001

TableofContents

TitlePageCopyrightPageCHAPTERI-TheStolenCarCHAPTERII-ABombScareCHAPTERIII-AnUpsettingDelayCHAPTERIV-ANerve-TinglingRideCHAPTERV-TheMysteryatSunnymeadCHAPTERVI-Pirates’AlleyCHAPTERVII-ASwampAccidentCHAPTERVIII-TheVoodooPreacherCHAPTERIX-TheRiverPrincessCHAPTERX-ACuriousAlligatorCHAPTERXI-APuzzlingAttitudeCHAPTERXII-ASlyGetawayCHAPTERXIII-MississippiMishapCHAPTERXIV-GhostonBoardCHAPTERXV-AWeirdSceneCHAPTERXVI-LostintheBayouCHAPTERXVII-TheTowboatCaptainCHAPTERXVIII-TheSimmeringCaldronCHAPTERXIX-AMissingSuspectCHAPTERXX-AMasqueraderUnmaskedMatchWitswithTheHardyBoys®!MatchWitswithSuperSleuthNancyDrew!

Copyright©1981,1957bySimon&Schuster,Inc.Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.,amemberofThePutnam&

GrossetGroup,NewYork.PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanada.S.A.NANCYDREWMYSTERYSTORIES®isaregisteredtrademarkofSimon&Schuster,

Inc.GROSSET&DUNLAPisatrademarkofGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.eISBN:978-1-101-07736-8

2008Printing

http://us.penguingroup.com

‘IthinkthecloakedpirateisAlex,”NancywhisperedtoNed

CHAPTERI

TheStolenCar

“WOULD a trip to theMardi Gras interest you,Nancy, and also amystery to solve?” BessMarvinasked.Nancy Drew’s blue eyes sparkled and her attractive face became animated. She gazed

fondlyathertwobestfriendswhohadjustarrivedandwereseatedintheDrewlivingroom.BessMarvinwasblondandslightlyplump.Hercousin,GeorgeFayne,whohadbeengivenaboy’sname,wasanattractivebrunette.“Doyoumeanyou’reinvitingmetogowithyou?”Nancyasked.“That’sright,”Georgereplied.“OurNewOrleansrelativesareextendingan invitationnot

onlytoBessandme,butalsototheworld’sbestgirldetective!”Nancychuckled.“Thanks.Whatisthemysteryabout?”“I don’t know,”Bess replied. “But they indicated in their letter that itmust be solved by

MardiGrastime,whichisnotfaroff.You’lljustlovetheColonelandAuntStella.”“Theyhaveadaughter,haven’tthey?”Nancyasked.Bessnodded.“DonnaMaeischarmingandprettylikehermother.”“Butabitspoiled,”Georgeadded.Bess explained that Donna Mae had formerly been engaged to a wonderful young man,

named Charles Bartolome, who lived near the Havers outside of New Orleans. “But alongcameAlexUpgrove fromNewYorkandDonnaMae lostherheart tohimcompletely.TheirengagementisgoingtobeannouncedthenightofthebigballtheHaversaregivingatMardiGrastime.”“Itallsoundsmarvelous,”saidNancy.“Iaccepttheinvitation!”“Great!”Besshuggedherfriend.“Beforetheball,theHaverswillputonapageantofThe

SleepingBeauty.TheHaverswillbeking,queen,andprincess.Afterward,theywillgreettheirguestsintheseroyalcostumes.”“AndIsuppose,”saidGeorge,“AlexUpgrovewillbetheprince.”Bess,stillloyaltoDonnaMae’sformerfiancé,saidthatCharlesBartolomehadbeeninvited

totheball,buthadrefusedtoattend.“Youcan’tblamehim,”saidGeorgedryly.“Buthe’sbeingagoodsportandnotleavingajob

hepromisedtodo.Charlesisinchargeofrestoringtheshowboat.”GeorgeexplainedthatinabayouontheHaverpropertywasanold,abandonedshowboat,

theRiverPrincess.“TheColonelisplanningtohaveitbroughttoadockonhisestate.Theballwilltakeplaceinthetheaterontheboat.”“Oh, itwill be suchanexciting trip,” saidNancyenthusiastically. “Shallwedrive toNew

Orleansinmycar?”“We’dloveit,”thecousinssaidinunison.“Whendoyouwanttoleave?”Nancyasked.“Assoonaspossible,”Georgereplied.“TheColonelwrotethathewantstogetthemystery

clearedup‘rightquick.’”“I’lldomybest,”Nancysaideagerly.Justthen,theDrews’pleasanthousekeepercameintotheroom.AtonceNancytoldherof

theintriguinginvitation.HannahGruensmiledatthe,youngdetective.“Soyou’reoffonanothercase,Nancy.Well,I

venturetosayyouwon’treturnuntilyousolvethemystery.”

Middle-agedHannahGruen had livedwith the Drews since the death ofNancy’smothermanyyearsbefore.Shehadactedasmotherandcounselortothegirl.Nancy,inturn,hadadeepaffectionforHannah.“Howdoyouplantotravel?”Mrs.Gruenasked.WhensheheardthelongtripwastobemadeinNancy’sblueconvertible,Hannahlooked

dubious.“Areyougoingtodoallthedriving?”“Oh,BessandIwilltaketurns,”Georgespokeup.Hannahlookedrelieved.Butamomentlater,asshegazedoutthewindow,herfacetookon

aworriedlook.“I’mafraidthere’ssomesnowinstore,”shesaid.“Oh,Idohopeitholdsoffuntilyougirlsreachyourdestination.”“Don’tworry,Hannahdear,”saidNancyreassuringly.“We’reallexperienceddrivers,andmy

faithfullittlecarhasgonethroughpracticallyallkindsofweather.”Mrs. Gruen admitted thiswas true. “Whenwill you girls be leaving?” she asked, amore

cheerfulexpressiononherface.“Let’sstartthedayaftertomorrow,”Georgesuggested.“BessandIarealmostpackednow.

Isthatenoughtimeforyoutogetready,Nancy?”“Oh,yes.”After the cousins had left, Nancy telephoned her father, a prominent attorney in River

Heights.WhenMr.Drewheardabout theHavers’ invitationand themysteryNancywas tosolve,hesaid,“Goaheadbyallmeans.ThisisagoodopportunitytoseeNewOrleansandyougirlsshouldhaveawonderfultimeattheMardiGras.”Thenextday,NancyandHannahwentoverthegirl’swardrobeandchosewhattheythought

wouldbeappropriateforthetrip.Later,Nancydasheddowntowntobuyanewskirt,blouse,andplaysuittowearinNewOrleansincasetheweathershouldturnverywarm.When she returned, Nancy found the housekeeper inspecting a beautiful old black lace

shawl and an intricately carved ivory fan. “I found these in a trunk in the attic,” she said.“Theybelongedtoyourmother,Nancy.Wouldn’tyouliketousethemattheball,dear?”“Oh,yes,”Nancyagreedenthusiastically.“I’llgetacostumetogowiththem.”HannahGruenlefttheroomandNancylaidthelovelyoldshawlonthebed.Asshestood

beforethemirror,practicinghowtousethefan,Togo,herlittleterrier,ranintotheroom.“Hi,fellow!”Nancysaidtothedogassheturnedawayfromthemirror.Thenextmoment

shecriedout,“Togo,bringthatback!Dropit!”Themischievous terrierhadgrabbed the shawl inhis teethandgonedashingup thehall

withit.NancyraninpursuitandmanagedtogetholdofTogoandtheheirloom,butnotbeforehehadmadealongtearinthelace.“Oh,younaughtyboy!”Nancyscolded.The housekeeper came out of her bedroom and investigated the damage. “Don’t worry,

Nancy,IthinkIcanmenditsothetearwon’tshowtoomuch,”shesaidsoothingly.AnhourlaterHannahGruenbroughttheshawltoNancy’sroom.Thegirl’seyessparkled.

“Why,Ican’teventellwheretheripwas!”sheexclaimed,plantingakissonthehousekeeper’scheek.“Thankyousomuch.”ByeveningNancy’ssuitcasewaspackedandsheputitintheluggagecompartmentofher

convertible.WithTcgoatherheels,shelockedthecardoors,butleftthegarageopen,sinceherfatherhadnotyetreturnedwithhiscar.A short time after Nancy and Hannah had gone upstairs again, Togo began to bark

menacingly.“IthinkI’dbettergodownandseewhat’sbotheringhim,”Nancycalledtothehousekeeper.Nancyrandownstairs.Asshereachedthebackdoor,shewasthunderstrucktoseehercar

beingbackedfromthegarage!“Someone’sstealingit!”Nancygasped.Shehurriedlyturnedontheporchlight,openedthedoor,andranouttothedriveway.“Stop!”shecalledtothemanatthewheel.“Stop!”

Thedriver, insteadofslowingdown,putonaburstofspeed,swervingtherearof thecardirectly toward Nancy! The left fender grazed her, knocking her down! Then the driverstraightenedthewheelsandthecarroaredoff!

“Stop!”Nancycalledtothemanatthewheel

CHAPTERII

ABombScare

HANNAH GRUEN had hurried downstairs. From the kitchen doorway she saw Nancy fall.Withacryofalarmsherushedfromthehouse.“Areyouhurt?”thewomanasked.“It—Thecarjustknockedthewindoutofmeforthemoment,”Nancyreplied.As Hannah helped Nancy to her feet, the girl looked mournfully down the street as the

convertibledisappearedaroundthecorner.“I’llcallthepolice!”Hannahdeclared.SheandNancywent into thehouse.ThehousekeeperurgedNancy to liedown fora few

minutes,buttheyoungdetectiveinsistedupongoingtothephoneherself.“I cangive thepoliceadescriptionof thecar thief,” she said. “Hewasdarkand slender,

withsmall,piercingblackeyes.Hehadaverylowforehead,andhishair lookedcoarseandstiff.”“That’sanexcellentdescription,Nancy,”saidthehousekeeper.“Icertainlyhopethepolice

catchhimsoon.”Beforegoingtothephone,Nancylookeduptheserialnumberofhercar.Thenshegot in

touchwithCaptainMcGinnisoftheRiverHeightspolicedepartment.Aftergiving the thief’sdescription, alongwith thecar’s serial and licenseplatenumbers,

Nancyrecalledthatherpackedsuitcasewasinthecar.Shetoldthecaptainaboutthis,thenhungup.“Oh,dear,”shesaidtothehousekeeper,“allmythingsaregone!Icangetnewclothesfor

myself,butI’dcertainlyhatetoloseMother’sshawlandfan.”“Idon’tblameyou,honey,”saidMrs.Gruen.“Buttellmethis.Howintheworldcouldthat

manhavetakenthecar?Youlockedit,didn’tyou?”“Yes,Idid.Itmeansthemanwhostoleitmustbeanexperiencedcarthief.”Just then, they heard Mr. Drew’s coupé come into the driveway. Nancy hurried to the

kitchendoortomeetherfather,atall,distinguished-lookingman.“Whathappened,Nancy?”Mr.Drewcriedout,notinghisdaughter’sdisheveledappearance.QuicklyNancyexplainedandMr.Drewlookedstern.“It’stheworkofanexpert,allright.It

wouldn’tsurprisemeifthethiefhasapolicerecord.”“Thatshouldmakeiteasiertofindhim,”saidNancy.Shewentbacktothephoneandcalled

firstBess,thenGeorgeattheirhomes.Bothgirlswereaghastatthenewsandsaidtheyhopedtheconvertible,aswellasNancy’ssuitcase,wouldsoonberecovered.“I suppose we’ll have to postpone the trip until we canmake other arrangements,” said

Nancy.“I’llhaveDadseeifhecangetusplanereservationsinthemorning.”“Oh,anotherdaywon’tmakeanydifference,”saidGeorge.“Maybebythattimeyou’llhave

yourcarback.”But a phone call to the police department the next day was discouraging. Nancy’s blue

convertiblehadnotbeensightedonanyroadleadingoutofRiverHeights.“We’vemade inquiries around town,” saidCaptainMcGinnis, “but so farmymenhaven’t

turnedupasinglelead.”DuringthemorningNancyshoppedfornewclothestotakeonthetrip.Aboutfiveo’clock

thatafternoonMr.DrewphonedhisdaughtertosaythattraveltoNewOrleansinMardiGrasseasonwasveryheavyandithadbeenimpossibleforhimtogetplanetickets.

“Butyou’regoingjustthesame,”hesaid.“CallBessandGeorgeandtellthemtobereadytomorrowmorning.”“Buthowarewetraveling?”Nancyasked.Therewasnoreply.Herfatherhadhungup.Nancyphonedherfriendsandgavethemherfather’smessage.“Dadhassomethinguphis

sleeve,”shesaid.“Maybeyou’dbettercomeoverhereandfindoutwhat’sgoingon.”The cousins arrived in a short time andwaited forMr. Drew to come home. Presently a

stunningnewyellowconvertibleentered theDrews’driveway.Nancy’s father,at thewheel,honkedthehornloudly.Nancysprintedoutside.BessandGeorge followed,bumping intoeachother toget to the

car.Mr.Drewworeabroadgrin.“Likeit,Nancy?”heasked.“It’sabeauty!Isityournewcarandareyougoingtolendittome,Dad?”Mr.Drewsteppedoutside,madea lowbow,andannounced, “I’mgoing todobetter than

that.Thiscarisyours!”Nancy threw her arms around her father. “Oh, you’re simply wonderful!” she exclaimed.

“Butwhat’sgoingtohappenifthepolicefindmyblueconvertible?”The lawyer said that he had arrangedwith the automobile dealer to take the blue car in

tradeifitshouldberecovered.“I was thinking of turning it in, anyway,” saidMr. Drew. “I was going to wait until your

birthdayandsurpriseyou,butyousortofputoneoveronmebylettingthatthieftakeit!”heteased.Sobering,hewenton,“Thatcarhadalotofmileageonitandwasshowingwear.”“That’sright,”Georgespokeup.“Andtherewasthatbigstainonthebackoftherearseat

whereweupsetaninkbottleandalsoatearinthecarpet.”Nancychuckled.“Maybethatthiefdidmeafavor,”sheremarked,thenaddedwistfully,“But

IcertainlywishIcouldgetmysuitcaseback.”As Bess and George said good-by, assuring Nancy that they would be ready early the

followingmorningtostartthetriptoNewOrleans,Mr.DrewturnedtoNancy.“Howabouttakingthegirlshomeinyournewcar?”hesuggested.“Afteryoudropthemoff,

stop at police headquarters.CaptainMcGinniswants you to look over the pictures in theirrogues’galleryandseeifyoucanidentifythethief.”“Hopin,girls!”Nancyinvited.The three girlswere thrilledwith the smooth-riding quality of the yellow convertible and

Nancydeclaredthatdrivingitwasnoeffortatall.Afterdroppingthetwogirlsattheirhomes,shecontinuedontoheadquarters.Hereshelookedatphotographafterphotographofknowncarthieves.“Notoneofthese,”theyoungdetectivesaidfinally,“lookslikethemanwhostolemycar.”“Hemayneverhavebeenapprehended,” saidCaptainMcGinnis. “Well,we’llkeepupour

search.”Nancy thankedhimandwenthome. Inorder tokeephernewcar frombeing stolen,Mr.

Drewhadpurchaseda specialpadlock foroneof the rearwheels.Thiswasputonand thegaragedoorlocked.Thenight passeduneventfully. In themorning, after breakfast,Mr.Drew carriedNancy’s

suitcase to the convertible. Then he andHannahwished her a happy time on the trip andkissedhergood-by.“Thanksagain,Dad,”Nancysaidasshewavedanddroveoff.AfewminuteslatershestoppedatBess’shome,thenatGeorge’s.Allthreegirlsworesmart

wooldressesandwarmcarcoats.Thetriochattedgailyastheydroveoutoftown,discussingtherecenttriptheyhadtakentoVirginia,whereNancyandherfriendshadhadmanyexcitingadventuressolvingTheHiddenWindowMystery.“Speakingofmysteries,”saidGeorge,“hastherebeenanynewsofthecarthief?”“Notaclue,”Nancyreplied.“It’ssuchabeautifuldayIthinkI’lltakethebackroadthrough

thecountry,insteadofthehighway,asfarasTartanville.”The road led through rolling farm land, where the houses were quite a distance apart.

Nancywasdrivingjustunderthespeedlimitwhenthegirlssuddenlynoticedatickingsoundcomingfromthedashboard.“What’s that?”Bessasked.“Theelectricclock? Inanewcar it shouldn’tmake thatmuch

noise.”InstantlyNancypulledtothesideoftheroadandturnedofftheignition.Sheleaneddown

andlookedupunderthedashboard.Herfaceturnedwhitewithfear.“There’sanalarmclocktapedonhere!”shecried.“Itmaybethetimerforabomb!Girls,

runasfastasyoucan!Stopanyonecomingalong!”BessandGeorgedashedout theright-handdoor,whileNancyreacheddownandshutoff

thealarmswitch,hopingthatwouldpreventthebombfromexploding.Then,forsafety’ssake,shegotoutandracedawayfromthecar.Nancyranintheoppositedirectiontothegirls,inordertowarnanyoncomingmotoristofpossibledanger.Tenminutespassed.NoonedroveupandtherewasnoexplosionfromNancy’scar.Finally

George,makingamegaphoneofherhands,yelledtoNancy:“What’snext?”Nancycalledbackthatshewasgoingtoaskthedriverofthefirstcarwhichappearedtogo

backtothenexttownandhavesomeonesentoutfromthepoliceforcetoremovethebomb.Besscalled,“Howcouldanyonegetintothecartoplantabombwithyourgaragelocked?”“Themanprobablyjimmiedopenthegaragewindow,andthecardoorsweren’tlocked.”As she finished speaking, Nancy became aware of a delivery truck approaching in her

direction.Shesignaledthedrivertostop,andtoldhimherstory.“Golly!”Theyoungmanwhistled.“Sure,I’llnotifyheadquartersinajiffy.”He turned and sped off. Twentyminutes later the girlswere relieved to see a police car

approaching.“Thankgoodness!”Georgeexclaimed.In amatter of seconds, a man wearing amask, chest protector, and steel link gauntlets

jumpedfromthecarandopenedthehoodoftheyellowconvertible.Asthegirlswatchedfromadistance,thepolicemanliftedoutaroundobject.Therewasno

questionbut that itwasabomb!Hedropped it intoabucketofoilbeforebeckoningtothegirlstocomeforward.“What’sbackofthis?”heasked.QuicklyNancyexplainedwhatlittlesheknew.“Looksasifyouhaveaprettydevilishenemy,”theofficerremarked.“Yes,”Nancyagreed.Besssaid,“He’safiendtryingtoblowusup!”“Well,hisschemewasspoiledthistime,”thepolicemansaid,andadded,“Yourcarisokay

now.”Heradioedareportoftheincidenttoheadquarters,thendrovebacktotown.Thethreegirlssteppedintotheconvertibleandoncemorestartedoff.Astheyenteredthe

townofTartanville,Nancysaidshewantedtocallherfatherandtellhimwhathadhappened.Whileshewentintoadrugstoretotelephone,BessandGeorgewaitedinthecar.Just beforeNancy returned, aman in ablack convertible started topass the cousins.He

sloweddownandstaredfirstatBessandGeorge,thenattheyellowcar.Thentheinquisitivemanputonpoweranddisappearedaroundacorner.SuddenlyBessgrabbedhercousin’sarm.“George!”shecried.“ThatwasNancy’sstolencar

hewasdriving.It’sbeenpaintedblack!”

CHAPTERIII

AnUpsettingDelay

ByTHE timeGeorge recovered from the surpriseofhearing that theblackautomobilewasNancy’sstolencar,theyoungdetectiveherselfhadcomefromthedrugstore.

“Quick!Jumpin!”Bessurged.Nancyinstantlygotbehindthewheeloftheyellowconvertible.“What’sup?”sheasked.“Isawyourstolencar!”Besstoldher.“Themandroveitaroundthatcorner.Hurry!”Drivingasfastasshedared,Nancyheadedinthedirectionherfriendhadindicated.“Itwaspaintedblack,”Bessexplained,“butIrecognizedthefunny-shapedinkstainonthe

upholsteryinthebackseat.”“Say,thatfellowcouldfitthedescriptionofthecarthief,”Georgespokeup.“Iwishwehad

noticedthelicensenumber.”Nancyturnedthecornerandasshecontinueddownthestreet,theothertwogirlslookedin

everydrivewayandcrossroad.Buttheirquarrywasnotinsight.Aftertheyhadgonenearlyamile,Nancystopped.“Thethiefhadtoomuchofaheadstart,”

shesaid.“Let’sgobacktopoliceheadquartersandreportthis.”As she was about to turn the car around, the girls saw a black convertible dart from an

intersectingroadsomedistanceaheadandshootdownthehighway.“Thereheis!”Besscriedout.Nancysetoffinpursuit,butatthecrossingwasstoppedbyaredlight.Irkedbythedelay,

sheputonextrapoweras soonas the traffic light turnedgreen.Theothervehiclewas farahead,butNancyspedafterit.

SuddenlyGeorgesaid,“Oh,oh!”asamotorcyclecameroaringupbehindthem.InamomentitwasalongsideandthestatetrooperastrideitmotionedNancytothesideoftheroad.

“Younglady,”hesaidsternly,“don’tyouknowwhatthespeedlimithereis?”“Yes,sir,Ido,”Nancyreplied,“butwe’reafterathiefwhostoleanothercarofmine.”“Anothercarofyours?”Theofficerlookedskeptical.“Whatkindofstoryisthis?”“It’strue!”Bessspokeupearnestly.“Pleasehelpuscatchthemanwhostoleit.”“Well,okay.Followme,”thepoliceofficerdirected.By this time theblack carwas out of sight, but the trooper spedalongwithNancy close

behind.Twomilesofcountryroadwerecoveredwithoutthepursuersgettinganotherglimpseofthesuspect.

Finally, the state trooper stopped. He said that he would radio headquarters to set up aroadblock.Thegirlsgavehimabriefdescriptionoftheblackcaranditsdriver.Then,takingatwo-wayradiofromhispocket,theofficergotintouchwithhischief.

Whenhefinishedtheradioreport,thetrooperturnedtothegirls.“Whereareyoufromandwhereareyougoing?”heasked.

Nancy answered his questions, then added her theory that the same man might haveplantedthebomb.Thatwouldaccountforhisstoppingtolookattheyellowconvertible.

“We’llcertainlytrytofindhim,”thetrooperpromised.Nancyaskedthatthepolicegetintouchwithherfatheriftheylocatedthestolencar.“And thankyou foryourhelp,officer.By theway, is thereashortcut fromhere toRoute

57?”“Yes.”Thetroopergavedirectionsandthethreegirlssetoff.Astheyrodealong,Besswore

aworriedfrown.“Oh, cheerup!”Georgechidedhercousin. “Don’t feelbadbecausenothingcameof your

clue.”“It’snotthat,”Bessanswered.“Nowthatwe’velostthethief,there’snotaghostofachance

of finding the car again. He knew that we were chasing him. And now he’ll paint theconvertiblestillanothercolor.”

GeorgeandNancyagreedthatBesswasprobablyright.“Thatisn’tallthereistoit,either,”saidBess.“Ihaveanawfulfeelingthatthiefdoesn’twantyoutoreachNewOrleans,Nancy.Henotonlystoleyourblueconvertible—heputabombinthiscarandnowhe’sfollowingus!”

“Evenifthatistrue,”Georgeremarked,“whatcanwedo?”“ParkthiscarinthenexttownandgotoNewOrleansbytrain,”Bessdeclared.Therewassilence for several seconds, thenNancysaid reassuringly, “Oh,Bess,wewon’t

havetodothat.Ifthethiefstopstohavethecarrepainted,we’llgettherewayaheadofhim.”Bessthoughtthisover,thenfeltbetter.“Well,allright,”shesaid.“Butlet’ssteponit!”PresentlyNancypulledtothesideoftheroad.“Yourturnatthewheel,”shesaidtoGeorge,

whonoddedandchangedplaceswithherfriend.HalfanhourlatertheycametothebustlinglittletownofWrightsville.“Oh,look!”Besscalledout.“There’sashowroomwiththesamemakecarasthisone.Isn’t

thatgreensedaninthewindowabeauty?”“Itcertainlyis,”Nancyagreed.“ButI’dratherhavethisyellowconvertible.”Georgehadgoneonlyhalfablockfartherwhensuddenlythenewcardevelopedastrange,

grindingnoiseintherear.Bessgroaned.“Nowwhat?”sheasked.Nancywasfrowning.ShesuggestedthatGeorgegoaroundtheblockandcomebacktothe

servicestationconnectedtotheautomobileshowroom.Georgeturnedatthenextcorner,buthadnotgonefarwhenthenoisegrewdefinitelylouder.

“We’dbetterstop,”Nancyadvised.AsGeorgepulledtowardthecurb,itsoundedasiftherearendofthecarhaddroppedto

the street! Quickly the girls jumped out and rushed back to look. Nancy knelt to peerunderneath.

“Oh,no!”sheexclaimedinawoebegonevoice.“Thewholerearhousinghasgivenway!”Nancyroseandforseveralsecondsthethreegirlsstaredquestioninglyatoneanother.Was

thisamechanicalfailure?OrhadNancy’senemytamperedwiththehousing,incasethebombfailedtogooff?

“I’llwalkbacktothatservicestationandhavethecartowedin,”saidNancy.“Youstayhereandguardourbaggage.”

AlthoughNancytriedtosoundnonchalant,BessandGeorgeknewshewasextremelyupset.“Thisisashame!”Georgedeclaredangrily,afterNancyhadleft.“Anddangerous!”Bessadded.“Ifwe’dbeenoutonthehighwaygoingfast,wemighthave

beenkilled!”Inafewminutesatowcararrivedandthedisabledconvertiblewashoistedupandpulledto

theservicestation.Thethreegirlswatchedasthemechanicsexaminedthebrokenhousing.Presentlyoneofthemwalkedofftohisworkbench.

Hesearchedforseveralsecondsamonghistools,thenpickedupasmallleathercase.Fromithetookamagnifyingglass.Holdingthisinonehandandastrongflashlightintheother,hemadeathoroughinvestigationofthemetalsectionwherethebreakhadtakenplace.

Finally he turned to Nancy. “This wasn’t any mechanical defect,” he announced. “I’d saysomeonepouredacidonthehousing!”

The girls were aghast, but there was no question in their minds as to who had beenresponsible.Eitherthemanwhohadstolenhercar,oranaccomplice,haddamagedthenewconvertible.

“I’llgettheboss,”themechanicoffered.“He’llseewhatcanbedone.”

The owner, Dan Compton, was summoned from the showroom. He examined the damageandagreedwiththemechanic.

