The Mystery at Lilac Inn - Carolyn Keene [11]
“Oh, thank you, Aunt Hazel. Everything looks divine!”
All the girls admired the table, set with gleaming silver, a creamy lace cloth, and a beautiful birthday cake surrounded by red roses for a centerpiece. Soft light from colonial wall fixtures completed the picture, as shadows danced on the old paneled walls.
Emily’s aunt beamed. “I want everything to be perfect tonight,” she said.
Mrs. Willoughby sat at one end of the table, her back to the open windows, Emily opposite her. By the time the main course was finished, it was almost dark outside. Then the candles were lighted on the cake and everyone joined in singing “Happy Birthday” as Emily blew out the candles.
After dessert, Mrs. Willoughby asked Mr. Daly to close the door to the private dining room. The elderly man nodded understandingly and shut the door.
Nancy realized what the sale of the diamonds
would mean to Lilac Inn
Mrs. Willoughby withdrew a white velvet jewel Case from her handbag. Getting up, she went to place it on the table before Emily, then returned to her chair. With a smile she said:
“This is a wonderful moment for you, Emily dear—the inheritance from your mother. I only hope these gems will bring you happiness.”
Nancy noticed that Emily’s hands trembled slightly as she opened the case. Everyone gasped. Against the white satin lining were the twenty diamonds which glowed and flashed.
“Oh!” Emily exclaimed. “Aren’t they beautifull” She set the box on the table.
Maud stared in fascination, and Nancy and Helen expressed their delight at Emily’s good fortune. Nancy realized what the sale of these gems would mean in financial assistance to Lilac Inn.
Emily arose and gave her aunt a hug and kiss. “Oh, Aunt Hazel, you’re a love. I’m sure Mother would understand my wanting to use the gems for my future and Dick’s.”
Suddenly the group was startled by a clattering crash from the adjoining dining room. Simultaneously, the lights went out. Nancy hurriedly rose and flicked the wall switch back and forth, but the room remained dark.
“Mr. Daly,” called Emily, opening the door, “will you please check the fuse box in the cellar ?”
“I will,” he replied. “I think a main circuit’s blown—all our lights are out.”
“Oh, dear,” fretted Mrs. Willoughby. “What a trying bother!”
“Yes. These old buildings are so undependable,” Maud said crossly. “Something’s always breaking down.”
“This can happen in a modern one, too,” Nancy said in defense of Lilac Inn. Maud merely sniffed in annoyance.
To everyone’s relief, John was heard shouting from the garden, “Hold everything! I’ll be right in!”
But as John stepped through the open window, the lights came on again. The next instant Emily, returning to her chair, gave a horrified cry.
“My diamonds! They’re gone!”
The others gasped in disbelief. Hazel Willoughby, ash-white, stared at the place on the table where the velvet case had rested. Then she pitched forward in a faint.
“Oh!” Emily sobbed fearfully.
“Your aunt will be all right,” said Nancy, who had jumped up. Quickly she and Helen dampened napkins with ice water from the tumblers and applied these to the woman’s head and wrists. In a few seconds Mrs. Willoughby revived.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized weakly. “Such an awful shock—the diamonds vanishing into thin air.”
Emily insisted that her aunt go to her room and lie down.
“I’ll be all right, dear. Really. What do we do now?” Mrs. Willoughby looked around helplessly.
“We’d better keep this to ourselves,” John said. “Otherwise, dinner guests will be upset. I’ll check outside for prowlers. However, the thief didn’t go out this window.”
Nancy decided to do some sleuthing for the thief in the building and hurried into the main dining room. The only guests were two elderly women, waiting to pay their bill. Nancy learned from them that the waitress Anna had accidentally dropped a tray, which caused the clattering noise just before the lights went out. The ladies were sure that no one else but Mr. Daly had been in the room at the time.
Nancy next went into the kitchen,