. What was Jacob Aborn doing in +the vicinity and why had he been so afraid that she would investigate +the place? + +“He’s up to mischief, that’s certain,” she told herself, “and it bodes +no good for Laura Pendleton.” + +Not for a minute did Nancy Drew believe the charges Jacob Aborn had made +against his ward. She was convinced that he had made them in order to +induce her to tell him where Laura had gone. + +“I don’t know what to do,” she thought. “I don’t want to leave Melrose +Lake until I have learned something that will help Laura. Unless I do, +that man may find out she is staying with me and force her to return. I +suppose he would have a legal right to do that.” + +As Nancy drove slowly along the road, she turned the perplexing problem +over in her mind. At last an idea came to her. + +“Why didn’t I think of it before? I’ll go to one of the hotels on the +lake and engage a room. Then after it gets dark I’ll do a little +investigating.” + +Nancy recalled that Laura had told her there were several nice hotels a +few miles farther on, and at once she determined to stop at the first +one she came to. Presently she approached the Beach Cliff Hotel, and as +it appeared satisfactory, she registered and engaged a comfortable room +overlooking the lake. + +“I must telephone home,” Nancy decided. “If I don’t, Laura will be +worried to death.” + +Accordingly, she placed a long distance call to River Heights and after +a short wait heard Hannah’s voice at the other end of the wire. In +response to her request, Laura was called to the telephone. Nancy +explained quickly where she was and that she intended to investigate +Jacob Aborn’s cottage as soon as it grew dark. There was a pause, and +then Laura’s anxious voice reached her. + +“Oh, Nancy, I’m afraid to have you try that.” + +“I’m sure I’ve struck a clue, Laura, and it would be foolish of me to +come home without investigating.” + +“Do be careful.” + +“I will,” Nancy promised. “Has father come back from St. Louis yet?” + +“No, he hasn’t returned.” + +Nancy was disappointed, for she had wished to ask his advice. + +“Then I guess that’s all,” she told Laura. + +“When will you get back to River Heights?” + +“I don’t know, Laura. It all depends on what I discover. If I don’t +telephone again within twenty-four hours send the police to Jacob +Aborn’s bungalow looking for me.” + +Just then the telephone operator warned Nancy that her time was up, and +she hastily hung up the receiver. Glancing at her watch she saw that it +was five o’clock. + +“At least three hours to wait,” Nancy sighed. + +She sank down in a comfortable chair and attempted to read a magazine, +but soon gave it up. She realized that the adventure before her was apt +to prove a dangerous one. Although unafraid, she was somewhat nervous +and waited impatiently for nightfall. + +“I wish I had brought dad’s revolver,” she thought. “I may need it +before I get through.” + +It was Nancy’s plan to visit Jacob Aborn’s residence on the lake, and, +if she had sufficient time, the deserted bungalow she had accidentally +noticed in the forest. She did not know what she expected to discover. +She knew only that she was playing a “hunch” and that frequently her +swift impressions were correct. + +At six o’clock she went downstairs for dinner. As she sat alone at a +small table in one corner of the room, many diners regarded her with +interest, for Nancy Drew was an unusually attractive girl, and the +prospect of a daring adventure had brought a becoming flush to her +cheeks. + +Upon leaving the dining room, she loitered about the veranda for a few +minutes, watching the dancers, gazing at the lake, and enjoying the +music of the orchestra. But she soon went to her own room. + +The moment it became dark enough for her purpose, she left the hotel and +called for her roadster, which she had parked at a garage only a short +distance away. Eagerly she set off toward Jacob Aborn’s bungalow. + +Laura had told her how to reach the house. There were two means of +approach, one from the lake road and one through the forest. Nancy +selected the latter road, believing it to be more secluded. As she drew +near the bungalow, she turned the automobile out of the road and ran it +into a clump of bushes where it would not be seen. Switching off the +engine and locking the doors, she took her flashlight and set off afoot +through the woods toward the lake. + +Catching her first glimpse of the bungalow, Nancy was impressed. + +“What a beautiful summer home,” she thought. “If only Jacob Aborn were +different, how happy Laura might have been here.” + +Continuing through the woods, Nancy cautiously approached the house from +the rear. Pausing in the shadow of the trees, she hesitated uncertainly. + +“If Jacob Aborn catches me here, there’s no telling what he’d do to me,” +she thought uneasily. + +The windows of the bungalow were dark. That suited Nancy’s purpose, for +she had no intention of attempting to enter the house if Jacob Aborn +were at home. Although courageous, she was not foolhardy. + +Now that she had reached the bungalow, Nancy asked herself what course +she should follow. She comprehended the risk she must take if she +entered the house. Should Jacob Aborn catch her in the act, he would +probably cause her arrest. Would it be wise to take the chance? + +“I’ll try it, anyway,” she decided resolutely. “I must help Laura.” + +With a quick glance about to make sure that there was no one in the +vicinity to observe her actions, she darted across the clearing and came +to the side door. Gently turning the handle, she found the door locked. + +“I’ll get in through a window,” she thought. + +An investigation of several windows on the ground floor revealed that +they, too, were securely fastened. Nancy was troubled until she recalled +that Laura had told her she had left the window of her room unfastened. +From her description, Nancy thought she could locate the room and effect +an entrance. + +After a complete tour of the house, she paused below a window which she +believed must be the one Laura had mentioned. Glancing up, she noticed a +rose trellis which reached from the ground to the second floor. Making a +critical examination, she decided that it would be strong enough to bear +her weight. + +As quietly as possible, she climbed the trellis. The fragile structure +wobbled and creaked, but did not give way. Slightly out of breath, Nancy +Drew reached the window ledge. + +[Illustration: AS QUIETLY AS POSSIBLE SHE CLIMBED THE TRELLIS.] + +Trying the window, she found to her delight that it could be raised +easily. She crawled through and switched on her flashlight. + +She knew at once that she was in Laura’s room, for in her flight the +girl had left nearly all of her possessions behind. However, there was +no time to look around, for as Nancy tiptoed across the room, she was +startled to hear a peculiar noise. + +Halting abruptly, she listened. To her ears came the unmistakable sound +of a heavy footstep on the stairway. Someone was coming! + +Nancy feared that she was trapped. There was not sufficient time for her +to climb through the window and descend the trellis. Was it possible +that Jacob Aborn was in the house after all? The darkened windows had +led her to believe that he was away, and in climbing up the trellis she +had not been as quiet as she might have been. Perhaps he was coming to +find out the cause of the noise. The thought struck her with terror. + +Desperately, she looked around for a hiding place. She saw a closet, and +darted toward it. Scarcely had she stepped inside and closed the door, +when she heard the footsteps coming toward Laura’s room. + +Frantically, Nancy Drew switched off her flashlight and crouched in a +far corner behind a mass of dresses. Scarcely daring to breathe, she +waited. + + + + + CHAPTER XIII + A NARROW ESCAPE + + +As Nancy Drew crouched in the dark closet, she heard the door slam and +knew that someone had entered Laura Pendleton’s room. + +At first, in an agony of suspense, the girl remained motionless in her +hiding place, but presently as the closet door was not opened, her +curiosity gained the upper hand. Cautiously, she peeped out through the +keyhole. + +It was Jacob Aborn who had entered. She saw that he had placed an oil +lamp on the desk and was busy at Laura’s dressing table. Apparently, he +had not heard Nancy, for he did not glance toward the closet. + +Ruthlessly, the man jerked out drawers from the dressing table and +emptied the contents upon the bed. As he surveyed the assortment of +bottles and boxes, he gave a disgusted grunt. What was it he was looking +for, Nancy wondered. + +She was not left in doubt long, for Jacob Aborn muttered to himself: + +“Drat that girl! She got away with all of them jewels! Wait until I get +hold of her again!” + +His fists clinched, and a vicious, cruel expression settled over his +face. + +As Nancy Drew gazed upon Jacob Aborn, there was no longer any doubt in +her mind as to the character of the man. He was a common thief! It was +now clear to her that his sole interest in Laura was to get possession +of her property. Only her opportune escape from the house had prevented +him from stealing her mother’s jewels. + +Nancy was frightened by her discovery, for now she realized that she was +dealing with a hardened criminal. She dared not think of what might +become of her, should he learn that she was spying upon him. + +“How did he ever get to be Laura’s guardian?” she asked herself in +bewilderment. “I can’t believe that Mrs. Pendleton knew his true +character, or she wouldn’t have entrusted her daughter to him.” + +Her thoughts along that line came to an abrupt end as the man moved +toward the closet. Fearfully, Nancy ducked down behind Laura’s dresses +again and prayed that she would not be discovered. + +The closet door was jerked violently open and Jacob Aborn looked in. +Nancy held her breath, each minute expecting to be dragged from her +hiding place. + +The man gave the closet only a casual glance and then turned away. + +“Bah!” he muttered savagely. “Nothing but clothing! A lot of good that +will do me! It’s money I want!” + +The man was about to close the closet door when he came to a sudden +pause. + +“Might be a good thing to look over some of these clothes,” he murmured. +“She may have left something hidden there. Can’t tell what girls are up +to these days.” + +Nancy’s heart sank within her because she felt that if the man took down +any of the dresses behind which she was hidden she would surely be +discovered. She hardly dared breathe as she wondered what would happen +next. + +The man took down the first dress within reach and stepped out to +examine it in the light. He found nothing in the garment and threw it +rudely over a chair. Then he came back to the closet. + +As he reached in, Nancy felt that discovery was close at hand. She +wondered whether she could dash past the man, down the stairs, and get +out of the building before he could grab her. + +Before he could get hold of the next garment an interruption occurred. +There was a loud noise downstairs which made both the man and Nancy +start in surprise. + +“What in thunder was that?” muttered Jacob Aborn. He was evidently much +disturbed, and, turning abruptly, he ran out into the hall. Then Nancy +heard him going down the stairs. + +The girl thought of the window and the rose trellis. Could she make her +escape that way during Aborn’s absence? Before she could make up her +mind she heard the man returning. + +“Confound those screens on hinges,” she heard him mutter. “That’s the +second time they’ve scared me. Bah, I must be getting nervous!” + +The trip downstairs had evidently put Jacob Aborn in a worse humor than +ever. He walked to the closet and surveyed the remaining dresses in +disgust. + +“Guess I won’t bother with them,” the girl heard him remark. + +Slamming the door, he turned and walked over to the desk. As Nancy again +peered out through the keyhole she felt a trifle weak from the fright +she had experienced. + +“That was a narrow escape,” she told herself. “I thought the jig was +up.” + +Unaware that he was being watched, Jacob Aborn began pawing over the +papers which were in the desk. Picking up a package of letters, he +scanned them hastily and contemptuously tossed them upon the floor. + +It was with difficulty that Nancy controlled her anger as she saw the +man read Laura’s private correspondence. She longed to fly out at him +and accuse him face to face. However, she was far too wise to allow +herself to be governed by a mad impulse. She must bide her time. + +After a few minutes, her limbs became cramped, and she shifted her +position. To her horror, a board creaked underfoot. Nancy felt that all +was lost as she again ducked behind the dresses. + +Jacob Aborn heard the noise and wheeled about. He walked toward the +closet. Halfway across the room he paused and laughed shortly. + +“Couldn’t have been anything,” he muttered. “Just looked in that closet +not more than a minute ago.” + +Without troubling himself to pick up the articles he had scattered over +the floor, the man took the lamp and left the room. In relief, Nancy +Drew stepped from her hiding place. + +“I suppose I’d better skip while I can,” she advised herself. + +She tiptoed across the room to the window, but did not open it. Instead +she stood lost in deep thought. Although Nancy realized full well the +danger of remaining longer in the house, she had the instincts of a +detective. So long as there was a chance that she might learn more by +waiting, she hesitated to leave. + +She could hear Jacob Aborn descending the stairs to the first floor. + +“I’ll not leave yet,” she decided firmly. + +Softly opening the door, she crept down the carpeted hall. After +listening a minute, she quietly slipped down the stairway, taking care +not to step in the middle of the boards lest they squeak and betray her +presence. + +Reaching the living room, she paused to listen. She could hear Jacob +Aborn moving about in the kitchen. Overcome by curiosity, she tiptoed to +the door. + +“If only some errand would take him outside,” she thought hopefully. + +Her wish was gratified, for presently the man picked up a water bucket +and left the house. