THESCARLETSLIPPERMYSTERYNancymeetsHeleneandHenriFontaine,refugeesfromCentroviawhorunadancingschoolinRiverHeights.Strangecircumstanceshavebrought thebrother and sister to theUnitedStates.Whentheyreceiveananonymousnotethreateningtheirlives,Nancyoffersherhelp.

But she encounters nothing but puzzles. Are the Fontaines involved with the Centrovianunderground? Have they been threatened by their own countrymen? Why? Is a series ofpaintingsbyHenriFontainebeingusedforasinisterpurpose?

SuddenlytheFontainesdisappear.Havetheybeenkidnapped?Nancyandherfriendspursuethetrailrelentlessly,eventhoughdangerlurksaroundeverycorner.Theyaretrappedbytheirenemies,andescapeseemsimpossible.ButNancy’squickwitfinallyenableshertosolvethisintriguingandintricatemystery.

“Hannah!”Nancycried.“Whodidthistoyou?”

Copyright©1974,1954bySimon&Schuster,Inc.

Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.,amemberofThePutnam&

GrossetGroup,NewYork.PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanada.S.A.

NANCYDREWMYSTERYSTORIES®isaregisteredtrademarkofSimon&Schuster,

Inc.GROSSET&DUNLAPisatrademarkofGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.

LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber:

eISBN:978-1-101-07733-7

http://us.penguingroup.com

CHAPTERIAFrighteningMessage

“WEwillcrash!Oh—oh!”

Anashen-faced,middle-agedmanleanedacrosstheaisleofthejetplanetowardNancyDrew.

The attractive reddish-blond girl smiled reassuringly. “Please don’t worry,” she said gently.“Onlytheenginehasstopped.We’llbeallright.Andwe’llsoonreachRiverHeights.”

“No!No!”themanmoaned.“Thisistheendandallmywork—!”Hemumbledsomethingtohimselfinaforeigntongue,thenadded,“MybelovedCentrovia—”Heshookafistasifatthepilot,thenburiedhisfaceinhishands.

WhenNancytriedtocomforthimfurther,astewardessandamanandawomanpassengercrowded alongside, blocking her view. The foreign gentleman quieted down, the twopassengers returned to their seats, andNancybecameengrossedwith thepreparations forlanding.Woulditbeassafeasshehadpredicted,shewondered?

Thepilotmaneuveredhisshipexpertly,bringingitdowninalongglideandlandingonthefarendoftherunwayattheRiverHeightsAirport.

Whentheplanerolledtoastop,Nancysmiledatthestrangeracrosstheaisleandsaid,“Thatwasn’tbad,wasit?”

“Amiracle!”wastheabruptanswer.Themanstoodup,grabbedabriefcase fromunderhisseat,andquicklydeparted.

Nancyputonthejacketofhernavysuit,pickedupherpurse,andwalkedslowlytothedoor.Shepausedto tell thestewardesshowmuchshehadenjoyedthe flight, thenhurrieddownthe ramp. A short distance beyond stood her two closest friends, BessMarvin andGeorgeFayne,ingaycottonskirtsandblouses.

Georgewasanattractivegirlwithshortdarkhairandaslender figure,much likeNancy’s.George’sprettycousinBess,on theotherhand,wasslightlyplumpandworriedcontinuallyaboutherfigure.

“Hi,Nancy!”Georgeexclaimed.“HaveagoodtimeatyourAuntEloise’s?”

“Perfect!IloveNewYork.”

“Seeanyshows?”Bessasked.

Nancynodded.“Three.Onewasamusicalwithwonderfuldancing.You’dadoreit,Bess.”

AssoonasNancyhadcollectedherbaggage,thethreegirlswalkedtoNancy’sconvertible,whichherfriendshadbroughttotheairport.Nancytookthewheel,andastheydrovetowardthe residential section of town, she said, “Tell me everything that’s happened while I wasgone.”

Bessgiggled.“I’velosttwopounds.There’sawonderfulnewdancingschoolintown,Nancy.Allkindsofclasses.I’vejoinedoneinreducing.Matteroffact,wejustcamefromthere.”

Georgesniffed.“Yes,Besstakesitoffdancingandputsitallbackonbyeating.”

Nancylaughedandasked,“Who’srunningthenewdancingschool?”

BesssaidthatitwasownedbyabrotherandsisternamedHenriandHeleneFontaine,whohad recently come to River Heights from France, and that they were exceptionally finedancersaswellasexcellentteachers.

“Theyhaveasimplydelightfulaccent,”Besssaid.“Waittillyouhearthemtalk.”

Georgeremarkedthattheclasseshadaninterestingfeature.Beforeeachlesson,HeleneandHenrigaveatalkonthehistoryofthedance.

“How fascinating!” said Nancy, her blue eyes sparkling. She was always intrigued by thebackgroundofanyartform.

A fewminutes later they reached theFayne residenceandGeorgeclimbedout.Shewavedgood-by,saying,“Seeyousoon.Iwanttohearallaboutyourtrip,Nancy.”

The carpulled away from the curb andBess suddenly cried out, “Oh, I’ve lostmypurse. Imusthaveleftitatthedancingschoolintheexcitementofgoingtomeetyou.”

“We’llstopbyandpickitup,”Nancyoffered.

The school occupied the second floor of an office building in the business section of RiverHeights.Nancyparkedandwaitedwhileherfriendhurriedupstairs.Besswasbackinafewseconds,however,withoutherpurse.

“Oh,yourpocketbookwasn’tthereafterall?”Nancyasked.

“It’s not that. I didn’t even look for it. Nancy, something dreadful must have happened toHelene.SheandHenriarethereallalone,andHeleneiscryingasifherheartwouldbreak.Pleasecomewithmeandseeifwecanhelpher.”

Nancy hesitated amoment. She remarked that perhaps thematterwas a family affair andtheyshouldnotintrude.ButBessfeltsuretherewasmoretoitthanthat.

“IheardHelenetellHenrishewassofrightened!”

Nancyneededno furtherurging.Shegotoutof thecar instantlyandhurriedup the stairswithBess.Asthetwogirlsenteredthestudio,Helene,adainty,dark-hairedgirl,wassayingtoherbrotherinFrench,“No,wemustfleeagain!”

NancyandBessstoodstillasthestartledcouplelookedup.Henriwasatall,handsomeyoungman with blond hair. He was leaning on an ivory-and-gold French Provincial desk, behindwhichhissisterwasseated.

AtaglanceNancysawthattheroomwasspaciousandbeautifullyfurnishedwithgoldchairsanddeep-bluedrapes.Onthewallabovethedeskhungapairofscarletballetslippers.

“Oh,Bess,comein!”Heleneurged,dryinghereyeswithadaintyhandkerchief.

Bessmoved forwardslowly.She introducedNancy, thenadded, “If youare in somekindoftrouble,perhapswecanassistyou.Icouldn’thelpoverhearingyouwhenIcamebackformyhandbagafewminutesago.”

The brother and sister exchanged quick glances. Then Henri slowly shook his head. “I’mafraidthisistooseriousaproblem.”

“Ofcoursewedon’tmeantointrude,”saidBess.“Butyousee,Nancyisadetectiveandhassolvedmanydifficultmysteries.”

TheFontaineslookedatNancyinamazement.ThenHenrisaid,“Agirldetective?Youareveryprettyand—hardlylooklikeadetective!”

Nancy laughedmerrily.“I’mafraidBess isgivingmetoomuchcredit,but I’llbegladtodoanythingIcanforyou.”

AgainHenriandHeleneexchangedglances.Whenthegirlnoddedtoherbrother,Henrisaid,“Wedoneedafriend.Perhapsyougirlsaretheonestohelpus.”

HenritookanunsignednotefromhispocketandshowedittoNancy.Itwashand-printedinFrenchandatthebottom,crudelydrawninred,wasapairofballetslippers,similartothosehangingonthewall.

“Thenotewas foldedand leftonthedeskbysomeunknownperson,”heexplained.“ItwasnotaddressedtoHeleneandme,butthescarlet-slippersinsigneconvincedusthatthenote

wasforus—nooneelse.Here,Iwilltranslateitforyou.”

AlthoughNancycouldbothreadandspeakFrench,shelistenedattentivelyashebegan:

Youwillloseyourlivesifyoudonotleavethisareaatonce.DonotcommunicatewithanyfriendsyouhavemadeintheUnitedStates.

WhenHenri finishedreading,Heleneburst intotears.“I’msoafraid,”shesaid.“This is thesecondnotethatwehavereceived.”

“Recently?”Nancyasked.

“No,”Henrireplied,andhewentontoexplainthatthefirstnotewassenttotheminFranceabout eighteenmonths before. That one had ordered the brother and sister to leave theircountry.

“Isthatwhenyoucamehere?”Nancyinquired.

“Yes, itwas,”Heleneanswered.Then, lookingaround furtivelyand loweringher voice, sheadded,“Theothernotealsocontainedathreat.Itsaidthatthesecretpolicefromournativecountry were going to kidnap us and take us back there. I’m afraid that’s what this onemeans.“

“I’msoafraid,”Helenesaid.

“Isn’tFranceyournativecountry?”Bessbrokein.

“No,”Henrireplied.“WeareCentrovians.”

“Centrovians!”Nancyexclaimed.“Iwonder—”

Asshestoppedspeaking,HeleneaskediftheyhadsaidanythingtooffendNancy.Theyoungdetectivesaidno.ShewasjuststartledbecauseashorttimebeforeshehadbeentalkingwithamanonaplanefromNewYorkwhowasaCentrovian.

“Oh!”thebrotherandsistercriedout,andHenriadded,“Hewasprobablytheonewholeftthisnote!Whatdidhelooklike?”

Nancydescribedtheman,addingthathewasapparentlyaverynervous,excitableindividual.

TheFontainesfailedtorecognizehimbutwereconvincedthathewastheguiltyperson.

“IfthismanisstayinginRiverHeights,Ioughttobeabletofindhim,”Nancysaid.

TheFontainesbeggedhertodoso.ThegirlsrosetoleaveandHenriwalkedtothedoorwiththem.

“Ihaveoneveryspecialrequesttomake,”hesaid.“WehavenevertoldanyoneherethatwecamefromCentrovia.Francewasouradoptedcountryandwewant ittobeknownthatwecamefromthere.”

“Iunderstand,”saidNancy.“ButperhapsyoushouldtellmemoreaboutwhathappenedandwhyyouleftCentrovia.Ipromisetokeepeverythingconfidential.”

HenrirelatedaterrifyingtaleofhowCentroviahadbeenoverrunbyenemyforces.Duetothehorrorsoftheoccupation,manypeoplehadfledtoothercountries.

“Thishappenedabouteightyearsago,”theyoungmanexplained.“Ourparentswereamongthose who found refuge in France. Our name was Provak. When we reached Paris, wechangedittoFontaine.”

Helene took up the story. “My parents—perhaps I should not tell you this—joined anorganization thataimed tooverthrow thosenewrulers inCentrovia.Butbothof themdiedbefore anything was accomplished.” Helene pointed to the slippers on the wall. “Thosebelongedtomymother.Shewasafamousballetdancer.”

Henriputanarmabouthissister’sshoulders.“Ourmother’sdeathwascausedbyworry,”hesaid.“WhenwefledfromCentrovia,anotherfamilyaskedustotakeafortuneinjewelswithus tobeused tohelp theundergroundmovement.Unfortunately, thenew rulers suspectedthis, and thus caused my parents a great deal of worry by accusing them of stealing thefortuneandtryingtomakethemrevealwhereitwas.”

“Buttheydidn’tstealit!Theydidn’t!”Helenecriedout.“Thejewelsweresoldafewatatimetoprovidemoneyfortheworkoffreeingourpeople.”

WhentheFontainesstoppedspeaking,Nancyaskediftherewasanyconnectionbetweentheslippersonthenoteandthoseonthewall.

“Idon’tknow,”Heleneanswered. “Oh,whatdoyou thinkweshoulddo?Obey thewarningandgiveupourworkhere?”

Itwas several seconds beforeNancy replied. Then she said, “Please don’tmake any hastydecisions.I’msureIcanhelpyou.Furthermore,myfatherisalawyerandI’lltalktohim.”

TheFontainesagreedtodelayleaving.

“Surelywhoeversentthewarningnotewouldnotexpectyoutowindupyourbusinessaffairsonamoment’snotice,”Nancyadded.“Inthemeantime,Imayfindawayoutforyou.”

“Oh,thankyou,”saidHelene.“Youareatruefriendand,justthink,wehaveknownyouonlyafewminutes.MayIcallyouNancy?”

TheyoungdetectivesmiledatHelene’scharmingold-worldmannersandsaidthatfromnowontheywouldbeHeleneandNancytoeachother.

“AndwillyoupleasecallmeHenri?”Helene’sbrotherasked,atwinkleinhiseyes.

Nancyeagerlyagreed.

Bessretrievedherpurseandashorttimelaterthegirlssaidgood-bytotheFontaines.Nancypromisedtogetintouchwiththemthenextday.

Astheydrovealongthemainstreet,BessaskedaboutthestrangerintheplanewhowasfromCentrovia.Thewordswerehardlyoutofhermouthwhen,atanintersection,amansuddenlysteppedfromthecurb,directlyintothepathofthecar.

Nancyslammedonherbrakessofastthatthetiresscreeched.Instantlythemanleapedback

tothesidewalkandshecried,“Bess,takethewheel!That’stheCentrovianImetontheplane.Imusttalktohim!”

BeforeBesscouldobject,Nancywasoutofthecarandhurryingtowardthestranger.

CHAPTERIIMysteriesMultiply

AsNancyboundedaroundthefrontofhercar,thetrafficlightchanged.Theautomobileintherightlaneroundedthecorner,cuttingoffherdashtothecurb.Bythetimeshereachedthesidewalk,themanshewaschasinghaddisappeared.

Bess parked the convertible and watched as Nancy dodged in and out of nearby stores,lookingforthestranger.Finallytheyoungsleuthreturnedandclimbedintohercar.

“Thatmancertainlyvanishedsuddenly,”shesaid.“ButIintendtofindhim.”

Nancywas greatly admired in RiverHeights because of her unusual ability to track downelusiveclues,aswellashercourageandquickwittedness.

The girl’s reputation as a detective went back to the time when her father, a prominentlawyer,had turnedover toher thecaseknownasTheSecretof theOldClock. Since then,Nancy had been engaged in countless adventures. Recently she had finishedworking on astrangecircusintrigue—TheRingmaster’sSecret.

NowshewaseagertosolvetheFontaines’mysteryandwasannoyedthatthefirstgoodleadinthecasehadslippedthroughherfingers.

Bess,stillat thewheel,drovetoherhouse.ShealightedandsaidshewouldseeNancythenextday.“Pleasebecareful,”sheaddedastheyoungdetectivedroveaway.

Nancyheadedhome,aspaciousdwellingonastreetlinedwitholdsycamores.Sheparkedinthewinding,flower-bordereddriveway.

Asshehurriedupthewalktothekitchendoor,HannahGruen,theDrews’housekeeper,cameout tomeet her.Nancy embraced thepleasant-facedwomanwhohad livedwith the familysinceMrs.Drew’sdeathmanyyearsbefore.

Nancy’s little terrier,Togo,barkedsharplyandboundedtogreether.Shecaughthimup inherarms,thenturnedtothehousekeeper.“Howiseverything?IsDadhome?”

“Thingsarefine,”Hannahreplied.“Herecomesyourfathernow.”

AtthatmomentCarsonDrewpulledintothedriveway.Nancyrantogreethim.Hewasatall,handsomeman.Nancy lovedhis pleasant disposition, the twinkle in his eyes, andhis keenmind.

During dinner, Nancy told Hannah and her father about her trip. Then shementioned theFontainesandtheirproblem.

“Itsoundsveryserious,”Mr.Drewsaid.“I’dratheryoudidnothingaboutthisuntilIconsultgovernmentauthoritiesonthesubject.I’mflyingdowntoWashingtonthisevening.”

Nancynodded.“ButmayIsearchforthatmysteriousmanwhowasontheplane?”

“Allright,”thelawyerconceded,“butbecareful.Ifnecessary,getthepolice.”

AfterdinnerNancybegan telephoning localhotels.Butnooneknowntobe fromCentroviawasregisteredatanyofthem.

At nine o’clock a taxi came to takeMr.Drew to the airport.He had been gone only a fewminuteswhenthedoorbellrang.

“Oh,howdoyoudo,Mrs.Boyd,”Nancysaid,greetingaslender,gray-hairedwoman,whowasred-facedandseemedupset.

“Iwanttoseeyourfatherrightaway,Nancy.”

“I’msorry,buthe’snotathome.CanIdoanythingforyou?”

“Well, Idon’tknow,”Mrs.BoydansweredasNancy ledher intothe livingroom.“It’saboutMr.Howard,downatthejewelrystore.IthinkIoughttosuehim!”

Thedistraughtwomansettleddowninacomfortablechair.“ThismorningwhenIwasinthestore,” shewent on, “I saw a bisque figurine that appealed tome. Itwas expensive, but Iboughtit.AfterIgothome,whatdoyouthink?Therewasalongcrackinthelittlestatue.”

FromherhandbagMrs.Boydliftedadancing-girlfigurine.Inspectingitclosely,Nancycouldseeaflawthatranalongafoldintheskirt.

“WhenIsawit,”saidMrs.Boyd,“ItookthepiecerightbacktoMr.Howard.Andherefusedtoreturnmymoney!HeimpliedthatIhaddamagedthestatueafterIleftthestore.Now,whatdoyouthink,Nancy?Shouldn’tIsuehim?”

The young detective wanted to hearMr. Howard’s side of the story before answering thequestion.

“Mrs.Boyd, I thinkmy fatherwill have to decide that,” she replied hesitantly. “But, in themeantime,supposeItakethestatuedowntothestoreandtalktoMr.Howard?Perhapswecanstraightenthisout.”

“Oh,thankyou,mydear,”saidMrs.Boydgratefullyassherosetoleave.“MaybeyoucantalksomesenseintoMr.Howard.”

ThenextmorningNancyarrivedat the jewelrystoresoonafter itopened.Mr.Howardwasstandingbehindacounternearthedoor.

NancyshowedhimthefigurineandtoldhimaboutMrs.Boyd’scomplaint.Mr.Howardlookedannoyed.“Ididn’tthinkthatcrackwasbadenoughformetohavetotakethefigurineback,”hesaid.

“Perhapsnot,”Nancysaid.“But itdoes lookas if thefigurinehadbeentamperedwith,andI’msureMrs.Boyddidn’tdoit.”

Mr. Howard got a magnifying glass and studied the statue. He admitted that Nancy’ssuspicionmightberight.Withathinknifelikeinstrument,hedeepenedthecrackatinybit.Thefigurinefellapartinhishands!

“Well,forPete’ssake!”Mr.Howardcried.“Iwonderiftherestarethisway!”

Thejewelerwenttotherearofhisshop,wherefiveotherstatuetteswerestandingonashelf.“Everyfigurinehasthesameflaw,”heannouncedafterexaminingthem.“I’llcallthecompanythatsoldmethese.”

NancywatchedasthejewelertelephonedtheNewYorkfirm.Finally,hegrewpaleandsaid,“YoumeanyouhavenosalesmannamedWarte?Butheshowedmehisbusinesscard!”

NancyguessedthatMr.Howardhadbeencheatedbyanimpostor.

“WhatamIgoingtodo?”thejewelercrieddespairingly,ashehungup.

Theyoungsleuthexpressedhersympathyandsaidshewasafraidtherewasnothinghecoulddo.“Whatdidthemanlooklike?”sheasked.

Mr.Howardsaidthesalesmanwasaboutfivefooteightandpale,withgrayinghairanddeep-seteyes.

“Hewassomesalesman,” the jewelerwenton.“Hehadanaccent.HedroppedFrenchandGerman phrases into his conversation. Talked about the figurines as a foreign art dealermight.”

NancyadvisedMr.Howardtonotifythepolice.“Isuspecttheflawsarenotjustevidenceofpoorworkmanship,”shesaid.Onasuddenhunch,sheadded,“Wouldyousellthesefigurinestomeatareasonableprice?”

Mr.Howardshrugged.“Thelotforfivedollars.”

“Fine,”Nancysaid.“Andnow,Mr.Howard,willyoupleasetakethemapartforme?”

“Ofcourse,”hesaid.“Why?”

“Ithinkwemayfindsomethinginsideoneofthem,”saidNancy.“Mr.Warteprobablywantedtogetridofthesefigurinesinahurry.Thereasonmaybehiddeninsidethem.”

Mr.Howardhalvedthefirstfigurine.“Nothinginhere.”

Thenextthreebisquedancinggirlscontainednoclue.Butasthelastcameapart,NancyandMr.Howardgaspedinamazement.

Insidelayasmallpieceofpaperwithanumberonit.10561-B-24!

“Thatcan’tbeamanufacturer’snumber,”Nancydeclared.“Ifitwere,itwouldn’thavebeensealedinsidethestatuette.”

Tuckingthepaperintoherhandbag,theyoungdetectiveaskedMr.Howardifhewouldgluethefigurinesbacktogether.Shewouldreturnforthemlater.

“Anddon’tyouthink,”shesaid,smiling,“thatyououghttorefundMrs.Boyd’smoneynow?”

“Byallmeans,”thejewelerconceded.

Later that day,whenMr. Drew returned from the capital, his daughter told him about thefigurines, the impostor, and the strange number. The lawyer complimented her for havingsettledthemattersoquicklyandsatisfactorily.

NancyaskedherfatherwhathehadlearnedabouttheFontainecaseinWashington.

“Noadversereportshaveevercomeinonthecouple,”heanswered.“Theauthoritieswilllookintothematterfromtheforeignangle.Wehavepermissiontotakecareofthesituationhere.”

“Good!”Nancysaid.“Let’sbeginatonce.”

Mr.Drewsmiled.“Whatdoyousuggest?”

“Dad,I’dliketobringtheFontaineshereuntilthemysteryissolved.ThenI’dknowtheyweresafe.”

HannahGruen,overhearing,threwupherhands.“NancyDrew,that’saskingfortrouble!”

Thelawyeragreed,butaftersomecoaxing,Nancywonthembothoverbypromisingtokeepthesecretfromallbuttheirclosestfriends.

ShetelephonedtheFontainesatonce.ThebrotherandsisterdiscussedNancy’soffer.Henritoldhertheywouldliketoacceptbutwerereluctanttoclosethedancingschool.

“Idon’t think thatwillbenecessary,”saidNancy.“We’ll thinkofasolution to thatproblemthisevening.I’llpickyouupinfrontoftheschoolatteno’clock.”

WhenNancyreturnedtothelivingroom,shefoundthatBessandGeorgehaddroppedin.Mr.Drewwastellingthemofthenewplan.

NancyrelatedherconversationwiththeFontaines,andthegirlsdiscussedhowthedancingschool might be kept in operation. Suddenly Bess beamed. “I know a number of dancingteachersintown!I’msureIcouldgetthemtoconductsomeoftheclasses.”

Bessmadeseveralquicktelephonecallsandsoonannounced,“Alltheolderclassesaretakencareof.ButIcouldn’tfindanyoneforthesmallchildren.”

Nancy’sfacelightedup.“Whydon’tyouandIteachthem?”shesuggested.

Besswasthrilled.Shehadtakenlessonssinceshewasatinytotandknewallthestepsthatweretaughttosmallchildren.Nancy,too,hadstudieddancingandwasquiteaccomplished.

“Hypers!”saidsports-lovingGeorge.“I’mgladyoudidn’taskmetodoanyteaching!”

“Nowweoughttohaveamanager,”saidBess.

“MaybeNedwillhaveasuggestion,”Nancysaid.“Hethoughthemightstopbythiseveningonhiswaybacktothesummercampwherehe’sacounselor.”

A few minutes later tall, dark-haired Ned Nickerson arrived. “Hello, everybody! Any newmysteries?”

“Acouple,”Nancyadmitted.

Georgelookedmischievous.“Inconnectionwithoneofthem,”shesaid,“weneedamanagerforadancingschool.Areyouqualified?”

Theathleticyouthgrinned.“Why,ofcourse!”hedeclared,strikingaballetpose.

Bessgiggled.“We’reserious,Ned.Wehavetofindamanager.”Sheexplainedthesituation.

Nedlookedthoughtful.Thenhesaid,“Ithinkperhapsmymothercouldhelpout.”

“Wonderful!”Nancycried.ShetelephonedMrs.Nickersonandwasdelightedwhenthekindwomanaccepted,promisingtobeatthedancingschoolearlythenextmorning.

AfterNancyhad toldNedabout thecase indetail, the tall youthglancedathiswristwatchanddeclared itwas time to leave. “I’mdueat a counselors’meeting late this evening,”hesaid.“I’llbeseeingyousoon.Pleasebecareful,Nancy,”headded,squeezingherhand.

Bess andGeorge said theywouldbeback after dinner tohelpNancyplan thebestway tomovetheFontainesintotheDrewhome.

Whenthecousinsreturnedtwohourslater,Georgeannouncedthattheyhadanidea.“We’llpatrolthestreet,”sheexplained.

“We’ll steer any suspicious persons away from the house,” Bess went on. “And if atroublemakershouldappearasyouapproach,we’llwaveawhitehandkerchieftowarnyou.”

“Agoodidea,”Nancyagreed.