“Thisiscertainlybadluckforyougirls,”Dansaid.“Wherewasthiscarpurchased?”WhenNancytoldhim,henodded.“Oh,IknowHarrySmith inRiverHeights.He’sagood

friendofmine.”Afteramomentheadded,“I’llphonehim,andwe’llworksomethingout.”WithoutgivingNancyachancetocomment,hehurriedtohisofficeandputinthecall.Five

minuteslaterhereturnedtothegarage,asmileonhisface.“Everything’sarranged,MissDrew,”hesaid.“Harrywantsmetolendyouacar.I’mgoing

onalittlevacationandthecarIordinarilyusefordemonstrationswillbeidle.You’rewelcometotakeitforyourtrip.Bythetimeyoucomebackthisway,yourconvertiblewillhaveanewhousinginit”

Nancy’sfacebrokeintoabroadgrin.“Icer.tainlyappreciateyourhelp,”shesaid.“Of course my demonstration car is not so fancy as yours,” Dan Compton told her. “It’s

black,andtheupholsteryisjustplaindarkgreen.”HeledthemtoacornerofthegaragewherethecarstoodBesssmiled.“Thissuitsmemuch

better.Thecarisdarkandinconspicuous.Nowmaybethatawfulmanwon’tnoticeus.”Before leaving town, the girls ate a belated lunch. Then they started off once more. By

evening Bess was driving and the girls began to discuss how much farther they would gobeforestoppingforthenight.

“There’s an attractive motel, The Cedars, about two miles from here,” George said. “Aneighborofoursstoppedthereonatriprecently.”

“Let’sgothere,”Bessputin.“I’mstarved!”Nancyglancedatherwatch.Itwasnearlyseveno’clockandshe,too,wasgettinghungry.“Ivotewestayatthemoteltonight.”When they reached The Cedars, Bess turned in and parked. After the girls had been

assigned to modern, comfortable rooms, they washed, brushed their hair, then went to acoffeeshopnexttothelobby.

“Mm.I’llhavethisfriedchickenplatter,”Bessdecidedasshestudiedthemenu.“Soundswonderfultome,”Nancysaid,andGeorgechosethesame.ThenNancyaskedthegirlstoorderforher.“IwanttophonehomeandtellDadaboutthe

sabotagedhousing.”Whentheconnectionwasmadewithherhome,HannahGruenanswered.“Hello,Hannah!HowareyouandDad?”“Oh,we’refine,”saidHannah.“Wehavesomenewsforyou.”“Yes?Whatisit?”Nancyaskedeagerly.“Yourstolenlicenseplateswerefound.”The housekeeper said that the River Heights police had had a tip from a disgruntled

hoodlumwhohadbeenpromisedsomemoneybyamanandneverbeenpaid.“Sothisfellowdecidedtotalk,”Mrs.Gruenexplained.“Hetoldthepoliceaboutadeserted

cabin outside of town where some car thieves had dumped stolen license plates. The onesfromyourcar,Nancy,wereamongthem.”

“Oh!”saidNancy.Mrs. Gruen went on, “And—and they found something else, too. Oh, Nancy, youmust be

careful!”

CHAPTERIV

ANerve-TinglingRide

“MAYBEyougirlshadbettergiveupthetrip,”Mrs.Gruensuggestednervously.“Butwhy?”Nancyasked.“Whatelsedidthepolicediscover?”Thehousekeepersaidthatamongthepileofstolenplateswhichhadbeenfoundtherewasa

pistol.Apparentlyithadbeenaccidentallydropped.HannahwassurethatadangerouspersonorpersonswhocarriedweaponsintendedtomaketroubleforNancy,Bess,andGeorgeiftheycontinuedtheirtrip.Nancyherselfwasworried, and toldHannahwhathadhappened to thenewcar.But she

addedquickly:“We’redrivingadifferentcar.It’sblack,andnotsoconspicuousastheyellowone.What’s

more,wesawthethief.Nowthatheknowshe’sbeenrecognized,hewon’tdareappearinthedaytime.Pleasedon’tworry,Hannahdear.”“Well, I suppose it’s all right,” said thehousekeeper. “I dowish your fatherwerehere to

adviseyou.Buthe’sgoneoutoftownforthenight.”Nancysaidgood-byandhungup.WhensherelayedthelatestcluetoBessandGeorge,they

agreedthatthesafestthingforthemtodowouldbetogetaheadofthethiefontheroad.“Solet’sstartatonce,”saidNancy,“anddriveuntildawnatleast.Wecantaketurnsdriving

andsleeping.Supposeweeatsupperhere.Thenwe’llgiveupourroomsandstarton.”The girls found the meal of fried chicken, accompanied by hot corn bread and sweet

potatoes,verytasty.Fordesserttheyhaddelicioushomemadepecanpie.“Icouldgotosleeprightnow,”saidBess,yawningcontentedly.“Iatetoomuch!”“Ifeelfine,”Georgesaid.“I’lltakefirstturnatthewheel.”Afterpickinguptheirbags,thegirlswenttothecar.NancyandBessclimbedintotherear

seatandweresoonsoundasleep.Georgedrovefornearlytwohours,thenstopped.SheawokeBess,whowastotakeherturnatdriving.“Wherearewe?”askedtheplumpgirl,sleepilysurveyingtheblacknessaroundthem.George said they had crossed the state line a half hour ago. “We’re getting into the

mountainsnow,sotakeiteasy,”sheadvised.AsBessstartedoff,shewasveryquiet.Shedidnotrevealherfeelingstohercousin,butshe

wasbeginningtothinkthatthetriphadajinxonit.Thewindwasblowinghard,therewasnomoonandnotonestarinthesky.Bessfeltaslight

chillrunupherspine.“It’sjustplainspooky!”shetoldherself.Bynow,GeorgewassleepingsoundlybesideNancyintherearseat.Bess,agooddriver,put

mileaftermilebehindthem.Fortunately,therewasonlyonemainroad,soshehadnodecisiontomakeaboutwhichdirectiontotake.Butatoneo’clockshecametoanintersectinghighway.“NowwhichwaydoIgo?”Bessaskedherself,stoppingthecar.Turning her spotlight on the sign, she carefully read the names of the towns in each

direction.Notoneofthemwasfamiliartoherandgavehernoclueastowhichroadtotake.Bessopenedtheglovecompartmentandtookoutamap.Shespreaditonherlapandtriedtofigureoutjustwhereshewas.Suddenlyavoiceatherelbowstartledher,“CanIhelpyou?”Alongsideherpartiallyopenwindowstoodasmilingyoungman.Bessgaveaninvoluntary

squeal,thenasked,“Wh-wheredidyoucomefrom?”

Her outcry had awakened the twogirls in the rear seat. They sat up, alert at once.Bothwereamazedtoseethestranger.“Hellothere,”hesaidpleasantlytoNancyandGeorge.ToBessheadded,“Iseeyouhave

passengers.”“Yes,”saidBess.“Andmaybeyoucanhelpus.”“Glad to,” the youngman replied. “Sorry if I frightened you. I just parked over in those

woodswithmy trailer abouthalf anhouragoandhadn’t gone tobedyet.When I sawyoustop,Ifiguredyoumightbelost.Wheredoyouwanttogo?”“NewOrleans,”Bessreplied.Theyoungmanlaughed.“You’realongwayfromthere,”hesaid.“ButatthispointIthink

thebestthingforyoutodoisturnleft,gothroughTitusville,andthenhitthehighway.”“Thankyouverymuch,”Besssaidwithasmile.Shewas already foldingup themap andputting it away.As she started off, the stranger

called,“Oh,waitaminute!”Bess instantly became alarmed. Was this man going to detain them? But he went on

pleasantly,“Say,maybeyou’rethethreegirlsthatmanwasaskingaboutalittlewhileago.”“Whatman?”Nancyspokeupquickly.“Afellowinablackconvertiblewithblack-and-redseatcovers.HestoppedhererightafterI

parkedandIcameouttotalktohim.Heaskedmeifthreegirlstravelingalonehadgonepasthere.”Nancyandherfriendslookedquestioninglyatoneanother.Couldthedriverhavebeenthe

personwhohadstolenNancy’scar?“Oh,I’msurewe’renotthegirlshemeant,”Georgeputinhastily.“Whatdidthismanlook

like?”Thedescriptionthestrangergaveexactlyfittedthatofthecarthief!“Whatelsedidhesay?”Nancyasked.“Theman said that the two cars had been traveling together, but somehow had become

separated.”“Isee,”saidNancy.“Didhehappentosaywherehewasgoing?”“No,hedidn’t.”“Whichroaddidhetake?”Theyoungmanpointedstraightahead.Bessasked,“Couldyougo toNewOrleans taking

thatroad?”“Yes,youcould.Itwouldbeshorter,asamatteroffact.Buttheroadisn’tverygood.”NancyaskedtoseethemapandoncemoreBesstookitoutofthecompartment.Athought

hadcometothegirldetective—maybetheaffableyoungstrangerwasinleaguewiththecarthief!Althoughsherealizedhersuspicionsprobablywerewrong,Nancydecideditwouldbebest

nottotakeeitheroftheroadshehadmentioned.Followingherhunch,shetoldhimbrieflythatthegirlshadhadenoughdrivingforonenight

andwouldstayatahotelinthenearesttown.“Turnright,Bess,”shesaid.Shethankedtheyoungmanforhishelp,thenthegirlsdroveoff.Nancytoldthecousinsher

suspicions and said that as soon as they reached another crossroad, they would turn left.“Thenwe’llgoleftagainandfinallyhitTitusville.”SheandGeorgekeptlookingouttherearwindowtoseeifanycarwasfollowingthembut

theysawnone.FinallyNancysaid,“We’resafesofar.”Soonshetookherturnatthewheel.NancywonderedwhowasaheadintheracetoNew

Orleans—thegirlsorthecarthief.Hopefullyshethought:“If thatyoungmanat thecrossroadswashonest,andnot in leaguewiththedriverof the

blackcar,maybewehaveoutwittedthethief!”Beginning to feelweary,Nancy decided they had better stop at amotel. Just beyond the

small townofTitusville,shecametoanattractiveoneandturnedin.Asshepulled intothewell-lightedparkingarea,theyoungdetective’seyeswidened.Nexttoherstoodablackconvertiblewithnew-lookingblack-and-redseatcovers!NancyquicklywokeBessandGeorge, toldthemwheretheywere,andpointedtothecar.

“Look!”shesaidexcitedly.Bessgaveashiver.“Youmeanwe’reabouttocloseinonthecarthief?Shouldn’twenotify

thepoliceandletthemdoit?”Nancysaidthatshewasgoingtoconsultthemotelproprietorfirstastowhowasdrivingthe

car.Thethreegirlstooktheirbagsfromtheluggagecompartmentandwalkedintotheofficeofthemotel.Aplump,bald-headedmansatinabarrel-shapedchair,hisheadrestingonhischest.Hewassnoringslightly.Nancywalkedupand tapped themanon theshoulder.Heawokewitha start. “Youwant

rooms?”heaskedsleepily.Nancynodded,thensaid,“Wouldyoumindtellingmewhothepersonisthatcameherein

theblack convertiblewith red-and-black seat covers.We’re looking for someonewith a carlikethat.”“Person!”theplumpmanexploded.“Youmeanthatgang!Mother,father,threechildren,a

dog,acat,andaparrot!”The threegirlsburst into laughter. “Wrong family!”Nancy chuckled. “Well, have you two

niceroomsforus?”Theproprietortookthegirls’bags,andhiskeys, leadingthewaydownacorridor.“These

arethebestaccommodationswehave,”hesaid,smiling,andunlockingadjoiningrooms.“Oh,IwassosleepyIforgottoaskyoutoregister.”“We’lldoitinthemorning,”saidNancy.Shepreferredthisarrangement,justincasethecarthiefmightarrivelateratthemoteland

learnfromtheproprietorthatthegirlswerethere.The girls slept soundly, but were wide awake by seven o’clock. Bess, the first to look

outdoors,groaned.“Snow!” sheexclaimed. “A regularblizzard!”Bess suggested that theydelay their trip,at

leastforaday.Butbythetimethegirlshadeatenbreakfast,thesnowfallhadslackenedandNancydecided

itwouldbesafeforthemtogoon.Sheherselftookthewheel,withhertwofriendsinfrontwithher.Theyhadnotgonemanymileswhentheycametoaroadblockwithahugesignin.dicatingadetourtotheright.“Goodnessonlyknowswhat’saheadofus,”Besssaidnervously.Nancyturned.Halfamilefartheron,theroadledupasteepincline.Asthegirlsnearedthe

summitofthehill,theysawthattherewasasheerdroptotheleftoftheroad.“Oh,dobecareful!”Bessbegged.“Hush!”Georgecommanded.AlthoughNancywassurethatthetireswereexcellent,shewouldberelievedwhenthecar

hadsafelyreachedthebottomofthehillontheotherside.Nancyreachedthesummitandwasjustabouttostartdownthesteepinclinewhenallthree

girlsgaspedatthefrighteningsightwhichconfrontedthem.“Oh!”Bessscreamed.“Stop!”Acrosstheroadaheadlaytwosectionsofanelectricalcablewhichhadbeensnappedbythe

storm.Sparksflasheddangerouslyfromthebrokenends!Nancyputonherbrakes.Thenextinstantthecarskiddedtowardtheleftoftheroadwith

itssheerdropofthirtyfeet!

CHAPTERV

TheMysteryatSunnymead

ASTHEtiressankintothesnowthreefeetfromtheedgeofthecliff,thecarmiraculouslyheldtheroad.Hastilythethreegirlsscrambledout.Afterseveralsecondshadelapsed,andthecarstillhelditsposition,Nancysaid,“Iguessit’s

notgoingtomove.”Atthatmomentsnowstartedtofallagain.Thegirlspulledtheircoatcollarstightlyaround

theirnecksandglanceduptheroad.Thelivewirescontinuedtosparkleandcrackle.“Thisisreallyapredicament!”Georgedeclared.“Itcertainlyis,”Nancyagreed.“Wecouldn’tpossiblycontinueontheroad,evenifIdaredto

trymovingthecar.”“That’sright,”saidGeorge.“Iftheserearwheelsspin,thecarmaygooverthecliff.”“Whatwillwedo?”Bessaskednervously.“Hiketothenearesthouse?”“Ihopenot,”Georgesaidquickly.“Itmustbethreemilesback.”Nancywalkedtotherearofthecarandlookeddowntheembankment.“There’sonething

wecantry,”shesaidthoughtfully.“Notwithusinsidethecar!”Bessstatedflatly.“No.Fortunately,therearofthesedanisafewfeetfromtheedgeofthecliff.Ifwecould

justmovethecarbackontotheroad,Icouldbackdownthehill.”“Buthow in theworldcanyoumove thecarbackonto theroadwithoutdriving it?”Bess

asked.Nancysaidthatonetimewhenshewastryingtosqueezeontoaferryboatwithhercarshe

hadfoundit impossibletosteerintoposition.Twomenhadjoltedtherearofthevehicleupanddownuntilitactuallybouncedofftheground.Thentheyhadquicklylifteditafewfeettooneside.“Sothreegirlsoughttobeabletodothesamethingnow,”shesaid.Bessstill lookeddubiousbutGeorgewaswillingtotry it.She insisted,however,thatthey

firstblockthefrontwheelswithstonessotherewouldbenochanceofthecarrollingbackonthem.“Goodidea,”Nancyagreed.The girls kicked at the piles of snow along the side of the road until they found two

substantialrocks.Thesewerepushedsecurelybehindthefronttires.Thenthethreefriendstookpositionsbehindthesedan.“I’llcount,”saidNancy.“WhenIsay‘three,’heaveho!”Leaningover,theygraspedthebumperandbegantojouncethecarupanddown.Thegirls’

faceswerestrainedastheywaitedforahighbounce.In a moment Nancy said, “One! Two!” Bess and George worked feverishly, then waited.

“Three!”Nancycried.Together thegirls liftedtherearof thecaralmost twofeetbacktowardthecenterof the

road.“Hypers!” cried George, using her favorite expletive. “It worked. Nancy, you’re a brain

child!”Nancysteppedintothecarandstartedthemotor.Shedroveforwardafewinches,sothat

BessandGeorgecouldremovethestoneblocks.Thentheytooclimbedin.SlowlyNancy began to back down the hill. This proved to be difficult to do, because the

windhadshiftedandblownquantitiesofthesnowacrosstheroad.Twicethecarstuckfastandthecousinshadtogetoutandtrampdownthedriftsbeforeshecouldproceed.FinallyNancyreachedthefootof thehill.Sheconsultedthemapagainandturnedtothe

right.Halfanhourlatertheycametothemainhighway.Suddenly Bess said apprehensively, “I only hope that car thief is holed up somewhere

becauseofthestorm.”“Ihaveahunchheis,”Nancysaidcheerfully.Towardtheendofthedaythegirlsleftthesnowstormbehind.Tomakeupforlosttime,they

droveuntileleven thatnightbefore theystoppedatamotel.By this time theyhadreachedAlabama,withitsbloomingplants,greengrass,andbeautifultrees.“Whatareliefthissceneryis!”saidBess,gettingoutofthecarandstretching.“Andthetemperature,”Georgeadded.“Itwasonlytendegreeswhenweleft.Nowit’sabout

sixty!”After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast the nextmorning, the girls started off

again. Soon they were in an area of lovely Southern plantations. They were thrilled byglimpses of the homes, so large and statelywith their tall columned porches and beautifulgardens.Quaintcabins,formerlyusedbyslaves,stoodsomedistanceawayfromthehouses.BessohedandahedtosuchanextentthatGeorgefinallysaidteasingly,“Youremindmeofa

drippingice-creamcone,Bess.Sweet,butohsogooey!”“Iwish,”Bessretorted,“thatyoucouldenjoyitthewayIdo.”Nancy,tochangethesubject,said,“TellmeaboutyourcousinDonnaMae.”“Well,”Bessbegan,“she’sayearolder than Iam, tallandpretty.Shehasblondhairand

greatbigblueeyes.”Georgeinterruptedlaughingly,“Anddoessherollthoseeyesaroundtogetherownway!”“You’rejustjealous,”Besstoldher.“Anygirlwhocouldbeengagedtotwomeninoneyear

—”George tossedherbobbedheadat the remark. “Onewouldbeenough forme!But really,

I’vealwayslikedDonnaMae.Iwonderwhyshebrokeherfirstengagement.Theremusthavebeenaseriousreason.”“Orjustachangeofheart.”Nancyremarked.Therestofthetripwasoneofbanterandteasing,andexclamations,evenbyGeorge,over

thebeautyofthescenery.Thecarthiefwasalmostcompletelyforgotten.“I’ve never seen such exquisite azaleas in my life!” Bess remarked, as the girls drove

throughtheMobilearea.“AsIrecall,”saidNancy,“thisplaceisnotedforitsazaleas.”“Yes,itis,”Bessreplied.“TheGardenClubsputonspecialtoursfortouriststoseethem.”“Butthisride,”jokedGeorge,“isaprivatelyconductedtourbyDrewandCompany!”SoonthegirlsreachedthebroadMississippiandgazedat thepeaceful,somewhatmuddy

river.“Itlooksharmlessenough,doesn’tit?”Georgeremarked.“Butthinkofthepiratedayswhen

travelersweren’tsafeonit!”Nancyfollowedtheriverroadforseveralmiles,thenturnedinland.“Sunnymeadisjustahead,”Bessannounced.Fiveminuteslaterthecarturnedintoalongdrivewayedgedwithlive-oaktrees.Attheend

ofitstoodasquareColonialmansion.Itwaspaintedyellow,andwhitecolumnsreachedfromthegroundtotheroof.Twostoriesofporchesranaroundtheentirebuilding.Asthegirlsreachedthehouse,Georgeleanedoverandblewthehorn.DonnaMae,wearing

alow-neckedbouffantdress,rushedouttogreetthevisitors.“You’rereallyhere!”shecriedjoyously.“YouallhadmesoworriedwhenIkepthearingof

yourdelays.”Behind her wasMrs. Haver, an older yet charming version of DonnaMae. She wore an

attractivebluelinendress.

“WelcometoSunnymead!”Mrs.Haverexclaimedwithagracioussmile.InbackofherwalkedColonelHaver,atall,erectmanoffiftywithtwinklingblueeyesand

blackhairslightlygrayatthetemples.Nancywasintroducedtothefamily.Thenshesaid,gettingoutofthecar,“I’mafraidIshall

havetotakealltheblameforourbeinglateinarriving.Alittleunsolvedmysteryovertookus.”“Yes,” Bess added, “Nancy’s beautiful carwas stolen andwewere playing hide-and-seek

withthethief.”Shequicklytoldallthathadhappened.“Oh,howperfectlyghastly!”DonnaMaeexclaimed.“Didn’tyoualmostdie?”“Well,itwasn’tanyfun,”Georgeagreed.Amomentlateranelderlycoloredcouple,wearingamaid’sandabutler’suniforms,came

from thehouse. Theywere introduced asMammyMatilda andPappyCole. The two smiledpleasantly.Then,asPappyColestartedtounloadthecar,MammyMatildasaidtothevisitors:“Isurehopesyouallhaveafinetimedurin’yourvisithere.”“Thankyou,”saidNancy.“I’mlookingforwardtoit.”TurningtoColonelandMrs.Haver,she

added,“It’scertainlymostkindofyoutoinviteme.”Mrs.Haver smiled. “Thepleasure is ours.We’re alwaysdelighted tohave friendsofBess

andGeorgevisitus.”A youngman came from the house and joined the group.Hewas proudly introduced by

DonnaMaeasAlexUpgrove.“I’mcharmed,”hesaidtothevisitorsinaclipped,well-modulatedvoice.The River Heights girls shook hands with the slim, brown-haired young man. Nancy

instantlydecidedthathemightbetermedhandsome,butAlexhadanairofsuperioritywhichspoiledthefirstimpression.A few minutes later Mammy Matilda served tea in a patio at the rear of the house. It

overlooked one of the most exquisitely beautiful gardens Nancy had ever seen. Floweringcherry and plum trees served as a colorful background for beds of various colored roses,azaleas,andcamellias.In choosing seats on thepatioAlex foundonenext toNancyandat onceengagedher in

conversation.BessbroughtupthesubjectofthecarthiefandsaidthatinheropinionthemanhadbeentryingtokeepthegirlsfromcomingtoNewOrleans.“Oh,Idon’tseehowthatcouldpossiblyhaveanybearingonyourtriphere,”Alexdeclared.

“Andsurelyyouhaveno idea there isanyconnectionbetween this thiefand themysteryatSunnymead,haveyou?”Georgereplied.“Yes,wedo.ButIhopewe’rewrong.”Alexlaughed,thenastheconversationbecamemoregeneralheleanedtowardNancyand

whispered:“YouandIaregoingtohaveawonderfultimetogethersolvingtheplantationmystery!”Nancywas startled. She thought the remarkmost inappropriate, in view of the fact that

Alex’sengagementtoDonnaMaewastobeannouncedsoon.PretendingthatshehadmisunderstoodAlex,shesaid,“Yes,IwantyouandDonnaMaeto

tellmeallthedetailswhenyouhaveachance.”AlookofannoyancecameoverAlex’sface.“Ofcourse,”hemuttered.“Anytime.”When the tea hourwas over, the four girlswent upstairs.AsMammyMatilda helped the

visitorsunpack,DonnaMaetalkedincessantlyaboutherfiancé.“Isn’t he a darling?” she asked, “And smart, too. You know, Alex is a graduate of Oxford

UniversityinEngland!Andhe’sfabulouslywealthy—notthatthatmakesanydifferencetome.Buthisfamilyissimplywonderful—sociallyprominent,youknow.”A lookofsurprisecameoverGeorge’s face, forshehadneverbefore thoughtDonnaMae

snobbish.“Haveyoumetthem?”sheasked.“Oh, no, but they wrote me a simply darling letter from Paris and called me their new

daughter.I’llmeetthemsometimesoon.”DonnaMaeexplainedthatherfatherhadlookeduptheUpgrovefamily.Atthepresenttime

theywereallinEurope.“Youmustseehiscollegepictures,”shebabbledon.“Hehasthemwithhim.”“Donna Mae,” George asked abruptly, “what happened between you and Charles

Bartolome?”InstantlyDonnaMae sobered. “We—we—had a falling out on account of Alex. ImetAlex

whileCharleswasawayonalongtrip—andwebecamefriends.ButCharlesdidn’tapprove,andIgotannoyedwithhispossessiveness.SoIbrokeoffmyengagementtohim.”Shehesitated. “To tell you the truthmy consciencehurtme for awhile. I shouldn’t have

datedAlexbut Iwas lonely.AndAlexwassowonderful tome.He’samoreaggressivetypethanCharles,andhe’ssoinlovewithme.Iwonderwhereheisnow!”Asifshecouldnotbeartostayawayfromhimamomentlonger,DonnaMaesaid,“Seeyou

later!IhavetotalktoAlex,”andhurriedoutoftheroom.Bess looked at the other girls and shook her head. “I’ve never seen a bigger change in

anyone.Haveyou,George?DonnaMaejustisn’tlikeheroldself.”“You’reright,Bess,”repliedhercousin,“andIwouldn’tsayforthebetter.Maybeit’sAlex’s

influence.”After dinner that evening Colonel Haver took Nancy aside. “I’d like you to get started

solvingthemysteryassoonaspossible,”hesaid.“Timeisrunningout.”Heexplained thatstoriesofstrangehappeningson theshowboathadcausedworkmento

refusetogonearit.“NotasingletowboatcaptainwillcomeheretopushtheRiverPrincessoutof thebayou.

Wemust do something fast!”He smiled and added, “Are you ready to take over, DetectiveDrew?”

CHAPTERVI

Pirates’Alley

GIVINGtheColonelabigsmile,Nancysaidexcitedly,“I’dliketostartsolvingthemysteryatonce.”“Fine,” he replied. “And there’s one thing I want to say. You’ll have free rein. Don’t feel

obligatedtoreporttomeortoanyoneelse.Comeandgoasyoulike.”Nancywasgladtohearthis.Thefollowingmorningshewentintothegardentogazeatthe

bayou which lay beyond the extensive flower beds. Large water oaks, dripping with longfestoons of Spanishmoss, rose above themist which covered the swamp. Eerie clumps ofcypressandgumtreescouldbeseenagainstthesky.Nancycouldnotrestrainalittleshiver.“That’stheswampwemustgothroughtoreachthe

showboat,”theyoungdetectivemurmuredtoherself.Her thoughtswere interrupted by the arrival of DonnaMae.With a charming smile, she

said,“Goodmornin’,honey.Hopeyousleptwell!”Then,followingNancy’sglance,sheadded,“Thatoldplaceispositivelyspooky,isn’tit?Don’tthinkaboutit!We’regoingtoNewOrleansandhavesomefun.”“But,DonnaMae,Ihavesomeworktodoforyourfather,”Nancyprotested.DonnaMaemadeaface.“Work!WhowantstoworkatMardiGrastime?”sheaskedgaily.