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Nancy darted +into the kitchen and hid in the broom closet. She marveled at her own +bravery, for she knew that she was taking a great risk. Nevertheless, +she was determined to discover what Jacob Aborn was about. + +In a few minutes the man returned with the bucket of water. To Nancy’s +disappointment he picked up a basket of groceries on the table and began +to prepare his supper. + +The air in the closet became unpleasantly warm and close, and she began +to regret that she had sought the hiding place. However, her interest +quickened as she saw Laura’s guardian wrap up a number of sandwiches, an +orange, and an apple in a newspaper. + +“There, that’s ready for to-morrow,” she heard him mutter. + +Placing the bundle on the kitchen table, the man sat down and began to +eat his supper. + +In fascination, Nancy stared at the bundle on the table. What could it +mean? She recalled that Laura had told her she had frequently seen her +guardian leave the house with a small package. Did Jacob Aborn always +carry food in the bundle? If so, what became of it? + +Nancy Drew was puzzled, and the more she tried to think of an +explanation, the more bewildered she became. Certainly, she had stumbled +upon a mystery. + +“That man was carrying a bundle to-day when I saw him walking through +the forest,” she reasoned. “Then when he caught me looking through the +window of the deserted bungalow, the bundle was gone. I believe it will +be worth my while to have another look at that bungalow!” + +Now that she had stumbled upon what she considered a valuable clue, +Nancy Drew was eager to get away from the house. But so long as Jacob +Aborn remained in the kitchen, she was held a prisoner. + +Impatiently, she watched him eat his supper, and it seemed to her that +he would never get through. Even after he had finished, he leaned back +in his chair and studied the floor meditatively. The expression upon his +face was not pleasant to behold. + +“I’ll venture he’s cooking up some dirty scheme,” Nancy told herself. + +At last the man pushed back his chair and picked up the oil lamp. + +“May as well get busy,” he grunted. “I’ve got a big night before me.” + +Leaving the bundle upon the table, he turned and left the kitchen. A few +minutes later, Nancy heard him trudging heavily up the staircase. + +“Now what shall I do?” she asked herself in perplexity, as she came out +of the closet. + +Escape was a simple matter, for the kitchen door had been left unlocked. +However, Nancy was not altogether certain that she wished to leave the +house so soon. Jacob Aborn’s last statement held her interest. + +What did he mean by, “a big night before him”? Was he planning more +mischief? Nancy Drew determined to wait and find out. + + + + + CHAPTER XIV + STARTLING REVELATIONS + + +Stealing quietly into the living room, Nancy Drew paused at the foot of +the stairway. Although eager to find out what Jacob Aborn was doing on +the floor above, she told herself that it would be rash to follow him +there. While she was debating what to do, she heard a creaking of boards +and realized that the man was coming back. + +Hastily ducking down out of sight behind the davenport, she waited. She +was no longer afraid she would be discovered, for she had noticed that +Jacob Aborn was too absorbed in his own plans to be observant. If she +kept perfectly quiet she did not believe that she would be detected. + +The man came slowly down the stairs, dragging two heavy suitcases. +Dropping them upon the living-room floor, he opened the lids and +surveyed the contents critically. + +His back was to the davenport, and Nancy daringly peeped out. She saw +that the suitcases were packed with wearing apparel. However, it was not +the clothing, but rather a gruesome object on top of one of the bags +that held her attention. Jacob Aborn carried a weapon, and a wicked +looking one at that! Nancy Drew shuddered and almost regretted that she +had not escaped when it was possible. + +Fastening down the covers of the luggage, Jacob Aborn locked the +suitcases and strapped them. + +“There, that job is done,” he muttered when he had finished. “Nothing +like being prepared. They’ll never catch Stumpy asleep!” + +The name burned itself into Nancy Drew’s brain. Stumpy! What could it +mean? He had called himself by a name which was suggestive of the +underworld. As Nancy stared at him she became convinced that he was a +professional crook. Laura was indeed under the control of a dangerous +guardian! + +Her reflections were cut short when Jacob Aborn placed the suitcases +against the wall and turned toward a small safe in one corner of the +room. In amazement, Nancy watched him work at the dial. After he had +made several unsuccessful attempts to open the door, it finally swung +open. + +With a grunt of satisfaction, the man removed several packages of bank +bills. His eyes became greedy and gloating as he gazed upon the money. + +Nancy had no way of telling the denomination of the bills, but she felt +certain that Jacob Aborn held a small fortune in his hands. Where had he +secured the money and what did he mean to do with it? + +“I may as well leave it here until to-morrow,” the man grunted. + +He placed the neat packages of money back in the safe and, closing the +heavy door, turned the dial. Then with a tired yawn, he moved toward the +stairway. + +“Guess I’ll turn in. Got to be up early to-morrow.” + +He climbed the stairs, carrying the light with him. Nancy heard him +enter a bedroom and slam the door. Soon the house became quiet. + +Slipping noiselessly from her hiding place, Nancy Drew tiptoed toward +the kitchen. Due to an oversight, the back door had been left unlocked +and opened readily. With a sigh of relief that she at last had escaped +unharmed from the house, Nancy stepped out into the night. + +It was very dark, for there was no moon. She crossed the clearing and +rapidly set off through the forest, using her flashlight to guide her +steps. + +Her adventures were beginning to tire her and before she knew it she +took a wrong path and presently brought up in the midst of some bushes +and rocks. + +“My gracious, this isn’t right!” she told herself. “Why, I really +believe I’ve lost myself.” + +She turned the flashlight downward and saw before her a spring of water. +A tin cup was on a near-by rock. + +“Well, anyway, here’s where I can get a drink,” she told herself. “And +goodness knows I’m thirsty enough.” + +The water was clear and cool and the drink refreshed Nancy very much. +Placing the cup where she had found it, she retraced her steps and after +a few minutes of walking found the spot where she had gone wrong. With +more care she set off through the forest. It was dark and silent, and +she could not repress a feeling of intense loneliness as she proceeded. + +A few minutes later she reached the roadster which she had hidden behind +a clump of bushes. As she climbed in and sank back against the cushions, +she considered her next move. Until now, she had had no time to work out +a plan of action. + +Of one thing she was certain. Jacob Aborn was a criminal. She was +convinced that he intended to run away from Melrose Lake, for otherwise +he would not have packed his suitcases. Undoubtedly, he intended to take +the money which was in the safe with him. Nancy had no proof that it did +not belong to him, but in her mind there was a growing suspicion that he +might have stolen it from Laura Pendleton’s estate. + +“At least he won’t try to get away to-night,” she reasoned, “because +he’s gone to bed. And he said something about needing that bundle of +food to-morrow.” + +Nancy was at a loss to know what to do next. Although convinced that +Jacob Aborn was a criminal, she was well aware that she had no evidence +against him. In court it would merely be her word against his, and if it +came to that, she would be embarrassed to explain her presence in the +house. + +“I must get definite proof,” she thought. + +Groping for an idea, she again thought of the old bungalow in the woods. + +“I’m sure it has some connection with the mystery,” she reasoned. “While +Jacob Aborn is out of the way, I’ll do a little sleuthing.” + +To think was to act with Nancy Drew, and it required but a few minutes +for her to drive the distance from Jacob Aborn’s residence to the +deserted bungalow. Although the night was dark, she found the side road +without difficulty. + +Halting the car in the bushes, she picked up her flashlight and started +toward the bungalow. Not without misgiving, she pushed through the +forest. + +“I hope my flashlight doesn’t play out,” she worried. “I’ll never find +the bungalow if it does.” + +There was no path leading through the woods, but Nancy was fairly +certain of her directions. Soon she stepped out into a tiny clearing, +and, directly ahead, saw the old bungalow. + +Hurrying across the open space, she paused in front of the building. It +was dark and silent, but as she gazed upon it an uneasy feeling took +possession of her. Her inner self seemed to warn her not to enter the +bungalow. + +“This is no time to hesitate,” she told herself sternly. “If Jacob Aborn +is to be caught, I must gather my evidence to-night. To-morrow he may +skip out.” + +As Nancy moved toward the rear of the bungalow, she glanced down at her +flashlight and was alarmed to see that it was beginning to grow dim. + +“Just my luck to have it go out when I need it the most!” she thought in +disgust. + +In an attempt to save the battery, she switched off the light. As her +eyes became accustomed to the dark, she was able to see a little. Nancy +was determined to effect an entrance, but just how it could be +accomplished she did not know. + +A tour of the bungalow revealed that all of the doors were locked. This +she had expected. The boards had fallen from one of the windows—the one +through which she had peered that afternoon when surprised by Laura’s +guardian. However, the window was high above her head, and even if she +stood on a box, she doubted that she could raise herself to the ledge. + +Undaunted, she examined the other windows, and on the south side of the +bungalow found one which opened from a porch. It was boarded up, and her +efforts to dislodge the barrier were futile. + +Resistance only whetted Nancy Drew’s desire to enter the bungalow, and +at once she began searching the yard for something with which to pry. +After an unsuccessful hunt, she was forced to switch on her flashlight +for a few minutes, until she found a stout stick which would serve her +purpose. + +Wedging it in between the boards, she pried with all her might. For a +moment, the first board offered stubborn resistance, and then, with a +groan and a squeak, gave way. The remaining boards were removed with +less difficulty. + +To Nancy’s joy, the window was unlocked. Pushing it up, she peered into +the living room. It was dark and she could see nothing. + +“Well, here’s for it!” she decided fatalistically. + +Halfway through the window, she hesitated without knowing just why she +did it. Nervously, she glanced back over her shoulder. A queer sensation +passed over her, leaving her a trifle frightened. She felt exactly as +though someone were following her. + +“How silly!” she scolded herself. + +Nevertheless, she turned searching eyes toward the forest. So far as she +could see there was no one in sight. Nancy listened intently, but all +that she heard was the whispering of the wind in the maple trees. + +“Nerves,” she decided firmly. “Jacob Aborn won’t bother me to-night. +He’s probably asleep at this minute.” + +She swung herself through the window and switched on her flashlight. She +stood in the living room, or such she judged it to be, for it was bare +of furniture. + +“Nothing here!” Nancy told herself. + +Hastily she moved toward the next room. Her light was gradually growing +dimmer, and she knew that she must work quickly unless she wished to be +left in total darkness. + +She entered a smaller room. Flashing the beam of her light over the +walls and floor, she was disappointed to find nothing of interest. + +Nancy was sorely perplexed. In visiting the deserted bungalow she had +“played a hunch,” and now it seemed that she had made a mistake. + +“I haven’t seen it all yet,” she encouraged herself. + +Then her light revealed a small door, and she moved curiously over +toward it. Halfway across the room, an unusual sound arrested her +attention. Had she heard a board creak behind her or was it only +imagination? + +After hesitating a second, Nancy Drew again started toward the door. As +she reached out to grasp the knob, her body became tense. + +This time there was no mistake. She heard a peculiar sound which seemed +to come from the floor. + +“It sounded like a groan,” was the thought which flashed through her +mind. + +Was it possible that someone was imprisoned in the cellar? The fear that +some person was in distress gave her the courage to open the door. + +As it swung back, she saw before her a long flight of stone stairs +leading down into darkness. A gust of cold, musty air struck her in the +face and momentarily repulsed her. + +Nancy glanced nervously at her flashlight. She told herself that the +battery could not last much longer. Already the light was so dim that +she could barely see the steps in front of her. Should she investigate +the cellar? She had no idea what it might reveal, and the thought of +being caught below without a light sent a cold shiver over her. + +Yet, Nancy felt that she was about to stumble upon the real secret of +the old bungalow, and the thrill of anticipated victory urged her +forward. Cautiously, she descended the steps, one at a time. + +She came to a sharp turn and peered anxiously down into the black abyss. + +To her horror she saw a man stretched out full length upon a bench +directly below her. His face was turned upward and Nancy caught a full +glimpse of the countenance. + +It was Jacob Aborn! + + + + + CHAPTER XV + A FAMILIAR FACE + + +For an instant, Nancy Drew was spellbound. Her eyes dilated with fear, +she stood like a stone image, gazing down into the face of Jacob Aborn. + +How had the rascal reached the bungalow ahead of her? What was he doing +in the cellar? A dozen questions flashed through her mind, but the one +which troubled her the most was whether or not the man had seen her. + +As Nancy was held in a paralysis of fear, the light in her flashlight +flickered again. Then, it went out, leaving her in total darkness. + +Sheer panic took possession of Nancy. Turning, she gave a low cry and +stumbled up the stairway. Jerking open the door at the top, she ran +through the room. Her flight was abruptly checked as she crashed into a +table. + +Reaching out to catch herself from falling, Nancy’s hand touched an +object. Eagerly, she felt of it and discovered that it was a lantern. +Snatching it up, she stumbled on. + +Coming to a door she pulled it open. To her chagrin she ran into a wall. +She had entered a closet. + +Frantically, she rushed out again, and found another door to the left. +She had made no mistake this time, and to her relief found herself in +the living room. In desperate haste she reached the window, and, +climbing through, leaped to the porch. + +Fully expecting to hear a shot behind her, she ran as fast as she could +across the clearing to the forest. + +Breathless, she reached the shelter of the trees and paused to look +back. To her astonishment she was not being followed. Jacob Aborn was +nowhere in sight. The old bungalow appeared as deserted and silent as +before. + +“That’s queer,” she told herself. “Perhaps he didn’t see me after all.” + +A moment’s serious consideration convinced her that this reasoning was +not logical, for she had made a great deal of noise clattering up the +steps. It was inconceivable that he had not heard her when she stumbled +into the table, nearly overturning it. + +“I don’t believe I imagined it,” she thought in perplexity. “I’m sure it +was Jacob Aborn I saw in that cellar. But how did he get here ahead of +me?” + +She gravely reflected for a minute. Laura’s guardian had retired to his +bedroom before she had slipped from the house. Presumably, she had left +him sound asleep. How could he have dressed and reached the bungalow so +quickly? + +“I wonder if it could have been Jacob