GeorgeaskedNancyforafulldescriptionofthemysteriousstrangershesuspectedofsendingthethreateningnotetotheFontaines.

“Supposeweseehim.Shallwecallapoliceman?”theadventurousgirlasked,relishingtheexcitement.

“If there’sonearound,”repliedNancy.“Ofcourse,wedon’tknowthat thisman isguilty. Ifyouseehim,itwouldbebestsimplytousesomerusetogethimoutofthewayuntilaftertheFontainesaresafelyinthehouse.”

NancysaidthatshehadarrangedwiththepilotofaprivateplanetoflythecouplefromRiverHeights toanotherairport.Theywould returnby train,andshewouldpick themupat theRiverHeightsstation.

“Inthemeantime,I’llcomebackhere,”shesaid.“IfI’mdelayed,I’llphone.”

Shortlybefore teno’clock,Nancydroveoff.BessandGeorgestationed themselvesoneachsideofthestreet.

Aftersometimehadelapsed,Besssawavaguelyfamiliarfigurecomingupthesidewalk.Helookedlikethesuspectedstranger!

Besscrossed the streetandsummonedhercousin. Itwasalmost time forNancy to return,andthefellowwastooclosetotheDrewhomeforsafety!

Georgehadasuddeninspiration.ShecalculatedthedistancesothatsheandBesswouldpassthemanunderastreetlight,wheretheycouldpretendtorecognizehim.

Whentheywalkedbyhim,Georgeturnedbackandsaid,“Why,aren’tyoufromCentrovia?”

Themanlookedatherinamazement.“Yes,Iam.Whydoyouask?”

“I’ve been searching everywhere for you,” George answered glibly. “I’m a reporter for thelocalpaper,andI’dliketointerviewyouforafeaturestory.Won’tyoucomewithmetothehotelcoffeeshopandtellmeaboutthefabulouslifeyou’veled?”

“ButIdon’twantastoryaboutmeinthenewspaper,”themanprotested.

“Itwillbeamarveloushumaninterestitem,”Georgepersisted.

Suddenlythemanscowled.“Say,what’sgoingonhere?”heaskedharshly.“Ifyoudon’tmindyourownbusiness,I’llcallthepolice.”

Hestrodeoffintheoppositedirectionandwaslosttoview.

Suddenlythecousinsrealizedthatitwasaftereleveno’clockandNancyhadnotyetarrived.Theywaitedanothertwentyminutes.StillnosignofNancy.

FinallyBessdecidedtogointothehousetofindoutifNancyhadtelephoned.

HannahGruenansweredherknock.Thehousekeeperwaswringingherhandsindismay.“Oh,Bess,”thewomanwailed.“Ihaven’theardfromNancy!Ijustknowsomethinghashappenedtoher!”

CHAPTERIIIAWorrisomeRide

WHENNancy parked in front of the Fontaines’ dancing school, Henri and his sister werewaiting forher.Theyhadseveralsuitcaseswiththem.Anyonespyingonthedancerswouldthinktheyweregoingonalongtrip.

Nancywhisperedhernewplantothecoupleandtheynoddedassent.“Noneofyourenemieswillbeabletolearnyourdestinationinaprivateplane,”shesaid.

“That’ssplendid.”Henrismiled.

TherewaslittletrafficandtheysoonreachedtheRiverHeightsAirport.Nancyparked,thenpointedtothewaitingplane,whichbelongedtoafriendofNedNickerson’s.TheFontainesthankedNancyprofuselyandhurriedoff,whisperingthattheywouldseehersoon.

AsNancywaited towave good-by to her new friends, she became aware of aman not farawaywhostaredalternatelyatherandthenatthewaitingplane.ShewonderedwhetherhewasmerelyanidlebystanderoraspyconnectedwiththeFontainemystery.

Theman,whowasslenderandofmediumheight,hadblackhairandflushedcheeks.Hiseyeswerepenetrating,andNancyfoundherselfturningfromhisinsolentstare.

Aftershehadwavedgood-byand theplanewasairborne,Nancy turned to lookat themanagain. He was gone! At first she felt relieved; then hermind began to race. Hemight bemakinginquiriesabouttheplane’sdestinationfromsomemechanicwhohadnotbeenwarnedagainstgivingouttheinformation!ThespycouldtelephonesomememberofthegroupandarrangetohavehimmeettheFontaineswithaphonymessage,gettingthemintorealtrouble.

Nancy tried to shake off themood. “I’mmaking amountain out of amolehill,” she said toherself.“Justthesame,I’lllookaround.”

Shedidnotfindthemanandfinallyconcludedhehadlefttheairport.Hersearchhadtakenhalfanhourandby that timetheFontaineshadcompleted theirplane tripandwouldsoonboardatrainforthereturnjourney.

“I won’t have time to go home,” Nancy decided. “I’ll take a circuitous route to the RiverHeightsstationtothrowanyoneoffmytrail.”

Nancyhadgoneonlyamilewhenshenoticedacarfollowingher.Sheincreasedherspeed,andthedriverbehindherdidthesame.

“Oh,dear,”Nancythought,“thismaymeantrouble!”

Onthespurofthemomentshedecidedtoswitchtoasideroadwithmanycurves.Itwasjustaroundthenextbend,andbyhurryingNancyknewshecouldturnintoitbeforetheothercarreached the curve. Turning off the convertible’s headlights, Nancy hoped that the drivertrailingherwouldnotsuspectherruse.

Unfortunatelythesideroadwasruttedandbumpy,andshewasforcedtoslowdown,withtheresult that the pursuing driver spotted the convertible’s brake lights and came after her.Nancyrolledupthewindowsandlockedthedoors.Shedroveasfastasshedared,buttheother car finally overtook the convertible and forced it so close to a ditch that she wascompelledtostop.

Frombehindthewheelclimbedthesinister-lookingmanshehadsuspectedofbeingaspyattheairport!Hecametostandbesideherwindow.

“You’reMissDrew?”heaskedwithadecidedFrenchaccent.

Nancydidnotreply.

“IamafriendoftheFontaines,”themansaidbrusquely.“Wherearetheygoing?”

Still,Nancydidnotanswer.Themanshookhis fistather. “If youdonot tellme, itwillgobadlywithyou.Youareplayingadangerousgame,mademoiselle.”

Nancy’s heart was pounding, but her voice was calm as she said, “I have nothing to say.Pleasemoveyourcaroutoftheway!”

“Iwillnot!”themancried.“You’regoingtoanswermyquestionor—”

Hestoppedspeakingbecausesuddenlyhewasoutlinedintheheadlightsofacarcomingupbehindthem.Apparentlyfearfulofbeingcaught,themanhurriedbacktohiscarandgotin.Buthecalledback,“Youhaven’theardthelastofthis!”

He geared his car and roared away. The approaching automobile slowed down. A youngcouplewasinit,andthegirlcalledanxiouslytoNancy,“Areyouallright?”

“Yes,”Nancyassuredher.“ButI’dliketofollowyouintoRiverHeights,ifyoudon’tmind.”

“Okay.”

OnthewayNancywondered ifherwell-laidplanmightbefallingthroughandthestrangerwouldpickuphertrailagain.Butnocarfollowed.FinallyshereachedtherailroadstationandparkedintheshadowsacrossthestreetasprearrangedwiththeFontaines.

“HannahandthegirlsmustbewonderingwhereIam,”Nancythought.“IwishIdaredleavethecarandphonethem.Here’shopingthetrainwon’tbelateanddelaymeanylonger.”

Presentlyitloomeddownthetracks.Nancylookedaroundforsuspiciouspersonswhomightbewatching,butthestationareaseemedtobedeserted.Theenginegroundtoahaltandafewpassengersalighted.TheFontainesclimbeddown from the last coach.Henri’shatwaspulledlowandthescarfonHelene’sheadobscuredherface.

Theyfoundthecarquickly,gotintothefrontseatwithoutsayingaword,asformerlyagreedupon,andNancydroveoff.Aftertheyhadgonetwoblocks,Henrisaid,“Dideverythinggoallrightwithyou?”

Nancydidnotwanttofrightenthecouple,butshefeltthattheyshouldknoweverydetailofthecase,andsoshetoldthemwhathadhappened.

Helene gasped. “Oh,Nancy, our enemiesmean to harm us, even thoughwe tried tomakethemthinkweobeyedtheircommand!”

“Perhapsnot.Theymaywanttoknowwhereyouareonlytobesureyou’renotplanningtoreturntoRiverHeights,”Nancysaidreassuringly.

Shedescribedtheman,butneitherHenrinorHelenecouldidentifyhimasanyonetheyhadknowninFranceorhadmetintheUnitedStates.

AsNancyturnedintoherownstreet,shenoticedamanjustbarelyvisibleintheshadows.Hewasstrollingonthesidewalkopposite theDrewhomeand lookedsuspicious.TherewasnosignofBessorGeorge.Fearfulthatthemanmightbeaspy,Nancydrovearoundtheblock.

Whenshereturned,themanwasnotinsight.NancysighedwithreliefwhenshespottedBessandGeorgestandinginthedriveway,motioningforhertoenter.Mr.Drewmetthegroupatthegarage.WhenNancymentionedhersuspicionaboutthespy,herfathersaidthathehadbeenthemanstrollingoppositetheirhouse.Hewasrelievingherfriendsforafewminutes.AlongwithHannahandthegirls,hehadbeenfearfulforNancy’ssafety.

TheFontaineswereintroducedandescortedintothehouse.TheretheymetHannahGruen,whothrewherarmsaroundNancy.WhenNancyexplainedthereasonforherlongabsence,the housekeeper visibly shuddered and Bess cried, “Oh, Nancy, I knew this would be adangerouscase!”

The Fontaines looked very uncomfortable and Bess regretted her remark. She apologized,explainingshehadnotmeantitthewayitsounded.Therewasdangerforallconcernedandshehopedthemysterywouldbesolvedsoon.

To cover the embarrassment, Hannah, who had drawn all the drapes, invited everyone toshare amidnight snack of sandwiches andmilk she had prepared. As they ate, the youngpeoplerelaxed.HalfanhourlaterMr.DrewdroveBessandGeorgehome.

HelenewasshowntoaguestroomonthesecondfloorbyNancy,andHenriwastakentooneonthethirdbyHannah.OverandovertheFontainesexpressedtheirgreatgratitude.NancyandHannah, in turn,said theyhopedthat thebrotherandsisterwouldbecomfortableandhappyduringtheirstay.

“Anddon’tbebashfulaboutaskingforanythingyouwant,”thekindlyhousekeeperadded.

AtbreakfastthefollowingdayHelenesaidshehadherfirstrequest.Intheexcitementofthesuddenmoveshehadforgottenaboutacoachingjobshehadundertaken.

“It’sthebigcharityshowtobegivenintheCivicCenter,”Heleneexplained.“Nancy,wouldyoumindgettingintouchwithMrs.Parsons,thechairwoman,andtellingherIwillhavetogiveupthecoaching?Isuggestthatshegetoneoftheotherteachersintowntoreplaceme.”

NancyknewMrs.Parsonsand said shewould stopatherhomeon theway to thedancingschool.Atnine-thirtysherangthebellattheParsons’home.

“Goodmorning,Nancy,”thewomansaid,and invitedhercaller in.AfterNancyhadrelayedHelene’smessage,Mrs.Parsonsexclaimed,“Oh,dear,thewholeshowisfallingapart!FirstIlosemysolodancer;nowmycoachisresigning!”

“I’msorry,”saidNancysympathetically.“Butsurelyoneoftheotherteachersintowncanhelpyouout.”

“Maybe.Butyouknowhowitis.Nobodywantstobesecondfiddle,”Mrs.Parsonssaid.“Butthatdoesn’tbothermeasmuchaslosingmyprizedancer.Nancy,she’smarvelous!”

“Whoisshe?”Nancyasked.

“MillieKoff. She andher fatherwere staying at theClaymoreHotel. They didn’t expect toleaveforsometime.Thenlatelastnighttheycheckedoutwithnoexplanation.”

Mrs.Parsonspausedamoment,thensaid,“Nancy,I’mgoingtotellyoualittlesecret.Ihavean idea theKoffsmaybe in somekind of trouble.Millie once confided inme that shehadcometothiscountryfromCentroviaand—”

“Centrovia!”Nancyechoed,startled.

CHAPTERIVAViciousCaller

“Oh,pleasetellmemoreabouttheKoffs!”NancybeggedMrs.Parsons.

“Well,Idon’tknowmuch,mydear,”shereplied.“Mr.Koffisawriter—he’saveryeccentric,excitableperson.HeandhisdaughterMilliehavebeenstayingattheClaymoreHotel.Sheisa talented dancer, so we asked her to perform in the charity show. I believe she studiedabroad.”

A physical description ofMr. Koff fitted themanwho had sat across the aisle fromNancyduringtheplanetrip.SheaskedMrs.Parsonsifshemightusehertelephone,andwhenthewomannodded,NancycalledtheClaymoreHotel.

During other cases on which she had worked, Nancy had become acquainted with themanager.Afteridentifyingherself,sheaskedfortheforwardingaddressoftheKoffs.

“I’m sorry, Nancy,” themanager replied, “but they did not leave one. Are they involved insomemystery?”

“Possibly,”Nancysaid.“Ifanywordcomesfromthem,willyoupleasenotifyme?”

The manager assured her that he would. When Nancy told Mrs. Parsons about theconversation,thewomanshookherheadindisappointmentandsaidshewouldhavetofindasubstituteforMillie.

“Howaboutyourtakingthepart?”sheasked.

Nancy laughed.“You flatterme,Mrs.Parsons. I’dbeglad tohelpyououtwithsomeof thedancing, but please don’t put me in as a soloist. I haven’t had much time for any balletdancinginrecentyears.”

“Butyoustilldanceexceedinglywell,”saidthechairwomanofthecharityshow.“AndI’msureyoucouldlearnthespeakingparteasily.”

TherewasnotalkingMrs.Parsonsoutofheridea.Shewasflusteredandconcerned.NotonlyhadshelostMillieKoffassoloistbutalsoHeleneFontaineascoach.Thewomanbeganpacingthefloor.

“Allright,Mrs.Parsons,”Nancysaid.“I’lldothebestIcanforyou.ButifMillieKoffcomesback,I’llbowout.”

FromadeskMrs.Parsonsproducedascriptfortheperformance.Flippingoverseveralpages,shecameto thescene inwhichMillieKoffwastohaveappeared.SheandNancysatdownandwentovertheparttogether.Whentheyhadfinished,Nancyadmittedthattherewasnotmuchtotherole,andshecouldquicklylearnthespeakingpart.She,herself,wouldhavetodevelopthedanceact.

Withacopyofthescriptandarecordunderherarm,Nancyhurriedoff,promisingtoreportfor rehearsal that afternoon. Already behind schedule, she found Ned Nickerson’s motherwaitingforheroutsidethedooroftheFontaines’dancingschool.

Nancy walked up to her, smiling, and said, “Goodmorning,Mrs. Nickerson. I’m sorry I’mlate.”

Mrs.Nickerson looked very pretty, she thought,with her prematurelywhitewavyhair, herpetitefigure,andherstylishlytailoredcottondress.

AsNancyunlockedthedoor,shesaid,“Mrs.Nickerson,theFontaineswantmetotellyouhowmuchtheyappreciatewhatyou’redoing.”

Mrs.Nickerson said shewasglad tobe includedandhoped that somethingexcitingwould

happen.SheandNancyspentanhourtogether,checkingthescheduleofclassesandgoingthroughtheregistrationcardstobecomeacquaintedwiththepupils.

Wheneverythingwasready,Nancyfoundthatshewouldbefreeforhalfanhourbeforeherfirstclass.Shedecidedtostartworkonthedanceshewouldperforminthebenefitshow.

Nancyfoundaleotardinhersizeandputitoninthedressingroom.Thenshewalkedintothelargepracticeroom,whichhadmirrorsonthreewalls.

“First I’ll listentotherecordthatMillieKoffwasgoingtouse,”Nancydecided.Sheplacedthe“SatiricPolka,”byShostakovich,ontheturntableandflickedontheswitch.

Asthemusicfilledtheroom,Nancyshuthereyesandletherfeetandbodymovenaturallytothedistinctiverhythm.

“OfcourseIhaven’tthesameballettechniqueasMillie,”shethought,“butI’ll improvisetothemusic,combiningballetandrhythmicmoderndancing.Thatshoulddothetrick.”

She played the record over several times until her choreography had formed a regularpattern.Realizingthathermovementsbetrayedherloveformystery,Nancysuddenlyfoundherself giggling. Her dance had become a graceful chase portraying the conflict betweensomeonebeingpursuedandthepursuer!

“I’ll need a lot of practice,”Nancy said to herself, as she performed the final leapwith anintricateturn.

Nancy heard several pupils arriving for their class and hurried into the dressing room tochangetostreetclothes.Thesubstituteteacherarrivedandeverythingwentwell.

Nancy andMrs.Nickerson had luncheon together; thenNancy borrowed the leotard againand left for the charity-show rehearsal at the Civic Center. She went at once to theauditorium,whereseveraloftheperformerswereonstage,talkingtoMrs.Parsons.

Amongthemwasamanwhonowturnedandcamedownthesteps.Ashehurriedtowardasidedoor,Nancylookedathiminamazement.

Hewasthemanwhohadstoppedheronthecountryroad!

Asquicklyasshecould,Nancyranacrossthebackoftheauditoriumanddownthelastaisletowardtheexithehadtaken.Whenshereachedthecorridor,hewasnotinsight.

Aportermoppingthe floor toldher thatamanhad left throughanearbydoor.Shedashedoutside and up an alley to the street. But by the time Nancy reached it, the man haddisappeared.

For severalminutes shewatched thepassingcars,hoping that themanmighthaveparkedandwoulddriveby.Butherhopeswere in vain and indisappointment she returned to theauditoriumanddonnedtheleotard.

Mrs.Parsons introducedher to theotherplayersand told them thatNancywould take thepartMillieKoffhadplannedtoplay.

“Ithinkwe’llgooverthatfirst,”Mrs.Parsonssaid.

SheexplainedthatNancyhadbeengiventhepartonly thatmorning,butshewassureshewoulddowell.Nancyhopedso,andwasnotdispleasedwithherperformance,althoughsherealizeditcouldbeimproved.

Whenherpartintherehearsalwasover,shewalkeduptoMrs.Parsonsandaskedaboutthemanwhohadbeenintheauditoriumashorttimebefore.

“I don’t know his name,” Mrs. Parsons replied. “He came in here to ask about HeleneFontaine.”

Mrs.Parsonsexplainedthathewasveryeagertofindtheyoungdancing-schoolteacherandwantedheraddress.

“OfcourseIcouldn’tgiveittohim,”saidMrs.Parsons.“Heactedasifhedidnotbelievemeandwentoffinahuff.”

Nancyaskedsomeoftheperformerswhowerestandingaroundiftheyknewwhohewas,butnoonedid.

“He must be a stranger in town,” Nancy decided, as she put her street clothes over herleotardandlefttheauditorium.“IwonderifheisreallyafriendoftheFontaines.”

NancyreturnedtothedancingschoolandlearnedfromMrs.Nickersonthateverythinghadbeengoingsmoothly.

“Nothinghashappenedinconnectionwiththemystery,”shereported.“Nancy,I’mdreadfullysorry,butI’llhavetoleaverightaway.IalmostforgotanengagementIhadmadepreviously.It’stoolatenowtobreakit.Wouldyoubeabletotakeoverfortherestoftheafternoon?”

“Oh,certainly,”saidNancy.

“I’llbeinfirstthingtomorrowmorning,”Mrs.Nickersonpromised.

Nancy thanked her and sat down at the receptionist’s desk. A few minutes after Mrs.Nickersonhadgone,Bessarrivedtoteachaclassoflittlegirls.

“Hello,Nancy,”shesaid.“Anynews?”

Nancytoldheraboutthemanattheauditorium.Bessshivered,andagainwarnedNancytobecareful.

“Well,there’soneplaceI’msureI’llbesafe,”saidNancywithachuckle.“That’srighthereinthedancingschool.I’mgoingtostaytherestoftheafternoonandevening.”

Bessheavedasigh.“Youknow,I’mscaredsillytotakethisclass.I’venevertaughtdancinginmylife.”

NancytriedtoreassureherfriendasBesswentintothedressingroom.Abouttwentyminuteslatershepeeked into thebigroom.The littleballerinaswerepayingstrictattention. ItwasamusingtowatchthemtrytoimitateBess.

AsNancyreturnedtothedesk,awomanhurriedintothereceptionroom.Shewasacoarse-lookingperson,wearingtoomuchmakeupandastrong,pungentperfume.Shewasdressedinafloweredred-and-greendress,andaredhatwasperchedonherdisheveledreddishcurls.

“WhereisHeleneFontaine?”thewomanaskedabruptly.

“MissFontaineisnothererightnow,”Nancyreplied.

“I’mMrs.Judson,”thewomansaidtartly.“Heleneisagoodfriendofmine.I’veheardshelefttown.Theideaofhergoingwithouttellingme!What’sheraddress?”

“I’mafraidIcan’tgiveittoyou,”saidNancy.

Mrs.Judsoncriedinaloudvoice,“That’sridiculous!Helenewouldn’trunoffwithouttellingsomebodyhereattheschoolwhereshewasgoing.”Shestampedherfootangrily.“IdemandtoknowwhereHeleneandHenriFontaineare!”

“Icannottellyou,Mrs.Judson!”Nancysaidfirmly,hereyesflashing.

Thewomanbegana tirade, shouting thatNancyhadno right tokeep the information fromher.FinallyNancycouldtaketheabusenolonger.SherosefromthedeskandwentaroundtoescortMrs.Judsonoutside.

“Therearechildrenhere,”shesaid,“andwecan’thaveadisturbance.”

Mrs.JudsongloweredasNancytookherarmandledherouttothestairway.SuddenlyMrs.Judson shookherself freeofNancy’sgrasp, turnedhalfwayaround, and jammedher elbowhardintothegirl’ship.

Nancylostherbalance.Shereachedfranticallyforthebanister,missed,andpitchedheadlongdownthesteps!

CHAPTERVClueoftheStamp

THEstairwaywassteep.Wavingherarmswildlyinanattempttosaveherself,Nancyfellallthewaytothebottom.Shelaythere,stunned.

Mrs.Judsonrusheddownthesteps,steppedoverNancy,andhurriedoutthedoorway!

Shockedandangry,NancywassurethatMrs.JudsonwasnofriendoftheFontaines.Thegirlstoodup,butwhensheputherweightonherrightankle,shewincedwithpainandfellbackonthestep,herfacepale.

At this moment George Fayne burst through the door. Seeing Nancy, she cried anxiously,“Hypers!Whathappenedtoyou?”

“I’llbeallright,”Nancysaid,“butfollowthewomanwhojustwentoutthedoor.Imustknowwhosheisandwhereshelives!”

Georgewaitedfornofurtherexplanation.Hurryingtothesidewalk,shespottedthesuspectrunninguptheblock.

Meanwhile,Nancyhoppedup the stairwayonher left foot, clutching thebanister railwithbothhands.Asshereachedthereceptionroom,Bess,justdismissingaclass,sawher.

“Nancy,you’rehurt!”shecried.

Afterthechildrenhadleft,Nancytoldherwhathadhappened.Besswasfurious.

“Thatawfulperson!”sheexclaimed.“Nancy,you’rehurtmorethanyouadmit.Comeintothedressingroomandletmelookatyourankle.”

ShetookoffNancy’sshoe,putcoldcompressesontheswollenankle, thenboundit.BythetimeGeorgereturned,thepainhadeased.

Nancyturnedandasked,“Anyluck?”

“Yes and no,” George replied. “I followed the woman to the post office. She went to theGeneralDeliverywindowandaskedformailforJudson.”

Georgesaid that theclerkhadhandedMrs. Judsona letter thathadseemedtodisturbhergreatly.

“ShegotredinthefaceandIthoughtshewasgoingtocry.Shestuffedtheletterandpartoftheenvelopeintoherhandbag,”thegirlwenton.“ButtheotherpieceoftheenvelopewiththestamponitfelltothefloorandIpickeditupassheleft.”

“Good!”saidNancy.

“Butmyluckendedthere.”Georgesighed.

“Nancy,you’rehurt!”Bessexclaimed.

“Mrs.Judsonrushedoutsideandgotintoataxi.Icouldn’tfindanotherone,soIhadnowayoffollowingher.AndIdidn’tevengetthelicensenumberofthecab.”

Nancy examined the thin piece of envelope George had saved. The letter had been post-marked in Paris, France, and sent by airmail. The notationPar Avion had beenwritten byhand.

GeorgesuggestedthatshedriveNancyhomeandthenreturntohelpBess.“I’lltakeoverthereceptiondesk,”shepromisedherfriend.“Youdon’tneedaballetdancerthere!”

On thewayhome, thegirls stoppedatDr.Milton’soffice.Hesaid thatNancyhadsufferedonlyamildstrain.Hestrappedtheankleandassuredherthatifshestayedoffitasmuchaspossible,itshouldbegoodasnewinadayortwo.

WhenNancyreachedhome,HannahGruenwasdistraught.“Thatdancingschoolisn’tworthit!”shedeclaredloudly.

At that, Henri and Helene rushed down the stairs. When they heard what had happened,Helene said, “Nancy, I hadno idea that youwouldget into trouble.Wecannotpermit it tocontinue.OurenemiesaremoredangerousthanIthought.”