“Youknow,you’regoingtobeintheplaywe’rehavingjustbeforetheballandyoumustgetacostumeatonce.Alexisgoingtodriveallofusgirlstotown.We’llshowyousomeinterestingsightsintheoldcity.”TheplannedexcursionsoundedmostattractiveandNancybrushedasideherseriousmood.

“You’reright,DonnaMae,”shesaid.“NewOrleansissuchafamousplace.OfcourseIwanttoseeit.Icanstartmysleuthinglater.Afewhourswon’tmatter,Iguess.”“Wonderful!We’llstartatteno’clock,”DonnaMaesaid.“I’lltellBessandGeorge.”AttenAlexdrovetothefrontdoor inastationwagon.Whenthegirls fromRiverHeights

cameouttheyworepastelsummercottons.“Howprettyyoualllook!”Alexremarkedashealightedtohelpthegirlsin.ThentoNancy,

whostoodtooneside,hewhispered,“Pleasesitnexttome.Iwanttotalktoyouaboutthemystery.”“Oh, there’splentyof time for that,”Nancyrepliedcoolly, ignoring the invitation. “Donna

Maejustwantsustohavefuntoday.”Shedeliberatelyclimbedintotherearseat,whereBessandGeorgewouldsit.As theyneared thecity,DonnaMae,next toAlex,directedhim toa fineold street in the

residential area.Sheaskedhim to stop in frontof a two-story,balconiedyellowhouse.Theproperty was surrounded by a wrought-iron fencewith an oleander pattern. In the gardenbeyondwereseveralmagnoliatreesandoleanderbushes.Bessgaveasighofadmiration.“Theoleanderblossom,”DonnaMaeexplained,“isthecityflowerofNewOrleans.Thejuice

ofthebushitselfispoisonous,youknow.”“Whyarewestoppinghere?”Alexaskedher.“MadameDupre,who liveshere,rentscostumesfor theMardiGras,”DonnaMaereplied.

“Herselectionisexceptionalandthecostumesunique.”Alexdecidedtoremaininthecarwhilethegirlswentinside.Ittookonlyafewminutesto

choosetheircostumes.AtDonnaMae’s insistenceherfriendswouldrepresent fairies intheplay.Theywouldwearwhite,fluffytulleballetdresseswithwingsattached.Georgegrumbledthatshewasgoingtofeelverysillyinhers.“I hardly think I rate wings, anyway!” she said wryly. “And the costume reminds me of

dancingschoolwhenIwasfouryearsold!”DonnaMaehadherway,however.Thecostumeswerepackedandthegirlswalkedoutside

withtheboxes.TotheiramazementAlexandthestationwagonwerenotinsight.“Nowwheredidhego?”askedDonnaMae,annoyed.MinuteslaterAlexreturnedandexplainedthathehadbeendoingsomesight-seeingwhile

waitingforthem.“We’lltourtheoldcityfirst,”saidDonnaMae,“andthenlunchatAntoine’s.”TheVieuxCarré,oroldcity,wasnestledon theeastbankof theMississippi.Themodern

cityofNewOrleansspreadbeyondit forsomedistance.Alexparkedandthetourbeganonfoot.The visitors were intrigued by the narrow streets and sidewalks, the ancient shops and

restaurants,andthehomeswiththeirheavywoodendoorsandironhingesandlocks.Thetwo-andthree-storybuildingslookeddelightfullyquaintwiththeirlovelywrought-iron

railings.Boxesofbright-coloredflowersdottedtheporches.Hereandtherewereopengatesleadingtocharmingold-fashionedcourtyards.“Visitorsarewelcome towalk inand lookaround,”DonnaMaeannouncedas she led the

wayintooneofthegardens.“Oh,howartistic!”BessexclaimedTheflagstonecourtyardwasdecoratedwithtubsof floweringbushes in fullbloom. In the

centerafountainplayedandatthefarsideacurvedstonestairwayledupwardtoaflower-deckedbalcony.Thewarmtropicalsunshinelentanairoftranquilitytothescene.“It’sheavenly,simplyheavenly!”Besssighed.Asthesight-seersleftthequaintspot,DonnaMaesaid,“Nancy,youandthegirlswillsurely

wanttoseethehauntedhouse.It’sfamousinthisarea.”“Whatmakesithaunted?”Bessaskedquickly.“Well,” beganDonnaMae, “a long, long time ago therewas a fire in the old house. The

ownerandhiswifewerenottherewhenithappened,sofiremenandneighborsbrokeinandsavedwhatfurnituretheycould.Totheirhorrortheyfoundslaveschainedintheattic.“Whentheownerandhiswifeheardthattheirdreadfulcrueltyhadbeendiscovered,they

ranaway.Butit’ssaidthattheghostsofthoseslaveshaunttheplace.”“Idon’tthinkIwanttoseethathouse,”Besssaidwithashudder.Alex suggested that probably they would be more interested in the pirates, anyway. To

Donna Mae, he said, “How about showing the girls the place where Pierre Lafitte was aprisoner?”DonnaMaeledthewaytoJacksonSquare,theheartoftheVieuxCarré.Inthecenterofthis

grassy esplanade stood a statue of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the UnitedStates.Thegeneralsatastridearearinghorse.WhenGeorgeremarkedthatitwasamazinghowtheforelegsofthehorseremainedinspace

with no support, Donna Mae said that this had been accomplished by making the statueperfectlybalanced.“Anunusualanddifficultfeatinthiscase.”DonnaMaewenton,“ThegovernmentofNewOrleanshasbeen in thehandsofdifferent

rulinggroupsfivetimes.SometimesitwastheSpanish,sometimestheFrench,sometimestheUnitedStates,andoncethecitywasindependent.”Around JacksonSquarewerenumerouspublicbuildingsandapartmenthouses.Alex,who

hadbeenonthetourbefore,ledthewaytotheCabildo.Thislarge,many-archedbuildinghadoriginallybeenthemunicipalhallforoldNewOrleans.Nowitwasamuseum.Off the center courtyard around which theCabildo had been built was the small cell in

whichPierreLafitte,thepirate,hadbeenjailed.Atthemomenttherewaslittleinit—themostinterestingobjectsbeingtwoancientsafeswithdecoratedcrosspiecesofahobnaileddesign.“Arethesewhatthepirateskepttheirgoldin?”Georgeaskedwithatwinkleinhereyes.“Sothelegendgoes,”DonnaMaeanswered.“PierreandhisbrotherJeanhadablacksmith

shopafewblocksfromhere.Theydidn’tdomuchblacksmithing,though.TheyweretoobusysmugglinginslavesfromAfricaandsellingthem.

“Jean and Pierre Lafitte were in trouble with the law most of the time,” Donna Maecontinued,“butsomehow,theywerealwaysabletogetoutofit.But,strangethoughitseems,they turned out to be very patriotic citizens during theWar of 1812 in the Battle of NewOrleans.”“Well,I’mgladtheymadeupfortheirmiserabledeeds,”saidBess.“Let’swalkupPirates’Alley,”Alexsuggested.“That’sthestreetwherethepiratescarried

ontheirnefariousschemes.”AsthegroupwalkedacrossJacksonSquaretoPirates’Alley,thegirlsbecameinterestedin

the many sidewalk artists. The men and women lined one side of the square. Many woresmocks and jaunty berets. Some sat on stools, sketching portraits of tourists, and all hadpicturesondisplaytosell.OneaggressivemansmiledatNancy,“MayIpaintyourportrait,miss?”heasked.“Yourface

wouldbelovelyoncanvas!”Nancylaughed.“Nottoday,thankyou,”sheanswered.AlexledthewayintothenarrowstreetnicknamedPirates’Alley.Itwassoattractive,with

itsquaintarchitectureandfloweringplants,thatitwashardforthegirlstothinkofsinisterplansoncebeingmadetherebyschemingpirates.Justasthesight-seersemergedfromthealley,NancygrabbedGeorge’sarm.“Ijustturned

aroundandsawamanwholooksexactlyliketheonewhostolemycar!Hemustbefollowingus!”George suggested getting a policeman, but Nancy said, “No. I’d like to follow him if

possible.Wemay learn something. Suppose you andBess and I duck into the first antiquestorewecometoandlethimpassus.”Georgewhispereddirections toBess, asNancy glanced over her shoulder to be sure the

manwasstillfollowing.Hewas!Comingtoagiftshop,sheannouncedquicklytoDonnaMaeandAlex,“BessandGeorgeand

Iaregoingtodoalittleshopping.SupposewemeetyoulateratAntoine’s.”Without further explanation, the three girls ducked into the shop. Donna Mae, looking

impatient,followedthem,butAlexremainedoutside.Whentheproprietorcameforward,BessandGeorgeengagedhiminconversationaboutafloweredplate.Nancypretendedtoexamineaminiaturevaseonatablenearthewindowwhilewatchingtoseeifthesuspectpassed.To her complete astonishment, the man stopped and spoke to Alex. It was nearly a full

minutebeforehemovedon.NancysignaledtoBess,whosaidtotheproprietor:“Thankyouverymuch.I’llthinkitover.”QuicklyNancylefttheshop,followedbytheothergirls.Thesuspectwasnotfaraheadof

them.Nancystartedoffatabriskpacetospeaktohimandperhapsfindapoliceman.“What’sthehurry?”Alexasked,catchinguptoandtakingherarm.“I want to talk to someone,” Nancy replied hastily. “By the way, what did the man who

stoppedtospeaktoyouwant?”“Thatfellow!Why,he—uh—wantedtopaintyourpicture.”“Whatdidyousaytohim?”Nancyasked.Alexlaughed.“Itoldhimtherewasn’taghostofachanceofpaintingyou.”Nancy gazed straight at Alex to determine if hewas telling the truth or teasing her. But

therewasonlyanamusedlookinhiseyeswhichgavehernoclue.“I’dliketospeaktothemanmyself,anyhow,”Nancydeclaredandhurriedon.Alex and the other girls quickly followed, but by this time the suspect was out of sight.

Nancywasannoyedatherselfforlettinghimgetaway.“I’msurehejustpretendedtobeanartist!”shesaidtoherself.Alex ledthewaytoAntoine’srestaurant.Herethegroupwalkedthroughseveralcrowded

roomsbefore being shown a table.Nancy and the cousins observedwith interest thewallsthatwerecoveredwithautographedphotographsoffamouspersons.

“I’msurethatheisthemanwhostolemycar!”“Now,Alex,”DonnaMaesaidgaily,“let’shavesomeofthosescrumptiousdishesyouandI

adore.”Asherfiancénoddedandbeckonedtoawaiter,Nancysaid,“Pleaseordersomethingspecial

forme.” She rose from the table. “And please excuseme a fewminutes. I have tomake aphonecall.”Closingherselfintoanearbybooth,shegotintouchwithpoliceheadquarters,toldherstory

aboutthestolenconvertible,andthefactthatshethoughtshehadseenthesuspectintown.“We’lllookintothematteratonce,MissDrew,”theofficerinchargepromised.“Thankyou.I’mstayingwithColonelHaveratSunnymead,”saidNancyandgavehimthe

number.The young detective hung up and started to open the door. Outside stood AlexUpgrove,

staringatherintently!

CHAPTERVII

ASwampAccident

As NANCY stepped out of the telephone booth, Alex Upgrove’s eyes bored into hers. Shestaredback.Neitherwouldwaver,butAlexwasthefirsttospeak.“Nancy,whydidn’tyoutellmewhatwasgoingon,soIcouldhelpyou?”hechided.“I’msure

you’reallwrongaboutthatmanbeingthecarthief.Butwecaninvestigatetheused-carlotsinthecityandseeifwecanfindyourconvertible.”“Thankyou,Alex,butI’llleavethattothepolice,”Nancyreplied.ShewasangrythatAlex

hadfollowedheranddeliberatelylistenedtoherconversation.“Well, have it your own way,” he said, escorting her back to the table. “But I wish you

wouldn’tbesomysterious.Icouldbeabighelptoyou,reallyIcould.”“Nodoubt,”Nancysaidinanoffhandedway.The youngpeople thoroughly enjoyed their luncheon in the famous restaurantwhich had

been operating in this same building since 1868. The lunch included the famous oystersRockefeller,servedinthehalfshellonhotsalt,andgarnishedwithasecretgarlicsauce.Thencame“chickeninthebag.”Thewaitertoreoffthepapercovering,revealingasucculentrice-stuffedbird.Dessertwaspecanpie.AstheyleftAntoine’s,Bessdeclaredshecouldnoteatanothermorseluntilthenextday!“Well,that’sfine,”saidDonnaMae,laughing,“becauseIwanttoputonarehearsalofthe

playandwewon’thavetotaketimeoutfordinner.”Thevisitors reluctantly acquiesced.But eachwas thinking that she couldnotbecome too

excited about appearing in the fairy costumes. Nancy writhed inwardly at the thought offurtherdelayinstartingherinvestigationoftheshowboatmystery.When they reached home, Donna Mae announced to her parents that rehearsal in full

costumeswouldtakeplaceinhalfanhour.ColonelHaverpuckeredhislipsandfrowned.“Iwasgoinggolfing,”hesaid.Hiswifesmiled.“Timeisgettingshort,dear.Maybewe’dbetterhavetherehearsal.”AsGeorge, a fewminutes later,was zipperingherself into thewinged fairy costume, she

suddenlyburstintolaughter.“Ifyougirlsthinkthesewingswillholdmeup,IbelieveI’llflyawayandescapethisrehearsal.”Bessgiggled.“You’dbetternot,oryoumayhaveDonnaMaeorAlexflyingafteryou.”Whenthethreeguestsappearedonthefirstfloor,theyfoundtheothersalreadyassembled.

ColonelandMrs.Haverlookedveryregalintheirkingandqueencostumes.DonnaMaeandAlex,attractiveintheprinceandprincessgarmentsofabygoneera,smiledgraciously.“Oh,youlookadorable!”DonnaMaeexclaimed,buthermothergasped.“Why,Ithoughtthe

threegirlsweregoingtobeladiesinwaiting.”“Wanttoseehowawingedfairyacts?”Georgeaskedimpishly.Instantly shebentdoubleandbegan todoadance step that resembled that of an Indian

ceremonial. Then Bess began to chant a song in themanner of a three-year-old reciting anurseryrhyme.AllbutDonnaMaeburstintolaughter.“I’m afraid,” said Colonel Haver, “that these fairy costumes are not appropriate, Donna

Mae.”“Thenwhatarewegoingtodo?”criedhisdaughter,whowasonthevergeoftears.Hermother said she thought somethingmore regalwould be suitable. Sheherselfwould

selectnewcostumesforthegirls.

Nancysighed. “Ihadhoped towearmymother’sbeautiful shawland fan to theball.Thesuitcasetheywerepackedinwasstolen,youknow.”“Thatwasmostunfortunate,”saidMrs.Haver.“ButI’llplanyourcostumesothatyoucan

weartheshawlandfanthateveningifyoushouldgetthembackintime.”Nancyflashedherasmile.“Thankyou,Mrs.Haver.”Afterthethreefairieshadunsnappedtheirwingsandlaidthemonthesofa,therehearsal

began.EarlierPappyColehadbroughtinseveralboxestoformaplatformonwhichtheactorscouldperform.“Whenwe’reactingontheshowboat,we’llhavearealstage,”saidMrs.Haver.“Iwouldn’tcountonthattoomuch,mydear,”ColonelHaverremarked,“unlessNancyDrew

solvesthemystery.”Any replyNancymight havemadewas interrupted byBesswho at thatmomentmade a

misstep on top of one of the boxes. As she fell backward onto the floor, everyone rushedforwardtohelpher.“Areyouhurt,Bess?”Nancyaskedsolicitously.“Oh,myarm!”Bessexclaimed,tearscomingtohereyes.“IguessIwrenchedit!”Mrs.HaverinsistedthatBessgoupstairsandliedown.Nancyofferedtomassagethearm

andGeorgesaidshewouldgetcoldcompresses.“Butwhat’sgoingtohappentotherehearsal?”DonnaMaewailed.“We’llhavetopostponeit,”hermotherreplied.DonnaMaecontinuedtocomplainpeevishlythateverythingwouldberuined,andhadher

friendsandfamilyforgottenthatherengagementwastobeannouncedthenightoftheball?“Everythingjustmustgosmoothly!”sheexclaimed.Nancyandherfriendsweredisgustedwiththegirl’sattitude.Ignoringher,theyclimbedthe

stairstoGeorgeandBess’sbedroom.“What’sthematterwiththatcousinofours?”Georgeburstout.“Oh, don’t pick on her, George,” said Bess. “I think DonnaMae is nervous and irritable

becauseherconsciencebothersher.”“YoumeanaboutCharlesBartolome?”Nancyasked.“Yes.”Bessdecidedtospendtheremainderoftheafternoonandeveninginherroom.Nancyand

Georgehadsupperwiththe familyontheterrace.Shortlyafterward,Nancyannouncedshewasgoingtoherroomandplannedtoretireearly.“I’vehadalovelyday.Thankyousomuch.Goodnight,everyone.”AsNancywalkedintothehouse,Alexhurriedafterher.“Waitaminute,Nancy.Don’tleave

yet,” he pleaded. “I want to talk to you.Won’t you please tellmewhat your plans are forsolvingthemystery?”“Truthfully,Ihaven’tany,”saidNancy.Asshestartedtowalkon,Alextookherhand.“Ifyouhavenoplans,mayIsuggestsome?”Nancywasannoyed,butshedidnotwanttoberude.“Whatkindofplans?”sheasked.“Well, firstofall, I thinkyouought tosee theshowboat.Whatsayyouand Igetupearly

tomorrowmorningandtakeacanoeouttheretogether?”“How early?” Nancy asked, parrying for time to think up an excuse not to accept the

invitation.“Oh,beforetheothersareup,”Alexsaidwithaslysmile.“We’llgetbackforbreakfast.”BythistimeNancyhadananswer.“Alex,Iunderstandthebayouisverydangerous.Neither

ofusisfamiliarwithit.Sorry,butI’mafraidIcan’tgowithyou.”Withthat,shewentupthestepstwoatatimeandhurriedtoherroom,closingthedoor.“Whatapestheis!”Nancysaidtoherself.Thenshesmiled.“OnethingIcandowithoutis

hiscompanytotheshowboat.”

Nancysatdowninachairbythewindow,lostinthought.Suddenlyshearose.“I’llfindoutrightnowaboutaguidetotakemethroughthebayou.”TheyoungdetectivedecidedthatMammyMatildaandPappyColemightknowatrustworthy

guide.Nancy peered into the hall to be sure Alexwas not in sight, then she hurried to a back

stairway leading to the kitchen andwent down.MammyMatilda andPappyColewere justfinishingtheirsupper.“Thatwas a deliciousmeal,”Nancy said, sitting down on a high stool. “I’ve never eaten

anythingthattastedbetterthanthatCreolerice.”The elderly couple smiled and thanked her. ThenNancy changed the subject. “I’d like to

visittheoldshowboat.Couldyourecommendagoodguide?”Thetwoservantslookedfrightened,andMammyMatildasaid,“MissNancy,youmustn’tgo

nearthatthereshowboat.”“Whynot?”theyoungsleuthasked.“I’mhopingtosolvethemysteryinconnectionwithit.”PappyColefrowned.“Iguessyouhaven’theardthatthere’saghostonboard.It’sahaunted

showboat.”“Whatdoestheghostdo?”Nancyasked.“Oh,allkindsofthings,MissNancy,”MammyMatildareplied.“Everytimeaworkmangoes

therean’triestofixtheboatup,thatthereghostcomesalongan’ruinsallthathe’sdone.”“Hm,”saidNancy, thinkingthatsuchdestructionsoundedmore like theworkofahuman

beingthanaghost!“To tell you the truth,”MammyMatildawenton, “I thinkour folksherearemakin’abig

mistaketryin’tomovethatthereboat.”“Whydoyouthinkso?”Nancyaskedher.Theoldcouple lookedquestioninglyateachother.Then finallyPappyCole said,hisvoice

risingexcitedly,“TheRiverPrincesswassentintothebayoubyagreatflood.It’sProvidencethatdidit.Providence.Wegotnorighttochangethings.Mammyan’Ithinkthatboatshouldrestthereinpeace.”Nancywasamazedatthispointofview.Instantlyshewonderediftherewereothersinthe

neighborhood who felt the same asMammyMatilda and Pappy Cole. If so, they might beresponsibleforwhatwashappening!“Well,whethertheoldboatismovedornot,”Nancysaid,“I’dlovetolookatit.”“Well,ifyouinsist,MissNancy,”saidPappyCole,“Ithinkthere’snobettermanthanUncle

Rufus.Heknowsthattherebayoulikethealligatorsdoan’he’saswiseastheoldowlsinit,too.”NancyaskedPappyColeifhewouldarrangeforUncleRufustocometoSunnymeadsothat

shemighttalktohim.“I’llhavehimheredirectlyafterbreakfast,”PappyColepromised.“Justcometothekitchen,

MissNancy.”Delighted, she thanked the couple for the information and went back upstairs. Nancy

stopped at Bess andGeorge’s room to tell them about her plan and ask them to go along.Georgeatonceaccepted.Besssaidshewouldgoifherarmfeltbetterinthemorning.BybreakfasttimeBessinsistedthatwhileherelbowwasstillsore,itdidnotbotherhervery

muchandshewouldliketoseetheoldshowboat.Atnineo’clock theywent to thekitchen.Awhite-hairedNegro immediately stoodup.He

wastallandslender,andhisfacehadthelookofatrustworthy,helpfulperson.“This isUncleRufus,”MammyMatilda introducedhim.“UncleRufus, theseheregirlsare

theoneswhowanttogotothatshowboat.MissDrew,MissFayne,andMissMarvin.”Theelderlymanmadealowbowandsaidhewouldbeveryhappytotakethem.“Igotmyka-noooutside,”hesaid.“Whenyouallisready,UncleRufuswillpaddleyouup

thestream.”AsNancyandGeorgestartedupstairstochangetheirshoes,Besswalkedouttotheporch

wheretheHaversweretalking.Alexhadgoneout,theysaid.WhenBesstoldthemofthegirls’

plan,theColonelsaid:“Fine.Perhapsyou’llfindsomecluestohelpsolveourmystery.”“Butdobecareful,”Mrs.Havercautioned.WhenNancy,Bess,andGeorgemetUncleRufusattherearofthegarden,theylookedatthe

canoeinamazement.Itwasahandmadedugout,veryoldandfragilelooking.“Areyousureit’ssafeforallofustogo?”Bessaskednervously.UncleRufussmiled.“Thishereka-noohastakenmean’myniecesandnephewsmilesan’

miles,”hesaidproudly.“Don’tyouallworryaboutit.”Thegirlssteppedinandtheoldmanstartedpaddling.Soonthehousevanishedfromsight.

For some time therewas no conversation as the girls tried to accustom themselves to theeeriestillness.ThedismalatmosphereoftheswampanditsrankodordisturbedBess.UncleRufus,seeingherholdingahandkerchieftohernose,remarked,“Prettysoonyouall

won’tmind this stench.Right hereabouts it’s scarce inmoss.Deeper in the swamp there’splentyofit.Youknow,mossisoneo’God’sgiftstotheswamp.Itpurifiestheair.”Fartheron,thegirlsnoticedquantitiesofmossgrowingonstumpsandstones.Theairdid

seempurer!The sight-seersalsonoticed thatonboth sidesof the stream,among the trees,was thick

coarsegrass.“That’scrawfishgrass,”UncleRufustoldthem.Heexplainedthatthenativesletdownnetbasketsontheendofapoleamongthebladesof

grass.“They puts in fish bait,” he said, “an’ in no time they gets themselves a basket full o’

crawfish.”Forsomedistancetheclearedstreamthroughtheswampwasaboutthirtyfeetwide,thenit

suddenlynarrowed.UncleRufusexplainedthatthiswasasfarasColonelHaverhadcleareditout.As theyentered thenarrowpart,UncleRufuspulled inhispaddleand let theboatglide.

“Wantol’Rufustotellyou’boutthetime—”At that instant the canoe hit an underwater obstruction head on. The craft shuddered

violently,thenoverturned,throwingitspassengersintothemurkywater!

CHAPTERVIII

TheVoodooPreacher

UNCLERUFUSandthegirlscametothesurface,shakingthemuckywaterfromtheirfaces.Thefourofthemwadedtotheoverturneddugout.“There’sabigholeinit!”Georgeexclaimed.UncleRufusshookhisheadindismay,thenwiththegirlsbegantolookforthecauseofthe

accident.SuddenlyNancycriedout,“There’sabarricadehere!”Shehaddivedunderthewater.Initsmurkinessshehadspottedastoutnetofvineswhich

had been strung across the narrow part of the stream and tied to trees on each side. Theimpactofthedugouthadtornitapart.“Hm!”saidUncleRufus.“Butthatsurewasn’twhatputaholeinmyka-noo.”Hewentdownunderthewaterhimselfandfeltaround.Amomentlaterhesurfaced.Hetold

thegirlsthatseveralsharp-pointedstoneshadbeenusedtoweightdownthevinenet.Thesehadpiercedhiscraft.“Someonedidthisonpurposetokeepusfromgoinganyfarther!”Georgedeclared.UncleRufuslookedstartled.“Youmeanyouallgotsomeenemiesaroundhere?”“It lookslikeit,”Nancyagreed.“But,UncleRufus,maybeyouknowofsomeotherreason

whythevinemighthavebeenputhere.”The oldman shook his head. “Nobody in this here bayouhas got anything againstUncle

Rufus.”Hechangedthesubjectabruptly.“Well,I’vegottogoan’getanotherboat.Youladiesclimbsometrees,elsesomehungryolealligatormaybotheryou.”Bessgavealittlesquealandinstantlystartedwadingtowardaswampoak.“Whereareyougoingtofindaboat?”NancyaskedUncleRufus.Theoldmansaidafriendwouldlendhimone.Heknewashortcuttotheman’scabin.With

asmileUncleRufusaddedthathewasusedtosloshingthroughtheswamponfoot.“Iwon’tbegonemore’nhalfanhour,”hesaid.“Halfanhour?”Besswailed.“YoumeanIhavetostayupinthistreeallthattime?”“I’seafraidyoudo,”UncleRufusreplied.Ashewasabouttostartoff,Nancysuddenlysaid,“Listen!IthinkIhearaboatcoming!”Theyall remainedquiet andpresently a canoeist turnedabend just ahead in thenarrow

partofthestream.“Alex!”Nancyexclaimed.The youngman lookedup.Seeing thegirls andUncleRufus, he called out, “What in the

worldisgoingon?”Quickly Nancy explained. As Alex came closer he said, “A mat of vines, you say? That’s

strange.Apparentlyitwasn’therehalfanhouragowhenIwentupthestream.”“Didyouseeanyoneelsearound?”Nancyaskedhim.“No,Ididn’t,”Alexanswered.Thenheadded,“Well,allofyouclimbaboardandI’lltakeyou

home.Isupposeyouwereonyourwaytoseetheshowboat?”Nancyconfessedthattheywere.SheexpressedamazementthatAlexhaddaredpaddleup

totheRiverPrincessalone.Theyoungmanlaughed.“Oh,I’mnotafraidofghosts,”hesaid.“Thesestoriesaboutthat

showboatbeinghauntedarealotofnonsense.Butjustthesame,I’mconvinceditwouldbe

foolhardytotryclearingouttherestofthestreamandmovingtheshowboattotheHavers’estatebeforeMardiGrastime.Infact,IthinkitwouldbesillytomovetheRiverPrincessatanytime.Sheisn’tworthit.”“Youmeantheboat’sinbadshape?”Bessasked.“Shesureis.Practicallyrottingaway.”TherewasnofurtherconversationonthesubjectuntiltheynearedthedockatSunnymead.