Aborn,” she mused. “After I left +his house I didn’t waste a minute. I came directly here in the roadster. +He couldn’t have beaten me to it unless he flew!” + +For several minutes, Nancy Drew stood in the shadows of the trees +watching the bungalow. After considerable time had elapsed and still no +one appeared, she began to grow curious as well as impatient. + +“I know there was someone in that cellar,” she assured herself, “and I’d +like to find out who it is. If I only had a light, I’d be tempted to go +back.” + +As the daring thought occurred to her, she glanced down and noticed that +she was still clutching the lantern which she had snatched from the +table as she ran. She had picked it up purely on impulse, without +thinking that she might use it later. Now she decided that it would +serve a useful purpose. There was only one drawback—it was not lighted. + +“A lot of good it will do me without a match,” she murmured in disgust. + +As she stood staring gloomily at the lantern, she feared that she must +admit defeat. Brave as she was, she hesitated to return to the bungalow +without a light to guide her. If only she had brought an extra +flashlight battery with her! Or her father’s revolver! + +“I wouldn’t be afraid if I had some way to protect myself,” she told +herself. “Or if I could see where I was going.” + +As she stood gazing moodily at the old, deserted house, a thought came +to her. Eagerly she began to search through her pockets. To her delight, +after thrusting her hand into the last pocket, she brought out a small +box of matches. She had used the matches while in camp at Moon Lake, +keeping them in a waterproof container for an emergency. She had +carelessly left them in her dress pocket, and upon returning home had +forgotten all about them. For once her negligence had been to her +advantage. + +Hastily opening the box, she found several matches left. Examining the +lantern, she was encouraged to discover that it was nearly full of oil. +Striking a match upon a stone, she applied it to the wick. + +Before the wick ignited, a mischievous gust of wind extinguished the +flame. Nancy tried again, and to her disgust, the second match met a +similar fate. + +In alarm she felt in the box. There was only one match left. If she +failed in her next attempt she would be without a light. + +Stepping back into the forest so that the wind would not strike her, she +hopefully struck the last match. As the flame spurted up, she applied it +to the lantern and was gratified to see it ignite the wick. + +“I’d better cover the lantern while I cross the clearing,” she advised +herself. “I don’t want to make myself a gun target.” + +Stripping off her sweater, she wrapped it around the lantern, and then +set off toward the bungalow. As she stole cautiously forward she +frequently paused to listen. No unusual sound disturbed the tranquillity +of the night. The old bungalow was as quiet as a tomb. + +The queer place looked unusually queer at this hour of the night, and it +was no wonder that Nancy paused as she gazed upon it. + +“There’s some terrible mystery here—I’m sure of it,” she breathed to +herself. “I’ve got to be careful. I don’t want to be caught napping.” + +The girl looked around her in all directions. No one was in sight and +not a sound disturbed the silence. + +For one brief instant as she drew closer to the building Nancy had an +inclination to turn and flee. Then she braced herself. + +“I won’t do it!” she told herself. “I came here to find out what all +this means and I’m going to do it. Nancy Drew, don’t be a goose. This +isn’t half as bad as things were at the Turnbull mansion. And remember +what you went through with to get the old clock!” and she braced up once +more. + +After a slight hesitation, Nancy Drew crept up on the porch. For the +second time that evening she experienced an uneasy sensation. It was not +so much the fear that she was running into danger as it was a feeling +that she was being followed. + +Boldly, she thrust her head and shoulders through the window. Nothing +but an oppressive silence greeted her. + +“Have I been dreaming?” Nancy thought in perplexity. “Is it possible +there’s no one in the bungalow after all?” + +Somewhat impatient at herself, she placed the lantern upon the floor and +climbed through the window. Picking up the light, she flashed it about +the room. Reassured, she tiptoed forward. + +A board creaked underfoot, and she paused nervously. Then from below she +heard a peculiar noise. It sounded like a moan of pain. + +Startled, Nancy Drew held herself rigid, scarcely daring to move a +muscle. As she listened she heard the sound again. This time she knew +there was no mistake. Someone had groaned. + +“Oh, what shall I do?” she asked herself nervously. “Who can it be?” + +At that moment a pitiful cry arose from the floor below. + +“Help!” + +Nancy opened her lips, but no sound issued forth. She tried again, and +scarcely recognized her own voice. + +“Who’s there?” she demanded shakily. + +The only response was another feeble call. + +“Help! Help!” + +The cry echoed through the deserted bungalow, ending in a plaintive +wail. Then the house became silent. + + + + + CHAPTER XVI + WHAT NANCY DISCOVERED + + +When Nancy Drew heard the cry for help, she no longer considered her own +safety. The thought that someone might be in pain drove her to action. +Summoning all her courage, she hurried to the cellar door and opened it. + +Reaching the first landing, she stood listening quietly. The scratchy +rustling of a mouse in a wall near by caused her to catch her breath. + +“Why, it’s only a mouse,” she told herself. “I’m certainly not going to +let that scare me.” + +Nevertheless she came to a standstill and did not attempt to move again +until the sounds made by the mouse had died away entirely. Then she +braced herself once more. + +She took a step forward, holding the lantern before her. Cautiously, she +crept down the first stair step and then paused again. She wondered what +awaited her in the depths of the dark cellar below. + +Then there came to her ears a faint metallic clank. It seemed to proceed +from below and she was at a loss to understand what it could have been. +There it was again! + +But this time it came as a series of metallic sounds, and Nancy realized +that she was listening to the clanking of chains. “Was it possible that +someone was confined below in fetters?” she asked herself. Then another +thought came to her—perhaps a vicious dog was chained in the cellar, +ready to throw itself upon any intruder. + +Almost at once Nancy dismissed the fear. If it were a dog, she told +herself, it would have growled at her first approach. Thus reassured, +she held the lantern before her and slowly descended the stairs, peering +anxiously into the murky darkness. + +Turning the light upon the spot where she had seen the man on her +previous excursion into the cellar, she beheld a disheveled human being +lying on a bench against the side of the stone wall. + +Nancy started backward, and the lantern wavered in her hand. She was +almost sure that the man before her was Jacob Aborn. Tempted to run +away, she overcame the impulse and again peered critically down at the +white face which was turned toward her. + +“It isn’t Jacob Aborn,” she decided, “but there’s a startling +resemblance.” + +No longer afraid, Nancy Drew rapidly descended the stairs to the cellar. +With a cry of pity, she ran toward the man who lay so white and still on +the bench. + +At a glance she took in the scene before her. In reality the cellar was +a dungeon, for the walls were of solid stone and there were no windows. +Not a ray of light filtered into the horrible place. + +The room was damp and musty, and as she accidentally brushed against a +wall it felt clammy and cold to the touch. A heavy chain was fastened to +the wall above the bench. To Nancy’s horror the end of the chain was +attached to the prisoner in such a way that it allowed him some freedom +of motion and yet held him a captive. + +“Oh!” Nancy cried as she gazed upon the imprisoned man. + +The prisoner did not stir. He lay perfectly still upon the bench. + +“Oh, he can’t be dead,” Nancy whispered fearfully. + +Dropping down on her knees, she felt of the man’s pulse. It was faint, +but regular. + +“He’s just unconscious,” she thought in relief. “The strain of realizing +help was near must have been too much for him.” + +She fell to work chafing his wrists, and for the first time noticed the +cruel crimson marks which had been caused by the chains. + +“I wonder what fiend is responsible for this?” she asked herself +angrily. + +Now that she gazed directly into the man’s face, she wondered how she +could have mistaken him for Jacob Aborn. To be sure, the two men were of +the same build, although the prisoner appeared gaunt and thin as though +he had not been properly fed during his captivity. Their features were +similar also. But while Jacob Aborn’s face was characterized by harsh +lines, the prisoner had a gentle, kind expression. + +Nancy Drew did not further concern herself with the man’s appearance, +for she was alarmed that he did not recover consciousness. + +“I must do something!” she thought desperately. “Perhaps I can find some +water——” + +Catching up the lantern, she mounted the stairs two at a time. Reaching +the kitchen, she was overjoyed to see a pump at the sink. + +After a search through the cupboards she at last found a leaky tin +vessel which would serve her purpose. Quickly filling it, she rushed +back to the cellar. + +Wetting her handkerchief, she applied it gently to the prisoner’s +forehead. When he did not revive, she sprinkled a little of the water on +his face. + +The man stirred slightly and moaned. Encouraged, Nancy again soaked her +handkerchief and applied it to his head. She saw that he was regaining +consciousness. + +Then the prisoner’s body twitched violently, and his eyes fluttered +open. + +“Help!” he called feebly. + +Nancy saw that the man was delirious. + +“Help has come,” she said gently. “Don’t try to struggle. You are in the +hands of a friend.” + +“Friend?” the man asked stupidly. + +As he attempted to raise himself to a sitting position, Nancy helped +him. + +“Didn’t think—help—ever come,” he murmured weakly. + +His eyes, which were bright with fever, fastened upon the pan Nancy held +in her hand. + +“Water,” he begged thickly. + +Nancy handed over the basin with alacrity and the man drank greedily. + +“First I’ve had to drink in twenty-four hours,” he said more steadily. + +He stared at Nancy as though he had not seen her before. + +“How did you get here?” he demanded. + +“I heard your cries for help.” + +“Oh, yes, I remember now. I heard someone coming and I called out. That +was the last I remembered.” + +“Who are you?” Nancy questioned. “Why are you in chains?” + +A bitter expression passed over the prisoner’s face. + +“I am here through the trickery of Stumpy Dowd, a notorious criminal.” + +“And your name?” Nancy gasped. + +“Jacob Aborn.” + +“Jacob Aborn?” she echoed. “Then——” + +“That rascal, Stumpy Dowd is impersonating me,” Jacob Aborn finished for +her. + +“I don’t understand.” + +“I don’t wonder at that, Miss—” he groped for a name. + +“Drew,” Nancy supplied. + +“I’m only beginning to comprehend the trick that was played on me by +that scamp. And poor Laura! Heaven knows where she is at this moment!” + +“She’s safe. I left her at my home in River Heights.” + +“I’m thankful for that! It nearly killed me to think that she might be +in the hands of that crook!” + +“Tell me the entire story,” Nancy begged. “What do you know about Stumpy +Dowd?” + +“I know enough to send him to prison for the rest of his life! He’s a +fraud. This isn’t the first deal he’s been mixed up in. He’s trying to +get his hands on Laura Pendleton’s fortune. I’m afraid he has everything +by this time.” + +Jacob Aborn buried his hands in his face. + +“How did Stumpy get you here?” Nancy questioned. + +“One night about two weeks ago he came to my house, the bungalow on the +lake, on the pretense of seeing me about a business matter.” + +“Then you own that house that Stumpy is living in!” Nancy interrupted. + +“Yes, I thought it would make a nice home for Laura. Well, Stumpy came +to see me and as soon as he began to ask questions about the Pendleton +estate I was suspicious. Finally, I ordered him from the house. He drew +a gun on me.” + +“And there was no one to help you?” + +“No. I had intended to leave for Moon Lake the following day and had +given the servants a vacation. I was alone in the house. I put up a +fight, but when I was semi-conscious from a blow on the head that +scoundrel forced me into this deserted bungalow.” + +“You haven’t been here for two weeks?” + +Jacob Aborn nodded grimly. + +“Two long weeks. I’ve nearly gone mad. Chained to this bench like a +felon!” With a despairing gesture, he lifted his arms, and his fetters +clanked against the floor. + +“How horrible!” + +“Stumpy Dowd is a fiend! Not content with chaining me here, he’s half +starved me. If you hadn’t come, I couldn’t have stood it many more days. +Only the thought of Laura has kept me alive. You say she is safe?” + +“Yes, she ran away from Stumpy.” + +“Her property? What has become of it?” + +“I don’t know,” Nancy was forced to admit. “She brought nothing with her +except some of her mother’s jewels.” + +“Then Stumpy Dowd must have his hand on every dollar of the fortune,” +the man groaned. “A rich haul it will make too.” + +“Laura is wealthy?” + +“Yes, her mother left her a sufficient fortune.” + +“I can’t understand why Stumpy remained near here after he secured the +property,” Nancy commented. + +“There are two reasons. First, nearly all of Laura’s property was tied +up in stocks and bonds—gilt edge of course. Stumpy was forced to +impersonate me long enough to convert the securities into cash. At least +that’s what I suspect.” + +Nancy nodded thoughtfully. + +“And the second reason. I’ve led him to believe that he hasn’t secured +all of Laura’s property. Stumpy is greedy, and it’s his nature to get +his hands on everything. He has tried to force me to tell what became of +the remaining securities.” + +“You wouldn’t tell?” + +“I couldn’t if I wished.” + +“Then he has everything in his possession now, has he?” + +“Everything except the jewels. How can I ever face Laura again?” + +“Don’t think about that,” Nancy returned quickly. “It wasn’t your fault. +Stumpy Dowd is a very clever crook, but he won’t get away this time!” + +“Is he still at Melrose Lake?” Jacob Aborn asked eagerly. “If we could +only capture him——” + +“Rest assured, we will. But we must work quickly. I happen to know that +he is planning his escape. I think he intends to get away to-morrow. He +has Laura’s money in the safe.” + +“Then if we can set the police on him to-night we’ll save the fortune!” + +“Exactly! But first we must get away from here.” + +With troubled eyes, Nancy Drew gazed at the chain which held Laura +Pendleton’s guardian a prisoner. + +“If only I can break the chain!” + +“It isn’t necessary. I know where Stumpy keeps the key to the padlock.” + +“Where?” + +“Hanging on a hook in the stairway.” + +“I’ll get it!” Nancy cried eagerly. + +Turning, she hastened toward the stairs. Had she not been so intent upon +setting Jacob Aborn free she