Nancyhadgrownveryfondofthedancingcouple.Besides,shewasdeterminednottogiveupsoeasily.Smiling,sheinsistedthatheraccidentwasoflittleconsequence.

BeforetheFontaineshadachancetocommentfurther,NancyaskedthemiftheyknewMrs.Judson or had ever heard of her. They said no. Thinking the woman might be using anassumedname,Nancydescribedhercarefully.Thedancerssaidtheyknewnosuchperson.

Nancy showed the couple the piece of envelope with the French stamp and asked if theFontainesrecognizedthehandwriting.Theydidnot.

AsNancyranher fingernailover thestrangestamp,somethingon theenvelopecaughthereye. “Hannah,” she said to the housekeeper, “will you please steam the stamp off thisenvelopeforme?”

The housekeeper went to the kitchen and returned quickly. Wide-eyed she exclaimed, “ItbeatsmehowNancyfiguresthingsout!”

“I had a clue,” Nancy admitted. “I noticed a dot of ink extending beyond the edge of thestamp.”

“Well,itwasagoodidea,”saidHannah.“Therewasanumberunderthestamp.”

“Whatisit?”thethreeaskedeagerly.

Dramatically,Hannahread,“10561-B-24!”

ItwasthesamenumberthatNancyhadfoundinsidethebisquefigurine!

Astonished,Nancytoldthemaboutthestatuetteandtheimpostorwhohadsoldittothelocaljeweler.“Doesthenumbermeananythingtoeitherofyou?”sheaskedHenriandHelene.

Theyshooktheirheads.“Coulditbesomesortofacode?”Henriasked.

“Perhaps,”Nancyadmitted.“AnditmaybeinFrench.Let’sseeifwecanfigureitout.Haveyouevertriedsolvingacryptogram?”

“Afewtimes,”Heleneanswered.

“Good.Now,ifHannahwillbringusapadofpaperandsomepencils,we’llallworkonit.I’llworkinEnglishandyoutwocanexperimentinFrench.”

They triedsimple substitutions,using theseriesofnumbers for lettersof thealphabet,butnothingcameofthis.Nexttheytriedtransposition,numberingthealphabetwithzfor1andafor26.

“Ibelievewe’vebeen following thewrong trail,”Nancy said finally, after several leadshadfailedtoproduceamessage.“Thismayevenbeaserialnumberofsomesort.”

HannahGruen,whohadbeenlistening,declaredshethoughtenoughdecodinghadbeendonethatday.“Nancy,Isuggestthatyougotobedandletmeservesuppertoyouinyourroom.”

HeleneandHenribackedHannahup,urgingNancytorestherankle.Shefinallyconsented.

The young detective went to sleep early that night. She woke the next morning eager tocontinuework.

Whenshehoppeddowntobreakfast,beingcarefultoputnopressureonherswollenankle,NancyfoundHeleneandHenrilookingveryserious.

HeleneconfessedthattheywereembarrassedaboutstayingattheDrewhomewithoutbeing

permittedtoreimbursethelawyer.

“Oh, please stop thinkingof that,” saidNancy. “We just lovehaving youhere, and you canhelpmeonthecaseasnooneelsecould.”

Henribrighteneda little.“Nancy,Icoulddoonethingthatmighthelprepayyourkindness,butI’llneedyourcooperation.”

Heexplainedthathewasaportraitpainteraswellasadancer.Hisartwasnotwellknown,buthehaddonesomeacceptablework.HeofferedtopaintNancy’sportraitasarewardforherhelp.

“Why,thatwouldbewonderful!”saidNancy.“Dadhasbeentryingforalongtimetogetmetohavemyportraitpainted.He’llbethrilled.”

“Thenit’ssettled.Assoonaswefinishbreakfast,we’llpicktherightspotandI’llbeginwork.”

HalfanhourlatertheysetupastudioinHannah’ssecond-floorsewingroom.Nancy,wearingadaintyice-blueblouse,satquietlywhileHenrimadeseveralroughpencilsketches.

FinallyheselectedonethatHelenedeclaredlookedexactlylikeNancy.

“Iliketheexpression,becauseit’sseriousandyetNancyhasalittlesmile,”shesaid.“Tomethatisjustthewayshelooks.”

After she had posed for two hours, Nancy was glad to stretch a bit. She telephoned thedancingschoolandfoundthatthingswererunningsmoothly.

Soonafterward,Georgearrived.“Hypers,Nancy!”sheexclaimed.“Ithoughtyou’dbeinbed.Wheredidyoulearntofalldownawholeflightofstairsandcomeupwithnothingworsethanafewbruisesandatwistedankle?”

“Ittakesalotofpractice,”Nancyansweredwithalaugh.

“Anyway,”saidGeorge,“IjustdroppedintoseeifIcouldbeyourchauffeur.”

“Icertainlywouldliketogooutanddosomeworkonthecase,”Nancyreplied.“Supposeyouhavelunchhereandwe’llstartrightafterward.”

At two o’clockNancy andGeorgewere on theirway. Their first stopwas theCivicCenter,whereGeorgeranintotellMrs.ParsonsthatNancywouldbeunabletorehearseforafewdays.

“NowI’dliketocruisearound,”Nancysaid,“ontheoffchancethatImightseeMrs.Judsonorthatmanwhostoppedmetheothernight.”

ThoughGeorgedrovearoundforhalfanhour,thegirlsdidnotspoteitherofthepeopletheysought.NextNancywantedtocheckhotellobbiesandrestaurants.

“Butyoucan’tdothatyourself,”Georgeobjected,“andIdon’tknowtheman.”

Nancyhadan idea.“Yougo in,and ifyou findanyonewhoseemsto fit thedescription, I’lltakealook.”

George investigated hotels first, but saw no onewho resembled eitherMrs. Judson or themysterious man. Next they tried a number of restaurants, where George looked over theclienteleandaskedcashiersandhat-checkgirlsifanyonewhoatethereresembledthepeopletheysought.Allthereplieswerenegative.

“Let’s tryonemore,”saidNancy late in theafternoon.Georgepulledup in frontofasmalldiningplacecalledtheRegalRestaurant.

Bothgirlswentinside.Nancydescribedthecoupletheywantedandtoldthecashierthatthetwowouldnotnecessarilyhavebeentogether.

Thewomanthoughtforafewseconds,thensaid,“Therewasacoupleinherelastnightthatsoundslikeyourdescription.ThewomanwasanAmerican.Shewasdressedinloudclothing

andtalkedinawhinyvoice.ThemanhadaFrenchaccent.”

“Didyouoverheartheirnames?”Nancyasked.

“ThewomancalledthemanRowl—orsomethinglikethat.”

“Rowl?”Nancyrepeated.“ThatmightbeRaoul.Whatweretheytalkingabout?”

Thecashierthoughtforamoment.Thenshesaid,“Ididn’thearmuch.Apparentlytheywerefinishingaconversationthey’dstartedbeforetheygothere.Butthewomansaid,‘You’dbettercomeacrosswithanicebitofjewelryformeorI’llspillthebeans!’”

“Thatsoundslikeher!”saidNancy.“Doyourememberanythingelse?”

“Onlythatthewomanhandedthemanaletterwhentheywereeatingdessert.”

Atthispointthecashiercalledtoawaitresswhohadservedthecouple.Thegirlrememberedthemwell.

“Whenthemanreadtheletter,”shesaid,“helookedplentymad.Andhegavethewomananawfulscoldingforlosingthestamp.”

“Haveyouanyideawheretheylive?”Nancyasked.

Thewaitress said that she had heard themmention the big apartment house onOakwoodAvenue.“ButIdon’tknowthattheylivethere.”

Nancythankedthecashierandthewaitress,andthegirlshurriedoff.

When they reached theapartmenthouse,Nancy lookedat everynameon the letterboxes.NotoneofthemwasJudson.Sherangthesuperintendent’sbell.Therewasnoreply,butthefrontdooropenedandawomancameout.NancyaskedherwhetheracouplenamedJudsonlivedinthebuilding.Thewomansaidshedidnotknow.

“Mr.Judson’saFrenchman,”saidNancywithasmile.“Wouldthatmeananything?”

“There’saFrenchmanhere.Helivesin1A.”

Thetwogirlswalkeddownacorridorandknocked.Thedoorwasopenedbyathin,sallow-cheekedmanwithawaxedmustache.

“Ah,charmant!”theFrenchmansaid.“ThesoprettyAmericangirls.”

The girls were amused by his exaggerated mannerisms. George asked, “Is there anotherFrenchmaninthisbuildingwhomightbeusingthenameofJudson?”

“IseeyouarenotinterestedinpoorGuion,”saidtheman.“Butyes,wehaveaMr.andMrs.Judsonhereforsomeweeks.”

Nancy asked for a description of the couple. It sounded as though the woman was Mrs.Judson,andherhusbandmightwellbethemanwhohadstoppedheronthedesertedroad!

“Wherearetheyliving?”sheasked.

Mr.Guionpointeddownthecorridor.“Theyhavesubletdownhere,whilethetenantisawayinCanada.However,”hesaid,shrugging,“Idonotknowwheretheyarenow.Thismorningtheymostquicklymovedout.”

CHAPTERVIAStrangeMix-up

“To think we came so close to finding the Judsons and thenmissed them!” George fumedwhensheandNancywerebackintheconvertible,headingfortheDrewhome.

Nancy,too,wasdiscouraged,althoughitwasinterestingtoknowthatshehadbeencorrectinsuspectingthatthemanandwomanwhoevidentlyhadamajorroleintheFontainecasehadbeenlivinginRiverHeights.

“We could call the apartment superintendent to learn whether they left a forwardingaddress,”thegirlsaid.“Butsincethey’vebeenreceivingmailattheGeneralPostOffice,thatdoesn’tseemlikely.”

WhenGeorgedroppedNancyatherhome,HannahGruengreetedtheyoungdetectivewithasmile.“Youhavecompany!”sheannounced.

NancyhobbledintothelivingroomtofindNedNickersonseatedonthesofa.

“Hello!”hesaid.“Say,what’sthisIhearaboutabustedankle?”

Nancytoldhimitwasonlyamildstrain.“Thenifyou’reokay,”hesaid,“howaboutadoubledatetonightwiththeFontaines?”

“Allright.Butwe’llhavetostayhere,”saidNancy.“Itwouldbedangerousforthemtoleavethehouse.Won’tyouhavedinnerwithus?Icanpromiseapplepie.”

“It’sadeal.”

Thedrapesweredrawnthroughout the first floorandtheFontainescamedownstairs.Nedlikedthematonce,andtheyconversedfreely.

DuringdinnerNancytoldthegroupwhatshehadlearnedattheOakwoodAvenueapartmenthouse.Afterward,Mr.Drewexcusedhimselfandwenttohisstudy.Thefouryoungpeoplesatinthelivingroomandtalked.

Suddenly thedoorbell rangseveral times.TheFontaines lookedworriedandNancyadvisedthemtohideinthekitchen.AsHeleneandHenrihurriedoff,Hannahwenttoanswerthebell.

NancyandNedwatchedfromthelivingroomwhilethehousekeeperopenedthedoor.Theywereamazedtoseeamanofmediumbuild,hisfaceconcealedbyahandkerchiefheheldinhishand,forcehiswayin.HepushedpastHannahandshutthedoorbehindhim!

Nedran into thehall, intending to tackle the intruder.Themanstoodstillandwhisked thehandkerchiefawayfromhisface.

“What’stheideaofforcingyourwayinhere?”Neddemanded.

Nancyhadhobbledtothehallandstoodstaringatthemaninblankamazement.Hewastheoneshehadmetontheplane—thepersontheysuspectedofhavingsentthewarningnotetotheFontaines!

HewasthunderstruckwhenherecognizedNancy.“Youlivehere?”heasked.

Beforeshecouldreply,therewasafranticpoundingonthefrontdoor.

“Don’tletanybodyin!”thestrangercried.“Iwasfollowed!”

“Openthedoor!”criedagirl’svoice,whichNancyrecognizedatonceasGeorge’s.

Nancyopened thedoorandher friendrushed in. “Oh, I tried towarnyou!”sheexclaimed.“Butthisman—hegothereaheadofme!”

“Warnthemaboutwhat?”thestrangerasked.

“Aboutyou,”Georgesaidbluntly.“Nancy,getthepolice!”

“Police?”themanasked.“Idon’tknowwhatthisisallabout.Ididn’tcomeheretocauseanytrouble.”

“Thenwhyareyouhere?”Georgedemanded.

“I’vecometoseeMr.CarsonDrew,”themananswered.“Iunderstandthatheisanattorney.Ihaveacaseforhim.”

Mr.Drewhadsteppedoutofhis studywhen thecommotionbegan.Henowcame forward.“I’mCarsonDrew,”hesaid.“Andyourname?”

“JohannKoff.”

“MillieKoff’sfather?”Nancyexclaimed.

“Yes.”

“IunderstoodfromMrs.ParsonsthatyouandMilliehadlefttownandnooneknewwhereyouhadgone,”saidNancy.

Mr.Drewadded, “Youwill forgiveus if yourmysteriousdisappearanceseemssuspicious tous?”

“Iwillexplaineverything,”Mr.Koffsaid.

“YoumeanI’vebeenshadowingyoufornothing?”Georgeexclaimed,saggingweaklyagainstthedoorframe.

Mr. Koff laughed. For the first time he recognized George as the young woman who haddemandedaninterviewofhimthenightbeforelast.

“Iassureyou, theDrewsdonotneedprotection fromme,” thecallersaid.“BecauseIneedyourtrust,I’dliketoofferproofofmyidentity.”

Hetookoutawalletandseveralletters,whichheshowedthelawyer.WhenMr.Drewseemedsatisfiedwiththem,Mr.Koffadded,“Andnowmaywetalkalone?”

Mr. Drew led the way into his study and closed the door. Nancy went to the kitchen andexplainedtotheFontaineswhathadhappened.SheadvisedthattheyremainthereuntilMr.Koffleftthehouse.

FiveminuteslaterMr.Drewcametothedoorofthestudyandcalledtohisdaughter.

“Pleasecomein,Nancy,”hesaid.“Iwantyoutohearanamazingstory.”

AsNancyseatedherselfinachairalongsideherfather’sdesk,hetoldherthatthecallerwasawriterfornewspapersandmagazines.

“I’ve come to your father,” Koff explained, “with a law case that may also need a littledetectivework.”

Mr.Koff leanedback in his chair, thenwent on, “I became excited on the plane, fearing itwouldcrash,becauseIhavemuchworktodoformynativelandofCentrovia,fromwhichIescaped.

“IwassoupsetthatIpickedupabriefcasethatIthoughtwasmyown.WhenIreachedmyhotel, I discovered that it belonged to someone else. The papers inside indicated that theownerwasaMr.Buzby inNewYork,soIsentthecasetohim,airmail,specialdelivery,atonce.

“Then the trouble started. I received a phone call the following day from a man in RiverHeightswhosaidthatthebriefcasebelongedtohim.Buzbyhadnotifiedhimandwassendingitalong.ThemanhereisDavidJudsonofOakwoodAvenue.”

Nancywasstartledtohearthisnamebutfeltitwasbesttorevealnothingatthistime.

“This David Judson,” the Centrovian went on, “told me that Mr. Buzby was a businesscompetitorofhis.Asaresultofseeingconfidentialmaterialinthebriefcase,hehadlearnedbusiness secrets andmade a profit from them by getting several large orders.Mr. Judsonclaimshehas suffered considerable financial lossbecause of it and is demandingdamagesfromme.”

“Couldhecollect?”Nancyaskedherfather.

“Undercertaincircumstances,”thelawyerreplied.“Butlistentotherestofthestory.”

Koffcontinued,“Well,Judsonwasaggressive.Hefrightenedme.MydaughterandIpackedatonceandmovedtothehotelinCliffwood.”

“Buthefoundyou?”Nancyasked.

“Yes, and tonight he made a new demand by phone. He said he had proof that I haddeliberatelytakenhisbriefcase.Agirlontheplanenearmewouldsweartoit.”

Nancywasstartled.DidJudsonmeanher?Therehadbeennoothergirlsittingnearby.

“Ifheproducesthiswitness,”saidNancyfirmly,“she’llbeaphony.Don’tworryaboutthat.”

“Ifeelthatthewholethingisaframe-up,”Mr.Drewstated.“ThisJudsonhopestogetsomemoneyeasily.We’ll try toputastoptothethreatsatonce.SupposeyoudropanotetoMr.Judson,tellinghimthatyouhaveturnedthematterovertome.Ifhestillwishestobringsuitagainstyou,I’llagreetoacceptthecase.”

“ButIunderstandthroughafriendwhospoketothesuperintendentthatMr.JudsonhasleftOakwoodAvenueanddidnotsaywherehewasgoing,”Koffobjected.

“YoumighttryGeneralDeliveryatthepostoffice,”Nancysuggested.

“Iwilldothat,”theCentrovianagreed.

Mr.Drewasked,“Didyougetyourbriefcaseback?”

“No. Mr. Buzby wrote that he knew nothing about mine. It contained both my name andaddressbuthasnotbeenreturned.”Koff’sfacegrewgrim.“TherearemanyvaluablethingsinitandIamconcernedthattheinformationmayfallintothewronghands.”

“Thewronghands?”Nancyrepeated.

“Inmybriefcase,”heexplained,“wereanumberoflettersfromtheCentrovianundergroundin various countries. Through them, the occupying authoritiesmight trace the loyal peoplewhoareworkingforus.Iamsickwithworry.”

Nancy felt sorry forKoff. “I hope everythingwill soonbe straightenedout,” she said, “andthatyourdaughtercanreturntothecharityshow.Iunderstandshe’sawonderfuldancer.”

“Yes,”Koffagreed,relaxingamoment.Thenhisvoiceroseexcitedly.“Beforetheoccupationthereweremanywonderfuldancers inCentrovia.Butnomore.No,nomore.Theheartsofourpeoplearecrushed.Theydonothavethetimeorthespiritforsinginganddancing.”

“DidyouknowmanyofthefamousCentroviandancers?”Nancyasked.

“IndeedIdid,”Koffreplied.“Mostwerekilled,butafewfledthecountryatthetimeIdid.Irememberonefamilyinparticular,theProvaks,whowenttoParis.Themother,anexquisitebeauty,diedthere,andherhusbanddidtoo.Ilearnedfromtheundergroundthatthechildrenmightbeingravedanger.”

“Whataretheirnames?”

“They’reknownasHeleneandHenriFontaine.”

Nancyheardhiswordswithmixed feelings.Herold suspicion thatKoffmightbeplayingadoubleroleflashedacrosshermind.

Theyoungsleuthglancedatherfather’spuzzledface.Evidentlyhe,too,wastryingtodecidewhethertheyoughttocallintheFontaines.

CatchingNancy’seye,CarsonDrewshookhisheadslowlyasiftosay,“Givenothingaway!”

Butthedecisionnottorevealthewhereaboutsoftheirguestswassuddenlytakenfromthem.HeleneandHenriFontainehurriedintotheroomI

CHAPTERVIIMaskedIntruders

FORthenextfewminutestherewasnearpandemoniuminMr.Drew’sstudy.Mr.KoffandtheFontaineswerespeakingCentrovianatthetopsoftheirvoices,theireyesflashingandhandswaving.

AsNancyandherfatherstoodbyhelplessly,NedNickerson,Hannah,andGeorgerushedin.“Iknewthere’dbetrouble!Ijustknewit!”Hannahcried.

BythesoundoftheCentrovians’excitedvoices,theonlookersfullyexpectedKoffandHenrito come to blows. To their amazement, nothing of the sort happened. But whenMr. DrewcaughtthewordJudson,hesteppedforwardandtookHenribytheshoulder.

“PleasespeakEnglish,”hesaid.

Theyoungmanlookedembarrassed.Hebowedslightlyandsaid,“Ibegyourpardon,sir.WeCentroviansareexcitablepeople.Weweresayingnothingyoushouldnothear.”

The interruption quieted the three Centrovians. Helene and Mr. Koff also apologized,explaining that theywere talking about conditions in Centrovia. Henri had alsomentionedNancy’ssuspicionsabouttheJudsons.

Helene and Henri, who had overheard part of their countryman’s conversation with theDrews,hadnotbeenabletoremaininhidingwhentheyheardMr.Koffmentiontheirnames.

Nancyaddressedherself totheFontaines.Sheaskedthemfrankly,“DoyouwanttotellMr.Koffyourwholestory?”

“Oh,yes,”Henrireplied.

Fromaninsidepocketofhisjackethepulledoutthewarningnotethathadbeenleftatthedancing school and showed it to the caller. After reading it,Mr. Koff remarked, “This justproveswhatIhavebeentellingtheProvaks—theyareindanger.”

“Wethoughtyousentthatnote!”Georgeblurtedout.

“Me!”Koffexclaimed.ThenhesmiledatGeorge.“Isthatwhyyou’vebeenfollowingme?”

Sheadmittedthatitwas.

“Well, I’m gladwe’re getting things straightened out,” saidKoff. “And now Imust go.”HeturnedtoMr.Drew.“YouwilltakemycaseagainstMr.Judson?”

Thelawyernodded,thensaid,“SinceIamhandlingyourcase,thereareafewthingsIwouldlike you to do. For one, everything that took place in this house tonight must be kept instrictestconfidence.”

Koffnodded.

“Also,”Mr.Drewwenton,“Iseenoreasonforyourhiding.IfyouwishtomovebacktotheClaymoreHotel,Ithinkitwillsimplifymatters.ItmightbringMr.Judsonintotheopen,andIshouldlikeverymuchtomeethim.”

“MydaughterandIwillcomebacktoRiverHeightstomorrow,”Mr.Koffpromised.“IknowMilliewillbepleased.Shecanresumeherpartinthecharityperformance.”

Nancysmiled.“Mrs.Parsonswillbegladtohearit.I’lltellher.”

TheCentroviansaidgoodnightandleftthehouse.Theotherssatdowntodiscussthisnewestdevelopment.

“I justcan’tmakeupmymindaboutthatman,”Georgesaid flatly.“OneminuteI trusthimandthenextIdon’t.”

TheFontaineswereconfusedbythisobservation.Theytrustedthemanimplicitly.

Mr.DrewandNancysaid that they feltabitwaryaboutMr.Koff.Undercoveragentswereveryclever.HeleneandHenriadmittedthatperhapstheyhadtoldhimtoomuch.

“Oh,whatshallwedo?”Helenecriednervously.

Nancyhadareadyanswer.“Ibelieveweshouldmoveyoutoanotherplace.”

“We’llgo,”saidHenri.“Butwhere?Weseemtocausetroubleforourselvesandeveryoneelsewhereverweare.”

At this pointNed spoke. “I know the ideal spot for you.None of your enemieswould everthinkofit.MyfamilyownsalittleplaceonCedarLakethatthey’renotusingrightnow.I’msuremyparentswouldbegladtohaveyoulivethere.”

“That’sanexcellentidea,”Nancydeclared.“Ned,findoutaboutitrightaway,willyou?”

Hetelephonedhismotheratonce.WhenNedexplainedthesituation,Mrs.NickersonsaidshewouldbeveryhappytohavetheFontainesusethecottage.

“It’sallsettled,”heannounced,comingbacktothegroup.“Whenwouldyouliketogo?”

NancyansweredthequestionbysayingshethoughttheFontainesshouldleaveimmediately.ShesuggestedthattheypackwhilesheandHannahfilledsomecartonswithfoodforthemtotakealong.

Secretly Nancy and George were amused at Hannah’s reaction to the whole episode. Sheseemeddelightedtohaveherguestsleaveand,withNancy’shelp,packedalargequantityoffood.

Nedpulledhiscar into thedrivewayandparkednear thebackdoor.Suitcasesandcartonswerestowedinthetrunk;thentheFontainessteppedintotherearseatandcroucheddown.NedandNancyclimbedintothefront.

As soon as they had gone,Mr. Drew got out his car and droveGeorge home.He had justreturned andwas taking off his coatwhen the telephone rang.Hannah, on herway to thelivingroom,heardhimsay,“I’llbethereassoonasIcanmakeit.”

Ashereplacedthereceiver,Hannahsaid,“Areyougoingout?”

“Yes,Hannah.Thecallwas fromMr.Koff.Hehasa lead inconnectionwithhiscaseand isgoingtoNewYork.He is leavingnowandI’mtomeethimthere. I’ll takethenext flight inaboutanhour.”

Afterthelawyerhadleftthehouse,Hannahsatdowninthelivingroomtoread.Tenminuteslater,sheheardfootstepsonthefrontporch.

“NancyandNed,”shethought.“Oh,dear,somethingmusthavehappenedandtheycouldn’tcontinuetothelake.”

Knowing thatNancy had a key,Hannahdid not get up.But amoment later,when the bellrang,shethoughtthatNancymusthaveforgottenherkey.

“Well, I can’t blameherwith all the things shehas onhermind,” thehousekeeper said toherself.Sheroseandwalkedtothedoor.

Assheopened it,HannahGruen froze to thespot.Amanandwomanwearingmasksstoodthere!They rushed inside, slammed thedoor shut, and theman saidgrufflywith aFrenchaccent,“Thereisnothingtofearifyouwilldoaswesay.WherearetheFontaines?”

Hannah shuddered. Then she gained control of herself and said bravely, “You’remaking aseriousmistake.ThisistheDrewresidence.There’snooneherebythenameofFontaine.”