ThenAlexremarked,“I’mgoingtoadviseColonelHavertocalloffallworkandinvestigation.Nancy,Ihopeyou’llbackmeup.Thenyouwon’thavetobotherwithanymysteryandallofuscanhaveagoodtimetogether.”Nancydidnotreply.Instead,asthegroupsteppedoutofthecanoe,shesuggestedtoUncle

Rufus thathe come inside thehouse. “Youcanbatheandborrow someclothes fromPappyCole.”UncleRufuslaughed.“Thankyoukindly,miss,butI’seusedtotheswampmud.Igotalittle

bathin’pondofmyownuptothecabin.I’lljustamblealongthroughthewatertillIgithome.”Hehadgoneonlyfifty feetwhenanewideaoccurredtoNancy.Runningalongtheshore,

shecaughtuptohim.Inalowvoiceshesaid,“I’dstillliketovisittheshowboat.Woulditbepossibleforyoutotaketheothergirlsandmesometimetoday?”“Why,yes,miss,”UncleRufusanswered.“Couldyouallcometomycabinwhenyougitfixed

up?I’llbereadyan’I’llborrowthatka-nooIwastellin’youabout.”Nancyaskeddirectionsandwas toldhowtoreach thecabinbycar.“We’llbe there inan

hour,”shesaid.WhenNancy returned to the rest of her group, Alex adroitly tried to find out about her

conversationwithUncleRufus.Buttheyoungdetedectiveside-steppedhisquestions.“What’snextontheprogram?”Alexinquired,asheandthegirlswalkedtowardtheHaver

mansion.“Abathandashampoo!”Georgeannouncedfirmly.Whenthegirlsreachedtheiradjoiningbedrooms,Nancywhisperedherplanaboutstarting

againfortheshowboat.BesssaidthatshewouldbegladtogobutwonderedhowtheycouldkeepAlexfromaccompanyingthemorfindingoutwheretheyweregoing.“Thistimewe’renotgoingtotellanybodywherewe’regoing,”Nancysaid.“Youremember

ColonelHavertellingmeI’dhavefreereininsolvingthismysteryandwouldn’thavetoreporttoanybody.Let’skeepthistripasecret.”“Why thesecrecy,Nancy?”Bessasked. “Surelyyoudon’t suspectanyone in thishouseof

beingmixedupinthemystery,doyou?”“Ididn’tmeanthat,”Nancyanswered.“Ifourplanbecomesknown,wemaybeinterrupted

againtogosight-seeing.”George chuckled. “Also, Bess, you don’t have to be suspicious of people like Alex just

becauseyoudon’tlikethem.Isupposehemeanswell,butIcan’tstandthatmanandIknowNancycan’t.”“Well,Ican’teither,”admittedBess.“But,Nancy,surelyyoudon’tthinkheputthatbarrier

ropeacrosstherivertokeepusfromseeingtheshowboat,doyou?”“No. But he’s not very consistent. First, he wanted to join forces withme and solve the

mystery—undoubtedlytomakeahitwithhisfuturefather-in-law.Nowhesayshe’sgoingtoadvisehimtodropthewholepropositionandevenwantsmetobackhimup!”Georgelaughed.“Talkaboutwomenchangingtheirminds!”Thegirlswerereadyinhalfanhourandwentdownstairs.DonnaMaeandAlexwereplaying

tennis on a court near the house. Colonel and Mrs. Haver, Nancy learned from MammyMatilda,hadgonetotown.Nancyandherfriends leftthemansionbyasidedoorandwalkedtotheircar.Takingthe

service road, Nancy avoided the tennis court and drove off. Following Uncle Rufus’sdirections,sheturnedfromthemainroadontoabayoulane.Inalittlewhileshecametoamodestbrownwoodenshackinagroveofcypresstrees.The

girlsgotoutandwalkedtowardthebuilding.“Wait!”Besscriedout.“Thiscan’tbetherighthouse.DoyouhearwhatIdo?”

Fromthecabincamethesoundsofdolefulchantingandtheriseandfallofawailingvoice,evidentlypraying.“Soundslikeavoodoosession,”Georgeobserved.Thegirlsstoodstillandlistened.Singsongmutteringsfollowedthechanting.Amoment latera smallboycame from thecabinand ran toward thegirls. “Whatyouall

want?”heasked.“IsthisUncleRufus’shome?”Nancyinquired.“Yassum,itis,”theboyreplied.“Butyoucain’tseehimnow.”“Butwehaveanappointmentwithhim,”saidNancy.“UncleRufushada’mergencycase,”theboysaid.“Emergencycase?”Georgeasked.“IsUncleRufusadoctor?”“Yassum,”saidthelittleboy.Asheranoff,hecalledback,“UncleRufusisavoodoodoctor!”Thegirlswereamazed.“Idon’twantUncleRufuscastinganyspellsonme!”Besssaidfirmly.Nancywasthoughtful.Finallysheasked,“DoyousupposeUncleRufuscouldheadagroup

ofvoodoobelieverswhoholdsecretmeetingsontheshowboat?”George said it was very likely. “And perhaps they’re deliberately haunting it so the boat

won’tbemoved!”shesuggested.“We’ll tryto findout.Butwemustn’tmakeUncleRufussuspicious,”shewarned,andher

friendsnodded.At thatmomentUncleRufus’s “patient,” anelderly coloredwoman, came from thecabin.

Shewassingingahymn.Asshepassedthegirlsshesmiledatthemhappilybutdidnotspeak.Afterthewomanwasoutofhearingdistance,Bessremarked,“Sheactsasifshewereina

trance!”“Shesuredoes,”saidGeorge.Just thenUncleRufusappeared.As if reading thegirls’ thoughts,heexplained thatwhen

thewomanhadcometovisithimshehadbeenlimping.Aradiantexpressionspreadovertheoldman’s face when he added, “Now through prayer she’s cured.We sang an’ we prayedtogether.”In unison the girls said, “We’re glad,” butmade no other reference to thewoman or the

subjectofvoodooism.For several secondsUncle Rufus stood looking after his “patient,” then he turned to the

girls,“I’sereadytotakethetripnow.”

CHAPTERIX

TheRiverPrincess

THE CANOE proceeded along the bayou stream in leisurely fashion. Uncle Rufus paddledevenlybutslowly.Nowandthenhewouldstopalongtheedgetopointoutanherb.“Aresomeofthemspices?”Nancyasked.Uncle Rufus said a few were, but most of the swamp herbs were used for medicinal

purposes.Nowthattheoldmanhadstartedtalkingaboutthebayou,hewentonandon,tellingabout

itswildlife.“Takespiders,”hesaid.“Theyrepresentsthedevilonthisearth.Theypi-sonfolks,an’snakesdo,too.Yougottobemightycarefulof’em.”UncleRufus said that on the other hand the turtle represented great patience. “Just like

God’spatiencewithman,”headded,smiling.“Andaturtleknowsenoughnottostickitsneckoutan’getintootherfolks’business.”As thegirls chuckled,UncleRufus suddenly called their attention to a screeching sound.

“Knowwhatthatis?”“Oh,it’sabirdcall,isn’tit?”Georgeasked.UncleRufusnodded.“Doyouknowwhatkind?”“Awildduck?”Nancyguessed.“No,”UncleRufusreplied,“butsomebody’ssure’nufftryin’toimitateone.”“Isitbeingusedasasignal?”Nancyasked.“Mebbeso,”UncleRufusanswered.“Butit’sanawfulbadimitation.Nobodywhoknowsthe

bayouwouldbefooledbythat.”Justthenfromtheoppositedirectioncameanothercall,exactlythesameasthefirst.The

girls exchangedmeaningful glances.Whowas imitating awild duck’s cry? SuddenlyUncleRufuschuckledandsaidthatacoupleofcityboysmustbeplayingagameinthebayou.Nancy and her friends, although they did not say so aloud, did not come to the same

conclusion.Itwaspossiblethatpersonsweresignalingwithsomesinisterpurpose—perhapstosetanothertrapforthegirls!Meanwhile,thecanoehadalreadyenteredthenarrowpartofthestream.Fifteenminutes

laterUncleRufussangout:“TheRiverPrincessisjustahead!”Hepaddledaroundabendand thegirls found themselves facingasmallpond.At the far

sideofit,againstabackdropofmoss-coveredoaks,laytheoldshowboat.Itwasaboutahundredfeet long,twenty-fivefeetwide,andhadtwodecks.Thecrafthad

listedslightlyanditslookouttowerhadbeendamagedbyafallingtree.UncleRufuschuckled.“I—IguesstheRiverPrincesswasplentyproudinherday.Hundreds

ofgentlefolksusedtocometoseetheshows.”Bess gave a great, audible sigh. “I don’t blameColonelHaver forwanting to restore the

RiverPrincess.She’sthemostromanticthingI’veseeninalongtime.”“Andoneoftheworstwrecks,”Georgeretorted.Nancy smiled. “I agree, partly,withboth of you.But really I don’t think this showboat is

beyondrepair.Let’sgoaboardandlookforourselves.”At that moment hammering started on the craft. Bess involuntarily gave a shudder and

UncleRufuslookedstartled.Nancy grinned and said quickly, “Don’t worry. Ghosts rarely work in the daytime.” In a

loudervoiceshecalled,“Anybodyhome?”Amomentlateratallyoungmanappearedonthelowerdeckandwalkedtowardtherailing.

Hewasfine-featuredandhadreddishhair.“ThatmustbeCharlesBartolome,”Besssaidinalowvoice.“I’veseenhispicture.”“That’sMr.Bartolomeallright,”UncleRufusspokeup.Theyoungman,afterhisfirstlookofsurpriseatseeingcallers,smiledatthegroupinthe

canoe.“Hi!”hecalled.Introductions were quickly exchanged. Under her breath, Bess murmured, “How in the

worldcouldDonnaMaeeverhaveswitched fromhimtoAlexUpgrove?”NancyandGeorgesharedthesamefeelingbutmadenocomment.NancytoldCharlesBartolomewhysheandherfriendshadcometotheshowboatandhow

shehopedtoclearupthemystery.“WewanttohavetheRiverPrincessbroughttoSunnymead,sothattheballtheHaversare

planningwillbeabigsuccess.”“I, too,would like to see themystery solved,” saidCharles.He did notmention the ball.

“Goodlucktoyouall.”“We’llprobablyneedyourhelp,”Nancy toldhim. “Asa start,wouldyoumindshowingus

aroundtheRiverPrincess?”“I’dbedelightedto,”hereplied.“I’vebecomeveryfondoftheoldgal.Butassoonasmyjob

of restoring the showboat is completed, I’m leaving for New York. I’m going to live therepermanentlyandcontinuemyworkasanarchitect.”Thegirlsweresuretheyknewthereasonforthemove.WithDonnaMaemarriedtoAlex,he

wouldnolongerwanttoliveintheNewOrleansneighborhood.UncleRufuswaitedinthecanoewhilethegirlsclimbedaladderandwentaboard.Charles

led them inside to the auditorium. Fastened to the sloping floor were many rows of old-fashioned,cushionedoperachairs.Abalcony,ornateindesign,ranaroundthreesidesoftheroom,andonthefourthsidewasastage.Atatteredred-and-goldcurtainhungdownatthefrontofit.Charles remarked cheerfully, “A couple of coats of paint will do wonders for the River

Princess.Actuallytheoldboatisnotinsuchbadshape.It’sjust—”Theyoungmanpaused.His listenerswaitedforhimtogoon.Finallyhesaid,“It’s justthatwecan’t findanybody

willingtoworkonherormoveher.Andthemenwhowereclearingoutthispartofthestreamwon’tcontinue.”“Isitbecausetheywerefrightenedbysomethingwhichhappenedontheboat?”“Oh, therehavebeenall sortsof rumors,”Charles replied. “Onewas that thecalliopeon

board actually played. Thatwould be impossible, of course. The old organ has been out ofcommissionforyears.”Charleswentontosaythathehimselfhaddonesomeworkinstartingtherestorationofthe

RiverPrincess,butthatwhathehadrebuiltwasmysteriouslyhackedduringthenight.“That’sashame,”saidNancy.“ButI’mnotdiscouraged,”Charlesreplied.“I’llkeepatit.”Nancysmiled,thensaid,“BessandGeorgeandIhavewonderedifpeopleintheareawho

practicevoodoomaybeusingthisplacefortheirmeetings.Doyouthinkthat’spossible?”CharlesBartolomeconsideredthisideaforseveralseconds,thenhesaid,“It’spossible.But

whywouldtheydestroymywork?”Nancysuggestedthatitmightbetofrightenhimaway.“Inanycase,thesepeoplewouldnot

wanttheshowboatmovedtoaplacewheretheycouldno longeruse it,andmightbeusingvariousmeanstodiscourageColonelHaver.”Theyoungmansmiled.“Well,Nancy,it’syourmystery.Come,I’llshowyoutherestofthe

boat.”Theticketofficeandcaptain’ssuitewereatthebowoftheboat,whileatthestern,backof

thestage,weredressingroomsandlivingquarters.“Thesebedroomswereformarriedcouples,”theyoungarchitectexplained.“Theunmarried

men stayed on the steam towboat that pushed theRiverPrincess from place to place. Thekitchenanddiningroomwereonthetowboatalso.”Asthetourendedonthelowerdeck,neartheladder,Nancysuddenlyleanedovertopickup

somethingfromacrackbetweentheboards.“IthinkIhavemyfirstclue!”shecriedout.

CHAPTERX

ACuriousAlligator

ASNANCY’sfriendsontheshowboatwatched,shepickedupaglitteringobjectfromacrackbetween the deck boards. It was a large, gold ornamental hairpin, old-fashioned in design.Tinydiamondsandemeraldssparkledfromthefan-shapedend,whichwasabouttwoincheswide.

“Thegoldisstillshiny,”Nancyobserved,scrutinizingthepin,“sothisprobablyhasn’tbeenhereverylong.”

Bess and George, too, were intrigued. “You mean the pin might have been dropped hererecentlybyitsowner?”askedGeorge.

As Nancy nodded, the girls noticed a strange expression come over Charles Bartolome’sface.Hehadbeenstaringintentlyforseveralminutesatthehairpin.

“Doyouknowwhotheowneris?”Georgeaskedhim.“Possibly,”theyoungmanrepliedaftera longmomentofsilence.“AfewmonthsagoMrs.

Haver showed me her collection of old jewelry. There was a hairpin exactly like this oneamongthepieces.”

Thegirlswerestunnedbythisinformation.Itwasincredible,theythought,thatMrs.Haverwouldhaveworntheornamenttotheshowboat.Thenwhohad?

“Haveyouanytheoryastohowthepingothere?”NancyaskedCharles.“PerhapssomeonestoleitfromMrs.Haveranddroppeditaccidentally,”heoffered.Besswasinclinedtothinkthatthepinmightnothavebeendroppedaccidentally.“Perhaps

someoneplantedithereonpurpose!”“Butwhy?”Georgeasked.Sincenoonecouldevenattempttosolvetheriddleatthemoment,thesubjectwasdropped.

Nancy pocketed the hairpinwith the thought of questioningMrs.Haver about it later. TheyoungdetectivenowaskedCharlesifhehadheardanybirdcallsearlier.

“Youmeanthewildducksthatwereansweringeachother?”“Yes, only according to Uncle Rufus they weren’t genuine calls. He suggested that some

boyswereplayingagame.Butwegirlsthoughtthatperhapssomeonemightbespyingontheshowboat.Aconfederatesomedistanceawaycouldhavebeenusingthecalltowarnsomeonethatwewereapproaching.”

Charlesfrowned.“Thatcouldbetrue.Ifso,Idon’tlikeitatall.ImustadmitmyworkkeptmesobusythatIdidn’tnoticeanyonearound.”

Next,Nancytoldtheyoungarchitectaboutthevinebarrierinthestream.“Thisisserious,”hesaid.“I’llaskUncleRufustosearchtheswamp.”HecalleddownsoftlytoUncleRufus,requestinghimtohuntforanypersonswhomightbe

watchingthegroupontheboat.Astheoldmannoddedandpaddledoff,Nancysuggestedthattherestofthemmakecertainnoonewashidingontheboatitself.

Thesearchersseparated,withCharlesofferingtogodownintotheholdofthevesseltofindout if anyone were there. Nancy took the dressing rooms and upper deck, Bess theauditorium,andGeorgethestage.

Athoroughsearchwasmade.Doorstoroomsandclosetscreakedontheirhingesastheywereopened,butallwereemptyexceptforspiderwebs.

Bess,afterlookinginthetheater,wanderedalongoneofthenearbycorridors.Withastart,shesuddenlysawareflectioninafull-lengthmirroronthewallaheadofher.Theframewastarnishedwithageandthefigurelookedwavery.

“Oh!”shecriedwithalittleshiver.Then,realizingthereflectionwasherown,sheranoutondeck.

“This ispositively thespookiestplace I’veeverbeen in!” shesaid toNancy,whohad justcomedownfrominvestigatingthelookoutandseconddeck.

Soon George joined them, then Charles. All reported there was no evidence that anyonebesidesthemselveswasaboard.

A few moments later Uncle Rufus returned. He reported that there was no one within ahundredyardsoftheRiverPrincess.“Isuredidlooksharpeverywhichway,”theelderlymanassuredthem.Thenheaddedthathemustleavesoon.

“We’llbereadyinafewminutes,”Nancytoldhim.SheturnedtoCharlesandaskedhimifhehadeverbeenontheshowboatafterdark.

“No,Ihaven’t,”hesaid.“Infact,I’veneverevenbeeninthebayouaftersundown.”Then,reading Nancy’s thoughts, he asked, “Would you girls like to visit theRiver Princess someeveningwithme?”

“Oh,we’dloveto,”Nancyreplied.CharlesBartolomeofferedtobringthemtotheshowboatthefollowingevening.Bessdidnot

look enthusiastic, but managed to smile feebly. George declared it would be an interestingadventure.“Maybeafterdarkwe’llbeabletoscareupthoseshowboatspooks,”shesaid.

Atthis,Bess’sfaintsmilefadedcompletely.Shethrewawitheringglanceathercousinandsaid,“Don’tsoundsohappyaboutit.Ifwedocomeacrossanyghosts,youcancatchthemall,GeorgeFayne!”

Nancy,George,andCharleschuckled,thenNancysaid:“Itwillbeawonderfultrip.And,Charles,ifyoudon’tmind,I’dliketokeepitasecret.”Hegrinned,gavethegirlsawink,andsaid,“Iunderstand.AndI’mveryflatteredthatyou’re

goingtopermitmetohelpyousolvethemystery.”“Itmaybealongpull,”Nancywarnedhim.Charlessaidherealizedthat.“Butifitisn’tsolvedbyMardiGrastime,Iguesstherewon’t

bemuchuse.”AfterNancyandherfriendshadclimbeddowntheladderandwereseatedinthecanoe,he

calledtothem,“Howaboutyougirlscomingtomyhometodinnertomorroweveningbeforewego?IknowMotherwouldlikeverymuchtomeetyou.Dadwouldtoo,buthe’sawayforafewdays.”

“That’sverykind,”saidNancy.“I’dlovetocome.”“I’dbethrilled,”Bessspokeup,andGeorgeaddedherthanks.“ThenMotherwillbecallingyou,”Charlespromised.Thegirlswavedgood-byasUncleRufusstartedpaddlingdownthestream.Onthereturn

tripheentertainedthemwithstoriesofNegrolifeinAfricacenturiesago.

“Nancy!Watchout!”Bessscreamed“It was my ancestors that invented the first long-distance com-mun-i-cation,” he said

proudly.“Wemadedrumsthatcouldcarrysoundsformilesan’miles.Thefolksinoneplacesent signals an’ messages by beatin’ on the drums with their hands. Then the next villagewouldpickitupan’sendthesignalontoanotherplacefaraway.That’showtheygotallthemembersofatribetogetherforspecialmeetin’san’forfightin’wars.”

“Veryingenious,”Georgeremarked.NotoncedidUncleRufus refer tovoodooismor to the fact thathehimselfwasavoodoo

doctororpreacher.Justbeforethecanoereachedtheareainthestreamwhereitjoinedtheclearedsection,the

craftfloatedoveralargepadofwhitelilies.“Aren’ttheypretty?”Bessasked.NancynoddedanddecidedtopickafewoftheflowerstotaketoMrs.Haver.Inpullingthe

firstone,shefeltthewholerootcomingaway.Sheyankedatithardandinamomentfelttheclumppullloose.

Thesameinstant,Bess,whowaswatchingherchum,screamed.Shehadseenthesnoutofanalligatorrisingfrombeneaththeleaves.Thereptile’sjawswereaimingforNancy’shand!

“Lookout!”Bessyelled.

CHAPTERXI

APuzzlingAttitude

BESS’ScryalertedNancy.Justintimeshesawthereptileandquicklypulledinherhand,stillholdingthelilyplant.

“Oh!”Bessgaveahugesighofrelief.But the next moment her fright returned. Nancy and George, too, were alarmed. The

alligator,asifannoyedbecausehehadbeendisturbed,turned,flippinghistail.Itwhackedthecanoesohardthatthelittlecraftalmostoverturned.

Uncle Rufus stood up and hit the alligator’s head with his paddle. The elderly mansucceededinstunningthealligatorbyhittingthevulnerableaperturebehindthereptile’sear.ThenUncleRufussatdownandbegantopaddlefuriouslydownstream.

“Whew!”Georgeburstout.“Ineverwanttogetthatclosetosuchabeastagain!”“NorI,”saidBesswithashudder.“Oh,you’resobrave,UncleRufus!”TheoldNegro’sfacebrokeintoabroadgrin.“Whenyouliveswith‘gatorsallyourlife,you

don’tfoolaroundwith’em!”hesaid.Whentheyreachedtheoldman’scabin,thegirlsthankedhimforhishelp,thenreturnedto

SunnymeadinNancy’scar.There,teawasbeingservedonthepatioandMrs.Haverinvitedthegirlstojointhegroup.

“My,butyoualllookmysterious,”DonnaMaeremarked.“Letmeguess—you’vebeeninthebayou.”

WhenBessconfessedthattheyhadbeen,Alexadded,“AndI’dliketobetyou’vebeentotheshowboat.”

“You’reright,”Nancyadmitted.BeforeAlexcouldpursuethesubject,sheadded,“Themostexcitingpartofourtripwasmeetinganalligator.”

“Oh,howpositivelyhorrid!”DonnaMaeex.claimed.Thestorywastold indetailandNancyhopedthatnofurtherreferencewouldbemadeto

theshowboat.ButAlexhadnotforgottenit.“Well,”hespokeup,“nowthatyou’veseentheRiverPrincess,I’msureyou’llagreewithme

thatit’sahopelessmess.There’snopointintryingtomovetheboatfromthebayou.Itwouldbemuchtooexpensive.”

“But,Alexdear,whatarewegoingtodoaboutaplacetoholdtheball?”DonnaMaeasked.“Don’tyouworry,honey,”Alexsaidreassuringly.“Ihaveasplendid idea.Wecanturnthis

houseintoashowboat!”ForamomenttheHaversandtheirdaughterwerestunnedbythesuggestion.Butpresently,

as Alex explained how all the furniture could be moved from the living room and a stageerectedatoneend,theybecameinterested.

“Ifwecan’thavetherealthing,”remarkedtheColonel,“Isupposewe’dbetterstartmakingplansimmediatelytodecoratethisplace.”

Thegirls fromRiverHeights,however,wereextremelydisappointedat this turnofeventsand took no part in the planning. They thought Alex’s suggestion a poor substitute for theColonel’soriginalidea—andNancyherselfdidnotwanttogiveupanunsolvedmystery.

Presently Alex left the group to look over the living room and decide how he woulddismantle it. Mrs. Haver mentioned to her visitors that the family had been invited to aneighbor’shometoadinnerpartythefollowingevening.“Wouldyougirlsliketoaccompanyus?You’reinvited,”shesaid.

“We’dloveto,butthethreeofushavealreadymadeanotherengagement,”Nancytoldher

hostess.“Why, how nice! But I didn’t realize you knew anyone down here,” saidMrs. Haver, and

DonnaMaeasked,“Whereareyougoing?”Nancy told them about havingmet Charles Bartolome, and the invitation to his home to

dinner.Mrs.Haver,at first surprised, lookedembarrassedwhenDonnaMaesuddenlyburstintotearsandfledfromtheroom.Excusingherself,thewomanhurriedafterherdaughter.

“Howodd,”saidGeorge.“WhatailsDonnaMae,anyhow!”“Maybeweshouldn’thavesaidanythingaboutCharlestoher,”Nancysuggested.“Doyouthinkweoughttoturndowntheinvitation?”Bessasked.“Itseemstohaveupset

DonnaMaeterriblyandweareguestshere.”“Of course we shouldn’t give it up,” her cousin said determinedly. “This is a good

opportunityforustofindoutmoreaboutthemysteryoftheshowboat.”Asthegirlsquietlydiscussedthesituation,Mrs.HaverreturnedandrequestedNancyand

herfriendsnottogototheBartolomes.“DonnaMaeisinhysterics,”shesaid.“Nancy,supposeyougoupstairsandtellheryou’ve

changedyourmind.”TheyoungsleuthwenttoDonnaMae’sbedroom.Expectingtofindthegirlintears,Nancy

wassurprisedtoseethebride-to-beseatedatherdressingtable,puttingonmake-up.“DonnaMae,”Nancybegan,“I’msorrythatI—”“Oh,don’tbesorryaboutanything,”DonnaMaesaidairily,admiringherleftprofileinthe

mirror.“GototheBartolomesifyouwish.Itmeansnothingtome.”Nancywasbothperplexedandamusedbythegirl’sseemingchangeofheart.Butshewas

convinced that Donna Mae was putting on an act and that she was actually in love withCharles—onlytooproudtoadmitit.

“Youdon’tmindifweaccept?”Nancyasked.“Certainlynot,”DonnaMaereplied.“AndpleasetellMotherforme.”Nancy hurried downstairs. She met Mrs. Haver in the hall and gave her Donna Mae’s

message.Thehostessforcedalaughandsaid,“Well,I’mgladthat’sstraightenedout.”Justthen,thetelephonerangandshewenttoanswerit.Afewmoments laterMrs.Haver

came out to the patio where Nancy had rejoined her friends. Their hostess said thatMrs.Bartolomehadcalledtoconfirmthedinnerinvitation.

