“Youareinmypowerandmusthelpme!”themediumwhispered

Copyright©1997,1969bySimon&Schuster,Inc.Allrightsreserved.

PublishedbyGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.,amemberofThePutnam&

GrossetGroup,NewYork.PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanada.S.A.

NANCYDREWMYSTERYSTORIES®isaregisteredtrademarkofSimon&Schuster,

Inc.GROSSET&DUNLAPisatrademarkofGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.

eISBN:978-1-101-07747-4

2008Printing

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CHAPTERITheHauntedCanoe

“THISisaboutthemostexcitinginvitationI’veeverhad!”Nancyexclaimed.

Attractive, titian-hairedNancywaveda sheetofpaper towardher lawyer father,handsomeCarsonDrew,whowasseatedinachaiselonguebesideahighrosehedgeintheirbackyard.

He smiled. “It must be very special,” he said. “Those lovely blue eyes of yours are fairlydancing.”

NancyexplainedthattheletterwasfromHelenCorningArcher,aclosefriend,whohadbeenmarriedashort time.Herhusband JimhadreadseveralarticlesabouthauntedhousesandhadrecentlyheardrumorsaboutghosthauntssomedistancefromRiverHeights.

“Theythoughtitwouldbefuntoorganizeasummervacationgrouptoproveordisprovethestories.TheyhaveinvitedBess,George,andmetojointheghosthunters.”

“Whoelsewillbegoing?”askedMr.Drew. “It seems tome that ina search like that theremightbesafetyinnumbers.”

Nancysmiled.“Well,Nedhasbeenasked.”

ItwasMr.Drew’sturntogrin.NedNickersonwasaspecialfriendofNancy’s,andherfatherrealizedhowpleasedhisdaughterwastohaveNedincluded.

“AndhowaboutBurtandDave?”

“Yes,they’vebeeninvitedalso.”

BurtEddletonandDaveEvanswerespecialdatesofNancy’sclosestgirlfriends,BessMarvinandGeorgeFayne.

Nancywentontosaythatsevencoupleswereincluded.“Isitokaywithyou,Dad?”sheasked.

“WaituntilIreadtheletter,”heteased.“Hm!Helensaysnoneofthemknowhowtosolveamysteryandtheywantyoutotakecharge.Well,underthecircumstancesIdon’tseehowyoucanrefuse.”

“Oh,thankyou,Dad.”

NancyrushedtothetelephoneandcalledHelen.“Yourinvitationisreallycool,”shesaid.“I’dlovetogoandI’msuretheotherswouldtoo.I’llphonethemandfindout.Helen,couldweallmeethereatmyhousethiseveningsoyoucantellusouritinerary?”

HelensaidthatsheandJimwouldbegladtocomeanddiscusstheghosthuntwithNancyandher friends. She explained that itwas not necessary for the rest of the group to join thembecausetheyalreadyknewtheplans.

BeforetheirarrivalNancywentupstairstomakealistoftheclothesshewouldtake.

“IwonderwhatHannahwouldsayaboutthisexpedition,”Nancythought,smilingtoherself.

HannahGruenwasthekindlyhousekeeperwhohadlivedwiththeDrewseversincethedeathof Nancy’s mother fifteen years ago. Mrs. Gruen at the moment was out of town visitingrelatives.

PresentlythetelephonerangandNancyansweredit.Aman’svoicesaid,“NancyDrew?...Iamwarningyou—bewareofthedead!Forgettheghosthunt!”

“Whoisthis?”Nancyasked,butthecallerhadhungup.

Nancyput down thephone and stared into space. So someonewanted to frightenher intostayinghome!“Butwho?”shewondered.“Andwhy,andhowdid thecallerknowaboutour

trip?”Then, recalling shehad toldher father theplans in theyard, she realized that therecouldhavebeenaneavesdropperbehindtherosehedge.

“Well,he’snotscaringmeoutoftheghosthunt,”Nancysaidtoherself.“This justmakesitdoublyinteresting.Andmaybedoublydangerous!”shethought.“I’llhavetowatchmystep.”

About eight o’clock the Archers arrived. Helen was very pretty, and her tall, good-lookinghusbandwasfulloffun.WithinafewminutesBessandDavedroveup.

Bess,slightlyplump,blond,andpink-cheeked,wasagoodsportbutinclinedtobeabittimid.“Hi,everybody!”shesaid.“Thistripsoundsscary.Catchingvillainsandturningthemovertothepoliceisonething,buthuntingforghosts—that’ssomethingelseagain.”

Helenlookedsurprised.“Doyouwanttobackout?There’sstilltime.”

Daveansweredforher.Hewasablond,rangyboywithgreeneyes.Hegaveaheartychuckleandsaid,“YouknowperfectlywellBessisn’tgoingtobackout.Shewouldn’tmisshelpingtosolveamysteryforanything.Andasamatteroffact,Iwouldn’teither.ButifBesswon’tgo,thatmeansIcan’t.”

Bessmadeafaceathim.“Youpeopleareallsoserious.Can’tIhavealittlefunpretendingtobescared?”

Beforeanyonecouldanswer,GeorgeandBurtwalkedin.GeorgewasBess’scousinbutveryunlikeher.Sheenjoyedherboy’sname,woreherhair short, and liked simple clothes.Shewas always ready to help Nancy solve a mystery. Burt particularly admired George’sadventuresomespirit.

Hewasagoodathlete, and shorterandhuskier thanDaveandNed.All threewereon thefootballteamatEmersonCollege.

“Forgettheghosthunt!”agruffvoicewarned

ThelastonetoarrivewasNedNickerson.“Greetings,”hesaid.“I’msorryI’mlate.”TurningtotheArchers,headded,“Say,thanksforincludingmeintheghosthunt.”

Nancyfeltthatthistall,good-lookingboywasjustabouteverythingagirlcouldwishfor.Hewaswonderfulcompany, lotsof fun,yetseriousandpracticalwhenevertheyoungdetectiveenlistedhisaidonacase.

Becausethesummereveningwaswarm,Nancyservedlemonade.Thenshesaid,“Nowthatyou’rehere,there’ssomethingyououghttoknow.”Shetoldaboutthewarningtelephonecall.

Nedgavealowwhistle.“Soundsasifwe’rewalkingintotrouble.”

“Iknewit!”Bessexclaimed.“Ijustknewit!”

Burtgrinned.“Anybodywanttochickenout?”

Therewasachorusofnoes,whichBessjoinedalittlelate.ThenHelenandJimbegantotellabouttheproposedghosthunt.

“Our first stop,” Helen explained, “will be at Pine Grove Camp on Lake Sevanee. It’s adelightfulsmallresort.I’msureyou’llenjoytheboatingandswimming.”

“Andwhereorwhoistheghost?”Nedasked.

Jimanswered,“It’snotreallyanapparition.There’sahauntedcanoeonthelake.”

“Hauntedcanoe!”Georgeexclaimed.“Howcouldacanoebehaunted?”

“Youwon’tbelievethis,”hereplied,“butthecanoepropelsitself.”

Burtshookhishead.“Soundsimpossibletome.Somethingmustmakeitgo.”

“Spooks,”Helenreplied.“NowI’lltellyouaboutthenextplacewherethere’samysteryforustosolve.It’satamedium’sprophecyhut.Peoplesaythatduringseancesitalwaysthunders.”

“Youmeanthatthere’sathunderstorm?”Bessasked.

HelenandJimshrugged.“No,”Helenanswered.“Thepeopleinsidehearthunder.”

Besslookednervouslyfromonetoanother.“Idon’tlikethesoundofit,”shesaidfinally.

Nancy, intrigued by the mysteries that lay ahead, hadmade no comment. Now she urgedHelenandJimtocontinue.“Howmanyplacesarewegoingtovisit?”

“Fiveinall,”Helenanswered.“ThethirdplaceistheRedBarnGuesthouse.Severalpersonshaveseenaphantomhorseracingacrossafieldatnight,withaghostriderrunningafterit.”

Daveburstintolaughter.“ThisIwanttosee.Aghosthorsethatdumpeditsrider!”

EveryonelaughedbutbecameseriousamomentlaterwhenJimsaidthatthefourthstopwasatamountaintopinn.“Itwasonceanoldfortandtheghostsofprisonersarereportedtobeflittingaround,”heannounced.

George’s eyes sparkled. “This trip getsmore interesting everyminute. And now let’s hearaboutthefinalplace.It’sprobablyadilly.”

Helenexplainedthattheywouldnotbestayingattheplacebecause itwasaprivatehome.“Theownerisaskullandshellcollector.Wecouldn’tfindoutanythingexceptthatthehouseissetinahugeestateandnightafternightthere’saninvisibleintruderinthemansion.”

“Aninvisibleintruder?”Burtasked.

Oncemore the two leaders of the ghost hunters shrugged. “We’ll have to track down thatstory,”Helenreplied.“Well,doyouallstillwanttogo?”

“More than ever,”Nancy answered quickly. “Ifwe accomplish all this,we’ll be solving fivemysteriesinonetrip!”

“That’sright,”Helensaid.“CanyoubereadyearlyMondayafternoon?”

AllsaidtheywouldbeanditwasdecidedthatthesixofthemwoulduseNancy’scar.

Two days later the whole group met at the Archers’ house. Nancy and her friends wereintroduced to Bab andDonHackett, Rita andRodRodriguez, and Ann andBill Blanchard.Nancylikedallofthem.

“Helentoldusaboutyourmysteriouswarning,Nancy,”saidBab.“Youhaven’tanyideawhoitcouldhavebeen?”

“No.”

“Soundskindofscary,”saidAnn.“We’llhavetokeepoureyesopen.”

Theghost hunters reachedLakeSevanee late in the afternoon. Itwas such a hot dayNedsuggestedthatheandNancy,Bess,George,Burt,andDavegoswimmingoffthedockofPineGroveCamp.

“Wegirlswillmeetyouinajiffy,”Nancysaid.“Won’teventaketimetounpack.”

Shewas assigned to a cabinwithBess andGeorge.Ned,Burt, andDavewere in the nextcabin,whileHelenandJimandtheothercoupleswereintheirowncabinsnearby.

Afewminuteslaterthethreecouplesweredivingandswimminginthelake.Besslookedveryhappy.Shedeclaredthatthewaterwasperfect.

“Ijustcan’tbelievethatthisplaceishaunted,”shesaid.“It’stooniceaspotforghosts.”

Butamomentlatershecriedoutinexcitement,“Iseeit!Overthere!Thecanoe!It’spaddlingitself!”

Theothersgazedtowardthemiddleof the lake.A long,sleek,aluminumcanoewithabluestripealongthegunwalewasactuallypaddlingitselfacrossthewater!

Nancycalled,“Let’sswimoutandovertakeit!”

Shemade a long shallow dive and began swiming furiously underwater. Ned, George, andBurtfollowed.

CHAPTERIIStrangeWhispering

Asthefoursomeracedalongthroughthewater,Nedtookthelead.

“I’llbetthereareacoupleofspoofersunderthatcanoe!”hecalled.

HeandBurt reached themovingcraft at about the same timeanddivedunder it. To theirsurprisenoonewasthere.Thecanoecontinuedtoglidethroughthewater.

“That’sstrange,”Nedthought.

Thetwoboyssurfaced,planningtograbthepaddleswhichwerediggingindeepandfast.Butwithasuddenspurtthecanoeshotfaraheadofitspursuers.

Meanwhile,NancyandGeorgehadcaughtuptotheboysandwatchedinamazementasthecraftspedaway.

WithasheepishgrinNedsaid,“Noonewasunderneath.Iguessthecanoeishaunted!”

Theunexplainable incident sent a tingling sensationdown the spinesof the four frustratedswimmers.Therewasnoearthlyexplanationforthestrangeevent!

“Let’sswimbacktothedockandtakeamotorboat,”Nancysuggested.“Maybewecancatchupwiththecanoe.”

When they reached shore,Bess andDavewerewaiting. “Did you solve themystery?”Bessasked.

“No,”Nancyadmitted,andexplainedthatthecanoedidindeedpropelitself.“We’regoingoutinamotorboattolookforit.Wanttocomealong?”

“Surething,”Davereplied.

Ned ran to the lobby in themain building and obtained permission and a key to the boat.Within a short time the entire lakeside had been investigated. There was no sign of thehauntedcanoe.

“Doyousupposesomebodytookitawayontopofacar?”Georgeasked.

“Couldbe,”Burtreplied.“Oratruck.”

Georgewenton,“Anybodyhaveanideaastowhatmadethecanoepropelitself?Therehastobeareason.”

No one answered, but an ideawas forming inNancy’smind. She did not express it aloudbecauseatthemomentitseemedtoofar-fetched.

“Butitjustmightwork,”shesaidtoherself.

By the time the six searchers returned to the camp dock, they had to hurry to dress forsupper.A bell had already sounded, announcing themeal. The ghost hunterswere given alargeroundtableinthecenterofthediningroom.

Assoonastheywereseated,Babsaid,“Ihearsomeofyoutriedtocatchthephantomwhopaddlesthecanoe.”

Nancysmiled.“Theremustbetwo—oneforeandoneaft.Twopaddleswereworkingat topspeed.”

“Sothestoryistrue,”Ritaspokeup.“Youpeopledon’twanttobelieveinghosts,butI’mnotashamedto.”

Rodlaughed.“Don’tmindmywife.She’sastudentoftheoccult,butshehasneverconvincedmeaboutphantoms.”

Theotherslaughed,butmadenocommentbecauseawaitresscameuptotaketheirorders.

“Wehaveroastbeeftonight,”shesaid.“Howdoyoulikeit?”

Thegirlschosemedium,whiletheboyswanteditrare.Burtgrinned.“Rawmeatforthehe-men.”

“You’llneedittoconquerthespooks,”Georgecommented.

“No,allweneedisNancyDrew,”Nedsaidwithasmile.Heremindedthegroupofthemanycasesshehadsolved,beginningwithTheSecret of theOldClock. The latesthadbeen theexcitingSpiderSapphireMystery.“Thisonecouldbeevenmoreofadillythantherest,”headded.

Therewere fewotherguests in thediningroomandHelensaid, “Iwas talking to thedeskclerk.Hetoldmealmostnoonehasregisteredforthesummer.Thestoryaboutthehauntedcanoe andother strangehappenings in the areahavemadepeople afraid to go out on thelake.”

“That’sashame,”Bessspokeup.“ButIcan’tsayIblamethem.Helen,youshouldhaveseenthatcanoepaddlingitselfupthelake—asifitwereinarace.”

Jimput in, “Iwish I had. The owner of this camp,Mr. Leffert, has gone to a great deal oftroubleandexpensetomakeitanattractiveplace.Hesaidthatifthingskeeponthewaytheyare,he’llhavetosellit.”

“Butwhowouldbuyitnow?”Daveasked.

Annspokeup.“We’llsolvethismysteryandeverythingwillbeallright,”shedeclared.

HerhusbandBill added, “I’ll betwe’ll be off to our secondghost hunt before youknow it.Won’twe,Nancy?”

“Idon’tthinkitwillbethateasy,”shereplied.

Wheneveryonefinishedeating,Bessgotupfromthetablewithasigh.“Ihopeyou’reright.Butthatphantompaddlerisprettyclever.”

Everyone filed out of the dining room. The evening was chilly, andMr. Leffert had had aroaring fire built in the huge fireplace at the lounge end of the lobby. The ghost huntersgatheredarounditandcontinuedtodiscussthemystery

PresentlyGeorgeremarkedthatshe thought theyshould take timeout fromthemysteryofLakeSevaneeandtalkaboutsomethingelse.“Anybodyknowagoodjoke?”sheasked.

“I’lloblige,”JimArcheranswered.“Everhearaboutthecowboywhohadarecordforfindingstrays?Nobodycouldfigureitout.Itseemsoneofthecowstoldhimwheretheywere,afterhe’dlearnedtomootheirlanguage.”

“That’sterrible,”Donsaidwithagroan.

“Gotabetterone?”Jimasked.

“Sure.Aboutthecowwhojumpedoverthemoonandcamedownviathemilkyway.”

Theensuinglaughterhadbarelysubsidedwhentheoutsidedoortothelobbyburstopenandablastofwindrushedin.Papersweresentflyingoffthetablesanddesk.

The gust hit the fireplacewith such force that sparks and asheswhirled across the room.Therewas amad scramble by the young people to stamp out the sparks and rescue somepaperswhichhadblowntowardthefire.

“Thisishorrible!”Bessexclaimed.

Asabruptlyasithadbegun,theinrushofairstopped.Nancy,suspicious,dashedtothedoor.Itwasamoonlightnight,calmandclear,withbrightshiningstars.Therewaspracticallynobreeze.

“Someonedeliberatelycausedthatblast,”shethought,andranoutside.

Shewasjustintimetoseeamansprintingtowardthewoods,ahugeobjectunderonearm.

“Ned!Everybody!Comeherequickly!”Nancycriedout,andspedoffinpursuit.

Nedsoonovertookherandaskedwhatshewasafter.Sheexplainedquicklyandtheydashedofftogether.

“Whatdidhelooklike?”

“Idon’tknowexcepthewastall.”

Although moonlight filtered down among the trees, it was too dark to pursue the fleeingfigure.Inafewmomentshewasoutofsight.

NancyandNedstoppedrunningjustasacar’smotorstartedupinthedistance.

“Hemadeagetaway,”Nedsaidindisappointment.

George,Bess,andtheotherscameupbreathlessly.“Whathappened?”theyquestionedNancy.

Shetoldthem,andadded,“Amanwascarryingabulkyobjectunderonearm.Maybewhenheknewwewereafterhim,hedroppeditinordertorunfaster.Let’slookalongthispath.”

Carefullythesevencouplesproceededthroughthewoodstowardtheroad.InafewminutesNancycameuponanobjectstowedbehindatree.Itprovedtobealargebellows.

Georgelookedatitwithafrown.“Sothat’swhatmadethesuddenwindinthelobby.Themanmustbecrazy.Whywouldhewanttodosuchathing?”

Bessgaveagreatsigh.“Toannoyus.I’dsayhe’stryingtogetridofus.”

“Butwhy?”Daveasked.“Doeshehavesomethingtodowiththestrangecanoe?”

Rita Rodriguez spoke up. “We have no proof of that. I’m sure the canoe incident wassupernatural.”

Herhusbandlaughed.“Honey,thismoonlighthasgotyou.”Heturnedtotheothers.“Forgiveme,butIcan’tgoalongwithRitaandherbeliefinghosts.”Tomakeamendsforhisremark,Rodputanarmaroundhiswife.“Let’sgobackandforgetthewholething.”

Nancysuggestedthatinthemorningtheytrytofindoutmoreaboutthecanoeandalsothemanwiththebellows.Theghosthunterssaidgoodnighttooneanotherandwenttobed.

AsBessfloppedontohercot,shesaid,“I’vehadenoughchasingtolastmeaweek.”

Abouttwoo’clockNancyawakened.Everythingwasquietexceptfortheslightsighingofpinetrees.Asoftbreezehadsprungup.

Intriguedbyhersurroundings,Nancygotoutofbedandwenttothewindow.Shestoodthereadmiring the beautiful scene that lay before her. Beyondwaving boughs she could see thelakeshimmeringinthebrightmoonlight.

Amomentlatershebecameawareoftwovoiceswhisperingnotfarfromherwindow.Wasthiswhathadawakenedher?Hadoneof theghost-huntingcouplesgoneforamoonlightstroll?Shedismissedtheideaalmostatonce.Everyoneinthegrouphadbeenverywearyanditwasunlikelytheywouldbeoutwalkingatthishour.

“Iwonderifthemanwiththebellowscouldhavecomebackwithabuddy,”Nancythought.

Decidingtoinvestigate,sheputonarobeandslippers.Shesteppedquietlyoutofthecabinandcautiouslywalkedalongthesideinthedirectionofthevoices.

JustbeforereachingthecornerNancystoppedtolisten.Asingsongvoicekeptrepeating:

“GhostsownSevaneeLake.Goawaywhilethereistime!”

CHAPTERIIITheFloatingGhost

NANCYstoodverystill.Thesingsongvoicehadstoppedspeaking.Hadthepersonwhohadgiventhewarning left?Continuingtomovecautiously,shepeeredaroundthecornerof thecabin. No one was in sight. She looked down the line of cabins, then hurried to the nextcornerandpeeredaroundit.Stillshesawnoone.

SuddenlyNancyrealizedthatthebrightmoonlightmadeheratargetforanattack.“I’dbettergetoutofsight,”shesaidtoherself.

The shadow from the next cabin offered some protection. Nancy scooted over to it andhuggedtheroughwall,whilestill lookinginthedirectionfromwhichthestrangevoicehadcome.

Atthatmomenta filmywhite figure floatedfromthewoods. Itseemedtobetheghostofawomaninalongflowinggarment.Theyoungdetective’sheartbegantobeatfaster.Wasthisahoax?OrwastheresometruthtothelegendsaboutLakeSevanee?

“ShallIgooutandconfrontit?”Nancyaskedherself.“Orwillitcometome?”

InthemeantimeBesswasawakenedbythemoonlightwhichsuddenlyshonefullinhereyes.Inturningovertoavoidit,shenoticedthatNancy’sbedwasempty.

“Nowwheredidshego?”Besswondered.“Nancymusthavegonesleuthing,butsheshouldn’tbeoutalone.I’dbetterfindoutwheresheis.”

Bess went to the window and looked outside. Not far awaywas the ghost. It was floatingslowlyinherdirection.Bessshrieked.

The cry awakened George who jumped up. “What’s thematter?” she asked. “And where’sNancy?”sheadded,notingtheemptycot.

“I—Idon’tknow.”

Besspointedatremblingfingertowardthefilmyfigure.

George’spulsequickened.“Let’sgooutandseewhatitis.”

“Not on your life,” her cousin declared. Then she remembered aboutNancy. “ButwemustfindNancy.Shemaybeindangerfromt-thatspookything!”

Withinsecondsthecampwasinaturmoil.Alltheghosthuntersemergedfromtheircabins,talkingexcitedly.

“Whathappened?”

“Whoscreamed?”

Bessexplained,buteveryonelookedaroundindisbelief.Theghostwasgone!

“Areyousureyouweren’thavinganightmare?”Daveaskedher.

“Certainlynot,”Bessrepliedindignantly.

JustthenNancywalkeduptothegroupandtoldwhathadhappened.Herstorysentshiversthroughherlisteners.

“I’msureitwasnotasupernaturalincidentbutsomeoneplayingajokeonus,”shestated.

“Joke!”Bessexclaimed.“Aren’tyougoingtotakethatwarningseriously?”

Nancyputanarmaroundherchum.“Notuntil I findoutwhoorwhatwasresponsible.WecanbeginbyscoutingthewoodswhereIfirstsawLadyGhost.”

She and her friends hurried along the same wooded route the man with the bellows hadtaken.

InashorttimeBurtcalledout,“Youwin,Nancy.Here’sthelady.”

Hepickedupamassofwhitechiffon.Ritastaredatitindisappointment.

“Howcanwebesurethiswastheghost?”sheargued.

“Wecan’t,”Nancyreplied,“but I feelprettysureabout it.Let’scarry this to the lodgeandexamineit.”

Whentheyarrivedthedoorwas locked,butMr.Lefferthadheardtheirvoicesandcametoopenit.

“IthoughtIheardascream,”hesaid.“Wereyoupeopledisturbedbysomething?”

As they trooped inside, Nancy told him what had happened and showed him the mass ofchiffon.

“Amazing,”heremarked.“Justanotherinalongseriesofstrangegoings-onhere.”

Nancy said, “I want to examine this carefully.” She began to lift up the layers of chiffon.Underneaththemwasalongballoon.

“I guess when this is blown up it will be a woman’s figure,” Burt said. As he clasped theobject, he eyed George and grinned. “My new doll,” he said, then spoke directly to theballoon.“Howaboutadatetomorrownight?”

Theotherslaughed.Jimblewuptheballoon.Nancycarefullyfittedthechiffonrobeandveiloverthe“doll.”

“ThisisexactlywhatIsaw,”shesaid.

“Metoo,”Bessadded.“Isn’titghastly?Butwhatmadeitwalk?”

“Maybe,”saidNancy,“thebellowsmanurgeditalong.”

“Butwhatmadeitgobackintothewoods?”Georgeasked.Noonecouldgiveananswer.

SuddenlyNancywonderedwhytherehadbeennocommentfromeitherNedorDave.Lookingaround,sherealizedtheywerenotthere.

“Didn’tNedandDavecomebackwithus?”sheasked.

“No,” JimArcher answered. “I saw themdashing through thewoods.Theymusthave seensomethingprettyimportant.”

Nancy said that shewas fearful the personwho had rigged up the ghostmight have beenlyinginwaitforanyonewhofollowed.

“Doyouthinkweshouldgolookfortheboys?”Bessspokeup.