“Wehappentoknowtheyarehere,”thewomandeclared.Shespokewithoutaccentandinanasaltone.

Atthismomenttherewasanunexpectedinterruption.Togo,Nancy’sterrier,rushedinfromthekitchenand leapedat theman. Ina lightning-likemove themaskedstranger threw thedogtothefloor,pulledadrapefromthehallwindow,andquicklywrappedtheterrierinit.

Hannah sprang into action. “Get out of here!Both of you!” she shouted,moving backwardtowardthetelephone.

The intruders apparently guessed what was in the housekeeper’s mind. Roughly the mangrabbedherbytheshouldersandpushedherintothelivingroom.Heglancedaround,thensaidtohiscompanion,“Gofindsomerope!”

Thewomandisappeared toward thekitchen.Hannahcouldhearheropeningandslammingdrawers.Finallyshecamebackwitharollofclothesline.

Quickly, Hannah was bound to a chair. Then the couple disappeared up the stairway.Apparently they were making a thorough search of the residence, because Hannah heardthemgoingtothethirdfloor.

Satisfied that the Fontaines were not hiding at the Drew residence, themasked strangersstormeddownthestairs.ThemanenteredthelivingroomandstoodbeforeHannahGruen.Glaringatherandshakinghisfist,hecriedout,“YoutelluswhereHeleneandHenriFontaineare,oryou’llregretitfortherestofyourlife!”

CHAPTERVIIITheArtist’sKnife

As the Fontaines left the Drew home with Nancy and Ned, they felt relieved. They talkedaboutthelightersideoftheirlivesinFranceanddescribedamusingincidentsinconnectionwiththeirdancing.Nancywasdelighted.

Later, they approached the Nickersons’ cottage on the shore of Cedar Lake. Helene saidcheerfully,“Thisisacharmingspot.IamsuremybrotherandIwillenjoystayinghere.”

Nedsaidhehopedso;thenagrimexpressioncrossedhisface.Thecabin,nowvisibleamongthetrees,hadadimlightinit!

Nancysawthelighttoo.“Someone’shere,”shesaidtenselytoNed.“That’sstrange.Buthowcouldanybodypossiblyhaveknownthatwewerecoming?”

“Maybeatramphasbrokenin,”Nedrepliedcalmly.“I’llgoandinvestigate.Youwaithere.”

Bentlow,hesneakeduptothecabin.Thenstraighteningupalittle,hepeeredthroughoneofthe windows. Almost immediately he came hurrying back to the car, laughing heartily. Hesaid,“Nancy,you’llneverbelievewho’shere.”

“Who?”Nancyasked.

“Nobodydangerous.Justacoupleofmyfraternitybrothers.Theyhaveastandinginvitationtousetheplacewhenevertheywantto.”

Not understanding such a custom, the Fontaines were afraid they would be consideredintruders.

“Wewillnotstay.Wedonotwanttospoilthefunofyourbrothers,”Helenedemurred.

IttookseveralminutesofpersuasiontoconvincetheFontaineseverythingwouldbeallright.

“There’sno reasonwhyallof youcan’t stayhere together,”Ned insisted. “Youcandependupontheboystokeepyoursecret.Infact,itmightbeagoodthingtohaveacoupleofstrong-armedguysonhandifanyofyourenemiesshowup.”

Helenelaughed.“IhaveheardmuchabouttheseAmericanfraternityboys.Itwillbenicetomeetsomeofthem.”

“Andwilltheybegladtomeetyou!”Nedsaid.

HewentinsidethecabintoexplainthearrangementtohisfriendswhileHenriandthegirlsunloadedthecar.Presentlytwogood-lookingyouths,onetallandblond,theothershortanddark,strodedownthepath.

“Hi,Nancy!”saidthetallone.

“Hello,Steve,”sheanswered,andtotheshorterboy,“Art,howareyou?”

TheFontaineswere introducedandatoncebothboysbecameverysolicitousaboutHelene.Conversinggaily, they escortedher toward the cabin.Nancy followed,withNed andHenricarryingtheluggage.Theyoungdetectivesmiled.Theplanwasworkingoutevenbetterthanshehadanticipated!ThevariousanglesofthemysterywereexplainedtoSteveandArt.

AttheendNancyremarked,“Asyoucansee,thiswholebusinesshastobekeptsecret.ThelivesoftheFontainesmaybeindangerifanyonefindsoutwheretheyare.”

Stevesaid,“Youcancountonusforprotection—atleastuntillatetomorrownight.Thenwe’llhavetoleave.”

Nancyturnedtothebrotherandsister.“I’llbeouttoseeyou.Inthemeantime,wecankeepin touchwith one another by phone. I suggest we don’t use names, though. Let’s identify

ourselveswiththewordscarlet.”

“Good,”Heleneagreed.ThenimpulsivelyshethrewherarmsaroundNancy’sneckandkissedher.

Stevewhistled.“WishIwereadetective,”hesaid,andHeleneblushed.

Henri thankedNancyandNed forcoming to theFontaines’ rescueandwished themasafetriphome.

TheyoungdetectiveandherdatedrovebacktoRiverHeightssilentlyforawhile;thenNedchuckled.“Itisn’toftenthatIgetachancetoridealongtheMuskokaRiverwithyouinthemoonlight.GuessIcanthankmyluckystarstonight.”

Nancysmiledandlookedupatthesky.TheconversationcontinuedinalightveinuntiltheypulledupinfrontoftheDrewhomeandwalkedtothedoor.ThenNancyagainbecamethealertinvestigator.ThehousewasdarkandsheheardTogobarkingfuriously.

“Somethingmustbewrong,Ned.DadandHannahwouldneverallowTogotokeepbarking.Andthere’salwaysalighton.”

NancyunlockedthedoorandsheandNedsteppedintothehallway.Nedclickedonthelight.Thedogwasnotinsightandthebarkingseemedcuriouslymuffled.

“Togo’sinthecoatcloset,”saidNed,goingtowardadoorunderthestairway.

At thesametime,Nancycaughtaglimpseof theDrews’housekeepergaggedandtiedtoachairinthelivingroom.Quicklytheyoungdetectivesnappedonalightandhurriedovertothewoman.

“Hannah!”Nancycried,aghast,removingthegag.“Whodidthis?Thefiend!”

AtfirstMrs.Gruencouldnotevenspeak,butshetookseveraldeepbreathsasNancyuntiedthe bonds and slipped them off. Nancy’s outburst had brought Ned from the hall, awhimperingTogoinhisarms.Hestaredinastonishment.

“Hannah!”Nancycried.“Whodidthistoyou?”

FinallyMrs.Gruensaid,“Hewasafiendallright.Shewastoo.ButIdidn’ttellthem!Ididn’t!Ididn’tsayaword!”

“Who?”Nedaskedinbewilderment.

Nancyrealized that thewomanwashysterical.Hannahgotonlyas farasexplainingwhereMr.Drewhadgone,thenhadtogiveup.Nancyputanarmaroundher.

“Hannah,dear,you’vehadanawfulfrightandIwanttoknowwhathappened.Butdon’ttrytotalkanymoreuntilyourestandIbringyousometea.”

Asshestartedforthekitchen,TogoleapedfromNed’sarmsintoNancy’sandbeganlickingherinoverjoyedaffection.Shecarriedhimwithherandgavehimapuppybiscuit.

Nancy returned to the living room in a few minutes with tea. Between sips, Hannah,somewhatrecovered,toldherstory.

“Brave little Togo,” she said in conclusion. “I guess he’s the reason that awfulman didn’tcarryouthisthreattoharmme.Togogotoutofthedraperyhe’dbeenrolledinandnearlybitthewoman.Thenthemanforcedthedogintothecloset.ButTogokeptbarkingsoloudly,hefrightenedthecoupleaway.”

Nancyhuggedherpet.“Togo,you’vereallydoneawonderfuljobtonight.”

HannahGruenwasmorecomposednowandgaveNancyadescriptionoftheintruders.

“That sounds like the Judsons,” Nancy commented. “Ned, let’s look around and see if bychancetheyleftanyclues.”

FirstshehelpedHannahtoherroom;thensheandNedturnedonallthelightsinthehouseandbegantocheckthedwellingfromcellartoattic.Sofarasclueswereconcerned,itlookedforawhileasthoughthesearchwastobefutile.

Butwhilethecouplewereintheattic,Nancyleanedoveratrunknearonecornerandspottedasmallobjectonthefloorbehindit.Inthelightshesawthatitwasaknife.SinceitdidnotbelongtotheDrews,theJudsonsmusthavedroppedit.

“Ithinkit’sapaletteknifeusedbyartistsformixingpaints,”Nancycommented.“ItprobablydroppedoutofoneofMr.Judson’spocketswhenhebentovertolookbehindthetrunk.”

The knife was a simple onewith a polishedwooden handle. Near the base of it had beencarvedasmallR.ForRaoul?Nancyspeculated.

“DoesthismeanthatMr.Judsonisanartist?”Nedasked.

“Iwonder,”Nancyspeculated.

CHAPTERIXBalletInterlude

FORnearlyanhourNancyandNedtalkedaboutthepossiblemeaningoftheRontheartist’spaletteknife.Bothweresureithadspecialsignificance.

“Haveyouanyideahowyoumightfindoutmoreaboutit?”Nedasked.

“IthinkI’llgoovertothatapartmenthouseonOakwoodAvenuetomorrowandinterviewthesuperintendentandthatFrenchmanwhoknewtheJudsons.”

“I’llgoalong,”saidNedwithawink.“BesstoldmeaboutMonsieurGuion.”

Nancy laughed, assuring Ned that the man did not interest her. She said she would bedelightedtohaveNedgoalong.

Earlythenextafternoon,abeautifulSundaywithabrilliantbluesky,NedpickedNancyupinhiscarandtheydrovetoOakwoodAvenue.Asbefore,thesuperintendentdidnotanswerhisbell,soNancypressedtheonefortheGuionapartment.

Theinnerdooroftheapartmenthouseopenedquickly,andNancyandNedwalkeddownto1A.TheFrenchmanstoodinthedoorway.

“Ah,youhavecomeback,mademoiselle,”hesaidwithasmile.“Andyouhavebroughtyourfiancé?”

Ashespoke,MonsieurGuiontwirledoneendofhismustacheandinvitedthecouplein.Theyfollowedhimandsatdown.

“You were a great help to me the other day when you answered my questions about theJudsons,”saidNancy.“I’dliketoaskyousomemore.”

“Yourwishismycommand,”Guionrepliedwithasweepingbow.

Nedfrownedbutsaidnothing.NancyaskedtheFrenchmanifMr.Judsonwasanartist.

“Oh,nol”Guionsaid,shakinghisheadvigorously.

“Doeshehaveanyfriendswhoareartists?”theyoungdetectiveasked.

“That I do not know,” Guion answered. “We did not become good friends. He is what youAmericanscallawashout.Hewasnotgoodcompany.Ididnotlikehim.”

“Youhavebeenverykind,”Nancysaidafterawhile,rising.ThensheandNedleft.Whentheyreached the Drew residence, Nancywas pleased to learn that her father had arrived. SheaskedhimabouttheoutcomeofhistriptoNewYork.

Thelawyer’sfaceclouded.“Itwasawild-goosechase!Ahoax!”

NancyandNedwereamazed.“YoumeanMr.Koffdidn’tmeetyou?”Nancyasked.

“He not only didn’t meet me, but swore that he had never sent the message,” Mr. Drewreplied. “I waited a long time at the New York Airport, then telephoned Mr. Koff at theCliffwoodHotel.Hewasastonishedtohearwhathadhappened.”

“Buthisvoice?”Nancysuggestedtoherfather.

“Whoever calledme,” saidMr. Drew angrily, “imitated Johann Koff’s voice perfectly. But Ican’tunderstandwhyIwastricked.”

Hisdaughter toldhimwhathadhappenedat thehouse thepreviousevening,andHannah,whohadenteredtheroom,gaveherversionofthestory.

“Someonewantedmeoutoftheway,”thelawyersaid.“Ican’tunderstandwhyIwassentsofaraway,though.”

“UnlessapersonconnectedwiththeFontainecasewasinNewYorkandfollowedyoutoseewhereyouwouldgo.Wheredidyouspendthenight?”Nancyasked.

“AtyourAuntEloise’s,”herfatheranswered.“WewenttochurchthismorningandhaddinnerbeforeIleft.Ihopeshewon’tbecomeinvolvedinthis.”

Mr.Drewnowaskedwhathisdaughterhadbeendoingduringhisabsence.SheshowedhimtheknifewiththeRonit.Heexamineditcarefullybutcouldnotexplainwhyamanwhowasnotanartistshouldbecarryingit.

“PerhapsHenrimightknowareason,”hesuggested.

Nancytelephonedhim.Whentheyoungmananswered,shesaid,“Scarlet.”

“Scarlethere,”wasthereply.

Nancytoldhimabouttheknifeinguardedtones,knowingtheCedarLakephonewasapartyline,butHenricouldnotexplainwhyanyonebutanartistwoulduseapaletteknife.

“Thispuzzleistoomuchforme,”saidNed,rising.“Let’stakeawalk,Nancy.”

She suggested that they call on Mrs. Parsons to tell her Millie Koff was returning to thecharityshow.Thewomanwasdelightedtohearthegoodnews.

“But,mydear,”shesaid,“thisdoesn’tmeanwe’regoingtoloseyou!No,indeed,you’regoingtostayintheshow.”

“Idon’tunderstand,Mrs.Parsons,”Nancyanswered.

Mrs.Parsonssaid thatMillieKoffwouldstilldance in theperformance.Butanothersoloisthaddroppedout.

“Soyoucandoyourdanceinplaceofhers.”Thewomanchuckled.

Nancytriedtobegoff,butMrs.Parsonstookbothofthegirl’shandsinherown.“Please,”shebegged, “take the part. You danced so beautifully the other day wemust have you in theshow.”

Nedurgedhertodoso,andNancyfinallyaccepted.Shesaidsheexpectedherankletobeallrightinacoupleofdaysandwouldthencometorehearsals.

The following morning Nancy received a phone call from Mrs. Nickerson. Ned’s motherexplainedthatduetotheillnessofaclosefriendwhoneededherhelp,shecouldnotgotothedancingschoolthatday.Nancypromisedtotakeherplaceasreceptionist.

Bess arrived at about two o’clock, looking flustered and worried. Nancy asked what thetroublewas.

“Oh,Ihaven’thadoneminutetolookupanythingaboutthehistoryofthedance,”shesaid.“Nancy,you’lljusthavetodothatpartforme.”

Nancysaidshewouldbehappytodoit.BessinsistedthatNancyputonaballetcostume,sothatshewouldlookthepart.Topleaseher,theyoungdetectivedidso.

Thefirstgroupofballetstudentswereveryattentivetoboththestoryandthedancelesson,and the two girls were delighted with their progress. As a younger group came in, Besswhisperedthatshewassimplyfamished.

“Nancy,”shesaid,“beadarlingandkeeptalkingtothosegirlswhileIrunoutforasoda.”

“Buthowaboutthecaloriecount?”Nancyremindedtheplumpgirlwithalaugh.

“Oh, just one sodawon’tmake any difference,” Bess insisted. She slipped a coat over herdancingcostumeandwentdownthestairway.

Nancyhelped thechildren into their leotards, thenwent into thepractice roomwith them.Theysatinasemicircleonthefloor,withNancyonabenchfacingthem.

“Balletisaveryolddanceform,”shebegan.“Classicalballettellsastory—happy,orsad,orexciting without the use of words. Nowadays we still tell stories or express emotions bydancingtoappropriatemusic.

“The great ballet artists know just whatmovements of the dance gowith various types ofmusic. Today let’s concentrate on interpretative dance. Susie,” said Nancy to a blue-eyedchild,“I’llputonarecordandyoudancewhateveryouthinkitmightrepresent.”

Nancy started the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” Instantly Susie marched, stiff-legged,aroundtheroom.

“Good!”saidNancy.“Andnow,Carol,here’soneforyou.”

Carollistenedandpretendedtobewalkingwithherdoll.

“That’s right.” Nancy smiled. “This is the ‘Waltzing Doll.’ As you become acquainted withmoredifficultmusic,stepstogowith itwillcometoyouatonce.Allyoulearnnowarethedifferentkindsofstepsandmovements.Later,whenyouaretoldthestoryofaballet,youwillinterpretitinyourownway.”

“Youmeanthislessonwecandoanystepswewanttothemusic?Oh,let’salltryonerightnow,”beggedblack-hairedJennifer.

“Allright,”Nancyagreed.Shetoldastoryofananimalparadeanddropped“ForestFrolic”overthepinoftheturntable.

Thelittlegirlsrose,listenedamoment,thenstartedtodance,imitatingboththemovementsandcriesof variousanimalsof the forest.A lion roaredandstalkeda leapingdeer.Abeargrowled,monkeyschattered,andawilddogbarked.

In themidstof thedin,Susiesuddenlystoppeddancingandscreamed.Shepointed towardthereceptionroomandcriedout,“Look!There’sawitchoutthere!”

Nancyturnedtoseeastrangesight.Awoman,wearingatight-fittingblackdressandlargepeaked hat,with a stole covering half of her face,was tiptoeing across the carpeted roomtowardthedesk.

“Look!There’sawitch!”Susiescreamed.

For amoment,Nancy could not understand her strange actions. Therewas nothing in thedeskshecouldpossiblywant.Suddenly, inspiteofthewoman’sdisguise,Nancyrecognizedher.“Mrs.Judson!”shecalledoutinvoluntarily.

Realizing she had been discovered, thewoman forgot her attempts at stealth, ran forwardboldly,andreacheduponthewall.Whenherhandcamedown,shewasholdingthescarletslippers!

“Dropthoseatonce!”Nancyshouted,runningintothereceptionroom.

ButMrs.Judson,clutchingtheballetshoesagainstherchest,rushedtothehallanddownthestairs.Nancyracedacrossthereceptionroomafterthethief!

CHAPTERXQuestforPortraits

AsNancy dashed out the front door after the thief, she sawBess heading for the dancingschool.

“Hurry!Watchthechildren!Ihavetocatchathief!”

Nancy’s anklewas still painful andMrs. Judson outdistanced her, disappearing around thenext comer.Nancy looked for her in vain and concluded she had gone through one of thestorestoanotherstreet.

AsNancypaused,sherealizedthatherscantyballetoutfitwasattractingstaresonthebusystreet.Sheblushedandquicklywalkedback to thedancing school.Her youngpupilsweretryingtoexplaintoBessaboutthe“witch”whohadtakentheslippers.WhentheysawNancy,theyallaskedwhathadhappened.

“Ididn’tcatchthewoman,”shesaid.

“MissFontainewillfeelbad,”Susiesaid.“Shejustlovesthoseslippers.”

Bess led thechildren into thepractice roomandcontinued their lesson.Nancy,meanwhile,telephonedthepoliceaboutthetheft.

“There must be something significant about the ballet slippers to makeMrs. Judson stealthem,” she thought. “But what?” She decided to drive out to ask the Fontaines about theshoes.

ShegotintouchwithGeorge,whopromisedtorelieveherasreceptionistattheschool.

WhenNancy reachedhome,her fatherwasalready there.He readilyagreed toaccompanyhertoCedarLake.

“IlearnedafewthingstodaythattheFontainesmaybeabletoshedsomelighton,”hesaid.“I talkedwiththeairlinestewardesswhowasonthatplaneyouandKoff took.ShetoldmeoneofthepassengersspokewithadecidedFrenchaccent,thoughhisnamewasn’tFrench.HewaslistedasRaymondBull.Furthermore,hetoogotofftheplaneatRiverHeights.”

NancythoughtoftheletterRonthepaletteknife.CouldRaymondBullbeanartistfriendoftheJudsons?

“Then,”Mr.Drewwenton,“Iphonedallthehotelsintown.ButnoonenamedRaymondBullwasregisteredatanyofthem.It’sprobablyanassumedname.”

When theDrews arrived at theNickerson lodge two hours later, they found the Fontainesseated in rockingchairson the frontporch.Regretfully,Nancy told themof theunpleasantincidentatthedancingschoolthatafternoon.

“Oh,mydarlingslippers!”Heleneexclaimed.Tearssprangtohereyes.

“I’m surewe’ll get themback,” saidNancy. “But have you any ideawhyMrs. Judson stoleyourmother’sballetslippers?”

“No.None.”

“Dotheyhaveanyspecialvaluebesidesthesentimentalone?”

Henri leaned forward. “Theymayhave,”heanswered. “The slippers appeared in aportraitthathasacuriousstory.”

“Pleasetellme,”Nancyurged.

“Nearlytwoyearsago,”Henribegan,“whileIwasstillpaintingportraits,amanbythenameofTomasReneecametome.Heorderedtwelvepicturesofadancerinvariousballetposes.It

tookmesixmonthstocompletethepaintings.”

“Andtheslippers?”Nancyprompted.

“Heleneposedforme,andinthelastpicturesheworethescarletslippers.Intheotherssheworeherownpinkones.”

“Monsieur Renee’s name begins with an R,” Nancy observed. “May he be considered apossibleownerofthepaletteknife?”

“Isupposeso,”saidHenri,“exceptthathewasanartdealer,notapainter,sofarasIknow.Well, the first strange thing was that Monsieur Renee put a peculiar paragraph in ourcontract—thewholetransactionwastobekeptsecretandIwasnottosignthepaintings.”

“Thatwasodd,”Nancymurmured.

“Hesaidthattherewasaraceamongdealerstofillanorderfromafamousdancingschoolfortwelvepaintings.MonsieurReneewantednoonetoknowthathewasenteringthisrace.”

HenriwentontosaythatRenee’swifefanciedherselftobeagreatballetdancerandwishedtomodelfortheportraits.

“WhenthisMadameReneecametomystudio,Ifoundthatshewasamiserabledancer.Andshecouldnotposeinanyofthepositionsformorethanafewseconds.

“FinallyIhadtotellMonsieurReneethis.Heinsistedthatwemustcompletethepaintings,andpermittedmysistertobethemodel.”

“ButMadameReneewasveryjealous,”Heleneputin.

“Yes,” said Henri. “She claimed that her husband’s visits to our studio were only for thepurposeofseeingHelene.AndjustasIwasfinishingthelastpicture,thewarningnotecame,tellingHeleneandmetoleavethecountry.”

“DoyouthinkReneecouldhavehadanythingtodowiththenote?”Nancyasked.

“Ididn’tatthetime,”Henrireplied.“ButnowIthinkit’spossible.”

Theyoungdetectiveturnedtoherfather.“Dad,doyouthinkyoucouldfindoutmoreaboutTomasRenee?”

“Itmaytaketime,”the lawyerreplied.“Butmyattorneyfriend,Mr.Scott,happenstobe inParisatthemoment.I’llcableandaskhimtotrackdownthisnewsuspect.”

“Andnow,”Henrisaid,“IhaveanopportunitytocontinueworkonNancy’sportrait!”

Mr.DrewsaidhewasnotinahurrytoreturntoRiverHeights.WhileHenripreparedtowork,thelawyerwroteouthiscableandusedthelodgetelephonetosendittoMr.Scott.

When the Drews said good night much later, both were pleased with the progress on theportrait,whichMr.DrewdeclaredwastobehisChristmaspresent.

The followingmorningNancy found thatHannah did not feelwell. She suggested that thehousekeeperlethertakeoverforawhile.

As she did the household chores, the girl detective tried to fit the pieces of the Fontainepuzzletogether.ThreeR’s:RaoulJudson,RaymondBull,TomasRenee.Weretheyassociates?Werethenamesaliases?AndwhatdidthestrangenumberinthefigurineandonthestampoftheParisianlettermean?

Shewasinterruptedbythetelephone.ItwasMr.Drew,callingfromhisoffice.

“Ihave some interestingnews for you,”he said, “but I’d rathernotgive it to youover thetelephone.Isuggestyoucomedownhereatonce.”

Nancylostnotimeingettingtoherfather’soffice.Heclosedthedoorasshesatdowninhisprivatestudy.

“Whatisit?”Nancyaskedeagerly.

“TomasReneehasdisappeared.Andhe’swantedbytheFrenchpolice!”

Mr.Drewexplainedthatuptosixmonthsbefore,theReneeshadlivedinavillaoutsideParis.Thensuddenlytheyhadvanished.

“But,” said the lawyer, “it seems that Mr. Renee had some strange dealings with variouspeopleandisliabletoimprisonment.”

“Nowonderhedisappeared,”saidNancy.“IwonderifheisstillinFrance.”

“That’shardtosay,”herfatheranswered.“Ifheleftthecountry,itmusthavebeenunderanassumedname.”

“Thentheimmigrationauthoritiescan’thelpus?”

“I’vespokenwiththem,”saidMr.Drew.“IfTomasReneecametotheUnitedStates,itwasnotunder the names of Renee, Judson, or Bull. No one from France has arrived under thosenamesduringthepastyearandahalf.”

Nancysighed.“Allourfactsareonthenegativeside,Dad.Let’stryanewangle.”

“What?”

“ThosepicturesthatHenripaintedmaybeanimportantclue,”Nancypointedout.“IfReneewasdishonest,hisstoryabouttheraceamongartdealersprobablywasfalse.Andinthelightofwhat’sbeenhappeningtotheFontaines,there’sachancethatsomeofthepicturesmaybeinthiscountry—possiblyeveninRiverHeights!”