“She’llexpectyougirlsatseven.”Later,whenNancywasaloneinherownroomwithBessandGeorge,shetoldthemofher

conversationwithDonnaMaeandaddedherownthoughtthatthegirlwasstill inlovewithherex-fiancé.

“Thenlet’sgetthemtogetheragain!”Bessdeclared.Nancysmiled.“But first, let’ssolvethemystery. IwanttoshowMrs.Haverthe lovelyold

hairpinIfound.”Knowingthattheirhostessalwaysrestedbeforedinner,Nancywaiteduntila fewminutes

beforeseven,thenwenttoMrs.Haver’sbedroom,andtappedlightlyonthedoor.“Comein!”thewomancalled.

“Oh, how pretty you look!” she said, admiring Nancy’s powder-blue eyelet-embroidereddress.

“Thankyou.Mrs.Haver,Ihavesomethingtoshowyou,”Nancysaid.Shetoldthewomanofherdiscoveryandheldupthehairpin.

“Why, how strange—howvery strange!”Without anotherword,Mrs.Haver rushed to herbureau, opened a drawer, and took out a jewel box. She rummaged through it and a fewsecondslaterheldupahairpinverymuchliketheonetheyoungdetectivehadfound.

“ForamomentIthoughttheoneyouhadwasmine,Nancy,”shesaid.“Thesetwoarealmostidentical.Iwonderwhocouldhavedroppedtheotherone.”

“SodoI,”Nancyconfided.For thenext tenminutesNancydiscussed thestrangeaffairwithMrs.Haver,butneither

couldcometoanyconclusion.Finallythetwowalkeddownthestairstodinner.Donna Mae had completely recovered her composure. Her conversation was scintillating

and the Northern girls were amazed that her attitude had changed so quickly and socompletely.

Towardtheendof themeal,DonnaMaesmiledgailyandannounced,“Ihaveawonderfulsurpriseforyougirls.AlexhasinvitedallofustoNewOrleansforagalatimetomorrow.”

Nancy, although she really would have preferred continuing her sleuthing, politelyexpressedher appreciation. She thought it advisable not to antagonizeDonnaMae further.Besssaidshewaseagertoseemoreofthecityandeatatanotherfamousrestaurant.

George,forherpart,wassuspiciousofDonnaMae’smotives.Later,asthegirlsweregettingreadyforbed,shesaid,“Nancy,we’dbettertakeyourcar.Thistriptotownmaybeatricktokeepustheresolatethatwewon’tbebackintimetogototheBartolomes’fordinner.”

“Youcouldberight,George,”Bessagreed.“ButyouknowIjustcan’tfigureoutDonnaMaeandthewaysheacts.”

Georgeremarkedwithagreatyawn,“DonnaMaejustisn’therselfsinceAlexcameintoherlife. I think it’sa shame!”Thegirl’s voice roseas sheadded, “Sheused tobe sucha swellperson.Nowshe’sapain!”

“S-sh!”Nancywarned.“Shemayhearyou.”ThefollowingmorningNancyawakenedtoasunnydayandthetwitteringchorusofbirds.

Going to awindow, she stood there, breathing in the balmy, fragrant air and admiring thelovelygardens.PappyCole,ahugebasketoverhisarm,wascuttingflowersnearthehouse.

AsNancywentintoherfriends’room,thearomaofbroilinghamandfresh-bakedcorncakeswaftedupstairs.“Getup,yousleepyheads,”shesaidtoBessandGeorge.“It’ssimplyheavenlyoutside!Let’swearourskirt,blouse,andshortssetstoday.”

“Willdo,”Georgereplied,jumpingoutofbedandmakingabeelinefortheshower.“Oh,don’trushme,”Bessbeggedfromherbed.“It’stoodeliciousadaytohurry.”Nevertheless, the girls were dressed in half an hour and went downstairs. As soon as

breakfastwasover,theyoungpeoplemetinthedriveway.Alexhadthestationwagonreadyandhoppedouttoassistthepassengers.

“Thankyou,”saidNancy,“butBessandGeorgeandIaregoinginmycar.We’llfollowyou.”Alookofannoyancecreasedtheyoungman’sforehead.“Butwhy?”heasked.Bessputonanengagingsmile.Inaveryconvincingvoiceshesaidwithagiggle,“Youtwo

sweetiepiesoughttobealone.”To avoid any further objection, the girls hurried to Nancy’s car. She followed Alex at a

distance of about thirty feet all theway toNewOrleans. Upon reaching the outskirts, shewondered why he did not go directly into the city. Instead, he turned and took a verycircuitousroutetoreachthesight-seeingarea.

“Nothingspecialhere,”Georgecomplained.“Justalotofoldhousesonadesertedstreet.”At thatmomentasmallwadofpaper fluttered fromAlex’scarwindow.Nancy,wondering

whetherhehaddroppeditbyaccident,decidedonasuddenimpulsetostopandretrievethepaper.ShepulledtothecurbandGeorgehoppedouttopickitup.

“This isn’t anything special,” George announced, climbing in and smoothing out the tinysheet.“Justafunnydrawing.”

Thethreegirlsgazedatamaroon-coloredrectanglewithagoldstriperunningthroughit.Therewasnowritingonthepaper.

Alex had stopped and now backed up to seewhatwas detainingNancy. She handed thepapertohimoutherwindow.“Didyoumeantodropthis?”sheasked.

“Oh,that!”saidAlex.“Akidcousinofminedrewit.Ijustfounditinmypocket.Idon’twantit.”Hetossedthepaperintothestreetandstartedoffagain.

OncemoreNancy followedAlex,butashe turnedacornershesuddenlystopped thecar.Openingthedoor,shegotout.

“Quick,George, take thewheel!” sheordered. “Ihave somesleuthing todo.Meet youattwelveo’clockatBroussard’srestaurant.”

MysteriouslyNancydashedbackupthestreet.

CHAPTERXII

ASlyGetaway

“WHATdoyouthinkNancyisgoingtodo?”Bessaskedhercousin,astheydroveon.“Searchme!”Georgeanswered.“Butyoucanbesureithassomethingtodowiththatwad

ofpaper.”“YoumeanNancy’sfiguredoutthatthedrawingonitmeantsomethingimportant?AndAlex

wasn’ttellingthetruthwhenhesaidithadbeendrawnbyalittlecousinofhis?”“Something of the sort.” George grinned. “I can just see Alex’s facewhenwe get to the

parkinglot.He’llbefurious.”George’spredictionwasright.AlexandDonnaMaegotoutofthestationwagonandwalked

towardthespotwhereGeorgewasparking.NotseeingNancy,Alexinstantlyaskedwhereshewas.“Leftustodosomesleuthing,”saidGeorge,assheandBessalighted.“Shetoldustomeet

heratBroussard’sattwelve.”Alex’s eyes flashed andDonnaMae looked hurt. “I don’t think that’s very nice ofNancy

whenweplannedsuchagaysight-seeingtrip,”DonnaMaeremarked.“Well, after all, Nancy was invited down here to solve a mystery,” George defended her

friend.“I’mgoingtofindher!”Alexsaidsuddenly.Herantothestationwagon,gotin,androared

outoftheparkinglot.“AndI’mgoingtofollow,”Georgesaidtoherself.ShegotbehindthewheelofNancy’scar

andspedaftertheyoungman.DonnaMaeandBessstaredafterthetwocars.“Well,ofallthehorridthingstodo!”Donna

Maecriedoutpettishly.“What difference does it make?” Bess said soothingly. “You and I can have some fun

shoppingtogether.”ThisdidnotappeaseDonnaMae,however.Sheinsisteduponwaitingattheparkinglot.But

when ten minutes had gone by and the others had not returned, she finally consented toleaving.Inthemeantime,NancyhadrunbacktothespotwhereAlexhadthrownthedrawinginto

thestreet.Instincturgedhertofindoutmoreaboutthepieceofpaper.ToNancy’sastonishment,thepaperwasgone!“Andthereisnostreetcleaneroranyoneelseinsight,”Nancymurmuredtoherself.Her latest suspicion that Alex was not entirely trustworthy instantly became stronger. It

seemedasifthecircuitousrouteintotownmighthavehadarealpurposebehindit.HadAlex,byprearrangement,deliberatelydroppedthepaperforsomeonetopickup?Her mind racing, Nancy wondered if the paper might have been a signal, perhaps to a

personinahousenearby.“Maybe I’m being watchedmyself,” Nancy thought, and she was determined to find out

whatshecould.Standingexactlywherethepaperhadbeendropped,shestudiedthetwofacinghouseson

oppositesidesofthestreet.Bothwereold-fashionedbutwellkept.Neithergaveanyoutwardindicationofmysteriousgoings-on.AsNancystoodreflectingwhat todonext,ayoungcoloredwoman,withamarketbasket

overherarm,camefromoneofthehouses.Nancysteppeduptoherandsmiled.

“Wouldyoumindansweringaquestion?”sheasked.“I’mastrangerintown—herefortheMardiGras.ThispartofyourcityisquiteunfamiliartomeandI’mlookingforsomeone.Doyoumindtellingmewholivesinthehousewhereyouwork?”Theprettyyoungwomanchuckled. “Oneof the finest families inNewOrleans liveshere.

Andthisstreetusedtobeanicequietone.Butnowit’snoisyandallonaccountofthepeoplefromNewYorkwholiveacrossthestreet.”InstantlyNancywasinterested.“AfamilyfromNewYork,yousay?”“Nota family,” thegirl replied. “It’s aboardinghouse runbyawomanwho takes tourists

sentbyaNewYorktravelagency.Ishouldn’tgossipaboutourneighbors,butthey’renotthekindoffolkswe’reusedtoaroundhere.They’reloudandcommonlike.”Nancyexpressedsympathy,thenthankedthegirlfortheinformation.“You’rewelcome,”saidtheyoungwomanandwalkedaway.“TouristsfromNewYork,”Nancyrepeatedtoherself.“AlexisfromNewYork.”Then another thought struck her. The car thief from theNorthmight stay in this kind of

place!Confusedbuteagertofindoutwhatshecould,Nancy,onahunch,openedthesidegateofthepropertyandhurriedtotherearoftheyard.Severalcarswereparked thereandNancywent fromone toanother.Suddenlyherheart

began to beat faster. Near the side fence and backed against a hedge that separated theproperty from the house beside it stood a black convertible. It had black-and-red seatcushions!Nancyexcitedlyopenedthedoortolookatthecarpet.Perhapsshecouldfindoutifitalso

wastornashershadbeen!Beforeshehadachancetolook,thekitchendoorofthehouseopened.Aslovenly-looking

woman,withunkempthair,rushedoutsideandwavedherfistsatNancy.“Whatareyoudoingonmyproperty!”shecriedout.“I’llhavethepoliceafteryou!”Nancyquicklyclosedthecardoor.ShememorizedthenumberoftheLouisianalicenseplate

onitandsaidsweetly,“I’mlookingforsomeonewhohasacarjustlikethis.Wouldyoumindtellingmewhoownsthisone?”ThewomandidnotreplytoNancy’squestion.Instead,shegavetheyoungsleuthatongue-

lashingaboutpeoplewhopried,andorderedhertoleavetheyardatonce.“Sorry,”saidNancy.“I’llgo.”Asshewalkedtowardthestreet, theyoungdetectiveglancedfromwindowtowindowfor

anysignofthecarthiefbutshesawnoone.“Nancy!”avoicecalledfromthesidewalk.Turning,NancywassurprisedtoseeGeorgeand

Alexstandingthere.Theyoungmanscowled.“Whatareyougoingtodonext,”hechidedher.“Getthepolice,”Nancyreplied.“Thepolice!”Alexrepliedinastonishment.“What’sup?”Georgewantedtoknow.Nancyquicklyexplainedaboutfindingthecar.“We’llallgotothepolicestation,”Alexannounced,addingthathewoulddoallhecouldto

helpher.“Suppose you and George go,” Nancy proposed. “If themanwho stolemy car is in this

house,hemaytrytogetaway.I’llstayhereandwatch.”Alex hesitated, obviously reluctant to accept the suggestion, but finally remarked, “I

supposeyou’llbeallrightalone,”anddroveoffwithGeorgeinthestationwagon.Nancywenttositinherowncarandwait.Hereyesdidnotleavethehouse.PresentlyAlex

andGeorge returned in the stationwagon.Behind themwasapolicecarwith twoofficers.Whileoneofthemremainedonthesidewalk,theotherhurriedtotherearofthehousewithNancyandherfriends.Theblackcarwasgone!Itwasclearwhathadhappened.Theconvertiblehadbeenbackedthroughthehedgeand

drivenouttheadjoiningpropertytothestreetbeyond.Nancyberatedherselffornothavingpreventedtheescape.“Didyounoticethelicensenumber?”theofficerasked.Nancygaveittohim,butsaid,“Ifthepersonwhodrovethecarawayisthesameonewho

stoleitinRiverHeights,he’llsubstituteotherlicenseplatesatonce.”“You’renodoubtright,”thepolicemanagreed.“I’llalertheadquartersimmediately.”Thegroupreturnedtothesidewalkandtheinformationwasrelayedtoheadquarters.Then

oneoftheofficerswentwithNancytointerviewthewomaninthehouse.Whensheansweredthebell,theboardinghouseownerglaredatNancy.“Youback?”“We’d like to ask you a few questions,” the officer said, showing his identification. “Who

ownsthecarthatwasdrivenawaythroughthehedge?”“NobodyIknow,”thewomananswered.“Touristagencysenthimhere.Saidhisnamewas

JohnLane andhewas fromNewYorkCity. I don’t knowanything about him.Why are youaskingallthis?”“Thisyoungladyherethinksthemanwasdrivingastolencar,”theofficerexplained.“It’sa

seriouscharge,andifyou’rekeepingbackanyinformationaboutyourboarders,youmayfindyourselfindifficultywiththepolice.”Hearing this, the woman lost her bravado. Over and over she repeated that she knew

nothing about theman.Nancy asked her if she could give thema description ofMr. Lane.Whenthishadbeendone,Nancysaid:“Thedescriptionfitsthemanwhostolemyconvertible!”“I’msureMr.Lanewon’tcomeback,”theboardinghousemistresssaid.“Butifhedoes,I’ll

letyouknow.”AsthepolicemanwentdownthestepswithNancy,heassuredherthatthepolicewoulddo

everything in their power to track down the thief. Nancy and George followed Alex to theparkinglotandoncemoretheypulledtheirautomobilesintoposition.SinceDonnaMaeandBesshadleft,Alexofferedtoshowtheothergirlssomethingofthe

newerpartofNewOrleans.HepointedoutCanalStreet,oneofthewidestthoroughfaresintheworld.Hesaidthatoriginallytherehadbeenacanal inthecenterof itwhichhadbeenusedtodrainoffexcessiverainwater.Manypeoplewerewalkingonthestreetandalongtheadjoiningsidestreets.Alexexplained

thatthousandsoftouristscamefromallpartsofthecountrytohelpcelebratetheMardiGras.“TheparadesalwaysdisbandonCanalStreet,”hetoldthegirls.Attwelveo’clocktheywenttoBroussard’srestaurant.DonnaMaeandBesswerewaitingfor

themandinsisteduponafullexplanationofwheretheyhadbeen.WhenDonnaMaeheardthestory,sheremarked,“Whatashame!I’msorryyouhadbadluck

notfindingoutaboutyourcar,Nancy.Butwhybotheraboutit?Goodness,Iwouldn’twanttorideinacarthathadbeendrivenbysuchanawfulman.”Thenshelapsedintosilence.As thegroupbegan toeat,Bess toldofbuyingseveralattractive souvenirs to takehome.

“Mostlypralinesandpecannougat,”sheconfessed.“ButIdidgetsomelovelyprintsofNewOrleans.”DonnaMaeremainedveryquiet.Whatlittleshesaidseemedtobeforced.Butasthedessert

wasserved,shesuddenlybecameanimated.“I’vejusthadthemostwonderfulidea,”sheannounced.“I’mgoingtoinviteNedNickerson,

BurtEddleton,andDaveEvansdownfortheMardiGras!”Nancy smiled. “That’s very sweet of you,DonnaMae, and of coursewe’d love to see the

boys.ButIdoubtthattheycouldtakethetimeawayfromcollege.”AgleamcameintoDonnaMae’seyes.Shesaidmeaningly,“Theywon’tdarerefuse!”

CHAPTERXIII

MississippiMishap

THEIMPLIEDthreat inDonnaMae’sremarkangeredNancy,Bess,andGeorge.Allof themwere surewhat thegirl had inmind:Shedidnotwant eitherAlex orCharles tomakeanydateswithNancyandherfriends.ShewasgoingtomaketheboysfromEmersonCollegesojealoustheywouldnotdarerefusetocometoNewOrleans!

Noneofthethreegirlsexpressedtheirthoughtsaloud,however.Instead,Besssaidsweetly,“Oh,I’dadoretoseeDaveEvans!”

“There’snooneI’dratherdatethanBurtEddleton,”Georgespokeupquickly.Nancyadded,“I’msuretheboyswouldhaveawonderfultimehereiftheycancome.AndI

mustadmitthatIpreferNedtoanyotherescort.”Georgegrinned.“I’ll tellyouonething,DonnaMae.Burtwillneverconsenttoputtingon

thecostumeofafairyprinceforyourball!”Herremarkeasedthetensionandeveryonelaughed.The subject was dropped when Alex announced, “Now for some more sight-seeing. I’ve

rentedalaunchandwe’llshowyougirlstheriver.”“Thatsoundsalluring,”Besscommented.“TheMississippiissucharomanticriver.”“It’smorethanthat,”Alextoldher.“It’soneofthebusiest.”They drove through several narrow streets until they came to the waterfront, lined with

docksandshipsatanchor.DonnaMaesaiditwasoneofthemostimportantshippingpointsintheworld.

“Millionsoftonsofcargogothroughhereeveryyear.Onethingisofparticularinterest.TheNewOrleansportisknownasaforeigntradezone.ThismeansthatforeignvesselscominginherecanunloadandhavethecargotransferredtoanothershipgoingoutoftheUnitedStateswithoutpaymentofcustomsduty.”

Bythistime,theyhadreachedthedockwheretherentedlaunchwastiedup.Itwasatrimcraftwithasmallcabin.ThegroupeagerlyclimbedaboardandAlextookthewheel.

Soonthelaunchwasout inthemiddleofthestream.Thesight-seers lookedupanddowntheriveratthegreatdocks,wherevesselsofvarioussizesandkindsweremoored.

“Seethatwhiteboatover there?”DonnaMaepointed.“That’sabananaboat. It’spaintedwhitesothesunwillbereflected.Inthiswaytheholdwherethefruitisstoredremainscool.”

They passed a small puffing tug which was pushing a string of cargo boats. Georgeremarkedthatthelittletugsmusthavetremendouspower.

“Theydo,”saidAlex.“Andofcoursetheflowingriverhelpsalittle.It’sonlywhenthetugsgoupstreamthattheyhavetoworkhard.”

Partofthetourledpasthugegrainelevators.Alexremarked,“Thoselongconveyorsyouseecanloadeighteenthousandbushelsanhourontotheships.”

“Yes,” Donna said, and added, “The grain barges can hold as much as three thousandbushels!”

“Isuppose,”saidGeorge,“thatthebananasareincomingcargoandthegrainisoutgoing.”“That’sright,”DonnaMaereplied.“Thegraingoestocountriesinmanypartsoftheworld.”TheNewOrleansgirlnowproudlysaidthattheUnitedStatesengineershadconqueredthe

problemoffloodsforthecity.“Itusedtobeperfectlyfrighteningwhentheoldriveroverflowedandtheleveesbroke,”she

said.“WhentheMississippigoesonarampagenow,someofthewaterispumpedintoLake

Pontchartrain miles above here. The excess is carried through steel-reinforced concretetunnelstoapointfifteenmilesbelowthecity.Youwouldn’tbelieveit,butthereareathousandmilesofpipe!”

PresentlyAlexturnedupstreamandDonnaMaesaidshewantedthegirlstoseesomeoftheplantationhomesalongtheupperriver.Soontheylefttheareaoftraffic.Onlynowandthentheypassedaboat.

“Whatadivineplacetolive!”Bessremarked,gazingatpecanorchardsframingalovelyoldhouse.

PresentlyNancyglancedatherwatch.“Ithinkwe’dbetterturnbacknow,”shesuggested,thinkingofthegirls’dinnerengagementattheBartolomes.“It’sgettinglate.”

“Oh,no!”DonnaMaeprotested.“Youhaven’tseenanythingyet.”Georgelaughed.“I’veseensomuch,I’msureIwon’tbeabletorememberitall.”Nevertheless,Alexwenton forseveralmilesmore,withDonnaMaepointingout thehigh

concreteleveesinsomeplacesandfarmlandrunningrightdowntotheriverinothers.AgainNancyaskedAlextoturnaround.

“Okay,” he agreed, making a wide sweep in the river and coming about at five hundredyards from the far shore. Suddenly the motor began to sputter and the next moment itstopped.

“Goodness,what’sthematter?”DonnaMaeasked.Alexgaveagreatsigh.“We’reoutofgas!”Nancywasangry.Whyhadn’tAlexcheckedthetankbeforetheyleft?Aloudshemerelysaid,

“Theremustbeanemergencycanonboard.”Alltheyoungpeoplesearched.Theyopenedeverylocker,buttherewasnoextrafuelinany

ofthem.“Well,thisisafinemess!”Georgeexclaimedindisgust.The threeRiverHeightsgirls lookedat oneanother, the same thought in all theirminds.

HadAlexandDonnaMaeplannedthisonpurposetokeepthemfromgoingtotheBartolomehometodinner?

“If they are guilty, I’m not going to let them get the better of me,” Nancy determinedsilently.Aloudshecriedout,“Help!Help!”

BessandGeorgeyelledalso.AlexandDonnaMaesatstill,smilingamusedly.Whennooneappearedinanswertothegirls’call,GeorgelookedatAlexanddemanded:

“Well,aren’tyougoingtodosomething?”“What can I do?” the young man replied, shrugging. “We’ll get back sooner or later. The

streamwillcarryusdownslowlyandwe’llmeetsomeonewhowillgiveusgas.”SuchadelaywasnottoNancy’sliking.Shedecidedtodosomethingatonce.“I’mgoingfor

help,”sheannounced.Standing up, she kicked off her shoes and then unfastened the skirt of her three-piece

ensemble. Before the others could object, she dived overboard, and began swimming withstrongstrokesforshore.

“She’s crazy!” Alex exclaimed. “She may never make shore. And if she does, there’sprobablynotahouseformilesaround.”

Besswasalmostpersuadedtohisviewpoint.ButGeorgesaidconfidently,“Nancywillmakeitallright.”

Nancy did swim the five hundred yards easily. She crawled up the low levee, thendisappearedfromview.Theotherswaitedanxiously.

Presentlytheyheardthehumofamotorstartingup,andfromaroundabendintherivercameasmallmotorboat.InitwereNancyandamiddle-agedfarmer.Onaseatstoodafive-galloncanofgas.

Withlittleado,thefuelwaspouredintothetankoftherentedcraftandAlexpaidtheman.Nancythankedthefarmerforallhis troubleandclimbedback intothe launch.AlexstartedthemotorandheadedforNewOrleans.

“Oh,Nancy,you’rewonderful!”DonnaMaesaid.“Simplywonderful!I’dneverhavehadthe

nervetodothat.”BessandGeorge lookedattheirchumadmiringly,addingtheirpraisealso.Alex,however,

keptsilent.Nancy herself merely laughed. “I must be a sight,” she declared. “Bess, lend me a dean

handkerchief,willyou?”Withit,Nancytriedtowipethemuddywaterfromherface,neck,andarms,butwithlittle

success.Thewindsoondriedherhairandclothes.After she had put on her skirt and shoes, Nancy noticed that the launch was going very

slowly.SheurgedAlextospeedup.Hemadenocomment,butdidgivethecraftmorepower.Assoonastheyreachedthedock,Nancy,Bess,andGeorgehoppedout.“Thankyousomuch

foragrandtrip,”Nancysaid.“Nowwemusthurry.Ifyoudon’tmind,we’llgrabataxibacktotheparkinglot.Thenwe’llhurryonhome.”

BythetimethegirlsreachedSunnymcad,itwasalreadysix-thirty.OnlyhalfanhourbeforedinnerattheBartolomes’!

“Bess,”saidNancy,“willyoupleasecallCharles’smotherandexplainwhywe’llbealittlelate.I’lldashrightupstairsandwashtheMississippimudoutofmyhair.And,George,willyouget someclotheswecanwearonourbayou trip tonight andhide them in the trunkof thecar?”

A few minutes later Bess came to Nancy’s room. She reported that Mrs. Bartolome hadgraciouslysaidshewouldpostponethedinnerhourtoeighto’clock.Georgesaidthesportsclothesandshoeswereinthecar.

By seven-thirty the girls were ready to leave. As they walked into the hall, Donna Mae,lookingveryattractiveinapeach-coloredorgandy,camefromherroom.

“Haveawonderful time,girls,”shesaid.“Ishouldwarnyou, though,thatMrs.Bartolomegoestobedearly.You’llbebackherebyten.”

Georgeflushedwithanger.Shesaidicily,“We’llbeherewhenwegethere!”DonnaMae lookedas ifshehadbeenstung.Toease the tension,Nancysaidquickly,“Do

haveanicetimeatyourdinnerparty.”The three girls hurried from the house and went to Nancy’s car. Bess got in front with

Nancy,whileGeorgeseatedherself in the rear.As theydroveoff,Besssaidseverely tohercousin:

“WhyintheworlddidyoutalklikethattoDonnaMae?Doyouwanttospoileverythingforus?Ifthesituationaroundheregetsmuchworse,AuntStellaandtheColonelmayaskustoleave.”

“I’msorry,”saidGeorge,“butDonnaMaemakesmepositivelyillwhenshegetsonherhighhorse!”

“Shecertainlyhaschanged,”Bessadmitted.“I’llbetAlexisputtingheruptoalotofthesethings.”

Nancywasveryquiet.Somanyunexplainedthingshadoccurredthatnowshewasalertfortroubleatanymoment.

“Catgotyourtongue,Nancy?”Georgespokeup.Thegirldetectivelaughed.“No,”shereplied,“butIhaveafeelingthatweshouldbeextra-

cautious tonight.” Then Nancy added, “I’ve been thinking over what you girls said aboutDonnaMae.Shedidseemverydifferenttoday,especiallywhenwewereonthelaunch.Uptonow Ihadn’t thought that shewas interested in anythingbutherself.Actually, she’s a veryintelligentgirl.”

At that moment the girls reached the long, tree-lined driveway of Oleander Manor, theBartolomeestate.