Therewasnoneedtodothis,becauseatthatmomentNedandDavewalkedintothelodge.TheystaredinamazementatthefilmyfigurewhichBurtwasholding.

“Isthattheghost?”Nedinquired.

Everyonenodded.“Didn’tyouseethepileofchiffonontheground?”Georgeaskedhim.

Heshookhisheadandsaidthathehadspottedtwinklinglightssomedistanceaheadofthesearchersanddecidedtofindoutwhattheywere.“IaskedDavetocomealong.”

“Didyoulearnanything?”Nancyquestioned.

Daveanswered.“Wedidn’tcatchanyonebutwedidseetwopeople.Theyhadflashlightsandwererunninglikecrazythroughthewoodstowardthelake.Beforewecouldovertakethem,theygotintoacanoeandpaddledofffuriously.”

“Whatdidtheylooklike?”Nancyasked.

Nedsaid,“Allwecantellyouisthattheyworeslacksandsweatersandhadbushyshorthair.Wedon’tknowwhethertheyweremenorwomenoroneofeach.”

NancytooktheghostdollfromBurtandexaminedtheballooncarefully,hopingtofindsomeformofidentification.Faintmarksonthesoleofonefootindicatedanameornumber.

Theballoonwasdeflatedandthenshereadaloud,“J.B.Newton.Haveanyofyoueverheardofaballooncompanybythatname?”

Noonehad,butMr.Leffertspokeup.“There’sastationery-and-noveltystoreinthetownofSevaneeownedbyMr.J.B.Newton.Perhapstheballooncamefromthere.”

Nancy glanced at herwatch. It was already three o’clock. “I doubt that anything elsewillhappentonight,”shesaid.“Let’sgetbacktobed.”

“Goodidea,”saidBess,yawning.

Mr.Leffertsaidhehopedtherewouldbenomoredisturbances.“Iguessyou’dallappreciatealatebreakfast.”

Billsaidpromptly,“Wesurewould.”

“Eight-thirtythen?”

“Okay.”

AsNancy started forher cabin she toldNed, “See youat eight-thirtybreakfast.After that,let’sdriveintotownandtalktoJ.B.Newton.Bringtheboys,willyou?I’llaskthegirls.”

Nancy,Bess,George,andtheirdatesarrivedatNewton’sNoveltyShopsoonafteritopened.Theaffableproprietorasked,“MayIhelpyou?”

Nancy smiled and said she had found a balloon in the shape of awoman’s figurewith thenameJ.B.Newtononit.

“I thoughtmaybe it was purchased here. I’d like to find the owner. Did it come from thisstore?”

“Ireckonitdid,”thestout,jollymanreplied.

Nancysaid,“Couldyoutellmewhoboughtit?”

Mr.Newtonsmiled.“Irememberthepurchaseverywell.Acouplecameinherea fewdaysago.Theytookawholeboxofwhiteballoonsinassortedfigures.Saidtheyweregivingabigchildren’sparty.”

“Dotheylivearoundhere?”Nancyqueried.

“No.I’macquaintedwithalltheregularinhabitants.Ithinkthey’revacationersandmayhaverentedoneof the cottagesaround the lake.Theperson for you to ask isMrs. JaneTarpey.She’sinthereal-estatebusiness.Herofficeisrightupthestreet.”

“I’lldothat,”saidNancy.“Doyouhappentoknowthenamesofthiscouple?”

“Theydidn’tsay,butIcantellyouwhattheylookedlike.Themanwastallandslenderandhehadthekindofeyeswhicharerealdeepsetandlookrightthroughyou.I’dsayhe’dtakenononsensefromanyone.Wouldn’twanttotanglewithhim.”Mr.Newtonlaughed.

AsNancysmiled,hedescribedthewomanasshorterand“prettyinatoughsortofway.”Bothofthemhaddarkbushyhair.

Theshopownerwentontosaythatthewomanwasveryrespectfultothemanwithher; infact,sheseemedtobeafraidofhim.

Nancy thankedMr. Newton for the information and the groupwent toMrs. Tarpey’s real-estateoffice.Sheprovedtobepleasantandtalkative.

NancysaidtheywerestayingatPineGroveCamp.Thensheaskedifanyvisitorshadrentedacottageinthearearecently.

“Only one,” thewoman replied. “A couplewith eight children. They rented a house on theothersideofthelakeoppositeyourcamp.Bytheway,themanaskedmeifPineGrovewasforsale.WhenItoldhimno,hemuttered,”I’llseeaboutthat.’”

Nancysaid,“Wouldyoumindtellingmethenamesofthesepeople?IthinkIfoundsomethingnearthecampthatmaybelongtothem.”

“I’llbegladtotellyou,”Mrs.Tarpeyanswered.“They’reWilburandBeatricePrizer.”

“Didyouseethecouple’schildren?”Nancyasked.

The realtor shookherhead. “No.ThePrizersweregoing togobackhomeandbring themhereyesterday.”

Nancy toldMrs. Tarpey howmuch she appreciated the information and the group left heroffice.

Whentheyreachedthestreet,Georgesaid,“Well,whatnext?”

Nancy grinned. “I suggest we call on the Prizers. I have a hunch they do not have eightchildrenandaren’tgoingtohaveaparty.”

CHAPTERIVTheOctopus

“Hi!”avoicecalledfrombehindNancyandherfriends.“Whereareyoufolksheading?”

ThespeakerwasBabHackett.Sheandtheotherghosthunterssaidtheyhadcomedowntowntodoalittleshopping.“Howaboutyou?”

“We’vepickedupacluetothatghostlastnight,”Nancysaid,andtoldoftheirplantocallonthePrizers.

“Mygoodness,Nancy,”saidBill,laughing,“youreallymeanbusinesswhenyou’reonacase.Pretty soon you’ll have all thesemysteries solvedwithout ever giving us an opportunity totrackaghost.”

Nancysmiled.“Notachance.Buthowaboutcomingalongwithusrightnowandhelpingtointerviewthesuspects?”

Therewasachorusofyeses. ThetwocarswhichhadbroughtthemarriedcouplestotownfollowedNancy’sconvertibledownthestreetandontothelakeroad.

Itwasdifficult to find thePrizercottagewhichstood inawoodedareasomedistance fromboththeroadandthewaterfront.Thecallersafteralongsearchfinallylocatedit.

“Thisplacecertainlyissecluded,”Babremarked.

Therewasnoonearound,butanelderlymanansweredNancy’sknock.

“IsthisthePrizercottage?”sheasked.

Henoddedandinvitedtheyoungpeopleinside.Theyenteredandsatdown,someonthefloor.Nancy’s eyes scanned the living room which was plainly but tastefully decorated. On amantel-shelflayabeautifulcradle-shapedshell.

“Imustaskhimaboutitlater,”Nancythought.Aloudshesaid,“Mr.andMrs.Prizeraren’tathome?Willtheybebacksoon?”

“Oh, they only come once in a while. They rented this place for me,” the elderly mananswered.“I’mMr.Prizer’sfather.”

“I see,”Nancy remarked. “The place is so lovely I should think they’dwant to be here allsummer.Itwouldbeespeciallynicefortheirchildren.”

“Children!”Mr.Prizerexclaimed.Helaughedsoftly.“Theyhavenochildren.”

Nedspokeupandaskedinwhatbusinessthesonwasengaged.

“Hedabblesinrealestate,”wastheanswer.“WilburandBeatricekeepmightybusytravelingaroundinconnectionwiththeirlandinterests.”

InstantlyNancyrecalledthelossofpatronageatPineGroveCamp,thepossibilityofitsbeingsold,andalsooftheyoungerPrizer’sinterestinthecamp.Shedarednotaskmorequestions,however,forfearofarousingthesuspicionsofelderlyMr.Prizer.

Babinquiredifhemindedstayingalone.“Ohno,”hesaid.“I’vegotmybooks—lotsofthem,andmyshells.”

“That’sabeautyonthemantel,”Babremarked.“MayIlookatitclosely?”

Mr.Prizergotupandwent toget theshell.Heasked,“Doyouknowwhatkindofcreaturemadethis?”

Babsmiled.“Anoctopus,”sheanswered.

“Right,”saidMr.Prizer.“Areyouashellcollector?”

“YesIam,andIthinkthestoryaboutthisArgonautArgoisoneofthemostinterestingofalltheshells.Pleasetelltheothersaboutit.”

“Glad to,” the elderly man said. “At certain times the female octopus deposits about fortyfestoonsofeggsinacradleshelllikethis.Theeggsarenearlytransparent.Next,shewavesherarmsovertheclusterssothatthesaltwatercirculatesamongtheeggs.

“It takes about two months for the little creatures to hatch. During that time the motheroctopuswatchesovertheeggsanddoesn’teatonemouthfuloffood.”

“Wow!”Burtexclaimed.“I’mgladI’mnotamotheroctopus!”

Thisremarksenttheothersintogalesoflaughter.

“Whentheeggsarehatched,whatformarethebabiesin?”Nancyasked.

Mr.Prizerreplied,“They’reminiatureoctopi.Buttheygrowveryfast.Whenadults,theyoftenhaveaspreadoftenfeetandweighabouttenpounds.”

Hecontinued,“Theoctopusisaveryintelligentcreature.Asyouprobablyknow,ithaseightlegsandcanswimorwalk.Theonlyhardpartofitsbodyisthebeak,whichthecreatureusestoopenclams,oysters,andcrabs.Iteatseveryspeckofmeatwithoutbreakingtheirshells.”

“Howdoeshemanagethat?”Georgeasked.

“Theoctopusmerelysucksuphis food.Bytheway,anoctopus ispretty lucky—ithas threehearts.”

“O-oh,”saidBess.“Whatdoesitdowiththemall?”

Mr.Prizerchuckled.“Isupposetheyprovideabettercirculatorysystemtogetthebloodtoalltheeightlegs.”

As themanpaused,Babremarked thatanoctopusexudesan inkysmokescreenwhen it isconfrontedbyanenemy.“Themorayeelisthenaturalenemyoftheoctopus.”

BabaskedMr.Prizerifshemightseetherestofhiscollectionofshells.

“It’snotunpackedyet.ButI’vegotsomebeauties.”

The elderlymandid not sit downagain and the visitors took this as an indication that theinterviewwas at an end. They all thankedhim for his interesting talk, butNancy andNednoticedthathedidnotinvitethemtoreturn.Theymentionedthistotheothersasthegrouptrudgedupthehilltotheroad.

“That’s a bit strange,” Bab remarked. “Most shell collectors are eager to show off theirspecimensandtalkaboutthem.”

When theghosthunters reachedPineCampLodge,Bess suggested, “Let’sgo to thebeachandhavefun.”

“Andgiveuptheghosthunting?”Georgeasked.

“Dowehavetoworkeveryminute?”hercousincountered.

GeorgeturnedtoRitaRodriguez.“Haveyouanyhunches?YouhaveESP,Ihear.”

Ritasmiled.“Wouldyoulikemetogivesomepredictionsaboutthistrip?”

Bessforgotallabouttheplantogoswimming.“Pleasedo,”shesaid.

The ghost hunters sat down and remained quiet. Rita bowed her head and remainedmotionlessforseveralminutes.Thensheraisedhereyes.

“I’mafraidwhatIseeinmymind’seyeisnotgoodnews.PerhapsIshouldnotworryyouwithit.”

Georgesaidatonce,“We’vegonethis far.Wemayaswellhear theworst.Pleasegoaheadandtellus.”

Ritasaidsolemnly,“Intheverynear futureIseeanaccident inaboat toayoungcouple. Icannotmakeoutwhotheyarebutthemessageisthatitmayruinourtrip.”

“Oh!”exclaimedBab.“Maybeallofusshouldstayoutofboats.”

Nancydidnotcomment,feelingthatthepremonitionshouldbeconsideredasawarning,notahindrance.Nooneelseexpressedanopinion.Nedbroketheuneasysilencebysuggestingthattheyallhurrytotheircabinsandchangetoswimsuits.

Whentheyreachedtheshorealittlelater,NedsaidtoNancy,“DidRita’swarningscareyou?Areyougametogooutinacanoewithme?”

Nancylaughed.“YouknowI’mnotscared.Let’sgo!”

Nedpickedagood-lookingredaluminumcraft.Hechosepaddlesandsaidhewouldsitatthestern.

“Youcan just take iteasy ifyou like,”he toldNancy,butshesaidshewould like topaddlefromtheforwardposition.

Itwasabeautifuldayandthesunwaspleasantlywarm.

They had gone about a quarter of a mile when Nancy exclaimed, “Ned! The self-paddlingcanoeisjustaheadofus!”

Hestaredinthedirectionofthemysterycraft.Itwasindeedthesamecanoe!

HeandNancybegantopaddleatbreakneckspeedafterit.“We’regettingcloser!”hecriedgleefully.

Thecanoeveeredtowardacove.Theyspedalongafterit,wonderingifthistimetheywouldfindtheplacewherethemysterycraftwashidden.

SuddenlyNancyandNedfounditalmost impossibletopaddle.Itseemedas ifsometerrificpressurewerepullingthembackward.

“What’sthematterwiththiscanoe?”Nancyasked.

“Idon’tknow,”Nedreplied.“We’repaddlinglikemad,butthecanoeisalmoststandingstill.”

HeandNancydugindeeperbuttheireffortswereofnoavail.Thetwolookedateachotherindismay.Whatunknownsourcewashinderingtheirprogress?

Before either could express the thought aloud, the canoe suddenly overturned. Takenunaware,theyplungeddeepintothelake.

Nancy immediately began to claw thewater andmadeherway to the surfacequickly. ShelookedaroundforNedbuthewasnotinsight.Afterseveralsecondshadgonebyandhedidnotrisetothesurface,shebecamealarmed.CouldthecanoehavehitNedandknockedhimout?

Nancydivedandsearchedunderwater.Sheroseagain.Thistimeshespottedherfriend.Thesighthorrifiedher.

Ned,apparentlyunconscious,wasbeingtowedashorebygiantarmsthatlookedlikethoseofagreatoctopus!

CHAPTERVTheSuspiciousFlight

INapanicoverNed’ssafety,Nancyracedthroughthewaterafterhimandhiscaptor.Wasthecreaturethatwasdragginghimalongarealoctopusoramanwearingadisguise?

Thechaseseemedendless.

“Lethimgo!”Nancycriedoutasshethrashedthroughthewater.Butjustwhenshewasonthevergeofovertakingthetentacledcreature,itsuddenlyreleasedNedanddivedunderthewater.AnewfeartookpossessionofNancy.Wastheoctopusgoingtoattackher?

Pushingthethoughtoutofhermind,NancygaveafinalspurtandreachedNed.Fortunatelytheshorewasnotfaraway.CouldshetowNedthereinsafety?

Apparentlytheattackerdidnotintendtomakefurthertrouble.ItdidnotreappearandNancymanagedtogetNedontodrylandandbegangivinghimfirstaid.Sheknewhehadnottakenanywaterintohislungs,becausehekeptblinkingandmurmuring,“Gettheoctopus!”

PresentlyhewasabletotellNancywhathadhappened.

“Whenwewerethrownintothewater,theoctopusgrabbedme.IthitmyheadwithoneofthetentaclesandIwentunder.Ihadenoughsensetoholdmybreathuntilwerosetothesurface.ThenImanagedtoflopontomyback,butafterthatIguessIblackedoutforawhile.”

Nancy said the strange creaturehaddisappearedunderwater. “Have you any ideawhoorwhatitwas?”sheasked.

Nedshookhishead. “I’msureoctopusesdon’t live in this lakeso thisonemusthavebeenimported.”

“I think,”Nancy said, “that itwas aman indisguise. It’s further evidence that someone isdoingall theseweirdthingsto frightenusawayfromPineGroveCamp.Ihaveahunch it’syoungMr.Prizer.”

“You’reprobablyright,”Nedagreed.“Well,shallwestartbacktocamp?”

Neithertheiroverturnedcanoenortheself-paddlingcraftwasinsight.

“I’lldivedownandseeifourssank,”Nancyoffered.

Whenshesurfaced,Nedasked,“Anyluck?”

“Notyet.”Nancydiveddeeplyandswamunderwaterfornearlyaminute.

“Icertainlydon’tseeourcanoe,”shetoldherselfruefully.Afterarestshetriedoncemore.

Hersearchwasfruitless.SheandNedconcludedthatithadbeenstolenbytheoctopus-man.

“Doyoufeeluptoatrek?”sheaskedhim.

“Ohsure.Iguesswe’llhavetowalkwayaroundthelaketogetbacktocamp.”

“I’mafraidso.”

Theotherghosthunterswerestillon thebeachwhenNancyandNedreturned.TheywereamazedwhenNancyrelatedwhathadhappened.

Ritadidnotexpressherthoughtsaloud,butthesmileonherfaceplainlyindicatedan“Itoldyouso.”

BurtandDavedecidedtotakeapowerboatandhunt forthemissingcampcanoe, thecraftthatpropelleditself,andtheoctopus.

“I’msurethere’saconnectionbetweenthelasttwo,”Nancytoldthemjustbeforetheyroaredoff.

BessinsistedthatNancyandNedtakearest.TheyagreedbutfirststoppedatthelodgetotellMr.Leffertaboutthemissingcanoeandtheothermysteriousincidents.Hewasstandingbehindthedesk,talkingtotheclerk.

When Ronny, the clerk, heard the story, his eyes opened wide. “I’ve been told there’s amonsterinthelake,”hesaid.“Ididn’tbelieveit,butnowIdo.”

Mr.Leffertpoundedthedeskandsaid,“Thatsettlesit!I’msellingtheplace!Thewholethinghasgonefarenough.JustthismorningIreceivedanofferforthecamp.I’lltakeitandgetoutofherebeforeIloseanymoremoney.”

Ashebellowed,anideacametoNancy.Sheasked,“Byanychanceistheprospectivebuyer’snamePrizer?”

Mr.Leffertlookedatherinsurprise.“Why,yes,itis.Howdidyouknowthat?”

SheandNedexplainedaboutgoingtoseeMrs.Tarpey,therealtor,andlearningthatamannamedWilburPrizerhadbeeninquiringaboutthecamp.

“Pleasewaitalittlelonger,”NancyurgedMr.Leffert.“Ihaveahunchwe’regoingtosolvethemystery.Bytheway,Isupposethepriceyouwereofferedforthecampisverylowcomparedtowhatit’sworth?”

“Yes,itis,”Mr.Leffertsaid.

“Thenpleasewait,”Nancypleaded.

Mr.Leffertagreedtodothis.Hehadjustmadethepromisewhenthetelephonerangandhescoopeditup.Inamomenthesaid,“Yes,Mr.Prizer.”

NancyandNedlookedateachother,wonderingwhetherPrizerwouldbepersuasiveenoughtotalkMr.Leffertintosellingafterall.Buttheproprietorputhimoff.

“I’dlikeafewdaystomakeupmymind,”hesaid.

Thecallerbecameveryangryand insistentand talkedso loudly thatNancyandNedcouldheareveryword.PrizerdideverythingbutthreatenMr.Leffertintoagreeingtosellthecamp.At one point Nancy was afraid the proprietormight give in and kept shaking her head toencouragehimtodelay.

“Thisismyfinalanswerforthemoment,”Mr.Lefferttoldhiscaller.“Iwillletyouknowmydecisioninafewdays.”

AsPrizeryelledlouder,Mr.Leffertsaid,“Iamverybusy.Imustsaygood-by.”Hehungup.

The other ghost hunters entered the lodge just then and were apprised of the latestdevelopment.AllwerepleasedthatNancyhadpersuadedMr.Lefferttowaitbeforesellinghisproperty.Thegroupwasabouttoscatteranddressforlunchwhentheyheardthedockbellringingfuriously.

“Something’shappened!”criedMr.Leffert.

Nancywasalreadyoutthedoorandrunningtowardthedock.BessandGeorgewerecloseatherheels.BurtandDavewerestandingupinthecamp’smotorboat.AstheirfriendsarrivedBurtheldupanoctopus,itseighttentacleswavingmenacingly.

“Lookout!”hecried.

Withthat,hethrewtheoctopusdirectlytowardtheoncomingghosthunters.Bessscreamedand turned around. George and the others dodged the creature as it landed on the dock.Though itsgreatarmscontinued towavearound, theoctopusdidnotmoveaway.BurtandDaveburstintouproariouslaughter.

Nancygrinned.“Youoldfakers!”sheexclaimed.“Wheredidyougetthisrubberoctopus?And

whatmakesitwiggle?”

“WefounditnearwhereNedwasattacked,”Davereplied.

Nedlookedpuzzled.“Ifthis iswhatattackedme,amanmusthavebeeninsidethethingorbackofit.”

“Ifhe’susingthecreaturetoscarepeople,”saidNancy,“whydidhelettheoctopusloose?”

Georgespokeup. “Maybehedidn’tplan to let itgo,buthad towhenNancydrewclose tohim.”

BurtsaidthatheandDavehadfoundthefakeoctopuslyingonthebeach.Whileexaminingit,theyhaddiscoveredhowtostartthemechanismwhichmadeitwrigglethroughthewater.Inafewmomentsthetinymotorrandownandtherubberoctopuslaystill.

Nancyhadgonetotheedgeofthedockandnoticedthatthecanoewastiedtothemotorboat.“Isthisthecampcanoe?”sheasked.

Davenodded.“Itwaswayupatthefarendofthelake.Butwedidn’tfindtheonethatpropelsitself.”

Nedpulledthealuminumcraftuponthebeachandbegantoinspectit.Hesaid,“SomethingwaskeepingNancyandmefrommakinganyprogressinthewater.Maybethere’sahiddengadget.”

“Lookout!”Burtcried

Bess looked fearful again. “Youmean someone deliberately put a gadget in it so he couldcontrolthecanoe?”

“Isuspectso,”Nedreplied.

Hesearchedthecraftthoroughlybutfoundnothing.“Itwasremoved,”Neddecided.

Ashestraightenedup,Georgesaid,“Ifsomeonewastryingtocauseanaccident,hewouldn’tknowwhichcanoewouldbechosentotakeoutonthelake.”

“You’reright,”Nedagreed.“Let’slookintheothers.Comeon,fellows.”

Under the rear seat of each craft the boys found a radio-controlled mechanism. Themovementsofthecanoescouldbecontrolledfromsomehiddenspotalongtheshore!

“I see it all now,” Nancy remarked. “The canoe that propels itself is probably also radio-controlled.Atacertainpointwheretheoperatorwashiddenalongtheshore,thecanoewasusedasbait.NedyouandIswallowedthebait.”

Henodded. “Then thepersonheldourcanoebackand finallyupset it.Heorsomeoneelsejumpedintothewaterwiththeoctopusandattackedme.”

JimArcherspokeup.“I’dsay that theoctopus-manorpeopleworkingwithhimare trainedengineers.”

“Butnuts,”Georgecommentedindisgust.

Thegadgetswereremoved fromthecanoesand turnedover toMr.Leffert.Henotified thepolice, who later came to take the gadgets. The two officers were amazed and greatlyconcernedabouttherashwayinwhichthedeviceswerebeingused.

The nextmorningNancy said to the ghost hunters, “I think we should call on elderlyMr.Prizeragainandtellhimaboutthecanoesandtheoctopus.Wemightlearnfromhisreactionifhissonwasreallybehindtheattack.”

Babsaidshewouldliketogoandseetheman’sshellcollection.Donofferedtodriveher.Ned,Burt,andDaveagreedtogo,buttheotherghosthuntersdecidednottojointhem.

“Youtellusaboutit,”Annesaid,smiling.

When Nancy and her friends arrived at the Prizer cottage, there was no answer to theirknock.Theylookedinthewindowsandcouldseeeverypartoftheinterior.NoonewasthereandNancynoticedthatthecradleshellwasgone.

“Well, we can’t break in,” Bab remarked. “I guess we’ll have to go back to camp withoutlearninganything.”

Just then they saw a woman coming down the path toward the cottage. She was stridingvigorouslyandswingingherarms.Therewasasetexpressiononherface.

“Shesurelooksmad,”Donremarked.

“That’sMrs.Tarpey,therealtor,”Nancytoldhim.

Asthewomanstormeduptothemshedidnotrecognizeanyofthecallersatonce.

“Ifyou’relookingforthatoldgeezerwhowasstayinghere,”shesaid,“he’sskipped!”

“Skipped?”Nancyrepeated.“Youmeanhehasleft?”

“I mean more than that,” Mrs. Tarpey said angrily. “Not only did he move out bag andbaggage,buthisrelativesgavemeacheckthatbounced!”

Georgeremarked,“Thenprobably it’s justaswell thathe’sgone.Youcanrent theplacetosomeoneelse.”

“Maybeandmaybenot,”Mrs.Tarpeysaid.“Withallthegoings-onaroundhereit’sdoubtful.”