“YouthinkthereissomeconnectionbetweenthepaintingsandtheenemiesoftheCentrovianunderground?”

“Perhaps.”

Mr.Drewlookedthoughtful.“SupposeIcallthecustomsoffice?Andthen,howabouthavinglunchwithme?”

“Wonderful,Dad.I’llcallHannahandtellherIwon’tbehome.”

Nancy spoke to the housekeeper on a phone in the outer office, whileMr. Drew used hisprivatelinetocallcustoms.

“Oh,Nancy,”Hannahsaid,“I’mgladyoucalled.Mrs.Parsonswashere.She’sterriblyupsetbecauseMillieKoff didn’t comeback.She says theKoffs haven’t returned to theClaymoreHotel.”

NancyhungupanddialedtheCliffwoodHotelatonce.“Mr.Koffandhisdaughtercheckedoutyesterday,”theclerktoldher.“Theyleftnoforwardingaddress.”

Nancywasdumfounded.HadsheletMr.Koffdeceiveher?WasheinleaguewiththeJudsons,andmaybewithRaymondBull,andevenRenee?

When Nancy told her father about the Koffs, the lawyer looked grave. “Let’s eat,” hesuggested.“Maybewe’llbebrighterafterlunchandcanfigurethisout.”

Atthelawyer’sclub,Nancyfoundherselfthecenterofattention.Herfather’sfriendsenjoyedexchangingsallieswiththeyoungdetectiveandtryingtostumpheronknottyproblems.Foratime,Nancynearlyforgotherowncase.

Soon after they returned toMr. Drew’s office, a call came in from the customs office.Mr.DrewtoldNancythatallofHenri’spaintingshadbeenshippedtotheUnitedStatesduringthepasttwelvemonths.

“TheconsignorforelevenofthemwasTomasRenee.Butthetwelfth,theonewiththescarletslippers,wassentoverbyamansigningthenameRaoulAmien.”

“WhoreceivedthemintheUnitedStates?”Nancyaskedeagerly.

“APierreDuparc,formerlyanartdealerinNewYork.Hiswhereaboutsareunknown.”

Nancyhadahunch.“Dad,IthinkthisRaoulAmienmaybeinourvicinity—perhapsusingthenameJudson.CanwesendacabletoParistoinquireabouthim?”

CarsonDrewagreedtodoso,andNancysaidhewouldbeabletoreachheratthedancingschoolallafternoon.

When the lawyer returned home that evening, he told his daughter that Raoul Amien hadindeedcometotheUnitedStates.“Hemarriedafterarriving,”headded.

“Dad,IthinkAmienandReneeprobablywereworkingsomeschemetogether—somethingtodowithHenri’spaintings.”Nancyspeculated.“It’sevenpossiblethatthey’reenemiesandtheFontainesareinthemiddle.”

The lawyer laughed,pleasedathisdaughter’s knack forquickdeductions. “Sowhat’s yournextmove?”

“IthinkI’llgodownandplaceanadintheGazetteforapaintingofaballetdancer.MaybeIcanlocatesomeofHenri’swork.Dad,pleasetellHannahI’llbebackintimefordinner.”

ThenextmorningNancy’s advertisementappeared in the localnewspaper.ShecalledBessandGeorgeandaskedthemtocometoherhomeassoonaspossible.

“We’llgototheGazetteofficeataboutthree,”shetoldthecousinsashorttimelater.“Ihaveahunchthatoneofthesuspectsmaymailorsendanoteandcometoseewhoputtheadinthepaper.I’dlikeyoutwotokeepaneyeonanyonewhomaybestandingaroundwhenIgointopickupthemail.Seewhetheranyoneseemsparticularlyinterested.”

ThatafternoonNancydrovedowntown,parkedneartheentranceoftheGazette,andstrolledin.Hertwofriendswerewaitingatvantagepointsnearthelargepillarsinsidethebuilding.

Nancyhanded in the receipt forherboxnumberand received three letters.SuddenlyBesssignaledfranticallyandpointedoutthewindow.

JohannKoffwaswatchingNancyintently!

Nancystuffedthethreelettersintoherhandbagandwentoutside.Mr.Koffhadnotmoved.Beforeshecouldspeak,hesmiledpleasantly.

“Howareyou?”heasked.“Ijusthappenedtoseeyoucrossingthestreet,andwaitedtospeaktoyou.”

The man explained that he and Millie had just returned to the Claymore after stoppingovernightonthewaybackfromtheCliffwood.Hewonderedwhethertherewasanynewsonhiscase.

Nancy, taken aback, could not feel sure about the man. “Have you received any morethreateningmessagesfromMr.Judson?”sheasked.

“No.PerhapsthatletterIsentaboutretainingyourfatheronthecasereachedMr.Judsonanddiscouragedhimfromsuingme.”

Nancy,stillslightlysuspicious,asked,“AreReneeandAmienfriendsofyours?”

“Ineverheardofthem.”SuddenlyMr.Kofflaughed.“MissDetective,wereyoutryingtotrapme?ArethesemenenemiesoftheCentrovianunderground?”

AsNancymerely smiledanddidnot reply,headded, “Ihaveheardnothingconcerningmyownbriefcase.Iamterriblyworried.”

“IwishIcouldhelplocateit,”Nancysaid.“AndI’lltellDadIsawyou.”

Joiningher friends in the car,Nancy learned that no other suspicious characters hadbeenspotted in theGazette building. The young detective asked Bess to take the wheel so she

couldreadtheanswerstothead.

As they drove off, Nancy laid two of the letters on her lap. She opened the third. As shespreadthesheet,bothsheandGeorgegaspedinastonishment.

“Whatisit?”Bessdemanded,stoppingforatrafficlight.

Nancyheldupthepaperforhertoread.Onithadbeensketchedthefamiliarscarletslipperinsigne. Inprinted letters, similar to thoseon thenote receivedby theFontaines,were thewords:

STOP YOUR DETECTIVE WORK AT ONCE OR YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF INGRAVEPERIL!

CHAPTERXISignsofTampering

BESS did not pull ahead when the traffic light turned green. She was too shaken by thethreateningmessageNancyhadjustreceived.

HornsbegantosoundandGeorgeurged,“Move,Bess!”

Bess drove on, then saidworriedly, “Whoeverwrote that notemeans business,Nancy. Oh,pleasegiveupthecasebeforeyourunintorealtrouble.”

“Thisdoesn’tscareme,”Nancydeclared.“Writersofanonymousnotesarealwayscowards,andIdon’tintendtobefrightenedbyone!”

BessturnedtoGeorgeformoralsupport,buthercousinagreedwithNancy.Shesuggestedthatherfriendopentheothertwonotes.

“Oh,Ihopethey’renotthesamekind!”Besssaidfearfully.

Nancy quickly examined the two answers and reassured her friends. One letter offered apaintingthatobviouslywasnotoneofthegroupHenrihadpainted.Buttheothernote,whichhadbeentelephonedin,looked.likealead.

ItwasfromtheEliteDancingSchoolinStanford,anddescribedanoilpaintingtheschoolwaswilling to sell. It depicted a ballet dancer in pink-and-white tulle, with an indistinctbackgroundoftrees.

“That’sjustthewayHenridescribedthebackgroundtome,”saidNancyexcitedly.

“Let’sgorightovertoStanfordandlookatit!”Georgeurged.

“Butwecan’tdothat,”Bessbrokein.“NancyandIhaveclassesatthedancingschool.”

“Bessisright,”saidNancy.“We’llgotomorrowmorning.”

Whenthegirlsarrivedattheschool,Georgelefttheothers,arrangingtomeetthematninethenextday.

Bess had the first group of young ballerinas,Nancy the second. Both girls carried onwiththeirusualenthusiasmbutweresurprisedatthesmallattendanceintheclasses.Morethanhalfthepupilswereabsent.

“Thisisverystrange,”Nancythought.“Iwonderwhatthetroubleis.”

Shemade a list of the absentees and began telephoning their parents.Nancy explained tothoseshereachedthatshewassuretheFontaineswouldreturnsoontoresumeteaching.

In her conversations with the various mothers, Nancy noticed a reluctance to discuss thesubject.FinallyshetalkedtoMrs.Muller,aneighbor,andasked,“HasanyonebeenintouchwithyouregardingtheFontaines?”

“Howdidyouknow?”thewomansaidinsurprise.

“Maybeit’smyinstinct,”Nancyrepliedwithachuckle.“Justwhathaveyouheard?”

Mrs. Muller told her that several mothers, including her, had received anonymous lettersinformingthemthattheFontaineshaddisappearedbecausetheywerewantedbythepolice.Thelettersindicatedthatthedancerswereinvolvedinaseriousscandal,whichwouldreflectonthechildreniftheycontinuedattheschool.

“Howwicked!”Nancyexclaimed.“Mrs.Muller,thereisn’tonewordoftruthinthatstory!”

“Howcanyoubesure?”thewomanasked.

“BecausemyfatherishandlingtheaffairsoftheFontainesandknowsallabouttheirdealings.I’msureyourealizethatIwouldn’tbe involvedwiththemifanythingdishonestweregoingon.MyfriendsandIhaveworkedhardtokeeptheschoolrunning,andnaturallyoursuccessdepends upon the cooperation of the parents. Won’t you please allow your little girl tocontinueherlessons?”

Mrs.Muller finallyagreed to sendherchildback.She suggested thatNancycall theothermothersandreassurethemtherewasnotruthtotheletters.Nancygotbusyonthetelephoneat once, explaining the situation to the women. They promised to allow their children tocontinuedancinglessons.

“Well,that’sclearedup,”NancysaidtoBesswithasighofreliefasshefinishedtalkingtothelastpersononthelist.“They’llgoalongwiththepresentarrangement.”

“Thankgoodness!”Besssaid.Butinawhispersheadded,“Nancy,doyouthinktheremightbeanybasisfortheideathattheFontainesarewantedbytheauthorities?”

“Ican’tbelieveit,”Nancyinsisted.“Andbesides,Iwouldn’ttakethewordofanyonewhoisafraidtosignhisnametoaletter.”

“NorI,”saidBessstoutly.

Thenextmorning,sheandGeorgearrivedatNancy’shouse,andthethreegirlssetoffintheconvertible.TheyreachedStanforda littleaftereleveno’clockandhadnodifficulty findingtheEliteDancingSchool.

Nancywent inaloneand identifiedherselfas theadvertiser in theGazette.Theowner,Mr.Harlan,broughtoutthepaintingoftheballetdancer.

ItwasindeedaportraitofHeleneandshewaswearingthescarletslippers!

“Iboughtthispictureaboutsixmonthsago,”Mr.HarlantoldNancy.“It’sverypleasing,butI’mremodelingandwillhavenoroomforit.I’dbewillingtosellittoyouforasmallprofit.”

Tryinghardnottoshowherelation,sheaskedtheprice.

“Thirty-fivedollars,”theEliteownerreplied.

“I’llbuythepicture,”Nancysaid.Sheopenedherpurseandpaidhim.

NancyrecalledthepriceReneehadpaidHenriforthework.Itwasmanytimesthatamount.ShewascuriousaboutthepersonfromwhomMr.Harlanhadboughtthepainting.

“Wouldyoumindtellingmewhosoldyouthepainting?”sheasked.

“Notatall,butsixmonthsisalongtimetorememberdetails.Amanwithreddishhaircameintotheschoolandofferedmethepicture.Thepricewasright,soIboughtit.”

Reddishhair,Nancythought.ThisdidnotfitJudsonorWarte,whohadfraudulentlysoldthebisquedolls,orRenee,butoneofthemmighthavebeenwearingawig!

“Didthemanhaveaforeignaccent?”shesaid.“Anddidhegivehisname?”

“No,”Mr.Harlanansweredtobothquestions.“Issomethingthematterwiththepainting?”

“Certainlynot,”saidNancyquickly.“Butitisn’tsignedandIwonderedifthemanhadclaimedtobetheartist.”

“Ithinknot,”Mr.Harlananswered.

“Thankyou,”Nancysaid,andbiddinghimgood-by, shecarried thepicture to thecar.BessandGeorgeexclaimedindelightandexaminedtheportraitwhileNancytookthewheel.

“It’sawonderfullikenessofHelene,”saidBess.“HowdidtheEliteSchoolgetthepainting?”

Nancyexplainedandthensaid,“Iwanttomakesurethisistheoriginal.I’lltakethepaintingtoHenriandHelene.”

“Perhapsthey’llbeabletoidentifythered-hairedman,”Georgesuggested.

ThegirlsstoppedforaquicklunchandthenwentontoCedarLake.Whentheyarrivedandpresentedthecanvas,theFontaineswereoverwhelmed.

“Oh,Nancy,howdidyoueverfindit?”Heleneexclaimed.“Youaresowonderful!”

“Indeedyouare,”Henriechoed.“Pleasetelluseverythingquickly.”

“First,Henri,tellmewhetherthisistheportraityoupainted,”Nancyrequested,“oracopyofit?”

Afteranexaminationinastronglight,theartistdeclareditwashisoriginalwork.

“But someone has tampered with the picture!” he declared. “The original paint in severalspotshasbeenremoved,andreplacedwithnewpigment.”

Thegirls,amazed,lookedattheareasofthicklyappliedimpastothattheartistpointedout.

InstantlyNancyrememberedthepaletteknifeJudsonhaddroppedatherhouse.Washetheonewhohadtamperedwiththepainting?Andifso,why?

CHAPTERXIIARewardingHunt

HENRI Fontaine was excited and concerned about the portrait of his sister that had beentamperedwith.

“Itspoilsthewholeoutlineoftheruffle,andlookwhat itdoestothetoeoftheslipper,”hesaid.“Abotch!”

“Onlyanexpertwouldknowthat,”Georgestated.“Ithinkit’salovelypainting.”

“It’sbeautiful,”Besssaid.“Anditlookssoreal,Helene.Justlikeyou.”

Butthecousins’remarksfailedtomollifytheFontaines.“Someoneruinedthispainting,”saidHenriangrily.“Butwhy?Why?”

“Perhapsthepaintwasusedtocoversomethingthatwassmuggledintothecountry,”Nancysaid.“Amessage,animportantchemicalformula,orevenjewels.”

Besslookedskeptical.“Howcouldjewelsbehiddeninpaint?”

BeforeNancycouldanswer,Henricriedexcitedly,“Ofcoursetheycould!I’llshowyou.”

Hiseyesrovedovertheoutfiteachofthethreegirlswaswearing.FinallyhisglancesettledonanoveltypinBessworeonherblouse.

“MayIusethisforanexperiment?”heasked.“I’llbegladtopayforit.”

“That’s not necessary,” said Bess, handing him the pin. “It’s just a piece of inexpensivecostumejewelry.”

Immediately the young artist started prying loose the settings and took out several of thestones.Theywereofvarioussizes,thelargestequaltoatwo-caratdiamond.

Henri got a tubeof greenpigment and squeezed someof it onto apalette.Thenhe slowlyrolled one of the stones around in the paint. When it was completely covered, the artistsecreted themass among the leaves of one of the trees on the canvas. It melted into thebackgroundasifithadalwaysbeenthere!

“Why,that’swonderful,”Besssaid.

Next Henri imbedded several stones into the dancer’s frilly tutu. Finally the young manconcealedastoneinthetoeofoneofthescarletslippers.

“Remarkable,”saidHelene.“Noonewoulddetectthisstrangeadditiontomyportrait.Nancy,whatdoesthismean?”

“It’smy hunch that a smuggler brought jewels into the United States this way. It ismoreclever than hiding them in the frame because that would show up in an x-ray, while thismethod wouldn’t. It looks as though Henri’s paintings were ordered for the purpose ofsmuggling.Youusetheimpastotechnique,Henri,andthat’sjustwhatwasneededforhidingthejewels.”

Henriexaminedeveryspeckoftheoldpigmentforanythingthatmightstillbeinitbutfoundnothing.

“Haveyouanyideaabouttheidentityofthesmuggler?”HeleneaskedNancy.

“Yes,” the girl detective answered. “It would explain whyMr. Judson, who isn’t an artis t,carriesapaletteknife.AsItoldmyfather,Istronglysuspecthe’sreallyRaoulAmien.WhatIdon’tknowishowAmiengotthepaintingfromReneeandwhetherReneeisinvolvedinthesmuggling.”

“IfthepolicewantRenee,”saidGeorge,“heprobablyisinvolved.Well,wheredoesthetrail

takeusnow?”

Toeveryone’scompleteastonishment,Nancylaughedandsaid,“Intothelake.I’msowarmIcan’tresistaswim.Doesanybodywanttojoinme?”

“Intheseclothes?”Bessexclaimed.

Nancyannouncedthatduringthesummershealwayscarriedabathingsuit in thetrunkoftheconvertibleandrightnowshehadtwowithher.Helenehadanextraone,sothewholegroupspentanenjoyablehalfhourswimminginCedarLake.

Later,whenNancywasdrivinghomewithBessandGeorge,sheremarked,“Maybealltwelvepaintings were used by smugglers. Since the one with the scarlet slippers was sold to adancing school in this part of the country, some of the others may have been, too. Let’scheck!”

ThegirlsdecidedtomeetattheDrewhomeinthemorningandtaketurnstelephoningballet-dancingschools inthestate.Bythetimethecousinsarrived,Nancyhada listof fifty.Theydividedtheworkandbegantelephoning.

About halfway through the names George, who was at the telephone, smiled broadly andbobbedherheadattheothergirls.Intothemouthpieceshesaid,“Thankyouverymuch.We’llbeovertolookatit.”Shereplacedthetelephone,thensaidtoNancyandBess,“OneofthepicturesisinHarwich.Itwassoldtothedancestudiobyared-hairedman.”

“Oh,that’smarvelous!”saidNancy.

“ButHarwich!”Bessexclaimed.“That’salmosttwohundredmilesfromRiverHeights.”

“What’stwohundredmiles?”Nancyasked.“We’llpackovernightbagsandmakearealtripoutofit—thatis,ifwecanleaveourownschoolthatlong.”

BessofferedtoforegothetripandtakeNancy’sclassthatafternoon,buttheothersinsistedthatshegowiththem.Finallyshearrangedwiththedancinginstructorataprivateschoolintowntoconducttheclasses.

Lateinthemorningthegirlsstartedout.Theyhadthetopdown,tookturnsatthewheel,andenjoyedthebright-blueskyanddelightfulcountrysidealongtheway.

But Nancy did not completely forget the errand on which they had embarked. “I’ve beenthinking a lot about the stolen ballet slippers that belonged to Helene’s mother,” sheremarked.“Theymusthavesomespecialsignificance.”

“Maybesomethingwashiddeninthem,too,”Besssuggested.

“Possibly.Butit’sstrangethatneitherHelenenorHenriknewaboutit”

The girls reached Harwich late in the afternoon and drove immediately to the attractivebuildingthathousedtheHarwichSchooloftheDance.AsNancyandherfriendswalkedintothereceptionroom,theysawHelene’sportraitinaprominentpositiononthewall.

“Howlovely!”Bessmurmured.

Thepaintingportrayed thegirl in agraceful glissade. Itwas so realistic,Helene lookedasthoughshewereabouttogliderightoffthecanvas.

Anattractive,blondwomaninaballetcostumecameforwardandintroducedherselfasMissDesmond,thedirectoroftheschool.GeorgeidentifiedherselfastheonewhohadtalkedwithheronthetelephonethatmorningandintroducedNancyandBess.Thensheadded,“Nancyis an amateur detective. She’s investigating a case we think involves the smuggling ofpreciousstones.Webelievethat theywerehidden in thepigmentofcertainpictures.Yoursmaybeoneofthem.”

“Oh,dear!”MissDesmondexclaimed.“Ihopethiswon’tinvolveme.Iknownothingaboutthesmuggledgems.”

“Ididn’tmeantoimplythat,”saidGeorge.Sheregrettedhavingbeensoblunt.

“This must be a shock to you,” Nancy added understandingly. “But would you mind if weexaminethepictureclosely?”

Herquickeyehaddetectedaspotwherethepigmenthadbeentamperedwith.

“Goahead,”MissDesmondsaid.

Nancytookasmallmagnifyingglassfromherhandbagandscrutinizedthepainting.

“Somethinghasbeenremoved fromthepicture, I’msure,”shesaidafteramoment. “And,”Nancyadded,hervoiceexcited,“ifI’mnotmistaken,thereisstillonestonehidden!”

“What!”MissDesmondexclaimedindisbelief.

Nancypointedtothespotandasked,“Willyouletmeproveit?”

“Why,certainly,butyoudon’tthinkI——”theworrieddirectorbegan.

Nancysmiledatthewoman.“Webelieveyouboughtthepicturewithoutknowingallthis.”

MissDesmondlookedrelievedandwatchedasNancytookthepaletteknifewiththeinitialRonitfromherbagandbegantoscrapethewhitepigmentinoneruffleoftheskirt.Finallyalargelumpcameoffinherhand.Shescrapedatitevenfaster.Amomentlatersheuncoveredasparklingdiamond!

“Ijustcan’tbelieveit!”MissDesmondcried,asBessandGeorgegasped.“I-Icertainlygotmymoney’sworth,didn’tI?”Theninstantlyanexpressionofalarmcrossedherface.“ButImaybeholdingstolenproperty!WhatshallIdowiththestone?”

“I’dsuggest,”saidNancy,“thatyoucomewithmetotheHarwichPoliceStationandleavethediamondthereuntilthecaseisclearedup.”

Thedancing-schooldirectorsaidthesoonershegotridofthediamond,andthepaintingtoo,thebetter!MissDesmondwasgladtosellthepaintingtoNancyfortendollars.

She accompaniedNancy to the police station,while the cousins remained at the school toadmitthenextclassofpupils.Thedirectorsighedwhentheordealwasover.

“Thankyou,Nancy,forgettingmeoutofanembarrassingsituation,”shesaid.“Andgoodluckinsolvingthemystery.”

Nancy,Bess,andGeorgespentthenightinahotelinHarwich.Theystartedontheirreturnjourneyearlythenextmorning,withthepaintingstoredinthetrunk.Astheydrovealong—allthreegirlsonthefrontseat—theydiscussedthevariousfacetsofthecase.

PresentlyNancysaid,“IhaveastrangefeelingthatthoselittlefigurinesthatweresoldtoMr.Howard,thejeweler,werealsousedtosmugglejewelsintothiscountry—maybebythesamegroup.”

“AndMr.Warteremovedthemandtriedtopatchupthecracks?”Besssuggested.

“Yes.”

Hourslater,asNancytookaroadleadingawayfromRiverHeights,GeorgepointedoutthatNancyhadtakenthewrongturn.

“Iknow,”saidNancy.“Ithoughtwe’dstoptoseeHeleneandHenriandleavethispicture.”

PresentlytheyturnedintothewoodsroadleadingtotheNickersoncabin.Nancyhadtodriveslowlybecauseofthetwistsandturnsonthewindingtrail.

Rounding a sharp curve,Nancy almost ran into a barrier across the road. A bridge over astreamwasdownandsawhorseshadbeensetuptowarnmotorists.

AsNancyjammedonthebrake,Georgesaidindisgust,“Well,ofallthings!Whydidn’ttheyputupasignwhereweenteredthisroad?”

“What’llwedo,Nancy?”Bessasked.“Walktherestoftheway?”

“Isupposeso,”Nancysaid.

ShehadherhandonthedoorhandletoturnitwhenavoicebehindthegirlscalledinaheavyFrenchaccent,“Donotturnaround!YouaremyprisonersandwilldoexactlywhatItellyou!”

CHAPTERXIII“Officer,Help!”

THEunseenspeakerhoppedintotherearseatofNancy’sconvertible.

Obeyinghis instructions, the threegirlshadnot turnedaround,but in the rearviewmirrorNancyhadcaughtsightofthecruel-lookingman.HewasthepersonshehadcometoknowasJudson!

“Cleverofme,wasn’tit,topickupyourtrail?”heboasted.“I’vebeenfollowingyouformiles,hoping forachance to stopyou. I thoughtyoumight turn inhere,becauseyou’vedonesobefore.Iknewthebridgewasoutandhurriedaheadofyoutotakedownthewarningsignattheentrancetotheroad.”Helaughedsardonically.

ThenextmomentBessscreamed.JudsonhadshovedasharppaletteknifebetweenherfaceandNancy’s!Hewithdrewit,thensaid,“OnefalsemoveandI’llusethistoadvantage!You’dbetterbelievemesodon’ttestyourluck.”

BesslookedfaintandGeorge’sjawwassetgrimly.Nancy,afterthefirstshockwasover,saidevenly,“Whatdoyouwantustodo?”

“YouaregoingtobeniceyoungladiesandleadmetotheFontaines!”

Nancythoughtquickly.Herfirstideawastogetthemanoutoftheconvertible.

“Whataboutyourcar?”sheasked,wonderingwhereitwas.Shecouldnotseeitinthemirror.

Judson laughedharshly. “Iknowhowcleveryouare,NancyDrew. I amnot falling foryourtricktogetmeoutofthiscarsothatyouandyourfriendscanescape.Nowbackupanddon’tgetanycrazyideas.”

NancynudgedBessandmurmured,“Don’tworry!”Sheputthecarintoreverseandbackedoutofthewindingroad.Judson’scarwashiddenjustbeyondthebend.

Inspiteoftheirpredicament,theyoungsleuthfeltasenseofsatisfaction.Judson’sdesperateactionclearlyindicatedthathedidnotknowwheretheFontaineswerehiding!