might have heard a peculiar rustling sound +from the direction of the kitchen. Oblivious of possible danger, she +rushed up the steps two at a time. In her haste she had forgotten the +lantern and was forced to return for it. + +Snatching it up from the floor, she again started toward the stairs, +turning her head to call back an encouragement to the prisoner. + +“We’ll soon have you out of here, Mr. Aborn.” + +“Hurry!” the man urged. “We have waited too long now.” + +Nancy was of the same opinion, for she realized that they must work +swiftly if they were to prevent Stumpy’s escape. Already it must be long +past midnight, and at dawn he would probably leave. + +Anxiously, she moved the lantern up and down, illuminating the dingy +walls of the staircase. Just above her head to the left she saw the hook +for which she was searching. The precious key dangled from it. Snatching +it up, she turned and ran down the steps. + +“You found it?” Jacob Aborn demanded anxiously. + +“Yes, here it is!” Nancy held up the object. “I’ll have you free in +another minute.” + +Dropping down upon her knees before the bench, she began to work +frantically at the padlock, Mr. Aborn watching her hopefully. So +engrossed were they both, that they failed to notice a dark figure +creeping slowly down the stairway. Nearer and nearer he came, an ugly +revolver gripped tightly in his right hand. + +Suddenly Jacob Aborn glanced up and a look of horror froze upon his +face. + +“Look out!” he shouted. + + + + + CHAPTER XVII + A DESPERATE SITUATION + + +The warning came too late. + +Before Nancy Drew could turn, the butt of a revolver crashed down upon +her head. With a low moan of pain, she sagged to the floor and lay +still. + +How long she remained unconscious, she did not know, but when at last +she opened her eyes she found herself stretched out on the cold floor of +the cellar. She was bewildered and for a minute could not account for +the splitting pain in her head. + +Then with a shudder she remembered what had happened. She had been +struck down from behind. Who was her assailant? + +Nancy became aware that someone was standing over her, but objects +whirled before her eyes and she could not distinguish the face. Then, +abruptly, her vision cleared. She saw Stumpy Dowd gazing down upon her +gloatingly. + +“You!” she gasped. + +The man leered unpleasantly. + +“Thought you were going to catch me, did you? Well, you have another +thought coming this time!” + +He reached over, and, catching her by the arm, jerked her roughly to her +feet. Nancy was so weak that she nearly fell. + +“What are you going to do?” she whispered. + +“You’ll find out soon enough,” Stumpy sneered, as he held up a long +rope. “I’m going to tie you up and leave you here. You and your friend +have so much to say to each other!” + +“Let that girl go,” Jacob Aborn pleaded from the other side of the room. +“Do anything you like to me, but set her free.” + +“Shut up!” Stumpy growled. “I’ll do plenty to both of you before I get +through!” + +Nancy was too weak to struggle, and she was aware that resistance would +be useless. One glance at the murderous weapon in Stumpy’s hand had +convinced her of that. He was ruthless and unprincipled, and would think +nothing of shooting her down if she made a break for the stairway. + +Yet, as Stumpy began to tie her feet together with the stout rope, she +realized she must do something. If only her head would stop throbbing so +that she could think clearly! The situation was a desperate one. Unless +she thought quickly there would be no escape. + +Then, suddenly, an idea came to her. She recalled that a detective who +had called on her father only a few months before had entertained them +by telling of his various experiences with criminals. He had explained +how it was possible to hold one’s hands while being bound, so as to slip +the bonds later. Nancy had been interested, and had pressed the +detective for details. He had taken a stout piece of cord and had given +her a demonstration. At the time she had thought the trick a very clever +one. Little dreaming that the knowledge would ever prove useful, she had +made no effort to remember how the hands must be held. Now, she +frantically tried to recall what the detective had told her. If only the +trick would work! + +Holding her wrists in what she believed was the correct position, she +permitted Stumpy to bind them securely. The ropes cut into her flesh +cruelly. It seemed to her that she must have made a mistake, for +certainly there was little space between her wrists and the bonds. + +“And now, just to make sure you won’t get away—” Stumpy muttered +evilly. + +He took the end of the rope and ran it through a ring in the wall, +knotting it fast. + +“I guess that will hold you for a while,” he leered. + +“You beast!” Nancy cried. + +She realized now what Stumpy intended to do, but she was too proud to +beg for mercy. + +“This will teach you not to meddle in affairs that are none of your +business!” + +“You’ll pay for this!” Jacob Aborn cried in a quavering voice. “If I get +free——” + +“If you get free! That’s good!” Stumpy laughed harshly. Then a cruel +look settled over his face and his eyes narrowed. “Why, you old fool, +you’ll stay here until the rats get you!” + +“This isn’t the time of the inquisition!” Nancy declared fiercely. “You +can’t get away with murder!” + +“Murder? Who said anything about murder? What a harsh word! I’ll just +leave you and your friend here and go away. If anything happens—” Dowd +shrugged his shoulders indifferently. + +“The police will be after you in a day!” Jacob Aborn cried. + +“Oh, no they won’t. Stumpy is nobody’s fool. I’ll cover up my trail.” + +“You think you will,” Nancy informed him. “Every criminal thinks he’ll +escape.” + +“And I will too,” Stumpy boasted. “I’m too clever to be caught. Oh, I +guess I’ve put over my little scheme pretty slick. Not a person +suspected that I wasn’t the real Jacob Aborn.” + +“Then you admit your guilt?” Nancy demanded. + +Stumpy regarded her appraisingly. + +“You’re a smart detective, but your smartness won’t do you any good this +time! I don’t mind admitting I pulled the deal single handed, because +you’ll never get out of here to squeal on me.” + +As neither Jacob Aborn or Nancy Drew made a response, he continued +boastingly. + +“I’m all fixed for my get-away to-night. Would have waited until +to-morrow if you hadn’t come nosing into my business.” He glared at +Nancy. “I’ve cashed in all the Pendleton property, and my suitcases are +packed. When I leave here, I’ll get them and beat it in a new racing car +I bought to-day. I’d like to see the police or anyone catch me, once I +get started!” + +“You’ll pay for it some day!” Jacob Aborn cried angrily. “Robbing an +orphan! I’m thankful poor Laura is out of your clutches.” + +“Oh, you think she is, do you?” Stumpy laughed evilly. “Well, let me +tell you I know where she’s hiding.” + +A look of horror came into Mr. Aborn’s eyes, for his one consolation had +been the thought that his ward was safe. + +“I heard you two talking,” Stumpy informed them. “I found out she’s in +River Heights, and I’m going there to-night!” + +“Don’t you dare harm Laura Pendleton!” + +In spite of his condition, Jacob Aborn struggled in his chains, +attempting to attack Stumpy. With one blow, the scoundrel sent him +reeling against the wall. + +“I don’t care what becomes of that ward of yours,” he snarled. “It’s the +jewels I want. I’ll fix Laura for sneaking away with them.” + +“If you try to kidnap Laura you’ll have my father to deal with,” Nancy +promised. “He’s a criminal lawyer!” + +“A criminal lawyer, eh? Well, I may take a shot at him just for luck.” + +As Stumpy spoke, he caught sight of an object on the floor. It was the +key to the padlock on Aborn’s chains. When Nancy had fallen, it had +slipped from her hand. + +“Well, I’ll just take it with me,” he announced gleefully, as he picked +it up. + +As he was about to thrust it into his pocket, another thought came to +him. He hung it on a nail, far out of the reach of the two prisoners. + +“You can look at it until you rot,” he told them. + +Turning, he started to leave the cellar. Halfway across the room, he +came back and stood gloating down upon Nancy. + +“You thought you were so clever, sneaking into my house and spying on +me. You the daughter of a brilliant lawyer! Well, let me tell you +something—you overlooked one important detail.” + +Nancy stared blankly at Stumpy. She was at a loss to know how she had +given herself away. + +“The next time you’ll remember to muffle the engine of your automobile +when you leave!” He gave a hollow laugh which echoed through the place. +“The next time!” + +“You fiend!” Jacob said fiercely. + +“Thank you for the compliment,” Stumpy made an elaborate bow. “And now, +I fear I must say good-bye. Too bad you can’t come with me. I shall live +high in some other country.” + +With another mocking bow, he turned and left the two prisoners. They +heard him stumble up the stairway and slam the door at the top. + + + + + CHAPTER XVIII + LEFT TO STARVE + + +A deathlike quiet fell upon the old bungalow. Nancy Drew and Jacob Aborn +stared at each other in despair. Stumpy Dowd had dared to carry out his +threat. He had left them in the cellar to starve. + +Fastened to the wall at opposite sides of the room, they were unable to +help each other. Aborn’s bonds were such that he could move about, but +his tether was too short to permit him to reach Nancy, who lay on the +floor, bound hand and foot. Their situation seemed hopeless. + +In his haste, Stumpy Down had forgotten the lantern, and now its dim +light served to reveal the sordidness of the prison. In a short time the +oil would burn out and then they would be left in the dark—a darkness +which would soon drive them mad. + +However, Nancy Drew’s first thought was not for herself, but for Laura. +She recalled Stumpy’s threat, and was afraid that he would go to River +Heights and attempt to harm the girl. + +“I hope dad is home from St. Louis,” she thought miserably. “He’ll look +after her.” + +At the best, she knew that Laura would be left penniless. Even now +Stumpy was making his escape with the Pendleton fortune. After going to +River Heights he would undoubtedly strike for the border. Once in a +foreign country he would enjoy his ill-gotten gains in comparative +safety. + +The same thought was passing through the mind of Jacob Aborn, for in +desperation he sprang up from the bench and paced the floor like a caged +lion. He shook his chains and beat them wildly against the stone wall +until his wrists were cut and bleeding. + +“If I could only get my hands on that wretch!” he cried bitterly. + +Again he clawed at his chains, but could not break them. In vain he +pounded the padlock against the floor. Not until he was completely +exhausted did he give up. Then he quietly collapsed on the bench. + +“Oh, my poor Laura,” he half sobbed. “And to think that I promised her +mother I’d always look after her.” + +Nancy gazed upon the man in compassion, but could think of nothing to +say in comfort. The situation seemed unreal to her. She felt that it was +a horrible nightmare, from which she must soon awaken. + +However, the dull ache in her head and the cutting ropes were severe +reminders of her plight. If only she could find a means of escape! + +She considered shouting for help, but almost at once decided that it +would only be a waste of energy. The bungalow was located in a desolate +portion of the forest and seldom did anyone pass near the spot. Jacob +Aborn had been held a prisoner for nearly two weeks, and had been unable +to make his cries heard. + +It was characteristic of Nancy Drew to keep her head when faced with a +grave problem. Stumpy Dowd had left her to die, but the will to live was +strong within her. She would not give up without a brave struggle. + +“If only I can free my hands!” she thought grimly. + +She glanced down at the ropes meditatively. To the eye there was no +space between the thongs and her wrists, and yet if she had made no +mistake, she should be able to move her hands in such a way that she +could slip out of the ropes. If only the trick would work! + +Giving her wrists a peculiar twist, she was elated to find a little +slack in the ropes. She tried to slip her hands from the bonds but could +not. However, Nancy was not ready to give up. She hoped that by moving +her hands back and forth, she would eventually be able to free herself. + +Frantically she began working at the ropes. After a few minutes, her +wrists became chafed and tender, but the knowledge that she was making a +little progress gave her new courage. + +After a time, Jacob Aborn sat up on the bench at the opposite side of +the room. He said nothing as he watched her work, and his very silence +told Nancy that he had given up all hope of escape. Presently, however, +his interest quickened. + +“You’re getting it?” he demanded eagerly. + +“I think so,” Nancy returned. + +Grimly she struggled to free herself. Her hands and wrists were now +bleeding, but she was oblivious of the cuts and bruises. The realization +that Stumpy Dowd was speeding toward River Heights to make trouble for +Laura drove her to more frantic efforts. She must escape! + +Then, without warning, the light in the lantern went out and the room +was plunged in darkness. The supply of oil had been exhausted. + +Nancy found it more difficult to work, but she kept doggedly on. Each +minute seemed an eternity. Then after a quarter of an hour, success was +hers. + +With a cry of pleasure, she pulled her hands free from the ropes. + +“I did it!” she cried. + +Jacob Aborn sprang up from the bench, his chain clanking loudly against +the floor. + +“Then we’ll escape! We may be able to catch that scoundrel yet!” + +Nancy did not respond, for she was working grimly at the ropes which +bound her feet. Stumpy had tied the knots securely and they were +stubborn. She could have severed the ropes in an instant with a knife, +but was forced to pick them out with her fingers. It was tedious work. + +“There!” she exclaimed, as she untied the last knot. “I’m free!” + +She sprang to her feet, and tottered uncertainly. The blow on her head +had left her dizzy, and her limbs were cramped from lack of circulation. +Leaning weakly against the wall, she recovered her equilibrium. + +“Have courage!” she called out to Jacob Aborn. “I’ll set you free in a +minute if I can find the key!” + +“It’s hanging from a nail on the north wall,” Mr. Aborn directed her +eagerly. + +Stumbling across the cellar, Nancy groped about on the damp wall. Stumpy +had hung the key in plain sight of his two victims as a means of +torturing them, but now his action served them to advantage. + +Nancy struck a nail with her hand and the key clattered down at her +feet. Fumbling about in the dark, she found it and ran to Jacob Aborn’s +side. + +Quickly working at the padlock, she set the man free. The chains fell to +the floor with a loud thud. + +“Now to catch Stumpy Dowd!” she cried. “We must hurry or he will get +away!” + +“He had to go back to the house after the money,” Jacob Aborn said +tensely. “We may catch him there!” + + + + + CHAPTER XIX + IN PURSUIT + + +Nancy Drew urged Jacob Aborn to make haste, for she little realized to +what