SuddenlysherecognizedNancy.“You’rethegirlwhowasaskingmeaboutthePrizers.”

WhenNancynodded,therealtorsaid,“Didyoufindoutanythingaboutthem?”

Nancy repeated what little she had learned, particularly that the younger Prizers had nochildren.

Besssaid,“Ifeelsorryfortheoldman.He’snottoblameforwhathissonandwifedo.”

Nancywasnotsosurethattheoldmandeservedanysympathy.Shewasinclinedtothinkhewaspartoftheracket.

Bab remarked, “The seniorMr. Prizer said he had a fabulous shell collection. I wanted somuchtoseeit.”

Mrs.Tarpeytossedherhead.“Ifhehadone,itwasprobablystolenfromsomebody.”

“Stolen!”Babexclaimed.

“Yes.Didn’tyouhearthenewsreportthismorning?”

CHAPTERVIACuriousProphecy

“WHATwasthenewsreport?”Nancyasked.

Mrs.Tarpey said that a valuable collectionof shells hadbeen stolen in thenearby townofSheldon. The collector had been away for a couple of weeks. Upon his return he haddiscoveredtheloss.

“Theshellswereworthagreatdealofmoney,”Mrs.Tarpeyexplained.“Someofthemareveryrare.Oneof theMurexshells,aBrandaris,belongedtoanancientemperor.At the timehelived,peoplefoundthattheBrandarissecretedayellowfluid.Whenprocessed,itgaveoutapermanentpurpledyewhichwasusedtocolorclothfortogas.Onlyemperorsandkingswereallowedtowearthem.”

“How fascinating!” Bess remarked. “I can understandwhy the stolen collectionwas a realhaulforthethief.”

Nancysaidshewouldliketogointothecabinandseeifshecouldfindanycluestohelpsolvethemysteryofthelake.

“AlsoanycluestowherethePrizersmayhavegone.Maywegoin,Mrs.Tarpey?”

“Yes,andIhopeyoufindsomethingsoIcantracethosecrooks.”

The group entered and immediately began their search. George looked through a pile ofnewspapersinacorner.Thoseoflocalorigindidnotcontainanystorieswhichmightgiveaclue,butonthebottomofthepileshenoticedaFloridapaper.

Suspicious,shecalledNancyoverandshowedittoher.“TheremightbesomethinghereMr.Prizerwantedtokeep,”shesaid.“Helpmelookatallthearticles.”

ThegirlsscannedonecolumnafteranotherwithoutfindinganythingthatmightrelatetothePrizers.Then,onthenexttothelastpage,Nancyspottedamarkedarticle.

STOLENSHELLCOLLECTIONREMAINSAMYSTERY

The itemstatedthatan intruderhadstolenacollectionofpricelessshells,someof themintheroomwheretheownerwasasleep.

“Nancy,doyousupposethat intrudercouldpossiblyhavebeenyoungMr.Prizeraftermoreshells?”

Nancynodded.“OroldMr.Prizer.”

Bythistimetheothersearcherswerereadytogiveup.Theyhadfoundnoworthwhileclues.

“Lookatthis!”saidBessandshowedthemthenewsitem.

NancywentovertoMrs.Tarpey.“Isthereanatticoracellarinthiscottage?”sheasked.

“There’snocellar,butthereisanattic.Youhavetoremoveoneofthepanelsintheceilingtogettoit.”

“Ithinkweshouldlookupthere,”Nancytoldher,andsheagreed.“We’dbetterhaveoneoftheboysgoup.”

Nancy asked Ned if he would do it. As everyone looked on, he hoisted himself to Burt’sshoulders and slid the panel back. Then he climbed into the attic. Those below waitedexpectantly.TheatticfloorsqueakedandgroanedasNedmovedaround.

“Thatfloordoesn’tsoundverysafe,”BesswhisperedtoNancy.

“No,itdoesn’t,”Nancyagreed.

ThestillnesswassuddenlyshatteredbyashoutfromNed.“Themysteryissolved!”hecalleddown.

“Whatdidyoufind?”Nancyasked.

“Thecanoe!Theself-propellingcanoe!”

“Howmarvelous!”

Nedcalledout,“Burt,Dave,Don!YougrabthecanoeasIslideitthroughtheopening.”

Thegirlsmovedoutofthewayandtheboystooktheirpositionsundertheatticopening.

“Heregoes!”Nedcriedout.

Ashestartedtoshovethecanoeovertheedge,therewasasplinteringsoundandthewholeflooratoneendoftheopeninggaveway.Nedandthecanoedroppedintospace!

WhileBurtandDavebracedthemselvestocatchNed,GeorgeandNancyleapedforwardtohelpDon keep the canoe from smashing to the floor.Nedwas caught neatly and the craftloweredwithonlyaslightbump.

Mrs. Tarpey, almost beside herselfwith excitement, said, “Well of all things! Thosewickedpeople!AndnowI’llhaveabigrepairbillonthatceiling.”

Theyoungpeoplebegantoexaminethecanoe.Nedpointedoutacomplicatedsetofgadgetsunderboththefrontandrearseats.Onemotorworkedthefrontpaddle,anotherthestern.Bothwereattachedbypermanentswivelingfixtures.Stillanothermotorwasusedtoreceiveremote-controlsignals.

“Actuallyit’sveryingenious,”saidDon.

Just then they heard voices outside and two police officers walked in. Mrs. Tarpey hadreportedthecheckswindleandthemenhadcometoinvestigatethecottage.

Mrs.Tarpeyintroducedthemtothegroup,thensaid,“IguesstheseyoungfolkshavesolvedthemysteryoftheghostlyhappeningsonLakeSevanee.”

ShetoldtheofficersofNancy’shunchtheremightbeaclueintheatticandthatthecanoehadbeenfoundthere.

ThemenlookedatNancyandsmiled.“Youhavegreatsagacity,younglady,”oneofthemsaid.“You’vesavedusalotoftrouble.”

BessshowedtheofficerstheFloridanewspaperandtheydecidedtotakeitalongaswellasthecanoeforpossibleevidenceagainstthePrizers.Sincetherewasnothingmoretheghosthunters could do at the cottage,Nancy suggested they leave.Mrs. Tarpey and the officersthankedthemfortheirhelpastheysaidgood-by.

Climbingthehilltotheircars,Babsaid,“I’mgladthiscaseisclosed.Nowwecangoontothenextone.Thatreallyshouldbeexciting.”

“Youmeanthemediumatwhosehutthunderalwaysrollsduringherséances?”Donasked.

“Yes.”

Nancy reminded them that even though theghosthuntershad found themysterious canoeand had unearthed information concerning the nefarious activities of the Prizers, they stillhadnotcaughtthem.

Babsighed.“Aslongaswedebunktheghostbusiness,dowehavetocapturethevillains?”

Georgeanswered,“Weusuallydo.Nancyneverleavesacaseunfinished.”

Nedlaughed.“That’sright,andI’llbetshe’llcatchupwiththePrizers.”

Whentheyreachedthelodge,NancytoldMr.Leffertwhattheyhadlearned.HewasdelightedandrelievedthatthePrizershadlefttown.

“NowIcanfillmycampwithguestsandnobodywillbeafraidtogoinoronthelake!Ijustcan’tthankyouyoungpeopleenough!”

Nancy said sheandher friendswere sorry to leave suchanattractiveplace. “Butwehaveanotherjobtodo,sowe’llbecheckingoutsoon.”

The other ghost hunters were consulted and it was decided to leave early the followingmorning.TheirdestinationwasVernonville.When they reached there,Helenand Jimmadearrangementsatanattractiveone-storymotel.Assoonas thegrouphadchecked in,Helenasked the desk clerk, Miss Adelaide, about the medium and when she held séances. Sheconsultedacalendaroflocalevents.“MadameTarantellaishavingaséancethiseveningjustforwomen.Beforeitstarts,shewillholdconsultationswithtroubledsouls.”

ThisstruckGeorgefunny.Strikingaposewithherfeetfarapartandherhandsonherhips,shesaidinanasaltone,“Nancy,Bess,allofusareinrealtrouble,ain’twe?”

Theothergirlsburstintolaughter.Becomingserious,theydecidedtheywouldgotoMadameTarantella’sdirectlyaftersupper.Eachwouldtrytoseeherprivately.Theotherwomenghosthuntersdecidedtoattendtheseancebutnottogoearlyforseparateconsultations.

“I’msurprisedthatyouwantone,”RitasaidtoNancy.“You’resopractical.”

Nancysmiled.“Mymainreasonforgoingistostudythewomanandherhut.”

AsthethreegirlsdroveofflaterinNancy’scar,Georgeremarkedwhatabeautifuleveningitwas.“If there’sanythunderduringtheséancetonight, it’llhavetobeartificial. Iguessthemediumpullsthistricktoscarepeople.”

AfewminuteslaterNancydroveuptoawoodenshackwithasignPROPHECIESonthedoor.Thebuildingseemedoutofplaceinanareaofsmallapartmenthouses.

“Iguesswe’refirsttoarrive,”saidGeorge.

Asmallmandressedlikeagypsyadmittedthegirlsandescortedthemtoarearroom.Thelight was dim but they could distinguish a rather heavy-set woman dressed as a gypsyfortuneteller.Shewasseatedatatable.

Bessbegantocountthebraceletsonherarm,butbeforeshecouldfinish,thewomansaidinadeep,huskyvoice,“Iwilltakethisyoungladyfirst.”SheraisedherselfupalittletotouchNancy’sshoulder.“Willyoutwopleaseremainoutside.”

BessandGeorgelefttheinnerroomandsatdowninthelargerareawheretheséancewouldbeheld.

MadameTarantellaaskedNancy tobeseated in frontofheracross the table.She took thegirl’srighthandinhers,butdidnotlookatit.ShemerelystaredatNancy’sfaceandbegantotalk.

ItwasasurprisetoNancythatthemediumtoldhersomanythingsaboutherselfthatweretrue.Shedidnotseehowthewomancouldpossiblyhavefoundthemout,sinceshedidnotknowNancywascoming.

Themediumsmiledather.“You’reasweet,understandingyounglady.Asaresult,youhavemanyfriends.Atall,darkgood-lookingcollegemanisverydeartoyou.Inthefutureyouwillbeaskedtomakeadecisioninvolvingthisfriend.

“You’reahappypersonbynaturebutalwayslongingforamysterytosolve.Usuallyyouaretryingtohelpsomeone,butmyadvice toyou is tobeverycareful in the future.So faryouhavehadgoodluck,butthismayrunoutatanymoment.”

MadameTarantellastoppedspeaking.Suddenlyshegotupfromherchair,camearoundthetable,andfacedtheyoungsleuth.Shemovedherheadinaswayingmotion,hereyesrollinginstrangefashion.Nancywasabitfrightened.Sherose,thinkingshehadbetterleave.

Beforeshecouldmove,themediumstiffenedandclutchedNancybyhershouldersinanirongrip.ShelookedstraightatNancy,hereyesglowinglikecoalsoffire.

Inanawesomestagewhisper,shesaid,“Youcanhelpmerightnow.Infact,youmustdo itandwithouthesitation!”

“Whatdoyoumean?”Nancyasked.

“Thatyouareinmypowerandmusthelpme!”

Nancy’sonethoughtwastogetawayfromthiswomanbutshewasunabletodoso.MadameTarantellaputbotharmsaroundhershouldersandclosedthemlikeavise!

CHAPTERVIITheMysteriousBox

INtheséanceroomBessandGeorgebegantoworryaboutNancy.

“Ithinkwe’dbettergoinsideandseehowNancyismakingout,”saidBess.

Georgeagreedandthetwogirlswalkedintothebackroom.Theywerehorrifiedbywhattheysaw.MadameTarantella,hereyesgleaming,heldNancyinaviselikegrip.

“Stopthat!”Georgeexclaimed,andBessadded,“Lethergoatonce!”

AlthoughNancyseemed tobecalm, thecousinshadadistinct feeling that their friendhadhadaratherbadfright.Shesmiledatthegirlsasthemediumreleasedher.

“Thanks,”Nancymurmured.

Thewomanshookherheadandshouldersasifcomingoutofatranceandsaid,“Forgiveme.Ijusthadafrighteningpremonition.”

“Aboutme?”Nancyasked.

“No,no.Ithadtodoentirelywithme.Icouldseeamancomingtoattackme.Ifeltasifheweregoingtokillme.”

“Howdreadful!”Besssaid.

Georgespokeup.“Whywouldhewanttodothat?”

Themediumblinkedhereyesrapidlyasiftryingtoshutouttheawfulsight.“Hewantedmetogivehimcertainpapersofahighlysecretnature.”

“Youdon’thavetodoit,”Georgeremarked.

“Oh, you don’t know this man,” Madame Tarantella said. She turned to Nancy. “You arealwaysreadyandwillingtohelppeople.NowIimploreyourhelp.Youmusttakethepaperswithyouandkeepthemforme.”

Nancywasstartledbythesuggestion.Shehadnointentionofaccedingtotherequestbutherinstinctstoldherthatshemighthavestumbleduponacluetothemysteryofthewomanandherstrangelife.

“Myfatherisalawyer,”shesaidfinally.“Iwillaskhimifitwillbeallright.”Inherheartshewassurehewouldnotallowit.

“Ican’twaitthatlong,”MadameTarantellareplied.“Youmusttakethemtonight.”

Georgeinterrupted.“Whydon’tyouputthepapersinasafe-depositbox?”

Thewomandidnotanswer.Insteadsherolledhereyesaroundagain.Besswasbeginningtoquiverwithfear.Shewasabouttourgethattheyallleave,whenthemediumsuddenlylookedperfectlynormal,smiledsweetly,andsaidtoBess:

“You’reverypretty.Doyouhaveaproblem?”

Bessdidnotreply.ShesaidtoNancyandGeorge,“Let’sgetoutofhere!”

“Don’t be in a hurry, my dear,” Madame Tarantella said. “When I have premonitions, Isometimesactstrangely,peopletellme.IassureyouIwouldnotdoyouanyharm.”

Themediumlookedataclockonthewall.“Itwillsoonbetimefortheséancetobegin.Imusthaveafewminutesinwhichtogetmyselfreadyandcomposed.Pleasewaitinthelargeroom.TherewillbesomeinterestingmessagesrelayedtonightthatIwillreceivefromthespirits.”

“HowmuchdoIoweyou?”Nancyaskedthemedium.

Thewomansmiled.“Ihavenofee.Myclientspaymeinproportiontothehelptheyfeeltheyhavereceived.InthiscaseIamaskingyourhelp,sotherewillbenocharge.”

ThethreegirlsfiledoutandatonceBessurgedthattheyleavethehut.“Whilethegoingisgood,”sheadded.“Iwantnopartofthisstrange,fakesetup.”

“Theotherwomenwillsoonbehereandyou’llbeperfectlysafe,”Nancysaidsoothingly.

“Butthisplacegivesmetheshivers,”Bessargued.

Georgechuckled.“Alittleshivernowandthenwon’thurtyou.”

Whentheirfriendsarrived,thethreegirlswenttositwiththem.InawhisperBesstoldthemwhathadhappenedtoNancyandhowpeculiarMadameTarantellawas.

Helengrinned.“Itsoundsasifthismightbegoodfun.”

Babwhispered,“Ihopenospiritcomesdownandvanishesinaswirlingcloudwithoneofus!”

Other women and girls came in and the room was soon filled. Presently the lights weredimmedandahushcameovertheplace.

Madame Tarantella swept through the doorway from the rear room and ascended a littleplatform.Shewaswearingaflowingrobemadeofglitteringmaterialandalong-hairedblackwig.Onherheadwasaniridescentcrownandshecarriedawandwhichhadatinylightontheend.

GeorgewhisperedtoNancywithasoftgiggle,“ShelookslikeacrossbetweenCinderellaandawitch!”

Reaching the center of the platform, Madame Tarantella waved the wand in a semicircleseveraltimes.Thenslowlyshebegantospeakinadeepmonotone.

“Gracious spirit of those who have gone before,” she said, “bring us messages for theassembledgroup.”

Tinyflickeringlightsbegantoglowaboveherhead.Withinsecondsahigh-pitchedfemininevoicespokeasifcomingfromagreatdistance.Itmurmured,“Mydaughterissittingamongyou.I—wanttotellyou,Martha,tobe—morecareful—withyourmoney.”

As the so-called spirit voice stopped speaking, Madame Tarantella raised her wand high,lookedoutovertheaudience,andasked,“IsMarthahere?”

Asobcame fromsomewhere in theaudienceandawomancriedout, “Ohyes!Ohyes!Mymother!Shewasalwayswarningmetotakebettercareofmymoney!”

BessgrabbedNancy’shand.“Idon’tlikethis.I’mafraidofit.Let’sgo.Please.”

Before thegirls couldmakeamove,MadameTarantellabegan to speakagain.Wavingherwandtowardtheaudience,shesaid,“Thereisafrightened,doubtinggirlhere.HernameisBess.Ospiritworld,canyousendherareassuringmessage?”

Besssatpetrified.Didthewomanmeanher?

Nancy and George were amazed and remainedmotionless, listening intently for what wasabouttocomefromthespiritworld.

Presentlyaman’sdeepvoicesaidinaharshwhisper,“Iwasonceinchargeofthemarriagelicense bureau in your town.BessMarvin, I have amessage for you from the spiritworld.Soonyouwillbegoingtothelicensebureautoprepareforyourownwedding.”

Bessburiedherfaceinherhands.ThensheleanedtowardNancyandbegantocry.

Shewhispered,“Itcan’tbetrue!Davehastofinishcollegefirst!”

Nancyputanarmaroundthedistraughtgirl.AtthesametimeGeorgemurmured,“Perhapswe’dbettergo.”

This time Nancy agreed. Just as the girls were about to get up, there was a deepreverberatingrollofthunder.

Bess,evenmoreworriednow,said,“Oh,Idon’twanttogooutinathunderstorm!Idon’tlikethunderandlightning!”

“Don’t you remember?” Nancy whispered. “This may be part of the séance. It doesn’tnecessarilymeanarainstorm.”

HoldingNancy’sarm,Bessgotupandleftthehutwithherchums.Therewasnorain,butastormwasbrewing.Thegirlswalkedquicklytowardtheircar.

Notfarawaywasasmallparkwithasteelflag-pole.Withoutwarningaboltoflightningcamefromthesky.Ithitthepoleandracedtotheground.

“Oh!”Georgecriedamomentlater.

Shehadbeenknockedtothegroundbyashockwavefromthedischarge.NancyandBessfeltthetingleofelectricitypassingthroughtheirbodies.

“Areyouhurt?”NancyaskedGeorgequickly.

Herfriendstoodupanddeclared,“I’mallinonepiece,butIdon’twantanymoreshockslikethat.I’llhavemorerespectforlightningafterthis.”

Thegirlswalkedontothecar.WhenNancytriedtoopenthedooronthedriver’sside,shelookedpuzzled.

“Ididn’tlockthisdoor,”shesaid.“Dideitherofyou?”

“No,”thecousinsreplied.

ThedoorontheoppositesidewasalsolockedandNancywonderedwhohaddoneit.Georgesuggestedthatpossiblysometeen-agergoingpasthaddoneitforajoke.

“Maybe,”Nancyreplied,andunlockedthedoors.

Itwaswarminside.Besstookoffhersweaterandtosseditontotherearseat.

“WhydoyousupposethespiritvoicesaidI’dbegoingtothemarriagelicensebureausoon?”sheasked.

Georgegrinned.“Well,you’regoingsoonerorlater,aren’tyou?Thatoldfakespookwasjustguessingaboutwhen.”

Bessblushed.“Yes,buthesortofshookmeup.”

Whentheyreachedthemotel,sheturnedaroundandreachedovertoretrievethesweater.

“Nancy,”shesaid,“what’sthiscardboardboxonthefloor?”

“Idon’tknow,”Nancyanswered.“Ididn’tputitthere.”

ThegirlssteppedoutofthecarandNancypickedupthebox.“It’sprettyheavy,”shesaid.“Iwonderwhat’sinit.”

SuddenlyafrighteningideacametoBess.“Nancy,putitdown!Don’topenit!Theremightbeabombinside!”

CHAPTERVIIIRare.Medium.WellDone.

GINGERLY Nancy set the mysterious box in the driveway of the motel. She eyed itmeditatively.

Finallyshesaid,“Idon’tbelievethere’sabombinside.Ifitwasintendedforus,itwouldhavegoneoffbythistimeorbeticking.”

BessurgedNancynottoopenthebox.Shesaid,“Maybewhenyouliftthelid,thethingwillgooff.”

BythistimeGeorge’scuriositywasgettingthebetterofher.“I’dliketoknowwhat’sinthebox,”shesaid.

Nancylookedaroundforsomethingwithwhichtopryitopen.

Georgespottedalong-handledgardentoolproppedagainstthegarage.“Thatrake’sjustwhatweneed.”

She got the rake and handed it to Nancy. Then, keeping at what she considered a safedistance,Nancygentlypriedupthelid.Itfelltooneside.

Thethreegirlsburstintolaughter.Theboxwasfullofpapers!

“Whatameanjoke!”saidBess.

Nancy and the cousins walked over and looked more closely. There seemed to be anassortmentoflettersanddocumentsinside.Ontoplayahand-printedrequest:

NANCYDREW, IBEGOFYOU,KEEPTHESEPAPERSSAFEUNTIL ICOMEFORTHEM.

Therewasnosignature,butNancytoldBessandGeorgeshewassurethesewerethepaperswhichMadameTarantellahadbeggedhertotakealong.

Georgesnorted.“Shecertainlywasdeterminedthatyou’dgetthem.Whatareyougoingtodonow?”

“Callmyfatherandaskhisadvice.”

Unfortunatelytherewasnoanswerwhenshedialedherhome.

“I’llcallDadinthemorning,”shesaid.

Meanwhile,BessandGeorgehadbeendiscussinghowandwhentheboxhadbeenputinthecar.

“Itmusthavebeenduring the timewewere in theséanceroombeforeMadameTarantellacamein,”Georgesurmised.“Shewasprobablytheonewholockedthecardoorssonoonecouldstealthepapers.”

WhileNancyandthecousinspreparedforbed,theytalkedaboutthestrangeturnofeventsandwhyNancyhadbeenchosenbythemediumtokeepthepapersforher.

“There’s something sinister in back of the whole thing,” Bess declared. “I certainly hope,Nancy, thatyouwon’thaveanother thing todowith thatwoman,even if theghosthuntersdon’tsolvethisparticularmystery.”

Beforebreakfast thenextmorningNancyagain telephonedher father.This timehewasathome.

Afterhearingthestory,hesaid,“Havenothingtodowiththosepapers!Takethemrightback

tothatMadameTarantella.”

“Allright,Dad.IjustwantedtobesurethatwaswhatIshoulddowiththem,ratherthankeepthemasevidenceagainstthiswomanifshe’sdoingsomethingillegal.”

ThelawyerremindedNancythatthepaperswereprivateproperty.“Eventhoughthemediumaskedyoutokeepthem,shedidn’tsuggestthatyoureadthem.”

“Allright,Dad,I’lltakethemback.”

AtbreakfastNancytoldthefullstoryoftheevening’shappeningstoNed,Burt,andDave.ButshedidnotrevealtheprophecyaboutBess.“Wouldyouallliketodrivedowntothemedium’shutwithme?”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Dave answered. “I’d like to see this strange creature.” He grinned.“Maybeshecantellmesomethingaboutmyfuture.”

AtthisBessturnedscarletandDaveaskedworriedly,“DidIsaysomethingIshouldn’thave?”

Nancy and George could not refrain from laughing. George said, “Let Bess tell you whatMadameTarantellasaidaboutherimmediatefuture.”

“I’lldonothingofthesort,”Bessrepliedindignantly,“andifyougirlsdaresayaword—”

“Oh,comeon,”Davecoaxed,butthethreegirlsremainedsilent.

Nancy and George wondered whether Dave would somehowmake Bess tell him what theprophecyhadbeen.

AlittlewhilelaterthethreecouplesdroveintoVernonvilleandwentdirectlytothemedium’shut.Therewasnoanswertotheirpersistentknocking.

“Doyousupposesheisn’tathome,orjustwon’tletusin?”Georgeasked.

Nancyshruggedandsuggestedthattheydoalittleshoppingandcomebacklater.Justthenayoungwomancameoutofanapartmenthouseacrossthestreet.

Shecalledovertothem,“AreyoulookingforMadameTarantella?”

“Yes,weare,”Nancyreplied.

Thewomansmiled.“Iguessshewon’tbetellinganymorefortuneshere.”

“Why?”Georgeasked.

Theneighborsaidthatabouttwoo’clockthatmorningacarandatruckhaddrivenuptothehut.Boxes,suitcases,andallsortsofparaphernaliawerepackedintothetwovehicles.