Nancysensed,too,thatoneofthereasonshewantedtorideinthecarwasthathedidnotcaretowalkthroughthewoodswiththethreegirls. Inastruggletoget free,hisprisonerswouldbemorethanamatchforhim!

At themain road,Nancy decided to stay on the highway as long as Judsonwould allow it,hopingtomeetaStatePolicepatrolcar.ButshehaddrivenonlyashortdistancewhenJudsonsaid,“IknowtheFontainesaren’thiddenalongthehighway.Getoffitandleadmetothem!Bequickaboutit!”

GeorgehadsurmisedNancy’splan.Carefullyconcealingheraction, sheslippedanotepadand pencil out of her purse. Holding it on her lap where Judson could not see it, Georgewrote,“DoyouwantBessandmetotacklehim?”

Nancyglancedatthenote.Slowlytakingherrighthandfromthewheel,shewrote,“Notyet.”

Asshecontinuedtodrivewithonehand,Judsonevidentlynoticedherrighthandwasoutofsight.HeplacedthepointofthepaletteknifebetweenNancy’sshouldersandbarked,“Keepbothhandsonthewheel,whereIcanseethem!”

Nancycompliedimmediatelyandturnedintoasideroad.Theknifewasremoved.Theyoungdetectiveknew the countrysidearoundRiverHeightswell.She recalled thatBertFraser, astatetrooper,livedononeofthebacklanesinthevicinity.

“I’llheadforhishouseandhopehe’llbethere,”shesaidtoherself.

NancytooktheroadleadingtotheFraserhome.Astheywentfartherandfartherfromthehighway,Judsonapparentlywaspleased.

“Keepbothhandsonthewheel,whereIcanseethem!”

Nancysmiledwhenshesawonecornerofthetrooper’shouseappearatthetopofahill.

WhentheyneareditandNancybegantoslowdown,Judsonsaid,“AretheFontaineshere?”

Nancydidnotanswer.Shebrakedthecartoastopnearthefrontporch.Atalmostthesamemoment, the trooper opened the door and came out, dressed in full uniform. Nancy andGeorgealreadyhadthecardoorsopenoneachsideandjumpedout.

Besscried,“Officer,we’rebeingkidnapped!”

“Kidnapped?”thetrooperexclaimed,runningdownthesteps.

AtthesameinstantJudsonmadeaflyingleapoverthebackofthecar,andsprintedtoward

thewoodsontheoppositesideoftheroad.

“Wemustcatchhim!”Nancyurged.

TheofficerandthethreegirlsdashedamongthetreesinpursuitofJudson.Theycouldhearhimcrashingthroughtheunderbrush.Astheyranon,Nancygaspedoutherstory.

At a clearing near the brow of the hill they caught a glimpse of the man. Officer Frasershoutedathimtostop,butJudsonignoredthecommand.Heswervedtoonesideandagainplungedintothecoverofthewoods.

They zigzagged through the woods for fifteenminutes. Suddenly Nancy realized that theywerechasingthemandirectlytowardtheNickersoncabin!Shewarnedtheothers,saying,“ItwouldbebettertolethimgothanhavehimfindtheFontaines!Let’sgiveupthechase.Thenmaybehe’llheadforthemainroad.Hiscarishiddenbackwherehestoppedus.”

“Allright,”thepolicemanagreed.“Ihavemyradiocaratthehouse.I’llgobackandsendoutageneralalarm.Youcanfollowatyourleisure.”

NancyandGeorgefeltasfreshasever,butpoorBesswaspantingandinsisteduponrestingafew minutes. By the time they reached Bert Fraser’s home, he had already contactedheadquarters.

“Ithinkwehavehimbottledup,”theofficertoldthem.“Thepolicewillsetatrapforhim.”

“Thanksforhelpingus,”Nancysaid.“I’msorryIletJudsonslipthroughmyfingers.”

Thetroopersmiled.“Wouldyouliketogoalongwithmeandhelpuscapturehim?”

Nancy beamed. “I surewould! At least I’d like to talk to Judson.” She turned to Bess andGeorge.“Shallwefollowinmycarorwouldyoutworathertaketheconvertibleandgohome?IcouldridewithMr.Fraser.”

“We’llseethisthingthrough,”Georgedeclared.

“Stayclosebehindme,”Fraserdirected,“And,MissDrew,supposeyourideinmycar.”

Nancy climbed inwith the trooper and they drove off. Shewas fascinated by the constantexchangeofinformationovertheradiobetweenStatePoliceheadquartersandtheindividualpatrolcars.

Whentheyreachedthemainhighway,shelookedbacktomakecertainthatthecousinswerefollowing.Thegirlswavedtoindicatethateverythingwasfine.

ThetriptotheCedarLakeroadwasrapid.Anotherpolicecarwasalreadythere.BertFraserjumpedoutandranovertotalktohiscolleagues.Inafewminuteshewasback.

“Judson’s car was gone when they arrived,” he told Nancy. “He must have made a fastgetaway!”

Nancy was not sure that it was Judson who had taken the car. He might have had anaccomplice.ShedecidedtofindoutwhetherornotJudsonhadfoundtheFontaines.

“IthinkthegirlsandIwillcallonfriendsofourswhoarestayingatacabinonthelake,”shetoldthetrooper.“Thankyouforallyourhelp.”

NancyexplainedherplantoBessandGeorge,whohadpulledupinbackoftheofficer’scar.Theygotout,crossed thestreamon its temporary footbridge,andwalked to theNickersoncabin.

As they approached the cabin, Nancy’s heart sank. No one was sitting on the porch. Andalthoughitwasawarmday,everywindowinthecabinwasclosed.Theboatsweretiedupatthewharf,andthelakefrontwasdeserted.Therewasaneeriestillnessaboutthearea.

Nancyhastenedtotrythefrontdoorofthecabin.Itwaslocked.Acheckshowedthatallthewindowsandthereardoorwerelockedaswell.Instantlyworriedlooksappearedonthethreegirls’faces.

“Judsongotherefirst!”Besswailed.“He’skidnappedHeleneandHenri!”

CHAPTERXIVPuzzlingPhoneCalls

WHILENancy was trying to form her own opinion about the Fontaines’ absence from thecabin,Georgesaidhesitantly,“PerhapswewerewrongtotrustHeleneandHenri.Theymaybe part of the smuggling gang.WhenHenri realized that you had discovered that impastotechnique for hiding gems, hemay have decided to disappear. You’ll have to admit hewasskillfulinhidingthestonesfromBess’spin.”

Bess defended the Fontaines. “If that’s so, why would someone in the gang send themwarningnotesandstealHelene’sscarletslippers?”

NancyagreedwithBess.“IstillthinktheFontaineshavefledfromJudson,notwithhim.”

The girls walked along the porch and peered through the windows. Nancy’s half-finishedportrait lay upside down on the floor. Furniture had been overturned and a footstool wasleaningagainstanandironintheopenfireplace.

“I thinkwe should investigate further!”Nancydeclared.Sheopened the cabindoorwith asparekeytheNickersonsalwaysleftinthehollowofatree.

ThegirlsfoundthattheFontaines’luggagewasstillintheirrooms.

“PerhapsHenriandHelene justwentout forahike in thewoods,”Georgesuggested.“AndJudsonmayhavebeeninhereandupsetthefurniturewhilehuntingforsomething.”

Onthechance thatshewasright, thegirlswaited forseveralhours.TheFontainesdidnotappear.Whenthegirlsleft,Nancyproppedanoteagainstalamp:“Scarlet,letmehearfromyou.”

Nomessagecame thatevening.Bymorning,Nancywas forced toadmit that theFontaineshadvanished.Wasitvoluntarily,orbyforce?

Theyoungdetectivewasbewildered.Allcluesseemedtohavecometonaught,andshehadno idea where to begin looking for the Fontaines. Then she remembered her newspaperadvertisement.

“Hannah,”shesaidafterbreakfast,“I’mgoingdowntotheGazetteoffice.”

Nancyfoundthatshehadreceivedfourletters.Thefirstthreesheopeneddescribedpicturesofballetdancers,butnonesoundedliketheonesHenrihadpaintedofhissister.

The fourth letter was unsigned and mysterious. Nancy read it several times withoutunderstandingit.Finallyshedrovetoherfather’soffice.

Mr. Drew was also puzzled as he read, “ ‘If you will put a personal advertisement in theGazette, including thewordartistandyour telephonenumber in reverse, thewriterof thisnotewillhaveaninterestingstorytorelateaboutapaintingofalovelyballetdancerposingbeforeaforestbackground.’”

“ThatsoundslikeoneofthepicturesofHelene,”Nancysaid.“Whatdoyouthinkofthenote,Dad?”

Mr. Drew leaned back in his chair, drummed his fingers on the desk, and remarked, “It’spossiblesomeonefromCentroviareadyourad.Toavoidundercoveragentsoftheoccupationauthorities,thispersonmaynotwanttorevealhisidentityorwhereaboutsuntilhe’ssurehe’snotdealingwithoneofthem.Icanseenoharminyouransweringthenote.”

Mr.Drewwentontosaythathewouldgetintouchwithafriendinthetelephonecompanyandhaveanadditional linerunintothehousethatafternoon.Hewouldbeabletouseittotracethestrangecall.

Nancywroteouttheadvertisementinaccordancewiththeinstructionsinthenote,andtookittotheGazetteoffice.ShethenreturnedhomeandtoldHannahGruenaboutthemysterious

noteand the telephonecall,whichwouldprobablycome thenextmorning. “Youcanhelp,”sheadded.

“How?”askedthehousekeeper.

Nancyexplainedthatwhileshewastalkingonthehallphone,herfatherwouldtrytotracethecallontheprivatephonehewashavinginstalledinhisstudy.

“I’dlikeyoutorunbackandforthbetweenDadandmewithmessages,”Nancyrequested.

Afewminutesafterninethenextmorning,thephonerang.HannahfollowedMr.Drewintohisstudy.Nancypickedupthephoneinthehallandheardavoicewithaforeignaccent.

“IsthisthepersonwhoplacedapersonaladintheGazette?”

“That’sright,”Nancyanswered.

“AreyouanAmerican?”wasthenextquestion.

“Yes,”Nancyreplied.“IwasbornhereinRiverHeights.Whydoyouask?”

Thespeakerignoredherquestionandwenton,“Areyouconnectedwiththepolice?”

Nancythoughtthiswasastrangequestion,butansweredtruthfully,“Ihavemanyfriendsonthe police force, but have no official connection with them. However, I do like to solvemysteries.”

NancycouldnotridherselfoftheopinionthatthevoicesoundedlikeJohannKoff’s.CouldthespeakerbethepersonwhohadsentherfathertoNewYorkonawild-goosechase?

Hannah came out of the study and whispered, “He is calling from a phone booth in aCliffwooddrugstore.”

Nancycoveredthemouthpieceandsaid,“TellDaditsoundslikeMr.Koff.”

AtthatmomentHannahglancedoutthewindow.Shesaidinalowvoice,“Itcan’tbeMr.Koff.Hejustwentbyinacar.”

Nancy nodded, then continued her conversation with the unknown speaker. “What is theinterestingstoryaboutyourpainting?”

“It will probably seem sentimental and romantic coming from aman,” the speaker said, atraceofachuckleinhisvoice.“Ipurchasedthepicturebecausethegirlinitremindedmeofadancerinmynativecountry.”

“Whatcountryisthat?”Nancyasked,asifshewerejustbeingpolite.

“Alittlecountrythatisprobablyunknowntoyou,”themanreplied.“Centrovia.”

Nancypaused,hopinghervoicewouldnotbetrayherexcitement.“IhaveheardofCentrovia.Didthepaintingcomefromthere?”

“No, I bought it in this country. But since I have had the picture inmy possession, I havelearnedsomethingratherdisturbingaboutit.”

“Yes?”saidNancyeagerly.

“Idonotwishtodiscussitonthetelephone.ButIwouldlikeverymuchtotalktoyou.”

Nancywasrelievedtohearher fathercomingtoherside.Shecoveredthetelephoneashesaid,“I’vemadeacheckonhimwiththeownerofthedrugstorewhereheputinthecall.Heseemstobeallright.”

Nancyturnedbacktothephone.“You’vecertainlyarousedmycuriosity,Mr.——er——Ididn’tgetyourname.”

“AntonSchmidt.Iamanamateurartist.MayIseeyouandtalktoyouaboutthissoon?”

Nancy gave the caller her name and address, and asked, “Can you come tomy home thisevening?”

They agreed on eight o’clock, and Anton Schmidt arrived promptly at that hour. He waspleasant-lookingandresembledMr.Koff,thoughhewasseveralyearsyounger.Hecarriedthebulkypainting,carefullywrappedinbrownpaper.

AftertheyhadexchangedafewpleasantriesintheDrewlivingroom,Nancyasked,“AreyoubyanychancerelatedtoanotherCentrovianbythenameofJohannKoff?”

Schmidt’seyeswidened.“IndeedIam.Heismycousin.Buthowdoyouhappentoknowhim?I’vebeenoutoftouchwithhimformorethantenyears.Beforetheoccupationhelivedinaneighboringprovinceinourcountry,andwasstilltherethelastIheard.”

NancytoldMr.SchmidtthathiscousinwasnowlivinginRiverHeights.“Ifyouwouldliketoseehim,I’llphonehimandaskhimtocomerightover.He’slivingattheClaymoreHotel.”

“Thatwouldbeagreatpleasure.”

Nancymadethecall.Mr.Koffwassurprisedatthenewsandpromisedtohurryoveratonce.

“Anton!LittleAnton!Icanhardlybelieveit.Iwillseeyouinafewminutes.”

WhenNancy returned to the living room,Mr. Schmidt hadunwrapped the painting. ItwasanotherportraitofHeleneFontaine.

“Iboughtthisinalittlegiftshopoutinthecountry,”heexplained.“Thegirlwhomodeledforit looksverymuch likeMadameProvak,a famousballetdancerwhomI sawperformmanyyearsago,beforethetroubleinourcountry.Ihavenotseenorheardofhersince.”

After a pause, the caller smiled and said to Nancy, “Do you mind if I ask why you aresearchingforpaintingsofaballerina?”

“I am an amateur detective, and my father is a lawyer,” Nancy replied. “We are workingtogetheronacasethatinvolvesthechildrenofMadameProvak.”

“Youknowthem?Wherearethey?”

NancytoldofherconnectionwithHenriandHeleneFontaine.“Thegirlinthispainting,”shewenton,“isHelene,thedaughterofthefamousdanceryouknew.Herparentspassedawaysome years ago in France. Later,Helene and her brotherwere threatened and fled to thiscountry.”

Mr.Schmidt’sbrowfurrowed.“Thispaintingisunsigned,”hesaid.“Iamanxioustolearntheartist’sname.”

Mr.Drewnoddedtosignaltohisdaughterthathethoughtitwouldbesafetorevealthetruth.

“Henripaintedit,”Nancydeclared.

Thecallergasped. “MissDrew, Imustnow tell you the strange story Imentionedover thetelephone. As you know, I am an amateur artist. In examining this portrait closely, Idiscoveredthattwovaluablegemshadbeenhiddeninthepigmentthatformstherufflesoftheballetskirt.IwasabouttogotothepolicewithmyfindwhenIhappenedtoseeyourad.”

Nancy and her father exchanged glances. Each was thinking how careless the smugglerswere,nottohaveremovedallthegems!

“Yourfind,”saidMr.Drew,“confirmsasuspicionofoursthatjewelsweresmuggledintothiscountryfromFrancebythismethod.”

Mr.Schmidtjumpedexcitedlyfromhischair.“ThismayexplainagreattheftofgemsfromtheleadersoftheCentrovianundergroundmovement.”

Nancyandher father instantlythoughtof the jewelscarriedtoFrancebytheProvaks.Hadsomeofthesebeenstolen?

Mr.SchmidtwentontosaythattheProvakshadhadspotlessreputations,sofarasheknew.However,lifemighthavebecomesohardforthebrotherandsisterthattheyhadresortedtothievery of the last of the jewels their parents had turned over to the Centrovianunderground,andsmuggledthemintotheUnitedStates.

“Oh, I’msureHeleneandHenriarehonest,”Nancycried.“Mr.Schmidt,haveyouany ideawhosoldthepaintingtothegiftshopwhereyoupurchasedit?”

ThegirlwaselatedwhensheheardthatMr.Schmidthadlearnedfromtheproprietorthatthemanhadredhair.

TheconversationwasinterruptedsuddenlybythearrivalofMr.Koff,whorushedacrosstheroomandclaspedAntonSchmidtinhisarms.

“Anton!”

“Johann!”

FinallyMr.Koffturnedtotheothersandsaid,“Youmustthinkweareveryemotional,butthisisamosthappyoccasion.”

TheDrewssmiledunderstandingly.ThentheytoldthestoryofSchmidt’spainting.

“Thisdoes lookbad forHeleneandHenri,”Mr.Koffagreed.“Itwas forsuch thingsas thisthatIwassoworriedaboutlosingmybriefcase.”

Heexplainedthelosstohiscousinandadded,“Iamafraidthat letters in itthatmentionedthestolenjewelshavefallenintothethieves’hands.TheymaybetryingtoshifttheblameforthetheftandthesmugglingontotheFontaines,andforthethirdtimehavefrightenedthemaway.”

Thenewcomplicationsinthecaseworriedeveryone.ButbothCentroviansexpressedaheartycertaintythattheFontaineswouldprovetobehonest.

“Asevidenceofmygoodfaith,”saidMr.Schmidt,“Iwouldliketoleavethisportraitandthegemshereforsafekeeping.”

AlthoughtheDrewsknewthismightinvolvethemmoredeeplyinthesituation,theyagreedtobecustodiansofthearticles.

Thenextmorning,Nancyreceivedastartlingtelegram,anight letterfromCliffwood.“Why,listentothis,Hannah!”sheexclaimed,andread:

YOURHELPNOLONGERNEEDED.ANYCONTINUED

INTERESTINOURCASEONYOURPARTWILLPROVE

EMBARRASSINGTOUSANDDANGEROUSTOYOU.

HELENE.

“Well,that’sgratitudeforyou!”Hannahremarked.“Neverathankyou!”

BeforeNancyhadachancetorespond,thetelephonerang.Thegirlansweredit.

Aweak,frightenedvoiceasked,“N-Nancy?”

“Yes.Who——?”

“ThisisHelene.Pleasecomerightawayto—”

TherewasascreamandthesoundofacrashasthoughtheinstrumenthadbeentornfromHelene’sgrasp.Thenthelinewentdead!

CHAPTERXVAChase

NANCY sat still for several minutes, pondering the telegram and the phone call. Themessageswerecompletelycontradictory.Oneofthemwasafake.Butwhichone?

“Hannah,” saidNancy, after returning to thebreakfast table and tellingher about the call,“I’mgoingtodriveovertoCliffwoodandseeifIcanlearnanythingaboutthesenderofthattelegram.”

“Allright,dear,butdobecareful.”

On thewayNancy spottedGeorge strolling on themain street and asked her to go along.WhenNancytoldheraboutthelatestdevelopmentsinthecase,Georgewhistled.

“SoundsasifHeleneandHenrireallyhavebeenkidnapped.”

Nancynodded.

At theCliffwood telegraphoffice sheexplained to theclerk that shesuspectedahoax.Thewomanwasverycooperativeandchecked theoriginalmessage.Thesenderhad refused togiveanaddress.

“Itwasacountertelegram,”sheexplained,“writtenhereandpaidforincash.Ihavenowayof tracing the sender. I do recall that itwas filedbyawoman, though—kindof loud inherdressandspeech.Doesthathelpyou?”

“Verymuch,”saidNancy,hermindinstantlyconjuringupapictureofMrs.Judson.

NancywentbacktothecarandrelayedtheinformationtoGeorge.

“I’llbet,”saidGeorgeemphatically,“thatthiswholebusinesswasstaged.”

“Inwhatway?”

“Boththetelegramandthephonecall,”Georgereplied,“weresenttosidetrackyoufromthecase.” George chuckled. “But they don’t know Nancy Drew and the way she thrives onchallenges.Butwherehasthisoneledus?Intoablindalley.”

Nancysmiled,thensaid,“WhenIrunintoadeadendonaclue,Igobacktothebeginningandstartalloveragain.”

“Thebeginning?”Georgerepeated.“Youmeanallthewaybacktothebisquefigurines?”

“That’sasgoodaplaceasany,George.”

Thegirlshadlunch;thenNancydrovebacktoRiverHeights.Georgelefther,andNancywenttoherfather’soffice.Afterdescribingthemorning’shappenings,shemadearequest.

“Dad, would you please find out from customs if those bisque figurines were imported? IsuspecttheyaswellasthepaintingsmayhavebeenshippedtoMr.Duparc.”

“Icantry,”thelawyerreadilyagreed.

Nancy said shewould be at the dancing school if he shouldwant her, and headed for theFontaines’studio.She foundthingsrunningsmoothly,withMrs.Nickerson incharge.Sincethereweretwentyminutesbeforethenextclass,Nancydonneda leotardandpracticedforherdanceintheforthcomingcharityshow.

“That’sexcellent,”Ned’smothercommentedenthusiasticallyafterwatchingher.

WhenNancy’sclassofyoungstudentsarrivedandhadgottenintotheircostumes,shebeganastoryshelovedaboutthegreatballerinaPavlova.

“OneofPavlova’sfavoritedances,”Nancysaid,“wascalled‘TheSwan.’It’ssaidshefloated

acrossthestageinafilmywhite-featheredcostumeevenmoregracefullythanthislovelybirdswims!AndhowdoyouthinkPavlovalearnedtoimitateit?”

“How?”chorusedthelittlegirls.

“InhergardenatIvyHouseinHampstead,England,”Nancysaid,“Pavlovahadasmalllakewith tame swans swimming on it. She used to watch them for hours, and sometimes shecaressed her beautiful white birds and let them fly back to the water. She watched everymovement.”

“Didshehaveanyotherpets?”Susieasked.

“Yes,” saidNancy. “Pavlovahadagorgeous cockatoo that she loved to feedgrapes.By theway,howmanyofyougirlshavewatchedtheswansinourownRiverHeightspark?”

AllofthemraisedtheirhandsandNancysaid,“Howaboutallofyoupretendingtobeswansandusingthestepsyou’vebeenlearning?”

Thechildrenwereeager to try it, soNancyputona recordingofSwanLake and the littlegirlsbegantoflitaroundtheroom,gliding,swimming,diving.

Whentheclasswasover,Mrs.NickersoncalledNancytothephone.“It’sNed,”shetoldherandhandedovertheinstrument.

“Hello,Ned.”

“Hi,Nancy!Howabouta lateafternoonrideanddinnerwithme?Youneedarest fromtheFontainecase.”

Nancyagreedtogo.SheputonherpinksportsdressandhelpedMrs.NickersonwithsomeoftheclericalworkuntilNedarrived.Astheypulledawayfromthecurb,shesaid,“Please,Ned,ifitdoesn’tmakeanygreatdifferencewherewego,let’sdrivetoCliffwood.”

“WhyCliffwood?”

“Mrs. Judsonsentmea telegram fromthere.Maybe that’swheresheandherhusbandareliving.”

Nedgroaned inmockannoyancebutadmittedhewouldenjoyhelpingNancysolveat leastpart of themystery. Arriving in Cliffwood, he began a patrol of the streets. They had justpassed the railroad station and were nearing a big supermarket when Nancy suddenlygrippedNed’sarm.

“There’sMrs.Judsonnow,goingintothatstoreacrossthestreet!”

NedstoppedthecarandNancy jumpedout.Trafficwasheavyanddelayedher.Finallyshecrossedtothefarsideandhurriedintothemarket,whichwascrowdedwithshoppers.

Nancylookedquicklydownoneaisleandthenthenext.BythetimeshelocatedMrs.Judson,whowaswearingabright-greendress,themysteriouswomanhadcompletedherpurchasesandwasatthecheck-outcounter,payingherbill.

The width of the store and half-loaded carts in awkward positions were between her andNancy.Nancymadeherwayamongthemasfastasshecould,butwhenshereachedtheexit,Mrs.Judsonwasalreadyleavingthestore.

At the check-out counter, Nancy tried to push her way through the line of carts andcustomers.Aniratecashierlookedupandsaid,“Waityourturn,miss!Thesecustomersareinahurry,too.”

“I’mnotbuyinganything,”Nancytoldher,andasseveralwomengloweredather,shefinallybrokeintotheclearandheadedforthedoorway.

By the timeshereached thestreet,Mrs. Judsonwasat therailroadstation.NancyheardatraincomingandlookedaroundwildlyforNed.Hewasnotinsight.

Nancy racedacross the street to the station.As shedashed through thewaiting room, shecaughtsightofMrs.Judsononthetrain,whichwasjustpullingout.Nancyhadnochancetoclimbaboard.

“ButImustn’tlosethatwoman!”shesaidtoherself.

AsNancyheadedforthetaxistandwiththethoughtofcatchingthetrainatthenextstation,Nedpulledupandcalled,“Goingmyway,lady?”

Nancyjumpedintothecarquicklyandexplainedwhathadhappened.Nedtookupthechase.

“I’dliketomakeasuggestion,”hesaid.“Don’tboardthattrain.Thatwomanwillbesuretomakeascene.We’llfollowheruntilshegetsoffandthentackleher.”

“Allright,Ned.”

