The Mystery at Lilac Inn - Carolyn Keene [31]
The girl’s heart pounded. A figure in glowing white moved slowly toward her hiding place. At this moment the moon came out from behind a cloud, illuminating the grove.
Nancy gasped. The other girl was in a long trailing gown. But Nancy felt as though she were looking into a mirror. The young woman’s face seemed identical to Nancy’s and she wore her titian-blond hair in exactly the same fashion Nancy usually did.
“My impersonator!” Nancy cried out involuntarily.
The strange woman stopped abruptly. She scanned the area with her eyes. Nancy came to a sudden decision: she would meet her “twin” face to face!
“I only hope my masquerade will bring results”
Without hesitation Nancy clicked on her lights and darted from behind the bush. She confronted the other figure in white. The young woman gave a start of complete surprise upon seeing Nancy. Before either could say a word, heavy footsteps were heard approaching.
The strange girl turned and fled. The next instant Nancy’s arm was seized by a man. “Let go of me!” she cried.
The man relaxed his grip and Nancy whirled around to face him. He was tall, husky, and wore slacks and a sports shirt.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“I’m a guard—Carl Bard.”
“I’m Carson Drew’s daughter, Nancy,” she said quickly. “We must catch the young woman. She’s an impostor and—”
She broke off. Carl Bard was staring at her in obvious disbelief. “I don’t see anybody else, only you, miss. But Mr. Drew told me his daughter is blond.”
In dismay, Nancy remembered the black wig she was wearing. “Oh—this is sort of a masquerade,” she explained, snatching off the wig and hiding it inside her sleeve. “I’m visiting at Lilac Inn, and I know that my father suggested you come here.”
“True. But I heard Miss Willoughby say Nancy Drew wouldn’t be returning tonight.” The guard’s tone was still suspicious. Again he gripped Nancy’s arm. “You’d better come to the inn with me. We’ll find out who you are.”
Exasperated, Nancy cried out “You must believe me. There was another girl here! She escaped just before you saw me. She’s a thief!”
The guard was adamant, and Nancy had no choice but to accompany him.
“My disguise certainly boomeranged,” Nancy thought in disgust as she snapped off the flashlights in her sleeves.
When they reached the inn the guard rang the bell of the back door, which was closest. In a few minutes Emily and Maud appeared, both in robes and slippers.
“Mr. Bard! Is something wrong?” Emily asked, after flicking on the outside light.
“I found this young woman—” the guard began as he and Nancy stepped inside.
“Nancy Drew!” Emily exclaimed. “We didn’t expect you until tomorrow!”
“And all dressed up, too. Been to a dance?” Maud asked curiously.
Nancy noticed that the social director wore full make-up. Had she really been in her room, or could Maud Potter have been the person Nancy’s double was to meet in the grove? If so, Maud might have seen Nancy and returned to the inn before she was discovered!
Now Nancy flashed Emily a warning glance and answered, “Had an interesting date.”
Emily caught on quickly. She turned to Carl Bard. “It’s all right. This is Nancy Drew.”
The guard nodded. “I’m convinced. But—”
Before he had a chance to say anything more, Nancy said with emphasis, “I’ll explain everything later.”
The man shrugged, said good night, and left.
“Did you have a good time this evening, Nancy?” asked Emily with a twinkle.
“I always do,” Nancy replied airily, for Maud’s benefit.
Just then a pleasant voice broke in, “Somebody arriving at this late hour?”
Dick Farnham came forward to join them. Emily smilingly introduced her fiancé to Nancy,
“I certainly appreciate all you’ve done to help us,” Dick told Nancy. “It’s a lucky thing you came to Lilac Inn.”
“Now we’d all better get some rest,” Emily said, and everyone agreed.
Nancy was first to reach the stairway. As she stepped up, her foot caught in the hem of her gown. She stumbled, and the black wig fell from her sleeve to the floor.
Maud glared at it. “Hm!” she