“ThenMadameTarantelladroveoffinthecarwithtwomen.”

“Maybeshewaskidnapped!”Bessexclaimed.“ThemediumtoldourfriendNancylastnightthatshewasafraidsomemanwasgoingtoharmherandrobher.”

The neighbor looked alarmed. “If that’s the case, I hope the police won’t ask me for adescription of those people in the car, because I don’twant to become involved.Anyway, Icouldn’tseethemenwellenough.”

“Didyounoticeanythingaboutthem?”Nancyqueried.

“Well,onewastallandslenderandhadbushyhair.Theothermanwasshorter.”

Theghosthunterslookedatoneanother.Couldthetall,slender,bushy-hairedonebeWilburPrizer?

Theneighborwentontosay,“I’mgladMadameTarantella’sgone.”

“Why?”Nedputin.

“Becausetoomanyfunny-lookingcharacterswerealwayscomingoutofandgoing intothatplace.”

“Youmeandishonest-lookingpeople?”Nancyasked.

“Well,Ican’texactlysaythat,butIwouldn’twantanyofthemcallingonme.SorryIcouldn’thelpyoumore.I’vegottogonow.”Shehurrieddownthestreet.

ThegirlsdrovebacktothemotelandagainNancytelephonedtoherfather.

“I certainly don’t want you involved in this,” he told his daughter. “I know a lawyer inVernonvillenamedKittredge.I’llgetintouchwithhimandseeifhewouldbewillingtokeeptheboxinhissafeandtoaskthepolicetohuntforthevanishedmedium.Shemayhavebeenkidnapped.”

Mr.DrewadvisedNancy to stay inher roomandwait for aphonecall.Abouthalf anhourlatershereceivedamessagefromMr.Kittredge,sayinghewouldbeoverinalittlewhile.

“Pleasewait forme,” he requested. “I’ll come to your room and pick up the papers. Fromwhatyourfathertoldme,itprobablywouldbebestifyoudidnotappearonthestreetagainwiththem.”

Nancypromised to stay right there. She suggested toBess andGeorge that theyneednotwait.Shewouldjointhemlater.

“We’llgettheothersandgodowntothepool,”Georgesaid.“Thewaterlookssoinviting.”

Thegirlshadbeengoneonlyashorttimewhentherewasaknockonthedoor.Nancyopenedit.

“Hi,Helen,”shesaid.

“Youalone?”Helenasked,steppinginside.

“Yes,I’mwaitingforafriendofDad’s.”

As Helenmoved past a table on which Nancy had set the box of papers, she accidentallyknockedittothefloor.Thecontentsscatteredineverydirection.

“I’msorry!”Helensaid.“I’llhelpyoupickthemup.”

AsNancybegantoreturnthepaperstothebox,shenoticedthatonewasadrawingwhichshowedasectionofapropertydevelopment.Shewentongatheringupthepapers.

“Oh!”sheexclaimed.

“What’sthematter?”Helenasked.

“Here’salettertoMadameTarantellasignedWilburPrizer!”

Helenwasamazed.“Doyouthinkthere’ssomeconnectionbetweenthetwo?”

“I’mbeginningtothinksomoreandmore,”Nancyreplied.

Asshewentonpickingupthepapers,Nancypresentlycameacrossatelegram.Thesender’snameandaddresshadbeencutoff.ItwasaddressedtoMadameTarantellaandsaid:

RARE.MEDIUM.WELLDONE.

“Whatintheworlddoesthatmean?”Helenasked.

Nancysmiled.“AllIcandoisguess.Ofcourseit’satake-offonwordsappliedtocookedmeat.I think it’sacode.PerhapsmediummeansMadameTarantellaandshedidsomerarebitofworkandwasbeingtoldshehaddoneitwell.”

“Cleverdeduction,”Helenremarked.

ManythoughtsandconjectureswereracingthroughNancy’smindasthelastofthepapers

wereplacedinthebox.Shesetitbackonthetable,whichwasnearthedoor.

SheandHelencontinuedtotalkasNancymovedovertothebureauandlookedinthemirrortoseeifherhairneededrecombing.Thenextmomentshefroze.

Reflectedintheglasswasaman’shandandarmreachingaroundthecornerofthepartiallyopeneddoortothehall.Hewasabouttograbthebox!

CHAPTERIXMotelApparition

WITHamightyleapNancywasacrosstheroom.Shegrabbedthehandoftheunseenman.Therewasaloudyellinthehallwayandthehandwaswrenchedaway.

“Helen,lockyourselfin!”Nancycriedoutanddashedtothehall.

A tall, slender man wearing a straw hat pulled low on his head was bounding toward anoutsidedoor.Nancyspedafterhim.

Thedooropeneddirectlyintothegardenwherethepoolwas.Asthewould-bethiefranacrossthe garden, the sunbathers looked up in puzzlement. Theywere evenmore puzzled to seeNancychasingtheman.

“Stophim!”NancyyelledtoNedandtheotherboys.

Immediately they stood up and sped after the fleeing figure. Theman was very agile andeasilyvaultedalowcementwallatthefarendofthegarden.Hispursuerswereoveritinajiffy.

AsNancyleanedagainstthewalltocatchherbreath,BessandGeorgeandtheotherghosthuntershurrieduptoher.

“Whowashe?Whatdidhedo?”Georgeasked.

Nancytoldthemwhathadhappened.

AtonceBesscriedout,“Howawful!”

Thegirlswaitedalongtimebeforetheboysreturned.Unfortunatelytheywerenotescortinganyprisoner.

“Hegotaway,”Nedreported.“Somesprinter!”

“I’llsay,”Burtadded.“HewasthefastestthingontwolegsI’veseeninalongwhile.”

“Wheredidthemango?”Nancyasked.

“Heranoffthroughsomewoodsbehindahouseanddisappeared.Whenwereachedtheothersideofthewoods,wefoundaroad.Heprobablywentoffinacar.”

Nancyaskedwhethertheboyshadhadagoodenoughlookatthemantoidentifyhim.

Theboysshooktheirheads,butNedsaid,“IthinkIsawbushyhairstickingoutfromunderhishat.”

“Prizer!”Georgeexclaimed.

NancytoldtheboysabouttheattemptedtheftandsaidshehadleftHelenlockedin.

“I’dbettergetback,”shesaid,

AsNancynearedherdoor,shesawamanstandinginthehall.Hewassomewhatheavy-setandwasastrangertoher.

FrominsidetheroomsheheardHelencallout,“Iwon’t letyouinuntilNancyDrewcomesback!”

“Well,she’dbetterhurry,”thecallerreplied.“I’mabusyman.”

Nancywalkeduptohimandintroducedherself.“Andyouare?”

“Mr.Kittredge.Yourfatheraskedmetocomehereforaboxofpapers.”

“Yes,Mr.Kittredge.We’vehadalittletrouble.That’swhymyfriendwon’tletanyoneintotheroom.”

Nancycalled toHelen tounlock thedoor.When itwasopen,she introducedHelenandthelawyer.

“You had some trouble?” he said, followingNancy into the room. “Then I assume youwillwantsomeidentificationfromme.”

Nancylaughed.“Yousavedmetheembarrassmentofaskingyou.”

AsMr. Kittredge showed his driver’s license and a couple of credit cards, Nancy told himaboutthemanwhohadtriedtostealtheboxofpapers.

“Hegotaway,butmyfriendsandIthinkhe’samannamedWilburPrizer.”

HelenapologizedtoMr.Kittredgeforkeepinghiminthehall.

“Idon’tblameyouforbeingcareful,”hesaid,smiling.

She turned to Nancy, “I found a small, white shell. It must have fallen out of MadameTarantella’sbox.”

Theshellwastheshapeofapyramidandwasaboutfiveincheshigh.

Mr.Kittredgetookitandsaid,“Thisisveryinteresting.ItsnicknameistheFraudShell.TherightnameisEpitoniumscalare.”

ThelawyerexplainedthattheshellwasaratherraretypefoundindeepwateroffthecoastofChina.

“Manyyearsagoitwasingreatdemandbutverydifficulttofind.Evenatthattimeitsoldfortwohundredandeightydollars.

“TheChinese sawagoodway ofmakingmoney. They figured out away of imitating theseshellsinriceflourpaste.”

“Anddidtheygetawaywithit?”Helenasked.

“They did for a long time,” Mr. Kittredge answered. “But finally a collector who hadpurchasedonetriedtowashtheshellinwater.”

Nancysmiled.“Anditdissolved?”

“Exactly.Theshellsaremoreplentifulnowadaysbecausedeep-seadiversgodownforthem.I’veheardthattheoldfraudsaremoreexpensivethantherealshells!”

Nancy examined the shell, but found no markings of any kind on it. She returned theEpitoniumscalaretothebox.

“I’llwrap this package so itwon’t be recognizedby anybodywhomaybe lurking around,”Nancytoldthelawyer.

Shefoundalargepaperlaundrybagintheclosetoftheroom.Theboxwasslippedintothebag,thenMr.Kittredgeleft.

Nancy andHelen discussed the latest development in themystery for a fewminutes, thenNancysaid,“IthinkI’llputonmybathingsuitandgoforaswim.”

“Iwill,too,”Helensaid.“Jimwillbelookingforme.”

Atthatmomenttherewasaknockonthedoor.Nancyopenedit.Helengaveacryofsurprise.

Aghostlikefigurestoodinthehall,onearmraisedmenacingly.

InstantlyHelenjumpedinfrontofNancyandslammedandlockedthedoor.“Anotherspookything!What’sgoingtohappentousnext?”

Nancydidnotcomment.Shestaredatthedoor,tryingtofigureoutwhattheapparitionwas.

Helenspokeup,“Howsillyofmetobeafraidofthatthing!WhatkindofghosthunteramI?”

Nancyopenedthedoor.Theapparitionwasdisintegrating!

“Oh,whatisit?”Helenasked.

Nancyclosedthedooragain.“Ibelieveit’ssomeformofodorlessgas,”shesaid.“Itmightbepoisonous.IthinkI’dbetterphonethemanagerofpossibledangertopeoplecomingintothehall.”

It tookNancya fewminutes toconvincehimthiswasnotahoaxandwouldbe to thebestinterestofeveryonestayingatthemoteltokeepalltheguestsoutofthecorridoruntiltheaircouldclearthoroughly.

“You’ve convincedme,MissDrew,”he said. “Of course I still can’tunderstandwhyanyonewould do such a crazy thing or try to play such a mean joke on you. But I’ll do as yousuggest.”

NancygotreadyforherswimassheandHelenwaitedforthehalltoclear.

“I haveahunch,”Nancy said, “that itwasWilburPrizerwho rigged thegasghost.As yourecall,hehasconsiderabletechnicalknowledge.”

“But,Nancy,” saidHelen, “do you thinkWilbur Prizerwould dare come back here so soonafterbeingchasedaway?”

“Ithinkhestillwantedtogettheboxofletters.Ofcoursehecouldn’tknowthatMr.Kittredgewascomingandthathetookthepapers.Prizerprobablyhadsomebodywhoworkswithhimrigupthatphantom.”

Helensmiled.“Theghost-makerexpectedustorunawayinfright,notslamthedoor intheapparition’sface.”

Theghostlikefigureraisedanarmmenacingly

Nancynodded.“Thenhewasgoingtocomeintotheroomandstealthebox.”

Bothgirlsgiggledastheythoughtofhowtheyhadoutwittedtheirenemybyremainingintheroom.Nancypointedout,however,thatallofthisdidnotexplainwhyPrizerwantedtogetthepapersawayfromMadameTarantella,orhowheknewNancyhadthem.

“It’stoomuchofamuddleforme,”Helenremarked.Sheopenedthedoor.“Idon’tseeanytraceoftheapparition.I’llholdmybreathandracetomyroomtoputonmyswimsuit.”

Aftershehadgone,Nancy’stelephonerang.“Hello?”shesaid.

Awoman’sdeepvoicesaid,“IsthisNancyDrew?”

“Yes.”

“Nancy Drew,” the caller went on, “I have an important message for you from the spiritworld.”

CHAPTERXTheTrap

“WHO is this?” Nancy asked the caller. She knew the voice was not that of MadameTarantella,unlessshewasdisguisingit.

ThewomandidnotanswerandforamomentNancythoughtshehadhungup.ButNancyhadheardnoclickonthewire.

“Whoisthis?”sheaskedagain.

Thereplycame,“Iamamedium.ThespiritofyourGrandfatherDrewhassentanimportantmessageforyouthroughme.”

Nancyfrownedbutdidnotcomment.Shewaswishingshewasnotaloneandthattherewastimebeforethecallerfinishedspeakingtohavesomeoneruntoanothertelephoneandtrytohavethecalltraced.

WhenNancymadenocomment,thewomansaid,“Didyouunderstandme?Ihaveamessageforyoufromthespiritworld.DirectfromyourGrandfatherDrew.”

“Iheardyou,”Nancyreplied.

“Don’tyouwanttohearwhatitis?”thecalleraskedimpatiently.“Iassureyouitisofgreatimportance.”

“Whywouldmygrandfathercommunicatethroughyou?”Nancyasked.

“My dear,” said the woman in placating tones, “if you understood how mediums receivemessagesfrompeopletheyneverhaveheardof,youwouldunderstandthis.”

AgainNancykeptsilent,atroubledlookonherface.Helenenteredtheroomandcameclosetoher.

“Whoisit?”shewhispered.

Before Nancy could answer, the caller said, “The message is: You are to leave the boxMadame Tarantella gave you under the stone bridge which is just one mile north ofVernonvilleonRoute23.Leave it thereatexactly twoo’clockthisafternoonandthendriveaway.Donottarryatthespot.Goatonce.”

Nancysaid,“WhatwillhappenifIdon’tbringit?”

Therewasaslightshowofangerinthemedium’svoiceassheanswered,“YourGrandfatherDrewsaidifyoudisobeyhim,hewillpunishyou.”Thewomanhungup.

Nancyexplainedthecalltoherfriend.

Helen was alarmed. “Nancy, she threatened you! I had no idea mediums could be sodangerous.Ofcourseyoucan’tleavethebox.Mr.Kittredgehasit.Whatareyougoingtodo?”

Nancysaid shecouldalways finda substitutebox.ButHelenargued thatwhen thepersonwhoreceiveditdiscoveredthehoax,heorshewouldretaliateandharmNancy.

“I’llhavetotakethatchance,Helen.ButtobesureI’mdoingtherightthing,I’llphoneMr.KittredgeandtellhimwhatIhaveinmind.”

ThelawyerwasabitworriedattheturnofeventsandwarnedNancythatshemustbeverycareful.

“I think your idea of leaving a substitute box is a good one. Be sure tomake it the sameweightastheboxofpapersandtakeamanwithyoutothespot.Thenassoonasyouhavehiddentheboxunderthebridge,please,bothofyoudriveoff.”

Mr. Kittredge added that he would ask the police to have a couple of plainclothesmen

stationednearbytograbwhoevercameforthebox.

“I’llletyouknowwhathappens,”hepromised.

HeleninsistedthatNancystillhaveherswim,sothetwogirlswenttothepool.HereNancywhisperedtoBessandGeorgeandtheirdateswhathadoccurredandherplanfortryingtocaptureatleastonepersoninvolvedinthemystery.

“DirectlyafterlunchI’llgetaboxfromthehousekeeper,”shesaid.“Isupposetheeasiestwaytogiveitweightistofillitwithnewspapersandsomestones.”Shesmiled.“Wouldyouboysmindbringingafewofthemtomyroomafterlunch?”Theygrinnedandpromisedtodoso.

“Ned,willyoucomealongwithme?”

“Surething.Icertainlywouldn’tthinkoflettingyougoalone.”

“I’mgladofthat,”saidBess.“NancycanthinkupmoredangerousthingstodothananyoneelseIknow.”

“Andhow!”Georgeadded.

DuringlunchnotonlyNancy’sgroupbutall theirghost-huntingfriendswhisperedexcitedlyaboutwhatwas takingplace.AsNancy left the table, eachof themwishedher luck in theerrand.

Bess added, “Whoever that woman is who called, she was pretty mean to bring yourGrandfatherDrewintoit.”

Nancy smiled. “I think so, too.Hewas a darling person and I don’t like to have his namedraggedintosomeunderhandedscheme.”

AbouttwentyminutestotwosheandNedwerereadytosetoff.Nedcarriedtheboxtothecar.

AlthoughBesswasworriedaboutthewholeadventure,shecouldhardlykeepfromgigglingwhenshethoughtofthecontents.“Somebody’sgoingtogetawhaleofasurprise,”shesaidtoGeorge.

“Servesherright,”Georgeretorted.

Nancy and Ned drove to Vernonville and found Route 23. They watched the speedometerclosely.Atexactlyonemilefromtowntheycametoastonebridgeandparkedatthesideoftheroad.

“Iguessthisisit,”Nedsaid,andtheybothclimbedoutofthecar.

Thebridgewasoldandpartlycoveredwithmoss.Thestreamwhichranunderitwasnarrowand fairly shallow, and was full of sharp-pointed rocks over which the water gushed andgurgled.

NancyandNedlookedonbothembankmentstoseeifanyonewerelurkingthere.Theysawno one and did not hear a sound. Finally they climbed down one embankment and peeredunderthebridge.Noonewasthere.

Itwasevidentthatthebridgehadbeenbuiltalongtimeagoandhadbeenrathercrudelyputtogether.Thereweremanyledgesonwhichtheboxcouldbeset.

“Iseeagoodspot,”Nancyremarked.“I’llfindouthowlevelitis,andthenyousettheboxupthere,Ned.”

Nancy stepped along the muddy edge of the stream and reached up. Her hand touchedsomething furry! Before she could yank it away, there was a hiss. Claws reached out andscratchedher!

“Oh!”Nancyexclaimedasshelookedatherhand.Itwasalreadystartingtobleed.

Thenext instant theheadofa largecat lookedoverather.Amoment later two tinyheads

appeared.Kittens!

Nedbegantolaugh.“Oldtabbydoesn’twanttobedisturbed,”heremarked.“I’msorryaboutyourhand,”hesaidasNancyreacheddowntowashitinthecoolwater.

Atthatmomenttheyheardaboy’svoicebehindthemandturnedquickly.Hewasabouttenyearsoldandlookedasifhehadjustcomefromsomefarmingchores.

“Hello,”NancyandNedsaidtogether,andNancyadded,“Isthatyourcatupthere?”

“Nope,”theboyreplied.“Say,mister,areyouNedNickerson?”

“Yes,Iam.”

“Yourfriendsareupontheroad.Isawthemlookin’around.IsaidmaybeyouweredownhereandI’dtakealook.”

“Friendsofmine?”Nedasked,suspiciousastowh)thepeoplemightbe.

“That’swhattheysaid.TheirnamesareBurtandDave.”Theboyleft.

“Ned,you’dbettergoseewhattheywant,”Nancysuggested.“Theymayhavebroughtsomeinformationoramessageforus.”

“Okay.I’llberightback.”

HehandedtheboxtoNancy,whobeganlookingaroundfor,anotherledge.Choosingawideone,shestoodontiptoeandmadesurenoanimalwasrestingthere.Thensheraisedtheboxandsetitinplace.

“I’llgouptotheroadnowandseewhytheotherboyscame,”Nancytoldherself.

As she walked along the muddy path toward the embankment, the young detective heardfootstepsbehindher.Sheturnedquicklybutwastoolatetodefendherselfagainstthesuddenattack.

Ahugehandwasclappedoverhermouth.Thenahuskymanbegantodraghertowardthewater!I

CHAPTERXISpookyMistake

CHIDING herself for having been duped, Nancy struggled furiously to get away from hercaptor.Shetriedagainandagaintoscreambutonlymuffledsoundscamefromherthroat.

“Youlittlevixen!”thegiantlikemansaid.“Itwon’tdoyounogoodtostruggle.You’llonlyhurtyourself.IshouldwarnyouI’manexpertatjudoandkarate.Ifyougettooflip,I’lluseoneortheotheronyou!”

NancywaspowerlessbutshekeptthinkingthatNedwouldreturnanymoment.Wherewashe?

Nowthegirl’scaptorpulledherintothewaterandbegantopushherdown.Horrified,Nancywonderedifheintendedtodrownher.Shebegantostruggleagain.

Justthenavoicedemanded,“Holdit!”

Nancy’sassailantdroppedhersuddenlyandshehittherocks.Hercaptorhadalreadystartedtorun.

Nancystoodupquickly.Twomenrushedpastherafter the fleeing figure.Theycaughthimeasily,andthoughhetriedsomejudoandkaratetricks,theothertwomenweremorethanamatchforhim.

“You’vegotnorighttostopme!”theirprisonerprotested.“Thiswas.apersonalmatter.Thisgirlhereisatroublemakerandneededtobepunished.”

“We’llhearhersideofthestory,”oneofthemensaid.

The two newcomers introduced themselves as plainclothesmen from the local policedepartment.

Oneofthemsaid,“I’mSergeantBrothers.ThisisDetectivePeron.”

“Whowasintouchwithyou?”Nancyaskedtodouble-checkthem.

“Mr.Kittredge.”

Nancywassatisfied.“Thankyouforcomingtomyrescue,”shesaid.

Before leaving,Nancypointedout the fakebox.Themensuggested leaving it.Apolicemanwouldcometheretowatchforanyonewhomightpickitup.

InalltheexcitementNancyhadforgottenthatNedhadnotreturned.WashestilltalkingtoBurtandDave?

Whensheandthedetectivesandtheirprisonerreachedtheroad,NancywasamazednottofindNedthere.Herowncarstoodwhereithadbeenparked,butnoothercarwasinsightnoranyoftheirfriends.

NancytoldthedetectivesabouttheboywhohadcometogiveNedthemessage.

“I’mworriedthatitmayhavebeenahoax,andthatsomethinghashappenedtohim,too.”

“Thatcouldwellbe,”saidSergeantBrothers.

Heturnedtohisprisoner.“Doyouknowanythingaboutthis?”

“No.”

“What’syourname?”DetectivePeroninquired.

Theprisonerremainedsilent.Thedetectivesearchedhim,buthecarriednoidentification.

“Haveyouanythingtosayforyourself?”SergeantBrothersaskedtheman.

“Just one thing.Ordinarily Idon’twork fornobodydoin’ thiskindofwork. Iwent to seeamediumandshetoldmeIhadtoseizeNancyDrewwhenshewasaloneunderthebridge.”

“Andthen?”DetectivePeronurgedhim.

“ShesaidifIdidn’tdowhatIwastold,Iwouldbepunishedrealbad—maybebekilled.”

“Whowasthismedium?”Nancyasked.

“Iain’tsayin’”

SergeantBrothersspokeup.“Whynot?”

Theprisonersaidhewouldsaynothingmorebecausehewasafraid.“Iguessyouthinkthat’scuckoo,’causeI’msuchabigstrongguy.Butwhenthespiritworldtellsyoutodosomething,allthephysicalstrengthintheworldwon’thelpyounonetokeepoutofit.”

Nancylookedatthecaptiveinamazement.Shehadafeelingthatthemediumwasprobablythesamepersonwhohadtelephonedher.ButsinceshecouldnotbesurethemanwasnotpartofagangheadedbythePrizers,Nancysaidnothing.

Changingthesubject,shesaid,“ImusthuntformyfriendNedNickerson.”

Thetwoplainclothesmenlookedateachother.FinallySergeantBrotherssaid,“Youmustn’tdoitalone.Driveyourcarintotowntopoliceheadquarters.We’llfollow.Assoonasthismanisarraigned,we’llcomebackhereagainwithyouandseewhatwecanfindout.”

The trip to town took only a few minutes. While Nancy was waiting for the officers toaccompanyher,shecalledthemoteltofindoutifbyanychanceNedwasthere.TheanswerwasNo.Thensheaskedifhehadphonedamessage.

“No,MissDrew.”

Nancywasbecomingmorealarmedbytheminute.ThelongerittooktofindNed,themorehemightbesufferingatthehandsoftheirenemies.

NancywasaskedtosignastatementchargingoneJohnDoewithassaultandbattery.Thenthetwoplainclothesmensaidtheywerereadytoleave.Nancydrovebacktothestonebridge,followedbythetwopoliceofficers.

The threealightedandatoncewentdown theembankmentopposite theonewhereNancyandNedhadbeen,sincethatwasthewayhehadreturnedtotheroad.TheybeganhuntingforNed’sfootprints.Atfirsttheywerehardtolocate,becausethesoftembankmentwasfullof foot-marks.AfterasearchNancywasable tospotsomeripple-soledshoeprintsshewassurewereNed’s. At the foot of the embankment, they led away from the stream toward ahollow.

“Let’sgo!”Nancyurged.

The three proceeded silently, picking theirway among rocks,mounds of coarse grass, andbrush.At last theyreachedthehollowwhichwas filledwitha thickgrowthof trees. Itwasmucheasierwalking.