Nancybegantobreathemoreeasily.Sherelaxedandleanedbackinherseat.“Isn’tthisanattractive—?”She never finished the sentence. From among the low branches of the tree she was just

passingastonehurtledtowardher!

CHAPTERXIV

GhostonBoard

FLYING through the open carwindow, the large stone grazed the side ofNancy’s head. Itcontinuedtothebackseat,narrowlymissingGeorge,whoduckedjustintimetoavoidinjury.Therocklandedwithathudagainsttherearcushion.“Oh!”Bessscreamed.Nancyquicklybrakedthecartoastop.Asthegirls lookedback,theysawamanrunning

awayfromthetreeanddownthedriveway.“Wemustcatchhim!”Georgeurged,asNancybegantobackup.The lean stranger, realizing that hewas being pursued, dashed across the lawn to some

bushesanddisappeared.AsNancyopened thedoor tostepout,Bessheldherback.“Don’tyoudaregoafterhim!

He’llprobablythrowanotherstone.”Theyoungdetectivepaused,thenclosedthedoor.Besswenton,“Whatadreadfulthingfor

himtodo!Why,Nancy,youorGeorgemighthavebeenkilled,ifthatstonehadhityou!”“I’m afraid you’re right,” Nancy agreed. “Well, we’d better report it to the police right

away.”As she started the car again, the girls saw Charles hurrying down the driveway toward

them.Hereachedthecar,openedthedoor,andjumpedinbesideBess.“Hello,everybody!”hesaid.“Iheardyoucoming.Howiseverything?”“Terrible,”saidGeorgeflatly,andtoldhimwhathadhappened.Theyoungmanwasaghast.“Yougirlssureyou’reallright?”heaskedsolicitously.After theyassuredhimtheywere,hewenton,“Youknow,sinceI’vebeenworkingonthe

showboat, I’ve had a couple of narrow escapes of my own. Once when I was in my carsomebodyshotata tire.And—well,maybeIshouldn’t tellyouwhathappenedtoday,oryoumaynotwanttogotonight.”“Oh,pleasedo,”Nancybegged.CharlessaidthatasniperhadshotathimthismorningwhenhewasonhiswaytotheRiver

Princess.“Hisbulletjustmissedme!”“Howwicked!”Bessburstout.“Oh,Ihopehewon’tbearoundtonight!”SecretlyshewashopingthatNancymightcancelthetrip,buttheyoungdetectiveseemed

moredeterminedthanevertogototheRiverPrincessandsolvethemystery.“Mymothermustn’tknowaboutanyoftheseattacks,”Charleswarnedthegirls.“Soplease

don’tsayanything.”Nancynoddedanddecidednottocallthepoliceaboutthestonethrower.“YougirlswillbegladtoknowthatI’veprovidedsomeextraprotectionforyoutonight.Two

friendsofmine,FrankMorseandJackMemory,arecomingtodinnerandwillgoonthetripwithus.”“Good!”Besssaidquickly.“There’ssafetyinnumbers,especiallywhenthey’remen!Ifeela

lotbetternow!”Theotherslaughedastheyproceededtothehouse.Mrs.Bartolome,averyattractiveandcharmingwomanoffifty,greetedthemcordially.She

andCharlestookthevisitorsforashortstrollintheirbeautifulgarden,edgedwithboxwood.Inthebrightmoonlighttheycouldseeroses,delphiniumandlilies,surroundedbyazaleaandoleanderbushes,bloominginprofusion.“If I livedhere,” saidBess, breathing indeeply, “I’dneverwant to leave theplace. It’s a

divinegarden.”Mrs.Bartolomesmiled,pleasedbythegirl’senthusiasm.“Wedoloveit,”shesaid.Afewminuteslatertwopersonableyoungmenarrivedandwereintroducedtothevisitors:

FrankMorse,slimandwell-built,hadblondcurlyhair;JackMemorywastallanddark,withflashingmischievousbrowneyes.Thedinnerpartyprovedtobeagalaone.Thefood,which includedstuffedpheasant,was

deliciousandtheconversationhumorousandsparkling.AttheendofthemealCharlesannouncedtheplanforgoingonthetripintothebayou.“Inordertokeepourtripsecret,”hesaid,“Isuggestthatwestrollintothegardeninpairs,

thenjoinattherearofthegarden.There’salittle-usedroadinbackofthelargestrosegardenandthecarishiddenthere.”WhenNancytoldMrs.Bartolomethatthegirlswouldliketochangefromtheirdinnerfrocks

and shoes to sports attire, their hostess led them upstairs. After showing them to a guestroom, Mrs. Bartolome smiled and said, “I wish you luck in your sleuthing tonight. ForCharles’ssake,I’dliketoseethemysterysolved.”“Ihopetolearnalottonight,”Nancyreplied.Quicklythegirlsslippedintotheshirtsandjeanstheyhadbrought,thenjoinedtheboysin

thelivingroom.Therewasamarkedchangeintheyoungmen’sattirealso.They,too,weredressedforthetripintothebayou!Asthesixfriendswentoutdoors,oneoftheboyscommentedonthebrilliantfullmoon.“Thisisfortunate,”Nancythought.“Itwillmaketravelingthroughthatswampeasierthan

in total darkness.” She also recalled that voodooworshipers often heldmeetingswhen themoonwasfull.FollowingCharles’splan,thecouplesseparated,NancyandCharleswalkingtogether,Bess

withFrank,andGeorgewith Jack.Fiveminutes later theyallmetbackof the rosegarden,jumpedintothecar,andstartedoff.“So far, so good,” Charles remarked, looking in his rear-viewmirror. “There’s no sign of

anyonefollowingus.”Twomilesfromthehousetheycametothebayouandheparked.Threecanoeswerehidden

amongthetreesandbushesthatoverhungthewater.Thecouplessteppedin.BessremarkedtoFrank,“It’sagoodthingthere’smoonlightoryoucouldn’tseeyourhand

infrontofyourface.”“S-sh!”Nancycalledacrossfromhercanoe.“We’dbetterkeepveryquiet.”Therestofthetripwasmadeinsilence.Astheynearedtheareawheretheshowboatwas,

theyoungpeoplebecameawareof thesteadybeatofa tom-tom.Bessshivereda little,butNancy,herheartpoundingwithexcitement,satupstraighter.A fewminutes later they coulddistinctlyhearmusic coming from the calliope!Toherself

Nancysaid,“ButCharlestoldmetheoldorgancouldnotpossiblybeplayed!”SoonthethreecanoesreachedthepondwheretheRiverPrincesslay.Inthemoonlight,with

shadowsplayingonher,theoldcraftlookedunrealandspookyindeed.Themusicstoppedattheendofadismaltune.Then, as if the organist had left his bench, a ghostly figure suddenly walked from the

interioroftheboatontothedeck.Itwassheathedfromheadtotoeinwhiteandglidedupanddownasthoughitwerefloatingratherthanwalking.Bessclutchedthesidesofthecanoeinwhichshewasriding.Aterrifiedgaspescapedher

lips.Asifannoyedbythesoundtheghostflittedinsidetheoldshowboat.“Shallwefollowit?”CharleswhisperedtoNancy.Beforeshecoulddecide,anewkindofsoundcamefromtheRiverPrincess—hymnchanting!“Avoodoomeetingmustbegoingon!”Charlessaidinalowvoice.Therewasnotalightontheboatandnoothersignsofactivity.Didthestrangeritestake

placeincompletedarknesswiththeaudiencesittingmotionless?Nancyleanedforwardandsaidtohercompanion,“I’dliketogoaboard.”

Charleswhisperedthathethoughtitwouldbebestnottogoacrossthepondinthecanoe.

Aghostlyfiguresuddenlyemergedfrom“Thereisastretchofmosssodonourleftleadinguptotheboat.SupposewefinditandwalktotheRiverPrincess.”The three canoes came together and the directions were given to the others. Then they

silentlypaddled through theshadows to themossywalkand thegirls steppedout.As theirfeettouchedthesod,thechantingontheshowboatsuddenlyceased.

theinterioroftheboatontothedeckIn the leeofagiantcypress, thegirlshesitated.Therewascomplete silence for fully ten

seconds,thentheybecameawareofthesplashofoars.“Someone’sleavingtheshowboat,”Georgeremarked.“Listen!”Nancy commanded. A fewmoments later she said, “No one’s leaving by canoe.

Someoneiscoming!”Theyoungpeoplewaited tensely.Fromanother entrance into thepondglideda rowboat.

Twofigureswereinit.To the young people’s complete astonishment the couplewere dressed in Colonial attire.

Themanattheoarswaselderly.Thewoman,aboutthesameage,woreadark-coloredvelvetdressandabonnet.Thewatcherswere tooastoundedtocomment.The“Colonialgentleman”pulledupto the

RiverPrincess.Thenhestoodupandhelpedthewomanascendtheladdertothedeck!

CHAPTERXV

AWeirdScene

COMPLETELYmystified,Nancyandhercompanionswatchedthesceneattheoldshowboatinawe. Why were the elderly woman and the man with her in Colonial costumes? Was sheperhapscoming forsomesecretherbssoldat thevoodoomeetingonboard?And, forsomereason,wastheeighteenth-centuryattirerequired?The threegirlshuddled together.Besswhispered thatchillsweregoingupanddownher

spine. “Maybe Uncle Rufus is here and is going to give the woman a treatment,” shemurmured.“IwishIknew,”Nancyreplied.“Let’sseewhatshedoesnext.”Thewoman reached the top of the ladder and nimbly stepped over the rail. At once she

walkedtotheentrancewheretheaterpatronswouldenterifcomingtoseeashow.Taking a position near the doorway, the costumed, elderly woman stopped and turned

toward the spot where a gangplank had once been placed. She smiled gaily, then begannoddingandshakinghandsasifwithimaginarypassengers.“Poorthing,”saidBess.“Shemusthavelosthermind.”“Itlooksthatway,”Nancyagreed.Fornearlytenminutesthelittlepantomimecontinued.Thenthewoman’scompanioncalled

upfromtherowboat:“Everyone’saboard,Louvinadear.Theshowwillstartsoon.You’veseenitsomanytimes,

honey.Supposeyoucomeforaboatridewithmewhileit’sgoingon.”The woman hesitated a few seconds and peered into the dark interior of the showboat

theater.“Buttheremightbesomethingnewtonight,”sheprotested.“Oh,Ithinknot.You’dbettercomenow,dear.Iwanttoshowyouhowlovelythewildorchids

nearhereareinthemoonlight.”FinallyLouvina, thoughobviously reluctant, came to the ladder.Theelderlymanassisted

herinclimbingdownandgettingintotheboat.Ashestartedtorowaway,GeorgewhisperedtoNancy,“Let’sgoaskhimwhat’sgoingon!

Hecanprobablysolvethewholemysteryinoneminute.”“Wait!”Nancysaidinalowvoice.“Ithinkthewomanisinatrance.Itmightbedisastrous

toawakenher.I’dratherfollowthetwoofthemandfindoutwhatIcanfromthemanlaterwhenhe’salone.”“Iguessyou’reright,”Georgeagreed.Despitehisage,theelderlymanwasaswiftrowerandtheboatwassoonoutofsight.Thegirlssteppedbackintotheircanoesandinwhisperedtonestalkedthematteroverwith

theirescorts.“SomebodyshouldstayhereandwatchtheRiverPrincess,”Nancydeclared.“Areanyofyou

willingtogoaboard?”Frank and Jack were eager to, but insisted that Bess and George remain outside in the

canoes.“Nopoint inyougirls takinganyunnecessarychances,”Franksaid,andBessgavehima

gratefullook.IntheenditwasdecidedthatonlyNancyandCharleswouldfollowthemysteriouscouple.Charles paddled swiftly in pursuit. Soon only about a hundred yards separated the two

crafts.“Doyouwantmetoovertakethem?”CharlesaskedNancyinalowvoice.“No,”sherepliedquietly.“Justkeeptheminsight.I’dliketofindoutwherethey’regoing.It

mayhavesomethingtodowiththemystery.”Thestreamwassoovergrownwithweedsthatitwasdifficulttofindadearpassageway.But

apparentlythemaninColonialcostumeknewhiswayperfectly.Nancyconcludedthathemustbeanativeofthearea.“IwonderwhoheandLouvinaare,”Nancyaskedherself.“Thewomanmayhavebeenan

actressand—oh,ouch!”ThetangledgrowthpulledatNancy’shairandwhippedherfaceasCharleswoundhisway

inandoutamongthelushvegetation.Oncetheylosttheelderlycouplecompletely.Butfinallythecanoeemergedfromthetangledmassintoanopenstream.“Doyouseethecouple?”Nancyasked,turningaroundtolookathim.“No—yes,Ido.They’reoverontherightandwayahead.”Fortunately,themoonwentunderacloudatthismoment.Nancysaidshewishedtheymight

slipupunobservedandperhapshearthecouple’splans.“I’lltrytogetcloser,”Charlessaid.Inthedimlighthealmostovertookthestrangepairand

afterthatfollowedmorecautiously.Afewminuteslateritbecameapparentthattheoarsmanwasheadingforadockconcealed

inasmallcove.NancyandCharlescameveryclose,sotheywouldnotlosetheirquarrywhenthemanandwomandebarked.Somedistancefromthedock,attheendofasmallflowergarden,stoodamodesthouse.A

fewlightsgleamedinthewindowsandasmalllampatthedoorwasturnedon.Astherowboatreachedthedock,Louvinastoodup.Takingastepforward,shebentdownto

kisshercompanion.Then,ashehelpedher,shesteppedtothedock.In a sweet, musical voice she said, “Thank you so very much, Henry. The show was

delightful,wasn’tit?Haveagoodnight’ssleep,dear.Anddocomeoversoon.I’llbeexpectingyou.”“Yes,honey,Iwill.”Without another word the woman tripped girlishly up the walk through the garden and

enteredthehouse.“‘Henry’doesn’tlivehereafterall,”Nancytoldherself.The elderly gentleman sat staring after Louvina.When she turned off the door light, he

steppedfromtherowboatandtiedthepaintertoapost.Thenhe,too,startedupthewalk.“Oh,pleasewaitaminute!”Nancycalledtohim.“I’dliketotalkwithyou.”Charlespulleduptothedockandshesteppedoutofthecanoe.Theelderlyman,startled,

turned around. A look of fright gave way to one of amazement upon seeing a smiling girlstandingthere.“I’msorryifIfrightenedyou,”Nancysaid.“Pleaseforgiveme.Ijustwantedtoaskyou—”Henrydidnotseemtobepayingattention.Hewasstaringathiscostume.Embarrassed,he

interruptedhertosay,“Pleasepardonmyattire.There’saspecialreasonwhyI’mwearingit!”By this time Charles was also standing on the dock. He apologized for his and Nancy’s

intrusion,thensaid,“It’sveryimportantthatwetalktoyou.ThisisNancyDrewfromRiverHeights.I’mCharlesBartolome.Ilivenotveryfarfromhere.Perhapsyouknowmyfamily.”“Yes,Ido.Nowwhatdoyouwishtoaskme?”theelderlymaninquired.Nancybegan to talk.First she toldhimabouthaving seenhimandhis companionat the

RiverPrincess.Henrylookedstartled.“TheRiverPrincess is onColonelHaver’s property, as youmay know,” she said. “Hehas

askedmetotrytosolvethemysteryofit.Canyoutellmewhypeoplethinktheshowboatishaunted?”Henrylookedsearchinglyatthegirl’sface.Thenhesmiled.“I’lltellyouthewholestory.”

CHAPTERXVI

LostintheBayou

“MYNAME,”saidtheelderlymanintheColonialcostume,“isHenrydelaVerne.Louvinaismytwin.HermarriednameisMrs.ClaibourneFarwell.Sheisawidownow.”Ashepaused,Nancysuggestedkindly,“Shallwesitdown?”“Perhapsthatwouldbebest,”saidMr.de laVerne.HeledNancyandCharlestoaquaint

littlesummerhouseinthegarden.Aftertheywereseatedonabenchacrossfromhis,themanwenton:“Thiswillnodoubtsurpriseyou,butourgrandfatherownedtheRiverPrincess.Aschildren,

Louvinaand I spentagreatdealof timeonher.”AgainMr.de laVernepausedandsmiledreflectively,asifthisbroughtbackhappymemories.Charlesremarked,“Itmusthavebeenagreatdealoffun,sir,foryouandyoursister.”“Indeed it was,” Henry agreed. “Louvina loved to play actress and try on the various

costumes.ShealwaysplannedtoactontheRiverPrincesswhenshewasolder,butneverhadachance.Therewasagreatstormandfloodwhichdrovetheshowboattoherpresentlocationandshewasabandoned.Ourgrandfatherdiedof shockand injurieshe receivedduring thestorm.”“Howtragic!”Nancymurmured,deeplytouched.“Yes,itwas,andthewholethingmadeatremendousimpressiononmysister.Shewasvery

upsetaboutthefateofourbelovedgrandfatherandshowboat,butasLouvinagrewolder,thefamily thought shehad forgotten theepisode.Shemarriedhappily and liveda verynormallife.“But after Mr. Farwell’s sudden death several years ago,” Mr. de la Verne went on,

“Louvina’s mind began to play tricks on her. She started living more and more with hermemories.Finally,IcametostaywithmysisterafterIretired,andhelpherwithherbusinessaffairs.”Hesmiled.“I’mabachelor.”Afteranotherpause,he said, “IhumorLouvinaall I can.Wewereverycloseaschildren,

playingtogetheralmostconstantly.”Mr.de laVerne lookedupat the sky.Thecloudshadbeenblownpastand themoonwas

shiningbrightlyagain.“Onnightswhenthere’safullmoonmysister’smindalwaysrevertstoherchildhood.It’s

thensheinsiststhatthetwoofusputoncostumeswhichourgrandparentsusedtowear,andgototheRiverPrincess.”NancyandCharlessmiledunderstandinglyandNancymurmured,“Youareverywonderful,

Mr.delaVerne,tobesopatientandthoughtful.”Themansuddenlychuckled.“ItisagoodthingthatLouvinapicksmoonlightnightsforour

trips.OtherwiseIcouldneverfindmywaytotheshowboat.”Afterafewsecondsheadded,“Well,thatismystory.Doesitclearupthemysteryofthesupposedlyhauntedshowboatforyou?”“Partly,”Nancyreplied,“andthankyouverymuchforconfidinginus,Mr.delaVerne.”I’d

liketoaskyouafewquestionsifImay.I’mdreadfullysorrytohearofyoursister’strouble,butI’msuresheisnotunhappy.”“Oh,no,”Henryansweredquickly.“Asamatteroffact,sheishappierwhensheisplayinga

partthanwhenhermemoryserveshernormally.Thenshestartsworryingaboutme.”“Mr.delaVerne,”Nancysaid,“yesterdayIfoundanantiqueornamentalhairpinonthedeck

oftheRiverPrincess.”Shedescribed it,andadded,“Does it,byanychance,belongtoyoursister?”

“Why,yes,itdoes,”Henryanswered.“Sheinsisteduponwearingittotheshowboatononeofhertrips.Itmusthavedroppedoutofherhair.”“I’ll return it soon,”Nancyoffered, then said, “Tonightwehearda tom-tombeingbeaten

and calliope music playing on the River Princess. And we actually saw a ghostly figureparadingupanddownthedeckjustbeforeyouandyoursisterarrived!”“What!”Henrycriedout.“It’strue,”Charlesspokeup.“Thefiguredisappearedinsidetheshowboatwhenyoudrew

near.”Theelderlymanwasvisiblydisturbed.Hesaidquickly thatLouvinamustnotknowabout

this—it would certainly upset her. And hereafter, when he took her there, he would makecertainnoonewasaround.“Ithought,ofcourse,wewerealone,”hesaidworriedly.“Thenyouhavenoideawhomightbevisitingtheshowboat?”Nancyasked.“Nonewhatever. I havehearda tom-tombeingbeaten in thebayou,” themanconfessed.

“But I thought the drummer was some Negro who had inherited the instrument from anAfricanancestor.Astothecalliope,Icannotunderstandit.Theoldorganisinnoconditiontobeplayed.”NancyaskedMr.delaVerneifhethoughtsecretvoodoomeetingswerebeingheldonthe

RiverPrincess.“It’spossible.Suchathingneveroccurredtome.”“DoyouknowUncleRufus?”Nancyasked.Whentheelderlymannodded,sheasked,“Do

youthinkhecouldbeleadingthemeetings?”Mr.delaVernevetoedthispossibility.“UncleRufusisafine,highlyrespectedmaninthis

neighborhood.Hedoesagreatdealofgood;hecertainlywouldnotconductanysuchsecretmeetings. By the way, why are you interested in solving the mystery of the hauntedshowboat?”Nancy told him about the plans formoving it and the forthcoming ball theHavers were

giving.“Moveit?”Mr.delaVernecriedout.“Oh,ifthatisdone,itwillkillmysister!”“ButifthereshouldbeanydangerontheRiverPrincess,youwouldnotwishMrs.Farwellto

goaboardit,”Nancypointedout.“Yes,thatistrue,”themanadmitted.“Perhapsifwearecareful,therewillbenotrouble.”“Iwonder,”saidNancy.“Mr.delaVerne,doyouknowofanyreasonwhypersonsotherthan

voodooworshipersmightwanttomaketheshowboatappeartobehaunted?Ortosabotageit?”Beforereplyingtheelderlymanstoodup.Forseveralsecondshelookedoffintospace,then

said:“Yes,theremightbe.Butthatisafamilymatter.Icannottellyouaboutit.ButonethingI’m

sureof.ItwouldbeveryfoolishforColonelHavertotrymovingtheRiverPrincess!”Bowing,HenrydelaVerneabruptlysaidgoodnightandhurriedupthegardenwalktothe

house.“Goodnight,”theyoungpeoplecalled.AsNancylookedaftertheman,shemulledoverhissentence.Whatwastherestofthestory

hewasnotwillingtotell?AndwashetryingtosendamessagetoColonelHaver,bywayofNancy,thatitwouldbedangerousfortheownerofSunnymeadtocontinuehiseffortstohavetheoldboatmoved?As she and Charles stepped into their canoe, Nancy mentioned these thoughts to her

companion.He smiled. “The old gentleman certainlymakes it sound ominous.Maybewe’llfindaskeletonhiddenawaysomeplaceontheshowboat!”Nancylaughed.“Perhapsafamilyskeleton!”Charlespaddledquicklyandsoonreachedthetangledmassofbayougrowththroughwhich

theymustpasstoreachtheRiverPrincess.Oncemorethemoonwentunderacloud.Itwaspitchblackintheswamp,butCharlescontinuedtopaddle,withNancyduckingwhenleaves

andstemsbrushedherhead.“I’vegottogiveyoucreditforfollowingagoodhunch,Nancy,”Charlessaidadmiringly.“I

likeagirlwithinitiative.Ifithadn’tbeenforDonnaMae’s—”Hebrokeoffabruptly.Nancythought,“Ihaveanotherhunch!CharlesisstillinlovewithDonnaMae,evenifshe

hashurthispride.”Butshefeltitbest,underthecircumstances,nottomakeanycomment.Therewasalongsilence,brokenonlybytherippleofwaterfromthecanoepaddles.Then

Nancylaughedsoftly.“Charles,you’reabsolutelyamazingthewayyoucanseeinthedark!”“Don’tpraisemetoosoon,”hereplied.“IhaveafeelingI’moffcoursecompletely.”Fiveminutes laterheconfessed thathewas lost. “Fromthe lengthof time that I’vebeen

paddling,weshouldbeattheshowboat.”Charlesofferedtotryyellingtotheirfriendstoseeiftheycouldgetdirections.ButNancy

felt that this might be a dangerous move. If any of their enemies were around, it wouldpinpointthecanoe’slocation.“Whydon’twegobacktotheopenwaternearMr.delaVerne’shouseandthenstartover

again,”shesuggested.“Itwon’thurttotry,”Charlesreplied.Butthelongerhepaddledthemorehopelesslylosthebecameinthemoss-drapedswamp.

FinallyCharlessaid,“We’llhavetogiveitupandwaitfordaylight.”Backattheshowboat,Bess,George,andthetwoboyswerebecomingfranticoverthelong

absence of their friends. Three hours had gone by and still Nancy and Charles had notreturned.“Oh,Ijustknowsomethingterriblehashappenedtothem!”Besswailed.“Don’tsaysuchthings!”Georgechidedhercousin.“YouknowNancywhenshe’ssleuthing.

Shejustwon’tgiveup.”“Let’s continue our search of the showboat,” Frank suggested to distract the girls from

worrying.Theyoungpeoplehadalreadydiscoveredseveralplacesinthewallsandfloorswhichhad

beenhackedsincethedaybefore.But therehadbeenno furthersignof theghostly figure,noranymorevoodoosoundsorcalliopemusicsinceNancyandCharleshaddeparted.Now they gathered near the stairway that led to the hold of the old river vessel.George

gazeddownintoit,thenturnedaround.“Maybesomethingvaluableishiddenonthisboat!”shesaid.As she said this, George stepped back. Without warning the top step of the stairway,

evidentlyrotted,gaveway.Sheplungedintotheinkyblacknessbelow!