desperate physical straits his long imprisonment had brought him. +At the exultation of being free of his bonds, he had leaped to his feet +in the dark cellar, eager to rush to the bungalow on the lake before +Stumpy Dowd should have a chance to escape. But as he moved forward +several steps, he felt his knees sink uncertainly. + +Nancy, unaware of the physical anguish Jacob Aborn was enduring, groped +about in the darkness for the bottom step of the stairway leading from +the cellar. Presently her foot touched it, and she called out to her +companion. He dragged himself to her side, scarcely able to walk. + +“Are you ill, Mr. Aborn?” Nancy demanded anxiously. She could not see +his face. + +“Oh, no!” the man protested quickly. “I’m only a bit weak from being +tied up like a dog in a kennel. My legs will be all right after I’ve +used them a few minutes.” + +But try as he would, the man was unable to climb the stairway +unassisted. Nancy, realizing his predicament, reached out a strong arm +to help him. + +Even then Jacob Aborn was forced to stop frequently for a brief rest, +leaning upon Nancy for support while he recuperated his strength. But at +last the top of the stairway was reached, and he then insisted that he +was able to walk without her help. + +Nancy led the way to the living room window, and after climbing out to +the porch, assisted Jacob Aborn to crawl through the opening. + +“What a relief!” he gasped, filling his lungs with pure air. “This is +the first decent breath I’ve had in nearly two weeks!” + +In the east, the moon was just rising over the forest, and stars were +commencing to peep through the clouds which were now breaking up and +drifting swiftly along the sky like scudding ships at sea. The cellar +had accustomed Nancy’s eyes to a blacker darkness than that which now +faced her, and it was possible to make out objects well enough to pick +the route through the forest. Yet, glancing uneasily at Jacob Aborn, she +wondered if he would be able to walk the short distance to the roadster. + +“Do you think you can make it?” she questioned. “It isn’t far to my +car.” + +“I think so,” Laura’s guardian declared grimly. + +Nancy offered her arm again, and at a slow pace they walked across the +clearing. Entering the forest, they had gone but a short way when Mr. +Aborn sank down on a log along the trail, breathing heavily. + +“I’ve got to rest,” he murmured, his voice shaky from fatigue. “You go +on without me, Nancy!” + +“Just rest here for a moment, Mr. Aborn,” Nancy said encouragingly. “I’m +sure you will be all right in a few moments.” + +She was unwilling to desert Jacob Aborn, for if she went on ahead, she +was afraid he would never reach the bungalow on the lake. At the same +time, she was impatient at the delay. Already, Stumpy Dowd had a good +half-hour’s start. Unless they hurried, he would escape with Laura’s +fortune. Once he had left the bungalow it would be difficult to pick up +his trail again. + +“It’s only a little way farther to the car,” Nancy urged gently after +Mr. Aborn had rested for a few minutes. + +With an effort, he arose from the log and wavered unsteadily on his +feet. + +“I can make it now,” he insisted. “We can’t let that scoundrel escape!” + +Leaning heavily on Nancy, he moved forward again, more rapidly than +before. His breathing came hard, but he offered no complaint and refused +to pause again even for a brief rest. His nerve carried him along. For +Laura’s sake he exerted himself to the utmost. + +It was a walk that Nancy never forgot. Time and again Jacob Aborn +stumbled and would have fallen headlong had it not been for the sturdy +support the girl gave him. + +“You’d better leave me and go ahead alone,” he said several times. “I’m +willing to try my best, but I know I can’t make it.” + +“Oh, yes you can, Mr. Aborn,” Nancy urged. “It’s only a short distance +now to the place where I left my roadster. As soon as we reach that +you’ll be safe.” + +“You’re a very kind girl to do all this for me,” murmured the exhausted +man. + +“We’ve got to do it. Think of Laura,” and thus Nancy urged him forward. + +Through the bushes and around a number of the rocks they stumbled. Once +both went headlong, and Nancy had almost all the wind knocked out of +her. But she picked herself up and managed to drag the man once more to +his feet. + +“How much farther?” he whispered hoarsely. + +“Only a short distance,” she answered as lightly as she could. “Keep up +your courage and we’re bound to get there.” + +Presently, with a feeling of relief, Nancy caught sight of her +automobile standing in the bushes where she had left it. Although she +had not mentioned her fears to Jacob Aborn, she had been afraid that +Stumpy Dowd might have taken the car. + +Hastily helping Laura’s guardian into the roadster, she sprang in after +him and took her place behind the steering wheel. With nervous haste, +she started the motor and backed around in the road. The car shot +forward in a burst of speed. + +Neither driver nor passenger exchanged a word as they raced madly toward +the bungalow. Nancy had her hands full managing the steering wheel, for +she was taking the rough road at dangerous speed. + +Driving as near the bungalow as possible, she helped Mr. Aborn to +alight. + +Abandoning the automobile, they started afoot through the forest. As +before, Nancy offered Mr. Aborn her arm, helping him along. She was +relieved that he walked with less difficulty. + +A few minutes, and they came to the clearing. Directly ahead, they +caught a glimpse of the house. To their disappointment the windows were +dark. + +“I’m afraid the bird has flown,” Nancy observed quietly. + +“It looks that way,” Jacob Aborn admitted gloomily. + +“Still, he may be there yet. The windows were dark earlier in the +evening, and he was here then.” + +“At least, it will be wise to approach cautiously.” + +“Yes, we’re unarmed and would be no match for him if he heard us coming. +We don’t want to place ourselves in his power a second time.” + +“Oh, if I can get my hands on that scoundrel!” Jacob Aborn gritted. + +The thought gave him new strength, and he moved eagerly forward again. +Cautiously, the two crept toward the house, approaching from the rear. + +“You haven’t a key, I suppose?” Nancy whispered. + +“No. That villain took it away from me along with everything else.” + +“Never mind, I know a way to get in.” + +However, as Nancy drew near the bungalow, she saw that there was no need +of a latchkey. The back door stood ajar, as though someone had fled +without taking time to shut it. + +With Mr. Aborn close behind her, Nancy Drew stepped cautiously into the +kitchen. There was profound silence. The bungalow appeared deserted. + +Crossing the room on tiptoe, she groped about on the kitchen table and +found an oil lamp. Lighting it, she picked it up and hurried toward the +living room. + +Pausing in the doorway, she cast a critical glance about and saw that +everything was in disorder. A chair had been overturned, a small rug was +out of place, papers were scattered all about. The two suitcases which +Stumpy Dowd had packed earlier in the evening were missing. + +“He’s escaped!” Nancy exclaimed in bitter disappointment as she surveyed +the confusion. + +Just then her eye fell upon the safe and she saw that the door was wide +open. With a little cry of alarm she rushed across the room and looked +inside. With the exception of a few papers, everything had been taken. + +Snatching up the papers, Nancy hastily examined them. As she had feared, +they were worthless. + +“Laura’s fortune!” she cried angrily. “That rascal has escaped with +every penny of it!” + +“Oh, my poor Laura!” Jacob Aborn groaned. + +He moved heavily over to the safe and gave it one hopeless glance. + +“He’s taken everything of mine, too! I don’t mind for myself—it’s only +that Laura must suffer for my negligence.” + +“It wasn’t your fault, Mr. Aborn. We’ll capture that man somehow! We +must notify the police! I’ll telephone the station this minute!” + +“You can’t. There isn’t a phone in the house.” + +“You have no phone?” Nancy echoed. “Oh, what an aggravation!” + +“Oh, why didn’t I have one installed?” Jacob Aborn demanded of himself. +“I always intended to.” + +“Where is the nearest one?” + +“At the hotel.” + +“Then we must go there at once.” + +“I’m afraid it will be too late. That scoundrel has too great a start.” + +“We must try to capture him, anyway! With luck we can do it!” + +“Yes, we must try!” Jacob Aborn exclaimed. + +He started toward the door, but was forced to grasp the back of a chair +for support. Nancy ran to him and eased him into the chair. + +“You’re too ill to go!” she cried. + +One quick glance had assured her that he was on the verge of collapse. +Only the hope that he might save Laura Pendleton’s fortune had given him +the strength to reach the bungalow. Now he was too nearly exhausted to +go farther. + +Mr. Aborn dropped his head on his hands. + +“I guess I’m done up,” he admitted. + +“Of course you must stay here,” Nancy insisted. “I’ll send a doctor to +you.” + +“Don’t think about me. Just set the police on the trail of Stumpy Dowd!” + +“I’ll do both. And as soon as I telephone to the police, I intend to +start after Stumpy myself.” + +“But the danger! You must think of your own safety!” + +“I’ll be careful,” Nancy promised as she turned away. “Just stay here +and rest until the doctor comes. I must hurry now. Every minute counts.” + + + + + CHAPTER XX + NANCY’S DARING ACTION + + +Leaving Jacob Aborn behind, Nancy Drew turned and ran from the bungalow. +As she sped swiftly down the path, she passed the garage and halted long +enough to glance inside. + +Stumpy’s racing car was gone. Nancy stooped down and examined the +driveway, but it was too dark for her to see the wheel tracks. However, +she was fairly certain that the man had taken the lake route, for there +was no road through the forest in the immediate vicinity of the +bungalow. Nancy had been forced to leave her own roadster a short +distance away. + +“It’s not going to be easy to capture Stumpy,” she thought. “A good many +roads branch off from the lake thoroughfare. That man is a clever +criminal and he’ll take care to cover up his trail.” + +Running through the forest, she reached her roadster and sprang in. +Quickly starting the motor, she headed the automobile down the road. To +reach the Beach Cliff Hotel, it would be necessary for her to follow the +forest a short distance until it joined the lake road. From there she +would have a fairly straight, smooth stretch to the hotel. + +The rough forest road held Nancy to a slow pace, but when she reached +the lake thoroughfare she stepped on the accelerator, and the little car +began to purr like a contented cat. + +She soon caught a glimpse of the lights of the hotel, and a few minutes +later brought the roadster to a halt in front of the inn. Without +bothering to park the car according to the regulations, she sprang to +the ground and ran inside. + +As she entered the lobby, a number of persons turned and stared at her +curiously. Nancy Drew was well aware that her hair was in disorder and +that her clothing was in disarray, but she was indifferent to her +appearance. + +Rushing to a row of telephone booths, she saw at a glance that they were +all in use. Without a moment’s hesitation she rushed back to the main +desk and, to the astonishment of the clerk in charge, snatched up his +private telephone. + +[Illustration: NANCY RUSHED BACK, AND TO THE ASTONISHMENT OF THE CLERK, +SNATCHED UP HIS PRIVATE TELEPHONE.] + +“The public telephones are at the end of the hall,” he told her with +pointed politeness. + +“Sorry,” Nancy apologized briefly. “This is a rush call.” + +Placing an emergency call for the police station, she waited +impatiently. The hotel clerk, who had heard her directions to the +telephone operator, underwent a sudden change of expression. + +“Hello? Hello?” Nancy said frantically into the transmitter. “Police +station?” + +After a seemingly interminable wait, she was connected with the chief, +and in a few terse sentences told what had happened. + +“I think he must have taken the lake road,” she finished. “He may be +heading for River Heights before he strikes out for some distant point.” + +“We’ll have a squad right after him,” came the reassuring response. + +Nancy hung up the receiver, and stood lost in thought for a moment. + +“I must telephone to River Heights and warn Laura,” she decided. + +Again she placed a call, and waited impatiently for it to be put +through. Several minutes passed and then at last the bell jangled. +Eagerly she caught up the receiver and held it to her ear. + +“Your party does not answer,” came the precise voice of the operator. + +“That’s strange,” Nancy thought, in alarm. “I can’t understand why Laura +didn’t answer. Surely, she must be there, unless——” + +Even in her mind, she dreaded to finish the sentence. Stumpy Dowd had +threatened to go to River Heights and force Laura to hand over the +jewels to him, but Nancy doubted that he could have reached the place so +quickly. Still, it was only twenty miles away, and Stumpy’s car was +built for speed. + +The thought that even now Laura might be in grave danger struck terror +to Nancy Drew’s heart. She would never forgive herself if anything +happened to the girl while she was a guest in the Drew residence. + +“If only father were at home, he could help me,” she thought miserably. + +The hotel clerk had overheard Nancy’s conversation, and now regarded her +with respect and curiosity. + +“Is there anything I can do to help?” he inquired. + +“Yes, send a doctor to Jacob Aborn’s bungalow as quickly as you can.” + +“At once.” + +“And telephone to points along the road between here and River Heights, +warning the police to be on the watch for a man in a racing car.” + +“How about the radio stations?” + +“By all means! I can give you a description of the man.” + +Hastily, Nancy described Stumpy as best she could. Before she had +finished, a number of hotel guests had crowded about the desk, +suspecting that something unusual had happened. They would have plied +Nancy with questions which would have delayed her, had she not run from +the lobby and jumped into her roadster. + +A moment she hesitated uncertainly. + +“The police may catch Stumpy, and again they may not,” she told herself +grimly. “I’m going to try to pick up the trail myself.” + +With sudden decision, she headed the car down the lake road. Although +not paved, the highway was well dragged, and with a smooth stretch +before her, Nancy Drew pressed her foot hard upon the gasoline pedal. +The little blue car fairly roared down the road as though it, too, were +eager to overtake Stumpy Dowd. Ordinarily, Nancy was not a fast driver, +but now she knew that much depended upon her speed. Once Stumpy crossed +the state line, it would be more difficult to cause his arrest. + +Nancy Drew was a brave girl, and was too intent upon preventing the +man’s escape to consider seriously the danger which she might be running +into herself. Alone and unarmed, she would find herself at a hopeless +disadvantage should she meet the criminal face to face. + +Presently, on a distant hill, Nancy caught the gleam of a headlight. +Another automobile was coming toward her. + +“I’ll stop those