Excited,Nancyranaheadoftheplainclothesmen.Shehadspottedashackamongthetrees.

“MaybeNedisaprisonerinside!”shethought.

“Hold on, young lady!” Sergeant Brothers called to her. “We don’t want anythingmore tohappentoyou.”

Nancy stopped, but urged the men to hurry. When they reached the cabin, the searchersfoundallthewindowsboardedup.Tallgrassindicatedthatnoonehadlivedthereforsometime,orifsomeonehad,hewasnotusingitasapermanenthome.

The two detectives searched all around the place. They could not trace the footprints anyfarther.

“I’m so fearfulNedmaybe a prisoner in there,”Nancy said. “Would it be all right to lookinside?”

The detectives agreed to unboard one of the windows. Using sharp-pointed stones, theymanagedtoprythewoodloose.Sunlightstreamedinthroughthewindow.

Nancystoodontiptoe,thengaveagasp.Amotionlessfigurelayonthefloor,hisbacktotheonlookers. He wore a white shirt and dark trousers as Ned had. The head was partiallycoveredwithascarf.

Nancy’sheartwasthumping,butshemanagedtosay,“Oh,pleasebreakin!Wemustfindoutwhothatis.”

Thedetectivesworkedon thewindowuntil theyhad itopen.AsSergeantBrothersclimbedinside,Nancyheldherbreath.Thedetectivewalkedovertothefigure,kneltdown,thenburstintolaughter.

“It’sadummy!”heexclaimed.

“Adummy?”DetectivePeronrepeated.

Nancywassorelievedthatshefoundithardtokeepfromcrying.Blinkingbacktearsofjoy,sheclimbedthroughthewindowandlookedatthefigure.Itwasindeedalargedummy,thekindusedbymagiciansandventriloquists.

So the footprints had not been Ned’s! Where was he, then? Nancy felt sure he had beenkidnappedsohecouldnotsaveherfromthemanwhohadtriedtodrownher.Shetriednottothinkwhatmighthavehappenedtoherfriend.

“Iwonderifthisbelongstoamedium,”Nancyremarkedasshelookedaroundtheroom.

Hangingonawall hookwasa robe similar to theoneMadameTarantellahadwornat theséance.Onatablelayacollectionoftinywireswithminiatureelectricbulbsattached.

“Ifall thisgear isused for legitimatepurposes,”DetectivePeronsaid, “whydid thepeopleboardupthewindows?”

Nancysaidshethoughttheplacewasahideout,andnotahome.

“Ithinkitwarrantsinvestigating,”SergeantBrotherssaid.“Firstwe’llfindoutwhoownsthiscabin.”

Nancycontinuedhersearchandafewsecondslatercameacrossashell.Asmallcardtiedtoitread:

ACrusader’sShell,so-calledbecauseitwastheemblemoftheCrusadersandwaswornbySaintJames,patronsaintofSpain.GenericnamePecten.

DetectivePeroncameovertoseewhatNancywasreading.“That’sabeautifulspecimen,”hesaid. “My wife has a set of those scalloped shells. She uses them to serve salads in andsometimescreameddishes.”

Nancyinspectedtheshellclosely.Atfirstitseemedtocontainnothingofspecialsignificance.Thenshediscoveredthattwotinyinitialshadbeencarvedintooneofthescallops.TheywereMT.

“MadameTarantella!”Nancysaidtoherself.“Doesthisshellbelongtoher?Infact,isallthisparaphernaliahers?”

Sergeant Brothers interrupted the young detective’s speculations. “We’d better board thisplaceupagainandbeonourway.NowwhataboutyourfriendNedNickerson?”

Nancy’sheartsuddenlysankagain.TheirsearchforNedhadbeeninvain!Wherewashe?

CHAPTERXIICodeIdentification

THEREwasnoconversationasNancyand the twodetectives retraced their steps.Nancy’sheartwasheavy.ShewasconvincedthatNedhadbeenkidnappedandtakenfromthearea.

NoticingNancy’s quiet,worriedmood, Sergeant Brothers said, “We’llmake every effort tofind your friend. I suppose it’s small comfort to you, but you’ve put us on the track ofsomethingIstronglysuspectisnotalegitimateoperation.”

Nancysmiledwanly.“Pleaseletmeknowwhatyoulearnfromtheowneroftheshack.”

“Iwill,”theofficerpromised.

Astheynearedtheembankment,Nancynoticedathirdcarontheroad.Thedetectivessawittooandgotreadyforpossibletrouble.

TheyhadjustcautionedNancytostaybehindthemwhiletheyinvestigated,whenfouryoungpeoplesteppedfromthecarandoneofthegirlscalled,“Hi,Nancy!”

DetectivePeronlookedattheyoungdetective.“Doyouknowthem?”

“Mybestfriends,”shereplied,anoteofreliefinhervoice.

“Where’sNed?”BurtinquiredasNancyandthedetectivesclimbedtheembankment.

“Wedon’tknow,”Nancyreplied.

She introduced Bess, George, Burt, andDave to the police officers. Then the conversationturnedtothemystery.Thenewcomerswerebriefedonthepresentsituation.

“Nedhasbeenkidnapped?”Georgecriedunbelievingly.

“We’reafraidso,”Nancyanswered.“Wedon’tknowwheretolookforhim.”

Bessremarked,“YoumusthavehadsomefrightfulmomentswhenyousawthatlifelessformandthoughthewasNed.”

“Icertainlydid,”Nancyagreed.She lookedat thecar inwhichtheyoungpeoplehadcomefromtown.“DidyouborrowthisfromHelenandJim?”

“Yes,”Davereplied.“DoyouwantustogoonasearchforNed?”

SergeantBrotherssaidhethoughtthiswasuselessatthemoment.Thepolicewouldsendoutamissing-personalarm.

“Ithinkitwouldbebestforyouyoungpeopletoreturntothemotelandwaitforsomewordfromus.”

Burt and George decided they would ride with Nancy and bolster her spirits. They werecareful,however,nottobeoversolicitous,andtalkedcalmlyabouttheirspeculations.GeorgewaspositivethatthePrizersandMadameTarantellawerebackofthewholemystery.

“Buttheirmotiveeludesme,”shesaid.

BurtsuggestedhopefullythatNedmightnothavebeenkidnapped.“Hecouldhavehiddeninthebackofthecarortruckthatdroppedoffthegorillawhoattackedyou,Nancy.”

“Heseemedlikeagorilla,allright,”Nancysaidwithasmile.

“Burtisright,”Georgeadded.“I’llbetNedwillreturnwithabigsurprise.”

Nancyhopedso,butshewaswellawarethatherfriendsweretryingtocheerherup.When

theyreachedthemotel,sheinsisteduponstayinginherroom.

“Iwanttoberightbythetelephoneifanycallscome.Thepolicemayphoneorsomeoneelse.”

She did not mention Ned’s name, but Bess and George knew he was uppermost in herthoughts.

“Aren’tyoucomingtosupper?”Bessqueried.

Nancyshookherhead.“I’llhaveatraysenthere.”

TherewasnodissuadinghersoBesssaidshewouldattendtoorderingit.“Isawthemenu.How about some jellied consommé, southern fried chicken, rice croquettes, beans withmushroomsaugratin,lettuceandcucumbersalad,andachocolateparfaitfordessert?”

Nancyclosedhereyes.“Thatmuchfoodwouldmakemefeelpositivelyill.I’lljusthaveaplainchickensandwich,tea,andsomefruit.”

Afterarrangingasignalofthreeknocksonthedoorforsafety,BessandGeorgeshoweredandchanged their clothes, then left the room.Nancy tried to read, but she couldnot keephermindonthebook.Shepacedtheflooruntilinterruptedbytheknockingsignal.Sheopenedit.Oneofthebusboysfromthediningroomwasbringinghersupperonatray.

Hesmiled.“You’renotfeelingwell,miss?”heasked.

“Oh,I’mallright,”Nancyreplied.“I’mnotveryhungryandbesidesI’mwaitingforaphonecall.”

Theboyplacedthetrayonalowtableandlefttheroom.Nancysatdownandbegantomunchthechickensandwich.Butaftertwobitesshedidnotfeel likeeatinganymore.Thehotteawasso refreshing that shedrank twocupsof it.Sheeyedadelicious-lookingnectarinebutcouldnotbringherselftoeatit.

“I’llkeepthefruituntillater,”shetoldherself,andbeganpacingtheflooragain.

Ateighto’clockthetelephonerangandshesprangtoanswerit.“Nancy?”ItwasNed’svoice!

“Oh,Ned,areyouallright?”shecried.

“Neverfeltbetter.”

“Whereareyou?”

“Atthethirdstoponourhunt.”

“Youmeantheredbarnwiththeghosthorse?”Nancyaskedinamazement.

“Right.JustoutsideofMiddleburg.”

“Howdidyougetthere?”

“Igotaridemostoftheway,thenwalkedtherest.Ihavelotstotellyou,Nancy,butmostofitwillhavetowaituntilIseeyou.

“Iwaskidnappedby twomaskedmenbut Iescaped. Ican’t tellyouanymorenow.What Iwant you and all the ghost hunters to do is get up here as quickly as possible. I’vemadereservationsatRedBarnGuesthouseforeveryone.”

Nancysaidshewouldspeaktotheothersimmediatelyandcallback.Hegaveherthenumber.

Shehurriedtothediningroom.Theghosthunterswerejustleaving.Quicklysheexplainedtothemaboutthecallbutadded:

“There’sapossibilitythatNedisbeingheldbykidnapperswhomadehimtelephone.ItmightbearusetogetusawayfromhereandovertotheRedBarn.”

“Buthowcanyoufindout?”Bessasked.

Nancy smiled. “Sometime agoNed and I decided on a code identification.When I call himback,I’lluseit.”

Davewasintrigued.“Maywelisten?”heasked.

“Comealong,”Nancysaid.

Forprivacytheyallwenttoherroomandshemadethecall.ThewomanwhoansweredthephonesaidshewouldgetMr.Nickersonatonce.

WhenNedcameonthephone,Nancyaskedhim,“Whatisyourrightname?”

Helaughedheartily.“Igetyou.It’sEdwardEmerson.”

“Holdthelineaminute,Ned,”Nancyrequested.Sheturnedtotheotherghosthuntersandsaid,“ThatanswermeansNedisnotaprisoner.Ifhehadbeenhewouldhavesaid‘Ikeepmymiddlenameasecret.’”

NancyspoketoNedagain.“We’llbeattheRedBarnGuesthouseearlytomorrowmorning.”

AssoonasNedhadhungup,NancytelephonedSergeantBrothersandtoldhimNedhadbeenkidnappedbutescaped.Thensheaskedtheofficerifhehadanyinformationaboutthecabinwiththedummyinit.Hetoldhernoonehadcomethereinthemeantimeandtheownerhadsaidhehadnevergivenpermissionforanyonetousetheplace.

“We removed all of the paraphernalia and brought it here to headquarters,” SergeantBrotherssaid.“Bytheway,thatmaledummyisveryinteresting.Actuallyhe’sakindofrobotwithall sortsofgadgets tomakehimperform.Hecanwalk, run,andevenattackapersonwithsomekarate-likemotions.”

NancytoldthedetectivehersuspicionsaboutMadameTarantellaandtheinitialsontheshell.“Shemaybepartof thegangcarryingonsomeshadybusiness.We’removingtomorrowtotheRedBarnGuesthouse outsideMiddleburg.” The officer thanked her, then said that thepolicewouldgetintouchwithheriftherewereanyfurtherdevelopments.

WhenNancytoldtheotherghosthuntersabouttherobot,Georgesaid,“Um!Itcouldattacksomeoneorstealwithoutleavingasinglefingerprint!”

“One thing is sure,”Nancywenton. “Thepersonwhobuilt it is a cleverengineer.That, ofcourse,pointstoWilburPrizer.”

WhentheghosthuntersreachedtheRedBarnGuesthousethefollowingmorning,Nedtookthem into the living room. They found that he was the only person staying there. Georgeremarkeduponthis.

“Peopleareafraid tocomehere,”Ned toldher. “Theowner,Mrs.Hodge—she’s in theatticnow—isverydiscouragedandsaidshemayhavetoselltheplaceforfarlessthanitisworth.Doesthatsoundfamiliar?”

Inachorustheghosthuntersanswered,“SevaneeLakeandPineGroveCamp.”

“Isuspectsomethingsimilarmaybeoccurringhere,”Nedremarked.“We’llhavetofindout.”

Nancy asked, “Have there been any other ghostlike happenings here besides the phantomhorsewiththeriderrunningafterit?”

Nednodded.“Mrs.Hodgesaysallsortsofqueerthingshavebeengoingonherelately,someoftheminsidethehouse.Theoldghoststoryhadlongsincebeenforgotten.Thenafewweeksagoaguestactuallysawtheapparition.

“Shetoldothers,andlittlebylittleeveryonemovedout.Afterthat,newcomersstayedonlyashort time because one of them always saw the horse and the rider. Of course the storyspreadandnownoonewritesforreservationsorstopshere.”

“Whatashame!”Bessexclaimed.

Burtsaidinaquietvoice,“Youdon’tthinkMrs.Hodgeishavinghallucinations,doyou?”

“No,Idon’t,”Nedreplied.“Iwasintroducedtooneofthehappeningslastnight.”

“Oh,whatwasit?”Bessaskedexcitedly.

Ned said he had been awakened by terrible screaming out on the road. “It sounded as ifsomeonewerebeatinganotherwithachain.”

“Horrible!”Bessshuddered.

“Italarmedme,naturally,”Nedwenton.“Irantothewindowandlookedout.Therewasn’taperson in sight. I half expected to see an apparition,maybe even the horse and rider, butnothingappeared.”

“Thescreaminghadstopped?”Nancyasked.

“Yes.ThismorningIaskedMrs.Hodgeaboutit.Shehadheardthesoundstooandlookedout,butsawnothingsuspicious.She’sconvinced thatsomeone is trying toruinherbusinessonpurpose.”

For a few minutes they discussed the strange affair, then Nancy said, “Ned, tell us whathappenedtoyouafteryouleftmeunderthebridge.”

“Acoupleofthugsjumpedmefromsomebushes.IwasnomatchforthemsoIpretendedtoblackout.Theydumpedmeinthebackoftheircar.Anhourlateronasideroadtheyhadaflat tire and got out. I suddenly ‘came to life’ and ran off in thewoods. Butwhy did theykidnapme?”

Nancytoldhimaboutherexperienceatthebridgeandadded,“Theywantedyououtoftheway.”

Theconversationwassuddenlyinterruptedbyaloudcrashupstairs!

CHAPTERXIIITheVanishingHorse

THEghosthuntersdashedupthestairs,withNedinthelead.Theyhurriedalongthesecond-floorhalltoadoorleadingtotheattic.Awomanstoodatthefootofthestairway.

“Mrs.Hodge!”Nedexclaimed.“Whatfell?”

Thewomanwasashwhite.Inherplain,pale-graydressandwhitehair,shealmostlookedlikeaghostherself.

Sheanswered in a trembling voice, “A—trunk. It’s been standingon topof another one foryears.AllofasuddenwhileIwasupthereitbegantoteeter,thencrashedtothefloor.”

ItwasevidenttoNancythatMrs.Hodgewasunnerved.Withoutwaitingforanintroductionshewentuptothewomanandputanarmaboutherwaist.

“Pleasecomeandliedown,”shesaidgently.“We’llinvestigateandseeifwecanfindoutwhythetrunktoppledover.”

She supportedMrs.Hodge,who led theway to her ownbedroom.The others followed, allexpressingsympathyoverherfright.

Ned then introduced Nancy and the other ghost hunters. Mrs. Hodge acknowledged theirfriendly greetings and remarked that this was no way for the owner of a guesthouse towelcomeanyone.

“Pleasedon’tworryaboutit,”Nancysaid.“Weknowyouhavehadagreatdealoftroubleandwe’dliketohelpyou.Willitbeallrightifwesearchtheattic?”

“Pleasedo,”Mrs.Hodgesaid.

Since theatticwas small itwasdecided thatonlyNancy’sgroupwouldgo.Ritawanted todetermineforherselfiftherewereanysupernaturalanglestotheincidentandshewentwiththem.

They climbed the stairs and looked around. The crudeness of the unfinished attic and thesmallwindows indicatedthatthehousewasveryold.Antiquepiecesof furnitureandboxesstoodhereandthere.Anoldblanketwasflungacrossarafter.

Toonesidelaythetoppledtrunk.Itslidhadopened,scatteringflimsyold-fashioneddressesonthefloor.Behinditstoodtheothertrunk.

Nancyhopedtofindareasonfortheaccident.Whiletheothersinthegrouplookedaroundthebigroom,sheandNedpushedthesecondlightweighttrunkawayfromitsposition.Theyfoundthatitscontentswereantiquedollsandtoys.

“Ned,look!”Nancyexclaimed,pointingtothefloor.

Wherethetrunkhadstoodwasatrapdoorwithanironhandle.Nedpulledthedoorupeasily.Theundersidewascoveredwithwallpaperwhichmatchedthatofthebedroomclosetbelow.Thedoortotheroomwasopen.

“Someonewasunderthistrapdoorandpusheditup,”Nancyremarked.“Iguesshestoodonthedressing-tablestoolthat’sinthecloset.”

“Let’sgodownstairsandseeifanyone’shiding,”saidNed.

With a quick explanation to the others, they scurried down the stairs and rushed to thebedroomwiththetrapdoor.Noonewasthere.Thecouplemadeaquicksearchoftheotherroomsonthesecondfloor,thenhurriedtothefirstfloor.Theyhadnoluckthereeither.

“I guess the intruder made his getaway while we were all talking to Mrs. Hodge in herbedroom,”Nedsurmised.

TheywentupstairsandtoldMrs.Hodgewhattheyhaddiscovered.

Nancyasked,“Didyouknowtherewasatrapdoorinthatcloset?”

“No,Ididn’t.Ohdear!ThisisjustonemoresignthatIambeingharassedbytherealandtheunreal.”

“Haveyouanysuggestionsas towherethemischief-makermightbehiding?”Nancyasked.“Doyouhaveabasement?”

“Yes, but I keep it locked and carry the keywithme. He couldn’t be down there. But it’spossiblehemightbehidingoutinthebarn.”

“We’lllookthere,”Nancysaid.

ShewentbacktotheatticandtoldherfriendswhatsheandNedhadfoundandtheirplantosearchthebarn.

“Pleasecomeandhelpus,”shesaid.SmilingatRita,sheadded,“I’mafraidtherewasnothingsupernatural about the fallen trunk. An intruder probably had been waiting for anotherchancetoscareMrs.Hodge.Perhapshestayedinthatroomasaguestandfoundoutaboutthetrapdoor.”

Therestoftheghosthuntersstartedforthebarn,butNancystayedbehindtospeaktoMrs.Hodge.“Canyourecallthenamesofallthepeoplewhorentedtheroomwiththetrapdoorduringthepastyearorso?”

“Notoffhand,butI’llshowyoumyguestbook.”

SheandNancywenttothefirstfloorandMrs.Hodgebroughtouttheold-fashionedregister.Together,sheandNancyquicklyscannedthelistofguests.

SuddenlyNancystoppedatadateoneyearpreviously.Shepointedtoitexcitedly.“Herearetwonamesfamiliartome,”shesaid.“Mr.andMrs.WilburPrizer.”

Nancyaskedwhat themanandwoman looked like.Mrs.Hodge’sdescriptionexactly fittedthecoupleNancywastryingtofind!

“They’retheones!”Nancyexclaimed.“Canyoutellmeanythingelseaboutthem?”

“Well, notmuch. They seemed very nice and kept to themselves a lot. The twowere greathikers.Theyspentmuchoftheirtimeoutdoorswalkingthroughthefieldsandwoods.

“OnceMrs.Prizersaidtome,‘IwishIhadaplacelikethis.Didyoueverthinkofsellingit?’Ofcourse,Itoldherno.Atthattimemybusinesswasverygood.”

Elatedwithherclue,Nancyhurriedofftojoinherfriendsandtellthemwhatshehadlearned.

Nedsaid,“WhenIwaskidnapped,Ipickedupanoteonthecarfloor.Itsaid,‘Forcesaleredbarn.’I’msureit’sthisplace.”

“Obviously you’re right!” Nancy exclaimed. “Prizer is trying to break down Mrs. Hodge’sresistancebeforeofferingheralowpriceforthefarm.”Theothersagreed.

Theyhadfoundnoonehidinginthebarnoranyoftheoutbuildingsandgaveupthesearch.Duringtheafternoonthegroupdiscussedwaystotrackdownthemysterioushorseandriderthatappearedatthefarm.

“It will be brightmoonlight tonight,” Nancy spoke up. “Why don’t we take turns standingwatchinthebarnandseeifthephantomanimalappears?”

Theghosthuntersagreedanddrew lots for timeperiods.Nancy’sgroupwas tobeondutyfrom ten to two. They all took naps directly after supper and then appeared in the barnpromptlyatten.

“We didn’t see a thing,”Helen reported as her foursome finished theirwatch. “Everythingquiet.”She laughed. “I’d like to bet that if there’s going tobe any excitement itwill come

duringthetimeNancyDrewishere!”

Theyoungdetectiveandherfriendssettleddowntowatch.Thereweretheusualsoundsofnightbirdsandinsects,butnothingelse.Theyoungpeoplefoundithardtostayawakeandkeptnudgingoneanotherwhenaheadfellforwardinsleep.

Itwasabeautifulnight.Starsgleamedbrightly and themoon shonebrilliantly.Every tree,bush,andbuildingwassharplysilhouetted.Ifanyoneshouldappear,hesurelywouldbeseenclearly.

Offinthedistanceaclockstruckthemidnighthour.OneminutelaterBessgrabbedNancy’sarm.

“Thereitis!”shewhispered.

Emergingfromthewoodswasawhiteghostlikehorse.Itbegantogallopacrossthefield.

“Thereitis!”Besswhispered

Aseveryonewatchedtensely,itsridercamefromamongthetrees.Hewasdressedinwhiteridingattire,andranpell-mellafterthehorse.

Atfirsttheanimalcamedirectlytowardthebarnandtheonlookerswonderedifheintendedtodashinside.Theyshrankbackfromthedoorway.Butafewsecondslaterthehorseveeredaroundandheadedtowardthewoods.Thetrailingriderturnedalsoandspedafterit.

“Wemusttrytocatchhim!”Nancyexclaimed.

She and the others rushed from the barn and raced across the field. Would they find the

animal and theman among the trees or had they gone on farther? By the time the ghosthuntersreachedthespotwherethemanandhishorsehadenteredthewoods,therewasnosignofeither.

“Theyweren’treal!Theywerephantoms!”Besssaidshakily.

Neddroppedtohiskneesandputhiseartotheground.“Funny,”hesaid,“Ican’thearthesoundofhoofbeats.”

“Ofcoursenot,”saidBess.“Thehorseandriderwerespooks!”Sherecommendedthattheyallgobacktothebarnuntiltwoo’clockandthengetsomesleep.

Sinceitseemedimpracticaltotrytofollowthehorseandriderthroughthedarkwoods,thesearchersdidasBesssuggested.Nooneelseappearedduringtherestoftheperiod.

The episode was reported to the next set of watchers. In the morning they reported thatnothinghadhappenedduringtherestofthenight.

“ButIwishithad,”Donsaidindisappointment.

AtSundaybreakfastNancyproposedthattheghosthuntersmakeasearchinthewoodsforcluestothestrangehorseandrider.Allagreedthatitwasagoodideaandsetofftogether.

Astheywalkedthroughthefieldleadingtothewoods,Ritasaidinahushedtone,“Therearenohoofprints!Thatmeanshewasaghosthorse!”

“Iagree,”saidBess.“Ohdear!Idon’tlikethis.”

Nancy foundaseriesof footprints,however, inexactly thedirection thephantomriderhadtakenfromthewoodsandbackagain.

“I’ll bet,” saidRita, “that these footprints belong to somebody else. The ghost horse had aphantomrider.”

Following theman’s footprints, the searchers came to a place in thewoodswhere severalbusheswerebrokendown.

AmomentlaterGeorgecriedout,“Iseehoofprints!”

Shestartedtorunandsoonoutdistancedtheothers.

SuddenlyBessscreamed,thencriedinterror,“Georgefelloutofsight!”

Seeminglytheearthhadswallowedhercousin!

CHAPTERXIVTheShellClue

HORRIFIED,NancyandherfriendsrushedaheadtofindoutwhathadhappenedtoGeorge.Hadtheghostriderwaylaidher?

“George!George!Whereareyou?”Besscriedfrantically.

ItdidnottakethemlongtofindGeorge.Shehadfallenintoashallowpitcoveredwithbrush.Disentanglingherselffromthetwigsandbranches,shesaidsheepishly:

“I sure fell intoa trap.OldGeorgedoesn’tknowwhethershe’ssupposed tobeabearorarabbit!”