CHAPTERXVII

TheTowboatCaptain

“OH,GEORGE!”Bessscreamed,lookingdownintotheholdforsomesignofhercousin.Besscarriedaflashlightandnowtriedtofocusitintotheblackdepths.Herhandshookand

shecouldnotholdthelightsteady.Therewasnoanswertohercry.TheyoungpeoplewerefearfulthatGeorgehadbeenbadlyinjured.“I’ll godownandseewhathappened,”Frankoffered.Pickinghiswaycarefullydown the

steps,hefoundthegirllyinginahuddledheapsomefeetfromthebaseofthestairway.“George!George!”hecalled,sloshingthroughmuddywatertoreachher.Heleaneddownandgentlyliftedherup.Sheseemeddazed,butwasabletostand.“Wh—

whathappened?”Georgeaskedshakily.“Youtookaheader,”Frankreplied.“I’llhelpyouupthestairs.”Bess,almosttearfulwithrelief,andJackreacheddowntoassistthecouple.Thefouryoung

peoplewalkedoutonthedeckandFrankofferedtotakeGeorgehomeatonce.“Oh,I’llbeallright,”shesaidgamely.“NothinghurtsbutmylegandIcanstandthat.”She

wouldnothearofleavingtheshowboatuntilNancyandCharlesreturned.Thegroupsatdownonthedeckanddiscussedthemystery.Asdawnbroke,theybeganto

worryanewaboutthemissingcouple.“WemustdosomethingtofindNancyandCharles,”Bessinsisted.FrankandJackofferedtotakeacanoeandtrytolocatethem.“Iguessyougirlswillbeall

rightherealoneinthedaylight,”Jackremarked.Justastheywereabouttoleave,anothercanoesuddenlyappeared.“Nancy!Charles!”theothersshoutedinrelief.“Iguessyouallthoughtwewerelost,”Charlescalled.“Well,wewere!”Storieswerequicklyexchanged.Thefourwhohadstayedontheshowboatwereamazedto

learnaboutHenryandLouvina.After telling them thatMr.de laVernehadhintedat somefamilysecretinconnectionwiththehauntedshowboat,Charlesrepeatedhisguessthattheremightbeaskeletonaboard.Jacklaughed.“Andit’shisghostwesawwalkingaround?Let’slookforoldBonesy.”But Bess insisted that the group leave at once. “We can come back another time. I’m

worriedaboutwhattheHaverswillsay.”Charlessmiled.“Don’tworry.Motherwilltakecareofthat.”“I’msureshewill,”saidNancy.“And,George,ifyoufeelallright,I’dliketostayherealittle

while and look around theboatmyself. Let’s see ifwe can findoutwhat theDe laVernes’secretis.”Theyoungpeoplespentanotherhourinanintensivesearch.Nancyevenwentdownintothe

holdandflashedherlightaround.Therewereafewinchesofwateronthelowsidewheretheboathadlisted.Inthedrysectiontheyfoundnocluetoanythinghiddenthere.Nancysaidshewasreadytoleave,sosheandCharlesjoinedtheothers.“Iinspectedthatoldcalliopeverythoroughly,”Frankspokeup.“Couldn’tgetasoundoutof

it.Howdoyouallexplainitsbeingplayed?”Nancy thought fora fewmoments, then replied, “Ibelievesomeonecomesaboardwitha

recordplayerandplayscalliopemusicandhymns.”“Andthetom-tom,too?”Georgeasked.“He’sgotquitearecordcollection!”Theotherslaughed,thenJackaskedNancyifshethoughtthepersonwhodidthesethings

hadbeenhiredbysomeoneorwasactuallythesaboteur.“I don’t know,” the young detective replied. “But I’ve been wondering if there is some

mechanismadistancefromtheshowboatthattriggersanalarm.Thatwouldaccount forallthesoundsontheRiverPrincessstoppingjustbeforetheDelaVernesshowedup.”Charlessuggestedthattheboysmakeasearchinthewaterwaysleadingtotheshowboat.

The girls waited on deck while they took the three canoes and scouted around. Twentyminuteslatertheyreturnedandreportedthatnothinghadbeenfound.“Then themen probably use the birdcalls or some other bayou sound as signals,”Nancy

decided.Jack looked at the girl intently. “If so, thismeans that theremay be spies around all the

time.”“Probablyitdoes,”Nancyagreed.“Anditmayalsomeanthatthere’snotmuchpointinour

beingsosecretive.”Frank laughed. “Well, then, all we have to do is find the spies and the mystery will be

solved!”Nancychuckled.“Right!”Toherselfsheadded,“AndI’mgoingtoenlistUncleRufus’saidto

dothis.”WhenthethreecouplesreachedCharles’shome,Mrs.Bartolomewasgreatlyrelievedtosee

them.“Iwasmightyworriedaboutyouall,”shesaid.“ButIdidn’twanttoupsetMrs.Haver,soI

phonedandtoldheryougirlswerestayingallnight.”NancyandCharles related theentire story.Mrs.Bartolomewasparticularly interested in

learningaboutMrs.Farwellandherbrother.“I knew them fairlywell years ago,” she said. “I thought that afterMr. Farwell died, his

widowhadmovedaway. I’mdreadfullysorry to learn thathermind isno longercompletelysound.”“Haveyouanyideawhatthefamilysecretinconnectionwiththeshowboatmaybe?”Nancy

askedCharles’smother.Mrs.Bartolomeshookherhead.“Surelyitcan’tbeanythingdisgraceful.TheDelaVernes

wereveryfinepeople.HenryisagraduateofOxfordinEngland.”Charles’smotherwent on to say that Henry had always been intensely interested in the

universityanditsactivities,althoughhehadgraduatedmany,manyyearsago.Changingthesubject,shesaid,“Youallmustbestarving.We’llhavebreakfastatonce.”Because of the early hour the servants were still asleep, so the group gathered in the

kitchenandpreparedorangejuice,baconandeggs,toastandcocoathemselves.Mrs. Bartolome caughtBess stifling a yawn. “Wouldn’t you girls like to sleep for awhile

beforeyoureturntotheHavers?”sheaskedsolicitously.Theyallconfessedthattheywould.AfterFrankandJackhadsaidgood-by, thethreegirls

wenttotheguestroomsandsleptsoundlyforfourhours.ThentheyputontheirdinnerfrocksandleftforSunnymead.AsNancyparkedhercarthere,DonnaMaerushedouttomeetthem.“Mygoodness!”she

exclaimed.“Youreallymadeavisit!Tellmeabouteverything!”“Tobeginwith,”Nancysaid,“wehadaperfectlydeliciousdinnerandbreakfast.”“TheBartolomes’gardensareabsolutelyheavenly,”Bessadded.“I thoroughlyenjoyedmy

walkinthem.”Georgegrinned impishly.“Oh,don’tbesostingywithyour information,girls.DonnaMae,

twocharmingboyscametojoinus.Maybeyouknowthem—FrankMorrisandJackMemory.”“Oh,yes,Iknowthem,”DonnaMaereplied.“Didyouspendthewholeeveningwiththem?”“Thewholeevening,”Nancyreplied.“Well,forgoodnesssake,tellmeaboutit!”DonnaMaebegged.Astheywalkedtowardthe

house,DonnaMaesuddenlynoticedthatGeorgewaslimping.“Oh,dear!Whathappenedtoyou?”

“Oh,justalittlespill,”Georgeanswerednoncommittally.“Where?”DonnaMaeaskedpointedly.“Onastairway,”Georgereplied.“Clumsyofme,wasn’tit?”DonnaMaewassilentforafewseconds.Sheaskednomorequestions.Apparentlyshehad

decided that her friends were not going to tell any more about their evening at theBartolomes’.SuddenlyDonnaMaesmiledandsaid,“Ihavesomegreatnewsforyougirls.Youwon’thave

todateCharlesandhis friends. I’vephonedNedNickerson.He’scomingtotheMardiGrasandbringingBurtandDavewithhim.”“Hypers!”Georgeexclaimed.“They’rereallycoming?”“Theysureare,”DonnaMaeanswered.“Itoldyoutheywould,”sheaddedsmugly.She insisted that thegirlschange theirclothesatonce,so that thewholegroupcouldgo

downtowntopickoutcostumesforNedandhisfriendstoweartotheball.“Everythingmustbeperfect.”shesaid.“Idon’tknowyourfriends’sizes.Soyougirlswill

havetopickoutthecostumes.”Nancy was disappointed that she could not get in touch with Uncle Rufus immediately.

“But,” sheconsoledherself, “onsecond thought,perhaps I candoa littledetectivework inNewOrleansinstead.”InsidethehousethegirlsfoundAlexstartingtodismantlethelivingroom.PappyColewas

carryingoutfurnitureandMammyMatildawastakingdowndraperies.Mrs.Haverseemedtobeflusteredandupsetaboutthewholething.Sighing,shesaid,“Oh

dear,Idowishtheshowboatcouldbemovedhereandthisroomnotdisturbed.”Nancyagreed.Suddenlyanideacametoher.ShesawColonelHaverinthegardenandwent

out to speak to him. She inquired whether every towboat captain in the area had beenapproachedandaskedifhecouldmovetheRiverPrincess.“Well,Isupposeso,”theColonelreplied.“AlexattendedtothatandI’msurehewouldhave

exhaustedeverymeans.”NancybegantowonderwhetherAlexUpgrovehad“exhaustedeverymeans.”Shedecided

tomakea few inquiriesofherownwhile inthecity.Therewouldstillbetimefor theRiverPrincesstobemovedbeforetheHavers’ball!Georgebeggedofffromthetripbecauseherlegwassoreandbruised.NancyandBesschangedintosmartcottonknitsuits.Ashorttimelaterthegirlsdroveoff

withDonnaMaeinNancy’scar.WithinanhourtheyhadselectedthreedifferentclownsuitsfortheboysfromEmersonCollege.“Beforewestarthome,”NancysaidtoDonnaMae,astheywereleavingthecostumer’s,“I’d

liketodrivedowntothewaterfront.”DonnaMaeagreed,soNancyheadedforthedocks.Asshedrovepast themanywharves,

theyoungsleuthlookedintentlyforanytowboatsthatmightbemooredthere.Presentlyshecametooneandstopped.“Iwanttoruninhereaminute,”shesaid.“Berightback.Waitinthecar,willyou?”Fortunately,thetowboatowner,aCaptainRuncie,wasonboard.Nancyinquiredifhehad

everbeenaskedtomovethestrandedRiverPrincess.Whenhesaidno,shetoldhimabouttheballandtheHavers’plans.“CaptainRuncie,wouldyouconsidertryingtotowtheshowboatoutofthebayou?”Nancy

asked.“I’llbegladtolookheroverandletyouknow.”“ThencouldyoucometotheHaverhomeandtalktotheColonel?”“I’llbethereearlytomorrowmorning,”CaptainRunciepromised.“Thankyouverymuch,”saidNancy.“We’llbelookingforyou.”Whenshereturnedtothecar,NancysaidnothingabouthererrandbecauseshefeltDonna

MaemightbeupsettolearnthatAlexhadnotexploredeverypossibilityinhavingtheoldboatmoved.AtoncethegirlcomplainedaboutNancy’ssecrecy.

Theyoungdectectivemerelylaughedandsaid,“I’mfullofsecrets,allright.ButI’llletyouinonone.Mynextstopwillbethepolicestation.”“Oh!”DonnaMaecriedout.“Why?”“Istillhopetotrackdownmystolencar,”Nancyreplied.Whentheyreachedpoliceheadquarters,shewentinsidealoneandintroducedherselftothe

captain in charge. “Is there any news aboutmymissing car or themanwho stole it?” sheasked.“No,thereisn’t,MissDrew,”thecaptainreplied.“Butwedohavealittlenewsthatmaybea

clue. My men made a thorough search of the room that fellow rented. In it they found asuitcasefullofwomen’sclothes.”“Asuitcase?”Nancyexclaimed.“Maybeit’smystolenbag!”

CHAPTERXVIII

TheSimmeringCaldron

THEPOLICEcaptainlookedatNancyinsurprise.“Yoursuitcase?”Nancyexplainedthatasuitcaseofhershadbeenintheluggagecompartmentofherstolen

car.“Werethereanyinitialsonthebagyoufound?”sheasked.“Therehadbeen,”theofficerreplied.“They’dbeenscratchedoff.”Nancyaskedtoseethebag.Usinghisdeskphone,thecaptainrequestedasergeanttobring

thesuitcasetohisoffice.Uponseeingit,Nancycriedout,“Itismine!Oh,Ihopemymother’sfanandshawlarestill

inside!”Quicklysheliftedthelid.Herclotheswereintact.Rummagingamongthemshefoundthat

theheirloomswerethere.“Oh,I’msorelieved!”shesaidhappily.“I’dratherlosemycarthanthisshawlandfan!”Thecaptainsmiledunderstandingly.“I’mgladthatwecouldrecoverthemforyou,”hesaid.

“Butactually itwasyou,MissDrew,whodiscovered thehousewhere thesuitcasewashid.den.”Atthatmomenttheofficer’sphonerangandhepickedupthereceiver.Afterlisteningafew

moments,heputdowntheinstrumentandturnedtoNancy.“Well,thisseemstobeyourdayforrecoveringthings.Yourstolencarhasbeenfoundinan

out-of-townsecondhandlot.”“Oh,howwonderfull”Nancyexclaimed.Thecaptainwenton tosay that themanwhohadbrought thecar inhadgiventhename

RalphWinterandsaidhecamefromNewYorkCity.“Hehadabillofsale,sonaturallythelotmandidnotsuspectthecarhadbeenstolen.”“Ifitismycar,”saidNancy,“thenthebillofsalemusthavebeenforged.”“You’requiteright,” thecaptainagreed.“Thecar isyours,all right.Mymanchecked the

serialnumbers.”“Wasthethiefcaught?”Nancyasked.“Not yet,” the officer answered. “But we’ll lend out an alarm. The man bought a gray

sedan.”“Didmydescriptionofthecarthieffitthisman?”Nancyinquired.“Yes, itdid—dark, slender, fortyyearsold.Small, piercingblack eyes. Low forehead, hair

rathercoarseandstiff.”Nancy smiled. “He’s the one, all right.” She thanked the captain for all his help and left

headquarters.WhenNancyappearedatthecarcarryinghersuitcase,Bess’seyesgrewlarge.“Yourstolen

bag!”shesaidunbelievingly.“Iseverythinginit?”“Everything,”Nancyanswered.TurningtoDonnaMae,shesaid,“Evenmymother’sshawl

andfan,whichIcannowuseattheball.”“Iknowyouwilllooksimplyadorable!”DonnaMaecriedoutecstatically.On the way home Nancy announced that she would like to stop at Uncle Rufus’s cabin.

DonnaMaebecamealittleimpatient.ShewantedtohurryhomeandtalkwithAlex.“Oh,Ishan’tbelong,”Nancypromisedher.Whentheyreachedthetinycabininthebayou,noonewasaround.Nancysuggestedthat

theothergirlswait in thecarwhileshe looked tosee if theoldmanwas in therearofhisproperty.ShehaddetectedthesmellofsmokeandthoughtthatUncleRufusmightbeburningbrush.Astheyoungsleuthroundedthecornerofthehouse,shestoodstill inamazement.Inthe

centeroftheyarda largetripodhadbeenerectedovera logfire.Swingingfromthetripodwasahugeironcaldron.BackofitstoodUncleRufus,wavinghisarmsbackandforthslowlyandmutteringtohimself.Nancyhesitatedaboutinterruptingthevoodoopreacher-doctor.Heprobablywasbrewinga

potionfromherbsandutteringprayersforitssuccessandefficacywheneveritmightbeusedbyhispatients.ItwasfullytwominutesbeforeUncleRufuslookedup.SeeingNancy,helefthisworkand

walkedtowardher.“Goodday,”hesaidaffably.“I’spectsyouwonderwhat’sinthishereherbpot.”Theelderlymanchuckled.“It’sasecret,buteffenyouneedatonic,it’llfixyouuprightquick.”Nancysmiled.“I’llletyouknowifIneedone.”ShetoldUncleRufusshehadstoppedtoaskhimifhewoulddosomedetectiveworkforher.Hegrinned.“Ifyoucon-fineittothebayou,Iwill,”hesaid.“Oh,Iwill,”Nancypromised.ShewentontotellhimabouttheweirdscenesandsoundsontheRiverPrincessbutdidnot

mentionthepartthattheDelaVerneshadplayed.Shewatchedtheoldman’sfaceintentlytoseeifheshowedanysignsofguilt.Hedefinitelydidnot.Instead,hescratchedhisheadandlookedperplexed.“Thishereisabigpuzzlementtome,”hesaid.“OnceinawhileIhearatom-tom,butlotsof

ourfolksgotthem.I’sesurenoneofthosepeoplegoesnearthatoleshowboat.”

UncleRufuswaswavinghisarmsandmutteringNancymentionedthefactthatperhapssomepeoplewereusingarecordplayerthere.“Maybeso.”UncleRufusnodded.“Butnoneofmypeople,”hedeniedstoutly.“MaybeIdo

knowsomethin’,though,thatmighthelpyou.LastnightwhenIwasoutpaddlin’Istoppedtolistentoanoleowl.He’swisdom,youknow,an’IthoughtImightlearnsomethin’fromhim.”UncleRufuswentontosaythatashortdistancefromhimhehadheardtwomenspeaking.

HewassurefromtheiraccentsthattheywerewhitemenfromtheNorth.“Whattheysaidwaskindo’queerlike.Onesaid,‘Iguesstheoldgalhasn’tanypirategold

afterall.’Theothermansaid,‘I’mgoin’tokeepathertillIfindout!’”UncleRufusaskedNancyifshecouldfigureoutwhattheymeant,buttheyoungdetective

shook her head. “That’s a hard one,” she said. Then she asked, “Uncle Rufus, would it bepossible foryoutowatchtheshowboat fora fewnights?Ifyou learnanything,cometotheHavers’homeandtellme.”Thevoodoodoctorsmiled.“Thatwillbeeasydetectivework,”hesaid,chuckling.“Isthatall

youwantmetodo,MissNancy?”“That’sallfornow.Andthankyouverymuch.”Shehurriedbacktothecarandtoldtheotherswhattheoldmanwasdoing.“He’sagreat

character in theseparts,”DonnaMaesaid. “It’s said thatUncleRufushasbroughtaboutagoodmanycures.”

WhenthegirlsreachedSunnymead,Georgewaswaitingforthemonthepatio.DonnaMaewentofftofindAlex,andGeorgegesturedthatshewouldlikeNancyandBesstofollowheratoncetothesecondfloor.“Iwonderwhat’sup,”Nancythoughtasshemountedthestaircase.George led the way into Nancy’s bedroom and closed the door. “Well, I think I’ve really

pickedupagoodclue,”shesaid.ExcitedlyGeorgewentontosaythatshehadspentalmostanhourwithAlex.“Igothimto

talkaboutNewYork,histravelsandhiseducation.Heshowedmealotofpictures.”“Butwhat’stheclue?”Bessaskedimpatiently.Georgelookedintentlyatthetwogirlsasshereplied,“IthinkAlexUpgroveisafake!”“What!”NancyandBessexclaimed.“Imean it,”Georgewent on. “In our talk I tried to trip him and I think I succeeded.He

contradicted himself several times. I’m convinced he’s either posing as Alex Upgrove fromNewYorkorelsehisnameisAlexUpgrove,buthe’sclaimingapositionofwealthandsocialstandingtowhichheisn’tentitled.”Georgeopenedabureaudrawerandbroughtoutapicture.“MuchasIhateflattery,Iused

someofitonAlexandgothimtoletmeborrowthispicture.”Shemadeawryface.“IthinkhebelievesIhaveacrushonhim.”Nancy and Bess stifled giggles, then looked at the photograph. It showed a group of

studentsatOxfordUniversity.Georgepointedtooneintherearrow.“That’sAlexUpgrove,”sheexplained.“Ishetheman

who’sgoingtomarryDonnaMaeordidhehelphimselftothispictureofsomeonewholooksverymuchlikehim?”“Well,itcertainlylookslikehim,”Besssaid.“Yes, it does,” saidNancy. Then she snappedher fingers. “I have an idea. You remember

Mrs.BartolometellingusthatMr.delaVerneisanOxfordgraduateandhasalwayskeptuphisinterestintheuniversity?”“Yes,” saidGeorge, “butAlexwouldhavebeenatOxford longafterMr.de laVerne.How

couldheidentifythepersoninthispicture?”“I know it’s a long shot,” said Nancy. “But Mr. de la Verne may have other pictures or

records of Oxford graduates. Let’s go see him, with the excuse that we’re returning Mrs.Farwell’sornamentalhairpin.”Nancylookedatherwristwatch.“Ifwehurry,girls,wecanjustmakethetripbeforedinner.

Comeon!”

CHAPTERXIX

AMissingSuspect

TOAVOIDmeetingAlexoranyoftheHaverfamily,Nancy,Bess,andGeorgeslippedquietlydown the back stairs and left the mansion. They hurried to their car and drove to Mrs.Farwell’shome.NancyrangthebellandMr.delaVerneopenedthedoor.Hebowed,thensaid:“Thisisanunexpectedpleasure.Pleasecomein.”ThegirlssteppedinsideandNancyintroducedtheelderlymantoherfriends.Aftergreeting

them,heindicatedasmalllivingroomfilledwithbeautifulantiquemahoganyfurniture.Whentheywereseated,Nancydrewthejeweledhairpinfromherpurse.“Icametoreturnthis,”shesaid.HenrydelaVernehesitatedamoment,thenarose.“Mysisterisnottoowelltoday,butIwill

seeifsheisabletojoinus.”Hewasgonefullyfiveminutes,butatlastreturnedwithMrs.Farwell.Thoughherfacewas

lined and her eyes slightly dulled because of her failing health, shewas still a very prettywoman. The girls were touched by the affectionate and chivalrousmanner with which herbrothertreatedher.Thecallersaroseandheintroducedthem.Mrs.Farwellnoddedherheadgraciouslyaseachgirlwasnamed.“Ifoundoneofyourvaluedpossessions,Mrs.Farwell,”saidNancy.“I’msohappytobeable

toreturnittoyou.”LouvinaFarwell took theprofferedhairpin and staredat it for several seconds.Then she

stoodupverystraight,gavealittletossofherhead,andlookeddirectlyatthegirldetective.ToNancy’sastonishment,thewoman’seyesindicatedshewasperfectlyrational.“Dositdownagain,mydears,”urgedMrs.Farwell.Afterherbrotherhadhelpedseatherin

achair,thewomanasked,“Andwheredidyoufindmymissingheirloom,Nancy?”“Ontheoldshowboat,theRiverPrincess.”“Howveryodd!”Louvinaremarked.“IfeelsosorryabouttheRiverPrincess.HenryandI

had suchwonderful times on itwhenwewere children. It is too bad that storm and floodruinedit.”“Wouldyou like to see theRiverPrincess restoredandmovedout of thebayou?”George

asked.“Indeed I would,” Mrs. Farwell replied promptly. “And I would like to see performances

givenonitagain.”Sheturnedtoherbrother.“Wouldn’titbefun,Henry,togotooneofthoseold-timeshowsagain?”“Yes, itwould,”Henry replied.HegaveNancy a surprisedglance, as if to say, “Iwas all

wrongabouttheeffectonmysisteroftherestorationoftheRiverPrincess.”Nancy,encouragedbythefriendlytrendoftheconversation,askedimpulsively,“Beforeyour

grandfatherownedtheshowboat,didpirateseverpilother?”“Oh,no,”Henryansweredquickly.Then,ashissisterstartedtospeak,hetriedtoswitchto

anothertopicofdiscussion.ButLouvinawouldnotbediverted fromthepiratestory.She laughedas if in recollection

andhereyeslostsomeoftheirdimness.Shesaid,“Nancy,mydear,nopirateeverownedtheRiverPrincess.Buttherewasastorythatseveralof themhidachestofgoldcoinsunderabulkheadoftheshowboatduringthetimemygrandfatherownedit.Thishappenedwhennoonewasaboard.”“Oh,howexciting!”Bessburstout.“Didtheyreturntogetthem?”

“Not that anyone ever knew,” Mrs. Farwell replied. “As a matter of fact, some verydisparagingremarksweremadeaboutmywonderfulgrandfather—peoplesaidthathewasinleaguewiththepirates.”“Why,howdreadful!”saidBess.“It certainlywas,”Mr. de la Verne agreed. “Well, now thatmy sister has told you of our

familyskeleton,I’llfinishthestory.ImyselflookedforthatpirategoldmanytimesbeforetheRiverPrincesswasabandoned,butitnevercametolight.”Nancywas convinced now that at last she had discovered the reason for the showboat’s

being“haunted.”Atthepresenttime,someonewhohadlearnedoftheoldstorywastryingtofindthepirategold—anddidnotintendtohaveanyoneinterferewithhisendeavor!“Just today,”Nancysaidaloud,“IaskedUncleRufus towatch theRiverPrincess at night

andreporttomeanythingstrangehesawgoingonthere.HeoverheardaremarkinwhichIthinkyou’llbeinterested.”Theyoungdetectivetoldaboutthetwomeninthecanoeandtheirmentionofpirategold.“I’msurethey’llneverfindit,”saidHenrydelaVerne,“becausethewholestoryprobably

wasmadeupbysomeshowboatrivalsofmygrandfather’s.”Louvinabackedupherbrotherinthistheory.Then,suddenly,shesaid,“Iamverytired.If

thegirlswillexcuseme,IthinkI’llgotomyroomandliedown.”“Oh,pleasedo,”saidNancyquickly.“ButMr,de laVerne,maywestaya little longerand

talktoyou?IwanttoaskyousomequestionsaboutOxfordUniversity.”“Ishallbehappytoanswerthem,”theelderlymansaidwithenthusiasm.“I’llbebackina

fewminutes.”Heassistedhissisterfromtheroombutreturnedshortly.Briefly,NancytoldaboutAlexUpgrove,andthathisengagementtoDonnaMaeHaverwas

tobeannouncedataballtheHaversweregiving.“Here isapictureofAlex takenatOxford. Iwaswondering if youcould findhim inyour

directoryofgraduates.”Theelderlymantookthephotograph.Thenheusheredthevisitorsintoanadjoiningroom

whichwaslinedwithbookshelves,andpulledoutseveralvolumes.PresentlyheannouncedtothegirlsthatanAlexUpgrovefromNewYorkCitywasindeedagraduateofOxfordUniversity.Mr.de laVerne then lookedthroughavolumeofpictures.Thisbookwasputbackon the

shelf,andhetookdownanother.Presentlyheexclaimed:“I’vefoundwhatyou’relookingfor!”Thegirlseagerlycrowdedaroundhimandlookedatthegroupphotograph.Itwasexactly

like the onewhichGeorge had borrowed fromAlexUpgrove. But the face of themanwhostoodintheplaceindicatedforAlexwasnotthatofthemantheyknewatSunnymead.“George,youwererightaboutAlexbeingafake!”Besscriedout.“Thisisveryunfortunate,”saidMr.delaVerne.Nancyraisedherheadthoughtfully.Asshestaredoutawindow,shewasstartledbyaface

framedinoneofthepanes.AlexUpgrove!WhentheyoungmanrealizedthatNancyhadcaughthimspying,hetooktohisheelsand

sprintedoutofsight.Nancyalertedtheothersandthethreegirlsdashedfromthehouseafterhim.Afewminuteslatertheroarofacarsomedistanceawaytoldthemthathehadescaped.“I’llbethe’llnevershowupatSunnymeadagain,”Georgepredicted.“Well, that’s finewithme,”Bess declared. “And I’m glad forDonnaMae’s sake that he’s

beenfoundout.Maybenowshe’llcometohersensesandbeherformerself!”TheyreturnedtothehouseandapologizedtoMr.delaVernefortheirhastyexit.“I’msorryyoudidn’tcatchupwiththatpretender,”hesaid.“Iwillnotifytheuniversityof

what has happened.While you were gone, I studied the photograph you brought, under amagnifyingglass.Therehasbeenaverycleverphotographicsubstitution.”“ThisAlexUpgrove,ifthat’shisname,”saidGeorge,“mustbeafterbigstakestohavegone

tosomuchtrouble.”