people and ask if they’ve passed a racing car,” she +decided upon sudden impulse. + +Bringing her automobile to an abrupt halt in the middle of the road, she +signaled for the approaching car to stop. It was a brown sedan, and as +it came within the range of her headlights, Nancy thought there was +something familiar about it. + +The automobile came to a stop not far from her roadster. + +“Hello, there,” a voice called out. “What’s the matter?” + +With a start, Nancy Drew recognized the voice. + + + + + CHAPTER XXI + LAURA BEGINS TO WORRY + + +Not without misgiving, Laura Pendleton stood at the window of the Carson +Drew residence and watched Nancy start off for Melrose Lake in her +roadster. + +“Perhaps I shouldn’t have allowed her to take that note to my guardian,” +she thought uneasily. “Nancy is going to a great deal of trouble and +risk for me. I’m afraid it isn’t fair to involve her in my affairs.” + +After a time, she entered the library and tried to interest herself in a +novel. She found she could not remember a word she had read, so laid the +book aside in a little while. Walking restlessly to the window, she +glanced out. + +“I may as well do some shopping,” she decided. “It will help me kill the +time and help me forget my troubles.” + +She told Hannah Gruen where she was going, and then started off afoot +for the business section of River Heights. The day was a pleasant one, +and as she walked briskly along, her worries seemed less real. + +Reaching a department store, Laura entered and purchased a few articles +for which she had urgent need. In her hasty departure from Melrose Lake, +she had forgotten a great many things. However, she made her purchases +with the utmost caution, for with the exception of a twenty dollar bill +in her purse, she was without funds. When that was gone she did not know +what she would do. + +“I’ll never sell or pawn mother’s jewels, even if I starve,” she told +herself. “I’ll manage some way. Perhaps Nancy will help me find work.” + +Carrying her packages with her, Laura walked slowly back to the Drew +residence. Already, the evening shadows were beginning to gather. In +another hour or two it would be dark. As she passed the garage, she +noticed that it was empty. Nancy had not returned. + +“I do hope she gets back before dark,” Laura thought anxiously. + +Entering the house, she had not had time to put away her things when the +telephone jangled. A minute later, the housekeeper told her that there +was a long-distance telephone call for her. + +“It’s from Miss Nancy, I think,” Hannah Gruen said. + +“Oh, I hope nothing has happened!” + +Eagerly, Laura snatched up the telephone receiver. Nancy’s quiet voice +at the other end of the wire reassured her. However, as she listened to +her friend’s daring plan, she was somewhat alarmed. Still, other than to +warn Nancy to be careful, she made no protest, for she felt that her +friend’s judgment was probably better than her own. + +“If I’m not back or haven’t telephoned within twenty-four hours, send +the police to your guardian’s bungalow,” Nancy told her. + +Laura promised, and a moment later hung up. Before she turned away from +the telephone, she regretted that she had not asked Nancy to give up her +plan. + +“She doesn’t realize what a mean man Jacob Aborn is,” she told herself. +“If he catches her prowling about the bungalow at night there’s no +telling what he may do.” + +Tempted to call Nancy back, she picked up the telephone again. With her +hand on the receiver, she hesitated. + +“I’m just a little coward,” she accused herself. “I’ll not let my nerves +get the best of me this time.” + +Resolutely she turned away. Presently, Hannah called her to dinner, and +she made a pretense of eating, but was relieved when the dessert dishes +were cleared away. Returning to the living room, she tried to read the +evening paper. The hours dragged slowly along, and still there was no +sign of Nancy. Several times Laura walked to the window and cast a +hopeful glance down the driveway. + +“I suppose it’s too early to expect her home,” she told herself. + +As she crossed to the window for perhaps the tenth time that evening she +was surprised to see a tall, elderly man coming up the walk toward the +house. Although Laura had never seen him before, she was instantly +convinced that it was Carson Drew. + +He thrust open the front door and his eyes fell upon her. + +“Hello, Nancy,” he called. “It’s good to get back home again! Oh, I beg +your pardon! I couldn’t see your face. I thought you were my daughter.” + +“I don’t wonder you are surprised to find a stranger in your home,” +Laura said, with a friendly smile. + +Quickly, she introduced herself and told Carson Drew what had happened +and why Nancy had gone to Melrose Lake. She ended by apologizing for her +presence in the house. + +“You’re entirely welcome to our hospitality,” Mr. Drew assured her +cordially when she had finished her story. “But I’ll admit I’m rather +worried about Nancy. Tell me more about that guardian of yours. What +does he look like?” + +Laura gave a detailed description of the man. + +“H-m! Did you say that his name is Jacob Aborn? Wait a minute.” + +Walking over to the desk he began to rummage in a drawer. Laura noticed +the stern expression on his face and was troubled. + +After a brief search, Carson Drew brought out a small photograph and +handed it to Laura. + +“Is that your guardian?” + +Laura stared at the photograph in amazement. + +“Why, it is! It’s Jacob Aborn!” + +Carson Drew shook his head. + +“That man is Stumpy Dowd.” + +“I don’t understand.” + +“Stumpy Dowd is a clever criminal. He has a long police record. Just now +he is at large.” + +“Stumpy Dowd!” Laura exclaimed in horror. “You mean my guardian is a +criminal?” + +“It looks that way, and a particularly tough one at that.” + +“And Nancy has gone up there to see him! What if something should happen +to her!” + +“We must get in touch with her at once! Do you know the hotel where she +is staying?” + +“Yes. But it’s pretty late now. Perhaps she isn’t there.” + +“That’s what we want to find out.” + +Now thoroughly excited, Laura ran to the telephone and placed a call to +the Beach Cliff Hotel. Impatiently, Carson Drew waited for a response. +When the bell finally rang, he snatched up the receiver. + +“Hello?” he said eagerly. + +It was the voice of the hotel telephone operator that greeted him. + +“We are unable to reach your party. Miss Drew is not in her room.” + +Carson Drew turned from the telephone, a drawn expression upon his face. + +“She’s not in,” he informed Laura. “That may mean anything, and again it +may not. I’m afraid Nancy is in trouble!” + +“Oh, what shall we do?” + +“I must go to Melrose Lake as quickly as I can.” + +“May I go too? It was my fault that Nancy went there, and I want to help +if I can.” + +“We may run into danger.” + +“I’m not afraid.” + +Laura, who by nature was timid, had suddenly become calm and determined. + +“Then get your things quickly.” + +As Carson Drew issued the order, he jerked open a drawer in the table +and pulled out a revolver. Hastily loading it, he stuck it in his +pocket. + +“I’m ready,” Laura announced. + +Rushing from the house, they climbed into Mr. Drew’s brown sedan. He +backed out of the garage and without stopping to close the doors behind +him, headed toward Melrose Lake. + +“Oh, I hope we get there in time!” Laura breathed. + +Carson Drew made no response, but his hands clenched more tightly on the +steering wheel. + + + + + CHAPTER XXII + A CHANCE MEETING + + +Nancy Drew could scarcely believe her ears when she heard an answering +shout from the automobile which had halted near her roadster. She +recognized the voice of her father. + +With a cry of joy, she sprang from the car and ran across the road +toward the sedan. + +“Father!” she cried. + +“Nancy!” + +As Carson Drew recognized his daughter, he hastily climbed out of the +sedan and welcomed her into his arms. + +“What a relief to find you safe and sound!” he exclaimed. “When Laura +told me why you had gone to Melrose Lake, I was afraid for you. What has +happened?” + +“Oh, everything! I guess I’m lucky to be alive! But there’s no time to +tell you now. We must capture Stumpy Dowd first. He’s escaping with +Laura’s fortune. Tell me, did you meet a racing car between here and +River Heights?” + +“Not that I recall.” + +“We met only two automobiles,” Laura added, “and both were family cars.” + +“Then Stumpy didn’t head for River Heights after all.” + +“He’s probably striking for the state line,” Carson Drew declared. + +“The police will look for him on the River Heights road. Stumpy will +escape unless we can pick up his trail ourselves. I was almost positive +he took this road.” + +“Perhaps he turned off before he had gone very far,” Carson Drew +suggested. “We passed a branch road down here about five miles. He may +have taken that.” + +“Where does it lead?” + +“To Hamilton, and from there across the state line.” + +“Then he probably took that road. Oh, if we can catch him! He has such a +head start!” + +“Come on! We can do it!” Carson Drew cried. He turned quickly to Laura. + +“Get in the roadster with Nancy,” he ordered. “If it comes to a battle, +you girls can drop back and be out of range of the bullets.” + +With alacrity, Laura obeyed. Nancy sprang in beside her. The motor of +the roadster was already running, and she had only to shift gears to be +off. She must pull out of the way before her father could turn his sedan +in the road. + +“I’ll go on ahead,” she shouted. + +“All right. But if you see Stumpy’s car, slow down and let me take the +lead.” + +Shifting gears, Nancy was off at top speed. A few minutes later, Laura +looked back and reported that Carson Drew was rapidly making up the +distance he had lost. + +Her eyes focused upon the road, Nancy Drew clung grimly to the wheel. +The little figured ribbon in the speedometer crept higher and higher +until the car wavered in the road. Reducing the speed slightly, she held +her foot steady on the gasoline pedal. + +A sharp curve would have been Nancy’s undoing, but she was fairly +familiar with the road and knew that for several miles she had a +straight stretch before her. + +“If only there isn’t another wretched detour to be made!” the girl +exclaimed. + +But there was no detour and for that straight stretch Nancy did some of +her fastest traveling, a rate of speed that often made Laura gasp in +alarm. + +“Oh, dear! don’t jump the fence or climb a tree,” gasped the girl. + +“I won’t,” answered Nancy. “But hold tight.” + +Yet, even at the rapid rate she was traveling, she doubted that it would +be possible to overtake Stumpy Dowd. She figured that he must have from +fifteen to thirty minutes start, and his automobile was equipped with a +special racing motor. Nancy’s roadster was high-powered, but it was not +reasonable to suppose that she could overtake the man unless luck +favored her. + +Removing her eyes from the road for one brief instant, Nancy glanced +anxiously at the gasoline gauge on the dash. To her relief, the tank +registered nearly three-quarters full. There was no need to worry on +that score. + +“Look!” Laura cried sharply. + +Nancy’s eyes came back to the road. Straight ahead she saw a small red +light. + +“It must be the tail light of an auto,” Laura declared uneasily. “Can it +be Stumpy?” + +Nancy did not reply at once, for she was too intent upon watching. +Although she promptly reduced the speed of her engine, she noticed that +the light was gradually becoming larger. At first she thought she must +be gaining on a car ahead. Then she decided that the light was not +moving. + +“I don’t believe it can be Stumpy,” she told Laura, “but we’ll take no +chances.” + +As the roadster slowed down, Carson Drew came closer in his sedan. Nancy +was about to permit him to pass when she looked again at the red light. +She was now close enough to see that it was a lantern. Speeding up, she +came to an obstruction across the road and was forced to halt. Carson +Drew pulled up alongside. + +“We can take the road to the right,” he shouted. “It leads to Hamilton. +Stumpy must have taken it.” + +Nancy was staring at a sign which read: + + Road under construction. + Travel at your own risk. + +“How about this road straight ahead?” she demanded of her father. + +“It’s a short cut to Hamilton.” + +“Then why not take it?” + +“It’s closed for construction work.” + +“But it’s not impassable, is it?” + +“Probably not. But at night——” + +“It’s our only chance, father. We’re so far behind Stumpy we’ll never +catch him unless we risk this short cut.” + +“You’re right,” Carson Drew said, with quick decision. “We’ll try it, +but we must drive carefully.” + +Springing from the sedan, he moved the barrier from the road and Nancy +drove through. At first the highway seemed no different from the one she +had been following, but before she had gone a mile, she saw the danger +signs which were in the form of steam shovels, wagons, and machinery +parked along the roadside. + +“Be careful!” Laura warned her. + +Soon the little roadster was wallowing in soft dirt, and each instant +Nancy half expected the wheels to sink to the hubs. The engine pulled +hard but did not stall. Nancy handled the wheel dexterously, weaving her +way around objects in the road. Laura, who clung to the side of the car +for dear life, was bounced roughly about. + +At last, as the worst of it seemed to be over, Nancy relaxed slightly. + +“Is father still coming?” she asked. + +Laura looked back. + +“Yes, he’s right behind.” + +“Then I guess we’re through safely. I can see a straight stretch ahead.” + +Again she stepped on the accelerator and the roadster responded with a +burst of speed. In a few minutes she reached the end of the road. Laura +hastily climbed out, and pulled away the barrier, permitting the two +automobiles to enter the main road. + +“We’ve cut off ten miles!” Nancy cried joyfully as Laura stepped back +into the roadster. “If we’re ever going to overtake Stumpy it ought to +be in the next few minutes!” + +As the little blue car plunged forward over the rough highway, the two +girls kept gazing alertly into the darkness beyond the glare of the +headlights, hoping to see the red tail light of Stumpy’s automobile. As +the minutes passed and still nothing appeared ahead, Nancy Drew began to +grow alarmed. + +After all, was it possible that she had made a mistake? Perhaps Stumpy +had taken another road and even now was across the state line speeding +toward the northern border. Laura expressed the fear. + +“I’m afraid we’re too late, Nancy.” + +“I’m not so sure about that, Laura!” Nancy’s voice was electric. + +“What do you see?” Laura demanded eagerly, as she saw her friend bending +low over the wheel. + +“A light! I think we’re approaching a car!” + +“I can’t see anything.” + +“Just a minute. I think it went down behind that hill just ahead.” + +There was a long moment of suspense, and then Laura gave a little +excited cry. + +“Oh, now I see it!” + +“And we’re gaining,” Nancy announced grimly. “I hope it’s Stumpy!” + +“Your father must have seen the light too,” Laura informed Nancy, +looking back. “He’s coming closer. Hadn’t we better let him go ahead?” + +“Yes, I’ll drop back in just a minute. But first I want to see if it is +Stumpy.” + +Nancy