TheotherslaughedandBessheavedagreatsighofrelief.BurtreacheddownahandtohelpGeorgeclimbout.

“Iwonderwhysomeonedugapithere,”Daveremarked.

“Probably to keep anybody from following the horse,” George declared. “Let’s find thehoofprintsandpursuethem.”

Thegrouphastenedonthroughthewoods.Itwaseasytofollowthemarks,butunfortunatelytheyendedatthemainroadwhichwasmacadamandfailedtoshowtheprints.

“Iguesswe’llhavetogiveup,”Nedremarked.“Toobad.”

Disappointed,theghosthuntersturnedaroundandretracedtheirstepsthroughthewoods.

Davesaidhewasstillpuzzledaboutthehorse.“Weknowthatitwasrealandsowastherider.Butwhydidn’ttheanimalleavehoofprintsinthefield?”

Nancy said she had a theory. “I don’t believe thatwhite horsewas real. Itwas probably atremendous balloon stretched over a mechanical horse which the rider guided by remotecontrol.”

“Youmeanlikethephantomcanoe?”Georgequeried.

“Yes.AndofcoursethismakesmethinkthattheriderwasWilburPrizer.”

Burt said he could not understand why the man went to such elaborate, and presumablyexpensive,meanstopullaghosttrick.“Ishesomekindofnut?”

“Oraheartlesscrook,”saidNancy.

WhentheyreachedthepitwhichGeorgehadfalleninto,Nancystopped.“Ihaveahunchweshouldinvestigateunderthebrushinthere.”

Theboysjumpedinandremovedthetwigsandbranches.ThenNancysliddownandbegantosearch. Thereweremany leaves to be cleared away, but finally her effortswere rewarded.Shepickedupasmallshell.

“I wonder if somebody threw this in here,” she said, “or if the digger dropped it from hispocket.”

Georgeremarked,“Anothershell!Isanythingcarvedonit?”

AssoonasNancyclimbedtopsidewherethelightwasbetter,shebegantoexaminetheshell.

“Here’samark!”shesaid.“ThesameasI’veseenbefore—MT.”

“Thatwomanmustbeanavidcollector,”Daveremarked.“Thisshellispretty.”

Itwasdeeporangeandhadaninterestingcurled-oversectiontoformtheabodeofthesnailwhichhadlivedinside.

Whentheyreachedtheguesthouse,Mrs.Hodgeaskedtheghosthuntersiftheywouldliketoattendchurchwithher.AtonceNancyandNedsaidtheywouldbegladtoaccompanyher.

Georgesaid,“I’dliketogo,too.Howmuchtimedowehavetogetready?IfellinaholeandI’llhavetotakeabath.”

“Oh,youhaveahalfhour,”Mrs.Hodgesaid.

“I’llmakeit,”Georgesaidanddashedupthestepstwoatatime.

Everyonewantedtogoandwenttotheirroomstoputonmoreappropriateclothesthanthesportsoutfits theywerewearing.Nancywasready firstandcamebackdownstairs toshowMrs.Hodgetheshell.

“Doyouknowwhatitis?Ilovethecolorofit.”

“No,Idon’t,”thewomanreplied,“butthere’sabookonshells inthe living-roombookcase.Lookontheshelfwherethepaperbacksare.”

Nancylocatedthebookeasilyandturnedthepagesuntilshefoundapictureofashell liketheoneinherhand.

“There isa large familyof shellscalledCypraea,” thebookstated. “Theircommonname iscowries.TheseshellsarehighlyprizedbythenativesintheFijiIslandsofthePacific.Atonetimethechiefworeacowrieasabadgeofhisofficeandnobodyelsewasallowedto.”

Shereadon.Fromwhatshelearned,Nancytoldherself,“ThismustbeaCypraeaaurantium,orgoldencowrie.”Thearticlesaidtheshellsweresorarethatthegovernmenthadputabanonthesaleofthemoutsidetheislands.

“Thenthere’snochanceofmygettingone,”Nancythought.

AtthatmomentNedappearedandshetoldhimwhatthebooksaidabouttherareshell.

“I’msurethatwhoeverlostthisonewillreturntothepitandtrytoretrieveit.Let’sgobackthereafterdinneranddoalittlespying,”shesuggested.

“I’mgame,”hesaid.“Ionlyhopethepersonwewanttoseehasn’tcomeandgonebeforewegetthere.”

Nancysighed.“Iguesswe’llhavetotakethatchance.”

Although she doubted that the Prizers would show up at church, nevertheless at thebeginningoftheserviceNancylookedcarefullyateachpersoninthecongregation.NoonepresentresembledthePrizers.

Nancygavefullattentiontothesermononthetext,Thoushaltnotsteal.Thelistenerswereremindedthattherearemanytypesofstealingbesidestakingotherpeople’sproperty.Theyincludedstealinganother’stime,goodreputation,andaperson’shappiness.NancycouldnothelpbutthinkofthePrizers.

When the service was over, she suggested a drive around the small town of Middleburg.“Maybewecanspotsomethingtohelpussolvethemystery.”Butnoleadsturnedup.

“Thisiscertainlyanice,peacefulcountrytown,”Bessremarked.“IhopethoseawfulPrizersdon’tcomehereandupsetthings.”

Twohourslater,whentheghosthuntershadfinisheddinner,Nancy’sgroupwalkedbacktothepitinthewoods.Theycouldseenoevidencethatanyonehadbeenthere.

“Maybewe’renottoolatetonabapersoncomingtolookfortheshell,”Burtremarked.

Thewatchers rearranged thebrush to look as it hadbeforeGeorge tumbled in. Theneachchoseatreebehindwhichtohide.

Thewaitseemedinterminable.TheboysgrewrestlessandNancycouldseethemdoingsomestretchingandjumpingexercises.

Presentlytherecamealoud“Ouch!”fromBessandshecalledtotheothers,“Igotstung!”

Georgehushedhercousin.“Putsomemudonitandforgoodnesssakekeepquiet,”shesaid.“You’llruinourchanceofcapturinganyonecominghere.”

Bess subsided.Shewas close to a little streamand scoopedupa small quantity ofmud toplasterthestingonherarm.

Timeseemedtopassslowly.Againandagaintheyoungpeopleglancedattheirwristwatches.Davewasabouttocallitquitswhentheyheardasoundnotfaraway.Footsteps!

Thesixspiesremainedhiddenbutkepttheireyesonthepath.Aboyaboutsixteenyearsoldwascomingintheirdirection.Hewasnicelookingandwelldressed.

“Surelyheisn’tthepersonwe’researchingfor,”Nancytoldherself.

Theboystoppedwhenhereachedthebrush-coveredhole.Hestoodlookingatitforseveralseconds,thenleaneddownandbeganthrowingthetwigsandbranchesaside.

“Someonemusthavesenthimheretogettheshell,”Nancythought.

Thehiddenwatchershadarrangedbeforehand that if anyonecame to thehole, at a signalfromNancytheywouldsurroundhim.Nowsheraisedherarmandbroughtitdownagain.

Movingstealthily,thesixyoungpeoplesteppedfromhidingandtookpositionsaroundtheboy.Theyhadbeensoquietthathewascompletelyunawareoftheirpresence.

HejumpedinfrightwhenNedsaidtohim,“Whatareyoulookingfor?”

CHAPTERXVOutwitted

THEstartledboycriedout.“I—Who—?”hestammered.

Seeing that he was surrounded, a look of fear came into his eyes. But in a moment heregainedhiscomposure.

“I—I’mjustsearchingforrabbits,”theboyansweredNed.“There’snothingwrongwiththat.”

Georgespokeup.“Didyouexpecttofindthemdowninthehole?”

“Sure.Whynot?”

Nancywalkeduptotheboyandlookedhimstraight intheeye.“Areyoutellingthetruth?”sheasked.“Ihaveanideayou’relookingforsomethingelse.”

“SupposeIam?”heasked.

Nancydecidedtotaketheplunge.“Byanychanceareyousearchingforashell?”sheasked.

Theboy jumpedinastonishment.Hisbravadovanished.Hesaid inatremblingvoice,“Howdidyouknow?”

“Ifounditmyself,”shesaid.“Whoownstheshell?”

“I don’t know,” the boy said. “And that’s the truth. My name’s Steve Rover and I live inMiddleburg.Atall,thinguycameuptomeandaskedifIwouldliketoearnalittlemoney.”

WhenStevepaused,Nancypromptedhim.“Heofferedtopayyoutofindtheshell?”

Theboynodded.“Themandidn’ttellmewhohewas,justsaidhe’dfallenintotheholeandhurthisankle.Hecouldn’twalkfar.That’swhyIcame.”

“Howdidyougetouthere?”Nancyqueried.

Stevesaidthemanhaddrivenhimtotheedgeofthewoodsandhehadhikedinfromthere.“He’swaitingforme.Idon’tknowwhathe’llsaywhenIdon’tbringtheshell.”

Nedspokeup.“We’llgowithyoubutstayoutofsight.Ifthisfellowisthemanwethinkheis,itwouldbebestifyouappeartobealone.Butafterthatdon’thaveanythingtodowithhim.”

Ned,Burt,andDavewouldprecedetheothersandhide,readytopounceonthemanassoonasStevereachedthecar.Thethreegirlsforreasonsofsafetyweretobringuptherear.

“Also,”Nancy thought, “ifwe’re allwatching him, Stevewon’t have any chance to double-crossusbyrunningaway.”

Nedandhiscompanionshaltedattheedgeofthehighwaybutkeptthemselveswellscreenedby the trees.Acarstood therebutnoonewas in it.Theireyes roamed thewoodsonbothsidesoftheroadbuttheysawnoone.

“Iwonderwherethemanis,”Nedaskedhimself.

InafewminutesStevecamesaunteringalong.Nedsurmisedthattheboywasfrightened,buthekept going.Stevewalkedout to the car, opened the front door, and climbed in.Hehadbarelyclosedthedoorandsatdown,whenhemovedoverintothedriver’sseat.

“That’sfunny,”NancywhisperedasshecameuptowhereNedwashiding.

“Maybeit’ssomekindofatrick,”Nedsaid.

ThenextmomentStevestartedthemotor.Atonceheshiftedintogearandstarteddowntheroad.

“Ohno!”criedBessassheandGeorgejoinedthegroup.“Heputitoveronus!”

Atthatverysecondthewatcherssawafigureriseupfromtheflooroftherearseat.Themanwastall,slender,andhadbushyhair!

“Prizer!”Burtshoutedindisgust.“Hesureoutwittedus.”

“Yes,”Nancysaid,“butatleasthedidn’tretrievetheshell.We’llgivethatbitofevidencetothepolice.”

Asthecarroaredoff,theyoungpeoplemadenotesofitsmake,model,andlicensenumber.

“Itshouldbeeasyforthepolicetopickhimup,”Daveremarked.

“Yes,”Burt agreed, “butby the timewecan telephone them,Prizer couldbe far awayandhavedifferentlicenseplatesonthecar.”

“Whatwillwedo?”Georgeasked.

Nancysuggestedthattheyhikedowntheroad.“Atthefirsthousewecometo,we’llasktousethephone.”

ThesixyoungpeoplestrodealongatafastpacebutcontinuedtotalkaboutthecleverwayPrizerhadeludedthem.

“When Steve got in the car,” saidNancy, “I suppose Prizer ordered him to drive away.Heprobablywastoldhewouldbeharmedifhedidn’tgowhizzingoff.”

“IwonderifStevewilltellhimaboutus,”Besssaid.

“I hopenot,”George retorted. “If Prizer finds outwehave the shell, hemaydo somethingdrastictogetitback.”

Itwasalong,hotwalktothenexthouse.Thefamilywholivedtherewasseatedonthelawn.TheygreetedthegroupaffablyandsaidtheirnamewasSutton.

“Youlookhot,”Mrs.Suttonspokeup.“Wouldyoulikesomecooldrinks?”

“Thank you. That would be very welcome,” Nancy replied. “But first I’d like to use yourtelephonetocallthepolice.Wesawaratherpeculiarincidentontheroadaboutamilefromhereandwe’dliketoreportit.”

Mrs. Sutton ledNancy into the house and showedNancywhere the telephonewas. In themeantime,thewomanwenttothekitchenandpouredsixtallglassesoffruitjuiceandfilledaplatewithhomemadecookies.

WhensheandNancyreturnedtothelawn,theyoungpeoplesatdownonthegrassandbegantosipthecooldrink.NancyaskedthefamilyiftheyknewSteveRoverinMiddleburg.

One of the daughters answered. “I know Steve. He was in high school with me, but hedroppedout.He’sokay,buthehatesschool.”

Mr.Suttonspokeup.“Yes,Barby,andhehatesworkevidently,fromwhatIhearintown.”

“Wehaveour fingerscrossed thathe isn’t inany trouble,”Nancywenton.Briefly she toldaboutSteveandthemaninthecar.

Barby’seyeswidened.“YoumeanthatmanmightharmSteve?Oh,Ihopenot!”

“Wehopenottoo,”saidNancy.“ButI’mworried.”

The refreshmentsand fewminutesof relaxation restored thehikers’ vigor.Nedasked ifbyanychancetheremightbeashortcutbacktotheRedBarnGuesthouse.

“You’refromthatplace?”Mrs.Suttonasked.“Ihearthatghosthorsehasstartedappearing

againandnobodywillstaythereanymore.”

“Unfortunately that’s true,” Nancy told her. She smiled. “We hope to solve the mysterybecausewedon’t think it’sreallyaphantomhorseandrider.Probablysomeone is tryingtofrightenMrs.Hodge.”

“Butwhy?”

“That’s what we’re trying to find out,” said Nancy. The young sleuth did not feel that sheshouldsayanythingabouthersuspicionsthatPrizerwastryingtogetthepropertyatalowprice.

Mr.Suttonsaid,“Iwishyouluck.Well,aboutashortcut.Halfamilefartherfromhereyou’llseeadirt roadonyour right.Take thatand itwill bringyououta shortdistance from theguesthouse.You’llbeabletoseeitfromtheroad.”

The young people thanked the Suttons for their hospitality and started off. After they hadhikedalongthedirtroadforsomedistance,Davebegantolaugh.

“What’s thatoldsayingabout the longestway ‘round is theshortestwayhome,or is it theshortestway ’round is the longestwayhome?Anyway, this is the longestshortcut I’veevertaken.”

Thesixtrudgedon,andfinallycametotheendofthedirtroad.AsMr.Suttonhadsaid,theycouldseetheRedBarnGuesthouseinthedistanceandturnedtowardit.

TheyfoundMrs.Hodgeveryupset.Itwasevidentshehadbeencrying.Besswentuptoherandputanarmaroundthewoman’swaist.

“Something’shappened!Whatisit?”Bessasked.

TearfullyMrs.Hodgereplied,“Idroveintotowntocallonafriendrightafterdinner.WhenIreturned,Ifoundthehousehadbeenransacked!”

CHAPTERXVIAim!Fire!

“Howdreadful!”Bessexclaimed.“Didtheburglartakemuch?”

“Idon’tknow,”Mrs.Hodgereplied.“Igothereonlyafewminutesago.”

“I’mterriblysorry,”Nancyspokeup.“Weren’tanyofourfriendsathome?”

“No,everyonewasout.Ohdear!WhatshallIdonow?”

Nancytoldherthatthepoliceshouldbenotifiedimmediately.“Wouldyoulikemetomakethecall?”

After reporting the burglary, Nancy and her friends went upstairs to see if the thief hadtampered with their luggage. Clothes and cosmetics were strewn about the floor. A quickcheckindicatedthatnothinghadbeentaken.

“He must’ve been looking for something special,” George remarked. “Nancy, what do youthinkitwas?”

Nancyshrugged.“Possiblytheshell.PrizermayhaveforcedStevetotellhimthatwe’dfoundit.Ihaditwellhiddenundertheliningofmysuitcase.”

Bess looked skeptical. “But if he thought we had it, why did he ransack Mrs. Hodge’spossessions?”

“Iwish I knew the answer,” saidNancy. “Let’s go downstairs and see ifwe can helpMrs.Hodge.She’shadsomuchtroubleitdoesn’tseemfairforanymoretobeheapedonher.”

Theyfoundthewomaninthelivingroom.Shelookedup,apuzzledexpressiononherface.

“Nothingmuchwastaken,”shesaid.“Justalittlemoneyandjewelry.Idon’tunderstandit.”

TheboyshadcomeintotheroomandNedsuggestedthattheburglarwaslookingforsomeparticularthingofvaluetohim.

“Butwhatcoulditbe?”Mrs.Hodgeasked.

“Doyouownanythingrareandworthalotofmoney?”Burtqueried.

Mrs.Hodgeshookherhead.“Aftermyhusband’sdeath,Isoldeverythingofvalue.”

Nancy gazed thoughtfully around the room. She noticed an old file box on the floor in acorner.Ithadbeenopenedandthepapersrifled.

“Wasthereanythingvaluableinthere?”Nancyasked.

SuddenlyMrs.Hodgeclutchedherthroat.“Yes.Thedeedtothisproperty!”

Shedroppedtoherkneesandbeganlookingthroughthepapershurriedly.Nancykneltbesidehertohelp.

FinallyMrs.Hodgesatdownonthefloor,lookingpatheticallyforlorn.“It’sgone!Thedeedtothisfarmhasbeenstolen!”

“Sothat’swhattheburglarwaslookingfor,”Bessspokeup.“Oh,Mrs.Hodge,I’mdreadfullysorry.Whatwillyoudo?”

DuringthisconversationNancy’sthoughtshadturnedtoWilburPrizer.Shefeltsurehehadplannedthetheft.Theman,posingasarealtor,intendedtousethedeedinsomewaytogettheRedBarn.

A few minutes later two police officers arrived. After hearing the story, one remarked,“Stealingadeedisamajoroffense.Mrs.Hodge,haveyouanyideawhomighthavedoneit?”

“No,Ihaven’t,butNancyDrewherehas.”

When the young detective gave the name of the suspect, the officer who had introducedhimself as Lieutenant Sanford said, “Wilbur Prizer is the same person you telephoned usaboutafewhoursago.”

“That’s right,” Nancy replied. “We think he is personally responsible for the ghostlyhappeningsincertainplacessohecanforcetheownertosell.

“He apparently also steals shell collections and Madame Tarantella is involved. I found acowriewithherinitialsonit.”Nancysaidshewouldturntheshellovertohimandwenttogetit.

WhenshereturnedSanfordlookedatherinamazement.“You’reanamateurdetective,aren’tyou?Haven’tIreadaboutyouinthenewspapers?”

Nancyblushedandadmittedthatsomeofthemysteriesshehadsolvedhadbeenpublicized.Quicklychangingthesubject,sheasked:

“IsthereanynewsaboutSteveRoverandthecarhewentawayin?”

“Yes,”Sanfordreplied.“Thecarwasfoundabandoned. Ithadbeenstolen.NeitherthemanyousawnorSteveRoverhasbeenseen.”

Besscaughtherbreath.“YoumeanStevehasn’treturnedhome?”

TheofficersaidNoandhismotherwasfrantic.

“Nodoubtthemanwhohiredhimtolookfortheshelllearnedabouthismeetingyouinthewoods.AtthispointthatfellowPrizerprobablydecideditwouldbetoodangeroustoletStevego.”

“Ifeelsosorryforhismother,”saidBess.“Oh,IhopethathorribleWilburPrizerdoesn’thurthim.”

The policeman assured the group that every effort was being made to find the boy. Theofficers agreed that Prizer or one of his pals had come to the Hodge home with a dualpurpose:tofindtheshellwhichhadsomespecialmeaningtohimandtostealthedeedtotheproperty.

The officers spent some time in the farmhouse searching for clues. Nancy watched them,fascinated,andpickedupacoupleofpointswhichshefeltmightbeusefulinherownfutureinvestigations.

The two officers made several notes in their report books, but were not able to get anyfingerprints or footprints. Sanford remarked, “Evidently the burglar walked around instockingfeetandhadgloveson.”

HeopenedakitandtookoutastrongmagnifyingglasstoexaminethefloorinMrs.Hodge’sbedroom.Presentlyhepickedupahair,thenaspeckofmud.

“The burglar has dark, bushy hair,” he announced. “And hemay be staying near a streamwhere ferns are growing.” The officer looked at Nancy. “I’d say he has a bad temper andstompshisfoothardwhenhe’smadorfrustrated.Thefellowcrushedfernleavesintothemudonhisshoes.”

Thepolicemengotreadytoleave.“I’llletyouknowwhatelsewefindout,”Sanfordpromised.

Shortlyafterward,theotherghosthunterscameinandweregreatlyupsetwhentheyheardofMrs.Hodge’s loss. After checking their own belongings, they reported that nothing hadbeentaken.

There had been so much excitement that supper had been forgotten. The girls offered topreparethemeal.AtfirstMrs.Hodgeprotestedshecouldnotallowpayinggueststodothis,butafteralittlepersuasionsheconsented.

Theyhad just finished eatingwhen the telephone rang.Ned answered it but calledNancy,

sayingthatherfatherwasonthewire.

“How’severythinggoing?”Mr.Drewasked.

“Neveradullmoment,”Nancyreplied,andbroughthimuptodateoneventsconnectedwiththemystery.

Herfathersaid,“You’recertainlyhavinganexcitingtrip.Ijusthadatelephonecallfromanacquaintanceofmine,Mr.Warfield.Helivesattheallegedlyhauntedmountaininnwhereyoughosthuntersaresupposedtogonext.

“It’sastrangecoincidence,”Mr.Drewwenton.“Mr.Warfieldofcoursedidn’tknowyouwerecoming there. He called me to suggest that you make a trip to the place and solve themystery.”

Nancylaughed.“I’mflattered,”shesaid.

“Whendoyouplantogothere?”herfatherasked.

Nancysaidthegrouphadnotdiscussedityet,butshecouldseenoreasonfornotgoingthenextday.

“Idoubtthatthephantomhorsewillappearagain,”shesaid.“ThedeedtothefarmisabetterweaponforMr.PrizertofrightenMrs.Hodgeintoselling.”

“Tell her not to accept any offers,”Mr.Drewadvised. “Furthermore, I think that after youleave,Mrs.Hodgeshouldhireaprivatedetectivetostaytherewithher.”

“I’lltellher,”Nancyreplied.ShepromisedtocallherfatherassoonastheyarrivedatCragMountainInn.

After she had hung up, Nancy told Mrs. Hodge her father’s suggestion about hiring adetective.Thenshejoinedtheghosthuntersontheporchtotalkovertheideaofleaving.AllagreedthatsincethepolicewereworkingonthecaseoftheRedBarnGuesthouse,therewasnoreasonforthemtostayanylonger.

Nedsaid,“Isuggestwepulloutofhereatteno’clockandhavelunchontheway.Icouldgoforalobsterdinnerandthere’sarestaurantthatspecializesinitabouttwohoursfromhere.Isupposewe’reinnogreathurrytoarriveatCragMountain.”

“Yourideaaboutalobstersoundscool,”Burtspokeup.“Ivotewestopthere.”

Inthemorningtheypackedquicklyandput the luggage in theircars.Mrs.Hodgesaidshecouldnot thankNancyand theothersenough for all theyhaddone. “I feel calmernow. Infact,Icalledmyattorneyandtoldhimaboutthestolendeed.Heagreedtotakecareofthematter.”

“That’sgood,”saidNancy.AlltheghosthuntersshookhandswithMrs.Hodgeandwishedherluck.Sheinturnthankedthemprofuselyfortheirhelp.

Afteradeliciouslobsterdinnerenroute,theyarrivedatCragMountain.Theinnwasbuiltatthesummitandonalmostsolidrock.Belowitwasdensewoods.

Mr.Warfield,Mr.Drew’s friend,waswaiting togreetNancyandher friends.Hewasa tall,gray-hairedmanwithawarmsmile.

“As soon as you’ve been assigned rooms, I’ll brief you on this interesting old place and itshistory.”

Half an hour later the ghost hunters assembled in the lobby.Mr.Warfieldwaswaiting forthem.

“Thisinn,”hesaid,“wasonceafortressandhousedmanyprisoners.Legendhasitthatmostof them died frommaltreatment. Their ghosts wail and cry out in the dungeons and thenescapetotheoutdoorswheretheyflitaroundandscarepeople.”

Besshunchedhershouldersandfrowned.Itwasevidentthisstorywasmakinghernervous.

Nancyasked,“Howrecentlyhasanyoneseenaghost,Mr.Warfield?”

“Nightbefore last,”heanswered.“Oneof theguestswhowasseatedoutsiderather late inthe evening suddenly rushed into the lobby. He declared he had seen a ragged phantomsoldiercomethroughthewallofthebasementandstaggeraround,thendisappearamongthetrees.”