They met the train at the next three stations, and each time checked the descendingpassengers.Mrs.Judsonwasnotamongthem.

“Nextstop,Brandon!”saidNedcheerfully,continuingthechase.

ThetrainwasslowingtoastopatBrandonwhenNancyleftthecarandhurriedtowardthetracks.AmomentlaterMrs.Judsonalightedandheadedforthestreet.

Nancydashedtohersideandgrabbedthewoman’sarm.“Goodafternoon,Mrs.Judson,”shesaid.“I’vebeenlookingforyou.”

Mrs.JudsonwhirledandtriedtobreakNancy’sgrasp.Buttheyoungdetectiveheldontightly.Inthescufflethatfollowed,Mrs.Judson’shandbagopened.

Outtumbledthescarletballetslippers!

The stiff toeshadbeenpulled apart.QuicklyNancy concluded thatMrs. Judsonmust havestolentheslippersbecausesomethingwassecretedinthem.Shewonderedifthewomanhadfoundit.

AtthispointNedhurriedupwithapoliceman.“Arrestthiswoman!”theyoungmanordered.

“What’sthecharge?”theofficerasked.

“Thetheftoftheseballetshoes,”Nancyreplied.“ThiswomanusesthenameofMrs.Judson,but I don’t think that’s her right name. Federal authorities are looking for her and herhusbandinconnectionwithasmugglingracket.Theseslippershavesomethingtodowithit.”

Thepolicemanwas open-mouthedwith astonishment.But beforehe could act,Mrs. Judsonscreamed,“Myhusbandisnosmuggler!Thisgirlislyingtocoverherself.”

“Whatdoyoumean,ma’am?”

Mrs. Judson cried defiantly, “This Nancy Drew calls herself a detective. But she’s a law-breaker!”

“Whatmakesyousaythat?”thepolicemandemanded.

“Sheaccusesmyhusbandandmeofbeingsmugglerswhenactuallysheisshieldingtherealsmugglers.Makehertellyouwheretheyare!”

CHAPTERXVIDisguise

IT occurred toNancy that if she could keepMrs. Judson talking, thewomanmight revealsomethingvital.

“Officer,”shesaid,“Isuggestwegotopoliceheadquartersandtalktothechief.”

“Allright,miss.”HetookMrs.JudsonbythearmandescortedhertoCaptainCrane’soffice.NancyandNedfollowed.

Nancytoldthebald-headed,round-facedchiefofthetheftofthescarletslippers,andofhercertaintythatMrs.Judsonandherhusbandwereinvolvedinasmugglingracket.

As the young detective finished, thewoman cried out in a loud, twangy voice, “Chief, thisgirl’scrazy!MyhusbandandIneverstoleanythinginourlives,andasforsmugglingjewelsintothiscountry—”

Mrs. Judson stopped speaking, covered with confusion. Not once had Nancy mentionedjewels!Thesuspecthadgivenherselfaway!

Nancysaidthatthewoman’shusbandusedthenameDavidJudson,alsoRaoulAmien.

Mrs.JudsonsprangacrosstheroomtowardNancy.“Thepolicewillneverfindhim!I’llnevertellwhereheis!”shescreamed.

ShetriedtoclawNancy,butNedrestrainedher.Whenthefracaswasover,hesaid,“Captain,IthinkyoumayknowNancyDrewbyreputation.HerfatherisCarsonDrew,alawyerinRiverHeights.”

“IndeedIdo,” theofficerreplied.“I’vereadaboutyourexploitsasadetective,MissDrew.”Hesmiled.“Ifourdepartmentcanhelpyouinthissmugglingcase,we’llcertainlydoallwecan.Butfirst,ifyou’llfileaformalcomplaintoftheft,I’llhaveMrs.Judsonheld.”

Afterthewomanhadbeenputinacell,CaptainCranesaid,“I’llkeepthescarletslippersasevidence,andI’llpersonallyseethatanycallersMrs.Judsonhasareexaminedcarefully.Andnow,isthereanyotherwayIcanhelpyou?”

“Perhaps,” Nancy said. “I suspect that in connection with the case there has been akidnappingofabrotherandsisterwhorunadancingschoolinRiverHeights.Canyouthinkof any place in Brandon where they might be held prisoners without arousing too muchattention?”

CaptainCranesaidheknewofnone,butwouldasksomeofhispatrolmen.

He took his callers into the squad room and put the same question to the half-dozenshirtsleevedmenthere.Allshooktheirheadsexceptone,whosaid,“There’sanoldtwo-storyfarmhouse on the edge of Brandon that was abandoned until recently. I don’t knowwho’stakenit.”

“Wemightfindout,Donovan,”CaptainCranedecided.“Yourideouttherewiththeseyoungfolksandseeifthere’sanythingsuspiciousabouttheplace.”

TheydroveoutinNed’scar.Thehousestoodadistancefromtheroadonalaneborderedbywoods.Asthecallersstopped,theyweremetbyastoopedlimpingoldmanwithwhitehair,amustache andbright, dark eyes.Hewore light-blue trousers and a faded checkered sportsjacket.

OfficerDonovanspoketohim,butapparentlythemanwasstonedeaf,forheshakilyhandedtheofficerapencillandpad.

Donovanwrote,“Wholiveshere?”

Themanreadthequestion,thenpenciled,“Mywifeandme.NameisBrown.Sheisaway.”

Nancymadenocommentastheyheadedbacktopoliceheadquarters.ButwhensheandNedwerealone,theyoungsleuthsaid,“Let’sgobacktothefarmhouse.Thatoldmanisn’tdeaf.”

“Howdoyouknow?”askedNed,amazed.

Nancysmiled.“Beforewereachedhim,Isawthemanturnhisheadwhenadogbarkedinthedistance.”

“AndI’llbetyouthinktheold-manstuffisfaked,too,”Nedsaidwithachuckle.

“Yes,Ido.Andhe’snotdumb.”

This time, Ned stopped the car a quarter of a mile from the farmhouse and the coupleapproachedcautiouslyonfoot.Fromthewoods,Nancystudiedtheupperfloorofthehouseforsomesignthatprisonersmightbeconcealedbehindthecurtainedwindows.Butshesawnothingsuspicious.Theirknockwasnotanswered.

“Maybetheman isoutbutwillcomeback,”Nancysuggested.“Let’swaitover there in theshade.”

Fifteenminuteswentbybeforetheirpatiencewasrewarded.Thentheman,stillwearingthelight-bluetrousersandfadedsportsjacket,steppedoutthefrontdoorintotheyard.

Buthewasnolongeranoldman!Thewhitehairwasnowshinyblackandthemustachewasgone.Asthemanstood,tallanderect,helookedthinnerandmoregauntthanhehadinhisdisguiseasafarmer.Therewasnomistakinghiseyes,though.

Themanwas a complete stranger toNancy. To prove her point about his hearing, the girlwhistledandthemanturnedaround.NancyandNedsteppedforward.

“Whatwastheideaofthedisguise?”Neddemanded.

Themanwasshockedforamoment,thenrelaxedandsmileddisarmingly.InaFrenchaccenthereplied,“Youaredetectives?”

“Amateurs,”Nancyanswered.

“Verygood.Iamonemyself.Ifyouwillcomeinandsitdown,Iwilltellmystory.Perhapswecanworktogether.”

Nedspokequickly.“Theporchstepswilldo.”

Nancycouldseehedidnottrustthestranger.ShewouldhavelikedtolookattheinsideofthehouseforcluesthatmightconnecttheFrenchmanwiththeFontainesorwiththesmugglingracket.Butshesaidnothing.

“IamherefromFranceonanimportantmission,”themanbegan.“IamnotwellacquaintedwiththemethodsofAmericanpoliceandsohavenotconsultedthem.ItseemedtomethatadisguisewouldbethebestwaytofindacoupleIamlookingfor.”

“Yes?”Nancyurgedashestoppedspeaking.

“Thiscouple,”theFrenchdetectivewenton,“isresponsibleforsmugglingmanygemsfrommynativeFrance.Ihavetracedthem.”

“ToBrandon?”Nancyprompted.

“Not exactly.” The Frenchman hesitated for amoment. “To RiverHeights. You know RiverHeights?”

Nancy felt the need of caution in revealing anything, but Ned said, “Yes. And would yoursuspects,byanychance,callthemselvestheDavidJudsons?”

“But no,” the Frenchman replied. “The smugglers I am looking for are named Henri andHeleneFontaine!”

CHAPTERXVIINed’sRuse

INspiteofherself,NancygaspedattheFrenchman’sannouncement.

“YouknowtheFontaines?”heaskedhopefully.

Nancycounteredwith,“AretheytheoneswhousedtobeinRiverHeights?”

“Yes.Wherearetheynow?”

“Idon’tknow.Butpleasetellmemoreaboutthesmuggling.It’sunbelievable,”Nancysaid.

Theman gave her a long, searching stare, then replied, “This Henri Fontaine is an artist.Quite a clever one. In Paris, hewas contacted by an art dealer named Tomas Renee, whoorderedtwelvepicturesfromMonsieurFontaine.”

“Whatsortofpictures?”Nancyasked.

“Theywere portraits of a ballet dancer in twelve different poses,” the Frenchman replied.“TheFontainegirlisaverycapableballetdancerandposedforthepictures.”

“That sounds like a convenient arrangement,” Ned remarked noncommittally. “Where didReneeselltheportraits?”

“Theywere tobeentered ina raceamongartdealers foranorder froma famousdancingschool.Butbeforethiscouldtakeplace,everyoneofthepictureswasstolen!”

“AndReneehadnoideawhohadstolenthem?”Nedasked.

TheFrenchmanthrewuphisarmsinahelplessgesture,thenreplied,“Notatthetime.Buthedoesnow.”

“Pleasegoon,”Nancyrequestedasthemanpaused.

“When the police failed, Renee asked every art dealer in France to help him. The picturesweresounusualincontentandtreatmentthattheywouldbereadilyrecognizable.ButnooneinFrancehadanyinklingofwheretheywere.”

“Andthen?”saidNancy.

“Reneetalkeditoverwithsomeofhisfriends,”theFrenchmandeclared.“Hedecidedthatiftheportraitswerenot inFrance, thentheymusthavebeenshippedabroad. Icheckedwithcustomsandmadeastartlingdiscovery.”

Nancylookedupquickly.“Yes?”

“I learned,” the Frenchman explained, “that a young man fitting the description of HenriFontainehadusedthenameofReneetosendelevenofthepicturestotheUnitedStates.”

“Howamazing!”Nedexclaimed.

“Whyelevenpictures?”Nancyasked.“Whatbecameofthetwelfth?”

TheFrenchmanshrugged.“Whoknows?”hesaid.“PerhapsitwasstolenfromHenriFontaine.Orhemayhavesolditinordertosecurefundsforsomeofhisundercoveractivities.”

“Undercover?”Nancyrepeated,butthemandidnotexplain.

Nancy leaned back against the step, looked up at the sky, and closed her eyes. She wasrecallingdescriptionsofvariouspeopleinthecase.SuddenlysherememberedtheFontaines’descriptionofReneeasatall,thin,gaunt-lookingfellow.

Nancystraightenedup.CouldthismanbeRenee?Shemustfindout!Smiling,shesaid,“AsanamateurdetectiveIcouldalmostbelievethatyouareTomasRenee.”

Themanstarted.Thenhesaid,“Youareacleverandobservantyounglady.Yes,IamTomasRenee.”

ItwasNancy’sturntobeamazed.Shehadfullyexpectedthemantodenyit.

“Youseemsurprised,”hesaid,amused.“Ihavenothingtohide.But IwantedtomakesureyouweretobetrustedbeforeIrevealedmyidentity.Nowletusgetdowntowork.”

“Whataboutthejewelsmuggling?”Nancyremindedhim.

“Oh,yes.Iaminclinedtothinkthatthejewelswereconnectedwiththeportraits.Atthesametimethatthetwelvepaintingsdisappearedfrommygallery,alargequantityofvaluablegemswas stolen in a suburb of Paris. They may have been secreted in the frames before theportraitsweresenttothiscountry.”

“Then you merely suspect the Fontaines,” Nancy remarked. “You do not have any clearevidencepointingtothemasthejewelsmugglers.”

“Perhaps you are right,” the Frenchman conceded. “But the Fontaines also disappeared atthatverytime!”

“Isee,”saidNancy,rising.“Well,ifIcanhelpyou,I’llletyouknow.”

ReneeandNedalsoroseandtheFrenchmansaid,“Ihavethehunch,asyoucallit,thatyouyoungpeoplewill solve thismystery forme.Andwhomhave I the honor ofworkingwith?Whatareyournames?”

BeforeNancycouldsayanything,NedgrippedherarmandthenaskedRenee,“DidyoueverhearoftheColemans?”

TomasReneeshookhisheadslowly.NancywaspuzzledbyNed’s ruse,especiallysincesherecalledthatColemanwashismiddlename.

Nedwenton,“Ithinkwe’dbetterbeonourway,dear.WecancontactMr.ReneelateronifwelearnanythingabouttheFontainesorhismissingportraits.”

Halfdraggingandhalfpushingher,Nedstartedoffthroughthewoods.TheyhadnotgonefarwhenNancyaskedforanexplanationofwhathehaddone.

“Idon’ttrustthatguy,”Nedreplied.

“Butwhatwastheideaofgivinghimanimpressionlikethat?”

“Impressionlikewhat?”Nedaskedinsomesurprise.

“Anyonewhoheardyouwouldthinkwe’rehusbandandwife.EspeciallyamanlikeRenee.”

Nedlaughedheartily.“Well,somedayIhopeit’llbetrue.AndforyourinformationIhopehe’llthinkwe’remarriednow. Ifhe’saspyorakidnapper,as Isuspect,he’dbetternot findoutyournameisDrew!”

NancyagreedandsaidshedidnottrustReneeeither.

Nedremarked,“Hedidn’thavetotellusthatlongstory.I’llbethewouldn’thaveadmittedhisidentityifyouhadn’taskedhim.Thelessheknowsaboutus,thebetter!”

Nancysmiledthen,tookNed’sarminherown,andsaid,“You’reonthewarpath,aren’tyou?”

“Yes,andI’mgoingtodosomethingaboutit,”hedeclared.“Iwantyoutowalktothecaranddrive topoliceheadquarters.GetholdofCaptainCraneanda coupleofhispatrolmenandbring thembackhere. I’msureRenee’sstorywon’t standupwhen thepolicequestionhimabouthisactivities.I’llreturntothehouseandkeephimthere.”

“IfReneeplaysinnocent,”saidNancy,startingoff,“atleastwecanhavethehousesearched.HeleneandHenrimaybe there.Somehow,Ned, I justcan’tbringmyself tobelieve they’re

guiltyofthisjewelsmuggling.”

“NorcanI,”saidNed.

He left her, andNancy hurried on toward the car. She had nearly reached the roadwhensuddenlyacoatwasthrownforcefullyoverherheadandbothhandswerepinnedbehindher.

Nancyscreamedbutthesoundwastoomuffledtocarryfar.

“So you are Nancy Drew!” her captor snarled. “Double-crosser! You will never notify thepolice,andyouwillbesorryyouevertriedit!”

CHAPTERXVIIIADancer’sFootprints

RENEE snatched the keys to Ned’s car from Nancy’s hand and whipped a rope from hispocket.Nancyfoughtunsuccessfullytofreeherself.

ReneemumbledtohimselfwhilehewasbindingNancy.Shecaughtawordhereandthere.“...theircarmustbeattheendofthistrailsheandherboyfriendmade—I’llmoveit.NobodywillfindituntilafterIescape.”

When the young sleuth’s hands and ankles were securely bound, the man dragged herthrough the woods. Stones and twigs scratched her, and she gritted her teeth against thepain.InafewminutesReneestoppedandNancyheardacardooropen.Shewasliftedoffthegroundandshovedontothefloorbehindthefrontseat.

Reneedrovethecardownarough,twistingroad.Nancyguessedthathewasrunningitdeepintothewoodstohideit.

Presently themanstopped thecarwitha jerkand turnedoff the ignition.Hesnatched thecoatfromNancy’shead,andbeforeshecouldscreamforhelp,stuffedagaginhermouth.

Glaring at the girl, Renee said, “You will mind your own business from now on and notinterferewithmine!Ifyoudisobey,Ishallnotbesoeasyonyouthenexttime.”

Herolledupallthewindowsandslammedthedoorshut,leavingNancyhuddledonthefloor.Atfirstshestruggled,butasthecarbecamestuffy,shebegantofeelfaint.

“Oh,IhopeNedismorewatchfulthanIwas,”shesaidtoherself.“Reneemusthavefollowedusandheardustalking.”

Onethoughtafteranotherwhirledthroughtheyoungsleuth’smind.Reneehad,nodoubt,toldthem a suave but completely untruthful story. Otherwise, why would he be afraid of thepolice?

Nancywas now confused as to whether or not Helene andHenri Fontaine were innocent.Instincttoldhertheywereblameless,buttheevidenceseemedtobecontradictory.

Nancy’sthoughtsreturnedtoNed.Whatwashedoing?HadReneereturnedtothehouseormadehisgetawayatonce?

Ned, a quarter of a mile away, was worrying about Nancy. When he had reached thefarmhouse,Reneehadnotbeeninsight.Nedhadpoundedonthedoor,buttherehadbeennoresponse.Hehadenteredthebuildingandsearcheditthoroughly,buthadfoundnoone.

AsNedwentoutdoors,hewasamazedtoseeReneehurryingupthelane.

“I’dhopedtofindyouhere!”themansaidexcitedly.“Yourwife’shadanaccidentdowntheroad.I’mgoingtophonethepolice!”

AsNedstoodstunned,realizingReneemeantNancy,themandashedintothehouse.Nedwastorn between a desire to get more details about the accident and a wish to help Nancyimmediately.Decidingonthesecondmove,herandownthelaneandturnedtothehighway.

After sprintingnearlyhalf amile,Ned stopped.He suddenly realized thatRenee couldnotpossiblyhavecomethisfarandthenreturntothefarmhouseinthelengthoftimethathadelapsed.

“MaybesomeonecamealongandtookNancytotown,”heconcluded.

OrperhapsRenee’sstoryhadbeenahoax!Theonlywaytofindoutwastoquestionhim.

Turning,Nedranbackdownthehighway.Whilehewasstillsomedistancefromthelane,hesawablacksedanpulloutofitandspeedoff.

Nedwasnotcloseenoughtoreadthelicensenumber,buthecouldseethattherewerefourpeopleinthevehicle.Intherearseatsatablondyoungmanandagirlwithdarkhair.

“The Fontaines!” Ned cried out involuntarily. “They had been prisoners in that farmhouseafterall!Butwherehadtheybeenhidden?”

NedwonderedwhetherReneehadbeeninthesedan.Herantothehouseandknockedloudly.Nooneanswered,sohewentinside.Reneewasnotanywhereonthefirstfloor.Thebedroomsalsowereempty.

“I’llphonethepolice,”Neddecided.“MaybeNancydidreachheadquartersafterall.”

Findingaphoneinoneofthebedrooms,hecalledquickly.“HasNancyDrewcomeintoseeyou?”heaskedCaptainCrane.

Theofficersaidhehadnotseenthegirlbutwouldasktheothermenondutyatheadquarters.Inafewmomentshereturnedtothephone.

“MissDrewisnothere.”

Nedquicklytoldhisstory,sayingfinally,“I’mafraidNancymayhavebeenkidnapped.”

“Doyouwantmetosendoutanalarmfortheblacksedan?”thecaptainasked.

“Yes,”Nedreplied,“andIwouldlikesomepoliceoutheretohelpmehuntforNancy.”

Bythistimeduskhadfallen.ThefranticyouthbegantovisualizeNancyinthehandsoftheruthlesssmugglers.Ashetriedtoputthehorrifyingthoughtoutofhismind,acarturnedintothelane.Withasenseofrelief,Nedsawaredblinkinglightonitsroof.Thepolice!

Twomenhadbeensent.OneofthemwasOfficerDonovan.NedtoldthemofhisandNancy’ssecondmeetingwithRenee.

“Hetrickedmeintoleavingthehousewithhisstoryofanaccident.Thenheescapedbycarwiththreeotherpeople,”Nedfinished.

“Looksbad!”saidDonovan.“SupposewestartoursearchwhereMissDrewbeganherwalkthroughthewoodstoyourcar.”

Nedledtheway.Ithadgrownalmostdarkandthemenhadtousetheirflashlightstopickupthe trail.They stoppedand searchedcarefullyat the scuffle-marked spotwhereNancyhadencounteredRenee.

“Fromhere,onlyaman’sfootprintsgointhisdirection,”Donovanpointedout.“Looksasifhewaspullingsomething.I’dsayyourfriendwasdraggedfromhere.”

“Thenshecan’tbefaraway!”Nedcried.“Reneeisn’tahuskymanandcouldn’thavedraggedNancyfar.Maybehewasheadingformycar.Ileftitnotfarfromhere.”

Aboutahundredyards fartherontheycametotheplacewhereNedhad lefthiscar,but itwasnotthere.Tiremarksindicatedthatithadbeendrivendowntheroad.QuicklyNedandthetwopolicemenfollowedthetreadmarks.

Presentlytheycametoaplacewhereacarhadbeendrivenoffthedustythoroughfareandintothewoods.Ned’sheartsank.Whatwashegoingtofindwhentheyreachedhiscar?

Theyhadnotgonefarwhenthetracksoftheautomobilestopped.Thiscouldmeanonlythatthecarhadbeenbackedoutagain.

“Nancy’s kidnappers drove in here temporarily, probably to avoid some passing car,” Nedsaid.

Donovanlaidahandontheyoungman’sshoulder.“Don’tbesosureofthat,”hesaid.“Acarmighthavepulledinhereforanumberofreasons.”

Theypushed fartheralong theroad.Aftera fewhundredyards theycametoasecond trailthatledintothewoods.Hopefully,thesearchersturnedinandfollowedit.

Suddenly the flashlight beam picked up the outline of an automobile. But upon closerinspection they found it tobe justa rustedcar thatapparentlyhadbeen junkedsome timeago.

Nedandtheofficersretracedtheirstepsandcontinuedthesearch.Theroadturnedalmostbackonitself. ItoccurredtoNedthat ifReneehadkidnappedNancy,hecouldhavehiddenherandthecartemporarily.Ashortcutbackthroughthewoodscouldexplainthespeedwithwhichhehadreachedthelanetohisfarmhouse.

Atthismomenttheflashlight’sbeamshowedacarashortdistanceahead.

“That’smine!”Nedshouted,pointingtowardthecream-coloredconvertible.“Nancy!Nancy!”

The youth ran to the car and yankedopen thedoor.On the floor behind the front seat layNancy.Neduntiedherandremovedthegag.

“Oh,Nancy,areyouallright?”heaskedfearfully.

“Y-yes,Ned,”shesaidinadaze.Afterseveraldeepbreathsshewasabletotellherstory.Shehobbledaroundtorestorecirculationtoherarmsandlegs.

“Thisisafineendtomyplanforanicerideanddinnerthisevening,”Nedsaid.

“I’msorry,Ned.”

Nedsuggestedthattheystartforhomeatonceandstopinarestaurantontheway.

“ButI’masight,”Nancyprotested.“Icouldn’tgoanywheretodinner.I’lltellyouwhat.Theremustbesomefoodatthefarmhouse.Let’sgoupthereandhelpourselves.Thenwecandoalittleinvestigatinginthehouse.”

Ned shook his head in amazement. Turning to the policemen, he said, “NancyDrewnevergivesupuntilshehassolvedacase!”

They all climbed into the car and Ned drove back to the farmhouse. Donovan contactedCaptainCraneandmadeareport.Thecaptainorderedhimtoguardthefarmhouseovernight.Theotherofficerwastoreturntoheadquartersassoonasthehousehadbeeninvestigated.

NedhadhopedNancywouldtakeiteasy,butsheinsistedthatwhatsheneededwasexercise.Togethertheyopenedseveralcansof foodthey foundonashelf,andwarmedthecontents.Thepoliceofficers,whohadeatenearlier,inspectedthegrounds.

When the improvised meal was finished, Nancy accompanied the officers on theirinvestigationof thehouse.Upstairs, they checked thebedroomsonebyone.FinallyNancyaskedtoborrowOfficerDonovan’sflashlight.

“Allright,”Donovansaid,handingittoher.“I’dliketowatchagirldetectivework.Butwouldyoumindtellingmewhyyouneedit?”

NancysaidthatifthemissingFontaineshadbeenatthehouse,Heleneprobablywouldhavepracticedherdancing.Shewassearchingforsignsofthis.

“Balletdancers,”Nancyexplained,“neverletadaygobywithoutworking.Theyhavetokeeptheirmusclesinperfectcondition.”

Nancy got down on her hands and knees and began examining the floor. Suddenly shestopped.

“Lookhere!”shecriedexcitedly.“Thisfloorhasbeenwaxedrecently.Andseetheselongslidemarksandroundeddentsinthewaxedsurface?Theseweremadebytoeshoes.”

“Hmmm,”saidDonovan.“Guessyou’reright.Butsay,canthesefolksdancewithoutmusic?”

“Whycertainly,”Nancysaid.

JustthenNedwalkedintotheroom.“Ihaveaclueforyou,Nancy!”hesaid.

Theyoungmanhadcalledthetelephonecompanyandobtainedthenameofthepartyunderwhichthefarmhousephonewaslisted.