could not increase the speed of the roadster, for already she was +going as rapidly as she dared. She was elated to observe that little by +little she was creeping up on the car ahead. + +Soon the headlights of her roadster played upon the back of the vehicle, +and she observed that it was indeed a racing car. Even as she made the +observation, the driver looked back. For an instant, his face was +clearly illuminated. It was Stumpy Dowd! + + + + + CHAPTER XXIII + A BAD TURN + + +As Nancy Drew recognized Stumpy Dowd in the racing car directly ahead, +she remembered her promise to her father and pulled to the side of the +road. Carson Drew flashed by in the brown sedan. He, too, had recognized +Stumpy. + +Keeping close behind her father’s automobile, Nancy kept her eyes on the +red tail light. Stumpy, becoming aware that he was being followed, made +a sudden burst of speed, and the distance between the cars was +increasing. + +“Oh, he’s getting away,” Laura cried anxiously. + +“He’ll not escape!” Nancy returned grimly. “Dad is speeding up, too!” + +She, too, increased the speed of her roadster to keep in the race. And +what a race it was! With utter disregard for safety, Stumpy’s car lunged +over the rough roads, closely followed by Carson Drew’s sturdy sedan. To +Nancy and Laura, who maintained the reckless pace, it seemed a miracle +that the three automobiles remained between the fence posts. + +“We’re gaining again,” Nancy observed a minute later. + +Just then a shot rang out. + +Carson Drew had fired as a warning for Stumpy to halt. Instead of +stopping, he answered in kind. + +There came a vivid flash of fire from his car, and an instant report. +Stumpy had not shot into the air. A bullet whizzed dangerously close to +the windshield of the brown sedan. + +“Keep back, Nancy!” Carson Drew shouted. + +The warning was lost in the roar of the wind. On and on the three cars +raced. Stumpy gained ground, and then lost it again. Carson Drew +approached nearer and nearer. He would soon be within gun range, and +this time he intended to shoot at the automobile tires and force Stumpy +to halt. + +Nancy sensed that the end was drawing near, for it was apparent that the +racing car had reached its maximum speed. Stumpy was making his last +stand, and knew it. He looked back over his shoulder frequently now. +Nancy had never seen such reckless driving. Where would the mad race +end? + +Suddenly, a look of horror came into Nancy’s eyes. Straight ahead she +saw a huge black and white checkerboard sign at the side of the road. +Its significance sent a cold chill over her body. There was a sharp +curve to be made! At the rate the three automobiles were traveling they +could never stay on the road! + +Instantly, Nancy cut her throttle and slammed on the brakes. But to her +terror, she saw that her father and Stumpy Dowd were racing on. In their +eagerness, they had failed to see the warning sign. + +Speeding up again for an instant, Nancy leaned her head out the window +and tried to attract her father’s attention. + +“Stop!” she screamed frantically. “A curve!” + +Whether her father heard her or had seen the danger himself she did not +know, but he slammed on his brakes. The sedan skidded sideways, and for +a moment Nancy held her breath, fearful lest it turn turtle into the +ditch. By skillful manipulation of the steering wheel, Carson Drew +recovered control. + +The moment she had warned her father, Nancy tried to bring her own +roadster to a stop, but she had gained so much momentum that she dared +not slam on her brakes suddenly. Shutting off her gasoline and easing on +the foot brake gradually, she saw the curve ahead and estimated that she +would be able to make it without overturning. Laura, her face pale and +drawn, gripped the seat fearfully, but no cry escaped her. + +It was Nancy who gave a frightened exclamation. + +In the racing car ahead, Stumpy Dowd was oblivious of approaching +danger. He looked back over his shoulder and waved tauntingly as he saw +the distance between Nancy’s car and his own rapidly increase. + +“Look! Look! The curve!” Nancy shouted. + +She had shouted the warning involuntarily, for a moment’s reflection +would have told her that Stumpy could not hear. Too late the man saw the +danger. + +He slammed on his emergency brake, but already the sharp curve was at +hand. + +The racing car turned turtle at the edge of the road, wavered an +instant, then plunged over the side of a steep cliff! + +“Oh!” Laura screamed. “He’ll be killed!” + +As Nancy rounded the curve in safety and brought the roadster to a +quivering halt, she avoided for the moment looking down into the valley. + +But for only an instant did she hesitate to view the wreck of the racing +car. Springing from her roadster, she rushed to the edge of the road and +courageously looked down over the cliff. Laura came running after her, +and Carson Drew, who had just brought his sedan alongside of the +roadster, was close behind. + +In horror, the three gazed down into the valley. The car had rolled +nearly to the bottom of the little valley, and had overturned against a +bowlder. A wheel had been torn loose from its axle and the body had been +mashed in. There was no sign of Stumpy Dowd, but it was inconceivable +that he could still be alive. + +A silence held the trio as they gazed down upon the wreck and realized +that their own fate might have been similar. At last Carson Drew found +his voice. + +“I guess it’s all over with Stumpy now.” + +“Oh, he may be alive!” Nancy cried hopefully. “We must get him out of +the wreckage!” + +“You girls stay back,” Mr. Drew said quietly, for he did not wish to +expose them to a horrible sight. “I’ll see what I can do.” + +“No, father, you’ll need me to help if he’s still alive. I’ll go too,” +Nancy insisted. + +Following her father, she lowered herself over the cliff and grasped the +branch of a tiny tree to keep from falling. Laura hesitated a moment, +and then, summoning all of her courage, scrambled after her friend. + +The three rescuers half slid, half stumbled down the slope. There was no +sound from the vicinity of the wreck. + +“Stay back until I’ve had a look,” Carson Drew warned the girls again. + +Nancy intended to obey, for she had no desire to be the first to +investigate the wreckage. But as she scrambled down the side of the +cliff she saw a red flame flash up from the front end of the car. + +She knew what that meant. The automobile had caught fire. With the +gasoline tank in close proximity, there would soon be an explosion! + +“Hurry! Hurry!” she urged her father. + +Carson Drew had seen the flames, and he, too, realized the need for +haste. Unless they worked quickly it would be impossible to get Stumpy’s +body from the wreck. + +Sliding and falling down the slope, Nancy caught up with her father and +together they rushed toward the automobile. Flames were leaping up from +the front end. At any moment there might be an explosion. + +The car was half overturned and rested against a large bowlder. Stumpy +was pinned beneath the wreckage. With frantic haste, Nancy Drew and her +father reached under the automobile and dragged the man out. He lay limp +in their arms and it was with difficulty that they carried him away from +the burning car. + +“We got him out just in time,” Mr. Drew gasped as he carefully placed +Stumpy on the ground. + +Nancy looked back at the burning car and gave a little scream. + +“The money! Laura’s fortune!” + +Before Carson Drew could restrain her, she ran back toward the wreck. + +“Come back!” her father shouted. + +Nancy did not pause. Throwing caution to the wind, she reached the wreck +and groped about frantically. Her hand struck a suitcase and she dragged +it out. + +The heat was now almost unbearable, but Nancy would not be defeated. She +knew there was another suitcase, and she was determined to save it. + +Diving under the car for a second time, she found the bag and +triumphantly brought it out, only to be jerked from the scene by her +father. + +“Nancy! Nancy!” he cried. “Are you mad! Those suitcases aren’t worth +your life!” + +There was a sudden explosion. Instantly the combustible parts of the car +ignited and the dry grass in the immediate vicinity began to burn. + +As Nancy Drew realized what a narrow escape she had had, she trembled +slightly. + +“Oh, Nancy!” Laura clung weakly to her. “If anything had happened to +you——” + +“Well, I wanted to get those suitcases,” she defended her action. + +“What if they had burned?” Carson Drew demanded. + +“Then Laura would have been without her fortune. All her money is in +those two suitcases, unless I miss my guess.” + +“My money?” Laura gasped. “Then I do have a fortune?” + +“You certainly have,” Nancy assured her. + +“And you risked your life to save it for me! Oh, how can I ever repay +you?” + +“Don’t think about that now,” Nancy said quickly. “I have a long story +to tell you, but it must wait. Our first duty is to look after Stumpy.” + +Carson Drew had already turned his attention to the inert form which lay +on the ground. A deep gash had been cut in Stumpy’s forehead, and his +right arm had been badly broken. His face was deathly white, and he did +not appear to be breathing. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIV + STUMPY’S FATE + + +“I am afraid—” began Carson Drew, but did not finish the sentence. +Instead, he leaned over Stumpy Dowd and placed his fingers on the man’s +pulse. + +“Is—is he dead?” Nancy asked fearfully, after a few moments. + +Carson Drew relinquished Stumpy’s wrist and turned grave eyes upon his +daughter. + +“He’s still alive, but his heart action is very weak. I don’t believe +we’ll be able to get him to the hospital.” + +“But we must try!” + +“Yes, of course. But it’s not going to be easy to get him to the +automobile.” + +“There’s a blanket in my roadster. Perhaps we could carry him on that.” + +“I believe we could.” + +“Then I’ll get it.” + +Nancy scrambled up the cliff to the road and returned in a few minutes +with the blanket. The unconscious Stumpy was lifted gently and placed +upon it. + +Mr. Drew and the two girls gathered up the corners and began the +difficult climb. As they carried him to the automobile, Stumpy gave no +sign of recovering consciousness. + +“I’m afraid we can’t do him much good,” Mr. Drew commented, as they +stretched him out on the rear seat of the sedan. + +“I believe he’s recovering consciousness,” Nancy observed quietly. + +As she spoke the man stirred slightly and groaned. + +“That’s an encouraging sign,” Carson Drew declared. “We’ll rush him to +the hospital at Hamilton.” + +“I’ll go back after the suitcases, and catch up with you later,” Nancy +suggested. + +“All right. That will be wisest, I guess. We must rush Stumpy to the +hospital without a minute’s delay.” He turned to Laura. “Perhaps you had +better ride with me and keep an eye on Stumpy. I don’t think he will +recover enough to make trouble, but someone had best watch him. You +don’t mind?” + +“Of course not.” + +Laura climbed into the sedan with the lawyer, and Nancy watched them +drive away. Then she hurriedly descended the cliff and picked up the two +suitcases. She was tempted to open them to make sure that Laura’s +fortune was inside, but upon second thought decided that it would take +too much time. She must speed after her father and Laura. + +Dragging the heavy suitcases up the slope, she deposited them in the +roadster, and started down the road after the sedan. Although she drove +rapidly, she did not overtake her father. Reaching Hamilton, she stopped +at a gasoline station and asked the way to the police hospital. + +Arriving there, she saw her father’s sedan parked outside. Leaving the +two precious suitcases inside the roadster, she locked both doors and +ran inside. Laura was standing near the door and Carson Drew was talking +with the authorities. Presently, he came over to Nancy and Laura, +bringing a distinguished-looking man with him. + +Quietly he presented Mr. Howland, the chief of police. The man bowed to +both girls, but his eyes lingered upon Nancy after the introduction had +been completed. + +“I have just learned of the part you played in the daring capture of +Stumpy Dowd,” he said to her. “Allow me to congratulate you.” + +The chief of police extended his hand, and Nancy Drew accepted it with a +pleased smile. + +“It was really nothing,” she protested modestly. “I would never have +been suspicious of the man if I hadn’t been trying to help my friend. +Even after I discovered his identity, I might have fallen down on the +job if father hadn’t come along at the critical moment.” + +“I’m not sure about that, Miss Drew,” and the chief smiled. “You strike +me as a very resourceful young lady.” + +“Suppose there is no question that the man is really Stumpy Dowd?” Nancy +inquired. She was eager to change the subject to a less personal one. + +“Not the slightest. I came to the hospital just as soon as I was +notified that he had been captured and identified him myself. I would +know that face anywhere. He’s been in the rogues’ gallery for a good +many years, but has managed to keep out of the way of the police. He’s +led us a merry chase!” + +“Will he live?” + +“Stumpy is on the operating table now,” Carson Drew explained to Nancy. +“The doctor considers his condition very grave, but he may pull +through.” + +“And if he does he’ll get a long term in prison,” the chief added. + +Nancy was pressed for details of her part in the capture of the man. +However, in telling her story, she did not mention Jacob Aborn, for she +wished to surprise Laura later. + +“We may as well go back home,” Carson Drew said presently. “It may be +hours before we learn anything definite about Stumpy’s condition.” + +“If you’ll give me your telephone number, I’ll see to it that you are +kept informed,” the chief promised. + +After Mr. Drew had written his address and telephone number on a slip of +paper, the three left the building. + +“Ho-hum!” Carson Drew yawned sleepily. “I think it’s time we were all in +bed.” + +“Not yet,” Nancy declared importantly. “We must return to Melrose Lake.” + +“Why should we go back there?” + +“I’ll tell you when we get there,” Nancy announced mysteriously. “It’s a +surprise.” + +“Well, just as you say,” her father grumbled good-naturedly. “But I hope +the surprise is worth while, because I’m tired.” + +With Laura and Nancy riding in the roadster, the two automobiles started +off for Melrose Lake. This time, however, they traveled at a moderate +rate of speed. + +“Where in the world are we going?” Laura questioned, as Nancy turned +into a familiar side road. “Aren’t we heading toward my guardian’s +bungalow?” + +It was with difficulty that she spoke the word “guardian.” + +“Yes,” Nancy admitted. + +“Oh, why are we going back there? After all that has happened I don’t +believe I shall ever want to go back!” + +Nancy reached out and patted Laura’s hand reassuringly. + +“Just trust me,” she said smilingly. + +Nancy had selected the lake route and was able to drive the roadster +very nearly to the doorstep of the Aborn bungalow. Stopping the car, she +waited for her father, who was a short way behind. + +“Why, there’s a light inside the house!” Laura exclaimed. “And I can see +someone moving about!” + +Nancy Drew smiled and began to unload