Nancywassuspicious.Sheasked,“Didonlyoneguestseehim?”

“Yes,”Mr.Warfieldreplied.

Nancydidnotexpressherthoughtsaloudbutshewasconvinceditwasanotherhoax.“Isthegueststillhere?”

Mr.Warfieldshookhishead.“Themansaidhewouldn’tstayanotherdayandleftearlyinthemorning.”

Nancyhadtwotheoriesaboutthestoryoftheapparition.Eitheraspecterhadbeenarrangedforthebenefitoftheguestsohecouldspreadthestoryandkeeppeopleawayfromtheinn,orthemanhadbeenamemberofPrizer’sgangandhadcometoplanttheuntruestory.

PresentlyMr.Warfieldsaidthatthenextmorninghewouldtakethevisitorstothelowerpartoftheformerfortressandshowthemthevarioussections.“Thestoreroomsandkitchenarestillusedtoday,”heexplained.“Butthedungeonsarelockedup.”

“I’mgladofthat,”Babsaid.

Georgechuckled.“Arethekeysleftinthedoorstomakeiteasyfortheghoststogetout?”

Mr.Warfieldlaughed.“Idon’tknowthereason,butyou’rerightaboutthekeysbeingleftinthelocksontheoutsideofthedoors.They’rehugeold-fashionedturnkeys.Perhapstheownerofthisinnthinksthey’reaninterestingtouristattraction.You’llseeitallinthemorning.”

The ghost hunters were intrigued by the promise of such a venture. Nancy determined tomakeathoroughsearchoftheplace.

“TonightI’llsitoutontheterraceandwatchforghosts,”shesaidtoherself.

The supper hour did not end until nine o’clock and everyone declared he had overeaten.“Let’swalkupanddowntheporchfiftytimes,”Nedproposed.

Theghosthuntersgiggledastheyfoundthemselvespassingandrepassingoneanotherwhentheycametoeachend.Finallyallofthemwentouttothestoneparapetinfrontoftheinn.

Some of the group sat in chairs, others on the ground,while still others, includingNancy,seatedthemselvesonthewallneartheedge.Therewasalivelyexchangeofbanterfollowedbyspeculationsaboutthemystery.

Aboutanhour latertheywerestartledtohearawhistlingsoundoverhead.Lookingup, theghosthunterswereamazedtoseeaburstingdisplayoffireworks.

Almost immediately thiswas followedby a barrage of flaming rocketswhich camedirectlytowardthewatchers.BeforeNancycouldmove,oneoftherocketshitherarmandshecriedoutinpain.

CHAPTERXVIIPhantomPrisoners

ATNancy’soutcryeveryone jumpedup.Theywerehorrified toseeamean-lookingburnonherarm.

“Therockethityou?”Nedasked.

“Yes.”

Nancywasalreadymovingtowardthedoorintothelobby.Bess,George,andNedwereatherheels.

“Iwonderifthere’sadoctorstayinghere,”Georgesaid.Shehurriedtoaskthedeskclerk.

“Adoctorisaguest.I’llcallhimdownstairsfromhisroom,”theclerksaid.

AfterexaminingNancy’sarm,thephysiciansaid,“Thisisanastyburn,butyou’reluckyitisn’tanydeeper.Therewillbenopermanentscar.PleasecometomyroomandI’lltreatit.”

Nancyandherfriendswererelievedtohearthis.BessandGeorgewentwithherandwaitedwhilethedoctorgavefirstaidtosoothethepain.

“Howdidyougetburned?”thephysicianasked.“Iheardwhistlingnoisesandaslightboomoutfront.Myroom’sintherear.”

“Thenoiseswerefireworks,”Georgereplied.“Butbesidesthat,severalflamingrocketscamewhizzingourway.It’scertainlyamiraclenooneelsewashit.”

Besswasangry.“Nobodyshouldhavebeenhit.Thewholething’soutrageous.”

Nancythankedthedoctorandthegirlsleft.Sheturnedtothecousinsandasked,“WheredidNedgo?”

George said he had joined the other boys to search for the person who had launched therockets.Assoonasthegirlsreachedthefirstfloor,Nancyinsistedupongoingoutsideagaintoseewhattheboyshadfoundout.

“Don’tyouthinkyoushouldgotobed?”Bessaskedher.

“Notyet,”Nancyanswered.“Wecameheretosolveamystery.”Shesmiledwanly.“Iwouldn’twanttobeleftoutofit.”

By the time they reached the stone parapet, the men in the ghost hunters’ group werereturning.Theyhadnothingtoreport.

“Wesearchedprettythoroughly,”saidJim.“Notacluetoanyonehiding,either.Nancy,howareyoufeeling?”

“All right,” she said. “I’mwondering if perhaps there’s a clearing somewhere in thewoodswhereamachinewassetuptolaunchthefireworksandtherockets.”

“We’lllookfurther,”Billoffered.“Thoserocketsdidn’tcomefromthedirectionoftheroad,soweknowtheyweren’tlaunchedfromatruck.”

It was decided that Nancy’s groupwould investigate the dungeons the followingmorning,whiletheotherghosthunterssearchedoutdoorsforevidenceofthemischief-maker.

Everyonewasupearlyandthehuntstarteddirectlyafterbreakfast.Mr.Warfieldwasbusy,soNancyandherfriendstookflashlightsandwentalone.

Theformerprisonforcapturedsoldierswaslarge.Therewasalongcorridor,linedwithonedungeonafteranother,allwithstonefloors.

“Whatanawfulwaytotreatprisoners!”Bessexclaimed.“There’snotawindowintheplace

andnolights.Doyousupposethosepoormenweren’tallowedtoreadorwrite?”

Nedsaidprobablynot.“Iguessalltheycoulddowastalktooneanother.”

Georgeremarked,“Iwonderifanyofthemeverescaped.”

“Probably,”Burtanswered.“Sometimesprisonersdigtunnelsinordertoescape.ButuphereIguessyou’dhave togo throughsolidrock tomakeapassage.Thatwould take foreverbyhand.”

“Andthemenwouldn’thavehadanytools.”

Theghosthunterscame toadungeonwhichwas larger than theothersand theysurmisedthatseveralprisoners,perhapsasmanyastwenty,hadbeenkeptinit.

“IthinkI’lltakealookinside,”Daveremarkedandunlockedthedoor.

HeandBesswalkedaroundthecell,beamingtheirflashlights.Besswasparticularlyintriguedby the fact that two of the walls were of natural stone. The third wasman-made and thebarredfronthadbeenrivetedintothestonework.

WhileBess’sbackwasturnedtothecorridor,amischievoustwinklecameintoDave’seyes.Hetiptoedacrosstheroom,wentoutside,andsilentlyclosedandlockedthedoor.Quicklyhescooteddownthecorridorandjoinedtherestofthegroup.

AfewsecondslaterBesssaid,“We’dbettergonow,Dave,andcatchuptotheothers.”

WhentherewasnoresponsesheturnedandwasamazedtofindthatDavewasnotinsight.QuicklyBesswenttothedoor.Toherchagrinitwouldnotopen!

For several secondsBesswas furious.Shevowedall sortsof things topunishDave for theprank.Thentheangerwentoutofherfaceandshesmiled.

“ThebestlessonIcangivehimistoplayitcool,”shesaidtoherself.

Bessdecidedthattowhileawaythetimeuntiltheotherscameback,shewoulddosomemoreinvestigating.Theonlypieceoffurniturewasasolidblockofwood,probablyusedasabench.Shelookedtoseeiftherewerealidbutfoundnone.

“Maybesomethingishiddenunderit,”Besstoldherself.

Itwaswithgreatdifficultythatshewasabletomovethebench.Inthestonefloorwhereithadstoodwasalargesquarepieceofwood.

“Iwonderwhatthisisfor.Maybethere’sawellunderhere,”Bessthought.

Shetriedtopryupthepieceofwoodwithherfingers,but itwaseitherstuckortooheavy.Shecouldnotbudgeit.

Besssmiled.“Myjailer’sgoingtogetabigsurprisethatIfoundsomethinghemissed.”

At that moment her friends returned. Dave stayed in the background, wondering whatpunishmentBesshadinstoreforhim.

Tohisastonishmentshesaid,“DaveEvans,youdid theghosthuntersagreat favor.UnlockthedoorandI’llshowyousomethingexciting.”

Theyallenteredthecellandstaredatthewoodsquareinthefloor.

“I’llbetitleadstoasecretsubterraneanpassage,”Georgesaid.

“Inanycase,let’sliftitoutifwecan,”Nancysuggested.

Theyallcrowdedaroundasthethreeboystriedtoraisethewoodenpiece.Presentlyitgavealittle.Theypriedharder.Suddenlythewoodcameloose.Thenboom!Therewasanexplosionfromunderneath.

It knocked theghosthuntersoff their feet.They lay sprawledon the floor, all of them inastateofshock.

Nancywasthefirsttoregainhersensesandrealizedshehadsustainedafewbruisesandherburnedarmhurt.

Concernedabouttheothers,sheaskediftheyhadsufferedanyinjuries.Fortunatelynoonehad been harmed by the explosion, although all expected that some black-and-blue markswouldshowuplater.

“Idon’twantanymorefrightslikethat,”Georgedeclared.

Astheyallstoodupandgazedbelow,theghosthunterswonderedwhentheexplosivedevicehadbeenriggedandwhy.Therewasnoquestionbutthatithadbeenahomemadebomb,butluckilyithadnotcausedmuchdamage.

Nedshonehislightbelow.Therewerestepscutoutofthesolidrock.Hedescendedthemandannouncedthathewasinashorttunnel.

“There’sawoodendoorattheendof it. Iwonderifthiswasusedasasecretentranceandexit,”hesaid.

Nancy wanted to investigate but the others objected. “You’ve been banged up enough,”Georgedeclared.“We’llcomebacklater.”

Reluctantly Nancy agreed. “Butmake it soon so we can find out where that door leads. Ibelievethiswasanescaperoute.”

“Youmeanprisonersdugthis?”Bessasked.

“Perhaps.Oritmighthavebeenputherewhenthefortresswasbuilt.Intimeofattack,theofficersandguardscouldgetaway.”

“Yes,”Nedsaid.“Probablyafewcleverprisonersfoundoutaboutthistunnelandmanagedtogetaway.Inordernottobeshotiftheywereseen,theydrapedthemselvesinsomekindofwhitegarmentorpieceofclothsothattheylookedlikephantoms.”

“Pretty neat trick.” Dave chuckled. “And now somebody who knows the story has beenreenactingitforthebenefitofguestsattheinn.”

“Andplantedthebombtokeeppeopleout,”Burtputin.

Forthetimebeing,theblockofwoodwasputintoplaceandtheheavybenchplacedoverit.WhenNancyreachedthelobby,shetoldMr.Hesse,theowneroftheinn,whathadhappened.Hewasamazedandatalosstoexplainthebomb.

“In fact, Iknewnothingaboutthewoodenblockandthetunnel. I’llnotify thepolice.Whilethey’reontheway,let’sgodownthere.”

Whentheyreachedthespecialdungeon,Mr.Hessewasastoundedwhenhesawtheopeningtothesecrettunnel.

Theexplosionknockedtheghosthuntersofftheirfeet

“I’llgodownfirst,”hesaid.“You’vealreadyhadtwoaccidents.Itrynottobesuperstitious,butitdoesseemasifthingscomeinthrees.Pleasebecareful.”

Along thewallsof theshortpassageway thesearchers foundarowofseashells.Theywerevery beautiful. The ghost hunters wondered if by any chance they belonged to MadameTarantella.Nancypickedupseveralofthembutcouldnotfindanyinitialsorotherevidencetoshowwhotheownerwas.

Nancynoticedthattheshellswereallhighlypolishedandhadvery littledustonthem.Sheconcludedthattheyhadbeenhiddentherefairlyrecently.“It’sprobablyastolencollection,”theyoungsleuththought.

Afterastruggletheboysmanagedtoopenthewoodendoorattheendofthetunnel. It ledintothehillsidebutatsuchananglethatitcouldhardlybedetectedfromaboveorbelow.

“Butatleastonepersonknowsit’shere,”Nancythought.“Andwemayfindouthe’sWilburPrizer!”

Thedoorwasclosedandthe investigatorswentbackupstairs.Theotherghosthuntershadjustreturned.Unfortunatelytheyhadlearnedlittle.

“In a small clearing in thewoods,we foundaburnt-out fireworksdisplay and some rocketshells,butthat’sall,”DonHackettreported.

When Rita heard Ned’s theory about the escaping soldiers playing ghost, she lookeddisappointed.“YouandNancyalwaysmanagetotakethesupernaturaloutofeverything,”shecomplained.

“Whatdoyoumean?”Billasked.“Everythinginthisworldissupernatural.”

CHAPTERXVIIIWarningtoNancy

“DID I hear you right?” Rita spoke up. “Bill, you said, ‘Everything in the world issupernatural.’”

“That’s right,” he answered. Everyone listened attentively as he went on, “Think of themillionsofthingsaroundyou—aclamshellforinstance.OnlyGodcanmakeaclam,”hesaid,paraphrasingJoyceKilmer.

His audiencenoddedandBillwent on, “Youprobably thinkof clamsasbeingplentiful andcommon. There aremany varieties that aren’t seen often. Take theman-eating clam as anexample.”

“Man-eatingclam!”Bessexclaimed.“Wheredoyoufindthat?”

“On theGreatBarrierReef.Whenyougo shelling there, you’dbetterwearaheavypair ofhighsneakersbecausetheTridacnagigasmaygiveyouabadbruise.”

Billsaidthatthisman-eatingclamgrewtobethreetofourfeetacross.“Itsscallopedopeningis dotted with dozens of glowing eyes and it sometimes weighs as much as five hundredpounds!”

“Wowl”Donexclaimed.“That’snotforme.”

Helenaskedhowtheclamcouldeataman.

Bill smiled. “Personally Idon’tbelieve itdoes,because theclam is slowat closingandonewouldhaveplentyoftimetogetoutofitsway.”

Hegrinned. “It’s said that theTridacnagigascancarryapearlas largeasagolfball. If apersonwerefoolishenoughtotrytodragitout,thenhemighthaveanarmclampedbetweenthetwohalvesoftheshell.”

Helenpretendedtoshiverandsaid,“I’lllookatthatcreatureinamuseum,notareef.”

Whenthepoliceofficersarrived,Mr.HessegreetedtheminthelobbyandintroducedNancyandherfriends.

NancyaskedCaptainWatson,“HaveyouanynewsofSteveRover?”

“No,”hereplied.“Notatraceofhisabductor,either.Butit’spossibleStevewentoffwiththatmaninthecarquitewillingly.TheMiddleburgpolicetoldustheboywasalwayslookingforadventureandperhapshefiguredthiswasawayoffindingit,freeofcharge.”

Nancydidnotthinkso.Shewasgreatlyconcernedabouttheboyandwasafraidhewasinthehandsofcriminals.

“There’s some more news in this case,” the captain went on. “Night before last MadameTarantella’shutinVernonvillewasburneddown.”

“Onpurpose?”Nancyasked.

“We don’t know,” the officer said. “But this part of the story will particularly interest youghost hunters. Neighbors declared that they saw the medium’s ghost floating out in thesmoke.”

Ritacaughtherbreath.“Ohdear!ThatmeansMadameTarantellaisdead.”

Georgesmiled.“Orwantspeopletothinksheis.Thewholethingisprobablyahoax.”

The officers looked at her amused. Then Watson said, “I’m glad you don’t believe suchnonsense.”

After checking the scene of the explosion in the basement, the officers left, taking the

collectionofshellswiththem.CaptainWatsonsaidtheywouldfindoutifithadbeenreportedstolen.

Theghosthunterscontinuedtodiscussthenewsaboutthemedium.Babsaid,“Idon’tseethepointofburningthehut.”

Jimchuckled.“Maybethatstrangewomanistryingtomakeacomeback.She’llpretendshehasbeenvisitingthespiritworldandcannowbringmorefabulousmessagesthaneverinherséances.”Hegrinned.“Messagesthatareoutofthisworld.”

Whenthelaughterdieddown,theydiscussedwhatthenextstepintheirghosthuntingshouldbe.

“We seem tohavebeen stymiedat every turn,”Ned remarked, “althoughwe’vepracticallypin-pointedwhotheghostmakersare.”

Ritadeclaredshewasnotconvincedofthis.“Ibelieveinspirits!Don’tforgettherearemanyghostlyhappeningsinthisworldthathaven’tbeenexplained.”

“Granted,”herhusbandagreed.ItseemedtoNancyandherfriendsthatthiswasthewayRodinvariablyclosedoffdebatesonthesupernatural.

Nancy changed the subject. “Do you all realize that trouble has been arranged for us invariousplacesbeforewearrive?Let’sseeifwecangettothenextplacefirstandsetatrap.”

“Youmean,”Nedspokeup,“weshouldcirculatearumorthatwe’restayingherebutsneakovertotheskull-and-shellcollector’shouse?”

“Yes.”

Jimasked,“Surelyyouaren’tsuggestingthatall theghosthunterssneakoutofhere inthemiddleofthenightandstormMr.Cranshaw’splace?”

NancychuckledandDavesaidwithagrin,“Icanjustseeaheadline.‘Ghosthuntersbecomestormtroopers.’”

AfterfurtherdiscussionitwasdecidedthatonlyNancy,Ned,Helen,andJimwouldmakethetriptotheCranshawhome.Theywouldwaituntil justafterdarkandbedriventhereinsidethepaneltruckwhichbelongedtotheinn.

Meanwhile,theotherghosthunterswouldassembleonthestoneparapet.Theywouldwatchforanysignsoffireworksorrocketsorotherkindsoftricks.

“Tomakeit lookasifnoneofusismissing,”Georgeproposed,“howwoulditbeifwestartsomegames?They’llbethekindthatrequireustomovearoundalot,makingithardtocountnoses.”

“Goodidea,”saidNancy.“And,Bess,youdoplentyoflaughingandtalking.Keepthepartygayandbusy,soitseemsasiftherearealotofus.”

Bessagreed,declaringshelikedherpartintheevening’swork.“But,Nancy—andtherestofyouwhoaregoing—pleasebecareful.We’vehadenoughscarestolastalifetime.”

The fouradventurers laughedandNedsaid,“Jimand Iwilldcourbest tokeepNancyandHelensafe.”

WhenNancyspoketoMr.Hesseaboutusingthetruck,heconsentedbutsaidtherewasnoonetodriveit.

“PerhapsMr.Warfieldwould,”shesuggested.

“Ifso,I’llbegladtolethimtakeit.”

Mr.Warfieldsaidhewouldbedelightedtoparticipateintheadventure.

At nine o’clock the covered truckwas backedup close to the delivery entrance of the inn.Quickly the four youngpeople jumped into the rear of it and locked thedoor.Mr.Warfield

turnedaroundandstarteddownthedriveway.

They had barely reached themain roadwhen a car camewhizzing along.With screechingbrakesitturnedintothedrivewayoftheinnanddisappearedupthehill.

“Iwonderwhothatwas,”Nancysaid.

Jimreplied,“Whoever’sdrivingthatcaroughttohavehislicensetakenaway.He’scrazy.”

Thetwocouplessettleddownforthefive-miledrivetotheCranshawestate.

“Itstrikesmeasrathergruesome,”Helenspokeup,“foranyonetocollectskulls.Shellsareallright,butdeadpeople’sbones—ugh!”

NancysaidshewasrathercurioustomeetMr.Cranshaw.“Hecertainlyiseccentric.”

Meanwhile,theyoungmandrivingthespeedingcarhadarrivedatthefrontdooroftheinn.Hejumpedouthurriedlyandhandedthedeskclerkaspecial-deliveryletterforNancy.Itborethepostmarkofanearbytown.Theboyleftimmediately.

Feelingthatthelettermustbeimportant,andknowingthatNancyhadleftthehotel,theclerkwenttofindGeorge.Hefoundherontheparapet.

“Maybeyou’dbetterreadthisletter,”hesuggested.

George consulted her friends and all felt it probablywould bewise to open the letter. Thegames, the chatter, and the laughter had stopped.Everyonewaited forGeorge to read themessage.

Shescanneditquicklyandgasped.

Bessasked,“Whatdoesitsay?Badnews?”

Georgesaidsolemnly,“Themessageis,‘Stayoffthehighwayifyouvalueyourlife!’”

“Oh!”Besscriedout.“Nancyisindangeragain!Whatcanwedo?”

Georgetriedtotakeasensibleviewofthematter.“Sincethismessagedidn’tcomeuntilafterNancyhadgone,thesenderdoesn’tknowsheisn’there.Ibelieveit’sjustawarningtokeepherfrompursuingthemystery.”

The other ghost hunters were inclined to agree with her. In any case it was too late toovertakeNancy.

FinallyRitaspokeup.“There’sonethingwecantry.Let’sallconcentrateveryhardandhopetogetathoughtwaveacrosstoNancy.”

Althoughnoonesaidanything,eachofthemsaidasilentprayerforthesafetyofNancyandhercompanions.Bessthought,“Iftherewereonlysomewaytostopthem!”

At that very moment Nancy had a feeling they were being followed. Looking out of thepeepholeintherearofthetruck,shesawacarashortdistancebehind.Itwaskeepingpacewiththem.NancymentionedthistoNed,thensteppedforwardtospeaktoMr.Warfield.

“There’sacarnotfarbehindus.Doyouthinkwe’rebeingfollowed?”

“Isawitbefore.IadmitI’malittleworriedaboutthatpossibility,”hesaid.

“Whydon’twefindoutbyplayingthecat-and-mousegamewithit?”Nedsuggested.

“Good idea,”Mr.Warfield replied.Hesteppedon theaccelerator.Theothervehicledid thesame.

“Oh,oh!”Jimsaid.“Looksliketrouble.”

Suddenly,withanewburstofspeed,theoncomingcarshotforwardandstartedcatchinguptothetruck.

Nancy’sheartbeatfaster.Whocoulditbe?ThePrizers?

Rounding a sharp bend in the road,Mr.Warfield announced, “I see a farmhouse on a sideroadupahead.I’llturninthere.”

Afewsecondslaterhepulledintotheemptydrivewayandputoutthelights.Thetrailingcarshotpastthem.Everyonebreathedasighofrelief.

“Well,”saidHelen,“eitherthedriverdidn’tseeuscomeinhereorelsehewasn’tchasingusafterall.”

Thewordswerehardlyoutofhermouthwhentheysawthecarbegintobackup.Itquicklyreachedthefarmhousedrivewayandpulledinbehindthem!

CHAPTERXIXTheWeirdRoom

THEhiddenpassengers in the truckwaitedanxiously to seewhatwasgoing tohappen.TotheiramazementtheyheardMr.Warfieldcallanaffablegreeting.

“Whatareyoudoinghere,Officer?”heasked.

“Oh,hello,Mr.Warfield,”saidaman’svoice.“Imightaskyouthesamething.”

Thenhewenton,“Policeheadquarterswasnotifiedaboutastolentruckthatwasheadedinthisdirection.Whenyouracedalongsofastandthenturnedinhereasifyouweretryingtohide,wethoughtsurewe’dlocatedthethief.”

Mr.Warfieldlaughed.“Iwashidingallright.”

“Butwhy?”anotherofficerqueried.

“Ihavefouryoungpeopleinsidethetruckwhodidn’twanttheiridentityknown.”

Thefirstofficersaid,“Supposeyoutelluswhatit’sallabout.”

Mr.Warfieldcalled,“Comeonout,everybody!”

Ned unlocked the door, swung it open, and the two couples jumped down. Mr. WarfieldintroducedthemtoOfficersCanfieldandSumter,whomheknewfromtown.Themenaskedforanexplanationoftheyoungpeople’strip.

“You tell them,Nancy,” urgedHelen. She said to the officers, “NancyDrew is an amateurdetective.Agroupofusformedaghosthunters’clubandinvitedherandherspecialfriendstocomealong.”

InasfewwordsaspossibleNancytoldoftheiradventuresofthepastseveraldays.“Weghosthunters are suspicious that all the mysterious happenings are the work of a group ofswindlerstryingtodefraudpeopleinonewayoranother.”

“Soyou’re the folkswhohavebeengivingclues to thepolice?”OfficerCanfieldsaidwithasmile. “The authorities in every town are looking for a couple namedWilbur and BeatricePrizer,aMadameTarantella,andalsoakidnappedboynamedSteveRover.Wehaven’tfoundoutathingaboutanyofthem.”

Mr.Warfieldchuckled.“Youmenandtherestof thepolicehadbettergetonthe jobprettyquickorthiscaseisgoingtobesolvedbytheseghosthunters.”

TheofficerssmiledandtheonenamedSumtersaid,“Morepowertoyou.Well,we’llbeonourwayafterthatstolentruck.”Thetwomenleft.