“DoesthenameRaymondBullmeananythingtoyou?”heasked.

“Indeeditdoes!”Nancyreplied.“He’stheFrenchmanwhowasontheplanefromNewYorktoRiverHeightswithMr.Koffandme.”

“CoulditbeanaliasofRenee’s?”Nedasked.

“That’spossible.”

Further search of the house disclosed no clues that would indicate the destination of thefugitivesorgiveanyinklingoftheirplans.TheyoungpeoplesaidgoodnighttoDonovananddrovetheotherofficerbacktoheadquarters.

At the police station, Nancy stopped to find out whether Mrs. Judson had confessed orwhethershehadhadanysuspiciouscallers.

CaptainCraneshookhishead.“We’vetriedtogetMrs.Judsontotalk,butsherefuses.”

“Didyousearchherhandbagandotherpersonalbelongings?”Nancyasked.

“Oh,yes,”CaptainCranereplied.“Oneofourmatronshandledthat,butshefoundnothingofanyuseinthecase.”Thecaptainwentontosaythattherehadbeennoreportontheblacksedananditsoccupants.

ItwasnearlymidnightwhenNancyandNedreachedRiverHeights.Nancywaswearyandsleptlatethefollowingmorning.Assheawakened,theyoungsleuthfoundherselflookingupintothefacesofHannahGruen,Bess,andGeorge.

“Well,sleepyhead,”Georgesaid,seatingherselfontheedgeofNancy’sfour-poster.“Telluseverything!”

Thegirls listenedattentively.AfterNancyhadeatenherbreakfast, she toldher friendsshewasheadingbacktothefarmhouseinBrandon.“ThistimeI’mgoingtosearchthebarnfromtoptobottom,”shedeclared.“Wanttojoinme?”

“Wouldn’tmissit,”Georgedeclared.

BesswashesitantuntilNancyassuredherthattheplacewasbeingguardedbythepolice.

WhenthegirlsreachedRenee’shideout,OfficerDonovanwelcomedNancywithawidesmile.

Nancyintroducedherfriendsandexplainedthattheyweregoingtosearchthebarnforclues.Thethreeenteredthericketybuildingandfoundthatthemainfloorcontainednothingbutafewpiecesofobsoletemachinery.

“Hayloftnext,”saidGeorge.

Working in various locations of the loft, they began pulling the loose hay apart. SuddenlyNancyexclaimed,“Girls,here’sabriefcasehiddeninthehay.”

Thecousinsrushedover.“IsitMr.Koff’s?”Bessaskedexcitedly.

CHAPTERXIXDesperateMeasures

WITH Bess and George waiting eagerly, Nancy looked inside the briefcase and exclaimed,“ThisisMr.Koff’s,allright!Here’shisfullnameandaddresspastedontheinside.”

Bess,peeringoverNancy’sshoulder,suddenlycriedout,“Oh,Nancy,putitdown!”

“Why?”Georgedemanded.

“Because,”Besstoldherfearfully,“there’sanotethatsays,”‘Donotreadthecontentsoryouwilldie!’”

“That’sridiculous,”Georgesaidindisgust.“Nancy,youaren’tgoingtoletthatstopyou,areyou?”

“Notthatthreat,”Nancyreplied,“becauseIdoubtthatMr.Koffwroteit.Iwouldreturnthebriefcasetohimwithoutlookingatthelettersexceptforonething.”

“What’sthat?”

NancypickedupanenvelopeonwhichhadbeenscrawledfromRedBuzby.

“Remember the red-hairedman?” sheasked. “I think this isa real clue. I votewe take thebriefcaseintothehouseandreadeverysingleletter—ifwecan.TheymaybeinCentrovian.”

Thegirlsclimbeddown thehayloft ladderandwent to thehouse.Nancy lookedaround forOfficerDonovantotellhimwhatshewasgoingtodo,buttheguardwasnotinsight.

“Phew!What a strong odor of kerosene!”Bess said. “Whatwould that policemanbe doingwithkerosene?”

Nancyshrugged.Shewastoointerestedingettingattheletterstocare.

The first floorof thehousehadonlyonesmall table in thekitchen, so the threegirlswentupstairstothefrontroomandspreadoutthecontentsofthebriefcaseonthebed.TheyhadbeenwritteninFrenchandNancytranslatedoneafteranother.ShecouldreadilyseewhyMr.Koffhadnotwantedthemtofallintoenemyhands.ThelettershintedatdrasticmovementsoftheundergroundagainsttheCentrovianoccupation.

SuddenlyGeorgeinterruptedNancy.“Here’satypedcarbonofoneinEnglishsignedBuzby.”Shereaditaloud:

DearPal,IhaveaplanworkedoutforsellingtheseletterstothoseguysinEurope.ItshouldbringusplentyingoodAmericandollars.

“Howwicked!”Bessexclaimed.

Nancynodded.“I’mgladwelocatedtheselettersbeforetheyweresold.”

SheandherfriendsfoundseveralothernotationssignedbyBuzby.Oneofthese,apparentlyananswertosomeinquirythathadbeenmade,read:

Don’tworry.NobodywilleverfindoutwhoJudsonis.10561-B-24.

“Themysteriousnumberagain!”Bessexclaimed.“Whateverdoesitmean?”

“Ihaveanidea,”saidNancy,“andifI’mrightthenumberwillgoalongwaytowardtyingthismysterytogether.”

Shepickedup the telephoneandcalledher father,whowasworking inhis studyathome.Afterreportingherdiscoverytohim,shesaid,“WillyoupleasecalltheFrenchembassyandask whether 10561-B-24 could have been a passport number, and if so, to whom it wasissued?”

“I’lldoitrightaway,”thelawyerassuredher.

AsNancyhungupandturnedaround,thegirlsheardaloudclatteringinthehallbelowandwenttothestairwaytoinvestigate.

HenriandHeleneFontainewererushingupthesteps!

“Nancy!”thedancerscriedandHelenehuggedherfriendfervently.“Bess!George!We’resogladtoseeyou!”

The girls were speechless, but finally Bess blurted out, “You—you’re not smugglers? Youdidn’trunaway?”

“Wewere spirited away,”Helene replied. “Wewere toldhow thatdreadfulmanReneehadaccusedusofstealingthepaintingwiththescarletslippers.”

“Andalsoofstealingafortuneinjewels,”Henriadded.

“Telluseverything,”Nancybegged,leadingthewayintotheroom.“It’ssogoodtoseeyou.”

AsHenribegan to talk,Besswent toclose thedoor.Theodorofkerosenewasvery strongnow.AgainshewonderedwhatOfficerDonovanwasdoingwithit.

“Helene and I,” said Henri, “have been held prisoners ever since leaving Ned’s cabin.WewerebroughtherefirstbytwomennamedRedBuzbyandDuparc.”

“Buzby!”Nancyexclaimed.“He’stheonewhoprobablystolethebriefcaseandplannedtoselltheletters!Butgoon.”

Henricontinued,“ItseemsReneehadrentedthisplace,butBuzbywasusingitwhileReneewasoffonafalseleadRedhadgivenhim.Thedayafterwearrivedhere,BuzbygotwordthatReneewasreturninginarage,soweweretakentoanotherdesertedfarmhouselocatednotfarfromhere.”

“Then itwasn’t you twowhowere in the car thatNed saw leavinghere yesterday,”Nancysaid.

“No.Wewerealreadyattheotherfarmhouse.Wemanagedtoescapealittlewhileago,whenwefoundourguardhadgoneoffduty.”

Helenetookupthestory.“Wephonedyourhouseatonce.WhenHannahGruentoldusthatyouwerehere,wewerefearfulforyoursafetyandcamerightover.”

Nancywastoucheddeeplybytheirloyalty.“Ifyourkidnapperscomehere,they’llbemetbyapoliceman,”shesaid.“Nowpleasegoonwiththestory.Butfirst,IwanttotellyouthatthesepapersareMr.Koff’s.Ifoundthisbriefcase.”

“How wonderful!” Helene exclaimed. Then she said, “Henri and I were so happy at theNickerson lodge. Then late one afternoon two strange men came to the door—Buzby andDuparc.Theythreateneduswithgunsandtherewasnothingwecoulddobutfollowthemtoacar.Therewasnotimetoleaveanote.”

HelenesaidthatshehadphonedNancyfromthefarmhouse,butBuzbyhadcaughther.HehadalreadysentawomanfriendtothetelegraphofficewithafakemessageforNancy.

Henrismiledslightly. “Butwe toldBuzby thatNancyknewabout thesmugglingracketandwasclosinginonthegang.”

“Thenwhathappened?”Georgeprompted.

“Theysneeredandsaidnobodycouldprovethemguilty.Butsincewewerenevergoingtobefree,theywouldtellusthewholestory.”

TheFontainessaidthatReneeandAmienwerepartnersinthetheftoftheCentrovianjewelsfrom theundergroundand in the smuggling racket.Theyhadworkedon it formonthsandeverythinghadgonesmoothly.FirstthebisquefigurinesweresenttotheUnitedStates,thenelevenofthepaintings.

“But before the last picture was ready to be shipped,” said Henri, “Amien double-crossedRenee.Hesecretlysenttheportraitwiththescarletslippers.Underthepaintwasagoodpartoftheloot.HewasinleaguewithaNewYorkartdealernamedDuparc.AmiencametothiscountrytosharethemoneyfromthesaleofthejewelswithDuparc.”

“AndleftReneeout?”Bessasked.

“Yes.DuparcisAmien’sbrother-in-law.HealsousesthenameWarte.”

Nancysaidexcitedly,“IseehowyouFontainesfiguredinit.Amiensentyouthewarningnotein France tomake you flee and thus look guilty, so Reneewouldn’t suspect his partner ofdouble-crossinghim.”

“Exactly.”Henrinodded.“Butafterawhile,whennomoneycametoReneefromthesaleofjewels;hebecamesuspiciousandsailedfortheUnitedStates.WhenhelearnedDuparchaddisappeared,hewasconvincedhehadbeencheatedandsetout to findAmienandDuparcandus.”

Georgesaid,“Idon’tseewhereBuzbyfiguresinthedeal.”

Henri explained that Buzby was serving both sides and getting money from everyone.Actually,hewasasmall-timeracketeerwhowasrelatedtoMrs.Amien,aliasMrs.Judson.

“Buzby,”saidHenri,“actedasaspy forAmien.WhenAmien learnedthatReneewas in theUnitedStates,hesentRedBuzby tomeethim.He foundReneeeager tocatchupwithhiscrookedpartnerandBuzbyassuredhimheknewjustwheretofindRaoulAmien.ButheledReneeonamerrychasetokeephimfromfindingAmien.”

“ButIsuppose,”saidNancy,“thatReneecaughton.”

“Yes.HeaccusedBuzbyoftrickinghim.”

“WhatdidBuzbydothen?”Bessasked.

HenrisaidthatBuzby’sglibtongueandquickbrainhadsavedhim.HetoldReneeheknewallabouttheman’scrookedoperationsinFrance,thattheauthoritiestherewerelookingforhim,andthathecouldmakeplentyoftroubleforRenee.

“Buzbyisabadone,”Helenesaid.“Reneetriedtogetawayfromhim.HebegantolookforAmienhimselfand trailedhim toRiverHeights.At thispointAmienbecamedesperateandsentasecondnotetoHenriandmetoflee.”

“Butthatwaswherehisplanwentwrong,”Georgeremarked.“Nancysteppedintothepictureandreallywhiskedyoufolksoutofsight,whichfrightenedAmien.”

AsGeorgefinishedspeakingandHenrisaid,“Thatistrue,”Nancysuddenlysniffed.Thensheglancedtowardthesillofthecloseddoor.

Smokewasseepingintotheroom!

Nancyjumpedtothedoor.Flingingitopen,shefoundthehallfilledwithsmoke.

“Thehouseisonfire!”shecriedindismay.

Nancycouldnowhearflamescracklingbelow.Sheslammedthedoorshutandrushedtothewindow,lookingforameansofescape.Toherhorror,shediscoveredthatthegrass,bushes,andsideofthehousewereablaze.

“Oh,whatwillwedo?”Besswailed.

The others ran from room to room and glanced outside. A wide band of fire completelyencircledthehouse!

“Wemusttrythestairs,”Henriordered.

Coveringtheirfaceswithhandkerchiefs,thegrouptriedtodescendthesteps,butflamesandsmokedrove themback.The first floorof theoldwoodenstructurewascompletelyablaze.

Escapedownthestairswasimpossible.

“Thekerosene!”Nancy thought ruefully. “Someonesoaked thepremises insideandoutandmadeaninfernoofthisplace.”

“Thehouseisonfire!”Nancycried.

As she dashed back into the bedroom, where the briefcase and letters lay, she wonderedaboutOfficerDonovan.Hemust have been knocked out!Her suspicionswere confirmed amomentlaterwhen,throughthehazeoutside,shesawhimlyingattheedgeofthewoods.

“Nancy,ohNancy,we’lldie!”Bessmurmured,clingingtoherfriend.

Withescapecutoff,itseemedas.ifBessmightberight!

CHAPTERXXGrandFinale

HENRIhaddashedtothetelephonetosummonhelp,butthewireshadbeencut.

“There’s only one chance for escape!” Nancy declared. “We’ll have tomake a rope out ofsheetsandblankets,andswingoutthewindowbeyondtheflames!”

As she and George dashed to a bed, Helene, standing near a window, cried, “Renee isoutside!”

Henrirushedtohersideandpeeredbelow.“Andthat’sRedBuzbywithhim!”

“Help!Help!”Bessscreamed.

Themenlookedupandsneered.Turningontheirheels,theywentdownthelane.

“Theycan’trunoffandleaveus!”Besswailedfrantically.

There was no doubt now in Nancy’s mind that the men had purposely set the fire afterknockingoutOfficerDonovan.Buttherewasnotimeforreflection.Nancyandtheotherstorethebedsheetsandknottedthemtogether.

Oneendofthelifelinewastiedsecurelytoalegofthebed,whichwasshovedclosetothewindow.AtthismomenttheyheardacarpullawayandconcludedthatReneeandBuzbyhadgoneoff.

“George,”saidNancy,“supposeyouclimboutfirst.”

Theathleticgirlgrippedtherope,starteddownthesideofthebuilding,thenkickedherselfawayfromit.Shehalfleaped,halffell,safelytotheground,justbeyondtheburningareaofgrass.

Georgeheldontotheendofthelinetokeepitfromfallingintotheflamesandswungitoverabranchofascorchedmaplenearby.SheheldittautasBessswunghandoverhandtosafety.Helene followed, then Nancy, the papers from Koff’s briefcase stuffed in her pockets, andfinallyHenri.

No sooner had the youngman jumped to the ground than thewhole farmhouse seemed tocollapse.Thegroupwashardlyconsciousoftheintenseheatfromtheflamesas,inrelief,theyhuggedoneanother,alternatelylaughingandcryinghysterically.Theirfaceswereblackwithsootandthesmokemadetheireyessmart.

“Let’sgo!”Bessurged.“Ican’tgetawayfromherefastenough.”

SuddenlyNancyrememberedOfficerDonovan.Theyfoundhimattheedgeofthewoods.Theguardwasjustregainingconsciousness.

Acarturnedintothelaneatthatmoment.“Oh,itmustbethosedreadfulmen!”Besscried.“We’dbetterhide,sotheycan’tharmus!”

Nancyagreedbutnot for the reasonBesshadgiven.She felt that itwouldbeanexcellentopportunitytocaptureBuzbyandRenee.

To Bess’s relief, the occupant of the car was NedNickerson. As he leaped to the ground,Nancy and the others stepped out from hiding.Ned looked at the Fontaines as if hewereseeingtwoghosts.Thenhestaredatthedisheveledgroupandattheburningfarmhouse.

“Whateverhappened?”heasked.

Explanationswerequicklygiven.ThenNancyaskedhowNedknewwheretheywere.

“I called your house,Nancy, to find out how you felt today,” the youngman replied. “Yourfatheranswered.Hesaidyouwerehereandthathehadbeentryingtogetyouonthephone,

buttherewasnoanswer.Heseemedquiteconcerned,soIofferedtocomeandfindyou.”

“DidDadsaywhyhewastryingtogetme?”Nancyasked.

Ned smiled. “He has solved part of your mystery, Nancy. He found out from the Frenchembassythat10561-B-24isthenumberofthepassportissuedtoRaoulAmien.”

“Oh,Nancy,youwereright!”Georgedeclared“NowJudsoncan’tdenywhohereallyis!”

Nancyfeltthattheyshouldnotifythefiredepartmentandthepoliceatonce.

“Maybethebarncanbesaved,”shesaid.“Andfurthermore,IhaveahunchReneeandBuzbywillcomebackheretoseetheresultoftheirhorribledeed.”

OfficerDonovan saidhewould radioheadquarters and the firedepartment from thepolicecar.Hesetofftothespotinthewoodswherethesedanhadbeensecreted.

“Therestofuscanhideuntilthepolicecome,”Nancysaid.“IfReneeandBuzbyshouldshowup,youboyscantakecareofthem.”

“Nothingwouldpleasemebetter,”saidNed,andHenriadded,“Justletmegetmyhandsoneitheroneofthem!”

Shortlyafterward,OfficerDonovanjoinedthegroup.Hesaidthatthepoliceandfiretruckswouldbethereimmediately.Thenhetoldthemabouthisbeingslugged.

“I kept smelling kerosene and was trying to investigate where it was coming from whensomeonecameupfrombehindandhitmeonthehead.”

SuddenlyNedgrabbedNancy’sarmandpointed.“Sh!”hewarnedthegroup.

ComingfromthewoodsatthebackofthebarnwereReneeandBuzby!

Ned and Henri, crouching low, cautiously inched their way forward.When themen werealmostoppositethem,theyleapedfromtheirhidingplaceandhurledthemselvesatthetwosuspects.Theensuingfightwasofshortduration.WhileNedandHenriheldReneeandBuzbyinviselikegrips,OfficerDonovanhandcuffedtheprisoners.

Reneebegan towhine. “Youhaveno right to holdme. I haven’t done anything.This ismyhomethatburneddown.Yououghttohavealittlesympathyinsteadofputtinghandcuffsonme.”

“Oneorbothofyoumensetfiretothehouseandtriedtoburnitdownwithusinit,”Nancychallenged.

Bothprisonersvehementlydeniedthecharge.

“Anyway,thereisanotherseriouschargeagainstyou,Buzby,whichyoucan’tdeny,”declaredHenri.“Kidnapping!”

“Andnow,Buzby,”saidNancy,“supposeyoutelluswhereRaoulAmienis.”

Buzbysmirked.“Whatwoulditbeworthtoyoutoknow?Mypriceishigh.”

Nancy looked at the man in disgust. “Right now, you’re not in a very good bargainingposition,”shesaid.“We’llfindoutsoonenough.Mrs.Amienisinjail,andwhenshefindsoutyoupeopleareprisoners,she’lltelluswhereherhusbandis.”

Atthatmomenttheyheardthesoundoffiresirensandpresentlyseveralpiecesofapparatuspulledintothelane.Withinfifteenminutesthefirewasundercontrol.

CaptainCranearrivedinapolicecarwithseveralofficers.ThemenpraisedNancyandallherfriendsfortheirpartinthecaptureofReneeandBuzby.CaptainCranesaidthatMrs.Amienhadbrokendownandgivenherhusband’saddress.Officershadbeensenttogethim.

“Supposewegoback toheadquartersand try toget statements fromthewholegang,” thecaptainsuggested.Thenhereadthecaptivestheirrights.

HeinvitedNancytoridewithhimandthetwoprisoners,whowouldbehandcuffedtoanotherofficerintherearseatofhiscar.

“Youprobablyhaveafewquestionstoaskthem,”hesaid,atwinkleinhiseye.

Nancywasgladforthisopportunity.WhenshebroughtupthesubjectofMr.Koff’sbriefcase,Buzbyadmittedhavingbeenontheplaneandswitchingcaseswhilepretendingtocomfortthedistraughtman.

“IhadheardthatKoffwasworkingfortheCentrovianunderground,”saidBuzby,“andwhenhe startedmakinga fusson theplane, Iwas surehehad somevaluable information inhisbriefcase.So Idecided toget it.Myownbriefcasewasalmostaduplicateofhis, so itwaseasytomaketheswitch.”

Nancy then asked if he and Amien, alias Judson, had worked the scheme of trying to getmoneyfromMr.Koff.Buzbyconfessedthatthetwohadworkeditouttogether,buttheplanhadfailedwhenKoffhadturnedthematterovertoMr.Drew.

Nancy learned also that it was Amien who had trailed Koff and his daughter Millie toCliffwood. Also, it was Amien’s idea to use his passport number under stamps as anidentification mark on all correspondence between members of the conspiracy. Anyonesendingphonyorderscouldbedetected.

Thesuspectwasamazedtolearnthatoneoftheslipscontainingthenumberhadbeenfoundin the figurine.He surmised that it hadbeen slipped in accidentallywhen the jewelswerebeingsecreted.

“You’retoosmart,MissDrew,”hesaid.“Butoneofthesedaysyou’llcomeacrosssomebodyyouwon’tbeabletooutsmart!”

NancyignoredtheremarkandaskedifitwereBuzbyandDuparcwhohadsoldthefigurinesandpaintingsinwhichthejewelshadbeensmuggledtotheUnitedStates.

“Yeah,”saidBuzby.“Wesawawaytomakeafewextrabucksandgetridofthehotpaintings,too.”

Heglared inhatredatNancywhenshetoldhimthat thesmugglershadfailedtoremoveafewofthejewels.

“Whocalledmyfatherthatnight,pretendingtobeKoff,andaskedhimtogotoNewYork?”Nancyasked.

“Duparc,” Buzby answered. “He’s good at imitating voices and was able to convince yourfatherhewasKoff.”

CaptainCraneparkedthepolicecarinfrontofheadquartersandtheyallwentinside.Mr.andMrs. Amien, alias Judson, were waiting. Renee sprang at the husband like a cat but wasquicklydraggedaway.

Amienandhiswife lookedbalefully atNancy, but remainedquiet and finally answered thequestionsputtothem.NancylearnedthatitwasAmienwhohadwrittenallthethreateningnotes,bothtotheFontainesandtoher.

Finally,NancyturnedtoMrs.Judsonandasked,“Whatwasyourpartinthisbusiness?”

“My husband forced me to do all sorts of things,” she replied. “He made me write theanonymousnotestotheparentsofthedancingschoolkids.OnedaywhenIwentovertoRiverHeightstocheckwithRedBuzby,Idecidedtostealthescarletslippers.”

“Thatwasyourhusband’sidea,too?”Nancyasked.

“No,”Mrs.Amienadmitted.“Thatwasmyownidea.IheardmyhusbandsaytoDuparcthatthe jewels hadbeenhidden in the scarlet slippers. I didn’t knowhemeant the ones in theportrait,sowhenIsawthepaironthewallofthedancingschool,Idecidedtotakethem.Ofcoursetherewasn’tanythingintheslippers.”

BeforeNancyandherfriendsleftheadquarters,ReneeandBuzbyadmittedsettingfiretothefarmhouse.ThepolicehadtakenDuparcintocustody.Hehadbeentryingtomakeagetawaywith the man and woman Ned had thought were the Fontaines. They were part of thesmuggling ring. The foreign authorities had already been notified to investigate Amien’sParisianfriendwhohadsentthe letterMrs.AmienhadpickedupattheRiverHeightspostoffice.

The next day, the RiverHeightsGazette and newspapers all over the country featured thestoryofNancyDrewandthemysteryofthescarletslippers.Theyoungdetectivewasdelugedwithtelephonecallsandwires.

One callmadeher smilebroadly. It came fromMrs.Parsonswho said, “Nancy, even if youcouldn’tdanceastep,Iwouldhavehadyouinourcharityshow.Why,mydear,you’rethetalkofthetown!”

Nancywasgladtoescapeforashort timetotheNickersoncabinonCedarLake.HeretheFontaines,Mr.KoffandMillie,Bess,George,andNedheldaprivatecelebrationoftheirown.At thepartyNancy foundherselfwonderingwhenanothermysterywould comealong.ShehadnowayofknowingthatwithinaveryshorttimeshewouldbeinvolvedinTheWitchTreeSymbol.

Nancy’sthoughtswere interruptedwhensherealizedthatHenriandHelenewerethankingherandherfriendsoverandoveragainforwhattheyhaddone.

“You’ll never know how grateful we are,” Helene declared. “You saved our lives, ourreputation,andourschool.Andyou’vedoneagreatserviceforthestruggling,freedom-lovingpeopleofCentrovia.”

“Doyouthinkyou’llevergobacktoCentrovia?”Bessaskedthem.

TheFontainessmiledandHenri said, “Maybesomeday tovisit,afterpeace is restored.Butnowwewouldliketobecomecitizensofyourgrandcountry.”

“Howwonderful!”Bessexclaimed.

“And,”Heleneadded,tearsinhereyes,“wecouldneverthinkofleavingsuchafinefriendasyou,NancyDrew.Andyou,BessandGeorge,you’rejustmarvelous,too.”

Henrinoddedandsaid,“Nancy, Ihaven’t forgottenmypromiseofagift toyoutoshowmyappreciation.Ishallfinishyourportraitanditwillbemyfinestwork.”

“Anditshouldbetitled,”Nedsaid,smilingatNancy,“America’sLoveliestSleuth.”

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