“I’llbethe’safterthepirategold,”Bessventured.ThegirlsthankedMr.delaVerneforhishelp,thensaidgood-byandhurriedbacktoward

Sunnymead.“How in the world are we ever going to tell Donna Mae the truth?” Bess asked

apprehensively.“Maybewewon’thaveto,”Nancysuggested.“ShemayfindoutaboutAlexherself.”WhenthegirlsdroveintotheparkingareaoftheHavers’estate,theygavegaspsofsurprise

and delight.On the patiowithDonnaMaewere three boys—tall, athletic, brown-eyedNedNickerson;blond,heavy-setBurtEddleton,andrangy-built,green-eyedDaveEvans.Thegirlshurriedtogreetthem.“Weconvincedtheuniversityweoughttolookoverthefootballsituationdownherefornext

year,”Nedsaidwithalaughaftergreetingswereover.“Andithappenedtocoincidewithamidyearvacation.”Burtgrinned.Intheconversationwhichfollowed,NancynoticedthatDonnaMaewasunusuallycharming

and gracious. She exhibited such happiness that the other girls were sure she had heardnothingadverseyetaboutAlexUpgrove.Andhowtheyhatedtotellher!SuddenlyDonnaMaeannounced,“Dinnerwillbeservedsoon.Wewon’twait forAlex.He

hadtogooutandsaidhemightbedetained.”The girls exchanged quick glances but made no comment. Excusing themselves, they

hurriedupstairstochangeintofloweredbouffantdresses.“ForthesakeofNed,Burt,andDave,”saidNancy,assheandtheothersstarteddownstairs,

“Isuggestthatwebeasgayaspossibleduringdinner.IfAlexdoesn’tshowuplateron,thenwe’llhavetotellDonnaMaewhatwe’velearnedabouthim.”Though at times it was difficult for the three girls to play their lighthearted parts, they

succeededverywell.Butlater,ontheterrace,ColonelandMrs.HaverbroughtupthesubjectofAlex.“Wheredidhego?”theyaskedtheirdaughter.DonnaMaesaidshedidnotknow.Anotherhourwentby.Stillhedidnotcome.NancytookNedasideandwhisperedthenewsaboutAlex.“Ifyoudon’tmind,I’dliketotell

theHaversprivatelywhatIknow.”Nedchuckled.“Icantakeahint,”hesaid,grinning.“Imighthaveknownyou’dhaveabig

mysterytosolve.Okay,wefellowswillhitthesack.”Presently he andhis friends excused themselves andwent upstairs.DonnaMae fidgeted,

thensaidworriedly,“Ican’tunderstandwhereAlexis.”Nancydecidednottowaitanylongerinrevealingwhatshehaddiscovered.Shewalkedover

toDonnaMae and her parents. “I’m afraid that Alex is not coming back,” she said gently.“Bess and George and I learned earlier this evening that he has beenmisrepresenting hisbackground.Hewastherewhenwefounditoutandheranaway.”“Whatdoyoumean?”DonnaMaeaskedquickly.Nancytoldaboutthesubstitutioninthephotograph.ColonelHaver’sjawsetfirmly.Donna

Maewentwhiteandtheothersthoughtshewasgoingtofaint.But.suddenlyshebegantocry.“Thatd-dreadful,thatdeceiving,thathorridman!”sheburstout.Mrs.Haver,whowasseatedbesideDonnaMae,putanarmaroundherdaughter.“This is

hard, I know,dear, but thinkof thedisgraceandunhappiness for you if youhadmarriedapersonlikethat.Weallhaveprobablybeensparedagreatdealofembarrassment,too.”Hermother’swordsmade little impressiononDonnaMae.Shecouldthinkofnothingbut

theoverwhelmingchagrinof themoment.As shealternatelyweptand laughedhysterically,herfatheraskedNancyifshethoughtAlexwasinanywayconnectedwiththemysteryoftheshowboat.“I’mafraidthatheis,”theyoungdetectivereplied.“Infact,IamconvincedAlexisinleague

with themanwho stolemy car. And thatmany other strange thingswhich happenedweremeanttokeepmefromcomingheretosolvethemystery.”“Butwhatisthemystery?”ColonelHaverasked.

Nancy told him of the rumor about pirate gold being hidden on theRiver Princess. TheHaverswereamazedtohearthis.Theyeagerlydiscussedthepossibilityoftheancientcoinsbeingon the showboat.DonnaMaemomentarily forgother troublesandeven joined in theconversation.Butasthegroupstartedforbed,sheagainbrokeintoanotherfitofhysteria.Nancywentto

DonnaMae’sroomwithherandtriedtosoothetheagitatedgirl.To the young detective’s wonder, Donna Mae revealed a new worry. “Nancy, I’ve just

realizedwhatadreadfulthingI’vedonetoCharles,andhedidn’tdeserveit.”AlthoughNancyfeltsorryforthegirl,andwassureDonnaMaestilllovedCharles,shewas

a little irked at her fickleness. Nevertheless, she endeavored to comfort Donna Mae, whofinallyfellasleep.The next morning Donna Mae appeared quite composed. She talked very little during

breakfast, but later asked the threegirls to come toher room.To their surprise and relief,DonnaMaeseemedtohaveamorematureattitude.“I’vebeenverystupid,”shesaid.“Allthishastaughtmeagoodlesson.IknownowthatI

still loveCharles—andhaveall the time. I shan’tgo runningafterhim.But ifhe’ll takemeback,I’llbeveryhappy.”Thegirlshadnochancetocomment,forjustthenMammyMatildaknockedonthedoorto

saythatCaptainRuncie,thetowboatowner,wasdownstairs.“ColonelHaverwouldlikeyoualltocomeandtalkwithhim.”When they reached the first floor, ColonelHaver said, “Nancy, you andBess andGeorge

havedonesuchawonderfuljobsofarinsolvingtheSunnymeadmystery,Iwantyoutotakeoverthefinalpart.IsuggestthatyouthreeandNed,Burt,andDavegowithCaptainRuncietotheRiverPrincess.Hewillseewhathecandoaboutmovingit.”Thegirlsweredelightedwiththisarrangementandthreecanoeswerebroughttothedock.

Nancy andNed stepped into the first craft and took Captain Runciewith them.When thegroupreachedtheRiverPrincess,thetowboatownersaidhewouldremainoutsideandmakesomecalculations.Thethreegirlsbeganshowingtheirescortsaroundtheshowboat.Ned,pokingintovarious

crannieswithhisflashlight,saidlaughingly,“I’mnotgoingtogiveupuntilIfindthatpiratetreasure.”IntheirsearchheandNancyfinallyreachedtheholdoftheoldvessel.Walkingonthedry

part,theybeamedthelightbackandforth.SuddenlyNancystoopeddownandsaid,“Ned,here’ssomethinginterestingImissedbefore.

Theymaybeaclue.”Shepointed toaseriesofknotholesononeof thewideboards in thecenterofthedeck.“Butthisisn’tunderabulkhead,asthelegendsaid,”Nedobjected.Nancysmiled.“Thosepirateswereclever.Doyourealizewe’restandingunderabulkhead

ofthetheaterontheupperdeck?Ned,let’stryliftingupthisboard.”“Okay.Butwithwhat?”Nedasked,lookingabout.Not far awayNancy spotted a crowbarwhich she had seenCharles use the day she had

visitedtheboatthefirsttime.Nedhurriedtopickitup,thenstartedtopryupthesectionoffloor.Nancywaitedbreathlessly.Wouldher hunchpayoff?Suddenly,with a ripping sound, the

floorboardcameup.“Oh!”sheexclaimedexcitedly.Beneaththeboardwasanotherboard,oldandrotted,andbelowthis,ametalchest!NancyandNed,afterafewtugs,liftedthelid,revealingamassofgoldcoins!“We’vefoundit!We’vefoundit!”Nedcriedout.Heranhishandthroughthecoins.“There

mustbefiftythousanddollars’worth!”As he andNancy did a little dance together to express their glee, they were completely

unaware of two sinister figures who suddenly arose from behind a pile of crates and ragsnearby.Thetwomenheldstoutsticksintheirhands.Quietlyandstealthilytheyleapedtowardthecoupleandbroughtthesticksdownfullforceontheirheads.NancyandNedslumpedtothedeck.

Above,BessandDavewerejustcompletingatourofthefirstdeck.Afewminuteslatertheycametowardtheentrancetothehold.Besssuddenlyyelledinalarm:“Smoke’scomingfromthehold.Theshowboat’sonfire!NancyandNedaredownthere!”

CHAPTERXX

AMasqueraderUnmasked

FEARFULthatNancyandNedweretrappedintheholdoftheRiverPrincess,Besscriedouttheirnamesinterror.Therewasnoanswer.“Wemustdosomething!”thegirlwailed.AtthisinstantGeorgeandBurtarrived.QuicklyBessandDavetoldthemoftheirfearsfor

NancyandNed.Thetwoboystiedhandkerchiefsovertheirnosesandmouths,turnedontheirflashlights,andrusheddownthesteps.Reachingthesmoke-filledhold,BurtandDavepeeredaroundfrantically.“There theyare—over there!”Burtpointed.NancyandNed layon the floor,unconscious.

Quickly the twoboys swung theprostrate formsover their shoulders, coveredNancy’s andNed’smouthsandnoseswiththeirhands,anddashedupthesteps.Theinjuredcouplewerelaidonthedeck.Besskneltdownbesidethem.“Seethoselumpsontheirheads!They’vebeenhit.”As George and Bess began to try reviving their friends, Burt, Dave, and Captain Runcie

grabbedfirebucketsstillhangingonthedeckandrusheddownintothehold.“Oh,dobecareful!”Besscalledafterthem.Ina fewminutesNancyandNedregainedconsciousness.Bothsatupandaskedgroggily,

“Whathappened?”Besssaidsomeonemusthaveknockedthemoutinthehold.“Andthere’safiredownthere,

too.Doyouknowanythingaboutit?”“Wedidn’tseeanyfire,”Nedreplied.Downinthehold,CaptainRuncieandhistwocompanionswerebusilysloshingwaterfrom

thelistedsideofthedeckontotheburningsection.Inashorttimetheyhadtheflamesout.Whentheyreturned,DaveaskedNancyandNedhowtheyfelt.Reassuredtheywouldbeallright,heaskedifthecouplehadseenanyoneinthehold.“No,”theyreplied.ThensuddenlyNancysaid,“Thetreasure—isitstillthere?”“Treasure!”Daverepeated.“Itwasanauthenticpiratechestfilledwitholdgoldcoins,”Nedexplained.“Wefounditin

thehold.”“Thenwhoeverknockedyououtmusthavestolenit!declaredBurt.”Wedidn’tseeachest.”Noonehadseenanystrangersleavetheshowboatandsomuchtimehadelapsedsincethe

attackthatthegroupknewitwouldbefutiletotryfindingNancyandNed’sassailant.“Hemusthavesetthefire,thenrunupthestairs,andgotawaywhennoonewaslooking,”

saidGeorge.Tomakesurehewasnotstillaboard,acarefulsearchwasmade.Thethief,orthieves,had

vanished!“WemustreturntoSunnymeadandreportthistothepoliceatonce,”Nancydecided.AsCaptainRuncieandtheyoungpeoplewereabouttoleavetheRiverPrincess,thegentle

soundofpaddles came from twodirections. Ina fewmoments they sawCharlesBartolomeapproachingfromoneentrancetothepond,UncleRufusfromanother.Thenewarrivalswereamazedtohearwhathadtakenplaceontheshowboat.“I’m sorry that you twowere hurt,” said Charles grimly. “So the legend about the pirate

treasurewastrue!”Uncle Rufus said he had news for Nancy. He had seen nothing suspicious at the River

Princess the eveningbefore.But hehadbeenmaking some inquiries amonghis neighbors.One,aNegroboy,hadsecretlywatchedtwomenatworkintheshowboatlateonenight.Theyoungermanhadcarriedtools,theothera“talkin’machinewithrecords.”Whilethere,theyhadplayedtom-tomandcallioperecords.“Theyalsoplayedsomehymns,”UncleRufusadded.“ThemencalledeachotherAlexandSpike.”“NotAlexUpgrove?”Charlesasked.Bessmotioned the youngmanaside andquickly told him theunfortunate story and their

furthersuspicionsaboutAlex.Charles’sfacebecamegrave,andhesaidsoftly,“I’msorryforDonnaMae.”“She’sjustcrushed,”Besstoldhim.“Sherealizeshowfoolishshewastothinkthatshewas

inlovewithAlex.”Besssmiled.“Youknow,Charles,despitewhatyoumaythink,DonnaMaehasalwaysbeenveryfondofyou.”Charleslookedthoughtful,butmadenoreply.AsBess turnedback to theothers, sheheardUncleRufus say thathe thoughtSpikewas

hidingoutinanemptyshackinthebayou.“Let’sgogethim!”Nedurged.CaptainRuncie insistedupongoingalong.Butheadded,“I’mmucholderthantherestof

youandIofferthisadvice.Girls,don’tgoonthismanhunt.Thosefellowsaretoodangerous.”Nancyreluctantlyconcededthathewasright.Beingfamiliarnowwiththebayou,thethreegirlssetoffaloneinoneofthecanoestoreturn

toSunnymead.Whentheytoldtheirstory,theHaverswereastounded.Whilethegroupwereexcitedlydiscussingthenewdevelopments,CaptainRuncieandtheEmersonboysreturned.“Wecaughtoneofthemen!”Daveannounced.“Buttheotheronegotawaywiththepirate

chestjustbeforewearrived.”NedsaidthatthemantheyhadcaughtwasSpikeLander,whohadmanyaliases.Theyhad

drivenhimtopoliceheadquartersandhewasnowinjail.IfhehadanyideawhereAlexhadgonewith thepirategold,hehadrefusedtoadmit it.But theLouisianapoliceandthoseofMississippiandotheradjoiningstateshadbeenalerted.“Alexoughttobecaughtsoon,”Nedprophesied.ColonelHaversaidhecertainlyhopedso.Then,turningtoCaptainRuncie,heaskedabout

thepossibilityofmovingtheshowboattotheSunnymeaddock.“IcanmovetheRiverPrincesswithverylittletrouble,”thecaptainstated.“I’llgetmento

clearouttherestofthestreamandfetchthatshowboatdownhereinnotime.”Two days went by and still there was no word of Alex. Spike Lander had confessed to

stealing Nancy’s convertible. As the young detective had suspected, he had attempted byseveralsinistermethodstokeepherfromcomingtoNewOrleans.Otherthanthathewouldtellnothing.“IwishIknewwhereAlexis,”Nancyfretted.ThebatteredshowboathadbeenhauledtotheHavers’dock.Sincecarpentersandpainters

oftheareawerebusyonMardiGrasfloatsandgrandstands,nonewereavailabletorepairtheRiverPrincess.EveryoneatSunnymeadofferedtohelp.“I’llacceptit,”saidColonelHavergratefully.Charlesheardabout theplanandcameover tohelp,bringingFrankand Jack.Hammers,

saws,andpaintbrusheswerekeptinusefrommorninguntilnight.TheRiverPrincesswouldberestoredandreadyforthegrandball!Anotherkindofchangewasalsotakingplace.Bess,inparticular,wasthrilledtoseeDonna

MaeandCharlesworkingsidebyside,talkingandlaughing.Heseemedtohaveforgottenhishurtfeelingsandbecamemoreandmoreattentivetohisformerfiancéeeachday.“Oh,Idohopethey’llgetmarried,”Besssighedaudibly.AtlasttheRiverPrincesswascompletelyrestored.Thetheaterwasreadyfortheplay.The

largeroomontheupperdeckandallthedeckswerespick-and-spanandwaxedfordancing.Onlytheholdwouldbebarredtovisitors.Mrs.Haverremarked,withapleasedsmile,“ThePrincesslookssimplybeautiful.Ishallbe

sohappytohaveourfriendsseeher.”ColonelHaverthankedeveryoneashegazedproudlyattheshowboat,thensaid,“Fromnow

onnomorework! Iwant everyone to get into the carnival spirit. TomorroweveningMardiGrasweekofficiallybegins.Ihavegrandstandseatsfortheparades.”Nancyandherfriendsweregladtoturntheirthoughtstothecolorfulspectacle.ButNancy

stillcouldnotgetAlexUpgroveoutofhermind.Justbeforeleavingforthefirstparade,shephonedthepolice,onlytobetoldtherewasnotacluetotheyoungman’swhereabouts.“Ifyougetanyleads,MissDrew,letusknow,”thecaptainrequested.TheHaversandtheirvisitorshurriedoff toNewOrleansand foundplaces in themayor’s

grandstand.Soontheyheardbandmusic,anddownthestreetcamethelonglineoffloats.“It’sjustlikebeinginfairyland!”Bessexclaimedafterseveralgorgeousfloatshadpassed,

lightedbytorchbearersrunningalongsidethem.High above the street rolled the glittering imitation gardens, palaces, scenes from

mythology,Indianhistory,Nature,ships,andthesea.Silks, satins, and velvets were used in profusion in costume and decoration. Every float

sparkledwithgoldorsilverpostsandcanopies.On the pavement below them crowds of people clapped and cried out for souvenirs.

Thousandsofimitationpearlnecklacesweretossedbytheactorsintotheupturnedhands.“Oh,isn’tthisthemostexcitingthingyou’veeverseen?”BessaskedNancyasshecaught

oneofthenecklacesonthethirdnightoftheparades.“It’ssimplygorgeous,”Nancyagreed.“Absolutelysuper!”addedGeorge.Bands were plentiful and high-stepping drummajorettes led by baton twirlers kept up a

livelypacebehindthemusicians.DuringallthistimeNancyhadnotforgottenAlexUpgrove.Shehadremainedalertforany

cluetohimamongthevastcrowdofpeople.Butnightafternightwentbywithoutasignofhim.Finally came Shrove Tuesday, the final day of the Mardi Gras celebration. As soon as

breakfastwasoveratSunnymead,theentireHaverfamilyandtheirguestsdonnedcostumesinpreparationfor joiningtherevelers inNewOrleans.Todaytheparadewouldstartatten-thirty.AsthegirlsfromRiverHeightsandtheEmersonboys,alldressedasclowns,rodetoward

thecityinNancy’scar,shesaid,“Ihaveahunch.Maybeit’sfarfetched,butIfeelthatwe’llfindAlexUpgrovetoday.”“How?”Nedasked.“Evenifhe’saround—whichIdoubt—he’llprobablybeincostume.That

wouldbetheeasiestwayforhimtohidehisidentity.”“Iknowthat,”Nancyanswered.“Buthehasn’tbeencaught,soIbelievehe’sintown.Ican’t

getthatwaddedpieceofpaperoutofmymind.ImeantheoneAlexthrewfromthecar.Onitwasapatchofmaroonwithagoldstriperunningthroughthecenter.Itmighthavemeantafloatcoveredbymaroonvelvetwithagoldstripe.”“YoumeanAlexmightbeonit?”Nedaskedincredulously.Nancynodded.“Insomewayhe’llbeusingthepiratecoins.”Theyoungdetectivelaughed.

“IthinkAlexmightevenhavemadesomekindofarrangementtorentthecoinstotheparadecommittee,providedhe found thembefore theMardiGras.He’lluse thecash togetoutoftownwhilestillincostume.”“Andleavethechestofpiratemoneybehind?”Burtaskedunbelievingly.“Oh,no,”saidNancy.“He’llmanagetotakeitwithhim.”Nancysuggestedthatsinceallofthemwereinsimilarcostumes,itmightbewiseforthem

toseparate.“IfAlexisaround,hewon’tbesoapttonoticeus.We’llmeetyoulateronwheretheparadebreaksuponClaiborneAvenue.”Ned parked the car and the six masked revelers alighted. He and Nancy found an

advantageousspotfromwhichtowatchtheparadeasitwentalongSt.CharlesAvenue.Floatafter float went by without arousing any more than admiration on the part of the youngpeople.ThensuddenlyNancygrabbedNed’sarm.“Look!” she whispered excitedly. “Here comes a pirate float and around the outside is

maroonvelvetwithagoldstripe!”

She andNedwatched intently as the float came closer. Three of the “pirates”werebusythrowingnecklaces to the costumed revelers in the street below them.A fourthpiratewasbentovera treasurechest.Hewasbusysiftinggoldcoins throughhis fingers,much to thedelightofthecrowd.“Throwmesomeofyourmoney!”criedaby-standerdressedasaknightinarmor.“Yes,I’dlikesomepirates’money!”Calledhiscompanioninaskeletoncostume.The cloaked pirate merely laughed. As he passed just above Nancy she peered at him

searchingly,tryingtofigureoutwhathisfacewouldlooklikewithoutmake-upandmustache.Afterthefloathadgoneby,shewhisperedexcitedlytoNed:“IthinkthatwasAlex.Let’sfollowhim!”Thetwokeptashortdistancebehindthefloatandwoundtheirwayinandoutamongthe

crowd.BythetimetheyreachedCanalStreet,wheretheparadeturned,NancywaspositivethatthefloatpiratewiththegoldcoinswasAlexUpgrove.“I’mgoingtonotifythefirstpolicemanwesee,”shetoldNed.“Goodidea,”heagreed.Notfarawaytheymetanofficerandquicklyapprisedhimoftheirsuspicions.Hepromised

to alert headquarters at once, have the pirate float put under surveillance, and the manhandlingthecoinsquestionedwhentheparadedisbanded.“I’llbetheretoidentifyhim,”Nancysaid.SheandNedcontinuedtofollowthemaroon-and-goldfloat.Asitcameneartheareawhere

theparadewouldbreakup,theysawthe“pirate”suddenlystuffhismanypocketswithcoinsfromthetreasurechest.Theresthedumpedintoasmallsackhewasholdingandtuckedthisintohisvelvetwaistcoat.“That’sAlex,allright,”saidNancy.“Oh,Ned,look!He’sgoingtojumpoffthefloatandget

awaybeforethepolicecome!”“Buthewon’tgetawayfromme,”declaredNedgrimly.Themanjumpedtothesidewalk.Ashestartedtorun,Nedmadeaflyingleapandthetwo

crashedtothepavement.Several revelers screamed. Their outcries caught the attention of the police who were

waitingashortdistanceaway.Inafewsecondstwoofficerswereonthescene.BythistimeNedhadpulledthe“pirate”tohisfeetandwasholdinghiminaviselikegrip.Nancy rushedupanddefinitely identified the suspect asAlexUpgrove.Hishat,wig, and

mustachehadfallenoffinthestruggleandmostofhismake-uphadrubbedaway.“What’sthemeaningofthis?”Alexaskedangrily.“You’reunderarrest,”saidoneoftheofficers.“Ihaven’tdoneanythingwrong,”thefugitivecontendedstoutly.“Accordingtothisyounglady,youhaveseveralcrimestoyourcredit.”Theofficernamedonlyone—knockingoutNedandNancyontheshowboatandsettingthe

fire. On hearing this, Alex broke down and confessed that Alex Upgrove was not his rightname, althoughhe refused to saywho hewas.Months before theMardiGras, he hadmetSpikeLander,whohadheardtherumorofthepiratecoins.“SpikeneededsomebodywithclasstoingratiatehimselfwiththeHaversandkeeptrackof

whatwasgoingon,sohechoseme.IfiguredoutthisOxfordbusinessanditworkedallrightwithDonnaMaeandherparents.Butyou,NancyDrew,spoiledthewholegame.”Alex admitted that he and Spike had arranged to haunt the showboat.WhenNancy was

learningtoomuch,hehadfollowedhertotheDelaVernes’.TheelderlyOxfordgraduatehadbeenhisundoing.“SoIhadtoleaveSunnymead,”hesaid.“ButSpikeandIweren’tgoingtogiveuphunting

forthatpiratetreasure.WhenNancyfounditforus,wehadtoknockherouttoescape.Thefirewasaccidental.SpikelightedamatchandintherushtogetawayIguesshedroppedit.”Alexwentontosaythathehadarranged,alsoinadvance,tobeincludedasapirateonthe

floatunderstillanotherimportantassumedname.Hehadfiguredifallwentwellhecoulduseit as a surprise for Donna Mae, whom he really had intended to marry and gain a social

positionforhimself.Atthis,NancyandNedexchangedglancesasiftosay,“Whattremendousconceittheman

has,tobelievehecouldhavegottenawaypermanentlywithsuchascheme!”Alexhadalso figuredthat ifhisplanswentwrong,MardiGrasDaywouldbeanexcellent

one in which to disappear. As Nancy had guessed, he had rented the coins to the paradecommitteeandplannedtousethecashtomakeagetaway.Shehadalsobeenrightaboutthewadofpaper,withtheidentifyingmaroonandgold.Ithad

beenasignaltoSpike.Therewasinvisiblewritingonit,askinghispartnertohelptrailNancy.“Yes,Spikeriggedthatvinebarricade,”AlexadmittedwhenNancyquestionedhimonthis.

“AndheandIusedaduckcalltosignaleachotherwheneverhethoughtanyoneelsewasinthevicinityoftheshowboat.”“AnddidhethrowthestoneatmeandplayghostontheRiverPrincess?”“Yes.”Whenthecaptive’sstorywasfinished, thepoliceofficersaidtohim,“Well,Upgrove,your

masqueradehasended.Yourpal isbehindbarsandthat’swhereyou’regoing,also. It’s toobadyouchosethewrongkindofcompanywhenyougotalongsowellwithnicefolks.”Bess, George, and their companions reached the group just then. Nancy said, “Alex has

confessed,”andtheprisonerwasledaway.“Well,Nancy,yousolvedthemysteryofthehauntedshowboatanddidamagnificent job,”

Nedpraisedher.“Hip-hip-hurray!”saidBurt,strikinganexaggeratedpose.Nancy laughed. “Now that the mystery is solved, let’s have some fun.” But suddenly a

wistfulfeelingcameoverherasshethought,“WhenwillIhaveachancetosolveanother?”Nancy’s questionwas to be answered very soon,when she found herself involved inThe

SecretoftheGoldenPavilion.Inagaymoodtheyoungpeoplereturnedhome.TheirhostsandDonnaMaewerealready

there.With themwasCharles. All listened in awe and admiration asBess andGeorge toldaboutthecaptureofthefalseAlexUpgroveandtherecoveryofthepiratetreasure.“It’s unbelievable,” saidColonelHaver. “Nancy, how canwe ever thank you?Unless,” he

added,atwinkleinhiseyes,“thepiratetreasureyoufoundisrewardenough.”Nancystaredinamazement.“Oh,Ishan’tclaimthat!I’dlikeonecoinasasouvenir,butyou

andtheDelaVernesshouldsharethetreasure.”“We’ll see,”saidColonelHaver.Therewassilence fora fewmoments, thenhecontinued.

“Nancy,youareresponsibleforsomethingfarmoreimportantthansolvingthemysteryofthehauntedshowboat.Iwanttotakethisopportunitytotellyouallthatafterthepageanttonight,the engagement of my daughter Donna Mae to Charles Bartolome will be formallyannounced.”“Oh, I’m so happy to hear that!” Nancy cried out, and Bess and George gave a rousing

cheer.DonnaMaehuggedNancygratefullyandonhercheektheyoungdetectivecouldfeelafew

tears.“Nancy, you helpedme recover somethingmore precious than all the gold in theworld,”

DonnaMaewhispered.

MatchWitswithTheHardyBoys®!

MatchWitswithSuperSleuthNancyDrew!