the suitcases from the back of the +roadster. + +“What are you up to, anyway?” Mr. Drew demanded, as he stepped out of +his sedan and came toward the girls. + +“You’ll soon find out,” Nancy laughed. + +“Here, I’ll carry those suitcases,” Mr. Drew picked up the two bags and +followed Nancy down the path toward the bungalow. + +Laura held back rather reluctantly, but Nancy kept pulling her along. +Boldly she opened the front door and stepped into the lighted living +room. + +“Laura!” a low voice murmured. + +Jacob Aborn arose from a chair and held out his arms. + +Laura hesitated, and glanced uncertainly from Nancy to Jacob Aborn. + +“Your real guardian,” Nancy said, “Jacob Aborn!” + +“My guardian! Oh!” + +With a little cry of joy, Laura went to him. For several minutes Nancy +and her father stood quietly watching the happy homecoming. Then at +last, they were swept into the conversation again. + +“Did the doctor come?” Nancy inquired, for she observed that Mr. Aborn +appeared much stronger than when she had left him a few hours before. + +“Yes, thanks to your kindness, Miss Drew. He said he thought I would be +all right in a few days. I feel much better already.” + +“I’m glad of that.” + +“I worried a great deal about you after you left. What happened? Did you +catch that scoundrel?” + +Nancy was forced to repeat the story a second time, and for the benefit +of her father and Laura, added the details of her imprisonment in the +deserted bungalow. + +“You took a great deal of risk,” Mr. Drew chided his daughter. “But I +must admit it was a clever piece of detective work.” + +“Thanks, dad.” + +“‘All’s well that ends well,’” Mr. Aborn quoted rather tritely. “But in +this case it didn’t end well.” + +“What do you mean?” Nancy asked quickly. + +“Laura has lost her fortune and I am penniless, too.” + +“Oh, no, Mr. Aborn! We recovered the money.” + +“I thought it burned up in the wreck.” + +“I should say not,” Laura broke in. “Nancy dragged those suitcases out +of the fire at the risk of her life.” + +“And to think we haven’t even looked to see if the money is there!” +Nancy exclaimed. “I guess we’ve been too busy the last hour.” + +“Let’s have a look now,” Mr. Drew proposed. + +Picking up one of the suitcases, he examined it critically. + +“Locked!” he announced. “And Stumpy probably has the key!” + +“Oh, how disappointing,” Laura murmured. + +“If there’s a hammer in the house, we can soon have these bags open!” +the lawyer declared. + +“I know where to find one!” Laura cried eagerly. “I’ll get it.” + +In a few minutes she returned from the kitchen and gave the hammer to +Mr. Drew. After a few sharp blows, the lock burst open. + +Anxiously, the four looked inside. Carson Drew pulled out a great deal +of clothing, but a careful examination revealed nothing of value. + +“Oh, the money isn’t there!” Nancy exclaimed in bitter disappointment. +“What could have become of it?” + +“There’s another bag,” her father reminded her. + +The lock was stubborn, but several hard blows broke it. As Mr. Drew +pushed back the cover there was a chorus of “ohs!” for there on top of a +pile of clothing were the missing bank notes. + +Jacob Aborn snatched up the neat packages of bills and hastily counted +them. Mr. Drew continued his search through the suitcase and unearthed a +small bundle of papers which he turned over to Laura’s guardian. + +“My property!” Jacob Aborn declared. + +“Is Laura’s money all here?” Nancy asked. + +“Every cent of it.” + +“Then I’m really not poor, after all,” Laura said happily. “Stumpy told +me I was practically a pauper.” + +“A pauper! Why, you’re rich. Your fortune amounts to more than a hundred +thousand dollars!” + +“A hundred thousand dollars! Oh, I can scarcely believe it.” + +“You deserve every cent of it,” Nancy said kindly. + +“The nicest part of all is that I have a guardian to love me,” Laura +returned wistfully. + +“And a guardian who will always try to make you happy,” Mr. Aborn added +feelingly. “You have suffered a great deal the last few weeks. I will do +my best to make it up to you.” + +“And I’ll look after you, too. You’ll need a good nurse for a few days.” + +“Then we’ll leave you in good hands,” Mr. Drew said as he picked up his +hat. “I gather that you don’t care to return to River Heights with us +now.” + +“Oh, no!” Laura said quickly, and then bit her lip and flushed. “I +didn’t mean that the way it sounded. You don’t know how I appreciate +everything you’ve done for me; but it’s just that I want to stay with my +own guardian.” + +“We understand,” Nancy said kindly, as she took Laura’s hand in her own. +“I’ll send your things to-morrow.” + +“But I’ll see you often, shan’t I?” + +“I hope so, Laura.” + +“River Heights is only twenty miles away. You must drive up often,” Mr. +Aborn put in. + +Laura thought for a moment. + +“Promise you’ll come next Sunday,” she begged. “You and your father must +both come. I have a special reason for asking.” + +“Do,” urged Mr. Aborn. + +“All right, we’ll come.” + +After Jacob Aborn and Laura had again thanked Nancy and her father for +what they had done, the two said good-bye and left the bungalow. As they +stepped out on the porch, Nancy chanced to turn her eyes toward the +east, and a startled expression came into her face. + +“What’s the matter now?” Mr. Drew asked. + +“The sun! It’s just coming up over the lake! We’ve been up all night.” + +“I feel like it, too,” her father grumbled. + +Nancy Drew did not hear, for she had turned toward the east again and +was observing the glory of the sunrise. It was symbolic, she told +herself, not only of a new day, but of a new life for Laura Pendleton. + + + + + CHAPTER XXV + LAURA’S GRATITUDE + + +Nancy Drew and her father did not forget their promise to call again at +Jacob Aborn’s bungalow, and the following Sunday afternoon found them on +the way to Melrose Lake. + +They started directly after a midday dinner which had been a rather +silent meal. + +It had rained a bit during the early morning but now the sun was shining +brightly and there was just enough breeze to make it pleasant. + +Nancy was driving her roadster while her father sat beside her, an +unlighted cigar between his lips. Neither said a word until the town was +left far behind and they were drawing towards the country of the lakes. + +“What are you thinking of, Nancy?” questioned her father at last. + +“I was thinking of Laura and of Mr. Aborn,” she replied. “I was +wondering if everything is turning out all right.” + +“It ought to—with Stumpy out of the way,” answered Carson Drew. + +“So it would seem. But Laura is such an unusual girl—and she went +through so much. I’d hate to see her break down and have a spell of +sickness.” + +“Oh, joy seldom hurts anyone, Nancy. Its real sorrow that pulls a person +down.” + +“I certainly hope the real Mr. Aborn proves to be all right.” + +“I think I’m a pretty good judge of character, and he looked all right +to me.” + +A little later they passed the spot where Nancy had first met Laura +during the awful storm—when the terror-stricken girl was on her way to +the Drew homestead. How many things had happened since then! + +Then they came in sight of the bungalow. + +As they drove up in the blue roadster, Laura Pendleton ran from the +house and greeted them enthusiastically. She was dressed in a bright +blue frock and seemed happier than Nancy had ever seen her. The change +was remarkable. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks were beginning to +fill out a trifle. + +“Oh, I’m so glad you came!” Laura cried eagerly, as she led them toward +the bungalow. + +As the two girls walked up the path arm in arm, Nancy lowered her voice. + +“How do you like your guardian?” she asked. + +“Oh, Nancy, he’s the kindest man in the world. He’s so good to me.” + +“I’m glad that you are happy here, Laura,” and Nancy smiled. “You didn’t +like the bungalow at first, you know.” + +“Oh, it wasn’t the house! It was Stumpy Dowd! Everything has changed +now. My guardian is planning so many wonderful things for me! But I’ll +tell you about that later.” + +“How is Mr. Aborn?” Nancy inquired solicitously. + +They had reached the porch by this time, and Jacob Aborn himself opened +the door. He had heard Nancy’s question. + +“I never felt better in my life,” he assured her. “I’ve had a wonderful +nurse.” + +Mr. Aborn drew up comfortable chairs for the two guests and sat down +beside Laura on the davenport. After the four had chatted for some time, +a maid served tea. Over the cups, Mr. Aborn told of his plans for his +ward. + +“I want her to rest this summer and enjoy her friends,” he declared. +“This fall, if I feel I can part with her for a few months, I’ll send +her to a girls’ school. You’ll like that, Laura?” + +“Oh, I’ll love it! I’ve always dreamed of going to a boarding school. +But of course I shan’t want to leave you.” + +“Don’t worry on that score, Laura. I’ll probably spend most of my time +coming to visit you.” + +“You’re spoiling me,” Laura laughed. She turned to Nancy. “Mr. Aborn is +planning so many wonderful things for me. He’s building a tennis court +in the yard, and I’m going to take swimming lessons!” + +“I want to get Laura a motorboat,” Mr. Aborn explained. “But think she +should know how to swim first.” + +“And the nicest of all—I’m to have a new roadster something like yours, +Nancy.” + +“Then you’ll be able to drive over to River Heights and see me often.” + +“Indeed I will. And you and your friend, Helen Corning, must come here. +We’ll have regular week end parties!” + +“By the way,” Jacob Aborn turned to Mr. Drew, abruptly changing the +subject. “Have you learned anything about Stumpy Dowd?” + +“Why, yes, I thought you knew.” + +“I’ve heard nothing.” + +“The Hamilton chief of police telephoned yesterday. You’ll not be +bothered by that man again.” + +“You mean—he’s dead?” + +“Oh, no,” Nancy broke in hastily. “His injuries weren’t as serious as +the doctor at first thought. He has been removed from the hospital and +sent to jail. He’ll probably get twenty-five years, eh, Dad?” + +“Thirty, I believe,” her father corrected. + +Jacob Aborn nodded in satisfaction. + +“Well, he’ll receive his just due at that. When I think of the way that +man tried to rob Laura——” + +“Oh, Nancy, we owe you so much,” Laura said earnestly. “You saved my +guardian’s life and you recovered my fortune.” + +“I hope you haven’t forgotten the night on Moon Lake when you rescued +Helen and me,” Nancy reminded her, with a smile. “It isn’t all +one-sided, you see.” + +“But you’ve repaid the debt threefold.” + +“Laura and I have been talking it over,” Mr. Aborn said quietly. “We +have been trying to think of a way to thank you.” + +“Oh, I don’t want any thanks,” Nancy returned hastily. “I really enjoyed +the adventure.” + +“I can’t say that I did,” Mr. Aborn responded ruefully. “Two weeks in a +dungeon!” + +“Nancy, you must accept some reward for what you did,” Laura insisted, +returning to the original subject. + +Nancy shook her head stubbornly. + +“But I have a fortune in my own name! Unless I give you money I don’t +know how to reward you.” + +“My reward is to know that you are happy, Laura.” + +“It’s so kind of you to say that, but I don’t feel right——” + +“I don’t want to hurt your feelings, Laura, but really I can’t accept a +reward.” + +“My daughter has solved a number of baffling mystery cases, and has made +a point never to take pay for her work,” Mr. Drew explained, coming to +Nancy’s rescue. + +“It doesn’t seem right not to give her anything.” + +“Nancy has accepted a number of souvenirs, as reminders of her various +adventures.” + +“Oh, I remember now!” Laura cried eagerly. “Helen Corning told me.” + +“I did take an old mantel clock for solving the mystery of the missing +Crowley will,” Nancy admitted. “And I accepted a silver urn for +discovering the ghost of the Turnbull mansion.” + +“Then it’s only right that you accept a souvenir for solving the mystery +of the deserted bungalow. Will you?” + +“Well—” Nancy hesitated. + +“Say, yes! It will make me feel so much better!” + +“All right, I agree.” + +Laura sprang from the davenport and hurried upstairs to her room. In a +few minutes she returned, bearing a tiny jewel case. + +“It isn’t half enough,” she declared, handing Nancy the box. + +“Oh, Laura, I’m afraid you’ve given me something expensive!” + +She lifted the cover of the box and gazed at the contents. The jewel +case contained a beautiful pendant of precious stones. + +Nancy gave a little exclamation of surprise and delight as she held the +necklace to the light. + +“Oh, Laura!” she breathed. “It’s gorgeous! But of course I can’t keep +it.” + +“Oh, you must! Why, you promised!” + +“I said I would accept a souvenir, but I never dreamed you would give me +anything so expensive. Didn’t this pendant belong to your mother?” + +“Yes. But that is no reason for you to refuse to take it. She would want +me to give it to you.” + +“But it’s such a precious keepsake to give away.” + +“It is precious,” Laura admitted quietly. “But I have other pieces that +mother left me. There is no one in the world I’d rather see have it than +you. If it were not precious I would not offer it. Please take it, +Nancy.” + +Laura’s expression was so earnest and pleading that Nancy Drew could not +find it in her heart to refuse. After all, she had given her promise. + +“I will keep it,” she said, with sudden decision. “And I’ll always prize +it highly.” + +After that, the conversation shifted to less personal subjects, and the +afternoon passed quickly. Before Mr. Drew and his daughter departed, +Laura escorted Nancy about the place, showing her the garden, the new +boathouse, and the site for the tennis court. + +“Only a week ago I fairly hated this place,” she said thoughtfully. “And +now I love it!” + +“A great deal has happened since that stormy night on Moon Lake when we +first met,” Nancy returned musingly. “As I look back, it doesn’t seem +possible we could have packed so much adventure into one short month.” + +“No, it doesn’t, but the adventures were mostly yours.” + +“I seem to have a way of getting into the thick of things,” Nancy +laughed. “Oh, well, everything came out right, and the nicest part of +all is that you have found a happy home.” + +“And wonderful friends!” + +An understanding silence fell upon the two girls, and for several +moments they stood arm in arm, looking out across the lake. Presently, +as they slowly moved on again, Laura Pendleton turned to her friend with +a twinkle in her eyes. + +“You’ve started quite a career for yourself, Nancy. I wonder if you’ll +have any more adventures?” + +Nancy gave a tired sigh. + +“Oh, I think I’ve had enough to last me for the rest of my life!” But in +her heart, she knew she had not. The love for mystery would always be +with her. + +And Nancy Drew’s adventuring days were by no means over. It was written +in the annals of the future that before many months had elapsed she +would be engrossed in a problem as puzzling as the bungalow mystery—a +problem which would tax her mental powers and ingenuity to the limit. + +But for the present, Nancy Drew was not pining for excitement or +adventure. The prospect of a restful summer with Laura Pendleton and +Helen Corning satisfied her completely. + + THE END + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78704 *** |