The four young people hid oncemore in the truck, andMr.Warfield drove off. Nancy hadarrangedaheadoftimeforhimtostopsomedistancefromMr.Cranshaw’shome.Hewastodriveonalone,whiletheghosthuntersvanishedamongthetrees.

“Comebackforusintwohours,please,”Nancyrequestedastheyhoppedout.

“I’lldothat.”

Hehadnotgonefarwhenavoicebehindhimsaid,“Youwillnotbebackhereintwohours!”

Startled,Mr.WarfieldrealizedthatayoungmanwearingamaskhadhiddeninthetruckafterNancy and the others had left. He climbed to the front and seated himself alongside thedriver.Hewasholdingsomethingunderabandannathatlookedominouslylikeaweapon.

AssoonasMr.Warfieldcollectedhiswits,heasked,“Whoareyou?”

“Don’taskquestions,”theyoungmanreplied.“Justkeepdriving,andwheneverItellyoutomakeaturn,doso.You’dbetternotcryforhelporyou’llgethurt!”

Whilethislittledramahadbeengoingon,Nancy,Ned,andtheArchersweregettingclosertotheCranshawhouse,whichstoodfarbackfromtheroad.Onlyafewlightswereon.

“Let’swalkallthewayaroundthehousebeforeweringthebell,”Nancysuggested.

“YouandNedgo,” Jimsuggested. “Helenand Iwill staynear thedriveway in caseanyonecomesin.”

Thewindows of the oldmansionwere close enough to the ground so thatNancy andNedcouldpeerintothehouseeasily.Nothinglookedunusualuntiltheycametoalargewindowonthesouthside.Thenbothcaughttheirbreathinamazement.Theplacewasfilledwithlightedhumanskulls!

“Weird!”Nedmuttered.“Andseewhat’sonthewallabovethefireplace!”

Inthecenterhungalargestingraywhichlookedlikeadevil’sface.Itsglowingeyesflickeredonandoff.Stretchedalongthemantelonbothsidesofastarfishwereskulls.

Asthecouplestoodthere,mesmerizedbythesight,theycouldhearalowvoice.Thewordswereindistinguishable.Theycouldseenooneintheroombutwonderedifsomeonemightbetalkingsoftlyoveratelephonewhichtheycouldnotsee.

“I’dliketogointothatroom,”Nancywhispered.“Let’swalkaroundtothefrontnowandringthebell.”

NancyandNedreturnedtowhereHelenandJimwerewaiting.Togethertheywalkedupthefront-porch steps. Ned turned the big old-fashioned handle of the bell. It rang loudly,reverberatingthroughoutthehouse.

Severalminuteswentbybeforetheyheardfootsteps.Thenatall,slender,sour-facedmaninabutler’suniformopenedthedoor.Apuzzledfrowncrossedhisfaceandhelookedovertheirheadsatthedriveway.

Seeingnocar,hesaid,“Howdidyoufolksgethere?”

ThecallerssmiledandNancysaid,“Wewereoutstrolling.We’restayingclosebyandheardthatMr.Cranshawhasawonderfulcollectionofskullsandshells.Doyouthinkhe’dletusseethem?”

“I’mJeffers,”themanreplied.“I’llgoasktheoldgentlemanifit’sallright.”Thebutlerclosedthedoor.

“Nicereception,”Jimremarkedwithachuckle.

Nedlaughed.“Idon’tblamehim.Thesedaysonecan’tbetoocarefulwhomheletsin.Why,wecouldbeabunchofthieves!”

Amomentlaterthedooropenedagain.Jefferssaid,“Mr.Cranshawwillwanttoknowwhoyouare.Whatareyournames?”

Nedtoldhim.Oncemorethedoorwasclosedandthebutlerwentoff.

Thistimehewasgonealongwhileandthetwocoupleswerebeginningtothinktheywouldsurelybeturnedaway.ButinabouttenminutesJeffersreturned.Thistimeheseemedtobeinabettermoodandopenedthedoorwithasmile.

“Comein,”hesaid.“UnfortunatelyMr.Cranshawisn’tfeelingwell,buthesaiditwouldbeallrightforyoutolookathiscollection.You’llfindthisplaceismorelikeacitymuseumthanahousewayoutinthecountry.”

HeledthemintotheweirdroomNancyandNedhadseenfromoutside.Atclosehand,itwasevenmorefantastic,althoughthestingrayhadstoppedblinking.

Onewallwas linedwith lockedglasscabinets, containingbeautiful shells.Eachhadacardwiththegenericnameandpopularname,andalegend.

Nancywasparticularly intriguedbyonecalled theXenophora.The sign said that this little

snailwasunabletoprotectitselfandthereforecollectedothershellstowearonitsbackforprotection.

Itattachedthembymeansofaglueysubstancefromitsmantle.Onasandybeachorinthewaterthestrange-lookingshellwasnotappealingtootherseacreatures’appetites.

“Funny-lookingthing!”shethought,andsmiled.“He’stheoriginalshellcollector!”

HelenwasinterestedinashellcalledConusGloria-mario.Thesignsaidthattherewereonlytwenty-fivespecimensofthiscone-shapedshellknowntobeinexistence.Onewhichhadsoldfortwelvethousanddollarswasnowworthtwenty-fivethousand.

“Listentothis!”Helensaid.“Severalof theConefamilyhaveapoisonousstingmore lethalthan thebite of apoisonous snake. I hadno idea that innocent-looking shells couldharbordangeroussnails.”

Thetwogirlswalkedovertotheboyswhowerereadingthecardbelowthestarfish.Itsaidstarfishcomeinmanysizesandcolors.ThisonefromthePacific,neartheFiji Islands,wascalledthebluestarfishandmeasuredtwentyinchesacross.

“Starfish have many pointed rays, ranging from five to forty,” they read. “They have anamazing ability to restore one of the rays if it is damaged or broken off. Also, a five-raystarfishmaybreakintofiveseparateraysandaslongasithasaportionofthecenterofthebodyitmayregenerate.Inthiswayeachraycanbecomeawholenewstarfish.”

Therewasnocardbythestingray,buttheghosthuntersknewitwascalledtherattlesnakeoftheseaandthatitsspineliketailcaninflictadeep,jaggedwound,hardtoheal.

“Thisisasmallone,”Nedremarked.“Iunderstandtheygrowaslongastwelvefeet.”

AtthatmomentJeffers,whohadleftthecallersintheroom,returned.

“I’msorrytohavebeengonesolong,”heapologized.“Mr.Cranshawneededalittleattention.Theoldgentlemantoldmetoshowyouaroundthehouse,particularlythebasement.Heusedtobeabig-gamehunterandhassomeinterestingspecimensdownthere.”

As they proceeded from room to room, each one clutteredwith skulls,Nancy thought howgladshewasBesshadnotcomealong.“Thepoorgirlwouldhavehadonecontinuousshiver.”

NancysaidtoJeffers,“Withall theseskullsaround, itmakesonethinkofghosts.Haveyoueverseenanyhere?”

Thebutlergaveahollow laugh.“Tomeall theseskullsareghosts.NowI’ll takeyouto thebasement.That’swherethezoois.”

On thewaydown the stairs the visitorspassed skeletonafter skeleton.Most of themhungloosefrombracketsonthewall,butatthefootofthestairstherewereseveralinglasscases.

“We keep the real prizes locked up,” Jeffers remarked. “You’ll see a dinosaur and otherprehistoricspecimens.They’reincages,butI’llletyouintogetacloselookatafossil.”

Thevisitorsglancedatoneanother.Whatwasthepurposeofkeepingthedinosaurfossilinacage?

“I should think it would be pretty hard to steal,” Nancy thought, “but, as Jeffers said, it’sprobablyoneofMr.Cranshaw’sprizessohedoesn’twanttotakeanychances.”

Alongthewallsofthedimlylightedcorridorwereseveralenormouscagesandineachwasamonsterskeleton.Theypassedthedinosaurandwentontoanothercageinwhichtherewasadiplodocus.Jeffersunlockedthedoorandurgedhiscallerstogoinandinspecttherestoredskeleton.

HelenandJimwalked in, followedbyNed. InstinctwarnedNancynot togo,andtoget theothersoutasquicklyaspossible.

ShegrabbedNed’scoat.“Don’tgointhere!”shewhispered.

But herwarning came too late.With a violent push Jeffers sent her reeling into the cage,nearlyknockingNedover.Thebutlerslammedthecagedoorandquicklylockedit.

Hestoodstaringatthefourvisitors,thenburstintomaniacallaughter.Thenextmomentthebutlerstartedtowalkupthecorridortowardthestairway,leavinghisprisonershelpless.

CHAPTERXXTheInvisibleIntruder

As Jeffers’ prisoners berated themselves for being caught in the diplodocus cage, themansuddenlyturnedandcameback.Oncemorehegaveachilling,sardoniclaugh.

“Myrealprizes!PrettysoonNancyDrewandherfriendswillbeonlyskeletons!”

“Butwhy?”Neddemanded,holdingontothebarsandshakingthem.

Jeffersstaredathim.“Becauseallofyouhaveinterferedtoomuchwithourplans.”

Nancyspokeup.“Whoareallofyou?”

Thebutlerignoredthequestion.Insteadhesaid,“Don’twasteyourstrengthtryingtogetoutofthere.Itwouldbeimpossible.”

Hewalkedupthecorridoragainandsoonwasoutofsight.

“Thisisterrible,”Helensaid.“Whatarewegoingtodo?”

“Yes,”Jimadded.“Iwouldn’tput itpastthat idiottocarryouthisthreat.AndIdon’trelishbeingaskeletonjustyet.”

Nancywasthoughtful.Presentlyshesaid,“IwonderifMr.Cranshawispartofthegangorifhe’savictimofthem.”

Nedbeganlookingaroundthecagetoseeiftherewasanypossiblemeansofescape.Atfirstglancehesawnone.Theotherprisonersjoinedhim,tappingthewalls,ceiling,andfloor.Therearwallwasmadeofstoneandtheceilingofcement.

The two sidewallswere constructed of heavy oak paneling.While the two boys tested thepanelsononeside,NancyandHelenworkedontheother.PresentlyNancysaidexcitedly,“IthinkI’vefoundonethatmoves!”

Thetwoboysdashedoverandinamomenthadliftedouttheboard.

“Let’sgo!”Nedwhispered.

Justashewasabouttostepthroughtheopening,thefourprisonersheardfootsteps.

“We’dbetternotgoyet,”Helenadvised.

“SupposeIgoaloneandscout,”Nedsuggested.

Theothersnodded.Hesteppedoutandtheyinsertedthepanel.

“It’s probably Jeffers coming,” Nancy said. “He’ll undoubtedly miss Ned and there’ll betrouble. I suggest we play a game with him. We’ll hide behind this skeleton and keepappearinganddisappearing.Jim,you’llhavetoplayNed’spart.”

Allof themhoped that in thedim light thesubterfugewouldnotbedetected.When Jeffersappeared,Nancystoodstaringupatthediplodocus.

“Wherearetheothers?”thebutlerthundered.

Nancycalled,“Helen,whereareyou?”Helenappearedfrombehindtheskeleton.

“Andthoseyoungmen?”Jeffersdemanded.

Seemingly unruffled, Nancy said, “Jim, somebody is asking for you.” Jim appeared fromaroundthecornerofthehugefossil.

“There’sonemore,”Jefferssaidangrily.“Youngman,you’dbettershowmeyou’restillhereorthere’llbetrouble!”

Jimhaddodgedbehindtheanimal.Hewhippedoffhiscoat,pulledhishairdownacrosshisforehead,andsaunteredfrombehindthetailofthediplodocus.Hestoodthereonlyamoment—justlongenoughtosatisfyJeffers—thenhurriedbehindtheskeleton.

“Allright,”thebutlersaid,“butIwarnyou,don’ttryanyfunnybusiness.”

HehadbarelydisappearedupthecorridorwhenJimtookoutthepanelagainandthethreeofthemclimbedthrough.Nedwasnotinsight.

Theprisonerswereinasmallspacebetweentwocages.Cautiouslytheymovedforwardandpeeredupanddownthecorridor.Itwasempty.

HelenandJimstartedtowardthestairway.ButNancywenttheotherway,curioustoseewhatelse thebasementhoused. Inamoment shecame toadoorand stopped.Shehadheardafaintvoicebehindit.Someonewascryingforhelp!

Nancyturnedthehandleofthedoorbutcouldnotopenit.Apparentlythedoorwaslocked.

Inaloudwhispershecalledthroughthecrack,“Who’sthere?”

“SteveRover.Letmeout!”

“Steve!”Nancythought,astounded.Aloudshesaid,“Thisisthegirlwhofoundtheshellinthewoods. I’ll rescue youas soonas I can.Tellmeall youknow.Howdid youget in andwhobroughtyou?”

“Idon’tknowanything,”saidSteve.“Butpleasegetmeoutofhere.”

“I’lltrytofindthekeytothisdoor,”Nancypromised.

Sheturnedandwentupthecorridor.Ned,Helen,andJimwerecomingback.

Nedsaid,“There’snoexitfromthebasementexceptupthestairwaywecamedown.”

“That’stoobad,”saidNancy.ThenshetoldabouthavingfoundSteve.“Wemustgethimoutofhere.”

Nancy said she would like to talk to Steve again and find out if the boy had overheardanythingwhichmighthelpthemroundupthegang.Theyallwalkedbacktohisprison.

“Jim,”saidNed,“ifJefferscomeswe’lljumphim.”

Nancysmiled.“Andhowaboutlockinghiminwiththediplodocus?”

Nedgrinned.“Willdo,andwe’lltiehimup.”

Astheypassedthecage,NedandJimpickedupsomeropetheyhadseenhangingonanail.Nedhiditunderhiscoat.

NancyandHelenhadgoneon to speak toSteve.They learned that foodhadbeenbroughtregularlybutthatallhispleasforreleasehadbeenignored.

“DidyoueverhearyourkidnappersorJefferssayanythingunusual?”Nancycalledthroughthecrack.

Steve replied, “Once when Jeffers came in here with a tray, I heard himmutter ‘invisibleintruder.’”

“Thatmayhelpus,” saidNancy. “My friendsand Iwereprisonersherebutgot loose.Nowwe’retryingtogetoutofthehouse.We’llbringthepolice.”

Astheynearedthediplodocuscage,theyheardJeffersapproaching.Allfourhidaroundthecorner.Asthebutlerappeared,NedandJimjumpedhim.

Thestrugglewasbrief.Themanwasoverpoweredandabunchofkeystakenfromhispocket.

“Nancy,”saidNed,“trytheseonthecagedoor.Whenit’sopen,we’llgiveJeffersachanceto

bea‘roommateofthediplodocus.’”

Shefoundtherightoneandthebutlerwasboundandshovedinside.Heglaredandrantedbutnoonepaidanyattention.

“MaybeoneofthesekeysfitsthedoortoSteve’sprison,”Nancysuggested,andhurrieddownthehall.

Insecondsthekidnappedboywasreleased.WhentoldthatJeffershadbeenlockedup,Steverelaxed,butinsistedheknewnothingaboutwhatwasgoingoninthehouse.

“All Jeffers or those other twomen toldmewas that theyhad to keepmeaprisoner for awhilesoIcouldn’t tellanyonewhathappened.I thinktheyweregoingtopullsomebig joblikearobberyandthengoaway.”

Nancywonderedifthe“job”mightbestealingMr.Cranshaw’sentirecollection.

“Steve,didyoutellthemwehadtheshell?”

“Itold’emnothing!”theboyexclaimed.

Whentheghosthuntersreachedthefirstfloor,HelenandJimofferedtogoupstairsandtalktoMr.Cranshaw.Theyfoundhimsittingup inbedreading.Heprovedtobequitedeafandwasnotwearingahearingaid.

Inabrusquemannerheasked,“Where’sJeffers?Andwhoareyouandwhyareyouhere?”

Jim replied, “Jeffers let us in and told us you said it was all right for us to look at yourcollectionofskullsandshells.”

“Inevertoldhimanysuchthing,”Mr.Cranshawreplied.“WhereisJeffers?Sendhimtomeatonce!”

“We lockedhimup in thebasement,” Jimsaid.“He imprisonedus firstbutweescaped.Wethinkhe’sacriminal.”

“What!”theelderlymanexclaimed.“Jefferswasagoodhouseman.”

“Didyouevermissanyofyourpricelessshells?”Helenasked.

The elderly man said Yes he had, but that it was hard out in this isolated place to keepburglarsaway.

“Besides,Iprobablyshouldn’tadmit it,butIhavealwaysbelievedinghosts.Oftenbeforeatheft, Iwould be awakened during the night and see a phantom figure floating aroundmyroom.Thenitwouldseemtodisintegrateandvanish.”

Jim said, “It sounds like the trick used by amanwe’re trying to find.He’swanted by thepolice.”

Meanwhile,NancyandNedhadtakenStevetotheroomwherethelightedskullsandblinkingstingraywere.TheboygrabbedNancy’sarm.“Thosethingsarehorrible!Whyaretheeyesofthatthingwiththetailblinking?”

“They’renotreallyeyes,andtheydon’talwaysblink,”Nancyanswered.

“Listen!”Nedsaidsuddenly.

Aman’svoicewasissuingfromthestingray!

NancyandNedwalkedover.Theremustbeaminiaturetwo-wayradioconcealedinside!

“Answerme!”theunseencallerwassaying.

Nancywhispered,“Ned,youtryit.”

He lookedcarefullyat thestingrayand founda tinybuttonwhichhepressed, feelingsure

this must be the sending position. He said into the mike, “Jeffers,” then switched to thereceivingposition.

Thevoicesaid,“Givethepassword!”

Nedshruggedhelplessly.Nancywhispered,“Try‘invisibleintruder.’”

Hedidandthepersonthensaid,“Wewillarriveattwelveo’clock.Havesupperreadyandtheprizes.”Thespeakersignedoff.

NancyandNedlookedateachotherwiththesamethoughtinmind.Nodoubtthecallerhadbeentoldearlier that Jeffershadcapturedthem.Were they theprizes?Ordid themessagemeanloot?

Nancyfeltthatthevoicehadsoundedfamiliar.CouldithavebeenWilburPrizerorhisfather?

“Wemustnotifythepoliceatonce,”shetoldNed.

They called headquarters and were told that several officers would be dispatched to themansionatonce.

At thatmomentMr.CranshawcamedownstairswithHelenand Jim.Hewasamazedat theturnofevents.“I’llbegladtohelpinanywayIcan.”

When the police arrived, the young people quickly told their story. It was decided thateveryonewouldstayoutofsightuntilafterthevisitorshadarrived.

Abouteleven-thirtyeveryone, includingSteveRover, foundplaces inwhich tohide.Since itseemedlikelythatthevisitorswouldprobablygototheroomwherethestingraywas,NancyandNedsecretedthemselvestherebehinddraperies.Twoofficerswereoutofsightinasmalladjoiningroom.

ThefrontdoorhadbeenleftunlockedsothatthearrivalswouldnotwonderwhyJeffershadnotadmittedthem.Nedhadclickedaswitchwhichturnedofftheblinkingeyesofthestingray.

Abouttenminutestotwelvetheunseenwatchersheardacardriveup.PresentlyNancysawthe elderlyMr. Prizer come into the room.Hewas followed by his son andwife, and thenMadameTarantella.Behindthemwerefourothermen.

“IwonderwhereJeffersis,”saidWilburPrizer.

“Probablykeepingtheoldmanupstairs,”hiswifereplied.

MadameTarantellaspokeup.“Wecangoaheadwiththemeetinganyway.”

“Yes,cousin,”saidWilbur.“Yougofirst.”

Themediumbegantolaughandtoldofherfakeséances,mentioninghowshehadevenfooledthecleverNancyDrew.“AfriendofminewasspyingonCarsonDrewinconnectionwithoneofhiscases,andheheardabouttheghost-huntingtrip.AfterthatIhiredadetectivefromthatshadyagencytoobtainherhistoryandtofollowheraroundafterwelearnedshewastojointheghost-huntinggroup.”

“Howmuchdidyoubring?”theelderPrizerinterrupted.

Madame Tarantella opened a bag and dumped a large heap of bills on a table. “Severalthousanddollars,”shereplied.“PartofitisfromthesaleofshellsmydarlingcousinWilburmanagedtostealfromcollectors.”

PresentlyitwasWilbur’sturntoreporttothegang.Hetoldofhavingswindledseveralpeopleoutof theirpropertyandreselling itatatremendousprofit.Hebragged,“I frightenpeoplewithmyghostlyinventionswhichneverfail—acanoe,ahorse,aphantomsoldier,anoctopus,a ghostly woman and vapor man. My miniature radio sets which are hidden in shells aregroovytoo.They’remyinvisibleintruderstotalktoinsidemembersofthegang.”

Oneof themenspokeup. “Butyoucouldn’tdoeverythingalone.YouneededmeandMike

heretohandlesomeofyourdirtyworklikekidnappingthatkidandbringinghimhere.AndwehadtosnatchtheDrewgirl’sboyfriend.”

“Butyoulethimgetaway,”Wilbursaidsarcastically.

“Nevermind,”MadameTarantellainterrupted.“IsentNancyDrewamessagetonighttellinghertostayoffthehighwaybutshedidn’tdoitandnowshe’saprisonerofours.”

Atthatmomentseveralpolicemenrushedintotheroom.Thegangwastakenbysurprise,andthoughtheytriedtoescape,eachofthemwascaughtandheld.

“Youhavenothingonus!”WilburPrizercriedout.

“We have everything on tape,” one of the officers told him. “Besides, we have severalwitnessesheretotestifyagainstyou.”

ThiswasasignalforNancy,Ned,Helen,Jim,Steve,andMr.Cranshawtocomefromhiding.Thecriminalsstaredinfrightandutterastonishment.

MadameTarantellapointedafingeratNancy.“You!”shescreamed.“Youdidthis!Mayyourgrandfather’sspiritcomedownandstrikeyoudead!”

Despite the excitement Nancy had to laugh. “You’re good at disguising your voice on thetelephone. But your fake predictions aren’t going to fool people any longer.” Then NancyturnedtoNedandsaid,“IwonderwhereMr.Warfieldis.”

“Righthere,” saidavoice from thedoorway. “Thisman”—hepointed tooneof theyoungerprisoners—“threatenedmeandmademedriveoffwithhimso I couldn’t comeback in twohourstohelpyou.ButIguesshehadthismeetinginmindandfinallyheleftmeonacountryroad.HeletthegasoutandfiguredIcouldn’tgetbackherebeforethemeetingwasoverandthiscollectionofshellsstolen.”

Thegangmembersputupnofurtherresistanceandadmittedtherewasnousedenyingwhatwasrecordedontape.

As theywere led away,MadameTarantella turned toNancy. “I hate you, but Imust admityou’recleveratsolvingmysteries.Wherearemypapers?”

“Safe.Whydidyougivethemtome?”

“BecauseIdon’ttrustmycousins.Theydouble-crossedmeandstolemymoney,butIcouldn’treport thembecauseofmyownwork.Wilburevenburnedmyhutandmadeaghostgoupwiththesmoke.Iwastoomuchinhispowertoresisthisorders,becauseIdidhelpstealalotofvaluableshells.Theoneswithmyinitialsonthemheldhisinvisibleintruderatonetimeoranother.

“You,NancyDrew,youcanbetrusted.Keepmypapersformeuntil Igetoutofprison.”ToNancy’ssurprise,thereweretearsinthewoman’seyesasshewasledawaybythepolice.

SuddenlyNancy realized that thecaseof the invisible intruderhadcome toanend.Wouldanother mystery come along soon? Much to her delight, she found herself involved in anunusualcasesurroundingTheMysteriousMannequin.

Thepolicehadgonedownstairs to get Jeffers,whowas also taken away.AshepassedMr.Cranshawinthehall,thebutlerhunghishead.“I’mgladtheydidn’tgetyourcollection,”hesaid.

Mr.Cranshawlookedafterhim.“Despiteeverything,I’mgoingtomissJeffers,”hesaid.Thenasathoughtstruckhim,headded,“UntilIcanfindabutler,wouldyoughosthuntersdomethehonorofbeingmyhouseguests?”

Nancyandherfriendslookedatoneanother,thenNancysaid,“Youmeanallfourteenofus?”

Theelderlymansmiled.“Yes,allofyou.”

Nancy telephoned the inn to tell the good news of the gang’s capture and extend theinvitation. The ghost hunters were excited and happy to hear that the mystery had been

solved.AllagreedtoaccepttheinvitationandstaywithMr.Cranshawforafewdays.

ItwasdecidedthatNedandJimwouldstaywiththeelderlymanthatnight.NancyandHelenwouldgobackwithMr.Warfieldtotheinninthetruck.

Astheywentoutthedoor,Nancychuckled.“Butthistimewe’llrideonthefrontseat!”