The Mystery at Lilac Inn - Carolyn Keene [32]
The secret of Nancy having masqueraded on the grounds was likely to be guessed by this busybody!
CHAPTER XIV
Earthquake Scare
“TIRED of being a blonde, Nancy?” Maud asked sarcastically. “Or are you the mysterious ghost of Lilac Inn?”
Emily, although at first surprised, sensed that Nancy had used the wig for a good reason. With a wink at Dick, she said, “Nonsense. I’ll bet Nancy’s date took her to a masquerade dance.”
The young sleuth was grateful for Emily’s quick thinking. Nancy waited for another outburst from Maud, but none came. Instead, the unpleasant woman said in a bored tone, “I think masquerades are so childish. Well, I’m going to bed.” She said good night and went upstairs.
Nancy now turned to the engaged couple. “Are you both too tired to stay up a little longer?”
Dick grinned. “Not if I’m going to hear why one of Emily’s pretty bridesmaids-to-be is masquerading as Cinderella. Tell me, Nancy, is it a new style to wear flashlights on your dress sleeves?”
“What!” Emily cried, and examined Nancy’s sleeves. “Why, Nancy, what on earth have you been up to?”
“Can we talk some place where we won’t be overheard?” Nancy requested. Dick led the way to his office.
Once inside, Nancy told of her sleuthing activities and experiences that day and night. “I’m glad you helped me along with that ‘dance’ story, Emily. Only Dad and the guard and you two know where I’ve been.”
Dick spoke up earnestly, “You might be risking your life for us, Nancy. Lilac Inn isn’t worth that.”
Nancy set her jaw. “I must outwit my impersonator before she outwits me. And if I do, I’m positive I’ll solve the mysteries of this place, too.”
Dick nodded understandingly. He said Emily had told him of all the odd happenings at Lilac Inn.
“I also explained to Dick about my fear that Maud has some hold over Aunt Hazel,” Emily said, adding that she hesitated to ask her aunt outright unless necessary.
“Of course,” Nancy said. “Mrs. Willoughby is upset as it is.”
Emily said grimly, “If I find out Maud is threatening my aunt, she’ll regret it!”
The three young people started upstairs once more. On the way, Nancy asked if Mary Mason and the gardeners had brought references when they came to Lilac Inn.
“Why, yes,” Emily answered. “But at the time, Dick and I were so busy with work here, we didn’t check them until later. They seemed all right.”
The trio said good night, and Nancy entered her room. Helen was sleeping soundly, and did not awaken. It seemed to the young sleuth that her own eyes had just closed when she was awakened by Helen calling her name frantically.
“Nancy! Nancy! Wake up! There’s an earthquake!”
“What?” Nancy sat up in bed. As she did the startled girl noticed that her bed was indeed shaking slightly.
“Quick!” Helen urged. “Let’s get out of here before the ceilings fall down!”
As the girls ran to the hall, they met Dick, Emily, Mr. Daly, Mrs. Willoughby, and Maud. All cried out that they too had felt the vibrations, which now had ceased.
“This is very strange,” Dick said. “This isn’t earthquake territory.”
On a hunch, Nancy suggested they telephone the Benton State Police and find out if the tremors were widespread. Dick made the call and with a puzzled expression reported that apparently the disturbance was confined to Lilac Inn.
Maud shrieked, “The building’s falling apartt We’d better get out of here!”
“Go if you want to,” Emily said sharply. “But the shaking has stopped and the building is still intact.”
“I’ll make an investigation,” Dick offered. “There may be something wrong with the foundation.” He suggested that Nancy and Mr. Daly accompany him to the cellar. “The rest of you wait here.”
None of the three discovered anything out of the ordinary in the basement.
Nancy smiled in relief. “Instead of falling down, this building seems to be unusually sturdy.”
Mr. Daly, however, was extremely nervous. “This has never happened before,” he said. “Dick, I strongly advise you to give up the inn. It’s—it’s just not safe here any more.”
Emily’s fianc